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Your View of the Holiness of God Matters in Ministry

Posted on November 2, 2010 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — 2 Comments ↓

Holy Church Because of the Holiness of God
God has saved us and called us to a holy life . . . (2 Tim. 1:9)

We’re to be holy because He’s holy (1 Pet. 1:16). Consequently, the holiness of God must matter in ministry.

About the Holiness of God

We often think of the holiness of God as something that should instill fear as His holiness defines His expectations for us –“just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do” (1 Pet. 1:15-16). Stepping outside of those boundaries leads to spiritual death for the unbeliever because “the wages of sin is death” (Rom. 6:23) and “without holiness, no one will see God” (Heb. 12:14). Lack of holiness in the believer can lead to discipline as “God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness” (Heb. 12:10-11).

We could get to feeling like we are in trouble. No matter how many years we have been a Christian and have served the Lord, we will fall short. And, the people we work with and serve will not be holy. “There is no one righteous, not even one” (Rom. 3:10). Your experience has probably confirmed this truth.

Yet, God’s holiness is as much of a blessing to us as His love and grace.

Perspective in Ministry Because of a Holy God

Through God’s holiness we find perspective to endure ministry hardships and difficult people. Here’s why:

God’s holiness can be a source of hope and encouragement.
Because of God’s holiness, even on the worst ministry day, we can know that there is something better. This sin ridden world will one day be consumed by His holy fire and a new heaven and earth will be ushered in (2 Peter 3:10-13). Knowing this gives us reason to join with the heavenly creatures in Revelations 4:8 saying “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.”
God’s holiness can be a tool that helps us be more understanding of those we serve.
God’s holiness points us to His grace as He “saved us and called us to a holy life — not because of anything we have done but because of His own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time” (2 Tim. 1:9). Realizing that only by His grace will we be holy, we should be more patient and understanding of those with whom and to whom we minister.

Your view of the holiness of God matters in ministry but so do His other attributes. Check out the Our Great God from A to Z Discipleship Tool Download for alphabetical renderings about who God is and what He does for us.

Your View of the Goodness of God Matters in Ministry

Posted on October 13, 2010 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — 4 Comments ↓

Taste and See the Goodness of God

Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him. (Ps. 34:8)

Our View of the Goodness of God is Critical to Thriving in Ministry

When we consider what we have as a result of God’s goodness, we begin to realize how critical it is.

Perspective comes from His goodness.

A good God works good in all things (Rom. 8:28) so you don’t have to fear, doubt, or worry even if you don’t understand what is happening. No matter how hard ministry may get, even if others wrongly come against you or obstacles stand in your way, you don’t have to despair. You can know His goodness lies ahead. “I am still confident of this,” the psalmist said, “that I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living” (Ps. 27:13). Because of His goodness, you can have hope which leads to perspective.

Provision comes from His goodness.

“The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing” (Ps. 34:10). “If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him” (Matt. 7:11). God knows what you most need and when you need it. He looks at the big picture and will bring about what is best in the best timing and way. You can “seek first His kingdom and His righteousness” truly believing that all you need “will be given to you as well” (Matt. 6:33).

Pardon for sin comes from His goodness.

Be honest. You do not always control your words, reactions, use of time, etc. in ways that honor God in ministry. You sometimes sin. You make wrong choices. If you didn’t have a good God, you may as well give up. Wrapped up in His goodness is mercy and forgiveness. He may not remove the consequences of your sin because He is also just but He will forgive you and give you grace to cope with the consequences.

Protection comes from His goodness.

God gave you His Word to instruct and direct you. His commandments are good (Rom. 7:12) and they are for your good (Deut. 10:13) because they come from a good God. A good God isn’t going to lead you down the wrong path. When you understand this your prayer will be as the psalmist’s in Psalm 143:10 — “Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.”

Out of His goodness come the perspective, provision, pardon, and protection you need to not only continue on but to thrive in ministry.

Your view of God’s goodness matters in ministry but so do His other attributes. Get alphabetical listings of His attributes in the Our Great God from A to Z Discipleship Tool Download.

Your View of the Greatness of God Matters in Ministry

Posted on October 11, 2010 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — 3 Comments ↓

Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;
his greatness no one can fathom. (Ps. 145:3)

Your view of the greatness of God is critical to ministry effectiveness. Here is why:

It will affect your confidence level in ministry.

It will affect your enthusiasm or passion in ministry.

These points are included in the Steering the Church Toward God’s Power Leadership Guide along with some brief input about them. This resource also looks at the means through which God imparts His power and the practical outworking of that power in 25 different leadership tasks or responsibilities. (Click on the above link to learn more about this resource.)

Reflect on the Greatness of God

Need a little refresher course on the greatness of God? Perhaps this video of Louie Giglio speaking on “How Great is Our God” will give you some perspective. (If the video doesn’t show in your browser, you can watch it on YouTube.)

For more, check out Our Great God from A to Z Discipleship Tool Download which looks at many of the different attributes of God. Putting all these traits together certainly should lead us to conclude that we have a Great, Great God who works on our behalf and wants to work through us.

Easter Points to the Power of God

Posted on April 2, 2010 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

Death seemed to point to a weakness in Jesus’ claims to be more than a man. Being raised from the dead, however, took divine power. See 2 Corinthians 13:4. Consequently, Easter points to the power of God and confirms the identity of Jesus as the Son of God.

. . . who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. (Rom. 1:4)

If He had remained dead, He would be no greater than mankind. He would not have accomplished salvation. But, having power over death and the devil, Jesus proved Himself to be the promised One.

“Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death – that is, the devil – and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. ” (Heb. 2:14-15)

Easter Points to the Power of God Still Available for Us Today

Because of the Resurrection, Easter Points to the Power of God
Ephesians 1:19-20 speaks of “his incomparably great power for us who believe.

That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.”

The Power of God that raised Jesus from the dead is available for us today.

Easter’s power assures us of our own resurrection. (1 Cor. 6:14)
Easter’s power gives us everything we need to be godly. (2 Pet. 1:3)
Easter’s power enables us to serve from a vantage point of strength, not weakness. (2 Cor. 13:4)
Easter’s power emboldens us to hold forth the Gospel. (Rom. 1:16)

Let’s be careful that we don’t think we can take something wrought by the power of God, and perpetuate it by human wisdom and effort.

. . . preach the gospel – not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (1 Cor. 1:17-18)

For Bible Teachers: Lessons for Easter – A Real Act of Love

For Church Leaders: God’s Power – The Resurrection

God’s power is just one of His many attributes. For an alphabetical listing of His attributes, check out the Our Great God from A to Z Discipleship Tool Download.

Easter Points to the Grace of God

Posted on March 31, 2010 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — 2 Comments ↓

God has always been a God of grace but Easter highlights that trait. Easter points to the grace of God. —

This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. (2 Tim. 1:9-10)

Grace cost Jesus His life but it is free to us. It is a gift. If grace was earned in any way, then it would no longer be grace. (Rom. 5:15; 11:6; Eph. 1:6; 2:8-9; Gal. 2:21)

Easter Points to the Grace of God Available for Us Beyond Salvation

Easter reminds us that “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God” (Eph. 2:8). But, Easter grace not only saves us. It enables us to walk the walk, as seen in Colossians 2:6, NASB, — “Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him.”

We receive grace upon grace, even after we are saved. Grace goes beyond the impartation of life because of Easter.

Easter Grace continues by blessing. (Jn. 1:16)
Easter Grace continues by giving. (2 Cor. 8:7-9)
Easter Grace continues by forgiving. (Eph. 1:7)
Easter Grace continues by empowering. (Rom. 12:6; 1 Cor. 15:10; 2 Cor. 9:8; 12:9; 1 Pet. 4:10)
Easter Grace continues by encouraging. (2 Thess. 2:16)
Easter Grace continues by strengthening. (Heb. 13:9)
Easter Grace continues by teaching and motivating. (Titus 2:11-12)

These realities teach us that grace compliments, rather than cheapens truth. Jesus came full of both grace and truth (Jn. 1:14). We are not talking about licentiousness. (Rom. 6:1, 15) Grace reigns through righteousness. (Rom. 5:20-21) We are talking about looking to God to do for us what we cannot do for ourselves.

Easter grace is something we need to better understand so we grab hold of it more fully. May we “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen” (2 Pet. 3:18).

Grace is just one of God’s many attributes. Check out the Our Great God from A to Z Discipleship Tool Download for alphabetical renderings about who God is and what He does for us.

Looking for Curriculum for Teaching Over the Easter Season? Go To: Bible Lessons for Easter

Easter Points to the Love of God

Posted on March 29, 2010 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

Easter points to the love of God, demonstrated by sending Jesus to die in our place.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (Jn. 3:16)

Ways Easter Points to the Love of God

Easter defines love.

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. (1 Jn. 3:16) For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son … (Jn. 3:16)

Easter demonstrates God’s love.

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Rom. 5:8) This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. (1 Jn. 4:9-10)

Easter epitomizes love.

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. (Jn. 15:13)

Easter enables us to love.

We love because he first loved us. (1 Jn. 4:19). And live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (Eph. 5:2)

What We Can Learn About Love Because of Easter

Easter teach us that love . . .

sacrifices for another.
gives to others.
wants the best for others.
does not wait for someone else to take the first step.
reaches out unconditionally, even to the seemingly unlovable.

“And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” (Eph. 3:17-19)

Love is a very important aspect of God’s being but so are His other attributes. Get help looking at the sum total of who He is using the Our Great God from A to Z Discipleship Tool Download.

Looking for Curriculum for Teaching Over the Easter Season? Go To: Bible Lessons for Easter – A Real Act of Love