MINISTERS:

  1. TERMS USED TO DESCRIBE A MINISTER:
  1. MINISTER (1 TIM. 4:6; COL. 4:7 NIV; KJV). The Greek root word for "minister"  {dee-ak-on-eh’-s} is the same word for "deacon." It means "servant, table-waiter (Jn. 2:5, 9 NASV), helper (BAG). It is derived from the word "diako" which means "to run or hasten" (Vines). "One who serves…, with responsibility to care for the needs of believers - one who helps the believers" (Semantic Domains). The idea is of active service.
  2. EVANGELIST (EPH. 4:11). The Greek root word for "evangelist"  {yoo-ang-ghel-is-tace’} (appears 3 times in the Greek NT Acts 21:8; Eph. 4:11; 2 Tim. 4:5)means "preacher of the gospel (BAG), a messenger of good news (Vines), one who announces the gospel" (Semantic Domains).
  1. PREACHER (ROM. 10:14; 1 TIM. 2:7 NASV; KJV). The Greek root word for "preacher"  {kay-roos’-so} (appears 61 times in the Greek NT)means "announce, make known by a herald, proclaim aloud (BAG), to publicly announce religious truths and principles while urging acceptance and compliance - ‘to preach" (Semantic Domains). A preacher is someone who proclaims the Word of God.
  1. APPOINTMENT OF MINISTERS:
  1. ALL CHRISTIANS ARE CALLED OR COMMISSIONED TO BE SERVANTS & MINISTERS OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST (JN. 12:26; ROM. 12:11; COL. 3:24; 1 THESS. 1:9).

Of course, this does not mean that everyone is a minister who stands in the pulpit to preach. As servants and ministers, God gives each of us gifts and roles we are to use to serve one another and the Church (1 Pet. 4:10, 11).

  1. THE WORK OF A MINISTER OR EVANGELIST:
  1. A MINISTER MUST PREACH THE WORD OF GOD (2 TIM. 4:2).
  1. Preach "Christ" (Acts 8:5) and "Him crucified" (1 Cor. 2:2; 1:23; Gal. 4:16).
  1. Preach the "whole will or counsel of God" (Acts 20:27; 2 Tim. 3:16).
  1. A MINISTER MUST TEACH SOUND DOCTRINE (1 TIM. 4:6; TIT. 2:1) AND CORRECTLY HANDLE OR RIGHTLY DIVIDE (KJV) THE WORD OF TRUTH (2 TIM. 2:15).
  1. Sometimes ministers will make mistakes. The apostle Peter did (Gal. 2:11f). If your minister makes a mistake, lovingly and gently talk to him about it. If you convince him Biblically that he is wrong, he should change.
  1. A MINISTER MUST PROTECT THE CHURCH FROM FALSE TEACHERS AND THEIR DOCTRINES (1 TIM. 1:3, 6:20).
  1. Correct, rebuke (2 Tim. 4:2), refute (Tit. 1:9), silence (Tit. 1:10, 11).
  2. Must not quarrel (2 Tim. 2:24).
  3. Must be kind to everyone (2 Tim. 2:24).
  4. Must gently instruct those who oppose him (2 Tim. 2:25).
  5. Must not be resentful (2 Tim. 2:24).
  1. A MINISTER SHOULD BRING LOST SOULS TO JESUS (MT. 28:19, 20), AND BAPTIZE THOSE WHO BELIEVE (ACTS 8:12, 38; MT. 28:).
  1. Phillip was an evangelist (Acts 21:8).
  1. A MINISTER SHOULD PREPARE OR EQUIP THE SAINTS FOR WORKS OF SERVICE (EPH. 4:11, 12) AND TEACH OTHERS HOW TO SHARE THE GOSPEL WITH OTHERS (2 TIM. 2:2).
  1. A MINISTER SHOULD HELP IN THE ORGANIZATION OF THE CHURCH (TIT. 1:5).
  1. A MINISTER SHOULD ENCOURAGE (2 TIM. 4:2) AND BUILD UP THE BRETHREN (1 THESS. 5:11).
  1. DEVOTIONAL LIFE :
  1. YOU AND SCRIPTURE.
  1. A minister must study the Scriptures daily (2 Tim. 2:15; 1 Tim. 4:15; Josh. 1:8).
  1. A minister must memorize the Word of God (Col. 3:16; Ps. 119:9, 11; Jer. 15:16).
  1. YOU AND PRAYER.
  1. A minister must pray daily (1 Thess. 5:17; Rom. 1:9, 10; Eph. 6:18).
  1. Pray for the Church (Eph. 3:14-19); whole world (1 Tim. 2:1-4); laborers (Lk. 10:2); and that God will open the door for the message of Christ (Col. 4:2-4).
  1. WHAT TO DO WHEN PEOPLE CRITICIZE YOU AS A MINISTER:
  1. As a minister, you will be criticized, attacked, and persecuted (Jn. 15:20; 2 Tim. 3:12; Lk. 6:22, 23; Mt. 10:22).
  1. When you are criticized, judged, slandered, and attacked, you must trust God and realize that you are trying to please Him and not man (1 Cor. 4:3-5).
  1. Rejoice when people persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you (Mt. 5:11).
  1. You must love your enemies, love all who curse, hate, persecute, and despitefully use you (Mt. 5:44 KJV).
  1. Never hold grudges, take revenge or pay back evil for evil (Rom. 12:17-21); forgive (Eph. 4:31f; Mt. 11:25, 26).
  1. When opposition becomes too strong, you are to depart (Mt. 10:13-15).
  1. FINANCIAL SUPPORT:
  1. The Bible teaches that ministers should be supported financially (1 Cor. 9:3-14; 1 Tim. 5:8).
  1. A minister can work at secular employment if needed in order to preach the gospel (Acts 18:3).
  1. A minister must trust God to meet his financial needs (Lk. 10:4; Mt. 6:24-34; Ps. 37:3).