The Concept Of Ministry

In a visitation from the Lord, the concept of ministry was up front and the foremost concern of my Savior. He explained to me that most of the Body of Christ, at large, has no concept of ministry. Even for those who do great charities, the true concept of ministry is lost, and in many cases has never been considered.

As you begin to consider the paragraph above, open your heart that you might be able to receive and understand the Mystery of Christ as it is revealed in ministry. First let us look at the construction of the body of Christ regarding ministry.

1 Corinthians 12:28

28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

All of the gifts were set in the Body by God, the Father of us all. It is His plan and decision to use each member of the Body in the manner He has determined. Consider Paul’s warning to the Church at Rome.

Romans 12:3

3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

If you are to minister in God’s vineyard, then you must maintain a high degree of sobriety. You must understand that it is God, the Father who has given you the privilege to be used in His service. However, you must also understand what being used in His service really means. Your thinking or posture in ministry must always consider that God is rendering your body over to Christ to use in the furtherance of His ministry here on earth.

This is a definitive truth that has no other variables. I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman (John 15:1).

Subconsciously, you might be asking yourself, “why or how is the Father able to do this?” Most of the Body of Christ does not consider the prime objective of the Father to be at work regarding ministry. But the sole purpose for the coming of Christ was to provide a holy habitation for the Father to live in. If you are born of God, then you are a holy tabernacle. If so, then equally true is the fact that your body belongs to the God who lives in it.

In that He, the Father has committed all judgment to the Son; ministry is the first manifestation of that judgment. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven (Matthew 16:19).

It is Jesus who is given to work ministry on Earth. But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ (Ephesians 4:7).

Therefore, those whom the Father chooses to serve in the kingdom, must be first given to Christ, who will then give each one the authority to serve in his name.

Matthew 18:19-20

19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.

20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

For the most part this scripture is read and ignored at the same time. It is a fact that most in the Body of Christ have no expectation for God to respond to the prayer of agreement. At best, they hope their desperation will yield some pity from heaven. But to maintain a posture that speaks to God, always hearing and responding is not the norm for many in the household of faith.

But this is not good. We must not allow this to be the testimony of our relationship with God. He is our Father and He is incapable of lying. So let us examine ourselves to see where our faith and trust in God’s Word has fallen short. Jesus goes on to say,

John 14:13-14

And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask anything in my name, I will do it.

Jesus is the only one that is authorized by God to work ministry on the earth. If you would embrace this truth then you might move to a place of power in God. It is Christ in us that works ministry in this world. It is Christ in us that is authorized by the Father to do as He will. Therefore, we must move from this knowledge to the life of this truth.

All that Jesus is must be who we are. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name (John 1:12). Now we are quick to say that we believe on the name of the Lord. We believe in the power of the Lord. However, our belief is useless if Christ is not formed in us.

James 2:19-20

19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

Faith in the name of the Lord is of no benefit to you without the work of faith having been done in you. God made us one with Him and Christ. His work is done. But our work begins with love and belief. Love is a manifestation of the presence of God for God is love. Belief in the workmanship of God in us, initiates the faith of God in us.

There is no way to be authorized to use the name of Jesus, except you walk in the Spirit. But this walk in the Spirit is ignored by many. So they go directly to trying to deal with sickness, disease, and demons simply because they believe there is power in the name of Jesus.

This is the same as a rogue cop, who has departed from the principle of the law. That law will turn on him. The law will only stand behind him if he operates within its parameters.

All that are born again live in the Spirit of God. But to walk in the Spirit (obeying God in all things), demands that your mentality accepts its renewal. You must accept the mind of Christ as your mind, thus His emotions, will, and way, as that of your own. There must be no opposition or shadow of turning in you. That is when Christ is formed in you. It is then and then only that you can be authorized to use the name of Jesus.

Colossians 3:17

17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

All that we do must be done in the name of Jesus. Let us fulfill this mandate so that our Father will be glorified.