God Gives the Increase Part 12- Farming Fields Pt 2, Apostolic Ministry
by Brett Jacobsen
This twelve part video series is a call back to Jesus’ doctrine regarding the increase of His Kingdom. It is a re-examination of what the Bible teaches on evangelism and discipleship rather than man’s megre methods.
Apostolic Ministry
Below are the notes from this teaching so you can read along:
What apostles are not
Not head of a hierarchy, not denomination leader, not head leader, not an office, not a boss/ruler, not between God and man.
What apostles are/do
Evangelists- 1 Cor 9:14, Mark 16:15, 1 Cor 1:17
Elders- 1 Pet 5:1, 2 John 1:1, 3 John 1:1, 1 Tim 3:1-13
Equippers/prophet teachers- Eph 4:11-12, Acts 13:1-3 + 14:14 (prophet, teacher-apostles)
Foundation layers- 1 Cor 3:9b-11, Eph 2:19-20, 1 Cor 12:28
Espousers- 2 Cor 11:2
Master builders- 1 Cor 3:9-10 (architekton)
Wise Fathers- Matt 23:8-10, 1 Cor 4:14-16
Go means go
Go [poreuomai - to traverse, i.e. travel, to remove, depart, journey, walk] you into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature… (Mark 16:15)
Apostolic ministry is not about building churches, it’s about extending the Kingdom out in the world.
Go to them, not them come to me…
Leave the local church (the saints) in the oversight of other elders (plural), not officially but relationally.
Who builds the church
Not leaders!
From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplies, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, makes increase of the body to the edifying of itself in love. (Eph 4:16)
Architects don’t build or own the building; they oversee its growth with blueprints in hand.
Apostolic strategy
*Apostolic mission to the Jews (for us, to the church) – reformation apostles
These twelve Jesus sent forth [apostello], and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter you not: 6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 And as you go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. 8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely you have received, freely give. 9 Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, 10 Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat. 11 And into whatsoever city or town you shall enter, inquire who in it is worthy [Lydia, Aquila]; and there abide till you go out. 12 And when you come into an house, salute it. 13 And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you. 14 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when you depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. (Matt 10:5-14)
But he answered and said, I am not sent but to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. (Matt 15:24) - “woman of Canaan” with “daughter is grievously vexed with a devil”.
Also Luke 10:1-11
After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent [apostello] them two and two before his face into every city and place, where he himself would come. (Luke 10:1)
Also, James, Peter, John and Co at Jerusalem – Acts 1-8
*Sent from Antioch
Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 As they ministered [leitourgeo- serve, worship] to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. 3 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. 4 So they, being sent forth [ekpempo- dispatch] by the Holy Ghost, departed to Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus. (Acts 13:1-4)
*Paul’s common practice from Acts 13 onwards
“as his manner was” (Acts 17:2)
First to the Jew then Gentiles- Salamis 13:5, Antioch in Pisidia 13:14, Iconium 14:1, Thessalonica 17:1, Berea 17:10, Athens 17:16, Corinth 18:1, Ephesus 18:19.
*Lydia and the prayer women
Philippi
And from there to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days. 13 And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side [1], where prayer was supposed to be made; and we sat down, and spoke to the women which assembled there. 14 And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended to the things which were spoken of Paul. 15 And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us. (Acts 16:12-15)
Acts 16:16-40 – Divination girl delivered, jail, earthquake, jailor saved and his whole house
And they went out of the prison, and entered into the house of Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed. (40)
Signs and Wonders
And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant to your servants, that with all boldness they may speak your word, 30 By stretching forth Your hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of your holy child Jesus. 31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spoke the word of God with boldness. 32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. (Acts 4:29-32)
Acts 14:8-20 didn’t work out too well “the gods are come down…” (Paul & Barnabas)
Farming strategies
Be in prayer and community
Pick a field by the Holy Spirit
Water- Fervent prayer and fasting
Plow- Miracles, relationship (Lydia), fruit.
Sow- Preaching, fruit, tracts, other literature.
Water- Everyone
Reap- God’s chosen reaper. Baptize those who are born again.
Nurture- Disciple/espouse them and leave them with elders
[1] “(Acts 16:25-40). At this time, there was barely a Jewish community and no synagogue (Acts 16:13). Those Jews present did not seem to include any men and met by the river, a common meeting place in the absence of a synagogue.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippi
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Thank you.