Spiritual Gifts

Pastor Martin introduces a seminar on what constitutes a biblical call to the teaching ministry. He sets a scriptural framework from 2 Timothy 2:2, Romans 12:3-6, 1 Timothy 3:1, and James 3:1, then identifies six wrong reasons men aspire to preaching or teaching offices: an inaccurate assessment of one's gifts, an uncrucified lust for authority and attention, an unbalanced concept of spirituality, an inadequate view of the breadth of ministerial qualifications, unmet psychological needs for personal identity, and the unsanctified ambitions of others. He closes with a brief preview of four positive elements of a true call.

Pastor Martin concludes his treatment of progressive sanctification by establishing that the God-ordained normal context for the believer's growth in grace is the life and ministry of a specific local assembly walking by the rule of Scripture. He proves the assertion from pivotal passages (Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4, Colossians 3, Hebrews 10) and the historical pattern of Acts 2:41-42, then draws three practical implications: it is a growth-stunting abnormality to be in Christ but not in his church by visible commitment, a growth-stunting irregularity to be formally committed but not integrated by practical involvement, and a growth-stunting immorality to be present in the body but harboring un-Christlike attitudes toward fellow members.