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AUTHOR'S
VIDEOS ON YOUTUBE
Author's Brief Testimony
Building up Disciples
To Partake in Jesus' Ministry
WHY
WE GATHER AS A BODY
Jesus
is the living "head of the church" for all believers. He has designed
a way for us to follow him, even as the original twelve disciples followed
him. They walked at his side, discoursed with him, and were both witnesses
and partakers of his spiritual ministry. They new his voice; saw his
power; and marveled at his wisdom. They new him! Though
I fear that few nominal Christians are able to say they know him. Yes
we have heard about him, but do we know him? Perhaps the greatest
thing to be revealed in the "gospel" is that we not only may know him,
but have fellowship with him and partake in his nature and his ministry.
In the gathering of believers in a place of meeting can we say that
we leave that meeting, knowing him better? Can we say that we have heard
his voice, felt his presence, or were Empowered by his touch.
Ministry
Edifies, Strengthens, and Blesses
It
would be good for unbelieving eyes to see what things can and do happen
in a place of meeting. God can make his glorious presence known; lift
people out of their fears and oppression; bring joy and healing; restore
broken hearts and broken relationships and save peoples souls.
Church
liturgy was put together in a time far past, perhaps following shortly
after the kind of glorious kind of fellowship described above. There
may have had good intentions. Perhaps of preserving some of the truth
or glory of those earlier days. Maybe they wished to insure the manifestation
of God's presence and to provide a platform to disciple those who needed
to under stand the truth of Christ's eternal ministry.
The
Bible shows that God's presence can not be captured and preserved. The
Israelites of Old tried to do so, but when God's Glory departed it was
gone they were left with a lifeless idol. The temple remained the glory
was gone. The brazen serpent remained but the manifestation of its power
was gone. God's continued glory and fellowship with us is determined
by the hearts of those who gather to worship him. With passing years
catechism remained but the glory had been lost. The ritual remained
and the liturgical trappings remained but the presence of God vanished.
Ritual happens, I believe, when men try to duplicate a behavior which
once brought forth the glory of God through faith.
Elements
that remained were vainly held and became a substitution for God's presence.
"Ministry" became the focus of a very small body of liturgical experts,
called the priesthood or the clergy, when it was always to be the domain
of every believer. Just as God wishes each believer to be a ministering
priest, he wishes us to become a true worshipper. What is this
true worshipper and what is worshipping the Father in Spirit and in
Truth? (John 4:23) God is always looking for True Worshippers. He looks
at the hearts he does not regard the man with the religious uniform
over a common person whose heart is open. He does not favor a cathedral
over a location which has been made ready on the inside of us. As Jesus
told the woman at the well of Samaria, it is not where you worship,
not this mountain or another mountain, but what and how we worship.
He said to her that some do not know what they are even worshipping
but the truth is that salvation is connected to worship, it is through
the foundation of the Jews. The time was coming, Jesus explained, when
men and women women would worship the Most High God in Spirit. Those
who do not have this Spirit can not have the revelation of God of which
Jesus spoke.
DISCIPLING
Disciples, Learning the "Way" The foundation of the life of Christ
is laid by becoming a disciple of Jesus. Just as he made disciples in
the time of his earthly ministry so he continues today. (John 8:21 ;
17:20) The Christian world through religion has made the life of the
Bible remote and impersonal. It has made Peter, James and John or John
the Baptist into icons or religious folk heroes. The sense of their
being our brothers, sharing the same life of trials and faith has been
all but lost. In our minds Bible days were another time, another faith,
another dispensation. This is not the case. Religious tradition places
men on pedestals and this should not be the case because it is contrary
to every apostolic and Christ-uttered teaching. God does not show favoritism
nor does he show respect of persons.
"Knowledge
makes arrogant, love edifies."
3 paradigms of truth, Worldly, Religious,
Divine
Discipleship 1 Spiritual Growth
Disciple's
Handbook 2, Growing With the Body
Jesus'
Cycle: Growth, Trials, and Triumph
Learning
Christ, Partaking In His Ministry
The
great question of life that philosophers ask is,
"Who are we?
Where do we come from?
Where are we going?
Where do we go to seek wisdom and the answers to the
secrets of life?
Do we inquire according to secular wisdom, or religious teachings?
Or is there another?
How does Godly Wisdom contrast to secular wisdom?
How does Godly Wisdom contrast with "religious" wisdom?
3
PARADIGMS
OF WISDOM AND TRUTH
The
Paradigm of Worldly Wisdom Contrasted to Godly Wisdom
1Cor:1:19: For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom
of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding
of the prudent.
(KJV)1Cor:1:21: For after that in the wisdom of God the
world by
wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of
preaching to save them that believe. (KJV)
THE
PARADIGM OF WORLDLY WISDOM
Worldly
wisdom extols and rewards self-exaltation and individuality.
Godly wisdom (the Truth) says deny yourself take up your cross,
die to yourself.
In the Jesus, Spirit-led model of wisdom no man is "good", virtuous
or spiritually attuned
Worldly wisdom is based upon observation and the appearance of
things.
Godly wisdom (the Truth) the unseen things are eternal and have
substance yet to be known by human reason.
Worldly wisdom is based upon "scientific" principle and measurable
phenomena.
Godly wisdom (the Truth) teaches that if you believe, things unseen
are a reality by faith and can be manifested.
Worldly
wisdom features the domination and rule by the strong and the
mighty.
Godly wisdom teaches that God chooses the weak and the insignificant
to shame the wise and strong.
Worldly
wisdom devalues humans with fewer natural assets, e.g. childlike
meekness. wealmess and simplicity.
Godly wisdom reveals that the greatest in the kingdom of God
are like children Humble, trusting, and meek.
Worldly
wisdom values and rewards intellectual achievement and scholarship.
Godly wisdom teaches that the wisdom of man is foolishness
to him.
Worldly
wisdom recognizes classes as inferior or superior rank and class,
called "respect of persons."
Godly wisdom teaches that those who are poor shall eventually
receive the blessings of the kingdom.
The proud and the mighty God will scatter and turn away.
Worldly
wisdom's views the "vast timeless universe" and diminishes or
negates the need of a savior.
Godly wisdom teaches that God created the heaven and the earth
by wisdom and all things that are in it from nothing.
Worldly
wisdom strives for "self preservation."
Godly wisdom speaks of self sacrifice, to lay down one's life
for others as a divine virtue.
Worldly
wisdom believes life may well be over when one dies.
Godly wisdom declare that we are eternal beings who retain our
own soul's personal identity forever.
Some will inherit eternal blessings and others will inherit
eternal separation from God.
Worldly wisdom presumes that God regards each religion equal
to another.
Godly wisdom (the Truth) reveals that one nation are the elect
and chosen people
of God who are chosen to bring forth the 'seed of the woman,'
the Messiah.
The natural mind imagines that every religion provides a pathway
to God.
The Bible established upon infallible promises, states that
there is only one mediator between God and man.
Worldly
wisdom presumes that God does not favor any one nation over
another there is not any Holy Land or city.
Godly wisdom reveals that one nation is the chosen people
of God. There is only one mediator between God and man.
Jesus the son of God, the king of the Jews.
Worldly
wisdom would suggest there is one God who is simply called
by many names.
Godly wisdom though there are many gods there is but
one God above all others, the Most High God.
Worldly
wisdom presumes that God is essentially impersonal.
Godly wisdom (the Truth) says that we can become sons of God.
Adopted
into the family.
These are chosen to inherit the blessings and partake in God's
divine nature.
Worldly
wisdom believes that all of the human race are automatically
"children
of God" Godly wisdom (the Truth) Whoever believes on the Son
of God, Jesus Christ has eternal life. Whoever has not the
son has no life but the
condemnation of God remains upon them.
Paradigm
of Religious Wisdom
In
the religious paradigm the religious life centers around a
"church house."
In the religious paradigm the church house is called "the
house of God."
In the religious paradigm the church building is called the
"Church."
In the religious paradigm traditions include various church
features or - -
traditions such as: pulpits
and pews, stained glass windows, organs and 'sacred music'
solemnity and formalism, ecclesiastical garb robes, orders
of service, ritual, - - designated ranks of clerical
authority.
In the religious paradigm a formally trained priest or clergy
"officiates" over the
"services."
In the religious paradigm a formal address or sermon delivered
to the faithful is called "preaching."
In the religious paradigm one or two hours a week meets the
requirements of personal involvement.
In the religious paradigm only the professionally trained
clergy are qualified to "minister" in leadership.
In the religious paradigm there is "respect of persons" relative
to spiritual rank or authority. Leaders are elevated
above the congregation.
In the religious paradigm members may be totally disassociated
and uninvolved in worship or prayer.
In the religious paradigm a person's spiritual life is governed,
directed or sustained by another who is the head or master.
In the religious paradigm the exploits of God and Saints are
viewed mostly in the distant past.
In the religious paradigm people are taught how to please
God by certain deeds
or obligations.
In the religious paradigm there are duties required to attain
"good standing" with God.
In the religious paradigm one often does not experience God
but only hears about God.
In the religious paradigm one often doesn't know if he/she
is saved or is saved by following sacraments.
In the religious paradigm Bible doctrine plus traditional
teachings form the core doctrines.
Paradigm
of Godly Wisdom, (Modeled by Jesus)
In
the Jesus, Spirit-led model of wisdom there are paradoxes
to the natural
instincts or wisdom of man.
The
least shall be greatest;
The first shall be last;
Many called but few chosen;
We must die in order to live;
We must hate the things of this world;
We must be meek and humble as child; God has hidden wisdom
from the wise;
Unseen things are a greater reality than the seen. etc.
In
the Jesus, Spirit-led model of wisdom man in his natural self
will can do nothing of value for the kingdom of God.
In the Jesus, Spirit-led model of wisdom, the spiritual man
is totally dependant upon the guidance of the Spirit.
In the Jesus, Spirit-led model of wisdom we are in a perpetual
spiritual battle for survive the onslot of our spiritual enemy.
In the Jesus, Spirit-led model of wisdom there is eternal
life, and promised rewards and consequences of our service
to God's kingdom.
In the Jesus, Spirit-led model Jesus preached to those outside
of Israel only after the resurrection. Before this Jesus taught
only the Jews.
In the Jesus, Spirit-led model of wisdom only those who are
born and led of the Spirit are the Children of God.
In the Jesus, Spirit-led model of wisdom believers are called,
discipled, and mature to minister.
In the Jesus, Spirit-led model of wisdom ministry is effected
through the equiping and leading of the Holy Spirit.
In the Jesus, Spirit-led model of wisdom true worshipers must
born of the Spirit to worship in Spirit and in Truth.
In the Jesus, Spirit-led model of wisdom, wisdom and insight
is hidden from the double minded and the unredeemed.
In the Jesus, Spirit-led model of wisdom we could memorize
the Bible and not know truth- only the Spirit reveals it.
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