Fulfil Your Ministry
“And these signs will accompany those who BELIEVE…” Mark 16.17
Throughout times past, there has often been a strong and prevailing concept and understanding among the Christian community of the role and duty of the Believer. Many generations have lived and died knowing that no matter what else they were or what else they did in life, they were first of all a Christian, and they took their Christian responsibility very seriously.
For many, being a Christian meant being an example and a witness – to their family, their neighbours, and their community – of Christ’s Life and Christ’s saving Love. Some made it a point to not ever end a conversation with anyone without making sure they knew the Lord.
While these dear saints may or may not have walked in some of the light that we do today where the Word of God is concerned, they did understand their assignment as a Christian to work at bringing people to Jesus. It is time that we rekindle that great passion in our lives as Christians today.
The Scriptures tell us that whoever calls upon the Name of the Lord will be saved (Romans 10.13). Yet, how can people have faith in the Lord and ask Him to save them if they have never heard about Him? And how can they hear, unless someone tells them? And how can anyone tell them without being sent by the Lord? The Scriptures say it is a beautiful sight to see even the feet of someone coming to preach the Good News (Romans 10.17 CEV).
People cannot believe in One whose voice they have never heard. Faith comes from a message heard, and the message from the lips of Christ (Romans 10.17 Weymouth). When we take seriously the eternal destination of our fellow man, and yield ourselves to the Lord’s use, we can be carriers of that precious Message from the lips of Christ – the good news of His saving grace to all mankind.
Although not every Believer may have the assignment to preach in the pulpit or evangelize to mass audiences, we have all been called to tell the message of Jesus.
HIS REPRESENTATIVES
Jesus said, “And these signs shall accompany those who BELIEVE…” (Mark 16.17).
Signs and wonders will accompany the BELIEVER – that promise includes every born-again Christian. Every Believer has been called and anointed for ministry. Jesus has made us Ministers of Reconciliation – His personal representatives, anointed to be reconciled to God.
II Corinthians 5.18-20 tells us, “God has reconciled us to Himself through Christ, and has appointed us ministers of reconciliation, to tell how in Christ God was reconciling the world to Himself; not charging men’s sins to their account, and how He has deposited with us the message of this reconciliation. As Christ’s ambassadors, therefore we speak, seeing that God is making entreaty through us…”
As we tell the message of God’s reconciliation with mankind, His Spirit through us pleads with people’s hearts. Jesus said that the work of the Holy Spirit is to show the people of the world the truth about sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16.8). Our assignment is to give the message. The Holy Spirit will do the work of opening the hearts to receive and believe.
II Timothy 4.3-4 instructs, “A time is coming when people will no longer listen to right teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever they want to hear. They will reject the truth and wander off to strange myths and man-made fictions” (NLT / AMP).
In response to this proposed “falling-away”, we are urged: “But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Do not be afraid to suffer for the Lord. Work at bringing others to Christ. Complete the ministry God has given to you” (II Timothy 4.5).
Other translations of this verse say, “As for you, be calm and cool and steady. Accept and endure unflinchingly every hardship, do the work of an evangelist. Fully perform all the duties of your ministry.”
When people are wandering off from the Truth, it is time for us to stand strong and declare the message of Christ stronger than ever. Paying no attention to whatever hardships we may face, we should keep working to bring others to Christ, fulfilling the assignment God has given us to do.
DEMONSTRATION OF HIS POWER
The story of the Cross is foolishness to those who are on their way to perdition, but is the Power of God to those whom He is saving (I Corinthians 1.18 Weymouth).
Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God (I Corinthians 1.24). Mere words and empty rhetoric will not win the world to Jesus. Evangelism without the power that comes from God’s Holy Spirit is really no evangelism at all. We ourselves cannot save anyone. It is Jesus Christ who saves people. It is the Holy Spirit who draws people to Jesus. Apart from His power, all our efforts are utterly worthless.
The apostle Paul related: “For my part, brethren, when I came to you, it was not with superiority of speech or wisdom that I came, announcing to you the testimony of God. For I resolved to know nothing (to be acquainted with nothing, to make a display of the knowledge of nothing, and to be conscious of nothing) among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. It was in weakness and fear and great trepidation that I was among you. And my speech and my preaching were not armed with persuasive words of human wisdom, but with the demonstration and convincing power of the Spirit; so that your trust should not rest in the wisdom of men, but in the Power of God” (I Cor. 2.2-5 Weymouth/AMP/NKJV).
Knowledge of this or that thing in the world is not what will help people. Our eloquent philosophy and worldly wisdom is not what they need. Jesus Christ and Him crucified is the only answer that will bring the deliverance that men and women are seeking. The world doesn’t need one more philosopher to tell them how to fix their problem – they need a Saviour, and His name is Jesus.
The best help we can ever give anyone is to lead them to Jesus – not only the people who have never known Him, but also to help the ones who already know Him to continue to trust and depend upon Him in whatever they are going through.
Wherever we are, whatever we do, our resolve should be to know nothing, to make a display of the knowledge of nothing, and to be conscious of nothing among those we encounter except Jesus Christ and the power that issues from the Message of Him crucified. Our determination should be to speak nothing except words which are armed with the demonstration and power of the Holy Spirit – so that those around us will not place their faith in human wisdom, but in the Power of God.
ANOINTED WITH FIRE
In Luke 3.16, John the Baptist declared: “I am baptizing you with water, but One mightier than I is coming, whose very sandal-strap I am not worthy to unfasten; He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and Fire” (Weymouth).
After Jesus had risen from the dead, and only moments before His ascension into Heaven, He Himself spoke to His followers, “John indeed baptized with water, but before many days have passed you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit (Acts 1.5 Weymouth). He continued, “But you shall receive POWER when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, AND YOU SHALL BE MY WITNESSES in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the remotest parts of the earth” (Acts 1.8).
John said that Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit and FIRE. What is this Fire? It is that “you will receive POWER when the Holy Spirit has come upon you.” Power for what? POWER to be HIS WITNESSES – even to the remotest parts of the earth.
We have been anointed with Fire to witness for Him, anointed with Fire to pull people out of the fire of the flesh and the world.
Jude verses 20-23 urge, “But you, dear friends, carefully build yourselves up on the foundation of your holy faith. And continue to pray as you are directed by the Holy Spirit, staying right at the centre of God’s love, keeping your arms open and outstretched, ready for the mercy of our Master, Jesus Christ. This is the unending life, the real life…
Show mercy on those whose faith is wavering. Rescue any who need to be saved, by snatching them out of the flames of judgment. There are still others to whom you need to show mercy, but be careful that you are not contaminated with their sins… Be tender with sinners, but not soft on sin… Have mercy on everyone who needs it, but hate even the garment spotted by the flesh and polluted by their sensuality” (MSG/NLT/CEV/AMP).
We have been anointed with Fire to be His witnesses, anointed with Fire to rescue men and women from the flames of judgment, anointed with Fire to issue mercy, to be tender with sinners, but fiercely intolerant toward the works of darkness.
God has put all things under Jesus’ feet and has appointed Him the universal and supreme Head of the Church, which is His Body, the fullness of Him Who fills all in all. For in that Body – the Body of Christ – lives the full measure of Him Who makes everything complete, and Who fills everything everywhere with Himself (Ephesians 1.2-23 AMP).
These signs will accompany us who BELIEVE. Through Christ, we have the power to declare the Message that changes everything – the Message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He will work with and confirm the Message with signs following. The demonstration and convincing power of the Holy Spirit will accompany His Word which we speak.
In the days ahead, let us keep a clear mind in every situation, enduring unflinchingly every hardship we may face. We are Christ’s representatives, ministers of reconciliation – so let us focus every day on bringing others to Christ, telling them of His Love and saving Grace.
As we do the work of an evangelist, armed with the convincing power of the Holy Spirit which has been endowed to us, we will Fulfil our Ministry… and most of all, the world WILL be saved.
Copyright © First Love Ministries International aka FERVOUR
All Rights Reserved
“And these signs will accompany those who BELIEVE…” Mark 16.17
Throughout times past, there has often been a strong and prevailing concept and understanding among the Christian community of the role and duty of the Believer. Many generations have lived and died knowing that no matter what else they were or what else they did in life, they were first of all a Christian, and they took their Christian responsibility very seriously.
For many, being a Christian meant being an example and a witness – to their family, their neighbours, and their community – of Christ’s Life and Christ’s saving Love. Some made it a point to not ever end a conversation with anyone without making sure they knew the Lord.
While these dear saints may or may not have walked in some of the light that we do today where the Word of God is concerned, they did understand their assignment as a Christian to work at bringing people to Jesus. It is time that we rekindle that great passion in our lives as Christians today.
The Scriptures tell us that whoever calls upon the Name of the Lord will be saved (Romans 10.13). Yet, how can people have faith in the Lord and ask Him to save them if they have never heard about Him? And how can they hear, unless someone tells them? And how can anyone tell them without being sent by the Lord? The Scriptures say it is a beautiful sight to see even the feet of someone coming to preach the Good News (Romans 10.17 CEV).
People cannot believe in One whose voice they have never heard. Faith comes from a message heard, and the message from the lips of Christ (Romans 10.17 Weymouth). When we take seriously the eternal destination of our fellow man, and yield ourselves to the Lord’s use, we can be carriers of that precious Message from the lips of Christ – the good news of His saving grace to all mankind.
Although not every Believer may have the assignment to preach in the pulpit or evangelize to mass audiences, we have all been called to tell the message of Jesus.
HIS REPRESENTATIVES
Jesus said, “And these signs shall accompany those who BELIEVE…” (Mark 16.17).
Signs and wonders will accompany the BELIEVER – that promise includes every born-again Christian. Every Believer has been called and anointed for ministry. Jesus has made us Ministers of Reconciliation – His personal representatives, anointed to be reconciled to God.
II Corinthians 5.18-20 tells us, “God has reconciled us to Himself through Christ, and has appointed us ministers of reconciliation, to tell how in Christ God was reconciling the world to Himself; not charging men’s sins to their account, and how He has deposited with us the message of this reconciliation. As Christ’s ambassadors, therefore we speak, seeing that God is making entreaty through us…”
As we tell the message of God’s reconciliation with mankind, His Spirit through us pleads with people’s hearts. Jesus said that the work of the Holy Spirit is to show the people of the world the truth about sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16.8). Our assignment is to give the message. The Holy Spirit will do the work of opening the hearts to receive and believe.
II Timothy 4.3-4 instructs, “A time is coming when people will no longer listen to right teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever they want to hear. They will reject the truth and wander off to strange myths and man-made fictions” (NLT / AMP).
In response to this proposed “falling-away”, we are urged: “But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Do not be afraid to suffer for the Lord. Work at bringing others to Christ. Complete the ministry God has given to you” (II Timothy 4.5).
Other translations of this verse say, “As for you, be calm and cool and steady. Accept and endure unflinchingly every hardship, do the work of an evangelist. Fully perform all the duties of your ministry.”
When people are wandering off from the Truth, it is time for us to stand strong and declare the message of Christ stronger than ever. Paying no attention to whatever hardships we may face, we should keep working to bring others to Christ, fulfilling the assignment God has given us to do.
DEMONSTRATION OF HIS POWER
The story of the Cross is foolishness to those who are on their way to perdition, but is the Power of God to those whom He is saving (I Corinthians 1.18 Weymouth).
Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God (I Corinthians 1.24). Mere words and empty rhetoric will not win the world to Jesus. Evangelism without the power that comes from God’s Holy Spirit is really no evangelism at all. We ourselves cannot save anyone. It is Jesus Christ who saves people. It is the Holy Spirit who draws people to Jesus. Apart from His power, all our efforts are utterly worthless.
The apostle Paul related: “For my part, brethren, when I came to you, it was not with superiority of speech or wisdom that I came, announcing to you the testimony of God. For I resolved to know nothing (to be acquainted with nothing, to make a display of the knowledge of nothing, and to be conscious of nothing) among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. It was in weakness and fear and great trepidation that I was among you. And my speech and my preaching were not armed with persuasive words of human wisdom, but with the demonstration and convincing power of the Spirit; so that your trust should not rest in the wisdom of men, but in the Power of God” (I Cor. 2.2-5 Weymouth/AMP/NKJV).
Knowledge of this or that thing in the world is not what will help people. Our eloquent philosophy and worldly wisdom is not what they need. Jesus Christ and Him crucified is the only answer that will bring the deliverance that men and women are seeking. The world doesn’t need one more philosopher to tell them how to fix their problem – they need a Saviour, and His name is Jesus.
The best help we can ever give anyone is to lead them to Jesus – not only the people who have never known Him, but also to help the ones who already know Him to continue to trust and depend upon Him in whatever they are going through.
Wherever we are, whatever we do, our resolve should be to know nothing, to make a display of the knowledge of nothing, and to be conscious of nothing among those we encounter except Jesus Christ and the power that issues from the Message of Him crucified. Our determination should be to speak nothing except words which are armed with the demonstration and power of the Holy Spirit – so that those around us will not place their faith in human wisdom, but in the Power of God.
ANOINTED WITH FIRE
In Luke 3.16, John the Baptist declared: “I am baptizing you with water, but One mightier than I is coming, whose very sandal-strap I am not worthy to unfasten; He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and Fire” (Weymouth).
After Jesus had risen from the dead, and only moments before His ascension into Heaven, He Himself spoke to His followers, “John indeed baptized with water, but before many days have passed you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit (Acts 1.5 Weymouth). He continued, “But you shall receive POWER when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, AND YOU SHALL BE MY WITNESSES in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the remotest parts of the earth” (Acts 1.8).
John said that Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit and FIRE. What is this Fire? It is that “you will receive POWER when the Holy Spirit has come upon you.” Power for what? POWER to be HIS WITNESSES – even to the remotest parts of the earth.
We have been anointed with Fire to witness for Him, anointed with Fire to pull people out of the fire of the flesh and the world.
Jude verses 20-23 urge, “But you, dear friends, carefully build yourselves up on the foundation of your holy faith. And continue to pray as you are directed by the Holy Spirit, staying right at the centre of God’s love, keeping your arms open and outstretched, ready for the mercy of our Master, Jesus Christ. This is the unending life, the real life…
Show mercy on those whose faith is wavering. Rescue any who need to be saved, by snatching them out of the flames of judgment. There are still others to whom you need to show mercy, but be careful that you are not contaminated with their sins… Be tender with sinners, but not soft on sin… Have mercy on everyone who needs it, but hate even the garment spotted by the flesh and polluted by their sensuality” (MSG/NLT/CEV/AMP).
We have been anointed with Fire to be His witnesses, anointed with Fire to rescue men and women from the flames of judgment, anointed with Fire to issue mercy, to be tender with sinners, but fiercely intolerant toward the works of darkness.
God has put all things under Jesus’ feet and has appointed Him the universal and supreme Head of the Church, which is His Body, the fullness of Him Who fills all in all. For in that Body – the Body of Christ – lives the full measure of Him Who makes everything complete, and Who fills everything everywhere with Himself (Ephesians 1.2-23 AMP).
These signs will accompany us who BELIEVE. Through Christ, we have the power to declare the Message that changes everything – the Message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He will work with and confirm the Message with signs following. The demonstration and convincing power of the Holy Spirit will accompany His Word which we speak.
In the days ahead, let us keep a clear mind in every situation, enduring unflinchingly every hardship we may face. We are Christ’s representatives, ministers of reconciliation – so let us focus every day on bringing others to Christ, telling them of His Love and saving Grace.
As we do the work of an evangelist, armed with the convincing power of the Holy Spirit which has been endowed to us, we will Fulfil our Ministry… and most of all, the world WILL be saved.
Copyright © First Love Ministries International aka FERVOUR
All Rights Reserved