31/05/2026
A Powerful Word By Ps. Jonathan Katende
Good News Sunday | 31 May 2026
Theme: Environments That Make God's Gifts Functional and Impactful (Part 2)
Scriptures: James 1:17 | Romans 8:32 | Luke 11:11-13
📌 Introduction:
Every good and perfect gift comes from above. God’s gift takes various forms: salvation through Jesus Christ (Romans 6: 23, Ephesians 2: 8 - 9), the person of the Holy Spirit (Luke 11: 13), people (Ephesians 4: 11 - 13), capacities or abilities (Romans 12: 6 - 8; 1 Corinthians 12: 4 - 7). It is God's will for us to operate in our God-given abilities.
It is possible that the capacity we received from God fails to function. Christ gave the disciples power and capacity to perform cast out unclean spirits, heal diseases and afflictions (Matthew 10:1), yet they could not cure the epileptic boy (Matthew 17:15-16). They had the capacity, but it wasn't functional. When gifts are functional, they operate as God intended. When gifts are impactful, they have a positive influence on people. Spiritual gifts are not decorations or works of art, they are tools meant for active use in the life of the believer and the church.
*Environments for God’s gifts to be functional and impactful*
1/ An environment of love and unity (1 Corinthians 12:31 | Acts 2:1).
The motive behind our actions is more important than the actions themselves. If your “good works” are not driven by pure motives, there is something important you are missing. The driving force behind our desire to operate in the gifts must be the love of God which Apostle Paul calls it the more excellent way (1 Corinthians 12: 31). When there is love, it becomes less about self and more about the community God has placed us in.
Gifts are not given for show, God is not an entertainer. The primary goal of God is not to show the world how much of an anointed person you are. Genuine love for others and being full of self hardly co-exist. There are people full of self yet desiring to be filled with the Holy Spirit.
Where there is love, there is no fight over power or positions. We should not driven by a desire to seek power in order to put in place what we think is best for the church. Do not allow the circumstances in which you grew up define your assignment in life and the church. Let God define your assignment. Beware of initiating your own assignment in church based on your negative experiences.
When love is not cultivated, it is easy for the flesh to prevail. Revelations from the flesh will thrive. People will force their wishes into scriptures. People will rationalize their wrongs with bible verses. The ministry will turn into a platform of settling accounts. Pray for your heart so that God can fill it with love.
In the upper room, the disciples were in one heart, one mind. There is power in unity. The impact of a united church will be profound. Where there is unity, there will be pursuit of the same vision. We won't have a ministry where each runs with his own agenda. Church is not the corporate space where people try to come up with things in order to receive promotion and more influence. Psalm 133 teaches us on what happens in a place of unity: there is a flow of oil, God releases the dew of heaven, He pours His blessing.
To be continued…
Listen to the full message here: https://soundcloud.com/jtl-cape-town/ps-jonathan-katende-2
