Its Functions (Continued)

3. THE MINISTRY TO THE LORD (Acts 13:2As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
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1. The Ministry Defined (Acts 13:1-3 [1] Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. [2] As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. [3] And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
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1. The context of the passage
1. Prophets and teachers were gathered together at Antioch (Acts 13:1Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
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2. They ministered to the Lord and fasted (Acts 13:2As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
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3. The Holy Ghost called for the separation of Barnabas and Saul for a special work (Acts 13:2As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
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4. The men fasted, prayed, and laid their hands on Barnabas and Saul (Acts 13:3And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
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2. The concept of this ministry
1. Some may wonder how we can minister to the Lord, but the saints in Antioch were obviously doing so.
2. We minister to the Lord when we do those things that are specifically meant to honor and worship Him.
2. The Ministry Executed
1. Giving
1. When we give to the Lord, we are signifying that He is worthy.
2. If we withhold from Him, we are signifying that He is not worthy.
2. Praise
1. In song: The songs that we sing ought to be done in such a way as to minister to the Lord.
2. In word: The testimonies, the preaching, and teaching ought to bring praise to the Lord.
3. Prayer: In prayer we declare our own inadequacies. We also declare the greatness of God and our need for Him.
4. Serving: When we give of ourselves, our talents, and our time, we are declaring that God is worthy of our efforts.
5. In one sense, all ministries, if they are biblical ministries, are ministry to the Lord.
4. THE MINISTRY OF THE SAINTS (1 Corinthians 16:15I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)
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1. The Ministry Defined
1. The context of the passage (1 Corinthians 16:13-18 [13] Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. [14] Let all your things be done with charity. [15] I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,) [16] That ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with us, and laboureth. [17] I am glad of the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for that which was lacking on your part they have supplied. [18] For they have refreshed my spirit and your's: therefore acknowledge ye them that are such.
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1. Paul is admonishing the Corinthian believers to serve (1 Corinthians 16:13Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.
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2. He encourages them to perform their service from a heart of charity (1 Corinthians 16:14Let all your things be done with charity.
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3. He mentions the household of Stephanas and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints (1 Corinthians 16:15I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)
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4. He encourages the Corinthian believers to submit themselves unto all that help and labour with him (1 Corinthians 16:16That ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with us, and laboureth.
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5. He mentions the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and that they refreshed his spirit (1 Corinthians 16:17-18 [17] I am glad of the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for that which was lacking on your part they have supplied. [18] For they have refreshed my spirit and your's: therefore acknowledge ye them that are such.
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2. The concept of the ministry
1. The chapter begins with news of an offering being received for struggling believers (1 Corinthians 16:1-4 [1] Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. [2] Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come. [3] And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem. [4] And if it be meet that I go also, they shall go with me.
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2. The letter then begins to talk about receiving the brethren (1 Corinthians 16:5-12 [5] Now I will come unto you, when I shall pass through Macedonia: for I do pass through Macedonia. [6] And it may be that I will abide, yea, and winter with you, that ye may bring me on my journey whithersoever I go. [7] For I will not see you now by the way; but I trust to tarry a while with you, if the Lord permit. [8] But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost. [9] For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries. [10] Now if Timotheus come, see that he may be with you without fear: for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also do. [11] Let no man therefore despise him: but conduct him forth in peace, that he may come unto me: for I look for him with the brethren. [12] As touching our brother Apollos, I greatly desired him to come unto you with the brethren: but his will was not at all to come at this time; but he will come when he shall have convenient time.
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3. The ministry of the saints is any ministry that strengthens the saints of God.
4. It is true that we should reject the modern philosophy that makes the church part country club; part entertainment center; and part psychology department. However, that is not to say that we ignore the biblical call to minister to one another.
5. The saints of God are to be noted for their love to one another (John 13:34-35 [34] A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. [35] By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
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2. The Ministry Executed
1. In fellowship
1. The word fellowship carries the connotation of serving together.
2. We minister to each other when we serve together.
1. We strengthen each other.
2. We sharpen each other.
2. In benevolence
1. This would match the context of 1 Corinthians 16.
2. At times we minister to the saints financially. This is much more a command for the New Testament church than financially supporting the lost (Galatians 6:10As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
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3. In hospitality
1. The saints of God ought to be given to hospitality.
2. We should minister to the saints by opening our homes and hearts.
4. Etc.