Following Jesus 69

What is Ministry? There are three words for ministry in the New Testament.
 
First, there is the Greek word Diakonos. We derive our English word deacon from diakonos. The word may be translated servant, attendant, or a minister. It refers to a servant in relationship with his/her work.
 
Mark 10:45. “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give His life a ransom for many.” 
 
Romans 13:4. “For he (governmental rulers) is God’s minister to you for good.” 
 
Romans 15:8. “For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God's truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs…”
 
1 Corinthians 3:5. What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each.
 
2 Corinthians 3:5-6. Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. 5 Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, 6 who has made us sufficient to be ministers of ca new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
 
To begin with, ministry pertains to a servant in relationship to what he or she does in working.
 
Second, the Greek word Leittourgos. A public servant or minister. A servant in relationship to his public service.
 
This word is used for Christ in Hebrews 8:1-2. “Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, 2 a minister in the holy places, in the true tent1 that the Lord set up, not man.”
 
It is used for angels. Hebrews 1:7. “Of the angels he says, “He makes his angels winds, and his ministers a flame of fire.” See also Psalm 104:4.
 
It is used for a man named Epaphroditus. Philippians 2:25. “I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need,” 
 
It is used for Paul. Romans 15:15-16. “But on some points I have written to you very boldly by way of reminder, because of the grace given me by God to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.”
 
It is used for earthly rulers. Romans 13:6. “For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing.” 
 
It is used for priests. Hebrews 10:11. “And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.”
 
Thirdly, the Greek word Huperetes. An under rower in boat. A servant in relationship to his superior.
 
Luke 4:20. “And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him.”
 
Acts 13:4-5. “So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God win the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John to assist them.”
 
Ministry in short is “service.” Ministry is service which glorifies God and helps people. 
 

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