The Ministry Gifts by Hagin, Kenneth E. -- Read -- Imperial Library of Trantor

Index

The Ministry Gifts Lesson 1, Christ's Provision For His Church

A. He gave. The Lord Jesus Christ gave these ministry gifts. B. When did He give them? When He ascended on High taking with Him the Old Testament saints who since their physical death had awaited in Paradise (Abraham's bosom) the consummation of God's great plan of redemption. C. From where did He give ministry gifts? These ministry gifts came (and come) from the Lord Jesus Christ Himself when He ascended and sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on High. D. For what purpose did He give these ministry gifts? E. For how long did the Lord Jesus Christ give the ministry gifts? F. What is the ultimate aim in all ministry?

Lesson 2, The Divine Call

A. God hath set some in the Church. There is a divine call. B. God sets ministry gifts in the Church - not man. C. You do not enter the ministry - any phase of it -just because you feel it is a holy calling and you'd like to respond. D. You do not enter the ministry because someone else tells you that you are suited for it. E. How can you tell a divine call? F. The methods by which men are called are unimportant. But obedience to the call is important. G. Seeing a need is not a call to the ministry. H. An anointing evidences a divine call. I. If God didn't call you to full-time ministry, don't try to get into it; you will be a misfit. J. Knowing that you know you are divinely called settles the matter once and for all. There should be no confusion on the subject.

Lesson 3, Whom God Calls, He Equips

A. The ministry gifts are people - people who are called of God to the full-time ministry. B. Those people (ministry gifts) whom God calls, He equips with spiritual gifts. C. The ministry gifts consist not in name, but in power. D. All the work of the ministry comes under the lordship of Jesus Christ.

Lesson 4, Faithfulness To The Call

A. Study. Preparation time is never lost time. B. Dedicate. Along with the call goes a dedication. C. Consecrate. Along with the call goes a consecration. D. Submit to the will of God. Along with the call goes a submission to the will of God. E. Be a person of integrity. F. Develop. Mature. Grow. G. Do not intrude into the wrong office. H. Develop Character.

Lesson 5, Variety and Balance

A. One of the most fascinating things concerning the ministry gifts of Christ is their variety. B. These ministry gifts have been given to the Church to bring a balance in the Church. C. The Body of Christ needs to realize that Christ gave a diversity of ministry gifts to the Church for a reason. All of them are essential in order for the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ to come unto full stature in Christ. D. It is God's divine plan that each ministry gift provide a check and balance to correct and complement the other. E. The ultimate goal of all ministry is to unite - not divide. F. A person can stand in more than one office; we separate ministry offices to define them.

Lesson 5, The Apostle

A. The ministry gift which heads the list is the apostle. However, that does not mean it is the most important ministry gift in the local body today, nor does it mean that apostles are to dominate over other ministry gifts in the Body of Christ. In other words, Paul was not establishing a hierarchy for local church government by the way he listed the ministry gifts here. B. The most significant statement of fact in the Bible regarding this office is that it was filled by Christ Himself. C. The Greek word APOSTOLOS translated apostle means one sent forth, a sent one. D. Jesus Christ is the greatest example of a sent one. E. A true apostle is always one with a commission - not one who merely goes, but one who is sent by the Holy Spirit. F. The signs of an apostle. The Bible speaks of the signs of an apostle: G. The fruit of an apostle. The Bible also talks about the works or fruit of the apostolic ministry: H. Characteristics of an apostle. An apostle is first and foremost a preacher or a teacher, or a preacher and a teacher of the Word. I. To stand in this office, one must have a deep personal encounter with the Lord and an ongoing spiritually strong relationship with Him and His Word - something beyond the ordinary. J. An apostle's ministry seems to embrace all other ministry gifts. The distinguishing result is the ability to establish churches. K. Are there apostles today?

Lesson 7, The Prophet

A. Are there prophets today? Peter John Personal experience: C. Under the New Covenant it is unscriptural to seek guidance through the ministry of the prophet. D. Put the Word first. Even though there are supernatural manifestations in your life, don't build your ministry on supernatural manifestations. Invite them and have them. But build your ministry on the Word. Even if you're a prophet, build your ministry on the Word. E. It is dangerous to feel obligated to perform. F. Discern the difference between the Spirit of God and familiar spirits. G. Misconceptions people have relative to the prophet's office.

Lesson 8, The Evangelist

A. The word "evangelist" occurs only three times in the New Testament. B. The meaning of the word "evangelist" is: One who brings the evangel (the good news); a messenger of good tidings. C. The evangelist brings the message of the redeeming grace of God. D. The evangelist's favorite theme is salvation in its simplest form. E. The only New Testament example we have of an evangelist is Philip. Philip's ministry is the model because it is the only one God gave us. F. The supernatural equipment accompanying the evangelist's ministry includes "miracles" and "gifts of healings." G. If the divine gift or endowment is within a person, the person will need no pleading to be an evangelist. There will be a divine urge burning within him or her. H. The marks of a true evangelist are evident in the ministry of Philip, our one New Testament model:

Lesson 9, The Pastor

A. The word "pastor" is used only once in the King James translation of the New Testament. And that is here in Ephesians 4:11. B. The Greek word translated "pastor" literally means "shepherd." C. It is so translated referring to our Lord and Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Great Example of a true pastor or shepherd: D. Jesus is the Great Shepherd, the Chief Shepherd, of all God's sheep. E. Jesus has undershepherds. A pastor is an undershepherd. A pastor is a shepherd of God's sheep in the local body. F. God calls men and equips them to shepherd, or pastor, a flock. G. Shepherds are necessary for the maturing and equipping of the saints. I. The shepherd (pastor) has oversight of the flock. J. The pastor is one of the most important offices. K. It is the Holy Spirit who makes men overseers, not man. L. God has provided supernatural equipment for the pastor. The pastor should be equipped with supernatural equipment. M. The most outstanding characteristic of a pastor is a shepherd's heart. 1. The shepherd's heart is a gift from God to the local body.

Lesson 10, The Teacher

C. One can stand in the office of pastor and teacher, or prophet and teacher, or evangelist and teacher, and so forth. In other words, one can stand in more than one office. We separate the offices to define them. D. One who is a teacher but not a pastor (that is, he does not have the oversight of a flock) many times has a roving ministry among the churches. E. The teaching gift is a divine gift. F. The teaching ministry requires a divine gift. G. A teacher is not a teacher merely by virtue of natural ability or a natural inclination to teach. H. No teaching ministry in the power of the Holy Spirit is dry! It will convey rivers of living water. I. Divisions can be caused by unbelief and hardness of heart, even when teaching is in the power of the Spirit based on the Word of God. J. A true teacher of the gospel of peace will never teach doctrinal error which will split the Body of Christ. He will not cause division by what he teaches. K. On the other hand, we cannot compromise on the fundamental principles of the doctrine of Christ. L. Other things are not fundamental and you do not want to create division. M. Use wisdom. O. Teachers should be always ready and open to receive fresh glimpses of truth from the Word of God.

Lesson 11, Variety of Ministry Gifts

A. Ephesians 4:11 lists the fivefold ministry gifts - those who are preachers and/or teachers of the Word of God. B. The two other lists of ministries also contain those called as supportive to the fivefold ministry offices and adds further definition of some of the fivefold offices. C. Taken together, these three passages reveal the fullest measure of the breadth of ministry Christ gave to the Church in ministry gifts. D. In the catalog of ministry in Romans 12:6-8: E. In the catalog of ministry in First Corinthians 12:28: F. The divine source is emphasized in all three ministry lists. G. Some of these gifts - particularly those listed in Romans 12 - may appear to be lacking in the supernatural element. Yet all come from a supernatural source, given by the same Spirit, and given by grace.

Lesson 12, The Office of Helps

A. Right in the middle of this ministry gift list - right in the midst of apostles, prophets, teachers, evangelists, and pastors - we find the ministry of helps. B. The actual Greek word translated "helps" occurs only in First Corinthians 12:28. C. The Greek lexicon gives its meaning as a helper or a reliever. D. The one who helps must have the real equipment of divine grace and power. E. Romans 12:7 says, "Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering...." F. The ministry of music. The ministry of music functions as a helps ministry, supportive to the fivefold ministry. G. Anything that has to do with helping in the operation of the Church or with ministry could come under the ministry of helps.

Lesson 13, Ministry Tongues and Interpretation

A. Diversities of tongues (different kinds of tongues) is here regarded as a definite ministry set by God in the Church. B. Being filled with the Holy Spirit and speaking with other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance in the private prayer life of the believer is not the same as a ministry of tongues. C. What the Word of God is talking about here in First Corinthians 12:28 and 30 is ministering to others through tongues and interpretation, as a ministry gift. D. When the believer is filled with the Holy Spirit and speaks with other tongues, that is for his own private use and individual edification and prayer life - it is not for others. E. All tongues in essence are the same, but in purpose and use they are different. F. Only a few of those who are filled with the Spirit and speak with other tongues will be used in the public ministry of tongues. Hence Paul asks, "... do all speak with tongues?. .." (v 30). The answer is obviously no. G. Actually, what Paul is talking about in First Corinthians 12:28 when he lists "diversities of tongues" along with the ministry gifts of the apostle, prophet, and teacher, is something separate from the laity "giving an utterance in tongues." It is a ministry gift of tongues and interpretation. There are those called to the fivefold ministry who are called to minister that way, and it most closely approximates the office of the prophet. H. As a ministry gift, tongues and interpretation operate together, as we see in this example with Brother and Sister Goodwin.

Lesson 14, Exhortation

A. This is the only place exhortation is mentioned as a separate and distinct ministry. B. The primarily motivation of the exhorter is to bring encouragement either by way of comfort or by stirring up believers. C. There is a distinctive ministry along this line. D. The exhorter stirs up the lost to be saved. E. The exhorter also exhorts Christians with a message of encouragement and comfort.

Lesson 15, The Ministry of Giving

A. Giving was as much a recognized ministry as teaching or healing in the Early Church. This is a ministry. B. We can all enter into the grace of giving, but some have a divine endowment from God to distribute: C. Another translation renders it, "he who has wealth to distribute must do it with a single eye to God's service." D. Those who have wealth to distribute should distribute correctly, in good places where it is used for God. E. Some may sense a call to the ministry, and God has called them to this ministry of giving.

← Prev
Back
Next →

← Prev
Back
Next →