WHAT THE MINISTRY HAS TAUGHT ME
Acts 16:9-10 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us. And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.
Some thoughts real quick here before I begin
Ac 16:9
A vision appeared to Paul in the night –
Whether this was in a dream, or whether a representation made to the senses of the apostle, we cannot tell.
A man of Macedonia appeared to him, and made this simple communication, come over into Macedonia, and help us.
Some suppose that the guardian angel of Macedonia appeared to Paul in a human shape; others, that it was a Divine communication made to his imagination in a dream.
Westly said this of Verse 9. A vision appeared to Paul by night - It was not a dream, though it was by night
No other dream is mentioned in the New Testament than that of Joseph and of Pilate’s wife.
A man of Macedonia - Probably an angel clothed in the Macedonian habit, or using the language of the country, and representing the inhabitants of it. Help us - Against Satan, ignorance, and sin.
Folks the world is calling for us to help: Show me the way!
What must I do to be saved?
How can I win in this life?
Which way is right?
Does any one care for soul?
Ac 16:10
Paul told his vision to the party and they were all ready to respond to the call.
Acts 16:10 And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.
Already in Ac 9:22 of Paul’s preaching.
This word here gives a good illustration of the proper use of the reason in connection with revelation.
To decide whether it is a revelation from God, to find out what it means for us, and to see that we obey the revelation when understood.
God had called them to preach to the Macedonians.
They had to go.
Just as pastor tells us week after week of His vision, his desires of the work of the Lord.
My question is: Are we like the apostles ready to go NO WAIT HAD TO GO?
WASTED NO TIME IMMEDIATELY THEY LEFT FOR THE TASK AHEAD.
What about us are we ready to immediately do the task.
If you are then why are we not doing it? Week after week Pastor asks you to come out soul winning. Where are you? Week after week Pastor asks you to do a job, teach a class, and pick up someone. Where are you?
What the Ministry has taught me?
For sure the ministry will make you cry, will make you laugh, it will make you crazy.
Times you want to quit - throw in the towel - pull your hair (if you have any) - scream -and then scream more.
But from all of the ups and down- the in’s and the outs.
I have found some things that it will teach you.
To make you better, stronger, happy, looking forward to serving God.
1)IT HAS TAUGHT ME TO HAVE A VISION:
Vs 9: Paul had a vision to go to Macedonia: Whether it was a real man, or a spirit who cares he had a vision.
In the ministry a vision is very important. With out it you have no drive, no destination in mind, no plan to go by.
Proverbs 29:18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
No vision no hope!
Bus Worker need a vision- bigger route- more riders- more homes- more families
No vision no growth: THE RESULT the people perish
Sunday school teacher you need a vision- bigger class-more folks to teach-train them-teach them more
No vision NO GROWTH The Results the people perish don’t come
Children Church Workers need a vision-more children to teach-preach to-train them for the big church-children getting saved
No vision No growth THE RESULT the people perish
Soul winners need a vision-more lost people-more doors to be knocked on-more time out visiting-more power from God.
No vision No growth THE RESULT the people perish they go to hell with out Christ
Teenagers need a vision-their friends-what God wants for their life.
No vision No growth THE RESULT the people perish
Church Members need a vision-to get busy for God-stop letting some one else do it-get your share of God’s blessings-get off the pew put your shoes on and get to WORK FOR GOD!!
No vision No serving THE RESULT you will perish- get out of church-be unhappy
Preachers need a vision-PREACH THE TRUE WORD (KING JAMES BIBLE)-
Preach against sin- Preach thus saith the Lord thy God-Get right with God and be the man we are called to be.
No vision Give into the world’s way THE RESULT the people perish from lack of spiritual food-you stand before God with ?????? Opps
Folks we need a vision, I have learned thru the ministry you must have a vision.
Without the vision people perish and you give up. Become a Christian dropout!!
2)IT HAS TAUGHT ME TO MAKE UP MY MIND:
VS 10: IMMEDIAETLY THEY GOT BUSY: 1st the vision then they acted on that vision.
Bus worker make up your mind to visit more, pray more, work harder than ever before
Sunday School Teacher make up your mind to visit those who don’t come, to call my class every week, pray for God’s power to teach a better lesson. To give more of my self to my class-pour my heart into my lesson.
Children Church Workers make up your minds to train those young minds to serve God-How to act in church-teach them to sing unto the Lord-win them to Christ-To give your whole heart into the ministry.
Teenagers make up your mind to do something for God-invite friends-go soul winning-find a job to do-read-pray-give
Church Members make up your mind to find a job in the church to do- Be part of God’s work- Ask the Pastor what can I do to help-win souls-be faithful to services-give more to missions, building fund-give my tithe no matter what.
Preachers need to make up their minds_ Preach thus says the Lord (PREACH THE WORD) The true word King James-walk and talk like a man of God
It has taught me to make up my mind.
Don’t know about you?
But I’m going to preach what God’s tells me too.
No matter who likes it or not
Taught me stand on the promises of God-taught me to be a soul winner taught me to be a man for God-Love God- Hate sin_ love people-hate their sin-yet know we are all sinner’s
Has taught me there is a need to tell the entire world about Jesus
Child, teenager, parents, grandparents, drunker, drug addict- queers- fat skinny old ugly or good-looking
THEY NEED JESUS MAKE UP YOU MIND TO SERVE
3)IT HAS TAUGHT ME TO ZERO IN ON THE TARGET:
After Paul saw the vision, they acted, the then zeroed in on the work the place God called them to
Philippians 3:13-14 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Bus worker zero in on the homes on your route- I mean aim straight for them- (like a coon dog after a coon)
Sunday School teacher zero in on your class-I mean teach them straight to the point. (Like a cat after a mouse)
Children Church Worker zero in on you young future Christians- Teach them the ways of the Lord-teach them how to act in big church-win them (like a dog after a cat)
Soul winner zero in on the world out there-they need Christ-you have the cure from going to hell. Get to the point ask them IF YOU DIE RIGHT NOW WHERE WOULD YOU SPEND ENIERTY-Life or death depends on you (like Satan after the Christian)
Teenagers zero in on your friends-people you know-realize God wants you
Church Member zero in on doing something- Find something to do-Get off the milk get some meat in you-get off the bench and get dirty for the Lord-Quit taking and give something back (like the dead sea/takes but never gives/it’s dead and so are you)
Preachers zero in on the real facts-People are dying in their sins-preach against-preach on hell-preach on living right-doing right. (Preach or stand before God what a big? mark)
4)IT HAS TAUGHT ME TO BELIEVE IN A CAUSE
Noah had a cause-built the ark
Abraham had a cause-Live by faith
Job had a cause-serve God no matter what happened to him
Daniel had a cause-to do right no matter the cost
The three Hebrew children had cause- not to defile themselves
Joshua had a cause- to obey God to the fullest so the walls will come down
Paul had a cause to preach the gospel to every person he could-He gave Hs life for it
Steven had a cause- He went down preaching seeing Jesus waiting for him
God had a cause- He gave is son because of our sin
Jesus had a cause-To come down to the earth to pay the price for our sins-a cruel death-a lonely death-a horrible death-a death that cause His Father to His back on His Son
WHY? So we can have eternal life
Do you have a cause and do you believe in that cause.
My cause is to get as many as I can pointed to Jesus, which results in Heaven and not Hell.
To preach whatever God tells me to- when He tells me and- How He tells
To stand on the word of God-believe it- to live it-preach it-to die for it
WHAT IS YOUR CAUSE? Do you have one? GET ONE!!!
The apostles had a cause to go to Macedonia to preach the word of God
5)THE MINISTRY HAS TAUGHT ME TO HAVE CONFEDENCE:
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Bus Worker-you can
Sunday school Teacher – you can
Children’s Church worker-you can
Soul Winner-you can
Teenager-you can
Church Members-you can
Preachers-you can have confidence in the Lord
God has showed me a many a time it is not my strength but His strength
The times I thought I was strong-I was weak
The times I thought I was weak-I was strong because the Lord carried me through-or gave me the power to do it
Remember God Calls- God will equipt us
In our text they had confidence in Proverbs 3:26 For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.
The Lord will do the work. DO YOU TRUST HIM?
6)THE MINISTRY HAS TAUGHT ME TO SHARPEN MY SKILLS:
2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Bus Worker-learn all you can about the ministry
Sunday School Teacher-learn all you can-know your lesson
Children’s Church Worker-learn all you can-be the best for the Lord
Soul Winner-learn all you can-go with different people-watch-pray-do it
Teenagers-watch the adults who are on fire for God-watch the ones that are being used and blessed of God-get in the word-learn all you can
Church Members-watch those who are serving and see them getting the blessing-sharpen your skills do something
Preacher-stay in the word-Ask God for messages (not man) read about others
Every ministry I ever got called by God to do-
I learned everything I could about that ministry-
I watched those that did it right-
I read books-went to conferences-
Stay in my Bible-stay on my knees- sought God in every task-and just did it
Study to show thy self approved-to who God-talks about a workman not being ashamed-workman must mean work so work must mean having skills so therefore sharpen your skills
7)THE MINISTY HAS TAUGHT ME TO EXPECT TROUBLE:
a)God never promised a rose garden in His service. He did promise you help to do His work.
b)If God is for it- then the devil is against it. Then we have trouble from Satan, but then God is on your side.
c)The closer you are to God the more Satan will attack you. Learn to lean on Jesus.
d)Life is like a box of chocolates you never know what you are going to get. Now this with the Lord you know what you are getting.
e)When dealing with people there are problems. Cannot satisfy them all; just do what the Lord says.
f)When trouble comes and it will take it to the Lord in prayer.
8)THE MINISTRY HAS TAUGHT ME TO BE REALSATIC:
Dream big: but put real facts on it. Not every one is gong to the greatest in the world.
Have the most rides on their bus.
Have the biggest Sunday school class
Have the biggest children’s Church
Win the most souls
Be the best or most popular Church member
Be the greatest preacher, have the most coming to hear you
Just realize that God wants you, and be all you can be for the Lord
BIG DREAM IS GETTING TO HEAVEN AND HEARING WELL DONE THOU GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT.
Always want to be bigger-have more-be better- but do unto the Lord and remember it is the Lord who will give the increase-little things will go a long way.
Psalms 127:1 Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.
9)THE MINISTRY HAS TAUGHT ME TO BE MORE PATIENT:
Don’t ask for it-You will be sorry if you do.
I have learned in the ministry it’s all in Gods time-not mine
Learn to love people and you will learn patience
Learn to serve and you will learn to be humble which with that comes patience
LEARN TO WAIT UPON THE LORD
Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
10)THE MINISTRY HAS TAUGHT ME NOT TO QUIT:
Oh yea!! There are those days you want to walk away. Battle tired, worn out, bruised.
Just think on the Lord and what He did. He went to the cross. He never gave up on us. Now he is heaven working on your home my home.
I have learn just before defeat- victory is ahead
Just after the dark-there is light
Psalms 30:5 ..weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.
After the valley-there is a mountain for you
After the storm-there is the calm
After all the hard labor-there is rest
Matthew 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
Matthew 5:12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven:
Matthew 16:27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.
KEEP ON KEEPING ON - NEVER STOP - NEVER GIVE UP
NO PAIN NO GAIN
WHAT THE MINISTRY HAS TAUGHT ME:
1)HAVE A VISION
2)MAKE UP MY MIND
3)TO ZERO IN
4)TO BELIEVE IN A CAUSE
5)TO HAVE CONFENCICE IN THE LORD
6)THE NEED OF SHARPING MY TOOLS
7)TO EXPECT TROUBLE
8)TO REALISTIC
9)TO BE MORE PATIENCT
10)NOT TO QUIT
