Who is a Minister?
Minister is someone who is called to be servant and steward,managing that which belongs to God in a way that will bring honour to His Name.
A Minister is meant to serve.
A Minister is also a shepherd.
In John chapter 10 Jesus was talking about good shepherd. John 21:15-17, Psalm 23.
"Minister" is the translation of the Greek word diakonos, from which we get the English word deacon. It means "servant" and is used of those who hold the office of deacon in the church. Although the word is not used here in a technical way to designate that office, it implies that anyone who serves in any capacity in ministry must see himself as a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ.
In Jeremiah 3:15, where the Lord declares, 'And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding'.
The minister as a man of God will strive, through grace supplied by the Holy Spirit. If we read 1 Timothy 4:1-16 said something about how Paul instructed Timothy to minister to the church at Ephesus.
DUTIES OF MINISTER
1. Pursue God Supremely. (Pursuit) The Apostle Paul exemplifies a shepherd-like heart with a supreme pursuit in his ministry. He noted that his preeminent desire is to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings (Phil 3:10). Thus, a pastor's primary pursuit must not be to build the church, to preach good sermons, to be well-liked, or to be famous and desired. His ultimate ambition must lie solely in the glorious and blessed pursuit of God — and Him alone. Nothing else satisfies. Nothing else is as deep, as worthwhile, as exuberant, as heart-stirring, and as profitable as the pursuit of God! So, as a minister of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, my heart, my affections, and my time must be geared toward the supreme passion for God!
2. Study Scripture Faithfully. (Preaching) Perhaps the ultimate responsibility of a shepherd is the faithful feeding of the sheep (2 Tim 4:2). He is to provide the food, guide the sheep to the food, and ensure that it is good, healthy food that will enhance their growth. Similarly, a minister of the gospel must sit himself in the chair as he prayerfully, daily, hungrily, and eagerly studies Scripture for his own heart and then so he can feed God's flock through the preaching and teaching of Holy Scripture. This demands that I spend a bulk of my time alone, in a room, in the spirit of prayer, with my Bible open, searching, studying, praying over, convicted by, entreating God for illumination, filled with divine happinesses in my study of Scripture. I must study well to preach well to feed God's precious sheep faithfully.
3. Shepherd Saints Patiently. (Pastoring) One of the twelve disciples who lived life with Christ and journeyed with him in his public ministry was Peter who later exhorted the elders to "shepherd the flock of God among them" (1 Pet 5:1-2). To pastor well requires time, sacrifice, diligence, intentionality, love, care, and honest concern. To refuse to visit the sick, mourn with the hurting, and care for all of God's flock is to neglect a vital and commanded part of pastoral ministry. No man can minister the Word effectively from the pulpit who is disattached from the flock of God personally. I must know them so as to minister the Word well to them. I must visit them, teach them house to house, meet with them, counsel their hearts, and point them to the Chief Shepherd!
4. Disciple Men Intentionally. (Passing on) I am replaceable. No minister of the gospel is irreplaceable. We all pass on but the gospel does not pass away. Faithful ministers of the gospel must take God's Word and disseminate it to God's people so that faithful men are entrusted with the Word to teach other faithful men. The baton must be passed on. No man should labor alone. I must prioritize the discipling, the instruction, and theological truths to other men who can lead well in their own homes (with their wives and children) and then lead well in the local flock. Leadership is a shared ministry, never a one-man show. To glorify God, I must prayerfully, intentionally, and expectantly pour myself into other faithful men to see God grow them and use them for His glory!
5. Seek God Prayerfully. (Praying) Can a man be alone? Can he be alone with integrity? Can he be on his knees frequently and for long periods of time? Does he believe in prayer? Does he believe that his fervent prayers actually move God and change things? If not, he has much to learn about the glory of God and the power of prayer. Let a minister seek God prayerfully for his own heart, for his purity, for his study, for his family, for his effectiveness, for the Spirit's unction and empowering, and for the Lord Jesus Christ to exude forth in his life, conversations, messages, and counseling. Let every faithful minister remember Isaiah's words to "give God no rest" and to learn from Hannah who "poured out her soul before the LORD". Let us happily do likewise!
Romans 12;1
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, [which is] your spiritual service.
We offer ourselves to God because of His mercy, He gave His life for us and redeemed us through His blood.
The word "present" means to bring, to give, to render yourself willingly/voluntarily.
Your "body" that means your time, your sleep, your food, your everything, surrendering and submitting all to God.
As a "living sacrifice" means being alive for God and be dead to sin
There were two "living sacrifices" recorded in the Bible. These two examples give us a clue as to what it means to offer a living sacrifice. Both were acts of worship. The first was Isaac. He willingly put himself on the altar and would have died in obedience to God's will, but the Lord sent a ram to take his place. Isaac "died" just the same—he died to self and willingly yielded himself to God's will. When he stepped off the altar, Isaac was a "living sacrifice." The second was Jesus. He was the perfect "living sacrifice," because he actually died as a sacrifice, in obedience to God's will.
We offer ourselves all the time.
"Holy" means to be sanctified, consecrated, dedicated and separated, without blemish or spot, with a pure heart.
In 2nd Timothy 1:9, we read these words: "For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his grace through Christ Jesus."
"Acceptable" well pleasing to God. Abel's sacrifice was more acceptable because he offered a blood sacrifice while Cain offered only a sacrifice of vegetation (Gen. 4:2–4)
"Your reasonable worship" means the reasonable way to worship God is through all these ways mention above.
Worship is our personal linking of faith and works, the offering of everyday life to God, and it isn't something that takes place only in church. Real worship sees the whole world as the temple of the living God and every common deed as an act of worship. Real worship is the offering of everyday life to God.
Worship is not just a church activity; Worship is not just singing alone because it is more than a song, worship is not a beat either slow or fast, Worship is not a sometime thing; it is an all-the-time occurrence. Worship is not a once-a-week event. It is a life activity. In worshipping and realizing who God is then a song can come out.
Worshiping people are changed people. It is reflected in their walk, their talk, and their personality. When we give ourselves to God we live, not as self-centered, but a Christ-centered life. The world seeks to pressure our mind from without, but one who has given themselves wholeheartedly to God allows God's Spirit to release his power from within.
What Worship does?
Worship is a response to greatness
Worship is a response to power of God
Worship is a response to Holiness
Worship is a grace of God
What are the ways that Christians worship?
Personal and Private Worship
Christianity began and was intended to form a very personal connection to God. It did not start in the way that most religions do, with distance. Instead, it focused on meeting with a God who came in humility and love and who walked in the flesh. Followers of Christ were originally accused of being atheists because of how different their belief was compared to the culture they were in.
The first believers were those who walked with Christ Himself and saw much of His life. Later, the church expanded due to the eyewitness accounts from the disciples and apostles, which began a movement.
Before Jesus' death on the cross, He prayed for unity. John 17:20-21 depicts this when it says, "I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me."
Jesus and the Father have desired unity and oneness. Jesus came to bridge the gap between man and God. Because of Jesus, Christians are able to confidently approach their Savior and God in communion. As we see in Hebrews 4:16, believers are told: "Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."
Therefore, a significant part of Christian faith and worship is personal. Private worship was displayed by Jesus Himself. We see various aspects of scripture that display this personal and private worship. Many, if not most, of these styles of worship, are continued today.
Prayer
Prayer has been a common form of worship and connection with God for thousands of years. Within the Nation of Israel, prayer occurred often from faithful followers. Additionally, Moses consistently interceded before the Lord on behalf of the Israelites.
Jesus prayed often, which is depicted in Luke 6:12. Jesus' close follower described Him doing the following: "In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God." Furthermore, 1 Thessalonians 5:17 declares, "Pray without ceasing."
Prayer has many facets and can be used for a variety of purposes. It can include adoration, worship, praise, thanksgiving, confession of sin, petition, and intercession. Jesus explained in John 14:12-14, "Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in Me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it."
Jesus made it clear that He desires His people to pray so that He may work and glorify the Father. Worship through prayer is not merely through reverence and proclamation of God's glory. It expands even further into what we pray for others and how we allow prayer to impact our lives to mirror the actions of Christ.
Meditation
The book of Psalms speaks thoroughly on prayer and connection to God. It addresses Christian meditation which is much different than meditation from other Eastern religions. Psalm 1:1a-2 explains, "Blessed is the one… whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night."
Christian meditation focuses on the word of the Lord that is found in scripture. It is contemplation of scripture in order to memorize and apply it. Where Christian meditation varies from other practices is that the goal is not to completely clear the mind. Instead, the purpose is to fill the mind with the character, law, direction, and way of the Lord.
Meditation of this sort can worship the Lord because it leads to awareness of God's power and glory, thus, resulting in reverence, praise, and worship. Additionally, it leads to greater levels of obedience. Individuals who memorize scripture have a faster reaction time to temptation, trials, and questions from others.
Romans 12:2 makes a command that applies to this. It states, "Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will."
Moreover, 1 Peter 3:15 explains, "But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect."
Song
Singing and playing musical instruments to the Lord has also been an element of worship. Psalm 57:7 states, "My heart, O God, is steadfast, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music." Personal and private worship can include singing songs of worship or playing musical instruments for worship.
Worship music can also be played from a device to lead an individual in his or her worship. Musical worship does not have to be complex or fancy. It can be simple or well-rehearsed. It can be skillful or it can be amateur. The importance of musical worship is the stance of the heart.
Public Worship
Although the Christian faith provides a strong personal relationship with God Himself, it does not neglect the unity of other believers. As we saw in Jesus' prayer to the Father, His desire wasn't merely for unity between man and God. His passionate desire stirred for fellow believers to connect with one another in the same way that He and God connected.
Hebrews 10:24-25 makes the bold statement, "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
When believers gather together they worship and glorify God because they strengthen one another in the way of the Lord. Furthermore, the work of the Lord is spread faster when there are numerous believers working towards the same cause. Christians are called to bear one another's burdens and to hold one another accountable.
Non-Liturgical Worship
Non-liturgical worship does not include a strict order of service or events. There is no set order that is mapped out either in tradition, or a book. The service order can change and be altered at any time. Some non-liturgical denominations of worship still have a basic sequence of service, yet it is not the end-all. For example, in many denominations, the service begins with worship, greeting time, prayer, and a sermon. At times the service concludes with additional worship.
Despite this common arrangement, exceptions are often made for baptism, communion, holiday, and special services. At times, a full service is dedicated solely to musical and vocal worship. Other services have different purposes such as prayer, encouragement, guest speakers, and the sending of missionaries or those going into ministry.
The greatest difference between liturgical and non-liturgical worship is that liturgical worship has specific items, objects, requirements, and timely rotations of types of services. Non-liturgical services maintain a type of order but it is not as strict or reliant on other objects.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF WORSHIP
1. Worship Puts Our Focus in the Right Place
Often when we are going through trials, the trials somehow get bigger in our minds than who God is. And the longer we dwell on the circumstances the more they seem to grow. But when we focus our thoughts on who God is, we see our circumstances start shrinking. The hymn, Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus, by Helen Howarth Lemmel, said it well:
Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in his wonderful face.
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of his glory and grace.
Over and over in scripture, we read about how mighty God is. When we are surrounded by obstacles we need to remember that God is all powerful. God said, "I am the Lord, the God of all mankind, is anything too hard for me? (Jeremiah 32:27).
2. Worship Satisfies Our Souls
When our bodies are hungry, we get food for nourishment. Worry wears down our souls. We become weary and we lose heart. The remedy (or nourishment) for this is worship. We were made to worship. And when we worship, we can feel the cool water quench our thirst. It's a thirst that nothing else can satisfy.
David knew this, and often would go to the sanctuary to seek God and just sit in his presence. And after spending time alone with the Lord, David's soul was satisfied and his mouth praised God with joyful lips (Psalm 63:1-5).
When Jesus became weary, he would draw away by himself to be with his Father. And he would get rejuvenated. We know God refreshes us when we turn to Him and worship. Even though our circumstances don't change, we are able to continue on being strengthened by Him.
3. Worship Grows Our Faith
This earth is the only place we'll ever need faith. Like other muscles in our body, in order to grow them, we need to exercise them. When we get to heaven, we will know the answers to questions that have plagued us for years. Worshiping God reminds us of all the things God has brought us through.
When David faced Goliath, he was reminded of God's strength and how God helped him before in his times of need.
Faith is what made David run toward the giant—instead of away from him (which is what every other person had done). As we worship, our Spirit reminds us of God's character. Even verses we had learned years ago will pop up in our minds confirming that faith comes by hearing God's Word (Romans 10:17).
4. Worship Brings Us Closer to God
I sat in an empty room as I waited to testify at my sister's murder trial. It was the perfect time and place to pray. That was my plan. So I quietly started praying, but before I knew it, I was singing. My prayers turned into soft hymns that floated into my mind. And while my body was sitting at 26th and California, in Chicago, I felt I was sitting on God's lap softly singing into his ear.
And when the officer came to escort me into the courtroom, I didn't go in alone. My God went with me.
As Jesus prayed in the garden of Gethsemane, he poured his broken heart out to God who was listening. We don't have to see God to love him. We can see him with our spiritual eyes. Though we do not see him, we love him. And even though we don't see him now, we believe, and are filled with an inexpressible glorious joy (1 Peter 1:8). And knowing our faith in God pleases him makes the trials less burdensome. For the Bible tells us without faith, it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6).
5. Worship Makes Us Thankful
It's impossible to be thankful and full of worry at the same time. Gratitude is a choice. It is us saying: yes, things are difficult right now, and this trial seems overwhelming at times, but—as I'm thinking about who God really is and how he's helped me through every other trial I've gone through—my heart is overflowing with love for all God has done.
And since God is immutable, which means he doesn't change, I know that God will help me again. While I wait, I'm not alone, because God promised he would never leave me nor forsake me (Hebrews 13:5).
Sometimes as I sit and worship, I feel thankful that God trusts me enough to handle what is before me. If you've ever seen people go through one thing after another, and yet, keep praising God, you know what I'm talking about.
Going through trials can make you bitter, or they can strengthen the relationship you have with God. Instead of feeling like God is picking on you, you feel humbled that God knows you will use this circumstance as another opportunity to lean into Him.
He's trusting us to trust Him and then when we get through it, we can praise Him to others and share how once again he got us through another trial.
6. Worship Means We're Letting Go of 'Why'
Often as humans, we like feeling like we are in control. But when we go through trials and we choose to worship God, we are making a conscious decision to trust God even though we don't understand what he's going to do.
God tells us his ways and thoughts are higher than ours, and I know that's true, but I still struggle at times (Isaiah 55:8-9). The truth is, I want to control things in my life.
When we choose to worship, we are acknowledging we are not in control. It is a conscious decision to submit to God. The first time I truly submitted to God, I almost heard something break. I think it was my will. And that is a good kind of breaking.
It wasn't me waving a white flag in desperation, saying to God, "I give up!" But instead it was me realizing God is God...and I am not. He is the potter and we are the clay.
7. Worship Is Our Best Warfare against the Enemy
Satan was not always the enemy of God. Satan used to be a beautiful angel named Lucifer. He was even in charge of worship. But one day, Lucifer decided he wanted to be higher than God. So God removed Lucifer from heaven. He became Satan and when he left, he took 1/3 of the angels with him, known as demons (Isaiah 14:12-15).
Satan's destiny is sure. He can never go to heaven, so he hates those of us who trust in what Jesus did on the cross. Satan's job is to make us miserable. If we struggle in this life, Satan is the one who whispers lies to us.
Lies like:
God doesn't care about you
If God loved you, why are you going through this?
You're a fool to trust in God
And the best weapon we have against the enemy of our souls is to worship. Because as we worship, our hearts and minds are on the Lord...and better able to fight off the enemy's tricks.
8. Worship Can Lead Others to God
When our hearts are turned to God and we worship him even through seasons that could have us asking "Why me, God? Why this? Why now?" then others notice something different about us. They wonder how we can praise God while we're struggling.
And when others see that our lives are often difficult, yet, we choose to worship, they want to know about the hope that lies within us. Then we get the privilege of sharing that (1 Peter 3:15).
So many times I've had the opportunity to share Christ with someone because they knew of my struggles and saw that I still loved God. They wondered how I could love a God that allowed my sister to be murdered? It was wonderful to be able to tell them about a peace I experienced from God, simply because I chose to trust God—even though I didn't understand what was happening (Isaiah 26:3).
And I'm so thankful I didn't go through one hard time alone. God was there...always there.
So if you are in a 'Why' season right now, I'd like to encourage you to worship God. The one who has promised to work all things together for good (Romans 8:28). The one who has never broken his promises.
9. God Is Always Worthy of Worship
When our prayers are being answered, when the test results are the ones we've prayed for, or when we get that job we really needed, we look up and praise God and have no problem worshipping him. But is that conditional worship? If God does what we want... then He's worthy of praise? No. God is always good, it's his character. And God can be nothing less than good.
God is always worthy of praise. And it's a mature faith that will worship in the midst of severe trials. Worship is not dependent on answers. Worship is powerful simply because God is worthy of worship.
I think some of the sweetest songs God must have heard were the ones Paul sang from prison. Paul certainly knew the one he sang to was worthy of praise. And in his darkest hour, Jesus prayed in the garden. And while he did want the cup to be passed, he still submitted to his Father.
In conclusion,
God is worthy of worship. It has nothing to do with what is going on around us. God is our sufficiency. He is everything we need.
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