In what ways can we ensure our ministry is Spirit-led, not letter-based? The Heart of the New Covenant “ He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” (2 Corinthians 3:6) - God Himself qualifies and empowers; competency is rooted in the Spirit, never in mere rule-keeping. - The “letter” refers to external observance that lacks inward transformation. - The Spirit breathes life, illuminating Scripture, softening hearts, and producing fruit that rules and rituals alone can never yield. Letter-Based Ministry: Warning Signs - Emphasis on policies and procedures while neglecting people. - Teaching that centers on moral correction without offering gospel grace. - Rigid traditions elevated above clear biblical command. - Measurements of success limited to attendance, budgets, or compliance. - Leaders driven by control or fear rather than love and freedom. Marks of a Spirit-Led Ministry - Scripture handled with humility, letting the Word read us before we teach it. - Prayerful dependence: decisions bathed in prayer, not just committee consensus (Acts 1:8). - Evident fruit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). - Power that surpasses human skill: “Our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with great conviction” (1 Thessalonians 1:5). - Freedom for creativity and diversity of gifts under the Lordship of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:4-7). - Continual pointing to Christ, never to self or institution (John 16:14). Daily Choices to Stay in Step with the Spirit - Start and end each day inviting the Spirit to search and fill every area of life (Psalm 139:23-24; Ephesians 5:18). - Read Scripture devotionally and missionally—seeking personal obedience, then sharing life-giving truth. - Fast from hurry: create margin for listening to God and to people. - Celebrate testimonies of transformation more than mere statistics. - Practice immediate obedience to promptings that align with Scripture. - Guard unity by quick repentance and forgiveness, making room for the Spirit’s peace (Ephesians 4:3). Anchoring Passages for Ongoing Reference - John 6:63: “The Spirit gives life; the flesh profits nothing.” - Romans 7:6: “We serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.” - Romans 8:1-2: “The law of the Spirit of life has set you free from the law of sin and death.” - Galatians 5:16-18: walk by the Spirit, remain free from the tyranny of the flesh. - Isaiah 61:1: the Spirit’s anointing for compassionate, transformative ministry. - 2 Corinthians 4:7: treasure in jars of clay, so surpassing power is clearly God’s. Living Examples from Scripture - Peter, filled with the Spirit, preaching at Pentecost (Acts 2:14-41). - Stephen, whose Spirit-empowered witness surpassed opposition (Acts 6:8-10). - Barnabas, encouraging and discerning the grace of God in new believers (Acts 11:22-24). - Paul and Silas, singing in prison, demonstrating freedom that chains cannot hold (Acts 16:25-34). Final Encouragement Ministry flourishes when the written Word and the living Spirit work together—truth proclaimed, life imparted. As we lean on the Spirit who authored Scripture, the letter no longer kills; instead, every verse becomes a conduit of resurrection power for all who hear and believe. |
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