Introduction
Over the years, I have found it interesting that every time I return to a book of the Bible to reread it, I see another vein of gold. Even when thoroughly studying a passage and publishing my findings, I uncovered yet another vein on the next visit. Today, it was Mark chapter 3. The vein of gold this morning I’ve titled Principles of Ministry Observed in the Life of Jesus.
Principle 1: Know and go to your target audience (1a)
In Jesus’ case, it was the house of Israel. In another place, he says, “But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matt 15:24).
First-century synagogues were more than just places of assembly. They were vibrant community centers catering to the spiritual and physical needs of the Jewish community. Their activities, including reading the Torah, teaching, and praying, were integral to the community’s life.
An individual would read a portion of the Torah and a complimentary prophetic passage called the haftarah that elucidated the Torah reading. Following the reading, he would give a brief meditation and devotion that made the connection between the two passages. Jesus did this in Luke 4:17-21 regarding Isaiah 61:1-2a.
Who is your target audience? It may be the incarcerated as it was for Chuck Colson. It may be a people group. It may be a subculture in your community. Whomever it is, you will need to put yourself among those folks.
Principle 2: Recognize providentially arranged opportunities (1b)
Frequently, we are reminded that Jesus was compassionate. Seeing a man with a withered hand, his compassionate heart desired to heal him. In addition, he recognized the arrangement of providence, providing an opportunity to challenge the religious leaders with His message.
As He did, we should watch our environment’s radar for providentially arranged opportunities. For a simple example, consider my Sunday School lesson yesterday. A prayer request during the fellowship time was presented for a family in another city where the daughter of an atheist mom was on the brink of suicide, and the atheist mom requested prayer for her. My lesson was based on I Samuel 7 and titled Samuel’s Model of Addiction Recovery as observed in Israel’s addiction to idols. The prayer request presented an opportunity to illustrate the futility of idols. The idol of atheism was proved to be like Dagon, the god of the Philistines, who could not even retain his upright position (I Samual 5).
Another example is a flight from Atlanta to Philadelphia some years ago. There was one empty seat beside me. A young woman with a baby in her arms boarded the plane at the last minute. After we were airborne, I offered a pleasant greeting, to which she remained stone-faced. Subsequently, I talked to the baby about enjoying its first flight. Mom warmed up and soon said she was running away from their problems. I listened. Then I told her I was a Biblical Counselor and asked if I could offer some advice. When we landed in Philadelphia, she agreed to call her husband and tell him she was at her mother’s. I gave her Dr. Lou Priolo’s number and recommended they seek Lou’s assistants.
Principle 3: Be direct in your approach
In verse three, Jesus is very direct in seizing the opportunity. He invites the man with the withered hand to arise and come forward, leaving no room for rumor and speculation (3). The previous account of the young woman is a good illustration of being direct.
Principle 4: Set the argument
Anticipating the opposition’s response, Jesus sets the argument. He, in effect, references Moses’s exception to the Sabbath and their own exception to strict Sabbath keeping. Preventing harm and death of humans or animals is and was allowed, even on High Holy Days. Even in Jesus’ day. That was a known and applied valid interpretation. See Deuteronomy 22:4.
Setting the argument puts the opposition on the defense. Too often, when ministering to someone, we let them set the argument and put ourselves on defense. For example, a person raises a question about a church service theme of Christianity and America. My friend responded, “Now, I am sure you would say that everyone should be nice to each other and treat each other with respect, so let me ask you, from whence do you derive a definition of nice and respect? By doing so, he set the argument by questioning the absolute standard by which you derive the meaning of these words and establish a mandate that they should be practiced. Ultimately, the answer must go back to God, or else it is subjective, and society is back to the Book of Judges—every man did what was right in his own eyes.
Jesus frequently sets the argument that dealing with the opposition. Sometimes, rather than answer their questions, He responds with a question to reframe the argument, putting them on the defense.
Principle 5: A righteous response to evil handled righteously (5a)
Jesus is angry at their unrighteous response. Their unrighteous response was not to acknowledge the truth (“they kept silent”), which jeopardized the congregation of whom they were leaders of not accepting the truth by their example. He grieves their opposition because it impedes his message and endangers them—a hard heart represents a mind made up.
Principle 6: Do your ministry despite opposition. (5b-6)
Jesus proceeds to heal the man. He ministers despite the opposition. This results in the opposition being threatened and further hardened (6).
Principle 7: Consistently minister to people (7-8)
Consistently ministry to people despite the opposition and do so with the authority of God, and you will develop a following that presents increasing opportunities.
Principle 8: Minister to the needy, and the needy will seek your ministry (9)
One question budding counselors have is where I will get enough people to do my fifty hours in the allotted time. My answer is this. You help the first needy person the Lord sends you, and they will be your source of a steady stream of those who need help. This has proven true on many occasions.
Principle 9: Gather a team to train and develop (12-14)
Never be satisfied with doing ministry. Gather a team around you to teach and train by doing. Though I hold five postgraduate degrees, the best learning component of my career was the counseling training program at CCEF. From day one, we observed a counselor. From day one, we sat in a two-hour supper seminar and listened to cases of the day reported, the process questioned and defended.
Principle 10: Once you recruit your team, study your team (16-19)
The occasion recorded here is very early in Jesus’ ministry. He had recruited His initial team. From his human perspective, He had observed and categorized several of them in terms of personality and character. So, we will observe and determine the strengths and weaknesses of our recruits. In today’s culture, the business world often seems to understand this principle better than the church. This is excusable since Jesus modeled it, and later, Paul explained that God distributes spiritual gifts for the work of ministry. This example of Jesus and this theology of Paul leaves us no excuse.
Principle 11: View opposition as opportunity 20-27
When the ministry begins to gain attention, there will be opposition. Often, it comes from those closest to you, even from family (20). Expect opposition from those threatened by your “success” (21-22). Expect gaslighting like that of the scribes who made an investigative trip to reign Him in (came down from Jerusalem). But Jesus takes it in stride and seizes the opportunity it presents.
He frames a logical argument using irrefutable common sense (23-27). President Lincoln borrowed his argument in part.1 These scribes accused Him of using the power of Beelzebul to cast out the demons. Jesus points out that such action would pit Satan against Satan and, as it were, says, what kind of logic is that?
Principle 12: Deal with religious error with exact theological reality (28-29)
Jesus gives us an example. Attributing the work of the Holy Spirit to the devil is the unpardonable sin. Why? This puts men in a mindset that opposes the very one who would convict them “of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment” (John 16:8). Hence, they sentence themselves into a corner where they cannot repent.
Principle 13: Keep a spiritual perspective on family.
When family resists the truth of the gospel that you proclaim and generates a following for your ministry, do not abandon them.2, but find family-like companionship with fellow believers (40-41)
Conclusion
In this one chapter, which lasted about forty-eight hours, we have observed thirteen principles that provide an excellent framework for living a life of ministry.
Implementation
The first step is to yield yourself to the will of God, even as Jesus did.
The second step is to engage full bore in the ministry Jesus gives you. 3
The third step is to purposefully employ these principles.
1 Abraham Lincoln gave his famous “House Divided” speech on June 16, 1858, at the Illinois Republican State Convention in Springfield, Illinois. The speech was delivered after Lincoln accepted the Republican Party’s nomination for US senator.
2 They later came to know Him as savior. At this juncture, they were struggling with two realties.
3 My son is a business owner who sees his business as his ministry. He lives with integrity. He speaks truth into people’s lives, sometimes at the cost of doing business with someone. However, I’ve observed that he has a following because he not only does excellent work but because people hear his message, and it inspires most of them to trust him. He also sees his employees as disciples in their trade and daily lives. So, whatever calling He gives you, you must be a disciplemaker and employ these principles.