“If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent an educator. If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent us a scientist. If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent us an economist. But since our greatest need was forgiveness, God sent us a Savior” (Roy Lessin).
Jesus Christ is the focus of our ministry. The church has been commissioned by God to proclaim Christ. To equip the church for this task, communicate God’s word, trust mighty God, light a fire and walk in it, put His word in your heart, demonstrate God’s reign, proclaim the death and resurrection of Christ and strengthen the foundation of your ministry to transform nations.
Equip the Church
The Lord made his mouth like a sharpened sword and made him into a polished arrow concealed in His quiver. God displayed splendor in His servant, Israel, but said that he labored without purpose and spent His strength in vain. His reward was with Him. God brought honor and strength in gathering Israel to Himself. He made him a light for the Gentiles to bring salvation to the ends of the earth. God chose Israel to have princes bow down to them (Is. 49:1-7). Equip the church by communicating God’s word so it can be a polished instrument in presenting Christ to the world.
Trust Mighty God
God made Israel a covenant for the people to restore the land, free the captives in sin and reveal light to those in darkness. They fed besides the roads and found pasture on every barren hill without hunger or thirst. He guided and led them beside springs of water. He turned all His mountains into roads. God showed compassion on His afflicted ones even though Zion said the Lord forsook and forgot him. He engraved them on the palms of His hands while gathering their sons to come to Israel. Children said this space was too small. The Sovereign Lord lifted up His banner to the peoples to bring their sons and daughters to them. Kings became their foster fathers and queens their nursing mothers bowing down before them so they would know that God was Lord. He contended with those who contended with them to save their children. God made Israel’s oppressors eat their own flesh and be drunk on their own blood so all mankind would know that the Lord was their Savior, Redeemer and Mighty One of Jacob (Is. 49:8-26). Trust Mighty God to free captives and reveal light so sons and daughters can be redeemed from Satan’s power.
Light a Fire
Because of their sins, they were sold and their mother was sent away. No one answered when God called. The Sovereign Lord instructed his tongue to know the word that sustained the weary and awakened his ear to listen like one being taught. Israel did not hide his face from mocking and spitting because the Lord helped them not to be disgraced. He set his face like flint to be unashamed and vindicated by God. Those who feared the Lord and obeyed His word through His servant, Israel, should trust and rely on His God. Those who light fires with flaming torches should walk in the light of their fires and torches they set ablaze. What they received from God’s hand was to lie down in torment (Is. 50:1-11). Light a fire and walk in it fully by listening and obeying God’s word amid persecution.
Put God’s Word in Heart
Those who pursued righteousness and sought the Lord looked to the rock from which they were cut including Abraham, their father. God made their deserts like Eden and wastelands like the garden of the Lord with joy, gladness and thanksgiving. His law and justice became a light to the nations with eternal salvation on the way. The earth wore out like a garment and its inhabitants died like flies. Those having God’s law in their hearts did not fear men’s reproaches and insults since the worm devoured them like wool. They awoke and clothed themselves with strength knowing that God dried up and made a road in the sea so the redeemed crossed over. Do not fear men since they were like grass to prevent forgetting the Lord who made the heavens and earth. God put His words in His peoples’ mouths. God transferred the cup of His wrath designed for Israel into the hands of their tormentors who walked over them (Is. 51:1-23). Put God’s word in your heart to prevent the fear of man so you can be a light to bring salvation to unbelievers.
Demonstrate God’s Reign
They awoke, clothed themselves with strength and freed themselves from the chains of sin because of their redemption in Christ. God’s people knew His name when it was constantly blasphemed. How beautiful were the feet of those who brought good news proclaiming peace and salvation saying to Israel, “Your God reigns!” The Lord comforted and redeemed the ruins of Jerusalem so the earth would see the salvation of God. He went before Israel as their rear guard so they could act wisely with purity. He was raised up and highly exalted even though many were appalled as Christ’s disfigured appearance marred beyond human likeness. Many nations marveled at Him and kings shut their mouths because of Him (Is. 52:1-15). Demonstrate God’s reign in redeeming people from the chains of sin so the earth sees a practical example of salvation and peace.
Proclaim Death and Resurrection of Christ
Who believed and to whom was their message revealed? Christ grew up like a root out of dry ground with no beauty or majesty to attract people to Him. He was despised and rejected as a man of sorrows familiar with suffering. Christ took up their infirmities and carried their sorrows being afflicted by God. He was pierced for their transgressions and crushed for their iniquities. His punishment brought peace and healing through His wounds. Everyone like sheep had gone astray and turned to their own way, but the Lord laid on Christ the iniquity of everyone. He remained silent during oppression and affliction while led like a lamb to death and assigned a grave with the wicked even though He was without violence or deceit. It was God’s will to crush Him, suffer as a guilt offering, see His offspring, prolong His days and prosper in His hand. After suffering, He saw the light of life, justified and bore the sin of many while making intercession for transgressors (Is. 53:1-12). Proclaim the death and resurrection of Christ to bear sin and justify anyone who believes in Him.
Strengthen Foundation of Ministry
Enlarge and stretch out the place of their tent without holding back. Lengthen their cords and strengthen their stakes for they would spread out to the right and left. Their descendants would dispossess nations and settle in desolate cities. Do not fear disgrace and humiliation since the Holy One was their Redeemer. His deep compassion brought them back. His unfailing love and covenant of peace were unshakened. He built the afflicted city with stones of turquoise, foundations with sapphires, battlements of rubies, gates of sparkling jewels and all their walls of precious stones. Their sons were taught by God resulting in great peace and righteousness. Their attackers surrendered to them. No weapon forged against them would prevail. They refuted every accusing tongue and received vindication from God (Is. 54:1-17). Strengthen the foundation of your ministry so disciples transform nations.
This is how to equip the church in proclaiming Christ:
1. Equip the church by communicating God’s word so it can be a polished instrument in presenting Christ to the world
2. Trust Mighty God to free captives and reveal light so sons and daughters can be redeemed from Satan’s power
3. Light a fire and walk in it fully by listening and obey God’s word amid persecution
4. Put God’s word in your heart to prevent the fear of man so you can be a light to bring salvation to unbelievers
5. Demonstrate God’s reign in redeeming people from the chains of sin so the earth sees a practical example of salvation and peace
6. Proclaim the death and resurrection of Christ to bear sin and justify anyone who believes in Him
7. Strengthen the infrastructure and foundation of your ministry so disciples transform nations
