Dr. Bill Hamon's latest book answers a question that lingers in the hearts of many, particularly with regard to ministers committing major sin in their personal lives. Yet these leaders pastor major churches, healing the sick and ministering to the congregation.
Dr. Hamon reminds us of Matthew 7:21-23, "Not everyone who says to me 'Lord, Lord' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord have we not prophesied in your name, cast out demons in your name, and done many wonders in your name? And then I will declare to them, "I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!"
He notes that when a sinful preacher prospers, "God is not confirming their ministries at all." Instead, "He is confirming His word." God allows the ministry to be successful because He cares about the people who are listening and wants them to be saved and healed.
Dr. Hamon also answers other important questions like, "Are these ministers still guaranteed Heaven since they were saved once? Dr. Hamon says, "No." Can their names be erased from the book of life? Dr. Hamon says, "Yes."
What are some ways that a spirit of deception is active in the church? (False doctrine and false teaching, which he likens to rat poison, which is 99 percent good for you, but 1 percent fatal.)
The 10 M's
Dr. Hamon outlines 10 M's that help us discern a true from a false minister. They are:
1. Manhood (or Womanhood): The man (or woman) comes before the ministry. "God wants to make us like Jesus before we can minister fully as Jesus did."
2. Ministry: Does our ministry manifest the anointing of God—that is the divine enablement of grace to accomplish God's intended results? Or is there more talk than true power? Dr. Hamon says, "Is our preaching or prophesying productive? Has our ministry produced fruit?"
3. Message: Ministers are to speak the truth in love. Dr. Hamon says, "It should present the word of God in a way that is thoroughly scriptural, doctrinally sound, and well–balanced in the light of the full testimony of the Bible."
4. Maturity: "The Bible wisely warns us not to place new Christians in places of leadership, but to wait until they have had a chance to be proven and to mature," says Dr. Hamon. This maturity should include personal, emotional, and spiritual maturity.
5. Marriage: A minister's marriage should reflect the relationship that exists between Christ and the Church. Dr. Hamon says, "Ministry must not compete with family. Meanwhile, we must not allow the ministry to deny us adequate time and energy to build a healthy relationship with our children, as is all too often the case with ministers."
6. Methods: In our ministry methods, we must be what Dr. Hamon calls "rigidly righteous." A minister should be honest in all areas.
7. Manners: Dr. Hamon believes that ministers "should be different from the world in their manners. Love is a principle we practice, a way of life."
8. Money: A minister should always be a good steward over his or her finances. Dr. Hamon says, "The Christian can have money, but money must not have the Christian. It's a matter of heart attitude, motive, and biblically ordered priorities."
9. Morality: "Sexual immorality has no place in the life of a Christian minister ... our firm standard must be purity," says Dr. Hamon.
10. Motive: "In short, do we minister out of a heart full of God's love? If not, the the Scripture says our ministry is nothing."
What Are We Here For?
Dr. Hamon says there are eight reasons God created man. They are:
1. To fill the earth with the likeness of Himself.
2. To reveal His own heart and nature as love.
3. For man to be a free moral agent so he could be tested, tried, purified and conformed to the image of Christ.
4. For God to have the power of procreation so He could father a biological Son (Jesus) and not a created son like Adam.
5. To provide a many-membered bride for His Son.
6. To bring the Church as the body of Christ to co-labor with Him as joint-heirs in carrying out God's purpose.
7. To offer up praise and worship to God.
8. For fellowship with Him.
Bishop Bill Hamon is known around the world as the pioneer and father of the prophetic movement. He is the founder of the Christian International Apostolic Network.
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