THE WORK OF THE MINISTRY 1/3

The ministry is often romanticized as a life of ease and glory, a position of privilege and power. Yet, the Scriptures paint a starkly different picture. In his second letter to Timothy, the apostle Paul issues a solemn charge: "Preach the Word" (2 Tim 4:2). This directive, though simple in its wording, carries profound weight and complexity in its execution. To truly preach the Word means more than merely reciting scripture; it requires work, not to mention the courage to reprove, rebuke, and exhort with the authority of God's truth. In the perilous times of the last days when men will not endure sound doctrine, the preacher of the Word must be prepared to confront error, correct false doctrine, and passionately call others to align their lives with the unchanging standards of scripture. Such a task is far from easy, for it inevitably invites resistance and conflict. Yet, Paul's command remains steadfast, reminding Timothy - and all who would follow in his footsteps - that the preaching of the Word is an indispensable duty in the life of a faithful minister. Through the preaching of the Word, God's wisdom is proclaimed, souls are nourished, and the church is built up in the faith. It is a high and holy calling, demanding resolve, conviction, and a willingness to stand against the tides of cultural or religious opposition in these perilous times.

The Bible is clear: the ministry is work, and it is not for the slothful or faint of heart (I Timothy 3:1; Ephesians 4:12; I Corinthians 3:13-15; 16:10). Ministers are called laborers and workmen, tasked with the diligent cultivation and building up of God's people (Luke 10:2; I Corinthians 3:9; II Timothy 2:15; Matthew 10:10). It is a labor of love, a sacrifice of oneself for the benefit of the flock. The apostle Paul exemplified this reality, writing, "I will very gladly spend and be spent for you, though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved" (II Corinthians 12:15).

The work of the ministry is not an easy one. It involves hardness, afflictions, and the constant threat of spiritual attack (II Timothy 2:3; II Timothy 4:5). Ministers are the targets of the enemy's wrath, for they stand against error and unrighteousness in a world that loves both. They bear the burden of watching over the souls of their flock, sharing in their joys and sorrows, and contending for the faith once delivered to the saints. This is a weighty responsibility, one that requires divine strength, wisdom, and diligent labor... hard work! They must be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that their labor is not in vain in the Lord (I Corinthians 15:58). They must be examples to the flock, setting a high standard of integrity, love, and faithfulness. They must be devoted to prayer, to the ministry of the word, and to the needs of their people. They must be willing to make sacrifices, to give of themselves freely, and to pour out their lives as an offering to God and to their flock. This is the work of the ministry, a calling to serve, to lead, and to lay down one's life for the sake of the gospel.

Ministers are called to provide an example of diligence and labor to their flock (II Thessalonians 3:7-9). They must strive to be workmen approved of God, rightly dividing the Word of truth with skill and integrity (II Timothy 2:15). This demands a commitment to prayer, study, and self-sacrifice, setting aside personal desires for the sake of serving others. The apostle Paul wrote, "Yea, verily, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ" (Philippians 3:8).

The ministry is a work that will be tested and tried, its authenticity proven through fire and persecution (I Corinthians 3:13). Ministers must be prepared to endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ, forsaking worldly entanglements and ambitions for the sake of pleasing their Captain (II Timothy 2:3-4). They must remain faithful in the face of opposition, steadfast in their proclamation of the Gospel, and resolute in their commitment to those they serve. For to them that have been entrusted with much, much will be required (Luke 12:48).

The work of the ministry is a laborious and demanding calling, a vocation that requires unwavering dedication, spiritual fortitude, and the willingness to endure hardship for the sake of the Gospel. It is not a path for the faint of heart or the slothful. The man of God must be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, and fulfill their ministry (II Timothy 4:5). They must be ready to face persecution, knowing that all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted (II Timothy 3:12). Let us therefore honor ministers for their work’s sake.