So he answered and said to me: "This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' Says the Lord of hosts. – Zech 4:6

Not by our intellect, talents, gifting. Not by our charismatic personalities, abilities of persuasion, nor strength. Not by our popularity, money, looks, or education. None of these natural abilities does God need, nor require, to accomplish His purposes in our lives.

He doesn’t need a “Hollywood” style image to attract those He has called to Himself. Neither does He need the latest marketing techniques from the Wall Street gurus to produce a “win-win” situation for everyone who responds to His call. He doesn’t need “prime-time” favor to broadcast His message to the masses. He doesn’t need a public relations manager to get Him on the “hottest” talk shows and conferences to promote His latest and greatest book and DVD’s.

Neither His message, nor His method has changed – preaching the Kingdom of God in a demonstration of His power to confirm His word, and validate His messenger. Let the Living Word of God speak to you…

From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Matthew 4:17

And as you go, preach, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' Matthew 10:7

He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.” Luke 9:2

And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. 1 Corinthians 2:4-5

For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power. 1 Corinthians 4:20

 For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit. 1 Thessalonians 1:5

And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen Mark 16:20

 God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will? Hebrews 2:4

Spectacular or Supernatural?

Men and women of God – we are not called to entertain or be “spectacular”. We are called to be supernatural! God invested His Life in us to live as He lives and do as He does. All of the fullness of Deity dwelt completely at home in Jesus. To show us that like Him, we can live in a natural environment with the supernatural abilities of Heaven at our disposal. (Colossians 2:9-10) For it is: “Christ in you, the hope of Glory” – Colossians 1:27

We are not judged by the same criteria that others call “success.” Success isn’t necessarily pastoring a church with thousands of members. It isn’t always measured by the amount of money you can raise for your project. It isn’t essentially calculated by how well known or popular you are. Neither are you automatically “successful” by how many people you can draw to a crusade or revival service.

Successful ministry in the natural is never measured the same as a successful ministry in the spiritual world.

Acts 19:13-17 gives us a glimpse into the spiritual world to see and hear what successful ministry truly is, and is not.  A group of itinerant exorcist comes to Ephesus in an attempt to cast out of a man an evil spirit – i.e. a demon. The only problem was that while in the natural they possessed all of the proper credentials academia could provide, being of proper lineage and education, they however lacked the recognized authority in the spiritual realm to accomplish their mission.

In an attempt to “act like” and “sound like” a well known minister of the day, it became a rather rude awakening to discover there is more to ministry than parroting the phrases of others.

Boldly they stood in front of their “candidate-for-spiritual-references-later” and cried:

"By the same Jesus that Paul talks about, I order you to come out!"

           Acts 19:13 New Century Version

 The best translation to follow the closest to the literal reply from the Greek (in my opinion) is found in the Kenneth Wuest expanded translation of the New Testament. To which the demon replied to the exorcist: 

“This Jesus I recognize and with this Paul I am acquainted. But as for you, who are you?” 

Playing “Church”-

 In other words while Jesus is indeed recognized as the proper authority to cast the devil out, and Paul is acknowledged as one who also carries His authority to do the same - these men were “unauthorized” to use this Name, simply because there must first be a relational basis on which the authority is grounded. It is like a child “playing policeman.” He may have a badge and carry a toy gun, however, he is only pretending to be someone in reality he is not.

 Like the child, there are many people “playing Christian” today. They may attend church and even carry a bible with them. Yet, not only are their names not known in the realms of spiritual darkness, neither are they known in Heaven either. Any attempt to command sickness or devils to get out of their way will only produce the same comment these Jewish exorcist received: “Who are you?” 

Ironically, even though these men failed, and fled for their lives, the Name of Jesus was magnified and the Word prevailed. (Ephesians 19:17-20) Perhaps this was the beginning of the saying, “It’s not what you know, it’s Who you know.” 

Power In His Presence - 

Again, it is not by the might of men, nor by the strength of great numbers, it is only by the Power of the Holy Spirit. This Power comes only through a person who has first been wrapped in the “Presence” of Almighty God. Successful ministry begins and ends in the Presence of God.

 It is seeking Him at the beginning, in the middle, and at the end that produces the kind of results that causes demons to tremble when we “mention His Name.” 

When You said, "Seek My face," My heart said to You, "Your face, Lord, I will seek."

Psalms 27:8 

Successful ministry isn’t being clothed with great honors and degrees of men. It isn’t being recognized by the accolades of your peers. Nor, does it come from holding distinguished positions in institutes of religion. No, my friend, it only comes from the Lord Himself adorning you with the mantle of His Presence and Anointing, through the mighty Holy Spirit. Endued with power from on high is the only honor hell recognizes. (Luke 24:49) 

The Kingdom in power consist of: saving the lost, healing the sick, raising the dead, casting out devils and making disciples, among other things. When we are doing all of these things and not “one” of these things we have Heavens approval and validation for successful ministry. 

Who knows your name?