Sharing in Ministry EDGE 6 th January 2013
Happy New Year, Melbourne
New Years Resolution
New Years Resolution #8: Listen to your mother
Sharing in Ministry 1 st Message of the Year! 1.Introduction: What is ministry? 2.Content: i.Purpose ii.Worship iii.Transformation 3.Summary
1. United in Fellowship 2. Authentic in Worship 3. Growing in Godliness 4. Sharing in Ministry 5. Committed to Mission
Ministry
Service & Ministry Most people wish to serve God -- but in an advisory capacity only. Sunday Express, London.
Why should I get involved in ministry? 1.Purpose of Our Lives Ephesians 2: Our Worship Romans 12:1 3.Transformation of Our Lives Jonah 4:10-11
1. Purpose “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2: 8 – 10
Me? “Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Matthew 4:19 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses it saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.” Matthew 5:13
Me? “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.” Matthew 16:24, 25
“When Jesus calls a man, he bids him come and die.”
Jesus’ Calling “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:29-30
2. Worship “Therefore, I urge you brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer you bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship.”NIV “So then, my friends, because of God’s great mercy to us I appeal to you: Offer yourselves as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to his service and pleasing to him. This is the true worship that you should offer.”GNB Romans 12:1
Worship The Lord says: “These people come near to me with their mouth and honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men.” Isaiah 29:13 & Matthew 15:8
3. Transformation
Psalm 50: A pictorial reading
Why? Why does God want us to serve him? Why does God choose me to speak to you today? Why does God choose anyone of us at all?
Jonah 3
Jonah 4
Transformation But the Lord said, “You have been concerned about this vine, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight. But Nineveh has more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left, and many cattle as well. Should I not be concerned about that great city?” Jonah 4: 10, 11
Transformation “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed – not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence – continue wot work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.” Philippians 2:12, 13
God’s choice Stuttering Moses – greatest prophet
God’s choice Stuttering Moses – greatest prophet Timid Joshua – greatest general
God’s choice Stuttering Moses – greatest prophet Timid Joshua – greatest general Young, immature Jeremiah - prophet
God’s choice Stuttering Moses – greatest prophet Timid Joshua – greatest general Young, immature Jeremiah – prophet Cowardly Peter – leader of His church
God’s choice Stuttering Moses – greatest prophet Timid Joshua – greatest general Young, immature Jeremiah – prophet Cowardly Peter – leader of His church Murderous Paul – greatest apostle
God’s choice Stuttering Moses – greatest prophet Timid Joshua – greatest general Young, immature Jeremiah – prophet Cowardly Peter – leader of His church Murderous Paul – greatest apostle ……. The list goes on
God’s choice Why does God choose me?
Summary 1.Purpose of our lives 2.Our worship of God 3.Transformation of our lives