Called to Ministry
As children, God the Father has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms in Christ, these blessings and gifts are to be used in extending His kingdom here on earth. God’s power has raised us (Freshfire) up from the dead with Christ the Exalted One and we are now seated with Him in heavenly places. If we are seated in heaven means we have been given the perfection and authority to be there, only by God’s grace not through our effort so no one can boast or take credit for His salvation. Ephesian 2.10 For we are His workmanship, Greek word for workmanship is POIEMA which gives us the English word POEM, something made by God Himself. A recreated people that will fulfil the destiny He has given us. Before we were born God planned our destiny and the good works we would do to fulfil it. These good works make up our destiny, and as we yield to God our destiny comes to pass.
God has placed us in community (come in unity) to work and serve each other and advance His kingdom. Jesus was a servant to His disciples; he washed their feet as a sign of humility and servanthood. The disciples didn’t understand at first but Jesus made it clear that if He who is Lord and Teacher washed their feet, then they ought to wash one another’s feet as well. Jesus also says, if you know these things, you are blessed, happy and favoured by God when you put them into practice and faithfully do them. John 13:12-17
So, how do we serve each other? We serve each other with our gifts and blessings God has assigned to each through our faith designed for service. We (Freshfire), are one body with many parts and many special uses, and individually we are parts of one another and do not all have the same special use, however, we are dependent on each other, let's use them accordingly. Those with the gifts of prophecy, let’s speak the new message from God to His people; if it is to serve, then serve; if it’s to teach, then teach; if it is to encourage, then encourage; he who gives, give with generosity; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. Love one another warmly as brothers and sisters and be sincere and active about it. Shine brightly in the Spirit and serve the Lord enthusiastically.
We will always be children of God but that doesn’t mean we are not growing up and maturing in the Spirit. In fact, Paul urges us to eat solid food, Hebrews 5.14 But strong meat belonged to them that are of age, which through long custom have their wits exercised, to discern both good and evil. For us to move into full maturity we have to have our faith exercised and tested, then we will be able to distinguish between what is good and what is evil. We have the holy spirit our teacher to guide and lead us through every circumstance, we are never alone, He comes alongside us. With every test we are learning a lesson which will help us in the next season of our lives, we are maturing through every battle and circumstances, even the ones we think are minor.
Being in a community (come in unity) we grow up into a mature body of Christ and the Paraclete One (our Advocate/ the One who comes alongside us) continues to lead and guid us through every step in our lives to fulfil our destiny in Christ. Through the Paraclete’s guidance and leadership, we are aligned daily – remember those battles, trials and tests that you have overcome! We can look back now at them and see some sort of victory or complete victory. During lockdown, we were challenged individually and have overcome through Him, well, I was challenged and can now look back and say, “thank you Lord for the victory.” Now, we are called to come into corporate community and alignment with those blessings and gifts and answer to The Call of Isaiah 61 through exercising our faith and moving in the power of the Holy Spirit as one body (Freshfire Church). We are called to the mission field to populate heaven and de-populate hell.
Let’s pray: Father, thank you for the call to serve each other and our community. Thank you for the Paraclete One who is “upon, in, on, over, above, by, for, through, throughout, around, beside” me. I surrender my life to You Holy Spirit and I come into corporate alignment with Freshfire to preach the Good News, to heal the broken-hearted and all that it takes to fulfil The Call of Isaiah 61. Amen
By Gale Whitby