Ministry in a Multi-Cultural and Unchurched Society

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Mi n i s t r y i n a Mu l t i -Cu l tura l and Unchur ched Soc i et y

1. Christ has done the choosing of us.

2. Christ determines the using of us.

B. The heart of ministry is daily unconditional availability to the risen Lord; we cannot determine the effect our ministry will have. 1 Cor. 3.5-9 (ESV) – What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. [6] I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. [7] So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. [8] He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor. [9] For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building.

1. After all is said and done, we are only servants of the Lord.

2. Neither the one who plants or waters is anything, only the Lord who gives the increase.

3. All we offer is ourselves, God alone must do the rest.

C. We may never know the full extent of our ministry effect, but we know that in the end we will receive the reward of the Lord. 1 Cor. 15.58 (ESV) – Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. 1 Cor. 4.4-5 (ESV) – am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. [5] Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the