DIVERSE GIFTS, ONE SPIRIT

Walk Only in Tested Gifts and Tools
God wants spiritual unity in the Body of Christ. That unity is in spiritual understanding, in thought, and in general practice. That unity is when we all have the mind of Christ.

 

Ephesians 4:13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;

That unity allows for flexibility from generation to generation. Tools may change, styles may change, creative approaches may be developed and become different over time, but Jesus and the Word of God remain perfect, flawless, unchanged, and timeless.

 

A good example of this is the youth in my Sunday class. They do not dress like I do. I love to wear a good neck tie and a shirt and a suit jacket... they are more casual with jogging pants and sweatshirts. That's OK! No problem because God looks on the heart, not appearances. James ch 2 tells us not to show partiality based on clothing or appearances.

I tend to appreciate emailing, which became big in the 90's... but my youth students tend to prefer social media platforms over email. That's ok! I have also been using social media in my ministry.
 They do not like to sing, while I love singing. That's OK, not to worry! They DO love to play musical instruments, so we find a common ground in that regard. I have been teaching them the Word, Prayer, and how to play music to Jesus with bongos and pianos. Two of these youths are on my Sunday morning worship team! Just because I taught the generation before them how to sing to the Lord does not mean that THIS generation needs to "SING". They can be just as effective by PLAYING INSTRUMENTS. No sense in forcing a tool or style or activity on someone who does not feel able to walk in it.

 

Ultimately, we find common ground in Jesus Christ... and they love the Word of God and they love to play musical instruments... so I have chosen to help them by equipping them with the tools that work for them. They are a different generation than I am. They are young, full of life and energy, and they have their own style of dress and their own style of ministry expression in Jesus. So I say: let them have their own style. I refuse to place my own style or gift or tool expectations on them. They must discover and test out all the tools and gifts for themselves. My job, as their pastor, is to support and guide them in the Word and in prayer, and to be there for them when they need help or have a question.   

 What might vary from person to person is the set of tools they use in the ministry, and the gifts they employ in such a ministry. David was activated as a deliverer for Israel by the present leadership, King Saul, but David needed tools that he could walk in... tools and gifts that differed from the previous generation. That does not mean one set of tools is BETTER than another, it just means that each person is used by the Holy Spirit in equally legitimate, but diverse ways. Read about David's need to test equipment and tools before using them:

 

1 Samuel 17:38-40
38 So Saul clothed David with his armor, and he put a bronze helmet on his head; he also clothed him with a coat of mail.

39 David fastened his sword to his armor and tried to walk, for he had not tested them. And David said to Saul, “I cannot walk with these, for I have not tested them.” So David took them off.

40 Then he took his staff in his hand; and he chose for himself five smooth stones from the brook, and put them in a shepherd’s bag, in a pouch which he had, and his sling was in his hand. And he drew near to the Philistine.

What works for one may not work for another. What counts is the presence of God's anointing. Your ministry leader has sent you to do a new work, and you have his blessing. But you may not operate in the same tools and gifts he or she can operate in. You need to discover and test the set of tools and God-given gifts that work for you. Don't feel pressured to do things the old way if it hinders your walk and your ministry in Christ. Let your style and your creativity in solving problems be like David's: full of faith in the Lord and full of zeal for taking a Godly stand. And here's the thing: what tools and gifts you DO use, they might make you LOOK ill-equipped to meet the challenge ahead! Just consider what Saul must have thought about David facing the Giant Goliath in battle WITHOUT the traditional tools of war!! But yet, by the Spirit of God, David got the victory using his own creative and unconventional tools and gifts!  

What natural tools and technologies have you tested in the Lord? What kinds of gifts have you tested?

 

There are many technologies available now: internet, computers, live streaming, social media, video sharing sites, cameras, microphones, tablets, phones, texting, email, cars, buses, etc etc. Use the tools that will help YOU personally glorify the Father in Jesus' Name and that help you walk with Jesus... and help you share His Gospel with others. If a tool is not a good fit for you, or for your generation, that's ok. Just keep true to the Gospel message and find other tools that will work for you... test them out and then walk in them!

 

There are many spiritual gifts from the Lord, and not all people possess all the same gifts - see 1 Cor 12. There are gifts of prophecy, healing, miracles, tongues, interpretations of tongues, teaching, administrations, etc. The Body of Christ finds its unity in the Holy Spirit - and the Holy Spirit issues out diversities of gifts as He chooses in the local churches.

 

Ephesians 4:3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

 

1 Corinthians 12:12 [ Unity and Diversity in One Body ] For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ.

 

1 Cor 12:4-7

4 There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord.

6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all.

7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all

  

There is also the gift of singleness and the gift of marriage, as Paul describes them in 1 Corinthians 7:7.

 

1Cor. 7:7 For I wish that all men were even as I myself [single]. But each one has his own gift from God, one in this manner [singleness] and another in that [marriage].

 

1Cor 7:32-33, 35

32 But I want you to be without care. He who is unmarried cares for the things of the Lord—how he may please the Lord.

33 But he who is married cares about the things of the world—how he may please his wife.

35 And this I say for your own profit, not that I may put a leash on you, but for what is proper, and that you may serve the Lord without distraction.

 

Walk only in those things that have passed the test... the test is: will those gifts and tools allow you -personally- to walk fluently in the call of God? If not, don't encumber yourself. Don't allow yourself to be distracted or encumbered by gifts or tools that may not be a good fit for you in this season of life. Just walk true to Jesus, as JESUS has called you. 

 

Be respectful to those who lead you but don't feel as though their methods, gifts and tools are always a good fit for you. What you have in common is Jesus and the Word of God. The methods, tools, and gifts you use in sharing the Word may be different, but never the Word itself. Styles may change, but never Jesus. Tools may improve, but Jesus and His word are already PERFECT, and cannot be perfected any further. Gifts will be in your possession, but they may be different than the gifts the previous generation operated in. Both sets of gifts and tools are IMPORTANT. But it is also important that a pastor or a minister personally tests things out for himself or herself. Test all things and only hold onto what is good for your personal walk. This does not mean that any tool or gift is BAD... (far from it... ALL GIFTS from God are GOOD!!)... but rather it means that some gifts and tools are BETTER than others for YOUR personal walk with God.

 

1 Thes. 5:15-23

15 See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies. 21 Test all things; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.

Blessing and Admonition
23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.

 

THEREFORE: Don't worry if your method seems different than others. Your true empowerment comes from the Spirit of Jesus Christ and from the inner creativity He gives you to meet ministry head on and win spiritual victories. (Eph 6:13-18). The Holy Spirit and the Armour of Jesus Christ are spiritual, and universal. The Lord will tailor the armour to fit you, so you can WALK in the calling God has given you!! You will walk HOLY and in the ANOINTING of Jesus Christ! You may be unusual, in your methods, like David and his humble shepherd's approach to battle.... and others who love you may not always understand you, but your walk is unhindered and ministry is bringing forth victory and fruit in your life.

 

It boils down to Jesus: Jesus has called you and equipped you in a unique and personal way. He called you to walk a unique road: be true to Him.

 

Live as You Are Called

1 Cor. 7:17
17 But as God has distributed to each one, as the Lord has called each one, so let him walk. And so I ordain in all the churches.

 

God bless!

PC - Jan 14, 2018 5:07pm EST  

Priesthood Vs Priesthood - 8 Ways Melchizedek is Better than Levi

If you want an indepth understanding of the Priesthood Melchizedek, please read Genesis 14, along with Hebrews chapters 6, 7, 8. It is a worthy topic to discuss why Jesus, after the Royal Priesthood, the Order of Melchizedek is superior to the Levitical order. It is a better covenant based upon better promises, with a Better High Priest. His Name is the Lord Jesus Christ.
Below, is a song I wrote about my studies:

Genesis 14:18 NKJV [ Abram and Melchizedek ] Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was the priest of God Most High.

The name "Melchizedek" literally means "King of Right". And Salem means "Peace". So this priest is king of Righteousness and also of Peace. This office has been quietly passed down through the generations until it reached Jesus. It existed long before Levi and continues into eternity. God never forgot this priesthood. He planned from the start to use it to bring fulfillment with Jesus as the King and Priest!

Psalm 110:4 NKJV The Lord has sworn And will not relent, “You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek.”

Hebrews 6:19-20 NKJV
¹⁹ This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, ²⁰ where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.


Revelation 5:9-10 (NKJV)
⁹ And they sang a new song, saying:

“You are worthy to take the scroll,
And to open its seals;
For You were slain,
And have redeemed us to God by Your blood
Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,
¹⁰ And have made us kings and priests to our God;
And we shall reign on the earth.”

 Here are eight reasons why Melchizedek is better than Levi (but this list is not exhaustive):

1. Our High Priest, Jesus Christ, lives forever. The Melchizedek priesthood is based on eternal life. Levitical priests died and had to be replaced.

2. Levitical priesthood was exclusive. You had to be a Levite (Levi was only ONE of the 12 tribes of Israel) in order to be a Levitical priest. Melchizedek is INCLUSIVE. ALL who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ can be made into a Melchizedek priest! But it must be by faith in Jesus Christ. ALL may come by the ONE WAY.

3. Melchizedek priesthood is based on RIGHTEOUSNESS and BLESSING. Jesus our High Priest is completely RIGHTEOUS, with NO sin, and has atoned perfectly for the sins of the world using His own perfect sinless blood. The Levitical order was based on covering SIN, both the sin of the people, and the sins of the Levitical priests as well. The Melchizedek order completely wiped sin out, while the Levitical order could not fully eliminate sin.

4. Melchizedek is a ROYAL priesthood. Jesus is both KING and PRIEST. He is both LORD and SAVIOUR. He holds a Bivocational role in the office and order of Melchizedek. As a result, all who follow Jesus are joined into the same bivocational role of kings and priests. That is why Jesus is called KING OF KINGS. He is the Big King, and we believers are all His little kings! The Levites were NOT royal. They had no authority to rule in civic circles, only the authority to carry out the priestly duties as prescribed in Moses' law. But on the other hand, Melchizedek has ALL authority and power in ALL spheres and circles of influence in life and in the nations, in heaven and in the earth! The Name/Title of "Melchizedek" literally means "King of Right" and he is described in the Bible as the King of Shalom (King of Peace). Jesus Christ is the Righteous King and the Peace-bringing Priest. He brings peace between God and humans.

5. Melchizedek's office is based on divine eternal OATH, not lineage. God swore an oath to His Son Jesus Christ calling Him a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek. The Levites' office is based on lineage.

6. The Melchizedek priesthood's past, present and FUTURE is eternally secure through Jesus Christ. Jesus lives forever. Thus the Melchizedek priesthood brings a balanced emphasis to both the single lifestyle (examples: Jesus on earth, The Apostle Paul, the Prophet Ezekiel (became a widower), and the Prophet Jeremiah) and the married lifestyle (examples: Peter had a wife,  and Priscilla and Aquilla were married to each other). Single people, and married people can BOTH join the Melchizedek order, through Jesus Christ, the only Door to Heaven. As created by God and ordained in the Garden of Eden, Marriage is sacred, and natural children are a natural blessing. So are spiritual children. Through adoption in Jesus, we are all made spiritual children of GOD!

SO the Melchizedek order WELCOMES natural children but CONSISTS of Spiritual children.

Melchizedek does not depend on natural childbirth for its existence, in the way that the Levitical order did. Melchizedek has ALWAYS existed, and always will. The ONLY WAY to be a Levitical priest was to be naturally BORN to a LEVITE. But the ONLY WAY to be a Melchizedek priest is to be BORN FROM ABOVE (Born in the Spirit) through faith in JESUS CHRIST! (John 3:3) Natural lineage/natural birth does not earn you the right to become a child of God or a Melchizedek priest, nor does it secure the Melchizedek line.... it is already eternally SECURE!
ONLY by GRACE through FAITH in Jesus may we become a child of God and a Melchizedek priest. Even if you die without children, the Melchizedek order continues! And by Jesus Christ, you will be resurrected! So your future is secure and so is the Melchizedek priesthood! There is no pressure for you to get married or to stay single. The choice between these two seasonal gifts is yours, take whichever blessing you would like to take in Jesus Christ! This blessed choice is yours because of the nature of the Melchizedek order.

 Because death is defeated by Jesus, (Heb. 2:14-15) He lives forever. And even when we die a natural death, as His followers, that is not the end for us. Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life. If we believe in Him, we WILL rise again, regardless of natural heritage or lineage.
 We WILL be resurrected in POWER by His Spirit at His return! Marriage and Natural children are always a blessing. Jesus was born of the virgin Mary, by special miracle of God. And Jesus built His priesthood using 12 spiritual sons. Jesus Christ alone is who secured the Melchizedek order, and it is perpetually secure and final in the Heavens and earth!

7. The Levitical order existed as a temporary measure until the Messiah, Jesus Christ, came to earth and accomplished the perfect atonement for all our sins. The Melchizedek order is a PERFECT and PERMANENT solution and is fixed in place FOREVER.

8. The Melchizedek order is ETERNAL. It had no start, and it has no end. It has no mother or father, it has no genealogy. It exists from before the earth began and it will continue to exist eternally in the New Heaven, the New Earth and in the New Jerusalem. The Levitical order had a start and an ending. It was finished when Jesus died on the cross and finished the work of atonement. The veil was split in two and the way to the Most Holy Place was now made available through Jesus Christ. All who want to come, may come by the way of Jesus, to meet with God. Isn't that just AWESOME!

------------------Have a look at Hebrews chapter 7 below to learn more! God bless and Happy new Year 2018!-----------------------
PC - Wed Jan 3 2017- 9:10pm EST
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Hebrews 7 (NKJV)

The King of Righteousness

7 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, ² to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all, first being translated “king of righteousness,” and then also king of Salem, meaning “king of peace,” ³ without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, remains a priest continually.

⁴ Now consider how great this man was, to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth of the spoils. ⁵ And indeed those who are of the sons of Levi, who receive the priesthood, have a commandment to receive tithes from the people according to the law, that is, from their brethren, though they have come from the loins of Abraham; ⁶ but he whose genealogy is not derived from them received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. ⁷ Now beyond all contradiction the lesser is blessed by the better. ⁸ Here mortal men receive tithes, but there he receives them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives. ⁹ Even Levi, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, so to speak, ¹⁰ for he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him.

Need for a New Priesthood

¹¹ Therefore, if perfection were through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need was there that another priest should rise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be called according to the order of Aaron? ¹² For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the law. ¹³ For He of whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no man has officiated at the altar.
¹⁴ For it is evident that our Lord arose from Judah, of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood.  ¹⁵ And it is yet far more evident if, in the likeness of Melchizedek, there arises another priest ¹⁶ who has come, not according to the law of a fleshly commandment, but according to the power of an endless life. ¹⁷ For He testifies:

“You are a priest forever
According to the order of Melchizedek.”

¹⁸ For on the one hand there is an annulling of the former commandment because of its weakness and unprofitableness, ¹⁹ for the law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.

Greatness of the New Priest

²⁰ And inasmuch as He was not made priest without an oath ²¹ (for they have become priests without an oath, but He with an oath by Him who said to Him:

“The Lord has sworn
And will not relent,
‘You are a priest forever
According to the order of Melchizedek’”),

²² by so much more Jesus has become a surety of a better covenant.

²³ Also there were many priests, because they were prevented by death from continuing. ²⁴ But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. ²⁵ Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.
²⁶ For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens; ²⁷ who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the people’s, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself. ²⁸ For the law appoints as high priests men who have weakness, but the word of the oath, which came after the law, appoints the Son who has been perfected forever.

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