How To Have A Death Proof Ministry

How To Have A Death Proof Ministry

Acts 6:8-15

(January 2023)

There are certain people throughout the history of this church who have left a lasting legacy. There are others that I never had the privilege to meet because they went to glory long before I arrived. But their stories, legacies and ministries live on. Their faithfulness to this church, their service to the Lord and their impact on the lives of others continues even though they are in Heaven. There are some here today who will leave the same type of legacy.

As Christians we all have certain gifts, talents and abilities. God has given us these gifts in order to use them to bring Him honor and glory. Our desire should be that Christ is glorified through our service. We should seek to serve our Master every day that we are blessed to live on this earth

Have you ever considered the fact that your service to the Lord can (and should) continue even after your death. If you will invest your time, talents and treasures wisely you can continue to store up treasures in Heaven, long after you leave this earth.

Stephen was the first Christian martyr. His ministry was brief, but powerful nonetheless. He was a man who truly left behind a lasting legacy. Stephen’s biography shows us that it is possible to have a lasting (and eternal) impact for Christ. He lived and served for only a short time, but almost 2,000 years later his ministry lives on

- I would like to walk through these verses and see "How To Have A Death Proof Ministry".

If you want to have a death proof ministry Jesus Christ must be the focus. Your service must be by Him, though Him and for Him. This was certainly the case for Stephen. Notice:

I. THE ORIGINATION OF A DEATH PROOF MINISTRY V5

Stephen is introduced in Acts 6:1-7. The Apostles instructed the church to choose 7 men that they could appoint over the ministry of caring for the widows in the church. Verse 5 says that "they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost". It was apparent to his peers that Stephen was a devoted man of God.

- Like all servants of Christ, his ministry began with a calling. Consider:

A. THERE IS A CALL

Long before the church "chose" Stephen, God had called him. In fact, God had a plan for Stephen before he was even born. The same is true for us. God knew you before you were born and He has always had a plan for you. God told Jeremiah " Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations" (Jeremiah 1:5). Just as He had a plan for Jeremiah and Stephen, God has a plan for you!

- Our ministry begins with a call; In fact, this "call" is a two part call.

1) THERE IS A CALL TO SALVATION

In His Grace, God calls sinners to surrender to Christ and be born again. Each of us was born into this world as lost sinners. There was nothing that we could do to change that fact. Thankfully, Jesus came, lived, and died to make a way for us to receive eternal life. Through His infinite mercy, grace and love God draws us unto Him. The Holy Spirit convicts us of our sin and convinces us of our need of a Savior. When we respond accordingly we are born into the family of God. This does not happen without the call to salvation.

- The second part of this "call" is the call to serve the Lord.

2) THERE IS A CALL TO SERVICE

God has a plan and a purpose for each of His children. This means that there is a job for you to do, there is a task for you to accomplish; there is a ministry for you to perform. God knew what He wanted Stephen to do long before He saved Him, and God has a specific plan for you as well!

- There is a call, but notice also:

B. THERE IS A COMMISSION

The word "commission" means to send out. Once God calls us to service, He then sends us out to accomplish that mission. When God moves in your heart and reveals His will for your life, He will commission you. He will 'send you out" to work for Him. You can serve Him with confidence that He will lead, guide and direct you. The all-powerful God will equip you and open the doors necessary for you to serve Him.

Perhaps you are unsure of your specific duty for God. If that is the case then let me remind you that there is a universal commission for all believers. Each and every Christian is expected to be a witness of Christ. (Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.)