Series: Action [#146]
THE CURE- A VICTORIOUS MINISTRY
Romans 15:14-33
Introduction:
Paul is talking about his ministry, and he gives us the 2 main aspects of that ministry. Verses 14-22 talks about his ministry to the unbelievers and verses 23-33 talks about his ministry to the believers. Before you begin to eliminate yourself from this Sermon, understand that if you are a Christian, then you are a minister. You don’t have to be a pastor to be a minister. Webster defines a minister as one who gives aid or services.
Romans 15:14
What is your ministry? How do you serve the Lord? How do you interact with others?
Romans 15:15
You have a victorious ministry by…
1. Realizing your ministry is built on grace.
I did not choose God. God chose me.
John 15:16
You aren’t ministering because you are so awesome, you are ministering because of God’s grace. God chose you; God has a plan for you; and God gave you the ministry that you are in because He made you for it.
Romans 15:16
You have a victorious ministry by…
2. Building your ministry on the Word of God.
Everything you do and don’t do should be based upon the Word of God. That is why I refuse to perform any same-sex marriage ceremony. Not because I’m hateful. Not because I’m homophobic. Not because I’m judging them. It’s because God’s Word says that marriage is between 1 man and 1 woman.
Romans 15:17-18
You have a victorious ministry by…
3. Doing it for the glory of God.
Your ministry is not about you, or your pride, or your reputation. Your ministry is about giving glory to God. In 2016, there was an article on CNN.com about Tharon’s swimming- I shared this on the Church’s Facebook page and I commented that Bel Aire was excited to see Tharon not just swimming well; but touching others as he gave God the credit for his success. Swimming is 1 of Tharon’s ministries and Tharon needs to give God all of the glory.
Romans 15:19
You have a victorious ministry by…
4. Remembering that your ministry is powered by God.
Evidence of a ministry that is powered by God is a ministry where lives are changed. You don’t change lives- God does.
Romans 15:20-24
You have a victorious ministry by…
5. Remembering that your ministry is planned according to God’s purpose.
Paul’s plans were not always God’s plans. Do you see any letters to the Spaniards in the Bible? No; but he planned on going to Spain. Did he make it to Spain? It depends on which scholar you ask. Some say that he did while others say that he did not. It is good to have a plan. Just remember that when your plan and God’s plan don’t match up- Follow God’s plan.
Romans 15:25-29
You have a victorious ministry by…
6. Allowing God’s people to support it financially.
What? Ministry costs money and without the financial support of others, it will struggle.
Romans 15:30-33
You have a victorious ministry by…
7. Depending upon the power of prayer.
I need your prayer. You need my prayer. Any ministry is only as strong as the prayer behind it.
Conclusion:
With what is going on all around us, we must minister to others more now than ever.
