Minister in the Moment

By Dr. Jack R. Hodges, Jr.

Burke County

In recent months, western North Carolina has experienced a great and devastating disaster and calamity of epic proportions. The losses have been great and the destruction has been catastrophic. But we have also seen a believing community step up in the face of loss and destruction to minister in tangible ways that have demonstrated in real and tangible ways the love and compassion of the Lord. Many Churches and Christian organizations have sacrificially given to meet and supply basic needs of food, water, shelter, and clothing. Thank you to all who have and continue to minister in the moment.

In Acts 27, we find that the Apostle Paul and all those on board a cargo ship bound for Rome were in real trouble and, in fact, in mortal danger. They had long since given up any hope of survival because a storm had driven them out to sea away from land and any possible rescue. And just when they had given up hope of survival, Paul stood up in the seemingly doomed ship being tossed by the rain, wind, and waves and revealed how God had spoken to him in a dream. Paul assured them that his God had revealed to him that He would deliver all of them from certain death. Paul’s words of encouragement were just what was needed to calm everyone’s fears. After all, they probably figured that a God like Paul’s God was their only hope!

Ordinarily, they wouldn’t have given him the time of day. They wouldn’t have dared to even stop and listen to his words. They would have brushed him off without even thinking about it. But this wasn’t a normal day. They were in desperate trouble and God came calling. Only the Lord could deliver them from certain death for they had exhausted all of their own resources and strength. And suddenly, Paul’s words of encouragement took on a new and different meaning. Here is what he said to them,

“When they had gone a long time without food, then Paul stood up in their midst and said, “Men, you ought to have followed my advice and not to have set sail from Crete and incurred this damage and loss. Yet now I urge you to keep up your courage, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. For this very night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood before me, saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar; and behold, God has granted you all those who are sailing with you.’ Therefore, keep up your courage, men, for I believe in God that it will turn out exactly as I have been told. But we must run aground on a certain island.” Acts 27:21-26

This brings to mind a message, “Bringing Jesus into the conversation,” which Jeff Iorg shared during a recent N.C. Baptist LivingSent conference. He suggested that “if we are serious about sharing our faith, then we look for those moments when people are in trouble, when people die or are near death when relationships are falling apart, when health is failing, or when things are breaking down and falling apart. That’s when we have an opportunity to “step in” with a gospel moment.”

This is exactly what Paul did. His encouraging word came at a God-inspired time when the message of God’s care, compassion, and sovereignty could be heard. When you and I belong to Jesus and are living a life surrendered to His claim of Lordship and reign, we will see the unseen opportunities and we will take notice of and truly see the people around us who are struggling and confused. We will behold the unmistakable moving of the Holy Spirit will hear His voice and see the opportunities to minister in the name of Jesus. We will believe and trust that God can and will do whatever He wants to do. In that moment, you and I will be equipped and given power and authority to minister in Jesus’ name.

Over and over, we find Paul obediently answering God’s call. Time and time again, he powerfully and passionately looked for and used every moment to live out and minister every word of God’s truths. Even in the darkness of that moment, Paul saw an opportunity to remind these men of the greatness, power, and compassion of God.

Whatever moment we find ourselves in, there is always an opportunity to share the truths of the gospel of Jesus. There is always an opportunity to speak a word of encouragement. There is always a favorable time, an optimum or advantageous time to share the good news. In faith and obedience, we go looking for those favorable moments. And as the Holy Spirit orchestrates this moment, we obediently step in with a gospel moment or conversation that allows Almighty and loving God to accomplish His mighty plans.

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Dr. Jack Hodges is the Senior Pastor at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Morganton, NC. He has served as a pastor, a biblical counselor, and an International Mission Board missionary.

Read more from Dr. Hodges here.

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