Five-Fold Today - The Eternal Son(s) Part One - Team Ministry - Get On With It - Welcome the Winds - Covering & Authority - Ecclesiastes 11:6, For the Church At Large

February 16, 2001

The Eternal Son(s) Part One

John R. Gavazzoni

The sons of God have begun their transition unto the full unveiling of their glory. Their glory is the glory of the only begotten Son in them, revealing in turn, the splendor and majesty of the Father to all creation. The truth of sonship shall be made increasingly clear by the Spirit of Truth in this day and that increase of clarity will not simply be a matter of teaching about sonship but will be the actual unfolding of the liberty of the glory of sons of God. We shall witness a divine intolerance for any confusion or carnal imaginings concerning the nature and origins of this royal and August company. Many who have had an improper association with the true sons will depart from them so that it may be made manifest that they were not of them.

Recently I heard within me the words, "You will write some corrective epistles". Being as susceptible to grandiosity as the next fellow, I was at first suspicious of the impression, thinking that the words were coming from the egotistical religious mind which illegitimately dwells in my flesh by the Father's wise permission. But the thought persisted until I became convinced that I was receiving instruction from the Spirit. The following is sent out with the intent and hope that, like Aquila and Priscilla, I may be enabled to expound this truth "more perfectly" or better, "more accurately" (Acts 18:26) as Harold Lovelace translates it, for the sake of God's elect. My intent IS NOT to compose some cold, creedal statement and to attempt to intellectually impose it upon others but to give expression to the delight in my own heart as to the true nature and origin of our relationship to "the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ"(2 Cor. 11: 31). As I pause in this writing, I fear that what I've written thus far will come across as rather pompous but I choose to leave it as it is because of the seriousness of the truth we are considering. So on with it.

Are we really clear dear saints, that the Son of God, our Lord Jesus Christ, was uniquely begotten of the Father in and from eternity? Some time ago I was invited to participate in a dialogue during which the question of the nature and origin of Christ as the Son of God entered the discussion. Up to that point, I had appreciated and commended one of the participants concerning his understanding of the truth of the family of God. When suddenly via e-mail, in the boldest of language, he insisted that Christ was not eternally begotten of the Father and that anyone affirming that was claiming that Christ was born twice, once eternally and then a second time of the virgin Mary. Now I am not one normally given to religious argument but on this occasion something rose up in me with revulsion at the arrogant spirit that I was confronted with and I answered in no uncertain terms that what he thought was enlightened logic was pure nonsense and I expressed that in rather coarse terms which I will not get into here. I ended up "sticking to my guns" after he asked me if I thought I knew everything and no one was allowed to disagree with me. After examining my conscience I decided not to apologize but to tell him I was being tough on him because such theological tripe was not worthy of a child of God which I believed he was. I countered with this observation, that if believing that God fathered the Son eternally (that is that the Son always proceeds by divine generation from the very loins of the Father without beginning and without end) meant that we were necessarily saying that Christ was born two times then by that logic we would be saying that Christ was crucified twice since He is the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world.

If I were verbally preaching instead of writing this I'm sure at this point you couldn't keep me behind the pulpit in a calm and dignified manner but I'd be roaming over the platform, cranking up the volume and punctuating every phrase with appropriate body language affirming in the boldest possible way that IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE ETERNAL FATHER TO BEGET A LESS- THAN-ETERNAL SON. The post-apostolic fathers may not have gotten it all right and may have instigated some serious deviation from apostolic tradition, but this they got right ----Christ is eternally begotten, not created. That is, His is a birth consistent with the eternality of His Father and our Father!!! Much confusion exists because of a distorted understanding of the nature of eternity. It is not an infinite succession of ages from the past and into the future. It is from this distortion that men have argued that at some time Christ was created or birthed and so could not have existed before that point on the time line. They do not understand that eternity is not someTHING, it is a dimension of God Himself who identifies Himself as "I AM". Everything He does is totally free from the limitations of time and cannot be understood by a time-oriented mentality. As another dear friend of mine, Lennie Antonsson, often says, "We have a problem in that we are always trying to understand God in terms of time". That which is unfolding in the ages has its source in the Primal Origin (Karl Barth) which is the Ageless God.

  • There is a Day of the Lord.
  • In that Day Christ is birthed and lives for the pleasure of the Father in all things.
  • In that Day He is glorified by the Father and the Father is glorified in Him.
  • In that Day His birthing and His glorification all occur in the eternal instant.
  • This Day of the Lord, the Day the Father spoke of when He said, "Thou art my Son, this Day have I begotten thee" (Heb. 1: 5), that Day has broken through into the ages and continues to break through bringing forth in time, space and matter that which already IS in God and by grace all creation is brought to share in the eternal Reality as the Word is made flesh and dwells among us.

The sons of God are beginning to understand that their sonship does not have its origin at an altar of repentance or in an evangelistic counseling room or, as in my case, beside my bed as a young teenager grasped by the Spirit of grace. That moment, whatever form it took in each of our earthly lives, had its Primal Origin when the Eternal Father birthed the Eternal Son and we shared that birth in Christ as seeds within the Seed before the foundation of the world and were chosen then to be holy and without blame before Him (Eph. 1:4). In that eternal moment of the eternal Day of the Lord we were predestined in love to adoption of sons by Christ Jesus (vs 5) and in the corridors of time that eternal generation became regeneration. That which is regenerated was once generated. That which is born again was first born. That which is born from above came from above. It is not a matter of two separate occurrences, but the reproduction of the eternal in time so that to us, seeing and experiencing it in the space-time continuum, it is regeneration and rebirth.

For each of us there are those wonderful moments when God brings time into alignment with eternity and what IS so eternally becomes so in the confines of time.

It becomes clearer when we realize that we are the children of God AND the creation of God. We are the fruit of His loins in Christ and the work of His hands also in Christ. Both must be affirmed for that is the Father's will. "Of His own will begat He us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures" Jm. 1: 18. He birthed us of His own will and by that same will created us. That is, His eternal sons were given an individuality within the dimension of the created and made to be part of creation itself, formed of its dust, to be a kind of firstfruits to subdue all creation by the glorious love of the Father. We are children of God, actually born of Him, but we are also creatures created by Him who have a time-space existence along with all of His creatures and subject to that to which He has subjected all of creation.

So what is the relationship between these two dimensions of our being? It is this-- and I hasten to say that my thoughts, understanding and words will be sorely inadequate and I welcome the contribution of more gifted brethren-- that the eternal must enter the cocoon of the temporal, there to be changed (metamorphosed, transformed) taking to itself fully the elements of the temporal/created without losing its essential and spiritual eternality and by so doing metamorphose the temporal and transform it by making it share fully the nature of the eternal so that what results is a NEW CREATION whereby the created/temporal is swallowed up unto full assimilation by the begotten/eternal. Now the eternal, unbegotten Father, through His eternally begotten Son(s) both enriches His own glory and makes us to share in that richness. Here is the heart of the gospel and the meaning of grace: God does not call from afar to us demanding change that will make us fit to dwell with Him. But, wonder of wonders, He Himself effects the change by becoming flesh. He changes but not really, for the Word became flesh but in so doing did not cease to be the Word. God initiates and consummates the change from within Himself. The Word became flesh that we might become the Book of Life with the nature of the Word written on every page.

Somehow, beyond my ability to explain, all of creation will be infused with the Spirit of Sonship when the sons of God come into their own. Christ took on my createdness so that my createdness might be raised up into His Sonship and, in Him, my own sonship. Glory, glory, glory. As the kids would say, "Father, you're too much".

Though I have attempted to present this with some theological structure, I have marveled at how this understanding of our life in Christ before the foundation of the world has arisen by Spirit-given intuition from within many saints who would never fancy themselves to be theologically astute. My wife Jan is one of those. She just knew it because she knew it. But it is backed by scripture and by Spirit-enlightened reason. It is my hope that those who read this may be encouraged to know that this is the manner of sonship that is being worked out in us as we struggle with what seems to be an intolerable ambiguity of spirit and flesh mixture in our daily lives. We cannot say it better than the beloved apostle and when we read his exclamation we catch his spirit of wonderment----"Behold, what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God....." (1 Jn. 3:1).

John R. Gavazzoni
john-gavazzoni@webtv.net

Team Ministry

Doug Fortune

"For just as the body is a unity and yet has many parts, and all the parts though many, form only ONE BODY, so IT IS with Christ... ... For the body does not consist of one limb or organ, but of many... Now you collectively ARE Christ's Body, and individually you are MEMBERS of it, each part severally and distinct- each with his own place and function." (1 Cor.12:12,14,27 Amplified Bible)

Although the fullness of the Godhead dwells within us (Col.2:9-10), I as an individual cannot manifest the fullness of Christ. I am but one member of a many membered Man (male and female). I will never manifest the perfection that Paul speaks of in Heb. 6 as an individual, this only happens within the context of being joined. This concept of Corporate Anointing is especially true for those in ministry.

Let me first say that ALL of us are in ministry... my heart thrills as the walls of separation of the clergy / laity system are being toppled by the hand of God. However, I do recognize that there are those whose vocation is ministry. Full time vocation or not, the day of God blessing the one man or woman show is quickly coming to a close. Team ministry, team leadership is where it's at. Many embrace this idea intellectually but when you look at most congregations, it is not in operation. Sure you will see shared work load, but that is not the same as shared leadership. I believe that what will mark the congregations moving into Third Day mentality will be team ministry, corporate mentality. Yes, God has and will continue to use mightily gifted individuals, but I see the emphasis moving to a Corporate Anointing.

We get a picture of this Corporate Anointing in Joshua 3 and 4. Moses was a tremendously gifted apostle / prophet who was used mightily of God. He successfully led an entire nation out of Egyptian bondage, gave them an identity and vision, and through the power of God met their needs in the wilderness. Everything came through Moses, he was the channel through which God interacted with His people. The church has operated in much this same way as we have had Moses / pastors who have done everything. I certainly mean no disrespect to those pastors who would fit into that category; after all, most of them have had to do something themselves if it was going to get done at all. Unfortunately, this mentality is archaic survivor from the time of Moses. Remember in Ex.19:6, God wanted the people to be a kingdom of priests, but what was their response? "And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die."(Ex.20:19) Just as with Moses, God has utilized this model of ministry as many have been fed and cared for in our wanderings.

May I prophesy to you that the day of wandering is over... it is time to POSSESS the land! Just as Moses' individual anointing could not take the church in the wilderness in to possess the land God had already given them, so the individual anointing of strong and gifted leaders will not take us into our destiny of dominion in the earth. Yes, the individual anointing of Moses' staff parted the waters that led out of bondage, but it was the Corporate Anointing of the priests bearing the ark that parted the waters into the promised land. Yes, God still utilized the strong and gifted leadership of Joshua, and He will use strong and gifted apostolic leaders in this day, but the emphasis is on Corporate Anointing. When the Corporate Anointing of the priests' feet hit those waters of Jordan, it backed up clear to the city of Adam (Joshua 3:15).

You see, feet are symbolic of foundation, that which the Body stands upon. As the Corporate Anointing of the foundational giftings of apostles and prophets are released in the Body, the waters of the Jordan will back up to Adam. Jordan in Hebrew means a descender or to pull down, also it is what separates the wilderness from the promised land, it separates an old place from a new place. Many of us have things in our lives that pull us down, that seek to keep us from our inheritance, our promised land... and for many, that Jordan is a mentality. It is a 'wilderness mentality' that is concerned with just meeting my needs and 'getting by'; after all, we're just passing through. Unfortunately when that Moses / pastoral model is the primary spiritual impetus in a people, it tends to reinforce the Adam nature. Just look at the church in the wilderness and the church today! Adam is concerned with 'my needs', self oriented; Christ is concerned with destiny and the purpose of God. The apostolic / prophetic fivefold corporate anointing demands and equips us to 'grow up' into Christ... it backs those Jordan waters, those mentalities that pull us down, clear to Adam and releases us to manifest Christ instead of Adam. Part of manifesting Christ is possessing the land, dominion established in mercy. God's promise to Abraham and his descendants in Rom.4:13 was to inherit the world, and according to Gal. 3:29 we are Abraham's seed in Christ and heirs of the promise. Part of manifesting Christ is seeing all enemies under His feet... the CORPORATE anointing is what brings us to maturity, or as Paul said, Christ formed in you (Gal. 4:19), so the victory of the cross- the finished work (where all enemies WERE defeated) can manifest fully.

Let us lay down our ambitions and agendas, our desire to be in control. Let us abandon building our own kingdoms. Let us embrace the Corporate Anointing of team ministry, that we may truly advance into our destiny of dominion established in mercy (Is.16:5). Let the Corporate Anointing of our feet tred upon those enemy waters of Jordan that they be backed up to Adam... that we may no longer manifest Adam, but manifest the fullness of Christ in the Corporate Body.

info@DougFortune.org

Get On With It

Cheri Henderson

He says preach the gospel; we must evangelize.
She says we must prophesy; speak out those words of life.
He says read the bible; it's a lamp unto our feet.
She says praise and worship; it's all about intimacy.

He says intercession and warfare will bring the strongholds down.
She says deliverance ministry will free the ones who're bound.
He says pray the prayer of faith and let the sick be healed.
She says disciple the babies. Teach them well or they will leave.

He says, no, you're terribly wrong; we have to it THIS way!
She says, no, you're terribly wrong; we have to do it THAT way!
This way, that way, this way, that way; we freeze in our debate,
and the world watches in amusement as our body self-mutilates.

But God would say get over yourselves and get on with what I want!
I've said to preach the gospel, and that is what I want!
I've said that you will prophesy, and that is what I want!
I've said for you to study the word, and that is what I want!

I've said you are to worship me, and that is what I want!
I've said to pray without ceasing, and that is what I want!
I've said the violent take the Kingdom, and that is what I want!
I've said you'll cast out demons, and that is what I want!

I've said that you will heal the sick, and that is what I want!
I've said that you will raise the dead, and that is what I want!
I've said to go and make disciples, and that is what I want!
I've said to do these things and more, and THAT IS WHAT I WANT!

Your passion and anointing don't negate or even precede
the passion and anointing of another part of your team.
All of you are to operate like a fine, well-oiled machine!
So get over yourselves and get on with it! And start glorifying me!

Cheri Henderson

DBCCheri@aol.com

Welcome the Winds

Ras Robinson

Strong winds are about to blow.
This is good and not bad. As a rose grower, I know the value and long-term effects of strong spring winds. They remove the dead and diseased leaves in order to make room for the new buds. Those winds can even break off dead branches. But herein is the problem. The dead leaves and limbs are often diseased with insects and even with viruses, both of which can, if not thoroughly removed, infect the new garden growth. The effective gardener must devote concerted time to removing the debris, removing it far from the garden, perhaps even burning it.

I am hearing the Lord say, "Welcome My winds. You are my garden. And it is My desire that you produce the very finest foliage and blooms. I am sending my winds that you may become more beautiful and fragrant. Some of My winds are turbulent, others are but a quiet whisper like a gentle breeze. The debris is a good thing, not bad. It is my way to show My love for you for I know what you are capable of producing. You are my showpiece exhibition in the earth. Bloom the very best where you are planted. So let the wind blow. Welcome My winds. (Song of Solomon 4:16 "Awake, O north wind, and come, wind of the south; make my garden breathe out fragrance, let its spices be wafted abroad. May my beloved come into his garden and eat its choice fruits!")

Fullness in Christ Church
Strengthen, Encourage and Comfort
http://www.fullnessonline.org
fullness@airmail.net

Covering & Authority

Dr. Kluane Spake

Currently the church uses many catch phrases that everyone seems to understand. One is this notion that every believer needs a "covering" and every local church needs a "covering." Like Waffle House hash browns, we just gotta' be covered and smothered - somehow it's the thing to do.

In searching the scriptures we find what was really covered: The ark had a covering (roof) Gen. 8:13. The cherubim wings covered the mercy seat; Ex. 25:20. The priest wore special underwear as a covering (Ex. 38:42). Goats' hair and rams' skins dyed red covered the tabernacle (Ex. 27:7, 14). The leper had to cover his upper lip and cry "unclean" (Lev. 13:45). Censers were used to cover the altar in Num. 16:38. Every open vessel was to be covered in the tabernacle, (Num. 19:15). Jael covered Sisera with a blanket before she killed him (Judg. 4:8). Michael covered (hid) an idol from her husband David (1 Sam. 19:113). A woman covered a well's mouth to hide her husband (2 Sam. 17:19).

Clouds were a covering (Job 22:14 and Ps. 105:39). The naked (Job 24:7), Solomon's chariot (SOS 3:10), Judah (Is. 22:8), and Death (Is. 28:20) were covered. Isaiah told about the rebellious children that covered themselves with a covering that was not of His Spirit, adding sin to sin (30:1). Sackcloth covered those in iniquity (Is. 50:3). Wings covered the body of Ezekiel's vision (EX. 1:11, 23). The King of Tyre (Lucifer) was covered with every precious stone and later called a "COVERING CHERUB" (Ez. 28). Mal. 2:13 spoke of the altar of the Lord being covered with tears. God hates a man covering himself with violence (Mal.. 2:16). The word "covering" is described in Strong's #4018, peribolaion; "something thrown around one, a mantle, and a veil."

EXAMPLES of COVERING IN THE NEW TESTAMENT:

VERBS: Kalupto
Luke 8:16, Don't cover a light in a bushel.
Mat. 8:24, Waves covered the boat.
Mat. 10:26, Nothing covered that will not be made known.
Luke 23:30, Escape and cry out for the hills to cover you.
James 5:2, Cover a multitude of sins.
Epikalupto
Romans 4:7, Sins are covered
Epikalumma
1 Pet. 2:16, Don't use freedom as a cover up for evil.
Prikalupto 2028
Mk. 14:65, Blindfold covers eyes.
Luke 22:64, blindfold
Heb. 9:4 Gold covered ark.
Sundalupto 4780,
Luke 12:2 Nothing concealed that will not be disclosed.
NOUNS: Katakalupto 2619
1 Cor. 11:6-7 Custom of covering for her head.
Shepasma 4629
1 Tim. 6:8, Clothing covered.

Most of us already know how Paul quickly clarifies the whole veil/covering debate concerning women. He tells the Corinthians not to be contentious about this matter 1 Cor. 11:16), explaining that Jews have no such practice of covering veils, NOR DOES THE CHURCH OF GOD. Then, Paul rebukes them (1 Cor. 11:17) because they had come together "not for the better but for the worse." This church wanted to assert control over their women. Then right after that, he goes on to tell them the right way to take communion!

Paul says, it's up to them-they can veil if they want. Permission to veil isn't a command to do so. or a principle to follow for centuries-even in other nations. Rather, Paul told the Corinthian church, "Never mind. This is only a custom - wearing material on your head really isn't a big deal -- but if it matters to you, then wear it." He also says that women don't need a special covering, neither of cloth, nor another person. Ideally, women should unveil before God, men, and angels who enjoy seeing women worship.

If Paul had disapproved of women teaching and preaching he could have easily expressed that opinion here, but he didn't. The issue here was the cultural practice of Greek women covering their faces with veils (clothing), it was not universal edict about women needing to be covered by men! Paul concluded, "You can all prophesy one by one..." (veiled or unveiled, I Cor. 14:31).

When viewed as a summary concerning church government, we see that Paul's advice assured that all things be done decently and in order.

He continues saying "Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man nor man of woman; for as woman was made from man, so man is now born of woman and all things are from God" (I Cor. 11:11-12). This shows the equality of believers as part of the body that comprises the whole (I Cor. 12:26). Paul projects a new vision of the body of Christ, envisioning the personhood and interdependence of men and women existing together in Christ -- a breakthrough in the first century Christendom, that soon went askew.

1st Corinthians 11 essentially concerns cultural issues. Paul was not establishing a practice of "covering" until the end of time. Influential women frequently appeared unveiled in public under the Roman Empire at this time. Jewish women normally didn't wear veils. But veiling was a significant ethnic social problem to the Greeks (in Corinth), to whom this Scripture is addressed. There's no Scriptural support for the need for a woman to need a male covering. The question now is - DO BELIEVERS NEED A COVERING? DO CHURCHES? PASTORS?

COVERING IN THE LOCAL CHURCH:

The Middle Ages stagnated individual thought and personal revelation. Apostolic authority was established to contain the governmental structure and the status quo of the church - so that things wouldn't change. Scriptures were only interpreted to confirm what the Apostolic authority had already established. If contradictions emerged, then the interpretive writings of the Apostolic Fathers were chosen above the Scriptures. Everyone accepted that what the Church (the custodian and absolute official interpreter) said about criticism -- and that interpretation was official. In contrast, proper Biblical church government clearly establishes a theocratic type of rule, in which God selects leaders and then equips them to rule -- according to His will. The principles of power and authority can make a book in themselves. For this discussion, let's look at how Jesus expanded the idea of ruling when He said that ALL POWER in heaven and on earth was given to Him (Matt. 28:18-20). The Vines definition for this word "power" (sometimes translated "authority") here is "exousia" -- which really means that ability, privilege, force, capacity, competency, freedom, mastery, magistrate, and superhuman delegated influence was given to Him.

Soon, Jesus gave that same incredible "exousia" to His disciples (Matt. 9:8, Luke 9:1). That means it's for each one of us - whether we are clergy or laity, bond or free, male or female, Jew or Greek. Now, it's up to us to activate that quality that we ALREADY POSSESS!

Our ability to rule comes from using His name - not from ourselves. Jesus said that we even have this power over evil spirits (Matt. 110:1). Each believer and each church can experience God's full measure of competency. We don't need another mediator. We don't need an intermediate priest. We come boldly to the throne of grace. "Covering" has become one of our most "Sacred Cows." And if I don't agree with you on this issue. I'm in trouble now. As Fred Sandford said, "This must be the big one, Elizabeth!" Hold on tight, cuz' here it comes again.The current usage of church phrase "covering" is a misnomer. Accurate government doesn't mean to cover, dictate, restrain, have power over, control, or constrain.

Okay. So, I know all your arguments to the contrary. They've been taught to all of us for generations. In fact, I've personally "covered" several churches in the past. That's the way it was done! But, like Priscilla and Aquila, we begin to understand "a way more perfectly" (Acts 18:26). Just allow this new idea to be considered, even for a moment. Could we at least agree to reconsider what we've always known? The bottom lines is -- yes there's governmental authority - but, it's not a "covering" from the top. It's an upholding or under-girding from beneath. Proper authority is fully satisfied in the establishment of God's image and likeness and His proceeding Word into the lives of the believer.

THE WHOLE IDEA IS TO BECOME UNCOVERED!!

2 Cor 3:15-18 "Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers (kaluma) their hearts (cardia, thoughts or feelings). 16 But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, THE VEIL (kaluma, covering) IS TAKEN AWAY. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is FREEDOM (legitimate liberty, from 1658, no longer a slave, unrestrained, exempt from obligation or liability. Hence, no need for covering). And we, who with UNVEILED (anaklupto, uncovered) faces ALL REFLECT the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." NIV Oh, precious God, let me read that again! We can't reflect God's glory if our faces are covered.

Paul continues about being unveiled/uncovered. 2 Cor 4:3-6 "And even if our gospel is veiled (kalupto #2573, covered), it is veiled (kalupto, covered) to those who are perishing. (God) made his light shine in our hearts (cardia, thoughts or feelings) to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ." NIV

I'M FIRST!!!

Governmental authority structure should not represent a hierarchical "COVERING." We've nearly made a multi-level marketing chart . like I'm UNDER your covering -- and I'm the covering OVER these. "Freedom" means that we are not improperly dominated, intimidated, or coerced. Five-fold positions are NOT given so we can puffer-belly our way to self-importance. Ministry is a temporal job of FUNCTION not RANKING. The issue is not position but is service. Ministry is a grace gift. We're not better, above, or more spiritual than others. It's just our job to lead by example, to serve, to instruct with accurate impartation, and to model behavior. until they can.

When Jesus acknowledged the faith of the Centurion for understanding accountability - it indicated that the Centurion knew that Jesus didn't need to go to any further to get the job done, He only needed to send His Word. The Centurion understood the authority of the Word. He believed it and received his answer. Sooooo, am I promoting rebellion, anarchy, or self-rule? Of course not! Is there governmental authority? Absolutely. Accountability? You bet! But does it "cover" you? No. Accountability supports you. It's not OVER you; it's UNDER you. It's your safety. Ephesians 2:20 ".built on the FOUNDATION of the apostle, prophet," etc. (See also 2 Tim. 2:9, 1 Cor. 3:10.)

We're talking about the freedom to yield by preference to those who are veterans in the truth - that's Biblical. Deferring to delegated leadership is a choice that we all make in order to get a job done more efficiently. Participating in proper relationships to authority should become a foundational principle. Ideally, ministers should find seasoned ministers to advise them - and they should also establish peer level intimacy with like-natured ministries -- correcting and helping one another, mutually submitting one to another in the bond of peace.

We see the example of the primary church rulers in Antioch. James and the other Apostles didn't gloat about being "over" a bunch of churches. They had no secret need to control. These Apostles didn't isolate themselves as super-spiritual coverings. Rather, they considered their disciples as their sons. They SERVED in wisdom and dignity. They helped. They passionately cared. They got under and lifted up the needy. And, among many other things, the Apostles (as foundational ministers) rightfully set things in order, corrected doctrine, recognized incorrect behavior, and called for answerability.

That's support - not "covering." That's righteous governing - not exploitation. That's being the foundation - not the tip of the top. That's instruction - not insistence. That's being a greater servant - not a big wheel! Now please pay attention, Jesus did not come to be served, but to serve (Matt. 20:28, Mk. 10:45). He washed their feet. It's all a matter of ATTITUDE. Authority must become the position of strength and support that we offer to others as needed -- to sustain, to be there, to undergird, to lend assistance, to reinforce, to collaborate. That's why we're SENT -- to confirm, to supply, to nurture, and to adjust.

In recent years, we've seen excessive abuse in the misunderstanding of the position of leadership. True Godly leadership provides the essential order and guidance that lovingly enables other Christians to mature and find their own answers. True five-fold ministry brings adulthood to the believer and to the church! It brings capability, responsibility, and competency. It releases others to develop and achieve. It enables activation. It unveils new revelation knowledge to the church. It blasts away at ingrained thoughts that have been held captive in religious minds. It's the battle-axe that breaks down the forbidden archives of entrenched tradition - the way it's always been.

1 Thess. 5:12-13 says, "Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are OVER YOU (4235, pro, in front of or gone before and 2476 histemi which means to stand) in the Lord and who admonish (remind, gently give instruction, teach) you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work." In other words, those who stand as having gone before you deserve respect and regard. Heb 13:17 "Obey (3929 almost always translated as believe, be persuaded, trust, have confidence in) your leaders and submit (5226, yield to them) to their authority (these last three words are not in the Greek, but were added to text by translator). They keep watch over you as men who must give an account (3056 logos, say something). Obey (not in original text - should be "likewise") them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you." NIV Perhaps we could say it like this, "Trust in your leaders and yield to them for they watch over you and must/will say things about you."

Unfortunately, the greatest enigma most clergy people ever have is actually "taking the oversight" that has been given to them. They hesitate to take it. thinking that they are somehow in need of a "covering" that will help make their decisions or protect them. This sense of a lack of "covering" causes inherent weakness and impotence. Victims vacillate with indecisiveness. They unnecessarily waiver with uncertainty. Now is the day for change. Every leader must become firmly aware of what Christ has already accomplished for them and all humankind.

It's time for a change. Take the oversight thereof (1 Peter 5:2). OVERSIGHT episkopeo means to look carefully upon or to contemplate. Vines describes episkopeo as not being a matter of assuming a position, but of the accomplishment of vision. Solid leadership requires the competence to believe what God reveals to you . and then stand firmly behind it. This doesn't mean you should stand alone, but as part of an integral team of equals who provide checks and balances for one another. It means you listen to correction and make changes. The church needs those who are content with their being, who can work shoulder to shoulder, and who are able to communicate fresh insight into roles of positional leadership. They must securely anchor "in Him" and with one another, with a readiness to minister with effective influence.

Many theological changes will occur as believers begin to move into the emancipation of God's liberty. The CHURCH of GOD HAS NO SUCH PRACTICE AS COVERING (1 Cor. 11:16).

Sword Ministries
Pastor Kluane Spake Ph. D.
http://www.spake.org/spake

Ecclesiastes 11:6, For the Church At Large

Debbie Cossu

Sow your seed in the morning, and do not be idle in the evening, for you do not know whether morning or evening sowing will succeed, or whether both of them alike will be good.

You heeded this call and worked faithfully. You listened to My Spirit with care. Now in this season of waiting, you must not allow doubts to choke out the hope that is yours, or the promise yet to come.

The trouble with the seed that was sown, wasn't the soil, or the season, or even the seed itself.

You heard correctly when it was the time to plant. You tended the ground faithfully and granted nourishment that was necessary. You even stood guard against the scavengers that came to devour.

But you could not wait, you would not wait, you refused to wait and let the seed rest where it was and just grow.

You continued to dig it up and peek to see. You insisted on SEEING evidence of roots forming and shoots budding. You planted with such care, but uprooted the progress by your own efforts and activity.

Be still, and know that I am God. Be still, and realized you are not. There is yet life in the seed entrusted to your care. The promised new life shall come forth. There is a bountiful harvest that shall be produced, to produce, over and over again.

You have done your part. You have been faithful to what was required.

You must cease from your own activity, and I shall accomplish Mine.

I am able to do that which you cannot, and nothing will be lost in the process, except the sin of your own impatience.

Just as you do not know the path of the wind, or how bones are formed in the womb of the pregnant woman, so you so not know the activity of God who makes all things.

I have waited a long time for the day that is upon you, and I am doing My part.

Look into My eyes, and you shall behold evidence of what is growing even now.

Rest rest in My arms, and you shall hold the evidence of what shall be granted in the spring.

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