Young People's Group

A PROVEN BIBLICAL PRINCIPLE OF LIFE AND MINISTRY

by Pastor Mitch
October 19, 2014

It Really Works

There is one principle, among others, with reference to ministry that really works. It has been proven true again and again as it is applied. Throughout these years of being in the ministry, I have seen this principle confirmed and established in ministry. And it does not matter where in this world this principle is practised. Whether it is at Bethany or Sathiyam IPC, the same Biblical principle when applied will always bring steadfastness and development in ministry. We have just celebrated Sathiyam IPC’s 25th anniversary. We can see how God has blessed the church these 25 years. We thank God for this because the same proven Biblical principle of ministry was employed. If we apply it in any ministry, we will always see the same success. What is this one principle of life and ministry that will always bring about success and blessings? It is the principle of faith.

1. It Is Having A Content-Rich Faith

“The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” 
Mark 1:1

“Repent, and believe in the gospel.” 
Mark 1:15

Our faith must be centred on the Lord Jesus Christ and His gospel. When Mark wrote his gospel, it was very clear to him that Jesus Christ is indeed the Son of God. The basis of our faith is in the gospel. It is a content-rich faith. The gospel teaches us to repent from our sins, to believe in the Lord Jesus as the Son of God and to seek to be part of the His kingdom. Furthermore, genuine faith in the gospel would cause us to relate to Jesus as Lord. If He is indeed the Son of God, then, He is also Lord of all. He is the Creator of the world. He controls the winds and the waves. Faith is about giving Him the pre-eminence because He is indeed the Son of God. All these years we have based our ministry firstly on a content-rich faith.

2. It Is Having A Volitional Faith With Regards To Discipleship

“Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” 
Mark 1:17

The word “Follow” is to be understood as an imperative. In the Greek, the phrase “Follow Me” means to come after the Lord Jesus. The Lord called Simon and Andrew to follow after Him to learn and to follow the manner of all that He does and says. There is a volitional aspect to the imperatival force of this calling. There must be the act of willingness, conscious choice and resolve to follow the Lord Jesus. We are to make it our commitment to follow after the Lord Jesus, to regard His example as perfect and His teachings as our most necessary guide. And there would be the enabling part of the Lord Jesus in making us into fishers of men. The Lord Jesus also called Levi to follow Him (Mark 2:14). The phrase “Follow Me” in this verse means to be in the presence of the Lord Jesus wherever He goes. It is to accompany closely the Lord Jesus and to be His disciple. Levi also followed the Lord and left all. We are to also come to Him with all our heart, by denying ourselves, taking up our cross and following Him (Mark 8:34). We are not to think that it is going to be easy to follow the Lord Jesus. There must be sacrifices made in order to be His disciple. There would be times when suffering would come. Nevertheless, there is the volitional aspect of the disciple in obeying His call to follow Him by setting aside his own will aside and to persevere in obedience. There is only one way when it comes to service and ministry. It is the Lord’s way. When we follow Him and His ways, He will enable us and give us good success. Let’s exercise our faith to follow the Lord Jesus fully. Let’s pray that we may become good fishers of men.

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