Purposeful Hands and Feet of Effective Ministry.
Last week, we learned 4 spiritual anchors that children need from their moms, and spiritual progeny need from their mentors, after salvation. This week, we will see what those 4 principles look like in developing effective servants of the local church.
Review more detail in the presentation slides from the sermon.
Spiritual Support
Home is the center of spiritual development (Deuteronomy 6:6-9). Parents must first connect with each other and more mature believers in the church. They set the example for their children and personally lead them into ministry.
Developing Giftedness
Paul helped Timothy to identify, develop, and verify his spiritual gift. Someone helped Paul to do the same. Parents should help their children prioritize this over the pursuit of other talents (Matthew 6:33). Mentors prepare the next generation to serve.
Ministry Stability
God’s grace gives us the power to exercise our gifts in a loving and disciplined way.
Ministry Effectiveness
The point of all 3 anchors above is to introduce another person to a relationship with Jesus.
Application Points
Ask yourself this 4-Question Maturity Test:
- Do you have a support system? Are you establishing spiritual support in your home? If you need a Bible study partner, just contact us.
- Have you thought about pursuing what your spiritual gift is and how you can use it to encourage people in the local church? Everyone who knows Jesus has a gift to use!
- Are you walking into ministry with your support system and giftedness? Do you experience divinely-enabled power, love, and discipline as you serve?
- Do you have a burden for people in your community who need Jesus? Who is your personal mission?
A Hymn to Encourage: “Complete in Thee”
Complete in Thee! no work of mine
May take, dear Lord, the place of Thine;
Thy blood hath pardon bought for me,
And I am now complete in Thee.
Yea, justified! O blessed thought!
And sanctified! Salvation wrought!
Thy blood hath pardon bought for me,
And glorified, I too, shall be!
Complete in Thee—no more shall sin,
Thy grace hath conquered, reign within;
Thy voice shall bid the tempter flee,
And I shall stand complete in Thee.
Complete in Thee—each want supplied,
And no good thing to me denied;
Since Thou my portion, Lord, wilt be,
I ask no more, complete in Thee.
Dear Savior! when before Thy bar
All tribes and tongues assembled are,
Among Thy chosen will I be,
At Thy right hand—complete in Thee.