In your ministry, what are you proud of?

In your ministry, what are you proud of?

¹⁷ In Christ Jesus, then, I have reason to be proud of my work for God. ¹⁸ For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to bring the Gentiles to obedience—by word and deed, ¹⁹ by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God—so that from Jerusalem and all the way around to Illyricum I have fulfilled the ministry of the gospel of Christ; Romans 15:17

Paul said that he was proud of his work in the ministry.  But the key to his pride was found in this, all of the fruit in ministry came “in Christ”.  Was he being arrogant?  Is it okay to be proud of your work?  Some of you may be thinking that you have nothing to be proud of.  None of us are Paul, right.

One of the keys to Paul’s pride is found in verse 18.  Paul did not compare his ministry by other people.  He only speaks about what Christ has accomplished through him.  He did not say, “I do a better job than Peter.”  Nor did he say, “I am better than all the Apostles”.  He just gave testimony about the opportunities that God had given him.

Specifically, he loved to talk about how the Gentiles were receptive to the gospel message of Jesus.  Their transformation was the real deal, for which Paul verified.  In speech they told others about becoming new creations in Christ.  Paul also said that their transformation was evident in lifestyle changes.  They talked the talk and walked the walk.

Not only was there salvations among the Gentiles, but there was accompanied signs and wonders.  Jesus said the gospel will be validated with power.  First and foremost this power for transformation occurs in salvation.  But all of the disciples expected miracles also.  When John the Baptist asked Jesus if he was the Messiah, he did not quote a scripture passage as being fulfilled.  He did not become defensive about being questioned.  He did not point to the mass of people that were following Him.  He did not talk about being a favored son of God nor compare Himself to another ministry as being better.  He just replied, ““Go and tell John what you hear and see: ⁵ the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers^[a] are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them.” Matthew 11:5  What may happen to our gospel message if this were true of our ministry?  Let us never limit what God may want to do through our ministries to reach those in hurt and pain.  Miracles have not ceased, but our expectation that they might occur has.  Ministry requires faith that God will work through us….so do miracles.

Paul also had a footprint of ministry that He knew was his to walk in.  The distance from Jerusalem to Illyricum was nearly 1400 miles. Paul wished to extend that distance through Rome and into Spain.  The point is that there is a geographical sphere that God desires for your ministry.  It may be your neighborhood.  It could include your city.  It may even extend into a statewide or region of your country.  For some you will travel into the rest of the world.  BUT be faithful to fulfill your sphere without comparing it to another’s.  Finish the work that God has put in your heart.

So what are you proud of in your ministry?  The interaction and transformation of lives is the fruit that counts and the fruit that will remain.  After salvation, then its impartation.  You spending time with another to impart the wisdom, love, joy, and life that you have received from Jesus.  I want you to know that I am praying for the expansion and depth of your ministry.  I want you to be proud of what Christ is accomplishing through you.  You make a difference in the body of Christ that is significant and meaningful.

Father, thank you for Paul’s ministry.  Help us to be encouraged by the things that he accomplished.  He suffered much and most of us would not want that part of his ministry.  But they go together.  Help us to be found faithful to plow the field that you have assigned to us.  It will be our gift to YOU.  In Jesus Name, Amen.