"God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure." Hebrews 6:10, 11.
"While the great final reward is given at Christ's coming, true-hearted service for God brings a reward, even in this fife.... All who consecrate body, soul, and spirit to God's service will be constantly receiving a new endowment of physical, mental, and spiritual power. The inexhaustible supplies of Heaven are at their command. Christ gives them the breath of His own spirit, the life of His own life."—Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 305.
You are deepening your experience by ministry! Your laboring for others will confirm your faith! You grow spiritually stronger by serving!
Every Christian desires a closer relationship with Jesus Christ. You can experience this when you sympathize and minister to those who are sick, lonely, hurting, and searching for someone to understand and help. You will grow spiritually when you actively work for the healing and salvation of other souls. There are rewards for ministry now and hereafter.
You will discover in this lesson—
RECEIVING GOD'S BLESSINGS
1. What does God promise to do for His servants? Isaiah 41:9, 10.
Isaiah 41:9-10 (NIV) I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, 'You are my servant'; I have chosen you and have not rejected you. 10) So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
2. How are you assured the Lord will not forget you? Isaiah 49:14-16.
Isaiah 41:14-16 (NIV) Do not be afraid, O worm Jacob, O little Israel, for I myself will help you," declares the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel. 15) "See, I will make you into a threshing sledge, new and sharp, with many teeth. You will thresh the mountains and crush them, and reduce the hills to chaff. 16) You will winnow them, the wind will pick them up, and a gale will blow them away. But you will rejoice in the LORD and glory in the Holy One of Israel.
3. What did Paul say out of his own experience about spiritual renewal in the face of troubles? 2 Corinthians 4:16-18.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NIV) Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17) For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18) So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
4. Where can you find a resource for all your needs? Philippians 4:19.
Philippians 4:19 (NIV) And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
5. What promise assures you that God will not forget your service for others? Hebrews 6:10.
Hebrews 6:10 (NIV) God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.
6. What can you know about your labors for the Lord? 1 Corinthians 15:58.
1 Corinthians 15:58 (NIV) Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
7. What results are assured for faithful ministry? Galatians 6:9, 10.
Galatians 6:9-10 (NIV) Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10) Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
8. What remarkable revelation appears through self-sacrificing ministry? 2 Corinthians 4:10, 11.
2 Corinthians 4:10-11 (NIV) We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11) For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body.
9. What immediate result rewards the faithful Christian? 2 Corinthians 4:15.
2 Corinthians 4:15 (NIV) All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.
10. What is promised in exchange for wholehearted service? Ephesians 6:7, 8.
Ephesians 6:7-8 (NIV) Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, 8) because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.
11. What did Christ promise for giving even a cup of cold water? Matthew 10:42.
Matthew 10:42 (NIV) And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward."
12. What is the eternal reward promised to faithful servants? Matthew 25:31-34.
Matthew 25:31-34 (NIV) "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. 32) All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33) He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. 34) "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.
Summarize your understanding of verse 34.
13. How does the apostle John describe this inheritance? Revelation 21:1-4.
Revelation 21:1-4 (NIV) Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2) I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3) And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4) He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."
14. How long will the faithful servants reign in the kingdom'? Revelation 22:3-5.
Revelation 22:3-5 (NIV) No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. 4) They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5) There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.
MY MINISTRY
After this survey of personal ministries and the various avenues of Christian service, you may have definite ideas about your spiritual gifts and how you can respond to the Master's call to "follow me." Share your convictions with your new church friends and together something exciting and satisfying will soon work out.
In response to this series of lessons on personal ministry teaching that God has given special gifts to all His disciples, I think my gifts are:
I feel my gifts can best be used for the Lord in the following ways:
I would like to have the following assistance and guidance in becoming involved in Christian service:
Unless otherwise designated, scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION�. Copyright � 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.