Ministry To The Saints

 Ministry To The Saint

2 Corinthians 9:1 'For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you:.."

Paul the apostle emphasized severally the need for the saints of God to minister one to another. He saw it needful to repeat the emphasis on ministering to the saints. Having in mind that the saints are they that have been ministered to and converted from sinners or sinful way of living to sainthood to serve the Lord. They are not abandoned and left to be on their own. It is through ministering to the saints that progress and growth is achieved. Spiritually stunted growth is traceable to unhealthy ministry to the saints. A saint may work hard to get sinners converted while he or she is depleted of grace. When the saint have nothing to offer, he or she starts sinking (spiritually, emotionally and psychologically speaking). The benefit of ministering to the saints is great and must not be underestimated. While different groups of the body of saints may have different approach to ministering to one another, scripture have not kept us in the dark about this matter.

Hebrews 6:10-11 "For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:.."

  

This ministering to the saints is the job to be done by everyone of family of saints. It is not a one man's job. The most fervent, gifted and dedicated need the ministry of other saints. The new entrant into the family of saints need the ministry of the older members. The grace of God is abundantly available yet the saints can be depleted of the grace because there is no ministry to one another. God comments this ministry.

"For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister."

This ministery of ministering to the saints is a ministry that will not have an end. It goes along with ministry to the sinner. If the saint is not ministered to in a healthy way, the saint have nothing to minister to the sinner. Depletion of grace will reduce the saint to a canal container that can easily be blown away by the wind. While a saint can minister to himself, he needs the ministry of others which supposed to flow naturally especially where the Holy Spirit is in operational and the word of God is honoured.

Psalms 37:28 "For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off."

While the Lord does not forsake the saint, the saints may carelessly forsake themselves. How can the saints minister to themselves?

Meeting Together:

Psalms 50:5 "Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice."

 

One platform where saints can minister to one another is by meeting together. Where two or three are gathered together in the name of Jesus, he is there in their meeting. The Lord will be there to answer their prayers and dispense grace to see them through. Finding a place to meet with other believers is important to be ministered to. Word of encouragement can come in a combined meeting. The Holy Spirit can reveal secrets and expose where the devil can likely take advantage. Sin is dealt with. No saint can afford to miss important meetings of other saints.

Teaching Of The Word:

Daniel 8:13 "Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that certain saint which spake, How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot?"

When saints gather and minister to one another, doubts are cleared. Questions are answered and clearity comes.

"...How long shall be the vision..?"

There is always a platform to clear doubts. If the Lord is in control, there will be liberty

Prayers:

Romans 8:27 "And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God."

Saints can be ministered to through prayer. God answers prayers. When saints pray for one another God steps in. All things being equal, He will answer their prayers speedily. Supernatural divine intervention comes through prayers. Prayer of faith can save from danger.

Revelation 8:4 "And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand."

Pray for the needs of other saints and present your prayer request for others to pray along with you. Your prayer will reach the throne of God. God will answer your prayers.

Meeting Daily Needs:

The Acts 2:45-47 "And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.

And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,

Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved."

There are basic needs every saint must meet. The early christians always meet together and hear the word of God. One of the things they do when they meet is to meet each other's needs. Those who had enough gave so that those who do not have can get. As the church grew, saints were encouraged to work and earned a living so that all can contribute to the well-being of the whole and to the progress of the work. Even with that, the poor were taken care of by the supply of others. Those who spent all their time ministering to others will have their needs met even though they do not have other means of earning.

Romans 15:25-27 "But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints.

For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.

It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things."

Saints can minister to one another by helping to meet needs. By this, some are encouraged.

Growth:

Ephesians 4:11-12 "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:.."

There are specific saints that occupy offices or ministry to build up the saints. 

 "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;..."

These gifts from God helps the saints to be ministered to that the body of saints are built up and grow to be effective and reach out to more sinners.

Handling Crucial Matters:

The Acts 9:41 "And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive."

This woman called Tabitha died as a saint. While alive, she ministered to other saints and this must have brought sinners to the light. Her dead was not well received by other saints who were beneficiaries of her ministry of encouragement. They wanted her alive. Peter another saint, came in and prayed for her and she came back to life. When she came back to life, she was handed over to the saints to be ministered to.

"...when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive."

The saints can minister to one another in critical conditions and crucial matters. There are situations where saints can have cases that involves other saints. In such cases, the saints who have understanding of the word of God can help to handle the cases unbiased and according to scriptures.

1 Corinthians 6:1-2 "Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints?

Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?"

Taking cases outside the body of saints may bring about the undesired outcome unbecoming of saints. All matters involving saints can be handled effectively and pleasing to the Lord by the saints. This is another way saints can be ministered to and this can bring about growth that will please the Lord.

Relieving Burdens:

Romans 12: 2-13

Romans 12:13 "Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality."

Saints can have burdens that need the assistance of other saints. Ministering to saints can help to reduce burdens.

For many reasons, there will always be poor among saints. A body of saints may have many well to do but yet, they will have the poor among them. If the poor are ministered to, it will appear as though there is no poor.

"...make a certain contribution for the poor saints.."

It is through ministering to the saints that some will not give up the faith. There are those who started well but gave up due to pressure. Early comers sometimes end up giving up on time due to many circumstances of life.

1 Corinthians 16:15-16 "I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)

That ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with us, and laboureth."

The house of Stephanas was one of the first to give his life to Christ in Achaia. He was addicted to ministering to the saints. The house needed the support and encouragement to continue ministering to the saints. The tendency to give up is possible.

Encouragement:

Romans 16:2 'That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also."

Those who labour courageously need support and not discouragement especially if they are still keeping to truth of the word of God. If for any reason they derail, they need to be ministered to through prayer, rebuke and teaching.

Glorious Departure:

Psalms 116:15 "Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints."

The Lord is pleased when one of His saints die. This is because, the death of the saints of God is entry into a new and better life in eternity. Had the saint die as a sinner, eternal damnation will be the end. When a saint dies, other living saints minister to the dead. This is an honour pleasing to God.

When Moses the servant of God died, his body was contended with by satan. This is simply as a result of a slight glitch on the side of Moses. God had to step in to take over the body of Moses. Though Moses had an issue, God honoured him by giving him a private burial.

What ever it may, stay in touch with God throughout your journey through sainthood. Allow God to minister to you through other saints. If other saints around you are not sensitive to the Lord, keep praying and trusting the Lord.

Pray:

Father, I thank You for the understanding that I need to be ministered to and at the same time, I need to minister to other saints. Help me to understand this truth and cooperate with You until my last breath.

Thank you in Jesus name. Amen!