Sermon Central
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The Proof Of Effective Ministry Series
Contributed by Jim Butcher on Oct 9, 2018 (message contributor)
Summary: Paul declares that the proof of his ministry is the changed lives of the Corinthians. Do we focus on that today?
THE GOAL OF EFFECTIVE MINISTRY: The goal is not empire building, but changed lives.
- v. 1 – they were the letters of recommendation.
- v. 2 – “You yourselves are our letter . . .”
- v. 3 – “. . . you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry . . . ”
- v. 3 – “. . . on tablets of human hearts.”
- Tell story about building a sanctuary at first church.
- Tell stories of giant church structures around the world.
- It’s clear that it was their transformed lives that Paul claimed as the proof of his ministry. That is still true today: changed lives are the proof of worthwhile ministry.
- I am not talking about this just for paid ministers, but for all Christians.
GETTING THERE:
1. Churches should focus less on programs and more on discipleship.
- v. 1 – they were the letters of recommendation.
- v. 2 – “You yourselves are our letter . . .”
- v. 3 – “. . . you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry . . . ”
- v. 3 – “. . . on tablets of human hearts.”
- Most churches have structures that are so busy with programs and activities that there isn’t time for Christians to disciple each other. Most pastors have such a lengthy job description that they have no time to meaningfully disciple new believers (or hungry believers).
- This goes back to the idea that most churches want to hire a pastor to “run the church,” not to do discipleship and individual spiritual mentoring.
2. The power of the Spirit is essential.
- v. 3 – “. . . written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God . . .”
- It’s important to say early on that this is not a project that we are working on by ourselves. No, we are the lesser partner to the power of the Holy Spirit.
3. There will be public evidence.
- v. 2 – “. . . known and read by everybody.”
- We are not talking about secret, behind-the-scenes stuff that you’ll never know. No, these changes, over time, should be evident to all.
4. This doesn’t have to be a multitude of people.
- v. 2 – “. . . written on our hearts . . .” – this speaks to how deeply involved they were in their lives.
- Think deep, not wide.
- It may not be that we affect many, but there need to be those that can say that having us in their lives made a difference in their Christian maturity.
- Our example, our mentoring, our encouragement – all those can be part of it.
- This is not people saying that you’re a Christian, but how you being a Christian has changed them.
- You say, “I know a lot of Christians that this isn’t true for.” Yes, you’re right – and that’s a sign of how far off track we are as the church in America.
