Jesus Style Ministry Series

10, August 2003

Dakota Community Church

Jesus Style Ministry Training

Week 1: Imitate Christ Series

Introduction:

Two days ago was my 20th birthday (In Christ). I am still learning to love and imitate the one I met all those years ago.

How many of you ministered this week?

How many prayed for someone else this week?

Of those who did - how many did it with the person present?

How many of those were not a family member?

Hebrews 12:2-3

2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

1Peter 2:21

21To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

1Corinthians 11:1

Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.

Tonight I want look at the style of ministry Jesus ran and how he qualified people to be ministers of the Gospel.

Let’s quickly look at the difference between “ministry” and “church office.”

Ministry is:

- Leading someone to salvation.

- Praying for the sick, believing for healing.

- Welcoming a stranger, providing shelter.

- Feeding the hungry, clothing the naked.

- Visiting the imprisoned.

These are the activities Jesus described as the work of His sheep in Matt. 25.

Church Office is:

- Apostle.

- Prophet

- Evangelist

- Pastor, Teacher

- Bishop or Overseer

- Deacon

These are specific roles of government within the body of ministers.

We have made the mistake of thinking that you must be a church officer to be a minister.

Here are the steps to effective ministry as demonstrated by the Lord.

1. Step One: Answer the call.

Matthew 4: 18-22

18As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." 20At once they left their nets and followed him.

21Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, 22and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

The only requirement is a willingness to follow 100%. Nobody was disqualified for any sin. Among those accepted were thieves, adulterers, drunks, and murderers.

You are not rejected because of sin! Gluttony, divorce, lust, gambling, nothing done by you or to you can prevent you from ministering in Jesus name. Your past is irrelevent.

2. Step Two: Spend time with Jesus.

Matthew 5:1-3

1Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2and he began to teach them saying: 3"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

- First he taught them.

- Then He showed them.

- Then He sent them

3. Step Three: Go.

Luke 9: 1-6

1When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, 2and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. 3He told them: "Take nothing for the journey--no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra tunic. 4Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town. 5If people do not welcome you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave their town, as a testimony against them." 6So they set out and went from village to village, preaching the gospel and healing people everywhere.

5. Step Four: Repeat step two.

When they return look what happens:

Luke 9:46-48

46An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest. 47Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took a little child and had him stand beside him. 48Then he said to them, "Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For he who is least among you all--he is the greatest."

Luke 9: 49-50

49"Master," said John, "we saw a man driving out demons in your name and we tried to stop him, because he is not one of us."

50"Do not stop him," Jesus said, "for whoever is not against you is for you."

Luke 9: 51-56

51 Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem, 52and sent messengers before His face. And as they went, they entered a village of the Samaritans, to prepare for Him. 53But they did not receive Him, because His face was set for the journey to Jerusalem. 54And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, "Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?"