This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, September 2, 2007, and was taken from Mark 9:14-37.
What do you do when there is no power? Start by acknowledging that there is no power in programs. When we walk in obedience to God, he will supply the power. In the passage before us we have a pattern for ministry. In Mark 9, notice the contrast between the glory on the mountain with the confusion and turmoil of the crowds. We don’t live on the mountain top, we live down were the hurting crowds are. Here is where our ministry is.
Three things mark a divinely-powered ministry
- A powerful ministry demands a robust, confident faith (vs. 17-29).
- A powerful ministry demands a clear focus on the ultimate issue: Jesus’ crucifixion (vs. 30-32). We do not allow ourselves to be sidetracked by what is good, at the expense of our essential task of delivering the message of the gospel.
- A powerful ministry requires of us a genuine humility (vs. 33-37).
The question must be asked of every Christian ministry, and every Christian: Where are you?