The first segment of The ways of God had to do with the fact that God is a God of order, and that perfect order is followed in heaven. This characteristic must be cultivated in those of us who serve in different ministries, because orderliness must run as a golden thread throughout the fabric of Christianity. Those ministries that are run by mere feelings, or that are done sporadically will fail of producing meaningful results for God’s kingdom.
Well directed effort, and consistency on the part of those who serve, will place folks in a position where God can use them efficiently. Therefore, when once an individual realizes his or her gift, a commitment to serve faithfully should be made to the Lord first and then to the church, and community at large, as the Lord directs. But in no case should sporadic or haphazard service for God be done. Let’s read:
Colossians 3:23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily as to the Lord, and not unto men;
24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
1st Corinthians 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
40 Let all things be done decently and in order.
One of the main reasons why some Christians suffer from burn out is because too few in the church try to do too many things, and as a result, a plethora of inefficient ministries are held by some. The fact is that there is only so much one can do in twenty-four hours, and therefore, if we spread ourselves too thinly, we will inadvertently dishonor God.
One the other hand, The Lord forbids complacency, by which some members only expect to be served, with no meaningful contribution to God’s kingdom being done. There is no such thing as a Christian without a gift, and thus, it behooves us to find out what our gifts and talents may be, and through the power and guidance of The Holy Ghost, use them to lead individuals to Christ.
Now, it is true that there will always seem to be a shortage of willing persons to serve in the various offices of the church, and some may feel pressured to extend themselves over and beyond the call of duty. We should try to avoid this snare, and only take that which would be done willingly, decently, orderly, and consistently. The cup that is full to the brim can be quite difficult to carry.
In the formation of the early Christian church, it was discovered that the apostles were expected, by the new converts to do everything, but this would soon become a problem, as their ministry of evangelism would suffer. Thus, very early up God directed them to distribute the ministries to such as would render faithful service, so that each person could stand in their God-given lot. Let’s read: Let’s read:
Acts 6:1 And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.
2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.
3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
Thus, the disciples who were called to preach the gospel would not be bogged down with the serving of food, and those who could cook would not be bogged down with preaching. Every person would be able to do their God-given part with efficiency and joy, for they would not be cumbered with what they were not called to do. This template for every ministry should be followed so that the church can run like a smooth running, well-tuned engine.
But for us to take on too much on our plate as far as ministry is concerned would cause us to be running here and there continuously without any time for us to be re-energized by The Holy Spirit, and before you know it we may be doing things in our own strength and following where God did not lead. Overwork is no virtue, for it can cut short our usefulness in the kingdom of God.
Therefore, in the church, God’s ways of doing things must be followed if we are to work in harmony with the Holy Spirit. In heaven, there are specific angels who do specific things. There are those that excel in strength, there are those who are charged with the monitoring of the four corners of the earth. Those who specialize in plagues, those who are watchmen for God’s people and those who specialize in praise.
Furthermore, there are angels whose sole work is to double-check every angel that passes in and out of the gates of heaven, so that no “undercover agents” would not enter. Then there are supervising angels, given the task of overseeing the various companies of angels who are to report their work to him. But there isn’t a single angel in heaven who tries to do everything, no not one. Let’s read:
Revelation 7:1 And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.
2 And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea,
3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.
Isaiah 6:1 In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.
2 Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.
3 And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.
4 And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.
Revelation 16:1 And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.
2 And the first went and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshiped his image.
[C.E.T pp 97] There is perfect order and harmony in the holy city. All the angels that are commissioned to visit the earth hold a golden card, which they present to the angels at the gates of the city as they pass in and out.
Therefore, God’s church on earth should know and follow His ways, for just as perfect order is followed in heaven, human agents are to operate in the same way. This manner of doing things was stipulated by Christ, and the distribution of gifts in the church by The Holy Ghost was to facilitate the smooth, orderly operation of all ministries.
No one is to think of themselves as being everything to everyone, and collaboration is to be encouraged, for the church is not to be comprised of disorderly, independent elements, working at odds with each other. On the contrary, the church should be known as an indivisible whole, consisting of many members who are working together in unison for the building up of God’s kingdom.
Every contribution is important, and none is to be despised, because from the least to the greatest, everyone should be viewed as contributing to the great commission given us, and as a result of the various ministries, souls would be won for Christ’s kingdom.
Those who are blessed with talents and gifts are to use them to the best of their God-given ability, and they are to constantly seek God for wisdom to make their service more efficient. Those who can sing, let them sing, and those who can pray, let them pray, those who can preach let them preach, and those who have a knack for identifying needs and helping others, let them do so in the fear of God. Let’s read:
1st Corinthians 12:1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.
4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another different kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues.
11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
Thus, it is important for persons to identify their gifts, so that they can be used in cooperation with Christ. God scarcely ever gives someone a gift for doing that which they do not like to do. If this were the case, then church members would always have to be propped up by praises, encouragements, and verbal support of others.
But when God gives persons gifts, it is often what the human agent enjoys doing naturally, and thus He sanctifies, and empowers them for use in His kingdom. Their motivation would not depend on the approbation of men, for their energy and gifts come from the same source.
Peter loved to talk, and it was observed that he said things when nothing needed to be said. Even when Peter had nothing to say, he would still speak, for it was his undiscovered gift being manifested. Yet, it could have been misunderstood by some as Peter being too talkative. Let’s read:
Mark 9:2 And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them.
4 And there appeared unto them Elias with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus.
5 And Peter answered and said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.
6 For he wist not what to say; for they were sore afraid.
Yet on the day of Pentecost, after Peter’s gift was realized, sanctified, and empowered by the Holy Spirit, it was the same talkative person who first opened his mouth to preach. It’s very often the case that what some may view as odd, or out of place in others, may actually be a gift from The Holy Ghost, just lying dormant for the time being. Let’s read:
Acts 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words.
We should understand also that there is a God-given purpose for each gift or talent distributed. These abilities and endowments were not given for personal advancement, personal enrichment or personal aggrandizement, as is currently the case with too many preachers today. Gifts and talents are given for the edification of the body of Christ.
In other words, if one discovered that he got the gift of preaching, and then begins planning to do church from a profit-making perspective, that gift would be perverted to suit selfish purposes, and as such it will become a curse rather than a blessing to others and would ultimately lead that gifted person to preach smooth words, and cute doctrines, designed for itching ears.
Again, there are many current singers on the charts, and billboards, who had their beginnings in church, but after they realized that their gift could be used for making money, it was perverted to suit selfish or evil purposes. If any talent, or gift is not being used for “gathering” it will be used for “scattering”.
But wherever God-given gifts and talents are being used as God designed, positive results will be seen. People would be edified, and encouraged to obey God, souls would be converted to Christ, and there will be a general upward trajectory from the use of the gift. Let’s read:
Ephesians 4:7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. 8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ:
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplies, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
It is also important for gifts and talents to be used efficiently, in a manner that will produce the most amount of positive results and for the longest time possible. As such, persons will have to have a plan, praying to God for guidance, and committing to His service on a continuum. Do not bite off more than you can chew properly.
Slipshod actions are to be strictly avoided, and that which has been committed to God should be held as sacred. There will be times when discouragement will set in; in other instances, persons may say and do things to annoy or frustrate. Let us never forget who has called us to serve, and who has blessed us with these talents in the first place, for if we keep our eyes on Jesus, He will keep us from burnout.
Let us then seek to discover, everyone his or her gift and talents, and let them be used for the up-building of Christ’s kingdom, in harmony with all the working principles outlined previously, and Christ’s blessing will attend every effort made in the right direction. We end with a passage of scripture which should encourage us to service. Let’s read:
Matthew 25:14 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.
15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.
16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same and made them other five talents.
17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.
19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.
20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.
21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
God Bless!