Three Principles For Effective Ministry (Mark 2:1-12)

1. Ministry is all about bringing people to Christ (vv. 1-5, 10-12): Four men did whatever it takes to bring the Leper to Jesus. They climb up a stranger's house, dig the roof, and lowered down the Leper in front of Jesus who healed both his physical and Spiritual being.

They saw opportunities amid challenges, they saw hope, not the crowds; they saw miracles, not the obstacles; they saw Jesus not the circumstances. They have all the excuses in the world not to bring the Leper to Jesus but they turn obstacles into opportunities and experienced miracles.

2. Ministry is all about TEAMWORK (vv.3-4): Each one holds on to their respective mat diligently. They play their role faithfully in carrying and in lifting the Leper; in digging the roof and in lowering him down to Jesus, amidst the inconveniences and embarrassment. Their focus, determination, and commitment towards the same goal make them achieved what they came for.

To be a successful team we need to understand, be convicted, and committed towards the vision, we need to faithfully play our roles and sacrifice our convenience to accomplish the vision. Not concern who gets the credits! (None of their names were mentioned and none of them care).

3. In ministry we cannot DICTATE the OUTCOME (v. 6-10): Our responsibility is to faithfully perform our respective tasks and it’s God’s responsibility to transform people! The questions we need to ask ourselves regularly is ‘are we faithful?’, ‘Did we give our best?’, ‘Is it acceptable to God?’, etc.

Yet, even after being faithful and giving our best, there will always be two groups of people, responding differently- Receptive hearts or Unreceptive hearts, Belief and Disbeliefs, Commend or Condemned, Positive and Negative responses, etc (Luke 8:1-5, 11-15). If people responded differently to Jesus, Peter, Paul, and other apostles, they will obviously be divided opinions and responses in our ministry as well. Nevertheless, let us continue to do our best in preaching the gospel and leave the results to God.

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up”(Galatians 6:9).