What is Ministry?

“I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. For we are labourers together with God…” 1 Corinthians 3:6-9 KJV

God’s call unto salvation is the greatest invitation ever offered to any people. To experience God’s amazing grace and redemption through the cross of Jesus Christ is unparallel to anything else in life. The cross event enables us to experience the effect of God’s ministry to humanity—salvation from sin and granting of eternal life. This reality is clearly stated in Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

It is important to understand that God’s call to salvation is not a call to merely come sit in a church or religious gathering to solely soak up some spiritual teaching. Learning how to walk in the newness of life in Christ is a must, for therein one learns about how to live for God and how to serve others. But one major aspect of salvation is our responding to God in service.

God not only calls us by grace into salvation, but He also empowers us to serve, within the community of faith and the community around us. Thus, God's call to salvation is also a call to service or doing “ministry.” Ministry is most often understood in the technical sense of the term, meaning work of those called to what is known as “ordained” ministry. But doing ministry is the work of all (Acts 8:1, 4; Ephesians 4:11, 12).

God's call to salvation is also a call to service.

In the Gospel of Mark 2:1-12 is the story of a paralyzed man who received forgiveness of his sins and healing of his physical ailment. It is a theologically rich story contrasting the faith of four persons in Jesus' ability to heal against the skepticism of the Scribes of Jesus' authority to forgive sins. Because Jesus is the Christ, he has both, the authority to forgive sins and the ability to heal sicknesses.

You may say, "Ok, I get that; but what does this passage have to do with ministry?" Embedded in this story are a few points about ministry and the magnitude of its possibilities:

No Vain Labor

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

1 Cor 15:58 (NKJV) 

Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country. I salute everyone for your contribution which has enriched and enhanced all of our lives.

As a Christian, have you ever wondered if your labor is really worth the toil and trouble, strain and stress, ingratitude and injustice, especially when there doesn't seem to be any visible productive fruit from your labor? If you are like me, your reply is a big "YES!" No one enjoys exerting wasted effort, energy, and emotion in an exercise of futility. Although we may feel this way at times, 1 Corinthians 15:58 is a reassurance that one's labor, not so much the actual exertion but the weariness, the exhaustion of strength in the Lord isn't in vain. It isn't hollow in effort, or empty of effect. That should make somebody shout "Glory!" even if you don't feel like it.

Here are three reasons why, as a Christian, one's labor isn't vain in the Lord.

• Our Labor Has Been REQUIRED

"But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. For I am hard pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith," Phil 1:22-25 (NKJV). Believe it or not, we are useful to the Lord. As with the Apostle Paul, and as shocking it may seem, the Lord has need of us. We have something of worth to contribute to the continuing work of the Lord whereby the Body of Christ will profit from.

• Our Labor Is REMEMBERED

"For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister" Heb 6:10 (NKJV). Often it seems that all the good one does goes unnoticed or overlooked. It's important to keep in perspective that we really have an audience of one to be concerned about. That one is God, who has a very good memory and doesn't forget our work and labor. If God keeps track of our sorrows, catches and collects our tears in a bottle recording them (Psalm 56:8), thusly, our labors aren't overlooked. In God's book, our work is appreciated, recognized and cherished.

• Our Labor Will Be REWARDED

"Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor...If anyone's work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward" 1 Cor 3:8, 14 (NKJV). We are guaranteed that we will be rewarded for our labor. But it's important that we check our true motive for working for the Lord. Our labor shouldn't be solely based on the fact that we will receive a reward. Rather, it should be out of gratitude for the Lord's redemption from sin, and our love for Him, knowing that the size of our reward will be based on His righteous estimation (Matthew 20:7).

I hope you have a relaxing and rejuvenating Labor Day to continue in your labors in the Lord. Remember this: the greatest reward for the Christian, the hope of the Resurrection, makes all the effort taken in the Lord's work worth it. No work done in His name is wasted!

"...The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come, And the time of the dead, that they should be judged, And that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints, And those who fear Your name, small and great, And should destroy those who destroy the earth..."

Rev 11:18 (NKJV)

"And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last."

Rev 22:12-13 (NKJV)

Copyright © 2023 Johnson Beaven III. All Rights Reserved.

Johnson Beaven III is Principal of Johnson Beaven III Ministries LLC. He serves in the Church Of God In Christ (COGIC) as Executive Secretary and Director of Education in the International Department of Evangelism, and Chairman of District Superintendents in the Indiana North Central Jurisdiction. He's also a religion columnist for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper. He's a former pastor, local site coordinator and instructor for the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) Certificate in Theology Program. For information, check Linktree. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) @jbeaven and @jbiiiministries.