Good Minister of Christ

One of the messages in the recent ITERO, Manila training impressed me deeply on my need to be a good minister of Christ. This message is based on what Paul wrote to Timothy. 

1 Timothy 4:6-8; 15,16

If you lay these things before the brothers, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, being nourished with the words of the faith and of the good teaching which you have closely followed. But the profane and old-womanish myths refuse, and exercise yourself unto godliness. For bodily exercise is profitable for a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the present life and of that which is to come. Faithful is the word and worthy of all acceptance. Practice these things; be in them, that your progress may be manifest to all. Take heed to yourself and to your teaching; continue in these things; for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.

Based on the message of the brother who ministered the word and also on truth points presented in the Bible and the outline of the message, I composed a hymn as my personal enjoyment of the message and also an encouragement to become a minister of Christ Jesus. This message was respoken and emphasized again during the serving ones training we had in New Delhi right after the live training which I was graced to attend in Manila. Therefore, I was all the more encouraged to learn and be perfected to be a good minister of Christ Jesus. The hymn is below. Perhaps, it may need more polishing.

Service: Good Minister of Christ
Composed on 6 October 2023
The message in the ITERO Oct 2023, Manila, Philippines, impressed me a lot on the need to live and serve according to God’s economy, on being “A Good Minister of Christ.”

Key: Bb Major
Time:3/4
Meter:12.8.12.8. with chorus.
Hymn Code:345465556576
Tune #1191 “From My Spirit Within”
 
1) Good minister of Christ is first nourished by Christ,
By eating God’s word as his food;
Goes and speaks faithful words to the saints to supply,
Riches of Christ, spiritual food.
 
     Lord, make me Your minister of life-
     A good minister of Christ Jesus,
     Ministering the sweet flow of life
     By exercising my spirit thus.
 
2) Good minister of Christ sacrifices himself,
Stands absolutely for the truth;
Takes the truth faithfully as his unique standard,
Bless’d by going along with the truth.
 
3) Good minister of Christ speaks oracle of God,
Steward of varied grace of God,
With spirit exercise, self-denial, exalt Christ
Glorifying and expressing God!

4) Good minister of Christ lives by the tree of life
Ministers life and serves the saints.
Takes Christ as the center; not persons, things, matters,
And solves the problems of the saints.
 
5) Good minister of Christ helps the saints in one thing,
To experience and enjoy Christ;
Pursues Christ to gain Christ, lays hold Christ, possess Christ;
To obtain the goal for the prize!
 
6) Good minister of Christ, loving seekers of Christ,
Stores up riches of Christ as food,
Gathered o’er long period, inward deeds being taught
Healthy teachings as spiritual food.
 
7) Good minister of Christ serves with burden from God
Bears people’s burden before God,
Sense their condition and knows what God wants to speak
Serves the saints according to God!

Lord, make me Your minister of life, a good minister of Christ Jesus, ministering the sweet flow of life by exercising my spirit!