So, I have been told by credible sources that I do not think normal! I guess it is so: I tend to ask a lot of question, searching for the underlying reason of many things. A few years ago I got to thinking: Why did God do the creation thing? What’s His purpose for the earth, animals and man? The awesome thing about these questions is: God showed me an answer in His word! This answer, I believe, is truly the foundation for the Good News (I will cover this in another Apostolic Note).

So what was His answer to my off the wall question, why did he create the earth? The word of God tells us in the following texts:

• Num 14:21 But as truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD.
• Hab 2:14 For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.
• Isa 6:3 And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.

From these texts we can begin to see a purpose for this created earth: God wanted to fill it with his glory. So…. Ok, this obviously prompts another question: What is the glory of God?

Glory Defined

In the OT, the most common word for “glory” is Kabhodh and according to the ISBE (1) it means “weight,” “heaviness,” and hence in its primary uses it conveys the idea of some external, physical manifestation of dignity, preeminence or majesty. The reference is most frequently, however, to the external manifestations.” In its most significant usages “it describes the form in which Jehovah (Yahweh) reveals Himself or is the sign and manifestation of His presence. Kabhodh conveys the idea of some physical, external manifestation; most commonly when God would reveal himself or his presence.” Based on this understanding, the glory of the Lord was some awesome, majestic physical manifestation that God would use to reveal His presence.

We see this played out in numerous occasions in the scriptures regarding “The glory of the Lord,” when there was a demonstrated manifestation, allowing individuals to recognize the Lords presence. Some of these include:

• The glory of the Lord appeared in a cloud as Aaron spoke – Exodus 16:10
• The glory of the Lord appeared in a cloud and as fire on Mt Sinai – Exodus 24:16-17
• The glory of the Lord appeared as cloud in the tabernacle – Exodus 40:34-35
• Four times in Numbers it states that the glory of the Lord “appeared.” – Num 14:10, 16:19 & 19, 20:6
  • The word “appeared” in these texts is ra’ah and means:
  • “to see, observe, perceive, get acquainted with, gain understanding, examine, look after (see to), choose, discover.”(2)
  • Basically ra’ah connotes seeing with one’s eyes:(3)
  • God speaks of those “which have seen” his glory in Egypt and the wilderness – Num 14:22
    • “which have seen” is the same ra’ah above
  • When Solomon dedicated the temple, the glory of the Lord filled the temple – 2 Ch 5:14
    • Fire came with this appearance – 2 Ch 7:3
  • Isaiah prophesied that the glory of the Lord would appear and it would be seen – Isa 35:2, 40:5
  • Ezekiel repeatedly referenced seeing the glory of the Lord – Eze 1:28, 3:23, 10:4 & 18, 11:23

  These texts and others state to us that glory, in reference to the Lord, spoke of a recognizable, demonstrable manifestation of God’s presence. There was no doubt in the minds of those who witnessed the glory, of whose presence they were in.

  We see a similar pattern in the usage of glory in the NT

  • Jesus told Martha if “thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God” – John 11:40
    • According to Vines, the word “see is optomai” and simply means “to see.”
  • Stephen as he was being stoned, “saw the glory of God” – Acts 7:55
  • Paul states that we are beholding the glory of the Lord – 2 Cor 3:18
  • In Revelation we are told the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God. – Rev 15:8

  The most common NT word for glory is “doxa,” and: “primarily signifies an opinion, estimate, and hence, the honor resulting from a good opinion. It is used of the nature and acts of God in self-manifestation, i. e., what He essentially is and does, as exhibited in whatever way he reveals Himself” (4) According to Dr. Spiros Zodhiates (5), “doxa” has the following meanings: To “recognize a person or thing for what it is. Appearance, form, that appearance of a person which catches the eye or attracts attention, commanding recognition.”

  The practical usage of doxa is that God’s form or appearance of manifestation would bring about an opinion, estimation and recognition of who he is. Thus, the glory was a way of God revealing himself in a knowable way.

  The point of giving so many references is this: the biblical principle of glory is a visible manifestation that attracted the attention and brought recognition of the presence of God. It is all about the revelation of Him!

  When teaching our Living In Kingdom Authority series the working definition we use is a compilation of many resources and is as follows: Glory is a form or appearance that attracts attention and brings recognition – of who God is.

  Creation
  Now, to tie this back into creation: The eternal God, who is a spirit (Jn 4:24), which according to Jesus, does not have “flesh and bones” (Lk 24:39) has sought to reveal himself. To accomplish this, He created a place called earth to fill with His form or appearance that would attract attention and bring recognition of who He is. In short, an invisible and intangible God desired to make himself knowable.

  In the next few Apostolic Notes, we will discuss the importance of glory as it relates to understanding of the purpose for Adam, Jesus, the Gospel and the born again believer.

  In the meantime, when you read the term “glory,” think of “the form or appearance that attracts attention and brings recognition.” See how it will bring to light the scripture, especially the New Testament.

  Next apostolic note, we will present the idea of How God’s Glory would fill the earth.

  —————————————-
  (1) International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia, Electronic Database Copyright (c)1996 by Biblesoft
  (2) Biblesoft’s New Exhaustive Strong’s Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
  (3) Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, Copyright (c)1985, Thomas Nelson Publishers
  (4) Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, Copyright (c)1985, Thomas Nelson Publishers
  (5) Lexical Aids To The New Testament

The simple truth is we have all the same commissioning from the Lord: He has instructed us to “Go and make disciples.(1)” So, no matter where we find ourselves in living for God or our status in life, we all have the same purpose – we are to make disciples.

The wonderful challenge comes in discovering how we are to use our individual uniqueness to fulfill this purpose. Paul addressed this issue when he wrote to the church at Corinth, elaborating to them that they were each created as different members of the body of Christ, but each was equally important to the functioning of the body.(2) It is still the same today: we are each uniquely gifted and equally important to the purpose of the body.

It is our individual giftings that will qualify us to circulate in different environments effectively demonstrating our King and establishing disciple making relationships.

So if we all have the same purpose and are uniquely equipped to accomplish this purpose, what seems to be the challenge to successfully accomplish this?

I believe part of the challenge is the traditional model of discipleship development of gathering and containment. The typical church creates attractional events to gather the lost to a service to hear the Gospel. Once someone is born again, there is typically a series of classes that will teach a biblical morality and particular lifestyle. Discipleship is judged by the successful completion and adherence to this material.

In contrast to this process we see Jesus words “Go and make disciples.” The two key words of this statement: “Go & Make.”

“Go”
This is probably the toughest word to be obedient to. To quote part of the Law of Inertia “A body at rest remains at rest …unless acted upon by an external force.” The challenge to “go” is we must must overcome the lack of inertia: this requires energy. We must grasp that we are sent,(3) motivating us to leave our present place of rest, both physically (church building) and spiritually. We must be missional minded, we cannot expect the people to come to us. Jesus went to those who needed Him: “for god so loved the world, he gave.” Jesus stated “As thou has sent me into the world.” The true nature of being apostolic demonstrated by our going. The proof we have been sent is that we go.

“Make”
This is the second challenging word and it implies a process, it requires my involvement. It means I must invest my time, energy, vulnerability: it cannot be a one time event.

In their teaching series, The Story Formed Way, the leaders of SOMA missional community state: “The word make implies a process—a process that has steps to it and is intentional.” To make disciples requires us to plan to get involved in the lives of those around us, initiating intentional relationships. Again from the SOMA leaders: “discipleship process begins at the point of relationship, not at the point of conversion!” In todays culture, many people want to see the proof of our God, lived out in daily relationships before they choose to believe in Him.

So back to our purpose. Each of us has been uniquely gifted and sent to enter the process of relationships with those who do not know Jesus. It is within these relationships, in the daily rub of life, others will come to see the transformational power of Jesus in our lives, then choosing to enter a saving discipling relationship Him.

Today, choose to GO AND MAKE a disciple!
———-
(1) Matthew 28:19-20
(2) 1 Corinthians 12
(3) John 17:18

The 4th segment of Lesson 1 Living in Kingdom Authority.
This session focuses on how Jesus has renewed and restored us back to Adam’s original purpose: God’s image and glory bearers.

Living In Kingdom Authority 1d – Man’s Purpose Restored

One of the components of staging is the outside, particularly the front door: in real estate terms it is called “curb appeal.” This may actually be the most important part of staging. Curb appeal is how the house is viewed from the street. It is the place where the average people go buy and it is the first impression of the home. Done right, curb appeal is an invitation; it grabs the attention and says “this is what you are looking for!” It is a strong magnet, drawing those who pass by to come in and explore the rest of the house.

The better the curb appeal, the more likely for people to enter the front door.

One day, while sitting at my office (Starbucks) a pastor friend and I were discussing a particular ministry he was developing in the assembly he was leading. His comment was it was to be the front door of the church. This got my mind going. I began to think about “the front door” and the idea of “curb appeal.”

The front door to the church is not glassed commercial double doors, stained doors or solid wood doors. Neither is the front door to the church some particular program, ministry or mode of evangelism. The front door to the church is you and I!

Let me clarify this a little more. Contrary to traditional religion, the church is not a building were people gather one day a week to partake of some religious performance. The church is the body of born again believers who have been called out to exercise the authority of Jesus Christ, thereby demonstrating the miraculous power of His Kingdom. In short, the church is you and I!

As the church, we are the representatives of Jesus and his kingdom. It is how we present ourselves (staging) that determines if the church is attractive to others. Breaking it down, the way we live our lives, manage our homes, how we interact with those around us; this is the “curb appeal” of the church (or kingdom). In the day-to-day rub of ordinary life, we find we have an opportunity to make Jesus and his church attractive to others. When we respond to the situations of life as Jesus would, we are presenting an attractive front door for individuals to enter. Obviously, the more attractive I make Jesus, the more people will want to enter.

So, I guess this brings a up a question for all of us to address:
How inviting is my “curb appeal?”

The first session in this series presents God’s original purpose for creation and mankind.
This segment is the third to this lesson and covers what it means to be the Image of God.

Living In Kingdom Authority 1c

Part a – God’s Purpose, Your Purpose
Part b – The Glory of God

The following is a list of the books that significantly impacted me in 2010. To reach this list, these books changed, clarified or reinforced my (new way of) thinking. Obviously, I do not agree with every word, but enough to recommend them.

Total Church – Chester & Timmis
What impacted me most regarding this book was their grasp on the holistic application of the Gospel. It is much greater than the salvation experience, but is something that should daily confront the weakness and frailty of our lives.

The Tangible Kingdom – Halter & Smay
What I loved about this book is its realness. The authors are very real in discussing where they were with “doing church” and how they were able to transition to a place of making the Gospel real in everyday life.

Unchristian – Kinnaman & Lyons
This book was an eye opener. It can be a shocker to hear how the average unchurch/professing non-christian views christians, church and religion.

Untamed – Hirsch & Hirsch
Untamed will unleash your passion for genuine, in the trenches, everyday living discipleship. Just the way Jesus did it.

The Forgotten Ways Handbook – Hirsh
This is definitely for the leader. It covers the principles of creating a missional structure for an assembly. Not a shallow read, but well worth it.

The Missional Leader – Roxburgh & Romanuk
This is for the established pastor who desires to transition a segment of the assembly to a more missional focus. What was a real eye opener was the discussion on the three zones of organizational culture that assemblies or denominations move thru. It might be scary to find where you are in this. Another heavy read, but well worth it for the inner core of leadership if you want to transition a church.

Honorable Mention
Organic Leadership - Cole
Church 3.0 - Cole

I would be interested to hear any comments you may have regarding them.

The first session in this series presents God’s original purpose for creation and mankind. This segment is the intro to this lesson. I discuss the process of thinking and how the Lord illuminated truths and my understanding to Kingdom Authority.

Living In Kingdom Authority 1a – Introduction

View Part B  here

View Part C here

In mark 1:40-42, Jesus has an encounter with one of these outcasts of society – a leper. This scenario gives quite an illustration of ministering the good news of the kingdom, beyond the miraculous. Some insights include:

1. The leper recognized Jesus had the goods

“If you will, you can make me whole.” There was obviously something in the manner of Jesus’ life that this leper saw that gave  him faith that Jesus could answer the biggest need of his life.

So this leads me to the soul searching question: Is there enough visible evidence in my life to let people know what I have available?

2. The leper felt comfortable to approach Jesus

There were strict rules of society regarding lepers and their visibility in public. Yet this man was willing to risk the outcome because he believed Jesus would accept him.

Spoken or unspoken, we have “rules” in our societies on the interaction of the marginalized and disenfranchised. Even within the confines of the church we find that many do not feel welcome if they do not measure up to the status quo of what they see in the average member.

Again, must ask myself, Do people feel comfortable enough to approach me?

3. Jesus was moved with compassion

Jesus response was not typical of society: He was “moved with compassion.” Not only did he NOT shirk away, his compassion caused him to move or do something.

How many times do I/we avoid the interaction with the marginalized or disenfranchised? At best we do programs to “minister” and not get involved. “The poor do not want to be a program.” – The Total Church

4. Jesus touched the untouchable

Jesus took a risk based on societal standards: he touched the untouchable. By Mosaic Law, Jesus would have become unclean himself.

I/we need to step out and take a “risk.” To demo the kingdom, we must move beyond the comforts of our lives and step into the areas that others in society would not go.

Real ministry to the marginalized and outcast will produce a twofold results: The First, someone’s life can be transformed. Second, others will see the power of our God.

“In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. Mt 5:16”

There was this man that for all of his life lived in need. No matter what he attempted, it seems he could never get ahead. One day he received notification that a distant relative had died and left to him their mansion. Obviously this man was elated. Finally something had gone right for him.

Upon receiving the deed and keys to the mansion, this individual proceeds to his new possession. As he arrives, he is struck with awe and amazement at its size and grandeur. With great excitement, he inserts the key and opens the massive polished oak doors stepping into the most elaborate and beautiful foyer he has ever seen.

The floors are a gleaming marble. The walls are decorated with priceless paintings. The curtains are what you would expect in the most opulent of homes. The chandeliers are of exquisite cut leaded glass reflecting the sunlight into a myriad of rainbow colors. The man is so overwhelmed with joy that tears begin to flow down his cheeks. He pauses for a moment thinking about this distant relative who he has never met, yet this relative has given him the best gift of his life.

Suddenly, the man turns and walks out with a smile on his face, locking the door and returns to his meager dwelling. All through the week, he lives his life of existence, thinking about his mansion. He has told his friends at work about it. Even given some directions to it. Yet every day he returns to his same old abode.

A week later, we find this man back at his new mansion. With similar excitement he places the key in the door and swings open that large door and steps into the foyer. Once again, he is overwhelmed with the beauty, and it is all his! He revels in the wonder that he could be so fortunate and mentally thanks his relative for this gift. After a few minutes he turns and once again, walks out the massive door and returns to his routine life of meager existence.

Unfortunately, because he did not venture further into the mansion, he missed the envelope his relative left in one of the other rooms. Inside this envelope were instructions to access the safe in the office that obtained the keys to various lockboxes where further valuables were stored. This process of weekly visits to his mansion is repeated week after week, month after month, until the man has developed a pattern of accessing limited benefits of his new mansion.

Now we all understand this is a fictitious story. We really don’t believe anybody would be that foolish, not taking full possession of his inheritance.

However, we find this happens week after week in churches throughout the body of Christ. With the traditional focus of the church on the salvation message, we constantly focus on entering the kingdom of God. Our message is continually presenting the door to this wonderful spiritual domain. Week after week we encourage believers to focus on entering into the experience God has for them and making sure that they have continual access.

There is more to the kingdom than the door. Jesus came preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven — the good news of the dominion of a spiritual realm. Inside the kingdom God has for us much more than we could ever imagine. There is provision, protection, peace, joy, power and demonstration. We need to venture deeper into our fathers house and seek what He has placed there for us.

How can we accomplish this?
· Change our prayer to abiding prayer – stay until we hear from Him.
· Seek to mature beyond being a child of God to becoming a son of God.
· Walk in the empowering of the Spirit, demonstrating Kingdom (apostolic) authority.

Authority is not a quality one person “has,” in the sense that he has property or physical qualities. Authority refers to an interpersonal relation in which one person looks upon another as somebody superior to him. Erich Fromm

Being sent to operate in Kingdom (apostolic) authority implies that someone of a greater power is designating where I am to operate my authority. This illuminates a key principle to using authority:

To the extent that I am submitted to authority,
determines the level of authority I can operate in.

Using Jesus as our example, we see that He was submitted to the one who sent him. This resulted in His ability to manifest the authority and power of God. His submission was evident by what He said and did. Jesus Himself said He came down from heaven, not to perform His own will, but the will of the one who sent Him. He further states that His doctrine was actually not His, but it was of the one who sent Him (Jn 6:38, 7:16, 8:28, 12:49, 12:50, 17:8). This is truly apostolic: being in submission to the authority of the one who is sending. As a result of not seeking His own will, we see His ministry was one of the miraculous.

Failure to be in submission to authority can result in our lack of authority because we cannot be trusted. In Acts 19:13-17 we observe the failure of certain individuals who attempt to operate in apostolic authority without being themselves submitted to authority. There were seven sons of a man named Sceva who were vagabond Jews. They took upon themselves to call the name of Jesus over those who were filled with evil spirits. They invoked the name of Jesus who Paul preaches. Unfortunately for them, it states that the spirits recognized Jesus and Paul, but questioned who they were. Subsequently, the man who was possessed of the spirit lept on them, prevailed physically, and forced them to flee from the house wounded and naked.

Examining this incident closer we see two potential reasons for their failure.

First they were vagabonds. This word has been translated as wander, wanderer or vacillate. They were individuals who did not have a place to settle and were not committed anywhere. They were men looking unto themselves.

Secondly we see they were the sons of one Sceva. Holman Bible Dictionary says of Sceva: ”No such Jewish high priest is known from other sources, particularly not one living in Ephesus. The title may be the result of a copyist or a title Sceva took upon himself to impress leaders of other religions in Ephesus.” If this is correct, we see that the father, Sceva, was a man who desired to lift himself up in the eyes of others and was not submitted to authority. This attitude exemplified by Sceva could have been passed on to his sons.

The combination of these two attitudes seems to have resulted in sons who wanted authority but were not willing to walk in submission. Subsequently, when they attempted to exercise authority they failed.

A final interesting note in this story is the response of the spirit to these men. It said “Jesus I know and Paul I know.” Both Jesus and Paul were submitted to authority, Jesus as the Apostle coming to do the will of the one who sent him, and Paul an apostle doing the will of Jesus who sent him. These men were under authority and they were known in the spirit realm.

Last year while ministering in Pakistan, one of the missionaries told me a modern day account of this type of incident. In a city, there was a woman who had been possessed for years. Multiple attempts by ministers to cast out the spirit ended with humiliated and broken men. On the next to the last attempt, the spirit spoke up and said they were so strong that not even Ali Sabbabas (I am not spelling name correct) could cast them out. Immediately the family began to inquire who this person was.

After a couple of months of searching, they found this apostolic pastor. They informed him of the situation and asked if he would cast the spirit out; agreeing, he went with them. The account is that he walked into the room an in a matter of seconds, took authority and cast out the spirit!

When we submit ourselves to authority and begin to operate in authority, even the spirits know who we are!

For us to walk in the same authority that Jesus did, we must be submitted as He was. In placing ourselves under God’s structure of authority we can be assured that He will willingly authorize us to use His power.

Food for thought –
Are you submitted? Do you have a mentor in your life?

Adapted from the book: Apostolic Authority, Every Believer’s Privilege.
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