So you write poems, spoken word, novels, plays, skits and what have you. This is great — but do not let them become your god. You've been interviewed, received standing ovations and have been invited to speak here and there. This is also good — but don't allow people to make you a god. You've received payment, honorariums and love gifts for the administration of your ministry. This is also very good — but don't fall into the sin of ministry for hire. The Lord has sent people to sit at your feet, pull from you, and to serve you — but never forget that they belong to the Lord.
The prevailing spirit hovering over and dividing asunder the people of God today is the spirit of narcissism — a hunger and thirst for the things that are pleasing and satisfying to self. People, even congregations, have become LOVERS of themselves. And our Father is crying out through His son Jesus and by the pulling of His spirit asking many daily, "Where is MY ministry? What have you done with the vision I gave you?"
1 Timothy 3:1-3 says: But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good…"
This version was NIV, but take a look at the AMP:
While everyone else is seeking out a prophet and a prophetic word for 2010, those who are fully aware of what is going on are drawing their answers from the WORD OF GOD. THIS is where every answer to what is going on in the world is hidden. I have to catch myself as I question God! Sometimes I find myself so frustrated with PEOPLE in the church that I ask him, Lord what is wrong?
He always says to me: "Sin has entered in."
There IS no other explanation for the things that are taking place in the earth today. Change NEVER begins with the people around us but with the reflection in our very own mirror. It begins with me.
It is good to have a ministry, to produce books and products, to have sold out plays and productions … and even make the best seller's list. The Lord is not DISAPPOINTED with whatever you see as obtaining a victory in your life; but He IS disappointed when HIS MINISTRY is put on hold while YOU are pushing yours.
I do hope someone grasped that last statement. In other words, where is the LORD'S MINISTRY in your life?
The greatest apostolic commission of sending to ever go forth in the earth can be found in Matthew 28:18-20 or at the end of Mark, Luke or John. It says the same thing basically, which reads: Jesus approached and, [a]breaking the silence, said to them, All authority (all power of rule) in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go then and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them [b]into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you, and behold, I am with you [c]all the days ([d]perpetually, uniformly, and on every occasion), to the [very] close and consummation of the age. [e]Amen (so let it be).
Take a look at these things Jesus asked us to do. Now, this applies to all believers … not just some. Yes, he was talking to his emissaries or apostles, but know that He was telling them to go out and duplicate this exact ministry in others. Look at these things. Jesus commanded us to:
1. GO — We are being sent. It is important to know that we are being sent for a "body work" not a "me and me alone" work in the Kingdom of Heaven. Whatever your individual assignment is on earth, it is supposed to meet this corporate need. At the end of the day, every thing you've done by the guidance of the Holy Spirit will lead to the fulfillment of this commission. Yes, you may have penned a book, a CD, etc…. but the book or CD alone is not enough to fulfill the commission. There is MORE that is required of your life!
2. Make Disciples — This means to teach those who do not know about the Jesus the story of salvation. We are to tell them about His life, death, burial and RESURRECTION. This challenge begins in our homes and with our family members and closest friends.. then expands outward. The "making" process involves overcoming the desires and lusts of the flesh. The "making" process KILLS that old you, those old behaviors and attitudes. I firmly believe that many have had a false conversion. True conversion CHANGES YOUR heart.
3. Baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. To fully understand this, you must learn details about every aspect of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. You need to know what their functions are and HOW this relates to your life. If you don't know the purpose of something… and I mean KNOW it… then you will misuse what you have been given. You will not know how to appreciate the gift. It is through the baptism that SANCTIFICATION AND HOLINESS is cultivated and developed. Many have never ever made it to this stage in their walk with the Lord. Some people, even now are sitting under a "grace principle" where they have not been taught the FULL implications of grace and the message of repentance and remittance of sin. They are completely ignorant to the fact that once you can STILL GO TO HELL even after confessing Christ and meaning it. Remember Anais and Sapphira?
4. Teaching them to observe the ways of the Lord. Now, this one is DEAR TO ME because the greatest teacher is YOUR LIFE. I've met some gifted poets and worship arts leaders over the years. There were times when God spoke to them profoundly and used them in the midst of their deliverance and fallen state. Sadly, they could not give up their sinful lifestyle and chose to live one muddled in compromise. Today, you can't tell some of them from the people in the world, yet they still profess a belief in Jesus. We must be SO DISCERNING in this season that we cannot only spot sin when people come our way — but that we know when a person has TURNED FROM GOD verses someone who is walking humbly before the Lord desperate for their healing.
A true leader WILL know the difference. The key is this: If you are living a double life, then you are not serving the Lord. He does not stand in agreement with a double-minded man. When double minded people become teachers of the word, they raise mixed up and confused believers. The scriptures call these off spring "sons of hell."
In your ministry, are you going, making, baptizing and teaching according to the world or according to the Word? Can people distinguish YOUR LIFE from the life of the sinner? When you enter into a room does the atmosphere shift with His Glory and healing and deliverance enter with you? Is the Lord's ministry present in what you are doing or is it your ministry and you're hoping that Jesus shines upon it?
All the best selling books, greatest sounding CD projects and flowing spoken word pieces in the world can guarantee you a home with Jesus. Our pursuits should not be for the reward of the "things"…. but for the favor of the King.
Get YOUR LIVES in order! It's not about your neighbor, your husband, your wife, your mom or dad, best friend… or even your child. It is about YOU. Change begins with the person staring back at you in the mirror. Multiplication starts here. This is not a popularity competition or a game.
You can break the narcissistic stronghold off your life by denying "SELF" and working with the Holy Spirit to save your soul.
Where is the Lord's ministry in your life? We should see his ministry IN YOU and IN WHAT YOU DO.
