The Ephesians 4 outline of those who are called to the five fold ends with the declaration that the purpose of the Five Fold is for the equipping of the saints. Problem is, not everyone is equippable... if that's a word.
Jesus who was the ultimate in Five Fold didn't spend his efforts equipping everyone. He equipped those who were ready.
This doesn't mean that he didn't teach and encourage. It does mean however that he was selective in equipping. So who is qualified to be equipped?
1. They must be a saint. Not a new believer or even an unbeliever. They must be saved, filled with the Holy Ghost and power and anointed by HIM for the works of the ministry. That should be a package deal, but many are not so positioned. Some equipping like trying to teach a pig to sing... it annoys the pig and wastes time for the equipper.
2. They must be committed to the work of the ministry they are called to. The worst thing in the world for a saint is the drudgery of doing things for God out of duty and requirement, not a calling. I was recently asked if I would be interested in being on a missions committee. I do not have a calling to that in my life. Equipping me for missions would be a waste of time. I do however have a heart for helping people reach their potential, for people to begin to hear from God for themselves and to give people hope for a glorious future. Of course, whatever your ministry call is, you can't understand for a minute why anyone wouldn't want to be called the same way you are. If you are called to missions, you are puzzled by anyone who is not. That's not how equipping works. One must be equipped to do the work predestined for them from before the foundations of the earth according to Ephesians. Doing work outside of that is flesh, not ministry. God knows what he is doing.
3. Some are Saints in this sense and are called, but they are not yet ready to answer to become equipped. It may not be disobedience. God may have them on the sideline for a while. Happens all the time. It happened to Paul the Apostle. Certainly qualified, Certainly called, but he was sidelined for a while even at Tarsus until he was brought out of hiding by Barnabas.
As a five fold, we must be aware of the fact that those in need of equipping the called according to his purpose will be a selective act. Households and even Group salivations are normal, but that's not the pattern for equipping.
Take the pressure off, God will show you who is ready for equipping, invest in them and much fruit will be supplied.
It's God's purpose to do so.
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