“16 (NKJV) For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!”
1 Cor 1: 16 (CEV) – I don’t have any reason to brag about preaching the good news. Preaching is something God told me to do, and if I don’t do it, I am doomed.
1 Peter 4:10 (NKJV): “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”
1 Peter 4:10 (CEV) – Each of you has been blessed with one of God’s many wonderful gifts to be used in the service of others. So use your gift well.
WHAT IS MEANT BY THE MANIFOLD GRACE OF GOD?
“Mercy is not getting what you deserve. Grace is getting what you don’t deserve. And within each, there are infinite varieties. That’s why it’s called, ‘the manifold Grace of God’.”
Not long ago, I took a closer look at the map of the world. I realised that there is the need for the spread of The Gospel and The Lordship of Jesus Christ to be Established in all nations especially in Africa. Many people who could receive and grow in Christ are drowning in the world of sin. Many more people in the church could have better lives, if only all of us would take seriously the ministries God Has Entrusted Into our hands.
In The Christian terminology, the word ‘Minister’ has been reserved for a special group of people dedicated to working fulltime for the LORD. Usually, we reserve that title for the clergy or for Praise and Worship leaders. However, God Wants us to know that every Child of His is a minister expected to be a good steward of His Manifold Grace. You are a minister with a ministry and God Expects you to invest prayer into that ministry every year of your life.
For many of us, the last thing to be included in our list of prayer topics is the prayer for success in ministry. It’s like we want God to Do Lot of things for us but show little interest in what we can do to also help God Fulfil His Agenda in the affairs of humanity. In Christ we are one big family (Ephesians 3:14-15) and we are all responsible for our growth and expansion.
Just as no mother or father can say that because he/she is a lawyer, doctor etc, he/she will not have time to give birth or be responsible for the growth of his/her family, so it is with our Christian family. We have no excuse than to preach the Gospel for souls to be born again and to be nurtured in the Christian faith. Paul says, ‘ Woe is me, if I preach not the gospel!’. That should be your statement too.
If you understand what that means, you will realise how critical it is to pray into your ministry. Whether ushering, playing instruments, singing or evangelising, God Has Given you A Special Gift for ministry. Take some time off, go to God in prayer and purpose in your heart to minister to souls.
May we, like Paul, rejoice in the privileges that are ours by Faith and consider the accompanying responsibilities as Blessings to share rather than a burden to carry.
Heavenly Father,
thank You for the privilege of being a minister in Your vineyard. I avail myself for You to use me for the advancement of The Kingdom. As I make Your service my delight, I know You Will Make my want Your care.
In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.
