Where Should We Start?
We may be motivated with a desire to help others, but how can we best do that? What should we look to as our model for ministry? I believe it can be found in Jesus’ words in John 14:12 (NKJV):
“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also…”
In fact, that is just a starting point for us. The promise of Jesus is that we will start there, and then we will go on to experience even “greater works.” Let’s look at the ministry of Jesus as a place to start.
Jesus’ Helpmate
Doesn’t that make sense? If we are destined to be the bride of Christ, shouldn’t we begin to act as the “helpmate” that our Lord needs by His side, joining with Him in His work? It would be a tragedy for us to squander the time we have here and come to the end of our journeys only to be told by the Lord that we are strangers to Him. Unfortunately, that will be the reality for some.
“…the bridegroom came, and those who were prepared went in with him to the marriage feast; and the door was shut. Later the other virgins also came and said, Lord, Lord, open [the door] to us! But He replied, I solemnly declare to you, I do not know you [I am not acquainted with you].”—Matthew 25:10–12 (AMP)
What Does It Look Like to Do the Works of Jesus?
Let’s look at an overview of the three stages of growth in the Christian life. This will give us an overall picture of the goals of each of the three stages. Then we will have a clearer picture of the ultimate goals of mature Christian ministry.
Faith - Hope - Love
3 Stages of the Christian Life
Salvation and Survival - Receiving God’s Blessing and Power - Meeting the Needs of Others
“The greatest of these is love.”—1 Cor. 13:13
The first stage is characterized primarily by faith. We are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8). When we first become born again, we are spiritually very much like physical newborns. We are vulnerable and very needy, but we have no idea what we need or how to get our spiritual needs met. Peter addresses this when he says, “as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby”—1 Peter 2:2 (NKJV). We are dependent on God and mature Christian leaders to help protect us, nourish us and guide our growth.
The second stage of maturity is characterized by hope. We don’t leave faith behind. We build on faith and grow in hope, learning to believe God’s promises and gaining courage as we are being prepared to fulfill our future destiny.
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”—Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV)
The final stage of maturity is characterized by love. The first two stages of growth involve getting, getting, and more getting on the part of the believer. Getting our needs met. Getting blessings. Getting power. Getting training. Getting correction. The third stage turns the focus completely around. It is all about giving—giving to meet the needs of others. Getting doesn’t stop, but that is overshadowed now by the higher focus of giving. The third stage is much like being a parent. In fact, that is how John describes this third stage of maturity. When he speaks to believers at this stage of maturity, he addresses them as fathers.
“I am writing to you, fathers, because you have come to know (recognize, be aware of, and understand) Him Who [has existed] from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have been victorious over the wicked [one]. I write to you, boys (lads), because you have come to know (recognize and be aware) of the Father.”—1 John 2:12–14 (AMP)
Of course, there is neither male nor female in Christ (Galatians 3:28), so the masculine terms that John uses here speak of a spiritual truth, rather than a physical truth. Spiritual young men and spiritual fathers can be males or females physically.
Faith - Hope - Love
3 Stages of the Christian Life 1 John 2:12–14
**Little Boys - Young Men - Fathers (**1 Cor. 4:15; Malachi 4:6)
“The greatest of these is love.”—1 Cor. 13:13
As John indicates, the little boys have just become aware of God. They have just begun to recognize Him. They have received salvation by grace through faith and have just begun their spiritual lives.
Young men have grown beyond the childhood stage. They are growing stronger, becoming mighty in spirit (Ephesians 3:16). They are learning much as they submit to spiritual authorities and teachers (Galatians 4:1–2). They are experiencing some success in overcoming sin and evil (Luke 10:17).
But God’s goal for each of us is to become a mature spiritual father. (Remember, there is neither male nor female in Christ.) Fathers are no longer focused primarily on their own needs, their own interests, and their own agendas. They find their purpose and fulfillment in meeting the needs of others. Job was such a man. God praised Job very highly, saying that there was no one like him in the whole world. And how did Job describe himself?
I was a father to the poor and needy; the cause of him I did not know I searched out.—Job 29:16 (AMP)
These three stages of maturity are identifiable in Abraham’s life as he grew from a life characterized by faith, to one of hope, waiting on the fulfillment of God’s promise, to the life of a father, characterized by love and giving.
Faith - Hope - Love
3 Stages in Abraham’s Life
Believing God’s Promise - Seeking Fulfillment of the Promise - Giving the Promised Son Back to God
“The greatest of these is love.”—1 Cor. 13:13
But the greatest example of these three stages of growth can be seen in the life of Jesus, our ultimate model. He was born to be our Messiah, the Savior of all mankind. Simeon and Anna recognized this when Jesus was just a baby in the temple (Luke 2:21–38). It took Jesus thirty years of preparation to grow to maturity until He was finally ready to fulfill this calling on His life. During that time, He submitted Himself to His parents (Luke 2:51), learned obedience (Hebrews 5:8), and grew stronger (Luke 2:40). In the fullness of His maturity, He dedicated His life to serving others, meeting their needs, and giving His life so that others might find Life.
Faith - Hope - Love
3 Stages in Jesus’ Life
Born with incredible promises to fulfill - He grew strong in spirit, increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man. (Luke 2:40, 52)** - “…the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” **(Mark 10:45)
“The greatest of these is love.”—1 Cor. 13:13
Very simply, that is what it means to “do the works of Jesus”—living a life focused on serving others, meeting their needs, and giving our lives so that they might find Life, “and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10 KJV). God’s goal in the life of every Believer is to bring us to that level of maturity. You are ready to hear this call to maturity, even if you may not feel that you are.
God is compelling you—drawing you—up to this level of maturity.
“Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.”—Philippians 2:4 (NKJV)
“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”—Galatians 6:2 (NKJV)
Are you willing?
