Daily Digest: Capstone Capsule

“Who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit…” – 2 Corinthians 3:6a

The Power and Principles to fulfil IMPACTFUL MINISTRY come from the Holy Spirit, not personal strength: “Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life” (2 Cor.3: 5-6). God never calls someone to an assignment without equipping and enabling them for it: “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria…” (Acts 1:8).

Today’s meditation passage asserts that Spirit-empowered New Covenant ministry has a surpassing glory and transformative grace compared to the Old Covenant's ministry of the "letter," which brought death (vv.7-11). An impactful ministry is therefore not about human competence but is God-given and relies on the Power of the Holy Spirit to transform people from the inside out, moving them toward Christlikeness, with the ultimate goal of spiritual liberty and life. This is a ministry of righteousness, not condemnation, and it is through the Lord, who is the Spirit, that this change occurs (vv.12-17). Impactful ministry is rooted, not in human effort, but in the power of the Holy Spirit, who transforms believers into Christ's image “from glory to glory” (v.18).

In addition to the dynamic power that the Holy Spirit provides, there are some Key Principles for effective and Impact Ministry:

Christ as the Centre: “For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord” (2Co.4:5a). Jesus as Lord is the Message, not oneself or personal ideas. Ministry effectiveness is measured by what brings glory to God, not personal accomplishment.

Character over Charisma: “...For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Sam.16:7). Character, integrity, humility, are vital for lasting ministry impact (1Tim.3:1-7; 1 Pet.5:2-3).

Commitment to the Word and Prayer: “But we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word” (Acts 6:4). Diligent study and correct handling of the Word of Truth are crucial for ministry (2 Tim. 2:15). Prayer is the lifeblood that sustains, guides, and empowers ministers (1 The.5:17).

Care for People: “Nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock” (1Pet.5:3). Leaders are to genuinely care for people's spiritual, emotional, and physical needs (Mt.20:26-28). Ministry is fundamentally about service.

Discipleship and Mentoring: Impactful ministry focuses on equipping and maturing believers to do the work of ministry, thus multiplying the impact through future generations of leaders (Eph. 4:11-13; 2 Tim. 2:2).