Click to download the audio version of “Introduction Part 2: Holistic Ministry Practice”
Hello ILF Team,
This is Anthony and I hope that you are all safe during this season of corona virus. I know this is a challenging time, but we are thinking about you and praying for God’s protection over you and your families daily.
Today we will be discussing the first Holistic Ministry Practice: Holistic Ministry relies on the power of God’s Spirit for fruitful outreach and modeling ministry after Christ’s example.
So what does the Bible say about Jesus and His ministry? What does the Bible say about God’s Holy Spirit? When we look to scripture, we see that Jesus walked as God, but also as a man. He walked in perfect relationship with God the Father, showing the love of God to all He met.
In Matthew, chapter 22:36-40, Jesus is asked by an expert of the religious law “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hold on to these two commandments.”
The life and ministry of Jesus was the perfect example of loving God the Father and loving others. A few weeks ago, we discussed how Holistic Leadership shares God’s self-sacrificial love for those who are lost, lonely, vulnerable and broken. We looked at how Jesus led by showing love, respect and compassion for everyone he came in contact with, regardless of their social status. Holistic Ministry is no different. As followers of Jesus Christ in Sierra Leone or in America, we are all called to show that same respect, love and compassion toward everyone in all areas of life. This love is to be shown to those in need, in our community, at home and when working and ministering in areas where the people may not know Jesus. Holistic Ministry is loving the whole person the way Christ did, so that He will be glorified. To be effective in our outreach and ministry, we can’t do this on our own. We need to rely on the power of the Holy Spirit.
In the book of John, Jesus takes a moment to remind his disciples that they will not be alone when he is gone. He tells them that He will send someone to help them: The Holy Spirit.
John 14:15-17 “If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever – the Spirt of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.”
Then in verses 26 and 27, Jesus goes on to say “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
Then if we look to the Book of Acts, Acts 1:8, Jesus says “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Now why did Jesus promise the Holy Spirit to those who followed Him? You see Jesus knew that his disciples would need the power of the Holy Spirit in them, that is God’s Spirit, if they were to be faithful, steadfast and effective in their walk with God and in their ministry. When the Holy Spirit is living in us and we allow His power to work through us:
- He is our ‘advocate’ (some translations say He is a ‘comforter’ or ‘helper’)
- He reveals truth (scripture refers to the Holy Spirit as the Spirt of Truth)
- He is there to teach us
- He is there to remind us of things we’ve been taught
- He grows the following attributes in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Fruits of the Spirit = Galatians 5:22-23)
- He is there to give us the same power that He gave that gave to the disciples, to go out and be effective witnesses for the gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the world.
So again, today’s Holistic Ministry principle is: Holistic Ministry relies on the power of God’s Spirit for fruitful outreach and modeling ministry after Christ’s example.
In a few words, share how the Holy Spirit is working in you. Explain how He is helping you, as you are sharing Jesus and the love of Jesus, by ministering to the needs of others.
