Download here: Sunday Notes: January 26th, 2025: You Are A Minister
Today, we gather to explore the profound truth that the Great Commission is not just for a select few, but for every believer. We are all called to be ministers of the Gospel, entrusted with the message of reconciliation.
1. The Great Commission is for Everyone
Matthew 28:18-20 (NLT) Jesus came and told his disciples, ‘I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’
Mark 16:15 (NLT) And then he told them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.’
Acts 1:8 (NLT) But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
The Great Commission, as recorded in Matthew 28, follows Jesus’ resurrection and emphasizes the authority He holds. It is a commandment for all believers to make disciples, indicating that every follower of Christ has a role in spreading the Gospel.
2. We are all called to the Ministry of Reconciliation
2 Corinthians 5:18 (NLT) And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him.
Ephesians 4:11-12 (NLT) Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’ s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.
Colossians 1:20 (NLT) And through him, God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’ s blood on the cross.
God has entrusted each of us with the ministry of reconciliation. This ministry is not limited to church leaders; it is a collective calling for all believers.
3. Every Believer is Gifted to Serve
1 Peter 4:10 (NLT) God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts.
Use them well to serve one another.
Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’ s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well.
I Corinthians 12:12 (NLT) The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. God has equipped each believer with unique gifts for the purpose of serving others and advancing His Kingdom. This diversity within the body of Christ illustrates that everyone has a role to play in ministry, regardless of their position.
4. We all have the call to Love and Serve Others
Matthew 22:37-39 (NLT) Jesus replied, ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
Galatians 5:13 (NLT) For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’ t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.
John 13:34-35 (NLT) So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.
The essence of ministry is love. Jesus’ command to love one another underscores our calling to serve, support, and uplift each other. This ministry of love is foundational for all believers, transcending any traditional notions of who qualifies as a minister.
As we reflect on these Scriptures, let us all embrace our identity as ministers of the Gospel.
The Great Commission is a call to action for everyone. Whether through reconciliation, the use of our gifts, or the command to love, we are all equipped and called to make a difference in the world. Let us go forth, empowered by the Holy Spirit, to fulfill our ministry as God’s ambassadors.
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