Earthen Vessels (Receiving The Ministry Of Men) by Apostle Selman » NgGospel.com (Formerly Ngmp3.com)
Declare: My light has come, and I arise and shine!
In the name of Jesus Christ, I arise, I shine, and I walk in the reality of all that God has ordained for me. Amen!
It is important that we allow The Holy Spirit to continue the work He is doing in our lives as we continually submit ourselves to the teaching and transformation that comes through His Word.
Consistency in the spirit, not just intention is what produces champions.
Koinonia is not just an assembly of people; it is a school of the Spirit, where God’s Word is taught line upon line, precept upon precept.
A Believer’s real profit to the kingdom is not just salvation, but transformation. Becoming a witness benefits God’s program.
The teaching in Koinonia focuses on:
• Teaching the way of the altar – the way of intimacy with God.
• Teaching the principles that make for victory and dominion.
• Teaching the way of purpose – discovering and fulfilling God’s intent for your life.
KOINONIA is not just an assembly of God’s people; it is a school of the Spirit, where the ways of the Kingdom are taught line upon line and precept upon precept.
There are three ways Believers are built:
1. The way to the altar (the way of intimacy): Prayer, intimacy with the Spirit, and consecration.
2. The way of victory: Understanding and applying the principles that make for victory and dominion.
3. The way of purpose: Discovering and fulfilling God’s intention for our lives.
The real profit of the Believer in the program of God is not just in being saved, but in our transformation and being a witness.
There is a gross leadership deficiency across the Body of Christ, and the Lord quickened this in my heart: leadership is a skill.
People do not follow you merely because you are called; they follow you because you have developed the capacity to lead.
The greatest expression of leadership begins with the ability to manage yourself. Before you can effectively lead others, you must first learn to lead yourself.
Areas Of Leadership To Focus On:
1. Self or image management.
2. Vision or project management.
3. People management.
4. Resource management.
There are many dimensions to leadership, but as an assignment, press to learn these four areas of leadership:
1. You must learn self or image management. Managing yourself is the greatest expression of leadership.
The worst way to market yourself is through falsehood; the greatest is to be a truthful person.
2. You must learn vision or project management. It is one thing to receive a vision from God; it is another to see it become actualised.
One of the limitations of vision is that it creates blindness. Sometimes, because your gaze is on the vision, you can fail to see other areas that are equally important. This is why the gift of people is important.
3. You must learn people management. You must understand the psychological needs of people, team building, and the inclusiveness of people.
4. You must understand resource management. Your ability to turn five loaves and two fishes into plenty is proof that you have mastered resource management.
The greatest way to market yourself is to be truthful.
“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.” 2 Corinthians 4:7 (KJV)
In as much as we are valuable, the ‘treasure’ is not necessarily us, but what God has deposited in us.
“And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter: he lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.” Acts 10:5-6 (KJV)
Encounters are powerful in the journey of the Believer toward spiritual maturity.
There are four major encounters every Believer should have:
1. An encounter with Jesus Christ, the Son of The living God.
This encounter translates to:
• Forgiveness of sins (Ephesians 1:7)
• Access to righteousness
• Access to the life of God (Zoe)
2. An encounter with the Person and ministry of The Holy Spirit.
Four (4) Major Encounters Every Believer Must Have to Attain Unto Maturity:
Encounters are very powerful as far as the Believer’s attaining unto stature and maturity in the kingdom is concerned:
1. An encounter with Jesus, The Son of The Living God which translates to:
I. The forgiveness of sins (Ephesian 1:7)
II. Access to righteousness
III. Access to the life of God (Zoe)
2. An encounter with the Person and the Ministry of The Holy Spirit. (Acts 8:8, 10:38, 19:1-6)
Among the many benefits, The Holy Spirit is able to:
I. Activate or Revitalise our mortal bodies (Romans 8:11)
II. The ministry of guidance and direction (John 16:13)
III. The ministry of empowerment (Acts 2:1; Isaiah 32:15)
3. An encounter with The Word of God (Logos), as a compendium of the wisdom of God. (Acts 20:32, Colossians 3:16, Ephesians 1:17-19)
The Word of God gives you spiritual intelligence, and capacity to understand doctrine and the mysteries of the Kingdom.
4. An encounter with the ministry of men.
The Word of God creates a boundary for the opening of your spirit, helping you discern what to receive and what to reject.
The Word provides the standard by which you discern and guard what gains access to your spirit.
From a theological standpoint, Believers are classified based on the following:
1. Classification by their identity with Christ, which is our oneness with Christ (Joint heirs, seated with Christ)
2. Classification by function (Light and salt, witnesses, vessels, etc)
Although the Bible gives the same name to all Believers, several factors differentiate Believers:
1. Our individual passion for God.
2. Our levels of consecration.
3. Our levels of enlightenment and transformation.
4. Our levels of grace and empowerment at work in us.
We are labourers together with God; Apostle Paul calls us “partakers of the heavenly calling.” 1 Corinthians 3:9
One truth we must understand is that regardless of the kind of vessel a person is; whether a vessel of clay, silver, or wood, they are all from the Earth.
The conflict between the humanity of men and the divine calling upon their lives can become a stumbling block, causing people to become disappointed and unable to receive from the grace God has placed within them.
God requires men: He can do without men, but He has chosen to incorporate men as part of His activities.
Every activity that happens upon the earth, whether life-giving or destructive, depends on men.
Facts About Men (Humans) With Respect To The Execution Of God’s Program (1 Corinthians 3:9, Hebrews 3:1):
1. Humans are the highest of God’s creation.
(Man was created in the image and likeness of God).
2. Every activity that happens upon the earth is man (human) dependent.
3. Both God and Satan require the active participation of men (humans) to execute their programs.
4. The manifestation of God’s programme on earth through men (humans) does not just depend on the availability of men; it depends on alignment and growth.
Every man (human) has a role to play in God’s grand programme upon the earth. Provided you are on earth, there is an assignment connected to your existence.
“Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.” Colossians 4:17
“Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” 1 Corinthians 4:2
Facts About Men (Humans) With Respect To Our Human Nature:
1. The best of every man is still a man.
• No matter how transformed and yielded humans are, they’re still humans. Knowing this gives emotional immunity.
2. The reality and effect of feelings and emotions will always live with men. (John 11:35, Matthew 4:2, Mark 4:38)
• Emotions like joy, sadness, anger will always be present amongst men (humans).
3. It takes discipline, maturity, and the grace of God for men to remain consistent in character in the presence of growth and opportunity.
The Bible records that Jesus was without sin, yet scattered throughout Scripture are beautiful glimpses of His humanity.
The Scriptures do not conceal the vulnerability of Jesus; rather, they reveal it to us, bringing great comfort and reminding the Believer that He understands our weaknesses and experiences.
When people describe the qualities they desire in men (humans), they are often describing the character and nature of Jesus Christ, the Risen Lord in glory.
But as a counsellor, the next question is: Are you that kind of person to others too?
It is easy to desire goodness, love, patience, honour, and sacrifice from others. The greater question is whether we have become the kind of people who embody these same virtues in our relationships with others.
If you do not understand human nature, you may drive good people out of your life.
The moment man is introduced into any equation, human vulnerabilities and limitations are also introduced. This is why we must learn to discern, extend grace, and understand that people can carry genuine value while still being imperfect.
Facts about men with respect to our human nature:
1. The best of every man, no matter how transformed or yielded, is still a man: This creates emotional immunity against many things.
2. The reality and the effect of feelings and emotions will always live with men: Emotions like joy and sadness.
3. It takes discipline and maturity for men to remain consistent in character in the presence of growth and opportunity: This means that men are subject to change when things start going well.
Particularly for leaders, you must demand high standards of spiritual, moral, intellectual, and emotional excellence from men. However, those standards must not become a demand for God-like perfection and standards.
When the Bible speaks of perfection, it does not necessarily refer to absolute blamelessness, rather it refers maturity.
How To Receive From Men (Humans):
1. Realise that the Vessels, at their best, still remain earthen, frail, and still human.
• You must demand high standards of spirituality, moral, intellectual and emotional excellence from them, but not Godlike flawlessness and perfection.
2. Realise that God will always need and use human channels to achieve His programme on earth, despite the limitations of men (humans).
3. You must never exalt any man (human) above Jesus Christ and above the authority of The Word of God.
4. In receiving from men (humans), focus on their love for Jesus Christ, and the purity and sincerity of their heart, as the ultimate test for authenticity.
Many people become disappointed because their idea of leadership and influence demands God-like flawlessness from men.
This expectation has also created a culture of false presentations, where people learn to hide their humanity, as opposed to dealing with their character issues.
However, understanding that the best of every man is frail must never become an excuse for licentiousness, compromise, or mediocrity.
To be frail is not an excuse for a lack of growth and licentiousness. But the best of every man is frail. We must recognise that our vessels, even at their best, are still earthen.
It is good to be great, but there is a pressure that comes with greatness.
Certain standards are expected of you, and sometimes, because of the almost god-like perception people have of those they admire, men find themselves spending beyond their means just to maintain a particular image or lifestyle.
Yet, as frail as we are and as inadequate as we may feel, God still chooses to use us.
Immunity against disappointment is to not raise people above Jesus Christ and The Word.
One of the most authentic and reliable litmus test to gauge the authenticity of a person is to consider whether they sincerely love Jesus and are pure in hearts towards God, towards you, and towards the work entrusted to them.
You may find a man of God who still struggles with anger, insensitivity, or pride. To conclude that such struggles automatically make them an inauthentic servant of God, is an error.
Human frailty does not excuse wrong character, but neither should imperfection become the standard by which we dismiss the grace of God upon a person’s life.
How To Receive From Men (Humans):
5. With respect to the Christian faith, only align with and submit to men and women whose lifestyle, convictions, leadership philosophies, and approach to life resonate with your spirit.
6. Where a person’s leadership style, philosophies, or maturity level is constantly wanting, it is best to receive their unique value from a distance, without a need for proximity or a relationship.
7. Do not blindly defend or participate in matters beyond your understanding simply to show solidarity or loyalty.
If you intend to receive from men, you must learn to be discerning and cautious.
Your father’s enemy may not necessarily be your friend, but he does not have to become your enemy.
Do not allow another person’s conflicts or relationships to determine your posture towards everyone around you. Do not blindly defend or participate in matters beyond your understanding, just to show solidarity and loyalty.
Receiving from men requires discernment. The reason many people struggle to receive from others is because they force themselves into proximity with people and platforms they do not genuinely believe in or align with.
Proximity reveals flaws.
Where the leadership style or maturity level of a person or system is consistently found wanting, it is best to receive the unique value they carry from a distance, without necessarily requiring personal relationship or proximity.
There are people who enter needless battles blindly, driven by loyalty or solidarity without taking the time to assess the situation rationally.
Do not blindly defend or participate in matters simply to demonstrate solidarity or loyalty. We must redefine our understanding of solidarity and learn to exercise discernment.
Your father’s enemy may not necessarily be your friend, but he does not have to become your enemy.
Do not support people blindly.
Laws of Followership:
1. Looking unto Jesus Christ.
2. Follow men (people) as they are following Christ.
Hatred has never been a strategy for salvation or transformation. There are people God cannot entrust with a global platform, not necessarily because of an anointing problem, but because of a love problem, regardless of how yielded they may appear to be.
Honor does not end with celebrating our differences; it also requires the grace to respect differences without hatred.
The immaturity we sometimes present to the Body of Christ can become a limitation to the move of God. At the same time, there are those who have deliberately given themselves to apostasy, and Scripture gives us clear instruction on how to respond to such tendencies.
Our understanding of loyalty and followership must be redefined. Our ideas of loyalty are an almost cult-like allegiance based on a faulty understanding of loyalty.
Loyalty must be expressed with passion, but never with extremism.
How do you know an honourable person?
It is the consistency of their character and values, especially in the midst of pain and difficult seasons.
When people come to report another person to you, do not focus only on what they are saying. Learn to discern the motivation behind their words.
As a leader, you must learn the difference between flattery and truthfulness in the speakings of men. Faithful people are rare, and discernment is essential.
I pray for you: the person who will sell you out, may they not eat with you, in the name of Jesus Christ!
May God deliver you from all evil!
The anointing is honor-dependent, not just hearing-dependent.
How To Receive From Men (Humans):
8. Where a person’s spiritual convictions, character, lifestyle, values, and leadership approach are all found wanting, it is best to avoid any and all contact completely. This is not out of hatred, but as a responsibility towards your own growth.
To the wise, everything is a teacher.
Wise men learn from everything.
A discerning heart remains teachable, because every experience can carry a lesson.
Convictions can make people respect you, even if they don’t believe you.
Even those whose convictions are destructive (for example, terrorists) can demonstrate the strength of being deeply convinced. We are not to emulate their actions, but we can learn from the strength of conviction while rejecting what is wrong.
Proximity is one way to receive from people. However, even with distance, you can still receive by learning from afar.
The future generation will acknowledge the feats we achieved, but rest assured, there will be aspects of our work with which they will disagree, refine, and even correct, and they may be right.
In the absence of recognition and the presence of gaining advantage, disregard the dishonour and take the patience to gain what you seek.
Learn to endure the discomfort, exercise patience, and receive the value you seek without allowing another person’s disposition to become a stumbling block.
Wisdom knows how to separate the treasure from the vessel.
If you are called to serve a minister of God, looking for God-like flawlessness in men will eventually fail you.
Instead, look for a man who genuinely loves God, is sincere in his convictions, and whom you have a conviction that God has called you to serve.
If you take the path of tearing down those who have gone ahead of you simply because you have identified errors in their activities, and you go as far as seeking to bring them down, be mindful: you may be short-circuiting your own greatness.
Nobody can be more zealous for His work than God Himself. He knows how to bring correction to every Believer, including His servants.
Therefore, curtail your overzealousness.
Pray: Father, plant the spirit of love within my heart. Grant me the maturity to honour and respect the Body of Christ without trivialising my own growth.
Grant me the grace to discern those I should connect with and those I should disconnect from, and the wisdom to maintain every relationship according to Your will.
May I never become the reason for any form of decline, pain, or setback in the lives of others, in the name of Jesus Christ.
Pray: Father, every dimension that You have deposited in men (humans) that I should have entered into, but could not access because of ignorance, I receive grace today to make amends and recover all that I have missed, in the name of Jesus Christ!
Pray: Lord, help me. Plant the spirit of love in my heart, and let the spirit of self-righteousness be far from my life.
Grant me the grace to discern who to connect with, who to receive from afar, and who I must graciously disconnect from.
Pray: Father, every dimension You have deposited in men that I should have entered into, but which my lack of discernment has kept me from receiving, grant me the wisdom to receive maximally while preserving my core values and editing the excesses that may come with the vessel.
May I have the humility to receive the treasure, the discernment to preserve my convictions, and the wisdom to separate the value from the vessel.
LIFT YOUR VOICE AND PRAY FOR THE CHURCH IN NIGERIA.
Pray that The Lord will do a work in the lives of men and women in the Church, bringing transformation, restoration, and renewed devotion to Him.
Pray that The Lord will show mercy to as many who have fallen into apostasy, and cause them to return to the truth.
Ask The Lord for the grace to discern and rightly receive from the men and women He has anointed and given graces to, that we may receive the treasures He has placed in vessels.
End-time ministries the church must be discerning to receive:
1. The madman of Gadara
2. The woman at the well
3. Saul, who became Paul
4. Zacchaeus on the tree
5. The woman with the alabaster box
There are vessels and encounters that may not always fit our expectations, yet God can use them to communicate His purposes. The Church must therefore cultivate the discernment to recognise and receive what God is doing through men.
This week, you will receive from men and women, in the name of Jesus Christ!
Everyone ordained by God and ordained of God to release the treasures locked up within them for your growth and edification, I pray for you, receive the wisdom to receive from them now, in the name of Jesus Christ!
This week, you will receive from children!
You will receive from the elderly!
You will receive from successful people!
You will receive from those who are coming up!
The wisdom to learn from everything, I release upon you! And I pray for you, the stamina to be patient with the limitations of people, I release that grace upon you, in the name of Jesus Christ!
I call you blessed in the name of Jesus Christ!
Blessed on Monday!
Blessed on Tuesday!
Blessed on Wednesday!
Blessed on Thursday!
Blessed on Friday!
Blessed on Saturday!
I decree: Be blessed!
The lines are fallen unto you in pleasant places; yea, you have a goodly heritage!
Receive good news after good news, in the name of Jesus Christ!
I declare anyone you have spoken against and secured any curse upon your life, I pray for you: by the mercies of God, let it be lifted from off you forever, in the name of Jesus Christ!
May the blessings of the Body of Christ rest upon you!
May the blessings of fathers rest upon you!
May the blessings of young men and women rest upon you!
May the blessings of children rest upon you, in the name of Jesus Christ!
I impart unto you the spirit of wisdom!
The Lord will lead you to the right people this week!
The Lord will lead you to your testimony this week!
Let good come to you this week, in the name of Jesus Christ!
What you are looking for, consistent with the will of God, let this be the week it arrives at your domain, in the name of Jesus Christ!
I rebuke sadness and bad news from your life!
It will be joy, gladness, and rejoicing, in the name of Jesus Christ!
I pray by the power of the Holy Spirit that God will raise men and women to honour you! God will raise men and women to favour you, in the mighty name of Jesus Christ!
You are blessed. You are favoured. You will receive. You will testify. In Jesus’ name! Amen!
“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
Luke 19:10 (KJV)
Jesus Christ is still calling men into the reality of salvation and a new life in Him.
If you have never received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, this is an opportunity to respond to His call. Do not harden your heart. Receive the gift of salvation and begin a new journey with Christ.
There is life, forgiveness, reconciliation, and eternal hope in Him.
“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Romans 5:1 (KJV)
If you just received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, congratulations!
You have taken a significant step into a new life in Christ. We rejoice with you and would love to walk with you as you begin this journey of faith.
Kindly reach out to us via:
https://bit.ly/JESUSINMYHEART
or email:
[email protected]
We are glad to journey with you as you grow in your knowledge of Christ and His Word.
“The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee.”
Numbers 6:24-25 (KJV)
Thank you for worshipping with us.
May the Word you have received continue to produce fruit in your life, and may the grace received in this encounter find expression in your walk with God.
As you go into the week, may the Lord preserve you, order your steps, and cause His light to shine through every area of your life.
We look forward to seeing you again next Sunday for another life-changing time in God’s presence.
God bless you!
