But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, MAKE FULL PROOF of thy ministry.

2 Timothy 4:5

It is possible to make full proof of your ministry.  The ministry of Jesus Christ is the most important activity you can ever be involved in.  The greatest privilege given to a human being is to work for God.  Working for God is called ‘ministry’.  It is of utmost importance that you make full proof of your ministry.  It is of utmost importance that you complete any assignment the Lord gives you on this earth.  Do not die without making full proof of your ministry.

You will not enjoy your arrival in heaven if you have not fulfilled your ministry.

You know what it is like to do an exam that you are not prepared for!  You know what it is like when your supervisor finds you unprepared and unready with your work.

And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.

Colossians 4:17

Most people would say that they do not know what their calling is, let alone know how to fulfil it!  How much more knowing how to make full proof of their ministry!  This book is about how to fulfil your ministry.  If you are reading this book, you do have a ministry.  Notice the strong warning that Paul gave to Archippus, “Fulfil your ministry”. In other words, make sure you fulfil and complete your ministry.

Many people say, “I do not have a gift like you do and I do not have a spiritual office.”  The truth is that most of us do not feel specially gifted in ministry.  In reality, many have been separated by God but do not respond to it.  Many people have been shown love but do not respond to it.

If you think you are going to see an angel before you respond to the call of God, you are likely never to respond.

To make full proof of your ministry, you must understand how God calls you and directs you into fruitfulness.  To fulfil your ministry, you must respond to the divine events of your life.

Divine Events

Most people do not understand what divinely orchestrated events are.  Whether you understand or not, failure to respond to the divine events of your life will guarantee that you will not fulfil your ministry.  Most people do not fulfil their ministries because they do not respond to the divinely orchestrated events of their lives.  What are these divine events?  The divine events of your life are:

1. The divine drawing. (John 6:44)

2. The divine desires. (1 Timothy 3:1)

3. The divine convictions.  (John 16:7-8)

4. The divine love.  (Deuteronomy 6:5)

5. The divine mercy of God. (2 Corinthians 4:1)

6. The divine separation. (Deuteronomy 10:8)

7. The divine will of God. (Ephesians 1:9)

8. The divine calling.  (Romans 1:1)

9. The divine mission.  (Jonah 1:1-3)

10. The divine purposes. (Proverbs 16:4)

11. The divine visions. (Acts 26:19)

12. The divine impartation of gifts. (Romans 1:11)

13. The divine grace. (2 Timothy 1:8-9)

14. The divine office. (Romans 12:4)

There is no use pretending that you need to hear a literal voice before you know what to do with your ministry.  There is no use claiming that you are waiting for Jesus to appear to you before you know what you are supposed to do.  There are many divine events that will guide you towards your real ministry and help you to fulfil it.

The mysterious will of God, the purpose of God and God showing you mercy are powerful life-changing events that will lead you directly into the ministry.

Without responding to the mercy and the love of God, you will never be in ministry.  Paul said that he was constrained by the love of God.  Your separation from your family, your country and your people is an important spiritual event that has taken place in your life.  Responding properly to these spiritual events will make you fulfil your ministry.

by Dag Heward-Mills