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