Gifts and Ministries

By Tyrone Garratt (10/6/09)

Romans 12: 3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.

Whatever we do for God, we have no reason to be proud of the ministries we have, because GOD HAS CHOSEN them and given us the MEASURE OF FAITH to fulfil them. We didn’t choose them but He gave us GIFTS to fit the MINISTRIES He has given us.
This ‘measure’ is, for example, like a circle that has been cut into thirds. Each third is a ‘measure’ only, it is not the complete circle.

If we think about the parable of the Sower, we see that the seed which is the Word of God sown into the soil of our hearts and we are born again. This seed is incorruptible and is planted in us. Within this seed is the blueprint for our lives and ministries.

What can stop this seed from growing and producing a harvest?
1 Cares of this world
2 Deceitfulness of riches
3 Lust of the flesh
4 Being around thorny people, stony, hard people

But we must protect and nurture the seed in us, so that it will grow into a fruitful tree and we will be transformed into the image of Christ.

Consider the gifts and ministries of the Holy Spirit. 1Cor 12:8 lists 9 GIFTS that are for the empowering of 8 MINISTRIES OF GOD (1Cor 12:28). It is important that each gift is allowed to work because together the ministries are essential for the body of Christ to work effectively.

Romans 12 v 1-3