Ephesians 2:10

For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

The word translated as “workmanship” is the Greek term poiemo. Our English word “poem” is derived from this root. It basically refers to any sort of creative composition. A good substitute word would be “masterpiece.” Those who are saved by grace through faith (see the preceding verses) make up God’s beautiful, redemptive masterpiece.

What happens after you’re saved? Do you just sit around waiting to go to heaven? No! After you’re saved, God puts a paintbrush in your hand. He calls you to participate in this same redemptive work. He says, “Here, can you paint in that corner of this redemption picture?” He calls us to participate in the ministry of reconciliation alongside of Him.

I think this passage from Ephesians 2 is the most powerful teaching in the Bible about Christian service. If God has redeemed you in Christ, you are a new creation, created to do good works. And these good works were prepared for us “in advance.” Many scholars take this to mean that God prepared these works for us from the beginning. Before you were even created, God “set the table” in advance for the good works to which He is calling you.

What are those good works?

For me, those good works include preaching and teaching. I believe that before I was even created, God intended for me to preach these sermons and teach these lessons. I hope that doesn’t come across the wrong way. I’m just saying that’s part of what it is for me. What is it for you? What is the good work He prepared in advance for you?

There is a ministry to which God is calling you.

When people ask what I do for a living, I usually say, “I’m a minister.” And I am so grateful for the opportunity to serve this church in this capacity. But it is unfortunate that we’ve taken to using the term “minister” in such a narrow way. The world really applies to all of us, not just those who happen to be employed at the church.

In 1 Peter 2:9, Simon Peter says that all believers have become part of God’s royal priesthood. Old Testament priests were ministers. They served God and served others. And Simon Peter makes this connection to our identity. We are a royal priesthood, serving the King and serving the world. We have been enlisted int he ministry of the Lord.

So what is your ministry? Maybe it’s teaching Sunday school to a room full of four-year-olds. Maybe it’s serving the homeless in your community. Maybe it’s praying for those who do not yet know Jesus. Maybe it’s encouraging the elders and deacons in your church. Maybe it’s serving as a Huddle Leader to the 10th graders. It could be staying at home and raising your babies in the Lord or it could be living out the principles of the Kingdom in the marketplace.

Ministry is the work of all of us, not just a few of us.

If you know your ministry, praise God. Continue to follow His lead as you pursue the good works He prepared in advance for you.

But if you don’t, let me suggest that you pray for God to bring you an opportunity to serve someone this week. Ask God to show you where He wants you to minister. And then pray for open eyes and an open heart. I have a feeling God will show you some way to minister to others either in your home or in your place of work or at school.