DAY FOUR: POWER IN MINISTRY

Review:

• Whether carrying out the ministry of the “clergy” or “laymen,” all believers
  are called to the ministry of Jesus Christ, their faith enabling them to be used
  by Him.
• Though the daily tasks that each of us carry out may differ, we are all
  ambassadors, sent to point others to Jesus Christ and the reconciliation that He
  made possible.
• If we are to be Christ’s ambassadors and represent Him well in whatever
  daily tasks God has given us as individuals, we must follow the example of
  humility He lived for all of us, in action, in word, and in attitude.

Jesus was an example to us not only in attitude, but also in action and
speech.

John 13:1-17

The power in ministry is not in title, position, or authority, but in love.
Love compels (2 Corinthians 5:14 ).
Love draws men toward God (John 12:32 ).
If your sincere objective in ministry is to lead men to reconciliation with
God, love will be your method of operation, and you will demonstrate that love
in humble servitude to others as Jesus did. There are many ways to reach
goals and bring about results within the arena where God places you to carry out
ministry; but powerful, effective ministry occurs when you do as Jesus did and
serve others in love, perhaps “getting your hands dirty” and/or inconveniencing
yourself in the process.

Galatians 5:13 “For you are called to freedom, brothers; only don’t
use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through
love.”

Also, notice that Jesus did more than simply wash the disciples’ feet and
expect them to understand the significance of what had been done for them.
Although the disciples were those closest to Jesus, they were only human and,
therefore, had limited knowledge of Jesus’ ministry. After all, it had not been
completed yet. Jesus had to take time to explain what was happening. As Christ’s
ambassadors, then, we cannot simply stop at service and expect those we serve to
understand what it is that we do. The human mind cannot comprehend the things of
God without help (1 Corinthians
1:18 ). We, as believers, have the Holy Spirit to help us understand the
things of God; but those who have not yet accepted Christ are depending on us to
help them understand God’s plan for them (Romans 10:14 ). We must point them toward
Christ verbally, taking every opportunity to explain to them the love that
compels us. If we serve without acknowledging Him who sent us, then we have
possibly brought glory only to ourselves and not to God.

Take a few moments and write your thoughts, concerns, and questions in your
journal. Allow the following thought suggestions to guide you.

As you read this account of Jesus washing the disciples’ feet, how willing do
you think you would have been to do something like that, even if no one but you
knew that God had told you to do it?

How would you have felt having Jesus wash your feet? How do you feel knowing
that, figuratively speaking, He has washed your feet?

How do Jesus’ actions in situations such as these challenge you? Are you a
good ambassador?

What is God teaching you about ministry?