1 John 2:27 But the Anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.

 

Yesterday we discussed how deception has crept into the Church causing impure motives and false doctrine to be preached from the pulpit. You responded with questions of, “How can this happen?”

 

Please consider the process by which the Pastor of your Church was called. Perhaps, the members formed a committee who sought after the right person. Maybe a few of you searched for a seminary graduate who has been trained to be a Pastor. Some Churches run ads in the paper or a magazine for a Pastor. I know of a case where a church hired a professional agency (a head-hunter) to find them a qualified Pastor.

 

What qualifies someone to be a Pastor or leader of a Church? Personally, this is where I see the Church making a BIG mistake because the Word of God clearly states that God CALLS people to these ministry positions.

 

No matter how many educational degrees a person may have, or how good their resume may look, none of this makes them CALLED by God.  But the Anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you;

 

The Holy Spirit is our Teacher. Jesus said, But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My Name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. (John 14:26)

 

People who have a true God-Given Calling on their life are not in search of a “job” with a great salary and a wonderful benefit package. They don’t answer an ad in the newspaper or look at a list of employment opportunities on the internet. On the contrary, they follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit who will lead them to the open door of the place where He wants them to minister.

 

Churches in need of a Pastor are to pray and seek God for the person He has for their ministry. When we “hire” someone to be Pastor all we have is a hireling and this is what Jesus said about hirelings,  But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep.

 

I began this message with this question: Does a seminary degree or any other educational degree qualify a person to be an Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor or Teacher? 

 

Nothing of this world (including years of experience) qualifies anyone to be an Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor or Teacher. These positions are CALLINGS of God on the lives of those whom He chooses. The Holy Spirit will teach them and prepare them for service in the Kingdom of God.

 

I am not against good Bible Colleges and Seminaries because there is nothing more important than proper understanding of God's Word, but the CALLING of God is first and foremost, the only real qualification.

 

God wants us to trust Him for everything and yes, that includes a place of Ministry and a Called person to minister. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6) This Promise of God does not say "He MIGHT" direct your paths. It says, He shall direct your paths. Won't you trust Him today?

 

Fully trusting the Lord will…….turn the tide .……..in your life.

 

Trusting Him,      Doreen

 

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