Luke 3:15-18
Suggested further reading: Acts 10:44-48; 15:7-11.
One of many goals of a Biblical ministry is to cause people to think. A great step towards conversion is taken when people begin to think deeply and seriously. A casual thoughtlessness about God is one of many characteristics of the unconverted.
We can rejoice when we see a serious consideration of the Gospel or the Bible in an unconverted person. Such consideration is often the first step to conversion. Of course, thinking is not to be confused with saving faith or repentance, but it is a hopeful start.
A Biblical ministry will always exalt Christ and will never accept any credit for what truly belongs to Christ. Its chief goal is always to preach Christ crucified and resurrected, to make Christ’s love and power to save sinners known. A Biblical ministry never draws attention to itself but always to Him to whom all praise is due and which makes people think more and more of Jesus.
There is an essential difference between the Lord Jesus and even the best and holiest of His ministers. They can preach, baptize, administer the Lord’s Supper, pray and care for God’s people. But only Christ can make any minister or ministry effective. The preacher may reach people’s ears, but only Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit can reach people’s hearts. He may preach forgiveness of sins, but only Christ can forgive sin. He may preach about changing people’s lives, but only Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit can change lives.
Each of us needs the work that Christ has done for us and the work of the Holy Spirit in us. We must have both a title to heaven by the blood of Christ and a preparedness for heaven wrought in us by the Spirit of Christ.
Lanny Tanton is the Pastor at The Bible Church of the Lakes in Horseshoe Bay, Texas – just outside of Marble Falls. Pastor Tanton welcomes you to our website and hopes that you’ll enjoy reading these insightful blog posts. Please contact us if you have further questions!!
