Fulfill Your Ministry

How many times do we get frustrated in ministry and want to throw in the towel? Maybe you do your best, yet people complain, or maybe you continually minister and love on someone yet each time they reject your love and presentation of the gospel, or maybe you try to bend over backwards for someone, and it backfires. Whatever the situation may be, I'm sure at some point every Christian has gotten frustrated and wanted to quit. However, deep down we know we really don't want to quit, and we are going to struggle because we are believers in Christ. 

In 2 Timothy 4:5, Paul writes: "But as for you, use self-restraint in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry."  In this short verse, Paul gives beloved Timothy four reminders. Let's highlight these four reminders: use self-restraint, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, and fulfill your ministry.

1. Use Self-Restraint 

For some of us, it's easy to lose our temper and not keep our head on straight; when this happens, nothing good usually comes from it. Proverbs 25:28 says: "Like a city that is broken into and without walls so is a person who has no self-control over his spirit." We must control ourselves because we are representatives and ambassadors for Christ. Jesus used and displayed self-restraint, and with the help of the Holy Spirit, we can to! 

2. Endure Hardship

I enjoy challenges, but challenges are a far stretch from hardship. I don't know anyone who enjoys hardships, trials, or suffering. Human nature tries to avoid these things at all costs, but as a Christian, we are going to face all these things. James writes: "Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.  And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing" (James 1:2-4).  When is the last time you thanked God for a hardship or trial? Most of the time, we are closest to Him when we are enduring tough things and during these times, our faith grows the most. How sweet is that? We know when we face hard and difficult circumstances, our faith in Him is growing, and we are becoming more like Him. Our hardships are our testimony of God's faithfulness. He is faithful and will see us through each hardship!

3. Do the Work of an Evangelist 

You might say: "I'm not an evangelist." While your calling and gifting might not be evangelism, you are called to do the work of an evangelist.  So what does an evangelist do??? They share the news of Christ. We have ALL been given the ability to share Christ with people we come into contact with. Christ commands us to share, and He empowers us with Holy Spirit, who gives each believer the ability to share (Acts 1:8). You can share Christ with the cashier at the grocery store, your co-worker or neighbor, a friend at school, or maybe a relative.

Currently, my kids are still little, and I'm a stay-at-home mom. Lee is 6 & Cooper and Samantha are 4. My main evangelism is accomplished daily within my home. My job is to share and pour Jesus into them. I sometimes feel this work is menial and like I am not making a difference for the Kingdom; however, I know I am making the biggest impact of anywhere. Now, don't misunderstand me, I still evangelize to others when I go out of my house, but because I am a stay-at-home mom, those times are not daily occurances. Within this season of life, my current daily evangelism is to the three little people God entrusted me with. Think about you..... are you sharing Christ and doing the work of an evangelist? 

4. Fulfill Your Ministry

When you use self-restraint, endure hardship, and evangelize, you have the ability to fulfill your ministry. Fulfilling your ministry, means doing whatever it takes to share the gospel and being the hands and feet of Jesus. Fulfilling your ministry means being obedient to the calling God has placed on your life. What is your ministry? Where has God placed you to serve Him? Wherever it may be and whatever it may be doing, do it faithfully.

Closing Thoughts

At the end life, when I stand before a Holy and Righteous God, I want to be able to say: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the
course, I have kept the faith."  And I so desperately want to hear my Father and King say:" Well done, good and faithful servant." In order to be able to say and hear these things, I must live by 2 Timothy 4:5.   Will you join me in living out 2 Timothy 4:5?