Jan 23, 2019 | What is your ministry?

These are notes from a sermon message heard at First Baptist Church of Atlanta. To hear the message, please visit their website here. My notes are only meant to be a guide to assist in your Bible study. Enjoy! :)

Date: Jan 23, 2019

Preacher: Dr. Anthony George

Title: What is your ministry?

Base Verse: Acts 13

We can answer quickly when people ask us what our name is, whether we’re married, and to whom, and what our occupation is. But when someone asks you more spiritual questions, such as what your ministry is, do you have a response in mind?

Every believer in Christ has been called to a ministry. It might not be in a church, but nonetheless, God assigns us to an area of ministry. So what is yours? What is your ministry?

SEVEN CHARACTERISTICS OF MINISTRY

1. Your ministry belongs to God.
1. We can say it's ours, so long we remember we are only stewards and it is ultimately God’s.
2. Acts 13:2 NKJV
3. It originates with Him
4. It is empowered by Him
5. Acts 13:4 NKJV
6. It can be changed by Him
1. God reserves the right to reassign.
2. He can alter your job description.
7. All the glory goes to Him
1. This helps us maintain focus
2. Your ministry must be identified.
1. He ain’t gonna hide it from you; He wants you to know it more than you probably want it.
2. Discovering what your ministry is:
1. Spiritual gifts and other abilities
1. Your ministry will align with your spiritual gift.
2. A surrendered heart
1. ‘Dear God, I want to serve you, and I want nothing obstructing my path to do your will.”
2. Wherever you lead, I will go.
3. Special witness of the Holy Spirit
1. When you “just know”
2. Do you ever wonder if it's God or just my mind? Ask God to speak through the Word to confirm (in the next step)
4. Spiritual confirmation
5. Specific assignment: people, place, task.
3. Your ministry will activate your spiritual gifts.
1. Greek for spiritual gift: karismata--gifts of grace
2. All of our life experiences and talents curtail to build on our spiritual gifts.
3. 1 Corinthians 12;4-6 NASB
1. Varieties of gifts, ministries, effects/outcomes.
2. outcomes are the result of ministries which are dependent on gifts.
3. Ministries without gifts are ineffective.
4. Gifts without ministries are a tragic waste of Godly resources.
4. Your ministry will always be in service to someone else.
1. Acts 13: 5 NKJV
2. When I serve, I am being distinguished as being like Jesus.
3. Matthew 20:27-28 NKJV
5. Your ministry will be preceded by an open door.
1. 1 Corinthians 16:9 NKJV
2. There are so many open doors, open requests, places to serve. How do we know ?
1. Needs do not determine calling. Jesus did not heal every person in his ministry. He did what the Father called him to do.
3. There are also closed doors. Does God want me to wait at it? Do I knock?
4. Three kinds of frustrated Christians:
1. Refusing an open door: Jonah and the whale.
2. The believer who has gone through the wrong door:
3. The believer who is trying to knock down a door who God himself has locked shut.
6. Your ministry will face opposition.
1. Not a possibility, but a definite.
2. Acts 13:5-8 NKJV
3. When you commit to serving a ministry, Satan will come attack you. You become a target. But would you rather face Satan with God on your side, or allow defeat to Satan and face God’s disappointment?
7. Your ministry should be fulfilled and not forsaken.
1. Well done good and faithful servant
2. We have been called to finish each assignment well.
3. Acts 12:25 NKJV
4. 2 Timothy 4:5 NKJV
5. We cannot allow discouragement, other enticing opportunities, or opposition from others to distract us from filling our ministry.
6. “get up and go, stay until I say.”
7. Abandonment before fulfillment is disobedience. So is staying beyond the assignment.