Paul’s Ministry
The Lord said “Stand up! Paul, and dry off your tears.
You must preach the Gospel for many long years.
Go down to Damascus, a Street that’s called Straight,
My servant will tell you, the road you must take.”
Chorus:
“I counted on Adam, I counted on Cain.
I counted on Jonah, but he was the same;
I counted on Judas, but he proved untrue.
So, go tell the world, Paul, I’m counting on you.”
“Three days have gone by, Lord, and still I can’t see.
Here comes Ananias with a message for me.”
He said “Brother Paul, the Lord in the skies,
Has sent me to heal you and open your eyes.”
“I’ll send you to the Gentiles, I’ll send you to Rome.
And, Paul you will suffer till I call you home.
You’ll sleep on the desert, be shipwrecked at sea.
Just, go right on preaching the Gospel for Me.”
Many years have gone by, Lord, and still I’ve been true.
But now I must leave, this field with You.
I’ve finished my course, Lord, I’ve taught in your name,
I’m sure there are others who will do the same.
Written by Kitty Wells, a famous country music singer from the 1950’s, I came across this song on a bluegrass album by one of my favorite groups – The Issacs. The song provides an interesting take on the story of the Apostle Paul and his dramatic encounter with the Lord on the road to Damascus. It covers his encounter with Christ, his healing from blindness, and eventually his mission work. It details a conversation between Paul and the Lord, and outlines the kind of conversation that the Lord and Paul might have had.
One of the things I find interesting about this song is the Lord’s description of what was going to happen to Paul. I recognize the Bible doesn’t record a specific conversation like this between the Lord and Paul, but I wonder if the Lord might have been very clear to Paul about what was going to happen to him, and what the ministry might cost him. Although Paul was an apostle, he endured hardships as a follower of Christ. He experienced physical pain. He was left for dead. He experienced criticism from both inside and outside the Church. His path was not an easy one, and so it is interesting to ponder on whether the Lord told him beforehand all the things that he might have to go through.
So I do think the Lord may have had this kind of conversation with Paul, and I believe he still does the same kind of thing for His followers today. Many missionaries know before they go on the mission field that their path will be a difficult one. They recognize they won’t have the best of living conditions. They know that they won’t always be accepted and loved. But the desire to share the Good news, and the burden the Lord places in their heart is so great that they still go in spite of the potential hardships. I am thankful for those that have heard and obeyed the call into the mission field, and I hope today you will be reminded to pray for missionaries that you know.
“But Paul you will suffer til I call you home” – Although not specifically found in the Bible as a quote attributed to Jesus, what we do know from Scripture is that Paul did endure lots of suffering for the sake of the Gospel. He did not leave the Road to Damascus and head over to “Easy Street.” His ministry was one filled with great joys and great pains. With great victories and great sufferings. The Lord had a purpose for the Apostle Paul, and chose him to be the Apostle to the Gentiles, but Paul endured many trials and tribulations to fulfill God’s purposes. The story of Paul should encourage us during difficult times because we know that this great man of faith endured many hardships during his lifetime, but he knew that through the sufferings, the Lord was being glorified. We, too, can have that same testimony.
“I’m sure there are others who will do the same” – My pastor recently raised an interesting question from the pulpit. He was speaking of the ministry of Paul and Timothy, and contrasting their ministries. Paul had a “go and tell” ministry. A ministry that took him all over the Mediterranean establishing churches and spreading the Gospel. Timothy had more of a “stay and share” ministry. A ministry to the local congregation. Now, he was not discounting or minimizing the importance of Paul or Timothy’s ministry. But, he wondered if we, in today’s Western Christian church, have too many “Timothy’s” and not enough “Paul’s.” Not enough men and women willing to “go and tell.” In a recent sermon by Alistair Begg, he read a powerful quote from Charles Studd, a famous missionary to China, that to me illustrates this point. The quote is “Some want to live within the sound of church or chapel bell; I want to run a rescue shop within a yard of hell.” This phrase challenged me because I believe the Lord is still looking for men and women to follow the ministry of Paul – “others who will do the same.” Those that will go and tell – that will go and endure the suffering for the sake of the call of Christ.
Although not specifically mentioned in the song, I really liked the title of this song “Paul’s Ministry.” I wondered if a song was written about my ministry – “Jeff’s Ministry” or maybe your ministry – “John’s Ministry” “Mary’s Ministry” “O. Wayne’s Ministry” or “Max’s Ministry,” what would the lyrics say?
Would there be times of questioning God about His plan like Paul did in this song? I am sure if we are honest with ourselves, we would admit to asking “Lord, what are you up to?” or “Lord, do you remember what you promised to do?” I think this is natural.
Would there be times where the Lord told me upfront about a difficulty and struggle that I was getting ready to endure?
Would there be brothers or sisters that confirmed the Lord’s plan for me like Ananias did for Paul? For me, I can testify that there have been lots of people that I can point to as encouragers along the way.
I recognize that not many of us will have a ministry like the Apostle Paul’s. But I am grateful today that the Lord has chosen vessels like you and me to be His hands and His feet in ministry. What a wonderful blessing it is to be a Minister of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ!!!