Fulfill Your Ministry

We Are Relentlessly Driven By The Mission

Sep 28

For the past several weeks we’ve been in a series called We Are Relentlessly Driven by the Mission. We began with the Great Commission itself, then looked at strategies for reaching the lost, and last week we talked about staying in the right lane—morally, ethically, theologically, and strategically. Each message has been about clarifying our mission and aligning ourselves with God’s way of reaching people.

This week the call is simple but weighty: Fulfill Your Ministry.

Paul’s charge to Timothy near the end of his life still speaks to us today. Even as he faced death, Paul urged Timothy to finish strong in his assignment. That same call is alive for us in the church right now.

A Royal Priesthood

Peter reminds us of who we are:

1 Peter 2:9 ESV
⁹ But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

Every believer is a minister. The call isn’t limited to pastors or priests; it extends to all of us. Each of us has a place, a role, and a responsibility in God’s kingdom.

The Tribe of Levi and the Call to Serve

Numbers 3 and 4 give us the picture of the Levites—the tribe set apart to serve in the tabernacle. While only a small portion of Levites were priests, the entire tribe served in the house of the Lord. Their work shows us how ministry was divided and fulfilled in Israel, and it illustrates how we can step into our roles today.

Numbers 3:5–6 ESV
⁵ And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ⁶ “Bring the tribe of Levi near, and set them before Aaron the priest, that they may minister to him.”

The Levites were divided into three clans: the Gershonites, the Merarites, and the Kohathites. Each fulfilled a unique ministry.

The Gershonites: Setting the Atmosphere

The Gershonites were responsible for the fabric elements of the tabernacle—the curtains, coverings, and screens that set boundaries and created the environment of God’s dwelling. In today’s church, their role mirrors the hospitality team.

From greeters to coffee makers, from signage to parking lot attendants, these servants create the first impression and set the atmosphere that welcomes people into God’s presence. Research shows that first-time guests often return based on how they are “greeted, treated, and seated.” In other words, hospitality matters deeply.

When people walk through our doors, we have no idea what burdens they carry. A warm welcome can break down walls of pain and isolation and open their hearts to receive the Word of God. The Gershonite spirit lives on in every handshake, every smile, every cup of coffee served in Jesus’ name.

The Merarites: Building the Structure

The Merarites carried and maintained the structural elements—the beams, bases, and pillars of the tabernacle. They ensured the house of God stood strong.

In today’s context, this points to children’s and youth ministry. These teams provide the framework for spiritual formation in the next generation. Statistics remind us that two-thirds of Christians come to faith before age 18, and nearly half before age 12. Structure matters, and it shapes lives for decades to come.

Parents often decide where to attend church based on children’s ministry. But even beyond parents’ decisions, young people need mentors, opportunities to serve, visible faith from their parents, intergenerational worship, and discipleship in Scripture. These are the pillars that keep them connected.

Children’s and youth ministry are not optional—they are essential to the future of the church.

The Kohathites: Carrying the Sacred Things

The Kohathites carried the most sacred items of the tabernacle—the ark, the altars, the lampstand, the table of showbread, and the utensils. Their ministry required reverence.

Today, this corresponds to what happens in the worship gathering. The worship team, the media team, and those who carry the gospel through technology are modern-day Kohathites. Worship fills the house with incense before the Lord, and media extends the message far beyond the room.

A camera operator can preach the gospel to more people in a week than the pastor can from the pulpit. Social media posts, livestreams, and recordings are not small things—they are vehicles that carry the sacred message of Christ to the world.

The Ministry of Provision

Not everyone in Israel served in the tabernacle. In fact, less than 5% of the nation were Levites. But the other 95% still had a ministry: provision.

Deuteronomy 12:19 ESV
¹⁹ Take care that you do not neglect the Levite as long as you live in your land.

Provision matters. Generosity fuels ministry. Scripture teaches us to tithe—returning ten percent of our income to the Lord. But beyond tithing, there is generosity. When we give freely, the world of the generous becomes larger and larger. Vision, manpower, and generosity determine the pace at which we reach our city, our county, and beyond with the gospel.

The account of King Joash and Jehoiada the priest shows us the power of provision. They set up the Joash chest for offerings to repair the temple, and as people gave, revival broke out in Judah (2 Chronicles 24:13). God honors faith and faithfulness, and He uses giving to spark renewal.