Following the Model of Jesus’ Ministry of Word & Deed_Matthew 11:1-6

By Pastor Henry Van Olst

After Jesus finished instructing His disciples He went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee. Jesus Himself carried out the work of teaching and preaching which He also instructed His disciples to do (Matt.10). He also commissioned the Church with the task of preaching and teaching before His ascension into heaven,“Then Jesus came to them and said, `All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.’ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:18-20). And in 2 Timothy 4:2 God commands ministers to preach the Word! Without a doubt, teaching and preaching is a big part of the Church’s mandate.

And yet, preaching and teaching are not the exclusive work of the church, just as it was not the exclusive work of Jesus’ ministry. Jesus’ ministry was one of compassion for the poor and needy. Jesus’ ministry was one of reaching out to the social outcasts of society. When John the Baptist seeks an affirmation that Jesus is truly the Christ notice how Jesus responds, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, AND the good news is preached to the poor.” Jesus’ ministry of Word was accompanied by a ministry of Deeds.

When Jesus fed the five thousand we read, “He had compassion on them, and healed their sick.” And again when Jesus fed the four thousand he said, “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way.” Time and time again Jesus ministry was one of Word & Deed. He concerned Himself with both the physical and the spiritual needs of the people..

So too, the mission trip you men are about to embark on is one following the pattern of ministry of Jesus. It is one of Word & Deed. It involves building a medical clinic in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is a ministry of mercy, of compassion, as a witness to the goodness and compassion of Christ. As it says in Matthew 5:16, “In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”

So too your intent is to visit a “Girl’s Home’ not only to bring gifts, but to communicate to them the joy of receiving and believing God’s gift of life, His Son, Jesus, our Saviour. The ministry is one of looking after both the physical and the spiritual needs of the people you come into contact with. To bring only the Word without additional deeds of compassion would leave them empty. How can we speak of the love of Christ and send them away empty handed? Likewise, to bring only the deeds without the Word would also leave them empty. How can we shower them with gifts without pointing them to Christ? We need to follow the pattern of ministry established by Christ. His was a ministry of Word & Deed. And so too, we want to encourage you men, model your work after the work of Christ.


Interestingly, in Matthew 25 we read of Jesus coming again and dividing the sheep from the goats, believers from unbelievers. But notice what He says, “Then the King will say to those on his right, `Come you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”

Notice, believers are characterized here not only by their faith in Jesus but also by their deeds. Believers who inherit the kingdom of heaven are those who demonstrate their faith by their works. Faith and works must go together hand in hand. This is the task and calling of God’s people. May you find much joy in your labour of ministry following the ministry of Christ, a ministry of Word and Deed.

As it says in James 2:14-20, “What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such a faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily foods. If one of you says to him, `Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”

Joe, Gerald, Ben, Rod, John, and Rick go to Colombia with God’s blessing putting your faith into action. After all, this is precisely how our faith ought to manifest itself, in both your Words and Deeds. And as you minister to those in need address both the physical and the spiritual needs following the ministry of Christ. As God says, to do one without the other - what good is it? And so, may the Lord bless your labour of Word and Deed. May He grant to you safety in your construction work. May He also grant to you the joy of bringing the good news, the gospel - JESUS SAVES!

We promise to keep each of you in our thoughts and prayers throughout the coming two weeks. We also pray for your wives and children in the time of your absence. What a comfort to know that God is with us and our families wherever we go.

“May the Lord bless you, and keep you; may the Lord cause His face
to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; may the Lord lift up His
countenance upon you, and give you peace.”


Yours in Christ
Your Pastor
Henry Van Olst