WHAT I HAVE LEARNED IN FIFTY SIX YEARS ABOUT THE MINISTRY

AFTER FIFTY SIX YEARS IN THE MINISTRY I HAVE LEARNED THAT: I. WITHOUT AN INNER HOLY BOLDNESS FROM THE SOUL WE WILL NOT SURVIVE THE MINISTRY

A. The Ministry Is Not For The Timid I. WITHOUT AN INNER HOLY BOLDNESS FROM THE SOUL WE WILL NOT SURVIVE THE MINISTRY A. The Ministry Is Not For The Timid

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13 NKJV

Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. Acts 5:29 KJV

But I count my life of no value to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of God’s grace. Acts 20:24 HCSB

I. WITHOUT AN INNER HOLY BOLDNESS FROM THE SOUL WE WILL NOT SURVIVE THE MINISTRY B. How Many Of Us Who Knew God Had A Calling And Work On Us Came To The Conclusion That We Could Not Turn Back?

AFTER FIFTY SIX YEARS IN THE MINISTRY I HAVE LEARNED THAT: II. WITHOUT THINKING LESS OF OURSELVES WE WILL FAIL IN THE MINISTRY

II. WITHOUT THINKING LESS OF OURSELVES WE WILL FAIL IN THE MINISTRY A. We Must Understand That The Ministry Is Not About Us

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Galatians 2:20 NKJV

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13 NKJV

II. WITHOUT THINKING LESS OF OURSELVES WE WILL FAIL IN THE MINISTRY B. We Must Understand That The Ministry Is About Jesus

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God Ephesians 6:17 KJV

AFTER FIFTY SIX YEARS IN THE MINISTRY I HAVE LEARNED THAT: III. WITHOUT JESUS FIRST OUR MINISTRY WILL BE EMPTY

III. WITHOUT JESUS FIRST OUR MINISTRY WILL BE EMPTY A. No Matter How Hard Our Ministry Is, We Have No Where Else To Go

From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?” But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. John 6:66-68 NKJV

III. WITHOUT JESUS FIRST OUR MINISTRY WILL BE EMPTY B. God Does Not Want “Gospel Work-a-holics; He Wants Us To Love Jesus

III. WITHOUT JESUS FIRST OUR MINISTRY WILL BE EMPTY C. Why Do We Have A Ministry?

AFTER FIFTY SIX YEARS IN THE MINISTRY I HAVE LEARNED THAT: IV. OUR MINISTRY WILL NEVER STOP

IV. OUR MINISTRY WILL NEVER STOP A. Our Ministry Does Not Stop When We Hit Brick Walls

And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty) Acts 1:15 KJV

Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. Acts 2:41 KJV

However, many of those who heard the word believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand. Acts 4:4 NKJV

And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women. Acts 5:14 KJV

And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. Acts 5:41 KJV

Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. Colossians 1:28 ESV

Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock 1 Peter 5:2-3 NKJV

IV. OUR MINISTRY WILL NEVER STOP B. The Brick Walls Of The Christian Life

You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 2 Timothy 2:3 NKJV

that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death Philippians 3:10 ESV

… be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12 NKJV

Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity Titus 2:7 ESV

IV. OUR MINISTRY WILL NEVER STOP C. The Brick Walls We Never Consider That Are Still Before Us

But I count my life of no value to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of God’s grace. Acts 20:24 HCSB

IV. OUR MINISTRY WILL NEVER STOP D. Our Ministry Does Not Stop When We Retire

IV. OUR MINISTRY WILL NEVER STOP E. Our Ministry Does Not Stop When We Die

For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. 2 Timothy 4:6 NKJV

And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. Revelation 22:3 NKJV

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. Galatians 6:9 KJV

IV. OUR MINISTRY WILL NEVER STOP CONCLUSION I. WITHOUT AN INNER HOLY BOLDNESS FROM THE SOUL WE WILL NOT SURVIVE THE MINISTRY   II. WITHOUT THINKING LESS OF OURSELVES WE WILL FAIL III. WITHOUT JESUS FIRST OUR MINISTRY WILL BE EMPTY IV. OUR MINISTRY WILL NEVER STOP