Page 53 - SABBATH

Resting in Ministry

t is a great paradox that most of those who function as ministers today are by their
Ivery example demonstrating what the Father despises. Many of these ministers
have a sincere desire to labor in service to Yahweh, yet they have failed to distinguish what
type of service is pleasing to Him. By doing whatever seems good to them in ministering,
they are actually practicing the principle of Satan which is to be governed and ruled by one’s
own soul.
I feel quite safe in stating that the vast majority of men and women in positions of
ministry in the body of Christ have not been placed there by God. They have arrived at their
position through the work and will of man. The very process that many go through to
become “qualified” for ministry is far removed from Yahweh’s methods. Going to Bible
College and Seminary to have one’s head filled with the doctrines and methodologies of the
church is far removed from the process God would take His true ministers through in order
to prepare them for service. (I am not discounting that there are some true ministers that
have gone this path, but their qualifications in the kingdom of God have little to do with the
institutions of man.) The common methods today may give one the stamp of men’s
approval, but they fail in gaining the stamp of God’s approval.
The process the Father would take men through to prepare them for ministry is seen
everywhere throughout scripture. The Father prepares His chosen ones for service by
bringing them to an end of personal ambition, and to a death to seeking anything for self.
Only those who are truly emptied of ambition and self-seeking can be effective ministers
in the kingdom of God.
The preparation the Father takes His servants through is most grueling. The Father’s
school of service leads to self-abasement and humility. Quite often it will bring a man to a
place where all have turned against him but God; where he is misjudged, evil spoken of, and
where he has had his motives and judgment brought into question. This is a necessary part
of the minister’s preparation for he must be a man who is dead to his own reputation; where
he is quite content with insults, with personal weakness, with distresses, with persecutions
and difficulties (II Corinthians 12:10).
Seminaries and Bible Colleges do not bring a minister to this place of readiness.
Instead, the student is apt to feel quite welcomed, accepted, and proud that he has earned
a degree from a reputable school, knowing that his diploma gains him entry into the good
graces of many denominational churches and ministries. By completing a course of study
and receiving a piece of paper duly signed by those overseeing such programs, the graduate
is perceived as being ready for service as a minister.
Yahweh’s course of study is much different. Consider Joseph, the favorite son of
Jacob. He was given dreams and visions while yet a young man that he would one day be
in a position of ruling and reigning. It would have been nice if Jacob could simply have sent
his son to school to receive whatever knowledge was necessary to fulfill his calling. This was
not God’s way, however.
Joseph’s calling was great, and his preparation process was equally awesome. Joseph
was to be given tremendous power and authority and the Father needed a man that would
not misuse that which was entrusted to him. Yahweh needed a faithful servant that would
accomplish all of His desire.
Joseph began his schooling right after having received the vision that revealed his