Central Thought:
The Holy Spirit is God’s empowerment for successful ministry.
Text: Isaiah 11:2-5; Mark 16:15-18; Acts 1:8, 13:1-3; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, 27:31: Ephesians 4:11-16: 1 Peter 4:10-11
Introduction:
The purpose of the church on earth is twofold: to get men saved and build them into the stature of Christ (Mark 16:15-18; Acts 1:8: Ephesians 4:11-13). The specific roles that members of the body of Christ are called to perform relate to either or both of these functions. For the role of bringing men into the fold, all believers are called to preach the gospel wherever they live or work, Acts 1:8. Mobilization for this is one of the primary functions of the local church who must ensure that they do not fail the Lord in this area. There are diverse gifts to specific people in the Church by the Holy Spirit. These perform the leading roles in these specific areas. They are the Apostles, Prophets, Evangelist, Pastors and Teachers “for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the Ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ”, Ephesians 4:11-12.
In all of the aforementioned, the Holy Spirit plays a crucial role. In this study, we examine this with a view to gaining insight that will make us individually successful in ministry, 1 Corinthians 12:27-31, 14:26; 1 Peter 4:10-11.
Lesson Objectives:
- To understand the role of the Holy Spirit in assigning believers to specific areas of service.
- To understand how the believer can know the area of service he is called to.
- To know how the Holy Spirit equips the believer for service.
- To understand what we must do to avail ourselves maximally of the help of the Holy Spirit.
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What is the role of the Holy Spirit in the choice of area of service of the believer in Christ?
It is the Holy Spirit that determines what role each believer plays in the body of Christ and equips him with the appropriate gifts for it.
1 Corinthians 12:4-7 – “There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit gives them. There are different ways of serving but the same Lord is served. There are different abilities to perform service but the same God gives ability to all for their particular service. The Spirit’s presence is shown in each person for the good of all.”
The Scriptures emphasize that every believer has a role or function assigned. We must each prayerfully identify our roles and gifts and function in them. Leaders of the local church are not at liberty to assign whoever they like to specific roles but with fear must seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance to understand the specific gifts the Holy Spirit has given to specific individuals and assign them to appropriate roles. The experience of the local church leaders and Barnabas and Saul in Acts 13:1-3 is very instructive.
“As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Now separate to me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them’.
This was not the will or preference of men being expressed but that of the Lord of the harvest.
There is tendency for individuals to aspire to the more visible and prominent roles in the church because they are perceived to be associated with greater importance in the kingdom. This thinking is earthly and not in accordance with the Scriptures. The believer must recognize that God does not measure men in terms of the gifts or abilities He gives them. God in His sovereignty determines what role each person should play, equips him appropriately and requires him to be faithful. This is what He recognizes and rewards, 1 Corinthians 4:1-2.
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How can the believer recognize the are of service he is called to?
When a new child is born, the talents are all present in him but it is only as the child gets older and gets involved in different kinds of challenges and educational activities that the kind of talents and strengths become recognizable. The same applies in spiritual things. Following salvation and the baptism of the Holy Spirit, the believer must earnestly desire the sincere milk of the word so that he grows rapidly. He should get involved actively in the ministry of the local church and be faithful in the study of God’s word, prayer and the available opportunities for service. As he matures in the faith, it becomes apparent what he finds joy and pleasure doing, what he has a passion for and what he his gits are. This is the way most believers identify their specific areas of service. The Lord may also reveal the specific areas of service by revelation to the individual or through other members of the church. Lastly, the young believer may be guided by mature believers who in their oversight over men recognize their gifts. Have you identified your specific are of service? How did you know? Class members should share experiences.
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How does the Holy Spirit equip the believer for service? Acts 1:8; Romans 8:14 & 26: 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, 27-31; Colossians 3:16; Ephesians 5:17
We are endowed with power from on high when we receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit. This is the primary equipment for service, everything else comes thereafter. He leads us daily, guiding us in all our decisions and plans for service. “… As many as are led by the Spirit are the sons of God”, Romans 8:14. The Spirit provides help to us in all areas of weakness or shortcomings or deficiencies, “…The Holy Spirit helps our weaknesses”, Romans 8:26. He grants us daily understanding of the principles of God’s word, enabling us to discern and walk in God’s will. He grants us boldness to confront the enemy and the challenges that we face daily. He grants us insight into God’s provisions for a successful life and ministry and enables us to access them. He equips each believer with the appropriate gifts to fulfill the function he is set apart for in the body.
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What must we do to avail ourselves maximally of the help of the Holy Spirit? John 3:3; Acts 1:8; Romans 8:14; Ephesians 5:17, 4:22-32.
A. Born again:
Service in the church is only for those who are born again. Religious persons or church ministry of the body of Christ.
B. Be baptized with the Holy Spirit and continue being filled with the Holy Spirit.
The baptism of the Holy Spirit is the primary equipment for service. Attempts to live the Christian life or serve Him without the baptism of the Holy Spirit end up being a struggle or in futility. The believer must be baptized in the Holy Spirit as soon as possible after being Born Again. By living lives devoted to the study of and obedience of God’s word, personal and corporate prayers and continuous fellowship with God’s people, we can ensure that the continuous infilling of the Holy Spirit is guaranteed and therefore His control and influence over our lives is maintained.
C. Put off the deed of the sinful nature and do not grieve the Holy Spirt.
It is apparent from the primary description of God’s Spirit as “Holy” that He cannot dwell with a child of God who lives in sin. When we live in sin, we grieve the Holy Spirit. We must put off the deeds of the flesh and therefore not give grounds for the devil to control our lives. When we grieve the Holy Spirit, our fellowship with Him is broken and therefore we cannot receive the power that only He can give us for a successful life and ministry
D. Yield to the Holy Spirit.
To yield to the Holy Spirit is to have a disposition to obey the word of God in every area of life and ministry. As we recognize the ways He leads/guides us individually, we must obey the promptings/stirrings of the Holy Spirit as long as we have tested them by the word of God and are assured of the origin. As a check, the Holy Spirit never leads us to do anything contrary to the teachings of the Bible.
Daily Living Application:
The Holy Spirit is God’s empowerment for a successful life and ministry. The Holy Spirit decides who does what, how and when. He equips each one of us and guides us daily to do what God has called us to. Every believer must therefore identify the area of service that God has assigned him to and rely daily on the Holy Spirit’s empowerment to fulfill it.
Memory Verse:
Acts 1:8- “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth.”