Our name | Mission | Vision | Leaders Ministries | Schedule | Directions | Contact Home   Gateway Church gathers for worship Sundays at 10:30 a.m. Location: 6425 Jefferson Rd. (Hwy. 129) in Athens, Georgia. For directions, click here. Ministry of the Word: Recent sermons Our quarterly e-magazine Gateway Today For the Gateway family Pastor Jerry's Weekly E-Mail A GATEWAY SERMON SUMMARY AUDIO The shaping of Christian ministry Jerry Varnado, pastor Gateway Church, Athens GA February 9, 2003 Main Scripture text: Mark 1:29-39. The Greek word translated "ministry" in our English Bibles is diakonia. Diakonia is what the church is supposed to be about. It is what the church is supposed to be doing. Diakonia literally means "service," especially the service of those who execute the commands of others. We are appointed by God Himself to represent Christ and act on His instructions. In following these instructions we also serve others, because we help to meet people's greatest need by telling them the Good News of reconciliation in Jesus Christ. Jesus instructs us in two ways: 1) Through verbal instruction or command; and 2) by His example. In Matthew 28:18-20, we have specific instructions from Jesus to preach the gospel, to baptize, and to teach what He taught. In Matthew 25:34-40, Jesus also tells us that we are 1) to feed the hungry; 2) be hospitable to strangers; 3) clothe the naked; 4) take care of the sick and 5) visit those in prison. Through Jesus' example, He meant to shape future Christian ministry -- to show us what ministry looks like. Jesus' example also makes plan that Christian ministry is intended to have a supernatural dimension, and that prayer is the means of receiving God's power into our lives. Supporting texts: Mark 10:45 | John 8:29 | 2 Corinthians 5:18-20 | Matthew 28:18-20 | Matthew 25:34-40 | John 3:12-15 | John 14:12 | 1 Peter 2:21 | Leviticus 26:16 | Deuteronomy 28:22 | Mark 9:29 | John 15:5-8 A mp3 audio file of this sermon is here. (Download to a PC by right clicking on the link and choosing "Save Target As." Mac users: click, hold, and choose "Download Link to Disk." Depending on your connection speed, the file may take several minutes to download.) An audio tape of this sermon is available free of charge (U.S. requests only). Request a tape by calling or writing the Gateway Church office. Please specify tape number 030209a: The Shaping of Christian Ministry. © 2003 Gerald R. Varnado To the Gateway Church home page How to contact us