Sunday, August 7, 2016

Reflection - Christian's motive for ministry

Source (book): "Faithful to the end", Chapter 10, Question 2, Page 148.
By Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012


The ministry to which Timothy has been called is not one that comes merely from society, or even the church, nor is it based on his own concerns for the world.
PHOTO: The ministry to which Timothy has been called is not one that comes merely from society, or even the church, nor is it based on his own concerns for the world. Rather, it is firmly based on the calling and mission of God, and the will and eternal purposes of God. This is a wonderful remainder that God has not abandoned the world in the last days, and that He is very much involved with us, desiring to redeem and bring salvation to those in the darkness and deception.

The faithful servant of God can rest in the fact that the diligence with which he carries out the Lord's work is rooted in the very authority of Christ. He is the One who calls us and it is to the Lord that we are ultimately accountable.
Picture posted by ClipArtHut
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Reflect on the motive for ministry - the authority of Christ who sends us and the urgency of the task. Reflect on the evidence or the lack of it in your life and turn your reflection into prayer. Why is there a general lack of urgency in carrying out ministry today? How can it be restored?

Reflect on the motive for ministry - the authority of Christ who sends us and the urgency of the task.
The Gravity of Paul's Charge: The Motivation for Ministry [1]
Paul issues his charge to Timothy in "the presence of God and of Christ Jesus" (2 Timothy 4:1) This is a wonderful remainder that God has not abandoned the world in the last days, and that He is very much involved with us, desiring to redeem and bring salvation to those in the darkness and deception.


A wonderful remainder that God has not abandoned the world in the last days, and that He is very much involved with us, desiring to redeem and bring salvation to those in the darkness and deception.
PHOTO: A wonderful remainder that God has not abandoned the world in the last days, and that He is very much involved with us, desiring to redeem and bring salvation to those in the darkness and deception.
Picture posted by DesDev Inc. on 02 July 2015 at 18:49
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO633_aUxs0qwn-L3dfx3xyBrnVw_uH-DtKZ3eSaQkwpEs0uNRY119TesVI4OfVwDNVgNwGjmXpcZl7in3ozs7gykmf9XrTx0N3XxrjICh9_z2oS4QO4WV16ZelViXdZdiieM6G8aRGRA/s1600/1U01612R-16.jpg
http://pic.shenshi777.com/uploads/allimg/150702/1U01612R-16.jpg
http://pic.shenshi777.com/m/view.php?aid=41


The Authority for the Charge [1]
The ministry to which Timothy has been called is not one that comes merely from society, or even the church, nor is it based on his own concerns for the world. Rather, it is firmly based on the calling and mission of God, and the will and eternal purposes of God. It is so important for anyone serving Christ to know that whatever they are called to do arises from the will of God, and comes with His authority. We remember how, when issuing the Great Commission to His disciples, Jesus declared: "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me" as the basis for what He further commanded: "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:18-20).


The ministry to which Timothy has been called is not one that comes merely from society, or even the church, nor is it based on his own concerns for the world.
PHOTO: The ministry to which Timothy has been called is not one that comes merely from society, or even the church, nor is it based on his own concerns for the world. Rather, it is firmly based on the calling and mission of God, and the will and eternal purposes of God. It is so important for anyone serving Christ to know that whatever they are called to do arises from the will of God, and comes with His authority.
Picture posted by Rafaelveintimilla on 11 February 2015
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https://lavamate.files.wordpress.com/2015/02/ir-y-hacer-discipulos.jpg
https://lavamate.wordpress.com/2015/02/11/la-teoria-vs-la-practica/


When sufferings come to the servant of the Lord, it is very helpful to remember that it is the Lord who has sent him or her; this will bring faithfulness and courage, resilience and comfort. Paul consistently showed this attitude in the way he carried out his ministry amid (during) much opposition and pain. When unjustly criticised and strongly opposed, he asserted: "I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself . . . It is the Lord who judges me" (1 Corinthians 4:3-4). Paul was deeply aware of the fact that it was to the Lord that he was ultimately accountable.


When sufferings come to the servant of the Lord, it is very helpful to remember that it is the Lord who has sent him or her; this will bring faithfulness and courage, resilience and comfort.
PHOTO: When sufferings come to the servant of the Lord, it is very helpful to remember that it is the Lord who has sent him or her; this will bring faithfulness and courage, resilience and comfort. When unjustly criticised and strongly opposed, he asserted: "I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself . . . It is the Lord who judges me" (1 Corinthians 4:3-4). Paul was deeply aware of the fact that it was to the Lord that he was ultimately accountable.
From “Biography of St Paul“, Oxford, UK – www.biographyonline.net . Last updated 3rd August. 2014
Picture posted by Fr. Peter G. Martinez, © 2013-2015 St Paul the Apostle Catholic Church
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkD563P4tR6TPvqpWrUueTITcJouvWOgcr34r6tOR6IZryp-OO2ZfBpbUYaB7940zJ4kZTKKerwgAwgWMsLUKTJHIHr5Q2Tu1UjkP1T4SH3TVXTCTQlw6CrpYL-jVikXi-ILeCD1lHkpY/s1600/st+Paul+painting+pic+croped.jpg
http://www.stpaultheapostlecc.com/media/1/st%20Paul%20painting%20pic%20croped.jpg
http://www.stpaultheapostlecc.com/
https://www.biographyonline.net/spiritual/st-paul.html
http://veryfatoldman.blogspot.sg/2015/05/reflection-inspiring-christians.html


For the Christian worker, surely the readiness to do what the Lord has commanded must come from the fact that it is the Lord Himself who has given him his task, no less. The apostle Peter was an experienced fisherman who was unable to catch a single fish in the Sea of Galilee one night. The next day, after he had washed his nets which was a tedious job, Jesus asked him to set out to the deep and to cast his nets again. Instead of trying to reason with the Lord or complaining, Peter simply obeyed by saying: "But because you say so, I will let down the nets" (Luke 5:5). And what a great catch of fish he found as a result of his faith and obedience. It was because he recognised the command came from none other than the Lord himself. Likewise, the faithful servant of God can rest in the fact that the diligence with which he carries out the Lord's work is rooted in the very authority of Christ. He is the One who calls us.


The apostle Peter was an experienced fisherman who was unable to catch a single fish in the Sea of Galilee one night.
PHOTO: The apostle Peter was an experienced fisherman who was unable to catch a single fish in the Sea of Galilee one night. The next day, after he had washed his nets which was a tedious job, Jesus asked him to set out to the deep and to cast his nets again. Instead of trying to reason with the Lord or complaining, Peter simply obeyed by saying: "But because you say so, I will let down the nets" (Luke 5:5). And what a great catch of fish he found as a result of his faith and obedience. Likewise, the faithful servant of God can rest in the fact that the diligence with which he carries out the Lord's work is rooted in the very authority of Christ. He is the One who calls us.
Picture posted by tgpsaigon.net
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http://mail.tgpsaigon.net/sites/default/files/Images/Video/V-2016-CN5TN-GeneLake-Lc5_1-11-subpict.jpg
http://mail.tgpsaigon.net/video/20140601/26259


The Urgency of the Charge [1]
Paul issued his charge to Timothy with two truths to keep in view: Jesus Christ is the One "who will judge the living and the dead," and "his appearing and his kingdom" (2 Timothy 4:1). The second coming of Christ and the impending judgement that all have to face bring an undeniable urgency to the charge. The servant of the Lord must be watchful and not asleep, for the Son of God may return at any time. He has to faithfully carry out the work assigned to him by the Lord (Matthew 24:45-51). Several of the parables told by Jesus carry this message of urgency and the need for watchfulness (Matthew 25:1-13, 25:14-30; Luke 19:11-27). The Lord's words of caution must be heeded: "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come" (Matthew 24:42).


The second coming of Christ and the impending judgement that all have to face bring an undeniable urgency to the charge.
PHOTO: The second coming of Christ and the impending judgement that all have to face bring an undeniable urgency to the charge. The servant of the Lord must be watchful and not asleep, for the Son of God may return at any time. The Lord's words of caution must be heeded: "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come" (Matthew 24:42).
Picture posted by EsauEqualsEvil - A Lesson In Fate
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http://s1.dmcdn.net/UN6cU/1280x720-p9c.jpg
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3woep5
http://veryfatoldman.blogspot.sg/2016/06/reflection-jeroboams-wife-and-blind.html


This watchfulness should result in ensuring that our life is lived faithfully in God's presence and that we are ready to meet Him at any time that He should come. It should also result in us desiring to make sure that when He returns, He will find us doing what He had told us to do. "It will be good for the servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns" (Matthew 24:46). It is with this in mind that Paul wrote to the Ephesians reminding them to live soberly: "Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil" (Ephesians 5:15-16).


The watchfulness should result in ensuring that our life is lived faithfully in God's presence and that we are ready to meet Him at any time that He should come.
PHOTO: The watchfulness should result in ensuring that our life is lived faithfully in God's presence and that we are ready to meet Him at any time that He should come. It should also result in us desiring to make sure that when He returns, He will find us doing what He had told us to do.
"Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil" (Ephesians 5:15-16).
Painting by Simon Dewey - Behold, He cometh - "The wise virgin with her lamp "
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0uhyIZ5vQCxnII4HWHKxXquz0hyphenhyphengT5akzvS4C2VCXAloQJU5OYOO509bgrbHpxXDeoNzxxDK9UNW7pq9kAR1kQi8fZ_tQxod2cKHjDwuLE2-ZhyWQx0eB4kkbspHALB-7QKq_wAPJUgc/s1600/e55650133c813927c41a1a29ab9eb246.jpg
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/e5/56/50/e55650133c813927c41a1a29ab9eb246.jpg
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/187814246936085091/
http://veryfatoldman.blogspot.sg/2016/06/reflection-elisha-multiplies-widows-oil.html


If we truly believe that the final destiny of people will be decided when Jesus returns as the Judge of all humankind (Matthew 25:31-46), and that we are living in the last days, there will be an urgency in our ministry and service for the Lord. Because there is a heaven and a hell, we will not take the ministry lightly, for there is a final destiny for those who do not know or believe in Jesus. False teachers may be driven by base motives such as money, fame, and power, but the true servant of God must be motivated by the desire to do the will of God (Ephesians 5:17) and the conviction that the ultimate reality of hell awaits those who do not follow Jesus. Love for Jesus and love for the lost must be at the heart of the ministry of God's servants. This must be the motivation for ministry in the terrible world.


The true servant of God must be motivated by the desire to do the will of God (Ephesians 5:17).
PHOTO: The true servant of God must be motivated by the desire to do the will of God (Ephesians 5:17). Love for Jesus and love for the lost must be at the heart o the ministry of God's servants. This must be the motivation for ministry in the terrible world.
Picture posted by Paulette White (Pinterest) - Jesus healing a blind man
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https://fr.pinterest.com/pin/314126142729839945/


The message of the Ministry [1]
Taking priority in Paul's charge to Timothy is the ministry of the Word. The apostle exhorted the younger man to "Preach the Word" (2 Timothy 4:2). Timothy's ministry in the terrible world must be Word-centred. What is true for him is also true for all Christians. It is in the Word of God that we discover the truths about God and our salvation in Christ.


The message of the Ministry
PHOTO: The message of the Ministry
Taking priority in Paul's charge to Timothy is the ministry of the Word. The apostle exhorted the younger man to "Preach the Word" (2 Timothy 4:2). It is in the Word of God that we discover the truths about God and our salvation in Christ.
Picture posted by Dr. Steven Bruns on 29 July 2015
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https://freemethodistpreacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/03-27-mohler.png
https://freemethodistpreacher.com/tag/psalms/page/2/


In His High Priestly Prayer, Jesus prayed to His Father for His disciples: "I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world" (John 17:14). Jesus then went on to pray that His disciples would be protected from the Evil One by the Father; but He was not asking the Father to remove them from the world. "As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world" (John 17:18). The disciples are sent by Jesus into the terrible world. He gives His Word to them, for it would play a critical role in their lives and mission. It would sanctify them (John 17:17) and as Jesus himself demonstrated when He was tempted by Satan in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11), the Scriptures would protect them from the schemes and temptations of the Evil One.


The disciples are sent by Jesus into the terrible world.
PHOTO: The disciples are sent by Jesus into the terrible world. He gives His Word to them, for it would play a critical role in their lives and mission. It would sanctify them (John 17:17) and as Jesus himself demonstrated when He was tempted by Satan in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11), the Scriptures would protect them from the schemes and temptations of the Evil One.
Picture posted by Kolom 1
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http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wZXwZ3hGcDM/VpCWUUZQUdI/AAAAAAAAB5Y/DUpnugPlge0/s1600/Image-113.png
http://www.kolomsatujesira.com/2016/01/antikristus-dan-waktu-kedatangan-ku.html


In the terrible world of the last days, it is the Word of God that brings cleansing (John 15:3) and sanctification. The Word also helps us to spot false teaching and heresy for it is God's gold standard of truth. All assertions and teachings must be assessed and judged by the Word. Amid (during) the peddling of false doctrines and untruths, adequate knowledge of the Word and the faithful preaching of it are essential for personal holiness and effective mission by the church.


The Word also helps us to spot false teaching and heresy for it is God's gold standard of truth.
PHOTO: The Word also helps us to spot false teaching and heresy for it is God's gold standard of truth. Amid (during) the peddling of false doctrines and untruths, adequate knowledge of the Word and the faithful preaching of it are essential for personal holiness and effective mission by the church.
We are not to get lazy in our own personal Bible study. This is so that we can know His voice, recognize and discern when a preacher or teacher that is speaking the Word, but twisting, denying and hiding the truth of the message. False teaching destroys souls and brings darkness.
Picture posted by The Event Horizon on 2 July 2013
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https://29febbraio.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/lupo_agnello272121.jpg?w=690
http://29febbraio.com/2013/07/02/xiva-t-o-anno-c/
http://veryfatoldman.blogspot.sg/2015/06/reflection-heresy.html


Timothy is to be prepared to preach the Word faithfully "in season and out of season" (2 Timothy 4:2). He must be prepared to do this ministry at all times - such is the urgency and necessity of the ministry. As Adam Clarke reminds us, "The Judge is at the door, and to every man eternity is at hand!" [2] Whether it is convenient or not, Timothy must make use of all opportunities that present themselves to preach the Word of life. In the same way, every believer must also be prepared to share the Word. "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have" (1 Peter 3:15).


Be prepared to do this ministry at all times - such is the urgency and necessity of the ministry (2 Timothy 4:2).
PHOTO: Be prepared to do this ministry at all times - such is the urgency and necessity of the ministry (2 Timothy 4:2).
Picture posted by Jason Strudwick on 02 December 2014 at 06:00PM
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinriPp0uXruOCOP5u2l6iqg_m9F6esIMO5hHi1zdnoL5kPguoezs2mVQpRwmlHyNHDQeptl9i5LZ5OI-GiSSPBZtHJBr4vzOi5P8OfAbrKIzaivU7vuLHhtg4A1vozjTf5cGq8WT4UX6s/s1600/article_3e607069-83bd-44cd-80f0-ee94cc449814.jpg
http://thenationnetwork.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/images/3e/60/article_3e607069-83bd-44cd-80f0-ee94cc449814.jpg
http://oilersnation.com/2014/12/2/reverse-mailbag-my-questions-for-oilersnation
http://veryfatoldman.blogspot.sg/2016/07/reflection-christian-response-to.html


Parables of the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ
http://lambfood.blogspot.sg/2014/09/two-parables-revisited.html

The following are parables that relate to how believers ought to be ready and prepared at the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.

1. The Parable of the Wedding Feast (Matthew 22:1-14; Luke 14:15-24)
2. The Parable of the Home Owner (Matthew 24:42-44; Luke 12:39-40)
3. The Parable of the Steward (Matthew 24:45-51; Luke 12:41-46)
4. The Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 24:1-13)
5. The Parable of the Doorkeeper (Luke 12:35-38; Mark 13:33-37)
6. The Parable of the Minas (Luke 19:11-27)
7. The Parable of Talents (Matthew 25:14-30)
8. The Parable of the Sheep and Goats (Matthew 25:31-46)


The Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 24:1-13)
PHOTO: The Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 24:1-13)
The waiting bride, prepared with her lamp full of oil to light the way for the bridegroom.
Painting by Dolores Develde - The Waiting Bride
Uploaded by FineArtAmerica.com on 27 April 2013
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http://images.fineartamerica.com/images-medium-large-5/1-the-waiting-bride-dolores-develde.jpg
http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/dolores-develde.html?page=3


Reflect on the evidence or the lack of it in your life and turn your reflection into prayer.
Lack of evidence of motive for ministry in my life:
1. Did not response with urgency for ministry.
2. Not enough watchfulness to ensure that I lived faithfully in God's presence.
3. I am not ready to meet Him at any time.
4. Not fully motivated by the desire to do the will of God.
5. Lack of love for Jesus and love for the lost.
6. Not prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks me to give the reason for the hope that I have.


Lack of evidence of motive for ministry in my life
PHOTO: Lack of evidence of motive for ministry in my life
Picture posted by worldartsme.com
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http://worldartsme.com/images/ashamed-face-clipart-1.jpg
http://worldartsme.com/ashamed-face-clipart.html#gal_post_90276_ashamed-face-clipart-1.jpg


Evidence of motive for ministry in my life:
1. Do not like to be a false teacher driven by base motives such as money, fame, and power.
2. Make some attempts to share the Word of God.


Evidence of motive for ministry in my life
PHOTO: Evidence of motive for ministry in my life
Picture posted by Facebook Symbols and Chat Emoticons on 1 March 2015
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https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtHtLWN7_9T2_de06L_JZmfu9DhwVt2wKPn0098S4ab3BlItS3JjfGOuhx-82aNUrmiFN5AREv-nZVcnYKisxJhjP7s72kzSVtkeIck9_EsGhWhqLVGcvOidL7Wp1qTkxf-6Wxg67yvSA/s1600/walking-smiley.png
http://symbols-n-emoticons.siteblogs.net/2015/03/page/8/


Prayer:
"Dear Lord, I pray for help to improve on the lack of evidence of motive for ministry in my life, especially to response with urgency. I pray that I can remain alert in ensuring that my family and my life is lived faithfully in God's presence and that I am ready to meet Him at any time that He should come. Help me to be motivated by the desire to do the will of God and led a live pleasing to God. Increase my love for Jesus and the love for the lost. I need to be able to give an answer to everyone who asks me to give the reason for the hope that I have.
Those little evidence for ministry which I have, I pray that I can continue to do and to do better. We pray through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!"


Why is there a general lack of urgency in carrying out ministry today? How can it be restored?
[3] The churches in our nation are much less evangelistic today than they were in the recent past. In my own denomination, we are reaching non-Christians only half as effectively as we were 50 years ago (we measure membership to annual baptisms). The trend is disturbing.

We certainly see the pattern in the early church where “every day the Lord added to them those who were being saved” (Acts 2:47). In too many of our churches today, the congregations are reaching no one for Christ in the course of an entire year.


Lack of urgency in carrying out ministry today
PHOTO: Lack of urgency in carrying out ministry today
Picture posted by worldartsme.com 
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiokXOs4muUq4aWGpUUkNXh1GH_zuP1EO801WVH4AXsdcNFdfUDDlS52ezUxNPbXcSnaORDZZBUJtNGQJPdmjx8KAWQx3bZXLiwOFIqmL5CTXrY8gvguFBsfyFgSuYvcAgTkcRmoecJGtg/s1600/ugh-face-clipart-1.jpg
http://worldartsme.com/images/ugh-face-clipart-1.jpg
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Why is there a general lack of urgency in carrying out ministry today: [3]
1. Many Christians and church members do not befriend and spend time with lost persons.
2. Many Christians and church members are lazy and apathetic (uninterested).
3. We are more known for what we are against than what we are for.
4. Our churches have an ineffective evangelistic strategy of “you come” rather than “we go.”
5. Many church members think that evangelism is the role of the pastor and paid staff.
6. Church membership today is more about getting my needs met rather than reaching the lost.
7. Church members are in a retreat mode as culture becomes more worldly and unbiblical.
8. Many church members don’t really believe that Christ is the only way of salvation.
9. Our churches are no longer houses of prayer equipped to reach the lost.
10. Churches have lost their focus on making disciples who will thus be equipped and motivated to reach the lost.
11. Christians do not want to share the truth of the gospel for fear they will offend others. Political correctness is too commonplace even among Christians. The aggressive nature of people group causes church members to fear putting themselves out there. - John Lawless on 23 February 2015 at 7:52 am
12. Most churches have unregenerate members who have not received Christ themselves.
13. Some churches have theological systems that do not encourage evangelism.
14. Our churches have too many activities; they are too busy to do the things that really matter.
15. There is a fear of bringing in new members because they might not meet all the desired criteria for a “good” member. They might be liberal, single, and/or transients, basically all the people who aren’t really wanted in churches. They also might be highly educated young professionals with experience in non-profit organizations who could dilute the power of the long-time church rulers and might want to ask questions. Also, the rulers might feel threatened. - Mark on 23 February 2015 at 7:19 am
16. Lack of love. - weeewah on 8 January 2016 at 4:52 pm
17. All feel that they are already saved. - Angela Tanner on 24 March 2016 at 12:37 am
18. “Disciple-maker” takes a level of commitment that often intimidates people. - Steve on 24 February, 2015 at 11:38 am
19. In a book by Leonard Sweet: “We live in a ‘Bible-based’ country, full of people who never read the Bible.” In essence, we’re surrounded by people who think they know what’s in the Bible, yet have never truly read it. - Keith Abramowski on 6 March 2015 at 7:30 pm.
20. Not “serving” really anyone, but ourselves. - Angela Tanner on 24 March 2016 at 12:37 am
21. The gospel has not always been clearly presented, and the altar calls have often been emotional and manipulative. Many didn’t seem to understand. - Jeff on 23 February 2015 at 7:35 am
22. By the powers of the world and not the Kingdom of God, most people don’t feel the need to. - Keith Abramowski on 6 March 2015 at 7:30 pm
23. All have sinned, and Jesus’ blood covered my past present and future sins. Salvation is only by grace.  Those forgiven of little, appreciate little. - Sue on 6 July 2015 at 7:24 pm
24. Social anxiety is a major obstacle to meeting people, investing in relationships, and eventually sharing their faith with their new friends. - Robin G Jordan on 23 February 2015 at 8:49 am
25. "come and see" attitude, rather than a biblical "go and tell" approach. - Sam Adams on 23 February 2015 at 9:35 am
26. Lack of leadership in making disciples. - Howard Fryman on 23 February 2015 at 9:48 am


How to restore lack of urgency in carrying out ministry today
PHOTO: How to restore lack of urgency in carrying out ministry today
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How it can be restored:
1. Increase in love for Jesus and the love for the lost. Love lost people the way God love lost people. - weeewah on 8 January 2016 at 4:52 pm & Joe Pastor on 23 February 2015 at 8:49 am
2. Serve, not to be served. - Angela Tanner on 24 March 2016 at 12:37 am
3. Jesus went on FOOT when he was helping the needy and HEALED the SICK. Christians are to PHYSICALLY reach out to the Community with needs. Not to be selfish and act HOLY when in church. - Natalie & Peter on 29 May 2016 at 6:46 am
4.The great commission said make DISCIPLES (In Christianity, the Great Commission is the instruction of the resurrected Jesus Christ to his disciples to spread his teachings to all the nations of the world - Matthew 28:16-20, Luke 24:44-53). - Jody Sneed on 23 February 2015 at 7:37 am
5. We must be reminded again and again of Acts 4:20, where even the threat of death could not stop the earlier followers from speaking of Christ.
6. God told Jeremiah “I will be with your mouth”. The promises that we have through out the scripture is that it is not our strength but His. - Grant O'Dell on 23 February 2015 at 6:05 pm
7. Occasional question that really stumps us might serve for some good humility as well. In the end all of this should drive us back into the scriptures to learn more of the God which we serve. If people are afraid of looking dumb, maybe God wants them to look dumb, so that they find the drive to be less so. - Dallas Swoager on 23 February 2015 at 9:43 am
8. We have been deluded from worshiping Jesus to worshiping ourselves in many cases. Ask God to help us see ourselves through God’s eyes, to experience confession and cleansing, to be revived and restored, and to live lives on mission to reach people wherever we go. - Scott Foshie on 23 February 2015 at 8:03 am
9. Set aside our carnal hunger to get, get, get, and allow God to use us to accomplish His work and to experience true fulfillment in our walk with Him. - Scott Foshie on 23 February 2015 at 8:03 am
10. Consider discipleship classes in the classroom and evangelism in the sanctuary or gather other churches to join in a community evangelistic outreach. - Robin Baldwin on 4 March 2016 at 6:15 pm
11. Change heart. We will not love the things of God if we belong still to the world. - Kris Theobald on 23 February 2015 at 8:21 am
12. The young woman that asked looking up from her swamped kayak as I positioned the sailboat abeam her, "Are you here to save me?" The hope and desperation in her voice still haunts me even years later. Ask the Father to forgive our inattention to those that are perishing without Jesus as we sit in the safety of the harbor. - Rick on 23 February 2015 at 9:37 am
13. Prayer, prayer, prayer - Christy on 23 February 2015 at 9:13 am
14. Reaching the 1,2,3+ people we meet and interact with on a daily basis. God’s greatest work gets done by those followers of His who are willing to engage people every day, one person at a time. Daily effort out in the Monday-Saturday world is important. - Bryan Kelso on 23 February 2015 at 10:01 am
15. Starts with caring about people. - Howard Fryman on 23 February 2015 at 9:48 am
16. Doctor James Kennedy’s first question from his “Evangelism Explosion” process: “Spiritually speaking, if you had died last night, are you absolutely certain you would have gone to heaven, or is that something that you would say you are still working on?” The standard set by that question is “absolute certainty”. Spreading the Gospel; evangelism is essentially a sales situation. We must have that “absolutely certainty” (Proverbs 11:24-26, 30). - Jay Gregory on 23  February 2015 at 10:22 am


How can the lack of urgency in carrying out ministry be restored?
PHOTO: How can the lack of urgency in carrying out ministry be restored?
Increase in love for Jesus and the love for the lost. Love lost people the way God love lost people. - weeewah on 8 January 2016 at 4:52 pm & Joe Pastor on 23 February 2015 at 8:49 am

"Dear Lord, I pray for help to improve on the lack of evidence of motive for ministry in my life, especially to response with urgency. I pray that I can remain alert in ensuring that my family and my life is lived faithfully in God's presence and that I am ready to meet Him at any time that He should come. Help me to be motivated by the desire to do the will of God and led a live pleasing to God. Increase my love for Jesus and the love for the lost. I need to be able to give an answer to everyone who asks me to give the reason for the hope that I have.
Those little evidence for ministry which I have, I pray that I can continue to do and to do better. We pray through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!"
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Reflection - Christian's motive for ministry
Question from the book  "Faithful to the end" by Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012



Reference
[1] From "Faithful to the end" A Preacher's Exposition of 2 Timothy, Copyright © 2014 by Robert M. Solomon, ISBN 978-1-62707-241-0, PART THREE: UNLIKE THE WORLD, Chapter 10 "Christian Ministry in a Terrible World" (2 Timothy 4:1-5), Page 139-142.

[2] Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible, 2 Timothy 4:2, http://www.studylight.org/com/acc/view.cgi?bk=54&ch=4.

[3] Fifteen Reasons Our Churches Are Less Evangelistic Today, posted by Thom Raine on 23 February 2015, http://thomrainer.com/2015/02/fifteen-reasons-churches-less-evangelistic-today/

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