Ministry as Cruciform Love | Andrea Utreras | March 8th 2026

We are the people of the cross and we are the people of the resurrection. And what a joy that is. We are the people of the cross and the people of the resurrection. Here's an invitation to consider. Think about your own limitations, your own brokenness and suffering that you are experiencing right now. How is God using this to minister others? Or maybe think about what others have poured in you that you may receive life. And probably you are thinking like, I I don't know this life, it is it really worth it? I'm struggling with that question. Think about what others have done that for you so you may live. What is this treasure costing you? What can you put to death so others may live? [00:29:34] (56 seconds)  #CrossAndResurrection

And I think about your faithful service here at Grandville Chapel in pastoring, in praying, in worship, saying hello in the door, every single area, everything is important for the body of Christ to be built up. And we do all of these, we die because others can live. We have a treasure which is cruciform. We die so others may live because Jesus died that we may live, that you and I can have life and a joyful life. Is it worth it? Yes. It's worth it. It's worth it because Jesus died for us, and he is alive, and we live in him and for him. [00:27:54] (45 seconds)  #CruciformService

If we are followers of Jesus and bearers of this treasure, we will encounter suffering. And that is the calling. Take up the cross and follow me. Take up your cross and follow me. And T Wright says, suffering is not a denial of the gospel, but a strong confirmation of it. Once again, suffering is not a denial of the gospel, but a strong confirmation of it. So it should not surprise us when we hear about the sufferings of other ministers in the world or our own suffering. [00:15:58] (41 seconds)  #SufferingConfirmsGospel

And this is another paradox. Where do you store a treasure? God has decided to put a treasure in that fragile container. Picture this. He has chosen fragile containers, crumbling clay, disintegrating mortality, pressed, crushed, groaning, made of earth. And this is counter We have a treasure in jars of clay. God has chosen the weak, the suffering, and purging humans to be vessels and to carry this ministry of the gospel to show that the real power is not from people, but from God. [00:09:23] (41 seconds)  #JarsOfClayPower

Why do we die? Because Jesus died for us That we may live, that we may find life, that we may have hope, and hope in the resurrection from the death. We die daily and at least literally in order that the life of Christ might be revealed. We die to participate in the resurrection. Because if we suffer with him, we will also reign with him. If we suffer with Christ, we will also participate in his resurrection. There is no crown without the cross. There's no prize for the athletes who try to run without even training. [00:21:19] (55 seconds)  #NoCrownWithoutCross

And how can we endure when trials come? Resting in God's all surpassing power. It's not on us. It's his power. We rest in his power, and this is a mystery. We are too small. We are too small like that tiny vessel tiny vessel, and we can't comprehend this. This is a mystery. But it's his power, the same power that raised Jesus from the dead that will give life to these broken vessels. We are to imitate Christ in his service and in his ministry because we are following the crucified one. [00:28:52] (41 seconds)  #RestInHisPower

Paul was having a really bad time. Paul was writing these things from prison. He was saying, we need you to hear the sufferings that we have been going through. And we can ask like, why is Paul saying all of this? Is he complaining? Is he just like, oh, I I'm having pity on myself? No. Paul is pointing to the cross. Paul is pointing to the paradox of the cross to show the marks of true discipleship, to to show the marks of true apostleship. [00:13:29] (38 seconds)  #MarksOfDiscipleship

Ministry can be messy. In fact, ministry will be messy because being a faithful witness to the crucified one will bring suffering. And Paul was being faithful to his calling to preach the gospel to the Gentiles. But what did he find? Suffering, persecution, prison, sickness, constant risk of death, beatings, hunger, hardships, troubles, and he goes on and on. He writes this long list of sufferings in chapters one, in chapters four, six, eleven, and twelve. [00:12:50] (39 seconds)  #MessyMinistryReality