The Overflow Ministry

I would like to talk to you today about the

overflow ministry. Luke, the physician,

tells of Jesus teaching in the synagogue

on the Sabbath. Among his congregation,

a woman whom Satan had bound for

eighteen years. When Jesus saw her, he

stopped teaching and called her to

himself, laid his hands on her, and she

was immediately made straight. This

picture of Jesus pictures the gentle

overflow ministry. It made people love

him then, it makes us love him now.

One Sunday afternoon, I had finished the

morning service, when a young couple

knocked at my door. I thought they

wanted to talk about getting married.

After a few minutes, the young man

turned and said, “Pastor, we are hungry.

May we have something to eat?” The

interruption gave me an opportunity to

practice the overflow ministry. As I

listened to their story, I wanted to give

them everything I had.

Jesus had two major assignments: One

was to redeem the souls of mankind, and

the other was to reveal the Father’s love

for the individual. Jesus attracted the

needy as he went about doing good. Do

not be content to just go ‘about. ‘ Have an

overflow ministry. Jesus said, “If I be

lifted up, I will draw all men unto me.”

(John 12:32) He drew men then, and he

draws men now. Your best witness for

Christ will be out of the overflow ministry

to others.

Father, let the love that touched the

woman bound by Satan for eighteen years

flow through me today.

Amen.