Embracing Ministry: Small Acts, Big Impact

### Summary

Good morning, everyone. Today, I want to share a message that has been on my heart about ministry. Ministry is not just a word; it's a calling, a way of life, and a commitment to meet the needs of others. I shared a personal story about my time at Fairview Methodist Church, where a simple hot dog night turned into a significant ministry opportunity. This experience taught me that ministry can start small but grow into something impactful when we are willing to step out and serve.

We often think of ministry as something grand, but it can be as simple as handing out hot dogs and drinks on a trick-or-treat night. The key is to show God's love in practical ways. This idea is supported by Steve Sogren's book, "Conspiracy of Kindness," which emphasizes kindness ministries. We are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus, meeting people where they are and showing them love.

Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 9 remind us that we have the freedom to do anything, but we should use that freedom responsibly. Paul became all things to all people to win some for Christ. This is a powerful reminder that ministry requires us to step out of our comfort zones and meet people where they are.

I also shared about Bob Bilheimer, who took it upon himself to minister to the Amish community. His dedication and willingness to become something he was not to reach others is a powerful example of what ministry can look like.

We looked at the parable of the talents in Matthew 25, which teaches us that God has given each of us gifts and abilities. We are called to use these gifts to serve others and glorify God. The parable warns us against burying our talents out of fear or laziness. Instead, we should invest them in God's kingdom.

Finally, we examined the letters to the churches in Revelation, particularly Sardis and Laodicea. These churches were called to wake up and be useful for God's kingdom. Jesus wants us to be either hot or cold, not lukewarm. Lukewarmness leads to stagnation and ineffectiveness in ministry.

Ministry is about meeting people's needs, showing God's love, and using our God-given talents. It's not always easy, but it's what we are called to do. Let's commit to being active in our ministry, using our gifts, and showing God's love in practical ways.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. Ministry Starts Small but Grows: Ministry doesn't have to begin with grand gestures. It can start with something as simple as a hot dog night. The key is to be willing to step out and serve, showing God's love in practical ways. Small acts of kindness can grow into significant ministry opportunities. [51:55]
• 2. Use Your Freedom Responsibly: Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 9 that while we have the freedom to do anything, we should use that freedom to serve others. Becoming all things to all people to win some for Christ requires us to step out of our comfort zones and meet people where they are. [61:30]
• 3. Invest Your Talents: The parable of the talents in Matthew 25 teaches us that God has given each of us gifts and abilities. We are called to use these gifts to serve others and glorify God. Burying our talents out of fear or laziness is not an option; we must invest them in God's kingdom. [77:16]
• 4. Wake Up and Be Useful: The letters to the churches in Revelation, particularly Sardis and Laodicea, call us to wake up and be useful for God's kingdom. Jesus wants us to be either hot or cold, not lukewarm. Lukewarmness leads to stagnation and ineffectiveness in ministry. [82:01]
• 5. Commit to Practical Acts of Love: Ministry is about meeting people's needs and showing God's love in practical ways. Whether it's handing out hot dogs or offering a cold drink, these acts of kindness can make a significant impact. We are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus, serving others with the gifts God has given us. [01:00:47]
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Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [50:15] - Introduction and Personal Story
• [51:05] - Ministry and Community Engagement
• [51:55] - The Hot Dog Night Story
• [53:01] - Expanding Ministry Ideas
• [54:50] - Moving to Thornville
• [55:39] - Night of 1,000 Dogs
• [58:00] - Community Involvement
• [59:48] - Overcoming Fear in Ministry
• [60:47] - Practical Acts of Love
• [61:30] - 1 Corinthians 9: Using Freedom Responsibly
• [62:56] - Bob Bilheimer's Ministry to the Amish
• [77:16] - Parable of the Talents
• [82:01] - Wake Up: The Church at Sardis
• [87:12] - Hot or Cold: The Church at Laodicea
• [92:04] - Call to Revival and Commitment
• [95:14] - Are You Victorious?
• [96:57] - Invitation to Prayer and Commitment

Bible Reading

1 Corinthians 9:19-23 (NIV) — > Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

2. Matthew 25:14-30 (NIV)
> For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money. Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’ But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

3. Revelation 3:1-6, 14-22 (NIV)
> To the angel of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God. Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you. Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. The one who is victorious will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

> To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

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Observation Questions

1. What was the main lesson learned from the hot dog night at Fairview Methodist Church? [51:55]
2. How did Paul describe his approach to ministry in 1 Corinthians 9:19-23?
3. What did the master say to the servant who buried his talent in the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30?
4. What was Jesus' message to the church in Laodicea in Revelation 3:14-22?

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think small acts of kindness, like handing out hot dogs, can grow into significant ministry opportunities? [51:55]
2. How does Paul's willingness to become "all things to all people" challenge our comfort zones in ministry? [01:01:30]
3. What does the parable of the talents teach us about using our God-given gifts and abilities? [01:17:16]
4. What does it mean to be "lukewarm" in the context of Jesus' message to the church in Laodicea, and why is it problematic? [01:27:12]

Application Questions

1. Reflect on a time when you participated in a small act of kindness. How did it impact you and others? How can you incorporate more of these acts into your daily life? [51:55]
2. Paul became "all things to all people" to win some for Christ. What are some practical ways you can step out of your comfort zone to reach others in your community? [01:01:30]
3. Consider the talents and abilities God has given you. Are there any that you have been "burying"? How can you start using them to serve others and glorify God? [01:17:16]
4. Jesus calls the church in Laodicea to wake up and be useful. In what areas of your spiritual life do you feel "lukewarm"? What steps can you take to become more "hot" or "cold" for God's kingdom? [01:27:12]
5. Ministry is about meeting people's needs and showing God's love in practical ways. Identify one need in your community that you can help meet this week. How will you go about doing it? [01:00:47]
6. Reflect on the story of Bob Bilheimer and his ministry to the Amish community. How can you be more intentional about reaching out to people who are different from you? [01:02:56]
7. Jesus stands at the door and knocks, waiting for us to let Him in. What areas of your life have you not fully surrendered to Him? How can you open the door to Jesus in those areas? [01:28:14]