How to be a good minister of God

If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained (1Timothy 4 vs 6)

In the text of the scripture above, Paul shared with Timothy what he must do to be a good minister of Jesus. 

Are there Bad Ministers of Jesus?

Paul hinted in our text that there are things good ministers do. This implies that if you as a minister or prospective minister of the gospel do not do these things you will likely end up as a bad minister of Jesus. Bad ministers serve and get either rejected eternally (Matthew 7 vs 21 - 23) or lose the better part of their reward ( 1 Corinthian 3 vs 13 - 15). I pray you and l will not end up as on in Jesus' name. 

What makes a bad minister:

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Matthew 7 vs 21 - 23

1. They preach but never repented and forsake their personal sins
2. They do their own will and not the will of the Father. Bad ministers preach what they feel like, teach others what they think not the Word. Their experiences are all too important than the Bible.
3. They are men-pleasers. They don't want to offend anybody. Preaching repentance is considered offensive to them and their congregation. Hellfire is too unfair a message to preach about a loving God. They are feelers, not preachers. They preach what is conducive for their audience and their society. 2 Timothy 4 vs 2-4.
4. Bad ministers make merchandise of people that is why they don't want to offend anyone with the true gospel after all the customer is always right. Unfortunately, the flock of the Lord is not supposed to be treated or seen as customers. 2 Peter 2 vs 1-3. The painful part of these is that more people preferred these false and fake gospel preachers.
5. Bad ministers do not put the members in remembrance of the important doctrines and teachings of the scriptures about end-time, the judgment of God to come upon all ungodly, etc.
6. Bad ministers prophesy lies, emphasize visions and dreams more than the Bible, focus only on miracles, prosperity, healing instead of teaching godliness that will lead to transformed lives and a better society.
7. Bad ministers ascribe more attention to themselves instead of to the Lord Jesus. They only use the name of Jesus but the life and will of God and the Lord Jesus are thrown out of the administration of the church.

I must say that these bad ministers are very appealing to most people and they are increasing day by day. Watch out!

What makes a good minister:

1. You must be genuinely born again. You cannot save others when you are drowning. You must have experience God's saving power personally before you can share that with others. John 3 vs 3 - 8
2. Join and serve God in a living Bible-believing church. You cannot lead others if you don't know how to follow. Also, learn to listen to God's word from a Bible-believing minister. Hebrews 10 vs 25.
3. Build your faith and knowledge of God by studying the Bible regularly and having regular prayer and meditation. Mark 1 vs 35, 1 Peter 2 vs 1 -3, 2 Peter 1 vs 3 - 10, 2 Timothy 3 vs 15 - 17;
4. Be an exemplary Christian Titus 1 vs 5 - 9, 1 Timothy 3
5. Practice what you preach, being taught, and learn. 1 Timothy 4 vs 6 - 11, Matthew 28 vs 18 - 20, Mark 16 vs 15 - 20;
6. Endure afflictions, make sacrifices for the flock, and preach the Word irrespective of the time. 2 Timothy 4 vs 2, 5, 1 Timothy 5 vs 21 - 22;
7. A good minister will do his best not to bring shame to Christ and the church of God. 1 Timothy 5 vs 21 - 22;
8. A good minister will always point others to Christ and the kingdom of God. He/She prepares the members for heaven as the bride of Christ.

Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 

Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.

For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:

For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.

But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness

1 Timothy 4 vs 1 - 7

 

Desire more of God each day. God will make you a channel of blessings to others in Jesus' name.

Note:

All Bible texts are in KJV and the banner image is from Unsplash

 

 

 

 

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