The Foundations for Christian Ministry

Read Matthew 28:18-20 A few years ago I was asked to give a lecture on how the church can grow in these modern times. How can we make our church ministries more effective? As I talked with the person who was asking me to do the lecture, I discovered that the churches in his association were looking for some strategy to grow churches in numbers. I agreed to do the lecture, and I thought about what I should talk about. In seminary we had discussed the various ministries that the church should be engaged in that will bring about spiritual growth and numerical growth. As I thought about this subject matter, I was reminded that Jesus commissioned His disciples to ‘“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. “He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned” (Mark 16:15-16, NASB). I concluded that we do not need to look for a modern day strategy to grow our churches. The Scriptures give us the foundations for Christian ministry that will lead to both spiritual growth and numerical growth. This article is written to call us back to the basis for ministry that Jesus taught His disciples. If one reads newspaper articles and books about great churches he or she will discover that churches are graded based on the number of ministries that it has. In particular, churches are graded on ministries that help people with their secular needs. Does the church have programs to feed and clothe the poor? Does the church help the community by providing scholarships for college? Does the church provide assistance for health care, especially to the non insured and the under insured? I have read many articles about what the role of the church should be in society and a lot of churches are putting more emphasis on these things than on the things that Jesus and the apostles emphasize most. The odd thing to me is that I have seldom seen a church graded on the number of baptisms, and I have not read much about church members being in a committed relationship with Jesus Christ.. Yes, there are several publications that emphasize Christian discipleship, but how many people read these publications? Do these publications reach out to the unsaved? Does the church emphasize commitment to Jesus as Jesus commanded His disciples? What are the foundations for Christian ministry? The basis for Christian ministry is found in the purpose for which Jesus came into the world. In the gospels we discover that Jesus came into the world primarily to save people from their sins which keep people separated from God and condemned to eternal destruction (John 3:16-21). It is true that Jesus taught His disciples to meet the needs of people. We cannot deny the importance of Matthew 25. We admit that the first church saw the need to care for the needs of the people. However, we also discover that the early church was more concerned about those who believed the gospel than the world as a whole. We will consider what takes place in Acts 2:37-47. Peter preaches a sermon about Jesus. The people ask what they should do. Peter tells them to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sins, and they will receive the Holy Spirit. Some believe and are baptized. They are added to the group of believers. The believers are devoted to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship. They hold material things in common and share with each other. “Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were saved” (Acts 2:46-47, NASB). Before we analyze these verses let us review the “Great Commission” that Jesus gave to His disciples in Matthew 28:18-20. Let us compare what Jesus said with what is taking place in this situation. In Matthew 28:16-17 Jesus speaks to His disciples who believe in Him and worship Him. Jesus gives His disciples authority to preach in His name. He gives them an assignment; to make disciples of all nations (ethnic groups). He gives them the assurance that he is with His disciples until the end of the age (vv. 18-20). The first thing that we can see from this text is the church receives its authority from Jesus. The church does not need the approval of the government, the education systems, the medical disciplines, and community groups. The church does not receive its assignment from any authority in the world. Jesus has already given the church its assignment. The church is first and foremost given authority to make disciples for Jesus Christ. The word “disciple” means to be a learner and a follower. Those who wish to be a disciple of Jesus must first believe that he is who He says that He is. He is the Son of God who came into the world as a human being to die for the sins of the world. In order to do effective Christian ministry the church must submit to His authority. Having submitted to His authority, they are now ready to carry out the assignment that He gives to them. Secondly, Jesus gives the apostles the assignment to make disciples of all nations. They are to teach people to obey His teaching about how one is to live in this world. Disciples of Jesus must be taught His ways and his thoughts because they are different from the thoughts and ways of the world. ‘“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,’ declares the Lord” (Isa. 55:8, NASB). The church is not to compromise its message and methods to gain approval from the world. “Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 John 2:15, NASB). In this verse John has at least two things in mind. Christians must do what they do out of their love for God instead of their love for the world. It is possible that those who love God and those who love the world may share a common goal for a period of time. However, time and changes in circumstances will likely mean that ultimately a person must choose between the world and God. Also, when there is a conflict between the world and Jesus, one must decide whom they will follow. Why is this true? Jesus said: ‘“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth’” (Matt. 6:24, NASB). Thus the second foundation for Christian ministry is that we carry out the assignment that Jesus has given. Thirdly, the disciples are given the assurance that Jesus is with those who are His until the end of the world. We have the assurance that Jesus will never leave us or forsake us. The world changes its thoughts and its ways from time to time. Jesus is eternal. His thoughts are eternal. His ways are eternal. His power and authority are eternal. We can trust Jesus because His words are everlasting. Now, let us compare the words of Jesus to the ways of the first church or group of believers that we find in Acts. Peter preaches the gospel. People believe and are baptized for the forgiveness of their sins. Those who believe the message join the fellowship. They demonstrate their unity by sharing their goods so that none will have need. This is the true message of Matthew 25 and John 13:34-35. In John the disciples are given a “new commandment.” The command to love is not a new commandment (see Deut. 6:5; Lev. 19:18c; Matt. 22:36-40). This new commandment is that the disciples must not allow the ways of the world to cause conflict and discord among themselves. Rather, they are to care for each other meeting each other’s needs just as Jesus has been doing for them for the past three and a half years. The world takes notice when it sees the unity and fellowship of believers. The disciples praised God. This means more than speaking and singing. It also means that they are confessing Jesus as the one to whom they are committed. This commitment is demonstrated in their lifestyle that reflects the teachings of Jesus. The church becomes the example for the world instead of the world setting the example for the church. The world today is seeking answers to its many problems. Too often the church is meeting with the world looking for solutions. The church is trying to get along with the world. It allows the world to lead in problem solving efforts. The church in too many instances is no longer the light of the world and the salt of the earth. The church must return to the basis for Christian ministry if it is to offer solutions to the world’s miserable state. Regardless to how a church describes its ministries they are effective when the ministries work under the authority of Jesus; carry out the assignment He gives; and remain faithful to Jesus because the church has the assurance that Jesus is always with His people.