This message was preached by Tope Koleoso at THE HUB , the annual conference of Regions Beyond, an apostolic sphere that is a part of Newfrontiers, an international family of churches joined in apostolic partnership.
PREPOSTIONED ON PURPOSE - Tope Koleoso Session 2
Acts 17:26- 28, John 7:37-
I am reminded of the chapter in Thessalonians where Paul is
just adding so many things towards the end. I am going to just say a whole lot
of stuff. But there are three things I want to share with you.
1. Diversity 2. Integrity 3. Authority,
God has called you to go – Your going has to be purposeful
but there are things to keep in mind.
DIVERSITY
Acts 17 Paul talks about God who made the world and
everything in it. He is not in need of anything for He gives life and breath to
everything. We need to find him but he is not far from us. Diversity is not just a good idea it is God’s idea.
In Genesis you see diversity from verse 11 onwards – God
made different kinds of plants, flowers, fruits , fish, birds animals. If you
asked God why did he do this? He’d say I love it. God loves diversity!! Man gets so full of himself! We than that
we have made it when we have actually only discovered things!!
God made diversity
from unity. You want to see majesty? See how He made things with one word!!
WE are made by God See Ps 139God knows you because He has made you and loves
you just the way you are! In a fallen
word this diversity is used for evil and creates hatred and discord. It is
sin when you have tribalism/castism in a nation. There is wickedness in this
world. Because it’s gone so wary God has
a plan – he calls the church to be a light and to demonstrate what He intended!
In our celebration today we are rehearsing heaven. Therefore
we must take it seriously, what God is teaching you. God is re-positioning you
for maximum impact. God s setting you up in a position for something he wants
done.
He is positioning you for
something great and grand. Don’t let go of this diversity for good doctrine. Good
doctrine is good only when its being lived out!! Celebrate diversity.
Be biblically
persuaded Mal2:10. Acts17 Rev 5:9 Rev 7:9
WE are made from one man. We should be biblically persuaded not just because it is a good idea. Biblical
persuasion is what will keep you in tough times. We let the Word of God dictate
our lives. We teach scripture
intentionally and build wisely. By wisdom a house is built and w this we will
go beyond just integration to acceptance. The law integrates but cannot love.
We will go beyond tolerance
to real love. Tolerance is I won’t harm you – we will co exist. We go beyond
that to real love and allowing the gospel to change us for his glory. The
people see but can’t explain it. We can go from natural culture to kingdom
culture.
2 INTEGRITY as a SHEPHERD.
There is a call upon us as a people. There is something
about this sphere! When people know God
is in the house people don’t want to be left behind. We are a part of something
bigger.
Very few images are as powerful as a shepherd and sheep.
There are something’s
that you never leave behind or leave out or you will be found out! “The enemy
is happy to wait for your weak moment” Terry Virgo. So be careful!!
Remember that you are first a sheep before you are a
shepherd. Do not shepherd till you run
out of the flow, energy and anointing. You can still do it because you know the
drill but it’s empty. What is your own daily devotion like? As the
church grows don’t forget that you are first a son. You are a sheep too, so stay close to the shepherd. The more we
stay close to Him we will go far in God! It’s easy to fake it and what people
will not know.
Be sure that your
time with God is guarded. A good devotional life is where you go to God to find
your identity. God calls you a son! When you get that inside you can handle
everything. It’s not your church but God’s church.
In our devotional
time you should look for an encounter with God no matter how small. A good
devotional life is where you get purified. It’s a moment of honesty and he does
not condemn. It’s a moment of vibrancy and dependency on God.
Remember you are an
under shepherd. Pay attention to your shepherd and the flock. A sending
church should be a strong church. Not just in doctrine but in spirit and life,
Christ in you the hope of the people meat and not chaff. We direct, lead, protect but we are never condemning- it’s a grace
filled atmosphere. How do you grow a church? On your knees.
Feed your church well – slowly
over time, carefully, methodically and then you will go to the regions beyond.
Do not settle for what God has not put on your heart. We
should do whatever we can to share the gospel. Its not size for size sake but
for gospel advance. You are a kingdom
agent.
Be careful of doing
things the modern way instead of the Shepherds’ way, where it begins to
look like an organization. This is offensive to the almighty. It’s frightening
to build something that gets flattened.
MODERN LEADERSHIP
|
SHEPHERDING
|
Looks for success
|
Looks for faithfulness
|
Focus in training management style
|
Looks for spiritual gifting
|
Skills
|
Spiritual impartation
|
Calling , anointing
|
|
Looks for large crowds
|
Looks for large people
|
Focus on discipleship
|
|
Dependent on processes and systems
|
Dependent on the Holy Spirit
|
Hire and fire
|
Raises up people
|
3. Authority
Remember your authority as a leader. Remember God has given you this authority. The church in the west
does not need more money or facilities. It needs prayer. That’s the first thing
that gets shifted out. See the New Testament church, how much they prayed. The modern day church has given up on
prayer and its dependence on God.
Prayer is vital and as a leader be there. Call upon me and I
will answer you. That is the authority of the Christian. Pray your children
back into the fold.
It’s a call to power. I am concerned that we do not see
miracles in the order that we believers talk about so much, Pray for it, we
need to see it here.
Stop criticizing
others who have miracles but weak theology. The point is God turns up there so
have humility. People are watching miracles in meeting on TV because we
don’t have miracles in our churches. Be hungry for it and seek it.
We need good theology and the power of the Holy Spirit,
signs and wonders. Rom 15. Don’t settle for anything less. Matt4, Mk1,
Sometimes Jesus only did signs and wonders. The west has settled for counseling.
We have power and authority as a
believer. Don’t let anyone steal that from you.
The vital place of spiritual fullness is the Holy Spirit.
Jn7:37 You might feel freshly awakened by God today . Jesus says if any man is
thirsty come… We all need to be filled
again and again. You cannot continue to minister without being filled.
No comments:
Post a Comment