FOUR MINISTRY PILLARS

1. TRAINED TO SERVE GOD AND MEN

“But be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and the Sadducees… and their teaching.” (Matthew 16:11b, 12b)

“So Jesus answered them and said, ‘My teaching is not Mine, but His who sent Me. If anyone is willing to do His will, he will know of the teaching, whether it is of God or whether I speak from Myself. He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who is seeking the glory of the One who sent Him, He is true, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.’” (John 7:16-18) The GOLDEN RULE of learning the truth of God is the desire to do it. God will show us as much of His truth as we are willing to obey. What is learned through the school of obedience is not our own teaching but God’s. The knowledge obtained is the experiential knowledge of truth that God imparts to an obedient heart.

2. AN UNACKNOWLEDGED COMMUNITY OF DIVERSITY

“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who being in very nature God…but made himself nothing…” (Phil.2:5-6)

Instead of promoting ourselves or the community of believers, we should always point to Jesus. Let Him bestow honor wherever He will for His glory and the good of His body. There is never need to praise ourselves. Also because God is the Creator of diversity, He is not looking for sameness. He is drawn toward everyone that calls out to Him in heartfelt worship while preserving and enjoying each person’s unique individuality and cultural expression. As His body, we too should preserve and enjoy the individuality and cultural expression of each child of God.

3. SERVANT LEADERSHIP

“The greatest among you will be your servant.” (Matthew 23:11)

Jesus revealed the hidden motives of the religious leaders of that day by pointing out their efforts to elevate themselves above the people. Is this not the root of Satan’s rebellion when he desired to be elevate himself? Jesus shows us that God’s way is not the ways of men or Satan. As the very Son of God, He did this by carrying out the common task of a slave when He wrapped a towel around his waist to wash His disciples’ feet. Jesus tells us that the servant cannot be above his master. No matter what our assigned role is within the body of Christ, our greatness depends on our willingness to esteem others more than ourselves by humbling serving each other.

4.MISSION THROUGH WORSHIP

“While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ ” (Acts 13:2)

John Piper said, “Missions is not the main priority of the church, worship is. Missions only exists because worship doesn’t. Missions are a temporary necessity. Worship is eternal.” Worship changes us so that we can be sent out with the awareness of who we are and who He is. Worship diffuses the fragrance of Jesus Christ into our lives and transfers God’s passion for others into our hearts. There is no mission field, home or abroad, that God will not open up to the church that makes worshiping Him its highest priority.

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