Empowering the Sacred Bond: Minister and Church

 

Summary

In this gathering, we reflect on the profound relationship between a minister and the church, drawing insights from the Apostle Paul's Second Epistle to the Corinthians. The union of a pastor and a congregation is a sacred bond, one that requires mutual understanding and support. Paul, despite his genius and independence, emphasized the importance of the church in his ministry, highlighting that a church can either hinder or greatly encourage a minister. The church's role is not just to be passive listeners but active participants in the ministry, supporting and praying for their pastor, thus becoming living testimonials of the ministry's effectiveness.

The minister, on the other hand, is called to be an ambassador for Christ, a role that demands a deep sense of divine calling. This calling is not about personal opinions or entertainment but about conveying the message of God with sincerity and truth. The minister's task is to persuade, not merely to please or entertain. This persuasion involves reasoning from the scriptures, engaging both the intellect and the heart, and ultimately relying on the demonstration of the Spirit and power.

Paul's ministry was driven by a profound awareness of the holiness of God and the love of Christ. This dual awareness—of the terror of the Lord and the love of Christ—compelled him to persuade others, knowing that both he and his listeners would one day stand before the judgment seat of Christ. The love of Christ, which transformed Paul from a persecutor to a preacher, was the driving force behind his ministry, urging him to share the good news of salvation, reconciliation, and new life in Christ.

As we welcome a new minister, we are reminded of the great responsibility and privilege that comes with this role. The minister is not just a speaker but a shepherd, tasked with guiding the congregation in truth and love. May this new ministry be marked by the same passion and dedication that characterized Paul's, and may it be a beacon of light and hope in a world in need of the gospel.

Key Takeaways:

- The relationship between a minister and the church is vital. A church can either hinder or encourage a minister's work. The congregation's support, prayers, and active participation are crucial in validating and strengthening the ministry. [09:21]

- A minister is an ambassador for Christ, called to deliver God's message, not personal opinions. This role requires a deep sense of divine calling and a commitment to truth, beyond mere entertainment or intellectual discourse. [14:03]

- Persuasion in ministry involves both reasoning from the scriptures and engaging the heart. The minister's task is to win people to the truth, not just to denounce or entertain, but to genuinely care for their spiritual well-being. [19:18]

- The driving force behind a minister's work should be the awareness of God's holiness and the love of Christ. This dual awareness compels the minister to share the gospel with urgency and compassion, knowing the eternal stakes involved. [37:20]

- The blessings of the gospel include forgiveness, reconciliation with God, and new life in Christ. These are the greatest gifts a minister can offer, providing hope and transformation in a world filled with uncertainty and despair. [43:07]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:21] - Introduction and Occasion
- [01:35] - The Role of the Church
- [03:25] - Paul's Ministry and the Church
- [05:20] - Importance of Church Support
- [07:16] - Encouragement and Hindrance
- [09:21] - Supporting the Minister
- [11:11] - The Church as Testimonial
- [13:32] - The Minister's Calling
- [16:18] - The Ambassador's Role
- [19:18] - Persuasion in Ministry
- [23:26] - Beyond Entertainment
- [29:24] - Reasoning from Scriptures
- [34:24] - Engaging the Heart
- [37:20] - Motivated by Love and Holiness
- [43:07] - The Gospel's Blessings
- [48:27] - Eternal Hope and Assurance

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- 2 Corinthians 5:11-21

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Observation Questions:

1. What does Paul mean by "knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men" in 2 Corinthians 5:11? How does this reflect his approach to ministry? [03:25]

2. How does Paul describe the role of the church in his ministry, and why does he emphasize its importance? [06:26]

3. What are the two main motivations that Paul mentions for his ministry in 2 Corinthians 5:14? How do these motivations influence his actions? [40:33]

4. According to the sermon, what are some ways a church can either hinder or encourage a minister's work? [09:21]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does Paul's awareness of the "terror of the Lord" and the "love of Christ" shape his ministry approach, and what does this dual awareness suggest about the balance between fear and love in Christian ministry? [37:20]

2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that a minister's role as an "ambassador for Christ" goes beyond merely sharing personal opinions or entertaining the congregation? [14:03]

3. How does the sermon describe the relationship between reasoning from the scriptures and engaging the heart in the process of persuasion? Why is this balance important? [19:18]

4. What does the sermon imply about the responsibility of church members in validating and strengthening the ministry? How does this relate to their role as "living testimonials"? [11:11]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own role within the church. How can you actively support and encourage your pastor in their ministry? Consider specific actions you can take this week. [09:21]

2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of being an ambassador for Christ. How can you embody this role in your daily life, especially in your interactions with others? [14:03]

3. Think about a time when you were persuaded by someone’s reasoning and heartfelt appeal. How can you apply similar methods when sharing your faith with others? [19:18]

4. The sermon highlights the importance of the church as a living testimonial. In what ways can your life reflect the truth and power of the gospel to those around you? [11:11]

5. Consider the dual awareness of God's holiness and Christ's love in your own life. How does this awareness influence your actions and decisions? How can you cultivate a deeper understanding of both? [37:20]

6. Identify one area in your life where you feel called to share the gospel more boldly. What steps can you take to overcome any fears or hesitations you might have? [37:20]

7. The sermon mentions the blessings of the gospel, such as forgiveness and reconciliation. How have you experienced these blessings in your life, and how can you share these experiences with others to offer hope and transformation? [43:07]

Devotional

Day 1: The Church's Role in Ministry

The relationship between a minister and the church is a sacred bond that requires mutual understanding and support. A church can either hinder or greatly encourage a minister's work. The congregation is not just a group of passive listeners but active participants in the ministry. Their support, prayers, and active involvement are crucial in validating and strengthening the ministry. When a church actively supports its minister, it becomes a living testimonial of the ministry's effectiveness, showcasing the transformative power of the gospel. [09:21]



1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 (ESV): "We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves."



Reflection: How can you actively support your church's minister this week, whether through prayer, encouragement, or participation in church activities?





Day 2: The Minister as an Ambassador for Christ

A minister is called to be an ambassador for Christ, a role that demands a deep sense of divine calling. This calling is not about personal opinions or entertainment but about conveying the message of God with sincerity and truth. The minister's task is to persuade, not merely to please or entertain. This persuasion involves reasoning from the scriptures, engaging both the intellect and the heart, and ultimately relying on the demonstration of the Spirit and power. The minister's commitment to truth goes beyond mere intellectual discourse, aiming to genuinely care for the spiritual well-being of the congregation. [14:03]



2 Corinthians 5:20 (ESV): "Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God."



Reflection: In what ways can you embody the role of an ambassador for Christ in your daily interactions, sharing His message with sincerity and truth?





Day 3: Persuasion Through Scripture and Heart Engagement

Persuasion in ministry involves both reasoning from the scriptures and engaging the heart. The minister's task is to win people to the truth, not just to denounce or entertain, but to genuinely care for their spiritual well-being. This involves a deep understanding of the scriptures and the ability to connect with the congregation on a personal level. By engaging both the intellect and the heart, the minister can effectively communicate the transformative power of the gospel, leading others to a deeper understanding and relationship with Christ. [19:18]



Acts 17:2-3 (ESV): "And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, 'This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.'"



Reflection: How can you use your understanding of scripture to engage both the intellect and heart of those around you, leading them to a deeper relationship with Christ?





Day 4: Motivated by God's Holiness and Christ's Love

The driving force behind a minister's work should be the awareness of God's holiness and the love of Christ. This dual awareness compels the minister to share the gospel with urgency and compassion, knowing the eternal stakes involved. The love of Christ, which transformed Paul from a persecutor to a preacher, was the driving force behind his ministry, urging him to share the good news of salvation, reconciliation, and new life in Christ. This awareness of God's holiness and Christ's love should motivate all believers to live out their faith with passion and dedication. [37:20]



2 Corinthians 5:14-15 (ESV): "For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised."



Reflection: How does the awareness of God's holiness and Christ's love motivate you to share the gospel with those around you?





Day 5: The Gospel's Blessings of Forgiveness and New Life

The blessings of the gospel include forgiveness, reconciliation with God, and new life in Christ. These are the greatest gifts a minister can offer, providing hope and transformation in a world filled with uncertainty and despair. The gospel message is one of hope, offering a path to forgiveness and a new beginning in Christ. As believers, we are called to share this message with others, offering them the same hope and transformation that we have experienced in our own lives. [43:07]



Colossians 1:13-14 (ESV): "He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."



Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear the message of forgiveness and new life in Christ, and how can you share this message with them today?

Quotes

The relationship between a minister and the church is vital. A church can either hinder or encourage a minister's work. The congregation's support, prayers, and active participation are crucial in validating and strengthening the ministry. [00:07:16]

The Apostle Paul was very sensitive to their good opinion. You remember how later on in this same epistle he tells us that there were people who were making very disparaging remarks about him. They said his presence is weak and his speech contemptible. Now the Apostle didn't dismiss that; it hurt him, it wounded him. [00:07:16]

If it's true that a church can hinder a man, well, there is nothing that can give a man such encouragement as their loyalty of his people, their support of the ministry, his knowledge that they're always praying for him and doing everything that they can to encourage him. [00:09:21]

The minister is an ambassador for Christ, called to deliver God's message, not personal opinions. This role requires a deep sense of divine calling and a commitment to truth, beyond mere entertainment or intellectual discourse. [00:13:32]

A man who is not conscious of being called of God and set apart by God for this particular task has no business to be in the ministry at all. Now thank God we needn't stay with that here; we're all perfectly happy about this. [00:14:03]

The business of the minister is not to entertain people, and I mean by that even in the church. I've been reading an advertisement in several religious papers only this week about a forthcoming meeting to be held here in London at which I'm told that there is going to be song, drama, dance, and then some remarks by a particular Minister. [00:23:26]

The business of the preacher is not just to say come to Jesus; people have got to be shown why they must come to him, and this involves the reasoning. But now we are confronted with people who are in the same position as the Jews at the time of the Apostle, who think they're right but whom we can demonstrate out of the scriptures are not right. [00:29:24]

The driving force behind a minister's work should be the awareness of God's holiness and the love of Christ. This dual awareness compels the minister to share the gospel with urgency and compassion, knowing the eternal stakes involved. [00:37:20]

The love of Christ, which transformed Paul from a persecutor to a preacher, was the driving force behind his ministry, urging him to share the good news of salvation, reconciliation, and new life in Christ. [00:37:20]

The blessings of the gospel include forgiveness, reconciliation with God, and new life in Christ. These are the greatest gifts a minister can offer, providing hope and transformation in a world filled with uncertainty and despair. [00:43:07]

We know we Christians that if our Earthly House of this Tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, Eternal in the heavens. In this, we grown earnestly Desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven. [00:48:27]

May this new ministry be marked by the same passion and dedication that characterized Paul's, and may it be a beacon of light and hope in a world in need of the gospel. [00:48:27]

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Transcript
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