Ephesians 4:11-13
And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.
Jesus is building His church (Matt 16:18), but we must not forget that He has given “church building and church equipping gifts” to His leaders, to build us up as the Body of Christ! If we are going to attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to full maturity, we must have these gifts (apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors & teachers) ministering to us. In the last days restoration of all things, the most exciting part is the church “growing up” to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ! Beloved, join me in extending your faith and contending for this restoration at Freedom Gate Church.
We need ALL of these “gifts given to men” operating among us, to see the equipping and building up of the body. Stand with me in believing for ALL of these gifts to be manifested among us; but also guard your hearts, because some of the well established religious systems, traditions, and doctrines, will resist this restoration. Jesus spoke to the religious system, “You have invalidated the word of God for the sake of your tradition… and you teach as doctrine the precepts of men” (Matthew 15:6-9). Many in these days are holding to “forms of godliness” but they are denying the power. We are contending for His Kingdom to come, and for His will to be done, in our generation!
Ask the Lord to prepare your heart for further restoration. Ask Him to reveal any religious traditions or ways of thinking, that would be a stronghold set against the knowledge of God (II Cor 10:4-5). Ask the Lord to help you (by His divinely powerful weapons) to tear downthese strongholds, in the name of Jesus! Ask the Lord to give you, by His Holy Spirit, the very mind of Christ; for He IS the wise Master-Builder and Cornerstone of His church!
Matthew 10:41
He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives him who sent Me, He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward.
Honor is clearly defined as our humble acceptance and reception, that we give to the one He has sent among us. Prepare your heart to be teachable and trainable, as one who knows how to honor ALL the leadership gifts that the Lord is using to bring us into restoration. If we fail to show honor, we will lose the reward of the gifted servants that the Lord will send among us. Let us be the Bride, who has made herself ready to meet the Lord!
Me too! I love the reward
28.09.2010, 5:25 pmI am reminded from Hebrews 11:6 – our heavenly Father is pleased by our faith and people of faith know that He
“rewards” them! “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him”
Whoo Hoo! I want all the gifts God has for me and for our Church (His Church!). I don’t want to resist what He’s doing! Be it unto us, Lord, according to Your Word!!
Oh, and I like rewards!
15.09.2010, 8:28 amyes…we want to make ourselves ready for jesus! thank you for anointed leaders who give their lives to equip us!
14.09.2010, 7:08 pmAmen! Good stuff! I want to honor and receive those who He sends…there’s a reward, who doesn’t like rewards?!
14.09.2010, 5:10 pm