In the same way, men may build what appears to be a thriving ministry with money, gimmicks, entertainment, comedy, personality, legalism, aesthetics, social engagement, etc. However, those who are faithful will build with the persistent preaching of Christ crucified, sound doctrine, prayer, the sacraments, church discipline, a loving and holy Christian community, and biblical worship and evangelism. A truly biblical ministry will often grow at a much slower rate, but it will last into all of eternity. It’s easy for those laboring faithfully to become discouraged when they look over at other churches and see how much more quickly they seem to have grown. It is much more difficult for them to remember that everything is merely scaffolding; and, one day God will reveal what sort of materials were used in the building. The fruit of a faithful ministry will last into eternity, the seeming fruit of an unfaithful ministry will disintegrate in due time.
A friend of mine recently reminded me that one of the greatest encouragements for faithful ministers of the Gospel is the truth that we will forever be in glory with those to whom we faithfully ministered God’s word and the Gospel. He said, “I like to think that there will be a reunion of all those people who were fed under a faithful ministry in glory—everyone rejoicing in what God did by sending faithful ministers to plant and water the seed of His word.” This, it seems to me, was the great hope and anticipation of the Apostle, who wrote to the members of the church in Thessalonica and said, “What is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?” (1 Thessalonians 2:19).
This article originally appeared here.
