Show Your Appreciation for Unseen Treasures - HEAVENLY SUPPORT IN OUR MINISTRY

 

We have the unseen treasure of "working together" with Jehovah and the heavenly part of his organization.  (2 Corinthians 6:1) We do so whenever we share in the disciple-making work.  Paul said of himself and those who share in this work: "We are God's fellow workers." ( 1 Corinthians 3:9)  When we participate in the Christian ministry, we are also Jesus' fellow workers.  Recall that after commanding his followers to "make disciples of people of all the nations,"  Jesus said: "I am with you." (Matthew 28:19, 20)  And what about the angels? What a blessing it is to be directed by angels as we declare "everlasting good news . . . to those who dwell on the earth"? - REVELATION 14:6.  

With such heavenly support, what is being accomplished?  As we sow the Kingdom message, some seeds fall on receptive hearts and grow.  (Matthew 13:18, 23)  Who causes those seeds of truth to grow and become fruitful?  Jesus explains that no man can become  his follower unless "the Father . . . draws him." (John 6:44)  The Bible gives specific examples of this. Recall the occasion when Paul witnessed to a group of women outside the city of Philippi. Note what the Bible says about one of them, a woman named Lydia:  "Jehovah opened her heart wide to pay attention to the things Paul was saying." (Acts 16:13-15)  Like Lydia, millions of other have been drawn by Jehovah.

Who really is responsible for any success we have in the ministry? Paul answers that question when he wrote these words about the Corinthian congregation: "I planted, Apollos watered, but God kept making it grow, so that neither is the one who plants anything nor is the one who waters, but God makes it grow." (1 Corinthians 6:&)  Like Paul, we should always give credit to Jehovah for any success enjoyed in the ministry.

Next time:  Show Your Appreciation for Unseen Treasures -Conclusion of HEAVENLY SUPPORT IN OUR MINISTRY

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