Pushing the Canoe Into the River: The Real Cost of Ministry

Sermon outline

Being used by God has a real cost, and those who are truly called must count it, trust God rather than people, and keep focused on Jesus through every criticism.

1. I was the first generation Christian in my family

   He did not take over an existing church: he was the first Christian in his family, and he and Pastor Zubeda had worked for almost 20 years in secular jobs. When he first told her he thought they would start a church she was unsure, until the power of God fell in the car and she began to weep and prophesy about the church. That agreement between them was their confirmation to begin.

   Illustration: They were so overcome while driving down Umhlanga Rocks Drive that they drove past their turn-off all the way to the Sharks Board before coming back.

   “Now, remember this here, that I did not take over an existing church. I was the first generation Christian in my family”

2. The cost behind the scenes

   His home office became the first church, and the family paid for the first building in Avoca with their own savings, then cleaned, painted and renovated it themselves. They bought the church combi with their own money, Pastor Zubeda drove it after work to fetch people, sold her Mercedes to buy equipment, and gave about 300,000 rand from her pension to build living quarters in the North Coast Road building. He says openly that without her sacrifice they would not have come this far.

   Illustration: When you push a canoe from the bank you have few hands to help, but once it is in the river everyone wants to jump in.

   “When you are pushing the canoe from the bank into the river, you have very few hands to help you. But when the canoe is in the river, everyone wants to jump into the boat.”

3. Cursed is the man who leans on the arm of flesh

   There were days with no money for food or fuel, and people who watched and hoped they would fail. When they bought the cinema, one businessman promised to pay it off within 12 months and left the church three months later, and another offered to take the bond only if the building was in his name. The Lord told him the building must be in the church's name, so he and Pastor Zubeda signed the guarantees themselves, and he learned to trust God alone.

   Illustration: On a day they had nothing, Prophet Kobus phoned from Cape Town, saying God had shown him his face while preaching, and put 10,000 rand into their account that evening.

   “I couldn't rely on anybody I could just only trust God”

   • Jeremiah 17:5
   • Jeremiah 17:7

4. Everything I have belongs to the church

   The whole family put everything into the church, their cars, houses and money, until he could no longer separate his belongings from the church's. First-generation pastors lay a foundation for the next generation to build on; in his early days there were few Indian churches because most Indian families were Hindu, and today there are churches everywhere. He warns pastors never to build by drawing members away from nearby churches, since there are millions still unsaved.

   Illustration: He was painter, sweeper, toilet cleaner, preacher and builder, and once had a long nail go right through his foot while fixing the roof.

   “Everything that I have belongs to the church and everything the church has belongs to me.”

5. Lay ministry and full-time ministry

   Some in full-time ministry should be lay ministers and some lay ministers should be in full-time ministry, and success often hinges on being in the right place. People who start churches after a fight with their pastor, without God's call, lack grace and anointing. Lay ministers in the marketplace should still serve in church, because Jesus called us to make disciples, and every minister should know their personality type so they can grow in relating to people.

   Illustration: He outlines the four temperaments, choleric, melancholic, phlegmatic and sanguine, as a tool for self-awareness.

   “But if God didn't call you, hey, don't touch it.”

   • Matthew 28:19

6. How to know you are called to full-time ministry

   From his notes he gives signs: if God has not called you to full-time ministry, He will not give you the anointing for it, He will not give you the financial support, you will make a fool of yourself because you are out of place, and He will not protect you. Saul forced himself into the priest's role instead of waiting for Samuel, and Uzziah forced himself into the temple, and both paid a price. Those who are called will find anointing, grace, favour and provision.

   “If you are not called into full time ministry God will not give you an anointing for it.”

   • 1 Samuel 13:12-13
   • 2 Chronicles 26:16-21

7. Keep focused and lay criticism aside

   If you let criticism and everyone's opinions shake you, you will not make it, because you cannot please everybody. Jesus only did what the Father told Him and was not moved by His critics. He was called many names but kept a clean conscience and chose to follow the Holy Spirit even when those close to him did not understand.

   Illustration: Some people want blue carpets and some want green: you can't please everybody.

   “I would rather follow the Holy Spirit rather than people”

   • Hebrews 12:2
   • John 5:19