Four Square Gospel - Minstry Training Course
Four Square Gospel - Minstry Training Course
Four Square Gospel - Minstry Training Course
EQUIPPED TO BE A
LEADER
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Rev. John Ballantyne BA., BTheol., Dip.Tchg.
INDEX OF CHAPTERS
Page Chapter Content
3 1. The
Calling
11 2. The Five
Functions
27 3. The
Preparatio
n
33 4. Leaders..
what is
one?
41 5. Mentoring
49 6. Biblical
Authority
Acknowledgements:
1. John and Sonya Decker.. Their foundational work in these
areas has provided both structure and many supportive
elements of content in this Course.
2. Mary Ballantyne..my wife.. God’s provision.. Her unwavering
support; and “going without me” during important portions of
time over the last four years have helped me to finish this
Course.
3. Foursquare Gospel Church of NZ.. for their unswerving vision
and support for training Christ’s leaders here and overseas.
MODULE 12: UNIT ONE
WHICH OF GOD’S ‘ CALLINGS’ APPLIES TO YOU?
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Introduction: When God calls you, you know it. There is no guessing. You just
know who is calling. Everyone is ‘called’, as a general calling, but some by His
design are called to specific ministries. When Believers move into specific
ministries they were not called into, they will not love that ministry, and will
become progressively disenchanted. These will end up being less effective than
those who have a general calling and serve with that!
UNDERGIRDING ALL THIS IS.. WE ARE ALL CALLED TO BE CHRIST’S
DISCIPLES .. WHO IN TURN HELP HIM MAKE MORE DISCIPLES.
1. GOD IS CALLING:
A. THE UNIVERSAL, OR GENERAL CALL OF GOD: God tells us in His
Word that He calls the entire human race to repent of their sin, believe
in His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, become reconciled to Father as a Son;
and then go on into Eternity enjoying the Covenant benefits of being a
full citizen in the Kingdom of God.
Romans 1:6-7: ‘And you also are among those who are called to belong to
Jesus Christ. To all in Rome who are loved by God, and called to be saints:
Grace and peace to you from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus
Christ.
Romans 8:28-30: And we know that is all things, God works for the good
of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. For
those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the likeness
of His Son, that Jesus might be the firstborn among many brothers. And
those He predestined, He also called; and those He called, He also
justified; those He justified, He also glorified.
Romans 9:26: “.. they will be called sons of the Living God”.
Ephesians 4:4: ‘There is one Body and one Spirit.. just as you were called
to one hope when you were called..’
WHAT IS THE ‘CALL OF GOD’ IN OUR BIBLE BASED ON?
It is based on the New Testament Greek which has thirteen different
‘called’.. These are based on the Greek verbs..’kaleo’ and ‘proskaleo’; the
noun ‘klesis’, and the adjective ‘kletos’. These all relate to both personal;
and individual kinds of callings.
THE DEFINITION OF THE GENERAL CALL OF GOD
An appointment by God Himself on each Saint to function as a
witness for Jesus Christ in the Army of God, the visible Body of
Christ; and to remain obedient to all His commands and teachings.
Our ‘call-up’ to be Commissioned into the Lord’s Army: The moment
we accept the invitation to be saved, we are commissioned as a soldier of
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Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit’s seal is on us, as having been drafted into
the army of God. All are to be called; exposed to The Gospel; and given
the choice of accepting or rejecting Christ and His Commission. This is
our Free Will in action.
For those who accept: We become born-again, by believing in Jesus
Christ, and answer the call to accept Him as Lord, Saviour and our Captain
of the Host in Heaven and on Earth. We are bound to Him with a Blood
Covenant through which everything He has is ours; and everything we
have is His. To break it is death. He never breaks it, but Believers in
their disobedient back-sliding foolishly and fatally do. They can only
expect God’s punishment and righteous judgement. ALL ARE CALLED
UNDER THESE TERMS!
2 Thessalonians 1:6-8 ‘God is just: He will pay back trouble to those
who trouble you 7 and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as
well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in
blazing fire with his powerful angels. 8 He will punish those who do not
know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.’
He doesn’t stop calling once we have responded to His first call: Our
life led by the Holy Spirit will become one which is in a position to receive
continuous ongoing callings, leadings and invitations to follow Him more
specifically and fulfil your pre-planned works to walk in them.
B. THE SPECIFIC VOCATIONAL CALLING:
Definition: An appointment directly from God to function in a specific
vocation in which ministry can be accomplished.
Everyone has an Assignment! He has already singled out each one of us
for specific duties and functions. Every Believer has an assignment..
Ephesians 2:10 ‘For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for
good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in
them.’
He has created you uniquely to achieve certain unique fruit. Most of
these are too difficult for you.. on purpose.. so that you will rely on the
Word and baptismal Power of the Holy Spirit… for He will always provide
the “unction for us to function”.. the gifts, Grace, Authority, Word and
Power to get it done.
i) You are already gifted:
God has already wonderfully made provision for every work He has
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planned for you.. and it takes “fearless-faith” to step out and do it.
1 Corinthians 1:5-7 ‘For in Him you have been enriched in every
way—in all your speaking and all your knowledge.. because our
testimony about Christ was confirmed in you. Therefore you do not
lack any spiritual gift, as you eagerly wait for the Lord Jesus Christ to
be revealed.
ii) Why God calls the way He does:
Some He calls to function in a full-time ministry vocation, but most He
has functioning out there in the market-place, to penetrate their
workplaces and neighbourhoods with the Gospel. God knows best where
you will be most effective. That’s His business. He just wants us to say
“Yes Lord”.
1 Corinthians 12:18-19 But in fact God has arranged the parts in the
Body.. every one of them.. just as He wanted them to be. If they were all
the same part, where would the Body be?’
iii) All Saints are “full-time”.
Being a Christian is a full-time business. Being called to be a nurse,
carpenter, mother, business-man, dairy worker, bus-driver, freezing
worker, farmer, labourer, office employee, teacher, etc. is very common.
If they obey, then they are considered by God to be as important being a
Pastor. One man said..”I’M A FULL-TIME MINISTER DISGUISED AS
A MEAT-WORKER”. The key thing is to obey the call of God, and do
whatever He tells you.
iv) Stay where you are:
God takes time to sort out with us where He is going to place us in
Christ’s Body. It’s Ok. Just focus on Loving Him, getting to know Him, and
being determined to do His will. It is incredibly exciting when we become
a Believer.. strong emotions.. and much to sort out. Don’t become a slave
to human institutions too quickly!
1 Corinthians 7:20 ‘Each man must remain in that condition in which he was
called. 21Were you called while a slave? Do not worry about it; but if you are
able also to become free, rather do that. 22For he who was called in the Lord
while a slave, is the Lord’s freedman; likewise he who was called while free, is
Christ’s love-slave. 23You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of
men. 24Brethren, each one is to remain with God in that situation to which God
has called him.. ‘
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v) The Highest Calling:
The highest calling is to function where God has called you. There are no
second-rate callings! If He has called you to be a garbiologist. Then do it with
all your might. To God that is the highest calling for you. He doesn’t make
mistakes. To help serve effectively where you are is as precious to God as Billy
Graham’s role. God’s value system protects against inequality. God doesn’t have
any more equal than others! All are equal in importance, therefore receive every
saint in an equally worthy manner… no respecter of persons…
vi) Monday Christians:
Believers don’t just function on Sundays.. they are Monday to Saturday as well.
We are all full-time witnesses in the market-place. The Holy Spirit has come
upon us all for this purpose. So fill your life with the things of God, so they will
spill out in the market-place.. otherwise you will spill out what the market-place
will spill out, and they won’t see Jesus.
Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And
you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere--in Jerusalem,
throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
vii) Never feel inferior of your calling if it isn’t in the 5-fold
Ministry Gifting.
Ephesians 4:1-4 Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a
life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. 2
Always be humble
and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults
because of your love. 3 Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the
Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. 4 For there is one body and one
Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future.
C. THE FIVE-FOLD “EQUIPPING” MINISTRY CALLINGS:
Definition: This is an appointment which comes directly from God to function in
a specific equipping ministry to prepare God’s people to perform the work of
ministry.
“He gave some..” In every local visible Body of Christ there are those who
must have the role of equipping the saints to do the work of ministry. Their role
is directly called by God.. and they are equal to every other type of calling. This
is Christ’s role for them in His Vine.. it has nothing to do with men,
denominations, church boards, apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors or
teachers. It is ALL GOD! God determines who fits where. He knows best. No
person can call anyone into an equipping ministry! God calls them through an
authentic move of the Holy Spirit upon them, and confirms it to their spouse;
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and to their mature, trusted, spiritual leaders.
Ephesians 4:11-13. So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the
evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service,
so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith
and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the
whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
1 Corinthians 12:28-29 Here are some of the parts God has appointed for
the church: first are apostles,
second are prophets,
third are teachers,
then those who do miracles,
those who have the gift of healing,
those who can help others,
those who have the gift of leadership,
those who speak in unknown languages. 29 Are we all apostles? Are we all
prophets? Are we all teachers? Do we all have the power to do miracles?
No-one is superior:
We are all subject to one another in the fear of the Lord. We all are to have
equal concern for each other. If anyone acts superior to another believer
because they have been called to function in an equipping ministry.. they need to
repent and return to humility.
1 Corinthians 12:25 There are no divisions in the Body..this makes for harmony
among the members, so that all the members care for each other.
Mark 10:42-43: So Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the
rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority
over those under them. 43 But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to
be a leader among you must be your servant,
How does He call? In a spontaneous fashion that He knows will get our
attention. E.g. I was called “totally out of the blue”..when teaching a School
Certificate Class.. and He told me to go and look up a verse in the Bible in my
teacher’s desk. It told me to go and prepare myself to work in His field.
Without my telling my wife, God spoke to her and gave her the same verse the
next day; and she brought it to me. If you are married.. you are both called as
one. God is abrupt, personal, authoritative and catches us off guard! His
instructions are totally clear, and not to be messed with.
Acts 9:3-6. 3
As he was approaching Damascus on this mission, a light from
heaven suddenly shone down around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a
voice saying to him, “Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?”
5
“Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.
And the voice replied, “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting! 6 Now get up
and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
Always compare it to the Word:
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Record in your diary, or on your computer what God says to you.. then research
the Bible to find similar words and phrases where God has spoken to people.
-Are they the same?
-Do the words fit into the context of that person’s life in the same way?
-Are the situations similar to your own?
-Does the Holy Spirit produce a witness to you as you read these passages?
Always seek Confirmation:
God will confirm His Word “in the mouth of two or three witnesses.. or as often
as you need it beyond these. You must be convinced, because the time will come
when tribulation and persecution will come against you; and you will give-up
unless you know you are called!
1 Peter 5:10-11: 10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal
glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you
and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power forever and
ever. Amen.
Finally you are sent..”The When” has come..
A time will pass before you go.. e.g. in our case it was four and a half years! One
and half more years Secondary Teaching, then another three years of
University.. and then against the circumstances He brought us to the place He
told us at the start He would send us to! He has to teach us patience.. and allow
the circumstances all to fit into the right timing and place! He now separates us
from our entanglements and sends us out. This is what He did to Paul and
Barnabas.
Acts 13:1-4 Among the prophets and teachers of the church at Antioch of
Syria were Barnabas, Simeon (called “the black man”, Lucius (from Cyrene),
Manaen (the childhood companion of King Herod Antipas), and Saul. 2 One day as
these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Dedicate
Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them.” 3 So after
more fasting and prayer, the men laid their hands on them and sent them on
their way. (Paul’s First Missionary Journey begins)4 So Barnabas and Saul were
sent out by the Holy Spirit. They went down to the seaport of Seleucia and then
sailed for the island of Cyprus.
When it’s time to go, you’ll know.
Harmony is the companion of the Holy Spirit. Peace is the comforting Presence
of knowing we are in the will of God. He takes care of the road-blocks of
finances, relocation, further education, and fear of the unknown. You have no
idea what He has laid up gloriously in store for you.. nor the tribulations you will
face.. but “Overcome Satan by the Blood of the Lamb and the Word of
your Testimony and love not your life even unto death”. (Revelations 12:11)
In the last forty years I have been offered a multi-million dollar farm to
leave my calling; untold millions to turn to Islam and teach it and leave my calling
in Christ.. and faced death for the Gospel directly on three occasions.. with God
intervening… along with other hazards from ‘friend’ and foe too numerous to
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count.
MODULE 12: UNIT 2
“THE FIVE FUNCTIONS”
1. INRODUCTION:
● This is a direct calling by God into a specific ministry..serious business.
Only God calls these men and women to function in the area of Apostle,
Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor or Teacher
● When God calls a person to this, it is an awesome, life-changing
experience
● Once called we are to function as God wills, not our own. He sets the
agenda, we fulfil it.
● Questions needing to be Biblically answered are:
i) What are the responsibilities?
ii) Who is in charge of whom?
iii) How are we to function?
2. LET’S SORT THE ”TITLE” ISSUE:
This involves three components: Position, Office and Title. 2000 years of
Church history, and our own human nature have created perceptions about
“power” and “position” which need to be restored back to The Word. E.g. The
word ‘apostle’ creates thoughts about high position, authority, nobility and
respect. Whereas the word ‘prophet’ may create thoughts of ‘paint-stripping’
thoughts directly from God, piercing right into your soul. The word
‘evangelist’ may produce a picture of a fiery open-air preacher demanding
sinners to repent. BUT.. are these true descriptions? Are these
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interpretations accurate?
JESUS APPROACH TO TITLES: “JUST SERVE ONE ANOTHER IN
LOVE!” If you grapple with titles.. this is your answer from Jesus…
Mark 10:42-45 So Jesus called them together and said, “You know that
the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their
authority over those under them. 43 But among you it will be different.
Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, 44 and
whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else.
45
For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to
give his life as a ransom for many.”
3.WHY HAVE ‘FIVE’ AREAS OF FUNCTIONS?
It’s the way God arranges Jesus’ Body.. everyone needs to know and
understand their function. New converts entering into the Kingdom of
God have little idea about what to do, what they need to know, and where
they get it from, and how they could and should serve. Therefore God
appoints mature Believers to equip and instruct them. Therefore the five
functions are to prepare and equip less mature Believers to do the work
of ministry.
Ephesians 4:11-13 Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church:
the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers.
12
Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up
the church, the body of Christ. 13 This will continue until we all come to
such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature
in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.
Therefore the five functions will equip the saints in their unique area
of expertise..They will spiritually reproduce after their own kind and
function.
CAN A PASTOR DO IT ALL? NO. Pastors hearts are for the care and
nurturing of the saints, so they experience the love of God as they serve and
help each other. This means that they “oversee” (as overseers) this process of
turning a group of Believers into those, who will Pastor and care for each other.
This function discourages them from travelling like Apostles and Evangelists
need to. AND if they are gifted in teaching or preaching they can function in
areas of teaching and evangelism without travelling. They must comfort, nurture
and disciple their congregation to know how to also ‘shepherd’.
1 Peter 4:10-11 God has given each of you a gift from his great
variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. 11 Do
you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself
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were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others?
Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then
everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All
glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.
Let each function where they are called.. let’s avoid the grave historical
mistake which suggests that one person can do everything. All parts of
Christ’s Body are to work in harmony.
1 Corinthians 12:18-20; 24-27. But our bodies have many parts, and
God has put each part just where he wants it. 19 How strange a body would
be if it had only one part! 20 Yes, there are many parts, but only one body.
(24)..while the more honourable parts do not require this special care. So God
has put the body together such that extra honour and care are given to those
parts that have less dignity. 25 This makes for harmony among the members, so
that all the members care for each other. 26 If one part suffers, all the parts
suffer with it, and if one part is honoured, all the parts are glad.
27
All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.
4.CHRIST STARTED HIS CHURCH WITH: ‘THE APOSTLES’.
Christ started His Church with those who as disciples had been eye-witnesses.
He equipped them.. and they then, after being Baptised in the Holy Spirit..
had the job of mentoring others in a church which totalled 5,000 in a few
weeks. Half of the 120 were women.. which meant that each had about 80 to
baptise, and teach.
Acts 1:14-15 They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the
women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.15 In those
days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a
hundred and twenty)
Acts 4:4 But many who heard the message believed, and the number of
men grew to about 5,000.
Conclusion: Each generation needs training and expertise from experienced
ministers of the previous generation. 1 Corinthians 12:27-31 7 All of you
together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it. 28 Here are some of
the parts God has appointed for the church: first are apostles,
second are prophets,
third are teachers,
then those who do miracles,
those who have the gift of healing,
those who can help others,
those who have the gift of leadership,
those who speak in unknown languages. 29 Are we all apostles? Are we all
prophets? Are we all teachers? Do we all have the power to do miracles? 30 Do
we all have the gift of healing? Do we all have the ability to speak in unknown
languages? Do we all have the ability to interpret unknown languages? Of course
not! 31 So you should earnestly desire the most helpful gifts. But now let me
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show you a way of life that is the most excellent way of all.
All Five-Functions are submitted: Every ministry needs to be submitted in
their life and ministry to spiritual advisors. No-one in ministry is an island.
These advisors are there to bring legitimate council and correction to their
ministry and personal behaviour. These advisors are normally those who have
approved their legitimacy with credentialing.. so if there is a serious dispute
then an external body has the ability to see into the situation; and if those
credentialed are responsible to remove them; or assist them; or both.
Ephesians 5:21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
A.FUNCTIONING AS AN APOSTLE:
An Apostle is to function as a mature believer who has received a personal call
from God to go and establish new churches and ministries; and oversee their
development. They are sent out by God alone. The word “apostle” means ‘sent
one’..an ambassador sent out by the Lord Jesus Christ.
Acts 13:2-4 One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the
Holy Spirit said, “Dedicate Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I
have called them.” 3 So after more fasting and prayer, the men laid their hands
on them and sent them on their way. So Barnabas and Saul were sent out by the
Holy Spirit. They went down to the seaport of Seleucia and then sailed for the
island of Cyprus.
i.APOSTLES APPOINT LEADERS AND ELDERS: Apostles are often invited
by existing churches, world-wide, to oversee them as well. The Biblical pattern
for any denomination or movement is to have them overseen by an Apostle; and
if the Church today got back to this we would see fewer problems than we do.
Present problems are often the result a non-Apostolic gifting trying to act as an
Apostle. The Apostles should be able to mentor and train the Pastors and
Leaders to equip them for the expansion of the church. Where this pattern isn’t
being followed then expansion rarely occurs. It is the Apostles who should be
appointing Pastors and leaders and elders.
Acts 14:23. Paul and Barnabas also appointed elders in every church. With
prayer and fasting, they turned the elders over to the care of the Lord, in
whom they had put their trust.
Titus 1:4-5 I am writing to Titus, my true son in the faith that we share. May
God the Father and Christ Jesus our Saviour give you grace and peace. 5 I left
you on the island of Crete so you could complete our work there and appoint
elders in each town as I instructed you.
ii.APOSTLES SETTLE DISPUTES: Apostles function in a geographic area to
keep the Body of Christ in harmony. They are the arbitrators in spiritual
disputes between pastors, leaders and elders. In some areas they may oversee a
number of churches and aid in settling all kinds of altercations and
misunderstandings.
Acts 15:2-4 Paul and Barnabas disagreed with them, arguing vehemently.
Finally, the church decided to send Paul and Barnabas to Jerusalem,
accompanied by some local believers, to talk to the apostles and elders about
this question. 3 The church sent the delegates to Jerusalem, and they stopped
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along the way in Phoenicia and Samaria to visit the believers. They told
them—much to everyone’s joy—that the Gentiles, too, were being
converted.4 When they arrived in Jerusalem, Barnabas and Paul were welcomed
by the whole church, including the apostles and elders. They reported
everything God had done through them.
iii.APOSTLES SUSTAIN PUBLIC RIDICULE: The Apostle will generally be
visible and active among the religious community. They will most always come
under spiritual attack, and be subject to harsh treatment from a range of
factions. For this reason they normally endure a lot of persecution.
1 Corinthians 4:9-12 Instead, I sometimes think God has put us apostles on
display, like prisoners of war at the end of a victor’s parade, condemned to die.
We have become a spectacle to the entire world—to people and angels alike.
10
Our dedication to Christ makes us look like fools, but you claim to be so wise in
Christ! We are weak, but you are so powerful! You are honoured, but we are
ridiculed. 11 Even now we go hungry and thirsty, and we don’t have enough clothes
to keep warm. We are often beaten and have no home. 12 We work wearily with
our own hands to earn our living. We bless those who curse us. We are patient
with those who abuse us.
iv.APOSTLES SELDOM WORK ALONE: When examining the New Testament, we
find the Apostles normally functioned with a team of ministers. Why? First,
they can accomplish more ministry with a Team. Second.. they follow the
pattern that Jesus set by always mentoring someone and equipping them for
future ministry. This example is exemplified by Paul with Titus:
2 Corinthians 8:23-24 If anyone asks about Titus, say that he is my partner
who works with me to help you. And the brothers with him have been sent by
the churches, and they bring honour to Christ. 24 So show them your love, and
prove to all the churches that our boasting about you is justified.
v.APOSTLES OPERATE IN THE SUPERNATURAL: It is not unusual for the
Apostle to witness signs, wonders and miracles during their regular course of
equipping Believers for the ministry. They are involved in training, and in
evangelistic endeavours which cause a direct clash of the Kingdom of Light with
the kingdom of darkness. They proclaim the Gospel in areas of the world where
spiritual activity is very active and open. As they train others in the various
functions of being an apostle, supernatural manifestations will be commonplace.
This is what distinguishes an apostle from some of the other functions in the
church.
2 Corinthians 12:12 When I was with you, I certainly gave you proof that I am
an apostle. For I patiently did many signs and wonders and miracles among you.
vi.APOSTLES DEMONSTRATE HUMILITY: Years of productive ministry will
mean that they will not boast in their own efforts, but they will carefully give all
the Glory to Jesus for what He has accomplished through them. They carry the
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attitude of a servant.. not a ruler.
1 Thessalonians 2:6-8 6 As for human praise, we have never sought it from you
or anyone else.7 As apostles of Christ we certainly had a right to make some
demands of you, but instead we were like children among you. Or we were like a
mother feeding and caring for her own children. 8 We loved you so much that we
shared with you not only God’s Good News but our own lives, too.
vii.APOSTLES FUNCTION IN THE FULL AUTHORITY OF CHRIST: When
issues of discipline need to be enforced, Apostles step in with full authority to
settle the matter. They will use whatever communication is available and
necessary with pastors, elders and leaders to assert the final decision in any
matters which they cannot settle. This authority is given them by the Lord; and
authenticated by senior advisors in the churches, and leaders in the movement
to whom they have submitted their ministry.
2 Corinthians 10:8-11 I may seem to be boasting too much about the authority
given to us by the Lord. But our authority builds you up; it doesn’t tear you
down. So I will not be ashamed of using my authority.9 I’m not trying to frighten
you by my letters. 10 For some say, “Paul’s letters are demanding and forceful,
but in person he is weak, and his speeches are worthless!” 11 Those people should
realize that our actions when we arrive in person will be as forceful as what we
say in our letters from far away.
viii.APOSTLES LAY FOUNDATIONS: They plant more churches for the
Lord who has placed the wisdom of the wise master-builder in their hearts, and
they will produce lasting ministries and churches for others to build on.
1 Corinthians 3:9-11. For we are both God’s workers. And you are God’s field.
You are God’s building.10 Because of God’s grace to me, I have laid the foundation
like an expert builder. Now others are building on it. But whoever is building on
this foundation must be very careful. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other
than the one we already have—Jesus Christ.
ix.APOSTLES FUNCTION AS FATHERS TO MINISTRIES: Once
established, the many ministries, and churches look to their founder as a father
to the ministry. They will be well respected by those who see them establishing
lasting ministries. Apostles will teach those in their care the Love of Christ.
They will nurture them, and exhort them to be strong in the Lord, and in the
power of His might.
1 Corinthians 4:14-17 I am not writing these things to shame you, but to warn
you as my beloved children. 15 For even if you had ten thousand others to teach
you about Christ, you have only one spiritual father. For I became your father in
Christ Jesus when I preached the Good News to you. 16 So I urge you to imitate
me. 17 That’s why I have sent Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord.
He will remind you of how I follow Christ Jesus, just as I teach in all the
churches wherever I go.
Apostles may function in all the Five-Fold Ministry Gifts as new works are being
established.
B. FUNCTIONING AS A PROPHET: Increasingly, there is a recognition of
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true Prophets within a church setting. Many people hear from God, and true
prophets can discern the spirit behind the prophecy. They will be able to
confirm true prophecy… and while not necessarily adding to what is said, may
state it more clearly. They also hear from God about God’s will for a Church and
it’s Believers. At a different level they will hear from God about His purposes in
a place; and His purposes in a season.
i. PERCEIVED AS PECULIAR PEOPLE: Christians per se are spoken of as being
‘a peculiar people’.. well prophets are perceived of as particularly peculiar. They
are often treated with scepticism, suspicion and dismissed. When they function
as a spokesman for God, their words will either be rejected as being
presumptuous; or accepted with a sense of awe. God, however gives them a
strong sense of conviction; and a definite sense of purpose, so they can endure
the ridicule and harsh treatment of their religious community.
Titus 2:13-15: while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when
the glory of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. 14 He gave
his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and purify for Himself
His own special people, zealous for good works.15 Speak these things,
exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.
ii.PROPHETS ALLOW THEIR WORDS TO BE JUDGED: Prophets within the
local church, who are not the Apostle or Pastors; will have their prophetic
ministry accepted by their peers only after careful examination of their
reputation, accuracy and willingness to be judged for the words they deliver..
this is for the protection of the church. A prophet who is accepted should be
submitted to the founding Apostle. A prophets confidence is in the Holy Spirit;
and they recognise; as with the gift of tongues that there will be a separate
confirmation within the church of the words they are bringing.. and that God
will vindicate what they are bringing. Prophets have both a strong faith in God;
and a strong sense of hearing from God.
1 Corinthians 14:29: Two or three prophets should speak, and others should
weigh carefully what is said.
iii. PROPHETS WILL NOT EXCEED WHAT IS WRITTEN: What they say
must be in accord with the Word; and often they will include the appropriate
Words from Scripture. The Holy Spirit will move upon the prophet, and will
often bring words which confirm God’s purposes in a believer’s life. Prophets
learn to flow with the Holy Spirit and speak as He spontaneously gives them the
ability.. and at all times, the things they speak are subject to their own mind.
2 Peter 1:20-21: Above all, you must realize that no prophecy in Scripture
ever came from the prophet’s own understanding, 21 or from human initiative. No,
those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God.
iv.WHO IS A TRUE PROPHET: While some try unsuccessfully to be prophets,
those who are will find that the test of what they say is in the outcome.
Speaking on behalf of God doesn’t bring confusion and disorder. Their
prophecies will stand the test of time. Old Testament false prophets were put
to death for being presumptuous.
Deuteronomy 18:20-22: But any prophet who falsely claims to speak in My
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name or who speaks in the name of another god must die.’21 “But you may wonder,
‘How will we know whether or not a prophecy is from the LORD?’ 22 If the prophet
speaks in the LORD’s name but his prediction does not happen or come true, you
will know that the LORD did not give that message. That prophet has spoken
without My authority and need not be feared.
v.PROPHETS CONFIRM THE WILL OF GOD: Prophets may often work with
Apostles. They both ‘forth-tell’ the declaration of God’s present day Truth from
His Word; or they may ‘fore-tell’ or declare that which may take place in the
future. In all cases, they will confirm the will of God for a Believer’s life. (see
Agabus).. Acts 11:27-30 predicts a great drought; and……
Acts 21:10-13: Several days later a man named Agabus, who also had the gift
of prophecy, arrived from Judea. 11 He came over, took Paul’s belt, and bound his
own feet and hands with it. Then he said, “The Holy Spirit declares, ‘So shall the
owner of this belt be bound by the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem and turned over
to the Gentiles.’” 12 When we heard this, we and the local believers all begged
Paul not to go on to Jerusalem.13 But he said, “Why all this weeping? You are
breaking my heart! I am ready not only to be jailed at Jerusalem but even to die
for the sake of the Lord Jesus.”
vi.PROPHETS EQUIP PROPHETS: Those who wish to develop in this gifting,
should place themselves under a recognised prophet as a Timothy unto a Paul.
This is th best way for them to learn revelational gifts, protocols, grace and the
refinements of timing and delivery. Elisha was mentored by Elijah.
Acts 13:1 Among the prophets and teachers of the church at Antioch of Syria
were Barnabas, Simeon (called “the black man”), Lucius (from Cyrene), Manaen
(the childhood companion of King Herod Antipas), and Saul.
1Kings 19:19-20: So Elijah went and found Elisha son of Shaphat plowing a
field. There were twelve teams of oxen in the field, and Elisha was plowing with
the twelfth team. Elijah went over to him and threw his cloak across his
shoulders and then walked away. 20 Elisha left the oxen standing there, ran after
Elijah, and said to him, “First let me go and kiss my father and mother good-bye,
and then I will go with you!”Elijah replied, “Go on back, but think about what I
have done to you.”
2 Kings 2:9-11: When they came to the other side, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell
me what I can do for you before I am taken away.”And Elisha replied, “Please let
me inherit a double share of your spirit and become your successor.”10 “You have
asked a difficult thing,” Elijah replied. “If you see me when I am taken from
you, then you will get your request. But if not, then you won’t.”11 As they were
walking along and talking, suddenly a chariot of fire appeared, drawn by horses
of fire. It drove between the two men, separating them, and Elijah was carried
by a whirlwind into heaven.
C. FUNCTIONING AS AN EVANGELIST:
Evangelists function in equipping Believers in winning the lost. Christ
commissions them to go wherever He leads them. Those called should study
under a seasoned evangelist and accompany them on missions, crusades and
outreaches. Holy Spirit will confirm the Word proclaimed with signs, wonders
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and miracles. The word in the Greek..’euangelion’.. means “messenger of Good
news”.
i.EVANGELISTS ARE RARELY STILL.. With anyone, anywhere, anytime they
are always ready to proclaim there one message..”Do you know Jesus Christ as
your Lord and Saviour?” As ‘fishermen’ they will belong to a local church; and
they are always planning creative ways of how to help a person take the next
step of getting saved at home; or getting them to the Church service..to get
saved; or both.
ii.MIRACLES FOLLOW THE EVANGELIST: Because the evangelist like a
surfer ‘hanging ten’ is always hanging over the brink of the Kingdom of Darkness
as Light.. there is provided an atmosphere for the Holy Spirit to demonstrate
the observable presence of God. This focuses the unsaved on hearing the
message. Evangelists walk expecting the supernatural miraculous… and signs and
wonders will follow the Good News being fully proclaimed.
Acts 8:4-8. But the believers who were scattered preached the Good News
about Jesus wherever they went. 5 Philip, for example, went to the city of
Samaria and told the people there about the Messiah. 6 Crowds listened intently
to Philip because they were eager to hear his message and see the miraculous
signs he did. 7 Many evil spirits were cast out, screaming as they left their
victims. And many who had been paralyzed or lame were healed. 8 So there was
great joy in that city.
iii.EVANGELISTS GO WHERE THE HOLY SPIRIT LEADS: When they are
going into a Crusade situation.. they will need a team of helpers to help minister
to the many things that God will do. They may quickly lay hands on helpers to
receive gifts in the areas of healing, deliverance, Baptising in the Holy Spirit
etc. The Holy Spirit will give them advance notice of what they will need to do.
Acts 8:26-31, 35 As for Philip, an angel of the Lord said to him, “Go south[a]
down the desert road that runs from Jerusalem to Gaza.” 27 So he started out,
and he met the treasurer of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under the
Kandake, the queen of Ethiopia. The eunuch had gone to Jerusalem to worship,
28
and he was now returning. Seated in his carriage, he was reading aloud from
the book of the prophet Isaiah.29 The Holy Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and
walk along beside the carriage.”30 Philip ran over and heard the man reading from
the prophet Isaiah. Philip asked, “Do you understand what you are
reading?”31 The man replied, “How can I, unless someone instructs me?” And he
urged Philip to come up into the carriage and sit with him.
So beginning with this same Scripture, Philip told him the Good News about
35
Jesus.
iv.EVANGELISTS CO-OPERATE WITH APOSTLES: as do all the other
five-fold functions: for all must work in harmony to achieve our Lords “Master
Plan”.
Apostles may operate as evangelists.. but where there is an evangelist they are
to be encouraged to harvest converts to plant a new church. The pastor is
assisted by the Apostle in wisdom and strategy on how to build and shepherd a
thriving church. The apostle relies on the prophet to bring corrective or is
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teacher works with the Apostle to insure proper doctrine is taught for healthy
growth and discipleship.
Ephesians 4:11-13 Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the
apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. 12 Their
responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church,
the body of Christ. 13 This will continue until we all come to such unity in our
faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring
up to the full and complete standard of Christ.
D. FUNCTIONING AS A TEACHER: The equipping ministry of the teacher is
mainly focused on teaching those willing to learn the deeper life of being a
well-balanced Christian. Those becoming teachers will have begun their journey
by gaining teaching experience in the secular world and in the local church. They
may start teaching children’s church or youth.. and after this they gain a strong
theological education, and after this the Holy Spirit will lead them into
mentoring relationships with some who will become teachers. Believers called to
teach adults need confirmation from the pastor or leading elders of the local
church.. and as they move into the equipping role, they should obtain
confirmation from the Apostle. The Apostle will exhibit this gifting. Their gifts
and calling will make a way for them.. and the Holy Spirit will open doors
anywhere for them to equip the saints.
i. TEACHERS ARE APPOINTED BY GOD: Mature teachers always work in
with the Apostle and pastors to bring the right sound doctrine as “God’s hot
bread .” Holy Spirit directs to assist in the discipleship process of the body of
believers requesting it. Because they are appointed by God, and confirmed by
the Apostle, they await the various opportunities to arise as Holy Spirit directs.
They start in the local church and eventually move out assisting in the
discipleship process of other churches and ministries.
1 Corinthians 12:28: And in the church God has appointed first of all Apostles,
second Prophets, and third teachers.
ii.TEACHERS FOLLOW THE GREATEST TEACHER: The greatest teacher is
Jesus. Those called into this ministry need to follow Him in every way. There
are many examples in Scripture of how a teacher should teach by looking at the
life of Jesus. He taught by example and gave many illustrations by the use of
stories and parables. This style of teaching is very effective today.
John 13:13-15 You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because
that’s what I am. 14 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet,
you ought to wash each other’s feet. 15 I have given you an example to follow. Do
as I have done to you.
iii.TEACHERS RELY ON THE ANOINTING: Those sitting under the equipping
ministry of a teacher notice a definite anointing from the Holy Spirit. The Holy
Spirit anoints their words so as to hold the focus and attention of the hearers.
The teacher will always pray for the abiding anointing of The Holy to be on them
wherever they are invited to teach. They rely more on the Holy Spirit than on
their own abilities or learning.
1 John 2:20,27. But you are not like that, for the Holy One has given you his
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Spirit, and all of you know the truth. But you have received the Holy Spirit, and
he lives within you, so you don’t need anyone to teach you what is true. For the
Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what he teaches is true—it
is not a lie. So just as he has taught you, remain in fellowship with Christ.
iv.TEACHERS MULTIPLY THEMSELVES: The teacher knows that they must
equip teachers for the generation to follow.. for each generation must carry on
2 Timothy 2:2 You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by
many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people
Galatians 6:6 Those who are taught the word of God should provide for their
teachers, sharing all good things with them
v.TEACHERS REMAIN TEACHABLE: they wait for deeper Truths.. no matter
how mature or distinguished..no-one has all the Truth.. only Jesus.
Romans 2:21. You then who teach others, do you not teach yourself?
2 Timothy 2:15. Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his
approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who
correctly explains the word of truth.
vi.TEACHERS WILL BE JUDGED BY THEIR WORDS. They are careful to
remain immersed in the Scriptures; and are not open to the constantly changing
winds of doctrine. They will seek out the root meanings of words so as to get
the original meaning, and will always sustain context of the passage. They remain
aware that they will be judged more strictly by the Lord. This is why they
naturally seek a well balanced theological education which makes room both for
the supernatural and accepted Christian orthodoxy.
James 3:1 Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers
in the church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly.
1 Timothy 6:3-5, 11-12 3 Some people may contradict our teaching, but these
are the wholesome teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. These teachings promote
a godly life. 4 Anyone who teaches something different is arrogant and lacks
understanding. Such a person has an unhealthy desire to quibble over the
meaning of words. This stirs up arguments ending in jealousy, division, slander,
and evil suspicions. 5 These people always cause trouble. Their minds are corrupt,
and they have turned their backs on the truth. To them, a show of godliness is
just a way to become wealthy.
But you, Timothy, are a man of God; so run from all these evil things. Pursue
righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and
gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal
life to which God has called you, which you have declared so well before many
witnesses.
E.FUNCTIONING AS A PASTOR: Equipping shepherds are called by God to
guide, tend, care, and oversee an assembly of Believers so they can learn to love
God and each other, and serve one another. The shepherd will demonstrate
relational skills beyond the normal. They enjoy being merciful, caring and
protective to those in their care. They demonstrate love, patience and kindness
to the members of their congregation, not because they have to, but because
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they want to. There is a definite anointing of genuine love and sensitivity that
only comes from a deep personal relationship with Jesus Christ. They will not be
perfect and will be the first to admit any shortcomings. Thus they equip and
teach the saints by personal example,
i.PASTORS ARE OVERSEERS: They function as bishops or ‘overseers’ to the
flock to which God has appointed them. This appointment will be confirmed by
the Apostle and leading elders. The Apostle may raise up a Pastor from another
growing church under his care, but that appointment still comes primarily from
God. The Lord knows his own, and what kind of care they need, and how
vulnerable they may be. The Lord selects the right Pastor who will care for
those in special need of care and protection. He appoints the overseer He
wants.
Acts 20:28. “So guard yourselves and God’s people. Feed and shepherd God’s
flock—his church, purchased with his own blood, over which the Holy Spirit has
appointed you as elders.”
ii.PASTORS FOLLOW THE GREAT SHEPHERD: The greatest example of all
Pastors is Jesus. All equipping Pastors will follow His example and lay down their
life for the flock. This separates the genuine from the rest.. when the going
gets tough and rough, a true Pastor will sacrifice himself for the flock, and
endure the multitude of discouragements and hardships that come with
Pastoring.
John 10:11-15 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life
for the sheep. 12 A hired hand will run when he sees a wolf coming. He will
abandon the sheep because they don’t belong to him and he isn’t their shepherd.
And so the wolf attacks them and scatters the flock. 13 The hired hand runs
away because he’s working only for the money and doesn’t really care about the
sheep.14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me,
15
just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for
the sheep.
iii.PASTORS WILL RELY ON THE OTHER FUNCTIONS: Because there will
arise needs for other function ministries at different times, outside of their
own capability.. if these are not found in their own local setting, they will invite
other recognised ministries to participate with them. Involving other functions
builds up the picture for the flock of a global perspective.
iv.FINANCIAL SUPPORT: As a congregation grows large enough, additional
financial support for newly equipped functionaries to focus more time on their
calling..will be possible. The Apostle will have a heart for this… and will seek to
administrate these developments, as the Holy Spirit leads.
1 Corinthians 12:28-29 And God has appointed these in the church: first
apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of
healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all
prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles?
v.PASTORS GUARD AGAINST TROUBLE-MAKERS: Shepherding involves
separating the sheep from the goats and keeping the wolf out of the sheep-pen.
All congregations are susceptible to trouble-makers who have not yet
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surrendered to the Lordship of Christ; and are living unrepentant lives. The
equipping Pastor will be quick to confront these ones and preach about the need
to repent and surrender to Jesus. If they do not respond then, the Pastor will
expose these and show them the door. The Apostle Paul forewarned us about
this:
Acts 20:29-31 For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will
come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also from among yourselves
men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples
after themselves. 31 Therefore watch, and remember that for three years
I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.
vi.PASTORS ENFORCE DISCIPLINE: Pastors will seek to preach the full
counsel of the Bible. They are under the orders of the Holy Spirit to equip their
congregation by correcting, rebuking and encouraging their people to grasp
grace, repent of sin, and stay in the centre of the balanced Gospel. The Pastor
will enforce discipline on those who will not put up with sound doctrine, but want
to follow their own agenda. Pastors are quick to guard their congregation against
those who wish to preach another Gospel.
2 Timothy 4:2-4 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season.
Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3 For the
time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to
their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for
themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth,
and be turned aside to fables.
vii.PASTORS LEAD LEADERS: As equippers they will train up the next layer of
leaders to take responsibility on the church. They carefully watching for
emerging signs of character, potential for gifting; and calling. The Pastor will
mentor these over a period of years; and the crowning glory of all those years
of hard work, will be when finally the pastor can commission them to the role
the Holy Spirit has called them into. Pastors will plant neighbouring churches,
and either go and Pastor it themselves or appoint one whom the Holy Spirit has
appointed. The Apostle will be involved in confirming all this.
viii.THE EQUIPPING CYCLE IS COMPLETE: Every believer begins in the local
church. God calls specific believers to ministries in that church. God appoints
equipping ministries who started in the local church. Everything starts from the
local church. Therefore God gives the shepherd the awesome responsibility of
discerning these emerging ministries and equipping them with opportunity, gifts
and callings. The pastor points them in the right direction, so that they also
become equipping ministries… and so the cycle of the five functions is complete.
WHERE AM I TO FUNCTION?
1. Do I feel called to a function that involves equipping others?
2. Which of the five functions has the most appeal to me?
3. Can you think of any mature Christian who may qualify for one or
more of the five functions?
4. How many of the five functions does your church recognise?
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THE PREPARATION
UNIT THREE
1.WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO PREPARE YOURSELF FOR ANSWERING
THE CALL?
1. Does your Church have Bible Teaching.. either in continuous annual study or
through several annual multiple-week seminars?
2.Does your Church have leadership training?
3.Does your Church have Pastor and Five-fold ministry Gifting training?
Matthew 25:21-29 …” for everyone who has will be given more, and he will have
an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.”
2.YOU WILL NEED:
1. To be exposed to seminary or your own Movements Ministry training program.
2.You will need to know how to go to the School of the Holy Spirit to gain
preparation and learning experiences.
3.YOU WILL NEED TO MASTER THESE BASIC BELIEFS, and
DOCTRINES AND BE ABLE TO COMMUNICATE THESE ANYWHERE TO
ANYONE ANYTIME..OTHERWISE YOU ARE NOT EQUIPPED TO BE AN
EFFECTIVE WITNESS FOR JESUS CHRIST.
1 Peter 3:15-16..But in your hearts set Christ apart as Lord. Always be
prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give a reason for
the Hope you have. But always do this with gentleness and respect,
keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against
your good behaviour in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. BASIC
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BELIEFS:
1. What the Good News is.
2. How Christ has called me to be His Disciple.. and how will I find out my
calling.
3. How to lead a person to Christ.
4. The covenant benefits of being in Christ Jesus.
5. Reading the Bible for all it’s worth
6. Rightly Dividing the Word of God
7. The Ark of the Covenant as a “shadow” of Christ
8. The Covenants..Abraham, Moses, Noah’s and Christ’s.. and their
application, or non-application to us.
9. .God’s Grace, and how it applies, and how not to abuse it.
10. Assurance of Salvation;
11. Communion, water Baptism,
12. Resurrection from the dead;
13. The Second Coming of Christ;
14. Baptism in the Holy Spirit,
15. Journaling
16. Tithing.. God’s Supernatural provision
17. Spiritual warfare,
18. Being an active part of The Visible Body of Christ in your own fellowship;
19. Making disciples;
20.Personally reaching the lost.
21. Justification
22.Redemption
23.Propitiation
24.Signs of the true and false Church
25.Forgiveness
26.Temptation
27.Your Church’s Mission
28.Unity in the Body (John 17)
29.The Anointing and how to get and move in it.
30.All The gifts of the Holy Spirit.
4. YOU WILL ALSO NEED TO MASTER THESE BASIC DISCIPLINES..
Because they are the actions and behaviours of a follower of Jesus Christ.
Christ commands us to go and make disciples.. so the first discipline is:
2 Timothy 2:15.”Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved,
a workman who does not need to be ashamed, and who correctly handles
the Word of Truth”.
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1. “All-in’ for Christ..with continually professed Love for God
2.Total obedience to His leadings based on His Word.
3.Speaking the Word-based Truth at all times.
4.Praying all the time.. and praying the Spirit
5.Meditation upon the Word
6.Having the mind of Christ Jesus.
7.Countering ever fear with the confessed word of God, until the doubt and
fear is obliterated.
8.Be sober.. you are leading a righteous life
9.Be vigilant
10. Discern and test the spirits.. flesh? Satan? Or Holy Spirit
11.You fast and pray
12.You are an Intercessor
13. You know how to get Anointed, and move in it.
14. You have excellent relationships with all your co-workers.
15.You rebuke accusations, gossip and slander directed at your co-workers
according to Christ’s standard for elders.
16. You know how we got the Bible
17. You can lead a Bible Study.
18.You know how to use the Word in all forms of ministry.
19. You have authority over evil spirits.
20. You are full of ever-increasing faith, and full of the Holy Ghost.
21. You have read the Bible at least twice from cover to cover.
22.You can recite all the Books of the Bible from memory.
23. You are active in memorising Scriptures.
24. You can lead someone to Christ, and get them baptised in the Holy Spirit…
and point them to the relevant Scriptures.
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You are expected to know vast details, and practical principles hidden in
the Bible. You should know more of; and more about the word of god than
90% of the people in the congregation.
5. YOU HAVE COUNTED THE COST:
The preparation necessary is in direct proportion to the ability to survive your
calling.
Luke 14:26-33.. 26 “If you want to be my disciple, you must, by comparison,
hate everyone else—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and
sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple. 27 And if
you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple.
“But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of
28
a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to
finish it? 29 Otherwise, you might complete only the foundation before running
out of money, and then everyone would laugh at you. 30 They would say, ‘There’s
the person who started that building and couldn’t afford to finish it!’
Personal sacrifice: His calling is full-time, not part-time. Once you respond you
can’t go back.
Philippians 3:8 Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the
infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have
discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain
Christ
Tests of your ability to sacrifice may include:
● Quitting a paying job and moving on to a faith provision.
● Selling your home and relocating near a seminary.
● Moving away from family and friends. Getting a part-time job.
● Spending long hours in study.
● Enduring the ridicule of family and friends.
● Knowing that once you start there is no turning back.
● The months and years of agony, wondering if it is all going to be worth all
the trouble.
● Little or no thanks from the people you serve.
● You have no other choice.
● Spend your year or more counting the cost.. then cross your Jordan.. burn
the bridges and take your Jericho. The Battle belongs to the Lord.
● You have found a seasoned equipping ministry who loves to live as Jesus
lived. Sit under that person until you have mastered everything they know
and have become like them. This means all owing Jesus to be formed in
you; and for you to function in a similar fashion so that you end up with an
equipping ministry as they do. This may take years. Christ says to
consider ourselves less than the one mentoring us. Therefore we become
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their servant until we have mastered the character and qualities of
Christ for our calling. Paul put it this way:
Philippians 4:9.. Whatever you have learned or received or heard
from me, or seen in me- put it into practice. And the God of Peace
be with you.
NOTE: Seminaries such University Theology Faculties: ( A robust poll
of Seminary Graduates has produced this conclusion summary) The
professors in most faculties are not ministers but scholars. They are
academics who have devoted their lives to learning and teaching about
ministry, but are not necessarily leaders in the sense of doing ministry.
Getting good grades does not indicate that one will have a successful
ministry. Some students would actually call this time “my three lost
years”..unprepared for the academics; and even less prepared to do the
work of ministry. One needs to be specifically directed by the Holy Spirit
to go to a seminary of this sort otherwise, it may become a nemesis,
instead of a training ground… even if it is considered up with the best.
6. THE SCHOOL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT:
● Your preparation must be orchestrated by the Holy Spirit, whom Christ
has placed in charge of your preparation and training.
● You must spend much time alone with him every day of every week.
● He will lead you to your mentor. Your mentor will be one who has spent
time in the trenches, who fully knows what happens in combat. They will
still be involved in active ministry, even if it is part-time. They may not
have outstanding academic credentials, but they will have ‘stand-out’
ministry credentials. They will have years of visible, verifiable and lasting
fruit.
● Offer to assist them in ministry for free. Let them confirm your role
with them. They will pray about you. Spend as much time as possible
assisting and learning from them. Do everything they tell you. Take
correction. Humble yourself by doing the mundane, routine and ordinary
that must be done. Travel with them, and be prepared to pay your own
way. Minister alongside them. Carry their luggage. Always be willing to
serve in every way you can.. proving yourself a servant.. because that’s
why they are where they are today.. because they served out of a servant
heart until exhausted.
● The salary: Most likely you will have to maintain a job in your vocation to
support your family until the Lord opens a financial door through the fruit
of your own ministry success. You need to be a continually active gatherer
and builder.. because your ministry will make a way for you. God will
normally at some point confirm His calling by providing for you from His
riches in Glory through Christ Jesus. Trusting God for finances becomes
easy when you are in the center of His will.
ARE YOU PREPARED?
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1. Are you equipped to communicate the basic beliefs?
2. Are the basic disciplines operating in your life?
3. How far along are you in mastering the Bible?
4. Have you counted the full cost?
MODULE 12. UNIT 4
WHAT IS A CHRISTIAN CHURCH LEADER?
Purpose of this Lesson:
● Examine Biblical Leadership
● Examine the high standards God has set for His leaders
● Why so many leaders crash and burn without proper preparation
● Everyone is called to witness.. but not all are called to lead.
1.THE INFLUENCE OF LEADERS ON OUR WHOLE LIFE:
Leaders lead, others will follow them.
They can be good or evil, black or white, national or gang.. and they influence all
our lives from birth to death.
There is only one Leader on which leaders must model
themselves..JESUS..
And leaders who focus on this confession will be God’s best, no matter how
small or great the responsibility or role apportioned to you..
A. “I have the mind of Christ Jesus..” (1 Corinthains 2:15-16) 15 But he
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who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by
no one. 16For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD,
THAT HE WILL INSTRUCT HIM? But we have the mind of Christ.”
B. “Let this mind be in you which is in Christ Jesus..” (Philippians 2) Is
there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any
fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? 2 Then
make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another,
and working together with one mind and purpose. 3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to
impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look
out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.5 You must have
the same mind culture that Christ Jesus had.6 Though he was God,
he did not think of equality with God
as something to cling to.
7
Instead, he gave up his divine privileges;
he took the humble position of a slave
and was born as a human being.
When he appeared in human form,
8
he humbled himself in obedience to God
and died a criminal’s death on a cross. 9 Therefore, God elevated him to the place
of highest honour and gave him the name above all other name 10 that at the name of
Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth 11 and every
tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
C. The Nobility of being a servant leader: Matthew 20:25-2825 But Jesus
called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over
But among
their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. 26
you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your
and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. 28
servant, 27 For
even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a
ransom for many.”
2. CHARACTERISTICS OF JESUS LEADERSHIP:
i) He was the undisputed leader: The 12 never questioned this. He had a
mission, and He called them to help Him fulfil it.
Acts 10:38. 38 And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and
with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the
devil, for God was with him.
ii) He was the undisputed servant: One under orders from Father; and one
who only did what He saw and heard Father direct him to. His loving-compassion
gave humanity hope of a better way to live; his miracles gave them a role to
aspire to and a sense of the impossible being within every Believer’s grasp. His
healings gave them new bodies; and His Word and Spirit gave them new Eternal
Life, every day.
John 5:19 19
So Jesus explained, “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself.
He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does.
John 10:37-38 37 Don’t believe me unless I carry out my Father’s work. 38
But if I do his
work, believe in the evidence of the miraculous works I have done, even if you don’t believe
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me. Then you will know and understand that the Father is in me, and I am in the Father.”
iii) He is the undisputed role model
iv) He demonstrated the godly character that we must also demonstrate:
Galatians 5:22-24 22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy,
gentleness, and self-control. There is no
peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23
law against these things!
24
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature
to his cross and crucified them there.
3.CHURCH LEADERS:
They range from Judas to John.. so be alert.
i) Here are their Biblical Qualities. Do you have these?
1 Timothy 3:1-13 This is a trustworthy saying: “If someone aspires to be a church
leader,he desires an honourable position.” 2 So a church leader must be a man whose life is
above reproach. He must be faithful to his wife. He must exercise self-control, live wisely,
and have a good reputation. He must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must be
able to teach. 3 He must not be a heavy drinker or be violent. He must be gentle, not
quarrelsome, and not love money. 4 He must manage his own family well, having children
who respect and obey him. 5 For if a man cannot manage his own household, how can he take
care of God’s church?
6
A church leader must not be a new believer, because he might become proud, and the devil
would cause him to fall. 7 Also, people outside the church must speak well of him so that
he will not be disgraced and fall into the devil’s trap.
8
In the same way, deacons must be well respected and have integrity. They must not be
heavy drinkers or dishonest with money. 9 They must be committed to the mystery of the faith
now revealed and must live with a clear conscience. 10 Before they are appointed as deacons,
let them be closely examined. If they pass the test, then let them serve as deacons.
11
In the same way, their wives must be respected and must not slander others. They must
exercise self-control and be faithful in everything they do.
12
A deacon must be faithful to his wife, and he must manage his children and household well.
13
Those who do well as deacons will be rewarded with respect from others and will have
increased confidence in their faith in Christ Jesus.
If he or she is a leader.. let them govern diligently (Romans 12:4-8)
ii) Their old nature fleshly appetite must be under control:
They have learned to put these to death, by taking them to the Cross and then
replacing where they once used them as part of their daily life with Christ’s
Word, heart and action.
Galatians 5:19-21 19 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are
very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility,
quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, 21 envy,
drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before,
that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
Get all your ‘old-skeletons’ out of the closet; and deal with them. There are
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people you will need to ask forgives from. There are people you will need to
forgive. You will have to forgive yourself. Let every room of your life be filled
with HIS LIGHT. Your sexual mores, behaviour with all your money and wealth,
how you see ‘His-your’ time, that which as entertainment comes through your
ear and eye gates, ALL your relationships, how you control your thought-life,
and perceptions of yourself.. must come under the INSTRUCTION of His
Word, and be conformed to it.
List the fleshly behaviours you and Christ have replaced so far…
iii) Leadership is a serious call; and a serious Business to carry out:
It is like entering marriage. Pressures will abound and what must come out in you
under pressure is the Holy Spirit. Only those who ARE determined for this to
happen will stand.. the rest will fall. SO LIVE IN THE LIGHT OF TRUTH.
1 John 1:5-10 5 This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is
light, and there is no darkness in him at all. 6 So we are lying if we say we have fellowship
with God but go on living in spiritual darkness; we are not practicing the truth. 7 But if we are
living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the
blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.
8
If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. 9 But if
we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from
If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that
all wickedness. 10
his word has no place in our hearts.
iv) Deal with your own pride: It is your most DEADLY ENEMY.
Proverbs 16:18 ‘Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall’.
Pride got Lucifer where he is today; and where he will be tomorrow. Some
observations about pride include these:
● “The humble He draws near to, but the proud He sees from afar off”. God
finds His presence and human pride are incompatible.
● When it is hurt, it wants to hurt.
● It seeks recognition and self-promotion
● We take the glory and the credit instead of Christ..”I will not share My
Glory with anyone”.
● It leads to corruption
● Prejudices grow out of it
● It is the base ingredient for every argument and quarrel
● It provides an open-door for Satan to attack us
● It comes from self-righteousness
● It inhibits our ability to reason; and may make us irrational.
● It stops us admitting sin and fault.
● It blinds us to our faults; and accuses other of theirs..”mote-hunting”
Proverbs 29:23 A man’s pride brings him low, but a man of lowly spirit
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gains honour.
v) GET YOUR FINANCES IN ORDER
If you don’t get this area in order, money problems will follow you everywhere
and haunt you for the rest of your life. It will invade your area of leadership
and it will compromise both you and it. It’s not about not having enough, it is
about what you do with what God has entrusted to you; and your ministry; and
how it impacts on your ministry right now. Poor managers of money at home, will
bring poor management, and a range of imbalances and blindnesses into their
Church Role.
● Get strong financial controls into place today!
● Tithing is your safeguard.. if you don’t tithe, you don’t have the heart or
the faith to carry out your faith leadership role. Simply it is this.. you
don’t trust God. Bring your tithe into your local church storehouse with
joy, cheerfulness and extravagance.
● Handling Church Finances by leaders should be termed..”Father what do
you want us to do with your money?” Any misuse of God’s money is a
serious business. If leaders aren’t totally honest and transparent in the
whole of their private life, then they will misuse their authority in this
area. Judas, Christ’s treasurer wasn’t transparent before the eyes of
Christ.
vi) FAMILY ISSUES: The light that shines brightest shines brightest
at home.. What does this mean to you and your home and family
life? The hypocrisy of “hell at home”..and “heaven in the public” ruins
the children of future generations in that leader’s family.
“What you see is what you get” is the basic axiom for any
leader.
vi) TEACHABLE SPIRIT; AND ABLE TO TEACH
Leaders are both disciples and disciple makers.. they are to bear the
nature of Christ, a life being continually conformed to the Word; and
an Anointed life where the Holy Spirit is able to fill their mouth any
time for God’s good purposes.
2 Timothy 4:1-5 I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will
someday judge the living and the dead when he comes to set up his Kingdom: 2 Preach the
word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favourable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke,
and encourage your people with good teaching.
3
For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching.
They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever
their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will reject the truth and chase after myths.
5
But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the
Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given
you.
WILL YOU SET YOUR HEART, TO BE THIS HEART WHICH GOD
SPEAKS THROUGH PAUL TO US ALL?
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Conclusion: Unless that leader is accountable and teachable under the Apostle,
or Senior Pastor, they are simply spinning their wheels and wasting their own,
the Churches; and God’s time.
James 3:1Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the
church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly.
vii) “IT’S TOO HARD FOR ME LORD!”
We are examining the high standards required of leaders because leaders need
them! Why? If they fall, or stop, then they negatively impact those they lead.
Some of those they lead recover from their wounds and confusion, but many do
not. Leader.. you are a minister, like everyone else in Christ’s visible Body. It is
in your hands whether you have made the decision before God to function
consistently well; keep strong in the Lord; keep your gifts flowing and continuing
to be changed into the likeness of Christ. Your transformation and growth will
take many years.. even when you keep all the above in place. No-one has to
be perfect before they can function as a leader or qualify to be one.. but it
would be a disaster for a youth leader to have lust problems; a choir director
who has marriage issues and is admired by a lonely divorcee in his choir; a young
pastor who experiences meteoric success may believe the things people are
saying about him.. all of these are a stick of dynamite ready to explode!
● Leaders need to be God-appointed, not ‘hired’ onto the ‘Staff’
● Leaders need a merciful, loving and gracious ’safe-environment where
they can “confess their faults’ without fear; and be healed, and
encouraged.. which would have prevented truck-loads of heartache which
many have suffered.
viii) PREPARATION AND TIMING IS ORCHESTRATED FOR YOU BY
GOD!
Jesus did not begin His ministry until God’s appointed time; and this was after
30 years of preparation; and John the Baptist had come and blazed a
preparation pathway for Him to bring the Good News!
God will not make an exception for you. You will begin as His appointed time.. and
only when you really will do what you see your Father is saying and doing. If you
do not focus on what Father is saying and doing, then it is your ‘religious
ministry’, and not that which is supernaturally Divine.
Therefore get new coverts disciple first.. but also get them functioning in
a helping capacity straight away.
The culture of your Church will emanate from the top down. If he is lovingly
secure your Church will be lovingly secure, and well organised God’s way.. BUT if
he is insecure, this is a travesty and he should not have been appointed in the
first place.. for he will bring in a culture of suspicion, distrust and paranoia. In
the Business world if you have a bad business, it isn’t because of bad employees;
it is because of bad management. “Wisdom shouts from the street corners”
(Proverbs).. and so the Church will be the same. If in a secure Church, where
there is adequate training and supervision, if a leader is still sub-standard, then
they need to be stepped down, for their culture will flavour their team. It is
easy to promote, but it is very difficult to step a leader down! However, if
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you have good leadership, they will be able to use this difficulty for great good!
4. ASPIRE TO BE A GREAT LEADER. THEY LOOK LIKE THIS:
● Called by God
● Anointed
● Has an obvious gift of secure leadership
● A person of absolute honesty and integrity
● Loved by their own children, who respect them
● Good reputation in the community.. may still be persecuted though
● A person of their word
● Counted the cost of leadership
● Operates spiritual warfare
● Overcome fleshly desires
● No tendency towards pride..”
● not proud of his humility”
● His financial house is in order
● Gets along well with people
● Respects those who work for him and under him
● Sincere in his words and actions
● Not jealous, but rejoices when his pupil excels beyond himself.. in fact is
aiming for this!
● Imparts hope and a clearly articulated vision which others are inspired to
follow; as long as they are people of faith over giants.
● Proper motivations
● Can’t please everyone
● Always seeks to please his Father God.
● Has embraced his long and painful preparation time up until now.. and is
ready to continue on
● His heart is continually being refined to be tender, loving and
compassionate to the precious people God brings him
● Has a burning desire to care for souls; and gain another for the kingdom
● Has learnt to hear the voice of his Lord and is quick to obey.
● Allows himself to still be a human being who makes mistakes each day, but
is quick to admit it, repent and seek restoration.
● Doesn’t take himself too seriously..
● Good sense of humour
● Can laugh at his own foibles
● Recognises his paramount need to continue to grow—to be a forever
learner.
● Not an authoritarian powerbroker, but a servant-leader
Such a man or woman is like the Lord Jesus Christ..
Are you one of these? Can you name someone like this that you know?
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JESUS AS OUR MENTOR; AND MENTORING ROLE MODEL
MODULE 12. UNIT 5
A. THE MOST IMPORTANT AREA THAT JESUS MENTORED US ON
WAS “GETTING THE MIND OF GOD” ON EACH OF HIS WORDS
AND ACTIONS!
Failure to understand this, is to simply repeat the “fallen error” of the
Garden of Eden.. when they changed from COMPLETE DEPENDENCE ON
SPOKEN WISDOM OF GOD, to DEPENDENCE ON THEIR OWN
MAN-MADE; AND ‘SPIRIT-OF-THIS-WORLD’ MADE..DECISIONS.
B. KEY SCRIPTURES:
i) CONFESS we have the mind of Christ until it becomes a normal,
working, continuous reality; so that we are constantly seeking to be
walking in the revealed WILL of God
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ii) WE STOP THE OTHER TWO MINDS FROM SUBSTITUTING THEIR
WILL FOR HIS; BY STILLING AND STOPPING THEIR INPUT:
a) Our own mind constantly wants to draw us back into its old pattern
of supplying us with directions.. so we tell it..”Be still my mind and
know that He is God.. in Jesus Name”;
b) Satan continually wishes to influence our thoughts, and
circumstances; and so plants thoughts into our mind that line up
with Satan’s will to “steal, kill and destroy any potential we may
have to live out of the Abundant Mind of Christ” . We do this by
speaking out..”I bind your power to speak your lies into my mind
satan.. in the Name of Jesus”.
Conclusion: This only leaves the Holy Spirit to bring us the Truth from Christ
and our Father. Listen to him. Then Act!
WHAT THEN REALLY IS SALVATION?
So often Believers limit God by settling only for the fact that one day
they will inherit Eternal Life..”he that has the Son has life(John 3:36..
“Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will
not see life, for God's wrath remains on them”.) They carefully write in the
front of their Bible, their “spiritual birthday”.. if their Great Salvation came on
a particular day.. but all of us.. no matter what way Father God employed
to bring us salvation..bear witness to this fabulous miracle; as we all must.
However for many Believers it can stop there, and can become for some like a
sports trophy.. something they put up on the wall like a ‘stuffed fish’ for all to
see, but they spend the rest of their earthly life standing there admiring
it, nibbling away at a relationship with God on their terms. However God
desires we need to become fully informed about what our full salvation is;
and embrace it in all its facets… so that in fact we become totally and
abundantly saved in ALL the ways that Jesus has paid for us to
be..ESPECIALLY IN the area we look in this Lesson which is that of
SALVATION FOR OUR MIND, AND IN OUR MINISTRY OF MENTORING
OTHERS CORRECTLY! The Greek word for “saved” is the word ‘soze’..which in
the Greek is found in the aorist tense. This tense is not the past tense.. it is a
form of the present-future tense.. which means that “we are being saved ALL
THE TIME”. It is a living faith, it is a moment by moment; and daily
conversation with the Most High.. a lifestyle of many forms of salvation taking
place with us each day! Here are some of these forms:
Firstly it is about..WHAT WE ARE SAVED FROM:
1. It is being saved from the everlasting, spiritual death-power of sin, by
one turning to God with one’s whole heart; and repenting of that sin, and
asking God in His great merciful love to forgive you and wash you clean of
it by the Blood of Jesus..”though your sins as scarlet be, you shall be
white as snow” Acts 2:37 “.. Now when they heard this, they were
pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles,
"Brethren, what shall we do?" 38Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of
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you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your
sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39"For the promise
is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the
Lord our God will call to Himself."…
2. It is being saved from the temptation to return to “dead-works”.. which
brought us our “death sentence”. These center around the five “G’s”..
habits focused on “GIRLS (Guys),GOLD, GAMBLING, GLORY,& GROG”.
Hebrews 6:1, "Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of
Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of
repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God."
Hebrews 9:14 ‘how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the
eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our
conscience from dead works to serve the living God.’
3. It is being saved from Satan’s powers: Revelations 12:11..”They
overcome Satan by The Blood of the Lamb; and by the Word of their
testimony; and they love not their lives even unto death”. Luke 10:19..”I
give you power to trample on serpents, scorpions and over all Satan’s
power; and nothing by any means shall harm you”..Mark 16:16..”In My
Name you will cast out demons…”
4. It is being saved from living-death in the eternal fires of Hell:
Revelations 20:14-15 “…14Then death and Hades were thrown into the
lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. 15And if anyone's
name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the
lake of fire.”
5. It is being saved from all forms of infirmity: healing for us in body, soul
and spirit. Dr. Jesus took our sicknesses, wounds and diseases upon
Himself when He took those stripes for us; and died with them on The
Cross.. bringing death to all infirmity that we might have. We exchange
our sicknesses for health..at The Cross.. (1 Peter 2:24)..”by His
stripes we were healed”..
So some Believers live their whole life ONLY with the trophies of what
they have been saved from.. but Jesus states that knowing Him..i.e. what
we are saved into is ESSENTIAL.. (Matthew 7:23ff).. 22"Many will say
to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in
Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?'
23"And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM
ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.'
Illustration: Hansi Cronje (Match-fixing Cricket Captain of South Africa )
When Hanse died in a plane accident ten years ago, he was wearing a bracelet
inscribed with the letters “WWD” (What would Jesus do?). Hanse had
brought his sport into disrepute and ruined his own life, and needed absolution,
forgiveness and a new start. His brother a strong Christian helped him, and
Hanse began to change his world. He started using natural reasoning for wearing
his bracelet.. to remind him about being faithful to the One who saved him, by
thinking to himself, What would Jesus do now?. It was a good start, but IT IS
NOT WHAT GOD SAYS TO DO! God doesn’t say train yourself to ask what
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Jesus might do now..it isn’t enough! We have to do what God says..We need
“WAJT”..What are Jesus thoughts? His Spirit is in us, primarily for this.
“DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.” Says God’s
Word. This isn’t the breaking of the public laws of our society.. it is the
breaking of God’s Law governing sonship.. that we continually walk with God,
and that we talk with God; and that we do what He tells us to all the
time. Every Believer can call Him ‘Father’, but only those who love Him
and know Him will call Him “Daddy”. Romans 8:14 “For all who are being led
by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15For you have not received a
spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption
as sons by which we cry out, "Abba (Daddy)! Father!"…
So, Secondly lets go on to fill out our full salvation.. it is about:
WHAT ‘MIND’ WE ARE SAVED INTO:
6. It is ALL of Christ’s abundance..Romans 8:17.. And since we are his
children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of
God's glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his
suffering….
TODAY WE LOOK AT ONE ELEMENT OF THIS AMAZING
ABUNDANCE..
WE ARE SAVED INTO LEARNING TO LIVE IN A TOTALLY NEW
CULTURE WITH A COMPLETELY NEW MENTALITY AND MINDSET!
“THE MIND OF CHRIST JESUS”
What “Having the Mind of Christ means:
1.Dependence on Holy Spirit bringing us Christ’s thoughts on what to say
and do: When the first Adam walked with God in Eden; God set the pattern for
our abundant lifestyle then.. walking with him and giving him full directions.
When Jesus, the second Adam, walked on this Earth, He demonstrated
dependence on God’s continuous direction perfectly.. “I only say what my
Father tells me to say”. Dependence on God is His design for us..so we find out
the mind of Christ through the inward ministry of the Holy Spirit..John 16:13..
“Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He shall guide you into all the
truth: for He shall not speak from himself; but what things soever He shall
hear, these shall He speak: and He shall declare unto you the things that are to
come.” Truth.. and what “things are to happen”!!!! Things according to God’s
Word that Christ and you will do TOGETHER at His prompting. i.e.Holy Spirit
will speak to your mind saying..”This is how Jesus says will happen with
you..you are to say this and do this”.. This is your FRUITFULNESS..which
brings Christ and Father glory. Your words and actions by themselves will not..
but your continued consultation with Christ’s mind on anything, and everything;
which you then speak out and do WILL.
SO WE BECOME A “REPEATER-STATION” FOR CHRIST!..and they were
all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak..” (Acts 2:4)
i) Exodus 4:12 …11The LORD said to him, "Who has made man's mouth?
Or who makes him mute or deaf, or seeing or blind? Is it not I, the
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LORD? 12"Now then go, and I, even I, will be with your mouth,
and teach you what you are to say."
ii) Luke 21:15
For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries
will be able to resist or contradict.
iii) Luke 12:12 For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour
what ye ought to say.
iv) Proverbs 2:6 For the LORD gives wisdom: out of his mouth comes
knowledge and understanding.
v) Jeremiah 1:9 Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my
mouth. And the LORD …
vi) Acts 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began
to speak …
This Template.. this design for ‘God-Us’ relationships was always in place:
2 Peter 1:21.. “The prophets did not think these things up on their own, but
they were guided by the Spirit of God as to what they must say” As I have
explained before, prophecy is:
-saying what is going to happen (foretelling)
-saying and teaching, what we need to do now (forth-telling)
Right through the Old Testament.. as a result of the men and women seeking
God and listening to Him, and then saying what they were told.. through them
people’s world’s were changed for good by THE GOOD WORDS OF GOD THEY
HEARD FROM HIM AND REPEATED TO THEM! All Scripture is given by the
Holy Spirit hearing straight from Father and speaking it into the “ears” of men
and women of God who trained and diciplined themselves to REPEAT EXACTLY
what they heard. 2 Timothy 3 ‘All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable
for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, 17 so
that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.’
Through these true “hearers”.. God shows us that FAITHFUL REPETITION OF
HIS MIND IS OUR MINISTRY. Through the Word of God, revealed to us
by the mind of Christ..God started by creating a new world for us as His
sons; and now He wants us through HIS SPOKEN WORD (which always line up
with the Scriptures).. to bring the new-world-of Christ, which He has designed
for every person; into their daily life. They need to live from the mind of Christ
Jesus.
a) GOD GETS YOU TO CREATE HIS NEW WORLD FOR YOURSELF
AND OTHERS BY FRAMING SITUATIONS WITH HIS WORD..
Hebrews 11: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of
things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.3 By faith we
understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things
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which are seen were not made of things which are visible.
b) GET YOURSELF A WHOLE NEW MIND.. JESUS MIND Romans 12:1-2
1Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies
a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of
worship. 2And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the
renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which
is good and acceptable and perfect.
GOD IS ABSOLUTELY EXCITED AND THRILLED WHEN HE HEARS YOU
SAY THE THINGS HE HAS TOLD YOU TO REPEAT FROM HIM!
Testimony: The other morning, out as usual in His Presence alone.. Father began
speaking about how it affects Him when we deliberately listen, and then repeat
His Words, which are Jesus mind for every matter. I sensed He was enabling me
to discern His face which was filled with Joy, thrill, delight, pleasure, and
happiness.. expressing..”YOUR FAITH IN MY WORD GIVES ME
IMMEASURABLE PLEASURE IN YOU..BECAUSE YOU BRING MY PLANS TO
PASS.”
CONCLUSION: WE ARE SPIRITUAL ‘FARMERS’ OF GOD’S SEED WORDS
Isaiah 55:10-13: “For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, And does
not return there, But water the earth, And make it bring forth and bud,
That it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater, 11 So shall My word be that
goes forth from My mouth;
It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in
the thing for which I sent it.
What is God saying through this passage?
-“The Rain” is the Holy Spirit bringing The Seed Word from the mouth of God
for us to get revelation on, and live out of our new Christ mind.. Once we have
processed it and acted on it; it then forms a second stage..that seed from God
is stored up within the paddocks of our heart for us to sow, when Holy Spirit
tells us to into the lives of others. When we take what he has given us; then sow
it into our neighbour, and Holy Spirit acts on it.. it becomes their “Bread of
Life!”-“Bread for the eater”..
-“My Word that goes forth out of My Mouth”.. soon is repeated out of our
mouth”
WILL YOU THEN DISCIPLINE YOURSELF TO BE A FARMER FOR GOD?
“Study to show yourself approved as a worthy workman.. rightly dividing
the Word of God” (2 Timothy 2:15)..as the farmer divides his farm into
paddocks.. each one with a separate purpose.. we also studiously rightly
divide the Word of God, and divide it into our own Heart paddocks e.g.
Paddock 1: Faith in God and His Word crop of Words; Paddock 2:Healing Crop of
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Words; Paddock 2: Provision Crop of Words; Paddock 3:Love Crop of Words;
Paddock 4:Temptation Crop of Words; etc. etc.Power Crop of Words..JESUS
ROLE-MODELLED BEING GOD’S PERFECT FARMER.. LET US COPY HIM
AND BECOME OUTSTANDING IN FATHER GOD’S FIELDS… “Man shall
not live by ‘bread’ alone, but by every ‘Word’ that proceeds from the
Mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4)
PRAYER: “Dear Father..Help Me.. I must live out of the Mind of Christ, to
develop the character and works of Christ. As You Lord Jesus have mentored
me, I will mentor others.. I’m 100% ready. Teach me Your Ways O Lord! Only
then will I know that I am living in Your FULL SALVATION..In Jesus’ Name,
Amen”
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SAFE SUBMISSION TO GOD’S DIVINE ORDER OF AUTHORITY
MODULE 12. UNIT 6
ROMANS 8:14 For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are
sons of God.
PRINCIPLE: At Jesus ascension to be seated at the Father’s right hand at His
Throne in Glory, Holy Spirit was sent to us to through the sealing of the Holy
Spirit; and the Baptism with the Holy Spirit, to lead us into all Truth. He is
the Spirit of the Lord to whom we submit each day; and with whom we must
develop an intimate relationship to make this possible. He can then reveal
Christ’s mind through the Word to us on all matters of authorities and power,
and our works. This lesson looks at the direct and delegated Authorities whom
God has created to keep us in a place of “perfect submission”; and therefore
“perfect delight”.
CONCLUSION: All authority resides in God and emanates from Him. To
operate outside His authority is to be in rebellion. It is absolutely essential that
we as Believers understand God’s direct and delegated authority. Pray for a
personal revelation of this so that you not only understand, but obey His Will.
Obedience is our only right response, ever. Obedience t God’s Authority as
revealed in His Word shows Him that we genuinely love Him; and are exercising
supernatural faith in Him.
1. ORIGINAL SIN MEANS THAT ALL ARE BORN REBELLIOUS.
Adam’s original rebellion against God in Eden; has fatally contaminated the
whole human race one single baby at a time, at it’s birth. No, we are not Temples
of the Holy Spirit when we are born.. only when we are “born-again”. The
spiritual culture, and mindset which we are born into; and grow up with; is the
“spirit of this world’s darkness”.. which is eternally infamous for rebelling
against God’s Authority in Heaven.. and was therefore cast like lightning from
perfect Heaven onto this Earth; temporarily; before being cast eternally into
Hell’s Lake of Fire shortly. That spirit is the spirit we are born with. That spirit
is in submission to the elemental spirits of this world; and has absolutely no
power to halt the “stealing, killing and destroying” (John 10:10) of your life by
the one who hates you because you are made in the image of God. Only the
Spirit of Christ has all power and Authority in Heaven and on Earth. At the
“second-birth” when Christ’s Blood has washed away all the stains of your sinful
actions of this previous “worldly, old-nature” life; and then Christ’s Spirit at
your invitation enters your own body; are you able to trample on all the powers
of the “father-of-all-lies”. What does our new Relationship with God bring?
HEBREWS 1:1-4 God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time
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past to the fathers by the prophets, 2 has in these last days spoken to us by His
Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the
worlds; 3 who (Jesus the Son) being the brightness of His glory and the express
image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He
had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on
high, 4 having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance
obtained a more excellent name than they.
ROMANS 13:1-2 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For
there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are
appointed by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the
ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.
JOHN 14:23-24 Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he
will obey My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and
make Our home with him. 24 He who does not love Me does not keep My words;
and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me.
How the Soldier who had replaced rebellion with obedience got faith!
MATTHEW 8:5-10 Now when Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came
to Him, pleading with Him, 6 saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed,
dreadfully tormented.” 7 And Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.”
The centurion answered and said, “Lord, I am not worthy that You should come
8
under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I also
am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, ‘Go,’
and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’
and he does it.” 10 When Jesus heard it, He marvelled, and said to those who
followed, “Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not
even in Israel!
2. IN THESE LAST DAYS LAWLESSNESS IS ACCELERATING!
Respect for all forms of authority is rapidly disappearing, whether it be church
or community authorities, it makes no difference. We need to have a our
churches be in continuous intercession for our own towns and cities against this
rising flood of rebellion.
3. TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT ‘THE SOURCE OF ALL REBELLION’..
He dismissed GOD’S WILL for I WILL.. that’s rebellion in a nut-shell! Foolishly
one third of the heavenly host of angels were deceived into doing the same.
They now form the elemental, demonic spirits on this Earth whom Believers
must overcome. Lucifer’s six I WILL’s have given the Hebrews numeric 6 as the
number of “fallen man”. 666 is 3 sixes..3 is God’s perfect number.. so that gives
us 666 ‘The Beast’.. The epitome of the perfection of Rebellion!
ISAIAH 14:12-15 “How you are fallen from heaven,
O Lucifer, son of the morning!
How you are cut down to the ground,
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You who weakened the nations!
13
For you have said in your heart:
‘I will ascend into heaven,
I will exalt my throne above the stars of God;
I will also sit on the mount of the congregation
On the farthest sides of the north;
14
I will ascend above the heights of the clouds,
I will be like the Most High.’
15
Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol,
To the lowest depths of the Pit.
EZEKIEL 28:11-17 Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying, 12 “Son
of man, take up a lamentation for the king of Tyre, and say to him, ‘Thus says
the Lord GOD: “You were the seal of perfection,
Full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.
13
You were in Eden, the garden of God;
Every precious stone was your covering:
The sardius, topaz, and diamond,
Beryl, onyx, and jasper,
Sapphire, turquoise, and emerald with gold.
The workmanship of your timbrels and pipes
Was prepared for you on the day you were created.
14
“You were the anointed cherub who covers;
I established you;
You were on the holy mountain of God;
You walked back and forth in the midst of fiery stones.
15
You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created,
Till iniquity was found in you.
“By the abundance of your trading
16
You became filled with violence within,
And you sinned;
Therefore I cast you as a profane thing
Out of the mountain of God;
And I destroyed you, O covering cherub,
From the midst of the fiery stones.
“Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty;
17
You corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendour;
I cast you to the ground,
I laid you before kings,
That they might gaze at you.
REVELATIONS 12:3-4 And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great,
fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his
heads. 4 His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the
earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to
devour her Child as soon as it was born.
Satan is your arch-enemy. He will seek to bombard your mind with contrary
thoughts; and as well, seek to arrange circumstances around you to destroy you.
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Keep yourself with all vigilance and Divine authority knowledge.. and keep
yourself, and all you represent; under the BLOOD OF CHRIST (Revelations
12:11)
4. HOW DID JESUS GET BELIEVER’S BACK INTO THE “DRIVER’S
SEAT”? ANSWER: BY BEING THE ‘SECOND’ AND ‘LAST’ ADAM.
God sent himself in Jesus.. already in perfect submission to; and as part of the
trinity Godhead in Heaven.. as a sacrifice. As fully man and fully God; Jesus our
Lord lived for thirty three years in perfect, sinless obedience to God and His
Word, to die for us on The Cross.. who were fatally lost and helpless in our sin
and shame.
1 CORINTHIANS 15:45-49 And so it is written, “The first man Adam became
a living being.”The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. 46 However, the spiritual
is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual. 47 The first man was of
the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven. 48 As was the
man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust; and as is the heavenly Man,
so also are those who are heavenly. 49 And as we have borne the image of the
man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man.
PHILIPPIANS 2:5-11 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,
6
who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with
God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and
coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He
humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of
the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the
name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee
should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under
and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to
the earth, 11
the glory of God the Father.
5. JESUS WAS GIVEN ALL AUTHORITY IN HEAVEN AND ON
EARTH
Jesus..having all authority.. has commanded us; just as He did… to:
-have the irrefutable right to go and make disciples..i.e. the mandate and the
anointing;
-the divine Authority to reach the lost, and go and make them Christ’s disciples;
-to Teach His commandments to every person on Earth!
Christ ripped all Satan’s authority over death, hell and the grave off him; and
gave it back to us with Interest when He gave us His Spirit.. with all the ABOVE
AUTHORITY!
Pray for a revelation on this now.. because when you get it, it will totally
change for the better, your Life and your entire ministry! You will start
thinking like Jesus.. because He is going to be bringing His thoughts into your
mind with revelation Faith!
MATTHEW 9:2-8 Then behold, they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed.
When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, be of good cheer;
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your sins are forgiven you.”
And at once some of the scribes said within themselves, “This Man
3
blasphemes!”
But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts?
4
For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise
5
and walk’? 6 But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on
earth to forgive sins”—then He said to the paralytic, “Arise, take up your bed,
and go to your house.” 7 And he arose and departed to his house.
Now when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled and glorified God, who had
8
given such power to men.
MATTHEW 28:16-20 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the
mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. 17 When they saw Him, they
worshiped Him; but some doubted.
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me
18
in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20
teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am
with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen
6. SUBMIT TO GOD’S DELEGATED EARTHLY AUTHORITIES; AND
THEN GOD WILL MAKE A WAY FOR YOU.
Illustration: In 1973 when Christ appeared in our room one morning at 6am.. He
changed my life for good. As a newly born-again, delivered, and cleansed, son of
God, I decided to take my wife, who had been born-again since she was a little
girl to Church. She had never stopped going to Church. I wasn’t sure which one
to take her to.. but because my grand-father was a Presbyterian.. since I had
met Jesus, I assumed in my very immature state that I must be a ‘Presbyterian’.
I took her there (she was Anglican actually!).. and she being full of grace said
nothing. We met some wonderful Holy-Spirit-filled saints there who took us
under their wing and loved, mentored and discipled us. Our Pastor, had
graduated from our exceptionally liberal New Zealand Theological College; was
not born-again; must less Spirit-filled. I completely submitted to him; for Christ
had broken my rebellion that glorious morning. I did everything I could to serve
this Pastor; and the Church.. not knowing that a year later God would call me to
become a Pastor myself. Others grumbled and murmured at the very political
teaching of this dear man; but I refused, instead allowing The Word to fully
guide me. Instead, I showed my love for him; and was there for every Saturday
“working bee”; helped with youth; pushed Hospital beds to Chapel on Sundays..in
fact everywhere there was a need I was there. When God suddenly called us to
Pastoral ministry one Wednesday morning.. I went to him; and shared what had
happened. He went through all the committees and entrance procedures to help
my Application, and what he wrote and spoke was incredibly important in my
selection..”This young man is indefatiguable (tireless) in serving me, God and our
Church; and I recommend him without reservation”. How important it is to
submit to God’s good, earthly authorities, for then He can trust you with
His!
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7. WHAT ARE GOD’S EARTHLY DELEGATED AUTHORITIES?
These delegated authorities bring Order, Peace and Harmony. Rebellion brings
chaos and pain.
A.DELEGATED AUTHORITY IN FAMILIES: All Believer are One in Christ..
and we need to recognise different delegated ROLES which are directly
ACCOUNTABLE to God for their correct exercising:
GALATIANS 3:26-29 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ
Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
28
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is
neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are
Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
COLOSSIANS 3:18-21 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in
the Lord.
19
Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them.
20
Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord.
21
Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.
B. DELEGATED AUTHORITY IN WORLD GOVERNMENT: Good governing
authority is to be obeyed to prevent anarchy. “Good government” are the laws
which do not make us disobey God’s Word. Our ATTITUDE towards authority..
i.e. “How we obey, or disobey” is the key to obedience. This will either be kindly,
mercifully, respectful , or disrespectful and rebellious.
1 PETER 2:13-17 Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for
the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, 14 or to governors, as to those
who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those
who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to
silence the ignorance of foolish men— 16 as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak
for vice, but as bondservants of God. 17 Honour all people. Love the brotherhood.
Fear God. Honour the king.
ROMANS 13:1-2 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For
there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are
appointed by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the
ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.
C.DELEGATED AUTHORITY IN CHURCH:
Paul is the example of one who travels, evangelises, plants churches and then
provides overseers to whom he delegates Christ’s authority. He instructs the
congregations to love, esteem and hold these in high regard. These overseers
could be Pastors, Elders, or Church Leaders. The members of the congregation
were not even to listen to an accusation against one of these unless it was
brought by two or three witnesses.
TITUS 1:5-9 For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order
the things that are unfinished, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded
you— 6 if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children
not accused of dissipation or insubordination. 7 For a bishop must be blameless,
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as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not
violent, not greedy for money, 8 but hospitable, a lover of what is good,
sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled, 9 holding fast the faithful word as he
has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and
convict those who contradict.
1 TIMOTHY 5:19 Do not receive an accusation against an elder except from
two or three witnesses.
8. THE CHURCH NEEDS TO TAKE ITS RESPONSIBILITY FOR
TEACHING ABOUT DELEGATED AUTHORITY VERY SERIOUSLY!
The Church needs to rise-up with red-hot conviction for this. God’s Laws of
sowing and reaping are absolutes! Transgress His authority and reap His
consequences. Repent of sin and obey His authority and you shall be restored.
SUBMISSION, OBEDIENCE AND DISOBEDIENCE:
Church leaders who abuse their delegated authority is an area that needs
arises from time to time, so this necessitates looking at three things..
submission, obedience and disobedience.
i) GODLY SUBMISSION: Defn. “our heart attitude of eager
willingness to submit to God’s direct authority and His delegated
authorities.” It is the result of a mind which has been renewed from
being self-willed, stubborn, independent and rebellious. Holy Spirit is
the agent of this observable change within. It brings with it the
healthy fear of God which is just the beginning of living wisely and
righteously. Lack of this brings a slack attitude towards Holy Spirit,
and He will be grieved; and we will need to repent and be restored!
e.g. MOSES, MIRIAM AND AARON: God’s judgement response was quick
and terrible when these two challenged Mose’s authority and his choice of
wife. Satan’s strategy was to gain a hold within the leadership so that he
could then bring his toxic mind-set, unchecked into the rest of Israel. Moses
didn’t defend himself.. God did!
NUMBERS 12:1-15 Then Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the
Ethiopian woman whom he had married; for he had married an Ethiopian woman.
2
So they said, “Has the LORD indeed spoken only through Moses? Has He not
spoken through us also?” And the LORD heard it. 3
(Now the man Moses was very
humble, more than all men who were on the face of the earth.)
4
Suddenly the LORD said to Moses, Aaron, and Miriam, “Come out, you three, to
the tabernacle of meeting!” So the three came out. 5 Then the LORD came down
in the pillar of cloud and stood in the door of the tabernacle, and called Aaron
and Miriam. And they both went forward. 6 Then He said, “Hear now My words:
If there is a prophet among you,
I, the LORD, make Myself known to him in a vision;
I speak to him in a dream.
7
Not so with My servant Moses;
He is faithful in all My house.
8
I speak with him face to face,
Even plainly, and not in dark sayings;
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And he sees the form of the LORD.
Why then were you not afraid
To speak against My servant Moses?”
So the anger of the LORD was aroused against them, and He departed. 10 And
9
when the cloud departed from above the tabernacle, suddenly Miriam became
leprous, as white as snow. Then Aaron turned toward Miriam, and there she was,
a leper. 11 So Aaron said to Moses, “Oh, my lord! Please do not lay this sin on us,
in which we have done foolishly and in which we have sinned. 12 Please do not let
her be as one dead, whose flesh is half consumed when he comes out of his and
13
So Moses cried out to the LORD, saying, “Please heal her, O God, I pray!”
Then the LORD said to Moses, “If her father had but spit in her face, would
14
she not be shamed seven days? Let her be shut out of the camp seven days, and
afterward she may be received again.” 15 So Miriam was shut out of the camp
seven days, and the people did not journey till Miriam was brought in again.
ii) EXAMINE YOUR HEART! Some sickness and disease today is actually
a result of God’s Judgement on people acting and speaking
inappropriately of God’s appointed leaders! It is a serious sin. If we
take communion and haven’t confessed this as sin and repented of it;
we will bring judgement upon ourselves!
1 CORINTHIANS 11:27-32 Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks
this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and
blood[ of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the
bread and drink of the cup. 29 For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy
manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.
30
For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep. 31 For if
we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. 32 But when we are judged,
we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the
world.
If you are not submitted correctly in your heart and you are appointed as a
leader you will bring rebellion, and you will produce rebellious followers..
which is contagious. Judge yourself! Churches where this evil spirit is found
working have nothing but quarrels and dissension. Satan finds his work easy.
iii) ACCOUNTABILITY IS BASIC!
Unless you are face-face accountable for your work and decisions then you
will be strongly tempted to rebel! Those who do become a law unto themselves
and destroy the John 17 Unity of the Body. I have never promoted independent
works (even though there is the occasional great independent work) for a whole
host of reasons but the chiefest is lack of Denominational Accountability.
Leaders who have no-one to answer to, have no recourse when things go wrong.
Even when things are going well they are still in a very vulnerable situation.
Should the Pastor fail, the whole work will crumble, because there is rarely
succession planning in place. Neither be affiliated to; or start an independent
work.
iv) GODLY LEADERS ARE SUBMITTED.
Godly leaders will show the fruit of submission. Even under duress they will
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show and choose Godly love first.. and last! Their home will reflect mutual
submission; they will be in submission to denominational hierarchy, they will be in
submission to government authorities; and above all else they will be seekers
after the heart of God; and be in submission to The Lord himself. They will
exhibit great fruitfulness in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness,
goodness, kindness, humility and self-control. They don’t bark orders and strut.
Moses was named “the meekest man in the whole earth”! See how God cared for
him.
v) OBEDIENCE AND DISOBEDIENCE
What if the delegated authorities are actually evil and corrupt, and they are
ordering you to do something against the will of God, against the Scriptures?
ACTS 4:18-20 Peter and John before the Sanhedrin. So they called them
and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. 19 But
Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of
God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. 20 For we cannot but speak the
things which we have seen and heard.”
1 SAMUEL 20:1-2 Johnathon, Saul and David: ‘Then David fled from Naioth
in Ramah, and went and said to Jonathan, “What have I done? What is my
iniquity, and what is my sin before your father, that he seeks my life?”
So Jonathan said to him, “By no means! You shall not die! Indeed, my father will
2
do nothing either great or small without first telling me. And why should my
father hide this thing from me? It is not so!”
12-15. Then Jonathan said to David: “The LORD God of Israel is witness! When
I have sounded out my father sometime tomorrow, or the third day, and indeed
there is good toward David, and I do not send to you and tell you, 13 may the LORD
do so and much more to Jonathan. But if it pleases my father to do you evil,
then I will report it to you and send you away, that you may go in safety. And
the LORD be with you as He has been with my father. 14 And you shall not only
show me the kindness of the LORD while I still live, that I may not die; 15 but you
shall not cut off your kindness from my house forever, no, not when the LORD
has cut off every one of the enemies of David from the face of the earth.”
Johnathon let Truth guide his loyalty. His loyalty to God caused him to make the
remembered as one who was HONOURABLE.. in the sight of God and man, he did
that which was right.
9. WHAT IF YOU DISAGREE?
-there is a Scriptural basis for obeying authority.. make sure you harmonise
with it.
-if you have a matter of disagreement then you know how huble and respectful
you must be.
LEADER: If you are a leader, Pastor or Staff member you must be in
submission to his vision and calling. That is God’s way for us to retain harmony.
Agree to agree. Wise leaders accept input from their leaders; and will bring it
before God, and if necessary act on it, modify it, or lay it aside. Leaders lay
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aside their differing opinions and remain totally supportive.
SPIRITUAL LONE RANGERS: “ A LAW UNTO THEMSELVES”
These keep parroting this old line..”I too have the Holy Spirit; and I just listen
to Him, and I do what He tells me. I don’t need some other man leading me and
telling me what to do”. Yes, sounds good. Being guided by the Holy Spirit is one
half.. but the other half is being submitted to god’s delegated authorities, which
He has placed over us for our own good. Truth comes by revelation.
It is JESUS WHO SETS HIS CHURCH IN ORDER. Lack of functioning
through the five-fold ministry gifting; and God’s appointed overseers will cause
a church to become spastic. To operate outside His ORDER and His
AUTHORITIES is to be in REBELLION. All rebellion leads to destruction. All
submission leads to harmony, unity and the BLESSING OF GOD! Guard the
Church environment so as to retain it. It doesn’t mean that you won’t have to
deal with rebellion, it’s just that if you and your leaders are in the right place, it
will not prosper, and the flock will be safe and multiply.
TO DO:
1. Examine your heart in relation to Biblical Authority
2. What is God saying to you?
3. Do you need to ask forgiveness for present or past behaviour which
is ‘out-of-line’ with God?
4. How son will you fix it?
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