SO YOU WANT TO BE A MINISTER, EH?

Let`s start by looking at what our Heavenly Father requires of His oversight for the “Bride of Christ.” Math. 4/18-19 “and Jesus walking by the sea of Galilee saw two brethren, Simon called Peter and Andrew, his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And He saith unto them, FOLLOW ME and I will make you fishers of men.” FOLLOW ME, a leader leads from the front, not behind pushing people in front of him, “he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him:” John 10/4, not above or over, bossing them. A leader leads by example, you must be tried and proved till you come to that place where the “Word is made flesh,” just as Jesus was in John 1/14, “and the word was made flesh and dwelt among us:” And of course it goes without saying, I hope, that your going to have to forsake all first before you start. (“And when they had brought their ships to land, they FORSOOK ALL, and followed him.” Luke 5/11).

Math. 16/21 “from that time forth began Jesus to shew unto His disciples, how that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed and be raised again the third day.” Remember, Jesus said “FOLLOW ME,” AND He went in among His people and, SUFFERED, DIED, LIVED. John 14/6 “I am the way, the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

OK you say that was Jesus, I`m just a man, surely all that suffering and dying is not expected of me, is it? Let`s look at some men called of the Lord to oversight to “His Body.” Acts 9/16 “for I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my names sake.” That`s Jesus talking to Ananias about the Apostle Paul. 2 Tim. 3/12 “yea and all that will live Godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution,” the Apostle Paul writing to Timothy discipled by Paul. Acts 14/22. “confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must, through much tribulation, enter into the Kingdom of God.” That`s Paul and Barnabas preaching to the people of Lystra, Iconium and Antioch. John 15/20 “remember the word that I said unto you, the servant is not greater than His Lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you;” that`s Jesus talking to the twelve Apostles.

FOLLOW ME: SUFFER: DIE: LIVE:

Heb. 9/15-17 “and for this cause He is the mediator of the New Testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. For where a testament is, THERE MUST ALSO OF NECESSITY BE THE DEATH OF THE TESTATOR. FOR A TESTAMENT IS OF FORCE AFTER MEN ARE DEAD: OTHERWISE IT IS OF NO STRENGTH AT ALL WHILE THE TESTATOR LIVETH.” The greek word for force in this passage is “Bebaios” and it means that upon which one may build or trust, or rely, that which does not fail or waiver, immovable. See, a requirement of five fold ministry is “death to self,” total commitment, total dedication, total consecration to it, not half, not conditional, but all. To be effective you will need “EDUNAMOO,” enabling ability, spiritual strength, authority and power and this comes at a price. Luke 9/23 “and He said unto them all, if any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and FOLLOW ME.” Mk. 10/38 “but Jesus said unto them , ye know not what you ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? And be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” Luke 14/27-30 “and whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, saying, this man began to build, and was not able to finish.” In the gospels there are examples of men that started to build, or intended to build and could not go on with it, they could not pay the price, check them out for yourself. John 6/60-66, Math. 19/16-22, Math. 8/19-22.

So you want to be a minister? Lets take a look at that word “minister.” In the greek the word is “diakonos” and means a SERVANT in the dust, labouring or running through dust, that`s this words derivation. So then a leader is a servant. Let`s take a look at some great men of God and see how they perceived themselves in Christ. Rom. 1/1 PAUL, A SERVANT, Phil. 1/1 PAUL AND TIMOTHEUS THE SERVANTS, Titus 1/1 PAUL A SERVANT, Philemon 1/1 PAUL A PRISONER, James 1/1 JAMES A SERVANT, 2 Pet. 1/1 SIMON PETER A SERVANT, Rev. 1/1 “The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto His SERVANTS things which must shortly come to pass, and He sent and signified it by His angel unto His SERVANT JOHN.” 1 Pet. 5/3 “NEITHER AS BEING LORDS OVER God`s heritage but being ENSAMPLES to the flock. The greek word for ensamples is “Tupos” and it means to strike, smite with repeated strokes, a type, ie something caused by strokes or blows, a figure, a form, figuratively of a person as bearing the form and figure of another as having a certain resemblance. Particularly of a pattern or model after which something is made and shaped by strokes and blows. An example, a pattern to be imitated or followed. Phil. 3/17 “brethren be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample” (same greek word as above.) 2 Thes. 3/9 “not because we have not power BUT TO MAKE OUSELVES AN ENSAMPLE unto you to follow us.” Notice here in this scripture Paul says “but to MAKE OURSELVES.” 1 Thes. 1/6-7 “AND YE BECAME FOLLOWERS OF US, AND OF THE LORD, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost; so that ye were ENSAMPLES to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.”In all of these scriptures the word ensamples is the same word “TUPOS.” 2 Cor. 1/9 “but we had the sentence of death in ourselves.” Luke 9/24 “whosoever shall save his life shall lose it, and whosoever shall lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.” So we must die to self. Why? Is. 55/8 “for my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways saith the Lord.” It`s our Father`s will to superimpose His will over ours, so that “His thoughts do become our thoughts,” and His ways do become our ways.” John 17/21 “That they may be one; as thou Father art in me, and I in thee, that they may be one in us: That the world may believe thou hast sent me.” John 3/30 “He must increase and I must decrease.” John 15/7 “if ye abide in me and MY WORDS ABIDE IN YOU, ye shall ask what ye will and it shall be done unto you.” Math. 19/27-29 “then answered Peter and said unto Him, behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore? And Jesus said unto them, verily I say unto you, that ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of His glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands for my names sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. Rom. 7/18 “in my flesh dwelleth no good thing.” Phil. 3/7-8 “but what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea, doubtless, and I count ALL THINGS but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: For whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung that I may win Christ.” “THE WORD,” “HO LOGOS,” “CHRIST IN US THE HOPE OF GLORY,” “LIVING WORD,” “BREAD OF HEAVEN,” has to become flesh in us.

OK now you know the cost, lets take a peek at what the finished product should look like after many strokes, blows and moulding. 1 Tim. 3/2-12 “a Bishop then must be blameless, husband of one wife, (notice here he doesn`t say wife of one husband,) vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach. Not given to filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; one that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the Church of God?) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. Let the deacons be the husband of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. And again in Titus 1/6-9 “If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. For a Bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry; not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.” Some of these are self explanatory such as, “apt to teach,” “not given to wine;” Let`s lay out a few explanations of those character traits that may be a bit hazy or confusing using the original greek words that the New Testament was written in

SOBER “Sophron,” means discreet, sober, temperate, self disciplined in ones freedom, self restrained in all passions and desires.

BEHAVIOUR “Kosmios,” means a citizen who quietly fulfulls the duty and obiligations which are incumbent on him and is not disorderly; ie obeying the laws of the land, pays his taxes, (not a tax cheat or tax evader,) obeys road rules, is in submission to those in authority over him (Government, Employment, as well as Church authority) pays his debts, his life is orderly and decent. The virtue of Kosmios, however, is not only the proprietary of dress and demeanour, but of his inner life uttering and expressing itself outwardly meaning modesty, well mannered, contented.

HOSPITALITY “Philoxenos,” means a friend of, or kind to strangers, meaning, friendly and loving towards strangers.

STRIKER “plektes,” means a violent person, a reviler, one who by reproachful and upbraiding language wounds the conscience of his brethren, a contentious person, a quarreler, one who causes strife by speaking evil of, or critising brethren, behind their back, a back stabber.

NOT A BRAWLER “Amachos,” means not contentious or quarrelsome, not disposed to argue or fight.

COVETOUS “Aphilarguros,” means a lover or luster of money.

BLAMELESS “Anegkletos,” means to accuse in court, not merely unaccusable, but unaccused, free from any legal charge or encumbrance, and free from that happening in the future.

NOVICE “Neophutos,” means newly sprung up, or figuratively, one who is but lately converted to Christianity and newly implanted in the church, newly instructed, or a novice.

GRAVE “Semnos,” means venerable, reverend, reputable, dignified. “Semnos” represents not only earthly dignity but that which is derived from a higher citizenship, a heavenly one. There lies something of majestic and awe-inspiring qualities in “Semnos,” which does not repel but rather invites and attracts. “Semnos inspires not only respect, but reverence and worship. It can also challenge us to aspire to greater purity of character.

NOT DOUBLE TONGUED “Dilogos,” means two-faced deceitful in ones words.

NOT SELF WILLED “Authades,” means one who is pleased with himself and despises others, insolent, unruly. The contrast of courteous or affable. A person who obstinately maintains his own opinion or asserts his own rights but is reckless of the rights, feelings and interests of others. He regulates his life with no respect to others.

JUST “Dikaios,” means a man that is sensitive and considerate of the rights of others, a listener, someone who can weigh up and evaluate something righteously and place the right estimation upon it. Someone who considers the rights and needs of others before his own rights and needs.

HOLY “Hosios,” means unpolluted, clean, pure.

TEMPERATE “Egkrates,” means self control, continence, having power over ones emotions and desires.

Let`s take a look at some more. 2 Tim. 2/24-25 “and the servant of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient. In meekness, instructing those that oppose themselves. If God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth.” 1 Pet. 5/1-9 “the elders which are among you exhort who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ that shall be revealed. Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint but willingly, not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; either as being lords over God`s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. Likewise ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder, yea all of you be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exhalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon Him: for He careth for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil as a roaring lion walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.” Here we see some more. “Not by constraint,” “Willingly,” “Of a ready mind,” “Neither as being lords over God`s heritage,” “Ensamples,” “Submit,” “Subject,” “Clothed with humility,” “Humble,” “Casting,” “Sober,” “Vigilant.” Here`s another, Luke 21/36 “watch ye therefore and pray always,” 1 Thes. 5/17 “pray without ceasing.”

Phew!! How can I do this?

Math. 19/26 “with men this is impossible BUT WITH GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE.”

OK, you`ve come this far, you know the cost and are willing to pay the price, and you can see the standard God requires and you have decided you can submit yourself to God`s dealings no matter how tough and painful the going gets: One more question you have to ask yourself; WHY? Why do you want to be a minister? What is your motive? There is a right answer, and you`ll know it when you have it.

2 Pet. 1/10 “wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fail.”

Notice in the above passage of scripture 4 words CALLING “kletoi,” AND ELECTION

“ekletos,” SURE. There`s a difference between calling, AND, election, between called and elected. Calling, “kletoi,” or invited ones, is a call to be discipled, taught, trained. It`s not the signal to go into leadership and preach and teach, it`s a drawing and leading, a hungering and desire towards oversight. Election, “ekletos,” or chosen, elected, commended, approved for use by our Father, is that which comes into place after discipleship, teaching, training. The stamp of approval that the vessel is ready to be released into a position of oversight is totally the premise of our Heavenly Father, when He chooses and approves and unctions. 2 Cor. 10/18 “For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.” Read Acts 13/1-4. Math. 22/14 “for many be called, but few are chosen.” Therefore, “give diligence to make your calling AND election sure.” AMEN.

THERE IS NO SHORTCUT TO MINISTRY, LEADERSHIP, YOU WILL EITHER GIVE BIRTH TO ISSAC PATIENTLY, OR ISHMAEL PREMATURELY, AND ISHMAEL WAS REJECTED OF GOD: GEN. 21/15-12, GAL. 4/28-31.

“see that you refuse not Him that speaketh.”

Jan 2001

Bevan Kluver,

Straight Talk Ministries,

Ph/Fax 07 55452874,

www.straighttalkmin.org

bevan.kluver@bigpond.com

“speaking the truth in love, in the spirit of meekness, earnestly contending for the faith;”

HELPING HIM PREPARE A BRIDE WITHOUT SPOT OR WRINKLE:

HATING EVEN THE GARMENT SPOTTED BY THE FLESH:

STEPHEN

Seven spirit filled men were chosen, full of wisdom and good reputation,

Among them a man named Stephen, leading many to salvation;

With many signs and wonders, miracles and healings,

But only after called by God, having waited for His dealings:

With the synagogue against him, inducing many to lie,

They stirred up the people, the elders and the scribes;

Bringing him to council, with blasphemous words against him,

Stephen stood before them, at the mercy of their whim:

When asked if the accusations against him, were they true or not?

Would Jesus of Nazareth destroy this place, were the words of Moses forgot?

With the counsel looking upon him, anger in their eyes,

Steven told his story, pleading to change their lives:

Speaking out in boldness, you stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart,

You still deny His spirit, resistance is your part;

How many prophets did He send you, persecuted in the name of the Lord?

And you continue to kill them, by your hand, your own accord:

I stand here before you, with the love of the Lord now spoken,

I stand here before you, praying that you be woken;

I gaze into the Heaven, and see the glory of God,

But you still resist Him, only you can make your rod:

There`s my Father clearly, Jesus by His side,

But you do not hear me, hatred in your eyes;

I feel not the rocks you`re pelting, their blows could never shatter,

The spirit that lives within me, the only thing that matters:

Kneeling down before Him, a loud voice crying out,

Lord their sins forgive them, Stephen began to shout;

He fell asleep before them, his physical life had ended,

Standing for the glory of God, transparent and surrendered:

Acts 6 & 7.

1997.