INTRODUCTION:

Throughout my 23 years of ministry, I have observed that while all Christians are called to serve, only a few participate. This deviates from God’s intention for every believer to utilize their God-given gifts in ministry, regardless of their role. Ephesians 4:7-16 emphasizes this calling, urging the Ephesian church to use their talents to glorify God. This passage, following the discussion of salvation and grace in chapters 1-3, highlights the importance of serving as a response to God’s blessings. By utilizing an exegetical approach, I aim to convey to my audience the crucial nature of serving in ministry, emphasizing that it is not limited to pastors or gifted individuals but an integral part of every Christian’s calling.

Why is it important that we join/participate in church ministry?

Two reasons

1. Because all of us are called to serve (Ephesians 4:7-13) – Based on the text, It is clear that all of us are called to serve. It is true that God has called specific people like Pastors, preachers, evangelists etc. But all of those people are called by God in order to equip us for works of service. All of us can contribute whether small or big in the growth of the church.

2. All of us mature/grow  in the process of serving (Ephesians 4:14-16) – Serving in ministry has a process. First is you have to be trained and be equipped so that you will be effective, then after that you have to serve the people of God with the training that you received. When you fulfill your calling in serving God then the church will grow and multiply. The gospel will also spread because people are responding to their calling

CONCLUSION:

1. Ministry is our response to God’s grace and mercy

2. I’ll challenge them so serve God in small ministry specially those who are new, then those people whoa are already with RLCC for along time, I will challenge them to do people ministry

3. Pray and ask God to pray for a specific ministry that they want to join. Then I’ll challenge them to response by talking to key people assigned in each ministry in RLCC

DISCUSSION:

1. What have you learned today regarding ministry?

2. What new insight have you learned regarding ministry participation?

3. If given the chance to serve, what ministry will you pick? why?