Ordination Order Of Service

Scriptures: 2 Corinthians 4:7; Luke 9:62;1 Corinthians 9:16

“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.” — 2 Corinthians 4:7

“And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” — Luke 9:62

“For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!” — 1 Corinthians 9:16

Emphasis

“Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit.” — John 15:16

Ordination is not the recognition of human ability, but the public affirmation of God's eternal call, Christ's redemptive commission, and the Holy Spirit's empowering presence.

Proposition

“Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” — 1 Corinthians 4:2

Every God-called minister must understand who called him, what has been entrusted to him, how he must serve, and why he must remain faithful until Christ returns.

I. God Is The Author Of The Call

“Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee.” — Jeremiah 1:5

Before There Was a Pulpit, There Was a Purpose: Primary Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 9:16; Luke 9:62; Jeremiah 1:5; Ephesians 1:4–5; Isaiah 46:9–10

• A. God's Call Originated in Eternity — Jeremiah 1:5. God's purpose preceded creation; ministers are summoned, not self-appointed.
• B. God's Calling Is Sovereign — Matthew 22:14. Election, calling, foreknowledge, divine purpose; Greek: Anankē (divine necessity).
• C. The Called Are Sent — Isaiah 6:8

“Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.” — Isaiah 6:8

God never calls anyone merely to occupy a position; He calls them to fulfill a divine mission. Abraham was called to leave, Moses was sent to Pharaoh, Isaiah to a rebellious nation, Jeremiah before kings, and the disciples into all the world. Today these candidates are likewise  being sent into Christ's harvest.

Before taking another step, every candidate should honestly answer Christ's question in Luke 9:62: 'No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.' Ordination is not a temporary assignment but a lifelong commitment to Christ and His Gospel. Keep in Mind, Many are the Called, but Few are Chosen!

Candidates, are you prepared to preach when celebrated, when criticized, when weary, and when no one applauds? Are you willing to keep your hand on the plow and never look back? If so, the God who calls is also the God who sustains (Hebrews 13:5).

Key Thought: God never calls anyone He has not already prepared, and He never sends anyone He does not promise to sustain.

II. Christ Is The Treasure Of The Gospel

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son.” — John 3:16

The Treasure Is Greater Than the Vessel.

• Primary Scriptures: John 3:16; Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 4:7; Hebrews 9:12
• A. The Gospel Began in the Heart of God — Revelation 13:8.
• B. The Cross Was God's Assignment — John 10:18. Greek: Lutron (ransom). Christ never turned back from Calvary; likewise His ministers must never turn back from their calling (Luke 9:62).
• C. The Treasure Entrusted — 2 Corinthians 4:7. Greek: Thēsauros (treasure); Ostrakinos (clay vessel).
• Key Thought: Protect the Gospel more than your reputation.
• Transition: Because Christ entrusted the Gospel, faithful servants must carry it.

III. God Transfers The Treasure Through Faithful Servants

“And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men.” — 2 Timothy 2:2

The Mantle Is Never About Power; It Is About Responsibility.

• A. Elijah and Elisha—God's Pattern of Succession ,2 Kings 2:9. (double portion, If you see Me)!
• B. The Journey Before the Mantle: Gilgal, Bethel, Jericho, Jordan (2 Kings 2:2). Elisha left his oxen, sacrificed the plow, and never looked back (1 Kings 19:19–21), illustrating the commitment of Luke 9:62.
• C. The Mantle represents stewardship and Kingdom responsibility.
• D. The Double Portion signifies inheritance and responsibility.
• E. Paradidōmi (to hand over, to deliver to )—2 Timothy 2:2. Moses→Joshua; Elijah→Elisha; Christ→Apostles; Paul→Timothy; today's candidates.
• Key Thought: The messenger changes, but the message never changes.
• Transition: Since God has called you and Christ has entrusted you, your responsibility is lifelong faithfulness.

IV. The Charge: Preach Until Christ Comes

“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” — 2 Timothy 4:2

Woe Is Me If I Preach Not the Gospel.

• A. Guard the Treasure — Acts 20:28. “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.”
• B. Wear the Whole Armor — Ephesians 6:11. “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”
• C. Preach Christ — 1 Corinthians 1:23. “But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness.”
• D. Every Sermon Leads to Calvary — Romans 3:23; 5:8; 6:23; 10:9–10.
• E. Final Ordination Charge — 2 Timothy 4:2. Preach in every season, keep your hand on the plow (Luke 9:62), and remain faithful until the Chief Shepherd appears.

Conclusion

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” —    

2 Timothy 4:7

(I’m going to repeat what I just preached 2 more times)

The Divine Progression of Ministry:
God the Father—Authored the Call (Jeremiah 1:5)
Jesus Christ—Purchased the Gospel (John 19:30)
The Holy Spirit—Empowers the Minister (Acts 1:8)
The Church—Affirms What Heaven Has Declared (Acts 13:2–3)
The Minister—Faithfully Preaches Until Christ Returns (2 Timothy 4:7–8)

Second Time

Closing Declaration: "The call began in eternity, was confirmed at Calvary, empowered by the Holy Spirit, transferred through faithful servants, and today has been entrusted to you. Therefore, guard the treasure, preach the Word, keep your hand on the plow, love God's people, and remain faithful until the Chief Shepherd appears."

Closing: Now, preachers before you step down from a sacred moment, remember who you are preaching about. Preach Christ! Preach Him until the weary soul finds strength. Preach Him until the sinner hears mercy calling. Preach Him until the church remembers that our hope is built on nothing less, than Jesus’ Blood and Righteousness, not in man, not in money, not in titles, and not in applause, but our hope is in Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God!

Tell them He was born in Bethlehem, wrapped in swaddling clothes, and laid in a manger. Tell them heaven leaned down, angels filled the sky, shepherds came running, and wise men brought gifts because the King had come! He did not come riding on a white horse; He came through a virgin womb. He did not come to build an earthly throne; He came to seek and to save that which was lost!

But do not leave Him in the manger! Take Him to Calvary! Tell them He marched up Golgotha’s hill, wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities. Tell them they stretched Him wide, they hung Him high, He bowed His head, and for you and for me He died! The sun refused to shine, (it was a Universal Eclipse), the earth began to tremble, the veil in the temple was torn from top to bottom, and the centurion had to declare, “Truly this was the Son of God!”

But do not stop at Friday! Early Sunday morning, before the rooster finished crowing, before the world knew what heaven had done, God raised Him up with all power in His hands! He got up over death, got up over hell, got up over the grave, got up with keys in His hand, and because He lives, the church still has a message, the preacher still has a mandate, and the Gospel still has power!

So preach Him! Preach Him when they say amen, and preach Him when they sit silent. Preach Him when the church is full and preach Him when the pews are thin. Preach Him in season and out of season. Keep your hand on the plow. Do not look back. Do not turn back. Do not sit down. Do not give up. Keep preaching until faith becomes sight, until labor becomes reward, until the crown is placed, until the trumpet sounds, until the clouds roll back, and until the Chief Shepherd Himself shall appear!

And when He comes, may He find you faithful, may He find you preaching, may He find you watching, may He find you working, and may He say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” Amen!

Reverend Cecil A. Poe, PhD., August 9, 2026, 11:00 am. Antioch Missionary Baptist Church