Topic: THE GIFTS ARE FOR THE WORK – Bishop Mike Okonkwo August 1 2019 [The Redeemed Evangelical Mission]
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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:
Ephesians 4:11-12 KJV
God gave the various ministry gifts for the maturing, equipping and perfecting of the saints. He didn’t give the gifts for people to go and make merchandize of others. He did not put anyone in the five-fold ministry to manipulate anyone. He did not give that office to control the minds of God’s people. There are many people called to the Bible ministry but are controlling people’s minds. They are manipulating people’s lives, trying to direct them, rather than teaching them how to be effective in the work of the ministry. He didn’t give that office for them to go about saying “see what I can do”.
Every man of God called to the Bible ministry has been given an assignment. It is not just to gather people in order to have daily bread. That is a lie from the pit of hell. The reason people are drawn by the Spirit of the Lord into a particular ministry is for them to be equipped, matured, strengthened and lifted up. Let’s understand the purpose of God. The purpose of the fivefold ministry is to mature the people, equip them and strengthen them for the work of the ministry, and for the edifying of the Body of Christ. That means building up the Body of Christ.
It is the duty of the pastor to teach the people, not just the historical truth, but also the biblical truth. The people must be able to pick biblical lessons from the historical truth. It is not enough to tell us that Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego were sent to the fiery furnace; we must also be shown how they came out from the fire without any scars. I declare to you today that whatever may be the fiery furnace of life that you are in, it will not consume you. You are coming out and you will testify in Jesus name.
Further reading: Daniel 3:1-30
Daily Bible Reading: Morning- Psalms 57-59; Evening- Romans 4
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