The Essence of Ministry…


14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing; 15 so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain.” Philippians 2:14-16


Have you ever wondered, “What is the essence of effective ministry?”  Whether it’s in your home, with your friends, co-workers, extended family, etc.?  Perhaps another question in the same vein is,“HOW are we effective in ministry?”

Paul sheds light on these questions in the 2nd chapter of his letter to the Philippians.  He makes the amazing statement about himself having reason to glory in the day of Christ in verse 16 (assumed to be a time when his labor of ministry will be appraised–see also 1 Cor. 3:10-14) that in a sense sums up his ministerial labor and investment into these Philippian Christians.


So, what can we learn from these few verses in Philippians that can be applied to our lives today?


Let’s back up to verse 14 to see what would give Paul reason to boast in the day of Christ.  What we see is that as these Christians live free of grumbling and complaining they would become pure and blameless in an evil day.  In other words, they will stand out–like a light in a dark room.  This certainly has to do with HOW we live and minister effectively, and Paul is instructing these Philippians on their behavior–but it doesn’t end there.

What might be more important than behavior and HOW we are to minister?

The quality of faith.  In other words, not merely how one acts or behaves (which certainly matters), but rather the genuineness of faith in the heart and soul of the individual.  Paul makes a most glorious statement about the quality of the Philippian Christian’s faith that gives us great insight into the question, “What is the essence of ministry?”  As he continues his sentence regarding their witness to the world, he says that they also are “holding fast the word of life“.  In other words, they are genuine Christians that persevere until the end.  Paul then states that their holding fast will give him reason to glory or boast in the day of Christ.

What does all this mean?

Essentially, the essence of ministry is not in behavior adjustments or controls (while that is certainly important and affirms true faith), but rather in the holding fast or genuine conversion of individuals.

What are the practical applications?

  1. Shed abroad the gospel of Christ in every sphere or environment where you interact with people.
    • Who are you sharing your faith with?
    • Who are you discipling / mentoring in the faith?
  2. Remember that it is not the numbers of so-called converts, but that the people you are sharing the gospel of Christ with (as considered in application point 1) hold fast in the faith until the end.

What is the essence of ministry?  


Be faithful to share the love of Christ–His gospel–in every sphere, and remember that one facet of your glorying in the day of Christ will not be because of how many people you shared with, but rather the quality of faith of those in whom you invested the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Press on!

— October 30, 2015