Making Ministry Plans
The Road Less Travelled • Sermon • Submitted
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· 2 viewsTo close out our series, Paul makes a lot of powerful statements that can help make any ministry better.
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Introduction
Introduction
Let’s play a game!
I’ll read a quote, you tell me who/what they were talking about:
Thomas Watson, chairman of IBM said, "I think there is a world market for maybe five of these."
Personal Computers
United Artists turned down and actor to play a president in the movie, “The Best Man”. They said, "He doesn't have that presidential look."
Ronald Reagan
A travel expert named Dr. Dionysius Lardner said, “Anyone who travels in excess of that, would surely suffocate from the speed.”
A train going 30mph
Decca Recording Company: "We don't like their sound, and guitar music is on the way out."
The Beatles
The point is that mankind sees impossible everyday...
But for those who are dedicated to their mission, the impossible quickly becomes possible!
Just look at Matthew 19:26
Today we are examining the 10 things that a ministry should have
YouVersion: Making Ministry Plans
We’re in Romans 15:14-33 and ending our series
Next week, we begin a new series: Abraham
Guess what that’s about?
It’s 19 weeks but we’re going to split it in 2
5 weeks to Thanksgiving - then Advent series called “Waiting”
Next year, we’ll run last 14 weeks
But today, we’re closing out Romans
Talking about Romans Road
In case you missed it, let’s recap the 4 questions:
Why do we need salvation?
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Romans 6:23a (ESV)
23 For the wages of sin is death
Everyone sins, and the result of sin is death
So we are all doomed to death unless something changes...
How did God provide salvation?
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Jesus dies that death for us - so payment has been made
But also, He lived a perfect life - and He gives that righteousness to us as a gift
How can we receive salvation?
9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
By accepting the gift - we don’t earn it at all
It might seem too easy, but it is that easy
What are the results of salvation?
1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Our relationship with God is restored
And that death we earned doesn’t apply to use anymore
That means we can spend eternity with Him
But there’s something we need to recognize
The results of salvation don’t begin when you die
Salvation changes you here and now
If you aren’t different, you aren’t letting God work
Last week we talked about how the church should work as one body
This week, we’ll close out by talking about what ministry should look like
Let me explain something up front:
DISCLAIMER!
You will hear me say something along the lines of “your ministry” today. All ministries I’m talking about today are God’s. They are of Him, from Him and for Him. When I say “your ministry”, I mean the one that God has called you to perform in for His purposes.
It is possible for something to actually be “your ministry.” It is of you, from you and for you. Those are not the ones I’m talking about when I say “your ministry.” If that’s the case with you, there is an entirely different set of problems for you to deal with.
Romans 15:14 (ESV)
14 I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another.
Paul has had to teach some tough lessons
1. Ministries should: Have good, knowledgeable and honest leaders
1. Ministries should: Have good, knowledgeable and honest leaders
Why? Because it gives people what? Paul says: Satisfaction.
Greek word peitho (pih-thoh), means convinced, confident, satisfied, trusted in, persuaded
People are much more apt to follow good leaders because they give reasons to trust them
Hebrews 13:7 (ESV)
7 Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.
If a leader’s conduct brings a good outcome, they’re worth following!
If Paul knows they have goodness, knowledge and the ability to admonish, why write the letter?
Paul is going to tell us:
Romans 15:15–16 (ESV)
15 But on some points I have written to you very boldly by way of reminder, because of the grace given me by God 16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
Even good leaders need reminders sometimes...
Paul wrote boldly not to criticize, but to remind them
Even today being a Christian isn’t always about learning something new – we need reminders
Alarm clocks, grill timers, calendars, DVR reminders, scoreboards, speed limits…
How to TV shows begin nowadays? “Previously, on Lost.” It’s a reminder!
We need reminders for a ton of things! Even, to keep on track with our walk with Christ
Let me show you what I mean:
I think tater-tots are the most perfect food
They’re good when they’re soft and steamy, or crispy and crunchy
They’re good alone, or with ketchup, bbq, covered in cheese, chili, whatever...
You can put them on your food, or on the side, for breakfast or dinner
With a BLT, a breakfast burrito or a steak
Now, everybody is hungry and thinking about tater-tots!
That’s the power of reminders!
If you don’t like tater-tots, I question your salvation… I’m kidding!
These are 2 different ministry positions
He’s talking to church leaders (probably elders, deacons, other teachers/leaders…)
Paul has a very special calling himself
Jesus came directly to the Jews, and God used Paul to reach out to the gentiles
His mission statement is verse 16:
“to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.”
Paul is an evangelist and church planter - very mobile position
He’s teaching elders, teachers, etc. - very dedicated and stationary positions
Illus: Correcting the quarterback in order to help the running backs
Different position, same team
It’s okay to remind and encourage people in different ministries, but we should avoid criticism
Often today (like Paul), we minister to specific groups:
Our food pantry targets those with tangible needs in our community
Different LG’s have different life stages
Ministries for men and women
Children’s Church targets kids under 12, Youth goes after JH and high school
So, what can we learn from this?
2. Ministries should: Have a clear purpose
2. Ministries should: Have a clear purpose
When I say clear purpose, I don’t mean you should choose a demographic
You can, but it could also be like the Christmas play
When we started it last year, I told everyone we were going to do 3 things:
Prove that we can do something big together
Build community with those who put it on
Celebrate the birth of Jesus
This year, we’re shifting the emphasis a bit towards reaching the community with the gospel
Those goals are not gender, race or age specific, but they are clear goals
We have a purpose statement here, and it gives a great guideline for a ministry’s purpose
“We exist to make more and better disciples for Jesus Christ.”
If your ministry is for Jesus, it makes new disciples, and/or it makes existing disciples better, you’re on the right track
If it doesn’t, you might want to sit and think about your ministry’s purpose
3. Ministries should: Work well with others
3. Ministries should: Work well with others
Paul expects these mature Jewish Roman Christian’s to get on track for the sake of these gentiles
The same happens from ministry to ministry here
When we had our Passover Seder meal together
Youth shifted from Thursday to Wednesday and all came
LG’s skipped house meetings and came
Why? Because we support one another’s ministries!
It’s very easy to have problems from ministry to ministry, but remember this:
We’re all on the same team!
Remember, Paul said his goal is to minister to gentiles and present them as holy to God
V 17 says with “then”, means because of Paul’s ministry:
Romans 15:17–19 (ESV)
17 In Christ Jesus, then, I have reason to be proud of my work for God. 18 For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to bring the Gentiles to obedience—by word and deed, 19 by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God—so that from Jerusalem and all the way around to Illyricum I have fulfilled the ministry of the gospel of Christ;
Paul says he can glory in Christ Jesus – in other words he can celebrate his accomplishments in Christ
4. Ministries should: Celebrate what their ministries accomplish
4. Ministries should: Celebrate what their ministries accomplish
This one might be a little bit hard to swallow for some
But I want to be humble, not proud!
I have to quote C.S. Lewis
C.S. Lewis: “Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less.”
If it’s your work, be humble! But if it’s God’s work, be proud of what He has done!
Let me show you a ministry context:
You’re a prayer warrior and you’ve seen God change lives through prayer
If someone asks you and you say “When I pray God does awesome things. I’m a prayer warrior.”
But if you say “God has done so many things! I believe in the power of prayer.”
See the difference?
I’m not saying to do that to be nice, I’m saying because it’s true!
When Moses was called he said “I am slow of speech and slow of tongue”
He wasn’t confident in himself! But what did God say?
Exodus 4:11–12 (ESV)
11 Then the Lord said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? 12 Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.”
Because Moses relied on God, he became one of the greatest ministry leaders of all time!
Why? Because he was so awesome? Not really...
It’s the same thing Paul says here in Romans: “by the power of the Spirit of God”
5. Ministries should: Have God at the source
5. Ministries should: Have God at the source
If we try to force our own way, we can expect to fail
God will allow you to take over should that be your desire
But if you step back, God will do amazing things!
Romans 15:20–21 (ESV)
20 and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else’s foundation, 21 but as it is written,
“Those who have never been told of him will see,
and those who have never heard will understand.”
What I notice is there is purpose:
6. Ministries should: Fill a need
6. Ministries should: Fill a need
There are a ton of needs in the church
There was nothing wrong with Paul building on what another man was doing
But Paul knew that the gospel needed to be brought to those who hadn’t heard
He saw a great need, so he wanted to fill it
Today, the dynamic has changed some
Illus: Missions class paper on who needs the gospel most – The United States
Somewhere between 73% and 76% have heard the gospel
Much different from Paul’s day when there was between 7,500 and 15,000 Christians
But we must worry about the numbers we’re losing
The United States is number one in both the import and export of Christians missionaries
Number identifying as Christian declined 12% in 10 years
Just like in Paul’s day we have to take the gospel to the 24%-27% that haven’t heard
But we also must reclaim those who have been lost to secularism and to the “nones”
“Nones” are people who are numb to God and don’t want to be atheists so they just don’t care
This means we need missionaries abroad and people working at home
But we can’t get hung up on just “work”
Think about Martha and Mary:
Luke 10:38–42 (ESV)
38 Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” 41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”
What did Martha want to do?
Spend time with Jesus?
Listen to His words? Pray with Him? Love Him? Worship Him?
Huh, let me see… time with, word, prayer, love, worship - sound familiar?
The gospel spreads through relationships that address spiritual needs
Sometimes we focus on physical needs, but that’s because of their connection to the spiritual
Food, money, buildings… all temporal
But they affect the spiritual
We have needs for ministries all over the place
So, the question for ministry is this: what need are you going to address?
Romans 15:22–24 (ESV)
22 This is the reason why I have so often been hindered from coming to you. 23 But now, since I no longer have any room for work in these regions, and since I have longed for many years to come to you, 24 I hope to see you in passing as I go to Spain, and to be helped on my journey there by you, once I have enjoyed your company for a while.
Paul has been hindered, for what reason?
In v.20 Paul says, “I’ve been preaching the gospel.”
He wants to go there, but he must sacrifice that desire to do God’s work
7. Ministries should: Have leaders who are willing to sacrifice
7. Ministries should: Have leaders who are willing to sacrifice
When I get a call at 2:00am, you know what they’re not calling for?
They’re not calling because they want to honor me and tell me how great I am
They’re calling because they need help...
Ministry isn’t about accolades or trophies, it’s about advancing the Kingdom
I’m not just talking about vocational ministers… I’m talking about anyone with a ministry
That should be everyone who calls themself a Christian
Ministry is going to cost you - that’s okay - that’s the life Jesus promised us
Because what we want to do in ministry doesn’t really matter...
It’s about what He wants to accomplish through our ministries
Romans 15:25–27 (ESV)
25 At present, however, I am going to Jerusalem bringing aid to the saints. 26 For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem. 27 For they were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material blessings.
Wow, God brought it down to money...
8. Ministries should: Have cheerful givers
8. Ministries should: Have cheerful givers
There was a famine going on and the gentile church was making donations to the Jewish church
It says that gentiles owed them a debt of Spirituality that they’re paying for with material money
Perhaps it’s meaningful that this giving is also mentioned in II Corinthians 8-9
II Corinthians 9 is the chapter where Paul talks about a “cheerful giver”
2 Corinthians 9:6–8 (ESV)
6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.
Ministries need people that enjoy doing what they do
Nothing is worse than serving along someone who is only there because they have to be
No one wants a Bible Study to run like the DMV!
If you serve in any way, do it cheerfully!
Here’s the thing:
Whether you teach the word, feed the homeless or honor God with 10% of your paycheck…
Do it cheerfully, otherwise and hear this, don’t bother!
That’s right! If you write a $1,000 check to the church every week and hate it. STOP!
That might sound strange to you
BUT if you are serving begrudgingly and stop, take the next step and examine your heart
Romans 15:28–29 (ESV)
28 When therefore I have completed this and have delivered to them what has been collected, I will leave for Spain by way of you. 29 I know that when I come to you I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ.
I see something a little scary in that one
9. Ministries should: Be ready for change!
9. Ministries should: Be ready for change!
Where does Paul want to go? Rome! To visit this church
Paul does eventually get to Rome, but not how he planned
Acts 23:11 (ESV)
11 The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.”
Acts 27-28 tells the story of his trip:
He’s tried by the Sanhedrin, Felix, Festus and Agrippa
Then transferred to Imperial Court as a prisoner by ship
On the way, he is shipwrecked at Malta
He was bitten by a viper
Then taken by an Alexandrian ship to Rome and placed under house arrest for two years
Not exactly what he had planned, but he took advantage of every opportunity
I feel like every time I say “Ok God, I’ll do anything for You, except that.”
He says, “Ok, then that’s the area we’re going to work on.”
I have said
Can’t be a pastor
Here I am!
Never going to lead worship
Did it for 10 years
Never moving from CA
Where are we again?
I’m never going to do foreign missions
3 Mexico Houses and a Kenya trip later, I looked at the Congo, Peru, Russia, Mexico, etc.
I’m never going to find a million dollars in my back pocket! Just checking...
Eventually I learned that I doesn’t matter what I think, I’m going to do what God wants me to do
And sometimes that means changing our plans for His purpose
Are you ready for what God might have for you?
Romans 15:30–33 (ESV)
30 I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf, 31 that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, 32 so that by God’s will I may come to you with joy and be refreshed in your company. 33 May the God of peace be with you all. Amen.
Here’s the last one
10. Ministries should: Be covered in prayer
10. Ministries should: Be covered in prayer
Paul’s carrying a very large offering from one church to another
There is no armored vehicles or electronic transfers
So, his greatest protection is prayer
Can I share a secret? It’s ours too!
We have cameras, door locks and security ushers, but our best protection comes from prayer
We have to pray that our ministries are protected
Not just from thieves, but naysayers, oppressive governments, burnout, etc.
We need prayer for other things as well:
Open ears, energy, resources…
What does your ministry need? Have you written it down? Are you praying for it?
Maybe you just need to pray to discover what ministry you need to be involved with…
Whatever it is, I’m praying for you, church...
SUMMARY
Working in a ministry is something we are all called to do as Christians
You might be thinking “I want to do ministry, but it seems impossible!”
I’m not good at anything, I don’t have time, I don’t have resources, I CAN’T DO IT!
RIGHT!
Because God wants to do it - through YOU!
He wants to show everyone around you that He can do it, even with you!
Hudson Taylor: “There are three stages to every great work of God: First it’s impossible, second it’s difficult, and third it’s done.”
God doesn’t want to share His glory with you, He’s looking for us to do our part when He asks
ILLUS: An elderly woman only had a hunger to serve Christ
She couldn’t leave her home, her husband had just passed, and she had little money
Ministry would be impossible for someone like her
Except, she placed an ad in the newspaper:
"Pianist will play hymns by phone daily for those who are sick and despondent--the service is free."
She played hymns over the phone for hundreds of people, offering encouragement and listening
Nothing is impossible with God, so we have no more excuses not to serve