Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Gifts (of the Spirit or service) (11/22/07)
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TITLE: The minister from God is a gift | Previous Challenge Entry
By Jeff Lowe
11/28/07 -
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"And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man.." Eph 4:11-13 KJV
Jesus builds His church by the hands of the anointed 'five-fold' ministry. They are the venue that God has chosen to impart blessings to our lives. Those who have the revelation of the written word preach the promises of God and impart faith and unity in the word. They are here to teach, inspire, guide, build up, comfort, edify and exhort us. We can receive the reward of a righteous man or a prophet; if we know what it is and how to honor it (1 Cor 14:3, Matt 10:41).
When we live our life as a walking revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, we know how to apply and exercise the gifts of the Spirit for the best benefit. God will move us up when we are faithful after we've been called. We’ll have the ABC's or access, boldness and confidence that separate us from mere mortals to live above the natural realm.
The apostle is God’s gift to be a church builder. His mantle inspires church growth. He shows in word and power that Christ is in us. He preaches today's experience, not yesterday's memories. He revenges disobedience, whether acute onsets or built up strongholds, although he does not bishop churches that he did’t start.
In the NT, prophets carry the life of God in them and speak from heaven by revelation of the Holy Spirit and confirmation of the scripture. His function is to present a living Word to what God is currently doing, not as a layman with the gift of prophecy, but the office of a prophet is to challenge people to rise up and be doers of the word. The prophet is a definite ministry of change to keep people going in the way of death. He also brings impartation, perception and revelatory insight to the church as a visionary and seer. He has rhema word for the “now” or a predictive word for the later as Agabus did (Acts 11:27, 28). They are fluent in spiritual gifts. A denomination or church will stagnate without revelation or vision from this gift from God.
People knew that Jesus was sent as a prophet, but didn't want change. Even the disciples, who didn't know for years that they would preach to the Samaritans and Gentiles, had to embrace a drastic change, starting with a deacon named Phillip, who first waited on tables, and for God to raise him up.
An evangelist is a preacher consumed with winning souls to God and goes after the hungry. His mission is to spread the fire of revival. He is anointed to preach deliverance to the captives, convict souls unto repentance and cast out demons. His message declares the Lordship of Jesus and is backed up by the signs, wonders and all the benefits paid for at Calvary and includes great faith and miracles. He is always prepared to preach and act on the Word. Absolute confidence is a must.
Gifts from God are here to make known the manifest wisdom of God. Satan should get revelations from us daily. We can use our "ABC's" and tell the devil, "I'm gonna pray, believe that I receive it and get what I pray for. Watch this!" Christianity is an indwelling, not a mindset. Promotion comes because you know what God has promised and you believe it. We have the potential to be all or nothing with God. Let the Word elevate you so that God can be seen. The Light of the world told us: we are the light of the world! The world is ripe for a harvest.
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Think about ways that you can make it appeal to people with short attention spans: a great "hook" at the beginning, some personal examples sprinkled throughout, perhaps.