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Honoring the Gifts of God

Ephesians 4:8-12 – “Therefore He says: “When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men.”  (Now this, “He ascended”—what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.) And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.”

         There are three chapters in the New Testament where the majority of the spiritual gifts are mentioned.  In Romans 12:4-8 the Apostle Paul lists seven motivational gifts. In 1 Corinthians 12:4-8 we learn about the manifestation gifts of the Spirit.  In the fourth chapter of Ephesians we learn about the five ministry gifts.

         These five gifts, “apostles, prophets, evangelist, pastors, and teachers are gifts that are given to the New Testament Church by the Lord Jesus Christ.  In a recent time of prayer, the Lord impressed three things concerning our response to spiritual gifts.  We must honor the gifts, understand the gifts, and submit to the Holy Spirit and allow Him to use us as He desires.

         What do we do with a gift?  We appreciate it.  We cherish it if it from someone we love, and we honor the one who gave the gift.  Russel Evans, in his book, The Honor Key Unlock a Limitless Life, defines honor “to esteem at the highest level or to add weight to.”[1] We must honor the gifts Christ has given to the Church.

         The latter part of Romans 13:7 instructs to give “honor to whom honor is due.  Paul wrote to Timothy in 1 Timothy 5:17, “Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine.”

         In Mark 6 we learn Jesus could do no mighty works in his hometown of Nazareth.  He only laid hands on a few sick people and healed them.  Mark 6:4 gives the reason there were no mighty works.  Verse 4 reads, “But Jesus said to them, ‘A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house.”

We must honor those God gives to train, love, impart, and lead us in the ways of righteousness. In Ephesians 4:12 these five ministry offices are given for the “equipping of the saints, for the edifying of the body of Christ.” There will be a special blessing that results when we receive those God has sent to us with honor.


[1] Evans, Robert, The Honor Key Unlock a Limitless Life, My Healthy Church, Springfield, MO, Location 201 Kindle Edition.

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