October 17, 2010--Personal Ministry

ANNOUNCEMENT: MEN'S NIGHT OUT--THIS TUESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2010 AT THE HOME OF BO MILES. BO HAS SOME VENISON AND DEER SAUSAGE THAT HE IS DONATING TO THE CAUSE. IT WILL BE A GREAT EVENING OF FUN AND FELLOWSHIP. BO WILL BE SENDING AN E-MAIL WITH HIS ADDRESS. I HOPE ALL OF YOU GUYS WILL MAKE AN EFFORT TO JOIN US. I FEEL SURE YOU WILL FIND IT TO BE AN ENJOYABLE TIME TOGETHER.

PERSONAL MINISTRY
Andy Stanley talked about another factor that he has identified as a contributor to the growth of "Big Faith" in our lesson today. That factor was called "Personal Ministry." Andy based today's discussion on the narrative in Matthew 14: 13-22. You will recall this story as one of the times in which Jesus miraculously provided for the feeding of more than 5,000 people on a desolate hillside. As you read the scripture, you will see that the disciples asked Jesus about sending the people away so that they could go into the nearby villages to buy food. Jesus responded with a directive for the disciples to feed the people. As Andy stated, He said, "You feed'em." Reading the scripture futher, we find that the disciples responded the same way you and I often respond when God gives us a job. They started listing the reasons why they could not feed these people. They were in the middle of nowhere. They did not have the resources. They were incapable of feeding so many people. Yet, they, like us, overlooked an important component of the equation. They overlooked the supernatural power of God. Despite the limited resources, the crowd was fed and left-overs were picked up after the meal. How did this happen? The disciples did what they knew how to do--distribute the food baskets--and God multiplied the food to provide more than enough.

This is the lesson for each of us. When God asks us to do something, we should do whatever it is that we know how to do and depend on God to take care of our insecurities, lack of knowledge, and other limitations. When God is involved, our limitations will not matter. He will take care of any shortcomings on our part.

God builds our faith through challenging opportunities for personal ministry--allowing us to serve others even though we may feel unprepared and inadequate. The key in personal ministry is simply to do what we know how to do, and trust God to do what only He can do. While personal ministry may mean teaching a Sunday School Class or coaching an Upward Bound Football Team or some other church ministry, it may also refer to a one-on-one witness with a non-believer or could refer to a charitable act in a hostile environment. God can call us to action in any of these situations. Remember, personal ministry is a grower of faith.

NEXT WEEK'S LESSON: PIVOTAL CIRCUMSTANCES