“And say to Archippus, “Be sure to carry out the ministry the Lord gave you.”Col 4: 17
Ministry is a common word among Christians of our day. Ministry is the common term or literary word for working in God’s vineyard. Ministry is the work that ministers of religion carry out. In Christianity, ministry is an activity carried out by Christians to express or spread their faith, the prototype being the Great Commission. Wikipedia defines it as “carrying forth Christ’s mission in the world”, indicating that it is “conferred on each Christian in baptism.
The simple meaning is service. To do ministry is to serve, not only in God’s vineyard but in secular and corporate world. Broadly speaking ministry is broad. I believe this knowledge is what prompted Paul to say to Archippus “ Be sure to carry out the ministry that the Lord gave you.” Meaning God has given each and every believer a ministry and he or she is expected to make it happen.
How do you know your ministry?
Your ministry is what you do generally. Your ministry is a function of your gifting or your training.Your ministry is your purpose , the reason you were born . You will not be satisfied in your heart until you know your ministry and you do it. God also guides people to ministry.
For example In OT Joshua 1:1 -“Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel. “
In NT He did not only get Saul to be converted in Acts 9 , he also called him and Barnabas in Acts 13 :2 “As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them”
In the church parlance we have different ministries:
God himself gave us some directions on that : “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;”Eph 4:11. In 1 Cor 12:27-29 more ministries are mentioned: administration, helps , leadership, and politics. Rom 12 :7”Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching”
How are we to do ministry?
Paul helps us when he said “Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto me”Col 3:22-23
Why are we encouraged to do our ministry?
People are daily going to hell.Men are God’s method wired to do Ministry and rescue them from perishing.Like playing soccer if they pass the ball to you and you don’t pass it to others or do not pass it well the team cannot win. The world is aching because many people are not doing ministry or not doing it well! Take the issue of spreading the gospel, how are you doing ? Are you doing your ministry? If we don’t do our ministry people will not hear about the gospel or be grounded in the gospel.
In a world of about 8 billion people only one-third are Christian of all shades. That is 2.6 billion, leaving 5.4 billion still wallowing in unbelief. Japan has 124 million people only 1. 5 percent are Christians largely immigrants. That is 1.86M. In India it is 2percent of 1.4 billion people (2.8M). Indonesia has 29.2 million Christians which is 10,48% of the country’s population of 273M in 2022.
If we don’t do ministry as it should be done Sin, wickedness darkness, terrorism , kidnapping, rape, banditry will continue. Much as we don’t want these occurrences they will not go away until we do our ministry. Those who govern should govern well, those who are intercessors and praying should not stop. Those in industries, manufacturing, producers of goods and services, commerce, hospitality, tourism, entertainment or real estate, should do it so that there will be employment. Those in Real-Estate should work harder. Your profession is your ministry do it well .
Conclusion: Are you in the choir, ushering, protocol, evangelism, janitorial, media, accounts, administration in your church or where has God given you a ministry, I hear the Holy Spirit saying – Dele Dada ( mention your name) go and fulfill the ministry God has committed to your hand! May the Lord help you and I. Shalom.
