Ministering
“As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.” Acts 13.2
“As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.” Acts 13.2
Sometime ago I was shaken into questioning reality when someone suggested that we had performed a particular choir number quite well. Our choir is small in number but we tend to sing the melody well and the parts tend to accentuate the melody with a pleasing harmony. As the leader of this group (both pastor and choir director), I can say in all honesty that none think first about singing as a performance, but would enjoy being recognized as some who minister God’s truth through music.
Once we understand the “what” of ministry, we should at least try to understand the “to whom” we minister.
Dr. Luke, almost in passing, answers that question for us as the church at Antioch prepared to send out a missionary team bearing the Gospel. In preparation for this commissioning, only two things are mentioned – ministering to the Lord and fasting. We have a general understanding concerning fasting, yet, we often misunderstand that fasting is not simply abstaining from eating. It tends to accompany an intense spiritual desire that causes us to focus so much on the need of answered prayer that the physical activity of eating eludes us.
Ministry is a voluntary activity in which we seek to be of service to another. The Greek verb which translates “ministered” in Acts 13.2 is “leitourgeo.” It is a term from which we get our English word, “liturgy.” Every church has some sort of liturgy which guides their worship services. Some may argue that point, but it is true. Liturgy may include the lighting of candles or simply singing an opening chorus and taking up a collection along with a message.
The verb “leitourgeo” only occurs three times in the New Testament and speaks specifically of serving freely in order to be a help to someone else. The word, liturgy, denotes the performance of official duties of any kind, and was used to express the priestly functions under the Old Testament.
In Romans 15.27 the Gentile believers were enjoined to remember their debt to the Lord for His salvation and to require them to minister to the poor Jewish population both in spiritual and physical (carnal) needs. The apostle is not asking the Gentile converts to offer sinners the opportunity to be more carnal, but to be generous in giving to the needy.
In Hebrews 10.11 the word is used of the priests who stood daily making sacrifices before the Lord. Without pomp or circumstance, they faithfully discharged their duties before the Lord.
It seems that sometimes we forget our responsibilities in our “worship services.” As we seek to minister while the focus of our ministry is on the wrong thing. We should continually put our worship and ministry activities on the examination table to be sure that, as those in Antioch, we are ministering unto the Lord.
“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” I Corinthians 10.31
“And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” Colossians 3.17
“If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” I Peter 4.11
Once we understand the “what” of ministry, we should at least try to understand the “to whom” we minister.
Dr. Luke, almost in passing, answers that question for us as the church at Antioch prepared to send out a missionary team bearing the Gospel. In preparation for this commissioning, only two things are mentioned – ministering to the Lord and fasting. We have a general understanding concerning fasting, yet, we often misunderstand that fasting is not simply abstaining from eating. It tends to accompany an intense spiritual desire that causes us to focus so much on the need of answered prayer that the physical activity of eating eludes us.
Ministry is a voluntary activity in which we seek to be of service to another. The Greek verb which translates “ministered” in Acts 13.2 is “leitourgeo.” It is a term from which we get our English word, “liturgy.” Every church has some sort of liturgy which guides their worship services. Some may argue that point, but it is true. Liturgy may include the lighting of candles or simply singing an opening chorus and taking up a collection along with a message.
The verb “leitourgeo” only occurs three times in the New Testament and speaks specifically of serving freely in order to be a help to someone else. The word, liturgy, denotes the performance of official duties of any kind, and was used to express the priestly functions under the Old Testament.
In Romans 15.27 the Gentile believers were enjoined to remember their debt to the Lord for His salvation and to require them to minister to the poor Jewish population both in spiritual and physical (carnal) needs. The apostle is not asking the Gentile converts to offer sinners the opportunity to be more carnal, but to be generous in giving to the needy.
In Hebrews 10.11 the word is used of the priests who stood daily making sacrifices before the Lord. Without pomp or circumstance, they faithfully discharged their duties before the Lord.
It seems that sometimes we forget our responsibilities in our “worship services.” As we seek to minister while the focus of our ministry is on the wrong thing. We should continually put our worship and ministry activities on the examination table to be sure that, as those in Antioch, we are ministering unto the Lord.
“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” I Corinthians 10.31
“And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” Colossians 3.17
“If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” I Peter 4.11
Copyright © 2023 Dr. John H. Hill, All rights reserved.
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