Dear Ones…the Lord bless you!
Men of God today, the ‘higher up’ they climb, the more it seems they seek to become great administrators rather than great men of God. This is always because of money which is the power principle in the organized Church today, just as it is in the world. As for being a ‘great administrator,’ Paul couldn’t even remember who he had baptized in Corinth. But Paul was perhaps the greatest man of God the Church ever produced. Our intern teacher training program is calling men and women of God to become greater servants of God today.
Our dynamic, ever-growing teacher training program is starting its twenty first group on July 15th. In this group we will emphasis prophetic /miracle evangelism as part of our practical training. For each of our students, the streets will become the laboratory of the Holy Spirit. God will meet His people on the street corners, in the alleyways, at the markets and over the fences with demonstrations of the living Son of God. We love to train, and it will be fun!
If you are a man or woman of God, and desire to teach and impart the gifts of the Spirit, this six-month training is for you. If you have been through the program, and would enjoy a ‘refresher’ course, you can join us as well. Please contact the Rev. Mrs. Sandra Hill, the dean of our intern studies, at sandrahill4m@outlook.com, before the 15th!
Let’s change the world! KRP
SPECIALTY GIFTS
And God has appointed these in the church: 1 Cor 12:28 NKJV
The idea that a believer can only have one or two gifts of the Spirit is a biblical misconception. But, like ‘God is in control’ or ‘Turn the other cheek,’ it is a biblical misconception that has a kernel of truth in it.
The purpose of the gifts of the Spirit, in 1 Corinthians 12:7-11, is to give you the tools to enable you to fulfill your ministry, which is mentioned in verses 4-6. Every carpenter knows that he needs every tool in his toolbox, else they wouldn’t be in there, because no one wants to carry tools they don’t need. You need all nine gifts of the Spirit to fulfill your ministry assignment well. You need all nine, all the time.
As we sat at lunch, I began to share with two missionaries, both women, about how the power of God can protect us from all harm. The one women smiled and agreed, while the other became rude and obnoxious. “That can’t be true,” she said, “I was attacked and we were robbed, etc.” A total rejection of the Word I was sharing! Later, as I pondered the conversation, I asked the Lord, “Why did she respond like that?” “She is a servant of her own heart…” Ohh, not even born again!
The gift of discerning of spirits, one of the tools in my box, through which the Lord spoke to me, helped me to understand that situation.
Now, here is where I have seen the ‘one or two gifts’ idea practically working. You have all nine gifts working in your life, but you may have one or two that you are especially passionate about, or that you are uniquely enabled to operate. For instance, I’ve always been able to think big and believe big. At times my ideas have outrun my spiritual stature at the time, and that has gotten me into trouble. But, the gift of faith has always been a unique part of my walk, even when I operated it immaturely. The gift of faith and the gift of tongues, especially helping others to receive, have become huge for me. Do you see it? They have become specialties…
How about you? Have you received all nine of the gifts? And, do you have one or two that you excel in? If you have spoken in tongues, but never gone beyond to receive the others, then you need to get busy! Speak in tongues much, while reading much of the Word daily, and ask the Lord to give you the others, and train you in them. He will!
A gentle warning – as you grow and begin to excel in the gifts, don’t become ‘super-spiritual’ and creepy (we converse with God; we are already weird enough!). Love God, love others and keep your feet on the ground!
Let’s consider this section, verses twenty eight through thirty one, from 1 Corinthians 12. At times, the individual gifts can actually become ministries…
And God has appointed these in the church helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.
Here is the context of 1 Corinthians 12.
Verses one through three – a very significant and serious introduction to PNUEMATIKOS – things of the Spirit.
Verses four through six – Your individual ministry and how the Trinity relates to you as a minister.
Verses seven through eleven – the demonstration of the Spirit; the ‘tools’ you need to carry out the ministry that you received in verses four through six.
Verses twelve through twenty seven – a dual analogy, showing how the individual gift relates to the whole of the gifts, and how the individual believer relates to the whole of the body of Christ. Got that? We will wait for you as you ponder that for a minute… ok, ready?
Verses twenty eight through thirty – Ministries in the body, where even the individual gifts, the ‘tools’ so to speak, can be anointed as ministries.
Verse thirty one – the transition to and introduction of chapter thirteen.
Let’s work verse twenty eight.
‘Appointed’ TITHEMI – to place in service as it pleases Him. Ministries are placed in service by God, not by man. And, ministries come as He pleases and they are to please Him. Never, ever appoint yourself to a ministry, unless you really want to fall into a deep hole. Just be zealous for the things of God and look to Him! If you are truly called to a ministry, He will elevate you in His time.
‘these’ – these eight listed ministries. Eight is the number of a new beginning, which came on the day of Pentecost. These eight are not the only ministries in the Church.
‘the Church’ – EKKLESIA, the body of Christ, not a denomination, sect, or organization of men. Just because an organization ordained you as an ‘apostle’ does not necessarily mean you are ordained of God to that office. And, you may be ordained of God to an office and never recognized formally by anyone. That doesn’t change anything! Do you see?
‘first apostles, second prophets, third teachers’ – Three of the fivefold Ascension gifts from Ephesians four.
‘…after that miracles, then gifts of healings…varieties of tongues.’ Three of the ‘tools’ from verses seven through eleven, but here anointed as ministries. Everyone can operate the working of miracles, but some are miracle workers. You see? Specialty gifts! Everyone can minister healing, but some are really effective healers. My friend Dale can do things with diverse kinds of tongues that I can’t even attempt, and don’t even try, because it is a very powerful ministry for him, but not for me.
‘…helps, administrations’ – the sixth and seventh ministry listed. Six is the number of man’s frailty. ‘Helpers’, or the lack thereof, are probably the key ministry through which the Church can be broken, or elevated. There is nothing stronger than the heart of a volunteer. But the hearts of volunteers get broken because of the elitism of the ‘big guys and girls,’ which is a commentary for another day.
Administrators are the seventh ministry listed. Do you realize that the God appointed ministry of an administrator is separate from the fivefold ministries? Administrators keep you from losing that one precious little lamb that is so precious to God, by keeping track of everybody. Administrators also rule over the money, so that it doesn’t become a stumbling block. Administrators in their proper alignment to the ruling ministries, bring the body into perfection and maturity.
Now, the following verse has been used to deny speaking in tongues for every believer. But, the context is – ministries in the Church!
The verse is in italics, my comments are in parentheses and ALL CAPS!
Are all apostles? ( NO, NOT AS A MINISTRY) Are all prophets? (NO, NOT AS A MINISTRY) Are all teachers? (NO, NOT AS A MINISTRY) Are all workers of miracles?( NO, NOT…) Do all have gifts of healings? (NO, NOT…) Do all speak with tongues?( NO, NOT…) Do all interpret? (NO, NOT…)
Do you see it? Every believer can be sent, prophesy, teach, work miracles, minister healing, speak in tongues, and interpret…just not as a ministry!
When one or more of the gifts of the Spirit are appointed by God to become ministries in the life of the individual believer, then those become specialty gifts!
But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way. 1 Cor 12:28-31 NKJV
To earnestly desire is to desire with great zeal, bless God forever. The love of God will bring your zeal to a bright flame! The ‘best’ gifts are the gifts that are needed at that moment. ‘A more excellent way’ is the love of God that is the great ‘force multipler’ of the power of God in your life. As you walk in love, you will effectively walk into the great ‘specialty gifts’ in your life. Love you!
Remember dear ones, we must be about our Father’s business…