People in Ministry (7)
Then everyone came whose heart was stirred, and everyone whose spirit was willing, and they brought the LORD’s offering for the work of the tabernacle of meeting, for all its service, and for the holy garments. Exodus 35.21
Hearts stirred for ministry
We have been considering what it takes to stir the hearts of God’s people so that they will respond readily, generously, and energetically to the work of building the Lord’s house. Local churches grow in unity and maturity, becoming increasingly the Body of Christ in their community, as church members do good works of ministry in their own callings and mission fields. Those works of ministry will differ, but as God’s people pursue them day by day, they produce the kind of real church growth that every congregation needs (Eph. 4.11-16).
In Moses’ case, when God stirred the hearts of His people and such an abundant offering of resources and talents was made available for the work of the tabernacle, we identified five critical variables that seem to have played a role in stirring the hearts of the people of Israel to the work of ministry.
First, the people were reminded of God’s promises and love, so that they developed a deeply personal sense of the mercy of the Lord. Second, Moses helped to nurture in them a true and continuing awareness of and desire for the Presence of the Lord in their midst. He also gave the people, and those who led them, a clear and compelling vision of the work to be done. As the LORD led, Moses identified skilled and exemplary leaders to guide them in the work. And, finally, the work they had been assigned provided a wide range of opportunities for the specific talents and resources of God’s people to contribute to the work.
Seeking contemporary applications from this account, we have considered how such variables might apply to motivating God’s people for the work of ministry in our churches.
Lord of the heart
As important as these variables are, however, the most important factor in moving people to take up the work of ministry is when God, the Lord of the heart, moves upon His people in profound and irresistible ways. Unless God stirs the hearts of His people, they will not be stirred for the work. Unless God moves them to want to serve Him with their gifts and abilities, they will not engage the task.
Nothing we can do in seeking to move the people of God to take up the work of ministry is more important than pleading with God, the Lord of the heart, to do in His people what He alone is able to do. God’s people must be taught, led, given a vision, and provided with opportunities for equipping and service. But only if God moves the hearts of His people will they embrace their individual callings and daily seek the Lord for guidance and power in serving Him.
So, for this to happen, we must not neglect to pray.
How can we pray and seek the Lord to move the hearts of His people so that they will gladly and effectively engage the work of ministry? The Scriptures suggest five specific foci for our prayers that must direct us in seeking the Lord on behalf of His people.
Pleading with God
First, we must call upon the Lord to search the hearts of His people (Ps. 139.23, 24), so that He might discover to us anything in our heart that is keeping us from loving Him and serving Him as we ought. Only God’s Spirit is able to convict people of sin, point us to what we should be doing, and warn us of God’s displeasure if we persist in disobedience (Jn. 16.8-11). As we, church members and leaders alike, seek the Lord on behalf of ourselves and our church, let us daily plead with Him to search our hearts in ways that will convince us of His mercy and steadfast love and move us to love Him more.
Second, we must pray that God will cleanse the hearts of His people wherever there is anything in our heart—any desire or priority or sin—that is preventing us from being available to Him (Ps. 50.10). It is one thing for God’s people to learn that our heart is not right before the Lord; it is quite another for us to be willing and eager for Him to cleanse our heart and restore us in His work. Our prayers to the Lord for one another can be important to this end.
Third, pray that God will open the eyes of our hearts to the vision of greatness, power, and glory that He intends for us through Jesus Christ (Eph. 1.15-23). We have such a great salvation (Heb. 2.3)! If God shows us the vision of what He can do with us, our hearts will be stirred, indeed.
Fourth, pray for God to renew the hearts of His people, that we will desire the things God has in store for us (Ezek. 36.26, 27). Pray that the Holy Spirit, Who dwells within all who believe, will delight our hearts in doing that which delights our heavenly Father (Phil. 2.13).
And, finally, pray for the Lord of the harvest to move the hearts of His people into action for the work of ministry (Matt. 9.37). The power of the Holy Spirit can embolden and move us to serve in God’s work according to our individual callings. If we will pray, we may have confidence that, in His time, God will move, stirring the hearts of His people to take up the work He has appointed to them.
And then we will know the joy of His Presence among us, building His Church and advancing His Kingdom, just as He has promised.
For reflection
1. Why is it so important that the hearts of God’s people be stirred?
2. How will you know when your heart is being stirred for the work of ministry?
3. Whom can you enlist today to join you in praying for the hearts of the people in your church?
Next steps—Preparation: Pray for yourself, your fellow church members, and the leaders of your church that God might truly stir your hearts to make you a people in ministry.
T. M. Moore
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment to give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).
This week: Our Read Moore podcast continues an extensive look at the Kingdom of God in our book, The Kingdom Turn. In our Crosfigell teaching letter, we are looking at the state of pastors and churches during the period of the Celtic Revival, using contemporary witnesses. And in our Scriptorium column we are studying the sermon on the mount. Click here to see all the other columns and writers available to you.
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Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter.
