The Hand

This study is in reference to the hand representing the five fold ministry. The Story of David and Goliath (tell about it) I Samuel Chapters 16-18 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; (KJV)Eph:4:12: For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: (KJV) Ministry is for the perfecting of the saints in the five fold ministry, this is not to be confused with the seven fold ministry mentioned in Corinthians, these are two separate ministries, with two separate purposes, this one here is speaking for the church now take your hand and look at it, in Dueteronomy the word says he will bless the works of our hands, you labor with your hands, so hold up you hand what do you see? 1. your thumb -- "he gave some apostles, wiggle your thumb that's the apostle. 2. your forefinger point at something with it.. Go ahead do it :o) that's your prophet. 3. Hold your hand out flat fingers together, you have your middle finger, this is the evangelist, this finger most usually sticks out further than the other four, this is the office that reaches out into the community bringing in souls to the kingdom of God. 4. Hold out that hand again... come on do it, that's your ring finger... the covenant man, The Pastor. 5. Okay do it again hold that hand way out there .. see that little fellow on the end, the pinkie finger? This is your smallest finger but hardest job. The teacher. This is 5 fold ministry.. for the perfecting of the saints, all working inside the local church, or should be. Did you know the Bible has a lot to say about stones? Jacob used a stone as a pillow the night he wrestled with God. (Genesis 28:11) Joshua set up memorial stones as a reminder for future generations of God's power. Joshua 4:3

David chose 5 smooth stones to fight Goliath, and only used one stone to defeat/kill him. 1 Sam 17:40 Elijah took 12 stones to build an altar to God when he called down fire from heaven on Mt. Carmel 1 Kings 18:31-32 There is a time to cast stones and a time to gather stones. Ecclesiastes 3:5 Jesus declared if we keep silent the stones will cry out praise to God. Luke 19:39 Perhaps the most interesting use of stones in the Bible is when Peter describes you and I as the Living Stones. 1 Peter 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Rocks that hinder God’s work. 1. The Rising Unbelief of the Historical Jesus. To slay this Goliath calls for the Word of God Stone 2. Rock of the church is the lost vision for ministry. To slay this giant requires the Vision Rock. 3. Rock of the Church is the Reluctance to Change. To slay this giant requires the Risk Rock a. We’ve Never Done It Like That Before b. We Tried That Once and It Didn’t Work c. It Might Work Somewhere Else, but It Won’t Work Here 4. Rock of the church is failing to see the needs of people. To slay this giant we need the minister Principle Rock 5. Rock of the Church is that of Unbelief. The rock we need to slay this giant is the Great Commission Rock (He is on our side).