6/11/2023: Second Sunday after Pentecost

THE HOLY MINISTRY

“Ministry” simply means “service.” Throughout history, God has called individuals to serve God’s people by sharing God’s Word. Many today feel they do not need to be part of a church, do not need Christian preaching and teaching. “I can be a believer without any of that.” Well, if that is true, then why does Jesus’ bother to keep calling ministers to share his gospel: pastors, teachers, missionaries, etc.? Clearly, Jesus himself believes ministry is necessary. He knows what we need better than we do.

We call it “holy ministry” because the Holy Spirit does his work through his ministers. As ministers proclaim God’s Word, the Spirit unleashes his power. We also call it “holy ministry” because through gospel ministry our faith is sustained, which is what makes us holy in God’s eyes. Our worship for the next three weeks follows this path:

2nd Sunday after Pentecost: The Holy Ministry Is Filled with Sinners Called by God

3rd Sunday after Pentecost: The Holy Ministry Demonstrates Compassion for God’s People

4th Sunday after Pentecost: The Holy Ministry Preaches Christ Despite Persecution

THE HOLY MINISTRY IS FILLED WITH SINNERS CALLED BY GOD

They never forgot their past. Moses never forgot how, in a fit of anger, he killed a man. Paul never forgot how he had savaged the Church of God, overseeing the persecution and execution of Christians around Jerusalem. Matthew never forgot how, as a tax collector for the Roman Empire, he was disdained as a swindler and traitor to his people. These men never forgot their past.

But God did. God forgave them all their sins and called them into gospel ministry. The holy ministry is not filled with perfect people. The holy ministry is filled with sinners whom God has called out of his boundless mercy. The holy ministry is God’s gift to the Church. But it is also God’s gift to ministers, who certainly do not deserve the privilege of being God’s public servants. God calls sinful and weak individuals into the ministry, so that as his kingdom advances, we give credit where credit is due—to the Holy Spirit.

God bless your worship.

Vicar Micah Otto will preach on Matthew 9:9–13

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