As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
THE LORD GAVE US A VERY POWERFUL ANCHOR THIS YEAR
LET US READ ZEPHANIAH 3 :13-20
THIS ANCHOR IS FOR EXPLOITS AND PROFIT TO GOD’S KINGDOM
THE LORD HAD A CERTAIN EXPECTATION IN MIND WHEN HE GAVE US THIS POWERFUL ANCHOR
LUKE 12:48SAYS TO WHOM MUCH IS GIVEN, MUCH WILL BE REQUIRED
WE ALL SHOULD UNDERSTAND BY NOW THAT THE ANCHOR GIVEN TO US MEANS THAT WE ARE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT WE HAVE.
IF WE HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH TALENTS, WEALTH, KNOWLEDGE, TIME, AND THE LIKE, IT IS EXPECTED THAT WE BENEFIT OTHERS.
“WHAT DOES IT MEAN THAT ‘TO WHOM MUCH IS GIVEN, MUCH WILL BE REQUIRED’ (LUKE 12:48)?”
THE SIMPLE ANSWERS TO THIS QUESTION IS THAT “FROM EVERYONE WHO HAS BEEN GIVEN MUCH, MUCH WILL BE DEMANDED
FROM THE ONE WHO HAS BEEN ENTRUSTED WITH MUCH, MUCH MORE WILL BE ASKED FROM US ”
IT SIMPLY MEANS THAT WITH GREAT POWER COMES GREAT RESPONSIBILITY.”
WE ARE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN.
IF WE ARE BLESSED WITH TALENTS, WEALTH, KNOWLEDGE, TIME, AND THE LIKE, IT IS EXPECTED THAT WE USE THESE WELL TO GLORIFY GOD AND BENEFIT OTHERS.
LuKE:12:40-49:
Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.
Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all?
Lu:12:42: And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?
Lu:12:43: Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
Lu:12:44: Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath.
Lu:12:45: But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;
Lu:12:46: The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.
Lu:12:47: And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.
Lu:12:48: But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.
Lu:12:49: I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?
JESUS TELLS A PARABLE HERE ABOUT BEING READY FOR HIS RETURN.
PETER ASKED IF THE PARABLE WAS FOR JUST THEM OR FOR EVERYONE.
JESUS REPLIED WITH ANOTHER PARABLE IN WHICH HE DEFINES THE “FAITHFUL AND WISE MANAGER” AS ONE WHO GIVES OUT FOOD AND OTHER ALLOWANCES “AT THE PROPER TIME.
“WHEN THE MASTER RETURNS AND FINDS THE FAITHFUL SERVANT MANAGING HIS RESOURCES WELL, HE WILL “PUT HIM IN CHARGE OF ALL HIS POSSESSIONS” (LUKE 12:42–44).
WE HAVE BEEN ENTRUSTED WITH CERTAIN THINGS, AND FAITHFULNESS REQUIRES THAT WE MANAGE THOSE THINGS WISELY AND UNSELFISHLY.
JESUS CONTINUED THE PARABLE WITH A CONTRAST: “SUPPOSE THE SERVANT SAYS TO HIMSELF, ‘MY MASTER IS TAKING A LONG TIME IN COMING,
AND HE THEN BEGINS TO BEAT THE OTHER SERVANTS, BOTH MEN AND WOMEN, AND TO EAT AND DRINK AND GET DRUNK.
THE MASTER OF THAT SERVANT WILL COME ON A DAY WHEN HE DOES NOT EXPECT HIM AND AT AN HOUR HE IS NOT AWARE OF.
HE WILL CUT HIM TO PIECES AND ASSIGN HIM A PLACE WITH THE UNBELIEVERS.
THE SERVANT WHO KNOWS THE MASTER’S WILL AND DOES NOT GET READY OR DOES NOT DO WHAT THE MASTER WANTS WILL BE BEATEN WITH MANY BLOWS” (LUKE 12:44–47).
THE UNFAITHFUL SERVANT MISMANAGES THE MASTER’S RESOURCES TO SATISFY HIS OWN GREED
JESUS WARNS THAT JUDGMENT IS CERTAIN FOR THAT SERVANT.
THE LORD THEN SUMMARIZES THE POINT OF THE PARABLE WITH THESE WORDS:
“EVERYONE TO WHOM MUCH WAS GIVEN, OF HIM MUCH WILL BE REQUIRED, AND FROM HIM TO WHOM THEY ENTRUSTED MUCH, THEY WILL DEMAND THE MORE
IT IS EASY TO ASSUME THAT ONLY WEALTHY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN “GIVEN MUCH,” BUT, IN TRUTH, WE HAVE ALL BEEN GIVEN MUCH .
WE HAVE BEEN GRANTED THE ABUNDANT GRACE OF GOD THAT WE MIGHT BE ZEALOUS OF GOOD WORKS
Ephesians 2:4-10
But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Titus 1:11-14
For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Titus 2:7-8
That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.
“EACH OF ONE OF US SHOULD USE WHATEVER GIFT WE HAVE RECEIVED TO SERVE OTHERS, AS FAITHFUL STEWARDS OF GOD’S GRACE IN ITS VARIOUS FORMS”
1PET:4:10-11
As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
GOD GAVE US A POWERFUL WORD THAT WE MIGHT SPEAK LIKE HIM ,THAT WE MIGHT BE HIS MOUTH PIECE TO THIS DYING WORLD
WE SHOULD ALSO NOT ASSUME THAT THE LESS WE KNOW ABOUT GOD AND HIS GIFTS, THE LESS WE’LL HAVE TO DO.
AS EVIDENT IN JESUS’ PARABLE, WE ARE HELD RESPONSIBLE TO KNOW OUR MASTER’S WILL.
Wherewith shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before the high God? shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old?
7 Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?
God gives us resources such as finances and time, talents such and various skills
He gave us musical ability, and spiritual gifts such as encouragement or teaching.
We should ask God for wisdom on how to use those resources and commit ourselves to expending them according to His will so that He may be glorified.
In regards to spiritual gifts, Paul said, “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.
If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith;
if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously;
if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully”
Romans 12:6–13.
Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;
8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
THIS IS SIMPLY RESPONSIBLE STEWARDSHIP.
WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN MUCH, AND GOD DESIRES US TO USE WHAT HE HAS GIVEN TO FURTHER HIS KINGDOM AND PROCLAIM HIS GLORY.
IT’S WHAT WE WERE CREATED TO DO. “THEN JESUS SAID TO HIS DISCIPLES, ‘WHOEVER WANTS TO BE MY DISCIPLE MUST DENY THEMSELVES AND TAKE UP THEIR CROSS AND FOLLOW ME.
JESUS SAYS “FOR WHOEVER WANTS TO SAVE THEIR LIFE WILL LOSE IT, BUT WHOEVER LOSES THEIR LIFE FOR ME WILL FIND IT. . . . FOR THE SON OF MAN . . . WILL REWARD EACH PERSON ACCORDING TO WHAT THEY HAVE DONE’”
ROMANS 12:1 SAYS THAT WE ARE LIVING SACRIFICES), GIVING THE THINGS GOD HAS GIVEN US IN SERVICE TO OTHERS, AND IN THAT WE ACTUALLY FIND LIFE.
JAMES 1:17SAYS THAT GOD, THE GIVER OF ALL GOOD THINGS, GIVES US EVERYTHING WE NEED FOR US TO FULFILL HIS WILL.
AND “FREELY WE HAVE RECEIVED; FREELY WE MUST GIVE”
THE WORD OF GOD WE CONSTANTLY RECEIVE IS A SURE WORD OF PROPHECY
2PETER:1:19-21
Pe:1:19: We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
2Pe:1:21: For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
WE MUST THINK AND SPEAK ACCORDING TO GOD’S WORD
THE HOLY SPIRIT LIVES IN US AND IN HIM WE LIVE AND MOVE AND HAVE OUR BEING
IT IS TIME TO PROPHESY OR SPEAK LIKE GOD’S MOUTH PIECE,AS GOD’S REPRESENTATIVES ,AS GOD’S ORACLE
GOD ASKED EZEKIEL TO PROPHESY TO THE VERY DRY SKELETONS AND HE DID SO AND BROUGHT THEM BACK TO LIFE BY PROPHECY
ELIJAH SAID BY MY WORD THERE WOULD BE NO RAIN IN ISRAEL FOR THREE AND A HALY YEARS
ELISHA SAID BY THIS TIME TOMORROW
MOSES SAID THE EGYPTIANS YOU HAVE SEEN SO FAR ,YOU WILL SEE THEM NO MORE
DAVID PROPHESIED THE DEATH OF GOLIATH AND KILLED THE GIANT WITH HIS WORD LONG BEFORE HE ACTUALLY CUT OFF HIS HEAD
THERE ARE ACTUALLY TWO TYPES OF PROPHECY, NAMELY FORETELLING AND FORTH TELLING
WITH FORETELLING ,THE FUTURE IS PREDICTED BY THE PROPHET
FORTHTELLING HAS TO DO WITH SPEAKING WITH AUTHORITY TO ENFORCE GOD’S WILL ON A GIVEN SITUATION.
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST PRACTICED THE TWO TYPES OF PROPHECY
WHENEVER HE WAS TELLING THE PEOPLE ABOUT HOW HE WOULD DIE ON THE CROSS AND BE RAISED ON THE THIRD DAY
OR HOW HE WOULD RAISE HIS FOLLOWERS FROM THE DEAD
OR HOW SIGNS AND WONDERS WOULD FOLLOW ALL THOSE WHO BELIEVE AND CALL ON HIS NAME
HE WAS PREDICTING THE FUTURE OR FORETELLING
BUT WHEN HE SPOKE TO THE FIG THREE WITH SERIOUS AUTHORITY HE WAS FORTHTELLING
AM SURE WE DON’T ALL HAVE THE ABILITY TO PREDICT THE FUTURE .BUT I TELL YOU WE CAN ALL SPEAK TO EVERY DRY BONE WITH GOD GIVEN AUTHORITY AND THEY WILL COME ALIVE
ELIJAH TOLD THE PROPHETS OF BAAL TO CALL ON THEIR GOD, AND HE WOULD CALL ON OUR HEAVENLY FATHER
THE GOD THAT ANSWERS BY FIRE WOULD BE GOD
A LOT OF EVIL PREDICTIONS ARE FLOWING AROUND ON EARTH TODAY AND GOD IS WAITING ON US TO SPEAK LIKE HIS ORACLE
BECAUSE WE HAVE THE SURE WORD OF PROPHECY THAT WE NEED TO LEARN TO RELEASE WITH FAITH IN THE LORD GOD WHO CANNOT LIE
WE HAVE THE HOLY SPIRIT IN US AND HE IS THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH
JOHN 14 :26
But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
John 15 :26
But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceeded from the Father, he shall testify of me:
1John:2:27:
But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him
THE HOLY SPIRIT IS THE ONE THAT EMPOWERS US TO SPEAK BY PROMPTING US WITH A POWERFUL YEARLY ANCHOR
IT MUST BE BELIEVED AND APPLIED IN ALL SITUATIONS FOR THE DELIVERANCE OF HUMANITY
WHO THEN CAN SPEAK LIKE GOD’S ORACLE?
FIRST YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN AND LIVE A HOLY LIFE
YOU MUST HAVE FAITH IN GOD .MARK 11:20-26
YOU MUST BE SPIRITUALLY MINDED AND NOT LIVE CARNALLY ROMANS 8:1-17
YOU MUST BELIEVE IN THE MIRACLE WORKING POWER OF GOD
But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
1Co:2:10: But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
1Co:2:11: For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
1Co:2:12: Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
1Co:2:13: Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
1Co:2:14: But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
1Co:2:15: But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
1Co:2:16: For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ
