Tonight, we attended the NewSpring ordination service. It was awesome, always is. Perry brought the challege strong. Here are my notes, minimally edited, taken directly in Evernote.

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5 questions of self examination.

2 Corinthians 4

Why do we do what we do?

1 – Am I obsessed with his mercy or my ministry?

- “it takes more than prayer to make a crop grow”
- laziness and loss of focus.
- you don’t have a job, you have a ministry.
- A job is where you seek to do the least to gain the most. Ministry is where you sacrifice yourself daily.

2 – Am I being careless or cautious?
(v2) – renounced secret, shameful ways.
- is there anything in my private life that would disqualify me from ministry?

WATCH
- your marriage, be a husband first. be planned, intentional. HOW? Ask your spouse “what about our marriage would you change?”
- Morality. Be legalistic about setting boundaries.
- Money. Guard yourself.
- Walk in a consistent attitude of confession and repentance.
- Don’t think every scripture is for someone else, realize that God is speaking to you.

3 – Am I obsessed with his word or my word?
- Our theology must drive our methodology.
- Spend time daily with God.

Reasons people distort the Word
A – they don’t know it.
B – they don’t like it.

“If I’m not hearing the word of God, I’ll have an unfruitful ministry”

If we get away from the Word, we eventually won’t hear his voice

4 – Am I a fighter or a flake? (v3), (v4)

Spiritual Warfare
- supernatural. it’s real. But don’t glorify Satan by giving it more attention than it deserves.
- natural.

A – critics (subtle, “sounds too loud”), if you need the affirmation of your people, you lose. If you need people then you can’t lead people. Honor the one who called you.
B – conformity.
C – clock. “if I put in more time it’ll get better.”. ministry of presence, ministry of absence.
D – control.

5 – Am I making much of Him or much of me?
(v5-6)
- The temptation is for others to see how cool you are.
- Remember we have this ministry because of God’s mercy.

- our passion is to be a servant, not to be innovative.

- This church is not dependent on our creativity, but on our obedience.