2 Timothy 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

1 Corinthians 12:28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

Galatians 1:1 Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)

 

LEADERS & SERVANTS

MEMBERS OF THE BODY

I am not called to pastor or lead a church or plant churches anywhere – as a woman that’s not my place in the body of Christ. I do know, 100% without a doubt, that I am called by God to do His will as a member of the body of Christ. We, Christians, are all CALLED according to Matthew 22: 14, but few are CHOSEN. I don’t know if I’m the shoulder or fingers or backbone or thigh or knee caps. I know that I have been called by God to do my part in the body of Christ. I may not be a pastor or an evangelist or prophetess, but my part in the body is no LESS important. My role is just as important as the next. When I look at the members of my own body, I recognize that they are all important. My ears are just as important as my elbows. My neck is just as important as my ankles. My whole body and all its member are individually super important and I wouldn’t want to live without any body part. But I have. I know what it’s like to temporarily lose hearing in my right ear. It’s so annoying! Also, I have had my nostrils stopped up. Even though I can still breathe through my mouth, it’s not the same as breathing through my nose. I need my wittle nose. I felt completely off-balanced, as if I was going to stop breathing in my sleep. I couldn’t smell anything. I’d hold one nostril and try to suck in air really hard – because my nose is THAT important. My nose is not my hand. My nose is not my foot. My nose is not my eye. So because my nose can’t hear anything or see or pick up objects, is it less important? No way!

CART BEFORE THE HORSE

I know many people who want the title “Prophet” and “Pastor” and “Bishop” and “Evangelist,” so they can be applauded by men. God takes it very serious and holds those people even MORE accountable because they are responsible for leading people’s souls. Do you know what God says to those shepherds who don’t take Him seriously?

Ezekiel 34:2 Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God unto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks? Full chapter here. 

Deuteronomy 18:20 But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in My name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die.

Pretty serious. So, not everyone should hastily jump to become a pastor/apostle/prophet of God just because it sounds like a good idea, or because church folk are pressuring you to be ordained, or simply because you agree with the bible. Oprah Winfrey agrees with the bible too, but she doesn’t do what the Lord Jesus says do. Jesus said repent, but Oprah says do whatever way makes you feel “alive.”  Agreeing with the bible, having a love for people and ministry, attending seminary school, and memorizing thousands of scripture IS AWESOME, but that doesn’t automatically give you authority to lead the flock of Jesus Christ or qualify you to teach others to understand the bible. Theology school is a man-made tradition for those who seek bible education and/or ordination. But the bible says you must be born-again. Being born again, filled with the Holy Ghost is what enables you to speak with boldness and authority to go out and preach, not school. Leading the flock without being born again and Spirit-led is putting the cart before the horse. Jesus first!

Acts 4:31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

1 Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

LED BY THE SPIRIT OR BIBLE SCHOOL?

Can a person attend a bible school and inspire others as pastor? Yes. But is God concerned whether you’re inspiring people as pastor or not?  I’m sure there are numerous faithful spirit-filled preachers who have their theology degree. Being converted and led by the Spirit of God is what is important. Having a degree in theology is not what saves souls. Personally knowing the Living Word (Jesus Christ) and preaching His gospel is what saves souls. The Holy Ghost leads us and guides us into all truth. Without the Holy Spirit one can easily be deceived and even deceiving others. Those people are good at talking the “talk” but they don’t walk the talk. Outwardly they look like sheep, but inwardly their heart is far from God. An example of this would be Michael Aus, a former Christian Pastor turned atheist. Aus has head knowledge of the bible, years of formal bible schooling, and years in the pulpit leading a congregation, but no true faith in Christ. This former pastor, Michael Aus, walked away from Christianity because he was a false convert who never knew the love of Jesus Christ Lord, nor truly believed . He was ever learning but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. He was never truly saved. He was a powerless shepherd leading the gullible sheep to the slaughter. Why do I label this former pastor turned atheist a wolf in sheep’s clothing? Because he gained the trust of the sheep, he led the sheep, he spoke like a true shepherd of the sheep – but he really didn’t love God at all. And not only that, now he’s speaking at various conferences with the goal of drawing Christians away from the faith… because he never had faith. That, my friend, is a wolf. He just decided to take off the sheep’s clothing. Very disturbing.