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Special Study 20/06/2011

THE MAKING OF AN EFFECTIVE MINISTER

Matthew 4:19

The Lord wants to make every believer a minister, conqueror and champion. He hasset up a five-fold ministry to make the church function adequately and grow. Bornto reproduce and saved to serve, every believer must work towards becomingeffective in his ministrations. If the service of the believer will produce somethingsignificant in the kingdom, he must grow. Just like a useless piece of metalundergoes some process of development before it becomes a coin that is useful tothe public, the believer needs the same process to be productive in ministry. Godneeds to (i) Melt the believer from the raw material shape that he had been; (ii) puthim into a Mould of His choice; (iii) Mend rough edges in him that need to alignwith the will of God; (iv) Mature him and make ready to circulate. When Jesuscalled His disciples, they were mere raw metals. Peter, for instance, becamedifferent after he underwent the process of becoming an effective minister. When

God is through with His work in a believer, heavenly confidence springs up in him.He no longer thinks of mountains but of God. Transformed, the believer receivesanswers to personal and national problems.

Christ brings about true change. Christ specialises in transforming ordinary peopleinto extra-ordinary people; He specialises in changing people from being failures tobeing champions and successful people. All that the Lord is waiting for is totalsurrender to Him. The believer has two roles to play: (i) Follow me (ii) I willmake you fishers of men. Highlighted are human and divine responsibilities. Ifany man will fulfil his part of the responsibility, God will surely fulfil His. Those whofail to fulfil their parts cannot become fishers of men.

1. THE FALSE FOLLOWERS

Luke 9:57-61

There is a great difference between the faithful and the false followers. Onlythose who faithfully follow Christ become fishers of men. False followers followChrist, not for interest of the kingdom but because of personal comfort. Peoplewho have no selfless and sacrificial pursuit of Christ are false followers andcannot become champions in the kingdom. False followers do not follow becauseof what they can give but because of what they want to get. When theconditions of service are not convenient for them, they turn back. Thus, they areselfish. Their comfort and that of their families come first before that of thekingdom. Any kingdom project that does not favour their agenda is rejected. Ifthey are not consulted first and given a prominent and pre-eminent place, then

the kingdom project is not allowed to proceed. They follow Christ only when it isconvenient for them and cannot experience the power that accompaniesfollowers of Christ. They do not exalt the kingdom principles and projects higherthan self and do not give priority to spiritual service and gospel preaching as theLord commands. While false followers engage in things that do not have eternalvalue, true followers of Christ are to distinguish themselves by doing Godsbidding despite all odds. False followers are not able to withstand the heat ofpersecution as they lack the will to stand in days of trials.

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2. THE FAITHFUL, FEARLESS FOLLOWERS

Mark 10:28

Faithful and fearless followers of Christ are those who are yielded to Him. Theyare people who do not dread His melting fire. They are people who appreciate

the moulding hand of God; they are people who love the mending, correctinghand of the Lord and even go further to pray for the removal of the rough edgesthat do not allow them fit in to the divine mould. Faithful followers are thosewho are following in Christs footsteps. They are people who are ready to payany price to follow Christ. They are people who close their ears to the noise ofthe world to get the attention of the voice of Christ. They are people who are noteasily distracted by persecutors. They are people who have broken the chainthat tied them to the world. The only thing that catches their attention is Christ.What Christ will make of them will be their waking thought, daily plan, sleepingimagination and motivation. They always remember Christs command, Followme and I will make you fishers of men. Whatever conflicts with thatcommand is given up. They may be few or many but He uses them to change

the whole world. God is always interested in people who follow wholeheartedly.They are those who make the kingdom of God, its projects and principles theirfirst consideration in spite of distractions. The Lord demands that we leave all tofollow Him. Like Peter, faithful, fearless followers have left all, and havefollowed thee.

3. THE FRUITFUL FOLLOWERS

Matthew 4:19

True followers of Christ are fruitful. Through a single message of theirs,thousands of people are converted and added to the body of Christ. For them,there is power to evangelise, heal, pray and bring heavens treasure down; thereis power of deliverance and release, power of converting religious people. Made

a fisher of men, anywhere Peter went, sinners got saved, the oppressed gotdelivered, and the power of death disappeared. While Peter was still speaking inCornelius house, the Holy Spirit came upon the people. This is applicable to allwho are faithful, fearless followers of Christ today. You are the next candidatefor fruitfulness as you obey the Lords command to Follow me, and I willmake you fishers of men.

* * * * * * * *Congregational Song:

I AM READY FOR SERVICE

1. Listen to the Masters pleadings,There is urgent work for all,Heed the Spirits interceding,Give this answer to the call:

I am ready for service for Thee, dear Lord,Here am I - send me,I am willing to be what Youd have me be,I will go to where You want me to go.I am ready for Service for Thee, dear Lord,

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Here am I, send me,Tho the pathway seems darkFor Thee Ill do or die, I am ready for service Lord.

2. Theres a voice to you now calling,Will you heed the earnest word,

On the ear its gently calling,Give this answer to your Lord:

3. Many souls in sins are dying,Haste to help them while you may,For the time is swiftly flying,Will you now to Jesus say: