Origins: Week 3
REVIEW
- The original messengers SHARED the gospel and their lives
- The results of the original message being shared was that everyone CONNECTED
- As everyone connected together they MINISTERED to one another
THE ORIGINAL MINISTERS
Acts 2:41–47 (NIV) – 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
As they obeyed Jesus’ message and method they started to become Christ-centered and others-focused and no longer self-centered and self-focused.
They participated in ministering to others and being ministered to by others.
Acts 4:32-35 (NIV) – 32All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. 33With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all 34that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.
They moved from being just consumers of God’s provision to contributors of God’s provision.
1 Peter 4:8-10 (NIV) – Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.
They ministered to each other individually and they ministered to each other corporately.
Acts 6:1-5 (NIV) – 1In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. 2So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. 3Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them 4and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.” 5This proposal pleased the whole group.
Ephesians 4:11-13 (NIV) – 11So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
REASONS WHY PEOPLE DON’T/WON’T MINISTER
- They need a heart change
- They don’t believe they actually have the ability to help and to make an impact
- They don’t know where to start
- They haven’t been asked
WAYS WE MINISTER PERSONALLY & CORPORATELY
Remember – Ministering happens in relationship. You cannot minster to and be ministered to if you are not connected to others. Your connection status directly impacts your ministering ability.
Personally
- Share your life and the gospel with others where you live, work and play
- Invite and connect others into relationship with you and with others (small group, large group, weekend worship)
- See and meet needs in your community with your time, talent and treasure
- When people stray from relationship with you, pray, chase and give grace
- Don’t quit when conflict and disagreement happen – love covers sin
- Commit to being taught, trained and equipped to minister and make disciples
- Invite and connect others into relationship with you and with others (small group, large group, serving, weekend worship)
- See and meet needs in the church with your time, talent and treasure
- Volunteer to serve in a ministry of the church
- When people stray from church, pray, chase and give grace
- Be honest in assessment, gracious in the process and faithful in solutions
- Don’t quit when conflict and disagreement happen – love covers sin
- Commit to being taught, trained and equipped to minister and make disciples
Opening Question: When was a time when someone ministered to you? Have you ever had someone not give up on you?
Main Point: Ministering to others is an important part of growing as a disciple of Jesus.
Read/Tell the Story: Mark 2:1-12 (Jesus Heals a Paralytic)
Questions:
- What did the men in the story do that the paralytic couldn’t do for himself?
- What do you think motivated these men to take their friend to Jesus? Why didn’t they just give up when they couldn’t get in?
- These men put the needs of the paralytic before their own. What causes someone to put others first?
- How do you think the guy that owned the house felt about this? When has something disrupted your life that was actually for a good cause?
- Jesus forgives the paralytic before healing him. Which do you think is more important?
- Has God (or someone else) ever given you what you needed instead of what you wanted?
- Who do you know that needs help seeing Jesus? What can you do to help them?
- What needs is God asking you to consider, sacrifice for or minister to, in this season?
Supporting Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-16, 1 Peter 4:7-11, Luke 9:1-6