A powerful lesson from Cultivating Intimacy with God in Life and Ministry by Sam Aboyeji. The idea that God calls us to work with Him rather than just for Him is deeply biblical. Here are some key scriptures that reinforce this principle:
Mark 3:14 (NIV) – "He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach."
John 15:4-5 (NIV) – "Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."
1 Corinthians 3:9 (NIV) – "For we are co-workers in God's service; you are God's field, God's building."
Exodus 33:14-15 (NIV) – "The Lord replied, ‘My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.’ Then Moses said to him, ‘If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.’"
Psalm 127:1 (NIV) – "Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain."
From these scriptures, it’s clear that God desires a relationship with us, not just our service. Ministry should flow from intimacy with Him.
