Devoted Ministry
Acts 2:41-45, “41 So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. 42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
43 Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. 44 And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; 45 and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need.”
The word “ministry” in the Bible has a wide and varied meaning. It can directly include the ministry of the word, it can be used to denote the office or the activity of the deacon, it can be the application or use of spiritual gifts. It can refer to the care and service within the body of Christ. It can be the actions of Christians to those who are outside the church.
What is clear is that when a person is saved (Acts 2:41) he or she will think differently about their possessions and will act in responsible and caring generosity (Acts 2:44-45). These verses do not teach some kind of socialistic form of community. They show us what kind of heart attitude occurs when Christ takes hold of your life.
Believers love one another and care for one another. They are willing to use their spiritual gifts and their physical resources to help others. They have a greater treasure than what is earthly, and therefore in whatever way God has blessed them, they are available to be a blessing to others.
For CHBC, the best way to devote yourselves to ministry to one another is to be involved in Sunday School. This is where the church engages in Bible learning and relationship building. If you are a believer, the Holy Spirit dwells in you, and compels you to care as Jesus cares for brothers and sisters in Christ, for the poor, for the sick, for the abused, or for the dying.
It is in a small group community that you best discover those kinds of needs and can organize with others how best to meet those needs. We spiritually grow as we exercise our spiritual life. If we fail to engage in ministry, we will never experience the fullness of Christ, He intends for us to know. We can begin to think ministry is only the outcome of a mature Christian. But it is also part of how we move toward maturity.
Ephesians 4:11-13, “And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.”
“Work of service” is translating the word “diakonos” or “ministry.” We are to be equipped to do ministry until we attain unity, knowledge, and maturity that makes us think and act more like Jesus. Do you see how ministry is not just the outcome of a person who is maturing, but is also part of the means of maturing? So, how do you engage in ministry that will spur you becoming more like Christ?
Here are a few of the forty-seven verses in the New Testament that give instruction to Christians about relating to one another. If we can begin applying these verses in our lives through our small group community, we will find a deepening devotion to ministry.
- Bear one another’s burdens (Ga 6:2)
- Speak truth to one another (Ep 4:25)
- Be kind to one another, forgiving each other (Ep 4:32)
- Do not lie to one another (Co 3:9)
- Comfort one another concerning the resurrection (1 Th 4:18)
- Encourage and build up one another (1 Th 5:11)
- Stimulate one another to love and good deeds (He 10:24)
- Pray for one another (Jas 5:16)
- Be hospitable to one another (1 Pe 4:9)
By His Grace and For His Glory,
Pastor Mark
