Today, we want to look at “The gifts of Christ.” These are also called the “Ministry Gifts.” The Ministry Gifts are Christ’s own provision for the maturing of the saints until Christ comes for His own at the rapture for His church (Eph. 4:7-13).
“Christ has generously divided out His gifts to us” (Eph. 4:7, CEV).
We must realize that ministry gifts are people – people who are called of God. Those people whom God calls, He equips with spiritual gifts, supernatural gifts (abilities).
Christ Himself gave these ministry gifts. Ephesians 4:11 says, “And HE GAVE some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers.”
When did He give these gifts to men? When He ascended on high taking with Him the Old Testament saints who had awaited the consummation of God’s plan of redemption since their physical death in Paradise – Abraham’s bosom (Eph. 4:7-10).
From where did He give these gifts? These ministry gifts came [and do come] fresh from the hand of the exalted Christ where He is now sitting at the right hand of God the Father in Heaven.
What is the purpose of giving these ministry gifts to the church? Ephesians 4:12 says, “For the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.”
Why do the saints need to be equipped? They need to be equipped for “the work of the ministry” (Eph. 4:12).
What is the work of the ministry for which they are being equipped? For the edifying (education, building up or internal strengthening) of the body of Christ (Eph. 4:12).
For how long did He give these gifts to the church? “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” (Eph. 4:13).
When this happens, we will no longer be like children, forever changing our minds about what we believe because someone has told us something different or because someone has cleverly lied to us and made the lie sound like the truth. Instead, we will hold unto the truth in love, becoming more and more in every way like Christ, who is the head of His body, the church. Under His direction, the whole body is fitted together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.
These gifts are to operate until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature and full grown in the Lord, measuring up to the full stature of Christ.
Why do we all need to come to such a unity in our faith? We will no longer be like children, always changing our minds about what we believe because someone has told us something that appears to be new. This is the ultimate aim of all ministry (Eph. 4:14-15).
To some Christ gave to be:
1. Apostle: This is a person in whom the Gift of Christ dwells for the express purpose of making major in-roads with the Gospel message.
The apostle possesses the gift of pioneering new territory for the Gospel of Christ (example – a missionary work).
Signs, wonders and mighty deeds follow the Apostles (2 Cor. 12:12). The apostle is a foundation layer (1 Cor. 3:10; Eph. 2:20). An apostle’s ministry seems to embrace all other ministry gifts. The distinguishing result is the ability to establish churches. The apostle has the power of organization – “governments” (1 Cor. 12:28). They have outstanding spiritual gifts.
2. Prophet: A prophet is a person regarded as an inspired teacher or proclaimer of the will of God. A prophet is a person who speaks for God, or a person who tells what will happen in the future. A prophet speaks by direct divine inspiration, an immediate revelation – not something he thought of, but something given at the spur of the moment by sudden inspiration.
The word of wisdom, word of knowledge, or discerning of spirits, as well as prophecy operate in the office of the prophet – the revelation gifts. The prophet should first of all be a preacher or teacher of the Word.
3. Evangelist: This is a person in whom the Gift of Christ dwells for the purpose of attracting large numbers of people to salvation in Christ. The evangelist possesses the gift of being able to point people to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. An evangelist is a person who seeks to convert others to the Christian faith, especially by public speaking.
The supernatural gifts accompanying the evangelist’s ministry includes “the gift of the working of miracles” and “gifts of healings.” Divine power draws a crowd. Miracles and healings arrest and compel attention. But it is in believing the Word that men are saved, because only the preaching of the Word affects the will of a sinner (Rom. 1:16). For instance, Phillip was an evangelist (Acts 8:6; Acts 21:8).
4. Pastor: This is a person in whom the Gift of Christ dwells for the purpose of developing a group of believers into spiritual maturity. A pastor is a minister in charge of a Christian church or congregation. The pastor possesses the gift of being a shepherd to the flock of God.
The most outstanding characteristic of a pastor is a shepherd’s heart. He is gifted with a shepherd’s heart. To have a shepherd's heart means to know your sheep and be known by them. The shepherd with a shepherd’s heart wants the best for his flock.
The supernatural gifts accompanying the pastor’s ministry includes governing (government), word of wisdom, word of knowledge, gift of discernment of spirits, tongues and interpretation of tongues.
5. Teacher: This is a person in whom the Gift of Christ dwells for the purpose of edifying (building up) the Body of Christ in relation to the basic concepts of successful Christian living. The teacher possesses the gift of being able to expound (explain) the truths of the Word of God in context and to make profound truths simple. He teaches the Word, not by natural ability, but by the divine ability of the Holy Spirit.
The teaching ministry is a watering ministry (1 Cor. 3:6-9). When the watering process – that is, the teaching of the Word of God – is by a spiritual gift because one is called and endowed to teach, it leaves people refreshed and revived, just as watering a plant leaves it revived and fresh. If teaching does not leave people refreshed, it simply is not in the power of the Holy Spirit. Apollos was a teacher (Acts 18:27). The work of a teacher is to build up not to tear down. Revelation marks a teacher’s ministry.
6. Helps (1 Cor. 12:28). A helper is a reliever” (Rom. 12:8). Anything that has to do with the operation of the church or with ministry could come under the ministry of helps. The ministry of music, intercessory squad, bus ministry, etc. all belong to the ministry of helps.
Whatever you are doing in the Body of Christ to promote it, once you are faithful, your reward from the Lord is sure (Rev. 22:12).
God does not reward according to the office we stand in; God rewards faithfulness.
Note that laymen can have spiritual gifts operating through them. But ministers will be equipped to minister regularly with those gifts necessary to stand in the office they are called to. When the same spiritual gifts operate through the person in any of the fivefold ministries, it carries a greater anointing.
The ministry gifts consist not in name, but in power. It is easy to call yourself something, but that does not make you that. You can call yourself a pastor or apostle, but that doesn’t make you one. You can sit in the garage and call yourself a car, but that doesn’t make you one.
Beloved, if everyone here today that is Born Again earnestly desires ministry gifts (Eph. 4:11), I assure you that Christ will divide these gifts to everyone as He chooses. Therefore, reach out by faith and get yours today so that you too can be more effective in your work with the Lord.
Watch out for the next edition of Good News from the Pulpit!
- Your friend: I. I. MADUBUNYI (Senior Pastor)
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