Summary: Our goal is more than heaven.

Ephesians 4:11-13 “It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” (NIV)

If the only goal in our life was heaven, then God should have killed us once we became a Christian.

But God has created each one of us for a purpose.

FOR YOU TO HAVE A MINISTRY YOU MUST REALIZE:

1. YOU HAVE SOMETHING THAT EVERYONE NEEDS.

Acts 3:6 “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” (NIV)

Peter and John did not give him what he was asking for but what he needed.

A MINISTRY STARTS WITH: A healthy view of how God relates to you.

Each of us can make a difference for Christ!

Acts 4:12-13 “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved. When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men.”(NIV)

AGAIN YOU MUST REALIZE:

2. THE CHURCH'S MINISTRY LIES IN THE PATH OF ITS MEMBERS.

The local church is not for you, it is a platform for your ministry.

The greatest ministry that we have is not only what we do together, but what we do individually for the kingdom of God.

MINISTRY IS WHERE YOU ARE: in your home, your place of business, your school etc...

Acts 3:7 "Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up"

3. MINISTRY ALWAYS OPENS THE DOOR FOR THE MESSAGE.

Peter and John healed the beggar and then it opened the door to share Jesus. Remember about 5,000 people were saved as a result of that healing.

Vs. 12-13 “So that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature,”(NIV)

4. YOUR MINISTRY TO ONE MULTIPLIES INTO MANY.

In Acts 4:4 the Bible says that 5,000 met Christ as a result of that one act of ministry.

5. YOUR MINISTRY WILL BRING JOY.

Vs. 8 "Then he went in the temple courts, walking and jumping and praising God"

John 4:34 "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to accomplish His work." (NIV)