Revival and the Harvest

[Alive]

I suspect that these two are connected. What I mean is that the spiritual state of the Church may very well be causal in some fashion to whatever is happening across the earth. A large fresh harvest of souls into the Kingdom. It is my hope and prayer that we see a greater realization of true Unity in the experience of the Church. Paul by the Holy Spirit speaks of this here.

Ephesians 4:1 I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, exhort you to lead a life worthy of the calling with which you were called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 making every effort to preserve the unity of the Spirit by the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you also were called to the one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.

Ephesians 4:7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of the gift of Christ. 8 Therefore it says, “When he ascended on high he led a host of prisoners captive; he gave gifts to men.” 9 Now the expression “he ascended,” what does it imply except that he also descended to the lower regions, to the earth? 10 He who descended is himself the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, so that he might fill all things. 11 And it was he who gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature adulthood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro and blown about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful scheming;  15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in every way into him who is the head, Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and brought together by every supporting ligament, according to the working of each individual part, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

The following is something I put down some years back and I am convinced the subject is relevant to the subject at hand and well worth all who are members of His Church to consider. More than consider, but strive to improve according to His Grace and working in us.

 

Factions

We wonder why the church (small c) lacks power and a strong witness that results in great fruit and revival of love, joy in the Holy Spirit with many souls coming in and thirsty for Truth.

We wonder why so many remain in a state of spiritual infancy.

I suggest that it is the ‘spirit’ of factions or division. Not so much the doctrinal differences within christendom, but rather the hearts and attitudes that come from the root of factions. That attitude says, “we are more special than you folks over there”. We are ‘especial’ because we say this or because we use these special terms and words that are more special than yours”.

There are those among us who specialize in this. There are those whose main function is to plant and fertilize this spirit of faction. I don’t say, ‘intent’—I say ‘function’.

These things do not come from God. I tell you, the Lord and the Holy Spirit can’t and won’t function in that environment. That spirit and that fleshly emanation hinders the flow of Life and Power in the church.

I will share a dream that the Lord gave that helped me be prepared for a difficult time that was to come. It served me well then and does now. It is my hope that it will be of some help. Please—I adjure you. Consider these things and strive to not take part in these things. It starts with a revelation and a changed heart. I don’t believe that the Lord gave this dream only for myself.

—-There was a great field and in that field were a great many bodies that had been dismembered in the most heinous fashion. Parts and pieces all over. As I was looking at the scene a word came to my mind that described it. It was a word that has no human equivalent, but was a combination of things like horror, disgust and atrocity. I didn’t know the word then and I haven’t since, but it was a powerful impression. Very powerful and impossible to describe. I woke like a shot from a cannon and said, “Lord, what the heck was that”. He said, “that is how I feel when I see my body divided”.

The impact that lesson had on me can’t be overstated.——–

1Cor. 11:19 For there must also be factions among you, so that those who are approved may become ¹evident among you.

Gal. 5:20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions,

1Cor. 1:10   Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment. ¹¹ For I have been informed concerning you, my brethren, by Chloe’s people, that there are quarrels among you. ¹² Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, “I am of Paul,” and “I of Apollos,” and “I of Cephas,” and “I of Christ.” ¹³ Has Christ been divided? Paul was not crucified for you, was he? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? ¹⁴ I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, ¹⁵ so that no one would say you were baptized in my name.

1Cor. 3:1   And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to infants in Christ. ² I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able, ³ for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men? ⁴For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not mere men?

May we all look to Him, the Head of the Church for "grace to help in time of need".

[Marilyn C]

3 hours ago, Alive said:

I suspect that these two are connected. What I mean is that the spiritual state of the Church may very well be causal in some fashion to whatever is happening across the earth. A large fresh harvest of souls into the Kingdom. It is my hope and prayer that we see a greater realization of true Unity in the experience of the Church. Paul by the Holy Spirit speaks of this here.

Ephesians 4:1 I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, exhort you to lead a life worthy of the calling with which you were called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 making every effort to preserve the unity of the Spirit by the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you also were called to the one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.

Ephesians 4:7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of the gift of Christ. 8 Therefore it says, “When he ascended on high he led a host of prisoners captive; he gave gifts to men.” 9 Now the expression “he ascended,” what does it imply except that he also descended to the lower regions, to the earth? 10 He who descended is himself the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, so that he might fill all things. 11 And it was he who gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature adulthood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro and blown about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful scheming;  15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in every way into him who is the head, Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and brought together by every supporting ligament, according to the working of each individual part, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

The following is something I put down some years back and I am convinced the subject is relevant to the subject at hand and well worth all who are members of His Church to consider. More than consider, but strive to improve according to His Grace and working in us.

 

 

Factions

We wonder why the church (small c) lacks power and a strong witness that results in great fruit and revival of love, joy in the Holy Spirit with many souls coming in and thirsty for Truth.

We wonder why so many remain in a state of spiritual infancy.

I suggest that it is the ‘spirit’ of factions or division. Not so much the doctrinal differences within christendom, but rather the hearts and attitudes that come from the root of factions. That attitude says, “we are more special than you folks over there”. We are ‘especial’ because we say this or because we use these special terms and words that are more special than yours”.

There are those among us who specialize in this. There are those whose main function is to plant and fertilize this spirit of faction. I don’t say, ‘intent’—I say ‘function’.

These things do not come from God. I tell you, the Lord and the Holy Spirit can’t and won’t function in that environment. That spirit and that fleshly emanation hinders the flow of Life and Power in the church.

I will share a dream that the Lord gave that helped me be prepared for a difficult time that was to come. It served me well then and does now. It is my hope that it will be of some help. Please—I adjure you. Consider these things and strive to not take part in these things. It starts with a revelation and a changed heart. I don’t believe that the Lord gave this dream only for myself.

—-There was a great field and in that field were a great many bodies that had been dismembered in the most heinous fashion. Parts and pieces all over. As I was looking at the scene a word came to my mind that described it. It was a word that has no human equivalent, but was a combination of things like horror, disgust and atrocity. I didn’t know the word then and I haven’t since, but it was a powerful impression. Very powerful and impossible to describe. I woke like a shot from a cannon and said, “Lord, what the heck was that”. He said, “that is how I feel when I see my body divided”.

The impact that lesson had on me can’t be overstated.——–

1Cor. 11:19 For there must also be factions among you, so that those who are approved may become ¹evident among you.

Gal. 5:20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions,

1Cor. 1:10   Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment. ¹¹ For I have been informed concerning you, my brethren, by Chloe’s people, that there are quarrels among you. ¹² Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, “I am of Paul,” and “I of Apollos,” and “I of Cephas,” and “I of Christ.” ¹³ Has Christ been divided? Paul was not crucified for you, was he? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? ¹⁴ I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, ¹⁵ so that no one would say you were baptized in my name.

1Cor. 3:1   And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to infants in Christ. ² I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able, ³ for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men? ⁴For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not mere men?

May we all look to Him, the Head of the Church for "grace to help in time of need".

Morning Alive,

Now I believe you were looking at the structures that man has put in place and NOT the Body of Christ. Jesus the Head of the Body said by His Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul -

`now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased.` (1 Cor. 12: 18)

`...till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect (mature) man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ...` (Eph. 4: 13)

This is all done by the Head of the Body through His Holy Spirit - His work, His way, His accomplishment.

[Alive]

21 minutes ago, Marilyn C said:

Morning Alive,

Now I believe you were looking at the structures that man has put in place and NOT the Body of Christ. Jesus the Head of the Body said by His Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul -

`now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased.` (1 Cor. 12: 18)

`...till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect (mature) man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ...` (Eph. 4: 13)

This is all done by the Head of the Body through His Holy Spirit - His work, His way, His accomplishment.

I understand Marilyn, but I am reaching out to all of our brethren's hearts and minds who find themselves in all manner of structures.

[Michael37]

1 hour ago, Marilyn C said:

Now I believe you were looking at the structures that man has put in place and NOT the Body of Christ.

When I attend any given local ekklesia, I am aware of the fact that the Ekklesia that Christ loved and gave His life for, is not completely represented there, but the Good News is that eventually the immaturity of factions and divisions and narcissism and control, will cease, and perfection will be present in the Ekklesia.

Col 1:18-22  And He is the Head of the body, the Ekklesia, who is the Beginning, the First-born from the dead, that He may be pre-eminent in all things.  (19)  For it pleased the Father that in Him all fullness should dwell.  (20)  And through Him having made peace through the blood of His cross, it pleased the Father to reconcile all things to Himself through Him, whether the things on earth or the things in Heaven.  (21)  And you, who were once alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled  (22)  in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy and without blemish, and without charge in His sight,

Col 1:27-29  For to them God would make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the nations, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory,  (28)  whom we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, so that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.  (29)  For which I also labor, striving according to the working of Him who works in me in power.

Jud 1:24-25  Now to Him being able to keep you without stumbling, and to set you before His glory without blemish, with unspeakable joy;  (25)  to the only wise God, our Savior, be glory and majesty and might and authority, even now and forever. Amen.

Eph 4:11-16  And truly He gave some to be apostles, and some to be prophets, and some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers,  (12)  for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.  (13)  And this until we all come into the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a full-grown man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;  (14)  so that we no longer may be infants, tossed to and fro and carried about by every wind of doctrine, in the dishonesty of men, in cunning craftiness, to the wiles of deceit.  (15)  But that you, speaking the truth in love, may in all things grow up to Him who is the Head, even Christ;  (16)  from whom the whole body, fitted together and compacted by that which every joint supplies, according to the effectual working in the measure of each part, producing the growth of the body to the edifying of itself in love.

Eph 5:25-27  Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the Ekklesia and gave Himself for it,  (26)  that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word,  (27)  that He might present it to Himself as the glorious church, without spot or wrinkle or any such things, but that it should be holy and without blemish.

This is me being Future Oriented

[timf]

I suggest that it is the ‘spirit’ of factions or division.

I would say less a "spirit" and more the lack of "the Spirit"

1Co 3:1  And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
1Co 3:2  I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
1Co 3:3  For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

The failure of churches to teach their members how to be like Christ is perhaps the single greatest failure

Eph 4:11  And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
Eph 4:12  For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Eph 4:13  Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

Pastoring (shepherding) is supposed to be accomplished through teaching (pastors who are teachers (Wuest)).

Sadly, seminaries usually instruct young men that their jobs will be to (a) present a particular doctrinal brand as true. (b) that the Christian life is complete as long as the brand is kept intact (c) the Christian life consists of acknowledging the brand.

One might think from reading the bible that a pastor's job would entail teaching each church member how to stop walking in the flesh and to start walking by the Spirit.