IN OR OUT

[Sticking with purpose continually]

This is the forth edition of The Ministry Series, a teaching centered on the discovery and fulfilment of one's purpose, which we deliberately refer to as a 'ministry'.

In the first edition, we considered the various ministries people receive from the Lord. In the second, we focused on our commitment to our ministry. The third edition released last week contained the admonition that we make God the centre of our lives, and our ministry pursuit. Thus, placing priority on God over our ministry is most noble.

Today, we intend to introduce the issue of consistency as a necessary factor in fulfilling our ministries.

Scriptures

a. From that time, many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Then said Jesus to the twelve, 'Will you also go away?' Then Simon Peter answered him, 'Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou has the words of eternal life'. (John6:66-68)

Only God!

I find this scripture most suitable for this topic. Jesus preached a very controversial message and many people became offended. But the twelve were not.

Peter spoke up and said Master, no one else is worthy of our followership. Only you! Yes, only God. Only God deserves our followership.

Many times, God has popped up this question to you 'Will you also go away?'

Do not be offended with God. Do not quit your God-given ministry because (maybe) it does not seem to be 'successful'. Stay on the work. Don't have one foot out, and the other in.

One Foot In, One Foot Out

Joshua spoke up to the children of Israel at their moment of indecision and said 'Choose you this day, whom you shall serve'. (Joshua 24:15) The Prophet, Elijah said something similar during the Mount Carmel contest "How long shall ye stay between two opinions? If the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him." (1Kings 18:21)

Joshua gave a recommendation in his speech, he said, 'Choose life that you may live'. Do not keep one foot out and one foot in. Choose to be in his purpose for your life; in your ministry; in the place of your divine assignment.

Stay With Your Purpose

Stay with that purpose for which you were born. Stay with your ministry! "For this purpose the Son of God came that he might destroy the works of the devil'.(1John 3:8b) On this purpose, he stayed and fulfilled it.

He almost became distracted. At a point, the people wanted to install him as King, but he escaped. That wasn't his mission. It wasn't part of his ministry. Besides, He was already (and remains) the King of kings, not of a earthly throne.

He said, 'I come that you may have life (not to occupy a political office).

Your own calling may be into administration (as seen in 1Corinthians 12:28), or any other life endeavour or profession. The encouragement is: having found where you belong, STAY THERE!

Look up our previous three editions for details on the various ministries and relevant expositions. I trust you've been blessed. Thank you for your sustained attention till the end of the Series. I pray God grant you the grace to fulfil your ministry, in Jesus name. God bless you.

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