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The Journey and the Provision

When I began praying  about this message I felt the Lord was talking to me about how we are called to be Agents of Change in this world. I was thinking about the passage in Luke 10 where the seventy two were sent out, and I immediately started thinking about the THINGS  they were doing. But then, as I got quiet in the Spirit to start noticing all of the things that we might tend to overlook in this passage.

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I know a lot of people who are real prayer and worship people. Now, I LOVE worship, and I like to pray. But there are some people who long just to stay in the Lord’s presence. But to be honest with you, I tend to be more of a Martha than a Mary. I am all about doing the things that need to be done for Jesus and sometimes I get frustrated with the Mary like people who just sit at His feet. And to be honest, I have an unusual gift cluster in my life, so I frequently find myself appointed to some unusual tasks in the Body of Christ. The only problem with being a pioneer or a forerunner  or that person with a breaker anointing is that when you have those moments of weakness or discouragement you feel all alone. Look at Elijah in 1Ki 19. It was only hours after his single handed confrontation with 400 prophets of Baal and he was alone and in despair. But the Angel of the Lord came to him in the wilderness, bringing food, and saying Arise, eat, for the Journey is too great for you” After being refreshed, Elijah spent 40 days journeying to the mountain of God to meet with the Lord.

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So many of us want to be like Elijah and yet the truth is that like that great man of God, the Journey is too great for us also! Another way of saying it is that the Mission is TOO GREAT for us. Even while doing exploits in the Kingdom we have to refresh ourselves in the Lord, and sometimes take that 40 days off of what we had planned to do, and go meet with the Lord.

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In Elijah’s mind, he was the only one left for the Lord- He even said that in a complaint to God. But God’s provision was the opposite- Not only was Elijah NOT the only one left, but rather, he was sent to raise up his successor, who would have a double portion of what was on Elijah’s life. You see, there are two truths here: In the natural the Journey and Mission was too much even for Elijah, but in the Spirit there was a double portion provision for the work at hand, continuing into the next generation. You can see most things this way- what we see in the problem before us, and what we see In Christ and in His provision.

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So Back to Luke 10- Lets look at this passage in this same way and see what the scriptures say to us:

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Luke 10:1   After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go.

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First, if you study the Greek here, the word translated “sent” is

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apostello, ap-os-tel’-lo; from Greek 575 (apo) and Greek 4724 (stello); set apart, i.e. (by implication) to send out (properly on a mission)

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These are the same words we get the term apostle from, which means “sent one” If you are from the camp that says that there were only 12 apostles, plus maybe Paul, this will mess with your theology.

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Looking at the Mission side of things, if we were part of the 72 in this verse most of us would focus that we were appointed by God to the mission. And certainly, we are called to be the Salt and light to this world. But the provision of God revealed here is that they were sent to go ahead where the Lord was about to Go.

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John 5:19     Jesus gave them this answer: “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.

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We get our eyes on the mission, but the secret provision is to go exactly where the Father is going.

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Luke 10 :2 He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.

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If we look at the mission in this verse, we see the great harvest and we see that the workers are few. But Here is the provision: They were COMMANDED to pray that the Lord would send the workers into HIS field.

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Luke 10:3-7  Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. [4] Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road.  [5] “When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ [6] If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; if not, it will return to you. [7] Stay in that house, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house.

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In the Natural we see in this verse that we are truly Sheep among wolves. Now, how many know what usually happens to sheep that are among wolves? And worse yet, they were told not to take a bunch of money or clothing! Just great! We are BROKE, Ill-Equipped sheep among wolves! But looking for the provision in this verse, what do we see?

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The Lord gave a portion of Peace for the Journey, and they had the ability to spread this peace into the households they entered, if the household would receive it. Instead of being ill equipped they would have a place to stay. And instead of having no money or food, with a wink the Lord says “Don’t worry about eating and drinking what they give you, for you are worth it! It’s almost as if he was telling them to not have the attitude of too little, but rather to not be surprised when there was more than enough!

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Luke 10: 8-15  “When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is set before you [9] Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God is near you.’ [10] But when you enter a town and are not welcomed, go into its streets and say, [11] ‘Even the dust of your town that sticks to our feet we wipe off against you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God is near.’ [12] I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town. [13] “Woe to you, Korazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. [14] But it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you. [15] And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to the skies? No, you will go down to the depths.

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Now those who have our eyes on the mission know that much of the world will not receive us. But the Lord is saying- Keep working- When you find a place you are welcome speak that Kingdom Life- Pray over the sick, see them healed and delivered, have a meal with them. Bring the Life of the Kingdom to them.  And to those who don’t receive it- don’t be dismayed- for the Kingdom came there also, even if it was not received.
Jesus here names some of the places that had not received Him. The world will look back on the day of judgment and say “What were we thinking?”

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Luke 10: 16 “He who listens to you listens to me; he who rejects you rejects me; but he who rejects me rejects him who sent me.”

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This is a gentle reminder not to get too full of ourselves when we have success in ministry…It’s not that we are great, but rather the one whose message we carry is great. In the same way, we should not be devastated and destroyed when we have opposition or failure in our efforts, but rather know that it is not us who is rejected but He who sent us.

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Luke 10: 17-20 The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.”     [18] He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. [19] I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. [20] However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

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I love the simple perspective Jesus has here on the whole Satan thing.

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Let me re-tell these scriptures in the Dave Translation, and see if it resonates with you:

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They are all amazed that the demons had to submit- But it’s like Jesus is saying to them “Guys, I was there watching when Satan fell from heaven like a bolt of lightning. Do you think I’m dismayed by Satan and his servants? No!  Do you think I am surprised that they try and oppose us here? When they were cast from Heaven, where else would they go? But in case you do come across them, remember that I have given you authority to drive them out.  But in doing so don’t let that go to your head- The important thing is not that they are cast far from me in defeat, but rather that you are to dwell close to me in new life.

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Those focused on the mission rejoice that the demons are driven out, but the true provision was that it was because of their dwelling in the Book of Life.

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Luke 10:21 At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.

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When I think about this prayer, I am humbled. I am pretty well educated, and as a scientist type I am always trying to figure out and to strategize and to organize and to analyze and to energize and generally pulverize the problems before me until I cannot recognize them… at all!

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But instead, think of a little kid- “ I came here because my Daddy said to. If you touch me, my daddy will get you! And when I am tired, or scared, or hurt, I crawl up in His lap and it is all better.

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So look at verse 22: Jesus said  “Some Things have been committed to me by the Father” NOT!

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Luke 10:22 “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”

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Friends, If you are the only Christian in your office, rest assured that the advancing to the Kingdom into that office is in Jesus hands. And He has made provision for you as His messenger there.  You can speak the peace of the Kingdom there, and some who receive it will find peace. Others will not. Pray also that other workers will be sent into the field. Pray this scripture as people get hired. Pray in more workers. And remember it is not entirely about open evangelism. Maybe you eat what is set before you. Have lunch with the people in your school, or your office. Just be who you are in Christ. The Lord can make divine appointments.  And if they don’t receive the message you bring, don’t worry about it. Your task may be to plant a seed that the next employee will water.

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Luke 10:23-24 Then he turned to his disciples and said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. [24] For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.”

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What an Honor we have! We are just like the seventy- We have the privilege of being part of the mission!

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Mark 16:15-18    He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. [16] Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. [17] And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; [18] they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”

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But as prayer people, remember this- There is the mission, and there is a provision the Lord makes for the mission. You can choose to hurl your bodies at the mission, or you can dwell in the Lord like a little child and enjoy HIS supernatural provision for the mission.  We need to dwell in that secret place not only in our prayer closet, but to find the secret place of provision as we go about the mission in the world. We may look like sheep among wolves, but we have the provision that the Lord set aside for this work available to us. We are so blessed. Prophets and Kings longed to see what we are seeing in the Kingdom, and did not, but we have the Joy, the Honor and the Privilege of being Kingdom agents in these last days!

Update: The Blest Fest 2010 Conference was streamed LIVE on our Internet TV station www.KingdomFlame.com on
October 28-31 2010.

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To watch a video from one of
the sessions, click HERE.

Antioch Tabernacle Ministries is proud to announce or new Internet Video Channel, KingdomFlame.com. The Inaugural kickoff for Kingdom Flame will be this weekend, as we stream the 2010 Blest Fest Conference LIVE.

Enter into a relaxed, festival type atmosphere where truth and joy blend with a revelation of the amazing grace available to us. God is calling a group of 777 to gather in Chicago to know the increase of His favor and blessing upon their lives. Come be part of this “intimate” time with some of God’s most anointed leaders.

Heidi Baker is a legend in our time. The history books have yet to be written telling all the God-stories and miracles that happen wherever she goes. Limbs grow. Blind see. Deaf hear. Autism leaves. Dead rise. Cancer dies. Aids viruses shrivel. You get the point: God likes to use her hand to do the amazing. She is feeding over 10,000 children per day. She has over 12,000 churches of new converts to Christianity. The stories go on and on, but the bottom line is that she wants to come to HUB so she can be with the 777 at Blest Fest. Be one of them!

Mahesh Chavda has seen it before. In fact, many times. Hundreds of thousands have been saved through him. Thousands have been healed, including the lame, deaf, and blind. Those with cancer or AIDS have even been healed. He has been used by God for a decade to do miracles…make that 2 decades….No, Mahesh has known well over 3 decades of experiencing the miraculous! Mahesh loves to proclaim Christ’s Kingdom with power, to equip you for ministry and to usher in revival. He moved his schedule just to be with the 777 at the HUB Blest Fest.Patricia King is the host of Extreme Prophetic Television. With over 25 years of background as a Christian minister, she brings new meaning to the phrase “walking in the authority of Christ.” Her reputation in the Christian community is world-renowned. You will find her to be sincere, generous, honest, and quite capable to handle accurately the Word of God in truth. Patricia King is an amazing woman of God and HUB is thrilled to welcome her back as she ministers to the 777 at Blest Fest.

Worship – Steve Mitchell has an incredible passion to see the beauty and Kingdom of God revealed on earth. His ministry is characterized by the song of the Lord with a relentless pursuit to make contact with God. He views every corporate worship setting as a window of opportunity for a divine encounter. The prophetic word that Steve sings spontaneously draws you into the presence of the Lord. Many are set free and healed as the Lord ministers through his song.
Nathan Lopez from Wasilla Alaska is also returning to HUB to lead worship. (Yes he is from the church where Sarah Palin was saved and grew in the prophetic). Luke Hendrickson, one of the finest musicians and Mark Jobe, one of the world’s best drummers are also both coming in. Expect worship to be uncontainable and off the charts!

Jim Paul is officially named and recognized as a Prophet by TACF, after serving there as Pastor, Prophet and Itinerant for over 20 years. A Baptist pastor for 13 years in Canada, he now serves as senior pastor of Metro Church in Hamilton, Ontario. God has been using Jim for over 16 years at HUB, but never have we seen anything like what is happening lately, including complete healing of cancer, fibroid tumors, IBS, fibromyalgia and even MS. We can hardly keep up with the testimonies of all the miracles in his recent HUB meetings. He will be giving prophetic words and praying for the 777 at Blest Fest.

Dr. Gilbert Bilezikian, founding leader of Willow Creek Community Church, one of the largest churches in America with over 23K weekly attendees. For several years it has been ranked as the most influential church in America. Dr. Bilezikian’s influence cannot be over estimated at the massive seeker-sensitive church, where senior pastor, Bill Hybels says, “There would be no Willow Creek without Gilbert Bilezikian.” Affectionately known as Dr. B (as the coffee shop still bears his name), he had opportunity to mentor and envision Hybels 35 years ago while teaching and mentoring Hybels at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Born in Paris, he is fluent in several languages, giving him occasion to teach 7 yrs. as Minister of Education at American Church Paris and over 20 yrs. faculty staff at Wheaton College. He has authored several books including the classic Community 101 which in 2001, the French version won the comparable American Book of The Year Award. It is an honor to have Dr. B return to HUB. Not many have influenced so many and he is coming to talk to 777 at Blest Fest.

Steve Sampson is back by popular demand! He skillfully weaves humor into his “spot-on” delivery of the Word of God. A senior pastor for many years, he now itinerates and authors numerous books, including his latest Discerning & Defeating the Ahab Spirit, which is the sequel to bestseller Confronting Jezebel. A favorite of mine is Don’t Talk To Me Now Lord, I’m Trying To Pray, which the title is indicative of his powerful ministry.

Kingdom Flame and Radio Antioch Christian Media, in cooperation with Hub ministries and all the guest speakers, are donating the camera crew and the Web Streaming bandwidth to bring this conference LIVE to you, as a fundraiser to help Heidi Baker and her orphan ministry. We ask that you prayerfully consider donating 5, 10 or 20 dollars to help Heidi with her mission. Just click the donation box on the broadcast page. All donations are Tax deductible in the United States. If you REALLY can’t donate at this time, please feel free to watch. Freely we have received, Freely we give. Enjoy!

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Schedule

Thursday October 28

7pm Session 1 – Patricia King

Friday October 29

10am Session 2 – Jim Paul

2pm Session 3 – Steve Sampson

7pm Session 4 – Mahesh Chavda

Saturday October 30

10am Session 5 – Steve Sampson

2pm Session 6 – Dr. Bilezikian

7pm Session 7 – Blast Fest at Blest Fest

Sunday, October 31

11am Session 8 – Jim Paul

5pm Session 9 – Heidi Baker

Don’t Let the Devil Steal the Identity of Your Church!

This sermon is part three in a series I am writing. Parts one and two were preached at our live Radio Antioch meetings. Any of you who are interesting in seeing what parts one and two are about can see the videos on our website. In these teachings, I was focused on how the devil tries to steal the identity of the Christian. Today we will focus on how the devil tries to steal the identity of the church.
The devil cannot directly oppose the moves of God. He does not have sufficient power to do so.

However, the devil does oppose the servants of God, those used of God to carry out His will upon the earth. I suppose you could say that the devil practices guerilla warfare. Instead of confronting the power and people of God directly, he tries to focus on one small area at a time, perhaps a single believer or a single church,  and then flee. One of the best ways to do that is to deceive or discourage us so that we forget who we are in Christ and forget what we have been called to do. Remember in Genesis, where the devil asked “Did God really say”?  He sows doubt and unbelief, or bad theology. If the devil can’t send you to Hell, we will at least try and make you miserable and ineffective.

One of the greatest places of deception in all time has been the attack to try and steal the identity of the church!

One of the first places where the devil tries to steal the identity of the church is the focus on buildings and divisions.  In our culture, when we talk about a church, we usually mean a building. If you asked 50 Americans what a church is, most would say a building where religious services take place. WRONG! How many know that as Christians, we are supposed to get our definitions, our “world view” out of the scripture? Today we commonly use the phrase “Church” to mean a building. But the word translated “Church” in the New Testament is ekklesia (ek-klay-see’-ah) which means “a calling out” or “congregation” or “assembly”. So when the New Testament speaks about the Church in Ephesus or Antioch or Corinth, it is speaking about the gathering of people there. Each gathering or assembly of believers has its own personality, its own strengths and weaknesses, and its own calling as part of the body and Kingdom of Jesus Christ.  By the biblical definition, the defining characteristic of a church can never be what its building is, but rather who are its people!.

The people make the church, not what building keeps the rain off of their heads! A common tactic of the devil to get us to focus on the so-called “church” where people go instead of on the church that the people are.

How many of you have visited the original Antioch church from the New Testament? What? No hands? In fact, I don’t think that there is any building in existence today associated with any of the New Testament churches. In fact, it was many years before the idea of dedicated church building caught on. Early churches met in people’s homes and in public places. But I would say to you that it was the first church in Antioch that sent out missionaries to the world, and that our churches today can be traced back to the fruit of their efforts.

Another Lie: Where is it in the Bible that Christianity is a Spectator Sport? But it was the Romans that had the Arenas. If the Church is about the people, then if the Church is Dead, then it’s YOUR fault!
If all the people are just sitting there to be entertained, then it might as well be “America’s Got Talent”! But consider what the ONE THING that we do in church now that we will also do when we get to heaven.  That one thing is to WORSHIP the Lord. Sure teaching is very important, for we need to be taught the principles of Christ. We all need to be taught the scriptures. And yes, we need to pray for the sick, as the scriptures command, having the elders lay hand on those who need healing. But the most important thing about church is to enter into the presence of God, and to commune with Him, and to Worship HIM. That communing, that worship, is the ONLY part of our worship experience that will continue in heaven. It seems to me that some of our churches should dare to practice more of it now!

Turn with me in your bibles to the book of churches chapter 11…
Why are you looking at me like that? Oh, yes, I’m really talking about the book of Acts, which is a shortened name for the “The Acts of the Apostles”. You see it is not about a building but rather about what the people did. It’s the acts of the apostles, not the acts of the churches.

Let me show you a second place where the devil tries to steal the identity of a church. In Matthew chapter 28, we were told to “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,  teaching them to observe all that I commanded you” In Mark 16:15 Jesus said to them to “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” Now, there are two common commands here: Can anyone tell me the first? The first is what to do:  GO! Don’t be only focused on your area. The second command is similar: WHO- Don’t be focused only on your little group, go to all the nations. One big place where the identity of the church gets stolen is the trap of ignoring or under emphasizing these two aspects of the great commission. The big temptation is to just minister to our 50 or 100 people in our local body of Christians. We just get inbred and only associate with our own kind, the believers. Worse yet, a lot of our denominations only associate with their own denomination, making them doubly inbred.  A lot of people really put the early church in Jerusalem up on a pedestal as the ideal new testament church. I believe they do this largely because the people gave sacrificially and took care of the needy. However, if you look, they only took care of Jews. They were not going to the nations. In fact, the whole reason that the office of the deacon in the church was created is because there were complaints that widows of  the Jews of Hellenistic origin were being overlooked in favor of the local widows. Not only did they only focus on Jews, but they also clearly were cliquish within their own people group. It was not until persecution broke out that this church was scattered, and the people began to carry out the Great Commission. In Acts chapter 7 and 8, you see the martyrdom of Stephen and the beginning of the persecution of the church by Saul. When this happened, the church was scattered. We see Phillip going to Samaria and proclaiming the Gospel to the hated Samaritans. After he begins to have success, Peter and John join him. In Acts 11:19 we see that some who were scattered from the persecution in Jerusalem made their way to Antioch. At first they preached to the Jews alone. But later, they began to preach to the Greeks also. Acts 11:21 says that the hand of the Lord was with them, and a large number believed and turned to the Lord. Note that the scriptures say that the believers were first called Christians in Antioch. Whenever you see a name change in the scripture there is a deep spiritual significance. Like Jesus, this church was more focused on the Father’s plan than on their own agenda. And like Jesus, this church was more focused on who they were trying to save than their own needs.
Church, the devil would love to have us only focus on, and associate with, other Christians. The devil is perfectly happy when Christians go be separate to themselves and do nothing to be salt in light in the community. Those guys are all saved, so why spend  any effort on them? Instead, the devil would rather focus on dragging as many people outside of the church to hell as possible. We are supposed to be Salt and Light to the community! We are supposed to be bringing the nations into the knowledge of Jesus. And by nations I mean not only countries, but also those who live in our country of a different social or ethnic background. If we just focus on ourselves we are not a danger to the devil’s kingdom…The Devil has twisted the scripture in  2 Cor. 6:17 that says   “Therefore, come out from their midst and BE SEPARATE,” says the Lord.” To mean don’t associate with anyone outside the church. And honestly, in a large portion of the Christian community that is what we do. But look at the next verse:  “And do not touch what is unclean; And I will welcome you. “ This section is about not being polluted by the things of this world. Now, when it says “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers” that does imply that we should not enter into certain close relationships with unbelievers, for example I don’t think a believer should marry an unbeliever, or take on an unsaved business partner. Some relationships are so close that you can’t help but be affected by that person. However this section DOES NOT justify the church in general withdrawing from interaction with the world. Just don’t hold them so close as to be polluted by them.
Church- Do not let the devil steal your identity of Salt and Light. Do not let the Devil steal your identity as missionary to the nations!

A third place  where the devil has stolen identity in the church is in our leaders. Can anyone show me anywhere in the church where the head of a group of believers was required to be pastoral? I doubt it. If you look at the new testament churches, they usually have several leaders, with different giftings. One might be pastoral. Another might be a teacher or an apostle. Another might be prophetic.  We have this simple model where one man is the head of a local body, and his job is to meet the spiritual needs of all the flock, and to teach them, and to shepherd the direction of the church. We put such an unreal expectation on that poor sucker we call “the pastor” that there is almost no way he can prosper! Instead, what if we gave the freedom for our leaders to be who they are in Christ, and put others around them to help with the load. Instead of being judgmental of a man of God who has a great teaching gift but is not all that good with hospital visits and funerals, why not pair him up with an elder who is very pastoral. Maybe a church has a visionary leader but he needs a couple of good bible teachers to run the Sunday school.
The devil has tried very hard to steal the 5 fold ministry identity from the body.

Ephesians  4:11-13     It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, [12] to prepare God’s 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.

A really common lie the enemy has used to steal from our leaders is that after the early church, there are no more Apostles, Prophets or Teachers. Most denominations acknowledge the evangelist, and call the head guy at the church a Pastor. But what do we do with that guy who has a building, fathering, apostolic gift to build into people and plant churches or ministries? What do we do with the prophetic? Most churches literally ban them, or limit them to one expression, a tongue and interpretation. And unless our teachers who are grounded and mature in the word are on staff somehow, we don’t consider them as part of the ministry. But this scripture in Ephesians 4 clearly says that all 5 offices were given until the church attains the full measure of fullness in Christ. I don’t think any church in history has over gotten to that point, so I got news for you- the Apostles and the Prophets and the Teachers are still called to be working side by side with the pastor and the evangelist.

Acts 13:1    In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (Mon-ah-ane’) (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul.

Now, clearly at the church in Antioch, we had in the leadership team prophets and teachers. But now look what happens:

Acts 13:2-3  While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” [3] So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.

So look at what happened. Barnabas had been sent in Acts 11:22 to be the head of the church in Antioch, and he had recruited Paul to help him. But now the Holy Spirit was moving them into an apostolic ministry.  If the people in Antioch had refused to let go of those two, the much of what happened in the rest of the book of acts would have been different! The devil would love to have our pastors be worn out, expected to be all things to the body, and be kept in the box defined by their congregation. Instead, we need to surround our leaders with others whose giftings help balance the needs of the body, and actually have the courage to let our beloved leaders grow in their calling and walk with God as well.

This brings me to the fourth way that the devil tries to steal the identity of a church- By having it stay the same and not grow into the calling that God is leading it into.
Many of you understand this, but for clarity, let me spell out a concept to you- Local churches are like people, they have a birth, they grow in size and in maturity, in knowledge and capability, and eventually many die. From one season in life to another, a church grows and changes just like a person does. Look at this church in Antioch. Acts 11:26 says that Barnabas and Paul  met with the church and taught great numbers of people. It was during this time that they became disciples, and first became known as Christians. During this formative season in the Antioch church, the focus was entirely on making local converts and training them into disciples in the Lord. But now we see the Holy Spirit calling two of their beloved leaders into this apostolic call to the nations. At that point the leaders and people of the church in Antioch had an option- to be disobedient and keep Paul and Barnabas back, and ignore this trans-local call on the church, or to embrace this new season in the church’s identity, become the sending center to reach the nations, and release Paul and Barnabas to enter into their destinies as apostles. Thank God they did!

Now, you can bet that some in that church wanted to hold on to the way things were. What they did not understand that if through disobedience, the hand and favor of the Spirit was withdrawn, things would never be the same anyway. And yet a lot of churches miss their call to move into a place of regional and even international influence out of the desire of some to avoid change. And yet if you miss the move of God, change does come, and never for the better.
Church, I challenge you this day not to let the devil steal your identity. I challenge you not to become so caught up in buildings and programs that you forget that the real church is a group of PEOPLE and all the buildings and programs are but a servant to their needs, not the other way around.  I challenge you not to become inbred, focusing only on stealing Christians from the other churches, but rather to truly be Salt and Light in the community and bringing in the lost. I dare you to train up your people to be leaders in their schools, jobs and even in government. I dare you to become radically saved by having the courage to witness to the radically unsaved!

Let me say that again: I dare you to become radically saved by having the courage to witness to the radically unsaved!

Church, I challenge you to build leaders in a biblical pattern, raising up the 5 fold in our midst, and having the courage to release them as they grow into their destinies. And finally, church, I dare you to get on your face and seek God for what you are to be in this next season, and boldly allow the Holy Spirit to transform this body as it walks into its destiny. I dare You!

A symbol of God’s promise

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This teaching is Radio Antioch Podcast Episode 33. To watch, click on the player above. To download audio and video , click the Icons at the bottom of the post..

Philip. 1:3-6

I thank my God every time I remember you. [4] In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy [5] because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, [6] being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

The Greek word translated being confident is peitho.  (Pay’- tho)  The perfect tense used here  indicates that Paul had not only already previously come to the conclusion that this was true, but was also still confident in it remaining true in the future.  The Greek word translated completion here is epiteleo.  (ep-ee-tel-eh’-o;) from Greek words epi,  ep-ee’ and teleo. ( tel-eh’-o).

epi,  ep-ee’; a primary preposition properly meaning superimposition of time, place or order.

teleo,  tel-eh’-o; to end, i.e. complete, execute, conclude, discharge (a debt) :- accomplish, make an end, expire, fill up, finish, go over, pay, perform.

So the Lord is able to to bring you to the time of the completion of your purposes, He is able to bring you to the Place of your release, and He is able to Order your life from now until the End!

So Paul reveals here his understanding of the Christian journey- The Lord began a good work in the Philippians as they came into Christ, but like all of us, they have not yet come into the full measure or stature of the promise and calling upon them as individuals and also as a church that is part of the body of Christ. But Paul also speaks of his confidence that the Lord is able to take them to the level of anointing, maturity and fruit in Christ that is their destiny.

But here is where many Christians, and even some churches get shipwrecked in the storms of life. They may have no doubt the the Lord BEGAN a good work in them. They were so full of faith when they began, so on-fire with the First Love of Christ so looking forward into their destiny and calling. But then the Storms come. Setbacks occur, and our situation looks hopeless. Sometimes mistakes or even sins are committed, and we feel disqualified. Many of us have lost the confidence that the Lord, who began the work in US is not only ABLE, but also still desires to bring to fruit the FULL PROMISE of our calling and destiny in Christ.  We claim to believe that God parted the Red Sea, but we lose faith about paying the rent. And we believe that God formed man out of the dust of the ground, and yet when we get in Sin and see how much dirt remains, we are unable to see past the failure ito the grace of God to take us where He wants to go.

Quite simply put, we lose faith in God’s ability to finish the work that He began in us!

Hosea 4:6    My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge.

One reason that we become shipwrecked is that we don’t understand that accomplishment and success is a process.  That frequently we need to be refined before we can be used to accomplish God’s purposes.

Let’s talk about Joseph. He was gifted, prophetic young man, called to greatness as a prince of a nation that was just beginning. He had the favor of Israel his father, as the best among his brothers. And yet he was full of pride and arrogance. He had had dreams that he would move into an exalted place of leadership. But in his pride and arrogance, he announces his dreams to his brothers and parents, long before he has grown in stature, character and anointing to walk in that destiny.  Because he was trying to force God’s timing, he was rebuked by his parents and hated by his brothers. Many of you are familiar with the story. His brothers faked his death and sold him into slavery. He was taken to Egypt and became a slave in the household of Potiphar. But as Joseph began to grow in character, the enemy came against him. When Joseph rejected the adulterous advances of Potiphar’s wife, she falsely accused him of attempted rape, and Joseph was sent to prison. But even in the prison, God was maturing Joseph. In the Prison, God continued to refine Joseph’s prophetic gifting, and he was able to interpret troubling dreams of royal officials who had been sent there.  One of these officials was eventually release. One day, Pharaoh the King of Egypt had a troubling dream, and this official remembered Joseph. God had prepared Joseph, honed his gifting, and positioned him in just the place where he would impact a nation. Joseph interpreted Pharoh’s dream, so impressing him that he was made ruler of all of Egypt, second only to Pharaoh.  Paharoh’s dream was about a great famine in the land. When the time of famine came, even Joseph’s family had to seek help from Egypt. As the wise steward of the nation, Joseph had prepared Egypt for the great time of trial, and he was also able to provide a sanctuary  for his family.

Psalm 105:16-22

He called down famine on the land  and destroyed all their supplies of food;  [17] and he sent a man before them–   Joseph, sold as a slave. [18] They bruised his feet with shackles,  his neck was put in irons,  [19] till what he foretold came to pass,  till the word of the Lord proved him true.  [20] The king sent and released him,  the ruler of peoples set him free.  [21] He made him master of his household,   ruler over all he possessed,   [22] to instruct his princes as he pleased  and teach his elders wisdom.

Notice that the dream that got Joseph in so much trouble came to pass. He was refined through many trials until he could handle God’s destiny. What was God’s purpose? To send Joseph before his brothers into Egypt, so that in the time of great trial, they would have a place of refuge for the family that was to become the nation of Israel.

The greed word translated as proved in Psalm 105:19 is

tsaraph,  tsaw-raf’; a primitive root; to fuse (metal), that is to refine (literally or figuratively)  cast, refine, as a goldsmith, to melt, and  purge away the dross and impurities.

So the scripture says here that until the full promise of God came true in Joseph’s life, that the promise was an instrument in refining Joseph and purging him of the things that would hold him back from fulfilling his destiny.

Let me give you a mental picture to help you understand. In our family, Grandma Compton lives in rural Ohio, and she would concerning the harvest that if the Corn was knee-high by the fourth of July, it would be a good year of harvest. Now, I’m no farmer, and I don’t know if the knee-high part is a good measure here in Illinois. But let me give you this picture:

A farmer plants a hundred acre field with corn. Suppose that on the evening of the fourth of July he walks out into the fields and raises his arms to the starry heavens and cries out in Anguish: “Oh God! Where are you? Have you forsaken me? I have labored! I have planted all of these acres, and spent all my money on the seed, and yet there is no harvest! Where ARE YOU GOD?

We would probably laugh at this picture. Because we know that knee-high corn does not produce much of a harvest. We would know that the season is not quite right for the coming huge harvest in the farmer’s life. If he tries to harvest early, or despairs and give up in caring for the field, he will miss out on the full promise of the harvest. We know this about the farmer, because experience has taught us about the seasons of the crops. And yet so many Christians despair in their lives because they have no understanding of the seasons and the process, even the very journey required to bring us into the full promise and harvest for our lives.

Another place where we lose faith in reaching our destiny is in places where we have failed a test, and feel that God has given up on us.

In Matthew 26  we find Jesus talking to the disciples just befor He went to the cross:

Matthew 26:31-35     Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written: ” ‘I will strike the shepherd,        and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ [32] But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”  [33] Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.”   [34] “I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.”     [35] But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same.

Now, the disciples got so focused on Jesus’ warning that they were all about to fall away for a season that they missed a key revelation:

But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.

Not only did he tell them that He would Rise from the Dead, but He also promised them that they would meet again in Gallilee.

Of course, they all did fall away that night. Peter was so bold as to follow Jesus into the courtyard where He was being accused, but as prophesied, he denied Jesus three times.

But as the whole drama of the crucifixion and their falling away unfolded, Jesus message remained the same to his followers:

Matthew 28:8-10

So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. [9] Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. [10] Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

In Mark Chapter 16, an agel appeared to Mary Magdalene after the crucifixion, saying:

Mark 16:6-7    “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. [7] But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’ ”

The message- Don’t be afraid, I’m still in control, and I have a plan and a destiny for you. Meet me in Galilee. And in Mark, Peter is called out by name, even though he had denied Jesus publicly three times. You see, Jesus knew what trials and failures were needed to take the brash fisherman Peter and transform him into the Apostle he would become. He knew full well the failures that were coming along the way. Jesus was not  dismayed or disillusioned by Peter’s failings.

In John Chapter 21, the disciples had indeed gone ahead to Galilee. While waiting on Jesus, Peter decides to go out to fish, and they fish all night and catch nothing.  Jesus appears to them, calling out: “Do you have any fish?”  They when hearing that the experienced fisherman had nothing, tells them to cast the net on the right side of the boat.  Now this is silly in the natural. A net that could hold a hundred fish is huge, and it would make no difference what side of the boat you cast it from. Even so, they obey and net a huge catch.  But this sudden intervention of the supernatural into the natural reminded them that it was God himself they were dealing with. Peter recognized that it was Jesus, and leaving everything behind, dove into the water to swim to meet him. They found Jesus on the shore, with a hot breakfast cooked for them. They went from a night of striving with no fruit to a time of intimate fellowship with the lord with great fruit.

John 21:1-25

[15] When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” [16] Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”  [17] The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”    Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. [18] I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” [19] Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”     [20] Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”) [21] When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”     [22] Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.”

Jesus carefully restored Peter. For each time that Peter had denied, Jesus asked Peter if he loved him, them commissioned him to feed His sheep. For each time of failure and denial, there was a place of restoration. For each battle lost, there was a commissioning for victory after the time of refining was completed. There was even an example of supernatural provision given in a way as only a fisherman could truly appreciate. All Peter had to do was to have the faith to go forward.

Notice also that when Peter questioned Jesus about another Apostle, Jesus replied “what is that to You? Follow ME”  Sometimes when we are in that season before we come to the harvest, we ask, “why me, Lord” comparing ourselves to others. But the Lord reminds each of us to Follow Him, and that each person’s walk  with Him is unique.

Friends, the Lord has each of us on a journey. Don’t let the devil steal your identity by discouraging you. Don’t be the farmer on the fourth of July and despair before the season of Harvest. Don’t let your sins and failures cause you to not believe the things that God has promised you. He who began a good work in US is ABLE to bring it to fruit and completion.  All we have to do is encourage ourselves in the faith, repent if necessary  and have the faith in the Lord to complete

Credits

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Radio Antioch Podcast 32  features our friends Keryn Moriyah with guest Rabbi Leora enjoying a night of Messianic-style worship with us in Antioch. To watch online, click the player above. MP4 and MP3 downloads are available below. Enjoy!

Photo Credit

This teaching is part two in the series “Don’t Let the Devil Steal Your Identity”

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This teaching is Radio Antioch Podcast Episode 31. To watch, click on the player above. To download audio and video , click the Icons at the bottom of the post..

Luke 22:1-6

Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was approaching, [2] and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus, for they were afraid of the people. [3] Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. [4] And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. [5] They were delighted and agreed to give him money. [6] He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present.

So in these chapters we are approaching the time of Jesus last Passover, before his crucifixion and resurrection. Prior to this, Satan had been working on Judas, tempting him to be offended.  You can find the slow unraveling of Judas’ identity as one of the twelve.

(By the way- Have you ever wondered what the title “Iscariot” means? It actually means “One of Kerioth”. Keroth was a town in southern Judah. So the nickname “Judas Iscariout” literally  means “Judas of Kerioth”. )

One of the first mentions of Judas’ change of heart is when Jesus first introduced the thought of His body and Blood being given to establish the new covenant:

John 6:53-71

Jesus therefore said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in yourselves. [54] “He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. [55] “For My flesh is true food, and My blood is true drink. [56] “He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. [57] “As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who eats Me, he also shall live because of Me. [58] “This is the bread which came down out of heaven; not as the fathers ate, and died, he who eats this bread shall live forever.” [59] These things He said in the synagogue, as He taught in Capernaum. [60] Many therefore of His disciples, when they heard this said, “This is a difficult statement; who can listen to it?” [61] But Jesus, conscious that His disciples grumbled at this, said to them, “Does this cause you to stumble? [62] “What then if you should behold the Son of Man ascending where He was before? [63] “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life. [64] “But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who it was that would betray Him. [65] And He was saying, “For this reason I have said to you, that no one can come to Me, unless it has been granted him from the Father.” As a result of this many of His disciples withdrew, and were not walking with Him anymore. [67] Jesus said therefore to the twelve, “You do not want to go away also, do you?” [68] Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life. [69] “And we have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God.” [70] Jesus answered them, “Did I Myself not choose you, the twelve, and yet one of you is a devil?” [71] Now He meant Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for he, one of the twelve, was going to betray Him.

So it seems that many of those who had followed Jesus at the beginning took an offense at this teaching, and a number fell away. In these verses we see the revelation that even one of the twelve was falling away. But while he had lost faith in Jesus, Judas found it convenient to continue in his ministry as one of the twelve.

John 12:3-6

Mary therefore took a pound of very costly perfume of pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. [4] But Judas Iscariot, one of His disciples, who was intending to betray Him, said, [5] “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii, and given to poor people?” [6] Now he said this, not because he was concerned about the poor, but because he was a thief, and as he had the money box, he used to pilfer what was put into it.

This type of statement is exactly what you would expect from man’s religion. It sounds good and righteous on the surface. surely it would be better to take care of the poor! But it ignores honoring the Lord who is present among us!

So we see Judas falling away. Satan is now working all of the “hooks” he has in Judas’ life. He is now using his position in ministry to steal from the Kingdom work for his own benefit, while looking all pious and religious on the outside!

So it is even today. Most of the people listening tonight have made a decision to follow Jesus. In Him, we have a new identity. But the enemy is trying hard to exploit any “hooks” he may still have in you to get you to lose the identity and inheritance you have in Christ. Some may be tempted to obvious sin, like stealing. Others take an offense at the radical worship of Jesus, and then miss out on a move of God.

Perhaps the suffering Messiah that Jesus was to become did not fit with Judas’ vision for a conquering messiah… Or maybe the gospel message of Jesus as the sacrifice for many offended his educated theology. You find this today in some of our liberal churches…We start to drop off some of the radical messages of the gospel, for a more “contemporary” or “sensitive” or “relevant” gospel. If you ask me, you can replace the words contemporary, sensitive or relevant with “watered down” and be closer to the truth!

Going back to Luke:

Luke 22:14-20

When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. [15] And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. [16] For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.” [17] After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. [18] For I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” [19] And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” [20] In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you..

There are a lot of ideas in these last few verses: Jesus is the new covenant. Those who partake in Him are grafted into the people of God. Before this, the Jewish people had a covenant with God through Abraham. In the coming years this new covenant would bring millions of Jews and now Gentiles into relationship with the Lord.

Luke 22: 21-23  But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table. [22] The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed, but woe to that man who betrays him.” [23] They began to question among themselves which of them it might be who would do this.

So Jesus reveals to them that the enemy is trying to cause them to fall away. In fact, you see their flesh being stirred up even now:

Luke 22: 24-30

Also a dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. [25] Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. [26] But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. [27] For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. [28] You are those who have stood by me in my trials. [29] And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, [30] so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

The high priests who were trying to destroy Jesus had their identity in their priesthood, and would do any evil to protect their ministry, even if it totally missed God’s will. Jesus had given them a new identity in the New Covenant of His blood. Now, he teaches them that their identity is in serving the Kingdom, not in being great themselves.  But he also reveals that if they give themselves up to be the servant in this Kingdom, that they also will be given a measure of rule in Christ. They were not to find their identity in what position they have in religion, or even what they have accomplished, but rather they are to find their identity in this new covenant, in this new body of Christ.

But the devil is still trying to cause them to fall away, and will be testing any hook he still has in them:

Luke 22: 31-34

“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. [32] But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” [33] But he replied, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.” [34] Jesus answered, “I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.”

The language here implies the idea that Satan has “asked and obtained” similar to the devil arguing with God about Job. Notice that Jesus here refers to Peter by his given name, “Simon”  and not by the name Jesus himself had given him in Matthew chapter 16:

Matthew 16:13-18

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” [14] They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” [15] “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” [16] Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” [17] Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. [18] And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.

So Peter is one of the first to name Jesus as the Christ, and receives the new name of “Peter”, which means “the rock” . But on this night Satan is going to come against them all when circumstances grow dire, and each will fall away for a time. Jesus seems to point to this, referring to his disciple not as “The Rock” but rather by his birth name.  But Jesus also reveals that He has prayed that Peter would be strengthened in that new identity, eventually becoming “the rock” a leader in the new move of God. But here in the hour of testing there was a contest of destiny going on that would change the history of the world.

Luke 22: 35-38

Then Jesus asked them, “When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?” “Nothing,” they answered. [36] He said to them, “But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one. [37] It is written: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors’; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfillment.” [38] The disciples said, “See, Lord, here are two swords.””That is enough,” he replied.

Let me challenge your thinking a bit here: When the seventy had been sent out, Jesus had sent them out money, or baggage, or even shoes. This was a temporary mission that was to increase their  faith and model to the world that the Kingdom was at hand. But now, he tells them that they will need their money and their possessions, and even a sword every now and then.  So here is a heavy thought: There is a prevailing thought in our churches that the Kingdom work is done among the walls of the churches. But Jesus is now preparing to release the disciples into a mission that would be clarified in the great commission: To go into all the world. That mission has already extended over two thousand years, and we still have not made it to all of the people groups on earth! There is a growing understanding in the body of Christ today that to be the kingdom people that the church is called to be, we don’t just do Christianity at church. No, it takes our money, and our possessions. We represent the Kingdom not only in the four walls of the church, but in the highways and byways of commerce, at the market, at the school, and at the office! And yes, sometimes the Lord can even use armies to bring about His purposes! He was speaking a new identity to them: A tough, never take “no” for an answer group that would take the gospel to the world.

And yet, the great trial and their personal fallings away and failures were yet before them this night.

Friends, Jesus was speaking a new identity into them this night. A new identity in the New Covenant of Christ. A new identity that would send them into the nations. A new call not to be a people who would lord their position over others, but those that would lay down their lives as servants to a call higher than themselves- The Kingdom of God. And yet we see Satan present even here- challenging the identity of each of them- One had already fallen, another would deny before the cock crows, and each would flee when the soldiers came, with only one at the foot of the cross. That call goes on today- Jesus is calling each of us to take up our place and our destiny in His kingdom, and the enemy is hurling every lie, sin and deception that he can find a way to hook on to you. Like Simon, when he became Peter the Rock- Whom do you say Jesus is? What identity will you accept for yourself- Once again I say unto you- “Do Not Let the Devil Steal Your Identity!

Credits

Dan Mohler

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This Video is Radio Antioch Podcast Episode  30. To watch the video, click on the player above. Downloads are available below at the bottom of this post.

This video features our friend Dan Mohler as he was ministering at the Christian Life Fellowship church in Antioch, Illinois on Easter Sunday 2010. The service was  recorded and also broadcast live on the web on Radio Antioch.

Credits

Scott and Melody Lee,

and Jonathan and Bryar Strutt

Here are the videos from The Encounter, held March  26-28, 2010 in Antioch Illinois. For more information about the Encounter, visit the related post HERE.

Thanks so much to SJ, Scott, Melody, Jonathan and Bryar. We would also like to thank our guest Sound Engineer Quinton Ackerman, Video Director Victor LaBarbera for helping us with some of the sessions, and all of the guest musicians. You guys are a blessing!

Don’t Let the Devil steal your Identity!

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This video is our Podcastst Episode 26. To watch, click the player above. For downloads, go to the end of the post.

I have been thinking a lot recently about Identity.  I believe that one of the reasons that the church sometimes does not have the power it needs, and the reason that we often do not have the power in our lives that we need is that we forget our identity. Some of us have never known our identity in Christ. Others have been lied to and cheated by the enemy. The devil comes to kill, steal and destroy, and one of the best ways for him to steal from you is to get you to believe his lies. If he can cause you to doubt who you are, you are halfway defeated. Remember when the devil tempted Jesus: “If you are the son of God….” Remember also in the garden, where the Serpent asked “Did God Really say…? “  The devil often does not come against you directly, and he is powerless to come against God. Instead, he will sow doubt, or condemnation, or confusion so that you forget who you are in Christ.

We will be teaching today out of First Samuel 17.

In verse on we find the armies of Israel and the armies of the Philistines meeting for battle. They met together in a place called Elah. Each army was arrayed on either side of a lower area, so the armies faced one another, each standing on a hillside, with an open, lower area between them. This type of battleground would give each army a clear view of the field that lay between them.

1 Samuel 17: 4-11

Then a champion came out from the armies of the Philistines named Goliath, from Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span. [5] And he had a bronze helmet on his head, and he was clothed with scale-armor which weighed five thousand shekels of bronze. [6] He also had bronze greaves on his legs and a bronze javelin slung between his shoulders. [7] And the shaft of his spear was like a weaver’s beam, and the head of his spear weighed six hundred shekels of iron; his shield-carrier also walked before him. [8] And he stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, and said to them, “Why do you come out to draw up in battle array? Am I not the Philistine and you servants of Saul? Choose a man for yourselves and let him come down to me. [9] “If he is able to fight with me and kill me, then we will become your servants; but if I prevail against him and kill him, then you shall become our servants and serve us.” [10] Again the Philistine said, “I defy the ranks of Israel this day; give me a man that we may fight together.” [11] When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid.

1 Samuel 17: 16   And the Philistine came forward morning and evening for forty days, and took his stand.

So here is what is going on: The Philistines have this giant who is over nine and a half feet tall! If the ceilings in your house are eight feet high, Imagine a man a foot and a half taller. He had a heavy bronze helmet on his head that probably made him look even taller. His armor weighed a hundred and twenty five pounds, and the tip of his spear 15 pounds! So not only was he huge, but the warriors could see that he easily carried armor that would have been too much for a normal man. Verse 16 is a key verse: Goliath came out and challenged them for 40 days. Now, every time you see 40 days in scripture it is associated with a time of testing. So for 40 days this guy ridicules the Israelites, and no one has the guts to accept his challenge.  We know from 1st Samuel 11:23 that Saul was head and shoulders taller than any man in Israel. So he would be the natural  choice to go and face this warrior. But Saul had become disobedient and had fallen from favor with the Lord. He always tried to please man instead of the Lord, and had been rebuked by Samuel.  For forty days the men of Israel were tested, and none had the courage and faith to come forward.

1 Samuel 17:14-30

[17] Then Jesse said to David his son, “Take now for your brothers an ephah of this roasted grain and these ten loaves, and run to the camp to your brothers. [18] “Bring also these ten cuts of cheese to the commander of their thousand, and look into the welfare of your brothers, and bring back news of them.

So David was sent by his father to the battle line.

[25] And the men of Israel said, “Have you seen this man who is coming up? Surely he is coming up to defy Israel. And it will be that the king will enrich the man who kills him with great riches and will give him his daughter and make his father’s house free in Israel.”  [26] Then David spoke to the men who were standing by him, saying, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine, and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should taunt the armies of the living God?” [27] And the people answered him in accord with this word, saying, “Thus it will be done for the man who kills him.”

Notice now that David is the first to ask the most important question of the day: Who does this guy think he is? He is taunting the armies of the living God! So far, not a sword has been drawn, not an arrow has been shot.  In spite of the enormous expense of keeping two armies in the field for forty days, this has entirely been a battle for the mind. This is a battle for Identity. Goliath knows who he is. Saul has forgotten who he is. And David is saying “Now, wait just a minute!”

Goliath had an inflated view of his power and importance. He probably had no clue that the Lord was with the people he was taunting. But notice something here…Why was it that no one that was part of the army of the Living God asked this question? Not one of the soldiers of Israel asked that question. In the site of a heavily armed warrior over nine feet tall they forgot that they were the Army of the Living God. In fact, over the last 40 days they had compromised with cowardice so many times that none of them had any courage. Perhaps it was because they had been following a man-pleasing king who had been rejected by God. Perhaps none of them, even including Saul, had a vision for the future beyond that tough situation. But here is this shepherd boy who sees clearly. He knows that Goliath and the Philistines are not in covenant with God, and the Israelites are the people of the Living God.

Sometimes we see this in our country today. So many of us get our thoughts and identity from the news media and Hollywood  that we swallow whatever ideas they sow. Sure, there may be bad things going on. But if half of us are supposedly Christians. Why don’t we get busy and do something about it, like David did. If we get all of our beliefs from the TV and the media, we become nothing but a mindless consumer whose sole purpose is to cough up cash to keep big corporations and politicians going! If you get your identity from the television, then that’s all you are good for. But those who find their identity in God are meant for so much more than that!

Another thought: Maybe we should ask the same question when the devil comes to beat people up! Who do you think you are, devil! Maybe when he comes with sickness or accusation we could just say “Who do you think you are? You are NOT of the covenant, You ARE cursed, and God has Damned you to hell! You can’t talk to me like that! I am a child of the covenant! And you are a liar and a thief, so just GET OUT!

So the devil says “Two can play at that game” So the next round in our unfolding story asks the same question, but with a different viewpoint:

[28] Now Eliab his oldest brother heard when he spoke to the men; and Eliab’s anger burned against David and he said, “Why have you come down? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your insolence and the wickedness of your heart; for you have come down in order to see the battle.” [29] But David said, “What have I done now? Was it not just a question?” [30] Then he turned away from him to another and said the same thing; and the people answered the same thing as before.

You can hear the devil’s accusation in Eliab’s voice.  “I know who YOU are…I know your insolence! I know your wicked heart!   Notice something. Eliab is one of the soldiers that has failed Goliath’s test. Is he asking the question “Who does this guy think he is?” Nope. Perhaps he is shamed by his baby brother asking this question. Perhaps hearing the battle framed in terms of the Lord’s servants verses the world’s leaves him feeling a little ashamed that he did not see things in this light. And as the oldest of the family, perhaps he resents David because he was anointed by Samuel, after all of the other sons of Jesse passed before him. But if taken to heart these words could deflate the one man who will stand up for Israel on this day. Which is exactly what the devil wants.

1 Samuel 17:31-32

When the words which David spoke were heard, they told them to Saul, and he sent for him. [32] And David said to Saul, “Let no man’s heart fail on account of him; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.”

So now the King hears of David. Notice the insight that David has even in his youth:  “Let no man’s heart fail on account of this man.” The shepherd boy is schooling the king! We expect so little of our teens! A teen saved the nation that day. A teen was gutsy enough to put is life on the line while the fat, dumb and happy older generation stood dumbfounded. Maybe if we spoke into our teens who they are in Christ they would change the world!

1 Samuel 17:33  Then Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are but a youth while he has been a warrior from his youth.”

Even now, the voices against David speak:  Here is the King speaking: You are not able to go against this Philistine! Thanks, Saul, way to fill your troops with faith and hope!   But now the private victories come to David.

1 Samuel 17:34-37 But David said to Saul, “Your servant was tending his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and took a lamb from the flock, [35] I went out after him and attacked him, and rescued it from his mouth; and when he rose up against me, I seized him by his beard and struck him and killed him. [36] “Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, since he has taunted the armies of the living God.” [37] And David said, “The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.”

Most of us would say we had a rotten day if we had to fight a bear or a lion. You can bet that David was not thrilled on the day that each of these came into the pasture. But he did what he had to do, and overcame. He learned that he could face things that most men would cause most men to flee in terror. Notice also- Not only did David survive these encounters, he came to know that it was the Lord’s hand that saved him.  David had a private victory out in the wilderness. I wonder if his scoffing brothers even believed his story. And yet David had a private victory, and a faith point where he Knew that the Lord’s hand was with him.

1 Samuel 17:37b -40 And Saul said to David, “Go, and may the Lord be with you.” [38] Then Saul clothed David with his garments and put a bronze helmet on his head, and he clothed him with armor. [39] And David girded his sword over his armor and tried to walk, for he had not tested them. So David said to Saul, “I cannot go with these, for I have not tested them.” And David took them off. [40] And he took his stick in his hand and chose for himself five smooth stones from the brook, and put them in the shepherd’s bag which he had, even in his pouch, and his sling was in his hand; and he approached the Philistine.

You can bet that as the King Saul had a pretty fine set of armor. So now he puts that armor on the boy. But if the tallest warrior in Israel cowered before the giant in that armor, what good would it be on a boy? David went into battle with what he knew, a shepherd’s sling. Some would say that David went almost unprepared. But he had two weapons that natural eyes do not see. He knew that the favor and purposes of the Lord were on Israel, and Goliath was mocking those. Perhaps  he sensed that the Lord wanted to deliver His people, and was looking for a willing vessel. Knowing what the Lord’s heart and plan for a situation is a supernatural weapon in the hands of the man of faith.

The second weapon is all of those dreadful trials. The Lion. The Bear. These private faith victories prepared David for the very public victory he was to accomplish. Even though the scriptures about the whole amour of God would not be written for many years, look how David went into battle: He had those private victories that became his shield of faith. He had the sword of the Spirit that is the word- “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine!” David knew from the scriptures who the people of the covenant were. He had the shoes of peace….He had survived the lion, he would survive the giant.  He has the belt of truth, because he is not listening to the devil! And he even had the helmet of salvation. David was a worshiper and prophet-psalmist, foreseeing the messiah in his songs. He was a man with faith in the Lord, a man of the covenant.

1 Samuel 17:41-47

Then the Philistine came on and approached David, with the shield-bearer in front of him. [42] When the Philistine looked and saw David, he disdained him; for he was but a youth, and ruddy, with a handsome appearance. [43] And the Philistine said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. [44] The Philistine also said to David, “Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the sky and the beasts of the field.” [45] Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have taunted. [46] “This day the Lord will deliver you up into my hands, and I will strike you down and remove your head from you. And I will give the dead bodies of the army of the Philistines this day to the birds of the sky and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, [47] and that all this assembly may know that the Lord does not deliver by sword or by spear; for the battle is the Lord’s and He will give you into our hands.”

Again notice David’s wisdom: He knows that all of this is happening so that the Earth will know that there is a God in Israel. Perhaps he had to face the trials of the bear and the lion so he could grow into the man who would face the giant. Maybe all of those trials happened so that years later, the world would know that there was a God in Israel!

The world speaks curses, but the man of God speaks of the move of the Lord. All credit, honor and Glory is ascribed to the Lord here. It was the lord who delivered David from the beasts, and it was the lord who was going to deliver David from the Giant.

Here is where the promises of God come into place. David had been anointed by Samuel. Now, the scripture does not specifically say that Samuel told David or his family that David was being anointed as King. Maybe they new. Maybe they were told, but the scripture does not specifically say. Or maybe David had to grow into the part in that cave in the wilderness before he could wear the crown. Whatever David knew of that anointing from Samuel, he knew that the Lord’s hand was on his life, and he was confidently walking that out.

Samuel 17:48-51 Then it happened when the Philistine rose and came and drew near to meet David, that David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine. [49] And David put his hand into his bag and took from it a stone and slung it, and struck the Philistine on his forehead. And the stone sank into his forehead, so that he fell on his face to the ground. [50] Thus David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone, and he struck the Philistine and killed him; but there was no sword in David’s hand. [51] Then David ran and stood over the Philistine and took his sword and drew it out of its sheath and killed him, and cut off his head with it.

The amazing thing here is that the size of the giant did not matter. David never let him get close enough for it to matter.

Samuel 17:48-51-54 When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled. [52] And the men of Israel and Judah arose and shouted and pursued the Philistines as far as the valley, and to the gates of Ekron. And the slain Philistines lay along the way to Shaaraim, even to Gath and Ekron. [53] And the sons of Israel returned from chasing the Philistines and plundered their camps. [54] Then David took the Philistine’s head and brought it to Jerusalem, but he put his weapons in his tent.

Notice that now that David has his public victory, suddenly faith and confidence fill the men who are supposed to be the army of the Lord. They chased the Philistines all the way home. All it took was a change in outlook and a change in faith to change the outcome of the battle, and for a people to become who they are destined to be. All it took was a pebble from a shepherd who knew who he was to change the destiny of a nation. But somebody had to go stand before the giant before that pebble could fly.

Don’t let the devil steal your identity. Know who you are. Let your experiences prepare you for the battle, even the prior defeats. Know who you are in Christ. Be aware of what God’s heart and plan for the situation is, and align yourself with it. And go forward in faith.

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Downloads:

This weekend we will be streaming two live events.

The first is our Bi-Monthly Radio Antioch Live! event. The service begins at 7 pm Saturday night at the Christian Life Fellowship church in Antioch. The webcast will begin around 7:45 pm. This week Dave Cranfill will be presenting part two of the series “Dont Let the devil Steal your Identity”

Dan Mohler began his
ministry only two and a half years after coming to the Lord. After
serving for 8.5 years as an associate pastor, he now travels as an
itinerant minister, sharing the transforming power of the gospel in a
way that leaves others changed forever. Dan also teaches at the Global
Awakening School for Supernatural Ministry and Healing Schools. His
passionate quest for intimacy with God, has given Dan a powerful
revelation on who we truly are in Christ and what our mission is here
on earth as believers.

Dan will be ministering on Resurrection Sunday morning at the regular 10 am service at Christian Life Fellowship.

To watch the Stream LIVE, click on the Live Video Link above.

Christian Life Fellowship is located at 41625 North Deep Lake Road Antioch, Illinois 60002.

For Mapquest directions, click HERE.

Please send us an e-mail if you have any questions.
We hope to see you there!

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