PAUL’S CALL TO MINISTRY
(I Tim. 1:12-16-C)
REVIEW
1. Paul’s sinfulness. He was the chief of sinners (sinners – of whom I am the worst, vs. 15) because in persecuting the church, the body of Christ, he was persecuting Christ. He may have been the primary persecutor of the early church.
2. Paul’s conversion. First repentance, three days of blindness, conversion. Paul held to the Faithful Saying, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. “…I was shown mercy …. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus … I was shown mercy” (vs 13-14, 16).
INTRODUCTION
1. What was Paul’s chief quality as a Christian worker?
11that conforms to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me. 12I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service.
2Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. (I Cor. 4:2).
2. Paul’s ministry statement or “Job Description.” Please read verses on sheet, write 40 words Job Description for Paul on the transparency.
PAUL’S MINISTRY STATEMENT / JOB DESCRIPTION: As God’s servant He has appointed me herald, apostle and teacher to proclaim the Gospel message to Jews but particularly to Gentiles that they might repent, be enlightened, rescued from Satan, forgiven by God and reconciled to Him.
THE CALL, COMMITMENT & COMPLETION OF GOD’S WILL
1. PAUL’S LIFE OF MINISTRY
a. Paul’s Call
So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do” (Acts 9:6).
Paul’s Job Description: As God’s servant He has appointed me herald, apostle and teacher to proclaim the Gospel message to Jews but particularly to Gentiles that they might repent, be enlightened, rescued from Satan, forgiven by God and reconciled to Him.
b. Paul’s Commitment
But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God (Acts 20:24).
Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision …” (Acts 26:19).
c. Completion of Paul’s Ministry
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith (II Tim. 4:7).
But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth (II Tim. 4:17).
You see Paul in the last letter her wrote just before the end of his life still focusing on completing the task: II Tim. 4:9-13.
2. JESUS’ LIFE AND MINISTRY
a. The Call of Jesus
“She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins” (Mt. 1:21).
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor” (Luke 4:18-19).
b. The Commitment of Jesus
“My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work (John 4:34).
As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem (Luke 9:51).
c. Jesus Completes His ministry
4I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do (John 17:4).
3. WHAT ABOUT US?
a. Our Call
For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do (Eph. 2:10).
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship. 2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will (Rom. 12:1-2).
b. Our commitment
Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus (Phil. 3:13-14).
c. Completing the ministry God gives us.
“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ (Mt. 25:21).
CONCLUSION:
1. Has God spoken to you in the past? Do you know His will? If not are you seeking to know His will now?
2. Have you been disobedient to the heavenly vision? Or are we presently pressing on with the task God has given to us?
3. Are we looking forward to the most favored of heavenly greetings, “Well done thou good and faithful servant ….”?