Patterns of Ministry, Part 2

Photo by Dan Zen

Scripture: Luke 10:8-9

“Whatever city you enter and they receive you, eat what is set before you; and heal those in it who are sick, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’

Insights: The fourth principle for effective ministry is recognizing patterns of ministry. In the passage we have been looking at this entire week there are four patterns. Today we are going to look at the last two patterns. The third pattern is that we sacrifice personal preferences for the greater good of God’s kingdom. Notice in verse eight it tells us we are to eat what is set before us. I have eaten food in numerous places across the United States and in various countries. I can tell you I have not enjoyed everything I have put in my mouth, but I have eaten it. When it comes to sharing the gospel, our personal preferences are not up for discussion. Unfortunately, in the church we often times get wrapped up in our personal preferences and miss about what the whole purpose of church is. Our focus ought to be the pattern which is found in verse nine.  The fourth pattern found in effective ministry is the sharing of the gospel.  The verse uses the phrase the kingdom of God. In other words, we are supposed to be sharing the gospel with the world in order for the kingdom of God to grow. At FBC Bowling Green our mission statement says we are to be gospel driven. This part of our mission statement is what is being emphasized in these two verses which is all about the kingdom of God. Beloved, if we will follow these four patterns of ministry which are: be financially dependent on the Lord, look for a person of peace, sacrifice personal preferences for the greater good, and share the gospel we will see effective ministry taking place. As a remember these four patterns for effective ministry are also in conjunction with the first three principles which we looked at earlier this week. Again, just as a reminder, those principles were, we partner together for ministry, we pray for ministry to happen, and we recognize there are perils found in ministry.

Questions:

1. In what ways have you sacrifice personal preferences for the greater good of God’s kingdom?

2. Are you intentionally sharing the gospel with other people?

Prayer: Father, I am such a selfish person. I desire my pleasures more than I do Your glory and I asked for forgiveness for this deplorable self-idolatry. But let me be strengthened to sacrifice in order that the gospel maybe better shared with a world desperately in need of Jesus.  Amen.

If you have found this blog to be helpful, please forward it in Facebook or retweet it in Twitter.  I would also appreciate if you would tell your friends to read this blog.  As always, if you have a comment you would like to make regarding this Thoughts by Scott, please feel free to leave your thoughts in the comment section.  Thank you.