The 5-fold ministry is described in Ephesians 4:
Eph 4:11 KJV
(11) And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
These offices are important to the body. They are just as important to the Church as having a mom and dad are to the family. Naturally, there are those who would argue this, particularly those who were raised by one parent or perhaps had to raise children as a single parent. I'm not saying the body cannot prosper to an extent without these offices, but I will argue that it's not the perfect plan, it is not ideal, and if you compare to the body that does have these offices held in rightful submission to God - there is no comparison. One moves in order, authority, and power, while the other struggles in certain areas of leadership and gifting. That said...
These positions - rightfully ordained and occupied - create within the body a 'culture' that otherwise cannot be created. It's a Jesus Culture. It's a culture wherein the body is exposed to the 5-fold potency that God instilled in His body. It's the fullness of the immune system of God. When just one office is missing, there is a chink in the armor.
To the inverse, if you take a person who is fully-anointed as a prophet and turn them loose in a church that does not believe in the gift of prophecy, you run the risk of destroying that body because the 'culture' cannot support the anointing. The result of such a mix would be offense and division. This is not God's will, but the devil's.
But oh... do we not now see the value and power of a Jesus Culture that fully operates within the Holy Spirit and with all the working parts in order? A culture where the saints are 'perfected' and the body is edified? (Ephesians 4:12)
Showing posts with label Ephesians. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ephesians. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Getting Comfortable In The Boat
In scripture, any time you see boat, think also of throne. Think about a boat for a second. It's allows one to be totally isolated - untouchable by everyone else. This is one reason that Jesus found it to be a handy teaching platform. Ephesians tells us that we are seated with God in heavenly places. We also sit with Him on His throne! Only... we aren't comfortable there. Remember the disciples during the storm? They were freaking out while Jesus was sleeping. As children of the King, we need to get comfortable with the throne perspective.
In the Old Testament, what was the word for boat? Noah built one: ark. Then in Exodus, Moses was told to build a box - and it was called the 'Ark'. And upon that ark was a 'mercy seat'. It was were God came down to sit and converse with His priests! Do you see the similarities between the boat and the throne? In case you think this a stretch, many thrones of that day were fashioned in much the same way as the ark - complete with Cherubs! The High Priest was on an island away from the rest of humanity - just like Noah in the flood. The throne is a physical picture of sanctification.
Mat 13:2 ESV
(2) And great crowds gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat down. And the whole crowd stood on the beach.
Rev 4:6 ESV
(6) and before the throne there was as it were a sea of glass, like crystal. And around the throne, on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind...
What a great teaching platform... a boat! A throne! There are some things that we will NEVER be able to show the world without a heart-knowledge that we sit upon a throne with God.
Eph 2:4-6 ESV
(4) But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,
(5) even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ--by grace you have been saved--
(6) and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
So we are seated with Jesus - on the throne. But also remember that Jesus didn't 'need' the boat. He walked on water! Jesus used that perspective as a tool to reach the lost. We are sanctified, not to lord ourselves over others, but to draw others into a relationship with the One who sanctified us! Think differently!
In the Old Testament, what was the word for boat? Noah built one: ark. Then in Exodus, Moses was told to build a box - and it was called the 'Ark'. And upon that ark was a 'mercy seat'. It was were God came down to sit and converse with His priests! Do you see the similarities between the boat and the throne? In case you think this a stretch, many thrones of that day were fashioned in much the same way as the ark - complete with Cherubs! The High Priest was on an island away from the rest of humanity - just like Noah in the flood. The throne is a physical picture of sanctification.
Mat 13:2 ESV
(2) And great crowds gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat down. And the whole crowd stood on the beach.
Rev 4:6 ESV
(6) and before the throne there was as it were a sea of glass, like crystal. And around the throne, on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind...
What a great teaching platform... a boat! A throne! There are some things that we will NEVER be able to show the world without a heart-knowledge that we sit upon a throne with God.
Eph 2:4-6 ESV
(4) But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,
(5) even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ--by grace you have been saved--
(6) and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
So we are seated with Jesus - on the throne. But also remember that Jesus didn't 'need' the boat. He walked on water! Jesus used that perspective as a tool to reach the lost. We are sanctified, not to lord ourselves over others, but to draw others into a relationship with the One who sanctified us! Think differently!
Tuesday, December 01, 2009
The Promise of Firstfruits
Lev 23:10-12 Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, When you have come into the land which I give to you, and shall reap the harvest of it, then you shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest to the priest. (11) And he shall wave the sheaf before Jehovah to be received for you. On the next day after the sabbath the priest shall wave it. (12) And you shall offer that day when you wave the sheaf, a male lamb without blemish of the first year for a burnt offering to Jehovah.
Firstfruits is the third high holy day prescribed by God for the Jews to observe; the first two are Passover and Unleavened Bread (a week long celebration). Firstfruits is interesting because it is initiated by the high priest and presented before God. Notice what the priest presents: a sheaf of grain and a male lamb without blemish.
We already know that Jesus was our Passover lamb, without spot or blemish. We also know He was the bread came down from heaven (John 6:33). But what about Firstfruits and what are the implications?
1Co 15:23 But each in his own order: Christ the first-fruit, and afterward they who are Christ's at His coming;
Jesus was also our Firstfruits offering. He offered Himself to the Lord. When would He have done this? Immediately after His resurrection.
John 20:17 Jesus said to her, Do not touch Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father. But go to My brothers and say to them, I ascend to My Father and Your Father, and to My God and your God.
Later on, you will recall, He tells Thomas to come feel the nail prints in His hand. Why was it okay to touch Him then? Because He had already ascended and accomplished what the priest had to do on Firstfruits!
Now to the implications. The sheaves that were waved before the Lord by the High Priest were considered holy - but because they were waved they also made the rest of the field holy!
Jesus was the Lamb without blemish that had to be presented on First Fruits, but where were His sheaves?
After Jesus died, the earth shook and a strange thing happened:
Mat 27:51-53 And, behold! The veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. And the earth quaked, and the rocks were sheared, (52) and the tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep arose, (53) and coming out of the tomb after His resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many.
Men rose from the dead! What happened to these? Did they die again? No! These were the sheaves! The would have been taken up with Jesus and presented to the Father. Why? As a down-payment that the rest of the field would soon follow. If that seems like a stretch, read this passage in Ephesians:
Eph 4:8-10 Therefore He says, "When He ascended up on high, He led captivity captive and gave gifts to men." (9) (Now that He ascended, what is it but that He also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? (10) He who descended is the same also as He who ascended up far above all heavens, that He might fill all things.)
The promise of Firstfruits is that we will soon follow because we were made holy by Him who was able.
Rom 11:15-16 For if their casting away is the reconciling of the world, what is the reception except life from the dead? (16) For if the firstfruit is holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root is holy, also the branches.
Firstfruits is the third high holy day prescribed by God for the Jews to observe; the first two are Passover and Unleavened Bread (a week long celebration). Firstfruits is interesting because it is initiated by the high priest and presented before God. Notice what the priest presents: a sheaf of grain and a male lamb without blemish.
We already know that Jesus was our Passover lamb, without spot or blemish. We also know He was the bread came down from heaven (John 6:33). But what about Firstfruits and what are the implications?
1Co 15:23 But each in his own order: Christ the first-fruit, and afterward they who are Christ's at His coming;
Jesus was also our Firstfruits offering. He offered Himself to the Lord. When would He have done this? Immediately after His resurrection.
John 20:17 Jesus said to her, Do not touch Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father. But go to My brothers and say to them, I ascend to My Father and Your Father, and to My God and your God.
Later on, you will recall, He tells Thomas to come feel the nail prints in His hand. Why was it okay to touch Him then? Because He had already ascended and accomplished what the priest had to do on Firstfruits!
Now to the implications. The sheaves that were waved before the Lord by the High Priest were considered holy - but because they were waved they also made the rest of the field holy!
Jesus was the Lamb without blemish that had to be presented on First Fruits, but where were His sheaves?
After Jesus died, the earth shook and a strange thing happened:
Mat 27:51-53 And, behold! The veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. And the earth quaked, and the rocks were sheared, (52) and the tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep arose, (53) and coming out of the tomb after His resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many.
Men rose from the dead! What happened to these? Did they die again? No! These were the sheaves! The would have been taken up with Jesus and presented to the Father. Why? As a down-payment that the rest of the field would soon follow. If that seems like a stretch, read this passage in Ephesians:
Eph 4:8-10 Therefore He says, "When He ascended up on high, He led captivity captive and gave gifts to men." (9) (Now that He ascended, what is it but that He also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? (10) He who descended is the same also as He who ascended up far above all heavens, that He might fill all things.)
The promise of Firstfruits is that we will soon follow because we were made holy by Him who was able.
Rom 11:15-16 For if their casting away is the reconciling of the world, what is the reception except life from the dead? (16) For if the firstfruit is holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root is holy, also the branches.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
War and Peace
The Kingdom of Heaven works violence in the physical world. It will remain this way until the King Himself comes and sets up His physical kingdom on earth. From that point, there will be peace in the physical, but not in the hearts of all men.
I'm reminded of 3 primary verses:
Mat 11:12 MKJV
(12) And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of Heaven is taken by violence, and the violent take it by force.
Mat 10:34-35 MKJV
(34) Do not think that I have come to bring peace on earth. I did not come to send peace, but a sword.
(35) For I have come to set a man against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.
Eph 6:12 MKJV
(12) For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the world's rulers, of the darkness of this age, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
The Gospel of the Kingdom creates division. The intent is to bring Heaven to earth, yes, but to also call out those who belong to the Kingdom. We were always called out, to be set apart - sanctified. Different. Not in order to appear superior, but to distinguish between who are the Lord's and who are the world's. When mom heeds the call, and dad does not, there is no peace in the home. This was all modeled by Israel, sanctified and set apart from the rest of the world. They warred, much.
This is not unlike the Word of God, an instrument of peace, yes, but also violence.
Heb 4:12 MKJV
(12) For the Word of God is living and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing apart of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Why did the Lord create a nation of kings and priests? What are kings for if not for protection? The job of the priest is mediation and intercession between Heaven and earth. The king has authority in the physical realm, the priest in the heavenly. These are positions of violent authority - not simple figureheads. Our kingship and priesthood are tools given to us - necessary for warring in the physical and in the spiritual for the purpose of taking heaven and earth for the Kingdom of God. Without these offices, we have no real authority in either realm.
In a kingdom of perfect peace, there is no need for either office. God rules, everyone else abides peacefully. Therefore these offices were not created for use in the post-millennial utopia, although they may still exist. They were made for NOW.
I'm reminded of 3 primary verses:
Mat 11:12 MKJV
(12) And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of Heaven is taken by violence, and the violent take it by force.
Mat 10:34-35 MKJV
(34) Do not think that I have come to bring peace on earth. I did not come to send peace, but a sword.
(35) For I have come to set a man against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.
Eph 6:12 MKJV
(12) For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the world's rulers, of the darkness of this age, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
The Gospel of the Kingdom creates division. The intent is to bring Heaven to earth, yes, but to also call out those who belong to the Kingdom. We were always called out, to be set apart - sanctified. Different. Not in order to appear superior, but to distinguish between who are the Lord's and who are the world's. When mom heeds the call, and dad does not, there is no peace in the home. This was all modeled by Israel, sanctified and set apart from the rest of the world. They warred, much.
This is not unlike the Word of God, an instrument of peace, yes, but also violence.
Heb 4:12 MKJV
(12) For the Word of God is living and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing apart of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Why did the Lord create a nation of kings and priests? What are kings for if not for protection? The job of the priest is mediation and intercession between Heaven and earth. The king has authority in the physical realm, the priest in the heavenly. These are positions of violent authority - not simple figureheads. Our kingship and priesthood are tools given to us - necessary for warring in the physical and in the spiritual for the purpose of taking heaven and earth for the Kingdom of God. Without these offices, we have no real authority in either realm.
In a kingdom of perfect peace, there is no need for either office. God rules, everyone else abides peacefully. Therefore these offices were not created for use in the post-millennial utopia, although they may still exist. They were made for NOW.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Pillars
Isa 6:1-4(1) In the year that King Uzziah died I then saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and His train filled the temple.(2) Above it stood the seraphs; each one had six wings; with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew.(3) And one cried to another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is Jehovah of Hosts; the whole earth full of His glory.(4) And the doorposts moved at the voice of the one who cried, and the house was filled with smoke.
In this temple vision that Isaiah had, he sees the glory of God filling the temple. He describes great grandeur; the whole earth is filled with His glory!
Then there's a subtle little statement... the doorposts moved. Some translations say the foundations - others say 'the pillars'. The temple pillars moved at the sound of His voice.
Every congregation has pillars. We discussed these just the other night - the 5-fold ministry as given in Ephesians chapter 4. Apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, and evangelists are the pillars of the church. They NEED to shake and be moved at the sound of His voice.
In this temple vision that Isaiah had, he sees the glory of God filling the temple. He describes great grandeur; the whole earth is filled with His glory!
Then there's a subtle little statement... the doorposts moved. Some translations say the foundations - others say 'the pillars'. The temple pillars moved at the sound of His voice.
Every congregation has pillars. We discussed these just the other night - the 5-fold ministry as given in Ephesians chapter 4. Apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, and evangelists are the pillars of the church. They NEED to shake and be moved at the sound of His voice.
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