Pursuing Greatness by C. Joseph
In the Greek, the word ministry is “diakonea,” meaning “to serve,” and the word servant is “doulos,” meaning “bondservant.” Matthew 20:26–28 uses these two words when talking about pursuing ministry greatness. “But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; and whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many” (ESV). Romans 5:6 says, “We have different gifts, according to the grace given us.” Then it goes on to list some of the gifts, which include serving, teaching, encouraging, leading, giving, and mercy (see 1 Cor 12; Eph 4; 1 Pet 4 to read more about gifts of the Spirit.) These gifts are usually called “spiritual gifts,” and they are given to us freely by God’s grace to meet the needs of the body of believers. When we use our spiritual gifts, the body is built up, encouraged, and unified. In the past