Balancing Human Examples with Christ-Centered Focus in Ministry
Balancing Human Examples with Christ-Centered Focus in Ministry
Ministry involves a delicate balance between following human examples and maintaining a Christ-centered focus. The Bible emphasizes the importance of Christ as the ultimate example for ministers and believers alike. Christ is described as the Mediator between God and humanity, fulfilling the roles of prophet, priest, and king [3, 5].
The apostle Paul underscores the centrality of Christ in ministry, describing himself and other ministers as "ministers of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God" (1 Corinthians 4:1) [2, 4]. This Christ-centered focus is essential for maintaining the integrity and effectiveness of ministry. According to Matthew Henry, Paul's thanksgiving for his call to ministry highlights the honor and favor bestowed upon him by Christ, emphasizing that his gifts and abilities were not of himself but were owing to the free grace of God and favor of Christ [14, 10].
While human examples can be valuable in ministry, they must not overshadow the preeminence of Christ. Ministers are called to be examples to their flock, demonstrating sincerity, diligence, and a commitment to serving God and others [1, 6]. However, the ultimate goal of ministry is to point to Christ, not to human leaders. As John Gill notes, Paul's role as a minister of Jesus Christ was to preach Christ and him crucified, making Christ the grand subject of his ministrations [12].
The danger of over-valuing human ministers is a concern addressed by the apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 3:21, where he cautions against glorying in men. Matthew Henry interprets this as a warning against forgetting that ministers are mere men and against paying them undue deference [13]. The foundation of ministry, Paul emphasizes, is Jesus Christ, and all faithful ministers build upon this foundation [15].
In maintaining a Christ-centered focus, ministers must be mindful of their role as ambassadors for Christ, entrusted with the gospel and tasked with reconciling people to God through Christ [7, 9]. The goal of ministry, as noted in Ephesians 4:13, is to bring the Christian community to maturity in Christ, with the standard of maturity being Christ himself [8].
The historical development of this doctrine is evident in the early Christian church, where the apostles and other ministers were called and qualified by God for their roles. The Nonconformist/Puritan tradition, represented by Matthew Henry, emphasizes the importance of Christ's work in calling and qualifying ministers, as well as the centrality of Christ in the doctrine of Christianity [10, 11, 15].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Sincerity — Christ was an example of -- 1Pe 2:22. Ministers should be examples of -- Tit 2:7. Opposed to fleshly wisdom -- 2Co 1:12. Should characterise Our love to God. -- 2Co 8:8,24. Our love to Christ. -- Eph 6:24. Our service to God. -- Jos 24:14; Joh 4:23,24. Our faith. -- 1Ti 1:5. Our love to one another. -- Ro 12:9; 1Pe 1:22; 1Jo 3:18. Our whole conduct. -- 2Co 1:12. The preaching of the gospel. -- 2Co 2:17; 1Th 2:3-5. A characteristic of the doctrines of the gospel -- 1Pe 2:2. The gospel sometimes preached without -- Php 1:16. The wicked devoid of -- Ps 5:9; ”
- I Corinthians “I Corinthians 4:1 (LITV) — Let a man think of us as ministers of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Christ, the Mediator — In virtue of his atonement -- Eph 2:13-18; Heb 9:15; 12:24. The only one between God and man -- 1Ti 2:5. Of the gospel covenant -- Heb 8:6; 12:24. Typified Moses. -- De 5:5; Ga 3:19. Aaron. -- Nu 16:48.”
- King James Version “[KJV] 1 Corinthians 4:1 — Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Kingly office of Christ — One of the three special relations in which Christ stands to his people. Christ's office as mediator comprehends three different functions, viz., those of a prophet, priest, and king. These are not three distinct offices, but three functions of the one office of mediator. Christ is King and sovereign Head over his Church and over all things to his Church (Eph. 1:22; 4:15; Col. 1:18; 2:19). He executes this mediatorial kingship in his Church, and over his Church, and over all things in behalf of his Church. This royalty differs from that whic”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Diligence — Christ, an example -- Mr 1:35; Lu 2:49. Required by God in Seeking him. -- 1Ch 22:19; Heb 11:6. Obeying him. -- De 6:17; 11:13. Hearkening to him. -- Isa 55:2. Striving after perfection. -- Php 3:13,14. Cultivating Christian graces. -- 2Pe 1:5. Keeping the souls. -- De 4:9. Keeping the heart. -- Pr 4:23. Labours of love. -- Heb 6:10-12. Following every good work. -- 1Ti 5:10. Guarding against defilement. -- Heb 12:15. Seeking to be found spotless. -- 2Pe 3:14. Making our call, &c, sure. -- 2Pe 1:10. Self-examination. -- Ps 77:6. Lawful business. -- Pr 27:”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Ministers — Called by God -- Ex 28:1; Heb 5:4. Qualified by God -- Isa 6:5-7; 2Co 3:5,6. Commissioned by Christ -- Mt 28:19. Sent by the Holy Spirit -- Ac 13:2,4. Have authority from God -- 2Co 10:8; 13:10. Authority of, is for edification -- 2Co 10:8; 13:10. Separated to the gospel -- Ro 1:1. Entrusted with the gospel -- 1Th 2:4. Described as Ambassadors for Christ. -- 2Co 5:20. Ministers of Christ. -- 1Co 4:1. Stewards of the mysteries of God. -- 1Co 4:1. Defenders of the faith. -- Php 1:7. The servants of Christ's people. -- 2Co 4:5. Specially protected by God -- ”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 4:13: 4:13 The goal of ministry is for the whole Christian community to understand and experience the Christian faith more deeply and gain a deeper knowledge of God’s Son. In this way, believers will be mature in the Lord (see 1 Cor 2:6; 14:20; Phil 3:15; Col 1:28; 4:12; cp. Heb 5:14; Jas 1:4; 3:2). The standard of maturity is Christ himself; the Spirit’s transforming work is to make people fully like Christ (Rom 8:29).”
- 2 Corinthians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 2 Corinthians 5:19: That God was in Christ - This is the doctrine which this ministry of reconciliation holds out, and the doctrine which it uses to bring about the reconciliation itself. God was in Christ: 1. Christ is the same as Messiah, the Anointed One, who was to be prophet, priest, and king, to the human race; not to the Jews only, but also to the Gentiles. There had been prophets, priests, and kings, among the Jews and their ancestors; and some who had been priest and prophet, king and priest, and king and prophet; but none have ever sustained in his own person the three”
- 1 Timothy (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 Timothy 1:12: Here the apostle, I. Returns thanks to Jesus Christ for putting him into the ministry. Observe, 1. It is Christ's work to put men into the ministry, Act 26:16, Act 26:17. God condemned the false prophets among the Jews in these words, I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied, Jer 23:21. Ministers, properly speaking, cannot make themselves ministers; for it is Christ's work, as king and head, prophet and teacher, of his church. 2. Those whom he puts into the ministry he fits for it; whom he calls he qualifies. ”
- Hebrews (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Hebrews 8:1: Here is, I. A summary recital of what had been said before concerning the excellency of Christ's priesthood, showing what we have in Christ, where he now resides, and what sanctuary he is the minister of, Heb 8:1, Heb 8:2. Observe, 1. What we have in Christ; we have a high priest, and such a high priest as no other people ever had, no age of the world, or of the church, ever produced; all others were but types and shadows of this high priest. He is adequately fitted and absolutely sufficient to all the intents and purposes of a high priest, both with respect to th”
- Romans (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Romans 15:15: That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ,.... The office of apostleship is here amplified and enlarged on, and the ends shown for which that grace was given to him, that he should be a minister; not in holy things about the temple, as the priests and Levites were; or a teacher of the law, some were fond of; but a minister of Christ, one that was made so by him, was qualified and sent forth to minister in his name to men; and who was a preacher of him; Jesus Christ, and him crucified, was the grand subject of his ministrations; he adds, to the Gentiles; for to ”
- 1 Corinthians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 Corinthians 3:21: Here the apostle founds an exhortation against over-valuing their teachers on what he had just said, and on the consideration that they had an equal interest in all their ministers: Therefore let no man glory in men (Co1 3:21) - forget that their ministers are men, or pay that deference to them that is due only to God, set them at the head of parties, have them in immoderate esteem and admiration, and servilely and implicitly follow their directions and submit to their dictates, and especially in contradiction to God and the truths taught by his Holy Spirit”
- 1 Timothy (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Timothy 1:12: And I thank Jesus Christ our Lord, &c. l The subject matter of this thanksgiving being the apostle's call to the ministry of the word, and his furniture and fitness for it, shows, that while others were fond of being teachers, and called doctors of the law, he esteemed it an high honour and special favour bestowed upon him, that he was a preacher of the Gospel; and that all his gifts and abilities for it were not of himself, nor from men, but were owing to the free grace of God, and favour of Christ; wherefore he gloried not in them, as if he had not received them,”
- 1 Corinthians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 Corinthians 3:11: Here the apostle informs us what foundation he had laid at the bottom of all his labours among them - even Jesus Christ, the chief corner-stone, Eph 2:20. Upon this foundation all the faithful ministers of Christ build. Upon this rock all the Christians found their hopes. Those that build their hopes of heaven on any other foundation build upon the sand. Other foundation can no man lay besides what is laid - even Jesus Christ. Note, The doctrine of our Saviour and his mediation is the principal doctrine of Christianity. It lies at the bottom, and is the fou”