Message Notes

THE DEMANDS OF CHURCH MINISTRY
Text: Acts 20:17-38
12 Jun 2005

(I) Definition of “demands”

1. It is the stress and strain of fulfilling ministry.

2. It is the great burden that is carried.

(II) Different types of demands

1. Physical demands

a) Ministering from house to house

“How I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house,”
Acts 20:20

b) Ministering through out the day

“Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.”
Acts 20:31

2. Emotional demands

a) Tears for the trials faced in ministry

“Serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews;”
Acts 20:19

b) Heartaches for those who will betray

“Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.”
Acts 20:30

3. Mental demands

a) The challenge of giving our all

“How I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house,”
Acts 20:20

b) Uncertainties

“And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there,”
Acts 20:22

4. Spiritual demands

a) Our lives are opened for all to see as an example

“And when they had come to him, he said to them: “You know, from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you,”
Acts 20:18

b) Spiritual burden of the ministry…whether it will succeed or not

5. Financial demands

a) Making ends meet

“I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me.”
Acts 20:33,34

b) Giving towards the Lord’s Work

“I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'”
Acts 20:35

(III) Dedication as the answer to the demands of ministry

1. Dedicated to learning

“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
Matt 11:29-30

a) Learning from the Lord.

b) Carrying an easier yoke

2. Dedicated to practising

“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.”
Gal 6:9-10

a) Practising doing good.

b) Reaping what we have sown

3. Dedicated to serving the Lord in His work

“I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work.”
John 9:4

a) Serving as the Lord Jesus did

b) Doing the Father’s work while it is “day”.

Pressed

Pressed out of measure and pressed to all length;

Pressed so intensely, it seems beyond strength;

Pressed in the body, and pressed in the soul;

Pressed in the mind, till the dark surges roll,

Pressed by foes, and pressure by friends –

Pressure on pressure, till life nearly ends.

Pressed into knowing no helper but God

Pressed into loving the staff and the rod.

Pressed into liberty where nothing clings;

Pressed into faith for impossible things.

Pressed into tasting the joy of the Lord;

Pressed into loving a Christlife outpoured.

V.Raymond Edman