Walking & Talking All the Way to Heaven – Part 3 (Romans 12:9-13)

Walking and Talking All the Way to Heaven – Romans 12:9-13

Let’s stand for the reading of God’s Word as we explore the third and final part of this series titled “Walking and Talking All the Way to Heaven.” Today, we’ll focus on Romans 12:9-13. I will begin by reading verse 9, and I invite you to join me in reading the even-numbered verses aloud.

Romans 12:9-13
“Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another. Not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord. Rejoice in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer. Distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.”

Amen. You may be seated.

As we conclude this section of scripture, let’s reflect on an important point: wherever God’s ministry is at work, you will find people in need. That’s the nature of ministry—it’s all about meeting the needs of others and showing care. Interestingly, some governments still use the term “ministers” for their leaders, such as the prime minister or ministers of defense. Similarly, as Christians, we are all called to be ministers. While some are in full-time ministry, all of us are called to serve and share the gospel.

It’s not just the job of the full-time minister to lead people to Christ; it’s the responsibility of every Christian. Don’t think that if you want to share the gospel with your neighbor, you need to call the church and have a minister do it. No, it’s our shared calling as Christians to spread the message of Jesus Christ. We are all ministers of the gospel.

Now, let’s shift focus and look at the ministry aspect in the Old Testament, particularly in Ezekiel. Ezekiel’s book is incredible, especially chapters 36-38, which highlight prophetic events—some that have already occurred, some still unfolding, and some that will happen in the future. Ezekiel is often referenced in the media, particularly when discussing prophetic battles.

In Ezekiel, God speaks about the Levites, the priests of Israel, specifically the sons of Zadok who remained faithful when Israel went astray. God promises that these priests will come near to Him, minister to Him, and offer sacrifices. But there’s a unique instruction about how they should dress as they minister to God’s sanctuary. God specifically commands that they wear linen garments—no wool allowed—and that they should never sweat while serving. This detail is profound, reminding us that ministry is not about human effort but divine grace.

As ministers of the Most High God, we are not meant to “sweat” in our service to Him. The heavy lifting is done by God, not by us. If ministry feels like a burdensome grind, it might be a sign that we’re not relying on God’s strength. Remember, as servants of God, our role is to serve with joy, not exhaustion.