JESUS GAVE GIFTS

Ephesians 4:8 "Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men." In other words: Jesus arose from the grave and went to Heaven. Jesus then took all that He was and poured Himself into gifts.

WHAT GIFTS?
Ephesians 4:11 "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers." In other words: The gifts of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers.

WHY DID HE GIVE THESE GIFTS?

Ephesians 4:12 "For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ." In other words: Jesus gave these gifts to men (to the church) so that the saints (all Christians, all that call Jesus Savior) can be perfected (matured, equipped) to do the work of the ministry. Simply put, to learn how to do what Jesus did. To be a servant like Jesus. To edify (build up) the body of Christ.

JESUS GAVE OF WHAT HE WAS!

Hebrew 3:1 "Wherefore, holy bretheren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession Christ Jesus." JESUS THE APOSTLE Matthew 13:57 "And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, a prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house. JESUS THE PROPHET Luke 19:10 "For the son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." JESUS THE EVANGELIST John 10:11-14 "I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. JESUS THE PASTOR Matthew 9:35 "...and Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease mong the people. JESUS THE TEACHER John 3:34&35 "For he whom God has sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him. The Father loveth the son, and hath given all things into his hand.

JESUS HAD THE SPIRIT WITHOUT MEASURE. JESUS HAD THE FULLNESS OF THE ANOINTING. So, Jesus took all that He was, the fullness of the Anointing, the Spirit without measure, and poured himself out. He poured all that he was into the five gifts that he gave the church.

APOSTLE PROPHET EVANGELIST PASTOR TEACHER

Let's say that a car is the church and its 5 cylinder engine represents the 5 gifts Jesus gave to the church.

HOW CAN YOU GET YOUR CAR TO MOVE AT FULL POWER?

That's simple! Use all the gifts Jesus has given the body. Use all 5 cylinders. Have you ever wondered why there is a lack of power in the church today? Could it be that we have limited God's power by limiting the use of the 5 gifts Christ gave the church?

HOW MANY GIFTS DID JESUS GIVE TO PERFECT SAINTS?

APOSTLE PROPHET EVANGELIST PASTOR TEACHER If we are not using all 5 gifts, can we ever expect the saints to be matured? Do you think Jesus gave 5 gifts for a reason? Do you think maybe we should use them all?

Isaiah 55:8-9 --"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." Maybe it's time we do it Jesus' way. His ways are higher than ours! JESUS KNEW EXACTLY WHAT HE WAS DOING WHEN HE GAVE 5 GIFTS TO THE CHURCH.
If we want to see the Beloved saints truly equipped to do the work of the ministry, we must use all 5 gifts that Jesus has given us. How many cylinders are powering your local church? APOSTLE-PROPHET-EVANGELIST-PASTOR-TEACHER Which gifts function in your church?

How can we cry out to God for more power, and more anointing, when we won't use the gifts He has given us to perfect and mature us?

Pray! Seek God as to His will for your local church concerning the use of the 5 gifts that Jesus gave the church.