Mere Ministry

John MacArthur one time said that the most important job in the world is that of the minister. I would have to say that I agree. I am but a small child when it comes to ministry and already I can see the great responsibility that comes with the calling. The true minister of Jesus Christ is called to preach the most important message in the world, that is, the gospel. Ministers have the greatest calling in the world and we know this because (a) the bible says that the minister will receive greater judgment and (b) would it not be the most important job in the world to preach the most important message in the world? It is a privilege. When you speak, you speak on behalf of God Himself. Therefore, everything you say should be said with such fear and reverence. Shouldn’t ministers more carefully discern what they are saying? Ministers should stand in a constant fear because of the greatness of the job they have before them. They are called to attend to God’s flock. They are the under shepherds that God Himself has assigned. They should take the care of souls with the utmost seriousness! And that is what God calls them to do; to walk in His ways, above reproach, and to preach truth, teach truth, be ready in and out of season, reprove, rebuke, and exhort! That is our job and it is the most important job, although I do not consider it a job. A minister is called to follow these guides from 2 Timothy regardless of situation, persons, or emotional circumstances. That is a hard job, especially in a society that is built like ours where everyone is supposed to ‘deal’ with everyone else with political correctness. We must do this though it is tough, because that is what we are called to do, because it is what brings God the glory.
The ministry is strenuous, laboring, and sometimes overbearing. The minister is always at fault when things go wrong and is always having to stave off the wolves when it comes to getting everyone not to hate him. And to steal another MacArthur quote, “it’s the only job in the world where you get all the blame when things go wrong and get none of the glory when things go right”. The ministry is a rough place. Paul lived out possibly the hardest life known to man, being beaten, stoned, castaway and a lot of other terrible things in his life. Every single apostle was martyred except for the likes of John, who was beaten then abandoned on an island of thugs and criminals. Its also a rough place for the family, just ask O.T. guys like Eli and Samuel, whose families were full of wickedness and cared nothing for the things of the Lord. You have missionaries like Adoniram Judson, who lost numerous children and 2 different wives, and pastors like John Bunyan, who lost a child and a wife while spending 12 years in prison. Ministry is a tough place.
The world outside isn’t the only place that endangers the work of the minister. Our churches are full of false prophets. Tele-evangelist and easy-believism pastors have made the gospel a very laughable idea that only promotes a free ticket to heaven. Ravenous wolves are preaching from the pulpits and churches are leading people down the broad path by the thousands. There is no church discipline, there is no repentance and there is no holiness. 2 Timothy 4 is very accurate when it proclaims the wandering of men’s souls: “They will not endure sound doctrine; but want[ing] to have their ears tickled…and will turn away their ears from truth, and will turn aside to myths.” Today the ministry is considered to be a big joke throughout this nation. I suppose that’s what happens when you preach a soft gospel.
Its hard to preach truth. Its hard because a lot of people think you are a legalist or way to conservative because you preach a narrow, hard-nosed gospel. They will gossip about you constantly. I’ve lost unconverted friends who I knew would leave me and then I’ve lost friends who I thought were saved but turned out to abandon the faith just the same. It isn’t pleasant to watch someone you once called ‘brother’ stab you in the back and walk away from the gospel. My unsaved parents constantly question everything I do and the school I attend is full of people who claim Christ as their king but do everything they can to keep the true gospel out. It seems as a daily occurrence to hear of a young ‘preacher‘ falling into sin and corruption. These are not the same sufferings as Paul or Peter, but the gospel is no less hated today than it was when it was written. You will be hated if you preach the truth of Christ.
So what is there to look forward to? What is the joy I have in the ministry? I can only say that there are times when I wonder, then I read the hope that Paul had in Romans 8. In verse 18 he says, “For I consider that the sufferings of this time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed.” And what is that glory to be revealed? The grand and wonderful glory that we have in Christ! I can only say these words with a joyous heart that I have in my King. Oh how my heart is anxious to see my Savior and delight in Him! This is the hope that Paul is talking about in verse 24! Oh the hope we have in Christ! And then he tells us of how God is taking care of us right now. Paul reassures us again in verses 28 and 31 that “God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God…” and again, “If God is for us who can be against us?”
So I say to ministers and myself alike to keep the faith! Alas, God is for us! Take joy in the things that you do have in Christ. Take joy in the grace that God has given you to walk in His path and in His ways. Take joy in the Christian brothers of like faith that you do have. Take joy in the ministry that you have, to be able to preach God’s gospel.

To God be the Glory,

bawillett

~ by bawillett on May 31, 2008.