Our Lord Jesus Christ in teaching His disciples how to pray
- Taught them how to praise and lift the name of our father in heaven.
- The next thing he taught them as important on the list was Thy kingdom come and thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
- Before he moved on to asking for our daily bread
What this should tell us is that church and growth of
ministries on earth is second priority on his scale of preference. This is
because church and ministerial growth are pivotal to the establishment of the
kingdom of God and the Will of God being done on earth.
Church and ministerial growth ultimately fulfills the first
on the scale of preference of God- Bringing glory to his name, Lifting up the
name of God and total dependence on God as our father.
The scripture also says that the second coming of our Lord
Jesus Christ is dependent on the good news reaching every corridor of the earth.
This means God indeed wants His kingdom to be established on
the whole earth so that His Will, will be done on earth – hence the name of our
Father lifted high on earth.
In line with the above, God really wants us as his children
to take the leading role as in ensuring that the whole world come to know him
and serve Him.
God has set us as kings and priest on earth Rev. 1:5-6 The purpose
is to lead the earth in His stead. 2 Cor 5:20 as His ambassadors
Therefore to see growth in our churches and ministries
- We need to let our lights shine Matt 5:16
(Religious branding-are you projecting the
image of God?) -Why should our lights shine?
Ans. We are written epistles 2 cor. 3:2
What can we do to shine as ambassadors of Christ?
- Love
o
In the image of God the ultimate is love because
God is Love- 1cor. 13:1-9 if I speak with thousands of tongues and have no
love.
o
It is love that draws people to God. Without
love our ministries would see no growth.
- Be the type of leaders Paul preached about- 1Timothy 3:1-11
o
Are you above reproach?-Should your church probe
into your lives would they see no reproach
- Live the virtues of God- 2 peter 1:3-9
- Speech Seasoned with salt Col 4:6, Eph 4:29
o
As pastors, Rev min, elder and members of the
body of Christ our lives must shine so that the rest of the world who are not
in the light can see the light of Christ in us.
o
Our lives should reflect the image of God for
that is our Brand.
- Dependence on God and not our experience. Luke 5:1-11
o
Over 30 years of Peter’s fishing experience
could not make him a successful person.
o
Until the time Jesus met him he was still living
from hand to mouth that is why he got worried at the night he had no catch.
o
H e was in the wrong profession ( fishing for
fish instead of men)
- For you to see growth in your ministry and church you need to depend on God for,
o
Direction- Ask Him, God which way should I take
o
What exactly should I do?
o
Which message to preach at what time
- Notice- When Peter followed the instruction of God as a fisher of men instead of fish,
o
He was
able to catch 3000 people into the Kingdom within a day. Acts 2:41
o
He also became bold and could preach to a large
crowd.
- Be a team player, encourage team work and mentoring.
o
Eg. Jesus in His ministry did not walk alone but
developed 12 disciples and many others.
o
Even Jesus when he was going to pray on mountain
of transfiguration went with John, James and Peter.
o
Paul did not walk alone but developed timothy,
Epaphreditus, Silas and many others.
o
Peter worked with a very large team that at some
point a committee had to be formed to manage the sharing of their food. Act
- Many men of God are failing in their ministries because they are:
o
Self
centered, seeking their personal gains instead of the kingdom.
o
They are not team players, thus refusing to
involve or partner others on issues that require team work.
o
They refuse to mentor
- Prayer – Whatever you want to do take it to God (Prov. 16:3)
o
Jesus was a praying leader – He prayed through out His ministry
o
He also interceded for his disciples Eg.
Peter(the devil sought to sift you like
wheat)
o
Acts 1:1-8 before the spirit descended on the
disciples there was a waiting and prayer.
o
Result- the power of God (spirit) translated
their prayers into different tongues and on lookers could understand them.
I want to end by saying that seeing growth in your ministry
is all about depending completely on God for everything.
Amen!!!
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