Ministry is a very exciting thing to do. We serve, we teach, we preach, and we lead people to Christ. Jesus Himself gave this command to all who follow Him: that we should make disciples of all nations, baptising them and teaching them to observe all things that He taught us (see Matthew 28:18-20).
Because of what Jesus commanded us to do, we should all realise that ministry isn't just for the especially "anointed" and gifted. Rather, it's for all who believe and follow Him.
Do you want to be more effective in serving the Lord and bringing people closer to Him? Here are some ways for you to do just that.
1. Grow in Christ-likeness
The best way to bring Christ to people is by growing into His character. Of course, we can't be the Christ, but at least we should desire to have less of ourselves and more of Him in us, just like what John the Baptist said of Jesus in John 3:30: "He must increase, but I must decrease."
Knowing this, let us all strive to know who Christ Jesus is, how He lived, thought, spoke, and what mattered to Him, as seen in Scripture. And like Christ, we should choose to do the will of God at all times. The more we represent Christ (and not ourselves) in reaching out to people, the more they will know Him.
2. Don't be ashamed of the gospel
Friends, no matter how much we try to be relevant and catchy to the world, we all know that the message of the cross is a very offensive message to all of us. Why? It's because all of us have sinned, and the gospel simply slaps that truth in our face. The good thing is that it's not done in condemnation, but in fervent hope that we would all come to repentance and turn to Christ Jesus for our salvation.
Such is the message that we are to know by heart and life. Christ Himself said there's no other way by which He will draw all men to Himself – it's only by the cross.
"And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself." (John 12:32)
3. Get on your feet
Honestly, friends, even if the work of salvation is God's own doing, we have a part to play by proclaiming the gospel to all men. This simply means that those who are lazy aren't fit to be in ministry.
We were all commanded by the Lord Jesus to "go and make disciples" (see Matthew 28:19-20). "Go" and "make" are two action words that mean we have to do something, and not just pray for someone's salvation. We should study the Word, stand on our own two feet, go to people, and open our mouths to tell them that God loves them, without the need to be ashamed.
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek."(Romans 1:16)
