THE DANGER OF GIFTED PEOPLE
IN CHALLENGING SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY.
Rev. Peter Tuchyna
The church of the living God is a unique organism and the only entity in the entire universe never to be
compared to any humanly developed and maintained organisation.
It consists of all human races of this earth, of all age groups and its body is permeated with the members of a
variety of intellectual levels, education, social status, languages, customs, personalities and even personal
convictions derived from the deep knowledge of the Word of God and consecration to Jesus or lack of it.
The substance of the church is revealed in the book of Romans 12:5 , “So we being many, are one body
in Christ, and every one members one of another”.
We understand that not every individual attending regular services of the Pentecostal churches is a member
of the body of Christ. It takes a new birth experience, which consists of biblical repentance, water baptism by
immersion in Jesus name, and infilling and indwelling of the Holy Spirit to become a child of God.
But we are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have
not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his, Romans 8:9 .
New Testament church was born into its existence on the day of Pentecost, described in the book of Acts 2
to Acts 4. Pentecost is not a denomination. It is a personal experience of every individual soul, which
accepted the Gospel of Jesus Christ with full implication of total personal surrender to Jesus and his will.
The message of salvation by the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ is to “whosoever will” accept it.
God revealed even the purpose of creating man and his will for man’s destiny. Man was created in God’s
image, after his likeness, Genesis 1:26 . Not in physical image, for God is a spirit, John 4:24 .
Man was created in the likeness of God with the ability to make decisions as a free moral agent. Even to the
degree of rejecting to fulfil the glorious purpose of his own existence.
The beginning of fulfilling the purpose was to live to God’s pleasure, Revelation 4:11 , to exercise the
authority over every creature upon the earth to start with, Genesis 1:28 , and to progress in relationship
with God to eternal involvement with God, in reigning with Him for ever Revelation 21 ; Revelation 22:5 .
God gave a man a free will to choose to become the child of God not by God’s right over the man only, but by
His desire and man’s choice to love and to obey God. But as many as received him, to them gave he power
(right, privilege, authority) to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name, John 1:12 .
Therefore Jesus said to Nicodemus: Ye must be born again (from above) John 3:3-7 .
By receiving the Holy Spirit we received the Spirit of adoption, Romans 8:15 by choice of God and our
choice working together. Without the will, expectation and obedience of man no one can receive the Holy Spirit.
For God is giving the Holy Ghost to them, that obey him, Acts 5:32 .
To be filled and to maintain the presence of the Holy Ghost requires obedience and permanent self-denial to
the flesh, Romans 12:1-2 .This is the beginning of a spiritual life with Jesus.
A newborn baby is unable to take care of himself. Parents need to carry the baby, to feed it, clothe it. It needs
to learn to communicate and to rely on his environment. As the baby is a gift to his parents, so the parents are
the gift to the baby.
As there is one body, one Spirit, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all,
Ephesians 4:4-6 , we would like to pay attention to the relationship between the Father and his children and
to the relationship between his children (the members of his body).
When the Lord Jesus ascended to heaven, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men,
Ephesians 4:8 . He arrested, eliminated, and imprisoned the cause of our spiritual captivity. Jesus Christ dealt
with the very cause of the reason why we lost our relationship and place with God. And he gave gifts unto men.
What are the gifts?
What is the most important issue and need for men after Jesus dealt with the cause of captivity?
The gifts of God for men are: apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers, Ephesians 4:11 .
The purpose of these gifts is for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, v.12.
(To edify means to improve the morality, intellect by instruction. To educate, elevate, enlighten, guide, improve,
inform, instruct, nurture, teach, uplift), till we all (every individual of every race, age, intellect etc. see the
beginning) come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God,
(Knowledge – consciousness or familiarity gained by experience or learning, wisdom, ability, apprehension,
comprehension, discernment, judgement, recognition, understanding, familiarity, information, intimacy…)
unto a perfect man ( be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father, which is in heaven is perfect, Matthew 5:48),
unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.
Sometimes there are myths, imaginary and unrealistic expectations of people from the ministers.
Ministers are messengers of God, who made themselves available in God’s service. The Bible is portraying very
accurately the reality of God working with and through human vessels, willing to be instruments in his service.
The lives of Abraham, Jacob, Moses, David, Samuel, disciples of Jesus, the apostle Paul and others are revealing
the constant battle between human nature and the influence of the Holy Ghost in their lives.
Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh, Galatians 5:16 .
Often, when ministers, messengers of God delivered the message, which they received from God for their
people, the immediate reaction of the audience was to point out to their human shortcomings, weaknesses
or failures, to justify themselves, why the message conveyed from God should not be accepted.
The experience and practice in our generation, in a general sense is no exception.
Let me bring to your attention the simple reality of practical life.
Even the most simple, uneducated and financially disadvantaged people are able to have children and to provide
for at least the bare essentials for their lives like shelter, food and clothing. Though the parents may not possess
high intellect in the eyes of society or display superior knowledge and eloquence, they are still able not only to
communicate with their children, but to teach them also the high moral values, besides the language of their
country or their tribe, thus preparing them for their own personal communication and interaction with others.
The salvation, eternal life and all the promises of the Word of God are given to them, “whosoever will” respond
to it. In the book of Matthew 11:25 Jesus said: I thank thee o Father of heaven and earth, because thou
hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.
1 Corinthians 1:20 , where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this world?
Where are the smart, the intellectual, the eloquent, the knowledgeable, the gifted and talented with great potential
and respect of the society?
They are too busy using their abilities, talents and potential to build their own career to secure their high income,
recognition and respect of this world. They are well trained in business management, science, information
technology, marketing, economy and other industries. They understand the basics of human nature and its
reactions; they are well prepared for any conflicting situations through conflict and high-pressure management
courses. They have high personal relationship and interpersonal skills, but where are all those wise?
They are busy enough to build their own kingdoms. They have a great potential to be useful in the kingdom of God.
They could well use their personal charisma and presentation to get people’s attention and point them to Jesus.
But there is no ego pleasing result in denying themselves, humbling themselves, taking the form of a servant and
use all their abilities in presenting the Gospel of Jesus Christ to every creature.
The Lord Jesus described the attitude of many in the parable of a great supper, Matthew 14:16-24 .
All those mighty with a great potential and abilities made themselves busy in their own kingdoms.
So God sent messengers into the streets and lanes of the city, to bring in the poor and the maimed, and the halt
and the blind. People from the highways and hedges accepted the invitation of Jesus Christ. Thieves and robbers,
drunkards and prostitutes, lawbreakers and cheats and liars have found grace and newness of life in Jesus Christ.
The Devil and the unclean spirit possessed were delivered by the power of the name of Jesus and his blood.
God cleansed their hearts, cleansed their conscious, filled them with his Holy Spirit and gave them power to be
his children. They are witnesses of the love and grace of God who doesn’t respect persons.
As they testify of God’s mercy, they become his messengers. They may not be well educated, not very eloquent,
they may be without people skills to start with, but they made themselves available to God. The others do not
have the time.
The harvest is plentiful, but labourers are just a few; pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that
he will send forth labourers into his harvest, Matthew 9:37 .
There are some exceptions, but even apostle Paul led by the Holy Spirit declared.. how that not many wise men
after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble are called.
1 Corinthians 1:26 , for they don’t make themselves available.
So many simple babes in the eyes and according to the wisdom of this world become apostles, prophets,
evangelists, pastors and teachers. Many of them feel inadequate, many do recognise their shortcomings, and
many are lacking people skills feeling even insecure. Many are praying that the Lord would replace them
(like Moses) with people “better” suitable and equipped for that commission.
Many of them have just “average work” and average salary. While many mighty and well recognised can relax, the
“simple” are praying, fasting, interceding, studying, reaching the lost souls and overcoming themselves, seeking the
will of God that on Sunday and mid week services, they may be sensitive instruments in God’s hand to deliver the
“meet” of the Word of God under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost.
The ministry is not dependable on man’s ability but on the demonstration of the Holy Spirit and of power,
1 Corinthians 2:4-6 .
So next time when you will recognise some shortcomings and limitations according to the flesh in the ministry of
your pastor, your minister, and you will feel like criticising him for it, remember that he is a witness of God’s grace
and mercy. When you think that your abilities and intellect are far superior to that of your minister, why don’t you
use it to help him in that area? Support him; take away some burden from him in the area of what you can do
“better”.
There is no excuse for arrogance and unwillingness to learn and to improve in the presentation of the Word of God
or personal presentation on the part of a minister. For the Lord Jesus declared, learn of me for I am meek and
lowly in heart, Matthew 11:29 . Bear the burden of one another thus fulfilling the law of Christ,
Galatians 6:2 .
So we being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another, Romans 12:5 .
When did you show genuine appreciation to your pastor, minister? When did you attempt to understand him?
When did you concentrate last time on good and positive things he said and done, rather than to criticism?
Do you love Jesus that much that you are willing to consider everything you achieved outside of Christ as
“dung” as apostle Paul did? Philippians 3:8 .
Are you willing to leave your “trade” behind you as the disciples did in preparation for the ministry?
Are you willing to forsake the pleasures of this world and your high salary to lower your living standard and recognition
of this world and trade it for the mantle of servant hood, facing often misunderstanding, criticism, loneliness, spiritual
and personal challenges for Jesus’ name?
It is impossible not to hear when Jesus speaks to your conscience and you know it!
If you are a man of a high intellect, persuasive knowledge and well equipped with people skill abilities, what is your
view of yourself?
Do you remember Moses and the reason why God allowed him to acquire the experience and the knowledge of
Egypt?
It was in preparation for a task God had for him and his people. But first he had to learn the lesson of full dependency
upon God in humbling himself to nought.
Hebrews 11:24-26 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s
daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a
season, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches unto the recompense of the reward.
Are you willing to become an instrument of God in leading the weak, weary, vulnerable, wounded, despised, rejected,
neglected, unworthy, unable to repay in return and to place all you have in you hands upon the altar of God that you may
win some souls?
Romans 12:1-2 speaks of a living sacrifice. You cannot sacrifice what you do not posses. Sacrifice is to give up
something you have and is irreplaceable.
Only this way you may acquire the most precious pearl, the Lord Jesus spoke of in Matthew 13:45-46 .
Never despise them who fed you, clothed you, and took care of you when you were a spiritual baby. Even when it was
done in simplicity. But you are alive. Respect them, pray for them, love them and help them where you see the need.
For the Lord Jesus Christ, the ultimate wise God, the Saviour and the Creator of the entire universe and you, found
the way to deal with you and how to communicate with you in simplicity in comparison to his wisdom and ability.
1 Corinthians 13 says it all.
