“The Nuts and Bolts Of Ministry” (Part Two)

This week, we are considering together the basics of ministry, and, on Monday we saw that we needed to reflect on the What, Why, and How of ministry in the local church. To help with that, we are examining 1 Timothy 1:5, where Paul wrote these words to a young pastor:

 “But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.” (1 Tim. 1:5)

On Monday, we looked at the What of ministry (“our instruction”), seeing that, at some level, everything ultimately is connecting to communicating God’s truth to people’s hearts so that lives might be changed. Now, however, we get to the real heart of the matter—what is our motive? What drives us? Why do we do ministry?

II. The Goal of the Mission- WHY

Again, it is so vital to wrestle with the “why” questions. Jesus was constantly forcing people to drill down beneath the surface to motive. Notice:

“Why are you thinking evil in your hearts?” (Mt.9:4)

“Why are you testing Me, you hypocrites?” (Mt.22:18)

“Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” (Lk.6:46)

“Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone.” (Lk.18:19)

When it comes to ministry, our motives matter as well. Why do we do what we do? Paul’s answer, to me, is a surprise:

            “The goal… love”

With Paul writing, we might expect him to say several things. We expect to hear that our goal is to see people come to Christ, or grow to maturity in Christ, or establish growing, life-impacting ministries, but Paul goes a very different direction. However, though all those things might be an expression of love,  Paul goes straight for the jugular. The goal itself is to be love! That is what motivated the Father in sending His Son for us:

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

1 Corinthians 13:4ff remind us of the character of this love, and it is to be the pulse of our lives, as well as the expression of His life in us. And it is to have a big part in motivating us to serve God as we serve others:

“For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died…” (2 Cor.5:14)

Now, having seen the what and the why of ministry, it is important to consider the how. That comes on Friday.

3 Responses to ““The Nuts and Bolts Of Ministry” (Part Two)”

1. poohpity says:

   May 13, 2009 at 11:11 am

   I believe it is so important to know the meaning of the word Love. What is love? Jesus used the word love as a verb. When children are young they can tell when a parent loves them they just have this sense within their very souls that let them know. They also can tell when there is a lack of love yet adults deny it to them but they know. I feel as an adult we to can tell if our works are from the love within us our just words. I think that for anyone to truly know love they must experience it to understand, this again is an area where we talk all we want. If so many know this then why do we not see it.

   I know it is hard to teach and not have the congregation understand but is it then the teaching or the lack of the people being open to the direction of the Holy Spirit’s guidance. As a teacher where is the line drawn and the answer to the question, is this the way to teach our is there something I am missing.
2. Bill Crowder says:

   May 13, 2009 at 11:50 pm

   When it comes to teaching, I believe it is a combination. It is at the same time our motivation and our goal. That seems to be what Jesus was explaining to Peter in John 21… love for Christ, in ministry, translates in part into feeding His sheep. But, again as we speak the truth it has to be, as Paul told the Ephesians, from a heart of love. So, I think it is both/and, not either /or.
3. poohpity says:

   May 14, 2009 at 11:56 am

   John 21 as well as the whole time that Jesus taught His disciples, it seemed that His teaching was applied by life examples not words alone. A congregation would love to see the humanity of a teacher rather than holding them at a distance and thinking of them as superior or infallible. The difference between Jesus (the true word) and the pharisees. What I have been trying to determine is the what people are being taught on a whole does not seem to be motivating them to a closer relationship with the Lord thus resulting in works.

   This is my confusion is it the example being shown or the lack there of. Is that a teachers job or the Holy Spirit, I agree both. It seems very apparent that the scripture is true then that many are called but few respond or are open to a true understanding. I wonder at times how many teachers actually spend time reading the bible regularly. Just some thoughts.