Understanding Purpose in The Christian Ministry (PART 9)
By Pastor Raphael Adegoke
11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.” (1 Cor. 13:11)
Glory be to God for a great day as this. May His name be praised forever and may we be well positioned by His grace for all the blessings He has packaged for us this day. Amen! Last week, we examined w “Understanding the Subject Area”, but today, we shall be considering “Growth and Development”.
Oftentimes, we don’t get all that God has got to offer us in life and ministry, not because His provisions are unavailable, but because we fail to grow and develop. Meanwhile, this is a core determinant of our success, in life and ministry. Kindly note that success, by my definition of success, is doing what God expects that we do in His own way per time. “And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.” (Luke 2:52).
In Jesus’ case, we see a form of intrapersonal growth (growth in stature and wisdom) and interpersonal growth (growth in favour with God and man). Despite that, Jesus knew His purpose at age 12 and was going about the fulfillment of the same, yet there was a realm of His assignment He couldn’t access and some measures of assignment He couldn’t perform. “And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business? (Luke 2:49)
An heir who is a child has the same measure of authority and privileges within him just as an heir who is an adult, but different ability to command. Meanwhile, the ability to command is not in the texture or tone of voice, or the physicality of the individuals involved but in their knowledge and understanding. “1What I am saying is that as long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a slave, although he is the owner of everything.” (Gal.4:1)There are many ministers today who will still go about doing the Father’s business, but will never ever be able to enter the realm of their ultimate fulfillment in life and ministry.
Meanwhile, for growth and development to be whole, it must involve the body, soul and spirit. Shortfall in any of these will hamper an individual for God’s purpose. Kindly note that nothing can hamper God’s purpose, but an individual can be rendered unfit for the fulfillment of the same. “…6As Adoni-bezek fled, they pursued him, seized him, and cut off his thumbs and big toes. 7Then Adoni-bezek said, “Seventy kings with their thumbs and big toes cut off have gathered the scraps under my table.” (Judges 1:6-7). “20“For it is written in the book of Psalms: ‘May his place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in it,’ and, ‘May another take his position.’.
Pastor Raphael Adegoke is a Pastor in Christ Apostolic Church (Nigeria & Overseas) and a Lecturer in Christ Apostolic Church Theological Seminary.
