Ministry, nature of

All creatures owe their Creator a ministry of service to him and to humanity. The example and teaching of Jesus Christ illustrate this.

All human beings owe a ministry of service to God

The debt owed by the creature to the Creator

Romans 1:25

They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is forever worthy of praise! Amen.

The service of the nations and their rulers

Psalm 148:7–11 See also Jeremiah 3:17; Joel 3:1–2; Revelation 15:4

Praise the LORD from the earth, all great sea creatures and ocean depths, lightning and hail, snow and clouds, powerful wind fulfilling His word, mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars, wild animals and all cattle, crawling creatures and flying birds, kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth,

Examples of the service of rulers

Ezra 1:1–2 Cyrus of Persia; Jeremiah 25:9, Jeremiah 27:6, Jeremiah 43:10; Romans 13:4, Romans 13:6; 1 Peter 2:13–14

The ministry of the people of God

In the OT

Exodus 19:6 See also Isaiah 61:6

And unto Me you shall be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you are to speak to the Israelites.”

In the NT

1 Peter 2:5, 1 Peter 2:9 See also Revelation 1:6, Revelation 20:6 resurrected martyrs

you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

The ministry of priests, kings and prophets in the OT

The ministry of those specially set aside by the church

1 Corinthians 12:28; 1 Timothy 3:10 Deacons; Titus 1:5 Elders; 1 Peter 5:2 Overseers; Ephesians 4:11

Jesus Christ fulfils the OT understanding of ministry

His ministry as servant

Matthew 12:18 See also Isaiah 42:1; Matthew 20:28 parallel Mark 10:45; Acts 3:13, Acts 3:26, Acts 4:27, Acts 4:30

“Here is My Servant, whom I have chosen, My beloved, in whom My soul delights. I will put My Spirit on Him, and He will proclaim justice to the nations.

His ministry as shepherd, teacher and prophet

John 10:11, John 13:13; Acts 3:22

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.

You call Me Teacher and Lord, and rightly so, because I am.

For Moses said, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your brothers. You must listen to Him in everything He tells you.

His ministry as priest

Hebrews 6:20 See also Hebrews 8:6

where Jesus our forerunner has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.

His ministry as king

John 18:37

“Then You are a king!” Pilate said. “You say that I am a king,” Jesus answered. “For this reason I was born and have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to My voice.”

NT ministry follows the pattern of Jesus Christ

In servanthood

Matthew 20:26–28 parallels Mark 10:43–45, Luke 22:26–27 See also Matthew 23:11 parallel Mark 10:43

It shall not be this way among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave — just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”

In teaching

Matthew 28:20

and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

In shepherding

John 21:15–17

When they had finished eating, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love Me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he answered, “You know I love You.” Jesus replied, “Feed My lambs.” Jesus asked a second time, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” “Yes, Lord,” he answered, “You know I love You.” Jesus told him, “Shepherd My sheep.” Jesus asked a third time, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was deeply hurt that Jesus had asked him a third time, “Do you love Me?” “Lord, You know all things,” he replied. “You know I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.

In priesthood by self-sacrifice and intercession in prayer

Philippians 2:17; 1 Timothy 2:1 See also 1 Peter 2:5

But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you.

First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be offered for everyone—

Jesus Christ's servants can expect the same response that he received

John 15:20

Remember the word that I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you as well; if they kept My word, they will keep yours as well.

The ministry of angels

Angels are both ministers to God's people and fellow-servants with them: Hebrews 1:7, Hebrews 1:14; Revelation 19:10, Revelation 22:9