THE GREATEST GOAL IN MINISTRY

We all have goals in life. Preachers have them too. Sadly, our goals often set the bar much lower than what God would have for us. To be a man of God who fruitfully serves the Lord, we are to pursue love for God and our fellowman. That is what Paul says in 1 Corinthians 13 as the pinnacle of our passion and pursuit in Gospel ministry. 

A preacher is about effective communication—and rightly so. Yet, the Apostle warns that soaring oratory that wows the congregation is ineffective unless motivated by love for the One we speak of and the ones we speak to. Without love, we are just a lot of noise insofar as the Eternal Judge is concerned.  If we are not careful, we may be more obsessed with impressing our hearers instead of leading them to be captivated with Christ.

A preacher should pursue theology—getting deep into his knowledge of the Word. It is commendable to grasp the prophetic Scriptures and be able to share eschatological insights with excellence. Yet, if we want to awe the people with our knowledge instead of leading them to be in awe of the Lord who is returning we have utterly failed. Our goal is to love the Lord who is coming again and to create a longing in the hearts of the hearers to desire Him. When there is love for the Lord and the congregation then that will be our goal. Should people walk away amazed at our knowledge we have failed.  Our objective is for them to leave the message enamored with the hope of seeing the Lover of their souls coming in the clouds.

A preacher ought to engage in service. Sacrifice and Gospel ministry walk hand in hand. Yet, even the giving of our time, talent, and treasure may be motivated for others to brag on us and give us a pat on the back.  

Recall how Jesus spoke of the religious leaders of His day who fasted—not to seek God, but to seek men’s applause. He told of the same ones who gave—not out of concern for the good of others, but for the commendation of others. Then, Jesus warned of how these self-centered men prayed magnificent prayers—all for show, as those prayers rose no higher than the ceiling. Such service is all, “hay, wood, and straw,” burned up at the Judgment Seat of Christ without eternal reward, (cf. 1 Cor. 3:12-15).

Paul exhorts us to love. He tells us what love does not do and what love will do. We may fail to speak as we would want, to know all we ought, and to attain all we might wish in ministry. Yet, if we relentlessly pursue love, then we are successful as God evaluates it. 

I will reach the end of ministry with still a lot more to learn. But, if I have sought to be a man of faith, hope, and love—and to lead those I have served to be the same, then I have been aiming at the right target. Even of those three great Christian virtues, love is preeminent. It is the greatest goal in ministry. Don’t take my word for it—Paul wrote it under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

THE PERNICIOUS PURSUIT OF POWER

Seeking power is not a bad thing. Power is what enables us to do what we ought to do. Jesus commanded His disciples to cloister in the Upper Room and seek the power of the Spirit that would equip them to take the Gospel to the ends of the earth, (Acts 1:8). As the story unfolds in Acts, we see that transforming power extending and impacting life after life, region after region—Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria. 

When we reach Samaria in Acts 8, we are introduced to a sorcerer named Simon, who apparently was converted and baptized. Yet, as Simon—accustomed to wielding satanic power in the dark arts—saw the power of the Holy Spirit displayed, his lust for power disclosed the evil still lurking in the shadows of his soul. Consider what Stephen Olford said about this text.

Motivations for ministry matter. It is not just what we do, but why we do it that matters to God. This can make or break a Christian leader.  If what we do is about our status and success, then we are following the seduction that enticed an angel of heaven into becoming the devil of hell!

Let us humble ourselves before God and seek the power of God for His glory and man’s good.

MOTIVATIONS IN MINISTRY

What we do in ministry is important—a Biblically directed service is essential. The way we do it matters, also. The end does not justify the means. But, why we do Gospel work counts much, for God does not judge as man does—by outward appearance—rather the Lord looks at the heart  The right thing done the right way apart from being done for the right reason makes it wrong!

Stephen Olford wrote about motives in, “According to Your Word.”

“You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created.” – Revelation 4:11 

I have been created, and am now living, for the pleasure (and by the will) of God if these three characteristics are true of me: 

He is worthy to receive glory. My life should have as its first characteristic the glorifying of God. The Lord says in John 15:8, “By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit,” the fruit of character. 

He is worthy to receive honor. Here is the second characteristic: to give God honor is to give Him His due. He is worthy of all. 

He is worthy to receive power. Thirdly, power. Not only what He does in me and what I am, but also He is worthy to receive what I can do!

May all that I am and all that I do bring You glory and honor and power. Amen.

It is far too easy to seek the glory that only God deserves, to want the honor which rightfully only belongs to God, and to exercise power for the benefit we receive rather than laboring for the Lord.  Yet such motives will eventually be exposed—if not on earth, then in eternity.  At the judgment seat of Christ, we may find much of our ministry, when tested by fire, is incinerated—unworthy of reward.  Ask the Holy Spirit today to shine his light upon your ministry and reveal if there be any iniquity in your motivation.  Join with the Psalmist in praying, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: Try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.” (Ps.‭139:23-24‬)

GOSPEL PREACHING

There is God’s sovereignty at work in the grace that calls sinners to salvation. Yet, there is also human responsibility in the Gospel declaration by the witness and the Gospel reception by the hearer.  How, this works has been the subject of theological debate for 2000 years of church history that I will not try to settle today. How it works, I may not understand, but that it works is undeniable, “knowing…your election by God.”  Gospel preachers call out the called.

In Gospel preaching there is PROCLAMATION, “in word.”  The facts of the Gospel—the vicarious crucifixion and victorious resurrection of Jesus—must be faithfully preached. The sower must sow the seed. We are not responsible for the condition of the soil, but the casting of the seed.

In Gospel preaching there is EXPECTATION, “in power.”  The Gospel is the power of God for salvation to all who believe (cf. Rom.1:16). We are not called to sort out who the called may be, but to have confidence that if we are faithful to the Gospel, the Gospel will be forceful to do its work. It is the power of the message and not the persuasiveness of the messenger that matters.  If I can talk someone into a decision, someone else can talk them out of it!

In Gospel preaching there is CONSECRATION, “the Holy Spirit.”   It was not the powerful personality of the Apostle that wrought conversion. In fact, Paul was not impressive in his appearance or charming in his style (cf. 1 Cor.2:1-5). True Gospel preaching flows from a vessel fully consecrated to God so that the fullness of the Spirit poured in may then be poured out. Gospel preaching is a Divine transaction.

In Gospel preaching there is CONVICTION, “much assurance.”  The meaning of the word is, “conviction,” and so the ESV renders it. There must be conviction in the preacher—a confidence in the truthfulness of our message—that will produce conviction in the hearer. He or she will be convicted of sin, righteousness, and judgment through the Spirit’s work (cf. John 16:7-11).  One will not be converted until they are convicted. Someone isn’t saved until they realize they are lost.  Then, those who are converted  have the conviction that if they look to Christ by faith He will save them.

In Gospel preaching there is IDENTIFICATION, “what kind of men we were among you for your sake.”  A good shepherd abides with his flock. They see the consistency of his walk and then will listen to the communication of his words. He can identify with them in their hurts and difficulties, with their hopes and dreams. They do not see him as a man isolated from them, but identified with them—as God’s man, yet still just a man.  The Gospel preacher is not a hireling who serves for his sake, but for the sake of the sheep.  His preaching is not lofty theory, but down to earth reality.  It is not speculation spoken from an ivory tower, but identification from a man who holds a Bible with a hand that has had dirt under the fingernails.

In Gospel preaching there is REPRODUCTION, “And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit.”  It is not a momentary decision that fades with the feeling or withers under opposition or disappointment.  It was not a superficial response, but a persevering commitment that was made. True faith produces works—genuine profession produces a godly practice.  The reception of the seed of the Word will yield the reproduction of the Lord in the fruit of the Spirit.

Let us pray that God would so bless our preaching. After all, such preaching is in reliance on Him. We must be prepared to preach, but cannot unless we abide in Christ.  As the old hymn underscores, “All is vain unless the Spirit Of the Holy One comes down; Brethren, pray, and holy manna Will be showered all around.” (George Askins)

DON’T BE THAT GUY

There will always be “that guy.”  He may excel in ministry—well-known and well-dressed.  The auditorium may be full, as is his bank account.  Now, that does not mean that if you are unknown and poor  that you are more godly, nor ought we judge a mega-church pastor as being ungodly.  The former may be an incompetent boob who covets what others have with no capacity to seize it. The latter may be a faithful servant whom God has chosen to give a wider influence, but is uncorrupted by it. What I am saying is that we need to sift our own motives and message by this warning from the Apostle Paul:

“For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.” (Romans‬ ‭16:18‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

First, there is a warning concerning our motive. Avoid being self serving. What is your motive for ministry?  Are you there to serve the Lord or to serve yourself?  If your motive is wrong, it will taint everything you do.  No man can seek to promote his own name and promote the Lord’s name simultaneously.  We can take the basin and towel and honor Jesus by washing feet, or we can expect others to kiss our feet because I am “that guy,”—the Lord’s anointed, don’t you know?

Second, there is a warning concerning our message. Avoid using smooth speech. Is your message one of Scriptural fidelity or sermonic flattery?  The flatterer is one who tells people what they want to hear, rather than what they need to hear. There is no edge to this kind of preaching. The spiritual surgeon’s sharp Scriptural scalpel that is used to help and heal, though it hurts for a time, is discarded for a tranquilizing talk that makes the listener feel good, but ultimately is of no help. The naive never question it. They leave the church or the TV set soothed by the smooth speech, and that is what they want.

I assure you, God knows the heart and weighs our motive. He is not fooled by a golden tongue. In the Judgment, it will be exposed. The smile will be wiped off the face. In that Day, you will not want to be “that guy!”

THE MEANS, MANNER, AND MOTIVES OF MINISTRY

Read 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12

If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time!  Paul tells the church at Thessalonica that his ministry “was not without result.”  Leaders have a goal that drives them. As I have heard John Maxwell say, “They know the way, go the way, and show the way.”

Yet, as Christian leaders, we are not to establish our own direction, but rather be directed by the Word of God. We may be driven more by pragmatism, than Scripture, if we are not cautious. Much of the church world has pointed to success as being large numbers of behinds in the pew and bucks in the plate.  While we ought not discount this—the Bible is replete with reports of numbers added and multiplied, as well as large offerings given—we must make sure that this is the byproduct of Biblical directives and not the end in which we make the end justify the means.

The insinuation in evangelicalism today is often that we must  connect with the culture in order to win them, and that is true. We must build bridges, but may fail to remember that a bridge goes both ways!  We may take the Gospel to the world, but without safeguards the world is brought into the church. Connection with culture can gradually lead to compromise with the culture. Paul is clear that the Gospel was in conflict with the culture (read 1 Thess.2:13-16). It was not popularity, but persecution they received!

The result Paul was aiming for was faithfulness to God and then to trust fruitfulness to God. He could not control how receptive sinners would be to his ministry, but what he could control was his commitment to godly character and diligent service.

THE MEANS OF THE MINISTRY is seen to be the proclamation of “the gospel of God” (v.2). He would not tailor the message to suit the whims of the wicked, lest he promote, “error or impurity.”  It was no bait and switch from “an intent to deceive” (v.3). Paul saw the content as well as the communication of the Gospel as a sacred trust (v.4) for which he was ultimately accountable not to men, but God. The Apostle would not resort to “flattering speech,” to gain a convert to himself (v.5), for that is all they would be—and not a convert to Christ!

Let me move to THE MANNER OF THE MINISTRY. There was boldness in the face of opposition (v.2). He was no spineless, sniveling coward, but a man with courage of conviction.

Yet, he was not a Bible bully, obnoxiously offending others for the sake of a fight. Instead, he asserts, “we were gentle among you, as a nurse nurtures her own children” (v.7). He fed them truth with the tenderness.  As a mother pours her very life into her children, so Paul invested himself in feeding and caring for them (v.8). How often, do mothers rise in the middle of the night to comfort a sick child or console a scared one?  The Apostle was relentless in his activity, just like that, “Working night and day” (v.9)

There is another side to spiritual parenting—discipleship—and that is the exhortation of a father. Paul describes the manner of his ministry this way, “like a father with his own children, we encouraged, comforted, and implored each one of you to live worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.” (v.11-12). Good fathers have a passion to instill purpose in children—to paint a future plan for them and prepare them to attain it.

Paul’s manner might be summed up this way, “You are witnesses, and so is God, of how devoutly, righteously, and blamelessly we conducted ourselves” (v.10). These are matters of character. The leader’s character is the foundation of his ministry. If it is undermined, then sooner or later a storm will bring down what he has built—outwardly impressive though it may have been.

Let us conclude with THE MOTIVES OF THE MINISTRY. If the gospel of God is our means of service, then the glory of God is our motive. Twice, Paul mentions, “glory,” in these verses. This is the overarching motivation for ministry—the spring from which all other proper motives flow. The Apostle “didn’t seek glory from people,” (v.6). He had no craving for the spotlight—as many Christian celebrities do today—but, sought the glory of God (v.12). He was not building his own little kingdom, but was motivated to promote the kingdom of God. Paul had no “intent to deceive” (v.3). He was not motivated to beguile followers by doctrinal deviation, as some cult leader would do.

Another motivating factor was an awareness of eternal accountability (v.4). Pleasing God was his aim, not pleasing people. In fact, if you please God, you will often displease people!  Our motivation should be to hear our Lord say,  “Well done!”  In this we “live worthy of God,” (v.11). Our motive is a ministry that is suited to the high and holy calling we have received. Eternal reward and not temporal gain is what moves us. Paul’s example was not to have, “greedy motives.”  There is always a danger that we may do the right thing, but with the wrong motive, and that makes it still wrong!

I hear you Paul!  That is my prayerful desire—to fully embrace the right means, manner, and motives in ministry. I implore you to do likewise!

ARE YOU A FLATTERER?

For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness.   Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ.  (1 Thessalonians 2:5-6)

Encouraging people for their blessing is a commendable thing for a pastor to do.  Flattering folks for the pastor’s benefit is an evil.  Scripture warns about the flattering tongue.  For example, we read this: “A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth works ruin.”  (Prov.26:28) and this: “A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet.”  (Prov.29:5)  The flatterer is in peril of judgment (Ps.12:3).

Paul never told people what he thought they wanted to hear, but spoke what they needed to hear.  Sometimes those are the same, but often not. 

The flatterer has greed for his motive.  His preaching is a pretext for exalting his own ego rather than edifying the saints.  Such a pastor wants to go places and gain riches, so he primes the pump of the movers and shakers with flattery, that he may profit from their deep pockets.

Giving people a cheerful word when they are downcast is ministry.  Puffing people up with flattery is manipulation.  The congregation may not be able to judge the motive, but be sure God can—and does.

The way to avoid being a flatterer is to be consumed with the glory of God and the good of others.  The flatterer in the pulpit is the one who seeks his own glory and gain.  Brothers, let us search our hearts and allow the Holy Spirit’s fire to refine our motives.

MOTIVES AND MINISTRY

“So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen.”  (Matthew 20:16)

Motives matter to God.  The right thing done for the wrong reason is still wrong.  Jesus warned that to give, pray, or fast to impress people would bring the reward of human approval (Matt.6:1-18), but negate heaven’s applause.  We might suppose that ministry activity would be seen by God as, “gold, silver, precious stones,” yet, should the motive be self-centered and not God-honoring, temporal in its end and not eternal in its goal, then such will prove to be, “wood, hay, straw,” to go up in smoke in the fire of Christ’s scrutiny (1 Cor.3:10-15).

That is the thrust of the parable Jesus presents in Matthew 20:1-16.  It is sandwiched between this point: “But many who are first will be last, and the last first. …” (19:30) and “So the last will be first, and the first last.  For many are called, but few chosen.” (20:16)  The context of the teaching is in response to Christ’s call to sacrificial service (19:23-29).  Peter has popped off—as he was prone to do—“See, we have left all and followed You.  Therefore what shall we have?”  (19:27). Jesus teaches that their labor and loss for His sake will be rewarded (19:18-29), but ministry will also be sifted by motive.

1)      GOD SEEKS SERVANTS (v.1).  God doesn’t need us, yet in His amazing grace and infinite knowledge, He has chosen to employ frail creatures of flesh to partner with Him in His work.  Many are called, but few chosen.  What an honor to be called to preach the Gospel!

2)      SOME WORK AS AN OBLIGATION (v.2).  These were contract laborers.  They were motivated by what they would receive.  There is no hint of grace or love, just “punching the clock,” to collect the pay.  If we are not careful, duty becomes drudgery—and God knows our motive.  If ministry is merely doing a job, then we get out of it what we want—some credit and cash on earth, but nothing in eternity.

3)      OTHERS WOULD WORK IF ASKED (v.3-6).  Some are idle because they are indolent.  These are idle because they were yet to be invited.  They respond eagerly to the offer.  How many people do we have in church life, ready to serve, if only asked?  Are we letting young men know that God still calls people?

4)      THERE IS A WORK OF FAITH (v.4-7).  No contract was negotiated—they simply trusted the Landowner to do the right thing.  Faith is crucial not only in salvation, but in service.  We should read Hebrews 11 and be reminded of the works accomplished by faith.  “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.   (Heb.11:6).

5)      GOD DISPENSES REWARDS ACCORDING TO HIS SOVEREIGNTY (v.8-16).  We will have no ground of complaint at the Judgment Seat.  We will know He does right.  Let us not complain now!  Just do the right thing with the right motive and God will reward someday.  Too many pastors have a wrongful spirit of comparison—leading to pride or envy.  What really matters is God’s evaluation of our ministry and not man’s.  Motives matter!

LADDER CLIMBING

 

So He said to him, “What is your name?” He said, “Jacob.”  (Genesis 32:27)

When God asked Jacob his name, the omniscient Lord was not seeking information, but confession.  They were wrestling in the dark, but God was not in the dark as to his combatant.  He just wanted Jacob to own up to his name—and thus, his nature.  The name meant “supplanter, heel-grabber” and so he was.  From conception, he struggled in the womb with his twin, Esau.  At their birth, Jacob clutches his brother’s heel as though to resist him being the first-born.  Throughout his days, Jacob sought the birthright and blessing of the firstborn—taking advantage of his brother’s hunger and his father’s blindness.  Jacob would have to leave home for fear that Esau was fed up with it and was going to kill him.  That first night away from home, Jacob had a dream—he saw a ladder stretched from heaven to earth—the throne of God above and angels ascending and descending on that heavenly ladder.  How fitting—for Jacob was a ladder climber, if ever there was one!  No matter whom he had to step on or what he had to do as he got to the top—it was only reaching the pinnacle that mattered.  To Jacob, the end justified the means.  Now, in the ultimate turning point, the God who had been disciplining him will break him—and that humiliation will pave the way for real exaltation.

What is the lesson for the man of God?  It is easy to look at celebrity pastors and dream of leading a mega-church.  Perhaps a subtle seed of temptation is planted in our heart—covetousness that leads to compromise—all in the name of God—when it is really about our name.  We say we want to reach more people—and how noble is that!  I do not judge, but the Serpent has a way of twisting the good we are doing into a motive that is carnal, worldly, sensual, and devilish.  In the evangelical world today, size does matter—and sometimes that is all that does.

Please, no one read this as a judgment on mega-ministries and well-known pastors.  Doubtless, that could spring from envy on my part.  God sometimes promotes men to such effectiveness and they remain the same humble servants as ever.  There is no particular sign of God’s favor because our name is obscure or our congregation small.  We may merely be incompetent or indolent!

My simple plea is this for all of us—do not be a ladder climber!  Don’t seek the big position.  Seek a great God!  Desire His will above all.  Submit to the place He has for you—and that is mega-ministry whether you are ever asked to speak on the denominational stage or quoted on the national news.  Jacob finally found the favor he longed for—not by his self-effort and self-promotion, but in brokenness and pain.  He limped from the scars of that struggle with God for the rest of his life.  That was a needful reminder of his need to humbly walk with God rather than seek to climb the ladder.  God knows where you are and is quite capable of getting you where He wants you to be—without your help!

 

MOTIVES MATTER

 

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.  (Matthew 5:16)

The work of the pastor necessitates that much of the spiritual service he renders is done in a public forum.  In fact, all believers are to exhibit good works in order to glorify God though them.  That, however, is the issue.  I have found that knowing what to do is not so much a question, as to knowing why I do it—and motives matter.  Man may look at the outward results of a minister’s work—how many pack the pews and how much cash is in the collection plate—and brand that pastor a success, while God may look at his work as hay, wood, and straw, for it was done to glorify the pastor and not the Lord.  It was work in the flesh, for the flesh, and appealing to the flesh.  On the other hand, there is nothing necessarily commendable about a lack of growth or shortages in funding the mission—maybe that pastor is just incompetent or lazy!  The heart is what matters most, and what God judges.  I was again reminded of this as I read these words from Randy Pope last week:

Ministries designed to reach the unchurched (thus committed to healthy growth) can easily become vehicles for delivering personal significance through public accomplishment.  Large ministries, like large back accounts, most often become monsters that devour their leaders.

Our goal as church leaders should not be to grow large ministries that reach unchurched people but to build discipling ministries that develop mature followers of Christ who, in turn, reach large numbers of unchurched people.

Though the two approaches to ministry described…may appear to be very similar, the ministry that invests in the individual through discipleship, with the intent of preparing him to reach the lost world, represents an animal much different from the selfish ambition monster that ultimately devours its leader. (The Intentional Church, pp.40-41)

So let us have a great passion: to make disciples, for a grand purpose: to glorify God!  Then, when ministry is outwardly flourishing, the success will not become our ruin, or when there are seasons when the fruit seems scarce, we will not become discouraged and tempted to quit.  We will not compare ourselves with other pastors, and succumb to conceit in times of blessing, nor covetous in times of barrenness.  After all, it isn’t about us.  Keep check not just on the weekly attendance and offering totals, but evaluate your heart condition.  Motives matter to our Master and so they must matter to the minister.