Team work Acts 21:19 - And when he had greeted them, he declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry. Paul was an Apostle by calling and he was instrument in setting up almost a 1000 churches in a short time after coming to know Christ (he took almost 8 years to start). Since Christianity was not a welcomed belief these Churches were not big gatherings but small gatherings which met in houses. In today’s term they would be called underground Churches. Once I went to preach in one of these underground Church held in an area where they would not get permission to do so. The kind of oneness I saw among them touched me. If you were not in that group you would not know what was happening. We see Paul was instrument, directly or in directly in getting many of these gatherings to worship the Lord and to be built in Him. Paul took personal interest in every Church and would be updated by corresponding with them, so he knew many by name. If Paul was compared with the Church leaders today taking into mind the difference in era he would be not less important or powerful than the topmost global Church leaders. When we read today’s message we see a picture of Paul which we do not see among the top leaders of today’s Churches. Even though Paul headed the team yet we see he had no air of being the leader. Paul understood his priorities well. He knew the purpose was above the people, because if the purpose is not achieved the people will perish so for the sake of people the purpose needs to be given priority. In today’s message we read Paul after greeting them briefs them thoroughly, with details of what was happening in the gentile churches. Paul just did not give them a brief but the verse says he went into details. A leader does not go into details unless he considers them very important and the purpose of the team above himself. This team he was briefing to was his core group of leaders. If we understand the design of the Tabernacle as given to Moses and what the Ark represented we would do what Paul did. The Holy Spirit was symbolized by the candle stand and Lord Jesus Christ as the shewbread and both were not placed in the Holy of Holies but in the Holy place. People think the Ark represented God the Father because of the Throne of Mercies on the Ark, they are mistaken. It would surprise them to know God the Father was nowhere in the design of the Tabernacle. The Ark was called Ark of Covenant or Ark of Testimonies and it represented the CROSS (purpose) and the purpose (salvation of mankind) was put above the individuals themselves. Revelation projects the Lamb as the one who makes the covenant and also states our testimonies in Him as being that which gives us victory. The Greek word used here as Lamb is ‘arnion’ and not ‘amnos’ which is used for a small of a sheep (as used in John). It comes from the word ‘arrhen’ which means man so it projects the Son of Man (Jesus and all those who are in Him - the team). So we see the victory of Christ over evil is projected as victory of mankind over evil thus fulfilling Genesis 3:15. If the Lord (Son and Spirit) can put the purpose above themselves then who are we, to put ourselves above the purpose? If we do not put the purpose above ourselves we are putting ourselves above God and such people are automatically bought to nothing. God did not lower Himself when He lifted the purpose above, for the purpose was in Him and He the purpose. When we make ourselves part of the purpose and live for the purpose then we will not differentiate between the purpose and ourselves, thus never fail to put our individual feelings and desires second to the purpose. [Prayer Starter] Lord, You called us to be a body, to be one like You are one. Lord we prayer we understand our priorities well so that we do not perish thinking of ourselves before our purpose. Lord let us know life is only in You and You alone are our purpose, when we lift our purpose as Christians above ourselves we are lifting You up and when You are lifted up and glorified we too get lifted up in You... This prayer we make in Jesus’ Name, Amen. [Reference Scriptures] Exodus 25:21-22 21 And thou shalt put the mercy seat above upon the ark; and in the ark thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give thee. 22 And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel. Genesis 3:15 - And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. John 17:17-22 17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. 18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. 19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. 20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; 21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. 22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: Revelation 5:2-10 2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? 3 And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. 4 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. 5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. 6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. 7 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. 8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. 9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; 10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. Revelation 12:10-11 10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. 11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
Posted on: Thu, 15 Jan 2015 09:40:08 +0000
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