Every believer has been given a ministry. We are all arrows in the hand of God. But how can we do ministry in a way that is effective? God’s intention is that we accomplish the ministry that he has given us to do. Many draw back from the ministry because of the works of the devil. Despite the many persecutions and sufferings that Paul experienced, he continued to persevere in conducting effective ministry; he was still having an impact even while in jail. Saints, you can be effective in the ministry God has given you in whatever circumstance that you are in.

Despite the many persecutions and sufferings that Paul experienced, he continued to persevere in conducting effective ministry; he was still having an impact even while in jail.

One of the main themes of Second Corinthians involves the nature of effective New Testament ministry. Throughout the book of Corinthians, Paul shows how God has enabled him to be an effective minister of the new covenant in Christ. From this, we can have a description of New Testament ministry, and discover how to conduct effective ministry. 

Scriptural Assurance for Effective Ministry

While dealing with the subject of ministry, Paul gives an astounding truth concerning God’s stance with those who faithfully obey him in doing the work of the ministry.

2 Corinthians 2:14 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place

God Always Causes Us to Triumph

Paul gives God praise knowing that in the work of ministry, God always causes us to triumph in Christ. Always is a strong word. He is letting us know that those who continue to do and pursue the accomplishment of God’s work, that the Lord will always bring triumph. We know with assurance that no prison, law, persecution, accusation, angel, nor anything else can hinder the work of God. Jesus gave us the promise that He is building His church upon a rock, and the gates of hell will not prevail. 

God Always Manifest Through Us in Every Place

Secondly, God always manifests the fragrance of the knowledge of Christ in all places. We know that wherever we go in doing the work of God, the manifestation of Christ’s glory is taking place through us. The world sees Jesus through our ministry. We manifest the gifts and grace of Christ when we do his work.

We are a Sweet Fragrance of Christ.

2 Corinthians 2:15 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: 

One can not separate ministry from life. Ministry cannot be seen as a job separate from our own lives. Rather, our lives give off a smell. Those who are committed to the Lord and his work, the smell is a sweet fragrance of the knowledge of Christ.

Exodus 30:22-35 tells us about the making of the anointing oil and the incense that God commanded Moses to make. They both gave off perfume-like smell. The anointing on our lives is like a sweet fragrance ministering to the lives of others. It is interesting that Ecclesiastes 10:1 tells us that a little folly can cause perfume to stink. Those of us who do ministry must endeavor to walk in a character that is pleasing to God, presenting ourselves as living sacrifices to him, so that our life will continue to emit the sweet fragrance of the knowledge of Christ. Do not sully that great perfume of God’s anointing by wrecking your reputation with a foolish act of sin.

Ministry cannot be seen as a job separate from our own lives. Rather, our lives give off a smell. Those who are committed to the Lord and his work, the smell is a sweet fragrance of the knowledge of Christ.

2 Corinthians 2:16 To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?

At the end of the verse, Paul said: “who is sufficient for these things?”. This he said as he describes the fact that we are a sweet fragrance of Christ. The fragrance that we emit is like death for those who reject Christ. Those who reject Christ perceives the fragrance from our lives and ministry in a negative manner; it seems deadly because it exposes their sinfulness. John tells us that those who do evil hate the light. Even so, the sweet smell of the knowledge of Christ that flows from our life and ministry is hated by the world. 

However, those who believe Christ, the fragrance abounds with more life. Imagine this, our lives bring a fragrance of Christ to those who believe so that through our ministries, others are breathing in Christ-giving life.

Knowing that God causes us to triumph in ministry, and manifests Christ’s glory through us in all places, then how do we carry out ministry effectively through the Lord. We understand that for the faithful minister of the gospel, our lives are a fragrance of Christ. Ministry flows out of who we are; Christ must abound in us, and flow through us. Therefore, our relationship with Christ must be strong and growing.

Imagine this, our lives bring a fragrance of Christ to those who believe so that through our ministries, others are breathing in Christ-giving life.

Being Channels of God’s Comfort

2 Corinthians 1:3-6 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; 4Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. 5For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. 6And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.

For us to conduct ministry effectively every believer who does ministry must know how to receive the comfort of God in the time of their need. Then, be willing and ready to communicate that same comfort from God to others. In essence, effective ministry flows through people who are willing to be channels of God’s comfort.

Experiences God’s Comfort

The effective minister has faced circumstances, challenges, and struggles that he has overcome through the supply of God’s grace and comfort. Paul himself had experienced such things that he often came tot he point of death. 

In essence, effective ministry flows through people who are willing to be channels of God’s comfort.

In a boxing match, every successful boxer has a cornerman, a coach that stays to the corner of the ring to provide strategy and tend to the wounds and needs of the boxer. Like a boxer, to be effective in the ministry, we must be able to take the punches, and listen to God’s coaching words, allowing him to tend to our wounds, wipe our sweat, and pump us up to keep going. We must be willing to receive training and ministry from the Cornerman, God our coach, and through it win in the boxing ring of life.

To be effective in the ministry, we must be able to take the punches, and listen to God’s coaching words, allowing him to tend to our wounds, wipe our sweat, and pump us up to keep going. 

Relates God’s Comfort to Others

In experiencing winning battles through the coaching and the comfort that God gives, we are enabled to coach others with the same comfort God has given us. We minister effectively by sharing our testimonies, and through sharing God’s grace and comfort as he has shared with us. Share your understanding of the Word of God that you have learned in the trenches; tell others about the transforming power of God that you experienced in your time of struggle. Encourage and console others with your words as the Lord did for you.

Counts afflictions as a Means for Greater Ministry

To effectively complete your ministry, you must realize that every new circumstance that you will face is to enable you to minister even greater to others. You will experience more enemies, afflictions, persecutions, and attacks even after a previous time of victory in the ministry. Every affliction serves to advance the effectiveness of your ministry to others. Your affliction is for someone else.

Every affliction serves to advance the effectiveness of your ministry to others. Your affliction is for someone else.

To conduct ministry effectively, you first must know that God will give you the victory, and that he will manifest his glory through you in every arena where he sends you. Remember that ministry flows out of your life. The same way God comforts you in your afflictions, and challenges, with that same comfort, minister to others.