I would like to speak of a few practical things that are necessary in the service of the Lord. If these things are found in us, I believe that we will be effective and fruitful in our ministry. Let’s look at a couple of verses by way of introduction. Ephesians chapter 4, and verse 7, “But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.” Then in 1 Peter 4:10-1110As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 4:10‑11), “As every man hath received the [a] gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to Whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”
I’ve read these verses because I believe that God wants every one of His people—all who know the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour—to be engaged in His service. To fill that place, every one of us has been given a gift. It is a spiritual gift from Christ, the ascended Head of the Church. That gift has been given to us so that we would be able to fill our place of service in the body of Christ. I mention this because we are prone to think that having a gift, and doing the Lord’s work, belongs to those who are distinguished as the Lord’s servants, and who are in “the ministry.” These verses clearly tell us that the Lord has something for each of us to do in His service, and that He has given us a gift for it. Ministry is simply the exercise of one’s gift. This means that we are all in “the ministry!” Romans 12:4-84For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 5So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. 6Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; 7Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 8Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness. (Romans 12:4‑8) indicates that not all the gifts are for public preaching and teaching; some of them are more of a private nature. Regardless, whatever we may be called to do in the Lord’s service is a ministry.
These verses indicate that the Lord has given to each one of us two things. He has given us a specific “gift,” and He has also given us “grace” and “ability” to carry it out. We don’t need to be occupied with finding out what our gift is exactly—especially if we’re young. If you are just starting out in your Christian life, just do the things that come into your hand, and be exercised about doing them faithfully for the Lord’s glory. As time passes, and you go on with the Lord, it will become evident what your gift is. J. N. Darby said that if there were more devotedness there would be more gift evident among us. He didn’t mean that gift comes through devotion, but that the gift that God has given will manifest itself in the individual when he or she is devoted to the Lord.
Every one of us has a place to fill in the testimony of the Lord, and we should be exercised as to what we can do that we might serve the Lord acceptably (Heb. 12:2828Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: (Hebrews 12:28)). The Levites, which were the servants in the tabernacle system, were to go to Aaron, the high priest, and he would “appoint them every one to his service and to his burden” (Num. 4:1919But thus do unto them, that they may live, and not die, when they approach unto the most holy things: Aaron and his sons shall go in, and appoint them every one to his service and to his burden: (Numbers 4:19)). Similarly, we are to go to the Lord Jesus, our High Priest, and he will direct us (if we are in communion with Him), to the work and service that we are to do in the kingdom of God. We need to get into the presence of the Lord and pray as Saul of Tarsus prayed, “Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?” (Acts 9:6, 22:10)
It says in Mark 13:3434For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. (Mark 13:34), “To every man his work.” This again confirms that we all have something to do. The main point in our service for the Lord is that we’re found doing what He has given us to do. It may be something small and seemingly insignificant, but if it’s what He lays on our heart, then we want to do it with all our might. Ecclesiastes 9:1010Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest. (Ecclesiastes 9:10) says, “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might.” To “do it with thy might” indicates that the Lord doesn’t want slothfulness in His service (Rom. 12:1111Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; (Romans 12:11)).