You have been called into the five fold ministry?

Joseph was seventeen years old when God had told him his calling in life. But, at first, as many with us, God does not give us details but HE gives us a general statement or description of our future calling. And when many of us receive our calling or even spiritual gifts, we are but baby immature Christians and many are prideful and/or ignorant. Joseph was seventeen years old when God first speaks to him in a dream. Moreover, at that age in life, he was already being raised and trained by God as a shepherd. 

Genesis 37:5-11 One night Joseph had a dream, and when he told his brothers about it, they hated him more than ever. 6 “Listen to this dream,” he said.7 “We were out in the field, tying up bundles of grain. Suddenly my bundle stood up, and your bundles all gathered around and bowed low before mine!”8 His brothers responded, “So you think you will be our king, do you? Do you actually think you will reign over us?” And they hated him all the more because of his dreams and the way he talked about them.9 Soon Joseph had another dream, and again he told his brothers about it. “Listen, I have had another dream,” he said. “The sun, moon, and eleven stars bowed low before me!”10 This time he told the dream to his father as well as to his brothers, but his father scolded him. “What kind of dream is that?” he asked. “Will your mother and I and your brothers actually come and bow to the ground before you?” 11 But while his brothers were jealous of Joseph, his father wondered what the dreams meant.

As baby Christians, when God speaks to us whether in dreams, visions, or prophecy, rather than being still and waiting, we begin to boast to one another. Joseph was Jacob's favorite. In fact, Joseph, as the youngster annoyed his brothers as he would bring his father bad reports of them. In other words, Joseph was always telling on his brothers. The brothers did not think highly of Joseph and were jealous of him and when they heard of his dreams, they hated him even more.

Joseph at his physical and spiritual age was not able to discern his situation. But rather, he used his dreams to boast of himself. When we continue to speak of our dreams, visions and prophecy, rather than edifying the body of Christ, we may weary them out as it can become boasting of ourselves and we may have others end up hating us. When Joseph had his second dream, instead of learning from the first reaction, he continued to share his dream making his brothers even more jealous.

Yes, Joseph was called to be a leader for God's people but at that time, no one has any idea how this will occur or in what type of situation. Many of us have been called. Many have been called into the five fold ministry for these end times. God may have given us a glimpse of the future or our positions. But as Joseph, many of us have no idea of the details or how it will come about. Rather than being still, waiting for God's time, learning and feeding on His Word, praying, worshiping, and fasting, many of God's people boast and assume a role or position of authority ahead of their time not knowing the price, time, and breaking that will be paid to fulfill that position.

Today, when God's people receive a dream, vision, prophecy, or spiritual gifts, we assume we can immediately merge into a leadership position preaching and being witnesses for Jesus Christ. We think we can immediately become pastors or assistant pastors that preach or prophets that can discern the will of God for His people. Many of us measure our qualifications through our spiritual gifts. But the gifts may given without repentance. Your spiritual gifts do not qualify you to His positions. It is the anointing that marks the authority of any person. The higher the anointing, the higher the authority. Yes, everyone has a degree of anointing but the anointing to lead is another matter. Some of us may be physically 40 years of age but spiritually, you may only be seventeen years old as Joseph was when he had first received his dream. Perhaps, some of us are even less than seventeen years old spiritually?

Joseph, his parents, nor his brothers had no idea how or what would happen in the future. God's thoughts and ways are higher. The family had no idea how Joseph would be used or in what manner. But God had allowed Joseph to be sold to the Egyptians to be a slave. It was a season of breaking, learning obedience, and submission. Joseph was sold to Potiphar who was captain of the guard to Pharaoh. In fact, in the amplied, it states, he was chief executioner. But Joseph was called by God and the Lord was with Joseph. As long as Joseph obeyed and stay faithful to God, the Lord would make him successful and prosperous. But if Joseph rebelled or become disobedient, he was serving the chief executioner and such disobedience may have meant immediate death. Our own success and spiritual prosperity depends on our faithfulness and obedience to God.

Before, we can be put in any position of authority, we must all start at the bottom. Joseph had to start as a slave. He did was not a slave before the dream but after the dream. God's people do not realize that once you receive your message of calling, you must prepare to serve at the bottom. But many are prideful and ignorant ready to serve at the top. Joseph is a type of Christ. Even Jesus Christ, our Lord, had come to serve at the bottom washing our feet before HE was raised to the right hand of the Father with all authority and where HIS Name is above all other names.

Where ever God has us, we must make a choice to serve who HE has put us under. But this does not mean in ministry right away. God will test you. HE will test you by allowing you to work for difficult employers or even pastors. HE may test you through your difficult parents, in laws, or spouses. You must first pass your tests in the situations you are in before you can be released into any type of ministry. Your first ministry is Jerusalem which is you and your immediate families, work, schools, and church.

Genesis 39:2-6 NLT The Lord was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did as he served in the home of his Egyptian master. 3 Potiphar noticed this and realized that the Lord was with Joseph, giving him success in everything he did. 4 This pleased Potiphar, so he soon made Joseph his personal attendant. He put him in charge of his entire household and everything he owned. 5 From the day Joseph was put in charge of his master’s household and property, the Lord began to bless Potiphar’s household for Joseph’s sake. All his household affairs ran smoothly, and his crops and livestock flourished. 6 So Potiphar gave Joseph complete administrative responsibility over everything he owned. With Joseph there, he didn't worry about a thing—except what kind of food to eat!

In verse 2, even though a slave and even though in his difficult situation, he made a choice to submit and serve his Egyptian master. Who is your Potiphar? Who is your Nebuchadnezzar? Who is your Pharaoh that God is using? Scripture says God's people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge. Since many of us do not know the bible, we have not known HIS ways that will lead us into our personal promise land but many of HIS people continue to wonder in the wilderness dying in their sins. God is control of everything. We must humble ourselves and submit to the governing authorities that HE has placed over us and be willing to be treated as a slave rather than slandering them.

In our difficult situations, many seek blessings or financial breakthrough but when we are in the season of being a slave or serving in such lowly positions, we must realize that our blessings come through our obedience as God blesses the Potiphars' household. Verse five states the Lord blessed Potiphar's household for Joseph's sake. Joseph's financial breakthrough had to wait years. Many can speak and believe it. Many can try to prophecy it. Many can try to prophecy over you. But many must wait their time passing their time and season under a Potiphar. Unless we know God's method and process in raising up His servants, many go ahead or fall behind the steps of the Holy Spirit and thus shipwrecking their faiths, becoming corrupted, or falling away.

As a slave, Joseph did all the lowly kind of work. They had no modern day toliet. He had to clean the out houses. The great men of God know how to clean a toilet. They know how to serve the leopards. They are not afraid to touch them. But, today, too many think they can do great things for God but they are not humbled enough to know how to wash another's feet. Before we can be elevated to any higher position for God, you must first work from the bottom and not be afraid to get your hands dirty. Those who have been granted higher anointing have all paid a heavy price. You may not have seen that part of history in their lives and many think they had just assumed such leadership roles overnight. No, this is not true. All true anointing pays a heavy price. Moreover, it did not come overnight. It came years as being a slave. It came years as God broke, test, and molded them. This is why God requires us to honor HIS servants. When we do not honor HIS servants, we prevent our own blessings and breakthrough. It is still our pride as we see the "carpenter" rather than the servant of God. In the western church, there are less miracles not only because the lack of faith, it is because we do not honor our own pastors and God's servants. Many in the western church do not honor God. We have cars but we are late to church. Rather than listening to God's message, many watch their smart phones for sports update or are busy texting. Many steal His tithes and offering. But many would not give a thought in paying for their gluttony as their lack of health proves it. We feed ourselves the best portions but we give God our left overs when HE demands we give our first fruits and best. Satan tempted to test Jesus with food in the wilderness. Many fall because of their stomachs (food, money, and riches of the world). Many dishonor God by giving HIM a measly short service but they will give full four hours attention to sports or their own recreation. This dishonoring is the lack of faith. When we do not honor God by honoring His House or servants, we dishonor God. This is why we must still honor the 4th commandment on Sundays as it is our test of honoring God. When we dishonor God, HE despises such actions and we can only blame ourselves for our prayers not being answered. How will Grace save us when many of us think lightly of HIM?

1 Samuel 2:30 NLT “Therefore, the Lord, the God of Israel, says: I promised that your branch of the tribe of Levi[k] would always be my priests. But I will honor those who honor me, and I will despise those who think lightly of me.

Joseph was faithful as a slave. He stayed faithful even in his difficult situation. Even though he had served Potiphar the chief executioner and the prison warden, he served them as though he was serving God. Even in prison, he served the prisoners. We must serve all those above us with respect as though we are serving God because HE is watching you. HE is testing you. He is molding and preparing you. Joseph had spent a total of thirteen years in Potiphar's house and prison before he began to serve the king of Egypt at the age of thirty years old. Even as one obedient to God, it took Joseph over ten years before being installed to any position of leadership. Many think just because a word, dream, vision, spiritual gift or prophecy has been given, one can be installed into a leadership position overnight or in a short season. No, it will take years but you must first serve as a slave if necessary. You must first be willing to serve at the bottom. Why don't you volunteer to clean the House of God? Do we think we are above such things? And for many who have been waiting for 20, 30, or 40 years, you must ask yourselves, perhaps, it is because of your disobedience you have been waiting for so long to fulfill your callings or ministry. Perhaps, it is our stubborn hearts and dishonoring God through His servants that is preventing our prayers and breakthrough.

God's people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge. May you return to HIM with a full heart. May you forsake the world rather than HIS ways. May you return to your first Love for HE is coming! Repent and humble yourselves.

Pastor Steve Yong Kim
Fire of God Church
An International Holy Fire Ministry
Fremont, California USA
March 1, 2014