Our Attitude Toward Our Ministry    

Matthew 11:25-26

 

     Though our Lord preached and performed many miracles in and around Capernaum, we read of no conversions, no baptisms, no apparent success attending his ministry there. But his submission to and joy in the will of God (Read Matt. 11:25-26), even when his ministry appeared to be in vain, gives us an example of what our attitude toward the ministry ought to be.

     WE HAVE A GREAT AND NOBLE WORK ENTRUSTED TO US. We are the servants of the most high God. He has called us to be his witnesses and commissioned us as his ambassadors to the world (Acts 1:8; Matt.28:18-20; John 20:2123; II Cor. 5:18-21). The local church is a preaching center, a sounding board for the gospel. It is our responsibility to preach the gospel to all men as we have opportunity. We have no other purpose for existence.

     THOUGH WE MEET WITH DISCOURAGEMENTS OFTEN, WE MUST NEVER BECOME INDIFFERENT TO THE SOULS OF MEN OR NEGLIGENT IN OUR RESPONSIBILITIES BEFORE GOD.When our labors appear to be spent in vain, when men and women do not hear and believe the gospel we preach, we are all prone to say to ourselves, "What's the use? If these people are not interested in their souls, why should I be? If they want to go to hell, let them go to hell. I give up!" Such thoughts are wrong. They are contrary to the spirit of Christ (Lk. 19:41-42; Rom. 10:1). Never forget these two things: (1.). No sinner is beyond the reach of omnipotent grace. (2.). We are debtors to all men (Rom. 1:14-17). All men without Christ are perishing. We have the only message of salvation. Therefore we are obliged to proclaim that message to all.

     YET, WHEN WE HAVE DONE ALL WE CAN, (AND WE MUST DO ALL WE CAN!), WE MUST ACQUIESCE TO THE WILL OF GOD AND BE SATISFIED WITH WHAT HE IS PLEASED TO DO. The success, or efficacy of our labors in the gospel is entirely in the hands of God.Faithful service is accepted of God, regardless of its results (I Cor. 4:1-2); Lk. 10:5-11; Isa. 48:5). And faithful service in the cause of Christ is never in vain (I Cor. 15:58). Though some believe not,some will (Psa.110:3). The gospel we preach will never be preached fruitlessly (Isa. 55:10-11).

     NOTHING WILL SUSTAIN OUR HEARTS IN THE WORK OF THE GOSPEL TO WHICH WE HAVE BEEN CALLED LIKE FAITH IN AND SUBMISSION TO THE ABSOLUTE SOVEREIGNTY OF OUR GOD (Jer. 18:1-6).

 

 

Don Fortner