It has been quite sometime since I last posted anything but that is definately not an indication of what God's been showing me. I've been faithful in journaling what God's been showing me, just haven't taken the time to post them. Here's one from June 19th (long but good):
Random Thoughts 6/19/08 1:19 am
I gave my initial sermon tonight at midnight prayer, to myself. I was lying on my face and remember saying, “none of me, all of you” and soon after He said get up and take the pulpit. A moment’s hesitation was too long so I moved and opened my Bible to the place where I placed my pen before I left, Acts 16. I have never read the passage before but I read verses 1-5 a few times. I then spoke, “quick understanding of God’s word” and His word began to open up. I first focused on verse 4
“As they traveled from town to town, they delivered the decisions reached by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for the people to obey.”
They were not operating in a church but taking the gospel to the people. And they weren’t preaching/sharing anything that was false; they spoke in obedience and gave the word for the people to obey.
Verse 5 “so the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers.”
Their ministry was effective. They strengthened others and built them up. They weren’t out to make a name for themselves but simply to strengthen the body of Christ. The numbers grew daily! They were consistent and faithful to their message, totally committed.
After I saw the result of it, I had to go back to see who these two were, who they were talking about. Paul came across a disciple named Timothy whose mother was a believer but his father was a Greek. He heard the people speak well of him so he wanted to take Timothy along with him. Despite the fact that he had a somewhat dysfunctional family the people still spoke well of him. Because they spoke well of him and didn’t focus on his negatives this caught Paul’s attention.
Once Paul decided to take him, Timothy still had to be circumcised. Although Timothy was a spoken well of there was still a process he had to go through in order to walk with Paul. This solidified his ministry, separating him from his family and his past.
It’s time to make disciples, come out of your box and open your life as Paul did. He was open to what the people were saying and found one young man that was ready to move on. He did not look at his short comings only at his potential. Timothy was from the people so he could relate to the people but Paul had to take him through a process to separate him from the people. The time is up for you to continue to keep “fighting the good fight” by yourself, it’s time to disciple. Listen and be attentive to what the Spirit is saying and what the people are saying. When you hear, don’t hear the bad or the past but only the potential and if they are willing to be disciple. You know they are going to come from amongst the people who need to be saved so they’ll come with some baggage. Take them through the process to separate them and keep it moving.
This means, they are being let in to your inner circle. You have to take down the camouflage and allow them to see the real you. They will be walking with you so they must see the real you. Spend quality time with them, building a true relationship.
After Paul and Timothy did all that work in verse 4 and 5 it says that they traveled throughout the region and the Holy Spirit kept them from preaching. This allowed them time to bond, to know who they would be laboring with. It should not always be about ministry all the time. There should be some quality time where a bond and trust is being built. You have to allow them to see your flaws, what you do when not doing ministry. Show them you’re a real person.
Paul disciple Timothy and after their season was over, sent him out to disciple others. Your ultimate goal is to send them out, not to keep them as a flunky.
After Paul sent Timothy out, he continued to encourage and check on him; sending him warnings. Jumping over to 1 Timothy 4, Paul tells Timothy about those who will abandon the faith and preach their own gospel, leading others astray. Paul tells him its only his job to expose it and don’t indulge in it. Getting Timothy away from tradition and religion and re-enforcing relationship.
Although Timothy was young, Paul tells him not to allow that to be an excuse. Set the example of how you are suppose to live and hold to the teachings because by you living what you preach others will be saved too.
Paul can say this with complete confidence and influence because he did it before Timothy. Timothy saw firsthand how true Paul was to his relationship with God. Paul is simply telling him to do as I did, continue what I’ve passed to you.
We’re called to a greater level of accountability. Now we have no choice to waiver in the things of the world because we’re setting the pace and the standard for those coming after us. The weight of our words is directly connected to the walk of our lives. We’re following Christ, so if they’re following us and we move out of the way they should still be right behind Christ. If you take down even the least then it will continue to go down each generation after you.
And Paul was committed to Timothy’s development until it was time for him to leave. Commit yourselves to those you disciple, they may be beside you for a season but they’re following you for a lifetime; lead them right.
Elder Washington read from Revelations at the end of prayer that gave me the close. Revelation 21:1-4 talks about the New Jerusalem and how the old things have passed away. God is doing something new, establishing his kingdom the way it was meant to be. We are no longer living off of the God of our forefathers but we are coming to know Him for ourselves. It’s getting personal.
Verse 22-23 is where I want to be, “I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is the lamp”
I’m so glad, we’re moving beyond the four walls of a building. There is no need for a building, God is the temple, we are to dwell in him; we are the church. That means tradition is over and done with; the way of old is no more. This generation that is emerging in the body of Christ will not look like what has been but because they are based on relationship they are free in their worship.
We must emphasize our freedom in Christ, not a freedom to go back to sin but love him freely, obey him freely, serve him freely. If you’re operating in religion, it will show. We’re moving beyond the hype to health.
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