Teacher: Pastor Chet Lowe

Main Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 12, Mark 1

  • Every believer has a gift and a ministry and a way to do that ministry by the power of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:4-7)
  • Mark 1:9-20
    • v. 9-11 Jesus received a call to ministry and was dependent on the same Holy Spirit that we are to accomplish the work of the ministry (Luke 3:23, Matthew 3:15, Mark 1:15, Acts 10:38, Acts 1:8)
      • God will also use the circumstances and situations of our lives to prepare us for the Father’s business
    • v. 12-13 Part of Jesus’ ministry was to destroy the work of the devil (1 John 3:8)
      • Jesus was committed to the ministry He was called to no matter what
        • For Him, that meant sinlessness in the face of temptation (Romans 5:19)
        • The enemy is against the work of the ministry, and he will tempt us to sin then accuse us for it, condemn us so that we give up and cause us to doubt or be distracted from our callings
      • We are called to take back ground from the enemy, and we are not alone in that (Hebrews 1:14)
    • v. 14 Our call to ministry is to be faithful at all costs
      • John went to jail for doing something right, and our call to ministry does not exempt us from suffering; it might actually cause it
    • v. 15 Jesus was directed by the word of God in His ministry (Matthew 4:15-16)
      • The word of God should always guide and direct the who, what, where, when, why and how of our ministry
        • According to the word of God, repentance and faith in Jesus are the objective for every ministry
          • He will use all things to end
    • v. 16-20 Jesus prepares our hearts for the call to ministry
      • This isn’t the first time He met these disciples; He had met them a year earlier (John 1:35-51)
      • Our call to ministry is an opportunity to be discipled by Jesus
        • The disciples were called to follow Him
          • Their families also had their own personal calling into the ministry (Mark 15:40, 16:1; Matthew 27:55-56)

Selah: Mark 1:17 – Follow Me, and I will make you…

Challenge to Change: Ask the Lord to show you the ministry He has for you.