The Old Testament Witness to Christ and His Kingdom, Mentor's Guide, MG09

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T H E O L D T E S T A M E N T W I T N E S S T O C H R I S T A N D H I S K I N G D O M

Ministry Connections

What is your motive for ministry–why do you do what you do? This lesson, as much as any in our Capstone module set, provides excellent reasons for ministry. Jesus of Nazareth in fact is the Messiah, and his saving message of life and forgiveness is available even to Gentiles who repent and believe. The certainty of the promise, the truth undergirding our life and work, the soon prospect of actually seeing the one for whom we have spent our lives in service ought to be motivation enough to master and apply the OT’s Messianic prophetic vision to our lives. Gerald Hawthorne speaks of this motivation of ministry to prophetic vision in reference to Paul: Paul’s motivation was multifaceted. He was essentially driven by a realization of the love of Christ for himself personally and for all humanity (2 Cor. 5.14–15; Gal. 2.20). Alongside this was his sense of obligation to carry out the apostolic commission which had been given to him (Rom. 1.14–15; 1 Cor. 9.16–17), and a realization that he must give an account of his life and work to God (1 Cor. 4.1–5; 2 Cor. 5.9–10). The apostle was motivated by a strong desire to see fellow Jews brought to a saving knowledge of Christ (Rom. 9.1–3; 10.1), and he hoped that his ministry among the Gentiles would make them jealous and so save some of them (Rom. 11.13–14). Paul developed a strong affection for his converts, and this made him want to share with them, not only the gospel but his own self also (1 Thess. 2.8). This affection made him want to visit them and pray for them (1 Thess. 2.17–20; 3.9–10), and to spend both his resources and himself for them (2 Cor. 12.15). The power of the OT Messianic prophecy to not simply be a kind of intriguing theological idea but (as it was for the apostles) a life changing radical truth, all comes down to your ability to understand the significance of it. If Jesus is Lord, and the OT prophecies of the Messiah have come to pass in him, then all things are different in the world . And frankly, should be different in your ministry. Now, as this module of study winds down, you will be responsible to apply the insights of your module in a practicum that you and your mentor agree to. To share the truths you have gleaned from the rich variety of material covered in this lesson and module can have significant impact if presented clearly and boldly first in your own walk, and then in a clear and coherent manner to others. Thank God that the Spirit will oftentimes provide us with opportunities to apply the Word of God in numerous contexts: our walk with him, our prayers, our relationships at our church, on our jobs, or wherever he may lead. ~ Gerald F. Hawthorne. Dictionary of Paul and His Letters . (electronic ed.). Logos Library Systems. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1997. p. 607.

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