Being an effective minister.
Philippians 2:17-30
Introduction:
For Paul to effectively minister, his heart had to be right towards the ministry.
How many Ministers do we have today? (Everyone)
Ps 103:21 Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.
1. Ministry to the flock. (The Preacher)
2. Ministry to individuals. (All of us)
Jesus came to minister.
Mt 20:28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
We are to all be Ministers.
Mt 25:33 41
And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
Those that never Minister: (only think of themselves.)
Mt 25:41 46
Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.ILL.
An elderly widow, restricted in her activities, was eager to serve Christ. After praying about this, she realized that she could bring blessing to others by playing the piano. The next day she placed this small ad in the Oakland Tribune: "Pianist will play hymns by phone daily for those who are sick and despondent--the service is free." The notice included the number to dial. When people called, she would ask, "What hymn would you like to hear?" Within a few months her playing had brought cheer to several hundred people. Many of them freely poured out their hearts to her, and she was able to help and encourage them.
3. Ministry to God. (All of us)
Eze 44:16 They shall enter into my sanctuary, and they shall come near to my table, to minister unto me, and they shall keep my charge.
Mt 8:14,15 And when Jesus was come into Peter's house, he saw his wife's mother laid, and sick of a fever. And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them.
Ac 13:2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
I. PAUL'S HEART FOR THE BELOVED vv. 17-23a
A. His was a sacrificial heart. v. 17
B. His was a sincere heart. v. 18
C. His was a servant's heart. v. 19-22
D. His was a sharing heart. v. 23a
II. PAUL'S HOPE FOR THE BELOVED vv. 23-24
A. Paul hopes to send companions. v. 23 "soon"
B. Paul hopes to shortly come. v. 24 "shortly"
III. PAUL'S HELP FOR THE BELOVED vv. 28-30
A. It was a caring help. v. 28 "carefully"
B. It was a Christian help. "receive him therefore in the Lord"