MAINTAINING YOUR MINISTRY

It is likely that you have watched an Olympic track meet. The runners place their feet in the starting blocks and listen for the starter’s pistol to fire. Getting off to a good start is vital, but a good finish means victory. It is possible to start strong, but then to stumble.  This is likewise true of ministry. 

Paul is speaking to a young man in ministry named Archippus. We know little of him. He is mentioned in Scripture perhaps only one other time.  Paul mentions him along with Philemon, and Philemon’s wife Apphia (v.1-2) “and to the church in your house.”  So, it would seem Archippus was their son. The Apostle further refers to him as “our fellow soldier.”  Thus, we may conclude that this was a preacher boy Paul had recruited for the Lord’s army. 

There are three exhortations suggested here for those of us who preach the Gospel and lead the church. 

First, TAKE HEED!  Paul says, “Take heed to the ministry.”  Have a solid conviction that God has called you. Revisit persistently that assignment and meditate on God’s mandate for you. Saturate your mind with the Word of God.  Be alert to danger about you—moral disqualification or doctrinal deviation. Satan is like a lion ready to pounce.  Take heed to the truth. 

Secondly, TAKE HOLD!  Paul speaks of, “the ministry which you have received in the Lord.”  The opportunity to serve Christ had been offered and young Archippus had responded with enthusiasm, reaching out his hand to receive the grace to do  Gospel ministry.  When we begin to just show up because it is expected or to show off only when others are watching, we are in danger of service slipping from our grasp. Cherish your call as a treasure and hold to it firmly and joyfully.  Take hold of the task. 

Thirdly, TREAD ON!  The Apostle urges, “fulfill it.”  The road will not always be smooth. There are potholes and perils. It is an uphill slog.  There are a few like Stephen who are Gospel sprinters whose race is short as they run into immediate crisis. Yet, as difficult as that is, most in ministry will find it a cross-country mountain marathon.  It is a race of ups and downs—a race of endurance. You dare not give out or give up.  Tread on with tenacity.

Man of God, maintain your ministry. Don’t quit!  Fulfill it—fill it full by taking heed to the truth, taking hold of the task, and treading on with tenacity.

HEAVY DUTY

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the commandment of God our Savior and the Lord Jesus Christ, our hope,

2 To Timothy, a true son in the faith:

Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.
3 As I urged you when I went into Macedonia—remain in Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine,
4 nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith.  (1 Tim.1:1-4 NKJV)

The call to pastoral ministry is heavy duty.  It is a burden thrust upon the man of God.  Paul certainly understood this and wanted to press upon young Timothy the gravity of his responsibility (v.1).  These words have been preserved by the Spirit of God that we may weigh our obligation as ministers of the Gospel today.

Ministry is not a vocation we seek from a number of options of employment, but is one we are compelled to obey.  Only those who have this sense of calling can understand the solemnity of it.  Without it, don't attempt it!

Timothy's primary call was not to service, but to salvation as a "true son in the faith..." (v.2).  His service would arise out of his salvation.  Saved preachers make better pastors!  The "grace, mercy, and peace," we proclaim passionately arises from our own experience of regeneration.

Sound doctrine is foundational to our ministry--both in our commitment to it personally and to what we teach and allow to be taught in the church (v.3-4).  Proclaiming personal opinions and questionable interpretations that take us past the gate of centuries of church tradition will lead us down the path of schism.  Is it likely that we will discover some new insight that great Bible scholars of the past have not found and commented on?  How much better to stick to orthodoxy which builds up the members in the faith!  The pursuit of novelty can bring disaster to the preacher and the people--illustrated by Hymenaeus and Alexander, mentioned by the end of this first chapter (v.20).

Dear Lord, 
May you help each man of God reading these words to relive their call until it rekindles their enthusiasm for ministry.  Let them tarry in the place of prayer until these truths stagger them with the sense of duty.  May they rise compelled to preach the Gospel!  Guard us from the desire to present some novelty, and focus our attention on orthodoxy.  
In Christ's Name and for His glory. 
Amen.

THE CALL

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you;

  Before you were born I sanctified you;

  I ordained you a prophet to the nations.”  (Jeremiah 1:5)

Being back in my hometown, I occasionally have run into someone who knew me, “back in the day.”  That was B.C. history—before Christ—when I was as lost as a goose in a snowstorm.  Of course, one of the first questions they ask is, “What are you doing these days?”  When I answer, “I pastor a Baptist Church,” it has often brought looks of shock. 

I will assure you none has been more surprised that God called someone like me to preach the Gospel than me!  So unworthy, and yet such a definite call from God, that I had no doubt it was His plan for my life.  I did not hear an audible voice—it was just as clear, however.  Through a sequence of events, the confirmation of others, and now through the grace of God upon my ministry, I have occasionally become discouraged and wanted to quit, but I never doubted that I needed to press on.

When I announced my call, my pastor—the late Raymond Shumpert—encouraged me, but he did not gloss over the challenges that would confront me.  Ministry is a glorious work, but it is that—work!  It involves labor.  The prophets often spoke of the burden of the Lord.  The inspiration must be matched with perspiration.  It is more than work—it is warfare.  The man of God is on the frontlines, leading the troops, charging the gates of hell—and is the most obvious target for the enemy.  At times, the gravest wounds come from so-called, “friendly fire.”

Jeremiah would face much pain in preaching.  His call had to be definite, because it would be too easy to abandon the battle in the heat of the conflict.  That poor fellow was warned by God that he would have much struggle, but he had to experience it to fully appreciate it.  Little did I know when I stepped out in faith and obedience what I was getting myself into!  I do not wish to imply that there are no blessings.  It is an honor to be called of God.  It is grace.  Grace is definitely needed, however, as the issues we deal with are enormous—beyond human ability.

Men, make sure you have a definite call.  It does not have to be dramatic, but it has to be definite.  That conviction will give you courage when you face the ferocity of the enemy’s fire.  As my late homiletics professor, Dr. Kenneth Ridings used to say, “If you can do something besides preach, then do it!”  As for me, once more this Lord’s Day, I will stand with a Bible in my hand and preach.  I do it because I must.  God has called me.  Has He called you?