Romans 15:14-33 "An Effective Ministry"
Confused by the term “ministry”?
The word means “service.”
New Testament ministry includes all services which are done for Christ and inspired by the leading of His Holy Spirit.
The New Testament clearly calls all Christians to ministry.
Will our ministry be effective?
What are the principles by which our ministry can be effective for Jesus Christ?
Encouragement (14)
Paul reminds the Roman Christians of three things for which they are to be commended.
- Full of goodness.
- Complete in knowledge.
- Competent to instruct one another.
Christian ministry must:
- Come from the right motive.
- Share the right information.
- Do it in such a way that the other person can receive it
Explanation (15-29)
Paul reveals his ministry in five ways. His ministry:
- was a priestly ministry. (v. 16)
- was a ministry of proclamation. (16)
- is characterized by praise. (v. 17)
- was characterized by power. (vss. 18-19)
- was effective because it was done according to God’s plan. (vss. 20-24)
Paul talks about his mission to the Jews. (vss. 25-29)
The churches were pleased to make a contribution for the poor.
They did so because:
- They wanted to.
- They were indebted to the saints in Jerusalem.
One was because of their desire, the other because of their debt.
Exhortation (30-33)
All of us are co-laborers together with God in His ministry.
Paul needed the Christians in Rome’s help. The way they could help was in prayer.
Prayer is both effective ministry and the means by which effective ministry is performed.
If this church would be an effective church, it must be a praying church. If you are to be an effective Christian, you must be a praying Christian. Prayer is vitally important!
The only way that spiritual warfare is to be won is through the prayers of God’s people as they engage the hosts of hell in spiritual warfare.
The battle is won or lost in prayer.
May God enable us to put these principles of effective ministry into action in our lives, that our work for Christ might make a difference in the lives of others.
