INTRO: Kingdom Citizens!

We are Citizens of The Kingdom of God and a joint heir with Christ.“So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir” Galatians 4:7

Citizens our Governed by the Rules of the Kingdom under the Authority the King. If you love Me, keep My commandments. John 14:15

For a Kingdom to Thrive, every Citizen must Serve (Minister) in love. Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ Matthew 22:37-39

WORD POWER: Ministry (diakoneo), meaning "to serve”. In the New Testament, ministry is seen as service to God and to other people in His name.

But as for you, be serious about everything, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. 2 Timothy 4:5

Broadly speaking, being a servant of Christ makes one a Christian minister.

For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. 4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; 7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. Romans 12:3-8

ANALYSIS/APPLICATION:5 Mandates for Effective Ministry

1. Be a Godly Example. Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Vs 12.

2. Be full of the Word. Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Vs 13

3. Be a good steward of your Gift. Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. Vs 14

4. Be a model of Devotion. Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. Vs 15
“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers” Gal 6:7-10 .

5. Be on Guard! Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you. Vs 16.