A Message To Pastors And Ministers Of The Gospel
What Is A Successful Ministry?
“Woe to you, when all people speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets.
Luke 6:26
Many times, a successful ministry starts out preaching the word of God with integrity and resoluteness. Only to change a while later because they face backlash, criticism, rejection and isolation. Their once growing following begins to dwindle and fear of failure sets in.
A successful ministry is not one that has a full bustling church attendance. Nor one where many people respect and agree with your views and speak highly of you. This is not the biblical definition of a successful ministry.
We Must Seek The Praise Of God For Our Ministry, Not The Praise Of Men
The biblical definition of a successful ministry is one where the truth of the word of God is not compromised to suit the congregation. It is a beacon of light and truth amongst a sea of darkness and false interpretations. It is not based on suiting the people so that they will support your ministry.
It is understood that lowering the bar or threshold regarding the teachings of Jesus will inevitably attract more people to one’s ministry. This is because the message has been made to suit the current ways of the masses without requiring any form of change and repentance.
A ‘Watered Down’ Gospel Is Palatable, Doesn’t Offend, Lifts You Up And ‘Goes Down Easy’
Unfortunately, the messenger becomes nothing more than an ear tickler which the Apostle Paul warned us about.
Consider how Jesus measured the ministry of John the Baptist:
Matthew 21:25 says “from where was the baptism of John? From heaven, or from men?” And they were reasoning with themselves, saying, “If we should say, ‘from heaven,’ He will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’
Luke 20:4 says The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or from men?”
John the Baptist’s ministry was to baptize and cause people to repent from their old ways. His goal was to cause them to turn from their ways and follow the teachings of Jesus without compromise.
Jesus asks if this ministry is from God or man?
Viewing The Success Of Our Ministry Through God’s Eyes
We need to ensure that our ministry is from God. We must view its success through the eyes of God. Success is to be measured by God’s meter stick. Not on man’s perspective of a large church attendance and the praise, support and adoration of the people.
John 5:41-44 says “I do not accept glory from human beings, 42 but I know you. I know that you do not have the love of God in your hearts. 43 I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not accept me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him. 44 How can you believe since you accept glory from one another but do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?
John 7:17-18 says “anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own. 18 Whoever speaks on their own does so to gain personal glory, but he who seeks the glory of the one who sent him is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him.”
John 12:42-43 says “yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not openly acknowledge their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved human praise more than praise from God.”
Matthew 23:5-7 says “everything they do is done for people to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long; 6 they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; 7 they love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by others.”
By The World’s Standards, Jesus’ Ministry Was Not A Success
Jesus’s ministry only lasted 3.5 years. When he was killed by his opposition, no one defended him. He only had 11 followers that were willing to actually follow him in every way. For his many efforts, Jesus had relatively few followers in comparison to his opposition. Jesus’ followers even left him by the thousands in one day.
But in the eyes of God, Jesus had the most successful ministry of all. For once, the truth was finally being spoken, revealed from before the foundations of the earth.
Jesus did not allow reviling and persecution to alter his message by ‘beating around the bush’. He didn’t soften his message so that he could be accepted by the masses. Nor did he compromise the word of God by adding in exceptions and lowering the bar. Even though this eventually led to his death.
A Successful Ministry Speaks The Truth, Even If Everyone Rejects You
There is no sin in falling short of Jesus’ standards and interpretation of God’s word. As long as we are able to recognize our sin and ask for forgiveness, it will be given.
1 John 1:8-10 says “ If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.”
This being said, we must not attempt to lower the bar or standards that Jesus has laid out for us to suit others. We must not add exceptions to the standards of Jesus. Jesus said “give to all who ask”, we are not to say “within reason” for example, so that it does not offend anyone.
Jesus Spoke In Absolutes Even Though He Knew It Would Lead To His Death
Jesus’ teachings may not seem feasible to us because of fear or a lack of faith. But we must not be tempted to change them in order to make life easier for ourselves. Or to be accepted by others.
There are no exceptions to the teachings of Jesus.
For example, Jesus told his disciples who were traveling men, with only a few precious belongings that if someone steals their coat, offer their shirt also. These few belongings must no doubt have been important to them being in a traveling scenario. Given their current situation, the disciples must have felt like this was an unreasonable or infeasible request for Jesus to be asking. But they accepted it.
Likewise, we must admit that all of Jesus’ teachings are relevant and apply to us today. The idea of having to give someone who takes your car for example, something in addition, doesn’t seem reasonable to us. But we mustn’t deny the truth of Jesus’ teachings. Even if it is over our car or whatever it is that we hold dear to us in our lives.
We must remind those whom God has placed under our care, that Jesus’ teachings are uncompromising. Fear or a lack of faith are not excuses for compromising God’s word. Jesus has given us a system of grace. His teachings allow us to fall short yet be forgiven if we repent and ask God for forgiveness.
Fear Of Rejection Should Not Result In Compromise
Just because we are afraid to preach a message that causes others to either be offended or repentant, doesn’t mean we should compromise Jesus’ teachings by denying them, adding exceptions and then preaching it to others.
Instead, we must acknowledge our lack of faith. Ask God for forgiveness and ask him to help us with our unbelief.
Adding exceptions and denying the words and teachings of Jesus is the wrong way to handle a lack of faith. The ability to recognize one’s flaws and ask God for forgiveness and help, is the right way to go.
We must teach this route rather than ‘sugar-coating’ God’s word with exceptions and lower standards so as not to offend anyone. As a pastor, this would mean that as per the kingdom of heaven, you have an unsuccessful ministry that no longer tastes like salt.
A watered down ministry has become useless, although by the world’s standards, it may seem successful. Undoubtedly, church attendance will be high for a compromised message that does not result in repentance.
Matthew 5:11 to 13 says “blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.”
Luke 6:22 to 23 says “blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man! Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets.”
2 Chronicles 36:16 says “but they kept mocking the messengers of God, despising his words and scoffing at his prophets, until the wrath of the Lord rose against his people, until there was no remedy.”
Acts 7:51-52 says “you stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and murdered”.
Acts 5:41 says “then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.”
Stay Strong And Diligent In Your Teachings
To any ministers who have refused to compromise Jesus’ words to suit the masses, I encourage you to stay strong and diligent in your teaching. Do not lack integrity when it comes to standing for the truth.
You won’t win any popularity contests, and may be punished through rejection, isolation or possibly even lose your own life. It won’t guarantee ‘bums in seats’ every Sunday morning. It will guarantee your name being written in the Book of Life. And a wonderful greeting from God when he sees you on that glorious day, saying “well done, my good and faithful servant.”
Remember the words of our Lord Jesus
“A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.”
John 15:20
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