What Your Purpose as a Minister Is WHY HAS GOD CALLED YOU TO BE A MINISTER

You are to be a pattern of the glorious truth that God saves sinners—a living example of God’s Mercy  1 Timothy 1:16 (KJV) 16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.  1 Timothy 4:12 (KJV) 12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.  Titus 2:6-8 (KJV) 6 Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded. 7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing, uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, 8 Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.

“ ” God has been longsuffering towards you—very long- suffering.

You are to be a pattern of the glorious truth that God saves sinners—a living example of God’s Mercy  You are to be a pattern—a demonstration, an example—that God is longsuffering and not willing that any should perish or die.  You are to be a pattern of God’s mercy, that He will have mercy upon anyone who comes to Him for mercy.  You are to be the first to live and proclaim the longsuffering and mercy of God.

You are to be a example to all believers…..  In Word  In Purity  In Love  In the Holy Spirit  In Behavior  In Faith

You are to be a pattern—an example—of good works in doctrine and teaching  In proclaiming a pure doctrine  In proclaiming the message sincerely and with dignity  In proclaiming the message with sound words

You are to go and make disciples of all nations  Matthew 28:19-20 (KJV) 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.  2 Timothy 2:2 (KJV) 2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

What does it mean to make Disciples?  “Teach” in the Greek translation is to “Make Disciples”  It means to do exactly what Christ did. When Christ found a person who was willing to commit his Life to God—totally commit his life—Christ attached Himself to that person  The Word “Attached” means that Christ attaches Himself to the believer. In seeing and hearing Him, they begin to absorb and assimilate His very character and behavior.  Christ envisioned something beyond Himself and beyond His day and time. He envisioned an extension of Himself, an extension of His very being, and an extension of His mission and method.

Your purpose as a minister of God is…  To disciples others: pick out several believers who are willing to commit all they are and have to Jesus Christ and attach Himself to them  To teach the willing believer all you know: let him walk and talk with you and see you live, pray, teach, minister, eat, and relax. Let him observe you day by day as much as possible and absorb Christ in you.  To always be discipling some believers, and then turning them loose to disciple others.

You are to present every man perfect in Christ Jesus Colossians 1:28 (KJV) 28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.  Preach Christ  Warn every man  Teach every man in all wisdom

You are to be a witness for the Lord Jesus Christ  2 Timothy 1:8 ( KJV) 8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;  Psalm 119:46 (KJV) 46 I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed  2 Peter 2:5 (KJV) 5 And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;

You are not to be ashamed of the gospel nor of strong believers who are living and witnessing for Christ. You are not to shrink…..  From identifying with the gospel and the Lord of the gospel  From identifying with strong believers who are sharing and living for Christ.

You are to be a strong, bold witness.  Titus 2:14-15 (KJV) 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. 15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.  Acts 18:9-10 (KJV) 9 Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: 10 For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city.

The death of Jesus Christ is to be proclaimed with all authority—strongly and boldly.  You are to speak about the death of Christ, that His death redeems man.  You are to use every method of speech and communication there is.  You are exhort (encourage) people in the death of Christ, how His death redeems man  You are to rebuke people in the death of Christ.

You are to be a Christ’s witness.  2 Corinthians 5:20 (KJV) 20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

You are an ambassador for Christ.  You—the Lord’s ambassador—belong to Christ the One who has sent you out to the world.  You—the Lord’s ambassador—are commissioned to be sent out. Divine Purpose.  You—the Lord’s ambassador—are to possess all authority and power of Christ the One who has sent you out to the world.  You—the Lord’s ambassador—are sent forthwith the message of Christ, the Lord of the universe

You are an ambassador for Christ.  You are to be Christ’s witness 2 nd Cor 5:20  You are to be a worldwide witness Mt.28:  You are to be a family and community witness Mk 5:19  You are to be an obedient witness Acts 5:  You are to be a constant witness 1 Pt. 3:15  You are to be a spirit-filled Witness John 15:26-27  You are to be a believing witness John 15:17