In healthy churches, members are growing in spiritual maturity as they serve God and one another. It is necessary that we move from a self-focus to a God-focus. In today’s sermon we shall answer two questions: 1) Who is a minister? and 2) What is ministry?
Who is a Minister?
According to Ephesians 4:11-12, God “gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service [ministry], to the building up of the body of Christ.” The apostles and prophets completed the work assigned to them by laying the foundation of the Church with Jesus being the chief cornerstone (Eph 2:20). Therefore, God has given evangelists, pastors, and teachers the work of equipping the saints for the work of ministry. Who does the work of ministry? The saints! Who are the saints? Every born again Christian (John 3:3) is a saint and therefore a minister. In fact, we should be mature ministering members of a local church.
Mature Christians
No Christian should be content with being spiritually immature. Ephesians 4:12 tells us that the saints are equipped so that the body of Christ (Church) is built up. Ephesians 4:13 says, “until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.” In other words, we must strive towards spiritual maturity so that we would think more like Christ, speak more like Christ, and act more like Christ. This is designed to happen in the local church. In Ephesians 4:14, Paul says that the result of this is that “we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming.” A spiritually immature person isn’t settled. They are tossed by waves and carried about by wind. They are in danger of being tricked by the schemes of evil men. This person needs to be connected to a local church so that they may be able to discern what is right and wrong according to God’s Word.
A mature Christian is intentional about loving God and loving others. In Ephesians 4:15, Paul writes that spiritually immature people need mature mentors. He writes, “but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ.” A spiritually immature person loves himself/herself more than others and seeks to use others for their own benefit, but a spiritually mature person will use their possessions in order to help others. We must mature in our faith so we may effectively minister.
Ministering Christians
No Christian should be content with being spiritually unused. If God has created you, designed you, gifted you, and saved you; would it make sense for Him to not use you as an instrument in His hands? Of course not. Yet too many Christians refuse to daily turn over their life to God so that He will use them for His glory. Christians must be ministering. Returning to Ephesians 4:11-12, remember that Paul wrote that ministry happens by the saints. God has assigned certain roles (pastor, evangelist, etc.) for the purpose of equipping the members of the church for ministry, but every member of the church is a minister who ministers in a local church and in the world around them. Ministry is not done only by the pastor, deacons, or “super Christians”. Evangelists, pastors, and teachers equip the saints by teaching, training, and modeling ministry. God designed the church to function this way because He knows that every member equipped to minister is far more effective than a few.
Members Ministering Together
No Christian should be content with being spiritually alone. God has intentionally designed the local church to be the primary place to be equipped for ministry. It is in this environment that relationships are formed and deepened, forgiveness is requested and granted, love is given and received, and spiritual infants become spiritual parents. The local church is important because God says it is important. In Ephesians 4:15, we learn that “we are to grow up in every way into Him who is the head, into Christ.” Christ’s body in this world is the church (1 Cor 12:27) and it is the local church that is the hands and feet of Christ in a particular area. First Baptist Scott City is a local church that is Christ’s body in Scott City, MO and submits to Christ (the head of the body). The local church not only submits to its head (Christ) but is joined and held together by Christ (Eph 4:16). Being connected to a local church is more than being on a membership role or attending a worship service, but being an active member in Christ’s body as you are committed to His mission “to seek and save the lost” (see Luke 19:10).
What is Ministry?
Spiritual children mature in ministry. What are some synonyms for the term ministry? Service, Assistance, Helping. Jim Putman describes ministry as “the transformational process that comes from connecting to God’s greater purpose.” Ministry is more than church programs or activities that happen inside the church building. These are important and must not be neglected, but ministry is so much more. Putman continues by saying, “The New Testament concept of ministry included many things: making clothes for poor people (Acts 9:36-42), serving food to widows (Acts 6:1-6), and washing people’s feet (1 Tim 5:10), to name a few. Repairing a sink, watching children so parents can go on a date, and mowing a lawn are all ministries.” Everything you do unto others in Jesus’ name and for His glory is ministry.
It is vitally important that each one of us know how God has gifted us for ministry. After we have discerned our giftedness, we need to be equipped to do ministry aligned with our spiritual gifts. As we are being equipped, we need opportunities to minister. The church is responsible to teach and train; but, the responsibility of discerning and using your spiritual gifts resides upon you. Once again, consider this important question: If God has created you, designed you, gifted you, and saved you; would it make sense for Him to not use you as an instrument in His hands? Maybe you want to be ministering, but you are not sure how to do it. If that’s you, this sermon series has been for you. Maybe you have been so busy doing your own thing, that you haven’t considered ministering for Jesus. If that’s you, repent and ask Jesus to forgive you and start today. Maybe you are ministering, but you are tired. If that’s you, remember that in due season we shall reap, if we don’t lose heart.
First Baptist Scott City, MO 
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