We’ve heard about:
a new season
how we need to examine our thinking
how we are entering a time of shaking and change and new things and vision and course corrections and fasting.
ideas about how church should look
how we need to better discern what our role in the Kingdom might be
a cohesive message in a variety of voices
this season is a little uncertain, sabbatical
we aren’t overthrowing the pastor/going weird
heresy creeping in? historically speaking, having credentialed pastors or being part of a denomination hasn’t done a thing.
Who really is responsible for ensuring sound doctrine?
1) Do we require an organization or a specially trained person to guard the church for us, or do we need to be a mature and discerning as a people and know our faith ourselves?
2) Should we leave it to the professionals, or are we mature enough to fill those roles ourselves?
3) Do we need a paid staff person to walk us through things, or are we capable?
I’m here to call forth what Father has placed in you, rise up in maturity of faith.
How do we do that?
First, Be filled with the Holy Spirit.
You can choose what you’re filled with, whether the things of the world or the things of the Spirit. The things of the world obscure the things of the Spirit. But Holy Spirit gives vision.
Lk. 11:9-13 “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. 11 “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
Ask, seek, knock. This is an imperative. Do these things. Keep on. Don’t stop. Persist
Our dads know how to be good to us. Good dads don’t play tricks on their kids.
If this is true about our earthly fathers, then Father also knows even more how to give good things to you, his child… Holy Spirit!
Why would Father want to give more Holy Spirit? 1Co. 12: 7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.
Do you recognize the manifestation of the Spirit in each of us? for the common good?
Grace is to do what Father has called us to do, and be what Father has called us to be.
Second, operate in the grace Father has apportioned to each of us. That grace is exactly right for you to walk out your purpose. Ep. 4:7 …to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.
Christ has set order in His church. we all fit in someplace. hear from Holy Spirit where that place is. you can’t be a bench warmer any more.
our minds need to be in order. Holy Spirit
transforms us
renews our minds
breaks our habits/addictions/preconceptions/bad doctrine/negative self talk/outbursts of anger/bitterness/love of money…
Ro. 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will.
What Father plans for us cannot be understood in the context of what we thought we knew.
Say this with me: If it’s God… it’s ok with me.
Rob Mazza is a voice from farther down the road of faith, a place most of us have not been before. He has a different perspective because he’s at a different place.
How should we process different perspectives? Is it through renewed minds?
A paradigm is a framework containing the basic assumptions, ways of thinking, and methodology that are commonly accepted.
anything outside our paradigms might be uncomfortable. our responsibility as the body to discern what Rob, or anyone else delivering a word, is saying.
1Co. 14:29 Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said.
We are the “others” in this verse. Not the pastors, not the elders. Us.
requires a new level of maturity. We are his body/have apportioned grace/have a manifestation of His Spirit/have renewed minds.
We also have Bibles. We are, or should be, fully equipped to decide these matters for ourselves.
THE FIVE FOLD MINISTRIES
apostles, prophets, pastors, evangelists, and teachers are people who Father has gifted to us for specific purposes.
Ep. 4: 11-13: It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
The purpose is to work within the Body to
Grow us in maturity
Grow us together in unity and love
Grow us in the fullness of Christ
Grow us in service and fruitfulness
Leadership in the church is not the power to control... it’s the power to cultivate and elevate.
APOSTLES BUILD
“sent ones.” ambassadors Father sends. are to help build this church. Apostles build.
We also are “sent ones.”
PROPHETS IMPART
general gift of prophecy in the body is expressed as encouragement and building up. It’s available to everyone.
we sometimes hear something through someone else. Holy Spirit will speak to you through others.
The prophetic office is different. Deeper/broader/more insightful/more powerful/farther reaching revelation. The prophet speaks of identity, purpose, and vision.
They equip us to help us see for ourselves.
EVANGELISTS GATHER
Evangelists. Billy Graham, Jonathan Edwards, John Wesley, Charles Finney, and Dwight Moody.
there is a general expression of the gift that operates in the people, but Evangelists are consumed with gathering. proclaim the gospel/bring people to faith/gather the harvest.
The evangelist operates in higher in power. Like sharing your faith on steroids. the evangelist calls for repentance, people repent. he calls people to get saved, people get saved.
Peter after the tongues of fire descended the upper room is already preaching. Ac. 2:41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
could happen today and more. when we get on board with the H.S. agenda the lost will come.
if you think your paradigm of church is being stretched now, wait til the harvest begins.
Peter and John were jailed for preaching in Acts 4.
Acts 8, Philip evangelized.
Paul evangelized at the Areopagus in Acts 17?
boldly, even recklessly, proclaim the saving truths to the lost with power.
we are all evangelism. “harvest.” reap and gather the crop. Jn. 4:35 I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.
take a step out in faith:
with acts of kindness.
preaching on a street corner.
giving money or time to evangelists.
the mission field at your home or your work.
prayer.
a conversation with your neighbor as you stand at your fence.
Say this with me: Maybe my fence… is a bit too high.
PASTORS
the single most misunderstood office in the church. one mention of pastor in the NT.
two views
first is pastor as CE, an employee/part of a business. success when he pleases church attendees, numerical growth, meets budget. administrator, savvy businessman, decision-maker.
second pastor as priest. spiritual expert. Bible school. knows doctrine. most spiritual. ensures proper doctrine. expositor of scripture, the Bible answer man, the deep thinker.
Not in the NT. no example of a church being run by one person over a group of subordinates.
we expect so much, they expect a lot of themselves. pastors fall or burn out, ministries get bogged down, off track, or wander off into heresy. why we see uninvolved, ambivalent congregations.
The average pastor lasts 3.6 years in a church.
90% report they are fatigued as a normal state.
57% say they would leave ministry if they had a better opportunity outside the church.
77% percent said their marriage was struggling
38% were either divorced or in the process.
Only 33% of pastors read the Bible apart from preparing for Sunday sermon.
70% constantly fight depression.
We don’t want Brand to be another statistic.
My purpose is not to take the pastor position down, it is to lift the Body.
Let me tell you about you. You have so blessed the church with your service, your offerings, your prayer, and your fellowship. have heard the voice of Father and responded. have made a difference in peoples’ lives. meet needs. have heard and answered the call to press on in faith. have overcame all sort of obstacles and stuck with it.
There is something supernatural happening in this place.
Say this with me: Our church… is a God thing.
PASTORS FATHER
We don’t have a democracy, dictatorship, anarchy, oligarchy, plutocracy, or a commune. We have a family.
The pastoral office fathers/care for people/love the people/protect them/relational/connective/watchful/stand guard.
1Pe. 5:1-3 To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow-elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: 2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers — not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.
elders are servants/oversee/a plurality of leadership. The weight of responsibility is borne by more than one person. The pastor is a part of this.
Each recognizes gifts/strengths/weaknesses/ability. burnout should be unlikely.
If you understand and operate in your gifts and anointing and stay close to Father’s heart, you will never burn out.
Be examples.
those who seem to be more prominent/gifting/experience, take on greater responsibility.
1Tim. 5:17 The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.
first among equals. not necessarily the pastor, could be apostle, prophet, evangelist, or teacher. due greater honor, particularly if they preach or teach.
different kind of church order. In a church that is properly ordered,
we should find team leadership
we should expect to see every elder teaching
we should see anointed, humble leadership
we should see lots of spiritual fathers.
we should expect that there be some manifestation of all offices of the five fold ministries
we should expect that people regularly get saved, get healed, get taught, and get released into their destiny.
how that manifests in the body: In a church that is properly ordered,
we should expect that every person is on the lookout for how they can minister according to their gifts.
we should expect that every person sees him/herself as a crucial part of the Kingdom.
we should see prayer, fellowship, the word, and worship flourishing in the people.
we should see deep connections
we should see everyone being valued, from the least to the greatest.
Say this with me: I’m starting to understand… the magnitude of why I’m here.
want Brand and Josie to be fruitful for decades. return to a spiritual environment that is a joy and not a burden, with a vision.
perfect opportunity to rise up as a people of faith, embrace the move of Holy Spirit, and do real Kingdom work.
TEACHERS GROUND
excellent at explaining spiritual concepts/gifted communicator/words carry power.
Teachers explore the faith in a way that takes hold of you.
Teachers take you deep into holy principles and knowledge.
Teachers transport you into new places of thinking.
Teachers grounds you, it gives you a place to stand.
Teachers impart understanding and vision
Spiritual principles are put within the reach.
Ro. 12:6-7 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us… if it is teaching, let him teach…
Some people just seem to have a remarkable grace to teach.
We like churches that have good teaching. when we don’t like a church, we say, “I’m just not getting fed.”
The best apostles show you how to become a sent one.
The best prophets show you how to see for yourself.
The best pastors teach you about community and connection.
The best evangelists plant in you a desire to gather.
The best teachers teach you to feed yourself.
Elders must be teachers. 1Ti. 3:2 Now the overseer must be… able to teach… in our church you have heard all of them do that.
all of us are called to teach in some capacity.
Col. 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
Say this with me: I have received something of value… and I want to share it.
THE BODY
the worldwide group of believers in Christ. It is the church, of which we have a portion right here. It’s you.
a glorious and amazing organism/ forms the temple of God/Holy Spirit dwells in fullness
Ep. 2:21-22 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
All of us. Together, filled with the Holy Spirit.
Say this with me: My purpose… is to live my life… according to the Holy Spirit
You want the poor to be helped? Then start helping them!
You want the lost to be saved? Preach the gospel to them!
Your street is dirty? Clean it!
Your neighbor is lonely? Keep him company!
Rise up, church! Take your place as He has called you!
1Co. 12:18 But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. That includes you.
You are more than you thought, because Father is more than you thought.
COMMUNION
We receive communion once a month here. We stand in rows, interacting with no one, silent, by ourselves; we partake of the elements, and we call it communion.
Dictionary: the sharing or exchanging of intimate thoughts and feelings, especially when the exchange is on a mental or spiritual level.
Paul tells us: 1Co. 11:26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. whenever you come together to eat. That’s communion.
I think Jesus intended that we should fellowship together with food. potluck today. Doesn’t that sound more like communion?
Instead of bread and wine, which were the basic foodstuffs of the first century, what’s wrong with chicken and Mountain Dew?
recap.
Apostles build – they build the church and build people in faith
Prophets impart – they impart vision, purpose, and destiny
Evangelists gather – They bring in the harvest
Pastors father – they guard the flock and care for them
Teachers ground – they give us a place to stand by making the truths of the faith real to us.
The sent ones need to know where to go, so the prophets help to point us in a direction.
The evangelists and pastors and teachers show us to what to do when we get there.
The apostles equip us to build on the foundations.
The pastors teach us how to love, protect, and connect.
The prophets lift our vision and spur us on to see for ourselves.
The evangelists point us to the lost and hurting.
The teachers impart wisdom, holy understanding, and actionable information.
And, the Body communes, builds each other up, and serves according to their gifts, while filled with Holy Spirit.
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