This is a short video message (25mins) by Brett Jacobsen which cries to the modern church (those who are in Christ) to flee from carnal kingdoms of religion. (PS. sorry about the bad lighting).

by
Stephen Crosby

In the “real” world, the recipient of service gets to determine the value of the service received, not the individual providing the service. Demand determines supply, and price. For instance, the customer in the restaurant not the waiter, determines the size of the tip, based on the quality of the service provided. Too often in the church we believe our own press clippings. That is, our own evaluation of ourselves and what is important, bears no resemblance to reality, but we feel good about ourselves none-the-less.

Have you ever wondered what would motivate pagans in the first few years after the resurrection, to want to align themselves with this “Jewish cult” of a crucified, criminal, itinerant peasant preacher from a despised country? There were no “services,” choirs, “special music,” solos, a good Sunday School program, youth ministry, singles ministry, young adult ministry, men’s ministry, women’s ministry,  nurseries, paved parking lots, latte bars, sound systems, worship teams, prayer summits, proper church government, budgets, elder boards, etc., to “attract them.”  Something other than a clever name resulting from a demographic marketing survey to determine “relevance,” and a slick highway billboard with Ken and Barbie grinning down in stylistic perfection, had to be working.

Why would pagans risk losing everything that matters to them in life (perhaps even life itself) to “join” the “Way” as it was called. What was “attractive” about the church that made pagans risk everything?

I think that is a fair question.

The catch phrase: “We want to be a New Testament church,” sounds noble, but it was unnerving to me to discover some years ago, that in spite of that mantra being on my lips, very little, perhaps nothing that I was involved in as a “pastor,” had any bearing on what was attractive to pagans in New Testament times.

Some years ago there was an article in Christian History magazine in which the author did a survey of pagan literature regarding the church. Since the church is supposedly called to “serve the world” as ambassadors for Christ, it makes sense to not just believe our own press reports, but to believe what objective critics had to say about “the church,” both fairly and unfairly. Sometimes, our critics are the most honest harbingers of evaluation. Even in an unfair criticism, we need to look for the germ of truth. It is usually there.

Herein is a condensed and adapted summary of what the author of the article discovered from pagan sources regarding what attracted them to want to become a Christian, join the community. I cannot expound on every point here, except to say, none of the things we typical value (the quality of the sermons, the worship music, the “ministries” offered, the heat and air conditioning in the building, etc.), had any bearing whatsoever on the interest of unbelievers.  Here is the list (not listed in any particular priority):

1. Fortitude under persecution/pressure
2. Fearlessness of death
3. Tight community
4. A life of moral purity and prayer
5. Strong leadership
6. Care for one another, care for the needy, they lived longer. They shared risk in a time of trouble, people drew together.
7. Miracles and deliverances
8. First century evangelism consisted of relationships not arguments.
9. Many women were drawn to Christianity, because the Christian ban on abortion appealed to them, as abortion was often fatal or sterilizing. No female infanticide also appealed. A Roman could leave a baby exposed to die if it was defective in any way, or if it was a girl, and a boy was desired. These things would “motivate” women.

Friends, what is distinctive about this list? The answer to this question was instrumental in my own journey of re-evaluating everything I was doing as a “pastor” within a traditional church. It was humbling to discover, that just about everything I was giving my time, energy, and other people’s money to maintain, was irrelevant to what really matters in reaching the lost. Just about everything that is valued in a typical, Western, American “size and success” Evangelical church, isn’t in this list.

God help us all to give ourselves to what really matters, for Jesus’ cause, rather than the perpetuation of a ghetto of irrelevant religious practices, that we happen to enjoy on a weekly basis. God deliver us from a man-centered, ego-centered, bless-me-centered, false gospel that permeates the very fiber and fabric of American cultural “Christian” religion.

The gospel of Jesus Christ is manifested in a life that is lived, not an argument that is won.

__________________

Copyright 2011 Dr. Stephen R. Crosby www.drstevecrosby.wordpress.com. Permission is granted to copy, forward, or distribute this article for non-commercial use only, as long as this copyright byline, in totality, is maintained in all duplications, copies, and link references. For reprint permission for any commercial use, in any form of media, please contact stephcros9@aol.com.

This short video addresses one major issue that causes the church to be carnal and immature according to Paul.

There are many out there who exploit hyped-up ’end times’ theology to build their “ministry”. Others are just miss-led and perhaps have never heard a biblically-sound interpretation of the many passages that fall into the category called ‘eschatology’- or simply put ‘end times theology’.

This 25 minute video by Brett Jacobsen takes a brief biblical look at the end according to what the scriptures say.

If you have been blessed by this ministry (www.christisall.org, www.livingthekingdom.com, Brett Jacobsen) and/or you believe it to be a worthy contribution to the edifying of the body of Christ and the extension of Christ’s Kingdom, then please consider the following short note.

So I can serve the Lord and His people in the way that I do, I need regular financial support. There are a few people who graciously contribute on a weekly/monthly basis to the work. My many thanks go out to them.

However, for some time this amount has not been enough to keep things going. So, I am asking you who are reading this if you would prayerfully consider giving to this ministry either once off or on a regular basis.

We the body of Christ are in a hard transitional season at this point in history. There is either the security of the religious system or there is obedience to Christ.

Because we have decided to keep moving with Him it has taken away the security that the system provides. (I could compromise and start a so-called “church”, God forbid, which would be more financially secure (passing the buckets etc).

But in this season there are not too many who have found the balance of ministry finances. Once-consistent-givers into “church” offerings can become gun-shy in their giving now that they are out there in the real world. I have a pretty thorough teaching on all this called ‘Principles in New Testament Ministry Money’ – click here for article or here for part 1 of 5 videos. You can see from the scriptures two main reasons to give to teaching/equipping ministry: 1. in response for being taught & equipped, or 2. sowing/giving so others can benefit from that ministry.

That being said, I would ask that you prayerfully consider giving either a once off donation to this ministry or become a regular supporter. Of course there is no obligation; if you don’t feel the Lord lead you to give at all then that’s fine.

If you do feel to, then go here - http://www.christisall.org/financial-support/

Thanks foryour prayerful consideration.

Grace and peace,

Brett Jacobsen

This is a series of seven short articles which gives a brief overview of this current reformation of the church. It is a main function of our new website www.livingthekingdom.com. It is a tool for people to use if they have friends or aquaintances who may be questioning the systemic church, or who are on their way out.

This Reformation
Why we must move with Him

This brief series by Brett Jacobsen is not intended to be an in-depth study of the subjects throughout. It is a light introduction into the heart of what God is reforming in His church in this prophetic season. The articles, audios, videos, books, dialogues and blogs on this site www.livingthekingdom.com and www.christisall.org examine in greater depth the many pressing reformational issues in the current church.

 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence [biazo- forcefully presses], and the violent [biastes- forcer] take it by force [harpazo- seize it]. (Matt 11:12)

Many modern Christians are happy to tell the world and its religions that they are in error (rightfully so) but then when they are challenged doctrinally by a fellow believer, a teacher or prophet they say “don’t judge me”.

We just cannot afford to take that biblically ignorant posture any longer if we actually care about Christ and His Kingdom transforming a lost world. It is essential that we realise how God works with His people in the area of reformation.

Although the word reformation is only written in the Bible once [1], reformation is found throughout the whole Book and beyond. From the Old Testament kings, judges and prophets to John the Baptist and Jesus; from the first century apostles to Huss, Luther and company; to now and beyond, the list continues. God uses reformers and He is always instigating reformation in His covenant community.

The greatest reformation of all time was that in the first century when God re-formed the covenant community from Old Testament to New. He used John B, Jesus and the apostles and early church to re-form the church from Old Testament tangible religion to New Testament, celestial Kingdom life.

Sadly, we then began a negative re-formation which had the church backslide into tangible human religion again [2]. This negative reformation produced the extra-biblical aspects of the church which we still have en-mass today some nineteen hundred years later. Things like “church” buildings, denominational division, hierarchical and official leadership, pew sitting, spectator religion, dualistic separation from the real world, a vast array of dodgy doctrines, and the list goes on… and on.

This is why we need reformation now, or rather re-reformation. The 15^th and 16^th century reformation brought back some good doctrines and many other moves of God since have also brought beneficial, biblical change. However, the wineskin [3] or structure of the church has gone largely unchanged. Truth is that even Protestant churches are very Catholic in their structure and practice. Even the most contemporary churches are rooted in Dark Age religion… albeit often with new age, cushy consumerism and humanistic compromise mixed in.

This is not a popular message because many have vested interests in churchianity. Even many who just pew-sit can and will vehemently oppose you for taking a stand for true Kingdom of Christ life. The reason is because it challenges them just as it challenges you and me.

The fact is that until the majority of the church worldwide is reformed to a spiritual community rather than a human religion we will still need reformation and reformers. As the verse at the top suggests- spiritually forceful people [4] are needed to seize the Kingdom of Christ which is forcefully pressing forward in the Spirit.

This website and ministry is all about being re-formed in Christ and in His Kingdom rather than continuing in the humanistic and religious extras that plague Christianity. Let us walk together along the narrow road that leads to life and obey the Father as He continues to re-release Kingdom information which is crucial to the accomplishment of the heavenly calling for us His church.

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* For more articles and videos about reformation, Christ’s Kingdom, church structure and leadership and other topics go to the ‘Teaching/Resources’ button at the top of the ‘home’ page.

* To obtain a copy of Heaven’s Underground Blueprint Click here

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Endnotes
[1] Heb 9:10

[2] For a look at how the church went off track into Dark Age religion see chapter two of my book Heaven’s Underground Blueprint.

[3] Matt 9:16-17

[4] By spiritually forceful people I mean those who are strong in faith and endurance in His Word: ones who are listening to and obeying the prophetic direction to the church in this hour: people who value the Kingdom of Heaven more than their earthly existence.

REPRINT AGREEMENT

Duplication and re-transmission of this writing is permitted provided that complete source and website information for LIVING THE KINGDOM is included.
Thank you.

www.livingthekingdom.com
www.christisall.org

This is a series of seven short articles which gives a brief overview of this current reformation of the church. It is a main function of our new website www.livingthekingdom.com. It is a tool for people to use if they have friends or aquaintances who may be questioning the systemic church, or who are on their way out.

Kingdom Finance
Should we still tithe or give?

This brief series by Brett Jacobsen is not intended to be an in-depth study of the subjects throughout. It is a light introduction into the heart of what God is reforming in His church in this prophetic season. The articles, audios, videos, books, dialogues and blogs on this site www.livingthekingdom.com and www.christisall.org examine in greater depth the many pressing reformational issues in the current church.

In many people’s journey out of the religious system of Christianity, one of the main questions is “what do we do about ministry giving”? - do we tithe, etc?

As this is a concise sample series, I will now only briefly address this complex subject. There are links below this article which go much deeper into the answers.

Firstly, one of the most common misrepresentations of the biblical account is when pastors and preachers proclaim “we need lots of money so we can get the gospel out”… it’s just not true. When we look at the New Testament we do not see a need for large sums of cash but rather an army of true Christ-followers. They do need good equipping though.

Not only that, we see copious amounts of money wasted on religious real estate and other carnal Christian paraphernalia.

As the New Testament house of God is celestial (not physical) and we should primarily meet house to house and in everyday life, there should be far less ministry money needed [1] and more left in the hands of believers to be generous life changers.

In the Old Testament they tithed and gave a number of various offerings. In short, the tithe was Israel’s national tax… it just happened to be primarily spent on the Levites remuneration and needy widows, orphans and the like. 

Here in Australia, as in many countries, we pay tax (10% GST) but our country doesn’t see fit to use it for Kingdom ministry endeavours. So, seeing we’ve paid our tax (you better have), do we still have a responsibility to provide for the proverbial Levites [2] and the needy?

According to the New Testament we have a non-legalistic burden [bareo G916] to count worthy certain teaching elders of receiving their wage [misthos G3408] as well as helping the needy among us (1 Tim 5:16-18). This is thoroughly discussed in Principles in New Testament Ministry Money.

So, the two main areas of financial responsibility for the church are to provide for the equipping elders and assist the needy. Like I said before, if we stopped paying money into carnal Christian endeavours like buildings and programmes, we would be well able to finance true teaching ministries and also be ready always to assist those in need around us.

According to these two Words from Jesus:

But seek you first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matt 6:33)

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust does corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust does corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. (Matt 6:19-21)

… We are to seek first His Kingdom which can only be truly done if we direct our hearts there by treasuring (financing/giving) towards its further establishment and increase.

There is a balance between ‘legalistic tithing to carnal, contemporary cathedrals’ and selfishly ’spending up on self with no regard, or action, for teaching ministry and needy people’. I encourage you to follow the links below and read or listen to Principles in New Testament Ministry Money and get further clarity on this important subject.

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*For part seven of this short series ‘Be the Church Pt 7 – This Current Reformation’ click here.

* Principles in New Testament Ministry Money written – click here.

* Principles in New Testament Ministry Money video 1 of 5 – click here.

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Endnotes
[1] That’s right, you just heard a preacher say we need less money.

[2] I am absolutely not perpetuating the dodgy doctrine of a special clergy caste by speaking of NT metaphorical Levites. I am merely joining Paul in his biblical analogy from 1 Cor 9:1-14. See Principles in New Testament Ministry Money for an in depth explanation.

REPRINT AGREEMENT

Duplication and re-transmission of this writing is permitted provided that complete source and website information for LIVING THE KINGDOM is included.
Thank you.

www.livingthekingdom.com
www.christisall.org

This is a series of seven short articles which gives a brief overview of this current reformation of the church. It is a main function of our new website www.livingthekingdom.com. It is a tool for people to use if they have friends or aquaintances who may be questioning the systemic church, or who are on their way out.

Evangelism/Discipleship
 Kingdom Increase 

This brief series by Brett Jacobsen is not intended to be an in-depth study of the subjects throughout. It is a light introduction into the heart of what God is reforming in His church in this prophetic season. The articles, audios, videos, books, dialogues and blogs on this site www.livingthekingdom.com and www.christisall.org examine in greater depth the many pressing reformational issues in the current church.

Institutional Christianity primarily uses so-called “local church” altar calls and crusade events in its endeavour to see the lost saved and the church grow. Not only are these non-biblical concepts… they just aren’t working. There are as many people that “wouldn’t be caught dead in a church” as there are token decisions at Christian rallies. We need change.

There are varied statistics regarding the retention rate of “converts” through “churches” and crusades in the West and elsewhere. The sad fact is that the most part of them are sliding straight out the back door. While we may turn our noses up and conclude that they just didn’t have what it takes, truth is that ‘our methods are madness’.

What Jesus taught on the subject of Kingdom increase, aka evangelism and discipleship, [1] is far from the picture I see around the traps.

Not only have our extra-biblical methods of evangelism produced scanty statistics, but they have retarded the most part of the Christian population in their calling to be a city on a hill which seeks and saves the lost. The stage and its strutters have taken the place of the believers in evangelism. A majority of Christians do not actively evangelise and make disciples of Jesus; partly because they think that the professionals have it covered.

This human approach to evangelism has also produced many short cuts to “salvation” and other bad practices, hence the back-door phenomenon. This is inevitable when we discard God’s ways and lean on our own understanding. Flesh becomes our strength rather than the Lord [2].

We can see then that this is another reason why we have been busy building a carnal, religious institution rather than Christ’s Kingdom in the Spirit. Jesus said “go” and we’ve said “come to church”. Jesus builds “living stones” into His holy temple (that’s us) yet we’ve tried to build carnal converts into OUR contemporary cathedrals.

So rather than institutionalising evangelism and discipleship along with the many other aspects of “church life” we ought to get the people of God back to being “the light of the world” (Matt 5:14).

There are two major farming (evangelistic) fields in the Kingdom- apostolic ministry and the local Christ community. [3]

- Apostolic ministry ploughs new ground, lays the foundation (Christ), sees real and lasting converts (not quick conversion), and works with the Christ community for a season then from a distance.

- The local Christ community is the main game: it is “the light of the world”, the “[ministers] of reconciliation” and the avenue where “the Lord [adds] to the church daily such as should be saved” (Matt 5:14, 2 Cor 5:18, Acts 2:41-47).

Remember though, the church is the believers in any given area, not a building, club or institution of any sort. This reformation that is upon us is the Lord’s work to bring us out of the closet of systemic sanctuaries and get us back out there in the real world where we are called to transform lives.

Click the links to God Gives the Increase below to listen to a video series which examines Jesus’ doctrine regarding the increase of His Kingdom: aka evangelism and discipleship His way.

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*For part six of this short series ‘Be the Church Pt 6 – Kingdom Finance’ click here.

*For the video series on Christ’s Kingdom evangelism and discipleship:

God Gives the Increase - Introduction click here.

God Gives the Increase - Part 1 click here.

God Gives the Increase - Part 2 click here.

God Gives the Increase - Part 3 click here.

God Gives the Increase - Part 4 click here.

God Gives the Increase - Part 5 click here.

God Gives the Increase - Part 6 click here.

God Gives the Increase - Part 7 click here.

God Gives the Increase - Part 8 click here.

God Gives the Increase - Part 9 click here.

God Gives the Increase - Part 10 click here.

God Gives the Increase - Part 11 click here.

God Gives the Increase - Part 12 click here.

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Endnotes 
[1] See the introduction to the video series on this subject called ‘God Gives the Increase’ click here.

[2] This says the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusts in man, and makes flesh his arm, and whose heart departs from the LORD. For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good comes; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited. Blessed is the man that trusts in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters… (Jer 17:5-8).

[3] See God Gives the Increase parts 11 and 12 above for a deeper look at this.

REPRINT AGREEMENT

Duplication and re-transmission of this writing is permitted provided that complete source and website information for LIVING THE KINGDOM is included.
Thank you.

www.livingthekingdom.com
www.christisall.org

This is a series of seven short articles which gives a brief overview of this current reformation of the church. It is a main function of our new website www.livingthekingdom.com. It is a tool for people to use if they have friends or aquaintances who may be questioning the systemic church, or who are on their way out.

This brief series by Brett Jacobsen is not intended to be an in-depth study of the subjects throughout. It is a light introduction into the heart of what God is reforming in His church in this prophetic season. The articles, audios, videos, books, dialogues and blogs on this site www.livingthekingdom.com and www.christisall.org examine in greater depth the many pressing reformational issues in the current church.

Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and you say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. Jesus said to her, Woman, believe me, the hour comes, when you shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. You worship you know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour comes, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeks such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. (John 4:20-24)

Due to religion and other forms of carnality we have re-created what God has pulled down. While the Old Testament season employed/allowed a geographical worship location (the tabernacle/temple) it is strikingly clear that the NT does not. The above verses from John 4 show that Jesus came to do away with the limitations of geographical holy places. He showed us that we “worship the Father in spirit and in truth”, not at a so-called “church”.

In order to be exceedingly clear, He prophesied then performed the second (this time permanent) destruction of the temple in Jerusalem [1].

In this season of the Kingdom of Christ there is no biblical precedence for “churches” as we’ve known them any more than there is for synagogues and temples. There are countless reasons why prayer and worship at “churches” is counterproductive. Here are just a few of them:

* Platonic Dualism – Our heavily Greek-affected minds and society relishes in the idea of religion that is separate from everyday life. Truth is though, that it adversely affects our walk with God. Even if we know that God is everywhere and that we can commune with Him always, dualism and ‘holy venue Christianity’ causes the masses of believers to do ‘God stuff’ at church and then go back to “normal life”.

* Meeting focus – Although God promised us life in abundance we have settled for spiritual meetings in abundance. Because “church” is separate from our “normal” lives we cram our spirituality into short “services”. We lost sight of the fact that to “present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God” is “your reasonable service [latreia- worship]” (Rom 12:1). Worship is not having good meetings; it is living life in a manner that is wholly, holy to Him.

* Stage-playing – The reason that Jesus gave for us to not “pray [proseuchomai- worship] standing in the synagogues [church venues]” was that it makes us “hypocrites [an actor under an assumed character (stage-player)]” that love to “be seen of men” (Matt 6:5-6). [2] Performance spirituality is rife in the church thanks to our manufactured spiritual centres. We need to get back to spiritual life at home and everywhere we do life rather than concert Christianity.

* Spectator Christians – Except for some very small “churches” (which may as well meet in each others homes anyway) most have pulpit and pews, stage and seats, performers and patrons. A select few do the spiritual show with little to no involvement from the crowd. Jesus said “where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matt 18:20). We have disrespected Him by presuming we need something more than a handful of believers standing together in worship/prayer. [3]

Again, these are just a few reasons; the list goes on and on. We have made multitudes of Christ’s followers dependant on an institutional system that does the opposite of what it promises- it actually sucks the life out of its adherents as it marginalises worship/prayer to select venues and times.

Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit.
(1 Thess 5:16-19)

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*For part five of this short series ‘Be the Church Pt 5 – Kingdom Increase’ click here.

*For more info on this topic see the authors book Heaven’s Underground Blueprint or these articles/videos:

- Losing the Limelight click here.

- From Sinai to Sion click here.

- Steadfastly Set on Prayer click here.

- The Secret Place of Underground Power click here.

- Unseen in the Scene of Men click here.

- Our Heavenly Home click here. 

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Endnotes 
[1] Matt 23 & 24, Luke 21 and Mark 13 record Jesus’ prophetic proclamation against the temple and Jerusalem “There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down”. Flavius Josephus records in great detail the fulfilment of that prophesy in “The Wars of the Jews”.

[2] For a closer look at what Jesus taught regarding worship/pray in secret rather than public worship and its foul fruit click here.

[3] Also consider - “How is it then, brethren? when you come together, every one of you have a psalm, have a doctrine, have a tongue, have a revelation, have an interpretation. Let all things be done to edifying.” (1 Cor 14:26)

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Duplication and re-transmission of this writing is permitted provided that complete source and website information for LIVING THE KINGDOM is included.
Thank you.

www.livingthekingdom.com
www.christisall.org

Church Leadership
Examples amongst, not lords over

This is a series of seven short articles which gives a brief overview of this current reformation of the church. It is a main function of our new website www.livingthekingdom.com. It is a tool for people to use if they have friends or aquaintances who may be questioning the systemic church, or who are on their way out.

This brief series by Brett Jacobsen is not intended to be an in-depth study of the subjects throughout. It is a light introduction into the heart of what God is reforming in His church in this prophetic season. The articles, audios, videos, books, dialogues and blogs on this site www.livingthekingdom.com and www.christisall.org examine in greater depth the many pressing reformational issues in the current church.

For about 1900 years we have continued in our inherited church and leadership institutional system. It robbed (and still robs) the church of Jesus’ servant-hearted, heaven-graced leadership, substituting it for hierarchical, humanistic CEO’s, lords and stage strutting for the most part.

Christian leadership is perverted from many pulpits as all sorts of leadership principles and examples are taught as gospel. The fact is though, that New Testament leadership cannot be viewed in the light (or dark) of regular non-church leadership because it is vastly different. As Jesus clearly declared:

“the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.  But it shall not be so among you:” (Matt 20:25-26)

As this is only a brief introductory article to biblical leadership, I will just list a number of key issues with church leadership and how it should function. In chapter six of my book Heaven’s Underground Blueprint I delve deeply into New Testament leadership attitude and function [1].

- Lead doesn’t mean follow – Yes there are leaders in the Kingdom of Christ, however, they are primarily examples to the believers and often they are teacher/equippers too. Biblically, we are called to ‘imitate’ Christ’s attributes in leaders rather than ‘follow’ them and their ministry [2].

- Leaders should be amongst, not over the people – “The elders which are among you […] Feed the flock of God which is among you […] Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.” (1 Pet 5:1-3)

- They don’t own or rule anyone – Jesus alone is “the good Shepherd” all other leaders are “hirelings” [3] who don’t own the sheep at all (John 10:11-14). 

- NT leadership is always plural (an equal team) not singular – We’ve had the most part of 2000 years with Senior- Bishops, Popes, Pastors, Apostles and other types of Senior Ministers in the church… to our detriment. Jesus sent the apostles out in pairs and elders were always a team [4]. In fact there is not one NT scripture which props up singlular leaders, or the fancy titles which they don to officiate their extra-biblical ‘offices’.

- Leaders should lead only when necessary – Our addiction to over-leading and over-following has caused the largest part of the body to neglect the many functions which all believers are called to: we have made spectators out of the church. The Sunday sermon has hindered daily dialogue in the Word; Pastoral follow-up has caused the saints to not consider ‘considering one another’, and the list goes on (Heb 10:24).

Now finally and briefly- how NT leadership should work:

Apostles go as a team and plant the Kingdom in an area and for a season, nurture the new community as examples and teachers. Then local elders (an equal team, not a single Pastor) simply oversee, teach and equip. Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers should move around the body equipping and training the saints rather than presiding over institutions and people. The believers should do most of the pastoral and other work locally with the help of elders/leaders when necessary. All this should be done without denominating or starting any “church” organisation but rather continuing in Christ as a spiritually relational family.

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*For part four of this short series Be the Church Pt 4 – Prayer/Worship click here.

*For more info on this topic see the authors book Heaven’s Underground Blueprint or these articles:

Heavens Underground Leadership Blueprint - Pt 1 of 5 by Brett Jacobsen click here.

Heavens Underground Leadership Blueprint - Pt 2 of 5 by Brett Jacobsen click here.

Heavens Underground Leadership Blueprint - Pt 3 of 5 by Brett Jacobsen click here.

Heavens Underground Leadership Blueprint - Pt 4 of 5 by Brett Jacobsen click here.

Heavens Underground Leadership Blueprint - Pt 5 of 5 by Brett Jacobsen click here.

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Endnotes
[1] To obtain a copy of ‘Heaven’s Underground Blueprint’ click here

To read chapter six- ‘Heaven’s Underground Leadership Blueprint’ begin here.

To begin the video series ‘Pastoring in the New Testament’ click here.

[2] In the NT where we are told to follow leaders it is the Greek word mimites (and mimeomai) which means to imitate their Christ traits, not follow after them.

[3] The specific hirelings that Jesus was referring to in John 10 were the wayward leaders in Israel at that time. That doesn’t say that all hirelings are bad (as has been erroneously declared so often). In Jesus’ analogy there is only the Shepherd and hirelings. The Shepherd owns the sheep, no one else does, not even the hirelings who do herd and direct the sheep.

[4] “sent them two and two” (Luke 10:1), “The elders which are among you” (1 Pet 5:1)

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Community/Fellowship
Don’t go to church, be it

This is a series of seven short articles which gives a brief overview of this current reformation of the church. It is a main function of our new website www.livingthekingdom.com. It is a tool for people to use if they have friends or aquaintances who may be questioning the systemic church, or who are on their way out.

This brief series by Brett Jacobsen is not intended to be an in-depth study of the subjects throughout. It is a light introduction into the heart of what God is reforming in His church in this prophetic season. The articles, audios, videos, books, dialogues and blogs on this site www.livingthekingdom.com and www.christisall.org examine in greater depth the many pressing reformational issues in the current church.

Rather than church attendance as we know it, the New Testament gives us a picture of heaven-led, love community for His church. We’ve spent so much time going to church but He clearly has called us to ‘be the church’ all day, every day, every where.

Although there are a number of man-made hindrances to the church being the powerful, light bearing community that it should be, a few of these really stand out as heavily counterproductive. Possibly the worst offender in this is the “church” experience that we have put in the place of Christ-centred community. We have special ‘church’ buildings, special ‘church’ services, special ‘church’ times and special ‘church’ practitioners. All these are as biblically errant as they are damaging to true Christ community.

In these New Testament times the temple/house of God is not a physical building of any sort but rather you and I who are in Christ [1]. We are built together in the Spirit to form a holy dwelling place for God’s knowledge to fill the earth “as the waters cover the sea” (Eph 2:19-22, Is 11:9).

So if there are no God ordered New Testament ‘holy venues’, ‘holy times’, ‘holy institutions’ and the like, how then should the church connect and meet together?

There are two major themes which sum up New Testament church life quite well; neither of them includes church attendance, holy venues, denominated congregations, church membership or the like. These two are “breaking bread” and koinonia relationship: 

Bread breaking

Breaking bread is what Jesus told us to regularly “do” in remembrance of Him [2]. The first century church followed Jesus’ example (and command) and broke bread “from house to house” primarily (Acts 2:46). They did not erect “church” buildings or run professional meetings any more than they established institutional companies called “churches”.

Breaking bread was a meal for real. It was both an actual feast and a spiritually focused gathering. It kept the church out there in the real world where people are; it trained the saints ‘on the field’ and it was something that every believer could do every day, anywhere.

Koinonia relationship

The other main aspect of New Covenant community is what Acts 2:42 says the early church continued consistently in – fellowship [koinonia- partnership, communion].

This koinonia relationship was commitment and consistency towards one another. It is a far cry from church attendance and membership.

This type of fellowship reminds me of my favourite church scripture:

And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: (Heb 10:24)

For over 1800 years we have had a system of church that is institutional rather than relational. It’s about meetings rather than life, it is not biblically prescribed and it’s overemphasis on leaders has excluded the masses from true church life.

Let’s continue the journey back to Jesus’ example and His way of doing life rather than religion.

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*For part three of this short series ‘Be the Church Pt 3 – Church Leadership’ click here.

*For more info on this topic see the authors book Heaven’s Underground Blueprint or these articles:

Heavens Underground Community Blueprint- Pt 1 of 5  by Brett Jacobsen click here

Heavens Underground Community Blueprint- Pt 2 of 5  by Brett Jacobsen click here

Heavens Underground Community Blueprint- Pt 3 of 5  by Brett Jacobsen click here

Heavens Underground Community Blueprint- Pt 4 of 5  by Brett Jacobsen click here

Heavens Underground Community Blueprint- Pt 5 of 5  by Brett Jacobsen click here

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Endnotes
[1] These verses show clearly that there are no longer holy buildings because we are the temple/house of God - Heb 8:1-2, Acts 7:48-51, Is 66:1-2, Eph 2:19-22, 1 Pet 2:4-5, 1 Cor 3:9, 1 Cor 3:16 & 17, 1 Cor 6:19, 2 Cor 6:16, Rev 7:15, 2 Cor 5:1-2, 1 Tim 3:15, Heb 3:6, Heb 10:20-21, 1 Pet 4:17, Heb 9:11 & 24, Gal 6:10…

[2] See 1 Cor 11:23-26. For more on this topic click here.

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Thank you.

www.livingthekingdom.com
www.christisall.org

What really is Church?

This is a series of seven short articles which gives a brief overview of this current reformation of the church. It is a main function of our new website www.livingthekingdom.com. It is a tool for people to use if they have friends or aquaintances who may be questioning the systemic church, or who are on their way out.

This brief series by Brett Jacobsen is not intended to be an in-depth study of the subjects throughout. It is a light introduction into the heart of what God is reforming in His church in this prophetic season. The articles, audios, videos, books, dialogues and blogs on this site www.livingthekingdom.com and www.christisall.org examine in greater depth the many pressing reformational issues in the current church.

Oftentimes when the word ‘church’ is mentioned all sorts of extra-biblical concepts enter peoples’ minds; whether they are Christian or not. They picture a ‘holy building’, a denomination, a congregational service, a religious meeting, a benevolent organisation and other such things.

But what really is the church? Fortunately, many believers are beginning to question the biblical accuracy and the legitimacy of church as we’ve known it. God is stirring His people to delve deep beneath the veneer of the traditions of man and rediscover what His church should look like and how His Kingdom operates.

A brief look at the Greek word that we get church from- ekklesia, gives us a clearer picture of what church is. Ekklesia is derived from two words: ek and kaleo [1] which together mean- ‘called out from among’. So essentially church is referring to those people who have been called out from the world by Christ: it is us the body of Christ, His heavenly family. We do a disservice to Christ’s Kingdom if we continue to present a misguided representation of what the church is.

This brings us to the practical aspects of church life. Rather than focusing on ‘being’ the church (the called out ones) we have continued in the artificial idea of ‘going to church’ and/or joining a church. Not only is this error stooped in wayward Greek philosophy and pagan practices, it is also fuelled by biblical ignorance and in many cases religious manipulation.

The first century church (the ones who saw and heard Jesus) did not have denominations, did not establish institutions and didn’t have religious real estate and church venues. However, they were identified as geographical churches (i.e. “the church of Ephesus”) [2], they were committed spiritual families and they primarily met in each others homes doing life together in Christ [3].

The church that Jesus birthed continued steadfastly in: the Word, in committed relationship, in breaking of bread, in prayer, in fear of the Lord, in togetherness- having all things common (Acts 2:42-44). The church that Jesus is still building is likewise set on daily spiritual life and community all the time and everywhere. It has no need of ‘holy buildings’ and trappings because “the earth is the Lord’s and the fullness of it” (Ps 24:1).

In my book Heaven’s Underground Blueprint and in many articles and videos I, like numerous others worldwide, delve deep into the spiritual and pragmatic implications of God’s reforming action in this season and the next. As we examine the Bible in the Spirit’s power we not only see a truer picture of what His church and His Kingdom are, but also practical steps to re-align ourselves with His plans and ways.

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 For part two of this short series ‘Be the Church Pt 2 – Community/Fellowship’ click here.

For more info on this topic see the authors book Heaven’s Underground Blueprint or go to the ‘Teaching/Resouces’ button on the main page for more articles and videos.

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Endnotes
[1] G1537. ek – from out, forth, from among; G2564. kaleo – to call

[2] For example: Antioch (Acts 13:1) & (Acts 15:30), Corinth (1 Cor 1:2, 2 Cor 1:1), the Laodiceans (Col 4:16), the Thessalonians (1 Thess 1:1, 2 Thess 1:1), the churches of Galatia: (Gal 1:2) (Galatia was a province, made up of four different cities: Antioch, Iconium, Derbe and Lystra; hence the plurality of Paul’s reference: “churches”), Babylon (1 Pet 5:13), the seven churches which are in Asia: (Rev 1:4)

Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicia.

[3] For example: the house of Mary (Acts 12:12), Archippus […] the church in your house (Phile 1:2), the house of Stephanas (1 Cor 16:15), Aquila and Priscilla […] the church that is in their house. (1 Cor 16:19) & (Rom 16:3-5), Nymphas, and the church which is in his house. (Col 4:15), the household of Onesiphorus. (2 Tim 4:19), “As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.” (Acts 8:3)

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My friend Don Atkin has just released a new book called ‘Acts of A New Creation’. It is the third in a trilogy of ‘New Creation’ themed books.

Don is a genuine father in the faith with great insight in the Word and the Spirit. His writings have depth and revelation and yet they are understandable and clear. He also won’t be bullied into extremes on either side of the reformational discussion but rather digs deep for the biblical balance.

You can obtain a copy of ‘Acts of A New Creation’ from his website publications page by clicking here. I believe that he has deals to by two or all three books in the series. His website address is www.donatkin.com

Peace,

Brett Jacobsen

by
Tom Sparks

Tom Sparks is a good friend of mine and a great Bible teacher/servant of Jesus. I had the pleasure of having him join me and another friend in Myanmar (Burma) a few years ago. We spent time with church leaders in various places around the country teaching and being an example of the Kingdom of God and true New Testament church and leadership. I had been there a few times prior, but I must say that the trip with Tom (and Gary) was an amazing time in Jesus. Hopefully a sign of things to come.

The below article is an honest and real musing from Tom that I just read the other day. I think that some people will really identify with it and benefit from it. Enjoy the read.

Bretto

My Journey into and out of Churchy Nonsense

I’m writing today of my own personal journey into the elements of the modern Church that ultimately led me to conclude I have little interest in it all.  Let me begin by saying that while “I” have little interest or tolerance for it I’m confident that the Lord Jesus’ tolerance far exceeds mine and ultimately it is His tolerance that permits it all to continue with His blessings evident within it.  However, to say that He tolerates it is very different from saying that He favors it…

Because my Church experience is inextricably connected to the Charismatic movement, many of the things I now disavow are in relationship to the many nonsensical elements contained within that movement, but by all means they are not exclusive to the Charismatic movement.

Often I receive missionary newsletters from those I’ve rubbed shoulders with in the ministry in past years, and, combined with my own missions travels, I often find myself bemused by what now appears so weird and foreign to me since I no longer run in those circles or frequent the charismatic fellowships I once ministered so frequently within.  I love my brethren in those environments, but I’m chagrined at how I once so easily accepted the many nonsensical elements of them just because they represented my domains of ministry, my sources of security and significance, and the circles I was closely identified with.

As I view images in their newsletters of scantily clad Old Testament Miriam-like festal dancers, slender and sweaty with perspiration from wildly dancing to upbeat Christian tunes it causes me to chuckle with a sense of wonder at how such nonsense has crept into Jesus’ Church as if it were somehow the grandchild of Miriam’s OT ministry.  Where did such apparent thinking come from and why?

My answer reveals the entire motives and operandi of the modern Church far beyond just the strange and silly manifestations of so called “worship” that makes up much of the charismatic movement.

Here it is in a nutshell, that I’ll try to crack and sift out in the following paragraphs, it is this…”Because the Church quickly forgot Jesus’ warnings about developing traditions that would nullify His Word, and because man is ever plagued by his incessant felt need for security and significance from the ministry he performs, over and over again, throughout the centuries of Church history, he has formed, reformed, changed, and modified one continual similar theme, namely, ‘We must have a Church that authorizes us to maintain our control over Jesus’ Church that appears to honor His headship but in reality far more expresses our own.’” 

Pulling from Old Testament patterns for modern Church life has become regular faire for Church leaders over the centuries.  Why?  Because it offers the option of strong central leadership in a single man or woman leader-type that develops and controls the system of religion they desire and which appeals to the tendency of their followers to be led away from Jesus’ headship towards the quasi headship of mere men.  Thus, Moses becomes the modern “Senior Pastor.”  Miriam becomes the model for the modern charismatic worship team dancers.  Asaph becomes the justification for elaborate worship music teams, replete with multimillion dollar sound systems and the high technology that attends it.  The Tabernacle/Temple of Moses/Solomon becomes the justification for the modern Church building, and the Industrial revolution helps us transition the Church from a small simple gathering of hungry saints into a megalithic system of worldly corporation-like business structures replete with the Senior Pastor/CEO, Administrator/COO, Treasurer/CFO, Eldership/Board of Directors, and last and very very least - the believers of the congregation I.E. Shareholders, who have next to no say about the corporate structure but who, through Old Testament borrowed theology, are taught to tithe to support all this nonsense.  There you have it…a modern expression of an amalgamation of Old Testaments images.  Weird to say the least…pathetic for sure!

Having come out of the weird cacophony of Old Testament images and nonsensical behavior, that once seemed “Sooo Right!” to me, it now shocks me whenever I see the images touting it in missions newsletters, designed to impress the receivers with the glorious acts of ministry they are performing so as to illicit financial support so that they can continue to spread these weird forms of Jesus dishonoring behavior.

Is that too strong of a condemnation?  Some would say so for sure.  I really don’t think so.  I will say this…I don’t believe it is their intention to dishonor Him.  I believe they, as was true of myself, have been conditioned by the religious systems they are involved with to believe that what they are promoting is the most God honoring thing they’ve ever done.  Religion does this to its devotees.  Religion was capable of inspiring its followers to commit the many heinous atrocities of the inquisitions and crusades.  Those brethren believed they too were honoring Christ in their horrific behaviors.  We should, at the very least, be suspicious we may not have come entirely out from under the spell of religion, but it so often seems we don’t see these possible connections.

Religion, at its core, represents man’s hidden iniquitous desire for personal worship and hides it under the cloak of honoring Jesus.  Outwardly it is advertised as being “All about Jesus,” but beneath lies the insidiousness of the flesh’s desire for self worship.  Church traditions often spring from this well.  Pulpits, titles, pews, stained glass, church buildings, programs, church agendas, the modern tithe, etc., all spring from this same well.  They have zero New Testament support, and in fact fly directly in the face of the obvious intention of Christ and His apostles to have none of these things characterize the Church so that absolutely everything about it would foster a very simple approach of knowing and loving Christ together with those who have been redeemed by His precious blood.  Nothing about the gathering is ever allowed to detract or distract the followers of Christ from Jesus Himself, yet the modern Church, in all its weird manifestations, does little more than rubber stamp Jesus’ name on all their fleshly manifestations as if it were all mandated by the Spirit of Christ Himself.  How utterly amazing…just amazing!!!

What amazes me is how uniformly the charismatic movement has been able to clone itself into every single world culture.  A culture within a culture.  They all look alike!  Little clones of someone’s over developed imagination of Old Testament similitudes.  You can go to Mongolia, China, Russia, Malaysia, Europe or anywhere in the world, and wherever the charismatic Church has come there you will find a clone of the same thing in other nations.  The culture of the given country the Church finds itself in has nearly been obliterated in favor of this cloned charismatic image, as if this image were somehow similar to the pattern that Moses received on the mountain top in Sinai.  The exact same image reappears over and over again throughout the nations.  They sing in the same ways, the same songs, in the same environments in Indonesia as they do down the street from me here in the US.  How crazy is that?  It’s as though someone believes the elements of the charismatic movement represent how things will be when we all come before Jesus in heaven.  I actually believe they believe that when we get there, off to the side will be a multimillion dollar sound system, housed under a crystal cathedral, with thousands of skinny sweaty female (and female-like male) dancers, wildly dancing with streamers and carefully choreographed forms of worship-dance before an adoring audience of millions and millions of believers and angels, with Jesus sitting on a throne before them all, with some garish golden crown on His head and white glowing robes flowing around Him, on some glassy sea of water gushing out beneath His throne and encircling this throng of people, soaking up this adoration spectacle.  I’m fairly certain when these folks get there and such a scene doesn’t emerge that they are going to be shocked out of their minds, wondering if they ended up somewhere other than heaven.

I know this all sounds so terribly mocking, and I suppose I mean it to be so, but really brethren, what is it going to take to awaken us from the slumber of such religious systems thinking and nonsense, into an awareness of something other than our own formations of nonsensical worship and church expressions?

As I view the missions images that are sent along to me, of the multicultural faces of those involved in modern Christian religious behavior, I am overwhelmed with a sense of wonder that the oft repeated forms are being enacted as if they were sacred in an of themselves.  Folks “raising their hands”, “coming forward” to the “altar” to be “prophetically” prayed over by the modern Aaronic priesthood, having conferred on to them spiritual declarations, promises, and blessings, by those who have anointed themselves to propagate their own styles of religious ceremony.  What amazes me is that Jesus not only tolerates such behavior but at times actually gives these Aaronic priests true words of prophecy for those who have dutifully come forward.  Such grace awes and inspires me.  He must indeed be amazing in wondrous glories of grace!!!  

These folks are told to raise their hands, come forward, kneel down, raise their hands, and confess after the Aaronic priest a canned prayer that supposedly confers salvation and deliverance into their lives.  They weep with joy, hug one another, shake, and at times speak what just may be genuine tongues, if it isn’t just a conditioned emotional expression of a stressed out portion of their frontal lobes.  Country after country these exact same images emerge.  And, because they all get indoctrinated into the kingdom through these methodologies they are woefully disinclined to ever question the whole drama package and thus are likely to continue in this approach to Church throughout their lives, deeply suspicious of any believer who even hints at a different approach to the Church.  I’ve had pastors in foreign countries, with Churches no older than 65 years old, treat me like I was the devil himself for even suggesting a different image of Church and Church leadership.  They so jealously protect their titles, salaries, and control systems, that even getting them to think outside their little boxes is like trying to pry a thousand pound lid off of an ancient artesian well.  They just can’t imagine there is better water than they know.

If this were the worst of it it might not be so bad, but because these are just the enticements into a system that has far more malevolent intentions than are revealed at the beginning, the whole system devolves into a man centered cacophony of religious control systems and traditions of men that, over time, tend to lead the followers just far enough off a centered focus on Jesus to give those who lead these churches the opportunity to develop their own security and significance at the expense of Jesus’ highest honor and the followers deepest involvement with Him in all their experience of Church.  Church is meant to focus the followers entirely on Jesus, but in these environments they learn to develop traditions and expressions that have far more to do with Churchy nonsense than anything that truly worships Jesus.  Jesus slowly but surely becomes a peripheralized spectator of man’s religious system, only being allowed to inject Himself at specially invited moments rather than being the primary focus and in control of everything that is done.  He is clearly not experientially the Head of His Church…Senior pastors are!

This is what concerns me the most.  We develop all these silly traditions and expressions at the expense of a central focus on Jesus.  All this “stuff” becomes a distraction from what we long for most - Jesus Himself!  He is what our hearts long for, not religious traditions.  Our times together are to be times of drawing near to Him in one another, and allowing Him to express Himself corporately through the many members of His body, not primarily through a paid team of highly specialized actors.  We do not need one single Senior Pastor-like individual to tell us how to gather unto Him, and to control each element of that gathering.  We don’t need buildings, staffs, programs, and materials to draw near to Him.  We don’t need choreographed dancers to inspire us to worship.  We don’t need elaborate sound systems and trained musicians to wow us into a heightened emotional state which we call “The Anointing” which is little more than spiritualized hyper emotions.  We’ve largely lost the ability to discern the difference between emotions and true spiritual connections to His Spirit.  We think if we’ve cried or hyperventilated we’ve touched God.  If we feel like swooning emotionally we think Jesus has personally come down and touched us.  We are emotional junkies calling this bizarre behavior true spiritual worship.  It isn’t brethren, it just simply isn’t!

Since I’m somewhat chronicling my own personal journey, I want to say at this point that I do miss the many brethren I’ve gotten to know over the years, throughout the world, as I developed my ministry in and through these types of expressions.  If I could continue in these approaches and believe I was doing so in a way that truly honored Jesus believe me…I would do so in a heart-beat because I miss many wonderful brethren, and I know my absence among them frustrates them and makes them worry for either my sanity or my spirituality.

On many occasions I’ve had folks ask me how I can feel good about bottling up the biblical knowledge I have and not sharing it with the world of believers throughout the earth?  I don’t feel good about this!  I admit I don’t, but I find no way to continue to appear to support the utter nonsense of much of modern Churchianity and honor the Lord at the same time.  If I make any comments as to my concerns when I’m among their fellowships I’m deemed to be a sower of discord and failing to honor the local headship of the leading pastor among them.  If I tell them upfront what I believe and let them know that it is entirely possible that I may feel led to comment on my concerns then the last thing they want is for me to minister among them.  So it leaves me with a stifled sense of honoring the Lord and slavishly bowing before the will of man to avoid upsetting the local leadership.  In the end I feel more like a spiritual prostitute than I do a true man of God bearing God’s Word.  Indirectly it gets communicated “Tom, if you want the gift of ministering among us you will do this or that and not say this or that…” and it leaves me feeling like I’ve sold my calling just for the privilege of ministering among them.  I’m no longer willing to do this.  If that which I believe the Lord has shown me is not welcome among those I minister to then it leaves me feeling like one who has sold the Lord out just so I can build “my ministry.”  I did this for many years, and each time I returned home I felt dirty and as if I’d dishonored my Head whom I believed sent me there in the first place.

What makes all this so difficult is that I love these brethren and we’ve enjoyed some wonderful times of ministry and relationship together.  I just know that I can’t guarantee them I won’t offend them and they just know they can’t take that risk so we’re stalemated for the time being.  I understand this.  I don’t agree with it, and I’m personally convinced it is all due to their unwitting worship of their own security and significance which they’ve come to believe is honoring the call and people of God they are working with, but it is sad.  This, in my opinion, is always the result of religion and the systems it builds.

Let me be quick to say that these things are not just examples of Charismanianism gone bad…I’ve seen just as bad, if not worse, manifestations of excessive control and weirdness in the House Church movement.  There are brethren in those circles who make the control oriented weirdness of the traditional Church seem like child’s play in comparison.  It often seems that they have an even heightened sense of weird spirituality because they think of themselves as having come out of the traditional Church so as to fully honor the Lord, and then end up more manipulative, legalistic, and controlling than their counterparts in the institutional Church.

I’m happy with where I am now and for years I’ve leaned on the following verses to guide my calling:

Philippians 2:13 “For it is God who is working within you both to desire and to do the work of His good pleasure.”

Joshua 11:20 “For it was the LORD’s doing to harden their hearts that they should come against Israel in battle, in order that they should be devoted to destruction and should receive no mercy but be destroyed, just as the LORD commanded Moses.” 

Whether the thing God desires is pleasant to the recipient or unpleasant God is not hindered by the will of man ultimately.  He appeals to our will to submit to Him, but at the end of the day He so works with man’s will that he ends up doing what God wanted done when it is something God has decided to effect.

As I look over the call of God on my life, and people wonder how I could possibly have changed the direction of my calling so radically, I’ve settled that what I’m currently doing represents God’s work within my heart.  I don’t desire to work within traditional Christian circles.  Frankly it sickens me to see all the nonsense that gets a “Jesus” rubber stamped all over it, when I’m convinced it isn’t something that is truly about Him nor called for by Him.  I’m confident that God is big enough to break through the errors of my reasoning and theology and bring me back into the “right paths of the Lord” if He desires this for me.  What fascinates me is that He seems to continually lead me further away from it all.

Do you want to know when the major shift took place in my call?  I’ll tell you…  It came during a season where the Lord posed this question to my heart “Tom, how much of what you’ve done in the ministry has been from needing to be needed, respected, and provided for, compared to how much has been based on a clear call from Me and a pure desire to bless My people?”  Once I realized that waaay too much of my calling was connected to my need to be needed, respected, to having financial security, to enjoying being treated like a mighty man of God, I repented of all these motivations and almost right away my sense of calling to the traditional Church began to diminish.  It was like someone slowly let the air out of that balloon.  Little by little, as I worked through these things my desire to write, to travel, to “be in full time ministry,” and to carry any kind of ministry title died away.  Today I have nearly no desire for connection to the traditional Church nor do I feel called of God to develop the House Church movement.  My calling feels very simple these days…love God, love my family, love the little flock we gather with, and give good care to all my computer clients.  Beyond this I still love the many brethren we’ve rubbed shoulders with in the ministry but I sense no call of God to return to their Churches or to develop anything that even remotely looks like past ministry engagements.

Just yesterday I was talking with a past ministry associate and he mentioned just returning from a missions trip to a foreign country.  As he talked I found myself internally reminiscing of past ministry trips, and then he dropped the bomb.  He mentioned he was ministering in a 9000 member Church and while there the pastor told them he had just experienced a difficult thing in his Church.  His worship pastor had secretly accepted the offer of far higher salary and a “paid for home” in another Church and he had accepted it without even discussing it with his current senior pastor.  His current pastor went to him and said he felt prompted of God to ask him if everything was “ok” or if he was pondering leaving, and he dropped the bomb sheepishly on him that he had accepted this offer.  Brethren…this is just exactly the nonsense that so disgusts me.  When Church is about being big, about numbers, about salaries and titles and positions, then men derive their sense of security and significance from an ever enlarging ministry…just as anyone in the secular corporate world does.  These things ought not to be the case, but when we have an unbiblical foundation for our concept of Church it won’t be long before these kinds of atrocities take place.  No thanks brethren…no thank you!  I’ve had it with this garbage!  I know Jesus hangs in there with these folks, and works to set them free from it all, but I don’t sense His calling on my life to do so.  I pray for them from a distance and am unwilling to do anything that even remotely appears to be supporting this stuff.

Every time I find myself pondering whether God would have me reconnect with the traditional Church I see or hear of such nonsense and I’m inwardly cautioned to keep my distance.  Recently, while going through one of those “Pondering Times,” I called an older missionary brother I used to have great respect for.  When we connected on the phone he was intensely cold towards to me.  I asked him what it was about and he told me it was due to the way we left a Church we were on staff at several years ago.  He told me “You have left the right paths of the Lord for your life, and while God is graciously blessing your life you’re not where He wants you and I don’t feel led of God to have any kind of relationship with you until you repent and return to the right paths of your calling.”  Whew…I’ll tell you what…it took me a couple of hours to work through that kind of rejection, and then I realized that he was just reflecting the byproduct of a life connected with the traditional Church and couldn’t even begin to imagine a calling outside of it.  To him, anyone who felt called to a life of ministry outside the traditional Church had to be outside the call of God for his life and all he could do was rebuke me and charge me to repent and get back on track.  I understand his perspective, and if I wasn’t where I am I’m sure I’d feel the same way towards someone claiming to be where I now am.  I forgave him and released him to the Lord, and had confirmed within myself once again that I’m where I’m called to be and I don’t need the support of brethren from the Church sphere I’ve been called out of.

Such experiences create a loneliness that is hard to describe.  If it weren’t for the intimate closeness of the Lord and absolute support of my wife and family I’m sure it would be even much harder on me.  I spend my days in earnest prayer as I travel about the city serving my computer clients, filling my car with songs of praise and prayer and petitions for the Church, but I feel no spiritual inclination to return to the so called “paths-of-the-Lord” that some feel I belong in.  I’ve never enjoyed greater intimacy with Christ, never experienced greater financial provision, and my wife and I are in complete agreement as to our calling and our understanding of the Church.

The Church is in a transition all over the world.  The unbelievers of the world have never had a lower estimation of the Church than in our day.  They see right through all the nonsense and want nothing to do with it.  Unfortunately, all too often they connect the nonsense of the Church to Christ and reject Him too, but when I have opportunities to share with them that it is possible to have a completely different understanding of the Church suddenly they have a new desire to know Jesus.  I’ve watched folks who have been hardened by past negative experiences with the Church, or the garbage they see on Christian television, suddenly perk up and begin to open their hearts to the things of God again.  I’ve never enjoyed ministering to the lost more.  To tell them that my intention is not at all to talk them into “going to Church” but just to know and love Christ they open right up to me.  It isn’t that they don’t want to pray or sing with other believers, be taught God’s Word, or feel the presence of God.  They just don’t want to be hyped by a Churchy business environment to come to Church on a regular basis and submit to a financial system of tithing 10% of their income.  They don’t want some “Senior Pastor” to put his local brand of legalism all over their lives until their world is reduced to his tiny view of life inside the four walls of his Church.

The transition the Church is in will resolve into millions of believers world-wide leaving the traditional Church and gathering in small simple environments where leadership is not defined by titles, positions, control and salary, but by love, wisdom, grace and peace.  It is happening all around you.

* over 1 million Christians leave the institutional church per year.

* over 112 million Christians worldwide do not attend an institutional church, but fellowship in other modes of church life.

* 1700 pastors leave the clergy system per month in the United States

These are staggering statistics but they are true and they tell their own story.

I’m happy to be named among this throng of those coming to Jesus outside the camp, outside the nonsense, away from Church as a business and all that goes along with it.  It is different now, and I’m not understood by those still shut up within those four walls, but those who have come out know just what I’m talking about.

This is a bit of my journey, and if you can identify with me in this then perhaps my sharing a part of my journey will encourage you to continue in the direction He has put within your heart.  Remember…God is bigger than you…He is well able to guide you into His right paths for your life.  Trust His inward leading, want it more than you want anything else, and you will find the way.

God bless you in your journey!

Tom’s website ‘Knowing Him Together’ is full of solid Bible-based teaching and encouragement. You can check it out here.

by
Brett Jacobsen

Ask just about any Christian these days what the gospel is and the response will more than likely be along the lines of “Jesus died and rose so you can be forgiven and saved from sin and death”. While this is a great truth… and gospel indeed, it is only one aspect of the gospel.

The gospel of humanism

As wonderful as it is, the gospel truth that Jesus can save people from sin and death is not the whole gospel. It is an integral part of the gospel but it is not the full picture.

In fact, when the good news of salvation is proclaimed on its own it has a propensity to lean into humanism. Humanism is the philosophy that makes man the focal point of everything instead of God. As noble as that may sound for many, seeing we are called to love and serve people, it is way off track from a biblical world-view.

The Bible says that God’s intention is to make known His“manifold wisdom”; that all things were created “for Him” and that the power and glory would be “of God” rather than us (Eph 3:10-11, Col 1:16, 2 Cor 4:7).

So if we reduce the gospel merely to the well-being of mankind, whether temporal or eternal well-being, we have missed the mark.

Jesus’ gospel

We know that Jesus came to seek and save the lost and to draw all men to Himself but we should also consider His gospel that He used, and is using, to accomplish that mission (Luke 19:10, John 12:32).

Matthew penned a statement which reveals the gospel in its fullness:

And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. (Matt 4:23)

And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. (Matt 9:35)

It says that Jesus preached “the gospel of the kingdom”, not the gospel of conversion or salvation. We ought not to take away the good news of salvation but we should realise that “the gospel of the kingdom” is the fuller gospel that we should be preaching.

Good news, you can be ruled by Messiah

So what is “the gospel of the Kingdom”?

We’ll get to the gospel side of it soon, but firstly, what is the Kingdom?

Encarta English Dictionary says that a kingdom is: 1. a monarch’s territory- a state or people ruled over by a king or queen, 2. a sphere of activity- a realm or area of activity in which a particular thing is thought to dominate.

So the Kingdom of Christ [1] is the people and the realm that Christ has authority over. If Christ is your King then you are in the Kingdom of Christ and the Kingdom is in you. If you submit your family, your business and other things to the Lord then they are part of the Kingdom- the rule of Christ.

The ‘gospel’ or ‘good news’ of the Kingdom means that it is good news that mankind can be submitted to Father again through King Jesus (Messiah). Salvation and other wonderful aspects of the gospel are included in this but they aren’t the whole gospel. The core of the gospel is the Kingdom (the rule of Christ over us). Salvation by the grace of God as well as healing and other aspects of the gospel are there to bring us to a place of serving the King in His Kingdom. That is where the freedom is.

Too many so-called conversions take place without even a mention of the Kingdom- submission to the King. We ought to preach the gospel which is centred in Christ’s rule over people rather than merely Christ’s saving of people. That will give people the heads up straight away that they are not their own, that they were bought with a price [2].

That is the gospel that Jesus Himself came preaching.

“Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand”

(Matt3:1-2, 4:17)

End notes

[1] The Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of heaven are the same thing- the royal rule of God. The Kingdom of Christ is that same Kingdom but more specifically the age where Christ Himself rules from heaven at the right hand of the Father. That Kingdom is from Christ’s ascension uninterruptedly until the end (1 Cor 15:24-26)

[2] 1 Cor 6:19-20

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www.christisall.org

Hi all, 

I’d like to introduce you to a new website I am launching http://www.livingthekingdom.com.

I won’t explain much here because I’d appreciate it if you have time to look around the site (and give feedback) and see if it is clear to understand, what it’s for etc.

www.livingthekingdom.com will not be as broad as www.christisall.org. It will be more specific in it’s direction to help people who have, are, or will leave institutional Christian religion in pursuit of Christ’s Kingdom and biblical community. It will also have shorter and easier content aimed at all levels of biblical knowledge and Christian maturity. I will continue to post teaching material on www.christisall.org.

One of the main functions of the site is the brief seven part series called ‘Be the Church’ which is a good taste test of reformational concepts. This would be a good place to send a church going friend who you perceive to be wrestling a little with the modern church structure and practices etc; or someone who is further on in the journey.

Another aspect of the site is to connect with believers who don’t attend a “church” and promote non-denominated Christ community, as well as leadership which is ‘amongst’ the communities, not over them.

So let me know your thoughts and make sure you type your email address in the ‘SUBSCRIBE TO SITE UPDATES’ box and click ‘go’ so that you will be notified when new content is posted. Also, let others know if you think it will be beneficial to them.

Thanks for your time and partnership in the gospel,

grace and peace,

Brett Jacobsen