Being Effective Ministers of Christ Part 4: Obedience

Hebrews 5:8:  Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered.

Beloved Sons the third aspect to being a effective minister of Christ is we must be obedient.  Many get into trouble with this because of the misconception of freedom and grace in the Body of Christ.  We we choose to be constrained by Christ and move by His grace, then we truly free.  Because in Him I live and move and have my being.  Obedience manifest faith.  It takes to the unseen to the seen.  Without obedience faith is another religious word that keeps us wishing instead of expecting.  Jesus said "if you love me you will OBEY my commandments.   The obedient son accurately puts on display the Father.  This is what we are called was Sons of God to do.  When we do that we can understand why the angels cannot look directly in the face of God but look into the earth and say "The whole earth is full of His glory".  Through obedience, the Sons radiate the glory of the Father in the earth.  

Becoming Effective Ministers of Christ Part 3

Hebrews 5:8:  Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered.

Beloved sons, for many believers this is the break point and major determining factor to whether someone will mature in Christ and that is, to be an effective minister of Christ a Son must suffer.  Suffering is such a nasty word to the carnal believer, but to a son they understand it is a way that the Father brings them to maturity.  Suffering in the world's eyes and even carnal-minded believers is bad and nothing good comes of it.  But suffering in the Biblical sense is to suffer and crucify the flesh to the will of the Spirit.  Let me show you this Scripture that I shared with you in a earlier message:

1 Peter 4:1: Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourself likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;

Catch this!  If we crucify and suffer in the flesh it says we cease from sin.  What does that mean?  Because there is no sin in God and you cease from sin when you suffer in the flesh then you are able to accurately represent your Heavenly Father in the Earth.  When you can do that, then you can serve as His ambassador and Son He would serve. Do not forsake suffering but know how to recognize it and know it is a opportunity to grow.  

Effective Ministers of Christ Part 2: Be A Son

Hebrews 5:8:  Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;

Beloved Sons, the first aspect of being a effective minister of Christ is one must be a Son.  Your perception of God will govern your actions as it pertains to Him. When you understand the ultimate relationship in the spirit is Father/Son and you live and view God from that relationship then you can began.  If we have been given a word and ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:17-20) then we must live that reality.  Our word and ministry of reconciliation is that man can come back to God and He be His Father and he be a son.  Once a son is in the house they must be taught and learn how to serve within he house.  We all as sons must have a servant heart.  This is why we are so hard and continue to hit message of being a son. This is the first step in being a effective minister of Christ, you must first be a Son. 

Effective Ministers of Christ Part 1

Beloved Sons:

Over the next couple of days I want to share a blessing that a received through Manny Hernandez who is a spiritual father in the Orlando, Florida area that I believe will shed some light on some confusion that is prevalent in the Body of Christ.  As you can see from the title we want to discuss "Effective Ministers of Christ".   Who is a minister of Christ?  What makes one a effective minister of Christ?  A minister is simply one who serves.  So to answer the first question, who is a minister of Christ?  All who are believers.  Every son born of the Father is called to be a minister of Christ.  Now the next question what makes one a "effective" minister?  I know that a minister in some people's definition of their church is one who is a leader or serves beside the Pastor.  I am here to tell you every son born of the Father are called to serve.  In the next message we will begin to dissect and show what makes one a effective minister.  

Wisdom for the Sons: Personal Desire

Matthew 7:7,8:  Ask, and it shall be given you; seek and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened

Beloved sons, if desire to know what someone knows, especially what your spiritual father has been graced to dispense, you must do the asking, seeking and knocking.  If you do not, you will not be given, you shall not find nor shall the door be opened.  Consider this thought, if you are not in a place to receive nor truly desire to know, someone could be preaching the uncut Word of God and with all that was revealed from Heaven before you, you would still be blind, deaf and locked out because of your lack of desire.  Listen, wisdom and revelation is not spoon-fed it is sought after by the one who desires and based upon your desire you shall receive.    

Wisdom for the Sons: Forgive and Not Forget?

Hebrews 8:12: For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their inquities will I remember no more

Isaiah 43:25:  I, even I, am He that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins. 

Beloved sons, it is said amongst t many "I forgive you but I will not forget".  To do this is to not be like your Heavenly Father.  If we are to be like Him because we are One with Him then as the Scriptures say, if He fogives us and does not remember our sins, so should we.  Lets put that in perspective, if your truly have forgiven a person when you see them again, no animosity, anger or hurt should build in you.  True forgiveness brings about a rise in love.  So you forgive until you love again.  Now when I see you again, I see you as our Heavenly Father sees you because He is Love and His perspective of you is from a position of love.   Let us not conform to the cliches of the world but to Father, Son and Holy Spirit whom we are One with.  

Wisdom for the Sons: Strength

Philippians 4:13:  I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Beloved sons, this Scripture is simply but so misunderstood.  This Scripture does not mean that you can do anything you put "your mind" to do and God will just strengthen you in what you want to do.  No.  Whatever God has told us to do He will give us the power and authority (grace and strength) to accomplish what He has told us to do.  If you look at Scripture every time God called someone to do something, to the carnal eye it was impossible and man would seek to give every reason why he could not do it.  Sons, if God has given us direction and instruction then He has fully equipped you by His grace to accomplish what He sent you to do.  

 

Calvin Calhoun, Jr.
Body of Christ
Household of Elijah - United States
Website: www.householdofcalhoun.org

Wisdom for the Sons: Why Do I Need a Spiritual father?

This is a special message from my spiritual father, Leon Elijah

Why do I need a Spiritual Father? I have direct access to God, do I not? Why do I need to be submitted to the authority of another man? These questions and more are those of the immature. They have not come to accept and understand a key Principle of the Kingdom of GOD that is, "Unless you are under authority you have no authority". It takes tremendous humility to submit to another whose Grace is evident by the quality of His lifestyle, family values and the things he suffered. If you continue to maintain this immature point of view you will rule over nothing in the Kingdom. The Father will not hand over anything of importance for Kingdom advancement to an immature son, you will be kept playing on the Jungle Gym of life because that is all you can handle. 

-Leon Elijah - Spiritual father, Household of Elijah 

Wisdom for the Sons - Revealing the Son

Galatians 1:15,16: But when it pleased God who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by His grace, to reveal His Son in me that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood

My sons, this is our calling to reveal the Son within us.  Without revealing the Son the gospel is simply words.  Jesus said, if I be lifted up I will draw all men unto me.  When we die to self, Christ the Son is lifted up and revealed.  Consider who we are revealing by the life we are living.  

Wisdom for the Sons: Transformation

Romans 12:2:  And be not conformed to this world but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.  

Sons, this Scripture is quoted many times but few understand.  Let me lock in on the word transformed.  To be transformed to to be changed from one state to another. But notice that the transformation only happens when their is a mindset change.  So perception and mindset is crucial to this transformation.  What is the transformation?  Being matured as a son of God.  Remember we are changing glory to glory.  Paul admonishes tells us "Let this mind be in you that is also in Christ Jesus".  When your mindset is changed from the ways of the world to the ways of your Father then you are transformed and can prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. 

Wisdom for the Sons: Accessing Guaranteed Blessings

Ephesians 1:3: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.

My sons, when you read that Scripture know that you are already blessed because you are in Christ.  Now to access these blessings requires submission and obedience to the Father.  Now I do not want you to chase the blessing but chase after Christ and being more like Him.  Live Blessed by your submission and obedience to the Word of God.  

Wisdom of the Sons: Accessing the Atmosphere

Acts 3:19: Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;

Beloved sons, the atmosphere of the Lord is simply His presence.  When we are in His presence we have access to experience and move in "this" atmosphere.  But let me bring this out:  So many are talking about God "changing the atmosphere and he is shifting this and that".  May I say, you must change in order to experience and move in the atmosphere of His presence.  We must repent, obey, submit, have faith….  All of that hinges on us.  God has given access to His presence through Jesus Christ, it is now up to us to live, move and have our being in His atmosphere.