Preparation for Ministry

Ephesians 5:18

• Review: Mission and Ministry
• Remember last week when I spoke of what I thought about 'ministry'?
• For me, at that time, preparing for ministry meant heading off to Baptist Bible College.
• Now, that wasn't a bad thing…I needed all the help I could get, but that wasn't the greatest need that I had for preparation to do ministry.

(Eph 5:18) "And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;"

(John 16:13) "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come."

• The Holy Spirit will keep us on track with Mission and Ministry.
• Have you been asked (or volunteered) to do something in the church that seemed too great a task for you to do?
• Was there anyone who to help?
• How did God help you?
• "Lord, it's too much for me. I need your help."

I. The Task: A Craftsman Needed (Ex. 31:1-6)

A. The Israelites were masons and bricklayers (trade learned in Egypt).

B. However the need was for craftsmen to do specific work on the Tabernacle.

C. God called Bezaleel

1. God called him to do something special …something he was not trained nor was he prepared to do this task

2. But along with His calling He gave him the power of the Holy Spirit and…

3. He provided helpers…Aholiab and additional men in whom He had placed wisdom.

4. He gave them the ability to create designs with gold and silver.

5. He gave them the ability to set stones and all kinds of artistic craftsmanship needed in construction of the tabernacle.

II. Personal and Practical Application

A. God has a mission for each of us to accomplish individually and corporately.

B. He also has called us to do ministry in order to fulfill that mission.

C. Can we excuse ourselves from ministry by claiming inability?

D. Can we excuse ourselves from ministry because we do not have the education or background?

E. Note the disciples were common men…blue collar workers, if you will…but they were used of God to literally turn the world upside down for the cause of Christ.

What is absolutely necessary for us to do ministry? (the filling of the Holy Spirit)

What results when we seek to do ministry apart from the power of the Spirit? (failure or fleshly accomplishment)