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Understanding Spiritual Authority
Part 3
by Dale Yerton
THE LAW OF LIMITS
Each
ministry gift has specific limitations which should be respected and
observed. We make ourselves vulnerable to
satanic attack when we overstep our authority.
The name apostle means “envoys sent forth with authority,” but we must not
forget all authority is limited. Only
God has total authority. There are some
things we cannot do. II Corinthians
12:5
1. MEASURED SPHERES II Corinthians
10:13-15
·
God did not call us to
minister in every place.
·
Our spiritual authority
is limited to the sphere God has appointed us.
·
Paul recognized his
apostleship was to the Gentiles.
Galatians 2:8
·
Peter recognized his
call was to the Jews.
2. MEASURED GRACE Ephesians 4:7
·
God did not call us to
do everything. “I planted, Apollos watered, but
God gave the increase.” I
Corinthians 3:6 Each apostolic gift is linked to another of the ministry gifts:
·
Paul was a
teacher/apostle.
·
Peter was a
pastor/apostle.
·
Timothy was an
evangelist/apostle.
·
Barnabas was a
prophet/apostle.
3. MEASURED FAITH Romans 12:3
·
We each have different
measures of faith.
·
It is dangerous for us
to move beyond the measure of our faith into presumption.
·
When we try to be
involved in every area of ministry we end up only doing a mediocre job in the
main area where God has called us.
ANIMAL SCHOOL
There
is a fictional story told of an animal school.
In this imagined school the animals were taught to swim, to run, to
climb and to fly. They found the birds
could fly very well but were not good at running. The fish were excellent swimmers but were not good climbers. The conclusion was that each animal should
concentrate on their best gifts.
Here
are some symptoms we are exceeding our limitations.
WARNING SYMPTOMS
1.
Competition with other
ministries. II Corinthians 10:12
2.
A growing sense of
inadequacy.
3.
Becoming over-protective
of our ministry and reputation.
4.
Feelings of
despair. II Corinthians 1:8
5.
Breakdown through
burnout and exhaustion.
When
we exceed our limitations we cease burning the oil of the Holy Spirit and start
burning the wick of ourselves. Matthew
12:20
BENEFITS
OF EMBRACING OUR BOUNDARIES
1.
Deliverance from the
“franchise mentality.” It is wrong to believe we have a monopoly on the Kingdom of God.
2.
Freedom from the
“messianic complex.” It is dangerous to
start seeing ourselves as saviors instead of servants.
3.
Practicing the principle
of referring people to other ministers who are more gifted in certain areas
than us.
4.
Walking in confidence we
are doing God’s will.
5.
Reaching fulfillment in
our ministry gifts.
PURPOSE
OF MINISTRY GIFTS Ephesians 4:11-16
“Equipping the saints for the work of the
ministry.” The job of the
leader is to empower followers by training them for ministry.
“Till we all come into the unity of the
faith.” Spiritual leaders
should produce an atmosphere of peaceful unity within the church.
“That we should no longer be children.” The greatest sign of maturity is revealed by
fruitfulness.
“The whole body.” The body is only whole when every joint and
member is working properly.
FRUIT
OF APOSTOLIC GIFTS
1.
The unity of the faith. Maturity produces a spirit of peace.
2.
Appointing other
ministries. Fathers recognize
potential.
3.
Ordination of other
ministries. Apostles endorse ministry.
4.
Bringing order to the
church. Apostles carry spiritual
authority.
5.
Conquest of nations for
Christ. Apostles give focused
direction.
6.
The gift of faith for
finances. Apostles operate in high
levels of faith.
WHEN APOSTOLIC AUTHORITY IS ACCEPTED
AND APPRECIATED THE KINGDOM OF GOD
IS
ESTABLISHED!
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