The Apostolic Ministry Structure
As we study the apostolic design of the church we will discover the use of certain reoccurring words that offer definition and meaning such as, foundation, structure, edify, strength and build.
There is a place for every believer to be fully activated in ministry in the apostolic structure of the church.
As you stand peering at a High Rise building under construction you can see that massive metal framework climbing into the blue skies above. Soon that towering skeleton will disappear from sight as it is covered by block, plaster, paint, windows and decorative stone. It’s not the decorum that gives strength to the building but the unseen framework.
APOSTOLIC DESIGN
A building is something assembled with various components that are held together by a framework. That framework is the supporting structure of the building. Just like a High Rise building has a framework that provides its strength, so too does the Church have a structure that provides its strength. We are going to call the churches framework the apostolic structure or design.
As we study the apostolic design of the church we will discover the use of certain reoccurring words that offer definition and meaning such as, foundation, structure, edify, strength and build.
It is no coincidence that our Lord was born into a carpenter’s family and learned the skills and the trade of a carpenter. Since the natural is often a reflection of the spiritual we can learn some interesting truths. Jesus is a builder. In fact, Jesus is still building His Church. He said, “I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail” (Matthew 16:18). Since Jesus is the Master Builder and we are His workforce (disciples), we must learn how to cooperate with His construction ministry. There are many scri ptures that teach us about the apostolic design and how we fit into it such as:
• We are lively stones (components) of His Church.
“To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 2:4-5).
• When fitly joined together we provide something that produces increase. All believers are lively stones set apart to build what Jesus is building.
“From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love” (Ephesians 4:16).
FOUNDATION
Not only is Jesus the architect of His Church, He is the very foundation. He is the Chief Corner Stone by which every lively stone must be aligned. scri pture says,
“Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:19-22)
CORNERSTONE
In the construction process, the purpose of a cornerstone is for a sure alignment. It would be dreadful to work on a High Rise building only to discover that it leans like the bell tower of the Cathedral in Pisa. Just like a cornerstone, every lively stone must be cut and chiseled into shape for proper alignment inside Jesus’ apostolic structure.
In the apostolic design, Jesus has provided two assistants in the foundation forming process referred to as apostles and prophets. To come into the apostolic structure therefore requires believers to submit to the fitting and chiseling of these two ascension gift assistants.
APOSTOLIC ALIGNMENT
Oftentimes, proper alignment to the cornerstone requires some cutting and chiseling in the lives of believers before the building process can begin. While the stones are lively they might not have a perfect alignment. Certain hindrances may need to be torn down, such as self-righteousness, pride, legalism, hypocrisy, doctrinal error, ignorance, and even rebellion. Sometimes even deliverance must take place. All are in preparation for entrance into His apostolic design.
When a building is structured properly the interrelated parts that are galvanized together provide an amazing strength to the entire building. The pattern of the apostolic is no different, when all the essential parts are in the right place there is strength. That strength readies the Church for the habitation of the Spirit of God. Therefore it is vitally important to see Jesus’ apostolic design and our part as lively components.
DESTRUCTION INSTRUCTION CONSTRUCTION
Many English words define the definition of structure. Let’s look at three interesting English words destruction, instruction and construction. All three of these words will help us enter God’s apostolic design.
1. De- Structure (Destruction) Sometimes things have to be destructed before they can be constructed.
2. In-Structure (Instruction) Instruction must be received before one can be part of the construction.
3. Con- Structure (Construction) Construction is what every born again believer is called to be doing.
DESTRUCTION
Oftentimes, before we can enter the apostolic design of the local church, destruction is the first step in the construction process. Words associated with destruction are: demolish, dismantle, tear down and remove. During the destruction phase there is a dismantling of vain religious traditions or inadequate understanding of scri pture. Some of the enemies of the apostolic structure that require destruction include:
Religion: Religion is an enemy of the apostolic because it is legalistic, self-righteous and hypocritical. Jesus, the builder of the church pronounced many woes against the religious spirit (Matthew 23). I wrote about this extensively in my book 30 Pieces of Silver.
My Ministry Syndrome: Those infected by the My-Ministry Syndrome only come to church to get something to advance their own ministries. This condition does not fit in the apostolic structure because it seeks to build its own ministry outside the local church. Jesus wants to use everybody in ministry but that ministry is never disconnected from the local church. Jesus, therefore, is building His Church with many members and not the lone ranger, Rambo’s ministry.
Bless-Me-Only: Many believers come to church only to be blessed. Yes, blessing takes place in an apostolic church, but it is only the beginning. After blessing comes equipping and training for the work of ministry. An apostolic design will refuse to let you slip into a consumerism or spectator mindset.
APOSTOLIC INSTRUCTION
After destruction is instruction. Words associated with instruction include: advise, counsel, coach, educate, explain, give lessons, guide, inform, school, teach, tutor and train.
As we receive apostolic instruction we become candidates to be placed inside the apostolic structure. This training enables us to become actively involved by equipping us for works of service. After you are trained you can become part of the construction process, the edifying (building) of the local church.
When instruction is not received, however, it diminishes the effectiveness and the strength of the apostolic design and makes it impossible to become fitly framed together. If an essential part is left vacant and unoccupied it is not supplying strength to the structure. scri pture says, “How can two walk together unless they agree?” A lack of agreement disqualifies one from becoming an effective joint that supplies and places them outside the structure. For instruction to take place requires submission and a hungry heart. scri pture says,
“Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding. For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law. For I was my father’s son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother. He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live” (Proverbs 4:1-4).
APOSTOLIC CONSTRUCTION
Now that we have progressed through the destruction and received instruction we can enter the realm of construction. Words associated with construction are: assemble, form, compose, engineer, fashion, fabricate, build up, frame, fit together, edify and strengthen.
When one has come into the apostolic structure of the local church their individual gifts and specific callings are activated. All our gifts and talents are given by God for the edifying of the local church with its mission to disciple believers and fulfill the Great Commission. scri pture confirms that all have a role to play in the success and building of the church,
“From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love” (Ephesians 4:16).
The purpose for the apostolic framework is to launch every believer into the work of ministry. This structure of ministry is the apostolic design that you have learned throughout. The quickest way to enter the ministry is by submitting your gifts and talents to the leadership of your church and making yourself available for service.
Every believer that submits to instruction fits in the apostolic framework.
There is room in the house for every gift, talent, calling and grace. Envision your individual calling added to the success of our corporate calling as an apostolic church.
THE APOSTOLIC STRUCTURE
Apostolic structure consist of the following that we will discuss at another time.
1. The Set-man
2. The Presbytery Team
3. In House Ministry Teams
4. Outreach Teams and Metron (small) Groups
5. The Local Church Equipping Center
In Conclusion: The purpose of apostolic structure is to launch every believer into the work of ministry. Jesus has provided two assistants in the foundation forming process referred to as apostles and prophets. To come into apostolic structure believers submit to the cutting and the chiseling (discipleship) of apostles and prophets. In this process of maturing believers get aligned to Christ who is the cornerstone, for a sure alignment to Him. Are you ready to enter the apostolic structure?
© by Jonas Clark
7/30/2008
7/29/2008
Love, Leadership, and Correction: Guarding your heart from offense
Love, Leadership and Correction: Guarding your heart from offense
Loving leaders are not afraid to encourage, strengthen and correct. All of us need strong leaders, even spiritual fathers in our lives who love us enough to tell us the truth.
Apostolic ministries have been unfairly accused of being nonloving. They are, however, the most loving people in the world. This injustice is the result of a lack of understanding of the leader’s role in helping people grow in the Lord. This is especially true in emerging ministries that are transitioning into the new apostolic revolution. You may have heard someone make a comment like, “There is no love in that church.” It’s unfortunate that people make such statements that unfairly target good leadership. I too have been accused of being nonloving. The assaults normally occur after correction or if I ministered on a topic that challenged a rebellious person to change. Usually it’s those being corrected by the Holy Spirit to grow that falsely accuses their leaders. Instead of dealing with their sin they lash out at others to avert attention from themselves.
Sometimes nonloving accusations come from those newly attending the ministry. They bring their own ideas of how ministry should be done to the church. These folks are shocked to find out that ministry in an apostolic church is different from what they are familiar with. If they wear a religious façade, for example, it will be shattered by the unwavering directness of apostolic grace because apostles are foundational ascension gifts that deal with belief systems, why a person believes what they believe. Their grace will cause people to take a closer look at themselves to change. If they don’t want to change they will run and accuse their leaders of being nonloving as they look for a more comfortable, user-friendly, tolerant ministry.
A godly leader must dare confront immaturity, sedition, rebellion, moral corruption and uncivil behavior when necessary and bring correction in love. The response to that correction decides the further action of the leader. Leaders must also stay clear of trying to please men or gain popular public opinion. When discipline is necessary it's always easier to say nothing, but truelove is not like that. Paul was sometimes harsh in his dealings with people, even to the point of turning them over to Satan, not something I counsel you to do. As an apostle and spiritual father, he was passionate and incisive. His actions and scri ptural stance spoke volumes to those who followed his ministry. I am sure that Paul exhausted every effort to reach these men. No minister of the gospel wants to see people miss God's best for them. Apostles, unlike others, view the church as an instrument of change and not as a playground, retirement or day care center nursing the rebellious. They not only feed sheep, but protect them, even from themselves.
Society mistakenly believes that ministers should tolerate ill-behavior and everyone should be accepted as they are and never needed to grow up. Not so with the rotor-rooter ministry of the apostolic. Uncivil, amoral and unbecoming behavior is not acceptable. Apostles view salvation as the beginning of the work of ministry in a person's life and not the end. Yes, they will accept you the way you are but they expect you to grow, change and mature both spiritually and emotionally. Be honest, isn't this the leader you want in your life, someone that loves you enough to tell you the truth about you and help you become all that Christ has called you to be? Leaders do more than minister to the sons and daughters of God, they challenge…
Wolves (Acts 20:29, 30).
Dogs (Philippians 3:2).
Deceitful workers (2 Corinthians 11:13).
Religious spirits (Matthew 23).
Loving leaders are not afraid to encourage, strengthen and correct. All of us need strong leaders, even spiritual fathers in our lives, who love us enough to tell us the truth. Instead of attacking our leaders for their courage to say what's needed to help us, we should give them double honor and appreciate them. "Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in the word and doctrine" (1 Timothy 5:17). If you hear someone abusing your leader speak up and tell them to stop mistreating your man of God.
Love covers the repentant, not the rebellious. Some demand unconditional love from their leaders. Unconditional love is a myth used as a license by the rebellious to dodge accountability. God is love and He used the word "if" 1595 times in 1420 verses. God's loving response toward man is not unconditional. He expects his disciples to obey him. The Apostle Paul wrote about love. Let's examine true love from an apostolic perspective."Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I give all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up: Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all, believeth all, hopeth all, endureth all. Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they will fail; whether there be tongues, they will end; whether there be knowledge, it will vanish away" (1 Corinthians 13:1-8).
After reading this scri pture we discover eight things that love is and eight things that love is not. Let's take a look at them.
EIGHT THINGS LOVE IS
1. ENDURES MISFORTUNE AND TROUBLE: "Charity suffereth long."
Love is longsuffering. Longsuffering, Greek makrothumeo, patiently endures misfortune and trouble. This is love that does not lose heart during tough times. It patiently bears offenses, false accusations and presses on through. Overcoming hardship is the first challenge for any disciple of Christ and longsuffering is the first quality of love mentioned by the Apostle Paul. If there is any ministry that understands hardship yet endures anyway it is the apostolic pioneers.
2. KIND, GENTLE AND COMPASSIONATE: "Is kind."
Love is kind. This is the only place in the New Testament the word kind is written. Love is sympathetic, kind and gentle. Apostolic ministries are filled with the kindest people you have ever met. Kindness doesn't mean weak, meek or pious. This kindness carries sincere compassion for others.
3. THINKS THE BEST: "Thinketh no evil."
Love is not motivated by evil thought but keeps a pure conscience. God tries the reigns of the heart (Jeremiah 17:10). Right motives are important in the lives of disciples of Christ, including examining their own motivation. "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever are honest, whatsoever are just, whatsoever are pure, whatsoever are lovely, whatsoever are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these" (Philippians 4:8).
4. CONGRATULATES, COMPLIMENTS, PRAISES: "Rejoiceth in the truth."
Love rejoices with others. Loving people are happy about breakthroughs in your life and take part in your joy. This love is unselfish, compliments and praises your victories.
5. BEARS PLEASANT AND UNPLEASANT ALIKE: "Beareth all."
Love carries burdens. "Bearth" is the Greek word stego, meaning to hide by covering. It is taken from the root word stege, to strengthen. Spiritual strength and fortitude are common traits of apostolic believers, strength to carry one's own cross first and then to bear the burdens and hardship of ministry.
6. FULL OF FAITH: "Believeth all."
Love is full of faith. Faith is visible and seen in the actions of those who believe that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. It is faith that moves mountains and the substance of hoped for. By faith we overcome the world and receive our inheritance.
7. TRUSTING, CONFIDENT AND EXPECTANT: "Hopeth all."
Love is hopeful. Hope, Greek elpizo means full of confidence, trust and expectation. This love refuses to accept defeat and always looks toward the future with an enduring hope. From this we learn that love is an action word.
8. CONSTANT, DEDICATED AND DETERMINED: "Endureth all."
Love is strength of mind that enables one to endure trouble with courage. Endure, Greek hupomeno means to remain, uphold fortitude and endure. This love will not break rank. Apostolic believers are steadfast in the heat of battle, refuse defeat and will not abandon their post. Paul told Timothy, "Endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ" (2 Timothy 2:3).
EIGHT THINGS LOVE IS NOT
1. JEALOUS, ENVIOUS AND COVETING: "Enveith not."
Love is not envious of others. Envy Greek zello means to be jealous. Love does not resent the success of others or envy their possessions. A jealous person holds ill will toward another's advantage or station in life. Love does not covet what belongs to another but empowers and strengthens them for more success.
2. BOASTFUL, PRIDEFUL AND ARROGANT: "Vaunteth not itself."
Love is not a show off. It does not brag or boast about one's accomplishments in an excessive and prideful way. Arrogant people try to make themselves look good by putting others down. Wisdom says it is always wise not to talk about yourself. Let others do that for you. "Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts" (Zechariah 4:6).
3. BIGHEADED, SNOOTY AND CONCEITED: "Not puffed up."
Love is not conceited. This deals with pride. Love recognizes victories and accomplishments come by hard work, grace and God’s blessings. One time I met a bigheaded man. The entire conversation was about his accomplishments in ministry. He spoke of how many nations he had preached as if he were carving notches on the wooden grips of a pistol. He was puffed up, conceited and snooty. I have no wish to see him again.
4. INDECENT, UNBECOMING, IMPROPER: "Doth not behave itself unseemly."
Love does not act unbecomingly. Unseemly, Greek aschemoneo is improper or indecent behavior. Believers live a righteous lifestyle and are free from unbecoming, inappropriate behavior. "And they will teach my people the difference between the holy and profane and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean" (Ezekiel 44:23).
"Blessed are the pure in heart for they will see God" (Matthew 5:8).
5. SELF-CENTERED, INDEPENDENT AND SELF-ENGROSSED: "Seeketh not her own."
Love is not self-centered and values relationships. An example of apostolic ministries is their concern for others.
6. EASILY ANGERED, PROVOKED AND EXASPERATED: "Not easily provoked."
Love is not easily exasperated, provoked or angered. "Be ye angry and sin not: let not the sun go down on your wrath" (Ephesians 4:26). There is a place for anger, but only in passionate opposition to evil (Ephesians 4:26) and has nothing to do with the emotion of the soul (Mark 3:5). "He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city" (Proverbs 16:32).
7. RECORD WRONGS: "Thinketh no evil."
Love does not remember wrongs. "Thinketh no evil" is from the Greek word logizomai, which means to keep a written record of wrongs. Love is forgiving and doesn't hold a person's sinful past against them. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).
8. UNCOMPASSIONATE, UNJUST, REJOICES NOT IN INIQUITY: "Rejoiceth not in iniquity."
Love is not unjust. Iniquity is defined as injustice, unrighteousness and evil deeds. Love takes no pleasure in evil or the misfortune of others. Neither does it engage in immorality and injustice.
ACTION EXERCISE
Apostolic ministries are the most loving in the world. Their leaders understand the true features of love and by them we grow in the principles, precepts and the Word of the Lord. "My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord neither be weary of his correction: For whom the Lord loves he corrects even as a father the son in whom he delights" (Proverbs 3:11-12). Love never fails. scri pture said that love one for another was the way you could identify Christ' disciples. Love is gentle, kind and correcting. No one likes correction but when it happens, rejoice because someone loves you enough to help you. Wrong behavior repeats itself. If it is never addressed then it hinders our success in life and ministry. Let your leaders help you become all that God has called you to be. Don't be afraid of those who want to help you on your journey with Christ.
© by Jonas Clark
Loving leaders are not afraid to encourage, strengthen and correct. All of us need strong leaders, even spiritual fathers in our lives who love us enough to tell us the truth.
Apostolic ministries have been unfairly accused of being nonloving. They are, however, the most loving people in the world. This injustice is the result of a lack of understanding of the leader’s role in helping people grow in the Lord. This is especially true in emerging ministries that are transitioning into the new apostolic revolution. You may have heard someone make a comment like, “There is no love in that church.” It’s unfortunate that people make such statements that unfairly target good leadership. I too have been accused of being nonloving. The assaults normally occur after correction or if I ministered on a topic that challenged a rebellious person to change. Usually it’s those being corrected by the Holy Spirit to grow that falsely accuses their leaders. Instead of dealing with their sin they lash out at others to avert attention from themselves.
Sometimes nonloving accusations come from those newly attending the ministry. They bring their own ideas of how ministry should be done to the church. These folks are shocked to find out that ministry in an apostolic church is different from what they are familiar with. If they wear a religious façade, for example, it will be shattered by the unwavering directness of apostolic grace because apostles are foundational ascension gifts that deal with belief systems, why a person believes what they believe. Their grace will cause people to take a closer look at themselves to change. If they don’t want to change they will run and accuse their leaders of being nonloving as they look for a more comfortable, user-friendly, tolerant ministry.
A godly leader must dare confront immaturity, sedition, rebellion, moral corruption and uncivil behavior when necessary and bring correction in love. The response to that correction decides the further action of the leader. Leaders must also stay clear of trying to please men or gain popular public opinion. When discipline is necessary it's always easier to say nothing, but truelove is not like that. Paul was sometimes harsh in his dealings with people, even to the point of turning them over to Satan, not something I counsel you to do. As an apostle and spiritual father, he was passionate and incisive. His actions and scri ptural stance spoke volumes to those who followed his ministry. I am sure that Paul exhausted every effort to reach these men. No minister of the gospel wants to see people miss God's best for them. Apostles, unlike others, view the church as an instrument of change and not as a playground, retirement or day care center nursing the rebellious. They not only feed sheep, but protect them, even from themselves.
Society mistakenly believes that ministers should tolerate ill-behavior and everyone should be accepted as they are and never needed to grow up. Not so with the rotor-rooter ministry of the apostolic. Uncivil, amoral and unbecoming behavior is not acceptable. Apostles view salvation as the beginning of the work of ministry in a person's life and not the end. Yes, they will accept you the way you are but they expect you to grow, change and mature both spiritually and emotionally. Be honest, isn't this the leader you want in your life, someone that loves you enough to tell you the truth about you and help you become all that Christ has called you to be? Leaders do more than minister to the sons and daughters of God, they challenge…
Wolves (Acts 20:29, 30).
Dogs (Philippians 3:2).
Deceitful workers (2 Corinthians 11:13).
Religious spirits (Matthew 23).
Loving leaders are not afraid to encourage, strengthen and correct. All of us need strong leaders, even spiritual fathers in our lives, who love us enough to tell us the truth. Instead of attacking our leaders for their courage to say what's needed to help us, we should give them double honor and appreciate them. "Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in the word and doctrine" (1 Timothy 5:17). If you hear someone abusing your leader speak up and tell them to stop mistreating your man of God.
Love covers the repentant, not the rebellious. Some demand unconditional love from their leaders. Unconditional love is a myth used as a license by the rebellious to dodge accountability. God is love and He used the word "if" 1595 times in 1420 verses. God's loving response toward man is not unconditional. He expects his disciples to obey him. The Apostle Paul wrote about love. Let's examine true love from an apostolic perspective."Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I give all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up: Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all, believeth all, hopeth all, endureth all. Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they will fail; whether there be tongues, they will end; whether there be knowledge, it will vanish away" (1 Corinthians 13:1-8).
After reading this scri pture we discover eight things that love is and eight things that love is not. Let's take a look at them.
EIGHT THINGS LOVE IS
1. ENDURES MISFORTUNE AND TROUBLE: "Charity suffereth long."
Love is longsuffering. Longsuffering, Greek makrothumeo, patiently endures misfortune and trouble. This is love that does not lose heart during tough times. It patiently bears offenses, false accusations and presses on through. Overcoming hardship is the first challenge for any disciple of Christ and longsuffering is the first quality of love mentioned by the Apostle Paul. If there is any ministry that understands hardship yet endures anyway it is the apostolic pioneers.
2. KIND, GENTLE AND COMPASSIONATE: "Is kind."
Love is kind. This is the only place in the New Testament the word kind is written. Love is sympathetic, kind and gentle. Apostolic ministries are filled with the kindest people you have ever met. Kindness doesn't mean weak, meek or pious. This kindness carries sincere compassion for others.
3. THINKS THE BEST: "Thinketh no evil."
Love is not motivated by evil thought but keeps a pure conscience. God tries the reigns of the heart (Jeremiah 17:10). Right motives are important in the lives of disciples of Christ, including examining their own motivation. "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever are honest, whatsoever are just, whatsoever are pure, whatsoever are lovely, whatsoever are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these" (Philippians 4:8).
4. CONGRATULATES, COMPLIMENTS, PRAISES: "Rejoiceth in the truth."
Love rejoices with others. Loving people are happy about breakthroughs in your life and take part in your joy. This love is unselfish, compliments and praises your victories.
5. BEARS PLEASANT AND UNPLEASANT ALIKE: "Beareth all."
Love carries burdens. "Bearth" is the Greek word stego, meaning to hide by covering. It is taken from the root word stege, to strengthen. Spiritual strength and fortitude are common traits of apostolic believers, strength to carry one's own cross first and then to bear the burdens and hardship of ministry.
6. FULL OF FAITH: "Believeth all."
Love is full of faith. Faith is visible and seen in the actions of those who believe that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. It is faith that moves mountains and the substance of hoped for. By faith we overcome the world and receive our inheritance.
7. TRUSTING, CONFIDENT AND EXPECTANT: "Hopeth all."
Love is hopeful. Hope, Greek elpizo means full of confidence, trust and expectation. This love refuses to accept defeat and always looks toward the future with an enduring hope. From this we learn that love is an action word.
8. CONSTANT, DEDICATED AND DETERMINED: "Endureth all."
Love is strength of mind that enables one to endure trouble with courage. Endure, Greek hupomeno means to remain, uphold fortitude and endure. This love will not break rank. Apostolic believers are steadfast in the heat of battle, refuse defeat and will not abandon their post. Paul told Timothy, "Endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ" (2 Timothy 2:3).
EIGHT THINGS LOVE IS NOT
1. JEALOUS, ENVIOUS AND COVETING: "Enveith not."
Love is not envious of others. Envy Greek zello means to be jealous. Love does not resent the success of others or envy their possessions. A jealous person holds ill will toward another's advantage or station in life. Love does not covet what belongs to another but empowers and strengthens them for more success.
2. BOASTFUL, PRIDEFUL AND ARROGANT: "Vaunteth not itself."
Love is not a show off. It does not brag or boast about one's accomplishments in an excessive and prideful way. Arrogant people try to make themselves look good by putting others down. Wisdom says it is always wise not to talk about yourself. Let others do that for you. "Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts" (Zechariah 4:6).
3. BIGHEADED, SNOOTY AND CONCEITED: "Not puffed up."
Love is not conceited. This deals with pride. Love recognizes victories and accomplishments come by hard work, grace and God’s blessings. One time I met a bigheaded man. The entire conversation was about his accomplishments in ministry. He spoke of how many nations he had preached as if he were carving notches on the wooden grips of a pistol. He was puffed up, conceited and snooty. I have no wish to see him again.
4. INDECENT, UNBECOMING, IMPROPER: "Doth not behave itself unseemly."
Love does not act unbecomingly. Unseemly, Greek aschemoneo is improper or indecent behavior. Believers live a righteous lifestyle and are free from unbecoming, inappropriate behavior. "And they will teach my people the difference between the holy and profane and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean" (Ezekiel 44:23).
"Blessed are the pure in heart for they will see God" (Matthew 5:8).
5. SELF-CENTERED, INDEPENDENT AND SELF-ENGROSSED: "Seeketh not her own."
Love is not self-centered and values relationships. An example of apostolic ministries is their concern for others.
6. EASILY ANGERED, PROVOKED AND EXASPERATED: "Not easily provoked."
Love is not easily exasperated, provoked or angered. "Be ye angry and sin not: let not the sun go down on your wrath" (Ephesians 4:26). There is a place for anger, but only in passionate opposition to evil (Ephesians 4:26) and has nothing to do with the emotion of the soul (Mark 3:5). "He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city" (Proverbs 16:32).
7. RECORD WRONGS: "Thinketh no evil."
Love does not remember wrongs. "Thinketh no evil" is from the Greek word logizomai, which means to keep a written record of wrongs. Love is forgiving and doesn't hold a person's sinful past against them. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).
8. UNCOMPASSIONATE, UNJUST, REJOICES NOT IN INIQUITY: "Rejoiceth not in iniquity."
Love is not unjust. Iniquity is defined as injustice, unrighteousness and evil deeds. Love takes no pleasure in evil or the misfortune of others. Neither does it engage in immorality and injustice.
ACTION EXERCISE
Apostolic ministries are the most loving in the world. Their leaders understand the true features of love and by them we grow in the principles, precepts and the Word of the Lord. "My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord neither be weary of his correction: For whom the Lord loves he corrects even as a father the son in whom he delights" (Proverbs 3:11-12). Love never fails. scri pture said that love one for another was the way you could identify Christ' disciples. Love is gentle, kind and correcting. No one likes correction but when it happens, rejoice because someone loves you enough to help you. Wrong behavior repeats itself. If it is never addressed then it hinders our success in life and ministry. Let your leaders help you become all that God has called you to be. Don't be afraid of those who want to help you on your journey with Christ.
© by Jonas Clark
What is True Apostolic Ministry?
What is True Apostolic Ministry?
I am convinced that it is God’s intent that we move from the one-man “main event” to the Body of Christ being equipped in the local church and sent out to impact the world for Him.
DISCOVER THE HEART OF APOSTOLIC MINISTRY
Over and over I read or watch in Christian media the remarkable feats of great evangelists who are “taking nations” and “impacting the world for Christ.” Images of the masses, tightly crowed together in stadiums waiting for God’s man of faith and power, are transmitted.
Some evangelists are dropped off behind the platform by white limousines with police escorts, others are delivered by helicopter and surrounded by bodyguards. Skyscrapers of speakers stacked atop each other, rumble the message for all who dare to come within miles of the “main event.”
For some reason, however, I don’t feel the same today as I once did. There was a time when the main event really excited me. It was awesome to see so many people gathered in one place. But there is something in me that says, “It’s terrific that so many people are gathering to hear the Gospel message” yet something grieves me while witnessing the presentation.
Could it be possible that the Holy Spirit is trying to show me something? Am I the only one who feels like something is wrong with this picture? After all, what could possibly be wrong with great events like this where so many gather to hear the Gospel?
Pioneering New Territory
I will never forget the time I was ministering in a jungle in Central America. To get to where we were going required the use of a small plane that landed in a cattle pasture followed by an hour long boat ride down a blackened river. Once out of the boat it was a short walk on a jungle trail to a small wood-framed building with no windows bleached by the scorching hot sun.
At night a single light bulb hung from the rafters, drawing countless creatures for a peak at the visiting preacher. Looking around at those present and the conditions of the building offered my mind a clear definition of the word “primitive.” There were no stained glass windows, large screen projectors, ushers, greeters or catchers. There wasn’t even a platform, just a dirt swept floor with hungry believers atop wooden planks with clapping hands as the dominant musical instruments of the evening.
The young man translating for me was an American who was receiving monthly support from his home church back in the States. I remember him telling me that his pastor was raising money to purchase a new jet airplane. Airplanes! “Awesome,” I thought, since I too am a pilot. Then it struck me that we were at least 500 miles away from anywhere a jet could safely land. I asked the young man if his pastor had ever been with him to this part of the jungle. He said his pastor had never come to anything. That floored me. “How could that be?” I asked. He said that his pastor was just too busy back in the States with the “main event.”
It seemed that the few people we would minister to paled in comparison to the more significant events back home. That really bugged me. Here I was on my fourth trip with this young man working in the clammy hot jungle, eating things I won’t tell you about, and I had to purchase a coach ticket with my own money just to do that. Sometimes, after hearing these things I feel like we should just all quit pioneering and go to the conference centers of the world, phone in our $1,000 seed faith vow to the guy on TV, and leave the Gospel to those special people who seem to be more anointed than others.
Isn’t it terrible to feel like this? Maybe it’s just me, but some things just make me feel like saying, “What’s the use?” But wait a minute! You know what folks? I’ve discovered that thousands of other people feel the same way. There are some highly anointed people in this world who are giving their lives on the warring frontiers of ministry to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ that will never own a jet airplane or be able to buy the city’s arena and turn it into a church. There are others who will never have 50,000 attend their crusades. There will be some that never get on Christian television or on Christ Power FM whatever, but they still have value; they are still important to Jesus, and they are still significant in the Body of Christ.
Change of Paradigms
I feel for men and women of God who are faithful with what’s viewed in the religious world’s eyes as little. In a society influenced by marketed sensation, judged by large crowds and big steeples, they don’t seem too important to some. We all know that it’s not appropriate, but everyone in ministry is judged by numbers. Countless times people have asked me how many people attend my church and since we don’t fill even the tiniest football stadium…well you get the point.
Could it be possible that the apostolic reformation is challenging the one-man-only “main event” paradigm? Is there some balance that we can find in all of this? What about the little guy, the regular Joes from Nowhere USA, those who love Jesus and faithfully attend church each Sunday morning? Shouldn’t they be involved in the work of the ministry, too?
I recently watched on Christian television a discussion about healing, miracles and full-time office gift ministries. Evidently these men were having awesome healings and miracles in their meetings. The gist as to why such profound miracles occurred in the ministry of these gentlemen was because of their calling as an “office gift.”
In my opinion we need to break away from that type of thinking. The way I read the Word of God is, “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry” (Ephesians 4:11-12). Perhaps we should do a word study on the Greek word “for.” In my understanding that scri pture makes it clear that all five “office gifts” are called to equip believers to do the work of ministry. This is clearly different that the one-man-does all pattern of ministry that pervades our Christian culture.
Maybe this is why the “main event” doesn’t sit well with me anymore. Where is the perfecting of the saints for the work of the ministry in that pattern? If the one who is called to equip others for the work is doing all the work, then it appears to me that we are outside the biblical pattern. It seems that there are too many people who think that the ministry belongs solely to “office gifts.” With that kind of thinking, the believer’s responsibility is reduced to Sunday morning spectator status. That kind of sounds like what we have throughout the Church today. After all, just find the man with the five-fold office gift and pay him to do the ministry.
Equipping Every Believer for Ministry
It’s amazing to me that Ephesians 4:11 never came up in the mind of the show’s host. It just proves that no matter how many times we read Ephesians 4 we still don’t get it – every believer is important to God and called into ministry. I am not saying that full-time office gift ministry doesn’t have a place, it certainly does. And yes, God does manifest Himself mightily in certain individuals according to His will, but I don’t think that is His ultimate goal. I believe that the Holy Spirit wants to use everybody. scri pture declares, “The people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits” (Daniel 11:32).
Folks, I am not trying to come against anybody because these guys did have some great things to say. Please understand that the Holy Spirit needs all of us involved, them too, in the work of the ministry. I do not believe that the ministry belongs to the five-fold ascension gifts alone. One man or one “office gift” cannot complete the great cause of Christ, reaching the world with the Gospel and making disciples of all nations. I believe this is why the Lord is restoring the apostolic model, paradigm, order, government or whatever word best describes it to you. The bottom line is that the priesthood and kingship of every believer is being restored (1 Peter 2:9).
In the Book of Acts we see great power to give witness of the resurrection of the Lord and great grace on all the believers (Acts 4:33). They were invading cities with the Gospel of Christ and doing mighty exploits for God. I am sure there were many awesome healings and miracles taking place and there were no television cameras to capture the event, snap the photos of the masses, and market the newest Christian fad.
Yes, there is an apostolic order being restored in the Body of Christ. My prayer is that we will break free from the one-man-does-all pattern of ministry and enter the apostolic dimension of equipping every believer for destiny and significance. In fact, I am convinced that it is God’s intent that we move from the one-man “main event” to the Body of Christ being equipped in the local church and sent out to impact the world for Him.
Friend, I know that you are called to do something mighty for Jesus. It doesn’t matter if you stand behind a pulpit on Sunday morning, get on television or have your photo taken in front of a massive crowd or not. The point is that God wants to put His anointing and grace on you and I, everyday believers, as we invade the earth with the Gospel of the Kingdom.
God bless you. Your partner,
© by Jonas Clark
I am convinced that it is God’s intent that we move from the one-man “main event” to the Body of Christ being equipped in the local church and sent out to impact the world for Him.
DISCOVER THE HEART OF APOSTOLIC MINISTRY
Over and over I read or watch in Christian media the remarkable feats of great evangelists who are “taking nations” and “impacting the world for Christ.” Images of the masses, tightly crowed together in stadiums waiting for God’s man of faith and power, are transmitted.
Some evangelists are dropped off behind the platform by white limousines with police escorts, others are delivered by helicopter and surrounded by bodyguards. Skyscrapers of speakers stacked atop each other, rumble the message for all who dare to come within miles of the “main event.”
For some reason, however, I don’t feel the same today as I once did. There was a time when the main event really excited me. It was awesome to see so many people gathered in one place. But there is something in me that says, “It’s terrific that so many people are gathering to hear the Gospel message” yet something grieves me while witnessing the presentation.
Could it be possible that the Holy Spirit is trying to show me something? Am I the only one who feels like something is wrong with this picture? After all, what could possibly be wrong with great events like this where so many gather to hear the Gospel?
Pioneering New Territory
I will never forget the time I was ministering in a jungle in Central America. To get to where we were going required the use of a small plane that landed in a cattle pasture followed by an hour long boat ride down a blackened river. Once out of the boat it was a short walk on a jungle trail to a small wood-framed building with no windows bleached by the scorching hot sun.
At night a single light bulb hung from the rafters, drawing countless creatures for a peak at the visiting preacher. Looking around at those present and the conditions of the building offered my mind a clear definition of the word “primitive.” There were no stained glass windows, large screen projectors, ushers, greeters or catchers. There wasn’t even a platform, just a dirt swept floor with hungry believers atop wooden planks with clapping hands as the dominant musical instruments of the evening.
The young man translating for me was an American who was receiving monthly support from his home church back in the States. I remember him telling me that his pastor was raising money to purchase a new jet airplane. Airplanes! “Awesome,” I thought, since I too am a pilot. Then it struck me that we were at least 500 miles away from anywhere a jet could safely land. I asked the young man if his pastor had ever been with him to this part of the jungle. He said his pastor had never come to anything. That floored me. “How could that be?” I asked. He said that his pastor was just too busy back in the States with the “main event.”
It seemed that the few people we would minister to paled in comparison to the more significant events back home. That really bugged me. Here I was on my fourth trip with this young man working in the clammy hot jungle, eating things I won’t tell you about, and I had to purchase a coach ticket with my own money just to do that. Sometimes, after hearing these things I feel like we should just all quit pioneering and go to the conference centers of the world, phone in our $1,000 seed faith vow to the guy on TV, and leave the Gospel to those special people who seem to be more anointed than others.
Isn’t it terrible to feel like this? Maybe it’s just me, but some things just make me feel like saying, “What’s the use?” But wait a minute! You know what folks? I’ve discovered that thousands of other people feel the same way. There are some highly anointed people in this world who are giving their lives on the warring frontiers of ministry to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ that will never own a jet airplane or be able to buy the city’s arena and turn it into a church. There are others who will never have 50,000 attend their crusades. There will be some that never get on Christian television or on Christ Power FM whatever, but they still have value; they are still important to Jesus, and they are still significant in the Body of Christ.
Change of Paradigms
I feel for men and women of God who are faithful with what’s viewed in the religious world’s eyes as little. In a society influenced by marketed sensation, judged by large crowds and big steeples, they don’t seem too important to some. We all know that it’s not appropriate, but everyone in ministry is judged by numbers. Countless times people have asked me how many people attend my church and since we don’t fill even the tiniest football stadium…well you get the point.
Could it be possible that the apostolic reformation is challenging the one-man-only “main event” paradigm? Is there some balance that we can find in all of this? What about the little guy, the regular Joes from Nowhere USA, those who love Jesus and faithfully attend church each Sunday morning? Shouldn’t they be involved in the work of the ministry, too?
I recently watched on Christian television a discussion about healing, miracles and full-time office gift ministries. Evidently these men were having awesome healings and miracles in their meetings. The gist as to why such profound miracles occurred in the ministry of these gentlemen was because of their calling as an “office gift.”
In my opinion we need to break away from that type of thinking. The way I read the Word of God is, “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry” (Ephesians 4:11-12). Perhaps we should do a word study on the Greek word “for.” In my understanding that scri pture makes it clear that all five “office gifts” are called to equip believers to do the work of ministry. This is clearly different that the one-man-does all pattern of ministry that pervades our Christian culture.
Maybe this is why the “main event” doesn’t sit well with me anymore. Where is the perfecting of the saints for the work of the ministry in that pattern? If the one who is called to equip others for the work is doing all the work, then it appears to me that we are outside the biblical pattern. It seems that there are too many people who think that the ministry belongs solely to “office gifts.” With that kind of thinking, the believer’s responsibility is reduced to Sunday morning spectator status. That kind of sounds like what we have throughout the Church today. After all, just find the man with the five-fold office gift and pay him to do the ministry.
Equipping Every Believer for Ministry
It’s amazing to me that Ephesians 4:11 never came up in the mind of the show’s host. It just proves that no matter how many times we read Ephesians 4 we still don’t get it – every believer is important to God and called into ministry. I am not saying that full-time office gift ministry doesn’t have a place, it certainly does. And yes, God does manifest Himself mightily in certain individuals according to His will, but I don’t think that is His ultimate goal. I believe that the Holy Spirit wants to use everybody. scri pture declares, “The people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits” (Daniel 11:32).
Folks, I am not trying to come against anybody because these guys did have some great things to say. Please understand that the Holy Spirit needs all of us involved, them too, in the work of the ministry. I do not believe that the ministry belongs to the five-fold ascension gifts alone. One man or one “office gift” cannot complete the great cause of Christ, reaching the world with the Gospel and making disciples of all nations. I believe this is why the Lord is restoring the apostolic model, paradigm, order, government or whatever word best describes it to you. The bottom line is that the priesthood and kingship of every believer is being restored (1 Peter 2:9).
In the Book of Acts we see great power to give witness of the resurrection of the Lord and great grace on all the believers (Acts 4:33). They were invading cities with the Gospel of Christ and doing mighty exploits for God. I am sure there were many awesome healings and miracles taking place and there were no television cameras to capture the event, snap the photos of the masses, and market the newest Christian fad.
Yes, there is an apostolic order being restored in the Body of Christ. My prayer is that we will break free from the one-man-does-all pattern of ministry and enter the apostolic dimension of equipping every believer for destiny and significance. In fact, I am convinced that it is God’s intent that we move from the one-man “main event” to the Body of Christ being equipped in the local church and sent out to impact the world for Him.
Friend, I know that you are called to do something mighty for Jesus. It doesn’t matter if you stand behind a pulpit on Sunday morning, get on television or have your photo taken in front of a massive crowd or not. The point is that God wants to put His anointing and grace on you and I, everyday believers, as we invade the earth with the Gospel of the Kingdom.
God bless you. Your partner,
© by Jonas Clark
7/23/2008
TEAMING PASTORS AND INTERCESSORS
Pastors, leaders, and intercessors
God has been moving among the various churches and structures in our city and has been imparting a sense that we are in an opportune or seasonable time that has great advantages for the Kingdom of God. God has divinely arranged time for the economy of salvation! I know many of you like myself are hungry for a move of God that results in the lost coming to Christ. Many of you like myself dream of another great awakening but here in Clarksville.
I believe that if there is to be any move of God in our city we must begin to work together! Pastors, Leaders, and Intercessors must forgive one another and begin to cooperate for the advancement of the Kingdom of God. It is with this in mind that we are hosting meetings in the attempt to build unity and teamwork among Pastors and Intercessors. If you are a prayer warrior, pastor, or leader you are invited to attend.
Location: Xtreme Christian Fellowship Church, 1596 Fort Campbell Blvd., Clarksville, TN (In the same strip mall as the Goodwill Industries Store and the Food Lion Grocery Store).
Cost: No Charge.
No child care will be provided.
Friday night Sessions, July 25, 2008
6:00 to 6:45 PM - Prayer Time
7:00 to 9:00 PM - Opening Session “Teaming Pastors and Intercessors.” (Each of the speakers do a 20-30 minute introduction.)
Saturday Sessions, July 26, 2008
8:00 to 8:45 AM- Prayer Time
9:00 to 10:00 AM - “Respecting and Submitting to God-Given Authority.” Sarah Lowe
10:00 to 11:00 AM - “Incorporating the Intercessory and Prophetic Dimension into Church Life.” Lisa Gavron
11:00 to 1:00 - Break for Lunch at any local Restaurant.
1:00 to 2:00 PM - “The Role of the Intercessory Gift in Light of the Government.” Sarah Lowe and John Renken
2:00 to 3:00 PM - “Bringing the Gift of Intercession to Bear on Evangelism.” John Renken
3:00 to 4:00 PM - “Questions and Answers” Discussion and Interaction.” Sarah, Lisa, and John
4:00 to 5:00 PM – Clarksville Prayer Group
For more information contact 931-220-4502.
Pastor John Renken
Sarah Lowe
One of Sarah’s theme songs is “I was born to serve the Lord.” Raised in a pastor’s home, she has been “in church” since she was 3 days old. Needless to say, church was a priority in that family’s life. When she was only 3 years old, she knelt in a corner of the altar and wept her heart out for her sins. Even at such a young age, she knew she needed Jesus as her personal savior. Her relationship with Jesus is not only the most important relationship in her life but also the governing rule by which everything she says and does is measured.
She has been married to Rick for nearly 30 years and they have 4 adult children. Because her father was a church planter and her husband a pharmaceutical representative, Sarah is a “potted plant” who has learned to bloom where she’s planted. She has lived in 27 cities and 8 states. She has truly learned to be content in whatsoever state she finds herself. When asked, “Was your Dad in the service”, she says “yes, the service of the Lord.”
In 1989, as prayer chairman for a women’s organization, she was introduced to National Day of Prayer and has coordinated city events, county events and state events. She subscribes to the “it’s not about a day, it’s about a discipline” theory. When she moved from Cary, NC to Chicago, IL a pastor told her she was going to be a “Johnny Appleseed” for the prayer movement and to this day, she continues to work in the NDP ministry as the South Central National Area Leader. She describes herself as “a cheerleader” for the coordinators and her desire is to be a blessing and encouragement to all.
The Lord has been teaching Sarah submission through many situations. She is looking forward to sharing with you!
Lisa Gavron
Lisa Gavron serves as State Coordinator for Tennessee National Day of Prayer. She is also the Event Coordinator for the National Day of Prayer-Concert of Prayer at the Ryman Auditorium, and Intercessory Coordinator for Ray Hughes /Selah Ministries.
To honor the five-fold ministries, Lisa uses her gifts as teacher and speaker for educating, and cultivating intercessors within the body of Christ. Through the design of strategic corporate prayer the local church and the Holy Spirit becomes the principle agent that moves the intercessor from the “prayer closet” to the sanctuary. This ministry bridges multiracial and interdenominational lines bringing the unity of “One Voice” to the corporate body.
Lisa resides in Nashville Tn., where she is writing a teaching course and book regarding the position of prayer and it’s partnership in the Kingdom. She travels extensively through Tennessee, KY and Alabama as speaker, teacher and prophetic prayer minister that initiates the advancement of Gods Kingdom by healing the broken and misunderstood.
Serving for 3 years, Lisa was a trainer to Kentucky’s Youth Department in Evangelism known as K.E.Y Teams (Ky. Evangelistic Youth). She received her certification through Sharing Eternal Life Evangelism in Atlanta, Georgia and served eleven years in Kentucky State camping ministry as teacher, counselor and minister of music. In 1999, Lisa moved to Nashville Tn., and gave leadership to prayer and intercession in the Nashville area receiving specific training & certification through Sozo Ministry, Theophostic Prayer, Healing Rooms in Spokane, Washington, as well as Prayer & Prophetic Ministry, Powerhouse Ministries.
John Renken
Pastor John Renken is no stranger to “xtremes.” His passion for the martial arts pales next to his burning desire to reach the city of Clarksville for Jesus Christ. His extreme passion is matched by the darkness from which he came… As a teenager, he was frustrated with powerless churches since he wanted something real—something tangible. When he broke his arm during Kung Fu practice, he began his long journey into the occult by practicing witchcraft. That dark journey eventually took him deep into the grip of the satanic Temple of Set. Pastor Renken joined the Army in 1993, and later assigned to Fort Campbell where he served in C.Co 1/187th. There, he earned the Ranger Tab, Air Assault and Airborne wings. It was in 1994 that he was met his destiny and was miraculously saved by the power of the Holy Spirit. He finally experienced what he was so desperately searching for, true, genuine, living power. But it wasn’t his power, but the dynamic power of the living God. He was called into the ministry a year later. He left the Army in 1996 to pursue ministry at North Central University where he met his beautiful wife, Jennifer. After they married, they began their journey together in ministry with the Bloomington Assemblies of God as Nursing Home pastors. Later, Pastor Renken graduated with a Bachelor’s in Theology and Bible degree, while Jen finished her Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication and Drama. Through it all, they knew there was only one place the Lord wanted them to go. They moved back to Fort Campbell to plant Xtreme Ministries in 2000. They work together not only in ministry, but also started Clarksville Mixed Martial Arts in 2001 where Pastor Renken offers training Army units in modern combatives. They have two sons and one daughter.
God has been moving among the various churches and structures in our city and has been imparting a sense that we are in an opportune or seasonable time that has great advantages for the Kingdom of God. God has divinely arranged time for the economy of salvation! I know many of you like myself are hungry for a move of God that results in the lost coming to Christ. Many of you like myself dream of another great awakening but here in Clarksville.
I believe that if there is to be any move of God in our city we must begin to work together! Pastors, Leaders, and Intercessors must forgive one another and begin to cooperate for the advancement of the Kingdom of God. It is with this in mind that we are hosting meetings in the attempt to build unity and teamwork among Pastors and Intercessors. If you are a prayer warrior, pastor, or leader you are invited to attend.
Location: Xtreme Christian Fellowship Church, 1596 Fort Campbell Blvd., Clarksville, TN (In the same strip mall as the Goodwill Industries Store and the Food Lion Grocery Store).
Cost: No Charge.
No child care will be provided.
Friday night Sessions, July 25, 2008
6:00 to 6:45 PM - Prayer Time
7:00 to 9:00 PM - Opening Session “Teaming Pastors and Intercessors.” (Each of the speakers do a 20-30 minute introduction.)
Saturday Sessions, July 26, 2008
8:00 to 8:45 AM- Prayer Time
9:00 to 10:00 AM - “Respecting and Submitting to God-Given Authority.” Sarah Lowe
10:00 to 11:00 AM - “Incorporating the Intercessory and Prophetic Dimension into Church Life.” Lisa Gavron
11:00 to 1:00 - Break for Lunch at any local Restaurant.
1:00 to 2:00 PM - “The Role of the Intercessory Gift in Light of the Government.” Sarah Lowe and John Renken
2:00 to 3:00 PM - “Bringing the Gift of Intercession to Bear on Evangelism.” John Renken
3:00 to 4:00 PM - “Questions and Answers” Discussion and Interaction.” Sarah, Lisa, and John
4:00 to 5:00 PM – Clarksville Prayer Group
For more information contact 931-220-4502.
Pastor John Renken
Sarah Lowe
One of Sarah’s theme songs is “I was born to serve the Lord.” Raised in a pastor’s home, she has been “in church” since she was 3 days old. Needless to say, church was a priority in that family’s life. When she was only 3 years old, she knelt in a corner of the altar and wept her heart out for her sins. Even at such a young age, she knew she needed Jesus as her personal savior. Her relationship with Jesus is not only the most important relationship in her life but also the governing rule by which everything she says and does is measured.
She has been married to Rick for nearly 30 years and they have 4 adult children. Because her father was a church planter and her husband a pharmaceutical representative, Sarah is a “potted plant” who has learned to bloom where she’s planted. She has lived in 27 cities and 8 states. She has truly learned to be content in whatsoever state she finds herself. When asked, “Was your Dad in the service”, she says “yes, the service of the Lord.”
In 1989, as prayer chairman for a women’s organization, she was introduced to National Day of Prayer and has coordinated city events, county events and state events. She subscribes to the “it’s not about a day, it’s about a discipline” theory. When she moved from Cary, NC to Chicago, IL a pastor told her she was going to be a “Johnny Appleseed” for the prayer movement and to this day, she continues to work in the NDP ministry as the South Central National Area Leader. She describes herself as “a cheerleader” for the coordinators and her desire is to be a blessing and encouragement to all.
The Lord has been teaching Sarah submission through many situations. She is looking forward to sharing with you!
Lisa Gavron
Lisa Gavron serves as State Coordinator for Tennessee National Day of Prayer. She is also the Event Coordinator for the National Day of Prayer-Concert of Prayer at the Ryman Auditorium, and Intercessory Coordinator for Ray Hughes /Selah Ministries.
To honor the five-fold ministries, Lisa uses her gifts as teacher and speaker for educating, and cultivating intercessors within the body of Christ. Through the design of strategic corporate prayer the local church and the Holy Spirit becomes the principle agent that moves the intercessor from the “prayer closet” to the sanctuary. This ministry bridges multiracial and interdenominational lines bringing the unity of “One Voice” to the corporate body.
Lisa resides in Nashville Tn., where she is writing a teaching course and book regarding the position of prayer and it’s partnership in the Kingdom. She travels extensively through Tennessee, KY and Alabama as speaker, teacher and prophetic prayer minister that initiates the advancement of Gods Kingdom by healing the broken and misunderstood.
Serving for 3 years, Lisa was a trainer to Kentucky’s Youth Department in Evangelism known as K.E.Y Teams (Ky. Evangelistic Youth). She received her certification through Sharing Eternal Life Evangelism in Atlanta, Georgia and served eleven years in Kentucky State camping ministry as teacher, counselor and minister of music. In 1999, Lisa moved to Nashville Tn., and gave leadership to prayer and intercession in the Nashville area receiving specific training & certification through Sozo Ministry, Theophostic Prayer, Healing Rooms in Spokane, Washington, as well as Prayer & Prophetic Ministry, Powerhouse Ministries.
John Renken
Pastor John Renken is no stranger to “xtremes.” His passion for the martial arts pales next to his burning desire to reach the city of Clarksville for Jesus Christ. His extreme passion is matched by the darkness from which he came… As a teenager, he was frustrated with powerless churches since he wanted something real—something tangible. When he broke his arm during Kung Fu practice, he began his long journey into the occult by practicing witchcraft. That dark journey eventually took him deep into the grip of the satanic Temple of Set. Pastor Renken joined the Army in 1993, and later assigned to Fort Campbell where he served in C.Co 1/187th. There, he earned the Ranger Tab, Air Assault and Airborne wings. It was in 1994 that he was met his destiny and was miraculously saved by the power of the Holy Spirit. He finally experienced what he was so desperately searching for, true, genuine, living power. But it wasn’t his power, but the dynamic power of the living God. He was called into the ministry a year later. He left the Army in 1996 to pursue ministry at North Central University where he met his beautiful wife, Jennifer. After they married, they began their journey together in ministry with the Bloomington Assemblies of God as Nursing Home pastors. Later, Pastor Renken graduated with a Bachelor’s in Theology and Bible degree, while Jen finished her Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication and Drama. Through it all, they knew there was only one place the Lord wanted them to go. They moved back to Fort Campbell to plant Xtreme Ministries in 2000. They work together not only in ministry, but also started Clarksville Mixed Martial Arts in 2001 where Pastor Renken offers training Army units in modern combatives. They have two sons and one daughter.
7/22/2008
Beware of the Thief
Beware of the Thief
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1
by Os HillmanTuesday, July 22 2008
"But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into." Luke 12:39
What are the times when you and I are most vulnerable to being caught off guard by the enemy of our souls? One of those times is just after you've had a great victory. Consider Jesus when He was baptized and was about to begin His public ministry. He was taken away into the desert to be tempted by satan.
Leisure time is another place in which satan seeks to take us off our normal routine of personal quiet times. In the normal routine of life, our senses are tuned to the need to draw upon God's Spirit to see us through the activities of each day. However, when we get away from our routine and go on vacation, we can often drop these routines. We wrongfully think that we do not need to spend time with the Lord during leisure times. This is a grave mistake. The vacation becomes a test of character. During vacations we turn freely to what we love most. It reveals to us what is at the core of our existence.
A teacher in a large school reportedly said, "The greatest difficulty we encounter is the summer vacation. Just when we have brought a student to a certain discipline and place in their study habits, we lose him; when he comes back we have to begin all over again." It is the same in our spiritual lives. It only takes a small crack in the door of our heart to lose our spiritual focus. This summer, be on guard when times of retreat are made available to you. Use these times for spiritual refreshment, not just physical refreshment, and you will keep the thief from entering your house.
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1
by Os HillmanTuesday, July 22 2008
"But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into." Luke 12:39
What are the times when you and I are most vulnerable to being caught off guard by the enemy of our souls? One of those times is just after you've had a great victory. Consider Jesus when He was baptized and was about to begin His public ministry. He was taken away into the desert to be tempted by satan.
Leisure time is another place in which satan seeks to take us off our normal routine of personal quiet times. In the normal routine of life, our senses are tuned to the need to draw upon God's Spirit to see us through the activities of each day. However, when we get away from our routine and go on vacation, we can often drop these routines. We wrongfully think that we do not need to spend time with the Lord during leisure times. This is a grave mistake. The vacation becomes a test of character. During vacations we turn freely to what we love most. It reveals to us what is at the core of our existence.
A teacher in a large school reportedly said, "The greatest difficulty we encounter is the summer vacation. Just when we have brought a student to a certain discipline and place in their study habits, we lose him; when he comes back we have to begin all over again." It is the same in our spiritual lives. It only takes a small crack in the door of our heart to lose our spiritual focus. This summer, be on guard when times of retreat are made available to you. Use these times for spiritual refreshment, not just physical refreshment, and you will keep the thief from entering your house.
7/21/2008
How to Obtain Your Spiritual Inheritance
How to Obtain Your Spiritual Inheritance
The Body of Christ in recent years has witnessed many great spiritual leaders go home to be with the Lord. The material wealth may have been transferred to their natural families, but a portion of the spiritual wealth is available to us as sons and daughters of the leaders of former revival movements.
Will we draw from our spiritual inheritance to establish the Kingdom of God?
The preacher said a good man leaves an inheritance for his children’s children. While Solomon was speaking in terms of financial wealth, this is also true in the realm of the spirit. The Body of Christ in recent years has witnessed many great spiritual leaders go home to be with the Lord. The material wealth may have been transferred to their natural families, but a portion of the spiritual wealth is available to us as sons and daughters of the leaders of former revival movements. With the passing of God’s great generals, a great spiritual deposit has been made in our spirits. Of course, with this transfer of spiritual wealth comes also a great responsibility for this generation because, as wise Solomon declared, the inheritance is not just for the children, but for the children’s children.
SPIRITUAL WEALTH
This inheritance begs some important questions. How will apostolic believers respond to the spiritual wealth passed on by former moves? What will we do with our inheritance? Will we use it to build a memorial to the leaders and good times of yesterday? Or will we use it to build what God is doing today? It’s been said that a reformation and revival starts out as a new movement, but ends up building a monument to what once was. Look no further than Isaac, the promised son of Abraham and Sarah. After Abraham died, the Philistine enemies covered the wells that Abraham dug in Egypt. When a famine hit during Isaac’s day, he, like Abraham, figured he should go to Egypt for provision. However, God told him to stay in Canaan Land instead. To respond in a way that was different from Abraham took a great deal of faith on Isaac’s part.
EMBRACING THE APOSTOLIC MOVEMENT
Think about it. In faith, he determined to obey God and plant seed in a parched land during a time of great famine. People around him must have surely thought he had lost his mind. But his great faith in God, a spiritual inheritance from his father Abraham, led to a harvest in a place where no one thought anything could grow.
The Word says that Isaac was greatly enriched! Then something interesting happened. Isaac took the blessing of God and went about unstopping the wells that the Philistines had covered. These wells had been dug during the time of his father Abraham, i.e. during an old move of God. Wells are significant. Without them there is no refreshing, growth or increase. But every time Isaac unstopped the old wells, representing an attempt to revive an old move, there was strife among his servants. It was not until Isaac dug a new well that the strife and infighting ceased. From this we learn an important lesson for all those who are embracing the Apostolic Movement: We must take our inheritance of spiritual wealth and dig a new well. Only then will we have peace and joy.
PROPHETIC INSIGHT REVEALS IDENTITY
Could it be that many of God’s leaders have gone on to heaven, leaving behind thousands of believers who have gathered around old wells because they are unsure of their identities? Could it also be that others are seeking out the new things of God in an attempt to warm up the old? When King David was old and stricken in years his servants brought a young virgin to his bed to keep him warm. David was feeble and his son Adonijah conspired to take the throne that had been promised to Solomon. Nathan the prophet and Bathsheba approached the aged king and appealed to him to transfer the kingdom to Solomon before Adonijah had an opportunity to act (1 Kings 1).
These scri ptures may shed some prophetic insight into the condition of some believers today who have gathered around old wells. We find David, representative of the former movement, is old and in need of heat.
David was slow to transfer his authority onto the next generation of leadership, so his servants sought to maintain the old ruler by warming him up with a young virgin, who represents the current move of God. We can’t, however, send servants to observe the new move of God only in an attempt to take that fire to warm up an old move. If we do, the false sons, like Adonijah, will wreak havoc on the kingdom. Much like Isaac’s attempt to unstop old wells, warming up an old movement with revelation from a new move is not the proper response to our transference of spiritual wealth.
CARRIES OF A FRESH NEW MOVE OF GOD
Still others are like the prophets of Jericho. The day Elijah was taken to heaven they stood and watched from afar. They saw Elisha with Elijah’s mantle. They saw him strike the water. And they saw him cross the Jordan. Yet, these prophets bowed to Elisha only to pay homage. While they respected the anointing on his life, they didn’t want to follow him. They were still looking for Elijah. How many believers will see the carriers of the new move of God today, but will still desire to search for the Elijahs that have passed on? How many believers today will try to unstop the wells of the former movements? How many will try to warm up the old teachings with new revelation? Many apostolic and prophetic believers were raised in the Pentecostal Movement and that inheritance should be treasured. But we must use our spiritual wealth to build what Jesus is building today. Yes, we cherish what God did yesterday but we need to keep pressing on today.
FAITH TO MOVE FORWARD
Dr. Lester Sumrall once said that it takes great faith to move beyond what one was born into. What movement were you born into? Which movement will you have to transition out of? Thirty days after Moses died, God told Joshua that it was time to move on. Although Joshua and the other Israelites loved Moses dearly, they did not seek to continue following him once he passed away. No, they took the spiritual transference of wealth imparted through Moses and used it to cross over into the Promised Land. By the grace of God, apostolic believers will do the same.
© by Jonas Clark
The Body of Christ in recent years has witnessed many great spiritual leaders go home to be with the Lord. The material wealth may have been transferred to their natural families, but a portion of the spiritual wealth is available to us as sons and daughters of the leaders of former revival movements.
Will we draw from our spiritual inheritance to establish the Kingdom of God?
The preacher said a good man leaves an inheritance for his children’s children. While Solomon was speaking in terms of financial wealth, this is also true in the realm of the spirit. The Body of Christ in recent years has witnessed many great spiritual leaders go home to be with the Lord. The material wealth may have been transferred to their natural families, but a portion of the spiritual wealth is available to us as sons and daughters of the leaders of former revival movements. With the passing of God’s great generals, a great spiritual deposit has been made in our spirits. Of course, with this transfer of spiritual wealth comes also a great responsibility for this generation because, as wise Solomon declared, the inheritance is not just for the children, but for the children’s children.
SPIRITUAL WEALTH
This inheritance begs some important questions. How will apostolic believers respond to the spiritual wealth passed on by former moves? What will we do with our inheritance? Will we use it to build a memorial to the leaders and good times of yesterday? Or will we use it to build what God is doing today? It’s been said that a reformation and revival starts out as a new movement, but ends up building a monument to what once was. Look no further than Isaac, the promised son of Abraham and Sarah. After Abraham died, the Philistine enemies covered the wells that Abraham dug in Egypt. When a famine hit during Isaac’s day, he, like Abraham, figured he should go to Egypt for provision. However, God told him to stay in Canaan Land instead. To respond in a way that was different from Abraham took a great deal of faith on Isaac’s part.
EMBRACING THE APOSTOLIC MOVEMENT
Think about it. In faith, he determined to obey God and plant seed in a parched land during a time of great famine. People around him must have surely thought he had lost his mind. But his great faith in God, a spiritual inheritance from his father Abraham, led to a harvest in a place where no one thought anything could grow.
The Word says that Isaac was greatly enriched! Then something interesting happened. Isaac took the blessing of God and went about unstopping the wells that the Philistines had covered. These wells had been dug during the time of his father Abraham, i.e. during an old move of God. Wells are significant. Without them there is no refreshing, growth or increase. But every time Isaac unstopped the old wells, representing an attempt to revive an old move, there was strife among his servants. It was not until Isaac dug a new well that the strife and infighting ceased. From this we learn an important lesson for all those who are embracing the Apostolic Movement: We must take our inheritance of spiritual wealth and dig a new well. Only then will we have peace and joy.
PROPHETIC INSIGHT REVEALS IDENTITY
Could it be that many of God’s leaders have gone on to heaven, leaving behind thousands of believers who have gathered around old wells because they are unsure of their identities? Could it also be that others are seeking out the new things of God in an attempt to warm up the old? When King David was old and stricken in years his servants brought a young virgin to his bed to keep him warm. David was feeble and his son Adonijah conspired to take the throne that had been promised to Solomon. Nathan the prophet and Bathsheba approached the aged king and appealed to him to transfer the kingdom to Solomon before Adonijah had an opportunity to act (1 Kings 1).
These scri ptures may shed some prophetic insight into the condition of some believers today who have gathered around old wells. We find David, representative of the former movement, is old and in need of heat.
David was slow to transfer his authority onto the next generation of leadership, so his servants sought to maintain the old ruler by warming him up with a young virgin, who represents the current move of God. We can’t, however, send servants to observe the new move of God only in an attempt to take that fire to warm up an old move. If we do, the false sons, like Adonijah, will wreak havoc on the kingdom. Much like Isaac’s attempt to unstop old wells, warming up an old movement with revelation from a new move is not the proper response to our transference of spiritual wealth.
CARRIES OF A FRESH NEW MOVE OF GOD
Still others are like the prophets of Jericho. The day Elijah was taken to heaven they stood and watched from afar. They saw Elisha with Elijah’s mantle. They saw him strike the water. And they saw him cross the Jordan. Yet, these prophets bowed to Elisha only to pay homage. While they respected the anointing on his life, they didn’t want to follow him. They were still looking for Elijah. How many believers will see the carriers of the new move of God today, but will still desire to search for the Elijahs that have passed on? How many believers today will try to unstop the wells of the former movements? How many will try to warm up the old teachings with new revelation? Many apostolic and prophetic believers were raised in the Pentecostal Movement and that inheritance should be treasured. But we must use our spiritual wealth to build what Jesus is building today. Yes, we cherish what God did yesterday but we need to keep pressing on today.
FAITH TO MOVE FORWARD
Dr. Lester Sumrall once said that it takes great faith to move beyond what one was born into. What movement were you born into? Which movement will you have to transition out of? Thirty days after Moses died, God told Joshua that it was time to move on. Although Joshua and the other Israelites loved Moses dearly, they did not seek to continue following him once he passed away. No, they took the spiritual transference of wealth imparted through Moses and used it to cross over into the Promised Land. By the grace of God, apostolic believers will do the same.
© by Jonas Clark
7/17/2008
GARAGE SALE THIS SATURDAY
Hey everyone dont forget this Saturday is the church garage sale and please if you have stuff you would like to donate contact Vanessa or Jen. Also they will need help on Friday and Saturday with the actual running of the garage sale.
Need reviews
Hey everyone if you could go online and put in reviews at these websites it would greatly help us in our attempt to let everyone know that we are "BRINGING GRACE TO A LOST WORLD"
http://search.theleafchronicle.com/sp?aff=1109&catId=12030000&skin=100&address=37040
with the leaf chronicle page please type in a search for Xtreme Ministries and then put in your review
http://www.yellowpages.com/name/Clarksville-TN/Xtreme-Ministries
if you are a part of the gym you could do the gym reviews here
http://www.yellowpages.com/name/Clarksville-TN/Clarksville-Mixed-Martial-Arts-Academy?search_mode=any
http://search.theleafchronicle.com/sp?aff=1109&catId=12030000&skin=100&address=37040
with the leaf chronicle page please type in a search for Xtreme Ministries and then put in your review
http://www.yellowpages.com/name/Clarksville-TN/Xtreme-Ministries
if you are a part of the gym you could do the gym reviews here
http://www.yellowpages.com/name/Clarksville-TN/Clarksville-Mixed-Martial-Arts-Academy?search_mode=any
7/16/2008
Identifying Apostolic Ministries and Reforming Believers
Identifying Apostolic Ministries and Reforming Believers
We have entered apostolic times and stand on the cutting-edge of the restoration of the apostolic reforming (diorthosis) Church. What an exciting time to be alive.
God has called you to be a revolutionary change agent. Exciting times, apostolic times, are just ahead.
We have been hearing from prophets that the apostles are coming and I believe that the apostolic reforming spirit of God has already arrived. The Word of God teaches us of a restoration of all things before the return of the Lord. scri pture declares of Jesus, “Whom the heaven must receive until the times of the restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began” (Acts 3:21). Holy prophets are still speaking of that restoration today. Many things are being restored in this hour and the restoration of apostolic ministry, churches and believers is a major part of the fulfillment of that reconstruction.
The Holy Spirit is giving us little bits of prophetic insight into this restoration of the apostolic spirit. These writings are but a meager glimpse into the things that the Spirit of God has shown to me and others. You might ask yourself these questions regarding the restoration of all things and specifically the restoration of apostolic ministry and your involvement:
How can apostolic ministry, churches and believers be identified?
What are the strongest earmarks that set them apart from others?
Why is the restoration of apostolic ministry important today?
How do you fit in?
THE SPIRITUAL CLIMATE IN APOSTOLIC CHURCHES
As we explore these questions we will discover one of the most striking signs of apostolic believers is found in the spiritual climates of the churches they attend. The apostolic spirit is resident in apostolic believers that attend apostolic churches. When you walk in the door you immediately sense that something is different. The most amazing thing about this type of ministry is their sensitivity to the spiritual climate around them. Because of the strong apostolic anointing upon the believers they aggressively contend with the hard heavens of their territories and command spiritual change.
Churches that carry an apostolic reforming spirit are churches that do more than nurture and pastor people. They know how to contend with the hard brazen heavens that hinder prayer, praise, liberty and the spiritual growth of the people. They know how to command spiritual gates to open that the King of Glory might come into their midst.
Listen and you hear a different sound among the believers in their services. Even their music is different, it’s apostolic. Apostolic music has more of a spiritual punch to it. It’s the sound of authority. Their songs are not the familiar nice mellow Christian tunes of your parent’s generation but are commanding, decreeing and proclaiming. They are songs that lift up and exalt Jesus while prophetically decreeing the will of the Lord for your life.
REFORMATION PRECEDES RESTORATION
So what’s going on? Why are things so different and why are we seeing so much change? It’s because we have entered new apostolic times. We are experiencing another level of the restoration of all things and the release of apostolic grace. The apostolic spirit comes from the restoration of apostolic grace.
Again, the Word of God tells us about a time of great change that will take place before the return of the Lord. We also know that times of restoration or change are always preceded by a reforming spirit (Hebrews 9:10). The word reformation is the Greek word diorthosis which means to straighten out thoroughly and to restore to a natural and normal condition. So we learn that you cannot enter the times of restoration without the times of reformation. This is why the Holy Spirit is pouring out a reforming apostolic grace on the body of Christ. Reformation always precedes restoration. The vehicle for this restoration of all things will be the reforming anointing on the apostolic church. So let’s introduce a few characteristics of this new apostolic Church.
APOSTOLIC CHURCHES AND BELIEVERS
Reforming churches are governing churches. By that I mean that they are very confrontational in the realm of the spirit. They understand their authority and carry a high-level spiritual boldness. They confront and tear down religious idolatry, unproductive religious form and vain religious traditions. They give identity to those who were rejected in other churches because of what they carried spiritually. They are highly committed and dedicated to advancing the cause of Christ throughout the world. They don’t ignore but rather attack the giants in the land, the giants of:
Religion
Divination
Witchcraft
Racism
Anti-Christ spirits
Jezebel
Secular Humanism
And foreign gods.
Reforming believers and churches build their lives and ministries on Spirit-life living rather than dead social religious programs. They are the “working believers and churches” with bold pursuing spirits that carry and impart spiritual strength to others (Ezekiel `:24, 43:2). Apostolic believers and churches have fervent, even militant prayer lives because they believe that the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man maketh much of God’s power available (James 5:16).
Reforming believers carry spiritual authority and aren’t afraid to use it. They have a vision for reaching all nations for Christ, taking dominion and ministering with fresh prophetic insight. They have an orderly divine flow and command dormant gifts to stir and come alive! Apostolic believers know the Word of God and the ways of God. Reforming believers and churches:
Build
Guide
Govern
Establish
Attack hard heavens
Carry spiritual liberty
Impart spiritual gifts
Set the order of things
Father sons and daughters
Mature the saints
Set the pace
Influence
Train
Send
Hear
See
Say
And do.
We have entered apostolic times and stand on the cutting-edge of the restoration of the apostolic reforming (diorthosis) Church. What an exciting time to be alive. The spirit of God gave me a prophetic decree regarding a prelude to the greatest awaking the Church as ever seen, the Roar of Zion. The Lion of Judah is about to roar out of Zion and awaken the mighty men.
God bless you. Your partner,
© by Jonas Clark
We have entered apostolic times and stand on the cutting-edge of the restoration of the apostolic reforming (diorthosis) Church. What an exciting time to be alive.
God has called you to be a revolutionary change agent. Exciting times, apostolic times, are just ahead.
We have been hearing from prophets that the apostles are coming and I believe that the apostolic reforming spirit of God has already arrived. The Word of God teaches us of a restoration of all things before the return of the Lord. scri pture declares of Jesus, “Whom the heaven must receive until the times of the restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began” (Acts 3:21). Holy prophets are still speaking of that restoration today. Many things are being restored in this hour and the restoration of apostolic ministry, churches and believers is a major part of the fulfillment of that reconstruction.
The Holy Spirit is giving us little bits of prophetic insight into this restoration of the apostolic spirit. These writings are but a meager glimpse into the things that the Spirit of God has shown to me and others. You might ask yourself these questions regarding the restoration of all things and specifically the restoration of apostolic ministry and your involvement:
How can apostolic ministry, churches and believers be identified?
What are the strongest earmarks that set them apart from others?
Why is the restoration of apostolic ministry important today?
How do you fit in?
THE SPIRITUAL CLIMATE IN APOSTOLIC CHURCHES
As we explore these questions we will discover one of the most striking signs of apostolic believers is found in the spiritual climates of the churches they attend. The apostolic spirit is resident in apostolic believers that attend apostolic churches. When you walk in the door you immediately sense that something is different. The most amazing thing about this type of ministry is their sensitivity to the spiritual climate around them. Because of the strong apostolic anointing upon the believers they aggressively contend with the hard heavens of their territories and command spiritual change.
Churches that carry an apostolic reforming spirit are churches that do more than nurture and pastor people. They know how to contend with the hard brazen heavens that hinder prayer, praise, liberty and the spiritual growth of the people. They know how to command spiritual gates to open that the King of Glory might come into their midst.
Listen and you hear a different sound among the believers in their services. Even their music is different, it’s apostolic. Apostolic music has more of a spiritual punch to it. It’s the sound of authority. Their songs are not the familiar nice mellow Christian tunes of your parent’s generation but are commanding, decreeing and proclaiming. They are songs that lift up and exalt Jesus while prophetically decreeing the will of the Lord for your life.
REFORMATION PRECEDES RESTORATION
So what’s going on? Why are things so different and why are we seeing so much change? It’s because we have entered new apostolic times. We are experiencing another level of the restoration of all things and the release of apostolic grace. The apostolic spirit comes from the restoration of apostolic grace.
Again, the Word of God tells us about a time of great change that will take place before the return of the Lord. We also know that times of restoration or change are always preceded by a reforming spirit (Hebrews 9:10). The word reformation is the Greek word diorthosis which means to straighten out thoroughly and to restore to a natural and normal condition. So we learn that you cannot enter the times of restoration without the times of reformation. This is why the Holy Spirit is pouring out a reforming apostolic grace on the body of Christ. Reformation always precedes restoration. The vehicle for this restoration of all things will be the reforming anointing on the apostolic church. So let’s introduce a few characteristics of this new apostolic Church.
APOSTOLIC CHURCHES AND BELIEVERS
Reforming churches are governing churches. By that I mean that they are very confrontational in the realm of the spirit. They understand their authority and carry a high-level spiritual boldness. They confront and tear down religious idolatry, unproductive religious form and vain religious traditions. They give identity to those who were rejected in other churches because of what they carried spiritually. They are highly committed and dedicated to advancing the cause of Christ throughout the world. They don’t ignore but rather attack the giants in the land, the giants of:
Religion
Divination
Witchcraft
Racism
Anti-Christ spirits
Jezebel
Secular Humanism
And foreign gods.
Reforming believers and churches build their lives and ministries on Spirit-life living rather than dead social religious programs. They are the “working believers and churches” with bold pursuing spirits that carry and impart spiritual strength to others (Ezekiel `:24, 43:2). Apostolic believers and churches have fervent, even militant prayer lives because they believe that the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man maketh much of God’s power available (James 5:16).
Reforming believers carry spiritual authority and aren’t afraid to use it. They have a vision for reaching all nations for Christ, taking dominion and ministering with fresh prophetic insight. They have an orderly divine flow and command dormant gifts to stir and come alive! Apostolic believers know the Word of God and the ways of God. Reforming believers and churches:
Build
Guide
Govern
Establish
Attack hard heavens
Carry spiritual liberty
Impart spiritual gifts
Set the order of things
Father sons and daughters
Mature the saints
Set the pace
Influence
Train
Send
Hear
See
Say
And do.
We have entered apostolic times and stand on the cutting-edge of the restoration of the apostolic reforming (diorthosis) Church. What an exciting time to be alive. The spirit of God gave me a prophetic decree regarding a prelude to the greatest awaking the Church as ever seen, the Roar of Zion. The Lion of Judah is about to roar out of Zion and awaken the mighty men.
God bless you. Your partner,
© by Jonas Clark
GOD'S SELECTION PROCESS
God's Selection Process
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman
Wednesday, July 16 2008
"So Gideon took the men down to the water. There the Lord told him, 'Separate those who lap the water with their tongues like a dog from those who kneel down to drink.'" Judges 7:5
Would you ever take on an army of 100,000 with only 300 men? Sound preposterous? I agree. However, this is exactly what happened with Gideon. It was bad enough that he began with 10,000 against 100,000, but this was too many men according to God. He would not allow Gideon to fight with this many soldiers, because the temptation would still remain to believe that it was the strength of his army that won the victory. God told Gideon to pare down his army to a mere 300. This would ensure that God would receive total credit for the victory. This is a law in the Kingdom of God. All glory must go to Him. "Announce now to the people, 'Anyone who trembles with fear may turn back and leave Mount Gilead.' So twenty-two thousand men left, while ten thousand remained" (Judg. 7:3).
Now there are 10,000 men left but that was still too many. God gave Gideon an interesting selection method for the 300 as he took the men down to the water. There the Lord told him, "Separate those who lap the water with their tongues like a dog from those who kneel down to drink" (Judg. 7:5b). What was the significance of this? Those soldiers who lapped water like a dog were soldiers who were more aware of the enemy around them compared to those who kneeled to drink. The lappers were men who were on constant guard to the danger around them, keeping their eyes up and looking about them. The others could be easily picked off. If you and I are going to be one of God's elite, we must be battle ready. We must be sensitive to the spiritual dangers around us. We must be trained to go about our business while, at the same time, discern when the enemy of our souls is prowling about seeking to destroy us. "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour" (1 Pet. 5:8). Beware of the spiritual dangers around you.
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman
Wednesday, July 16 2008
"So Gideon took the men down to the water. There the Lord told him, 'Separate those who lap the water with their tongues like a dog from those who kneel down to drink.'" Judges 7:5
Would you ever take on an army of 100,000 with only 300 men? Sound preposterous? I agree. However, this is exactly what happened with Gideon. It was bad enough that he began with 10,000 against 100,000, but this was too many men according to God. He would not allow Gideon to fight with this many soldiers, because the temptation would still remain to believe that it was the strength of his army that won the victory. God told Gideon to pare down his army to a mere 300. This would ensure that God would receive total credit for the victory. This is a law in the Kingdom of God. All glory must go to Him. "Announce now to the people, 'Anyone who trembles with fear may turn back and leave Mount Gilead.' So twenty-two thousand men left, while ten thousand remained" (Judg. 7:3).
Now there are 10,000 men left but that was still too many. God gave Gideon an interesting selection method for the 300 as he took the men down to the water. There the Lord told him, "Separate those who lap the water with their tongues like a dog from those who kneel down to drink" (Judg. 7:5b). What was the significance of this? Those soldiers who lapped water like a dog were soldiers who were more aware of the enemy around them compared to those who kneeled to drink. The lappers were men who were on constant guard to the danger around them, keeping their eyes up and looking about them. The others could be easily picked off. If you and I are going to be one of God's elite, we must be battle ready. We must be sensitive to the spiritual dangers around us. We must be trained to go about our business while, at the same time, discern when the enemy of our souls is prowling about seeking to destroy us. "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour" (1 Pet. 5:8). Beware of the spiritual dangers around you.
7/15/2008
Xtreme Garage Sale
Dont forget this Saturday is the garage sale at John and Jen Renken's house. You can bring stuff for it any time and leave it at their house.
For more information call Jen
For more information call Jen
SEEING US FOR WHAT WE WILL BECOME
Seeing Us for What We Will Become
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman Tuesday, July 15 2008...
"The Lord is with you, mighty warrior." Judges 6:12
God always looks at His children for what they will be, not what they are now. The Lord already had seen Gideon as a leader of others, not just a laborer who threshed wheat.
Gideon was an Israelite who lived during a time of oppression from the Midianites. God had allowed Israel to be oppressed because of its rebellion. However, the Israelites cried out to God, and He heard their cry for help. He decided to free them from the oppression of their enemies. God chose a man with little experience in such matters to lead an army against Midian.
When God came to Gideon through a visit by an angel, the angel's first words to him were, "The Lord is with you, mighty warrior." God always looks at His children for what they will be, not what they are now. The Lord had already seen this man as a leader of others, not just a laborer who threshed wheat.
The apostle Paul said, "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength" (Phil. 4:13). God has reserved an inheritance for you and me. He has foreordained that we should accomplish great things in His name-not so that we will be accepted or become more valued, but to experience the reality of a living relationship with a God who wants to demonstrate His power through each of us. What does God want to accomplish through you today? He used Gideon, with only 300 men, to deliver Israel from an army of more than 100,000. He demonstrated His power through one man who was willing to let God use what little faith he had to free a nation from oppression and bring glory to the God of Israel. The Lord delights in showing Himself strong through those who will trust Him.
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman Tuesday, July 15 2008...
"The Lord is with you, mighty warrior." Judges 6:12
God always looks at His children for what they will be, not what they are now. The Lord already had seen Gideon as a leader of others, not just a laborer who threshed wheat.
Gideon was an Israelite who lived during a time of oppression from the Midianites. God had allowed Israel to be oppressed because of its rebellion. However, the Israelites cried out to God, and He heard their cry for help. He decided to free them from the oppression of their enemies. God chose a man with little experience in such matters to lead an army against Midian.
When God came to Gideon through a visit by an angel, the angel's first words to him were, "The Lord is with you, mighty warrior." God always looks at His children for what they will be, not what they are now. The Lord had already seen this man as a leader of others, not just a laborer who threshed wheat.
The apostle Paul said, "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength" (Phil. 4:13). God has reserved an inheritance for you and me. He has foreordained that we should accomplish great things in His name-not so that we will be accepted or become more valued, but to experience the reality of a living relationship with a God who wants to demonstrate His power through each of us. What does God want to accomplish through you today? He used Gideon, with only 300 men, to deliver Israel from an army of more than 100,000. He demonstrated His power through one man who was willing to let God use what little faith he had to free a nation from oppression and bring glory to the God of Israel. The Lord delights in showing Himself strong through those who will trust Him.
7/14/2008
THE WORKS OF THE FLESH
The Works of the Flesh
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os HillmanMonday, July 14 2008
"You may say to yourself, 'My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.'" Deuteronomy 8:17
We've all heard someone say, "He's a self-made man." What are they saying in this statement? Are they saying that this individual achieved success by his hard work and sweat? Many a person has achieved success through honest hard work. There is a danger for any of us who may have achieved significance through our work. That danger is the belief that we achieved it through our own efforts apart from God's grace and mercy. When we live in this belief, we assert that we are entitled to certain rights and privileges because of the position we have earned and feel we deserve.
The prodigal son's brother who refused to celebrate the wayward son's return was a man who felt he was entitled to certain rights. He saw himself as one who had been faithful to his responsibilities and deserving of more attention. He could not appreciate his brother's failure and the pain of falling into a sinful life because, in his mind, he had never failed. This pride kept him from experiencing God's real grace. This is how legalism develops in believers. It grows into a cold heart and an insensitive attitude toward others who may have stumbled in their lives. This same brother did not truly understand the love of his father apart from works; for he felt he gained acceptance only by doing his job. Do you feel accepted by God, regardless of what you do? Have you wrongfully viewed your works as something you alone have achieved? These are the minefields of which each of us in business must be aware. God has gifted us to accomplish anything through His grace, not by our works.
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os HillmanMonday, July 14 2008
"You may say to yourself, 'My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.'" Deuteronomy 8:17
We've all heard someone say, "He's a self-made man." What are they saying in this statement? Are they saying that this individual achieved success by his hard work and sweat? Many a person has achieved success through honest hard work. There is a danger for any of us who may have achieved significance through our work. That danger is the belief that we achieved it through our own efforts apart from God's grace and mercy. When we live in this belief, we assert that we are entitled to certain rights and privileges because of the position we have earned and feel we deserve.
The prodigal son's brother who refused to celebrate the wayward son's return was a man who felt he was entitled to certain rights. He saw himself as one who had been faithful to his responsibilities and deserving of more attention. He could not appreciate his brother's failure and the pain of falling into a sinful life because, in his mind, he had never failed. This pride kept him from experiencing God's real grace. This is how legalism develops in believers. It grows into a cold heart and an insensitive attitude toward others who may have stumbled in their lives. This same brother did not truly understand the love of his father apart from works; for he felt he gained acceptance only by doing his job. Do you feel accepted by God, regardless of what you do? Have you wrongfully viewed your works as something you alone have achieved? These are the minefields of which each of us in business must be aware. God has gifted us to accomplish anything through His grace, not by our works.
Called to Influence Your World
Called to Influence Your World: Priests, Kings and Rulers
You are part of a royal priesthood that is empowered to take a stand for righteousness “in season and out of season.”
SALVATION IS MORE THAN A RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS. God has an expectation of you. He wants you to use His authority to make a difference with your life and make this world a better place. He wants you to be salt and light in a decadent society desperate for moral leadership (Matthew 5:13-16). He wants you to be a faithful servant actively advancing the Kingdom of God and "occupying until He comes" (Matthew 24:45-46). That's what the new apostolic reformation is helping people to do. All five ascension gifts "apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers" are working together to equip you, the born-again believer, to rule. Our Lord is building a governing Church occupied by a ruling people prepared to battle anti-Christ opposing forces.
DEALING WITH GOD-HATERS
The God-haters continue to spread their religion. It's a gospel that preaches a secular society rife with humanistic world-views. When Christians present Kingdom viewpoints and ideals in the competitive marketplace they are labeled intolerant, irrelevant and judgmental. The nightly news is filled with a hodgepodge of world-views (all except Christian ones, that is) for the audience's lifestyle consideration. The obvious hypocrisy against Christianity is not new. It is a continuing effort to silence humanism's staunchest rival: God's people of promise. Truth is under attack like never before, our biblical truth, not their secular humanistic truth. Yet, we take courage knowing that "greater is He that is in us than He that is in the world."
"So why the conflict?" you ask. Because God's Word is full of moral absolutes. These absolutes challenge the "if it feels good do it" crowd. Right and wrong and black and white have their roots in God's moral absolutes. When violated, there are outcomes. scri pture declares, for example, that you "reap what you sow." Moral absolutes are found in the Bible and not within the shifting opinions of self-centered human beings who change their values based on current circumstance, greed, or temporary public opinions.
TWO GREAT COMMISSIONS
As Christians we must take a stand for righteousness and be ready to share our faith "in season and out of season." We must never forget the warfare for godly virtues takes place on battlefields outside the local church. Fighting the good fight of faith requires an understanding of purpose. Our purpose is found in what I like to call the two Great Commissions. The first commission comes from Genesis 1:28. "And God blessed them, and God said to them, be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth and subdue it and have dominion." Dominion was the first assignment God gave humanity. Dominion in this verse is the Hebrew word rada translated "rule" 13 times in the Old Testament. This is also the first covenant of promise to God's representatives Adam and Eve. They were not only gardeners but rulers of a kingdom. The kingdom's jurisdiction was earth, their place of delegated authority.
How many times have you heard that Jesus is the King of kings and the Lord of lords? The word Lord in that scri pture comes from the Greek word kurios, meaning "supreme ruler." Jesus is the Ruler of rulers. We, the born-again believers, are the rulers and the citizens of His Kingdom. As He called Adam and Eve to rule, so He has called you to rule. The moment you were born again you qualified to enter His advanced rulership training course. The Apostle Peter called the participants of the training the "royal priesthood" of believers. They were the priests, kings and rulers (1 Peter 2:9).
The second commission lending purpose to the born-again believer is found in Matthew 28:10: "Go ye into all the world and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you." This verse isn't about making you a Sunday morning pulpit preacher on the "Gospel TV Network." No, this scri pture focuses your life's journey on advancing the purpose of Christ throughout the earth. This validates your call to minister in the public arena.
MORE THAN A PRIVATE RELATIONSHIP
Notice that neither of these two Great Commissions limited people to a private relationship with Jesus. What gospel is it that produces converts that boast a personal relationship with Jesus yet dismiss any involvement in affecting society around them? Christian author A. W. Tozer wrote about this: "Everything is made to center upon the initial act of "accepting" Christ (a term, incidentally, which is not found in the Bible) and we are not expected after that to crave any further revelation of God to our souls."
Tozer was on to something. Some have heralded a gospel focusing the Body of Christ on an internal-only relationship with Jesus while denying the two Great Commissions of dominion and worldwide discipleship. Yes, an intimate relationship with our Savior is chief. To ignore our mandate to be salt and light to the world, however, dishonors God, violates scri pture and is a tragic mistake that leaves the next generation to suffer the ravages of unbridled demonic principalities and powers. I say it's time for the Body of Christ to wake up from its self-centered slumber and engage society again with the Gospel of the Kingdom. It's time for another Great Awakening.
IMPACTING OUR WORLD
Jesus' words were specific about our efficacious purpose on this earth. Right before His arrest in the garden of Gethsemane He communed with the Father about His disciples. "I pray not that you should take them out of the world, but that you should keep them from the evil one. As you have sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world" (John 17:14-18).
As born-again believers we should take our new birth experience into the entire world and help others by discipling them in God's Word. Salvation encompasses far more than a personal relationship with Jesus. In fact, salvation has "fruits of repentance" and is visible through our obedience to the Word of God, good works and our love for one another (Matthew 5:16). God’s mandate to us is to do something with our personal relationship with Jesus by influencing the culture around us. These two commissions are as valid today as they ever were in history. Both deal with making the world a better place by establishing the Kingdom of God in ones delegated place of authority.
AUTHORITY TO INFLUENCE
The Lord has given you both spiritual and natural authority to influence and take dominion. In the New Testament the Apostle Paul speaks of the ability to rule in one's jurisdiction (2 Corinthians 10:13). He uses the Greek word metron to define places of jurisdiction, authority and influence. A metron is one's place of kingship or rulership. It’s your place to influence for Christ. Every follower of Christ has an assigned place of influence. This is the place where you fulfill the first Great Commission of dominion and the second Great Commission of discipling others. That place is where you live, work and play.
KINGDOM JURISDICTION
The word jurisdiction comes from two Latin root words, juris (law) and diction-em (sayings). A jurisdiction therefore is governed by law-sayings. These two words shed some valuable light on our authority as Christians to influence society. When you were born-again, for example, you left the jurisdiction (law-sayings) of the kingdom of darkness and entered the jurisdiction (law-sayings) of the Kingdom of Christ. Through the born-again experience you are no longer a slave to the beliefs of rulers and propagators of anti-Christ kingdoms such as humanist principles, Eastern religious philosophies or socialist theologies.
PUTTING THE KINGDOM FIRST
scri pture says Christians should "seek first (put first) the Kingdom of God and His righteousness" (Matthew 6:33). This scri pture is not referring to one's salvation alone. The Kingdom of God, including its citizens, is governed by the Word of God, His law-sayings. As believers continue to put first the Kingdom of God it will result in a visible expansion of influence, prosperity and, eventually, establishing the Gospel of Christ throughout the world.
Obeying the Word of God transcends having a private relationship with Jesus but equips you to take the Kingdom of God, Christ' governmental rule and law-sayings into all the kingdoms of this world. The result will be "the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he will reign forever and ever" (Revelation 11:15).
FAITHFUL SERVANTS OCCUPY
So what does all this mean to you? It means that God expects you to make a difference with your life by applying His Word to your life first, then introducing His Word to all the kingdoms of this world that you touch. Use your kingly authority to take dominion and disciple others. Anti-Christ rebels will never overrun the world thanks to believers like you. scri pture declares, "Submit yourself to God, resist the devil and he will flee." The world is desperately waiting your arrival. Christ expects you to be a faithful servant who victoriously occupies until He returns. You are a ruler under the jurisdiction of the Kingdom of God. You can make a difference with your life. Join the royal priesthood and change the world around you.
© by Jonas Clark
You are part of a royal priesthood that is empowered to take a stand for righteousness “in season and out of season.”
SALVATION IS MORE THAN A RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS. God has an expectation of you. He wants you to use His authority to make a difference with your life and make this world a better place. He wants you to be salt and light in a decadent society desperate for moral leadership (Matthew 5:13-16). He wants you to be a faithful servant actively advancing the Kingdom of God and "occupying until He comes" (Matthew 24:45-46). That's what the new apostolic reformation is helping people to do. All five ascension gifts "apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers" are working together to equip you, the born-again believer, to rule. Our Lord is building a governing Church occupied by a ruling people prepared to battle anti-Christ opposing forces.
DEALING WITH GOD-HATERS
The God-haters continue to spread their religion. It's a gospel that preaches a secular society rife with humanistic world-views. When Christians present Kingdom viewpoints and ideals in the competitive marketplace they are labeled intolerant, irrelevant and judgmental. The nightly news is filled with a hodgepodge of world-views (all except Christian ones, that is) for the audience's lifestyle consideration. The obvious hypocrisy against Christianity is not new. It is a continuing effort to silence humanism's staunchest rival: God's people of promise. Truth is under attack like never before, our biblical truth, not their secular humanistic truth. Yet, we take courage knowing that "greater is He that is in us than He that is in the world."
"So why the conflict?" you ask. Because God's Word is full of moral absolutes. These absolutes challenge the "if it feels good do it" crowd. Right and wrong and black and white have their roots in God's moral absolutes. When violated, there are outcomes. scri pture declares, for example, that you "reap what you sow." Moral absolutes are found in the Bible and not within the shifting opinions of self-centered human beings who change their values based on current circumstance, greed, or temporary public opinions.
TWO GREAT COMMISSIONS
As Christians we must take a stand for righteousness and be ready to share our faith "in season and out of season." We must never forget the warfare for godly virtues takes place on battlefields outside the local church. Fighting the good fight of faith requires an understanding of purpose. Our purpose is found in what I like to call the two Great Commissions. The first commission comes from Genesis 1:28. "And God blessed them, and God said to them, be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth and subdue it and have dominion." Dominion was the first assignment God gave humanity. Dominion in this verse is the Hebrew word rada translated "rule" 13 times in the Old Testament. This is also the first covenant of promise to God's representatives Adam and Eve. They were not only gardeners but rulers of a kingdom. The kingdom's jurisdiction was earth, their place of delegated authority.
How many times have you heard that Jesus is the King of kings and the Lord of lords? The word Lord in that scri pture comes from the Greek word kurios, meaning "supreme ruler." Jesus is the Ruler of rulers. We, the born-again believers, are the rulers and the citizens of His Kingdom. As He called Adam and Eve to rule, so He has called you to rule. The moment you were born again you qualified to enter His advanced rulership training course. The Apostle Peter called the participants of the training the "royal priesthood" of believers. They were the priests, kings and rulers (1 Peter 2:9).
The second commission lending purpose to the born-again believer is found in Matthew 28:10: "Go ye into all the world and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you." This verse isn't about making you a Sunday morning pulpit preacher on the "Gospel TV Network." No, this scri pture focuses your life's journey on advancing the purpose of Christ throughout the earth. This validates your call to minister in the public arena.
MORE THAN A PRIVATE RELATIONSHIP
Notice that neither of these two Great Commissions limited people to a private relationship with Jesus. What gospel is it that produces converts that boast a personal relationship with Jesus yet dismiss any involvement in affecting society around them? Christian author A. W. Tozer wrote about this: "Everything is made to center upon the initial act of "accepting" Christ (a term, incidentally, which is not found in the Bible) and we are not expected after that to crave any further revelation of God to our souls."
Tozer was on to something. Some have heralded a gospel focusing the Body of Christ on an internal-only relationship with Jesus while denying the two Great Commissions of dominion and worldwide discipleship. Yes, an intimate relationship with our Savior is chief. To ignore our mandate to be salt and light to the world, however, dishonors God, violates scri pture and is a tragic mistake that leaves the next generation to suffer the ravages of unbridled demonic principalities and powers. I say it's time for the Body of Christ to wake up from its self-centered slumber and engage society again with the Gospel of the Kingdom. It's time for another Great Awakening.
IMPACTING OUR WORLD
Jesus' words were specific about our efficacious purpose on this earth. Right before His arrest in the garden of Gethsemane He communed with the Father about His disciples. "I pray not that you should take them out of the world, but that you should keep them from the evil one. As you have sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world" (John 17:14-18).
As born-again believers we should take our new birth experience into the entire world and help others by discipling them in God's Word. Salvation encompasses far more than a personal relationship with Jesus. In fact, salvation has "fruits of repentance" and is visible through our obedience to the Word of God, good works and our love for one another (Matthew 5:16). God’s mandate to us is to do something with our personal relationship with Jesus by influencing the culture around us. These two commissions are as valid today as they ever were in history. Both deal with making the world a better place by establishing the Kingdom of God in ones delegated place of authority.
AUTHORITY TO INFLUENCE
The Lord has given you both spiritual and natural authority to influence and take dominion. In the New Testament the Apostle Paul speaks of the ability to rule in one's jurisdiction (2 Corinthians 10:13). He uses the Greek word metron to define places of jurisdiction, authority and influence. A metron is one's place of kingship or rulership. It’s your place to influence for Christ. Every follower of Christ has an assigned place of influence. This is the place where you fulfill the first Great Commission of dominion and the second Great Commission of discipling others. That place is where you live, work and play.
KINGDOM JURISDICTION
The word jurisdiction comes from two Latin root words, juris (law) and diction-em (sayings). A jurisdiction therefore is governed by law-sayings. These two words shed some valuable light on our authority as Christians to influence society. When you were born-again, for example, you left the jurisdiction (law-sayings) of the kingdom of darkness and entered the jurisdiction (law-sayings) of the Kingdom of Christ. Through the born-again experience you are no longer a slave to the beliefs of rulers and propagators of anti-Christ kingdoms such as humanist principles, Eastern religious philosophies or socialist theologies.
PUTTING THE KINGDOM FIRST
scri pture says Christians should "seek first (put first) the Kingdom of God and His righteousness" (Matthew 6:33). This scri pture is not referring to one's salvation alone. The Kingdom of God, including its citizens, is governed by the Word of God, His law-sayings. As believers continue to put first the Kingdom of God it will result in a visible expansion of influence, prosperity and, eventually, establishing the Gospel of Christ throughout the world.
Obeying the Word of God transcends having a private relationship with Jesus but equips you to take the Kingdom of God, Christ' governmental rule and law-sayings into all the kingdoms of this world. The result will be "the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he will reign forever and ever" (Revelation 11:15).
FAITHFUL SERVANTS OCCUPY
So what does all this mean to you? It means that God expects you to make a difference with your life by applying His Word to your life first, then introducing His Word to all the kingdoms of this world that you touch. Use your kingly authority to take dominion and disciple others. Anti-Christ rebels will never overrun the world thanks to believers like you. scri pture declares, "Submit yourself to God, resist the devil and he will flee." The world is desperately waiting your arrival. Christ expects you to be a faithful servant who victoriously occupies until He returns. You are a ruler under the jurisdiction of the Kingdom of God. You can make a difference with your life. Join the royal priesthood and change the world around you.
© by Jonas Clark
7/07/2008
THE KINGSHIP OF EVERY BELIEVER AND GOD'S GOVERNMENT
The Kingship of Every Believer and God's Government
Keep in mind that Jesus said He is building His church – not a ministry that is disconnected from the local church. If you help build what He is building – the local church – then the “increase of His government” will come on you, too.
Christians need to understand God's government - and their kingship - before we can see true reform in the Church.
Jesus is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. He is the King of Glory Who rules His Church. He is the King of the Universe with servants, ambassadors, armies, enemies, and, yes, a fully functional government.
The Prophet Isaiah declared that there would be no end to the increase of His government and peace. Jesus is predestined to reign on David’s throne over His Kingdom, establishing and upholding it with judgment and justice forever (Isaiah 9:7).
Most of us are familiar with Isaiah’s prophetic decree, but does the Body of Christ truly recognize that the seat of Jesus’ rule on earth is in the local church? Or has religion tainted our view of the local church by portraying it as merely a gathering place for believers to worship God and listen to a Sunday morning motivational sermon? In some sad cases the local church has been reduced to nothing more that a social club with a religious montage.
MANIFESTING THE KINGDOM OF GODThe restoration of apostles is shedding new light on the local church as not only a gathering place for believers to get equipped to do the work of the ministry but also as a governmental center in a spiritual jurisdiction assigned by God. Local church leaders and believers, then, must understand the government of God in order to be most effective in accomplishing its mandate to manifest the Kingdom of God.
Looking at the structure and function of natural governments can help us to better understand spiritual governments. While natural governments include senators, ambassadors and presidents, for example, spiritual governments include apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers, priests and kings (1 Corinthians 12:28). In both realms, governing is ruling by right of authority, administering policy, exercising power, and regulating, influencing, restraining and managing the affairs of men.
So if Jesus is the King of kings and Lord of lords, and He is, then just who are these kings that Jesus is King of? We, the believers, are those kings. Jesus has given us authority as priests and kings. We have a solid revelation of our priesthood – we can sing, worship, preach, pray and prophesy with the best of them; we can cast out demons and lay hands on the sick and watch them recover – but we have yet to fully comprehend what it means to be a royal (kingly) priesthood.
SPIRITUAL JURISDICTIONSGod sets churches in territories as governmental centers filled with believers who are called to invade, occupy, influence and manifest the dominion of the Kingdom of God on earth just as it is in heaven. As kings who have been planted and sent out from local churches we have been assigned places of spiritual jurisdictions (domains) in which to rule and reign and to establish heaven’s rule on earth.
How will we see His Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven? Demonstrating kingship through evangelism is the key to changing cities because when people are saved and baptized in the Holy Ghost the devil will lose his grip on the crime-riddled, drug infested neighborhoods he set out to destroy. As we reach out to the lost, we build the Church of Jesus Christ and establish His Kingdom in our territories.
BUILDING GRACE Jesus, our High Priest, King, Lord and Chief Apostle, has assured us that He is building His Church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it (Matthew 16:18). Take note that Jesus is not building His Church in heaven and no demon power is opposing His heavenly government. No, Jesus is building His Church and establishing His Kingdom here, and we – as priests and kings with an apostolic building grace – are called to help Him. You might say our Lord is the Lead Architect and we are the construction workers that follow His blueprint to build His Church.
The Author and Finisher of our faith is also a Warrior and He is using us as a battleaxe to overcome demonic enemies opposing His rule on earth. The battle against Jesus’ governing rulership is directed against every believer and the local church in particular. The gates of hell have shut down many a local church and caused many other once-on-fire believers to hang up their armor and head for the hills. The apostolic grace imparted to believers equips them to break through the spiritual resistance to building the Church and living a strong Christian life.
INVADING DARK KINGDOMSThe Apostle Paul equipped the believers at Ephesus with spiritual weapons to victoriously battle the forces raging against the government of God on earth. The wise masterbuilder said, “We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12). The Greek word for “principalities” is arche, meaning the habitation of demonic government. He then proceeded to equip them by imparting faith, truth, the Word of God, revelations of their righteousness in Christ, their salvation and the importance of invading the kingdoms of darkness by spreading the Gospel.
Paul's strong words in his epistle to the Ephesians capture the essence of the fight to stop the local church from equipping believers to rule and reign as priests and kings. It paints a vivid picture of the wiles of the enemy designed to hinder believers from governing spiritually and influencing naturally. The devil knows that the local church connects the spiritual realm with the natural realm. The evil one understands that the local church is more than the house of God; it is also the gate of heaven. Remember Jacob’s ladder? The Bible records Jacob’s powerful dream in which he saw the Lord atop a ladder that stretched from the earth below into the heavens above. Jacob saw angelic beings ascending and descending on that ladder delivering divine assignments directly to the servants of God. He called the footrest of that ladder the house of God, the gate of heaven (Genesis 28:10-17).
JACOB'S PROPHETIC DREAMAs Christ's ambassadors, we need to understand that Jacob’s prophetic dream portrays local churches today. The local church is a house of prayer, where revelation, strategies, instruction, direction, warning and the prophetic voice are released into the heart of God’s victorious believers. It is where the Holy Spirit governs through His Word, His voice and His people. It is the place for the perfecting of saints and the gathering of sent ones and companies, all called to take the Kingdom of God into the heart of their cities (Acts 13).
Paul also told the Ephesians that it is now God’s intent for His Church to make His manifold wisdom known to the rulers and authorities in those same high places (Ephesians 3:10). Making His wisdom known is accomplished through the act of exercising and demonstrating His righteous rule on earth.
AMBASSADORS OF CHRISTFinally, Paul taught the Corinthians that Jesus must rule through His Church by continuing to put down all opposing spiritual government, authority, and power, thus subduing all His enemies under His feet (1 Corinthians 15:24-28). Jesus gave His Church the right to exercise His majestic authority, challenge anything that opposes His Word, resist demon principalities and powers, decree a thing, announce, command, influence, and, yes, govern.
Jesus has entrusted His government to His Church. We must not lose sight of the truth that local churches are set in territories and have an awesome responsibility to invade and occupy with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Believers are ambassadors of God’s government – ambassadors are the highest-ranking representatives of a government or kingdom – and every believer is called to actively represent and demonstrate the rule of God on earth (2 Corinthians 5:20).
When you understand the governmental function of the local church, then you can find your place in it as a believer. Remember, “You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9). Keep in mind that Jesus said He is building His church – not a ministry that is disconnected from the local church. If you help build what He is building – the local church – then the “increase of His government” will come on you, too.
God bless you. Your partner,
© by Jonas Clark
Keep in mind that Jesus said He is building His church – not a ministry that is disconnected from the local church. If you help build what He is building – the local church – then the “increase of His government” will come on you, too.
Christians need to understand God's government - and their kingship - before we can see true reform in the Church.
Jesus is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. He is the King of Glory Who rules His Church. He is the King of the Universe with servants, ambassadors, armies, enemies, and, yes, a fully functional government.
The Prophet Isaiah declared that there would be no end to the increase of His government and peace. Jesus is predestined to reign on David’s throne over His Kingdom, establishing and upholding it with judgment and justice forever (Isaiah 9:7).
Most of us are familiar with Isaiah’s prophetic decree, but does the Body of Christ truly recognize that the seat of Jesus’ rule on earth is in the local church? Or has religion tainted our view of the local church by portraying it as merely a gathering place for believers to worship God and listen to a Sunday morning motivational sermon? In some sad cases the local church has been reduced to nothing more that a social club with a religious montage.
MANIFESTING THE KINGDOM OF GODThe restoration of apostles is shedding new light on the local church as not only a gathering place for believers to get equipped to do the work of the ministry but also as a governmental center in a spiritual jurisdiction assigned by God. Local church leaders and believers, then, must understand the government of God in order to be most effective in accomplishing its mandate to manifest the Kingdom of God.
Looking at the structure and function of natural governments can help us to better understand spiritual governments. While natural governments include senators, ambassadors and presidents, for example, spiritual governments include apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers, priests and kings (1 Corinthians 12:28). In both realms, governing is ruling by right of authority, administering policy, exercising power, and regulating, influencing, restraining and managing the affairs of men.
So if Jesus is the King of kings and Lord of lords, and He is, then just who are these kings that Jesus is King of? We, the believers, are those kings. Jesus has given us authority as priests and kings. We have a solid revelation of our priesthood – we can sing, worship, preach, pray and prophesy with the best of them; we can cast out demons and lay hands on the sick and watch them recover – but we have yet to fully comprehend what it means to be a royal (kingly) priesthood.
SPIRITUAL JURISDICTIONSGod sets churches in territories as governmental centers filled with believers who are called to invade, occupy, influence and manifest the dominion of the Kingdom of God on earth just as it is in heaven. As kings who have been planted and sent out from local churches we have been assigned places of spiritual jurisdictions (domains) in which to rule and reign and to establish heaven’s rule on earth.
How will we see His Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven? Demonstrating kingship through evangelism is the key to changing cities because when people are saved and baptized in the Holy Ghost the devil will lose his grip on the crime-riddled, drug infested neighborhoods he set out to destroy. As we reach out to the lost, we build the Church of Jesus Christ and establish His Kingdom in our territories.
BUILDING GRACE Jesus, our High Priest, King, Lord and Chief Apostle, has assured us that He is building His Church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it (Matthew 16:18). Take note that Jesus is not building His Church in heaven and no demon power is opposing His heavenly government. No, Jesus is building His Church and establishing His Kingdom here, and we – as priests and kings with an apostolic building grace – are called to help Him. You might say our Lord is the Lead Architect and we are the construction workers that follow His blueprint to build His Church.
The Author and Finisher of our faith is also a Warrior and He is using us as a battleaxe to overcome demonic enemies opposing His rule on earth. The battle against Jesus’ governing rulership is directed against every believer and the local church in particular. The gates of hell have shut down many a local church and caused many other once-on-fire believers to hang up their armor and head for the hills. The apostolic grace imparted to believers equips them to break through the spiritual resistance to building the Church and living a strong Christian life.
INVADING DARK KINGDOMSThe Apostle Paul equipped the believers at Ephesus with spiritual weapons to victoriously battle the forces raging against the government of God on earth. The wise masterbuilder said, “We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12). The Greek word for “principalities” is arche, meaning the habitation of demonic government. He then proceeded to equip them by imparting faith, truth, the Word of God, revelations of their righteousness in Christ, their salvation and the importance of invading the kingdoms of darkness by spreading the Gospel.
Paul's strong words in his epistle to the Ephesians capture the essence of the fight to stop the local church from equipping believers to rule and reign as priests and kings. It paints a vivid picture of the wiles of the enemy designed to hinder believers from governing spiritually and influencing naturally. The devil knows that the local church connects the spiritual realm with the natural realm. The evil one understands that the local church is more than the house of God; it is also the gate of heaven. Remember Jacob’s ladder? The Bible records Jacob’s powerful dream in which he saw the Lord atop a ladder that stretched from the earth below into the heavens above. Jacob saw angelic beings ascending and descending on that ladder delivering divine assignments directly to the servants of God. He called the footrest of that ladder the house of God, the gate of heaven (Genesis 28:10-17).
JACOB'S PROPHETIC DREAMAs Christ's ambassadors, we need to understand that Jacob’s prophetic dream portrays local churches today. The local church is a house of prayer, where revelation, strategies, instruction, direction, warning and the prophetic voice are released into the heart of God’s victorious believers. It is where the Holy Spirit governs through His Word, His voice and His people. It is the place for the perfecting of saints and the gathering of sent ones and companies, all called to take the Kingdom of God into the heart of their cities (Acts 13).
Paul also told the Ephesians that it is now God’s intent for His Church to make His manifold wisdom known to the rulers and authorities in those same high places (Ephesians 3:10). Making His wisdom known is accomplished through the act of exercising and demonstrating His righteous rule on earth.
AMBASSADORS OF CHRISTFinally, Paul taught the Corinthians that Jesus must rule through His Church by continuing to put down all opposing spiritual government, authority, and power, thus subduing all His enemies under His feet (1 Corinthians 15:24-28). Jesus gave His Church the right to exercise His majestic authority, challenge anything that opposes His Word, resist demon principalities and powers, decree a thing, announce, command, influence, and, yes, govern.
Jesus has entrusted His government to His Church. We must not lose sight of the truth that local churches are set in territories and have an awesome responsibility to invade and occupy with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Believers are ambassadors of God’s government – ambassadors are the highest-ranking representatives of a government or kingdom – and every believer is called to actively represent and demonstrate the rule of God on earth (2 Corinthians 5:20).
When you understand the governmental function of the local church, then you can find your place in it as a believer. Remember, “You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9). Keep in mind that Jesus said He is building His church – not a ministry that is disconnected from the local church. If you help build what He is building – the local church – then the “increase of His government” will come on you, too.
God bless you. Your partner,
© by Jonas Clark
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