God’s way of ministry is completely opposed to the world’s. The world says to trust your strategic plan. God says to listen and obey Him. The world says to have all your resources, including finances in place, before proceeding with ministry. God says to trust Him and move forward even when it’s not all figured out or been provided. The world says you need education and credentials. God says He will provide power and authority to proclaim and heal in the kingdom of God. The world says that my church can do ministry without assistance from other congregations or community leaders. God says to collaborate with other members of the body of Christ and city leaders to get the job done. The world says to serve those with resources who can financially support your ministry. God says to give first priority to the least of these who can never pay you back. Of course, education, research, strategic plans, resources, etc., are tools that God can use, but never allow any of them to take priority over Him. Listen to Jesus describe kingdom of God ministry in Luke 9.
Jesus gave the twelve power and authority over demons and healing diseases. He sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to perform healing. Take nothing on your journey, get available housing and leave if not received as a testimony against them. Jesus went among the villages preaching the gospel and healing everywhere (Lk. 9:1-6). Trust God to provide as you proclaim kingdom of God and perform healing.
Herod was perplexed about John possibly rising from the dead and Elijah appearing. Herod kept trying to see Jesus (Lk. 9:7-9). Worldly authorities are perplexed and curious about Jesus’ mission of proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom.
The apostles talked about their activities with Jesus. He spoke to them about the kingdom of God and curing those in need of healing with the multitude present. Jesus told the twelve to feed the multitude with five loaves and two fish for 5,000 men. Jesus instructed them to recline in groups of 50 each. He blessed, broke and gave the disciples bread to set before the multitude. They had 12 baskets left over (Lk. 9:10-17). Be available, organize, give what you have and trust Jesus to provide additional resources.
While praying alone, Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do the multitudes say that I am?” After mentioning John the Baptist and others, He said, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter said, “The Christ of God.” He warned them to keep quiet since the Son of Man must suffer many things, be rejected by religious authorities, killed and raised up on the third day. Jesus said to deny yourself, take up your cross daily and follow Him if you wish to come after Him. He who saves his life loses it, but whoever loses his life for Christ will save it. It is of no profit if you gain the world and lose your soul. If we are ashamed of Christ and His words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of us when He comes again (Lk. 9:18-27). Commit yourself completely to following Christ and His will for your life.
He took Peter, John and James to pray with Him on the mountain. The three saw His glory with Moses and Elijah standing with Him. A voice said, “This is My Son, My Chosen One; listen to Him!” (Lk. 9:28-36). Listening to God is your most important priority.
A great multitude met Jesus and a man begged Him to look at his son whose spirit had been seized by a demon and asked His disciples to cast it out, but they couldn’t. Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the boy and they were amazed at the greatness of God. Jesus said the Son of Man would be betrayed into the hands of men (Lk. 9:37-45). Trust the greatness of God, even when you are betrayed by men.
After the disciples argued who would be the greatest among them, Jesus said they must receive Him like a child since the least among you is the greatest (Lk. 9:46-48). Give priority to serving the least and disenfranchised among you.
Don’t hinder anyone casting out demons in Christ’s name since he who is not against you is for you (Lk. 9:49-50). Collaborate with other members in the body of Christ since you serve on the same team.
When the Samaritans did not receive Him, Christ said that the “Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them” (Lk. 9:51-56). Your goal is to improve peoples’ lives in all respects.
He told His followers that the Son of Man had nowhere to lay His head. Let the dead bury their own dead, even if it is your father, but go and proclaim fully and everywhere the kingdom of God. If you say good-bye to those at home and don’t put your hand to the plow, then you aren’t fit for the kingdom of God (Lk. 9:57-62). Separate from anything that hinders you from following God’s will completely.
The following is a description of kingdom of God ministry. Use a chiastic structure beginning with the first paragraph: A, B, C, D, E, E’, D’, C’, B’ A’. We group together the content in A & A’, B & B’, etc.
1. Separate from anything that hinders you from proclaiming the kingdom of God and performing healing.
2. Work with city leaders in improving peoples’ lives in all respects.
3. Collaborate with all members of the body of Christ to provide necessary resources in proclaiming and demonstrating the kingdom of God.
4. Your ministry priority is serving the least of these.
5. Your personal priority is listening to God and obeying Him even when it costs you.
