SEVEN DANGERS TO MINISTRY
Luke 9:1-12
1. Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and
authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.
2. And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.
3. And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor
scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece.
4. And whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide, and thence depart.
5. And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off
the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them.
6. And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and
healing every where.
All believer are called to some type of ministry. However, no matter if we are a
ministry or a layman there are dangers that we face. If we will guard against
these dangers we can overcome. I am listing seven of the most common dangers we
face, yet, they can slip into the most spiritual ministry if we are not on
guard. This outline lists what I have myself tried to guard against in almost 50
years of ministry to the world. The dangers are not confined to just North
America, I have seen them all over the world.
I. THE FIRST DANGER IS THAT
VISION IS LOST OR IT FADES.
Proverbs 29:18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that
keepeth the law, happy is he.
A. We must always keep a vision for the lost.
1 With out it the Word says we will perish.
B. For people in need.
1. The Church is not a new building. The Church is the
people. The Spirit of God lives with in His people.
2. If we do the Will of God, we must keep His Word.
II. DANGER NUMBER TWO IS THAT
WE SLUMBER AND SLEEP,
Luke 9:32 But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and
when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him.
A. We can slumber spiritually when God's Work become routine.
1. We have everything planned in our services and leave no
place for the leading of the Holy Spirit.
B. We start taking God and His blessings for granted.
C. We overcome by watching and praying.
(Mat 26:41 KJV) Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the
spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
(Mark 13:33 KJV) Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the
time is.
III. THERE IS THE DANGER OF
MAKING THE MINISTRY PROFESSIONAL.
A. We must guard against making our ministry a form. (2 Tim 3:5 KJV)
Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
B. The ministry is not a job.
1. The ministry is a calling.
a. It is a high calling. (Rom 11:29 KJV) For the
gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
b. It is a life long calling.
IV. DANGER NUMBER FOUR IS
PRIDE.
I John 2:15-17
15. Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man
love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the
eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
17. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will
of God abideth for ever.
A. We must guard against this. I remember what I learned from an early
mentor of mine that always give the Glory to God, as God will not share His
Glory with anyone.
B. Also one of my first pastors counseling me said without thinking,
Tony, one thing I am proud of is that I have remained humble all through my
ministry. I know what he meant as he was really a very humble brother.
C. Jesus humbled Himself like not man has ever done. (Phil 2:8 KJV) And
being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto
death, even the death of the cross.
1. He is our perfect example.
V. WE MUST GUARD AGAINST
JEALOUSY AND ENVY.
A. We must not envy other ministries. We must be only faithful in
what God has called us to do.
1. God's measure for greatest is not how much or how many. It
is how faithful we are with what He gives us to do.
2. Remember what happen with Aaron and Miriam.
VI. THERE IS ALWAYS THE DANGER
OF REBELLION.
A. We must always keep a good spirit.
B. We must guard against a wrong spirit.
(Eph 4:32 KJV) And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving
one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
C. God hates rebellion. (1 Sam 15:23 KJV) For rebellion is as the sin of
witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry...
VII. DANGER NUMBER SEVEN IS
THAT WE MUST GUARD AGAINST EXALTING OURSELVES.
A. We must always strive in our ministries to life up Jesus.
1. We need people to see Jesus and not us. Gal 2:20 I am
crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me:
and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of
God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
(Mat 23:12 KJV) And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be
abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
(1 Pet 5:6 KJV) Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty
hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
We want on that last day, when all the books are opened, to
hear Him say "Well done good and faithful servant."
God bless you and yours!
On behalf of this generation,
Your friends in the service of Christ,
Tony
and Marge Abram
Abundant Life Crusades
If we could be
of more help or if you want more information please visit:
www.tonyabram.com or
www.abundantlifecrusades.com
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