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: 816 Published: 19 Jun 2017
WHOSE CHURCH IS IT ANYWAY? Part 2
JESUS' CRITIQUE OF THE EARLY NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH!
In the only recorded words of Jesus after His Ascension, (through the disciple John - look for the red print in your Bible!) Jesus commented on the 7 churches in Asia. I will summarize for the sake of space.....
THE CHURCH IN EPHESUS (Revelation 2:1-7)
The Good: Hard work, perseverance, discernment, accepted hardship. Hate the Nicolaitans.
The Bad: Lost their love of God in their busyness.
The Result: Without repentance, rejection from God.
THE CHURCH IN SMYRNA (Revelation 2:8:11)
The Good: Afflictions, poverty slander and imprisonment has made the people rich in God's sight.
The Bad: Nil
The Result: Faithfulness unto death brings the crown of life.
THE CHURCH IN PERGAMUM (Revelation 2:12-17)
The Good: Live in evil surroundings, but have rejected persecution, even to death.
The Bad: Practicing false, sinful beliefs. Tolerance of wrong doctrines and teaching.
The Result: Repentance required or punishment coming.
THE CHURCH IN THYRATIRA (Revelation 2:18-29)
The Good: Increased good deeds, love, faith, service and perseverance.
The Bad: Accepting false teacher, leading to immorality and idol worship.
The Result: Those who haven't gone astray, God's acceptance. Others to be struck dead.
THE CHURCH IN SARDIS (Revelation 3:1-6)
The Good: Of good reputation for works.
The Bad: Spiritually dead.
The Result: Repent or suffer punishment, except for the few faithful ones.
THE CHURCH IN PHILADELPHIA (Revelation 3:7-13)
The Good: Suffered hardship but remained faithful in spite of opposition.
The Bad: Nil
The Result: To be kept from the trials imposed on others.
THE CHURCH IN LAODICEA (Revelation 3:14-22)
The Good: Nil
The Bad: A lukewarm faith. Materially rich and independent, not realising they are spiritually wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.
The Result: Counselled to seek God, repent, and look instead to spiritual growth. Those who do will receive the ultimate reward, to dine with Jesus.
SUMMARY
It is amazing that, round 50 years after Jesus ascended into heaven, He found it necessary to comment, through John in prison on the Island of Patmos, His comments and concerns about 'the church' (assembly - informal gatherings of believers in a geographical area)! The same problems exist today!
The church generally, was riddled with false teachings, salvation through works, idolatry, sexual and other moral failings, materialism, spiritual poverty, self-indulgence and lukewarmness.
On the other hand, the faithful churches (Smyrna and Philadelphia), plus the few faithful followers in the other churches, tended to be poor, persecuted, suffering hardships and even martyrdom. Of course, Jesus was martyred too! What a contrast, then and now.
The deceptions the church quickly fell into were warned against by Jesus. For example, let us consider the trap of material wealth. In the case of the Rich Young Man.....
21 Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 22 When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. (Matthew 19:21-2)
Even in its first 50 years, the church was hijacked by those seeking personal power and promoting worldly, manmade, religious doctrines. How is this avoided? How do true followers of Jesus follow Him?
Jesus himself gave us the answer.....
25 “All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. (John 14:25-6)
And again.....
26 “When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me. (John 15:26)
THE TRUE FOLLOWERS OF JESUS ARE ONES WHO ARE OBEDIENT TO THE LEADING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THEIR LIVES.
To inherit the kingdom of God we are not to follow a man (or woman), man's doctrines nor manmade organizational or physical structures and programmes, but to follow Jesus, as revealed to us by the Holy Spirit, living within us.
20 Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, 21 nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is within you.” (Luke 17:20-21)
Amen.
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FROM THE WORD
THE WORDS OF JESUS
May we hear what the Lord is saying to us.
Lawyer Tests Jesus About Receiving Eternal Life (Luke 10:25-37)
“What is written in the law? How do you read it?”
The lawyer replies with the ‘golden rule’.
“You’re right,” “Do this, and you will live.”
Jesus then tells the parable of the Good Samaritan.
“A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho. He was attacked by robbers who stripped him and beat him, and left him for dead. It so happened that a priest was going the same way. He saw the man, but he passed by on the other side of the road. Then a Levite came along. But when he got to the place and saw the man, he also passed by on the other side. “Finally a Samaritan man came along. As he passed by, he saw the man and felt sorry for him. He went over and treated the man’s wounds with oil and wine, and bandaged them. Then he placed the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn where he took care of him. The next day he gave two denarii to the innkeeper and told him, ‘Take care of him, and if you spend more than this, I’ll pay you back when I return.’ Which one of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by robbers?”
“Go and do the same,”
Martha Works While Mary Listens (Luke 10:38:42)
Jesus comments when Martha complains.
“Martha, Martha,” “you’re worried and upset about all this. But only one thing is really necessary. Mary has chosen the right thing, and it shall not be taken away from her.”
You can download the complete 'Words of Jesus' here.
A NOTE ABOUT AFRICA
Just before leaving New Zealand we received another very generous donation, completing the goal of $60,000 required to build the hospital building! Thank you donor! Thank you Lord!
This will open the way to others, who have indicated their support, once the building is complete.
May the Lord's will continue to be done.
Check out our website here....
***NOW***NINE BOOKS ARE AVAILABLE ON AMAZON!!!
9 BOOKS are now available on Amazon (Kindle)!
All are available worldwide for electronic download on Amazon (Kindle) for $US0.99c . Unfortunately there has to be a charge in order to list.
Your support would be appreciated and they could well change your life!
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http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=david+tait+books/
BOOK OF THE WEEK
TRANSITION FROM "THE CHURCH" TO "THE KINGDOM":
Living The Kingdom Lifestyle Today
The more I grow in Jesus, the more I study history, and the more revelation the Lord gives me, the more I see differences between where we are as 'the church' and where we should be as integral members of 'the kingdom' of God.
Surely the two are the same? Yes, they are meant to be. But the reality is that they are not. For over the 2000 odd years since Jesus, the church has become an 'institution', with a life of its own, rather than being an 'instrument' to build God's kingdom.
Please don't get me wrong! The church does many good things. It has spread the Good News of Jesus around most of the earth. It is the leading supplier of social services worldwide. It has influenced society and history over the last 2000 years more than any other institution. One third of the world's population is Christian, or nominally so. Considerable milestones have been achieved.
Yet, is the church today truly ushering in the kingdom of God? Do we really mean, or believe it, when we pray.....
10 your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6:10)
Sadly, the reality is, in much of the church, God's kingdom has become man's kingdom, where the protection and promotion of the individual church, denomination or grouping, has become more important in men's minds than building the kingdom of God. We have moved from a single church kingdom in the 1st century to over 30,000 church kingdoms now!
From the death of the Apostle John round AD100, we saw the gradual erosion of the Apostolic foundations of the church. With the conversion of the Roman Emperor Constantine, the church became a human based institution furthering the ends of the state, or the clergy, or both. The Reformation brought some of the foundational truths back into the church which has been built upon over the centuries since. However churches, whether of traditional, evangelical, charismatic or pentecostal hues have created further division, instead of unity, within the body of Christ.
'Why is this?' and 'What are we to do about it?' are at the heart of what we will look at here.
TESTIMONY
When the Lord started speaking to me about the church, approaching 20 years ago now, people were generally not interested in what He was saying to me. It was like hitting your head against a brick wall!
But over the past 10 years there has been a lot more interest and understanding of what the Lord is saying and requiring of us, His people, in these end days. All round the world He is giving a similar kingdom or apostolic message and vision to individuals and groups of people.
None has it all, or gets it all right, for there is a huge change in mindset required for the messengers as well as the people. Yes, we are nearly all imbued in church ways! As well, all are human, able to make mistakes in hearing from God, adding in bits from our own minds and experience. No-one is perfect, least of all, me!
But, in spite of this, there is gradually arising a body of people who are becoming increasingly sold out to Jesus, ones whose desire it is to put His kingdom ahead of their own, both as individuals and as a church, those whose whole desire is to be in the bride for whom Jesus is returning.....
7 Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. 8 Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.” (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.) (Revelation 19:7-8)
Come Jesus, come.
Downloadable from Amazon for USD99c at.....
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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.
Download the free PDF here.....
DAVID'S DOODLINGS
RELIGION, REVELATION AND GOD'S KINGDOM
1071. Religion is revelation become tradition.
1072. Tradition is religion's friend, but the deadly enemy of revelation.
1073. Tradition moulds revelation into religion.
1074. Revelation revs 'Revs'!
1075. While knowledge is gained at a theological seminary, revelation comes from the father heart of God.
1215. The understanding that God's kingdom is available now is the greatest motivator of all for keen Christians.
1216. There's no need to wait. Seek God's kingdom now!
1308. Religion is based upon dependence, the kingdom, interdependence.
1309. Religion looks inwards, the kingdom, upwards and outwards.
1310. The kingdom is not centered round teaching and preaching, but rather, living out teaching and preaching.
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 ...
CARTOONS FROM TOON FEVER
Visit the Toon Fever website for more cartoon fun..... http://www.toonfever.com
Check it out at...
TUESDAY TEACHINGS
THIS WEEK: A REVELATION OF... THE 3 RIVERS OF GOD
It’s amazing how God works! A number of years ago now, as I was reading the last chapter of the Bible, He showed me that the river flowing from the throne of God was symbolic of the End Time Church – the ‘River Church’. But that is another story.
But it is only now, these many years later, that He is revealing the principles of the river. Revealing its source way back at the beginning of time in the Garden of Eden, flowing through Ezekiel’s Temple and culminating with the final promise of God’s Kingdom on earth contained in the last chapter of Revelation.
Once again, my faith is built up as I see yet another aspect of God’s logical plan; a plan put in place from the very foundation of the world. And likely well before! Being a (usually logical) male, logic and reason, together with experiential love, work hand in hand as faith builders in my life.
The river I initially saw supernaturally flowed up towards the Throne of God as we fully entered His rest and were taken up to Him, rather than the more natural, gravity obedient one mentioned in Revelation 22:1. I still don’t have the full revelation of that, but God hasn’t finished with me yet. And wont, until I go to join Him.
So let’s take a journey through time and see what surprises our God has in store for us.
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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. ***
10. Giiiizumped!
A young lad who had just got his driving licence asked his minister father if he could drive his car.
"I’ll make a deal with you said his father. "If you improve your grades, study your Bible a little more and cut your hair, we will talk again in a month."
A month later the son again approached his father, who said, "Son, I am real proud of you. Your grades have improved greatly and you have been diligent in your Bible Study. But you still haven’t cut your hair.’
"But dad, I’ve been thinking about that. You know, Samson had long hair so did Moses and Noah, and maybe Jesus too."
"Yes son," his dad replied, "and they walked everywhere they went!"
11. The Ingenuity of Youth
After church one Sunday morning a young announced to his mother. "Mum, I’m going to be a minister when I grow up."
"That’s wonderful son," his mum said, "but what brought you to that decision?"
"Well," the son replied, I’ll have to go to church anyway, so I figure it will be more fun to stand up and yell than to sit still and listen!"
12. Heavenly Qualifications
The pastor was talking to a group of young children about believing in Jesus and going to heaven. At the end of his talk he asked confidently, "And where do you want to go?"
"Heaven!" they shouted in unison.
Now on a roll he asked, "And what do you have to be to get there?"
"Dead!" was one boy’s immediate reply.
QWIK QWIP: “Don't wait for six strong men to take you to church.”
FACTS FOR FUN
LAST WEEKS QUESTION: Are pigeons and doves of the same family?
ANSWER: Yes, they're in the same family. But pigeons are the poor relations. They are pretty much looked down upon as city annoyances. But doves have become recognised as symbols of peace, and in Christianity, the Holy Spirit. The birds are so closely related, though, that some companies offering to release doves at a wedding are really using pigeons. The pigeon and dove family Columbidae consists of 309 species ranging from the sparrow-sized ground-dove, to turkey-sized crowned pigeons. (Is that deception the reason why marriages aren’t peaceful?)
THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: Why do some animals have eyes that glow in the dark?
SOME FUN FACTS
PALPABLY PUZZLING PROBLEM No. 1….. Why is the time of day when the traffic is slowest called the ‘rush hour’?
10. Rarefied Atmosphere
La Paz, the capital city of Bolivia, is the world's highest city at 3600 metres above sea level. (Wouldn’t want to walk to it!)
11. Bra-locution!
In Britain, 2 women were killed in 1999 by lightning conducted through their under-wire bras, according to the West London Coroner's Office. (Now ‘PC’ to ban bras?)
12. Burger Heaven
Americans eat 45000 burgers per minute. (Cows don’t appreciate this statistic!)
A WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU
Make another word from this word using all the letters.
ASTRONOMER (Two word answer.)
Answer at the end of A David Musing
FREE DOWNLOAD: You can download the full version of our Trivia Book at TRULY TRIFFLING TRIVIA here..... https://www.wwj.org.nz/content/wwj14p11.pdf
Or check out all 1232 online at.....
PAUL
9: What was the name of the city where Lydia was converted?
a. Troas
b. Thyatira
c. Neapolis
d. Philippi
Source: http://biblequizzes.org.uk
Answer at the end of A DAVID MUSING
IF ONLY I'D THOUGHT OF IT!
"""OTHER'S SAYINGS TO ENLIGHTEN, AMUSE, OR BEMUSE"""
STILL MORE THOUGHTS
!!!!!!! Money talks. Mine says "I'm leaving."
!!!!!! In order to keep a true perspective of one's importance, everyone should have a dog that will worship him and a cat that will ignore him.-- Derek Bruce
!!!!! Are there any unguided missiles?
!!!! Ae part-time band leaders semi-conductors?
!!! If you had to identify, in one word, the reason why the human race has not achieved, and never will achieve, its full potential, that word would be "meetings."
!! The only purpose my "to do" list serves is to remind me of what to feel guilty about not doing.
! Blessed are those who hunger and thirst, for they are sticking to their diets.
100'S MORE TO BE FOUND AT...
LIFE'S A LAUGH
They had only been aloft a few minutes when the elderly lady complained to the stewardess that her ears were popping.
The girl smiled and gave the older woman some chewing gum, assuring her that many people experienced the same discomfort.
When they landed in New York, Grandma thanked the stewardess.
"The chewing gum worked fine," she said, "but tell me, how do I get it out of my ears?"
"Let's try to make this look natural," she said. "Junior, put your arm around your dad's shoulder."
The father answered, "If you want it to look natural, why not have him put his hand on my wallet?"
Later, over dinner, we tried to touch on the informal versus formal dress codes that life after college might require. Our son, however, shared his own firmly held dress code guidelines:
1. Informal: socks not required
2. Semiformal: two socks required
3. Formal: both socks must match
DAVID'S DOWNLOADS
PREACH, TEACH, OR 'TREACH'
A 23 page e-book questioning the effectiveness of, and offering suggestions about, the way we communicate the gospel of Jesus in the church today.
Download your free PDF File here.....
WAXING LYRICAL
Yes, today's choices affect our eternal destiny. This poem just came to me as I was writing the PGIM newsletter. Aimed at me - aimed at you!
CHOICE
Come into my parlour said the spider to the fly,
Delicious treats are in here for you to try!
Should I go in, or should I stay out?
Want to find out, what it's all about!
So into the parlour I go,
Looks delicious, I know,
The web is so sparkling white,
On it, I alight with delight.
Now I go to lift my front leg,
Stuck - locked as with a peg!
I struggle my leg to release,
By now, having lost my peace.
Shouldn't have come in!
Knew it twas a sin!
Now can't get away!
Am here to stay!
My energy does all go,
I'm in my dying throe!
Be you all warned,
About sin scorned!
Or you'll end up here just like me,
Death in a web, don't you see!
But Jesus came, His forgiveness to give,
By repentance, through Him, we can live.
So when you are caught in the enticing web of life,
Call out to Him, to extract you from your strife.
Then away from that larder undertake to stay,
And He will remain with you all of the day,
Instead of the web, in His kingdom do play,
When temptation comes, to Him let us pray.
The web of life, is very nice,
Seems full of fun and spice,
But it will get you and me in the end,
Eternity in hell we will spend,
Unless we turn and walk the other way,
Then with Jesus we may forever stay.
Life all is about choice,
How to use our voice?
In praising Him,
Or seeped in sin?
Yes, about this life we do muse,
But what, will you and I, choose?
More of David's 'poetry' here.....
A DAVID MUSING
On holiday! Back soon!
Until next week.......
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD.
His servant and yours
David Tait
Today's 'Word Puzzle' Answer: MOON STARER
Acts 16:12
TODAY'S 'BIBLE QUESTIONS' ANSWER: d. Philippi (Acts 16:12)
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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 websitewwj.org.nz or by contacting us as follows.
Walking With Jesus Ministries
7 Bull Street
Ahuriri
Napier
New Zealand
Phone: (06) 835 0567 International (+64) 6 835 0567
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