THE EXPECTED CHARACTERISTICS OF A TRUE MINISTER OF GOD By Pastor Olubunmi Akinkoye on Saturday, 09/27/14 Bible Reference: 1st Corinthians 3:1-23 2 Corinthians 3:6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. THE LETTER WILL NOT KILL US!!! God reconciled us to himself through Jesus and has released divinely appointed grace and mercy to us. Beloved, once you are born again, your slate has been wiped clean and you are on God’s team. You have a role to play. Colossians 1:22-23 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister; You should start from a level where you are not even ordained yet you are doing exploits for God. When your day of reward comes, NOTHING CAN STOP IT! Do not say “I’m not a minister”…..Beloved, YOU CAN DO IT!!! Wake up and be an extension of God’s hands. God has saved you. You have been appointed a Preacher, an Apostle, Evangelist, etc but you have to develop yourself then you’ll get your reward. As a minister of God, a spirit should be motivating you. You must examine yourself and see if you have the following characteristics: Find a balance between prudence and transparency. Know you stand in God’s presence when you speak therefore be careful not distort the message to please the audience. 2 Corinthians 4:2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every mans conscience in the sight of God. Know you are chosen by God to speak the good news and not to please people. Act as a member of God’s team. 2 Thes. 2:4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. Encourage the timid. Warn the lazy. Be ready to teach. Be sensitive to each person. 1 Thes. 5:14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. Set good example for people to work hard. 2 Thes. 3:8-11 Neither did we eat any mans bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you: Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us. For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Must be above reproach and have a good reputation. 1st Timothy 3:2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Earn respect through faithfulness. Stand up to your responsibility. 1st Timothy 4:12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Patiently endure hardships, calamities, and troubles 2 Corinthians 6:4 But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses. Must be hospitable. Entertain guests at your home. Titus 1:6-9 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. God will use you to be an encourager to the people around you. As a minister of God, do you labor for others? God knows what you do in secret. There’s nothing you sow that you won’t reap. He is the rewarder. Your way of life should portray the word of God. People should see God in you. The little you know how to do, DO IT!!! Study the bible so that you are equipped with the appropriate word to do God’s work. It is more important to be a minister who can live God’s word. You should be interested in seeing members of your church succeeding. Titus 2:7-8 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you. Examine yourselves. There are two ways to destroy a building: 1. Tamper with the foundation 2. Using inferior material for the building 1st Corinthians 3: 10-12 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble. You cannot tamper with the foundation of the church if it is based on Jesus!!! THE SPIRITS THAT SHOULD BE OPERATING IN YOU AS A TRUE MINISTER OF GOD Be wise as serpents and harmless as doves Matthew 10:16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. You have to be very humble. Be servants to God’s people if you want to be great. The greatest among you should be like the youngest. Matthew 20:27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: What we put into life should be greater than what we get out of it. Acts 20:24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. Whether a “ Paul” or an “Apollos”, we are all God’s servants. Each of us should do the work God has given us. 1st Corinthians 3:5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. For we are labourers together with God: ye are Gods husbandry, ye are Gods building. The time is coming when you’ll get your reward. 1 Corinthians 3:8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. Do your part. What you know how to do, DO IT!!! Wake up to what God has called you to do. God has appointed you. STOP SLEEPING!!! 1 Corinthians 3:131Every mans work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every mans work of what sort it is. In everything we should show we are true ministers of God by patiently enduring hardships and difficulties. Endure affliction. God wants to see if you’ll stop serving him when you face difficulties. Run from all evil things. Pursue righteousness. Love people more than money. 1st Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. A servant of God must not quarrel. Must be patient with difficult people. 2 Timothy 2:14 Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. God does not remember your sin when you repent. Care for the flock God has entrusted over you. Tell people about the good news. The Lord gave the word; great is the company of those that published it (Psalm 68:11)
Posted on: Thu, 02 Oct 2014 12:41:00 +0000
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