John 1:16-17 tells us that, "We ALL have received and ALL have a share in the Spiritual Blessing, Grace and favor." Romans 12:13 says that, "We have ALL been given the measure of faith." Galatians 3:13 (Amp) says, "To the end that through their receiving Christ Jesus, the Blessing Promised to Abraham might come upon the Gentiles, so that we through faith might ALL receive the realization of the Promise of the Holy Spirit." Romans 8:17 tells us that, "We have ALL been made joint heirs with Jesus Christ."
Our Heavenly Father has never abandoned any child of His family, but we haven't realized who we are in Jesus. 1Corinthians 12:4-5,7 (Amplified) says, "Now there are distinctive varieties and distributions of endowments (Gifts, extraordinary powers distinguishing certain Christians), due to the Divine Grace operating in their souls by the Holy Spirit, and they vary, but the Holy Spirit remains the same And there are distinctive varieties of service and ministration, but it is the Same Lord Who is served." Verse 7 says, "But to each one is given the manifestation of the Holy Spirit, the evidence, the Spiritual Illumination of the Spirit for good and profit."
We each have the Same Holy Spirit in us, to bring the demonstration of good to mankind and the Glory of God. Although certain Gifts are the tools that demonstrate the Power of the Gospel, these Gifts and manifestations are made available to all who are ministering to others. Paul tells us about Phillip, who was a deacon and not the Apostle, in Acts 8:5-8 (Amp) saying, "Went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed Christ the Messiah to them (the people). And great crowds of people with one accord listened to and heeded what was said by Phillip; And they heard him and watched the miracles and wonders which he kept performing from time to time. For foul spirits came out of many who were possessed by them, screaming and shouting with a loud voice, and many who were suffering from palsy or were crippled were restored to health. And there was great rejoicing in that city."
Phillip was only a deacon in the church, but he had such a great zeal for God that he went out on his own to proclaim Jesus to those in the surrounding cities. The Holy Spirit honored his faith, moving through Philip in a great and mighty way, because Phillip was doing the work of the ministry. Phillip wasn't part of the five-fold ministry, but the Holy Spirit worked through him, in order to accomplish good and profit for all.
Jesus said, "It's not Me but the Father in Me, Who does the work." We have the Father in us too and should know that when we're ministering to others, He will honor what we're doing with signs and wonders. Jesus said in Mark 16:17 (Amp), "And these attesting signs will accompany those who believe: In My Name they will drive out demons, they will speak in new languages, They will pick up serpents, and even if they drink anything deadly, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will get well."
Paul writes about acquiring the Super-natural things of God in our lives, saying in 1Corinthians 12:31 (Amp), "But earnestly desire and zealously cultivate the greatest and best Gifts and Graces, (the higher Gifts and the choicest Graces). And I will show you a still more excellent way, one that is better by far and the highest of all-Love." In other words, instead of just seeking these Gift, we must strive to walk in Love for the people and the Holy Spirit will furnish whatever is needed to set the captives free.
Those who don't believe in the Super-natural things of Mark 16:17, are probably not doing any part of the ministry that requires the Gifts and manifestations of the Holy Spirit. The work of those in the five-fold ministry, is to bring people into the Body of Christ and mature the babies of Christ in their faith. Jesus was a Teacher and spent 31/2 years teaching His disciples how to lean on the Holy Spirit as their Source of ability and power. When they were born-again and the Holy Spirit came to live in them, they in turn began teaching others.
If you're a new creation child of God, then you have the Promise of the Holy Spirit living in you. As you step out in faith, in order to bring others into God's family and minister the Word of Salvation and healing, then "These signs will accompany those who believe." These Gifts aren't only for the five-fold ministry, but are for all who are active in ministering to the world, like Jesus did on this earth. We must learn and understand who we really are in Him and Him in us.
Jesus is still moved by compassion to heal and deliver those in need, but now He will use us to go where He once went as a Man. The Same Father Who worked through Jesus, is the Same Father Who now works through those who love Him and Love mankind, like He does. We don't need the Anointing to stay home and watch TV, it's only needed when we go into all the world to preach God's Word to those who will listen and receive.
Most of us have never envisioned ourselves as being able to function in these Gifts, but the Holy Spirit is the One "Who gives the Gifts severally as He wills." When you make a demand on His ability, while doing His work, then He will work through you and provide whatever is needed to deliver, heal and restore God's Original Intent on earth. We must overcome whatever is keeping us from being who He made us to be. We're not inferior to those in ministry, but we're proof of their ministry in the world. Remember that, "It's not us, but the Father in us, Who does the work." We must allow the Holy Spirit to use us and move through us, so we can do the work of the ministry.
There are only so many pastors, preachers, Evangelists and Apostles in the world, but there are 21/2 billion Christians on this earth, who can do the work of the ministry. Not everyone will come to the Church, but all of the Church can go into the world. God's Word says that, "He that believe in Him shall not be put to shame." We must trust the Holy Spirit, so He can do what He said He will do and deliver those who are bound. We're not the ones who do the work and we only need to believe that He will. We need to find our true identity in Christ Jesus, as new creation people who were born in His Image and Likeness and who are filled with God's Own Spirit.
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