How to Minister

 

    Jesus faced everything that humans face when he was in his body.  He taught us that we don't have to fall for temptation and we definitely don't have to jump in.  He faced hunger, thirst, pain, love, joy, and everything else.  He taught us how to succeed in ministry.  He taught us a better way to live.  We just need to stop, think, pray, and follow faithfully.  It is that simple, yet so hard.

    In Jesus' ministry he used scripture to fight temptation and to prove his point in arguments.  To be able to do the same, you have to know God's Word.  You have prayer as part of your life, so that the right scripture will come to you to use in the correct context.  If scripture is used properly, then it will shut down any argument.  

    When he faced off Satan in the wilderness, he was coming around full circle.  He succeeded where Adam had failed.  God never doubted what would happen even in the beginning of time.

    Satan is the king of temptation.  He knows his job as well as Jesus know God's Word.  Satan is very good at his job because he knows the character of people.  He does not know our heart, but we are not that mysterious in the grand scheme of things.  He also knows scripture, but he twist it and manipulates it.  Satan claims that the world is his.  He either lying or mistaken, but either way he is wrong.  He can manipulate all he wants, he is only ruler of the hell.  He will not win the great battle that is yet to come.  Don't be like Satan and deny the truth.

    That is why you have to read the Bible prayerfully, so the Holy Spirit can speak truth into your heart.  It is the only way to be able to tell truth from lies.  You can order Satan to depart and he will for a while.  He tested Jesus' humanity when Jesus was weakest because that was the only time he had any hope of defeating Jesus which proves he never had any real hope.  That doesn't mean that he and his demons are not dangerous now.  They can possess, inflict pain, cause illnesses, and other destructive and harmful things to people. 

    In the OT the Holy Spirit was only with one person at a time.  He has always been around, but more like a whisper.  His role changes when Jesus came into the world.  He was with Jesus when Jesus faced Satan in the wilderness to help him in his humanity.   He now can live in the heart and soul of all who believe.  He will speak to those that will speak truth and not try to hide or run from Him.  He is the one that will empower you to face Satan.  He is active, but mostly in the background.  Ministry is impossible without Him.  

    In Jesus' ministry, he taught us how to release the oppressed.  He taught freedom in multiple forms.  There are many forms of poverty: financial (material), physical, mental, and emotional.  Jesus can heal the poverty of all of these.  We just need to show the people that can't see a way out how to have a better life.  We can't hold their hand and force them to find a way out.  Not everyone wants to change.  Not everyone will believe or trust in Jesus.  Surrender them over to God and keep going.  Don't let people committed to their own suffering keep you from serving God to the best of your ability.  

    Ministry starts with teaching.  It moves on to helping.  It means facing opposition and not backing down at times.  It is trusting God to protect you when facing opposition.  Jesus gave us that authority, but look at his ministry before you jump in.  You need time to learn, grow, and mature as a Christian before you take on things that are bigger than you. 

    You can drive out demons through faith and prayer.   Lead your ministry in wisdom, not impulse.  We don't need to play down the impact that temptation or the stronghold that Satan has on the world and you.  We just need to figure out how to defeat it.  You have to rely on the Holy Spirit to walk in wisdom.  Proper ministry will get you noticed, but you have to direct all that attention to God.  It is not for you.  

Luke 4