Lessons from The Prophets to our Generation of Ministers

I have some sobering thoughts for our current generation of workers both here in the USA and those serving around the world. Why do we do what we do? What is our motivation in being one who proclaims the gospel to the nations? Do we get it? I mean, do we really get what we are called to do in our days hear on earth. Yesterday, I began to walk through 1 Peter with our Life Group and was really struck by the prophets of the Old Testament. They got it and there are some things we should embrace about them. They did not Twitter and have Facebook where they spent a lot of time sharing with the world what they were doing. (Do we really need to know what some people are doing 6x a day? I know that I am not that interesting.)

They did not spend their days communicating about themselves, but communicating about the greatness of God. Here is how Peter shared about the prophets: "Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to your through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look. 1 Peter 1:10-12

They never saw Jesus, heard Him preach or saw Him perform a miracle and yet they lived to proclaim the message. Peter says that they did not do what they did to serve themselves, but those who came after them. They loved the kingdom so much that they did not do what they did to advance themselves, but it was done to for the good of the future generations yet to come.

So, who do you serve? You, your advancement, your next bigger position, a book deal, a conference to speak at, etc. etc.

They served not themselves, but for those who came after them. Whether it brought them fame or success in their lifetime, they looked much further into the future and saw all who were yet to believe.

Do we love our church, cities, people groups enough to proclaim Christ for their benefit of others while we lay aside any desire for personal gain? Maybe this is what is missing in the effectiveness of our ministries.