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The Purpose, Protocol and Pursuit of Pentecost

Pursue (Intensely press forward) love (Agape - CHRIST LIKE LOVE), and earnestly desire (be jealous for, set your heart upon and intensely desire ) the spiritual gifts,especially that you may prophesy (Speak forth what God is speaking).

Why? To build up yourself and to build His church!

There is a purpose, a protocol and pursuit of gifts of pentecost

to Glorify the Son

to Edify the Church

to Identify the Sinner

The Anointing on a man or woman is not God’s endorsement of the MAN, the MESSAGE or the METHOD

When you see a gift in operation, you should say, "If God can use them, then he can use me!"

Edify - to build up, strengthen, to make more able

Make Yourself More Able

“I want you all to speak in tongues. The One who speaks in a tongue builds up himself. The one who speaks in tongues speaks not to men but to God, for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the spirit”

Make The Church More Able

“Earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. The one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. The one who prophesies builds up the church. I want you all to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up"

Paul offers specific protocols to address the church in Corinth's past problems. The underlying principals are remain presently relevant

Principle: ALL SHOULD BE ABLE TO HEAR and UNDERSTAND

Principle: ALL SHOULD BE UNDER AUTHORITY

Biblical Test for a Prophet

Are you a prophet or have a desire to move in the prophetic? Here is a Biblically sound qualification test for prophets or any who desire to minister before people.

1. Are you a member of a local church?

2. Do you tithe?

3. Do you have a true Pastor (shepherd) over you?

4. Are you disciplined in sound Biblical Study?

5. Do you have a healthy marriage?

6. Do your kids respect you?

7. Are you living holy?

8. Do you have a good reputation?

A “no” to any of these is a cause for pause and should give a red flag

Added to include scripture and context.

1. Are you a member of a local church?

- The church, His church, the local church is the means through which Christ chose to advance the Gospel through the great commission (Mark 16:15-18; Matt 28:18-20)

- The church is the expression of the fullness of Christ upon the earth (Eph 1:22-23)

- The Spirit's work is to build the church (Eph 2:22)

- We should not forsake the assembly of the church (Heb 10:25)

- The gathering of the church in homes and in the synagogue or temple was the pattern of the early church (Acts 2:42, 44, 46)

- Clear that the gifts of the spirit are practiced, taught, judged, and multiplied in the gathering of the church for the building of the church (1 Cor 12 & 14; 1 Thess 5:19-20)

- The church is Christ’s bride. To seek to exist outside is to be cut off from His body (Eph 5:25-26, 1 Cor 12:12-27)

- Paul calls for the church and ministers to be honored and for the whole body to live at peace with one another (1 Thess 5:12-13)

2. Do you tithe?

- Tithing is a foundational principle in scripture (Malachi 3:8-18)

- A minister who is not tithing is robbing God and under a curse (Mal 3:8-18)

- Jesus considered tithing to be the minimum (Matthew 23:23-24, Luke 11:32)

- The law of sowing and reaping applies to every believer and ministers should lead the way (Gal 6:7, 2 Cor 9:6)

3. Are you accountable to your pastor?

- Jesus gave the ministry gifts to his church for the building of the body. These gifts need one another as much as the church needs these gifts (Eph 4:11-16)

- We are all part of the same body, but have different functions, we serve one another in love and humility according to the grace (gift) God has given (Rom 12:3-8)

- All authority is from God. God holds those in leadership accountable for how they use that authority and holds those under authority accountable for who they honor that authority (Rom 13:1-7) This is a key principle. Every one of us is a person under authority. No matter how great the authority, there is still someone to whom we are accountable.

- God calls Pastors to oversee the flock, to care for them, feed them, correct, but most importantly serve, not lord over (1 Pet 5:2-3; Acts 20:28; 2 Tim 4:2)

- Perhaps best expressed, “Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you” (Heb 13:17). That applies to each of us! We all need a pastor in our life!!!

4. Are you disciplined in sound Biblical Study?

- Any minister in authority must be a student of the word who knows how to rightly study, teach and set the example (Titus 1:9;1 Tim 3:2; 2 Tim 2:2)

5. Do you have a healthy marriage?

- A minister must be faithful to their spouse and well respected by them. Likewise their spouse should also be well respected and live a holy life (1 Tim 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-16)

6. Do your kids respect you?

- A minister with children must be respected by their children and their children should not be unruly, undisciplined, or living in blatant sin (Titus 1:6; 1 Tim 3:4, 6; 1 Tim 3:12)

- Your family is your first ministry if your home is falling apart, you have no business teaching or ministering outside the home. Your family deserves your undivided attention!

7. Are you living holy (are you in willful sin)?

- You can not minister a holy word if you are living an unholy life (1 Tim 3:2-3; Titus 1:7; Gal 5:22-23)

8. Do you have a good reputation?

- Scripture instructs us to know those who labor amongst us. All ministers, including prophets should be well known, respected and have a good reputation even among those outside the church (1 Tim 3:7,1 Tim 3:13,Titus 1:7)

And yes... this list would apply to ANYONE in ministry. There are no Big “I”s or Little “you”s in the kingdom of God... and that includes the ministry offices.

Principal: WE SHOULD NOT MAKE IT DIFFICULT FOR THOSE WHO ARE COMING TO CHRIST

Our Present Protocol

- HUNGER for, expect to receive a word

- Carry that word in HUMILITY and with HONOR

- HONOR others by submitting that word through leadership, receive permission

- Guard your HEART

3) THERE IS A PURSUIT TO THE GIFTS OF PENTECOST

There is a PURSUIT of the gifts!

The Pursuit of the gifts are not only good, it is instructed

Pauls shows “the most excellent way”

- First pursue CHARITY (LOVE)

- Second Earnestly Desire the CHARISMA (SPIRITUAL GIFTS)

If CHARISMA without CHARACTER creates to CHOAS

What does CHARISMA without CHARITY create? Clanging Cymbals

Where do I begin?

1) Begin with LOVE… Pray for God to increase your capacity to LOVE

- Look for a way each day to love others, AGAPE

2) Begin your day EDIFYING yourself

- Pray in the Holy Spirit

3) Look to EDFIY someone else

- Ask for a word, write it down, look for someone to share it with

4) Expect to grow in the gifts