Unfortunately, people are enabled by the one-man ministry. Therefore, they rely on their Pastor to know how to handle things and how to lead. If he doesn’t know how to lead then his leaders won’t lead or they will lead him, and the sheep have no direction (Hosea 4:9a). This is why the fivefold ministry should have never been done away with. Had the fivefold ministry remained there would be accountability to each other and the Body of Christ would not be suffering as it is now. One man cannot possibly lead by himself.
I’d like to share a story with you about a nameless church who set out with a vision to start a church and disciple others. However, they had a problem – they had no idea how to help those who were really broken. Sure they were good at the praise and worship, and the preaching, well it was fair if you take a liking to not leaving repentant of your sin. All in all, it was a grand place where people could come to fellowship with their friends and leave satisfied that they were obliging their commitment to not forsake the assembling of the saints (Hebrews 10:25).
One day they were challenged by the Lord. The pastor taught a soft message on being filled with the Holy Spirit and His purpose for us to have this infilling, which was to empower us to do what God has called us to do. Then came the test, a recovering addict came to the altar to bear their burdens and no one came forward…NO ONE…to pray with her! The pastor prayed with her, but admitted that he didn’t know what else to do as she fell to the floor and cried and seemingly ‘spoke in tongues.’ The next morning the Pastor followed up with his prayer team leader to discuss why there were no prayer ministers there. The question the prayer leader posed to the pastor was, “why couldn’t you handle this?”
I believe the Lord ordained this to happen on this Sunday to show up in Power with signs and wonders following based on the very words that were taught. He was testing the hearts and faith of these people and the pastor to see if they really believed that the power of the Holy Spirit flows through us and empowers us. Did they pass the test? I’d say not, as the pastor stared into the audience looking for a prayer warrior to come forward, but no one came. They all stared back with frozen glances looking to see how this Man of God was going to handle it. This church was put to the test.
“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools” (Romans 1:18-22).
The pastor spoke words that seemingly had the form of godliness; but the works behind it denied the power. “Having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (Titus 3:5-7). “They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work” (Titus 1:16).
Church we cannot deny the power of God when He shows up. When He shows up it will be through us. He is not a tangible object, but an intangible one that takes faith to believe He exists. ”For without this faith it will be impossible to please Him” (Hebrews 11:6). We cannot speak of His goodness, mercy and love and not believe in the power that heals the sick, make the blind see, or even raises the dead. “For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power” (1 Corinthians 4:20).
The Power of God flows from within us THROUGH the Holy Spirit. It’s not just words taught to make one wise or give us a safety net into heaven, but exercising that power through faith. The Holy Spirit is there for a reason. He is our comforter, yes, but He is also there to empower us to heal the sick, raise the dead, and set the captives free (Matthew 10:8; Luke 4:18-19)! It is dangerous territory to be ‘playing church’. It leaves the body empty of the power of God. No oil in a lamp leaves one without light to guide their way. Instead, it leaves them broken, busted and disgusted.
It’s no wonder that people are dropping like flies from the Body and seeking other refuges for their souls. Or if they are staying they are being swayed to drink the proverbial Kool-Aid. We cannot speak of the Power of the Holy Spirit if we are not prepared to allow the signs and wonders to follow once believers are enlightened. How can believers learn to discern the difference between a false Christ or a false prophet (John 4:48)?
“Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will (Hebrews 2:1 and 4). What’s going to happen if we don’t know what to do or we don’t follow up is we are going to leave a lot of people broken and bruised with no hope of being made whole. We will be held accountable.
This is why there is a desperate need for the fivefold ministry to exist in the church today. Let’s qualify this by saying, the fivefold ministry (Ephesians 4:11) is there to assist and be a support to the pastor, his vision and ministry. Yes, they (the apostle, prophet, evangelist or teacher) do have an authority, that perhaps the pastor may not possess. However, when they (The Apostle, Prophet,Teacher, Pastor or Evangelist ) go into a pastor’s church, they are there to support the ministry.
NOTE: When a man has an Apostolic Calling, he also has the grace to function in all the five fold ministry.
God bless you
