CHPL 500 LIBERTY UNIVERSITY New Testament Chaplaincy The Gospel of Matthew _ASSIGNMENT_2024.pdf

New Testament Chaplaincy: The Gospel of Matthew

Des'monay Barnes

CHPL 500

Jan 21, 2024

Table Of Content

Introduction ………………………………………………………………… 2

The First Stage: Incarnation ………………………………...…………..…...3

The Parable towards Chaplaincy ……………..…………………………….. 4

Conclusion ………………………………………..………………………… 7

Introduction

In Matthew 25:14-30, Jesus teaches us that ministry to the least is ministry to Him and

that the church must go beyond its comfortable surroundings to understand and meet the needs of

others.1 The mission of Christ is to challenge us to move out of our comfort zones and serve

others. Incarnational ministry is based on the idea that God became human to be with us and

According to the New Testament, Christ's ministry can be understood in three stages:

One must consider the entire divine revelation to understand Christ's complete ministry

in three stages. The central line of the divine revelation is that God dispenses Himself in Christ,

with all His riches, into the people He created and chose in eternity past.4 This divine dispensing

causes God to become one with His chosen people, constituting them as the Body of Christ,

which consummates in the New Jerusalem as the Triune God's enlargement, expansion, and

expression for eternity. This is following the eternal purpose that God made in Christ Jesus (Eph.

3:11).5 To execute this plan, which He formed according to His heart's desire and will, God

devised His economy (1:10; 1 Tim. 1:4).6 The work of Christ in His complete ministry is to carry

out God's economy in whole.

1 Patterson, Dorothy Kelley, and Rhonda Harrington Kelley. “Matthew.” In The Study Bible for Women: NKJV Edition, Purple/Gray Linen,

edited by Holman Bible. Holman Bibles, 2016.

2 “The Conception of Jesus: The Salvific Act of the Incarnation.” In Jesus Becoming Jesus, 3–30. Catholic University of America Press, 2018.

3 Brisson, E. Carson. “Matthew 25:14–30.” Interpretation A Journal of Bible and Theology 56, no. 3 (2002): 307–10.

The First Stage: Incarnation

The first stage of Christ's ministry began with His incarnation, which brought the infinite

God into the finite man.7 Although the traditional view of the incarnation of Christ is that it was

merely a practical means to produce a Savior for man, it is more accurate to view the incarnation

as a marvelous and excellent work of Christ to fulfill God's eternal economy. Through the

in His person.

earn 100 percent returns by trading with the funds, but the third servant hides the money in the

ground and earns nothing. The rich man rewards the two who make money but severely punishes

the servant who does nothing.

In this there is a deeper meaning beyond financial investments. God has endowed each

person with various gifts, and we are responsible for utilizing these gifts in His service. It is not

acceptable to leave these gifts unused or neglected. Each person has been given different gifts,

and the return God expects is proportionate to the gifts.9 The servant who received only one

talent was not condemned for not reaching the five-talent goal; instead, he was criticized for

doing nothing with what he had been given.

8 Ibid. The Study Bible for Women: NKJV Edition

9Mathis, David. Habits of Grace: Enjoying Jesus through the Spiritual Disciplines. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2016.

The gifts from God include skills, abilities, family connections, social positions,

education, experiences, and more. The parable emphasizes the importance of using all our gifts

for God's purposes. The consequences for the unproductive servant exceeded those of a mediocre

businessperson, stressing the need to invest our lives rather than waste them.

Although the word "talent" in the parable has come to refer to skills or abilities in modern

done, good and trustworthy slave" (Matthew 25:23), indicating that the master values both the

serve God's kingdom. This includes creating products and services that meet people's needs,

initiating campaigns for social causes, starting a new business, or teaching Sunday school that

Chaplains can use to minister.

The Parable towards Chaplaincy

The parable teaches us that God has given each person unique gifts and expects us to use

them to the best of our ability.11 We need not compare ourselves to others or feel inferior if our

accomplishments are less significant. Instead, we should focus on being faithful and trustworthy

stewards of what God has entrusted to us. Chaplains can also draw lessons from the parable,

seeing it in the way in which it can be reminded of God's incarnation as a finite man.12 This

exemplifies the economy that God has established, where we are called to serve and love others

as Christ did. His willingness to take on human nature, with all its limitations and imperfections,

shows us the value of humility, selflessness, and compassion.

The talents challenge us to invest in God's kingdom by using our gifts and resources to

serve others. It reminds us that our worth is not based on our achievements but our faithfulness to

God's calling. And it inspires us to follow Christ's example of sacrificial love and service to

Jesus, chaplains can learn how to emulate His example in their work. The incarnation of Jesus as

serve and help foster a relationship between God and humanity, even in places where the Good

News is misunderstood or rejected. This can be a challenging task, but by embodying the life of

Christ, chaplains can fulfill their mission with humility and compassion.

The gospels recount that Jesus conducted most of His ministry outside the synagogue, in

village marketplaces, dusty streets, and hilltops.15 In this story, however, Jesus goes even further

and ventures into what many would consider hostile territory. Similarly, chaplaincy takes place

outside the comfort zone of Christian communities, in places where people gather, such as

commerce and industry, and on the streets. These places often offer the opportunity for life-

changing encounters and are where God is already at work, calling chaplains to be His

instruments.

13 Ibid. “The Conception of Jesus: The Salvific Act of the Incarnation.”

14Ibid. Brisson, E. Carson. “Matthew 25:14–30.”

15 Burch, Lucius R. “Academic Book Reviews: Calling out the Called: Discipling Those Called to Ministry Leadership by Scott Pace and

Shane Pruitt.” Christian Education Journal Research on Educational Ministry 20, no. 1 (2023): 127–29.

https://doi.org/10.1177/07398913231180787a.

In Matthew 4:9, Jesus is tempted to value riches over serving God, but He responds by

quoting Scripture: "Worship the Lord your God and serve only Him!"16 This statement should

guide chaplains and believers in their work, reminding them to serve God above all else. When

Jesus began His ministry, He left His city and went to Capernaum in Galilee. His initial message

urged people to turn away from sin and embrace the coming of the Kingdom of Heaven. He then

joining in to bring more people into fellowship with Him.17 Just as the four fishermen left behind

along the way.

The parallels between Jesus' ministry and that of chaplains are discernible in the

execution of their missions, carrying God's Word to uncharted territories. Chaplains are called to

transcend cultural, religious, and lifestyle boundaries, mirroring Jesus' servant-hearted approach.

Their service is not for personal acclaim but for the glorification of God, who entrusted them

with their mission.18 Engaging with individuals experiencing loneliness, alienation, or pain,

chaplains demonstrate genuine care by showing interest, listening without judgment, and

aspiring to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Moreover, the concept of incarnation serves as a reminder that individuals must cultivate

a genuine communion with God.19 An intimate knowledge of God is imperative to represent God

16 Ibid. The Study Bible for Women: NKJV Edition

to humanity effectively and vice versa. This relationship, nurtured through worship, Scripture,

and prayer, fosters an evolving understanding of God's nature. Like angels, prophets, and Jesus,

chaplains, in their representation of the living God, require an ongoing relationship that

profoundly influences their perspectives, attitudes, and overall identity.20 Emulating the roles of

angels, prophets, and Jesus, chaplains are called to be individuals who share the Word and offer

common for chaplains to inquire if individuals would like prayer. This act fosters a powerful

Jesus during his confrontation with Satan's temptations (Matthew 4:1–11).21 Weaving relevant

Scriptures into conversations allows individuals to hear God's words, with the Holy Spirit quietly

applying them to their immediate needs.

Conclusion

Crucially, chaplains are urged to prioritize inward purity over external displays.

Upholding good intentions, resisting quick anger, avoiding lust, refraining from swearing when

making promises, rejecting the temptation to respond to evil with evil, and extending love to

everyone, even adversaries, are essential teachings.22 Internalizing these principles equips

chaplains to navigate situations where people may have limited knowledge about Jesus, enabling

them to navigate these encounters effectively while radiating the light entrusted to them.

20Bohlman, Brian. For God and Country: Considering the Call to Military Chaplaincy. North Charleston, SC: Createspace Independent

Publishing Platform, 2015.

In conclusion, the ministry of Jesus Christ provides a powerful example for chaplains to

follow in their own work.23 Just as Jesus combined His incarnational ministry of presence with

His ministry in Word, chaplains must do the same. They must be present with people in their

time of need, demonstrating God's love and mercy through their actions and words. By

cultivating an ongoing relationship with God through worship, Scripture, and prayer, chaplains

fulfilling their calling to share the Word and offer prayer while shining the light of Jesus brightly