This is for all of us to have a better understanding of the truth of God’s Word is. Several messages have been written prior to the one, but they have not been posted. After takin
into consideration that people are on different levels in their walk with Christ, it is best to write an introduction. Hopefully and prayerfully, this will benefit the readers by giving them understanding when the future messages are posted. I never want to write anything that goes over peoples’ heads, because that would be meaningless.
Many people don’t understand the gifts that are given to the church (body of Christ) to edify (encourage; build each other up), which glorifies God.
First of all, I want to make it plain and clear about my ministry (gift, service). Shortly after I was born again, I would preach, although there was little knowledge. Hindsight or looking back over my spiritual life and having learned more about ministry, it is evident that the preaching was the office/gift of evangelist. Although all of God’s children are commissioned to carry (evangelize) the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:19-20), the office of evangelist has a special grace as all the gifts do.
The next gift/office that was recognized is the office of prophet, to warn, correct, and protect, which edifies, because when someone is open to correction, it causes them to change some things they were doing wrong. The prophet God corrects; He uses others to correct each other- iron sharpens iron. God also has graced me in the prophetic to correct, warn, protect and this encourages others. Prophets also operate in the gift of discerning of spirits (they see and sense in the supernatural as the prophets of old did).
My writing is two-fold; one is pertaining to salvation and peoples’ walk with Christ. The other is to warn, correct and protect the children of God from false teachings.
Not many churches embrace all the five ministry offices of the apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, and teacher. Most of them accept the pastor/office, some accept the teacher, and evangelist. Rarely do any accept the apostle and the prophet. Many believe that certain gifts ended after the book of Acts. If that were true, why did Paul write about the gifts (ministry/service)? That does not make sense.
Back to some operating in some offices, they are functioning improperly due to a lack of understanding. It’s like quoting a scripture, but are you able to break it down and tell others what it means?
One just doesn’t learn what their gift is, but they need to be trained in order to function effectively. The reason many are not functioning properly is because they are not doing a
Romans 12:1-2
I beseech [urge] you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
The problem is, they are leaning to their own understanding; they are still conformed to the things of this world. They were transformed when they became saved, but transformation is a continual process. It takes a renewed mind to live a sacrificial life
Ps. I hope no one is thinking that I’m a “Know it all” – I am still growing too, but I have been trained by a teacher who had understanding, and it takes much digging into the Word of God personally. On that note, I appreciate you because you encourage me to continue posting messages.
Blessings,
His handmaiden, Betty A. Burnett ~ burnettministries.org
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