SF644 - THE JESUS MODEL FOR MINISTRY - JESUS MET PEOPLES NEEDS (Mark 1 21-34)
SF644
THE JESUS MODEL FOR MINISTRY:
JESUS MET PEOPLE’S NEEDS
Mark 1:21-34
INTRODUCTION
Jesus is our Model...
He ministered with purpose - His first priority was to please the Father
He spent time preparing to minister - He realized that ministry demands His best
He loved and sought out unbelievers.
Ministry is our demonstrating God’s love for others!
Before I was saved I was the recipient of ministry
After I was saved I became the doer of ministry
Before I was saved ministry was my connection to Christ
After I was saved ministry became my connection to the world
Most of the Jesus’ ministry was directed to unbelievers not believers
Most of our ministry is directed to believers not unbelievers
Jesus Reached Unbelievers by meeting THEIR needs...
We must design our ministries with UNBELIEVERS in mind...
1A. JESUS SPENT TIME WITH UNBELIEVERS
1B. Jesus Intentionally Scheduled Time to be with Unbelievers - Socially
Calling of Matthew (Mark 2:13-17)
Conversion of Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10)
2B. Jesus Listened to Unbelievers more than He did Believers
Believers tend to become self-absorbed
(Matthew 20:20‑21) "Then the mother of Zebedee's sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him. {21} "What is it you want?" he asked. She said, "Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.""
He was constantly asking unbelievers what he could do for them?
2A. JESUS WELCOMED UNBELIEVERS AT FACE VALUE
1B. Jesus did not Base His Ministry to them on Their Motives
Why they come is not as important as the fact that they came
The ends do not justify the means, we simply cannot wait for everyone to come because of pure motives, if we do very few will ever come.
2B. Jesus Expect Unbelievers to Act and Think like Unbelievers
If unbelievers can “act” like believers why do they need Jesus?
3A. JESUS UNDERSTOOD THE BASIC NEEDS OF EVERY PERSON AND MET THOSE NEEDS FIRST
1B. To be loved
(Romans 5:8) "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
2B. To be accepted
(Matthew 11:28) ""Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."
3B. To be forgiven
(1 John 1:9) "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."
4B. To have meaning and purpose in life
(John 10:10) "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."
5B. To be an individual
(1 Corinthians 12:18) "But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be."
(1 Corinthians 12:27) "Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it."
6B. To be free from fear, guilt, worry, resentment, discouragement, and loneliness...
(Ephesians 1:6) "To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved."
4A. JESUS DEALT WITH THEIR IMMEDIATE NEEDS BEFORE HE DEALT WITH THEIR ETERNAL NEEDS
1B. Jesus was not Afraid to get His Hands “Dirty”
Jesus never determined His ministry on “Where People Were”
He determined His ministry on “Where He Could take Them.”
We must look beyond “Where they are and see Where Jesus can take them!”
2B. Jesus Allowed unbelievers to Identify Their Needs
He did not try to tell them that they needed to get right - until they told Him what was wrong!
We need to be slow to diagnose and quick to listen
We must deal with the immediate pain before we can deal with the deeper source.
3B. Jesus Designed His Response (Ministry) based on Their Need
He did not “treat” everyone the same!
He treated demonics different from the lame, lepers different from the blind...
We must design our Ministries to touch people where they are hurting, not where we are happy!
4B. Jesus’ Ultimate Goal was to bring People to Faith in God!
ACTION POINTS
1. Redefine “Ministry” to mean not something you receive but something you give!
2. Begin to think of “Ministry” as something you do for unbelievers!
3. Make a commitment tonight to put unbelievers first on your “Ministry” list!
4. Ask God to help you become a need meeter rather than a needer.
5. Step out in courage to reach out to unbelievers - remember it can be messy.
6. Identify the “unbelievers” God has place in your life - ask them...
“What do you think is the greatest need in our area?”
“What can I do for you?”
7. Evaluate your “Ministry” based on what you learn and make the necessary adjustments.
8. If you are not actively involved in “Ministry” ask God to show you where you can be used to meet the needs of unbelievers. With the goal of bringing them to Him!