There is work to be done

I was reminded recently of the scripture in Ephesians 4. Paul teaches the Ephesian church on the gifts Jesus has given to His body, the church, often referred to as the 5-fold gifts or the 5-fold ministries.

In v11 he says: - "and He Himself (speaking of Jesus) gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ…” (emphasis added).

There is no shortage of people who need a healing touch from the King of Kings – the One who paid for our healing with the stripes on His back. Jesus has given gifts for the express purpose of equipping the church to do the work He commissioned us to do before He returned to heaven.

There are simply not enough pastors, ministers, and priests to do the work of the Kingdom on their own. If you are a Christian and therefore a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ then there is work to do. We don’t have to strive and strain to do this work. The only requirement is to be totally surrendered to Jesus and trust Him to work through you to see the lost found, the sick healed and the oppressed delivered. Time is short friends and if ever the world in which we live needed a demonstration of God’s love and power, it is now!

He has given these gifts in order for the saints, you and me, to be equipped to do the work of the ministry. You are IN the ministry of Jesus if you have given your life to Him. There is no distinction in the Scripture between those who are in full time or paid ministry and those who perhaps are a stay-at-home mum, school teacher, lawyer, accountant, plumber or public servant. Those He calls, He equips and qualifies to do this amazing work.

I read only today, ‘our goal isn’t to get out of this world in one piece; it’s to take as many people we can with us to Heaven!’ In other words, we aren’t here waiting for the rapture and hoping the enemy doesn’t get us in the meantime. There is work to be done and what a privilege Jesus has given us to co-labour with Him to see the lost saved.

Paul continues in v14 of the same chapter by saying the whole body grows, is built up in love and strengthened when each part does its work.

As followers of Jesus, we have been given an assignment to heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers and cast out the demons (Matt 10:8). What are you waiting for? May I encourage you today to step out and tell someone of the Good News of Jesus; to pray for someone who needs healing or breakthrough and leave the rest up to Him! He is faithful to His Word and just loves His followers stepping out in faith-filled obedience.

Jesus said “if you ask anything in my Name, I will do it.” What a wonderful promise for us! That which we seek and ask for in faith we will find and it will be done for us. Let me encourage you to ask Jesus for more ‘Divine Appointments’ – opportunities for you to give away the goodness of God to those He brings across your path. Then watch and be amazed at how clever He is in orchestrating circumstances in your life as you see His love, mercy, grace and power touch people He pre-purposed for you to encounter for the glory of His matchless Name!