Serving God Effectively - A Character Sketch of the Prophet Samuel

1 Samuel 3:1-4 "Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord before Eli. And word from the Lord was rare in those days, visions were infrequent. 2 It happened at that time as Eli was lying down in his place (now his eyesight had begun to grow dim and he could not see well), 3 and the lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the Lord where the ark of God was, 4 that the Lord called Samuel; and he said, “Here I am.”

Introduction

Perhaps next to Moses, Samuel stood out as the greatest of the prophets who lived before the prophet Isaiah. Moses ministered in the early years of Israel when she was being called forth as a people from bondage in Egypt in 1446 b.c. Samuel's ministry would occur some 350-400 years later. The wonderful thing about Samuel is that his very name means: "God heard" or "God answered". Before it would be all said and done, Samuel's prophetic career would embody his name. When we consider the significance of Samuel's ministry, he was the one that inaugurated the end of one era (the period of the Judges - see Acts 13:20) and the beginning of the era of Israel's Kings (chiefly Saul and David).  

Everything that could be possibly said about this man of God will not be attempted in this post today. Rather, I want to offer a thumbnail sketch of the significance of Samuel's life to readers in the form of a quick character study. What traits of Samuel's life can we find helpful in understanding what is necessary to serve God effectively?

1. Samuel heard God. 1 Samuel 3

As we mentioned a moment ago, Samuel's very name meant that God had heard. Hannah, Samuel's mother, had prayed for a child. God granted her request and thus she pledged to dedicate him to the ministry of the temple all the days of his life (see 1 Samuel 1-2). When Samuel was weaned, she brought him to the temple to begin his service. Whenever you read 1 Samuel 3, you find the account of Samuel's call to ministry. Three times Samuel heard the Lord calling his name. Upon the fourth time, when Samuel answered, God gave him his first prophetic message concerning the priest Eli. It was a hard message for this budding prophet, but he heard God and acted in obedience. 1 Samuel 3:19-21 states - "Thus Samuel grew and the Lord was with him and let none of his words fail.20 All Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was confirmed as a prophet of the Lord. 21 And the Lord appeared again at Shiloh, because the Lord revealed Himself to Samuel at Shiloh by the word of the Lord." 

The Christian is by definition one who can hear God. Like Samuel, God first calls us to Himself (1 Peter 2:9). Jesus reminds us in John 10 that His sheep hear His voice and follow Him. To hear God means to have the unwavering conviction regarding what God would have you to do or not do according to His word. Samuel had that, and so can you dear Christian. Now notice the second trait of Samuel's effective service to God...

2. Samuel obeyed God. 1 Samuel 15

Samuel would be later called to anoint the first King of Israel - Saul. Sadly, Saul did not walk consistently with God. His impetuous ways eventually cost him everything. Due to Saul's disobedience, 1 Samuel 15 records the words of God through Samuel that Saul's kingdom would be taken from him. We read the focal point of the message in 1 Samuel 15:29 - "Samuel said, “Has the Lord as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams." 

If there was such a contrast in scripture, none hardly rivals the contrast between a disobedient Saul and obedient Samuel. As far as we know, Samuel never received a rebuke from God for disobedience. Whenever God told him to do anything, he quickly responded. You and I dear friend need to be quick responders in the realm of obedience. Quickly obeying God makes for effective ministry, and positions you to hear God even better. 1 Thessalonians 2:13 gives us a grand New Testament picture of this point of instant obedience - "For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe." So an effective servant of God hears God, obeys God and then finally...

3. Samuel's testimony of fidelity for God

What kind of testimony and legacy did Samuel leave behind? Amazingly, several books of the Bible record the testimony of Samuel's fidelity to God. I am sure some readers may recall years go how one could purchase "hi-fi" speakers. The little abbreviation stood for "High Fidelity", meaning that the sound system or speakers reproduced faithfully the sound of the original recording. Hi-fi speakers were known for being crisp, clear and faithful to the original. Samuel's aimed to imitate His Lord (compare Ephesians 5:1). Notice what other books of the Bible say about Samuel:

a. 1 Chronicles 29:29  "Now the acts of King David, from first to last, are written in the chronicles ofSamuel the seer, in the chronicles of Nathan the prophet and in the chronicles of Gad the seer"

b. Jeremiah 15:1 "Then the Lord said to me, “Even though Moses and Samuel were to stand before Me, My heart would not be with this people; send them away from My presence and let them go!"

c. Hebrews 11:32-33 "And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak,Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets, 33 who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions."

These three passages illustrate the testimony of fidelity that Samuel had. We have his words preserved in scripture. His life is held in esteem by God as a standard of what is righteous. Then Hebrews reminds us that among the giants of the faith, Samuel stood high and strong. 

Closing thoughts:

Today we aimed to understand what it takes to serve God effectively by doing a quick character sketch of the prophet Samuel. We first noted the ability to hear God. Next we saw the importance of instance obedience. Then lastly, we saw the need to have a tesitmony of fidelity to God. 

The Supernatural Power that flows through a church devoted to one another

Romans 12:10 "Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor"

Introduction:

I like how the NASB above renders this command of being "devoted" to one another. The word translated "devoted" occurs only once in the entire New Testament. As Paul was writing under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, this particular word lept into his mind, through his heart and out through his pen. The word in question is a powerful word. In referencing other Jewish literature written at the time of the New Testament, we often see the word referring to extraordinary compassion, affection or strong intense love of a parent towards a child. I am sure readers of this blog know the type of strong emotions you have towards your own children - you would do anything for them, would you not? 

The manner of devotion being advocated by Paul here in Romans 12:10 is a supernatural intensity of loyalty and devotion to someone who may not be part of your family. It goes beyond friendship and acquaintance. How often do we see such expressions of devotion and love among church members in the American church today? Would we be willing to lay down our lives for those in the churches which we attend or preside over as pastors? To whit, this is the type of devotion being commanded here by the Apostle to every Christian. 

What supernatural empowered devotion can look like in a church

Other reciprocal commands (i.e "one-another commands"), further detail for us the type of devotion we as Christians ought to have towards fellow believers. Take notice of the underlined phrases where we see expressions of deep devotion commanded of one another in the church. Notice too how in some of the verses, God is the Sovereignly

1. Romans 12:16 "Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation."

2. Romans 15:5 "Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus."

3. 1 Corinthians 12:25 "so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another."

4. Galatians 5:13 "For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another."

5. Ephesians 4:25 "Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, for we are members of one another."

6. Ephesians 5:2 "and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma."

7. Philippians 2:3 "Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves."

I don't believe for a moment these are ideals never to be experienced in churches. When Paul wrote his letters to the churches in the New Testament, they were churches that were going through challenges and triumphs much like today. For instance: Corinth was experience majors schisms and immorality issues; Galatia was dealing with the threat of false teaching; Ephesus would eventually be chastised for having a love grown cold and Philippi had two prominent church members at odds with one another.

In some cases, these same churches were commended for the times they attained the level of devotion spoken of in the verses we just explored. Only the Holy Spirit, combined with the scriptures and willing hearts, can result in the level of supernatural devotion commended by the Apostle Paul. 

I believe the church today can experience the same type of supernatural, God-infused phenomena, where everybody in the church is willing to put each other ahead of themselves. I recall experiences as a young boy and in times throughout my own ministry of either being in churches or witnessing churches where the power of God's presence was atmospheric. The devotion I saw among Christians and do see on occassion even today is not a contrived nor forced devotion. Truly when a church comes together, lays down the agendas and yields to the leading of the Holy Spirit, the most beautiful, other-worldly type of unity occurs. 

My prayer for churches, pastors and Christian everywhere in America and around the world would be for God's supernatural power to flow unabated to the result of Christ-like devotion to one another.  

The Supernatural Power of the One Another Church - Love one another

John 13:34-35 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Introduction:

I pray today's post will open my eyes of readers to the possibilities of supernatural church life. In the New Testament we find over 50 commands that urge believers to do something to "one another". Such commands are called "reciprocal commands", meaning that whatever I do to you, you are to reciprocate in return. Much like when you see a tennis match: one player lobs the ball to the other player; and the idea is for the other player to send the ball back. 

The first time we encounter a command like this in the New Testament is in Jesus' word in John 13:34-35. This particular reciprocal command is seemingly simple and almost a given. However, whenever you look closer at Jesus' command for us to "love one another", the one phrase that many miss is Jesus' statement: "as I have loved you". 

It becomes very clear that the kind of love that Jesus is expecting His disciples to exercise toward one another is not the garden-variety, natural-based, human-type of love. I think we as Christians in our churches get frustrated in trying to carry out this simple command of loving one another because we think of it in natural terms. Most people may very well have a generally good capacity to get along with other people. However, when discomfort, offense, conflicting personalities and personal space issues enter into the fray - what then?

The kind of love Jesus is urging us to do here in John 13:34-35 is the supernatural, God-kind of love toward one another. Out of all the reciprocal commands in scripture, the command to "love-another" dominates what ought-to-be a supernaturally charged church life. In order to demonstrate why the kind of love being commanded by Jesus is the God-kind of love, one only needs to see how else the rest of the New Testament re-issues this same reciprocal command. I will then close today's post with the power source necessary for carrying out such a command.

The reciprocal command to "love one another" is the God-kind of love

Romans 13:8 "Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law." The law of God cannot be fulfilled in the flesh to the satisfaction of Holy God, and yet the kind of love toward another fellow-believer is equated with such. This must mean that this love is exercised in the righteousness of Jesus Christ and by the power of the Spirit-filled life. In Ephesians 4:2 we read -"with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love". For church members to consistently love one another in the manner commanded here is impossible in the flesh. God's supernatural power is necessary is such love is to be expressed in humility, gentleness, patience and tolerance. 1 Thessalonians 3:12 "and may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you." Why love one another in the local church with the God-kind of love? Because the God-kind of love extends in more general terms to people in the world who are unbelievers. There are distinct manifestations of God's love experienced by Christians and the general type of love-benevolence, experienced by unbelievers - whether they realize it or not. God loves unbelievers more than we could ever love. The last entry in Paul's letters concerning loving one another is in 2 Thessalonians 1:3, where the growth of faith is directly related to the love believers exercise toward one another.

So what about the Apostle Peter? Peter's description of the kind of love Christians are to have for each other in the local church is even more profound. 1 Peter 4:8 "Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins." It's one thing to say "hi" to one another or even express the statement: "I'll be praying for you". But have we ever seen a church body where the love expressed between the church membership exceeds the commitment and love that may be found in the closest of families? Do we have the type of love that would be willing to lay down one's life for the other person? Jesus defined this type of love as the God-kind of love in John 15:12-13 “This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends."

To try to drive home the point that the love advocated by Jesus is not garden-variety human love, let me ask this simple question: would you willing die for every single person with whom you go to church or whom you know to be a church member? Wherever we hesitate in answering that question, that tells us that we are loving people with our human-brand of love. So then, in seeing this one kind of example of the "one-another church", what then is the supernatural power-source for becoming a true "one-another church"?

The Spirit-filled life is the only way we can carry out any of the reciprocal commands - such as "loving one-another"

The Apostle Paul writes in Ephesians 5:1-2 "Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; 2 and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma." This command restates in general the specific content of the reciprocal commands we have been exploring today. How then can we truly love one another in the manner commanded in scripture. In Ephesians 5:18 we read the command for being Spirit-filled - "And do not get drunk with wine,for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit." The Spirit-filled life is another way of saying "the Spirit-controlled life". In salvation, the Christian gets all of the Holy Spirit he or she is ever going to get. The issue in the Spirit-filled life concerns the amount of your life that is currently under the control of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit comes to indwell us one time at salvation, however there are to be repeated fillings following salvation. We know that the Spirit-filled life is the power-source behind not only the reciprocal command to "love one-another", but other such commands. Consider for example Ephesians 5:19-21  "speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; 20 always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; 21 and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ."

Bill Bennett, writer and Bible teacher, writes the about the requirements of being filled with the Holy Spirit. Here is a summary:
1). You must be born-again in saving faith.

2). You must be desire with all your heart to be filled (Mt 5:6; Jn 7:37-39))

3). You must believe God will fill you, not just God can fill you

4). You must denounce all known sin in your life. (Prov. 28:13)

5). You must dethrone self and enthrone Christ as Lord of all.

6). You must, by faith, ask the Holy Spirit to fill you. (Lk 11:13)

7). You must accept the fact He has filled you and live in total dependence on Him. (Gal 5:16)

Closing thoughts: The Spirit-filled life combined with church members carrying out reciprocal commands makes for a supernatural, one-another church

Today's post aimed to look at one of the main commands in the New Testament - "love one another". We saw that this type of command is call a reciprocal command, meaning that whatever I do to do, you must do in return. We also discovered that reciprocal commands such as "loving one another" involve the God-kind of love, and that such commands cannot be carried out by sheer natural will-power in the flesh. We suggested and demonstrated that unless the Christian is filled-with the Holy Spirit, the ability to be a "one-another church" will be impossible. 

How Jesus Supplies the Christian Supernatural courage to Face Any Fear

Acts 18:9-10 "Then the Lord said to Paul in a night vision, “Don’t be afraid, but keep on speaking and don’t be silent. For I am with you, and no one will lay a hand on you to hurt you, because I have many people in this city.”

Introduction

The courage to serve God becomes a highly sought after commodity whenever the prospect for victory appears dim. I marvel at this opening verse, since the Apostle Paul is among the bravest men of God in the Bible. He had taken a stand against those who were opposing his efforts to preach the Gospel. This brave man of God, this stalwart of the Christian faith saw conversions despite the opposition. Yet, the growing fear within his heart must had reached a point which threatened to shut him down. 

The text said: "the Lord said to him in a night vision....". Notice: a vision, not a dream. A dream would imply sleep. A vision occurs when one is awake. I'm sure Paul stared out into the darkness. The weight of ministry, the events of days prior and the emotional toll that any fast-pace ministry life can wreck had began to erode the resolve of Paul. The Lord Jesus Himself came to Paul in a vision and spoke familiar words that are found some 200 or so times in the scripture: "Don't be afraid". What peace must have washed over His soul like a stream over a barren land. Jesus then states: "but keep on speaking and don’t be silent. For I am with you, and no one will lay a hand on you to hurt you, because I have many people in this city.”

Jesus not only promised Paul that He would remain with him, but He also guaranteed that there were others who would be reached. There were others whom the Spirit of God was working on and whom God had purposed to save. There were unnamed people whom God intended to save, and Paul was the chosen vessel by which God would deliver His Word for their salvation. Jesus had further work, which meant that He not only would supply courage for the present moment, but also for the duration of the remainder of Paul's task.

How do we know that what Jesus said gave Paul the courage he needed to do God's work? Notice Acts 18:11 "And he settled there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them." Paul "settled in" for the long haul and did the work His Lord said needed to be done. Corinth was a hard city. As one reads through the first two letters from Paul to that church, it would prove to be among his most difficult churches. Jesus gave supernatural courage where natural courage could not abide. In closing, let the reader be reminded of Jesus' words in John 16:33 "These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”

The Comfort of God's Sovereignty in the midst of troubling circumstances

Job 12:13 “With Him are wisdom and might; To Him belong counsel and understanding."

Introduction:

One of the greatest studies to do is to explore the theme of the sustaining of faith by God's Sovereignty. In Job 12:13-25 there is a brilliant star of hope that shines in the darkened sky of the conversation between suffering Job and his so-called friends - namely God's Sovereignty.  Why is God's Sovereignty the brilliant star of hope in Job's life? Simply put - peace is gained in knowing that God is in control.  Below I want to lay out a few thoughts regarding the comfort of God's Sovereignty in the midst of troubling circumstances. 

God's Sovereignty in the midst of troubling circumstances is understood by His wisdom and power
What does Job tell us about God's control in the middle of troubling circumstances in Job 12? We begin with two truths: that God is all-powerful (omnipotent) and all-wise (omni-sapient). God is powerful enough to control all things and wise enough to regulate all secondary matters (events, human decisions, seasons) to their proper and best ends (Job 12:14-15)  Job then describes God's power and wisdom in terms of rendering justice on the evil and suffering caused by people (Job 12:16).  As the all-powerful and all-wise God, we discover that all spiritual and human authority is delegated authority from Him (Job 12:17-21; Romans 13).

God's Sovereign guidance by His word in the midst of troubling circumstances
Not only does God's Sovereignty exercise and grant authority, but He also gives direction to His people. God's omni-potence (God's all-powerfulness) and omni-sapience (God being all-wise) enables Him to reveal previously hidden truths - a process we call revelation (Job 12:22; 2 Peter 1:21)  Job then concludes his speech in Job 12 with the reminder of mankind's frailty apart from God's word and grace (Job 12:23-25).  Unless God is at the center of your line of vision, life's difficulties and disappointments will overwhelm you.  

God's Sovereignty sustains in the midst of troubling circumstances

Job was sustained by His relationship with the Lord.  As we turn to Acts 8, we discover the true backbone of the early church following Stephen's martyrdom.  Despite the increased persecution and heresies of men such as Simon Magus (the Magician), the people of God were sustained by the preaching and demonstration of God's word (Acts 8:6).  The darkened sky of the sufferings of God's people was pierced through by a God-based, Gospel centered, Spirit empowered message.  

I remember a statement made by radio-preacher, pastor and author Dr. Chuck Swindoll on the matter of God's Sovereignty: "Knowing that God's is Sovereign may not answer all of my questions, but knowing He is Sovereign certainly calms all of my fears."  May you and I be God based, Gospel centered and Spirit-enabled.   May we find comfort in God's Sovereignty in the midst of troubling circumstances. 

The Practical Considerations of The Sovereign Lordship of Jesus Christ

Matthew 18:19-20 “Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven. 20 For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.”

Introduction

When we speak of Sovereignty, we are referring to God's comprehensive control over all peoples, places and times. God exercises His Sovereign authority both directly and secondarily through the wills of his creatures, historical events and the course of creation itself. As theologian Abraham Kuyper once noted: "there is not one square inch of creation that Christ does not pronounce: 'mine'!" Jesus Christ repeated states that He is equal in authority and being to the Father who is God (John 8:58; 17:3). Scripture affirms such statements. The Son, Jesus Christ, is the visible expression of the invisible Father and is One with Him in nature and essence. Hence Jesus Christ the Son is eternal, God in human flesh, forever praised with the Father and the Spirit (Romans 9:5; 1 Corinthians 8:6; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Hebrews 1:1-4) 

The Sovereign Lordship of Jesus Christ over this creation is affirmed and uncontested (Colossians 1:16-18). Moreover, that Sovereign authority is specifically concentrated over the progress and victory of His church in fulfilling her mission prior to His return (Matthew 24:35). Whenever we read of Jesus being the Head of the church, that is another way of expressing His Sovereignty over her (Ephesians 5:22-25). Such power wielded by Jesus Christ gives authority to whatever commands He gave to His apostles for the church throughout the ages. 

Whenever we consider the foundations laid down by Jesus Christ for the church and the Christian, we typically look to three main chapters in Matthew that outline the church's mission. Without the Sovereign Lordship of Jesus Christ behind each one of these chapters, there would be no way the church could exist and function. 

1. The Great Concern Jesus has for the holiness of His church. Matthew 18

2. The Great Commandment or Jesus' command for Christians to love God and their neighbor. Matthew 22:37-39

3. The Great Commission or the mission of the church to go into all the world and make disciples. Matthew 28:18-20

Practical considerations of the Sovereign Lordship of Jesus Christ

None of these three great chapters would be possible to carry out apart from Christ's Sovereignty working in and through the church by the Spirit and the Word. These observations underscore the practical realities of the Sovereign Lordship of Jesus Christ. Apart from the credited righteousness of Jesus Christ, there would be no way believers could be declared holy nor have the power source to live holy lives. In like manner, without the love of Jesus Christ Sovereignly given to his church, the people of God could not be a loving people. Then finally, apart from Jesus Christ's Sovereign Lordship over the Great commission, evangelism would have no guarantee of success. By the ministry of the Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ's Sovereign Lordship makes holiness, love and missions not only a possibility, but a robust reality for the Christian today. May we enjoy and rejoice in the Sovereign Lordship of Jesus Christ!

P4 What you need for healthy Christian growth - How pastoral ministry, church body-life and small group ministry can work together

Acts 2:46-47 "Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved."

Introduction and review

The overall pattern and design of the Christian life is to grow onward and upward in the Lord. Such growth may experience seasonal declines, however the vast majority of the Christian life ought to witness advances and an overall pattern of change. Passages such as 2 Peter 3:18 explicitly command us to grow up in our walk with Christ: "but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen." Peter also writes in 1 Peter 2:2 "like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation." Like the Apostle Peter, the Apostle Paul also explains the need of healthy Christian growth. Romans 12:2 is but one example - "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." 

God has prescribed three main ministries in the local church to ensure the spiritual healthy of Christians. Solomon writes in Ecclesiastes 4:12  "And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart." We will be exploring two chapters (Ephesians 4 and 1 Timothy 4) to discover what I am calling "the 3-braided rope" of healthy Christian growth in Christians and the church, which includes the following:

1. Pastoral ministry (1 Timothy 4; Ephesians 4:11-12)

2. Church-body life (Ephesians 4:13-24)

3. Small-groups (Ephesians 4:25-29)

We saw yesterday how small-group ministry is used by God in developing relationships within the church. Sunday School is a prime example of small-group ministry that meets (typically) on Sunday mornings before the main church service. In addition to church body-life and pastoral ministry, small group ministry fills in that relational gap that would be otherwise missing in the church. All three ministries are needed in the spiritual health of Christians and churches. Today we want to conclude this series by understanding how pastoral ministry, church body-life and small groups interrelate to one another.

How pastoral ministry, church body-life and small groups interrelate

Pastoral ministry aims to equip God's people to do the work of the ministry. A pastor and the pastoral office which he occupies has been vested by God with that "37,000 foot" view of the big-picture. However the pastoral ministry cannot effectively minister to all the details of church life without the second element - church-body life. Getting involved in the local church enables God's people to perform the ministry. In a healthy church, the pastor mainly (not exclusively) equips the people to do the work of the ministry. Indeed the pastor ought to model what it means to serve. A good pastor will equip his people so that they, not him, will shine for the glory of Jesus. 

Then lastly, small-group ministry provides the relational glue within the church body. The more relationships there are being built, the pastoral ministry and church body can only benefit. Each serves the other. Without pastoral ministry, there is no church-wide equipping, exhortation, vision or congregational care. Without church body-life, church members will show up but not see the need to express the gifts God has given them nor see that their individual needs play second fiddle to others. Then without small-group ministry, relationships cannot be expected to be built, trust increased nor unity reinforced. All three of these ministries are necessary of Christians are to experience healthy Christian growth in their lives.