For a short time in the first century—between the events of Matthew 4:11 and those of Matthew 4:12—Jesus and John the Baptist were both ministering, each in his own way. The Gospel of John tells us that Jesus’ disciples were baptizing in Judea and that John’s disciples noticed the growing impact of Jesus’ ministry, leading them to feel curious and perhaps even envious (3:25–26; 4:1–2).
When John’s disciples spoke to him about the matter, he answered in a way that surely surprised them:
A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, “I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.” The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. He must increase, but I must decrease. (John 3:27–30)
In this short sermon of sorts, John, whom Jesus called the greatest “among those born of women” (Matt. 11:11), shows us five principles of Christian ministry that every pastor should lay hold of and routinely bring to mind.
Ministry Has a Heavenly Origin
First, we learn that the source of all genuine ministry is supernatural: “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven.”
John’s ministry arose not from his own ambitions but from the will of God, which had been proclaimed through the angel Gabriel prior even to his birth (Luke 1:13–17). He was like the prophet Jeremiah, to whom God said,
Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
and before you were born I consecrated you;
I appointed you a prophet to the nations. (Jer. 1:5)
Paul, too, was “a chosen instrument” (Acts 9:15)—chosen not in the moment but from eternity, in the foresight and providence of God (Eph. 1:4).
Before individuals step forth as ministers—as God’s ambassadors (2 Cor. 5:20)—they must receive their commissions from the Executive. To rush in where they have not been sent will be to hear the Lord say, as in Jeremiah 23:32, “I did not send them or charge them.”
Of course, like Timothy, the elders that Titus appointed (Titus 1:5), and most ministers throughout history, not every legitimate Gospel herald will have his calling confirmed by an angelic visit or a word from heaven. Nevertheless, that calling must be understood to come from heaven if it is to be undertaken. A man can look for the signs of heavenly calling to concur in his life. As it pertains to the office of pastor, these include at least the minimal biblical qualifications outlined in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1, a deep-rooted desire for the work, an evidence of ability in the area to which he’s going, the affirmation of spiritually qualified overseers, and circumstances that point out the means, the time, and the place of actually entering the work.
Ministry Is in God’s Place
Second, we learn that there is no ideal place to serve God except the place in which He sets you down. Ministers often have the notion that if only they were in that church over there, everything would be fine. Little do they realize that in that church over there sits a man who is looking out of his window at this church over here, saying, “If only I was in his church, boy, I would have it made!”
John 3:23 tells us that John “was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptized.” Is there any more ideal place to be a baptizer than a place with plenty of water and plenty of people? Yet it was there that envy overcame his disciples.
So John understood that not only had he received his ministry from heaven, but also, it was his ministry, not someone else’s, that heaven gave to him. He didn’t begin to charge around seeking to draw back others after him. He didn’t fret himself with the success of others. Like Paul writing from prison, he would have been able to say, “Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice” (Phil. 1:18).
Ministry Has a Clear Message
Third, we learn that it is essential for a minister’s message to be clear. John had a clear message: “You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’” Either his disciples didn’t grasp it, or they didn’t care to—but still John would have been able to say to them, “I told you plainly what my ministry was about.”
When Peter wrote his second letter, he said, “I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things” (2 Peter 1:15). He was clear and consistent in his teaching so that those who heard him would have the opportunity to understand. That is the responsibility of everyone who teaches God’s Word.
In a day of theological vagueness and confusion, ministers must give themselves to clarity in Gospel proclamation. There is a great need at this juncture in history for a return to the clear declaration of biblical truth: “I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified” (1 Cor. 2:2). Men and women do not need to hear a few pleasant comments about life. They need to meet Christ. And that is why we must labor to ensure that ministry is clear if it is to be effective.
Ministry Rejoices in Christ’s Glory
Fourthly, we learn that the effective minister will find his joy in Christ’s glory. John’s illustration about the role of a best man is very clear in its meaning. He says, in effect, “I am perfectly happy to see the Lord Jesus receiving the praise. Indeed, that is exactly what I have set out to do, and I rejoice to see it happening.” This is the great joy of anyone set apart to ministry.
What does the best man at a wedding actually do? Mostly, he waits, listens, and rejoices. To any called to ministry, the task is the same: to learn to wait, to learn to listen for the voice of Christ, and to rejoice when men and women come to Him.
Ministry Is Self-Forgetful
Finally, we learn that everyone involved in ministry must learn that effectiveness begins with self-forgetfulness: “He must increase, but I must decrease.”
The herald does not to expect the crowd to gather around him. He calls, “The king is coming! The king is coming!” And when the king has arrived, the herald fades into obscurity.
Ministers need to be careful lest they have an ambition merely to shine among men, such that they come to see ministry or a pulpit as a ladder by which their ambition may climb. Even if we did have something to glory in of ourselves, the worst place ever to display it would be in a pulpit. It is only in the awareness of our poverty and our weakness that we may become the sort of individual to whom God will look (Isa. 66:2) and who, like John the Baptist, can effectively “prepare the way of the Lord” (Matt. 3:3; Mark 1:3; Luke 3:4).
This article was adapted from the sermon “Principles of Christian Ministry” by Alistair Begg.
