A Weekly World Wide Word of Encouragement to those in the Ministry
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A WEEKLY ‘WWW (world-wide word) OF ENCOURAGEMENT’
TO THOSE IN MINISTRY
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Issue No: 1077 Published: 06 Jun 2022
TRANSITION FROM ‘THE CHURCH’ TO ‘THE KINGOM’
FROM “ORGANIZED” TO “ORGANIC” Part 5
5. IMPLICATIONS FOR THE CHURCH Part 1
a. THE CHURCH IS NOT THE FOCUS OF ATTENTION
Jesus came to release all who believe into a personal relationship with God through Him. This was done by becoming the final sacrifice for sin, thus reopening the way for you and for me to communicate directly with God, as Adam and Eve did in the Garden of Eden before they sinned.
8 Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden. (Genesis 3:8)
We were dead to sin, but through His death, we are now restored to God's family as brothers with Jesus.....
9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. 10 In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering. 11 Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers. (Hebrews 2:9-11)
In the natural, this was confirmed when the curtain in the Temple was supernaturally torn into two, from top to bottom - by/from God (top) to man (bottom).
51 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. (Matthew 27:51a)
We still do not really understand the full implications of what happened at that moment in time. RELIGION (primarily the need for priests to intercede on behalf of man) was replaced by RELATIONSHIP (the ability of mankind to personally communicate with God), through Jesus.
Every high priest is selected from among men and is appointed to represent them in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2 He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness. 3 This is why he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people. 4 No one takes this honor upon himself; he must be called by God, just as Aaron was. 5 So Christ also did not take upon himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father.” 6 And he says in another place, “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.”
7 During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. 8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered 9 and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him 10 and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek. (Hebrews 5:1-10)
So what have we done? We have set up another religious organisation and structure that we call 'the church'. We have built buildings (temples) and appointed pastors and ministers, who have effectively become de facto, pseudo priests. People now look to the church for their salvation and not to Jesus. We have not learned the lesson of the cross.
This is not the way of the early New Testament, where gatherings were small and based on intimate personal relationship with God and with each other. Could Jesus say what He said to the church in Philadelphia to your church? Jesus knew these people, this 'church' (gathering of believers) intimately, and likewise, they knew Him.....
7 “To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. 8 I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. 9 I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. 10 Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth. (Revelation 3:7-10)
My friend (if you still are!), I was brought up in a Baptist Church, have worshipped in Pentecostal churches and so I know, and have been ingrained in, church ways as much as many of you. I know so many wonderful people whose lives are focused upon the church. People, who faithfully attend, give to and work for their church. Their relationship with God is through their church. They do not know Jesus personally.
Over the years, as I have studied the Bible and listened to God talking to me, I have come to understand that we have simply replaced one religion with another. One set of priests with another. One set of buildings with another. All in the name of God, but having become another religion, centred round the pride of man.
The greatest anger Jesus demonstrated was directed towards the religious establishment of His day. Just one example.....
15 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are. (Matthew 23:15)
Today, not a lot has changed. For we talk a lot about God, yet our lives, so often, do not reflect our words, our focus being on the institution of the church with its rules and regulations, rather than upon the person of Jesus.
This is not a criticism of, or promotion for any type or form of church. That misses the point. There is a church in a town near us that has the slogan, "Making the church to be the greatest attraction". Every time I pass it, it makes me so sad. However well-intentioned the people may be, their focus is 100% wrong. For we are to make God, to make Jesus, not the church, the main attraction!
As will see next, we all need to radically change our focus to be upon God, through Jesus, and be guided by the Holy Spirit.
We are to implement the revolution which Jesus paid for with His life!
(Continued next week.)
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FROM THE WORD
THE WORDS OF JESUS
May we hear what the Lord is saying to us.....
Parable of the Shrewd Manager (Luke 16:1-13)
Told to the disciples.
“There was once a rich man whose manager was accused of wasting what belonged to his master. So the rich man called in his manager, and asked him ‘What’s this I hear about you? Bring in your accounts, because you won’t be continuing as manager.’
The manager said to himself, ‘Now what will I do since my master going to fire me from my job? I’m not strong enough to dig, and I’m ashamed to beg. Oh, I know what I’m going to do so that when I’m sacked as manager people will make me welcome in their homes.’
“So he invited all those who were in debt to his master to come and see him. He asked the first one, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ The man replied, ‘A hundred units of oil.’ He said to him, ‘Sit down quickly.
Take your bill, and change it to fifty.’ Then he said to another, ‘How much do you owe?” The man replied, ‘A hundred units of wheat.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill and change it to eighty.’
“The rich man commended his dishonest manager for his cunning idea. The children of this world are more cunning towards one another than are the children of light.
“I tell you, use the wealth of this world to make friends for yourselves so that when it’s gone, you’ll be welcomed into an eternal home. If you can be trusted with very little you can also be trusted with much; if you are dishonest with very little you will also be dishonest with much. So if you can’t be trusted when it comes to worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? And if you can’t be trusted with what belongs to someone else, who will trust you with what is yours? No servant can obey two masters. Either he will hate one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You can’t serve both God and Money.”
Heard by and scoffed at by the Pharisees.
“You appear pious to people, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detested by God.
Further Teachings (Luke 16:14-18)
On that day.
What was written in the law and the prophets lasted until John. From then on the good news of the kingdom of God is being spread, and everyone is forcing their way in. However, it’s easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for the smallest point of the Law to disappear. Any man who divorces his wife and marries someone else commits adultery, and a man who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
The Rich y.Man and the Beggar Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31)
Jesus continued.
“Once there was a man who was rich. He wore purple clothes and fine linen, and enjoyed a luxurious life.
A beggar named Lazarus used to sit at his gate, covered in sores, longing to eat the leftovers from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.
“Then the beggar died, and angels carried him away to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham in the far distance, with Lazarus beside him.
“‘Father Abraham,’ he called out, ‘Have mercy on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I’m burning in agony.’
“But Abraham replied, ‘My son, remember that you enjoyed the good things of life, while Lazarus had a very poor life. Now he is here being comforted, while you suffer in torment. Apart from that, there’s a great gulf stretches between us and you. Nobody who wants to cross from here to you can do so, and nobody can cross from there over to us.’
“The rich man said, ‘Then Father, I beg you, please send him to my father’s house. For I have five brothers and he can warn them so that they don’t end up here in this place of torment.’
“But Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets. They should listen to them.’
“‘No, father Abraham,’ said the man. ‘But they would repent if someone went to them from the dead!’
“Abraham said to him, ‘If they won’t listen to Moses and the prophets, they won’t be convinced even if someone returns from the dead.’”
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OUR AFRICAN EXPERIENCE
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THEATRE IS STILL WAITING.....
Hopefully this week!
MY KATHY!
Kathy is a great people person!
After losing her Aunty earlier in the year at 100, and not being able to be there for her 100th birthday, she recently commemorated what would have been her mothers 100th birthday -had she not died at 93! LOL!
Here she had 3 of our original staff help her cut the cake!
What keeps her interesting!
THE KIDS ARE BEATIFUL - AND ARE ALL MY FRIENDS
We determined when we came that we would not be pied pipers and have the kids, and others, hassling us for money all the time.
I am friends with (nearly) all. Why? because I show friendship to others, Just a wave of the hand or hi or jambo, wins hearts.
I had someone with me on a vehicle one day who asked me what i had given the people to have them so friendly? Nothing was the simple answer, other than being friendly to them.
A wave and friendly greeting works wonders everywhere in the world. It has taken me to come to Kenya to learn that!
WOW! A MEMORY FROM MY YOUTH!
The other day I was in town and saw this grocery delivery bike, like I used to use as a boy for delivering groceries.
Here it is still being used for it's original purpose!
The well made, solid bicycle, still has many years of service left in it yet!
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Join the many who have downloaded the 'The Words of Jesus'. I am sure you will be blessed by it, as I have been.
One key element here is the setting out in chronological order (as far as it is possible to do so) our Lord's words drawn from all the Gospels, and the elimination of repetition between Gospels.
You may be surprised by the different perspective this presentation gives you both in understanding of His life and ministry, and in achieving a closer relationship with Him.
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PHOTO: Possible look of Jesus in society of the time
DAVID'S DOODLINGS
973. God has 3 answers to prayer requests, yes, no and wait. The secret of successful prayer is to understand which response He is giving now.
974. Praying for others reaches deep into the father heart of God.
975. Prayer is spiritual food. Little and often is healthier.
983. A Christian without prayer is as effective as a soldier without a gun.
984. A prayer in time, saves nine.
985. Prayer is the food of the soul.
CARTOONS FROM TOON FEVER
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TUESDAY TEACHINGS
A REVELATION OF... THE 3 RIVERS OF GOD
For the final part of our study we move to the climax of the Book of Revelation, where the third and most desirable river is described.
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LAUGHING AT OURSELVES
***Blessed are those who can laugh at themselves for they shall never cease to be amused***
*** Those who can't laugh at themselves leave the job to others. ***
QWIK QWIP: “Without God the world would be a maze without a clue.”
200. Friends and Family
Three friends die in a car crash, and they find themselves at the Gates of Heaven. Before entering, they are each asked a question by St. Peter himself.
"When you are in your casket and friends and family are mourning upon you, what would you like to hear them say about you?" asks St. Peter.
The first guy says, "I would like to hear them say that I was a great doctor and a great family man."
The second guy says, "I would like to hear that I was a wonderful husband and school teacher who made a huge difference in our children."
The last guy replies. "I would like to hear them say.... 'HEY LOOK!!! HE'S MOVING!'"
201. The Pig and the Chicken
A pig and a chicken were walking by a church where a gala charity event was taking place. Getting caught up in the spirit, the pig suggested to the chicken that they each make a contribution.
"Great idea!" the chicken cried. "Let's offer them ham and eggs?
"Not so fast," said the pig. "For you, that's a contribution. For me, it's a total commitment."
202. How to get rid of your pastor
1. Look the pastor straight in the eye while he’s preaching and say "Amen" once in awhile, and he’ll preach himself to death.
2. Pat him on the back and brag on his good points, and he’ll probably work himself to death.
3. Rededicate your life to Christ and ask the preacher for some job to do, preferably some lost person you could win to Christ, and he’ll die of heart failure!
4. Get the Church to unite in prayer for the preacher, and he’ll soon become so effective that some larger church will take him off your hands.
Download the book 'Laughing At Ourselves' in PDF format at LAUGHING AT OURSELVES One of the most comprehensive sources of Christian Humour on the Net with 800 sermon fillers for your entertainment and use at ..... https://www.wwj.org.nz/content/wwj18p47.pdf
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A DAVID MUSING
I asked one of our relatively young staff this week if he was still alive after a long day's work. His reply surprised me!
He replied that even if he wasn't alive, he would still be alive!
After a quick think, I realized he was talking of eternal life.
How great is our faith?
Most of us only think about life in the here and now, don't we?
But the beauty is, once we have done our days of duty here in this world, if we are a dedicated follower of Jesus, we can look forward to the hope of eternal life with our Saviour and Lord!
Amazing! How blessed we are!
Until next time.
His servant and yours
David Tait
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ABOUT US
WALKING WITH JESUS MINISTRIES is a non-profit, non-denominational, Bible based ministry located in Hastings, New Zealand. A ministry dedicated to developing discipleship, fostering unity amongst God's people to achieve the Great Commission, and in doing so, preparing for Christ's return. It is securely based upon the foundational principles of the Apostles Creed while recognising the wide and rich diversity of beliefs amongst Christians in other areas. In accordance with the Lord's direction, materials produced by the ministry are available, free of charge, to genuine enquirers upon request. The ministry is solely funded by donations, as the Lord provides. A list of materials available (plus some fun!) is obtainable and freely downloadable from our website
wwj.org.nz or by contacting us as follows.
Walking With Jesus Ministries
P O Box 2
Webuye 50205
Kenya
Email: enquiries@wwj.org.nz
Web: wwj.org.nz
Our role is to bless and encourage those in ministry while promoting co-operation and unity of direction amongst the body of Christ, as emphasised 3 times by Jesus in His longest prayer, immediately prior to His arrest and crucifixion. "... so that they may be one as we are one." (John 17:12, 21, 23-4) Our website is currently being developed to encourage your participation one with another, to share resources, and to enable you to promote events and items of interest to the body as a whole - and have a smile while doing it!
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