Lesson 39

The Ministry of Helps is a ministry whereby a believer serves the Body of Christ so that other ministries may be helped (1 Corinthians 12:28).

And God has appointed these in the Church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, HELPS, administrations, varieties of tongues.
(1 Corinthians 12:28)

The ministry of helps include the following departments:

preparing the sanctuary for meetings, including chair arrangement, opening the closing the venue, managing the lights, fans, air-conditioning, sound and cleanliness, maintenance of the public address system, air-condition and church property, preparing the home for meetings,

transportation, ushering, collection of offerings, serving in the Lord's Supper, Sunday Luncheon and other meals, hospitality, cooking, cleaning-up, washing, worship leading, back-up singing, music-playing, dancing, overhead projector helper,

managing the pastoral office, clerical work, accounts keeping, video-tape, cassette-tape and library book ministry, translation, interpretation, prayer file preparation, notes and book distribution, baptism-pool preparation and cleaning, etc.

The ministry of helps is the most common ministry in the Church and is the most important factor in determining the efficiency of other ministries.
If the ministry of helps in a church is mature, all other ministries can function fruitfully and efficiently to fulfill their purposes.
Without a stable and strong ministry of helps, the other ministries cannot do their work smoothly and efficiently.

E.g. In the early Church at Jerusalem, food was served by the apostles to the widows everyday.
However, this distracted the apostles from their man calling of waiting on God and leading the church.
To help them, the apostles appointed helpers, later called deacons, to serve food to the widows (Acts 6:16).

In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among them complained against those of the Aramaic-speaking community because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve [apostles] gathered all the disciples and said, "It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.
(Acts 6:1-4)

The ministry of helps will always be needed to support every other ministry in the church.
E.g. Helpers are need in the work of the Children's Ministry, Mercy Ministry, etc.

All believers are called to serve in this ministry, to help others in one way or another so that others may concentrate well on what they are doing.
In fact, all new believers should begin serving in the church in the ministry of helps first.

As a new believer does this, he will grow in his faith in God, he will be used by God to bless others, and he will grow in his maturity as he serves.
He will also learn how the other ministries operate, and in due time, he can serve in these other areas of ministry, according to God's calling upon him.

E.g. Helpers in the Children's Ministry can later help to teach, if they have the calling from God to teach.
Otherwise, they should remain as helpers in this ministry.

The following are attitudes and steps we can adopt in order that we may have an effective ministry of helps in our lives and be a blessing to others.

The ministry of helps has been raised up by God in the Church and it is as important in the Church as any other ministry.
Never despise any form of work in the ministry of helps, for all ministries are based on God's calling.

If we have an arrogant attitude and feel that it is below our dignity to do certain thins in the church, then you need to change your worldly thinking.
We should humble ourselves and serve in all areas of the helps ministry, as we are able to do so.
Otherwise, God will judge you for your wrong attitude and humble you.
Never despise any ministry, because of the kind of work involved, or because of the age or the background of the person involved (1 Timothy 4:12).

Let no mad DESPISE your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
(1 Timothy 4:12)

Many believers are called to the fivefold leadership ministry, i.e., the ministry of an apostle, evangelist, pastor and teacher.
Others are called to the ministry of mercy, encouragement, giving and receiving, helps and healing.

However, God can only give us a ministry according to our calling if we have been faithful in serving others through the ministry of helps (Luke 16:10-12).
If we cannot be trusted by God with little, He cannot entrust us with much.
If we cannot be trusted by God to help others, why should God give you your own ministry?

He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much.
Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon [money], who will commit to your trust the true riches?
And if you have NOT BEEN FAITHFUL in what is another man's, WHO WILL GIVE YOU WHAT IS YOUR OWN?
(Luke 16:10-12)

E.g. Elisha served as a servan of Elijah the prophet for more than 15 years before he took over Elijah's role as the chief prophet in Israel.
Although there were many schools of prophets at Bethel and Jericho at that time in Israel, it was Elisha the servant who succeeded his master, and not any of the prophets in the schools (2 Kings 2:1-15; 3:11).

The company of the prophets from Jericho, who were watching, said, "The spirit of Elijah is resting on Elisha." And they went to meet him and bowed to the ground before him.
(2 Kings 2:15)

But Jehoshaphat said, "Is there no prophet of the Lord here, that we may inquire of the LORD through him?" And officer of the king of Israel answered, "Elisha son of Shaphat is here. He used to pour water on the hands of Elijah."
(2 Kings 3:11)

Do not take the ministry of helps lightly.
Do not say:
     "I do not need to prepare for this ministry."
     "I do not need to pray over this ministry."
     "I do not need to build up my faith for this ministry."
Such an attitude is wrong.

The word of God declares that if you want to serve fruitfully in the ministry of helps, you must be full of the Spirit and wisdom (Acts 6:3).

Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be FULL OF THE SPIRIT AND WISDOM. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the words.
(Acts 6:3-4)

To be full with God's Spirit, you must be full of God's word, for His word is Spirit and life (John 6:63).
To be filled with God's Spirit, you also need to worship God regularly, so as to be filled with His presence at all times (Ephesians 5:18-19).
To be full of wisdom, you must pray to God and ask him for His wisdom everyday, believe that you have received it, and act on it (James 1:5-6).

Jesus said, "The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. THE WORDS I have spoken to you are SPIRIT and they are life."
(John 6:63)

Do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but BE FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT, SPEAKING to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, SINGING AND MAKING MELODY in your heart to the Lord.
(Ephesians 5:18-19)

In any of you lacks WISDOM, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it WILL BE GIVEN to him. But when he asks, he must BELIEVE AND NOT DOUBT, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
(James 1:5-6)

E.g. To be a good usher, you need the Spirit's power and love to greet the new visitors who come, so that they may be overcome by God's love and power as you shake their hands.

E.g. To be a good server in the Lord's Supper, you must pray and believe that those who partake of the Lord's Supper will be touched, healed and changed by God.

Many believers in the church will serve in the ministry of helps for their entire life.
This will be their main calling.

And if they are found faithful in their ministry and fulfill the spiritual conditions that God demands, they can then be appointed as deacons (1 Timothy 3:8-10,12).
The word "DEACON" comes from the Greek work "DIAKONOS" which means "a servant."

DEACONS, likewise, are to be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as DEACONS.
A DEACON must be the husband of but  one wife and must manage his children and his household well.
(1 Timothy 3:8-10,12)

In many churches, deacons are appointed on a year to year basis, while in other churches, they are appointed for life.
However, the title and appointment of a deacon in any church is not necessity as long as those who are serving in the ministry of helps serve God faithfully.

God rewards only those who have been faithful in their ministry, including the ministry of helps.
Although the ministry of helps is not a ministry with great fanfare and public exposure, God sees every act of service done in His name.
And He will reward richly those who faithfully serve Him in this ministry (1 Corinthians 15:58; Matthew 25:22-23).

Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know what your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
(1 Corinthians 15:58)

The man with the two talents also came. "Master," he said, "you entrusted me with two talents; see, I have gained two more."
His master replied, "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness."
(Matthew 25:22-23)

Your thought

1. Are you serving in a ministry of helps at this time?
   If you are not, ask yourself, why not?
   

2. Why does God want us to be full of His Spirit and wisdom when we serve in the ministry of helps?