9/29/22
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| In loving memory of my father Robert Louis (Bob) Padgett July 28, 1931-May 22, 2023 |
The Apostle Paul, six different times, said, "I would not that ye should be ignorant" (Romans 1:13, Romans 11:25, 1 Corinthians 10:1, 1 Corinthians 12:1, 2 Corinthians 1:8, and 1 Thessalonians 4:13). To whom did Paul say that? to born-from-above, Spirit-filled Christians of his time, our time, and all of time. The Apostle Peter said the same thing in 2 Peter 3:18. That makes seven times. "Seven" in Scripture represents completeness or perfection. Whenever any word in Scripture is repeated two or three times, we need to pay particular attention. But for a word to be repeated seven times ... well, we dare not brush it aside.
No man, at least in the natural realm, likes to be called "ignorant." It is a rather harsh-sounding word which bruises our ego. "Ignorance" implies a lack of knowledge of something or someone. From Scripture, the word also can imply a dislike, disinterest, or unwillingness to learn. Every one of us Christians are ignorant to some degree. At least I will speak for myself. Although the Lord over the years has given me much revelation knowledge, I am well aware that what the Lord has made real to me over the past 55 years does not compare with the truth which is Jesus. I am daily amazed at the richness of the Word of God, of which there is no end.
Today, a great multitude of born-from-above, Spirit-filled Christians can quote many Scriptures and have heard and read many things about the Bible. We have become supersaturated with Christian books, tapes, videos, TV evangelists, "prophetic" conferences, and DVDs, in addition to our regular Sunday morning messages from our pastors and ministers. As a result, in some cases we tend to develop an "I know that" mentality. I doubt that there has ever been another human being who has received as much revelation as the Apostle Paul. Yet Paul said,
Babylon, of course, represents the ways of the world, particularly with respect to materialism. Chaldea for about four centuries was a small country just south of Babylon before being absorbed by Babylon. The land was very rich, fertile, and prosperous in the natural realm. The name is also associated with divination, astrology, and idolatry. The Lord called Abraham out from Ur of the Chaldees. The Lord always, including today, calls His chosen people out of spiritual Babylon and Chaldea.
Man's efforts will always fail! All of the many enticements, entertainment, appealing "programs," etc., in order to bring people unto the Lord are as wood, hay, and stubble. If each believer is listening to the Spirit and obeying the Lord, then the Lord, not man, will add to the Church daily those who should be saved (Acts 2:47) because the Lord Jesus, not man, is building His church.
BUT ... whenever it is God's timetable to make a significant move in the earth, He always looks for a man through whom He can work. In times past, such men were Abraham, Moses, Samuel, Gideon, David, Elijah, Ezra, John the Baptist, and Paul, to name but a few. I believe that God is looking for such men now. From our observation and experience, as well as from scripture, the major problems have always been, and still are, with Christian leaders. The Lord is looking for he-goats before the flocks. A he-goat is a trail blazer; a pioneer; someone who goes before; someone who dares to speak the pure word of God with no thought of the consequences. The Man, Jesus, was and is the Master of all he-goats. John the Baptist was such a man. Stephen was such a man. Paul was such a man. He was "one born out of due time" (1 Corinthians 15:8). A modern-day he-goat is one, who like Jesus, comes to afflict the comfortable and comfort the afflicted. He comes to call into line those who are out of line; he comes to upset that which man has set up. He marches to a different drummer. He is ordained by God but disdained by man. He has no price tags and will not compromise. Like Jeremiah, the word of the Lord is in his heart as a burning fire shut up in his bones, and he cannot stay (Jeremiah 20:9).
About 47 ago, Derek Prince, who was one of the best and most prominent teachers in the world at that time, came to one of our New Testament house church meetings. I only remember two things that he said. He said, "If the Bible did not say "despise not prophesyings" (1 Thessalonians 5:20), then he would despise prophesying." I am sure that was because he had heard a lot of prophesying that was tainted with flesh. The other thing he said was (quote), "I hear that you folks (speaking of our local fellowship) are like the he goats before the flocks." (end quote) That certainly was true then and for a short season thereafter.
God has revealed more of Himself and His word over the years. But there is coming a time when God is going to roll everything back up into Himself. A possible analogy is that of unrolling a scroll so as to read what is written thereon and then rolling the scroll back up.
Three verses that clearly show that God has chosen to reveal more of Himself and His word over a period of time are:
The fact that there was "present truth" in Peter's time on earth seems to imply that there is more truth yet to be revealed. Paul said, concerning Jesus, in
A flock of some birds can manage very well without a leader. It is a mystery to see a flock of birds all turn at the same time in the same direction. In the lives of men, however, leadership is very important. Someone once said that everything rises or falls on leadership. It is not possible for men to co-exist peacefully and succeed in life without leadership as designed by God. The Bible makes it clear that God, not men, not a seminary, not a Bible school, is in charge of choosing leaders.
The word "power," in that verse is the Greek word exousia, which is more commonly translated as "authority." The President of the United States, for example, has great positional authority simply because of his position. But he has little, if any, spiritual authority. The Supreme Court of the United States likewise has great positional authority but little, if any, spiritual authority. Unfortunately, there are too many Church leaders who have great positional authority but little spiritual authority. These are self-made ministers who are seeking, perhaps unknowingly, to build their own kingdom rather than the kingdom of God. Positional authority, both outside and inside the Church, has always challenged spiritual authority in a preemptive attempt to forestall the judgment of God. That is certainly true of today.
Each one of us has some dimension of authority in our life. A man's home is his castle. Each father has some authority over his own household. However, we are fast approaching the day when God is going to pour out His spiritual authority on His people who qualify for the kingdom. One of the ways that we qualify is by demonstrating a desire to use properly what He has already given.
One of the biggest problems within leaders of the Church today is developmental. When positional authority exceeds spiritual authority, then the believers suffer under ministerial immaturity. Unless leaders yield to the application of the cross, they will forfeit future power and authority. At some point God demands that position match power or position is forfeited. The most dangerous thing we can do is to seek a position for which we are not yet empowered. Today's widespread practice of naming individuals as apostolic or prophetic creates a huge area of concern. Even though I have limited open doors, I have met about a dozen men in my life who all call themselves apostles. Are good leaders being set up for failure? If they are out of place and assuming positions either not called to, or before character development has qualified them for parallel power, the result is the same ... heartache and failure. The Church has a rising tide of pollution from so-called "apostles" and "prophets" without power. To submit to the Holy Spirit and His leadership is perhaps the major challenge of our day because He never promotes prematurely! From our limited exposure, it appears that God today is giving spiritual authority to those who have no positional authority. That creates an explosive atmosphere, complete with fireworks. Far too many pastors, even of charismatic/pentecostal churches, do not like to have their positional authority challenged! But that is exactly what happened when Jesus confronted the Pharisees and Sadducees when He walked the face of the earth as a man. As a result, Jesus was crucified!
The green tree is Jesus, the living word, in whom alone is life; the dry tree, which is usually brown, represents all those who have rejected the kingdom. A brown tree has no life in itself. Spiritual authority is not for the faint of heart! Choosing God's way means choosing the cross. The cross is the path to power.
In addition, a person's physical appearance, worldly education, financial situation, personality, or speaking ability has no bearing on whether or not a Christian is a leader. There is absolutely NOTHING in the natural realm that makes a person a Christian leader. You may be the most polished speaker in the world; you may know all about hermeneutics, homiletics, apologetics, and exegesis; you may have a Doctor of Theology or a Doctor of Divinity degree; you may have a very strong, forceful, persuasive personality; you may have much worldly power and wealth; you may be the best-looking person on earth; and you even may have memorized ALL of Scripture; but all of those things, plus five dollars, will get you a cup of coffee in most places. Yes, you may well impress many people, but you will still be of little value to God unless you have far more spiritual substance.
That which is woven into a Christian leader is that they are following the Lord Jesus Christ, have been called by God, have been sent by God, and have allowed the Holy Spirit to break them of selfish desires, and to make them into the vessel that He desires. Paul said, "Follow me," because he was following Christ. Amos said, in
Instead of "what makes a Christian a leader?" it would be more accurate to ask, "Who makes a Christian a leader?" The "what" is not a thing but a Person ... the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the One who makes a Christian a leader as we yield to the moving of His Spirit.
More importantly, perhaps, how does this word apply to those of you who are listening to this message? Sadly, too many times, some Christians hear what is perhaps a good word, agree with word, even say Amen, and then go back to what they were doing, as if the word has no practical effect on their life. I have seen that in operation too many times. After the Lord on May 30, 1980, told us very clearly to leave the New Testament house church of which we had been a functioning elder for 12 years, I asked to share a word with the remaining elders. They agreed. I shared what the Lord had given to me about church government. I am sure I have shared that on this website some time in the past. When I finished, one of the elders said, and I quote verbatim, "That was the best teaching I have ever heard on church government. Now let's get back to what we were doing." (end quote)
Let me share with you how this message applies to everyone listening tonight as well as those who may listen some time later. As I indicated earlier, my definition of a Christian leader is more comprehensive and more specific than the traditional understanding. I have no idea who or how many are listening now or in the future. But if the utmost desire of your heart is above all else to glorify God, and you are following the Lord to the best of your conscious awareness, then you are a leader in the Church. That makes you a great woman, as in 2 Kings, chapter 4, verse 8, or a great man as in 2 Kings, chapter 5, verse 1. I have believed that for many years. That should be a word of great encouragement and empowerment to you. I have always been very fortunate and very blessed to be a nobody in the church that the Lord Jesus is building. If you likewise are a nobody, you too are greatly blessed.
To conclude this message, I want to share with you an event in the Old Testament that all of you are familiar with. It is the account of Gideon, as recorded in Judges, chapters 6, 7, and 8.
Midian, which means "strife" or "contention," was a son of Abraham by his third wife, Keturah. Is there any strife and contention in the world today? Is the church divided today?
Then the Lord raised up Gideon, who threw down the altar of Baal that his father, Joash, had. For that, his father called him Jerubbaal. That action infuriated the Midianites.
Then Gideon called for help from the tribes of Asher, Zebulon, and Naphtali to do battle with the Midianites and their allies, which consisted of 135,000 men. Gideon's army contained 32 thousand men.
No man, at least in the natural realm, likes to be called "ignorant." It is a rather harsh-sounding word which bruises our ego. "Ignorance" implies a lack of knowledge of something or someone. From Scripture, the word also can imply a dislike, disinterest, or unwillingness to learn. Every one of us Christians are ignorant to some degree. At least I will speak for myself. Although the Lord over the years has given me much revelation knowledge, I am well aware that what the Lord has made real to me over the past 55 years does not compare with the truth which is Jesus. I am daily amazed at the richness of the Word of God, of which there is no end.
Today, a great multitude of born-from-above, Spirit-filled Christians can quote many Scriptures and have heard and read many things about the Bible. We have become supersaturated with Christian books, tapes, videos, TV evangelists, "prophetic" conferences, and DVDs, in addition to our regular Sunday morning messages from our pastors and ministers. As a result, in some cases we tend to develop an "I know that" mentality. I doubt that there has ever been another human being who has received as much revelation as the Apostle Paul. Yet Paul said,
"That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death; if by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead" (Philippians 3:10-11).
If Paul, after 30 years of ministry could desire that he might know the Lord Jesus, and that is what he said, where does that leave me and you?
Seven years ago, the Lord allowed me to write and have printed a book titled, "Understanding the Times." I still have several hundred of those books and I will be happy to postal mail to you as many copies that you can distribute, absolutely free. I also pay postage. Just email me with any postal mailing address to bob.padgett@verizon.net and tell me how many copies you would like. Hindsight, after seven years, I doubt that I would change much, if anything, that I wrote back then. However, there are definitely some things that I would add. I believe we all could make the same declaration. Every born-from-above believer can look back over time and recognize that the Lord, by the power of the Holy Spirit, has been changing us more and more into His image.
Almost 16 years ago, the Lord prompted me to write a book titled, "The He Goats Before the Flocks." That book is about the making of a Christian leader, the character of a Christian leader, the functions of a Christian leader, personal and corporate maturity, and the functioning of the body of Christ. Again, I doubt that I would change much to that book, but I would definitely add a few things. That is the purpose of this series of messages, titled "The He Goats Before the Flocks," which is intimately related to "Understanding the Times."
Seven years ago, the Lord allowed me to write and have printed a book titled, "Understanding the Times." I still have several hundred of those books and I will be happy to postal mail to you as many copies that you can distribute, absolutely free. I also pay postage. Just email me with any postal mailing address to bob.padgett@verizon.net and tell me how many copies you would like. Hindsight, after seven years, I doubt that I would change much, if anything, that I wrote back then. However, there are definitely some things that I would add. I believe we all could make the same declaration. Every born-from-above believer can look back over time and recognize that the Lord, by the power of the Holy Spirit, has been changing us more and more into His image.
Almost 16 years ago, the Lord prompted me to write a book titled, "The He Goats Before the Flocks." That book is about the making of a Christian leader, the character of a Christian leader, the functions of a Christian leader, personal and corporate maturity, and the functioning of the body of Christ. Again, I doubt that I would change much to that book, but I would definitely add a few things. That is the purpose of this series of messages, titled "The He Goats Before the Flocks," which is intimately related to "Understanding the Times."
Jeremiah 50:8 says, "Remove out of the midst of Babylon, and go forth out of the land of the Chaldeans, and be as the he goats before the flocks."
Babylon, of course, represents the ways of the world, particularly with respect to materialism. Chaldea for about four centuries was a small country just south of Babylon before being absorbed by Babylon. The land was very rich, fertile, and prosperous in the natural realm. The name is also associated with divination, astrology, and idolatry. The Lord called Abraham out from Ur of the Chaldees. The Lord always, including today, calls His chosen people out of spiritual Babylon and Chaldea.
Man's efforts will always fail! All of the many enticements, entertainment, appealing "programs," etc., in order to bring people unto the Lord are as wood, hay, and stubble. If each believer is listening to the Spirit and obeying the Lord, then the Lord, not man, will add to the Church daily those who should be saved (Acts 2:47) because the Lord Jesus, not man, is building His church.
BUT ... whenever it is God's timetable to make a significant move in the earth, He always looks for a man through whom He can work. In times past, such men were Abraham, Moses, Samuel, Gideon, David, Elijah, Ezra, John the Baptist, and Paul, to name but a few. I believe that God is looking for such men now. From our observation and experience, as well as from scripture, the major problems have always been, and still are, with Christian leaders. The Lord is looking for he-goats before the flocks. A he-goat is a trail blazer; a pioneer; someone who goes before; someone who dares to speak the pure word of God with no thought of the consequences. The Man, Jesus, was and is the Master of all he-goats. John the Baptist was such a man. Stephen was such a man. Paul was such a man. He was "one born out of due time" (1 Corinthians 15:8). A modern-day he-goat is one, who like Jesus, comes to afflict the comfortable and comfort the afflicted. He comes to call into line those who are out of line; he comes to upset that which man has set up. He marches to a different drummer. He is ordained by God but disdained by man. He has no price tags and will not compromise. Like Jeremiah, the word of the Lord is in his heart as a burning fire shut up in his bones, and he cannot stay (Jeremiah 20:9).
About 47 ago, Derek Prince, who was one of the best and most prominent teachers in the world at that time, came to one of our New Testament house church meetings. I only remember two things that he said. He said, "If the Bible did not say "despise not prophesyings" (1 Thessalonians 5:20), then he would despise prophesying." I am sure that was because he had heard a lot of prophesying that was tainted with flesh. The other thing he said was (quote), "I hear that you folks (speaking of our local fellowship) are like the he goats before the flocks." (end quote) That certainly was true then and for a short season thereafter.
God has revealed more of Himself and His word over the years. But there is coming a time when God is going to roll everything back up into Himself. A possible analogy is that of unrolling a scroll so as to read what is written thereon and then rolling the scroll back up.
Isaiah 34:4, "And all the host of heaven shall be dissolved, and the heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll."
Isaiah 40:5, "And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it."
Three verses that clearly show that God has chosen to reveal more of Himself and His word over a period of time are:
1 Peter 1:20, "Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you."Ephesians 3:5, "Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto His holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit."2 Peter 1:12, "Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth."
The fact that there was "present truth" in Peter's time on earth seems to imply that there is more truth yet to be revealed. Paul said, concerning Jesus, in
Hebrews 5:10-11, "Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec. Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing."
Have you ever wondered what many things Paul had received that were hard to be uttered?
Paul also said, in 2 Corinthians 12:1-4, "It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter."
Have you ever wondered about the unspeakable words that Paul heard which is not lawful for a man to utter? Certainly, every word is lawful for the Lord to utter, if He so chooses.
God's revelation, by His Spirit, is not simply TO us, but WITHIN us. The Word of God must become flesh. For example,
God's revelation, by His Spirit, is not simply TO us, but WITHIN us. The Word of God must become flesh. For example,
Colossians 1:26-27, "Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to His saints: To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory."
But there will come a time when God folds everything back up. Many believers, including me, sense the folding up is near at hand.
Hebrews 1:12, "And as a vesture shalt Thou fold them up, and they shall be changed ..."
1 Corinthians 15:28, "And when all things shall be subdued unto Him, then shall the Son also Himself be subject unto Him that put all things under Him, that God may be all in all."
We are living in a time of great acceleration, both in the natural realm and in the spiritual realm. People are running to and fro and knowledge has increased. This is also a season when the Holy Spirit is shedding much light on the Word of God.
Perhaps two years after the Lord sovereignly apprehended me, He made it very clear to me the specific purpose for which He had created me. As I mentioned to Greg a few months ago, I believe that this website is a God-ordained avenue for at least a partial fulfillment of the ministry that the Lord put me into. Over the years, some believers have asked me what is my ministry. I have always replied that I have no ministry. Every ministry for every Christian is the Lord's ministry through us. Only the Christ within is able to minister the things of the Lord and bring fruit both within and to others. I am 91 years old in the flesh. Only the Lord knows how much more time He has for me on earth. However, I have always believed that the Lord will never take anyone home to be with Him before we complete the purpose for which we were created, provided that we desire to glorify the Lord by fulfilling that purpose. Although the Lord knows everything, I believe that I have not yet completed my specific purpose. I have rarely shared with anyone privately and never publicly what ministry the Lord put me into. The Lord called me primarily to minister to leaders of local churches.
For 50+ years I interpreted that to mean that I would minister in conferences to church leaders of perhaps 10-20 at a time. Perhaps that was because of all of the traditional and typical church conferences that have been held over the past 100 or more years. In other words, I never knew there was another way. That brings up a good principle which I have been aware of for many long years. Sometimes we may hear a word from the Lord correctly but then try to implement or walk in that word incorrectly because of pre-existing traditions.
This message, and all those to follow in this series, is primarily for leaders in the Church, but I use the word "leader" in a very broad, comprehensive way, as we shall see shortly. Many years ago, I went to a "leadership conference" in Pennsylvania. That conference was put on by a solid man of God who loved the Lord. I will call his name Sam (not his real name). Most of those who attended were leaders in various local churches across many different states. When that conference was over, I asked Sam what he saw as the purpose of his conference. He said that most of those who came did not see each other very often, so it was just a time to get together and have good food and fellowship together. I replied that I believed the purpose of any leadership conference, as I see it, should be to elevate the vision of local church leaders so that they, in turn, might go back to their own churches and elevate the vision of those in their local church. He did not respond to what I said.
There may be a number of born-from-above believers who have never known the specific ministry for which they were created. However, the hand does not need to know that it is called a "hand" in order to function as a hand. As long as our utmost desire is to glorify God, then all of us will fulfill His ministry through us on earth.
Perhaps two years after the Lord sovereignly apprehended me, He made it very clear to me the specific purpose for which He had created me. As I mentioned to Greg a few months ago, I believe that this website is a God-ordained avenue for at least a partial fulfillment of the ministry that the Lord put me into. Over the years, some believers have asked me what is my ministry. I have always replied that I have no ministry. Every ministry for every Christian is the Lord's ministry through us. Only the Christ within is able to minister the things of the Lord and bring fruit both within and to others. I am 91 years old in the flesh. Only the Lord knows how much more time He has for me on earth. However, I have always believed that the Lord will never take anyone home to be with Him before we complete the purpose for which we were created, provided that we desire to glorify the Lord by fulfilling that purpose. Although the Lord knows everything, I believe that I have not yet completed my specific purpose. I have rarely shared with anyone privately and never publicly what ministry the Lord put me into. The Lord called me primarily to minister to leaders of local churches.
For 50+ years I interpreted that to mean that I would minister in conferences to church leaders of perhaps 10-20 at a time. Perhaps that was because of all of the traditional and typical church conferences that have been held over the past 100 or more years. In other words, I never knew there was another way. That brings up a good principle which I have been aware of for many long years. Sometimes we may hear a word from the Lord correctly but then try to implement or walk in that word incorrectly because of pre-existing traditions.
This message, and all those to follow in this series, is primarily for leaders in the Church, but I use the word "leader" in a very broad, comprehensive way, as we shall see shortly. Many years ago, I went to a "leadership conference" in Pennsylvania. That conference was put on by a solid man of God who loved the Lord. I will call his name Sam (not his real name). Most of those who attended were leaders in various local churches across many different states. When that conference was over, I asked Sam what he saw as the purpose of his conference. He said that most of those who came did not see each other very often, so it was just a time to get together and have good food and fellowship together. I replied that I believed the purpose of any leadership conference, as I see it, should be to elevate the vision of local church leaders so that they, in turn, might go back to their own churches and elevate the vision of those in their local church. He did not respond to what I said.
There may be a number of born-from-above believers who have never known the specific ministry for which they were created. However, the hand does not need to know that it is called a "hand" in order to function as a hand. As long as our utmost desire is to glorify God, then all of us will fulfill His ministry through us on earth.
2 Corinthians 3:18, "But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord."
That verse is very important. The key to the maturity of every believer is to have an open face. That speaks of a flexible and humble spirit. Man, sometimes even Christian man, does not like change. Many denominational and some charismatic churches of some size have both a "traditional" service and a separate "contemporary" service. That tends to keep everybody in the local church happy. I have a problem with that. That is man's approach to what we call a worship service.
How do we change? By looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith ... by being obedient to the Holy Spirit.
The closer we walk with the Lord ... the more we allow the Holy Spirit to reveal His Truth to us ... the more we allow the Holy Spirit to change us into His image, the more we will be misunderstood and the more difficult it will be for us to try to explain to others what we have experienced. Anyone who really seeks only the will of God is a person who marches to a different drummer. That person will be marked as "different." People do NOT like to be branded as "different." Salvation is FREE, but it cost the life of Jesus. To enter into the Kingdom of God is NOT free ... it will cost us OUR self-life. May that love relationship we are honored to have with Christ propel us into fulfilling His purpose within us.
Another purpose of these messages is hopefully to clarify somewhat a solid principle concerning how we can discern better the soon coming of the Lord. That principle is recorded in
How do we change? By looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith ... by being obedient to the Holy Spirit.
The closer we walk with the Lord ... the more we allow the Holy Spirit to reveal His Truth to us ... the more we allow the Holy Spirit to change us into His image, the more we will be misunderstood and the more difficult it will be for us to try to explain to others what we have experienced. Anyone who really seeks only the will of God is a person who marches to a different drummer. That person will be marked as "different." People do NOT like to be branded as "different." Salvation is FREE, but it cost the life of Jesus. To enter into the Kingdom of God is NOT free ... it will cost us OUR self-life. May that love relationship we are honored to have with Christ propel us into fulfilling His purpose within us.
Another purpose of these messages is hopefully to clarify somewhat a solid principle concerning how we can discern better the soon coming of the Lord. That principle is recorded in
1 Corinthians 15:46, "Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual."
In these messages I hope to illustrate that principle both from scripture and from the natural events that are occurring in the world.
At this point in time, almost every Spirit-filled Christian has read and/or heard of the crisis that exists in the world and in the Church today. The conditions that exist in the Church include materialism in various forms, idolatry, mixture, compromise, immorality, religious hypocrisy, doctrinal error of every sort, lack of understanding, and lack of discernment.
In addition, we are hunted by the adversary simply because we are believers. A mouse is a prey for a cat. What did the mouse do to deserve being a prey for a cat? Nothing! It was simply born a mouse. The second, third, and fourth generation of the Israelites who were in bondage and captivity in Egypt were also a prey. They had grown up in an environment and all they knew was a life of bondage. They had never experienced anything else. What had they done to deserve being in bondage? Nothing! They simply were born into that environment. They never knew there was a better way. Finally, after 400 years of increasing bondage, suffering, and hardship, the Israelites cried out to God and God sent a deliverer, Moses, who led them out of Egypt. How many years will it take for the Church today to cry out to God?
In like manner, many charismatic believers today have grown up in an environment and just assume that their leaders are teaching the ultimate truth. These lovely believers have never known there may be a higher way! Too many Christian leaders walk in the traditions of men and assume that what they have been taught is 100% true. But we all need to be before the Lord, seeking for His understanding and wisdom in all things. That does NOT mean that we have to strive to hear what the Spirit is saying to the Churches! The Lord knows our heart. When our heart is right and open to the leading of the Spirit, the Lord just comes upon us, many times when we are least expecting such a move of the Spirit.
No man sees all of the truth. When I eat a grape, I eat the pulp and spit out the seed. Nevertheless, we challenge every Christian leader to listen to what the Spirit may say to your heart. When Paul and Silas were sent from the church at Jerusalem to Berea,
At this point in time, almost every Spirit-filled Christian has read and/or heard of the crisis that exists in the world and in the Church today. The conditions that exist in the Church include materialism in various forms, idolatry, mixture, compromise, immorality, religious hypocrisy, doctrinal error of every sort, lack of understanding, and lack of discernment.
In addition, we are hunted by the adversary simply because we are believers. A mouse is a prey for a cat. What did the mouse do to deserve being a prey for a cat? Nothing! It was simply born a mouse. The second, third, and fourth generation of the Israelites who were in bondage and captivity in Egypt were also a prey. They had grown up in an environment and all they knew was a life of bondage. They had never experienced anything else. What had they done to deserve being in bondage? Nothing! They simply were born into that environment. They never knew there was a better way. Finally, after 400 years of increasing bondage, suffering, and hardship, the Israelites cried out to God and God sent a deliverer, Moses, who led them out of Egypt. How many years will it take for the Church today to cry out to God?
In like manner, many charismatic believers today have grown up in an environment and just assume that their leaders are teaching the ultimate truth. These lovely believers have never known there may be a higher way! Too many Christian leaders walk in the traditions of men and assume that what they have been taught is 100% true. But we all need to be before the Lord, seeking for His understanding and wisdom in all things. That does NOT mean that we have to strive to hear what the Spirit is saying to the Churches! The Lord knows our heart. When our heart is right and open to the leading of the Spirit, the Lord just comes upon us, many times when we are least expecting such a move of the Spirit.
No man sees all of the truth. When I eat a grape, I eat the pulp and spit out the seed. Nevertheless, we challenge every Christian leader to listen to what the Spirit may say to your heart. When Paul and Silas were sent from the church at Jerusalem to Berea,
(Acts 17:11-12), "These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few."
How many Christians today search the scriptures daily whether what we hear from ministers are so?
Now let us consider the making of a Christian leader.
Now let us consider the making of a Christian leader.
Proverbs 30:27, "The locusts have no king, yet they go forth all of them by bands [or gathered together]."
A flock of some birds can manage very well without a leader. It is a mystery to see a flock of birds all turn at the same time in the same direction. In the lives of men, however, leadership is very important. Someone once said that everything rises or falls on leadership. It is not possible for men to co-exist peacefully and succeed in life without leadership as designed by God. The Bible makes it clear that God, not men, not a seminary, not a Bible school, is in charge of choosing leaders.
Daniel 5:21, "The most high God rules in the kingdom of men, and He appointeth over it whomsoever He will."
Daniel 2:21, "And He changeth the times and the seasons: He removeth kings, and setteth up kings: He giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding."
Many believers tend to think that a leader is either one of the five-fold ministries of apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, and teacher or an elder. Of course, the great majority of local churches today are pastor-dominated. However, a Christian leader is not a leader simply because of his/her position, office, or ministry. Someone can have positional authority but still have no spiritual authority, which is given by God.
Matthew 28:18-19a, "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore ..."
The word "power," in that verse is the Greek word exousia, which is more commonly translated as "authority." The President of the United States, for example, has great positional authority simply because of his position. But he has little, if any, spiritual authority. The Supreme Court of the United States likewise has great positional authority but little, if any, spiritual authority. Unfortunately, there are too many Church leaders who have great positional authority but little spiritual authority. These are self-made ministers who are seeking, perhaps unknowingly, to build their own kingdom rather than the kingdom of God. Positional authority, both outside and inside the Church, has always challenged spiritual authority in a preemptive attempt to forestall the judgment of God. That is certainly true of today.
Each one of us has some dimension of authority in our life. A man's home is his castle. Each father has some authority over his own household. However, we are fast approaching the day when God is going to pour out His spiritual authority on His people who qualify for the kingdom. One of the ways that we qualify is by demonstrating a desire to use properly what He has already given.
Matthew 25:21, "His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord."
One of the biggest problems within leaders of the Church today is developmental. When positional authority exceeds spiritual authority, then the believers suffer under ministerial immaturity. Unless leaders yield to the application of the cross, they will forfeit future power and authority. At some point God demands that position match power or position is forfeited. The most dangerous thing we can do is to seek a position for which we are not yet empowered. Today's widespread practice of naming individuals as apostolic or prophetic creates a huge area of concern. Even though I have limited open doors, I have met about a dozen men in my life who all call themselves apostles. Are good leaders being set up for failure? If they are out of place and assuming positions either not called to, or before character development has qualified them for parallel power, the result is the same ... heartache and failure. The Church has a rising tide of pollution from so-called "apostles" and "prophets" without power. To submit to the Holy Spirit and His leadership is perhaps the major challenge of our day because He never promotes prematurely! From our limited exposure, it appears that God today is giving spiritual authority to those who have no positional authority. That creates an explosive atmosphere, complete with fireworks. Far too many pastors, even of charismatic/pentecostal churches, do not like to have their positional authority challenged! But that is exactly what happened when Jesus confronted the Pharisees and Sadducees when He walked the face of the earth as a man. As a result, Jesus was crucified!
Jesus said, in Luke 23:31, "For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?"
The green tree is Jesus, the living word, in whom alone is life; the dry tree, which is usually brown, represents all those who have rejected the kingdom. A brown tree has no life in itself. Spiritual authority is not for the faint of heart! Choosing God's way means choosing the cross. The cross is the path to power.
In addition, a person's physical appearance, worldly education, financial situation, personality, or speaking ability has no bearing on whether or not a Christian is a leader. There is absolutely NOTHING in the natural realm that makes a person a Christian leader. You may be the most polished speaker in the world; you may know all about hermeneutics, homiletics, apologetics, and exegesis; you may have a Doctor of Theology or a Doctor of Divinity degree; you may have a very strong, forceful, persuasive personality; you may have much worldly power and wealth; you may be the best-looking person on earth; and you even may have memorized ALL of Scripture; but all of those things, plus five dollars, will get you a cup of coffee in most places. Yes, you may well impress many people, but you will still be of little value to God unless you have far more spiritual substance.
Acts 4:13, "Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus."
That which is woven into a Christian leader is that they are following the Lord Jesus Christ, have been called by God, have been sent by God, and have allowed the Holy Spirit to break them of selfish desires, and to make them into the vessel that He desires. Paul said, "Follow me," because he was following Christ. Amos said, in
Amos 7:14-15, "I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet's son; but I was a herdman, and a gatherer of sycamore fruit: And the Lord took me as I followed the flock, and the Lord said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel."
Instead of "what makes a Christian a leader?" it would be more accurate to ask, "Who makes a Christian a leader?" The "what" is not a thing but a Person ... the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the One who makes a Christian a leader as we yield to the moving of His Spirit.
More importantly, perhaps, how does this word apply to those of you who are listening to this message? Sadly, too many times, some Christians hear what is perhaps a good word, agree with word, even say Amen, and then go back to what they were doing, as if the word has no practical effect on their life. I have seen that in operation too many times. After the Lord on May 30, 1980, told us very clearly to leave the New Testament house church of which we had been a functioning elder for 12 years, I asked to share a word with the remaining elders. They agreed. I shared what the Lord had given to me about church government. I am sure I have shared that on this website some time in the past. When I finished, one of the elders said, and I quote verbatim, "That was the best teaching I have ever heard on church government. Now let's get back to what we were doing." (end quote)
Let me share with you how this message applies to everyone listening tonight as well as those who may listen some time later. As I indicated earlier, my definition of a Christian leader is more comprehensive and more specific than the traditional understanding. I have no idea who or how many are listening now or in the future. But if the utmost desire of your heart is above all else to glorify God, and you are following the Lord to the best of your conscious awareness, then you are a leader in the Church. That makes you a great woman, as in 2 Kings, chapter 4, verse 8, or a great man as in 2 Kings, chapter 5, verse 1. I have believed that for many years. That should be a word of great encouragement and empowerment to you. I have always been very fortunate and very blessed to be a nobody in the church that the Lord Jesus is building. If you likewise are a nobody, you too are greatly blessed.
To conclude this message, I want to share with you an event in the Old Testament that all of you are familiar with. It is the account of Gideon, as recorded in Judges, chapters 6, 7, and 8.
Judges 6:1, "And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD: and the LORD delivered them into the hand of Midian seven years.
Midian, which means "strife" or "contention," was a son of Abraham by his third wife, Keturah. Is there any strife and contention in the world today? Is the church divided today?
Then the Lord raised up Gideon, who threw down the altar of Baal that his father, Joash, had. For that, his father called him Jerubbaal. That action infuriated the Midianites.
Judges 6:33, "Then all the Midianites and the Amalekites and the children of the east were gathered together, and went over, and pitched in the valley of Jezreel."
Jezreel means "God sows."
Then Gideon called for help from the tribes of Asher, Zebulon, and Naphtali to do battle with the Midianites and their allies, which consisted of 135,000 men. Gideon's army contained 32 thousand men.
Next, from Judges 7:2-9, "And the LORD said unto Gideon, The people that are with thee are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying, Mine own hand hath saved me. Now therefore go to, proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, Whosoever is fearful and afraid, let him return and depart early from mount Gilead. And there returned of the people twenty and two thousand; and there remained ten thousand. And the LORD said unto Gideon, The people are yet too many; bring them down unto the water, and I will try them for thee there: and it shall be, that of whom I say unto thee, This shall go with thee, the same shall go with thee; and of whomsoever I say unto thee, This shall not go with thee, the same shall not go. So he brought down the people unto the water: and the LORD said unto Gideon, Every one that lappeth of the water with his tongue, as a dog lappeth, him shalt thou set by himself; likewise every one that boweth down upon his knees to drink. And the number of them that lapped, putting their hand to their mouth, were three hundred men: but all the rest of the people bowed down upon their knees to drink water. And the LORD said unto Gideon, By the three hundred men that lapped will I save you, and deliver the Midianites into thine hand: and let all the other people go every man unto his place. So the people took victuals in their hand, and their trumpets: and he sent all the rest of Israel every man unto his tent, and retained those three hundred men: and the host of Midian was beneath him in the valley. And it came to pass the same night, that the LORD said unto him, Arise, get thee down unto the host; for I have delivered it into thine hand."
Judges 7:12, "And the Midianites and the Amalekites and all the children of the east lay along in the valley like grasshoppers for multitude; and their camels were without number, as the sand by the sea side for multitude."
Judges 7:16-23, "And he divided the three hundred men into three companies, and he put a trumpet in every man's hand, with empty pitchers, and lamps within the pitchers. And he said unto them, Look on me, and do likewise: and, behold, when I come to the outside of the camp, it shall be that, as I do, so shall ye do. When I blow with a trumpet, I and all that are with me, then blow ye the trumpets also on every side of all the camp, and say, The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon. So Gideon, and the hundred men that were with him, came unto the outside of the camp in the beginning of the middle watch; and they had but newly set the watch: and they blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers that were in their hands. And the three companies blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers, and held the lamps in their left hands, and the trumpets in their right hands to blow withal: and they cried, The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon. And they stood every man in his place round about the camp: and all the host ran, and cried, and fled. And the three hundred blew the trumpets, and the LORD set every man's sword against his fellow, even throughout all the host: and the host fled to Bethshittah in Zererath, and to the border of Abelmeholah, unto Tabbath. And the men of Israel gathered themselves together out of Naphtali, and out of Asher, and out of all Manasseh, and pursued after the Midianites."
Judges 8:28, "Thus was Midian subdued before the children of Israel, so that they lifted up their heads no more. And the country was in quietness forty years in the days of Gideon."
If all we receive from the account of Gideon is an historic event, then we miss the mark. As with all of Scripture we need to ask what that means for us today.
Two of the obvious gleanings are the sovereignty and power of God. We might recall a similar account in Genesis 14 when God plus Abraham and his 318 men defeated perhaps a hundred thousand of the armies of four "good" kings. In addition, the original 32,000 of Gideon's army represent born-from-above believers. None of their names are recorded. They are "nobodies." The 10,000 who were left after the first cut are also baptized in the Holy Spirit, exercise gifts of the Spirit, and are like the Levites in Ezekiel 44 who committed abominations, but the Lord still uses them to minister to the people. The 300 represent the remnant, the overcomers over all of time, those Levitical priests in Ezekiel 44 who minister to the Lord. They also represent the priests, the ministers of the Lord who weep between the porch and the altar (Joel 2:17). When Joel 2:17 is fulfilled, the Lord Himself consummates His final victory.
Leonard Ravenhill once said, "I'd rather have ten people that want God than 10,000 people who want to play church. I want to see the glory of God come so our young people don't have to be told to go (to church), (but when) they just long to get to the sanctuary where God is.
The apostles had no gold, but lots of glory. We have lots of gold, but no glory. God wants to bring us into a glory we know nothing about." (end quote)
I can think of no better conclusion to this message than what the Apostle Paul said, in
Two of the obvious gleanings are the sovereignty and power of God. We might recall a similar account in Genesis 14 when God plus Abraham and his 318 men defeated perhaps a hundred thousand of the armies of four "good" kings. In addition, the original 32,000 of Gideon's army represent born-from-above believers. None of their names are recorded. They are "nobodies." The 10,000 who were left after the first cut are also baptized in the Holy Spirit, exercise gifts of the Spirit, and are like the Levites in Ezekiel 44 who committed abominations, but the Lord still uses them to minister to the people. The 300 represent the remnant, the overcomers over all of time, those Levitical priests in Ezekiel 44 who minister to the Lord. They also represent the priests, the ministers of the Lord who weep between the porch and the altar (Joel 2:17). When Joel 2:17 is fulfilled, the Lord Himself consummates His final victory.
Leonard Ravenhill once said, "I'd rather have ten people that want God than 10,000 people who want to play church. I want to see the glory of God come so our young people don't have to be told to go (to church), (but when) they just long to get to the sanctuary where God is.
The apostles had no gold, but lots of glory. We have lots of gold, but no glory. God wants to bring us into a glory we know nothing about." (end quote)
I can think of no better conclusion to this message than what the Apostle Paul said, in
Philippian 3:13-14, "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."
Amen and amen.
