MAKING A TOTAL CHANGE, MESSAGE AND MINISTRY.
Nothing can be as demanding or as discovering after many years in ministry that your message has been faulty. It takes a whole lot of humility to see this.
Peter did. Acts 10:28 KJV “And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.”
For a man of such stature and exploits ,this meant much. He acknowledges this much later. Acts 15:7,10-11 KJV “And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.
[10] Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
[11] But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.”
The focus of his entire ministry had to change. This happened to Apollos. Acts 18:26 KJV “And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them , and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.”
Very probably Silas too who was from the church at Jerusalem. Acts 15:27 KJV “We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth.” He later became Pauls companion. Acts 16:25 KJV “And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.”
Same as Barnabas, Phillip and even Agabus. Acts 21:8,10 KJV “[8] And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him.
[10] And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus.”
It's noteworthy .
One critical part of this paradigm change is a need to see a complete reset. Now this is it. Some assume, “all I just need is to start preaching" Christ is all, explanation of all things " or " grace " or finished works yet retain my old style and pattern of ministry. This is a huge error!
So, you will serve what you just learnt in old vessels. Old ways. Mark 2:22 KJV “And no man putteth new wine into old bottles: else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: but new wine must be put into new bottles.”
Seeker friendly ministry but theology will be Christ centered teaching.
Grace theology but ministry pattern and structure is legalism.
Revelation knowledge sermons, but ministry pattern and mode of church meetings is of old, same of the same. This is the quagmire many will put themselves in. Many need to detox. Unlearn not just the message, but the ministry. You have followed legalism all your life, that's the style of ministry you will have.
You must reset!!!!!
Paul said this much. Philippians 3:13 KJV “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do , forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before.”
You must do this. Start ALL over. You can't build a sky scraper on a foundation you made for a four bedroom bungalow. You must make the sacrificial turn around very quickly. It’s not enough to join the bandwagon of " the reigning message "
What is your mode of ministry? Prayer meetings? Outreaches? If you had followed an ambitious mentor you must have unconsciously imbibed self glory and ambition. What will happen is, you will now seek to still retain this spirit, with the message of Christ. It's a conflict.
This created problems in Jerusalem. We have had several who retained much unbiblical dogma in ministry even though their sermons had changed. If you listen well to them, you will see the strong influence.
Several too will be seeker friendly, even though the message has changed, but it will be tainted by this kind of ministry. The message of Christ has its own ministry. If you need to step aside for a while, do so, or get proper tutelage, please do so.
You find several "grace preachers" but who are still able ministers of the Old Testament. This happens when your message changed but not your mindset or ministry. You should learn from Paul. Philippians 3:7 KJV “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
Detox and start ALL over. ALL over AGAIN. Not just the sermons but the mode of ministry. The Lord grant you understanding. I call you blessed.
- Pastor Chris Onayinka.
To help you reset, I personally invite you to this life changing, mind renewing and the revelation of Jesus conference.
Date: 21-23 February 2018.
Time: 21st- 5pm. 22nd- 9am and 4pm. 23rd- 9am and 4pm
Venue: Power City International. 98 Nwaniba road, Uyo, AKS, Nigeria.
For registration and affordable accommodation details, call +2348068009939.
Grace abounds!