How to Minister to People (1)

‘Four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat.’
Mark 2:3

It took four people to get this man to Jesus, and fortunately they weren’t the kind who gave up easily. They refused to let the crowd stand in their way. They even ‘raised the roof’ to get him to Jesus. So if you want to minister to people: 1) You must be aware of their need. They may look like they’ve ‘got it all together’, yet inwardly be lying on a stretcher. When they’re alone they cry out, ‘God, unless you help me I’m finished.’ They’re hurting, desperate, and powerless, and they know it. 2) You mustn’t let them down. Committing to bring somebody to Jesus means picking them up, refusing to let them down, and carrying them the whole way. It means comforting, encouraging, and holding them securely until He touches them. 3) You must allow Jesus to do it His way. Often hurting people don’t know what they need - but Jesus does. So once you get them there, back off and let Him work. When we’ve been in church a while we tend to look for outward signs of change. But Jesus recognised that this man’s first need was for forgiveness: ‘My child, your sins are forgiven’ (v. 5 NLT). After that He addressed the man’s second need: ‘Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!’ (v. 11 NLT). Don’t dismiss God’s tendency to work in ways that don’t make sense to you. He knows what He’s doing, and He never does anything by half-measures. Once He starts working on somebody, He’ll ‘keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish’ (Philippians 1:6 MSG).

Neh 1-3, Rom 7


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That's very right. Very few men of God these days know what it means to pastor. Some pastor just the pockets of the flock,not looking into their lives and needs

I remember one of our priests then.He had no car at the time, but he always visited almost every member of the church, prayed and discussed with them.People greatly loved him.And when it was time for transfer, they came out with one voice and said "NO!" He was the only true pastor we have had in decades.As he visited, Children flocked round him,he took time to hear different complaints from parents and then he'd sit the erring kids down and put sense into their heads. The local hospital never lacked his presence, because he'd always go there to visit and pray for sick members and non members. He was a real man of God.And power of God always followed his words and prayers.He really knew how to minister to people.

wow.You must be blessed to have such a rare man of God.Pastors today do not know or have refused to acknowledge the fact that you can't pastor from the pulpit only,you can't pastor from a distance

It was once I experienced something like that, in our village Church then.
It is true what you said.Pastors today more interested in the tithes and offerings, than they are in getting close to the flock they are supposed to shepherd

If you see what people pass through here,some pastors posted in some rural areas count it a punishment, they hate to pass through what their members are going through. They prefer big churches in big cities where money flows.

That's a real and happening fact.It's hard to find men who truly know how to minister to people, very scarce. We have more of businessmen pastors these days

True.. business pastors, well said!

Pastors who have fleet of cars,and private jets