Ministry makes a difference ONLY when people follow Jesus Christ

Ministry does not make a difference when it helps people follow the world (godlessness), the flesh (selfishness) or the devil (evil). Worldliness can be defined as "whatever makes sin look normal and righteousness seem strange." The flesh can be summarized as, "I do what I do because I want what I want." The devil wants to kill, steal and destroy and is manifested in suicide, murder, and cruelty. On a side note about the devil stealing, to rob someone is to take something from them when they are present. Think "Armed robbery", a thief occurs when something is stolen when nobody is home. Don't let the devil steal your ministry, but stay awake and be vigilant.

Ministry without eternal impact, reminds me of the prosperity gospel (which is mainly wrong in that the focus is on YOU). Biblical Christianity focuses on GOD. Yes, but some preaching and teaching from prosperity teachers are true. I know many people who have been awakened to the things of God by some of these teachers. Just like others have been awakened through apologetics and healing ministries. But the litmus test must be in what it brings people to wholeheartedly follow after. Are they in it for ME or in it for GOD?

Following Jesus Christ 

• Leave yourself behind, saying yes to God and no to past patterns (100% NO is easier than wondering if now is an okay time for ____________)
• Don't take provisions, trust God to provide (for me this was an entirely new career path and God has provided!) - "Leave Egypt" 
• Know the mission, fulfill the mission wholeheartedly 
• Lifetime of preparation for an eternity of service ("your best life later" though it really does start now)

Are you helping people follow Christ or the world?

The way to know is what are you focused on. What do you pray about? What troubles your soul? What do you rejoice about? What makes you sing?

The World's Pattern of ISMs (from bsfinternational.org)

• Secularism also known as humanism, relativism, pragmatism, pluralism, hedonism and materialism. This is the pursuit of life apart from God. The Bible calls this the pattern of this world (Romans 12:1-2). Secularism says the physical world is all there is.
• Humanism or humanitarianism looks at our lives apart from God, with humanity as the center. Biblically Nebuchadnezzar had the mindset of a secular humanist. Humanism essentially says that everything revolves around humanity and exist for our glory.
• Relativism, if humans are the center then there can be no absolutes. Everything is relative. Ironically, humanism devalues human life because values become meaningless. If truth, goodness, and beauty exist, we cannot find them through relativism because we need absolutes to discover absolutes. When relativism rules, we cannot learn to sift through error to discover what is true, good and beautiful.
• Syncretism attempts to reconcile beliefs or practices fo different religions and philosophies. Syncretism assumes some or all religions are equally true, valuable and valid. This error was seen in the early church where Gnosticism tried to deny Jesus Christ had a real body and died a real physical death on the cross (1 John 4:1-3).

Main point, whatever we add to the gospel of God's grace is always less than the gospel and cannot save. And the gospel is found and understood in the whole Bible:

Jesus said to them, “These are the words I spoke to you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about Me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms.” He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. And He told them, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, (Luke 24:44-46)

Brothers, Train Up the Next Generation

• Disciple faithful men 2 Timothy 1:14, 2:2
• Beware Hezekiah Syndrome 2 Chronicles
• Avoid Temporal Shortsightedness
• Cultivate Far-Seeing Vision
• Invest in the Next Gospel Generation

Ministry Is Supernatural, not professional
“I bear on my body the marks of Jesus” (Galatians 6:17). “I am crucified with Christ” (Galatians 2:20). “I die every day!” (1 Corinthians 15:31). “For the sake of Christ I am content with weaknesses” (2 Corinthians 12:10). “He was crucified in weakness . . . we also are weak in him, but in dealing with you we will live with him by the power of God” (2 Corinthians 13:4). “We are the aroma of Christ . . . a fragrance from death to death . . . a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things?” (2 Corinthians 2:15–16).
Pastors say, “Who is sufficient for these things!” And then they look to God. Professionals say, “Education and training and savvy are sufficient.” And then they look to experts.