Recent Revelation [notes from class with Dean Sherman]

One day we will all be free from this stuff. Cancer, sickness, abuse, poverty, hunger, longing to be satisfied... it will all be gone! Jesus will come for us and all that has been will end and there will be a brand new beginning. Our sins, our shame, the constant battle against temptation, all of it will cease forever. That is great news. Amazing news. The best news ever! 

That must be why God is so set on us going out and preaching the good news! ahhh I love this. 

Here are some notes from what we are learning this week in class with Dean Sherman. I have been ridiculously encouraged by this stuff I thought perhaps someone else could benefit too.

WHAT IS MINISTRY? 

-a choice to serve from a motivation of love

-a flow of the Holy Spirit through you, released by faith and obedience to meet the needs of people

MINISTRY IS NOT PRIMARILY A PROFESSION AND NOT PRIMARILY A POSITION.

Simply being a YWAM leader or a church leader does not mean someone is doing ministry. 

There are lots of things happening in the Christian world that are not done through a motivation of love. I'm completely guilty of doing that myself. There are also lots of "ministries" around that are not meeting any needs, I am guilty of that too. I'm excited to change that. There are lots of people meeting needs around the world, but that doesn't make it ministry. There needs to be a God factor.

"It is not ministry if the Holy Spirit is not present, it is Christian education at best."

"Information alone brings death, the Spirit brings life."

We are part of the body of Christ and we have each been given a gift to glorify God. We need each other in the body, or we won't survive. The "gifts" we have are not actually gifts at all until they are shared with someone. I may have the "gift of dance" but until I'm using dance to help someone else dance is simply one of my possessions.

Until a gift is given, it is only a possession. We all have gifts. Stop trying to be someone else!! 

We resent serving unless we do it with the strength God provides. We should not be serving for any motive other than the love and strength of God. 

Isaiah 40:

³⁰ Even youths grow tired and weary, 
   and young men stumble and fall; 
³¹ but those who hope in the LORD 
   will renew their strength. 
They will soar on wings like eagles; 
   they will run and not grow weary, 
   they will walk and not be faint.