30th Mar 26 | 13:54
Studies by Book
Luke 21 5-9 WATCH AND PRAY I 08 Luke 21 8 The ministry pattern
📖 Luke 21:5-9
08May2021 - *The ministry pattern* - _Luke 21:5-9_ - WATCH AND PRAY I (8) – Bible reading: _Philippians 3:14-16_
_Luke 21:8 And He said: "Take heed that you not be deceived. For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am He,' and, 'The time has drawn near.' Therefore do not go after them._
_Matthew 24:23-26 “Then if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or 'There!' do not believe it. (24) For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. (25) See, I have told you beforehand. (26) "Therefore if they say to you, 'Look, He is in the desert!' do not go out; or 'Look, He is in the inner rooms!' do not believe it._
For the last couple of days, we have been considering who are false christs and false prophets. We seek to now understand and know what is the right ministry. The Lord has provided a model ministry for us and we will look at the ministry of Apostle Paul. We, therefore, have no excuse to say that we do not have a template to follow.
To begin, let us look at what the Lord gave us as an underlying basis for our life and ministry.
_Mark 8:34-35 When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, "Whoever desires to come after Me, *let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me*. (35) For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but *whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it*._
We are here to lose our life for Christ and for the gospel, the good news, which is our life in Christ. This is the good news that we share with people that they can have the fullness of life, in Christ. This was Paul’s life and ministry.
_Acts 20:24 But none of these things move me; *nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus*, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God._
Paul did not count his life dear to himself but his life and *ministry were to testify to the good news of the grace of God in Jesus Christ*. Paul’s ministry was sold out entirely for Jesus and Jesus alone.
_Philippians 1:21-25 For to me, *to live is Christ*, and to die is gain. (22) But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. (23) For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. (24)
Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. (25) And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and *continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith*,_
Paul’s ministry was to continue in the flesh for the sake of the church so that the church will progress in the faith and walk of maturity in Christ. Paul’s living was only for one purpose, *which was to build people into full maturity in Christ*.
His life was all for Christ and that was all that he lived for and death was gain to him. Paul knew that dying meant to depart and be with Jesus, which was far better for him, personally.
_Philippians 3:8-11 Yet indeed I also count all things loss *for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord*, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, *that I may gain Christ* (9) and *be found in Him*, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; (10) *that I may know Him* and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, (11) if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead._
Paul was longing for the resurrection from the dead when he would be in the presence of the Lord, but till then, his ministry was clear before him. Pauls’ ministry was all about gaining Christ. His life was to grow in the excellence of the knowledge of Christ and to be found in Christ.
This was the prize that he aimed for in life.
_Philippians 3:14-16 *I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus*. (15) *Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind*; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. (16) Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, *let us be of the same mind*.-
So, Paul’s ministry was to ensure that the church was of the same rule and of the same mind that he had, which was to be fully mature in Christ. *To be fully mature in Christ is the upward call of God*.
_Philippians 3:17 Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as *you have us for a pattern*._
Therefore, conclusively, Paul is giving this as the task of the church, which is to follow his life and ministry as a pattern.
God is telling us that he has not left us without an example or pattern for ministry. A ministry pattern has been set before us and we have no excuse whatsoever.
Now, if we still choose to build any other kind of ministry other than the ministry that has been patterned for us, then we will be held accountable.
*Thought to ponder*
```What pattern of ministry have you adopted, my friend?```