|
REACH INDIA |
|
|
|
About Us |
|
|
|
Widow Ministry |
|
|
|
MESSAGE[NEW] |
|
|
|
Orphanage Ministry |
|
|
|
Church Ministry |
|
|
|
News |
|
|
|
AMI FAMILY |
|
|
|
Children Ministry |
|
|
|
Prayer Requests |
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||
|
|
|
| ||
MESSAGE[NEW]
|
WHAT IS IT?
Part 1 of 2
Every outpouring of the Spirit signals a transition from an old order to the new. And it usually creates conflict.
In obedience to a vision, Peter's groundbreaking visit to Cornelius shook the status quo, taking the gospel and the outpouring of the Spirit beyond its original Jewish confines. But some Judaizers demanded that the new Gentile believers submit to circumcision, and, therefore, to ritual law for salvation. In effect they were saying. "The old way of doing it is God's way!" How was this "new thing" to be understood? It was totally outside their frame of reference, it flew in the face of religious protocol - in fact, from where they sat, you could not come to God outside of their revelation. To put it colloquially, it was either their way or the highway!
To resolve the issue the apostles and elders gathered in Jerusalem. After hearing Peter's testimony of the outpouring of the Spirit on the Gentiles, and after much heated debate, James stood up, resolving the problem by reading from the prophet Amos:
"The words of the prophets are in agreement with this (ie with Peters experience of the Gentile outpouring). as it is written. "After this I will return and rebuild David's fallen tent. Its ruins I will rebuild, and 1 will restore It, that the remnant of men may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who bear my name... "' (Acts 15:15-17 NIV. emphasis and parenthesis mine).
James interpreted the new thing that God was doing (the outpouring of the Spirit on the Gentiles) as the restoration of David's tabernacle.
But what does the restoration of David's tabernacle actually mean?
Transition to a new order- a time for change!
First, David's tabernacle signifies a transition to a new order.
The ark of God's presence, which had been lost, was not restored to Moses' but to David's tabernacle. The restoration of God's presence represents a new order of things. The old order of Moses' tabernacle had forfeited the ark under the spiritually delinquent leadership of Eli. And so, when the time for its restoration arrived, the ark did not return to the old structure, but to a new one, to David's tabernacle. New wine requires new wineskins. Holy Spirit inevitably breaks out despite our best attempts to domesticate Him through personal or denominational agendas. He cannot be contained or tamed by our religious cultures - He is the omnipotent God and is the creative power behind the universe! Renewal always creates revolution, moving us on from old ways and old structures.
Despite this, the old structure of Moses' tabernacle stood for another thirty-five to forty years until the building of Solomon's Temple. There was an overlap between the old and the new - a period of transition. In fact, David appointed priests and worship leaders from the new order of David's tabernacle to minister in the old. God always provides a window of transition as the old decreases and the new increases - a lead-time, before the old is superseded by the new. Moses' tabernacle, whose worship was previously silent, enjoyed the renewal of its worship under David's new priesthood. God has been visiting the old order of the institutional church for the last thirty-five to forty years through the Charismatic Renewal, the Third Wave, and Toronto Blessing, bringing renewal and giving lead-time. However, the complete reformation of the church is now upon us - the final restoration of apostolic Christianity when the whole earth will be filled with the glory of God.
Now is the time for change. There is a shifting in the heavenlies. The lead-time is rapidly expiring as the church steps into an acceleration of God's purposes. Within every window of transition there is a kairos moment - a moment of intersection, as the new order eclipses the old - a point of no return. We cannot stay with the old order forever. Although it has enjoyed the benefits of renewed worship the ark has moved on. While we need to learn from what God did in the past, like the scribe of the kingdom who brings out things both new and old, we must commit to following the ark of God's presence, no matter where it leads. David did not become the curator of a religious museum - of Moses' tabernacle. The only thing that transferred from Moses' to David's tabernacle was the Ark of the Covenant nothing else. All the familiar patterns were gone - all the old securities and structures were finished with. But the one thing that did not change was the ark of God's presence and His covenant character. He is the one who declared. "I am the Lord and I change not". All else is shifting sand. Everything that can be shaken will be shaken - everything temporal - even structures that were raised up under the design of God for a previous generation. We have no choice but to leave the security of the past and pursue the ark of His manifest presence.
While the old order has been enjoying a season of renewal God has been preparing the new order - an underground church. Hidden from the eye of the old institutions those with the heart of David, have been trained in their caves of Adullam, in places of anonymity and suffering, ready for a day of promotion in the Spirit. He holds them under wraps until a chosen moment in history. They are those who are in distress and in debt - those who have been marginalised by the old order of human power - those viewed as dissenters and discontents, but who in the timing of God emerge as David's mighty men - as the leaders of the new kingdom-order: "But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise. God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things-and the things that are not-to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before Him" (1 Corinthians 1:27-29 NIV).
In the next five to ten years we will see alternative forms of church and of worship, after the heart of David, filled with an uncontrolled spiritual passion that will be used of God to reach a new generation. It won't be new methods in church growth, but a new spirit of radical holiness, of worship - and a passion for the presence of God. As a kingdom counter-culture, house churches, underground youth churches, and alternative forms of ministry will restore true spirituality – and, like a vine go over the wall, transcending every man-made boundary into previously unreached people groups - to the poor and the disenfranchised of this world. They will break the patterns and protocols of the religious system to touch God and reach their generation
Restoration of God's manifest presence - the defeat of the program idol!
Second, David’s tabernacle signifies the restoration of God's manifest presence. As already mentioned the ark of God's presence had been lost under Eli's priesthood, captured in battle by the Philistines. The news killed Eli. His daughter-in-law immediately gave birth, naming her son Ichabod, meaning, "the glory has departed". From then, throughout Samuel's ministry and Saul’s kingship, Israel was without the ark - the manifest presence of God. It was not until David's reign that it was restored.
Tragically, David's first attempt to bring back the ark failed. Loading it on the back of a "new cart", he presumed to restore the presence of God in his own strength and with his own methods. The oxen stumbled and Uzza, who was assisting, instinctively reached out to steady it. But in a flash, he was struck down! Confused, David fled, leaving the ark in the care of Obed-Edom, and did not return for another three months. In that time he sought the Lord, coming to the realization that. "We did not inquire of Him about how to do it in the prescribed way" (1 Chronicles 15:13 NIV, emphasis mine). Evidently, God is very particular about how we do His work. God's work is to be done God's way - not ours. Our good intentions and good ideas are not good enough. We feel that if we are sincere or creative God will be happy, but unfortunately, we can be sincerely and creatively wrong. We build our "new carts" - our new programs and strategies, and think, all we need to do is get the wheels turning - get the programs going and the wheels of religious activity moving, and God will be pleased. But no - He was angered. Why? Because we are trusting in the machinery of ministry, in our own plans and programs, rather than in Him.
So, how was the ark to be restored? On the shoulders of the priests. God uses men (and women) not methods. He puts His treasure in earthen vessels - in people. But only a particular kind of person - the Levites and the priests - those who have been separated by the anointing to minister to Him. The only way the ark of His presence will be restored is on the shoulders of those who stand before Him in their priestly ministry, offering the spiritual sacrifices of a consecrated life - and of intercessory prayer, and worship. Those, who with a heart of worship separate themselves to spend time alone with Him - who refuse to be distracted by the madding crowd of pressing things and will not be content until they soak in His presence and even then still hunger for more. Who with a pure heart and clean hands wait on Him for who He is, not for what He does. They will achieve things in the spirit realm, and, therefore, on earth that those using human methods never can.
MESSAGE 2
CALVARY DARSHAN
CALVARY DARSHAN
Introduction: He came, He saw, but didn’t conquer in a way that is comprehensible to men. It was His Father’s desire to bruise Him for the sins of His creation. And He saw the offspring after the suffering of His soul. Here is a brief account of how He purchased us by shedding His blood.
After Jesus was arrested in Gathsemene, He was taken to sanhardin. The sanhardin could only punish Him but could not kill Him. So Jesus was taken to Pilate. Pilate didn’t find any fault with Jesus after interrogating Him. But Jews were accusing Him of creating commotion in Galilee. When Pilate understood that Jesus was from Galilee, He was sent to Herod. Herod had been nursing grudge against Jesus, because Jesus pronounced Him as a fox. Herod kept Him for some time, hoping that he could see some miracles of Jesus. Jesus was asked to perform miracles. But Jesus has stopped performing miracles. Herod also could not inflict death penalty on Jesus. So Jesus was once again taken to Pilate. There was perfect commotion in Jerusalem. Great uproar of Jews to crucify Him. Riot was gripping Jerusalem, sponsored by the fanatic Jews. In order to preserve his seat, Pilate gave orders for crucifixion.
Terrible Persecution: Since then terrible persecution started. Roman beatings were not ordinary ones. Hooks were fixed on whips used for whipping. Lord Jesus was undressed for whipping. Whole night there was whipping. Bones were torn, iron hooks pierced His flesh. Literally the back was like a plouging field with the dreadful sight of flesh hanging on ribs. Even then, whipping was unceasing. Whole place was filled with blood. No food was given, water too. No sleep also. Not only physically torment but also mental torment. No rest in His body. In the morning they kept a heavy cross on His shoulder, crown of thorns on His head. There were sacrastic hailing to the ‘King of Jews’. The path Lord Jesus walked was spilling with blood. Because of the heaviness of the cross, He fell. He was crushed between earth and cross. But the unscruplous soldiers was telling Him arise, arise. Their hearts were not melted. On the streets of Jerusalem, daughters of Jerusalem crying. They were the ones’who were benefitted through His ministry. He saved their husbands, resurrected their dead ones, forgave their sins. Of course they were the greatful ones. By the time Lord Jesus lost all His beauty. The most handsome man was totally deformed. From His head blood was flowing, tears came along. Spat also could be seen. Sweat from joints was flowing. Bitter water too. All the five waters turned into a new colour. When Lord was born, wise men gave 3 gifts – gold, myrrh, frankincense. Now the evil people around Him gave 3 ‘gifts’ – Crown of thorns, Bitter water, Spat on face. Now standing upon heaven and earth. Even then no let up to ministry. Still preaching, praying for those who persecuted Him. Now the sun hides its face. From noon to three o’clock there was darkness. Sun the creation, could not see the suffering of its Creator.
“Oh Lord Thou created me, I cannot see Thy blood Thou shed for sinful
people. Thou never commited any sin.”
Sun could not see the unjust murder. When Lord Jesus was born, glory of God shone. In the midnight a great glory. Because Jesus was the light of the world. Lord Jesus was born in midnight and there was great light. Now the paradox is taking place Lord Jesus is dying in the midday there is no light. During midday, great darkness. The cursed earth bearing all the sins of men too, could not bear that holy blood.
The Unceasing Ministry: Lord Jesus is not stopping ministry. Incessantly praying. Father forgive them. Asking "Father, Father , Why has Thee forsaken me? I give my spirit unto Thee." It was His Fathers’desire to bruise Him. Two times Lord Jesus calling Father, Father. We can see the anxiety here. He began His ministry with Hunger, ended with Thirst. And He accomplished His Father’s mission.
MOOT QUESTION - DO WE WANT TO CRUCIFY THE LORD BY SINNING AGAIN?
| Site Tools |
|
|
|
|
|
Verse of the Day |
|
|
