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[Editor's Note: This is part one of a two-part article by Dr. James Barnes]
In I Timothy 4:4-16 you will find a wonderful summary of what any ministry should look like, for in it will find 12 things, 12 elements, 12 essential features of effective ministry. They are kind of like a 12-step program and we could all use this 12 step program because at times we lose sight of what we should be doing and become addicted to other things. The key phrase is in v.6, "You will be a good servant of Christ Jesus". Paul's instruction is not just for Timothy but It is what the Spirit of God wants to say to all of us as we minister in the church. These are inspired instructions and there are 12 of them and they are for the most part, commands. So how do you define an effective ministry? What marks a man or woman who ministers in the church?
Number 1. They warn others of error. V.6 "If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters". The Greek verb means to remind, to place under, to lay down, in the middle voice to bring attention to. Paul says, "In doing so you will be a good servant of Jesus Christ". What are we to remind them of? What preceded the text? That in the last days some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons propagated by liars. In 1:3 he said I urge you to instruct certain men not to teach strange doctrine or pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which only gives rise to speculation. So an effective servant, and effective minister will warn his people of error because he understands the devastating potential of lies.
Number 2. An effective ministry is faithful to the scripture v.6 He says you are to be nourished on the words of the faith and of sound doctrine. The 'words of faith' refers to the scripture. We are to be involved in a continual process of self-feeding on the word of God. Someone who ministers in the church should spend his life mastering one book - the Bible. It is the only book God has inspired and in which God has placed all of His truth. Make a radical commitment to Bible Study. The Bible is the revealed word of God! This is the word from heaven. For the first time in decades the sales of Bibles have decreased. In order to increase sales, marketing people have decided to no longer feature the Bible as the word of God but to present it under subtitles such as: are you lonely, are you unfulfilled, are you unhappy, here is a book that can change that. That is a man-centered approach to selling Bibles. William Tyndale who was in prison shortly before being martyred for his faith wrote the governor-in-chief. This is what he asked for, "Please, sir, send me a warmer cap, a candle, a piece of cloth to patch my leggings. But above all I beseech and entreat you to kindly permit me to have my Hebrew Bible, my Hebrew grammar and my Hebrew dictionary so that I may spend time with them in study." God, that we might feel as lost and lonely when we are separated from your word. So an effective ministry warns people of error and studies the Bible.
Number 3. Avoid the influence of unholy teaching v.7 Have nothing to do with worldly fables, refuse them, decline them, avoid them, and shun them. Many members of the church have been disqualified not from learning error as error but by sitting under someone teaching error as truth. Psalm 1 says, "Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers." If you want an effective ministry, warn your people, become an expert at Bible study, and avoid the corrupting influence of unholy teachers.
Number 4. Be disciplined in personal godliness v.7 Train yourself to be godly for physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, since it holds the promise for the present life and also for the life to come. Discipline yourself or exercise. It is the word from which we get gymnastics. It implies rigor, strenuous training, a self-denying discipline. It is true that physical exercise holds some promise for this life, it can make you stronger, keep you flexible, and keep you healthier. But it holds no promise for the life to come. v.9 says this is a trustworthy statement worthy of full acceptance. To have an effective ministry you have to be concerned about your physical health but be far more consumed with discipline that will produce godliness.
[To be continued]
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Dr. James Barnes has pastored the White Memorial Church in Milroy for 25 years. The church is located on 68 S. Main St., Milroy.