When a Preacher Dies. What is a Minister? Dedicated to Pastor Chinna Dora who received the call from God and has gone to Paradise on 01.12.2005 03:00A.M. Matthew 16:26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Ministers of the Gospel are sometimes forgotten, by the very fact that they are ministers. Passed over for recognition for their indifference to the cares of this world, marked as strange for their un-tiring dedication to the truth of the Word of God. Men receive honor for sports, lititure, science, medicine, but who gives honor to the Ministers? No one. Many believe that a minister is abundantly provided for by the abundance of God, for his service in the preaching of the word. This is not so. Preachers are men who endure hardships as our Saviour and the Disciples did, asking nothing but giving all. Going into harms way to deliver salvation to all who believe. Having tears of Joy for those that are saved and tears of loss for those that reject the truth. Most times a thankless task do they perform, seeking only the will of God and the introduction of lost souls to the truth. Their thanks and reward is not on this earth but in a country that exist elsewhere, in time and space. For Jesus himself testified, that a prophet hath no honour in his own country. A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house. What is their reward then? Lets read; 1Co 9:18-23. What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge ( Giving Freely what he has received freely.), that I abuse not my power in the gospel ( Taking no thought for power, as not being lord over his flock but as an example to them.)
For though I be free from all men ( as in the flesh.), yet have I made myself servant unto all ( within his spirit.), that I might gain the more. And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. (Having understanding to the various troubles that face man in his search for the truth. Having understanding of the false doctrines and hardships people face in just trying to survive day to day.) And this I do for the gospel’s sake ( As not for any gain nor prestige in this life, being a poor man with a heart of Gold.), that I might be partaker thereof with you.( as a so-joiner with them in a strange land.)
Who A minister of the Gospel? 1.A Minister of the Gospel is, A Man who installs great encouragement and insight. 2.A Minister of the Gospel is, A Man who excites duty among those that will listen and believe the Gospel. 3.A Minister of the Gospel is, A Giver of them-selves, of hope, comfort, and joy. Preaching, You cannot fail if you run well. 4.A Minister of the Gospel is, A man who is a director of the course, by setting an example. 5.A Minister of the Gospel is, A Man who endures hardships and is a fighter of the enemy’s of the Cross. A Minister of the Gospel is, A watcher of His own soul, lest by any means he himself, who had preached to others, should yet miss the crown, be disapproved and rejected by his sovereign Judge. 6.A minister of the Gospel is, A Man who does not allow his place with God to deter his humbleness that is Christ. 7.A minister of the Gospel is, A man who lives what he preaches, not as some hypocrites do in teaching one thing and doing another. 8.A minister of the Gospel is, A Man who believes that gain of worldly possessions are but a loss if He looses his sight of the Cross. 9.A minister of the Gospel is, A man who has forsaken all for the Glory of preaching the Gospel and for the Love of God. 10.A minister of the Gospel is, A Man who walks in power and might in the Spirit of the Holy Ghost. Matthew 23:14 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation. Phi 3:7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Phi 1:20-26; According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.
For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith;
That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again. Heb 11:16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city. (It is the duty of Christians to follow their ministers closely in the chase of eternal glory, and the honour and duty of ministers to lead them in the way, not for Gold nor Silver, nor for praise of Men but the praise of God.) 1.Do we morn over the loss of a Minister of God? Yes. 2.Do we miss a minister of God? Yes. 3.Do we Forget a departed Minister of God? Never. 4.How do we honor a Departed Minister of God? By remembering His work of Love, for the poor, the hungry, the naked, the Lost, and by carrying on His work. When His sun goes down on His ministry it arises on anothers. ars.
