We read many descriptions of the ministry of Jesus in the Scriptures. Among the functions of Jesus ministry are those of apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor and teacher. We read these descriptions in the following verses.
"And He said to them, "What things?" So they said to Him, "The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a Prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people" (Luke 24:19).
"Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away" (1 Peter 5:2-4).
Our ministry is an extension of the ministry of Christ. We read in Ephesians 4:11, "And He Himself [Christ] gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ ..."
Jesus gave spiritual gifts and callings to us. Jesus knew that no one person would be able to carry the weight of His complete ministry, so He took His mantle (a spiritual garment) and divided it based on the functions of His ministry. This is why some are called to be called to be apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors or teachers. This list does not indicate a gifting hierarchy of office callings suggesting that one office/gifting in more superior to another. It simply lists the functions of Jesus ministry.
We read in Ephesians 4:7, "But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christs gift." In other words, these five gifts are examples of how Jesus has given each one of us a measure of His grace for ministry as a gift. Grace means, "that which affords joy, pleasure and delight." These gifts are given so that we will have joy, pleasure and delight when fulfilling the ministry that He has called us to.
The key to understanding this passage of scripture is the phrase, "for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry." People who are called to these various offices are called for the purpose of equipping others for the work of ministry. Notice, they are not called to do all the work, but to equip and enable others to do the work of ministry.
Every one of us is called to ministry in some capacity. Before we were knit together in our mothers womb, God knew us and had a particular purpose/ministry in mind while forming us. We were fashioned for a particular purpose ... to fulfill a particular ministry. Our ministry may be to our family, in our place of work, or with the people we meet every day. We may be actively involved in a ministry either within or outside the walls of the church ... or we may be in a time of preparation for entering our ministry.
Just consider various drinking utensils. There are tea cups, mugs, coffee cups, various stem ware, water glasses, tea glasses, etc. Each has a similar function in that they each hold a beverage for the purpose of drinking. However, the temperature and particular variety of beverage that they hold varies according to its design. So it is with us. Each of us is a vessel filled with Holy Spirit for the purpose of being poured out upon others. Just as we partake of a beverage through a drinking utensil, others will partake of Holy Spirit through us. However, the way in which Holy Spirit pours out as well as the particular flavor and temperature depends upon the purpose for which we were designed. .
For a long time, people have aspired to be recognized with the title of apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor or teacher. Many want to be called Pastor Polly, Prophet Pete, or Evangelist Earl. When we demand a title to be attached to our name, it is usually because we desperately need affirmation of our calling. When we have a title, we tend to feel that we are entitled to something ... whether it be honor, respect, power, control, or recognition. We use a title to entitle us to those things that will meet the deep needs in our self. Because our needs are being met, the authority that comes with that calling is compromised. Its not about a title, its about the function of Jesus ministry, allowing others to see Him in us, and ministering to and equipping one another.
God created us for relationship, first with Himself and then with others. When we rest in Him and allow our needs to be met through Him, we can truly have a heart for one another and even prefer one another over ourselves. We will minister unto the Lord and then to one another. Our hearts desire will be to love and serve Him above all else even above building a name for ourselves, establishing our "spot" in ministry, or desiring respect and recognition. We have the most effect in the relationships that we have with others. Im convinced that its the things we do everyday the way that we steward the relationships that we have that yields the greatest fruit. For example, a long time before I was afforded the opportunities to write articles/book, I used the opportunities that were before me to write cards and letters to people.
We must realize that a key to our relationships with others and opportunities in ministry is humility. God gives grace to the humble. (See James 4:6) This word carries with it the understanding that we do what is best for others without demanding recognition. The ones whom God has called to "anything" are humble people and understand that others in the body need to be equipped so that they can fulfill their ministry.
Id like for us to look at these five (apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers), not as offices for a few elect, but as spiritual languages. Reading this scripture more closely, just consider the following. If He gave apostles to equip the saints for the work of ministry, then wouldnt He also give some people an apostolic language so that they could relate to and understand and be equipped by the apostles? If He gave prophets, wouldnt some be given a prophetic language so that they could understand and be equipped by the prophets? If He gave evangelists, wouldnt some be given an evangelistic language? If He gave pastors, wouldnt some be given a pastoral language? If He gave teachers, wouldnt some be given a teaching language?
Gary Chapman wrote and spoke on the five love languages several years ago. He identified several ways in which people in intimate relationships express love. They were acts of service, physical affection, giving time, verbal affirmation, and giving gifts. Although we usually use each of these languages at some point in most intimate relationships, we have a primary and secondary love language. They determine the way in which we give and receive love. For example, if my love language is physical affection, then I would tend to show my love (most often) to those I am close to by hugging them, patting them on the back, holding their hands, or stroking their head. Consequently, I would need to receive love in this way to really feel loved. If someone tried to show me their love to me through an act of service such as vacuuming the floor or emptying the garbage cans, my need to receive love would probably not be met (and I would not feel loved) if this were not my primary or secondary love language. Mr. Chapmans point in this revelation was that we need to understand our own love language and also that of those whom we love so that we can express our love to them in a language that they can understand.
Also, consider students within a classroom. Each student has a different learning style. All of the styles need to be used/demonstrated so that all students can easily learn. However, each person has a style that makes it easiest for them to learn.
All five of these spiritual languages are necessary in the body. Each has a vital function and should be evident within a body. Every person has a significant purpose within the local body. It excites me to see different people sharing in different capacities. When we hear from one another, our lives will be enriched and we will grow as we hear a variety of spiritual languages. The "topic" being discussed needs to be shared in a variety of ways so that each persons spiritual language is spoken.
For several years, Ive loved studying the Bible. Because of my interest in understand the Word, Id join Bible study groups. Id be excited about them and would pour a few hours of preparation time into them. Id be so blessed by what God spoke to me during those times. Id come back to the group ... and before long I felt as if I were going to explode. I was so frustrated. Id leave the group with friends saying how blessed they were and commenting about how good it was. I knew that God had ministered to me tremendously through the same material prior to meeting together, but Id feel so empty as I left the group. This left me feeling so frustrated. I couldnt understand why I wasnt blessed by listening to the discussion among the group. Consequently, I experienced the same frustration as I listened to many well known Bible teachers/preachers. I now understand it was because they werent speaking my spiritual language. There were some people that Id listen to and would be so excited about hearing what they were ministering. I loved to listen to Paul Zink (New Life Fellowship in Jacksonville, FL), John Paul Jackson (Streams Ministries, North Sutton, NH), John Bevere (JBM, Colorado Springs, CO), Rick Joyner or Steve Thompson (MorningStar School of Ministry, Charlotte, NC). [This certainly isnt an exhaustive list of those whose ministries Im blessed by; please dont feel left out if you arent included in this list.] These people arent superior to any other, but they were speaking my spiritual language. I now understand that I respond to Biblically-sound revelatory teaching.
Our spiritual language determines the way in which we relate to others. It determines not only the way that we express ourselves, but also the way that we receive from others. We need to know our spiritual language so that we know to whom we are connected. Weve heard that "As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend" (Proverbs 27:17). Just consider that you are a single blade. The only way for you to be sharpened would be for you to be raked across something else. But, just consider being a blade joined to another ... as in a pair of scissors. The cutting motion would help to maintain a sharp edge. Thats what happens when we are rightly connected to others in the body we are sharpened.
I am not a prophet (and dont want to be), but I am prophetic. This spiritual language is the way that God wired me from birth. From the time that I was a young child, I dreamed and saw things in a different way. I also have a teaching language and a pastoral language. Although my spiritual language is different from my primary calling, it determines the way that I fulfill my calling. My primary calling (other than being a worshiper, wife and mother) is to write. I love writing and teach through it. My spiritual language determines the flavor of my writing. Since I have a prophetic spiritual language, I listen to the Lord and seek to communicate His heart through writing. Since I also have a pastoral language, I encourage and nurture through writing. If my primary spiritual language was evangelistic, my writing would reflect strong evangelistic type messages.
We need to understand how God has wired us ... how He has fashioned us. Just consider, if we know our spiritual language, then we know to whom we are connected. When we are rightly connected within our giftings and callings, we can learn from one another, encourage one another and be ministered to by one another. Then will we be equipped for the work of ministry so that we fulfill the destiny that God has ordained.
Jesus said in John 14:12, "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father." Jesus was essentially saying that we, as part of His bride, would do the same awesome things that He did because we would be empowered with His Holy Spirit. When each of us walks in the ministry that He has called us to, we collectively will do a greater number of works than He alone did. (We cannot have greater power than Jesus; a student is never greater than his teacher.)
Paul, in 1 Timothy 2:7, identified three functions to which He was called. He was identifying His spiritual languages. Lets seek to understand our spiritual languages by considering the following questions. Think about which group of questions consistently reflects who you are most of the time.
Apostolic language
Do you have the courage and ability to keep others moving forward in new directions?
Do you give guidance and lead due to your spiritual maturity and experience?
Do you live a life of holiness?
Prophetic language
Do you have a strong sense of right/wrong & defend what is right/fair?
Do you have a strong sense of the Spirits leading?
Do you often offer guidance and impart revelation?
Evangelistic language
Do you desire to take gospel to those who need it?
Are you able to encounter and overcome obstacles to the gospel?
Can go into areas of strife, turmoil and dissension?
Pastoral language
Are you usually nurturing and comforting to others?
Do you enjoy working among people?
Are you often protective of others?
Teaching language
Do you know the ways of God?
Do you remind others of priorities and foundations?
Do you hear Gods voice through the Scriptures and give words of life to others rather than words of knowledge?
Each of these "spiritual languages" reflects the ministry functions of Jesus. We need all of them in a body and each of us needs to receive from each of them at times. Like our eating habits, we need a well balanced diet eating from all the food groups. However, the spiritual food group that we need to eat from the most needs to be our primary spiritual language.
Recognize those who have the same spiritual language as you. Recognize those who have similar giftings and callings. Father desires that we be rightly connected to others. It is when we are rightly connected to others that we will move forward in His ways and be equipped to fulfill His purposes.
Scripture taken from the new King James Version. Copyright © 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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