Look for opportunities to serve within your church. And look for opportunities to take their ministry outside.
The assignment in the online school of the Spirit requires three simple things: soak 10-15 times each month; edify, exhort, or comfort 20 people a month; and write it down. Soaking and writing can happen at home, but where can we find our 20 people to minister to each month?
One answer is the church. I’m using a list of ministry ingredients found in Acts 2:42-47. I have to be brief, but there are a lot of ministry opportunities here.
1. They continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship. This is ministry by the leaders to the church, but we can encourage them and share testimonies of how their ministries have strengthened our lives.
2. In the breaking of bread, we can use mealtimes as an opportunity to edify, exhort, or comfort those we eat with. Jesus often ministered at the table.
3. In prayers and in our soaking times we can receive our marching orders from God. In prayer meetings we will sometimes find opportunities for personal ministry.
4. The fear of God is an atmosphere of God’s presence that brings conviction. Go there in your own devotional life, and you will find that sometimes God will bring this same atmosphere when you are with church friends. Acknowledge His presence and turn to Him with prayer, thanksgiving, or worship.
5. Wonders and signs were given to the apostles in Acts 2, but God is giving them to the civilians in the church today. Reach for gifts you haven’t had before. Expect God to use you in new ways.
6. All who believed were together, which means they made a point of spending time together. Go out of your way to connect with other church people between meetings. Ministry opportunities then will happen automatically.
7. They had all things in common, but later in Acts this trait became a ministry of giving. Look for things you can give to people.
8. They sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. Let God lead you in your giving, but many have found profound ministry opportunities in servant evangelism as they give to the needy.
9. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were in two kinds of meetings: large meetings that focused on preaching or teaching, and small meetings that allowed a lot of interaction. We have already looked at the ministry opportunities in each.
10. They ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart. Many of these people had at least seen Jesus, and some had followed Him. They knew His ministry style was joyful, simple, and down-to-earth. This is why they found ministry opportunities even in their meals.
11. Praising God likewise happened in large meetings and in small. Have a praise party or a soaking party at home, then follow through with a time of personal ministry. Or take time to praise God without music – by thanking Him very specifically for what He is doing.
12. Having favor with all the people, they conducted themselves with sensitivity. It’s not that they were afraid to offend; instead, they presented truth lovingly. As you reach out to people, expect to grow in favor with God and man.
13. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. They didn’t just minister within the church; they also ministered to people outside. Go back through this list and see what you can adapt to find ministry opportunities with people who aren’t in the church.
Stan Smith :: © 2008, GospelSmith :: http://www.GospelSmith.com
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