Published by admin on 21 Sep 2009 at 08:12 pm
THE PURPOSE OF THE “FIVEFOLD MINISTRY”
We hear a lot these days about the “FIVEFOLD MINISTRY”. The disciples were trained under Jesus to imitate Him, to love the heavenly Father with all their heart, mind, soul and strength, and love their brother as themselves. Jesus clearly lived that life in front of them every day. The Lord Jesus granted the disciples power from on high to carry on the Father’s will upon the earth. In Ephesians 4, the apostle Paul gave us insight into what the purpose of the “fivefold ministry” really is. Let’s read about it.
Eph 4:1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
Eph 4:2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
Eph 4:3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Eph 4:4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
Eph 4:5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
Eph 4:6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
Eph 4:7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
Eph 4:8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
Eph 4:9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
Eph 4:10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
Eph 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
Eph 4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Eph 4:13 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 fulness of Christ:
Eph 4:14 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;
Eph 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
Eph 4:16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
I’d like you to take notice of verse 8, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. By taking upon Himself ALL THE CURSE, ALL OUR SINS, ALL OUR DISEASES, the Lord Jesus didn’t leave anything lacking for us to go back behind Him and clean up. Yet there are some today who would lead people to think the Lord Jesus didn’t get the job done. They insist upon going back and “DELIVERING” people from curses, as if somehow they were able to deliver them from something Jesus could not.
They go around telling people who have received Jesus as their Lord and Savior that they have “generational curses” upon them that need to be cast out. WHAT NONSENSE! Either the Lord Jesus delivered those who receive Him from ALL THE CURSE, or He delivered them from none of it!! It is written in Galatians 3:13, Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree…Either the Lord Jesus is who He said He is, and He did what He said He did, or we’re all still in our sins, headed for hell. I know if you’ haven’t received the Lord Jesus and been “born-again”, you’re still under the curse, but I’m referring here ONLY to those who are born-again.
There’s something that needs to be cleared up: the Lord Jesus delivered us from all our sins, but He left us in charge of our flesh. Some have said, for example, that if you have several generations who are alcoholics in your family that you’re under a generational curse. While that may be true if you’re an unbeliever, when you receive the Lord Jesus, the curse stops right there for you. The curse can’t cross the Blood of Jesus. Now, does that mean you are instantly delivered from drinking? You are delivered from the generational curse if there is one present, but you still have the power to drink if that’s your choice. It’s YOUR responsibility to rein in the lusts of the flesh, and if drinking is a lust of the flesh for you, then it’s YOUR responsibility to quit it and bring your flesh in line with the Word of God, not God’s responsibility. God will give you the power to quit if you want to, but He won’t MAKE you quit. HELLO?
You see, too many people want God to do everything for them, refusing to take responsibility for their lustful behavior. That’s what “repent” means. It means STOP doing sinful behavior. The apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 9:27, But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. Do you see the difference between taking charge of your flesh, and a generational curse? Jesus didn’t leave anything lacking in delivering us from ANY curse. That was Jesus’ job, not ours. And Jesus got the job done. He didn’t need your help or mine to do it.
Incidentally, that’s why many Christians have so much trouble receiving healing, they have been led to believe that Jesus didn’t get the job done. Is it any wonder there are so many sick Christians around? They’re still “waiting to be delivered”, when the Lord Jesus delivered them over 2,000 years ago, and it was foretold in Psalm 103:2-3, Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: who forgiveth all thine iniquities, who healeth all thy diseases. It’s time we quit waiting for today’s disciples of Jesus to do what only Jesus himself could do, and that is to deliver people from curses.
Now, let’s move on and talk about what the “Fivefold ministry” that so many speak of today IS supposed to do.
What were some of the gifts the Lord Jesus left the church? We can see the answer to that in verse eleven: And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; Why? For what purpose?
Again, there’s no mystery here, Paul told us clearly, 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
It was NOT for the purpose of delivering anyone from the curse. Do you see “Deliverance ministries” listed with the others? No? Why not? Only Jesus could do that, and He got the job done. OUR purpose as modern day disciples is to PREACH THE GOSPEL! Let the LORD JESUS deliver them!
The Lord Jesus charged believers with Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils; freely ye have received, freely give. Do you see that? Along with healing, cleansing lepers, and raising the dead, all believers have the authority to cast out devils, and it isn’t called a “deliverance ministry”. If we, His disciples will do the works the Lord Jesus commanded, then the body of Christ, namely the church, will be multiplied. New converts will be brought daily into the body, and those who are called to do the work of the “Fivefold ministry” can concentrate on training them up into mature believers, who are able to go out and win others to Christ Jesus. Are all called into the Fivefold Ministry? No, but some are, and if you are, you know it. How long do we need to do that? Again, the scriptures are clear:
Eph 4:13 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 fulness of Christ:
Eph 4:14 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;
Are we there yet? Apparently no, as long as there is strife among the body, and we are not in unity with one another as Christ Jesus is with His Father. Sometimes it looks like we will never get there, but what the Lord Jesus started in us, He will finish, rest assured.
When we see people being no longer carried away by every wind of doctrine, we will start seeing the Church rising up and doing the work it was called to do from the beginning.
But let those who are called disciples, and those who are called into the “Fivefold ministry” not try to take glory for themselves. Don’t touch His glory! You or I can no more “deliver” someone from sickness or a curse than your pet goldfish can. Only Christ Jesus can do that. But we can preach the Gospel to the world and let Jesus do what only He can do.
Remember, Jesus bore the curse and delivered us from it. Our job as disciples is to preach it. Don’t try to do Jesus’ job. Just do yours. Each believer has his or her area of service in which the Lord will use them to edify the body of believers. Each knows by the Holy Spirit what capacity they are called to serve in. And if it draws glory to YOU, then God is not getting the glory, is He? Remember, Jesus is the Deliverer. We’re merely His messenger service.
That doesn’t mean we should see ourselves as lowly worms. Rather, we as believers are trusted with the most important message in all of history, that the Lord Jesus saves, heals, and delivers, and we should be bold about telling the world. And He will confirm the Gospel being preached with signs and wonders following.
Laurie B. on 22 Sep 2009 at 3:14 am #
Thank you for this message. Please pray for our family both my husband and I are out of work. My husband has some arthritis problems and applied for a job that would be great for him. Please pray with us for jobs.
Purpose fivefold ministry
Note from Jerry: I called them in Canada and prayed with them.
Maxine Morrison on 22 Sep 2009 at 5:34 am #
Thank you for the teaching. It was what I needed to hear and I am going to pass it on to my aglow womens group.
I now know that there are no generational curses as I thought that was in my family.
Yes, I believed that Jesus died for all my sins, but I thought that I had to be delivered from generational curses.
I will also pass this on to my church because we are going through a breakup and our church is not unified as yet.
Pray for us
Maxine from Iowa
julie on 22 Sep 2009 at 8:16 am #
That is gospel truth!!
YES!!! All believers have authority to cast out demons Mark, 16;15-20 and yes Christ has already redeemed us from the curse gal. 3;13. Christians need to be so careful today on what they embrace as truth. We need to take everything and put it under the light of the word. If it agrees then keep it, if not we need to dispose of it.
Good word Jerry! Blessings, Julie
Carla on 22 Sep 2009 at 2:25 pm #
Thank you for this message. I needed to hear this. I am a Christian but I’ve been hearing about generational curses for awhile and I also thought that Christ delivered us from the curse when he died on the cross. According to some preachers out there today, this is not the case. Thank you so so much for clearing this up for everyone.!!! By the way I look forward to getting your messages.
laurent on 24 Sep 2009 at 7:49 am #
Hi Jerry
We not only have the authority to cast out demons Mark, 16;15-20 , but it should be a
sign that follows the one that beleive…..How many demons have you cast out lately.?…
And if, as we become believers, the curses are gone and there is no need of deliverance,
do we then cast out demons out of unbelivers?
What about 1 Cor 11 : 29 For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. 30 For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep. 31 For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged.
The ” weak and sick amoung you” are christian in the church…sound like a curse to me….
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Response from Jerry:
Hi Laurent,
We do indeed have authority to cast out devils, and when confronted by one we have the responsibility to do so, and I do whenever one comes in my path. Do we then cast demons out of unbelievers? Sure, if they are there. But there isn’t a devil behind every bush like some people think, nor does every unbeliever have a devil. You didn’t see Jesus casting devils out of everyone He healed, do you? But there are devils out there, and when I encounter them, I cast them out. Jesus didn’t go on “devil hunts” and neither do I. Actually, most of them will avoid a man or woman of God, lest they be cast out and have to find anonther abode. Nevertheless, sometimes they show up to confront me, and when they do, I don’t waste time engaging in conversation with them, or playing their games, I simply cast them out. And by the way, some people say they are casting them back to hell from whence they came, I have news for you…they haven’t been to hell yet, and you and I don’t have the authority to send them there, either. That authority is reserved to our heavenly Father. We have much authority as believers, but our authority has limits, and if we’re smart, we won’t overstep it. For example, we don’t have the authority to cast Satan into hell.
1 Cor 11:29-30 is a case lesson in disobedience, that is not properly discerning the Lord’s body, as it says. For disobedience there is a consequence, and it comes by their own choice. You can get back under the curse if you get into disobedience, but repentance and asking for forgiveness gets you back in fellowship again. Psalm 91 starts off talking about He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty… So if you don’t abide there, you’re out from under His protection where the curse is.
Like you said, if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. Unfortunately, people are often lax in this area and suffer the consequences.
Thanks for your comments.
laurent on 25 Sep 2009 at 9:03 am #
thank you Jerry,
Ther is a lots of ” extremistes” that do weird things in the name of God, but we should not put everyone in the same category…The problem I am findind in the christian community, is that as soon as we talk about demons or unclean spririts, we think of “hollywood” big mad,screaming ,foaming at the mouth demons….
but timidity, is an unclean spirit, fear is one, depression is an other…ect….and our churches are full of them….there are as many people in churches in anti-depressant than in the world…what is wrong with this picture?…We are far from been without spots and wrinkles….We have a lots of spiritual problems but are not dealing in the spirit with it….
As for your comment” You didn’t see Jesus casting devils out of everyone He healed, do you? ” I would say that ……(Math 4:24News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed, and he healed them.) casting out unclean spirits is healing….Luke 4:18 says that jesus came to save, set free physicaly and emotionaly, and heal…..We have perfected the saving part of it, our churches are full of saved people, going to heaven but still carrying a lots of spiritual luggages because they have not been presented Jesus the healer and Jesus the Deliverer.
thank you for your time and God bless you, you family and ministry…
You don’t have to post this answer, I just wanted to chat with you..Laurent