A Weekly World Wide Word of Encouragement to those in the Ministry
PRAISE GOD IT’S MONDAY!
A WEEKLY ‘WWW (world-wide word) OF ENCOURAGEMENT’
TO THOSE IN MINISTRY
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Issue No: 1078 Published: 13 Jun 2022
TRANSITION FROM ‘THE CHURCH’ TO ‘THE KINGOM’
FROM “ORGANIZED” TO “ORGANIC” Part 5
5. IMPLICATIONS FOR THE CHURCH Part 2
b. GOD'S CALL IS TO 'GO OUT', NOT TO 'COME IN'
The prime, most ungodly, result of the creation of a church structure based upon buildings, paid clergy and programmes has been that the church has developed, over nearly two millennia now, an inward focus rather than outward action.
From the majestic Cathedrals of earlier times, designed to represent man's idea of heaven to the people, to present sanctuaries into which we are invited, in order to experience God and escape the evil world, the church has developed an inward focused mentality.
Why is this? Put simply, the church would otherwise go 'without'! Without congregations the buildings would be empty! Without congregations to give, the clergy would not be paid! Without congregations, the programmes would be unattended! So there is a strong, even magnetic establishment force, aimed at getting people into churches and to retain them once they have come in. This has led to a territorial battle, not between street gangs, but between churches, together with the world and its enticements, to desperately hold on to congregants, so that they may continue to operate!
Of course there are many, many sincere and wonderful people within churches round the world, with a real heart for the Lord. But sadly, the basic foundation upon which the church is currently based is not Jesus, but structures, both physical and human based.
What then did Jesus command us to do in order to advance the kingdom.....
The Great Commission
16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:16-20)
First of all he commanded us to GO.....
Jesus Sends Out the Seventy-two
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. 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. 3 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. (Luke 10:1-3)
He trained the twelve disciples in the same manner.....
Jesus Sends Out the Twelve
Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village. 7 Calling the Twelve to him, he sent them out two by two and gave them authority over evil spirits. 8 These were his instructions: “Take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. 9 Wear sandals but not an extra tunic. 10 Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town. 11 And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave, as a testimony against them.” (Mark6:6b-11)
What to do? To MAKE DISCIPLES. What is a disciple? One who is committed 100% to their Lord.....
The Cost of Being a Disciple
25 Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple. 27 And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. 28 “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? 29 For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, 30 saying, ‘This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.’ 31 “Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Will he not first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? 32 If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. 33 In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple. 34 “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? 35 It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile; it is thrown out. “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” (Luke 14:25-35)
Making disciples is what Paul did.....
The Return to Antioch in Syria
21 They preached the good news in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, 22 strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. (Acts 14:21-22b)
And where to? To ALL NATIONS. Initially the discipled were in Jerusalem.....
7 So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith. (Acts 6:7)
Finally, Paul got to Rome.....
Arrival at Rome
11 After three months we put out to sea in a ship that had wintered in the island. It was an Alexandrian ship with the figurehead of the twin gods Castor and Pollux. 12 We put in at Syracuse and stayed there three days. 13 From there we set sail and arrived at Rhegium. The next day the south wind came up, and on the following day we reached Puteoli. 14 There we found some brothers who invited us to spend a week with them. And so we came to Rome. (Acts 28:11-14)
Other of the disciples went even further afield. 'Doubting" Thomas no longer doubted His Saviour and Lord, eventually being martyred in India!
Of course, I am not saying that everyone has to go to Africa or India as a missionary and build churches there. That is the 'organised' way of church thinking, not the 'organic' kingdom way. The church desires to replicate itself in its own image, to set up branches of the particular denomination or grouping, in another place.
The spreading of the kingdom comes individually, from one person to another, through personal example, by conviction of the Holy Spirit to the one ministered to, and followed by personal discipleship. Their relationship is to be a personal one with Jesus, not through a church or person. Yes, where possible, we are to gather together to encourage and support each other, but our primary focus is always to be on Jesus, our Saviour and Lord. We can all be kingdom disciples where we live. The harvest field is everywhere around us.
An example - particularly for ministers! We have many requests to become associated with, members or representatives of, Walking With Jesus Ministries. All are declined. Yes, we associate with many people around the world. Hopefully, we can learn from and support each other. We do not have a ministry. The ministry belongs to Jesus. We endeavour to be led by, and obedient to, Him. Of course, we have others whom we trust who are welcome to advise us and correct us when we go astray, for none of us hears 100% from the Lord all the time. Again, we look to Jesus for our guidance and provision. We would encourage you to, as well. He will guide and lead you too, if you allow Him.
This is the way of the kingdom.
(Continued next week.)
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FROM THE WORD
THE WORDS OF JESUS
May we hear what the Lord is saying to us.....
Instructions to the Disciples (Luke 17:1-10)
Jesus taught them.
“Temptations are unavoidable, but it will be a disaster for those through whom they come! For such people it would be better to have a millstone hung around the neck and thrown into the sea than to cause these little ones to sin. So take care what you do. If your brother sins, warn him; and if he repents, forgive him. Even if he sins against you seven times a day, and seven times comes back and tells you, ‘I’m really sorry,’ forgive him.”
The disciples asked for more trust.
“Even if your trust was as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Uproot yourself, and plant yourself in the sea,’ and it would obey you.
“Say you have a servant who does plowing or shepherding. When he comes in from work, do you say to him, ‘Come in and sit down now for a meal’? No. You say to him, ‘Prepare a meal for me, get yourself dressed, and serve me until I’ve finished my meal. After that you can have your meal’? And do you thank the servant for doing what you told him? No. Likewise once you’ve done everything you were told, you should simply say, ‘We are undeserving servants. We just did our duty.’”
Sickness and Death of Lazarus of Bethany (John 11:1-16)
Jesus delays, then returns to Judea, to the dismay of the disciples.
“Lord, your close friend is sick.” When Jesus heard the news he said, “The end result of this sickness will not be death. Through this God’s glory will be revealed so that the Son of God may be glorified.”
“Aren’t there twelve hours in a day?” “If you walk during the day you don’t stumble because you can see where you’re going by the light of this world. But if you walk during the night you stumble because you have no light.” After telling them this, he said, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I’m going to go there and wake him up!”
“Lazarus is dead. For your sake I’m glad I wasn’t there, because now you will be able to trust in me. Let’s go and see him.”
Jesus Comforts Mary and Martha (John 11:17-37)
The sisters of Lazarus, after Lazarus had been in the tomb for four days.
“Your brother will rise again.”
‘In the resurrection’, they replied.
“I am the resurrection and the life. Those who trust in me will live, even though they die. All who live in me and trust in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
Upon arriving in the village.
“Where have you laid him?”
Download the complete 'Words of Jesus' here.
OUR AFRICAN EXPERIENCE
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Your prayers would still be appreciated.
THEATRE IS STILL WAITING.....
Well this week!
YOKED
One day during the week, in our hospital morning devotions, I spoke about God's rest and being yoked to Him.
An hour later I went outside and here was a cart picking up a large table, being drawn by 2 oxen yoked together! If they don't pull together, they go nowhere! Of course Jesus also spoke about being unequally yoked with the world.
Here in the Kenyan countryside, a good number of things found in the time of Jesus, are still the same.
However the big cities are much more modern. Africa is introducing G5 internet at the moment. It is estimated that 60% of all African connections will be in Kenya, which has become a technological hub.
The contrast between the old and the new is amazing!
DAHLIA LOVERS -EAT YOUR HEART OUT!
Amazingly Dahlias here do not have a dormant period! Once they stop flowering, cut them back and away they come again!
We get 3 flowerings a year, plus after 1 year we were able to get 9 new tubers!
Amazing!. Many things grow so well here.
First fruit! Or more accurately, first flower of a new crop! (Always the largest)
LOVE THE HAT!
My friend has a cap inside his favorite floppy hat that has seen better days! Waste not, want not!
***NOW***NINE BOOKS ARE AVAILABLE ON AMAZON!!!
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All are available worldwide for electronic download on Amazon (Kindle) for $US0.99c . Unfortunately there has to be a charge in order to list.
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'THE WORDS OF JESUS' REMAIN AVAILABLE FOR PDF DOWNLOAD
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
1014. Religion builds tradition, the Spirit, change.
1015. Religion builds tradition, the Spirit breaks tradition down.
1016. One person's vision becomes their successor's job.
1017. The kingdom of God is built upon relationship, not organisation.
1018. Mankind cannot build the kingdom of God for He has already done it far better than we ever could.
1019. While religion may desire to build God's kingdom, it finally succeeds in building its own.
1020. The kingdom of God doesn't need to be built, rather, grasped hold of.
1021. Religion is of the proud, the kingdom of God, of the humble.
CARTOONS FROM TOON FEVER
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TUESDAY TEACHINGS
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*** ANOTHER DAILY EZINE FROM WWJ!*** 'LAUGHING AT OURSELVES' Subscribe Today
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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: “Many millions search for God everywhere, then find Him in their hearts.
203. More Bulletin Bloopers
*** Don't forget the annual Child Watch banquet next Tuesday. They've been serving children for 18 years.
*** We want to offer special prayers for the police officers in our congregation and all the officers on the force. Remember, Officer Wilson who was injured this week when his cruiser was hit by a car that then ran away.
*** One Sunday the first hymn listed on our song sheet was "Surley Goodness and Mercy!!" Those who weren't in a good mood when the service started immediately had a smile. - Amber in Lake Isabella, CA
*** Youth group please remember our kick-off for January 5 and 6 is a lock-in weekend that will be "Built to Last."
*** The morning service will be followed by holy communism.
*** Please join us for the Christmas concert and sinalong (Richard Lederer)
*** Don't forget the Community Rabies Vaccination Clinic under the church picnic pavilion starting at 9:00 a.m. Saturday. The Cost is only $10 and Senior citizens are free with proof of age.
*** For those parents who attend the progressive dinner Friday, you may pick up your youth after your stop at the pastor's house.
*** Providing adequate housing to area senior citizens has always been a concern. The staff and board of The Village see themselves as being in misery to the residents of the retirement community.
*** We are asking for donations of non-perishable food items to help the needy. Please help us refill our food panty.
*** Thank you Conference Volunteers for your time and energy, especially those who helped with stuffing pockets the Friday before conference.
*** Our bulletin has changed, take a pee inside. (D Lancon)
*** I would like to thank those who worked to make the regional annual meeting a success. Many of the delegates commented on the wonderful hostility they received from our local people.
*** Congratulations to Dawn Olson who recently graduated from booty camp at U.S. Navy's Great Lakes Recruit Training Center on Feb 22nd.
*** PLEASE NOTE: We would like to make a correction in the recent editon of the church cookbook. An inaccurate number of jalapeno peppers was given for Jeanette Crowley's Southwestern chicken salad recipe. The recipe should call for two, not 21, jalapeno peppers.
*** The marriage of Miss Freda VanAmburg and Willie Branton, which was announced in the newsletter a few weeks ago, was a mistake which we wish to correct.
*** It was incorrectly reported in last week's newsletter that this unday is T-shirt Appreciation Day. In fact, it is actually Teacher Appreciation Day.
*** It has come to our attention that there was a mistake in a newsletter item two weeks ago. It stated that Ed Burnham entertained our Men of Integrity Group at "crap shooting." It should have read "trap shooting."
*** There are two important corrections to the information in the last church newsletter on our Women's Deep Relaxation Exercise and Health Program. First, the program will include meditation, not medication. Second, it is experiential, not experimental.
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
Am just starting to recover from a cold and sore throat, which you can still get here in the tropics, even though the weather is beautiful nearly all the time!
We are more affected by our surroundings than we think.
Yes, in bugs, perhaps Covid, but even more so by TV, films, news, social media, sport and many others, designed, it seems to take our attention away from our Lord.
It is a real challenge being in the world but not a part of it, but we must control what we can, to spend more time with Him.
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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