Howard Jackson here defines “apostle” in a generic sense in this first 54 second video.
Now to a more specific use of the word “Apostle” in the New Testament. . .
In this 36 second video Howard Jackson focuses on the calling of a Christian minister in the specific sense of the New Testament apostolic calling. There’s a whole lot more info at Churches and Apostles.
The ongoing exposures of sexual harassment in America and the world are signs of revival. The exposure of church leaders who compromise and fail to repent are a sure sign of God’s judgment. Judgment is part of revival. Judgment begins with the church and continues with all segments of society.
Let’s thank God that the Hollywood icons Harvey Weinstein and Kevin Spacey are exposed. Let’s thank God for focusing the light on pastors, senators and others in the church and government. Three megachurch pastors in the Chicago area have recently been forced to resign. The Charlie Rose firing by CBS and Matt Lauer firing by NBC (both months ago) appear to be righteous judgments that help to cleanse the nation and the nation’s airways.
Why is this happening? David Brooks, New York Times columnist and NPR commentator claims political reasons underlie the sudden outcry against harassment against women.
Think again. The sudden morality awareness stems from the prayers of the church. 2 Chronicles 7:14, the enduring watchword of the church is activated and is producing heaven-intended results. Since at least 2017 our sovereign and faithful God is fulfilling His response to those prayers.
In 2012 God spoke to me, “Prepare My people for judgment.”
Are you calling for revival? Join the movement. Let’s become history-makers. Let the fear of God fall on our land!
The expose’ of sin is none other than God’s timely and loving answer to prayer. The prayers of the church are bringing a fear of God on the land.
Mercy triumphs over judgment. Mercy is God’s first response and is the first response of people like Him. We need to pray for the gift of repentance for leaders (and anyone else) who violates God’s heart and pleasure. If, however, any leader continues in sin and fails to listen to God’s warnings, prayers for divine removal are fitting and Biblical.
Jesus spoke strong words of judgment to the Pharisees and scribes, who were the political and religious leaders of the Jewish nation: Fill up then the measure of the guilt of your fathers (Matthew 23:32). Jesus is warning, “If you continue adding to the sins of your father, you will bring on yourselves divine judgement. ”
Evil leaders are leading their followers into sin. I personally pray for some officials that God remove them if they refuse to repent. “Repentance or removal,” is my plea. The sooner they are removed, the less judgment will fall on them. Is that not God’s mercy?
Look to ourselves, lest we too be tempted. God is ruthless and jealous. Don’t think any of us can escape if we knowingly harbor sin of any kind.
Let’s keep clamoring on the doors of heaven. A mistake I’ve made in the past is to stop too soon. No more. We cannot stop praying when we see the answers begin to arrive. Better, when answers start pouring in, that’s the signal to pour fuel on the fire. Now is prime time to increase passion and prayer, not diminish either.
Are you calling for revival? Are you calling for the fear of God to fall on our land? I am. Let’s be like Elijah: go ruthlessly for the root cause. There’s much more work to be done.
Featured Photo by Kat Love on Unsplash
Second Photo by Shelby Miller on Unsplash
Steve Fatow offers a clear distinction. Learn about chicken evangelism here.
Learn more about modern day apostles here.
Fred Herzog answers the question many are asking today. Amid confusion and controversy, this veteran apostle responds with an answer that may surprise many.
Want to discover more about apostles?
Part 1 appeared last week and can be viewed here. The title was The Taxi Driver and the Bishop: the Monumental Importance of the Church. It’s an eye-opener and worth reading in a day some people don’t think church is relevant.
Just before we left Murang’a, we met an Anglican Bishop, the Venerable P. M. Kariuki. The bishop felt badly he was dressed in civilian clothes instead of his clerical collar and garments. He drove a 30 or 40-year-old Toyota pickup. Nothing memorable there, but his words I may never forget.
Kari asked him pointedly, “Do you speak in tongues?” His answer was clear and to the point. “No, that is what we are missing. What we need in Kenya is the Holy Spirit.”
His words beckon us back to Kenya.
God is moving in Kenya. What the established churches are seeking, the newer Pentecostal-type churches are supplying. The Spirit–filled churches are the revivalists and reformers.
The photo above is by Tim Easley on Unsplash
At a pastor’s prayer meeting, Peter the leader said, “Our greatest need is not money. We have great resources in Kenya. What we need is unity.” They are believing God for a neutral place where believers from every Christian denomination can spend hours or days or weeks in prayer and fasting much like the Korean model of Prayer Mountain.
The photo above shows the hands of Pastor Isaac, some church leaders of the Full Gospel Church of Marang’a and my wife’s (Kari’s) hands. (I wasn’t praying–I was snapping the photo.)
The need for unity is great. We experienced the Psalm 133 blessing of unity with Pastor Isaac and other churches in Kenya. Behold, how good and pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in
unity. It is like the dew of Hermon coming down upon the mountains of Zion.
Kari and I travelled to the border of (and slightly beyond) Murang’a County to meet with three Catholic priests. What a blessed time! After a tour of the grounds and buildings, we chatted over lunch. Father Kevin, Father Michael and Father Edwin shared their vision of developing parts of their10 acres of church property into agricultural use. They have begun by hiring unemployed workers to prepare the ground and plant garden seeds. Each day the priests pray with the workers, not only providing jobs but also offering spiritual direction.
As Kari and I lunched and prayed with the priests, the Holy Spirit manifestly attended, sealing our oneness in Christ.
Lazarus, come forth! shouted Jesus to the dead man. In the same way the church needs the apostolic ministry to come out of the tombs and come alive. A chief function of an apostle is to bring unity.
Apostles claim new ground for the kingdom by opening new concepts for the church. Jesus words Beloved, let us love one another are having a hard time travelling across denominational lines. Apostles can and must bridge gaps between genuine believers. Praise God for all who are fulfilling this ministry.
Let me issue a clarion call for those who have this ministry. Apostles, come forth! The need for unity is great and awaits your ministry.
Upon return, Pastor Morris marveled and explained. “What you did was historic! This may be the first time in Kenya that Protestants and Catholics have prayed together! I doubt that those priests had ever prayed with Protestants before. This is historic for Kenya!”
Whether historic or not, I don’t know. What I do know is this: Jesus prayed that they may all be one . . . that the world may believe that You sent Me (John17:21).
My Three Greatest Impressions of Kenya from our February Mission Trip (Part 1)
The Taxi Driver and the Bishop
The name “Kenya” Means “God’s Resting Place” It’s a beautiful land resting right on the equator. Her people are warm-hearted and love the United States. Many want to travel here.
In 2016 God spoke to Kari a single word—Muranga. Not knowing what it was, and thinking it might be some kind of ice cream(!), she googled the word and discovered Murang’a exists as a city and county in Kenya.
For 3 years Kari prayed over Murang’a. We travelled there in February 2019 for the purpose of encouraging pastors and strengthening churches, especially smaller churches in rural areas.
I came home with three major impressions.
Here’s a short background. Kenya has a long history of Christianity. Both Anglicans and Catholics missionized the area as early as the 1800’s. There are 300 pastors in Murang’a County alone. It seems churches are everywhere.
At the same time, the country has a reputation for corruption. We were told it’s first or second of the most corrupt nation on earth. (Worse than Venezuela?) The nation’s major newspaper headlines new scandals day after day. While we were there a billionaire beer dealer was busted. Another day, a well-known soccer goalie was exposed for throwing games.
I asked a taxi driver, “Why is it that Kenya has so many Christians, so many churches, and is still such a corrupt nation?”
“Because the pastors are corrupt,” he answered without a moment’s hesitation. “All the pastors are corrupt.” “What about your pastor? Is he corrupt,” I inquired. “Yes, they’re all corrupt. There is not a single honest pastor in Kenya,” he opined. “They’re all after money.”
Later, I asked a Bishop the same question. He returned a similar answer. “It’s because of the _______________ church,” he claimed. They got here first. They’ve been here a long time and they don’t fear God. Because they don’t fear God, no one else does either.”
So there you have it. From the Bishop to the taxi man, they both pin the corruption in the country to the corruption in the church.
Modern day apostles are God’s chosen instruments to help churches impact culture. Jesus call us to be salt and light in society. Most pastors are gifted in caring for the flock, the individuals and families within the local church. Apostles and prophets are gifted to lead the church outward to reach the city. The monumental importance of the church is also a monumental call for the rise of God-fearing apostles and prophets.
Following a prayer meeting of Spirit-filled pastors, Kari and I encouraged the pastors to take seriously the injunction in 1 Timothy 2:1. The Bible says the number one priority in a gathering of believers is prayer for the government.
“At the Church of the Living Water in Muscatine, we began about 5-6 years ago to begin every worship service with prayer for our government and also for another local church,” we explained.
The leader, an intelligent and articulate man named Peter, got excited. He announced how God was using President Trump to promote Biblical values in the US and Kenya, especially in the pro-life area. “If the other party would have won,” he proclaimed, “it would have been bad for the world.”
We reported how Iowa has elected a God-fearing governor and how God is blessing our state. “Yes, Iowa! It’s one of the states that put Trump over the top!” remarked the leader in excitement.
Another pastor explained a common perception among Kenyans. “If America does it, it seems right to us. Whatever America does, it seems right. So we do it too.”
Upon reflection, I could see the monumental importance of the church. She is greater than we realize! Because of growing, massive intercession in the churches; because pastors are taking a stand and educating people of what the Bible says on social issues; because 81% of evangelical Christians and a majority of Catholics voted for a conservative candidate, a God-fearing culture is rising.
Because the Church became active, socialism was cut off at the knees. Opposition to childhood murder is increasing. Not only in America, but also around the world.
I came away from Kenya with a renewed sense of the monumental importance of the Church, the role of apostles, and how together we impact society.
Parts 2 and 3 of My 3 Major Impressions of Kenya will continue next week.
Communion—God’s Point of Contact
God chose the Eucharist as a point of contact with His people.
Did Paul send out handkerchiefs and aprons to the sick and the sick received healing? (Acts 19:11-12)
Did the disciples anoint with oil and heal the sick? (Mark 6:13)
Did the idol Dagon fall on the threshold and his hands were broken off in the presence of the Ark? (1 Sam 5:2-4)
The answer is “Yes” in each of these cases.
In fact, we see numbers of examples in both the New and Old Testaments where spirits indwell physical objects. The greatest example in modern times is when the Holy Spirit fills a believer (Acts 2, Acts 10:44ff and Acts 19:1-6).
During the Eucharist, God sends the Spirit of Christ upon the bun and the wine (or juice). As the believer ingests the elements, the Holy Spirit of Christ touches his life—body, soul and spirit.
Be filled with the Spirit (Eph 5:18) is the Scriptural mandate for all believers. If we believe the Bible (and we do), we believe spirits indwell physical objects, including humans.
Is not the cup of blessing which we bless a sharing in the blood of Christ? Is not the bread which we break a sharing in the body of Christ? (1 Cor 10:16)
At the point of contact with the bread and wine (or juice), God gives grace to forgive and receive forgiveness. He gives grace to empower service. His grace anoints. Grace gives healing and wisdom. God pours out heaven’s blessings at this communal point of contact.
Jesus noted at the time He initiated the Eucharist, This is My body, which is given for you. He gave the bread and said given for you. The Savior is not withholding. He is not stingy or like Scrooge; rather, He gives freely, mercifully and readily for the ones who come humbly.
What a wonderful point of contact! What a wonderful Giver! Expect healing!
The body Christ refers to is His broken body. When He had given thanks, He broke it [the bread] and said, This is My body which is broken for you (1 Cor 11:26 KJV).
It is the broken, crushed, striped body that brings healing. By His stripes we are healed (1 Peter 2:2). As we linger at the point of contact and meditate in these truths we receive whatever Jesus gives.
Come expectantly. Come in faith. God has chosen to meet us here.
God Heals through the Eucharist (Holy Communion).
The apple symbolizes death and separation; the bun symbolizes Life and communion with Christ Jesus.
Can you imagine the condition of the Israelites just before the Exodus? They were slaves, harassed and whipped by merciless slave masters. Without a doubt, many were sick, weak, or injured. They were laden with the diseases of Egypt. Then, in one night, something dramatic, something as momentous as the Exodus itself occurred.
Psalm 105:37 relates the thrilling result of eating this
Lamb, the figure of Christ Jesus:
The King James Version translates and there was not one feeble person among their tribes.
And all of them were healthy and strong states the Good News Translation.
Oh, the power of the Lamb! The Passover Lamb was for the healing of a nation! Oh, to claim the power of the Passover Feast.
Communion (Lord’s Supper, Last Supper, Eucharist or whatever we choose to call it) is rooted in the Passover. As historic as the Passover is, it is merely the forerunner of the Eucharist. The Lord’s Supper is the fulfillment of the Passover. The Eucharist is the perfection of the Passover and completes it’s purpose and power. If the passover was powerful, the communion is designed to be even more potent.
Look with me at the Lord’s Supper.
Eve (and Adam) ate the apple. The world immediately fell into sin. We call it The Fall. Genesis laments their choice and expulsion.
Christ died on the cross. The world was gloriously lifted out of sin. We call it Redemption. Communion celebrates His death and resurrection.
Adam ate in unbelief; in contrast, Christ tasted death in faith.
Adam bit the apple in disobedience. Christ tasted death in obedience.
Adam’s act in unbelief destined the world to death; Christ’s act in faith destined the world to life for all who believe.
Adam’s lack of trust brought a curse; Christ’s faithfulness issued a never-ending blessing.
Adam’s sin brought condemnation; Christ’s obedience brought the twin free gifts — the abundance of grace and the gift of eternal righteousness (Romans 5:17).
Adam’s act brought separation from God; Christ’s act brought communion with God.
In communion, we eat the bun, the Bread of Life.
To eat the Bun (the Bread) is to reverse the curse of the apple. Jesus said, This is My body, broken for you. Certain consequences automatically ensued when Adam ate the apple. In a different way, certain results supernaturally pursue those who eat the Bun in faith.
I say, in a different way, because the Bible emphasizes the results of the death of Christ are MUCH MORE in magnitude, in power, and in certainty than the results of the sin of Adam. The death of Christ is NOT like the sin of Adam. The results of the death of Christ and the eating of the loaf (the Bun) are much more certain and powerful.
Supernatural breakouts are automatically designed to emanate from tasting the Bun in faith during this God designed event, the Eucharist.
In her book Miracles Do Happen, Sister Briege McKenna, O.S. C. relates the following story about a mass in a rural area of Latin America.
…I realized the important aspect of the Eucharis is not what I do, but what Jesus does and what I allow Him to do in Me. I must let the loving Jesus heal me and transform me through His body and blood. It is not my effort alone, but His action, that transforms me.
A little boy was brought there who was suffering from very severe burns and sores on his body. I remember thinking, “My goodness, there’s nothing that can be done. It’s so bad. We have no doctors or medicine here.”
We prayed with the little boy, then the priest said to the old woman wo had carried him to the mass, “Just leave him under the table here and let’s continue with the celebration of the Eucharist.”
As the mass progressed, I was overwhelmed at the participation of the people in the mass.
As we approached the consecration, I had my eyes closed. When I opened them I discovered that the people were prostrated on the ground. They lifted up their eyes to adore the Lord. The look on their faces made me think, “They really believe that this is Jesus.” Then when I looked at the sacred Host [at Jesus], in my own imagination, I got the most beautiful image of Jesus with His two hands out. He was smiling with great love and compassion.
After this mass, I went around to see how the little boy was. He had been placed under the table which served as the altar. But he wasn’t there. I said to the woman who had brought him to the mass, “Where is he?” She said, pointing to a group of children playing nearby, “There he is.”
I looked at the child and he was fine. There wasn’t a thing wrong with his little body.
I said aloud, but more to myself, “What happened to him?”
The old woman looked at me and said, “What do you mean, ‘What happened?’ Didn’t Jesus come?”
Here are the points. There are certain, definite results for those who follow the man who tasted the apple in the garden: sin, sickness and death. There are certain, definite results for those who follow the Man who tasted death on the cross: forgiveness, health and eternal life.
According to Romans 5 the latter is much more certain than the former!
Holy Communion (eating the Bun) connects the believer with the crucified and risen Lord Jesus Christ.
The Apple and the Bun.
There’s more to this than a catchy title. Jesus said, “This is My body.” Let’s chew on that awhile.
We have seen spontaneous deliverance and other supernatural manifestations at Holy Communion. I am expecting to see more. At our next communion, let’s expect to meet Christ and experience His manifestation.
What have you seen as a result of the Lord’s Supper? Do me a favor and pass on what God is doing in your church or your own experience of Holy Communion.
Know Your Purpose and Priorities
The classified section of the Quay County Sun newspaper in June of 1978 contained this ad: “Farmer with 160 irrigated acres wants marriage-minded woman with tractor. When replying, please show picture of tractor.”
What are God’s priorities for us sin 2019?
Put God first. Make things of Eternal Significance number one.
In Luke 10:42 and following we find Jesus’ perspective on priorities.
Now as they were traveling along, He entered a village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home.
She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to His word.
But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me.”
But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things;
but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”
Life offers multiple opportunities. What are we choosing? Life demands choices: Mary chose the better part. Are we pleasing God or people? Paul said, “If I’m still trying to please people, I’m not pleasing God. “Sometimes, we can’t do both.
Some things are eternally significant: time with Jesus in the Bible. Time with God in prayer. Getting filled with the Holy Spirit. Evangelism. Worship.
I’m so glad God caught us up in Chicken Evangelism. (Share Christ before you chicken out.) Nearly 100% of Jesus’ outreach was with one-off, random contacts with strangers. To be like Jesus, we will share the free gift of salvation with people in the first minutes we meet. What a joy to begin the discipleship process with strangers!
Make things of earthly significance number two.
What are some things of temporal significance? This does not mean they are not important. It only means they are less significant and we need to grant them less time. Some of these are family, leisure, movies, TV, recreation, health, eating, texting, the internet, etc.
One survey in the 1990’s showed the following about USA priorities:
Sleep………………23 years……….32.9%
Work……………..16 years………..22.8%
TV…………………..8 years………..11.4%
Eating……………….6 years………..8.6%
Travel……………….6 years………..8.6%
Leisure…………..4.5 years………..6.5%
Illness……………….4 years………..5.7%
Dressing……………2 years………..2.8%
Things of God….0.5 years………..0.7%
Total…………….70 years…………100%
Sleep and work are givens. Hard to change much there. Notice the third most important category. 8 years out of a lifetime spent with TV. If the survey were taken today, how much time would be spent on cell phones? Or the internet?
Contrast this with the last category: 0.7% of our time spent with the things of God.
Whether we admit it or not, the amount of time we spend with something shows how important it is to us. It tells us our priorities.
As we turn the page on the calendar to 2019, let’s stop and think. What is your lifetime purpose? What has God placed you on earth for? It would be terrible to go through life and not fulfill God’s purpose.
What is your God-given purpose? And what priorities have you set to get there? Think about it.
Rarely do we make life changes in a flash. Take some time. Kari and I recently went one night to a motel to re-orient ourselves. Very helpful. Take some time now. Give some thought. Talk it over with God.
Priorities
Think about it.
For a child will be born for us, a
Son will be given to us; the government
rests on his shoulders. His name will be
called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
and of His government there will be no end.
Isaiah prophesied this word during a war. Actually, an invasion from two sides. Assyria who represents demonic powers was attacking from the north and the east.
The Philistines, archenemies of the Israelites were harassing from the south and west.
In the middle of this invasion, the renowned prophet spoke. His oracle is a prophecy for us as well as a word for the invaded people of that time.
You’ll break the burden, the staff on their shoulders, the rod of their oppressors as at the Battle of Midian.
In the middle of the invasion, an even more powerful invasion is coming.
A Child will be born to us, a Son will be given to us and the government will rest
on His shoulders.
This Christmas prophecy is a prophecy of new government. It’s a prophecy of a Child born to be a king, a Child who will establish a kingdom safe from invaders.
This prophecy came through Isaiah 700 years before Jesus was born.
Much of it is still not accomplished. It wasn’t accomplished in the first thousand years of
Jesus’ reign, it wasn’t accomplished in the second thousand years of Jesus’ reign.
It’ll only be accomplished during the Millennium.
The prophet announced that a Child will be born for Israel.
Because believers are grafted into the tree of Israel, this is also a prophecy for the church.
All who are men of faith are sons of Abraham. By faith, this child is born for us.
He’s come to establish His government for us.
A Child will be born for us, a Son will be given
to us!
Although it has not happened fully for the nations, yet it is happening individually for men of faith.
Is Jesus your Lord?
Is Jesus your king?
Is Jesus your Governor?
Is His government established in your life?
These are the critical questions of Christmas.
The central issue is not that He’s a baby born, but that He’s a baby born to become King.
This baby is for us.
It’s not only that we belong to him, but that He belongs to us.
For a child will be born to us, a Son will be given to us.
We are in him and He’s in us. All that He is and has is for us.
The first of the four names given to us by the prophet is . . .
Names mean something. Names are significant. In the Bible names reveal both character and destiny.
What is the meaning of your name? If you know the meaning of your name, you have a clue to your destiny.
My name means fighter. My name means warrior like Mars, the god of war.
Fortunately, God is redeeming some of my bad characteristics. I’m sorry my brother and sister had to be with me as I was growing up. But God changed me and still is changing me. He’s redeeming my character and turning my destiny to fight evil.
This Christ-child was born with a destiny. He was born with a job to do.
In the Bible wonderful means supernatural. It means filled with wonder. That’s our God. It’s not a wonder here are a wonder there or a wonder sometimes or a wonder maybe.
Our God is a wonder-filled God. He’s a God overflowing with wonders. Marvelous is his nature. It’s who He is. This Child was born to supernaturally act in your life and mine.
The greatest wonder is that Jesus Christ died for us. The Bible says that Christ died for the ungodly. Yes, He died for the criminals. Christ died for each and every person has ever been born into the world. That’s why there’s hope for everyone.
I was lovingly proclaiming Christ in a prison cell in the Pulaski County Jail in Little Rock, Arkansas. One of the guys told me he was too bad to be saved. Nonsense! The good news is Jesus Christ died for the ungodly. No one is too bad to be saved. Christ came to save sinners. And that’s why we’re here today.
We’re here today because our sins are forgiven because Jesus Christ took the death blow for our sin.
Do you remember the time I was wearing these braces and walking with a cane?
God is a wonderful God. He healed me from stage 4 inoperable cancer. I was wearing this brace on one foot and the other brace on the other foot. I have really big feet, don’t I? And I had to walk with a cane. God healed me! How I praise him.
God is an energetic and merciful God who is pouring out his life for us. Not just on the cross but also from the throne.
He’s pouring out His life for us. He’s pouring out wonders. He’s pouring out miracles.
Will you say yes to God today? Will you allow Him to work wonders around you today?
