Sustaining Ministry: Managing Expectations and Trusting God

 

Summary

In this session, we explored the theme of sustaining a lifetime of ministry, focusing on the expectations, limitations, and progress one can anticipate in serving the Lord. Jesus' parable of the sower in Matthew 13 serves as a profound illustration of the varied responses to the Word of God. As leaders and sowers of the Word, we must understand that not everyone will respond in the same way. Some will be unresponsive, others enthusiastic but short-lived, some distracted by worldly cares, and yet others will be receptive and bear fruit. This parable teaches us not to be surprised or discouraged by these different responses, as they were also present in Jesus' ministry.

The key to sustaining ministry lies in managing expectations. Many leave ministry because it doesn't meet their expectations. It's crucial to understand that the Word of God will have different effects on different people. As sowers, we must remain faithful, patient, and trust in God's timing and work. The Word of God is living seed, and while it may not always produce immediate results, it will eventually bear fruit. We are reminded to stick with the proper seed—the Word of God—and not to be swayed by the temptation to use other means to achieve results.

Furthermore, as ministry leaders, we must guard our hearts, ensuring that our own soil remains fertile and receptive to God's Word. We must exercise patience, recognizing that growth takes time, and trust the outcome of our ministry to God, who can change even the hardest hearts. The Holy Spirit acts as a plow, breaking up hard ground and allowing the seed to take root. Ultimately, our role is to faithfully sow the seed, trusting that God will bring about the harvest in His time.

Key Takeaways:

1. Expect Varied Responses: As sowers of the Word, we must anticipate different reactions—unresponsiveness, temporary enthusiasm, distraction, and genuine receptivity. Understanding these responses helps us manage expectations and remain steadfast in our ministry. [06:54]

2. Stick with the Proper Seed: The Word of God is the only seed that brings about true transformation. While other methods may seem appealing, they cannot replace the life-changing power of Scripture. [18:48]

3. Guard Your Heart: As ministry leaders, our hearts are also soil. We must protect them from becoming hardened, overwhelmed, or crowded, ensuring that our personal relationship with Jesus remains vibrant. [20:25]

4. Exercise Patience: Growth takes time, and the Word of God often works slowly. We must be patient, trusting that the seed we sow will eventually bear fruit, even if it takes years. [23:11]

5. Trust the Outcome to God: God can change the hardest hearts, and His Spirit acts as a plow, preparing the soil for the seed. Our responsibility is to sow faithfully, trusting God to bring the harvest. [23:49]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:09] - Introduction to Sustaining Ministry
- [00:27] - Bearing Fruit in Ministry
- [00:43] - Parable of the Sower
- [01:54] - Perspective of the Sower
- [02:28] - Managing Expectations
- [03:46] - Mixed Results in Ministry
- [05:31] - Different Effects of the Word
- [07:10] - Unresponsive Hearts
- [08:13] - Enthusiastic but Shallow Responses
- [12:34] - Distracted by Worldly Cares
- [14:55] - Receptive and Fruitful Hearts
- [16:54] - Practical Applications for Ministry
- [19:05] - Guarding Your Heart
- [20:44] - Exercising Patience
- [23:11] - Trusting God with the Outcome

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Matthew 13:18-23: The Parable of the Sower
- John 10:11-15: Jesus as the Good Shepherd
- Luke 8:11: The Seed is the Word of God

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#### Observation Questions
1. In the Parable of the Sower, what are the different types of soil mentioned, and how do they respond to the seed? ([01:01])
2. According to the sermon, what are some reasons people might leave ministry? ([02:46])
3. How does Jesus describe the person who receives the Word with joy but falls away when trouble comes? ([08:13])
4. What does the sermon say about the role of the Holy Spirit in preparing the soil for the seed? ([23:49])

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#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the Parable of the Sower illustrate the varied responses to the Word of God, and what might this mean for ministry leaders? ([02:28])
2. What does it mean to "stick with the proper seed," and why is it important for ministry? ([18:48])
3. How can the concept of guarding one's heart be applied to someone in a leadership position within the church? ([19:05])
4. What does the sermon suggest about the importance of patience in ministry, and how does this relate to the growth of the seed? ([23:11])

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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt discouraged in your ministry or spiritual journey. How can understanding the varied responses to the Word help you manage your expectations? ([06:54])
2. Are there areas in your life where you might be tempted to use methods other than the Word of God to achieve results? How can you refocus on the transformative power of Scripture? ([18:48])
3. Consider your own heart as soil. Are there any "thorns" or distractions that might be hindering your spiritual growth? What steps can you take to address them? ([12:34])
4. How can you practice patience in your ministry or personal spiritual growth, trusting that the seed you sow will eventually bear fruit? ([23:11])
5. Think of someone in your life who seems unresponsive to the Word. How can you continue to sow seeds of faith in their life while trusting God with the outcome? ([23:49])
6. In what ways can you ensure that your personal relationship with Jesus remains vibrant, even as you take on more responsibilities in ministry? ([20:25])
7. Identify one specific area in your ministry or personal life where you need to trust God more fully with the outcome. What practical steps can you take to surrender this area to Him? ([23:49])

Devotional

Day 1: Embrace Diverse Reactions to God's Word
Understanding that responses to the Word of God vary is crucial for those in ministry. The parable of the sower in Matthew 13 illustrates that not everyone will respond to the Word in the same way. Some may be unresponsive, others may show temporary enthusiasm, some may be distracted by worldly concerns, and others will be receptive and bear fruit. Recognizing these varied responses helps manage expectations and prevents discouragement. As sowers of the Word, it is important to remain steadfast and faithful, knowing that these different reactions were also present in Jesus' ministry. [06:54]

Isaiah 55:10-11 (ESV): "For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it."

Reflection: Think of a person in your life who has responded differently to the Word than you expected. How can you adjust your expectations and continue to show them love and patience?


Day 2: Rely on the Transformative Power of Scripture
The Word of God is the only seed that brings about true transformation. While other methods may seem appealing, they cannot replace the life-changing power of Scripture. As ministry leaders, it is essential to stick with the proper seed and not be swayed by the temptation to use other means to achieve results. The Word of God is living and active, and though it may not always produce immediate results, it will eventually bear fruit. Trusting in the power of Scripture ensures that the foundation of ministry remains strong and effective. [18:48]

Hebrews 4:12 (ESV): "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart."

Reflection: Identify an area in your ministry or personal life where you have been tempted to rely on methods other than Scripture. How can you refocus on the transformative power of God's Word today?


Day 3: Cultivate a Receptive Heart
As ministry leaders, it is vital to guard our hearts, ensuring that they remain fertile and receptive to God's Word. Our hearts are like soil, and we must protect them from becoming hardened, overwhelmed, or crowded by worldly concerns. Maintaining a vibrant personal relationship with Jesus is essential for effective ministry. By keeping our hearts open and receptive, we allow the Holy Spirit to work within us, ensuring that we remain connected to the source of life and strength. [20:25]

Proverbs 4:23 (ESV): "Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life."

Reflection: Reflect on the current state of your heart. Are there areas where it has become hardened or crowded? What steps can you take today to cultivate a more receptive heart?


Day 4: Practice Patience in Ministry
Growth takes time, and the Word of God often works slowly. As ministry leaders, it is important to exercise patience, trusting that the seed we sow will eventually bear fruit, even if it takes years. The process of growth is gradual, and it requires faithfulness and perseverance. By practicing patience, we align ourselves with God's timing and trust in His perfect plan. This patience allows us to remain steadfast in our ministry, knowing that the harvest will come in due time. [23:11]

James 5:7-8 (ESV): "Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand."

Reflection: Consider a situation in your ministry where you are waiting for growth or change. How can you practice patience and trust in God's timing today?


Day 5: Trust God with the Harvest
God can change the hardest hearts, and His Spirit acts as a plow, preparing the soil for the seed. Our responsibility is to sow faithfully, trusting God to bring the harvest. It is important to remember that the outcome of our ministry is ultimately in God's hands. By trusting Him with the results, we can focus on being faithful in our calling, knowing that He is at work even when we cannot see it. This trust allows us to release control and rely on God's sovereignty and wisdom. [23:49]

1 Corinthians 3:6-7 (ESV): "I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth."

Reflection: Think of an area in your ministry where you have been trying to control the outcome. How can you release this to God and trust Him with the harvest today?

Quotes

"Now Jesus said by this my father is glorified that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples and here's the question that's before us how is that possible how can you bear fruit in your ministry how are you going to sustain a lifetime of service and how in particular are you going to overcome the discouragements that you're going to face in serving the lord well in this module we're going to look at some Parables of Jesus from Matthew in Chapter 13." [00:15:21]

"Now this issue of expectations is crucial to sustaining a lifetime of service some years ago I saw a survey of pastors who had left the ministry and the number one reason that they gave was it wasn't what I had expected now think about this here are people who have invested money and time to train for a vocation they've entered that vocation with an expectation and what they experienced was something very different." [00:55:31]

"Now you see these are the real issues of life and Ministry and I want you to see today that they are precise L what Jesus speaks about in the parable of the SAR here's what's going to happen when you saw the word of God it's going to have different effects in the lives of different people now notice from this story that Jesus tells that some people who hear the word will simply be unresponsive." [00:54:20]

"Now here's a person who hears the word and receives it and notice that this person makes an early response immediately he or she receives it with joy so this person could hardly be more different from the unresponsive person but notice that this joyful receiving of the word doesn't last Trouble Comes and the person who once professed Faith so brightly Falls away now this second response is perhaps the most discouraging of all for the soar of the word." [00:51:03]

"Here is a person who hears and receives the word the seed gets into the soil and it begins to grow now the thorns were not obvious at the beginning and we know this because in verse seven our Lord says the Thorns grew up so the Thorns were not visible when the seed was sewn the problem was that under the soil there were root systems from old Thorn bushes that had never been dug from the ground and when the seed began to grow well the thorns out grew it and choked it." [00:57:39]

"Now here are people who hear the word and they understand it they see that it speaks to them that God lays claim to their lives the word of God goes into their lives and it bears fruit and the Harvest that the word brings in these people's lives is abundant in one case a h hundredfold in another 60 and in another 30 now notice that the word of God will be more fruitful in some Believers than in others the degree of fruitfulness will vary among Believers but the distinguishing Mark of every True Believer is that the word of God bears fruit in their lives." [00:15:13]

"The first is stick with the proper seed the seed that bears the fruit of bringing people under the blessing of God's rule is the word of God we have this clearly stated in Luke chapter 8 and verse 11 the seed is the word of God this is the only seed that will bear the fruit of a godward change in people's lives and you know one of the greatest responsibilities of any Ministry leader is to make sure that the word of God is at the heart of your ministry." [00:16:54]

"Guard your heart as a Ministry leader you are a so but remember that your heart is also soil and your work as a soar can affect the soil of your heart here's what happens you love the Lord and so you give yourself to Ministry you take on responsibility you become a soar of the word in the lives of other people and as you do this three things will happen one is you'll get trodden on sometimes and when that happens watch your heart because when you get trodden on your heart can become like a hard path." [00:19:05]

"Exercise patience you have to exercise patience because seed grows slowly remember that Jesus told the parable of the soar not the parable of the bomber Jesus does not say a bomber went out to bomb and as he bombed he changed the whole landscape overnight there may be times when we wish that God would drop a few bombs you know the structures of evil seem at times to be so strong in the world but you see what Jesus is teaching us here God works by sewing seeds not by dropping boms." [00:20:44]

"God's word is living seed and it can bear fruit long after it was sown John Fel was a minister in the 17th century in Dartmouth in the southwest of England and one day John Fel was preaching a sermon on 1 Corinthians chapter 16 and verse 22 if anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ let him be a cursed that's a solemn verse and it must have made for a very solemn sermon well in the congregation that day was a lad by the name of Luke short he was about 15 years old a native of Dartmouth and shortly after this event Luke short went to sea and sailed for America and lived the rest of his life in the United States." [00:21:54]

"Trust the outcome of your ministry to God remember this God can change the hardest heart William Lane who has an excellent commentary on Mark's gospel points out that in the time of Jesus Farmers plowed after they had swn the seed and if you think about that it is a marvelous encouragement the seed is scattered it falls often on hard paths often on Stony ground but when the plow comes well the hard path gets broken up now you see we serve a god whose plow can break up the rocks and root out the thorn bushes the holy spirit is the plow and when the plow comes the seed gets tipped into the open ground and everything is changed." [00:23:49]

"Now let me try and draw out four practical applications that I hope will be helpful to you in sustaining a lifetime of faithful and fruitful Ministry the first is stick with the proper seed the seed that bears the fruit of bringing people under the blessing of God's rule is the word of God we have this clearly stated in Luke chapter 8 and verse 11 the seed is the word of God this is the only seed that will bear the fruit of a godward change in people's lives and you know one of the greatest responsibilities of any Ministry leader is to make sure that the word of God is at the heart of your ministry." [00:16:54]

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Transcript
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