Serving Together in the Work of the Gospel

Alex Cosio
Hispanic Pastor

I heard a story of a missionary in a remote area who was writing some letters. A child from the village was intrigued by those symbols being put on a piece of paper. He asked the missionary what he was doing. The missionary knowing the child could not possibly understand the term letters he said; “I am putting my thoughts in this paper.” The child responded: “oh I know… you are putting your thoughts in prison.” The missionary said: “No, on the contrary I am setting my thoughts free.”

Paul was in prison because of the work of the Gospel. Those chains (which probably bound him to a roman soldier), those walls, and the hardships he was facing could not stop the spreading of the gospel. The religious and civil authorities of his day considered him a threat to their established systems; they thought they had put Paul out of business. Satan must have been leaping with joy, like a child with a new toy. “Paul is out!” “Paul is out!” was the news in the spiritual realms. But Paul was not out at all, he was too much in! The Lord used that time in prison for him to write several letters, which have transcended frontiers, cultures and eras. Today we can still read what Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, wrote to the church, that is, to you and me.

What made this man so effective in the ministry? Saul was a very religious Jew and was very much against Christianity, he even persecuted the church and consented the stoning of Stephen. Religiosity can stand in the way of the work of God. Saul learned that there was only one correct way of doing God’s work; either Saul did it his way or God’s way. Can you identify with Paul? I can. I was against Christianity and made fun of Christians. You see, I was brought in the established religion of Latin America and was taught not to trust “Christians.” Praise God who had mercy and dealt with my heart just as he did with Saul’s.

The first attribute that made Paul so effective in the ministry his personal encounter with the resurrected Christ. In his famous Damascus road experience, Paul gave his life completely to his God and Savior Jesus Christ. For Paul the words of that great hymn “I surrender all” were true. He did not surrender ten percent or fifty percent, not even ninety five percent. He surrendered all to the Lordship of Christ. My dear brother & sister in Christ, this can only make me question myself how much have I surrendered to Christ. Are my interests set before God’s intensions?

Secondly, not only did Paul have a personal encounter with Jesus Christ, but also his obedience to his call. The Bible says that immediately he began meet people in the places where they gather to worship preaching Jesus and proving that Jesus is the Christ. (Acts 9:19-22) I praise the Lord for the renewed vision that He has given to Apex Baptist Church. We want to be the type of believers that go to share the good news.

Thirdly and many times overlooked Paul was effective because of his co-laborers in the ministry. Paul was never alone in the ministry; he never acted independently and authoritatively. In all of his letters, except 1st, 2nd Timothy and Titus, he mentions several people who co-labored with him in the service of the gospel. In Romans (16:21), he mentions Timothy, Lucius, Jason and Sosipater. In 1st Corinthians (16:17-19), he mentions Aquila and Priscilla, Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus. In 2 Corinthians (1:1), Timothy. In Galatians (1:2), “all the brothers with me.” In Ephesians (6:21), Tychicus. In Philippians (1:1; 2:25), Timothy and Epaphroditus. In Colossians (4:10-15), Timothy, Aristarchus, Mark, Justus, Epaphras, Luke and Demas (whom will abandon Paul going after the world instead of Christ -2 Tim. 4:10). In 1st and 2nd Thessalonians, Timothy and Silas. In Philemon (1:1), Timothy.
In the book of Acts we find several people co-laboring with Paul in the establishment of the churches in Asia Minor and Europe. Barnabas, Mark, Silas, Luke, Sopater, Aristarchus, Secundus, Tychicus and Trophimus.

All of these men and women and many other whose names, though are not recorder in Scripture, are recorded in God’s book of memories (Mal.3:16). What a privilege you and me have to serve and co-labor in the ministry so that the work and the people of God continue to grow. I want to encourage you to join in the worship of God and the work of the ministry. Let us gather, grow and go to make His Glory great among us. Remember the three attributes that make the ministry effective. First; we need a personal encounter with Jesus Christ (our personal relationship with Him). Second; we need obedience to our call. Thirdly; join in as co-laborers in the ministry.