[b]Spirit-Filled Service[/b][i]by Zac Poonen[/i]Spirit-filled service is a service that fulfils God's specific calling.In Colossians 1:23-25, Paul says, "I am made a minister" andin 1 Timothy 2:7 "I am ordained an apostle."Paul had been ordained by the nail-pierced hands of his Savior, andnot by any man. It was God who had called Paul to be an apostle. Thiscalling, he says in Colossians 1:25, was given to him. It was God'sgift - not something that he had achieved or earned. He also says inthe same verse that this calling was given to him to serve others.It was a stewardship entrusted to him by God for the work of buildingup the church.God has a specific calling for each of us. It is futile asking God tomake us into something that He has not called us to be - for the HolySpirit decides what gift each of us should have. Paul was called to bean apostle. But not everyone has such a calling. What we do need toseek God's face about is for power to do that which He has called us to do.Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, thatyou fulfill it," was Paul's advice to Archippus (Col. 4:17).God does not put square pegs into round holes. He knows what Hischurch needs at a particular time in a particular place, and Heprepares each of us, (if we are submissive) for a specific task -which may be quite different from what we ourselves want to do.Is everyone an apostle? Of course not. Is everyone a preacher? No.Are all teachers? Does everyone have the power to do miracles? Caneveryone heal the sick? Of course not. Does God give all of us theability to speak in languages we've never learned (tongues)?...No(1 Cor. 12:29-30 LB). But God has placed each of these gifts in the Bodyof Christ. The important thing is for us to recognize our gift andcalling - and to exercise that gift and fulfill that calling. Spirit- filledservice is service that fulfils that specific calling which God gives us.If there is one gift that the New Testament specifically encourages usto seek, it is the gift of prophecy (1 Cor. 14:39). This is perhapsthe most needed gift in the church today. A prophetic ministry is onethat edifies (strengthens and builds-up), exhorts (rebukes andchallenges) and consoles (comforts and encourages) (1 Cor.14:3).We need to pray that God will give us prophets in our churches, whowill speak the truth of God, without fear or favor - men of adifferent caliber from the professional religious scribes, who aremore interested in their salary, status and popularity.May the Lord help each of us to seek His face earnestly to find outwhat our calling is.
_________________SI Moderator - Greg Gordon
Thanks for the great article!
_________________David