TRANSFORMATION OF THE CHURCH: 3. FROM KINGS TO KINGDOM

Once again, I trust that you will not take offence as I write on this difficult subject. Nothing that I write here is personal, but rather, sets out the principles on which God's kingdom is meant to operate. I know many pastors, leaders and people in churches. In fact, I attend one myself, so am included also! What I am looking at here is the system that has evolved over the 2000 odd years since Jesus walked upon the earth to bring a new way of reestablishing our relationship with God, lost at the time of Adam and Eve's sin. Today 'The Way' is to be built upon direct relationship with the Father, made possible through the sacrifice of Jesus and lived out with guidance from the Holy Spirit.

Going right back in history to the time of Abraham, we see a man who had a direct relationship to God, hearing personally from Him on numerous occasions.

At the same time, there was upon the earth a mysterious king-priest, by the name of Melchizedek. Jewish tradition says he was Shem the son of Noah, while today, many believe he was a preincarnation of Jesus. While it would appear that he didn't die, he certainly is a 'type of a priest who lives forever'. (Easton Bible Dictionary) Abraham paid him a tithe once, after a successful battle. As Abraham was a nomad and Melchizedek likely lived around the Jerusalem area, their paths probably didn't cross very often. Abraham's primary relationship was with the Father and he received his visions and instructions directly from the Father.

Time went on and when the people finally came out of Egypt they were initially led as a unified nation by Moses and Joshua, both, in different ways, types of Jesus.

These men were not kings nor priests, but prophets, ones whom again had a direct relationship with God.

After the death of Joshua, the individual tribes went their own ways. From time to time God would raise up judges at a tribal level, to deal with emergency situations the people got themselves in to. Finally the people decided that having a permanent king, like the surrounding nations had, would serve them better than waiting upon God appointed judges, to resolve their problems. Samuel was not pleased. Nor was God! However God reluctantly acceded to their request, all the time knowing the trouble it would get the people in to.

So we now had a situation where priesthood and kingship were separated, with King Saul and the Aaronic priesthood fulfilling different roles in society. Both good and bad kings and priests followed but the end result by the time Jesus came was that the people had been expelled from their land with only a remnant returning, and by the time of Jesus, under Roman rule.

To summarise, the nation of Israel had passed through 2 kingdom ages. In the first kingdom age there was a king-priest in the form of Melchizedek while during the second kingdom age the kingship and the priesthood were separated.

Nothing controversial so far.

But it was soon to come! Jesus came as a radical to turn the world upside down! Ongoing controversy between the ways of Jesus and the established religious and governmental systems has been the normal situation ever since!

(To be continued next week.)

Find out more about us at...

http://www.wwj.org.nz/about.php

FROM THE WORD

"Then Melchizedek king of Salem (likely was Jerusalem) brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram, saying, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And blessed be God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.” Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything." (Genesis 14:18-20)

"Moses said to the assembly, “This is what the LORD has commanded to be done.” Then Moses brought Aaron and his sons forward and washed them with water. He put the tunic on Aaron, tied the sash around him, clothed him with the robe and put the ephod on him. He also tied the ephod to him by its skillfully woven waistband; so it was fastened on him. He placed the breastpiece on him and put the Urim and Thummim in the breastpiece. Then he placed the turban on Aaron’s head and set the gold plate, the sacred diadem, on the front of it, as the LORD commanded Moses." (Leviticus 8:5-9)

ISRAEL ASKS FOR A KING
"When Samuel grew old, he appointed his sons as judges for Israel. The name of his firstborn was Joel and the name of his second was Abijah, and they served at Beersheba. But his sons did not walk in his ways. They turned aside after dishonest gain and accepted bribes and perverted justice. So all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah. They said to him, “You are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways; now appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have.” But when they said, “Give us a king to lead us,” this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the LORD. And the LORD told him: “Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king. As they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you. Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will do.” Samuel told all the words of the LORD to the people who were asking him for a king. He said, “This is what the king who will reign over you will do: He will take your sons and make them serve with his chariots and horses, and they will run in front of his chariots. Some he will assign to be commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties, and others to plow his ground and reap his harvest, and still others to make weapons of war and equipment for his chariots. He will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers. He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive groves and give them to his attendants. He will take a tenth of your grain and of your vintage and give it to his officials and attendants. Your menservants and maidservants and the best of your cattle and donkeys he will take for his own use. He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will become his slaves. When that day comes, you will cry out for relief from the king you have chosen, and the LORD will not answer you in that day.” But the people refused to listen to Samuel. “No!” they said. “We want a king over us. Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles.” When Samuel heard all that the people said, he repeated it before the LORD. The LORD answered, “Listen to them and give them a king.” Then Samuel said to the men of Israel, “Everyone go back to his town.” (1 Samuel 8:1-21)

You may read and study the 'New International Version (NIV)' online at...

http://www.ibs.org/niv/index.php

***DAILY EZINE!*** 'DAVID'S DAILY DOODLINGS' Subscribe Today

Receive one of David's sayings in your mailbox each day to inspire, challenge or maybe, amuse.

To register today, simply click here ddd-on@wwj.org.nz
and press send. Then it's done!

If you have an Irish heritage, you will love the background coloring!

Should you wish, check out current and back issues (where you can also subscribe) at...

http://www.wwj.org.nz/doodlings/index.php

DAVID'S DOODLINGS

RELIGION, REVELATION AND GOD'S KINGDOM

1012. I am rapidly coming to the conclusion that the biggest hindrance to God building His kingdom is man building his. It's called religion.

1013. Man organises the god out of God!

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.

1022. Religion revolves round organisation, the kingdom of God, relationship.

1023. Religion is planned, God's kingdom, spontaneous.

Please feel free to quote these quotes. Acknowledgement of David Tait as the author would be appreciated. There are now over 1300 David sayings for you to view at ...

http://www.wwj.org.nz/dd.php

CRANWELL'S CARTOON

TO READ THIS CARTOON AND SEE THE OTHER
PICTURES IN THIS EMAIL YOU NEED TO BE ONLINE.

Check it out at...

http://www.wwj.org.nz/pdf/9p12.pdf

TUESDAY TEACHINGS

NEXT WEEK BEYOND THE VEIL – 1 continues

REVELATION FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT PRINCIPLES OF ATONEMENT

A. ATONEMENT PRINCIPLES TOTALLY FULFILLED BY JESUS
(Fulfilled both Positionally and Experientially.)

With the last 5 of the 10 principles.

Check out all the available teachings at...

http://www.wwj.org.nz/teachings/index.php

*** ANOTHER DAILY EZINE FROM WWJ!*** 'LAUGHING AT OURSELVES' Subscribe Today

As Christians, if we can't laugh at ourselves, others will! A fun way to start your day.

To register today, simply click here lao-on@wwj.org.nz and press send. Then it's done!

Should you wish, check out early issues (where you can also subscribe) at...

http://www.wwj.org.nz/laughing/index.php

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." ***

668. THE PIG AND THE COW
Did you hear about the town's richest man who met with the minister after the Sunday service?

"Why does everyone call me cheap and stingy?" complained the man. "I've told everyone I'm leaving half my money to the church when I die."

The minister nodded. "It reminds me of the story about the pig and the cow. The cow was much loved by the farmer and his neighbors, while the pig was not popular at all. The pig could not understand this and asked the cow about it.

'How come you are so well liked, cow? People say you're good because you give milk and butter and cream every day. But I give more than that. From me they get bacon and ham; they even pickle my feet. Yet I'm not popular and you are. Why do you think that is?'

The cow looked down at the pig and answered, 'Perhaps it's because I give while I'm still alive.'"

667. WAY BACK
The following conversation was overheard at a party attended by high society people:

"My ancestry goes all the way back to Alexander the Great," said one lady. She then turned to a second lady and said, "And how far does your family go back?"

"I don't know," was the reply. "All of our records were lost in the Flood."

FREE DOWNLOAD: You can now 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 769 sermon fillers for your entertainment and use at ...

http://www.wwj.org.nz/laugh.php

FACTS FOR FUN

LAST WEEKS QUESTION: What happened to Pontius Pilate after he sentenced Christ to be crucified?

ANSWER: : As could be expected, things went rapidly downhill from there. Pilate ended up killing himself in 36 AD after Caligula ordered him to come to Rome to explain his actions in the massacre of some Samaritans. It is unclear whether Caligula ordered the suicide or Pilate simply feared harsh punishment. (An inevitable judgement.)

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: When was the first animal cloned?

Answer Next Week.

SOME FUN FACTS

603. A UNIQUE MILLION
The first prime number after 1,000,000 is 1,000,003. (Check it out longhand? Maybe you will take my word for it, after all!)

604. PATIENCE REQUIRED
There are 1,929,770,126,028,800 possible combinations on a Rubik’s Cube. (Must have tried them all – but one!)

605. DOMINANT
99% of our Solar System’s mass is concentrated in the sun. (Massive!)

A WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU

Make another word from this word using all the letters.

THINS

Answer at the end of A David Musing

FREE DOWNLOAD: You can download the full version of our Trivia Book at TRULY TRIFFLING TRIVIA

Or view all 1232 online at...

http://www.wwj.org.nz/facts.php

BIBLE QUESTION - JUDGES (You be the judge!)

9) What was Gideons other name?

A - Ben Manoah
B - Ben Hur
C - Jerubbaal
D - Zerubabel

Source: www.biblequizzes.com

Heaps more fun and serious 'God Facts' are found at...

http://www.wwj.org.nz/gfacts.php

IF ONLY I'D THOUGHT OF IT!

"""OTHER'S SAYINGS TO ENLIGHTEN, AMUSE, OR BEMUSE"""

OLD AGE

!!!!!!! 8. I don't know how I got over the hill without getting to the top.

!!!!!! 9. The golden years are really just metallic years, gold in the tooth, silver in your hair, and lead in the seat.

!!!!! 10. Life would be infinitely happier if we could only be born at the age of 80 and gradually approach 18.

!!!! 11. One of the many things no one tells you about aging is that it is such a nice change from being young. One must wait until evening to see how splendid the day has been.

!!! 12. Age seldom arrives smoothly or quickly. It is more often a succession of jerks.

!! 13. Yeah, being young is beautiful, but being old is comfortable.

! 14. Old age is when former classmates are so gray and wrinkled, and blind they don't recognize you.

100'S MORE TO BE FOUND AT...

http://www.wwj.org.nz/thought.php

MORE BIBLE RIDDLES

Thought we had done all possible Bible riddles in our last, very popular series. However, I have now found some more for you to enjoy, courtesy of Frank Schaefer of javacasa.com

Q. What was the name of Isaiah's horse?
>
>
>
>
>
>
A. Isme - He said "Whoa, is me!"

Lots more riddles found at...

http://www.wwj.org.nz/gfacts.php

LIFE'S A LAUGH

226. VERY QUICK QUIPS!
- Those who jump off a bridge in Paris are in Seine.
- A man's home is his castle, in a manor of speaking.
- Dijon vu - The same mustard as before.
- Vuja de - The feeling that what you are experiencing has never happened before.
- Shotgun wedding:? A case of wife or death.
- Does the name Pavlov ring a bell?
- Reading while sunbathing makes you well red.
- When two egotists meet, it's an I for an I.
- A bicycle can't stand on its own because it is two-tyred.
- Definition of a will: A dead give away.
- In democracy your vote counts.? In feudalism your Count votes.
- She was engaged to a boyfriend with a wooden leg but broke it off.
- A chicken crossing the road is poultry in motion.
- With her marriage, she got a new name and a dress.
- When a clock is hungry, it goes back four seconds.
- The man who fell into an upholstery machine is fully recovered.
- You feel stuck with your debt if you can't budge it.
- Local Area Network in Australia:? The LAN down under.
- Every calendar's days are numbered.
- A lot of money is tainted - It taint yours and it taint mine.
- A boiled egg in the morning is hard to beat.
- A midget fortune-teller who escapes from prison is a small medium at large.
- Those who get too big for their britches will be exposed in the end.
- Once you've seen one shopping center, you've seen a mall.
- Bakers trade bread recipes on a knead-to-know basis.
- Santa's helpers are subordinate clauses.
- Acupuncture is a jab well done.

227. FLYING
"How far do you travel on your yearly preaching circuit, Brother Tuck?"

"Last year I traveled to Japan and back!"

"Gee, you must be building up a lot of frequent friar miles!"


228. THE SECOND OPINION
A man runs into the vet's office carrying his dog, screaming for help. The vet rushes him back to an examination room and has him put his dog down on the examination table. The vet examines the still, limp body and after a few moments tells the man that his dog, regrettably, is dead. The man, clearly agitated and not willing to accept this, demands a second opinion.

The vet goes into the back room and comes out with a cat and puts the cat down next to the dog's body. The cat sniffs the body, walks from head to tail poking and sniffing the dog's body and finally looks at the vet and meows. The vet looks at the man and says, "I'm sorry, but the cat thinks that your dog is dead too."

The man is still unwilling to accept that his dog is dead.

The vet brings in a black Labrador. The lab sniffs the body, walks from head to tail, and finally looks at the vet and barks. The vet looks at the man and says, "I'm sorry, but the lab thinks your dog is dead too."

The man, finally resigned to the diagnosis, thanks the vet and asks how much he owes. The vet answers, "$650."

"$650 to tell me my dog is dead?" exclaimed the man....

"Well," the vet replies, "I would only have charged you $50 for my initial diagnosis. The additional $600 was for the cat scan and lab test."

Groan some more at...

http://www.wwj.org.nz/groans.php

BIBLE TRIVIA

BARLEY

was used mainly to feed animals as its protein content was lower than wheat. As the chief grain of the poor it became a symbol of poverty. It furnished Hebrews with units of measurement. (3 laid end to end = 1 inch) 24 were a 'span' and 48 a 'cubit'.

Adapted from: '1001 Surprising Things You Should Know About The Bible' MacGregor & Prys

Lots more 'God Facts' are found at...

http://www.wwj.org.nz/gfacts.php

Underlying Spiritual Meanings of Numbers

1-----God

2-----Witness

3-----The Godhead

4-----Earth/Man

5-----Atonement or Grace

6-----Fallen man

7-----Completion, Perfection, Maturity

8-----New Beginnings, Resurrection

9-----Eternal perfection

10----Trial and testing

12----Divine government

40----Trial and testing

50----Anointing

144---(12x12) New man in Christ, Ultimate government of God

200---Insufficiency

300---full deliverance

50x6=300-Anointed man

666---Man setting himself up as God

888---Jesus

Much more 'Churchspeak' found at...

http://www.wwj.org.nz/chspeak.php

DAVID'S DOWNLOAD

LAUGHING AT OURSELVES - Compiled with a Grin by: David Tait

500 “Christian!?!” Jokes and Stories to Make You Laugh, Cry and – wait for it…. maybe even Think a Little!

PLUS A FREE BONUS!

200 + “QWIK QWIPS”…… to help impress your friends with your quick wit and deep spiritual insight. (Perhaps!)

Get your free download here...

http://www.wwj.org.nz/pdf/wwj18p47.pdf

WAXING LYRICAL

One of my favourites. It’s self explanatory.


TO BEARD OR NOT TO BEARD?

Each day I look at the mirror, what do I see?
Are my hairs really growing, or is it just me?
Maybe I should count them, one, two, threeee….
One thousand, two hundred and nine – yipeeee!

Gently stroking my prickly stubble, do I detect a problem?
For there’s a bald spot here - smooth as a baby’s bottom!
Right in the middle of where my beard should be!
O Lord, please help me, please give me the key!

The Lord said calmly from way up on high,
"No trouble David, to your stylist in the sky.
The designer beard I have in mind for you,
Is just the thing, will surely see you through."

"But Lord," I said, "you’re up in heaven,
And I live down here - at number seven!
Your scissors would have be so very long,
I’m afraid, that little me, you might prong!"

There has to be a better way, was my thought,
In doom and gloom, I was now caught,
Until the Lord said, "An idea – for I know,
Shall we do it together? Let’s give it a go."

Having no experience in beard styling matters,
My confidence level is quite clearly in tatters.
So I asked the Lord, "Please show me what to do",
He said, "Don’t worry son, my Spirit’s with you."

I said, "that’s fine my Lord, but can he hold the shaver?",
"No my son, but with his help, your hand will not waver."
"I have believed you Lord for far more than this," I said,
"It is written, you have numbered the hairs on my head!"

(To be continued)

More of David's offerings at...

http://www.wwj.org.nz/waxing.php

A DAVID MUSING

A week both good and bad, as most weeks are for most people! This is real life. Many are taught incorrectly that everything will be wonderful all the time when we come to Jesus. This is patently untrue and results in a lot of disillusioned people leaving the faith when they find out they have been conned.

What Jesus does promise, however, is His support to get through the problem times. We are never alone, irrespective of our worldly difficulties when we are true disciples of Jesus. So we can give praise to God in both good times and bad.

Praise the Lord!

That has made me feel much better already!

Until next week...

MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD.

His servant and yours

David Tait

Today's 'Word Puzzle' Answer: HINTS

TODAY'S 'BIBLE QUESTION': Jerubbaal (Judges 7:1)

REPRODUCTION OF NEWSLETTER CONTENT

Most weeks we get enquiries about reproducing, in electronic or print form, articles contained in 'PGIM!' We welcome and encourage you to utilize this material. Freely received, freely given. We would ask though, that the source be acknowledged as an encouragement to others to subscribe to this newsletter also.

Subscription opportunities are available here Subscribe Here

at the bottom of each newsletter or at...
https://www.macnet.co.nz/wwjesus/pay.html

DONATIONS

Each month, because of the size and nature of our web site and maintenance of our sophisticated emailing system, it costs over $200 in provider fees to bring this ministry to you. If you are able to help us meet this expense your credit card donation would be very much welcomed at Make Donations Here as a live connection or at https://secure.macnet.co.nz/www.wwj.org.nz/pay.php
if you prefer to paste the address into your browser. Thanks.

CHANGING YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS? NEWSLETTER STOPS COMING?

Each week we can lose up to 2% of our readers when they change email addresses without letting us know. Or sometimes, by your server acting strangely and just cutting us off! If you are about to change your address, please advise us of both your old and new addresses here at
enquiries@wwj.org.nz and we will happily change our records to ensure ongoing delivery. Thanks.

Please also keep our address in your address book, as sometimes servers will automatically delete your address if there is even a one off problem in delivery. If your newsletter doesn't arrive, please let us know and we will reinstate you.

LINKS

If you would like to link your web site to ours, and ours to yours, please advise us on
links@wwj.org.nz

DOES THIS EMAIL HAVE A BLUE BACKGROUND AND RED HEADINGS?

YES - Great!
NO - Your web browser needs to be set to 'Rich Text'. If you have an older 'Text Only' browser, this email may also be viewed on our web site at ...

http://www.wwj.org.nz/wwword.php

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
290 Flaxmere Avenue
Flaxmere
Hastings
New Zealand

Phone: (06) 8799 911 International (+64) 6 8799 911
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!

For comments upon and contributions to this service, please contact
david@wwj.org.nz