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

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”), and the Why of ministry (“love”). Today, we conclude by asking: How do we do ministry?

III. The Means of the Mission- HOW

            What is the platform for this kind of ministry? How can we go about performing such an eternally significant task? Unlike what we sometimes hear at pastors’ conference, Paul doesn’t give us three easy steps to anything—Paul says that effective ministry flows from three spiritual realities in our hearts. It is not about methodology, it is about character…

A. Pure Heart- A heart that has been purified by faith, it speaks of a heart that is right with God. This is always the starting point of a relationship with God.

• “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” (Matthew 5:8)
• “Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.” (2 Tim 2:22)
• “He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood And has not sworn deceitfully.” (Psalm 24:4)

B. Good Conscience- a conscience that has been cleared from guilt. This involves not only making things right with God, but also making things right with others.

• “keeping faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith.” (1 Tim 1:19)
• “but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.” (1 Tim 3:9)
• “I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience the way my forefathers did, as I constantly remember you in my prayers night and day,” (2 Tim 1:3)
• “Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you—not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,” (1 Pet 3:21)
• “Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a good conscience, desiring to conduct ourselves honorably in all things.” (Heb 13:18)
• “In view of this, I also do my best to maintain always a blameless conscience both before God and before men.” (Acts 24:16)

C. Sincere Faith- A faith that is non-hypocritical; not needing to wear a mask. True Christianity that is genuine, transparent.

“For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well.” (2 Tim 1:5)

Hebrews 10:22-23 draws it all together…

“let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful”

            This is what we do, how we do it, and why we do it—all so that, through the communication of God’s Word, people might know and embrace the great and awesome love of God.