Faithfulness and the call of God….
Just back from the Senior Pastor’s conference in California where the theme of the conference was, “Christ the Heart of the Ministry” with our text being 2 Corinthians. Paul’s heart for the church at Corinth, the people of Corinth is displayed throughout this amazing letter.
Over and over Paul tells of his love and desire for this blessed church and the difficulties he faced because of his love for them.
It is a powerful letter that reveals the true heart of all ministry, that being an absolute love for Christ’s people. It is a sad indictment that in Australia today, the average marriage lasts for just 7.2 years. There is a lack of faithfulness in this the most intimate of all relationships outside that of our walk with Christ. Through out the conference the teaching was that of Paul’s ongoing faithfulness to this church that he loved with an unshakeable love.The love of God’s people is a sure sign of God’s calling and His grace resting on those whom serve His people no matter what.
Ministry is not a vocation, a job, a means of employment, a position of power or prestige. It is that of a servant’s heart and a love for God’s people that endures all!
Church today in some situations has slid into a man centred, consumer driven machinery or business that has more similarity to a company than to that of the body of Christ, sinners saved by God’s precious blood of His only begotten Son Jesus Christ.
It was Paul who said For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. 2 Cor 5:14…..
Here today gone tomorrow is not ministry.
So how does one realize or identify the call of God and ministry in ones life?
It’s really very simple and easy to see. It’s the person who because of a compelling and unending love for God’s people which is a sign of one’s salvation according to John...1Jo 3:14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love [his] brother [fn] abides in death, and has a driven desire to serve God’s precious people and loves doing just that…serving!
Paul would write also in his last words to Timothy…2Ti 2:2 And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
Not talented men, not famous men, but faithful men.
At Calvary Chapel Secret Harbour, to minister means to serve and to serve only because God has given you a love for His people that seeks nothing in response but is driven purely by a desire to serve.
May you experience and know the blessed ministry of the call of God upon your heart and be faithful!