But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. Acts 20:24

I often hear people saying that someone "has gone into the ministry" or that they have some kind of specific ministry. A minister is simply a servant. Paul described himself as a willing bondservant of the Lord Jesus Christ and a servant has no ground or reason to boast of themselves or call attention to themselves. Actually, as Paul here demonstrates, there is a danger in true ministry. Paul had just been warned of the danger he faced in going to Jerusalem to minister and preach the gospel of Christ. This verse also tells us exactly what it is to be a minister of Jesus Christ. It is first to have received this ministry from Christ. One does not simply "decide to go into the ministry," no, they are decided upon by Christ and sent by Him! Furthermore, none have this ministry except those who preach or "testify the gospel of the grace of God." Preaching the gospel is not the center of a ministry or the most important part of a ministry, it is the ministry! Before it or without it there is no ministry. As Paul says, to minister as the Lord's servant and a servant to His people it to preach the gospel of "the grace of God." The gospel of God which is the gospel of His Son is the gospel of GRACE, a declaration of God's salvation by His free and sovereign grace to a people that He loved and chose in Christ. It is the testimony of God concerning what He has done for them in Christ through His coming into the world and saving them through the death of His cross. It is the preaching of Christ crucified! It glorifies God alone. It comes by His Spirit to elect sinners as good news. It is a sacred trust which is committed by God to His messengers. "According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust. And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;" (1 Timothy 1:11-12) It is a message, a declaration of something done, accomplished by God in Christ: "And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation." (2 Corinthians 5:18-19) Peter describes gospel ministers as "stewards of the manifold grace of God" (1 Peter 4:10) and it is required of a steward that he be found faithful, faithful to that message. "If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen." (1 Peter 4:11)

GS

The poor spirit & attitude and the unsound doctrine are both contrary to grace and to God. The grace of God brings forth both the doctrine of grace and the gracious spirit. God forbid that we should deny His grace by either by unsound teaching or ungracious spirits.

Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. He was the disclosure to man of what God is, so man was left without excuse. Christ came and showed God to man, and man hated God with a perfect hatred. The fullest exhibition of Divine love was answered by the fullest exhibition of human hatred--THE CROSS!

Scott Richardson

I do equally fear both the diluting of doctrine and the deifying of doctrine. It is dangerous to minimize doctrine which is essential for us to know Christ or to make the mere knowledge of doctrine to be union with Christ. The language of scripture provides a guard against both extremes. The Lord Jesus referred to it as "My doctrine." This makes it both personal and particular; it involves Who He is and what He's done and these two can never be separated. The Gospel is the "doctrine of the Lord." It is the "doctrine of God our Savior." It is the "doctrine of Christ"!

GS

Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful (1 Cor. 4:2)

Each child of God has been given a gift or gifts by which he may serve the Master and be of use to the church. These gifts are called, "the manifold grace of God," meaning that these gifts appear in many forms. We are stewards of these gifts; and, as stewards of these gifts, we are required to be faithful in the use of them. What is it to be good stewards of the manifold grace of God? Very simply, it is to faithfully DO whatever it is God has made you able to do for the good of His Kingdom (church) in this world. Preaching, comforting, praying, fixing up on the building, nursery duty, Scripture reading, entertaining, giving, teaching, and a host of other things all need DOING. Let us each be faithful stewards of the grace God has given us working together to build one another up in the faith.

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Through all the changing scenes of life,

In trouble or in joy,

The praises of my God shall still,

My heart and tongue employ. (Repeat)

O magnify the Lord with me,

With me exalt His name;

When in distress to Him we called,

And to our aid He came. (Repeat)

The hosts of God encamp around

The dwellings of the just;

Deliverance He affords to all

Who on His mercies trust. (Repeat)

Fear Him, my sons, and you will then

HAVE NOTHING ELSE TO FEAR;

If Christ, the Son, is your delight,

Your soul is in His care. (Repeat)

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Tune: Majestic Sweetness

Have you sins, or have you none? If you have, whither should you go, but to the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sins of the world? Have you souls, or have you none? If you have, where should you go, but to the Savior of souls? Is there a life to come, or is there not? If there is, where should you go but to Him, who only hath the words of eternal life? Is there a wrath to come, or is there not? If there is, where should you go, but to Him, who only can deliver from the wrath to come? And will He not receive you? If He yielded Himself into the hands of them that sought His life, will He hide Himself from the hearts of them that seek his mercy? If He was willing to be taken by the hand of violence, is He not more than willing to be taken by the hands of faith? He that died for your sins, will He cast you off for your infirmities? O come, come, come! I charge you, come. I beseech you come: come and He will give you life. Come, and He will give you rest. Come and He will receive you. Knock, and He will open to you. Look to Him, and He will save you. Did ever any come to Him for a cure, and go away without it? You would find something in yourself, but you find nothing but what you have reason to be ashamed of; but let not that hinder, but further your coming. Come as you are; come poor, come needy, come naked, come empty, come wretched, only come, only believe; His heart is free, His arms are open; 'tis His joy and His crown to receive you. If you are willing, He never was otherwise.