A Precious And Powerful Privilege (Serving The Lord God)
“Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, ‘Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.’” Acts 31:1-2 (KJV, emphasis mine)
I submit to you that the first eighteen years of my existence here on earth I majored in ministering to myself. I will not subject you to the details or sensationalize a sinful and willful walk with a lost world. But God who is rich in mercy found me in my morbid, lost condition. With His matchless and marvelous grace saved a wretched wanderer waist-deep in the world! For the last thirty-six years and counting, Lord willing, I am ministering for and to the Master.
Our gracious and good Father has granted me privilege and the right to minister in his name for thirty-six years: husband and father, home and hospital visits, weddings, funerals, baby dedications, baptisms, Sunday School teacher, small group leader, Chapel services, Biblical counseling, mission trips, commencement addresses, Christian School Administration, football coach, Junior High and Senior High Bible instructor, Bible study leader, Youth Director, Minister’s Assistant, Assistant Pastor and currently Senior Pastor.
I am extremely fortunate and my heart pounds at the profound touch of my Father and Lord’s transcending touch in my life as I purpose to touch others and promote the Gospel and the Kingdom of God. What a precious and powerful privilege to minster to the Lord! Angels as well as His anointed servants have enjoyed the honor to minister to the Lord.
“Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.” Matthew 4:11 (KJV, emphasis mine)
“And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them.” Matthew 8:15 (KJV, emphasis mine)
Our text reveals that the Church in Antioch was where the disciples were first called Christians (Acts 11:26). The church included prophets and teachers and people from various backgrounds and racial lines but also specifically Manaen. Manaen was raised in the home of Herod, the wicked man who unlawfully married Herodias, his brother-in-law's wife and later had John the Baptist beheaded. Even OUR Lord Jesus Christ referred to him with contempt as “that fox” (Luke 13:32). Manaen was raised in an ungodly home but found himself participating in the precious and powerful privilege of ministering to the Lord.
To be in a position to minister to the Lord of the universe is absolutely astounding to me. I found that our lives have no meaning and are unprofitable to our Maker when ministry is missing. How do we minister to the Lord? Worship. Walking, witnessing, working, watching and warring with world and the enemy! Ministry is our M.O. from the Master. How are you ministering to Him in your life?
For the Glory of God,
PBKSR