While they were going out, a man who was demon-possessed and could not talk was brought to Jesus. And when the demon was driven out, the man who had been mute spoke. The crowd was amazed and said, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.”

But the Pharisees said, “It is by the prince of demons that he drives out demons.”

Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
(Matthew 9:32-38 TNIV)

    The road to real ministry is full of potholes. Diversions and distractions, dangers and discouragement must be dealt with all along the way. But the two big ditches on either side of the road pose the greatest danger.

    The ditch on the left is called “acclaim.” Pour yourself out doing good for someone and others will praise you to the heavens for it. And so Satan will whisper in your ear: “Play to the crowd. They love you!” Many a minister has fallen asleep at the wheel, swerved across the center line and ended up wheels up in the ditch called “Acclaim.” You really don’t want to go there.

    The ditch on the right is equally dangerous. It is called “ridicule.” “Pour yourself out doing good for others and there will be some who will ridicule you for it. And so you will hear Satan whisper in your ear: “Stop what you’re doing. You and your family will get hurt!” Many a servant of God traveling along at highway speed has slowly drifted onto the shoulder, off the road and been stopped dead in their tracks in the bog in the bottom of the ditch called “Ridicule.” That’s not how you want to end up.

    Ministry’s road is long and winding. It leads through all sorts of towns and villages and to encounters with all sorts of people — some of whom you’d think were angels from heaven; some of whom you’d swear were demons from hell. But all of whom are actually harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. What they need is continual, Christlike service.

What they need is continual, Christlike service.

    There are four keys to Christlike ministry with staying power. There are four things to stay attentive to lest you wind up in a ditch. These four things are “the musts of the Master of ministry.” They were obvious in Jesus’ ministry and they must be a part of your ministry if you dare to minister in his name.

1. You must do good anyway, all along the way, everyday, giving it to God. No matter what people say, be it good or ill, you must never forget to whom your ministry is an offering. Ever remember that though your ministry is to people, it is for God — not the other way around. Ever do good and do good anyway.

2. You must train your eyes to see all the people around you and not just a few. There is world of need out there and you must not limit your ministry to that portion of the world that speaks best of you or does you the least harm. God has sent you “into all the world. Refuse to redefine his commission for the sake of your comfort or happiness.

3. You must hold on to your heart so you can give it away. If you have no Christ-shaped heart to give away, what do you have to offer? You must not allow your heart to grow callous through the ceaseless demands of people and their needs. A heart of compassion you must ever cultivate.

4. You must encourage others to prayerfully join you in ministry. There will always be much to do and more than you can do by yourself. And who will carry on when you are gone? Any ministry worth doing is worthy of prayer and encouragement. So make your ministry contagious — encourage prayer for ministry and minister to others with encouragement.