“For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 3:11
The foundation of ministry begins with the life and death of Christ Jesus.
The Cross is the essence of life for a believer. You have to be willing to die to self and live for Christ. Until you reach this point your ministry will be of little or no value to Christ.
Your ministry has to be created by Christ and have pure and selfless motives in accord with the teachings of Jesus.
Your ego has to disappear along with the need for notoriety, money making, and success. You are working for Christ not for self. He establishes the boundaries and goals of your ministry.
The foundation of ministry is not built on religion or works. It comes from living in oneness with Christ Jesus and learning how to walk with Him by faith.
The priority is knowing Christ and living with Him. You cannot leapfrog into a ministry until you understand the ways of Christ and have a living relationship with Him.
Faith is the cornerstone in a ministry. You have to prove to God you live by faith and your help comes from the Lord who created the heavens and earth. Faith is living in the promises of God and not the ways of the world.
Your ministry has to be sanctified by God. This is accomplished through severe testing, experiencing suffering, and facing humiliation at times. Remember, you have been baptized into the death of Christ.
God has to get you to the point where you will obey Him without question regardless of your circumstances. This can even be at a great loss to you.
There is a lifestyle ministry for all believers that begins with your decision for Christ. Jesus said “He who believes in Me out of his heart will flow rivers of Living Water.”
This is the life of Jesus and is expressed in love, joy, kindness, and meekness. People around you see the personality of Jesus in your demeanor, words, and actions.
You and I have been created in the workmanship of Christ Jesus to do His works. The works will be different for each disciple as God determines your ministry and equips you with the gifts of the Holy Spirit to excel in your calling.
God may have no intention in giving you a specific ministry for many years. Moses tended sheep for forty years before He was ready to do the work of God.
Ministry becomes easily corrupted when the motives are self serving. Christianity tends to focus on goals like building bigger or new churches, recruiting members, and raising money. Christ Crucified gets demoted and the attention turns to personalities, religion, and fund raising.
Jesus was not about success. He was about doing the will of His Father. The result was persecution, humiliation, and a suffering death.
The test of a Christ driven ministry is the fruit of the harvest. Are you helping God build His kingdom with believers wholly devoted to Christ and willing to die for Him?
Hal Hollister Ministry 