THE FIVEFOLD MINISTRY

The giftings of the fivefold ministry (Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor, Teacher) should have one purpose, and that is the teaching and equipping of the saints until we come into unity.



Russell and Helen Sanders

RUSSELL SANDERS

7-26-2024

THE “I AM” LESSON 8

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Jesus used parables from real life to get his point across so the disciples and those listening so they could have better understanding. That is why in John chapter 10 that He used the example of sheep and their shepherd. He used this to relate to them His relationship with them. The [Israel] had been sheepherders for two thousand years, dating back to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. They could understand this parable.

In John 10:11 Jesus said, “I AM the good shepherd. The good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.”  In verse 9 He said, “I AM the door [to the sheepfold].” I will lead them [the sheep] in and out to find pasture abundantly.

Furthermore, in verse 14 He said, “I AM the good shepherd and know my sheep and [I] am known of [by] mine.”

This tells us that just as a shepherd knows every sheep in the flock by name, so does Jesus know each and every one of us by name. He has given His life [vs. 15] for us and has sealed us as His own unto the day of redemption.

There is no other shepherd [no other name] by which we are saved than Jesus.

HELEN SANDERS

7-26-2024

THE GRANDFATHER CLOCK

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Years ago, a friend was moving and getting rid of a lot of things. She gave me something very special. It was her Grandfather Clock. It was something that I had always wanted but could never afford. We brought it home and listened to the chimes on the quarter, half, and hour as it told time. There were some issues with it, but we had the “clock man” come and work on it. It worked well, but it has always been a “little fast.” 

This clock is not electric. On the clock are three chains and three weights which control the gears and cause it to operate. As the clock advances, the weights lower. If the weights go down too far then the clock stops, and the weights must be lifted again by the chains and the clock must be reset.

I was thinking about this clock today, because as usual it was ahead of time and needed to be “reset.” The thought occurred to me that we are much like this clock. The pendulum represents our heart, which keeps us alive as long as it is still “ticking.” The three chains would be our spirit, soul, and body, which often need a tug to get us back to God’s plan and the right timing. The chimes represent the praise that we give when we reach out to God. Often, the weights in our lives bring us to a standstill. That is when our heavenly “clockmaker” comes to our aid and brings us a reset. As we yield those weights to him, He gently tugs on our chains, and we become revitalized and start moving again.

When we get ahead of God, he often must stop us and “reset” us just like this old grandfather clock. We allow him to pull the chains of our spirit, soul, and body, so that our heart is right with him. Like the clock, everything is about timing with God. If we get behind, we need a reset, and when we get ahead, we need a reset. He has perfect timing and knows how to bring balance to our lives when we allow him to pull our chains.

How is your life? Has God been pulling your “chains” lately? Be glad, it means he wants you to live in his timing and not yours.  Remember, my friend, that his timing is always perfect so yield to that pulling of your chains.