40 Rules for Christian Ministry (Part 8)

I can imagine the Apostle Paul sitting in his prison cell in Rome as he wrote what would be his final letter. He had written many letters to churches and a few to individuals involved in Christian ministry. I think Paul knew this would be his final letter, so he took everything God had taught him about ministry during the previous decades and shared it with Timothy and told Timothy to share it with ‘faithful men who will be able to teach others also.’

“For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand.” 2 Timothy 4:6

Rule #36

Be watchful in all things

The Greek word for ‘watchful’ is néphó and means ‘to be sober, abstain from wine, not intoxicated, be sensible.’ Here’s the context – the reason why Paul told Timothy to ‘be watchful in all things:’

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.” 2 Timothy 4:3-4

There have been many times in ‘Church’ history when people in churches have not ‘endured’ sound doctrine, but have turned to teachers who tell them what they want to hear. We are certainly living in a time just like that. Today’s churches, denominations, Bible colleges and seminaries are filled with false teachers, and the people ‘love it.’ It reminds me of what the Prophet Jeremiah wrote a short time before the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple:

“The prophets prophesy falsely, And the priests rule by their own power; And My people love to have it so. But what will you do in the end?” Jeremiah 5:31

Good question – what will you do in the end? If you want to serve God and serve the spiritual needs of people, you must ‘be watchful in all things.’ Don’t allow yourself to be drawn away by people who have a form of godliness. That’s tantamount to becoming intoxicated with wine. Stay vigilant. Beware and be aware.

Rule #37

Endure afflictions

Taking a stand for the truth of God’s Word will not make you popular in today’s world. Even as ‘Christians’ heap up for themselves false teachers who will lead them away from truth, those Christian ministers who are determined to remain true to the Word of God ‘rightly divided will face persecution and ‘afflictions.’

The Greek word for ‘endure afflictions’ is kakopatheó and means ‘endure hardship, endure suffering, suffer hardship, undergo hardship, suffer trouble.’ One of the interesting aspects of the word’s meaning is that what the Christian minister experiences may appear to be a ‘setback,’ but it’s not. Keep in mind who is behind Christian Ministry – the Holy Spirit. Here’s a reminder of what Jesus Christ told His disciples the Holy Spirit would do in the world:

“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear themnow. However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.” John 16:12-15

The Spirit of God lives in each of His true children and He will not fail us. Even when we suffer hardship, persecutions, and severe afflictions, God is with us and is accomplishing His will.

Rule #38

Do the work of an evangelist

It is because of what the Holy Spirit is doing in the world that Paul told Timothy to ‘do the work of an evangelist.’ The word ‘evangelist’ is euaggelistés and means ‘one who proclaims good news, one who preaches good news.’ That goes back to a previous verse in Chapter Four where Paul told Timothy to ‘Preach the word!’ That’s what every Christian should do. That’s what your pastor should do. That’s what your group study leader should do. That’s what your children’s ministry workers should do. That’s what your youth leaders should do. Preach the word and do the work of an evangelist.’

Rule #39

Fulfill your ministry

The word ‘fulfill’ is plérophoreó and means ‘fully persuade, fully accomplish, completely convince, make full proof of.’ The idea is doing God’s work to the ‘fullest extent.’ People committed to serving God don’t stop until the work is finished. Who know when it’s finished? God does. He will tell us when we have fulfilled our ministry (service) for Him and to others.

Rule #40

Fight the good fight, finish the race, keep the faith

This may be one of the best-known and most quoted of Paul’s writings. After all that he had told Timothy about how to minister and how to teach the people who would be able to teach other, Paul wrote this:

“For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:6-8

Timothy knew Paul well. They had traveled together in ministry for many years. Timothy knew that Paul was being truthful when he said, ‘I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.’ Timothy was a witness to Paul’s testimony as a Christian minister. Timothy also knew that Paul’s time on Earth was quickly coming to an end and that Timothy and other people Paul had trained would need to take up his mantle and carry forth the life-giving message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Is there a reward waiting for Christians who carry out the Gospel ministry faithfully? Absolutely! They will receive a ‘crown of righteousness’ which Jesus Christ will give them on the Day of His appearing. May we be among that number.

eBook

This eBook contains all 40 Rules for Ministry, along with my commentary and continual prayers for you as you serve God and others through the precious Gospel of God’s Grace toward us through His Son Jesus Christ.

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In Christ’s Love and Grace,

Mark McGee

GraceLife / Faith and Self Defense / Grace Martial Arts / Substack