02.17. CHAPTER 17: DEVELOPING THE CAPACITY TO MINISTER
CHAPTER 17: DEVELOPING THE CAPACITY TO MINISTER
It is the will of GOD that we all be given the capacity to minister CHRIST JESUS - in HIS Fullness alive in us by the HOLY SPIRIT. We must understand that Christian maturity is essentially tied with our capacity and willingness to express CHRIST JESUS individually and, collectively in ministry and ministry partnerships. This is implied in Ephesians 4:10 telling us that CHRIST (unveiled functionally as “CHRIST’s gift” in Ephesians 4:7) must fill all things; which, means that our gifts (in the singular and the collective) - that are unique expressions of CHRIST’s fullness - are given with the intent and design to fill all things with HIS fullness communicated. HIS fullness is communicated by us - through our expressions of HIS Spirit and Life.
We have described in considerable detail the development of our spirituality through the Spirit and Life of JESUS CHRIST being worked into our inward parts by the HOLY SPIRIT – through the Rhema Word. Our spirituality is built out of the contents of the Spirit and Life of JESUS CHRIST. From this perfected inward state, we can now – by the HOLY SPIRIT – minister the Spirit and Life of JESUS CHRIST through our words and deeds (see Colossians 3:17) through the channels of the gift mix given and developed in us. When CHRIST is expressed, our gifts (in the singular and the collective) have the GOD ordained capacity to “fill all things” – unveiling HIS fullness (as expressed in HIS Spirit and Life) into the specifics that open new realities described in the Spirit and Life of YESHUA MASHIAH into the hearts and minds and lives and situations of those whom we minister to. In this process we – by the HOLY SPIRIT, in CHRIST JESUS (see Romans 8:2) - actually break the yokes of darkness in human hearts and lives.
Colossians 1:17 reiterates this prophetic actuality by declaring that the LORD JESUS CHRIST is before all things and in HIM all things hold together. [And, this is the reason why we minister CHRIST through our gifts and the anointing that enables the actual (and specific) operations of our gift mix.]
Colossians 1:18 tells us that the LORD JESUS has to have first place in all things and this in effect is what makes the Church HIS Body - with HIM as the actual reigning Head, in a position established in each of our hearts, enabling us to actually operate under HIS authority in actual functions that are a composite expression of HIS Spirit and Life, HIS faith and love, HIS Nature and Character – developed in holiness to GOD! In the reality of the LORD JESUS’ preeminence and in the understanding that HE is before all things and that it is only in HIM that all things hold together, we have the fundamental basis on which HIS authority is made functional in our ministries. HE must be LORD in us personally for our individual ministries to be valid before GOD. And, HE must be communicated for our ministries to facilitate the processes of salvation and, the consequences of salvation into human lives. HIS authority – consonant with HIS actual preeminence to us personally as witnessed in our inward parts - is the exclusive and necessary prerequisite to penetrative ministry that is able to pierce the heart and mind, and unveil the truth of GOD and HIS Sovereign purposes for the well being of the whole human race (see John 3:16).
We penetrate human hearts and minds (by the HOLY SPIRIT) with the Spirit and Life of MASHIAH YESHUA – unveiling through HIS Spirit and Life living expressions of HIS faith, love, nature, character, attitudes, wisdom, understanding, strength etc. into the human being. In this manner, we demonstrate the veracity of JESUS CHRIST and, all that flows in tangible terms into the human being, as a consequence of us each communicating HIM and HIS fullness.
Ephesians 1:22-23 tells us that HIS Headship (unveiling in the understanding of HIS pre-eminence) is necessary for authority over all things to come alive or, manifest to the Church (see also Matthew 28:18-20). The reality of spiritual authority is often missing in the practices of the Church simply because we mistake authority with human structure and, because we associate authority with the mere operation of gifts through their associated anointings – instead of MASHIAH YESHUA’s position as LORD - to us and in us, as witnessed in our inward parts, and in every spiritual function of our inward parts expressed individually and collectively as the HOLY SPIRIT leads us and directs us. In the Church we inadvertently (and sometimes deliberately) pay lip service to MASHIAH YESHUA while operating through methods and devices derived from the corporate world and the systems of the world. We are guilty of operating in the capacities of human capability rather than in and by and through the Master’s Fullness.
And, because we operate in human capacities, we are unable to communicate the Spirit and Life of JESUS CHRIST and all that flows through the Spirit and Life of JESUS CHRIST. Unless CHRIST is communicated the Church will never actually become HIS Body – which is defined fundamentally as being “of HIS fullness” - functionally!
Only in HIS fullness can we become disciples. The authority of the LORD JESUS CHRIST has been given to the Church to make disciples of all men (see Matthew 28:18-20)! So often we are guilty of making men disciples of ourselves and the human institutions we represent or are building, rather than making them disciples of JESUS CHRIST.
Isaiah 9:6 declares that the SON is the gift GOD has given us. This gift of the SON unveils in us as we actualize the fullness of CHRIST JESUS through HIS Words communicated in HIS Spirit and Life. CHRIST’s gift is some measure of HIS Fullness that we have actualized through the ministry of the HOLY SPIRIT.
CHRIST’s gift becomes the functional core of the Epistle of CHRIST fashioned into our state of being by the HOLY SPIRIT – in the FATHER’s will. In this light, the fruit of the HOLY SPIRIT manifest the living expressions of the Nature and Character of JESUS CHRIST. And, the gifts of the HOLY SPIRIT manifest the spiritual dynamics of CHRIST’s ministry in both the abiding and, in time denominated specific terms – as actual expressions of the Spirit and Life of JESUS CHRIST. The gifts that express the 5-fold offices of apostle, prophet, teacher, pastor and evangelist are living expressions of the different forms of HIS ministry and the flows of the anointing that will enable the saints to minister under specific mantles that will fulfill GOD’s plan and vision for each part of the Church! In this reality, the entire mantle and the specific flows of authority into the specific functional gifts of each believer are entirely of GOD and HIS MESSIAH (see Psalms 45:6-7). For right function to communicate from the Head WHO is JESUS CHRIST – HIS fullness must be fashioned into the spiritual dynamics of each of our inward parts (see John 1:16-17, KJV+NKJV+NASB; Galatians 4:19; Galatians 2:20, KJV)!
And, we must understand this from the fact that YESHUA is the Way, the Truth and the Life – for all things that stand in GOD and HIS eternal purposes. For all this to manifest into the whole creation (see Ephesians 1:22-23) the FATHER gave JESUS CHRIST as: Head over all things to the Church, which is HIS Body, the fullness of HIM WHO fills all in all.
It is the fullness of JESUS CHRIST that gives the Church its status as the Body of CHRIST that is being built for a ministry in cosmic proportions. In the Headship of JESUS CHRIST – in HIS preeminence actualized in our hearts – the Body of CHRIST has authority over all things!
We need to understand that functioning in this authority is a revealed reality that is to be perfected and completed in us – progressively – as we respond to what the HOLY SPIRIT is doing in our midst in communicating the specifics of the fullness of JESUS CHRIST into each of us uniquely (see John 16:14-15; Colossians 1:19-20; Hebrews 10:19-20).
If we actually recognize HIS preeminence in our hearts then HIS authority will flow in us and through us – potentially - over all things in the FATHER’s will unveiled for fulfillment in their appointed times. HIS authority will flow in us and through us – functionally – through the actual perfected forms of HIS fullness alive in our spirit, soul and heart. This functional reality will flow and develop as long as we are focused on raising the disciples of JESUS CHRIST into their appointed positions in GOD. In the status of JESUS CHRIST in us, we have the mandate of becoming servants of JESUS CHRIST (see 1 Corinthians 4:1) – stewards of the Mysteries of GOD - and, ministers of the New Covenant (see 2 Corinthians 3:6, NKJV) by the HOLY SPIRIT, giving expression to the treasures of the wealth of CHRIST JESUS (see John 16:15; John 16:13-15; 2 Corinthians 4:6-7; 2 Corinthians 1:20-22) that is to fill all-in-all in the FATHER’s will (see Ephesians 1:9-10). From the bowels of JESUS CHRIST – described in the true and faithful Witness (see Revelation 3:14 b) in Spirit, Water and Blood (see 1 John 5:8; 1 John 5:10 a, NKJV) – comes the true ministry potential of the Body of MASHIAH (CHRIST). This is the ministry potential that the HOLY SPIRIT has come to develop and express from the entire Body of MASHIAH that is defined as a construct of the fullness of HIM, WHO fills all-in-all (see Ephesians 1:22-23).
It is fascinating how 2 Corinthians 3:3; 2 Corinthians 3:6 (NKJV) describes each member of the Body of MASHIAH as: Clearly you are an epistle of CHRIST, …. written not with ink but by the SPIRIT of the living GOD, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart …… WHO also made us sufficient as ministers of the New Covenant, not of the letter but of the SPIRIT; for the letter kills, but the SPIRIT gives life. The heart of flesh (see Ezekiel 36:26; John 6:51; Jeremiah 15:16) forms from all that arises through the bowels of JESUS CHRIST, from our spirit man – arising from the depths of GOD (see 1 Corinthians 2:10; 1 Corinthians 2:9-13) through the ministry of the HOLY SPIRIT. The formation of this heart of flesh also involves the renewal of our soul, as our soul yields to the formation of the Character and Nature of JESUS CHRIST, as the HOLY SPIRIT renews and regenerates our mind, will and emotions in the Character and Nature extracts of MASHIAH YESHUA – that manifest from the specific contents of HIS life-giving Spirit!
These contents of HIS life-giving Spirit arise from the specifics of HIS Testimony that the revealed Word – the hidden manna (see Revelation 2:17) - brings to our understanding (see Proverbs 9:10 b) in an intimacy that knows the HOLY ONE. In this understanding – that knows the HOLY ONE - we actualize the progressive reality of a white stone and a new name personal to us before YHWH (see Revelation 2:17)! The heart of flesh also necessarily forms out of the Nature and Character of JESUS CHRIST expressed from our renewed and regenerated soul man.
Hence the perfected realities in our spirit and soul – actualized from the life-giving Spirit of JESUS CHRIST – result in a co-mingled expression that is prophetically addressed as a heart of flesh. This heart of flesh is a functional substantive expression of the perfected state of our soul and spirit. The heart of flesh is in the actual substance (Greek: hupostasis) of MASHIAH YESHUA’s fullness.
[Our soul is perfected in the Character and Nature of JESUS CHRIST. Our spirit is perfected in the ability to function in the likeness of MASHIAH YESHUA’s ministry!] The heart of flesh is of the substance (Greek: hupostasis) of the Witness and Testimony of YESHUA MASHIAH. The heart of flesh is of the substance of HIS Fullness – HIS Character, HIS Nature and HIS functional Testimony arising from HIS faith and love expressed on the Cross which is being perfected and completed into a heart of HIS flesh in our inward parts. Hence Paul’s proclamation that he has the bowels of JESUS CHRIST (see Php 1:8, KJV)!
It is interesting that 1 Timothy 1:14 speaks of grace arising out of realities of MASHIAH YESHUA’s faith and love. What this verse is speaking of is the functional realization of grace - in our inward parts - being actualized in the faith and love of MASHIAH YESHUA perfected and completed into us so that we do all things through MASHIAH (CHRIST) WHO strengthens us! The heart of flesh is the pure and perfect heart that is designed to see GOD and function in GOD - in fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets (see Matthew 5:8; Psalms 51:10-12; Jeremiah 15:16; Jeremiah 1:11-12; Jeremiah 24:7; Jeremiah 31:31-34; Jeremiah 32:39-41; Ezekiel 11:19-20; Ezekiel 36:25-27; Exodus 31:18; Exodus 32:15-16; 2 Corinthians 3:3, NKJV; Matthew 5:17-18). The heart has a functional capacity behind the veil (see Hebrews 6:19; Psalms 24:3-4) defined through revealed conduits established through the veil of MASHIAH YESHUA’s Flesh (see Hebrews 10:19-20). The veil of HIS Flesh is penetrated – at/to some spiritual level or position (see Psalms 91:1) in the Mount of the LORD (see Genesis 22:14) - as HIS glory unfolds (see Colossians 1:26-27) in a growing revelation in the tablets of our heart (see Php 4:19; Php 4:23; Php 4:13). The Door of HIS Name (see John 10:9) opens in conduits of spirituality established in the substance of HIS fullness. This heart of flesh will contain the actualities of the Covenant that GOD has made with us – personally; consisting of all that GOD has perfected and completed into our heart in the fullness of CHRIST JESUS. This Covenant defines an operating state into our being in the flesh of the LAMB that stands configured in a heart of flesh. The flesh is the Word made flesh into the tablets of our heart as an actual expression of GOD’s Word actualized from the Witness and Testimony of JESUS – in HIS Spirit and Life, HIS Faith and Love, HIS Heart and Mind, HIS Character and Nature etc. Our heart is of HIS Flesh (see John 6:51) HIS substance communicated in fully subordinate terms into us – in realities that derive from HIS LORDship over us! HIS Flesh expresses the substance of GOD’s Covenant communicated in the fullness of MASHIAH YESHUA – in HIS Spirit and HIS Life; in HIS Faith and HIS Love; in HIS Heart and HIS Mind; in HIS Character and HIS Nature; in HIS Witness and HIS Testimony – into us! HIS functionality forms in us so that we can do all things in HIS Name through HIS Testament and Witness actualized in our inward parts – by the HOLY SPIRIT - in substance and Witness!
These elements of HIS Fullness enable the Word of GOD to become HIS flesh of Covenant within us – enabling us to actually become ministers of the New Covenant, by the HOLY SPIRIT WHO orchestrates this whole process in its formation as well as into its functional expression! AMEN (see Revelation 3:14 b; 1 John 1:7-8, NKJV)!
Please understand that this Covenant comes with the authority of the LORD in whose merits the Covenant has been mediated and made into our inward parts – in HIS Name and in the reality of HIS true and faithful Witness being operational in us in Spirit, Water and Blood (see 1 John 5:10 a, 8; John 19:30; John 19:34). In this Covenant being formed in us through the Testimony of JESUS – through actual communication of the Spirit and Life of YESHUA, the faith and love of YESHUA, the realities of the heart and mind of YESHUA, the Character and Nature of YESHUA, the Witness and Testimony of YESHUA – by the HOLY SPIRIT, in holiness unto the FATHER – we are becoming and will become unique ministers of the New Covenant (see 2 Corinthians 3:6; Psalms 91:1). In this reality the dynamics of our spirituality find their true purpose and destiny! The heart of flesh peculiar to each one of us, will possess the Word of GOD (see also Ezekiel 44:28; Psalms 138:2 c, NASB) according to the FATHER’s will and purpose for our life and ministry in eternity. The Word of GOD possessed in our inward parts is of the Spirit and Life of JESUS CHRIST. And, this Word possessed operates in Covenant function by the HOLY SPIRIT, before GOD the FATHER, in the merits of the SON. AMEN (see Revelation 3:14 b)!
Through this heart of flesh GOD will perform HIS Word through us – enabling us to minister to the Nations in and by and through the actual performance of HIS Word (see Jeremiah 1:11-12; Matthew 5:17-18; Luke 22:15-16; 1 Peter 4:11; 2 Peter 1:19) firstly in us and, consequently through us in all that YESHUA ADONAI has achieved in us (see Hebrews 12:2 a) by Blood Covenant mediated into the functional dynamics of our inward parts (see Hebrews 9:15; Hebrews 3:1; Hebrews 7:25).
Doing all things by the HOLY SPIRIT - through the fullness of CHRIST JESUS (see Romans 8:2) alive within us - is a Word defined actuality that derives from the FATHER’s will manifested by Covenant into the tablets of our heart (see Ephesians 1:9-10; Ephesians 1:9-14; Ephesians 1:3-6; Ephesians 1:17-23; 2 Corinthians 3:1-18; 2 Corinthians 6:1-18, NKJV; Jeremiah 31:31-34; Ezekiel 36:25-27; Jeremiah 24:7; Matthew 5:17-18; Deuteronomy 30:6; Deuteronomy 30:8; Deuteronomy 29:29). The prophet Isaiah (in Isaiah 60:1-5; Isaiah 60:7) declares: Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. For behold, darkness will cover the earth, and deep darkness the peoples; but the LORD will rise upon you, and HIS Glory will appear upon you. And nations will come to your light (Psalms 36:9 c; John 8:12 c), and kings to the brightness of your rising (see Matthew 5:14-16).
Lift up your eyes round about, and see; they all gather together, they come to you. Your sons will come from afar, and your daughters will be carried in the arms.
Then you will see and be radiant, and your heart will thrill and rejoice; because the abundance of the sea will be turned to you, the wealth of the nations will come to you.
All the flocks of Kedar (see Genesis 25:12-13) will be gathered together to you, the rams of Nebaioth (see Genesis 25:12-13) will minister to you; they will go up with acceptance on MY Altar.
It is crucial to note that the meaning and satisfaction of our lives are intimately tied to the salvation of the Nations, and especially to the salvation of the natural sons of Abraham - through Isaac and Ishmael (see Isaiah 19:23-25; Isaiah 60:10-22; Jeremiah 33:25-26).
Jeremiah 33:25-26 reads: Thus says the LORD, “If MY Covenant for day and night stand not, and the fixed patterns of heaven and earth I have not established, then I would reject the descendants of Jacob and David MY servant, not taking from his descendants [David’s descendants] rulers over the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. But I will restore their fortunes and will have mercy on them.”
Notice that Jeremiah 33:25-26 declares that it is the House of David (see Isaiah 9:7; Isaiah 9:6-7; Revelation 22:16; Psalms 132:11-12) – expressed from the Root of David, as the Offspring of David and, having the Key of David (see Revelation 3:7); and, who are the actual Offspring of “David’s” Body (see Ephesians 5:30, KJV; Psalms 132:11-12) - that will reign over the natural sons of Abraham. The prophet further declares from Isaiah 54:1 b-3, 10: “…. For the sons of the Desolate One (see Isaiah 53:1-12) will be more numerous than the sons of the married woman,” says the LORD.
“Enlarge the place of your tent (see Psalms 15:1-2; Genesis 22:14; Psalms 91:1); stretch out the curtains of your dwellings, spare not; lengthen your cords, and strengthen your pegs. For you will spread abroad to the right and to the left. And your descendants will possess nations, and they will resettle the desolate cities.” …..
“For the mountains may be removed and the hills may shake, but MY lovingkindness will not be removed from you, and MY Covenant of Peace will not be shaken,” says the LORD WHO has compassion on you. The willingness to move into being a Body in actual functional ministry is crucial to the destiny, well-being and prosperity of the Church (see Ephesians 4:11-13; Ephesians 4:15-16) – both Jew and Gentile (see Ephesians 2:11-22). The dynamics of our spirituality are essentially and intimately tied to the living and growing expression of the fullness of MASHIAH YESHUA (see John 1:16-17, KJV+NKJV+NASB; Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 1:17-20).
We must understand that the dynamics of our spirituality develop – only - in our willingness to actualize and express the fullness of JESUS CHRIST in ministry – in service and servanthood. In fact it is only in expressing the Master’s Fullness that we come to taste HIM and to know HIM.
All of our potential to minister (to serve) is tied to the fullness of MASHIAH YESHUA being formed, developed and expressed through each one of us – by the HOLY SPIRIT – as we discover ourselves in CHRIST JESUS and, give expression to ourselves as unique epistles of CHRIST (see 2 Corinthians 3:3, NKJV; Galatians 2:20; Galatians 3:22; KJV)!
It is the fullness of MASHIAH YESHUA that gives actual expression to the New Covenant in hearts of flesh formed and developed in us each. The New Covenant is a construct in the substance (Greek: hupostasis – see Hebrews 11:1, KJV+NKJV) of MASHIAH YESHUA’s Fullness (see John 1:16-17, KJV+NKJV+NASB) that manifests the evidence of the impact of HIS Fullness in us (see 1 John 3:3; John 1:16-18, NASB). In the substance of HIS Fullness we become actual partakers of CHRIST having an actual confidence in HIM and all that stands in HIM (see Hebrews 3:14, NKJV; Matthew 17:20) and, all that finds expression in HIM and by HIM by the HOLY SPIRIT (see Romans 8:2; John 14:12-14; John 15:7-8; John 15:16; John 16:23-27). From a heart of flesh, we each have the potential of the Word being in our mouths and our hearts in fulfilled terms (see Deuteronomy 30:14-15; Jeremiah 31:31-34; 2 Corinthians 3:3; 2 Corinthians 3:6) in a living Witness (see 1 John 5:10 a, 7-8, NKJV) that is able to give actual expression to the ministry that GOD has brought alive in us in the fullness of JESUS CHRIST.
We minister in Word and deed. 1 Peter 4:10-11 (NKJV) reads: As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of GOD. If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of GOD. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which GOD supplies, that in all things GOD may be glorified through JESUS CHRIST, to WHOM belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
What we have in CHRIST JESUS is described in 2 Corinthians 4:6-7 (NKJV) in the following words: For it is the GOD WHO commanded light to shine out of darkness, WHO has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of GOD in the face of JESUS CHRIST. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of GOD and not of us. The Witness of the Word that we have in our mouth and heart in fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets is the Witness and Testimony of JESUS CHRIST – the WORD of GOD – that we can communicate by the HOLY SPIRIT in a ministry actuality that has the potentials of a many-faceted growth in all eternity.
We have the potential of the Witness of HIS Fullness being actually alive for expression in ministry/service to all those in our spheres of influence in the many-faceted realities of family, the work place, friends, the church, society, government etc.. It is in this composite reality that the dynamics of Biblical Spirituality is developed, perfected and completed into purpose and destiny that will grow in eternity as the workmanship of the living GOD.
Imagine what Peter says (in 2 Peter 1:19) that a lamp of the Covenant Word prophetically opened in us (see also Proverbs 20:27; Ezekiel 36:26) has the potential of actually becoming a Morning Star, in the radiance of the Sun of Righteousness (see Malachi 4:2) which is an expression of some measure of the Light of HIM WHO is the Bright Morning Star (see Revelation 22:16)!
Notice from Revelation 22:16 that this reality is tied to us becoming sons in the Root of David and as the Offspring of David! The actualization of the dynamics of our spirituality in CHRIST JESUS, by the HOLY SPIRIT enables us to understand that we are a people chosen for an awesome purpose in eternity by the grace of GOD. We each are a unique expression of the FATHER’s Heart. And, please be reminded that the entirety of Biblical Spirituality is exclusive to the revelation of JESUS CHRIST and HIS Fullness to our inward parts. May you discover the unique design of your spirituality in GOD and may the many facets of your spirituality - in CHRIST JESUS, by the HOLY SPIRIT – unveil you as a living and dynamic blessing in the spheres of influence that GOD opens to you in/from the Mount of the LORD (see Isaiah 2:2-3; Hebrews 12:22-24; Psalms 24:3-4; Psalms 15:1-2; Genesis 22:14, KJV+NASB).
AMEN (see Revelation 3:14 b; 1 John 5:7-8; 1 John 5:10 a, NKJV; 2 Corinthians 1:20-22)!