The Armour of the Spirit Ministry

LIMITATIONS OF A PROPHET

- There is the general belief by many that prophets of God knows anything and everything.
- This belief is held by those who have actually not read their Bibles deeply.
- Prophets of God are highly limited. It is ONLY God that is omniscience(all-knowing).

1) A prophet of God does not know anything and everything EXCEPT what the Lord reveals to him.
See examples below:
a) Prophet Samuel,
1 Samuel 16:6 And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, SURELY THE LORD's ANOINTED is before him. 16:7 BUT THE LORD SAID UNTO SAMUEL, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; BECAUSE I HAVE REFUSED HIM: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. 16:8 Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, NEITHER HATH THE LORD CHOSEN THIS. 16:9 Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. And he said, NEITHER HATH THE LORD CHOSEN THIS. 16:10 AGAIN, JESSE MADE SEVEN OF HIS SONS TO PASS BEFORE SAMUEL. And Samuel said unto Jesse, The LORD hath not chosen these.

- Prophet Samuel was a man highly respected in Israel.
1 Samuel 9:6 And he said unto him, Behold now, THERE IS IN THIS CITY A MAN OF GOD, AND HE IS AN HONOURABLE MAN; ALL THAT HE SAITH COMETH SURELY TO PASS: now let us go thither; peradventure he can shew us our way that we should go.

- Yet Samuel missed it SEVEN TIMES at the house of Jesse trying to anoint the wrong person. This is because he was a man who is limited in knowledge.

Psalms 103:14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.

- Thank God that Samuel was still hearing God telling him that is not the right person.

b) Prophet Elisha,
2 Kings 4:25 So she went and came unto the man of God to mount Carmel. And it came to pass, when the man of God saw her afar off, that he said to Gehazi his servant, Behold, yonder is that Shunammite: 4:26 Run now, I pray thee, to meet her, and say unto her, Is it well with thee? is it well with thy husband? is it well with the child? And she answered, It is well. 4:27 And when she came to the man of God to the hill, she caught him by the feet: but Gehazi came near to thrust her away. And the man of God said, let her alone; for her soul is vexed within her: AND THE LORD HATH HID IT FROM ME, AND HATH NOT TOLD ME.

- The Shunammite woman lost her son and came to see Elisha for her dead son. Elisha was asking her about herself, her husband and her child if they are all well. Yet the child was dead.
- At the end of verse 27 Elisha said "the Lord hath his it from me, and had not told me."
- This shows that even true prophets of God don't know everything except what the Lord has revealed to them.
- Any Prophet who ALWAYS gets a word from the Lord whenever people come to see him, is NOT a prophet of God. No man of God can see into the realm of the Spirit and hear from the realm of the Spirit 24 hours a day. I stand to be corrected.
- It is those false prophets that seeks familiar spirits that can 'see' into the realm of the spirit 24 hours.
- The absence of revelation from God to the prophet is the presence of blindness of the prophet.
- until the Shunammite woman told Elisha that the son was dead, he knew it not.
2 Kings 4:28 Then she said, Did I desire a son of my lord? did I not say, Do not deceive me?

- Prophet Elijah had a double portion of Elijah's spirit(anointing), yet he does not know everything. This is because double, triple, or hundredfold portion of an anointing does NOT equal omniscience(all-knowing).

2) A prophet MUST be led of God, he can't lead himself. If he does, he speaketh lies.
Jeremiah 14:13 Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, the prophets say unto them, Ye shall not see the sword, neither shall ye have famine; but I will give you assured peace in this place. 14:14 Then the LORD said unto me, THE PROPHETS PROPHESY LIES IN MY NAME: I SENT THEM NOT, NEITHER HAVE I COMMANDED THEM, NEITHER SPAKE UNTO THEM: THEY PROPHESY UNTO YOU A FALSE VISION AND DIVINATION, AND A THING OF NOUGHT, AND THE DECEIT OF THEIR HEART.

*From Daniel Izuagbe

GROWING INTO THE FULL STATURE OF JESUS CHRIST (2)
Continued from last week.
Text: Ephesians 4:11-15
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, UNTO THE MEASURE OF THE STATURE OF THE FULNESS CHRIST.
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15 But speaking the truth in love, MAY GROW UP INTO HIM IN ALL THINGS, WHICH IS THE HEAD, EVEN CHRIST.
KJV
Stages of Spiritual Stature:
1 John 2:12-14
12 I write unto you, LITTLE CHILDREN, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake.
13 I write unto you, FATHERS, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, YOUNG MEN, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.
14 I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.
First Stage: Little Children, vs.12.Notice that their sins are forgiven. This speaks of the born again experience.
Their Characteristics:
a) they have known the Father(God) through Jesus Christ, vs.13. i.e. the initial knowing of Christ.
“…I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.” --- vs.13
b) they need to feed on the Word of God regularly in other to grow spiritually to an appreciable degree.
“As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.’' --- 1Peter 2:2(KJV)
Second Stage: Young Men, vs.13.
Their Characteristics:
a) Has the ability to overcome the Devil and his hosts to an appreciable degree.
“…I write unto you, YOUNG MEN, BECAUSE YE HAVE OVERCOME THE WICKED ONE….”
– vs 13
b) The Word of God ABIDES in them, vs 14. This makes them to be spiritually strong or mature and so able to overcome the Devil and his hosts.
“…. I have written unto you, young men, BECAUSE YE ARE STRONG, AND THE WORD OF GOD ABIDETH IN YOU, and ye have overcome the wicked one.”
--- vs.14
Abideth(Gk): remain, stand, tarry
Cp. John 15:4-7
4 ABIDE IN ME, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, EXCEPT IT ABIDE IN THE VINE; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: HE THAT ABIDETH IN ME, and I in him, THE SAME BRINGETH FORTH MUCH FRUIT: for without me ye can do nothing.
6 IF A MAN ABIDE NOT IN ME, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men g*ther them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
7 IF YE ABIDE IN ME, AND MY WORDS ABIDE IN YOU, YE SHALL ASK WHAT YE WILL, AND IT SHALL BE DONE UNTO YOU.
-Not abiding in Christ will hinders a believer’s spiritual growth.
Third Stage: Fahers, vs 13,14
Their Characteristics:
a) They have a DEEPER knowledge of God, the Son and the Holy Spirit, vs.13,14
13 I write unto you, FATHERS, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, YOUNG MEN, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.
14 I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning
The word “known” as used in regards to the Fathers is different from the word “known” used in respect to children all in verse 13.
The word known as used in regards to the FATHERS means in the Greek, “to learn to know a person THROUGH DIRECT PERSONAL EXPERIENCE, IMPLYING A CONTINUITY OF RELATIONSHIP - to know, to become acquainted with, to be familiar with.”
----- Louw and Nida Greek-English Lexicon
While the knowing in respect to CHILDREN mean “the initial acknowledgement of the Lord” which led to their born again experience.
“I write unto you, FATHERS, because ye have known HIM that is from the beginning….”
----- 1John 2:13
“HIM” in verse 13 means the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, and they are from the beginning, John 1:1-5
-knowing about God’s beginning speaks of a deep knowledge of God.
“That I MAY KNOW HIM, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death”
--- Philippians 3:10
Cp. Jeremiah 9:23,24
23 Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:
24 But let him that glorieth GLORY IN THIS, THAT HE UNDERSTANDETH AND KNOWETH ME, that i am the lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things i delight, saith the lord.
-Let the ultimate desire of every believer be the attainment of the spiritual fatherhood of the full measure of the stature of Jesus Christ.
Concluded
--- From Daniel Izuagbe

GROWING INTO THE FULL STATURE OF JESUS CHRIST (1)
Text: Ephesians 4:11-15
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, UNTO THE MEASURE OF THE STATURE OF THE FULNESS CHRIST.
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15 But speaking the truth in love, MAY GROW UP INTO HIM IN ALL THINGS, WHICH IS THE HEAD, EVEN CHRIST.
KJV
Stature(Gk): mature, of full age.
----- Thayer’s Lexicon
-- This speaks of the spiritual height of Jesus Christ.
-- Why are you concerned about your physical height? But be concerned about your spiritual height in comparison to the full spiritual height of Jesus which He attained while on earth.
Eph 4:13
“… that [we might arrive] at really mature manhood (the completeness of personality which is nothing less than the standard height of Christ's own perfection), the measure of the stature of the fullness of the Christ and the completeness found in Him.
AMP
-The primary responsibility of the fivefold ministry(apostles, prophets evangelists, pastors and teachers) is to make believers to be FULLY grown into the spiritual stature of Jesus Christ.
Luke 13:6-9
6 He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none.7 Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?8 And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it:9 And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.
KJV
There are certain points that needs to be noted from the above passage of scripture:
First, notice that the fig tree was planted in HIS VINEYARD, vs 6. This speaks of a born again child of God.
Secondly, notice the owner of the vineyard and the owner of the fig tree came to seek fruit from the fig tree, vs 6. This speaks of God’s expectation of every believer to grow spiritually.
Thirdly, notice for the past 3 YEARS the owner (God) of the vineyard has been seeking fruit from this fig tree, vs 7. This speaks of completeness, for the number “3” in biblical numerology represents COMPLETENESS. This was the reason the owner of the vineyard believes that the fig tree was qualified to be cut down, for it has passed its stipulated time required to grow and bring forth fruit.
Fourthly, notice that because the fig tree(believer) did not bring forth fruit, it has to be cut down. This speaks of the unprofitability of believers that are not growing spiritually. Believers that are not growing spiritually are not profitable to God’s kingdom.
Fifthly, notice that one year probation period was given to the fig tree to bring forth fruit or else it will still be cut down, vs 8,9.
The manifestation of the gifts of the Spirit is NOT an indication that a believer is growing or has grown into the full spiritual stature of Jesus Christ.
Benefits of Growing into the Spiritual Stature of Jesus Christ
1. The degree to which you have grown into the stature of Jesus Christ will determine the degree to which powers of darkness obeys you and the level of God’s glory which you emit.
2. Spiritual growth will make God’s children completely equipped for God’s work, Eph.4:12
“For the PERFECTING of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ”
----- Ephesians 4:12
Perfecting(Gk): complete furnishing
------ James Strong Concordance
3. It makes a believer to be ready for the work of the ministry, vs.12
“For the perfecting of the saints, FOR THE WORK OF THE MINISTRY, for the edifying of the body of Christ”
----- Ephesians 4:12
-A lot of immature believers are presently in ministry, and they are causing a lot of havoc.
4. It makes the body(church) of Christ to be built spiritually, vs 12
“For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, FOR THE EDIFYING OF THE BODY OF CHRIST”
------ Ephesians 4:12
5. It will bring unity among believers, vs. 13
“TILL WE ALL COME IN THE UNITY OF THE FAITH, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ”
-------- Ephesians 4:13
6. It will make the body of Christ to have the deep knowledge of Him, vs.13
“Till we all come in the unity of the faith, AND OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE SON OF GOD, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ”
------ Ephesians 4:13
Knowledge(Gk): Precise and correct knowledge.
---- Thayer’s Greek Lexicon
Cp. “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children”.
-- Hosea 4:6
{destroyed: Heb. cut off}
-Do you see how the Hebrew meaning of “destroyed”(which is CUT OFF) relates to the unfruitful fig tree in Luke 13:6-9 that needed to be CUT DOWN?
7s. It will make it impossible for believers to be deceived by false preachers, vs.14
“That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive”
------- Ephesians 4:114
*To be concluded next week.
----- FROM DANIEL IZUAGBE

THE SEVEN SECRETS OF GOD'S TEST
Test: A procedure intended to establish the quality, performance, or reliability of something, especially before it is taken into widespread use.

Text: Genesis 22:1-18
Genesis 22:1(ESV) "After these things God TESTED Abraham...."

Genesis 22:1(YLT) "And it cometh to pass after these things that God hath TRIED Abraham..."

Job 23:10 But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

- It is trials that separates gold, silver, and precious stones from wood, hay and stubble.

1 Corinthians 3:12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 3:13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by FIRE; AND THE FIRE SHALL TRY EVERY MAN'S WORK OF WHAT SORT IT IS.

1) To test the depth of your obedience to God
Genesis 22:2 And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of. 22:3 And ABRAHAM ROSE UP EARLY IN THE MORNING, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him. 22:6 And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife; and they went both of them together. 22:10 AND ABRAHAM STRETCHED FORTH HIS HAND, AND TOOK THE KNIFE TO SLAY HIS SON.

Psalms 105:17 He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant: 105:18 Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron: 105:19 Until the time that his word came: the word of the LORD tried him. 105:20 The king sent and loosed him; even the ruler of the people, and let him go free. 105:21 He made him lord of his house, and ruler of all his substance: 105:22 To bind his princes at his pleasure; and teach his senators wisdom.
PSALMS 105:19(NLT) "Until the time came to fulfill his dreams, the Lord TESTED JOSEPH'S CHARACTER."

2) To find the place God is taking you to.
Genesis 22:4 Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, AND SAW THE PLACE AFAR OFF.
- God does not encounter people in the place of pleasures and luxuries.

3) To teach you worship.
Genesis 22:5 And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I AND THE LAD WILL GO YONDER AND WORSHIP, and come again to you.
- worship(Heb.): bow down, prostrate oneself, before a monarch or superior, in homage.
- Trials will provoke worship in order to escape.
Daniel 6:10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, HE KNEELED UPON HIS KNEES THREE TIMES A DAY, AND PRAYED, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.
- Anyone who will not allow trials to lead him to worship, will be destroyed by the very trials.
- Those who will not worship God in their trials, will worship their trials.
- Worship is the antidote to trials

4) To test your level of spirituality. i.e. ability to see beyond the now.
Genesis 22:7 And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering? 22:8 AND ABRAHAM SAID, MY SON, GOD WILL PROVIDE HIMSELF A LAMB FOR A BURNT OFFERING: so they went both of them together.

5) To give you an opportunity to ESTABLISH an altar of prayer to God.
Genesis 22:9 And they came to the place which God had told him of; AND ABRAHAM BUILT AN ALTAR THERE, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood.

6) To prove the extent to which you fears the Lord.
Genesis 22:12 And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: FOR NOW I KNOW THAT THOU FEAREST GOD, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.

7) To provoke God into a covenant relationship with you and your descendants.
Genesis 22:15 And the angel of the LORD called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time, 22:16 And said, BY MYSELF HAVE I SWORN, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: 22:17 That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the g*te of his enemies; 22:18 And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.

Quotes:
"A trial is an experiment or search made upon a man, by some affliction, to prove the value and strength of his faith."
—— Matthew Henry
"God has one Son without sin, but He never had a son without trial."
— Charles Surgeon

"We are always on the anvil; by trials God is shaping us for higher things."
— Henry Ward Beecher

" A gem cannot be polished without friction, nor a man perfected without trials."
— Lucius Annaeus Seneca

"Trials teach us what we are; they dig up soil, and let us see what we are made of."
_ Charles Spurgeon
- Message from Daniel Izuagbe

www.google.com

ELDAD AND MEDAD: SYMBOLS OF GOD'S MERCY AND GRACE
Mercy: Mercy is God NOT punishing us as our sins deserve.
Grace: Grace is God blessing us despite the fact we do not deserve it.
Text 1: Numbers 11:10-17,24-30
Numbers 11:10 Then Moses heard the people weep throughout their families, every man in the door of his tent: and the anger of the LORD was kindled greatly; Moses also was displeased. 11:11 And Moses said unto the LORD, Wherefore hast thou afflicted thy servant? and wherefore have I not found favour in thy sight, that thou layest the burden of all this people upon me? 11:12 Have I conceived all this people? have I begotten them, that thou shouldest say unto me, Carry them in thy bosom, as a nursing father beareth the sucking child, unto the land which thou swarest unto their fathers? 11:13 Whence should I have flesh to give unto all this people? for they weep unto me, saying, Give us flesh, that we may eat. 11:14 I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me. 11:15 And if thou deal thus with me, kill me, I pray thee, out of hand, if I have found favour in thy sight; and let me not see my wretchedness. 11:16 And the LORD said unto Moses, Gather unto me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom thou knowest to be the elders of the people, and officers over them; and bring them unto the tabernacle of the congreg*tion, that they may stand there with thee. 11:17 And I will come down and talk with thee there: and I will take of the spirit which is upon thee, and will put it upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with thee, that thou bear it not thyself alone. 11:24 And Moses went out, and told the people the words of the LORD, and g*thered the seventy men of the elders of the people, and set them round about the tabernacle. 11:25 And the LORD came down in a cloud, and spake unto him, and took of the spirit that was upon him, and gave it unto the seventy elders: and it came to pass, that, when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, and did not cease. 11:26 But there remained two of the men in the camp, the name of the one was Eldad, and the name of the other Medad: and the spirit rested upon them; and they were of them that were written, but went not out unto the tabernacle: and they prophesied in the camp. 11:27 And there ran a young man, and told Moses, and said, Eldad and Medad do prophesy in the camp. 11:28 And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of Moses, one of his young men, answered and said, My lord Moses, forbid them. 11:29 And Moses said unto him, Enviest thou for my sake? would God that all the LORD's people were prophets, and that the LORD would put his spirit upon them! 11:30 And Moses g*t him into the camp, he and the elders of Israel.
Eldad: God has loved
Medad: Beloved
__ New Unger's Bible Dictionary
Firstly, Eldad and Medad deserved to be punished for not being present at the Tabernacle. Here, they received mercy.
Secondly, because of their absence at the Tabernacle, they were not qualified to receive the Spirit. Here, they obtained grace or favour when God's Spirit came upon them despite they were outside the Tabernacle and remained in the camp.
The love and sovereignty of God is what makes God to release His favour or grace onto the undeserving.
Text 2: Matthew 20:1-16
Matthew 20:1 For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. 20:2 And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. 20:3 And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, 20:4 And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way. 20:5 Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise. 20:6 And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? 20:7 They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive. 20:8 So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. 20:9 And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. 20:10 But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny. 20:11 And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, 20:12 Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. 20:13 But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? 20:14 Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. 20:15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? 20:16 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.

First Group; time hired, early in the morning, i.e.6am
Agreement: A penny a day
Second Group; time hired, third hour,i.e. 9am.
Agreement: Whatsoever is right
Third Group; time hired, sixth and ninth hour, i.e. 12noon and 3pm
Agreement: Whatsoever is right (since verse 5 says "... and did likewise").
Fourth Group; time hired, eleventh hour, i.e. 5pm
Agreement: Whatsoever is right.
Now, the analysis:
Everyone of them received a penny including those that have worked just one hour(eleventh hour).
It is the grace of God that enables those hired at the third hour, sixth hour, ninth hour, and eleventh hour to receive the same wages as those who were hired early in the morning(6am).
Those hired at the third hour received more grace than those hired early in the morning(6am).
Those hired at the sixth hour received more grace than those hired early in the morning and in the third hour.
Those hired at the ninth hour received more grace than those hired early in the morning, in the third hour and in the sixth hour.
Those hired at the eleventh hour received the most grace than those hired early in the morning, in the third hour, in the sixth hour and in the ninth hour.
If it is not the grace of God, how would someone who had worked 12hours(from early in the morning) received the same wage as one who has just worked 1hour(eleventh hour)?
I like the grace of God.
Is God unjust? One may ask.
Psalms 135:6 Whatsoever the LORD pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places.
Notice the envy of Joshua in Numbers 11:28-29a
Numbers 11:28 And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of Moses, one of his young men, answered and said, My lord Moses, FORBID THEM. 11:29 And Moses said unto him, Enviest thou for my sake? would God that all the LORD's people were prophets, and that the LORD would put his spirit upon them!

Also notice the envy of the labourers hired early in the morning (6am) in Matthew 20:11-12
Matthew 20:11 And when they had received it, THEY MURMURED against the goodman of the house, 20:12 Saying, THESE LAST HAVE WROUGHT BUT ONE HOUR, AND THOU HAST MADE THEM EQUAL UNTO US WHICH HAVE BORNE THE BURDEN AND HEAT OF THE DAY.
-It is not by how much you laboured, but by the grace of God.
1 Corinthians 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
- May the grace of God find you in all your endeavours.
-May God's grace rest upon you mightily.
- May human struggles be terminated in your life.
* Message from Daniel Izuagbe

THE DUTIES OF SPIRITUAL FATHERS TO THEIR SPIRITUAL CHILDREN

1CORINTHIANS 4:14 - 17
1 Corinthians 4:14 I write not these things to shame you, but as my BELOVED SONS I warn you. 4:15 For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many FATHERS: for in Christ Jesus I HAVE BEGOTTEN YOU THROUGH THE GOSPEL. 4:16 Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me. 4:17 For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, WHO IS MY BELOVED SON, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.

1Cor.4.15 For even if you had ten thousand others to teach you about Christ, you have only one SPIRITUAL FATHER. For I became your father in Christ Jesus when I preached the Good News to you. (NLT)

Now, the duties of spiritual fathers to their spiritual children:
1) A Spiritual father is responsible for the spiritual growth of his spiritual children through the teaching of God's Word.
Cp.
2 Timothy 2:1 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2:2 AND THE THINGS THAT THOU HAST HEARD OF ME among many witnesses, THE SAME COMMIT THOU TO FAITHFUL MEN, who shall be able to teach others also.

2) A spiritual father ensures his children follows the right path in order to make heaven.
3) When necessary, a spiritual father rebukes his children when in sin.
See Prophet Samuel's rebuke to King Saul;
1 Samuel 15:22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. 15:23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.

4) A spiritual father prays for his spiritual children regarding to their spiritual growth.
Galatians 4:19 My little children, OF WHOM I TRAVAIL in birth again UNTIL CHRIST BE FORMED IN YOU.

5) A spiritual father imparts spiritual gifts and anointings to his children.
Romans 1:11 For I long to see you, THAT I MAY IMPART UNTO YOU SOME SPIRITUAL GIFT, to the end ye may be established.
2 Timothy 1:6 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee BY THE PUTTING ON OF MY HANDS.

6) A true spiritual father intercedes for his spiritual children who are going astray from the Lord.
1 Samuel 15:10 Then came the word of the LORD unto Samuel, saying, 15:11 It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; AND HE CRIED UNTO THE LORD ALL NIGHT.

7) Spiritual fathers speak generational blessings into the future of their spiritual children.
8. Spiritual fathers identify the grace upon their children and help them to grow in it.
9) A spiritual father desires to see his children succeed and even surpass him.
10) A spiritual father brings a spiritual covering to his children.
11) A spiritual father disciplines his children.
12) A spiritual father gives godly counsel to his children.

Quotes:
"To have a spiritual father in your life is a gift from God. Your response to that gift will determine much of what happens in your life."
__ Jonas Clark
"Spiritual fathers transfer a wealth of knowledge to their sons and daughters through the spirit of wisdom."
__ Jonas Clark
*Message from: Daniel Izuagbe