Scripture: Ephesians 4 v 11 - 16
Pastor's have great responsibilities before the Lord
Jesus and must give account to Him for how they carry out their tasks. Those in
the congregation should know what is expected of their pastor and how they can
help and pray for him. The first
instruction is -
FOR THE PERFECTING OF THE SAINTS:
Saints are forgiven but not immediately made perfect and
your pastor spends much time praying for you and counselling you on areas in
your life that need improving. He will address your and other's needs in his
sermons and you should respond to the altar call if you are in need of more
prayer.
FOR THE WORK OF THE MINISTRY:
All saints are called to be ambassadors of Christ and
your pastor will be exhorting and encouraging you to share your faith with your
friends and colleagues and to lead those who want salvation to receive Jesus as
Saviour. You may have a specific strong calling on your life to be a minister -
pray with your pastor for direction and guidance into where you will best
shine.
FOR EDIFYING THE BODY OF CHRIST:
The Body is edified by the Gifts of the Holy Spirit and
your pastor will see that you are properly baptized in water and in the Holy
Spirit and teach you the proper working of gifts such as Tongues, Prophecy,
Healing, Discerning of Spirits and Miracles etc. Sharing your testimony at
appropriate times also edifies the Body.
TILL WE COME IN UNITY OF THE FAITH:
The Body of Christ has been terribly divided by
controversy over things that have been falsely added to Biblical doctrines and
are now traditional practices in the Church. Like Christening of babies. There
is no such doctrine and it undermines the proper salvation of converts. The
correct way is repentance of sin, receiving Jesus as Lord, baptism in water and
in the Holy Spirit.
There is a
teaching that the gifts of the Holy Spirit were only for the early
disciples and not for today. We need these gifts more now than ever. Certainly
some have gone overboard and abused these gifts but that is no reason to
discard them. We do not discard motor cars because some have crashed them.
The toronto Blessing has brought massive division into
the Body of Christ. It is a false
doctrine and a false revival. Pastor's
must discern and resist accepting popular deviations from the true gospel to
protect the sheep.
THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE SON OF GOD:
We never stop learning about the might and glory of
Jesus. Paul, at the end of his long and intimate fellowship with the Lord,
said, That I might know Him and the power of His resurrection. Pastors are
equipped to teach you about Jesus and His works but your own personal
relationship with Him should be a constant source of new knowledge about Jesus.
My own knowledge of Jesus and the power of His
resurrection was revealed by the ministry to Karen Ann Quinlan and the
Revelation of Jesus' Bride. These began simultaneously in 1979 and have grown
and expanded continuously since then. God has added people to this ministry to
run with it for a time and many have stayed the distance. May the Lord bless
you all.
Further information on all topics mentioned is available
on our Prophetic Fire blog on http://www.propheticfire.co.za.
Prayer: Heavenly Father You have been talking to me about
responsibility and accountability of those who serve You. I pray that all Your
servants will search their hearts and Your Word for things that match and
discard that which does not. I pray for all pastors to conform to the Lord
Jesus Christ and be found faithful. In Jesus' name. Amen.