Tag Archives: Apostles

Jesus Versus the Jerusalem Jews!

Posted on by under Bible, Christian, Excellence, LifeGiving, Righteousness, School Of The Spirit, Training

Luke writes that Jesus, while in Jerusalem, said this before He ascended into the dimension called heaven.

Luke 24

“46 Thus it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise again from the dead the third day, 47 and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.”

How could “all the nations”, not just the Jewish nation, hear the message of repentance if the people empowered to preach it refused to leave home and preach it? And why did they disobey Jesus who would die to secure the forgiveness every nation was supposed to receive?

The Jewish men who heard Jesus say these words didn’t leave Jerusalem until they were forced out by persecution perpetrated by the Pharisees’ angry hit man, Saul of Tarsus. They planted themselves in Palestine instead of going throughout the planet!

Acts 8:1

“And on that day a great persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.”

It was only after the gospel was being preached by members of the Church did the leaders [apostles] of the church begin venturing out of “their house”. Leaders are supposed to lead but these leaders became followers. They only provided “leadership” after the Holy Spirit circumvented their leadership and worked His work outside Jerusalem through those appointed by the “leaders” to serve tables and those fleeing for their lives. Those fleeing for their lives shared the faith that would save other’s lives.

It was almost a decade after Jesus told His apostles to leave Jerusalem and go into Judea, Samaria and then to the ends of the earth [into all the nations] before they obeyed His command.

I believe the answer to their disobedience lies in the lie they believed about the restoration of the kingdom to natural Israel. “Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?” [Acts 1:6]

It is interesting to me a decade passed and a decade is 10 years. The Law is made up of 10 Commandments. The Law reveals sin and brings death in disobedience to it. So, Jesus sent death into the house [Jerusalem] and His house [Church] because the apostles disobeyed His “command” to go into ALL the world and preach forgiveness of sin.

This is an Adamic [carnal, fleshly] mistake!

The first man Adam, the original apostle of Christ, failed to take Paradise to the planet and in doing so sucked the serpent into the Garden. The serpent sucked the Life out of God’s leaders when they were seduced by his schemes!

The 1st century Jewish apostles were more concerned with when God was going to restore His kingdom to natural Israel than in discipling to Christ the nations of the world Christ told them to invade. That command and commission is to fulfill the promise to Abraham in the gospel of Christ, “I will bless those who bless you [Abram], and I will curse those who curse you [Abram], and in you [Abram] all the nations of the earth will be blessed” [Genesis 12:3]

Galatians 3

“8 The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “All the nations will be blessed in you.” 9 So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer.”

The blessing of Abraham is salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. Or as Jesus said, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe the gospel.” [Mark 1:15]

Today, what God said to Abram has been hijacked by those who still believe God is going to restore natural Israel to a place of prominence! They say God said, “I will bless those who bless Israel and I will curse those who curse Israel.” Whether out of ignorance, naiveté or deception this belief is damaging to those it infects.

The blessing and cursing have everything to do with the acceptance or rejection of Jesus, who is the Son of God and Son of Man! It involves natural Israel or the natural descendants of Abraham, the Jews, but it is not just about them. “He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” [John 3:36]. That applies to every person regardless of ethnicity, gender or socio-economic status.

And once the “He who believes” believes, he, along with everyone else who believes is one with Christ Jesus, and are Abraham’s descendants, his heirs according to the promise made to him in Genesis 12:3.

Galatians 3

“28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise..”

John, the Jewish disciple Jesus loved, said this:

John 3

“16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 18 He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 21 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”

  • God so loved [loves] the world, not just Israel
  • God sent His Son into the world, not just Israel
  • God wants to save the world, not just Israel
  • God sent the light into the world, not just Israel
  • God does not want the world condemned, not just Israel

In fact, the entire New Testament revelation reveals that truth!

Palestine is not the prize. The planet is!

Romans 4:13

“For the promise to Abraham or to his descendants that he would be heir of the world was not through the Law, but through the righteousness of faith.”

That is why the meek will inherit the earth!

God had to convert a Jewish religious terrorist [Saul/Paul] before the Jerusalem Church got serious about the Great Commission! It got so bad that God moved the center of world evangelism from Jerusalem to Antioch of Phrygia in the region of Galatia!

The church in Antioch was not formed by the forging apostolic force from Jerusalem. No, it was formed by believers who came from various places due to the persecution related to Stephen’s martyrdom, and preached to the Jews in Antioch. After that men from Cyprus and Cyrene came and preached the gospel to the Greeks!

Finally, the Jerusalem Church sent Barnabas to Antioch to encourage the Jewish and Greek believers there to remain faithful to Jesus. Barnabas was not one of the original apostles!

And by the way, it was the Antioch church that Paul was a leader in and was sent out to evangelize the world from. And it is the place the believers [Jews and Greeks] were first called Christians.

The Jerusalem Church produced the Judaizers who followed Paul around harassing the converts to Christ in his ministry. These Law based believers tried their best to pull the saints back under the Law of Moses.

There are contemporary Judaizers still trying to trick saints into slavery!

There are those today who have read Jesus’ words found in Luke 24 and still will not leave Jerusalem! If they do venture out beyond Jerusalem they attempt to persuade the gullible to come back under their control. Using the “Jewish root” lie they lie in wait for those who do not know their Bible.

The root of Christianity is Jesus, not Judaism!

Jerusalem and Judaism have never been Jesus’ focus. The nations are Jesus’ focus! Jesus is called, “Desire of the nations,” but some believers only see Jesus as the Savior of the Jews, or the Jewish Savior! Jesus came into the world He created as a Jewish person but let’s not go overboard with that truth.

First, God chose the Hebrew people out of all of the ethnic groups on the planet because He chose them, not because they earned that choice.

Deuteronomy 7:7,8

“7 The Lord did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any of the peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples, 8 but because the Lord loved you and kept the oath which He swore to your forefathers.”

God made a decision and honored His covenant commitment to the forefathers [Abraham, Isaac and Jacob], who were all men of faith in God and faithfulness to God.

Second, God divorced Israel in the Old Testament because of their constant adulteries with other gods, who are not God.

Isaiah 50:1

“Thus says the LORD, “Where is the certificate of divorce By which I have sent your mother away? Or to whom of My creditors did I sell you? Behold, you were sold for your iniquities, And for your transgressions your mother was sent away.”

Jeremiah 3:8

“And I saw that for all the adulteries of faithless Israel, I had sent her away and given her a writ of divorce, yet her treacherous sister Judah did not fear; but she went and was a harlot also.”

Third, Jesus abandoned them [Jerusalem] to seal their fate with God. Fourth, Peter and Stephen, two highly visible Jewish men of God laid the blame of Christ’s murder at the door of natural Israel’s house.

Matthew 23:38

“Behold, your house is being left to you desolate!”

And lastly, Paul said not to view Jesus, or anyone according to the flesh [ethnicity, gender, or any other natural status symbol].

2 Corinthians 5:16

“Therefore from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer.”

On the day of Pentecost Peter preached a scathing sermon in Jerusalem. It was so effective it pierced many Jewish hearts and 3,000 repented and received Christ.

Acts 2

“22 Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know — 23 this Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and [you] put Him to death. 36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ —this Jesus whom you crucified.”

Peter said it was God’s predetermined plan and foreknowledge that the Jews would hand Jesus over to the Romans to be murdered. God chose the Jews to bring Jesus physically into the world and He chose them to physically take Him out of this world. So much for celebrating an elitist attitude.

Now, for all the idiots out there are looking for a reason to mistreat Jewish people because of their complicity in Jesus’ death, you need to check your heart and loyalty to the God you say you are defending. God orchestrated the entire plan!

Stephen, in front of the Sanhedrin who were after more blood from those who believed in this Jesus, released his own scathing sermon.

Acts 7

“51 You men who are stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears are always resisting the Holy Spirit; you are doing just as your fathers did. 52 Which one of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? They killed those who had previously announced the coming of the Righteous One, whose betrayers and murderers you have now become; 53 you who received the law as ordained by angels, and yet did not keep it.”

This is painful to face, but it is more painful to listen to and or watch as these Jerusalem loving [preferring] and Christ hating [not preferring] Judaizers to this day defend the natural Jewish people, putting their interests above the Lord they say they love and serve.

And do not point to your “supernatural showmanship” to qualify you as a a genuine spokesman for Christ. Jesus said to watch out for those who over exaggerate their relationship to Christ by pointing to the supernatural. He called them false [misleading] prophets [spokesman] who are ravenous wolves [serve for what they can take from the saints not what they can give to the saints]. They destroy through their deception not even realizing they are deceived.

There is still an elitist spirit that permeates Jewish believers in Christ and that elitism manifests in several ways:

1.They won’t call themselves Christians

  • Are they anti-Christ?

2.They see Jewishness as the pinnacle of being the people of God

  • Paul teaches being naturally Jewish is irrelevant!

3.They label people antisemites who don’t bow at the feet of Zionism

  • Should they be labeled anti-Christ?

See how easy it is to malign someone’s integrity and character?

Forgetting that the gospel was preached to Abraham [Abram] in God’s statement about the nations being blessed, they reduce that revelation to fit their narrow narrative. And by the way, the Hebrews [Jews] are not the only semitic people on the planet. Jesus is the Savior of the Arab people too. The Arabs are semites, but you rarely if ever see them defend the Arabs.

They will not defend the non Hebrew semitic peoples, so – are they antisemites too?

Throwing that label out is indefensible and has no place in the Christian community, unless you are absolutely pure in you antisemitic and anti-Christ positions!

God promised Abraham that Ishmael would be blessed and the blessing of Abraham includes the salvation of all people, even the descendants of Ishmael!

These present day puritans are quick to label nonconformists to political Zionism antisemites. Memo to those people – we are not antisemites. We are pro Savior of the world! We are not anti Jewish or anti Jerusalem. We are pro Jesus the Christ!

Your immaturity and irresponsibility is showing and it is not pretty!

Jesus and the New Testament writers clearly revealed the world is God’s focus and the focus of His work, not just Jerusalem and the Jewish people! Jerusalem and the Jewish people were the starting line, not the finish line.

“Beginning from Jerusalem” is what Jesus said!

The word beginning denotes the first place, not the only place. It also means to rule over. Jesus never intends to rule from Jerusalem. In fact He is forbidden to be a priest or King in Jerusalem or any other city in the world.

“My kingdom is not of this world” is what He told Pilate! It is still not of this world and it will never be of this world. It is in this world! It has always been in this world! And it will always be in this world! But it is NOT of this world!

His rule from Jerusalem is based on that is where He lived, died, was buried, was resurrected and ascended, as a Man. When He returns He will hand the kingdom of heaven back to Father God, and then the end will come! The end will come, not the millennium!

Maturity in the things of God requires the people of God to leave where they began with God, and go to where God is leading them. Even Paul, the writer of Hebrews, makes this truth clear.

Hebrews 6

“1 Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God [See Luke 24:46,47 above], 2 of instruction about washings and laying on of hands, and the resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment. 3 And this we will do, if God permits.”

Paul explains what maturity looks like in chapter 5. Keep this in mind and go back and read these 2 verses in chapter 6 again, with the context in view.

“8 Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. 9 And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation, 10 being designated by God as a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek. 11 Concerning him we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.”

Paul is saying these Hebrews should have matured and become teachers, but they were still carnal Christians [infants] in need of other people to supply them milk. He is saying they should have moved on from elementary school [pre-school] to graduate school! These carnal Christians [Hebrew believers] were not even getting their own milk. They drank milk from the breasts of those who were more than happy to keep them unhealthy and immature.

The saints have got to grow up!

The saints have got to get their own milk so that one day they can eat their own meat!

Meet me oh Lord, let’s eat!

Dr. Kevin M. Drury, DMin

A Hisstorymaker!

False Ministers #2

Posted on by under Bible, Christian, Excellence, LifeGiving, Righteousness, School Of The Spirit, Training

In my last blog I talked about Jesus’ warning to BE [a]ware of – not BE afraid of – false ministers! In this blog I want to keep going down that road to reality, that path to protection, and that lane that leads to liberty!

Let’s take a look at what Jude had to say to the first century believers that we would do well to pay careful attention to today!

~~~ Our text is from the Book Of Jude ~~~

“1 Jude, a bond-servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to those who are the called, beloved in God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ:”

Identifies the author and the audience. Jude is writing to those who are THE called. In my last blog we talked about those who were called. I mentioned Jesus calls people and people call themselves. These called ones are the ones accepted by God into the Beloved, and are kept FOR Jesus Christ by God the Father.

Paul says in Ephesians 4:1 – “I . . . . implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called.” His inference is this, this particular calling is from the Lord. He then goes into the fruit of the Lord’s calling in the next few verses.

“2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, 3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.”

Let’s take a quick look at these verses. I hope you will notice the “spirit” or “fruit” of the one legitimately walking in the Lord’s call as compared to the fruit of the false minister and ministry that we detailed in the last blog and will detail later in this one too.

“Humility” is not thinking less of yourself but thinking of yourself less. It is God-focused not self-focused. It is God-reliant not self-reliant.

“Gentleness” is our strength [areas of strength] in submission to the Lord and His delegated authorities. I ‘restrain’ my strengths for the common good. It is a picture of a stallion yielded to his trainer.

“Patience” is planning for the long haul, not plowing ahead against the wishes of those you are supposed to be related to, and relating to.

“Showing tolerance” is respect for the connections and relationships with those your are supposed to be in relationship with.

“Love” here is God’s love which is sacrificial not self-absorbed. It puts others before self.

“Be diligent to preserve” is being dedicated to be cognizant of the effect you are having and can have on the community. Be one who preserves not perverts.

“THE unity of the Spirit” is the Spirit’s unity, or what the Spirit is trying to accomplish in your community. Again the focus is on the Lord – not on you.

In verses 4 – 6 Paul then reminds his audience that we all should be in harmony with the Godhead, who exemplifies community [common unity], respect and focus.

“2 May mercy and peace and love be multiplied to you.” Jude releases the typical blessing that the New Testament writers begin their letters with.

“3 Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints.”

Jude speaks of a common [shared among all believers] salvation, and the necessity for the saved community to contend earnestly for THE [only] faith handed down [from Jesus who authored it] to the saints.

“4 For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.”

How did they get “in” “unnoticed”? They masqueraded as sheep [saints]! This means they must have  adopted the outward appearance and like-minded lingo [language] of the saints, to deceive the saints.

This should not be a surprise to the wise. Satan himself will appear AS an angel of light.

Jude reveals they fooled the church people but they did not fool the One who’s idea the church was and is and will always be.

These imposter’s were from long ago marked out for condemnation which means they certainly did not have a personal relationship with Jesus.

Their ungodliness manifested in the form and fashion of the course of the world.

They turned, twisted God’s grace and made it after their twisted image. Their grace is called hyper-grace that allows for all kinds of illegitimate [licentious] behavior because “God has already forgiven them ALL their trespasses.” They believe they can do what they want, to whom they want, with whom they want, for as long as they want. They are not punishable. Just ask them!

Oh what an amazing grace!

They added insult to injury by denying the Only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.

They did not deny His existence. They simply made Him effeminate, powerless, and unwilling to stop their illegitimate behavior. They said, “No, Jesus!” They denied His Lordship over their lives.

“5 Now I desire to remind you, though you know all things once for all, that the Lord, after saving a people out of the land of Egypt, subsequently destroyed those who did not believe.”

Do NOT think that the work of the Cross is God’s payment for you to keep sinning!

And –

Do NOT think that God’s gift of grace is a get out of hell free card!

Jude is reminding his audience that God is the same yesterday, today and forever and no one should put the Lord God to a foolish test. “There IS a way that seems right to man, but it ends in death.”

“6 And angels who did not keep their own domain, but abandoned their proper abode, He has kept in eternal bonds under darkness for the judgment of the great day, 7 just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities around them, since they in the same way as these indulged in gross immorality and went after strange flesh, are exhibited as an example in undergoing the punishment of eternal fire.”

Again, Jude is giving a history lesson on the dangers of tempting God. Rebellion against God will never work out well for the rebellious, whether they be men or angels.

“8 Yet in the same way these men, also by dreaming, defile the flesh, and reject authority, and revile angelic majesties.”

Jude is now connecting the dots between those who in past times mocked God by their behavior and the contemporary rebels. He identifies them by these characteristics:

They are dreamers – This means they live in a parallel universe than everyone else. Their reality is real to them but it is not real. It is their virtual world from which they get their virtual worldview. Metaphorically speaking, according to Thayer’s Dictionary of NT Words, this means to be beguiled with sensual images and carried away to an impious course of conduct.

They defile the flesh – Means they disguise their flesh as a person would change the color of a garment with dye. “Wolves in sheep’s clothing”. It also means to defile with sinfulness.

Reject authority – Means they are their own authority. They are the captains of their own ship. They are masters of their own ministry. If they are “under authority” it is either a facade or they have aligned themselves with people who will not confront them.

Revile majesties – The word angel is NOT in the original text. These false brethren mock, blaspheme, speak evil of and reproach leaders who God puts in their life to bring them to repentance. Majesties speak of the God-head and God ordained authorities who they expect their people to be accountable to.

9 But Michael the archangel, when he disputed with the devil and argued about the body of Moses, he did not dare pronounce against him a railing judgment, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!”

Here Jude is revealing that when Michael the archangel confronted the devil and argued with him over the body of Moses, did not approach him in his own name and in his own strength. He came “IN the name of The Lord.” Let this be a warning to anyone and everyone who would attempt to do God’s work in their own strength.

10 But these men revile the things which they do not understand; and the things which they know by instinct, like unreasoning animals, by these things they are destroyed.

These impostors step into realms they were not called to or prepared for. They operated out of natural instincts instead of Spirit anointing, and ended up being destroyed.

11 Woe to them! For they have gone the way of Cain, and for pay they have rushed headlong into the error of Balaam, and perished in the rebellion of Korah.

Bummer! “For they have gone” – this means they made this determination at some point in their past. They plotted and planned to carry out their agenda. Nothing was going to prevent them from having their own way.

Have gone the way of Cain – Cain was the first human murderer who refused to deal with his issue. Like Lucifer, who was a murderer from the beginning, Cain chose to eliminate his competition instead of dealing with his issues. God’s rejection of his offering [ministry], and his own disappointment drove him to do what he harbored in his heart. Cain was selfish, self centered, self absorbed and self inflated. He hated his brother just like the devil hates God and anything and anyone associated with God.

Have rushed headlong into the way of Balaam – Baalam was a prophet who could hear from God, and who could deliver accurate words from God. Balaam could also be bought for a price. In other words, he was not submitted to the Lordship of Jesus and money and prestige were his gods. Balaam was for sale. Balaam would also twist the word of God to fit his agenda. He was a prophet looking for profit!

Perished [past tense although it had not yet happened] in the rebellion of Korah – Korah gathered a group and led them in a rebellion against Moses and Aaron, God’s delegated authorities. The earth opened up and swallowed them alive. They did not die and then go to hell. They went to hell while alive!

Someone once said something like this, “The only people who start at the top dig holes for a living.” These perverse men never learned the first rule of holes, “When you find you are in a hole, quit digging.”

“12 These are the men who are hidden reefs in your love feasts when they feast with you without fear, caring for themselves; clouds without water, carried along by winds; autumn trees without fruit, doubly dead, uprooted; 13 wild waves of the sea, casting up their own shame like foam; wandering stars, for whom the black darkness has been reserved forever.”

Hidden reefs in your love feasts – Means they disguise their true intentions. They are shallow and dangerous. They are close to the body and close to attempting to shipwreck those who are deep drafted vessels of God.

Feast with you without fear – Means they believe they will never be exposed.

Caring for themselves – Means they are there for what they can get not what they have to offer. They come to be served not to serve and when they do serve it is not out of pure motives. They are posturing for position and power.

Clouds without water – They do not truly refresh the environment. They provide shade which is temporary relief. What they offer does not permanently change the terrain, because they carry no rain.

Carried along by winds – Means they are every changing. They cannot be satisfied. They are always chasing the latest fads and “moves of God”. There is no real stability in their lives.

They are unhappy, unsatisfied and unhinged – Paul references these in Ephesians 4 when he talks about “we are NO LONGER to be children, tossed to and fro by EVERY wind of doctrine.”

This doctrine is not sound Biblical doctrine. It is the latest “contemporary and relevant” marketing method of doing ministry.

Winds here are a counterfeit move of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said the Holy Spirit moved like the wind [John 3].

Autumn trees without fruit – Means they are like the fig tree Jesus cursed when He looked for fruit and found none. Jesus looks for specific fruit and as we saw in the last blog He will shut the door and remove from Himself those who bear unacceptable fruit. These trees do not produce the fruit Jesus looks for.

Doubly dead – Means they are destined for both physical and spiritual death, or eternal separation form God.

Uprooted – Means they are not rooted and or grounded in true love and they are not rooted and grounded in the Word of God, or the true house of God. They do NOT put down real roots.

Wild waves of the sea – Means they are unruly, unprincipled, undisciplined and under no authority. They are wild and restless. They are always stirring up trouble. [See Isaiah 57:20]

Cast up their own shame like foam – Means they have fluff but no substance. Their ministry is shallow and temporal. Their shame speaks of the eventuality they will be found out.

Wandering stars – Means they, like the angels who followed Lucifer in the rebellion against God, will not keep their place. This is a reiteration of verse 6. These ministers are not dependable as they cannot be “pinned down” as that would be considered “legalistic” and “religious” to expect them to be consistent. Again, this is another way to say they will not submit to legitimate authority.

For whom the black darkness has been reserved forever – This is a troubling statement because darkness is black, but Jude describes it as “black darkness”. This is a reference to what happened in Egypt when God struck them with a darkness so dark they could feel it, and could not see their hand if they put it right in front of their eyes. This darkness represents life without God, who is Light.

“14 It was also about these men that Enoch, in the seventh generation from Adam, prophesied, saying, “Behold, the Lord came with many thousands of His holy ones, 15 to execute judgment upon all, and to convict all the ungodly of all their ungodly deeds which they have done in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.”

Jude, as he has throughout this short letter, refers to history when legitimate ministry is conducted by legitimate ministers. The Lord may take a while to get around to dealing with illegitimate ministry and ministers, but make no mistake about it, He will get around to it!

“16 These are grumblers, finding fault, following after their own lusts; they speak arrogantly, flattering people for the sake of gaining an advantage.”

These foolish people just do not know when to leave their masquerade party. Jude now shifts to a new set of perverse characteristics that give them away. They ~

Are grumblers – Murmurers, complainers, agitators. They speak just loud enough for those close to them to hear. They are the “grape [gossip] vine” in the church. Sometimes they join the intercessors so they can pray for others, especially the leadership, because the leaders just don’t get it, or them.

Find fault – Means they look for all that is wrong and fixate on that. They are great at seeing problems and have no problem making sure someone in the church knows they know what is wrong. They rarely have solutions so they rarely offer any. They are discontented and lay the blame at the feet of everyone or anyone but themselves.

Follow after their own lusts – Means they are led by their physical appetites not by the Spirit of God. Their motivations are worldly, not heavenly. Remember, they are in it for what they can get out of it. They give to get and when they believe they will not benefit any more they stop giving.

Speak arrogantly – Means they have an inflated sense of their own importance and have no problem talking about how great they are. They are the smartest people in the room. They are the most gifted in the room. Just ask them! These people elevate themselves by demoting others in their heart and with their talk.

Flattering people for the sake of gaining an advantage – Means they are masters at manipulation. They are cool customers. They are smooth operators. They make you believe they are building you up but the whole time they are posturing for promotion  – at the leader’s expense!

Jude continues by reminding the legitimate disciples and ministers what the 12 apostles of the Lamb, those authorized personally by Jesus to carry on His work His way, had to say,

“17 But you, beloved, ought to remember the words that were spoken beforehand by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ,”

We are to call to mind what the apostles of the Lamb wrote and said.

18 that they were saying to you, “In the last time there will be mockers, following after their own ungodly lusts.”

From their day to the last Day these false believers will be hanging around the real community of believers.

“19 These are the ones who cause divisions, worldly-minded, devoid of the Spirit.”

Jude, in reiterating the fruit to be aware of says this about the counterfeit Christian:

They cause division – They attempt to bring a different vision into the house than the one God has placed in the house. When they don’t get their way they work to separate others by enlisting those who will follow them and their vision.

They are worldly-minded – This means they operate out of a mindset that is inferior to heaven’s.

This mindset is carnal and corrupt!

They are devoid of the Holy Spirit – They can produce signs and wonders that appear on the surface to be legitimate but as we have seen God honors the name of His Son, not necessarily the person using His name.

“20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,”

Jude points his finger at the ones kept for Jesus and says,

Be personally responsible for your spirituality [your own edification, your own holy faith] by praying in the Holy Spirit [being led by the Spirit in your daily devotion to God], and by –

“21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.”

Keeping yourself in the love of God. This means keeping your focus on God, not self. And keep your focus on how you can serve others in His name [character] and not be self-serving.

Jude continues by saying,

“22 And have mercy on some, who are doubting; 23 save others, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment polluted by the flesh.”

Have mercy on some – Not all? No! On who? On those who are doubting, not those who are rebelling. Show compassion for the ones who became trapped by the seduction of the seducers, if they are repentant.

Save others, snatching them out of the fire – Do all that is possible to rescue the ones that can be rescued, or who want to be rescued, before destruction comes.

On some have mercy with fear – Try to appeal to them on the basis of what their future looks like if they do not turn from their evil way. Appeal to these people warning them that God may be slow to judge but judge He eventually will.

Hating even the garment polluted by the flesh – Remind them that to God all of our own efforts are as filthy rags. These rags were the menstrual cloths the women used in that day. The pollution of the flesh was the old blood mixed with dead cells. This is a graphic picture of what God thinks of doing His work our way, or without Him.

Then we find Jude’s benediction.

“24 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, 25 to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever . Amen!”

Keep THE Faith! Keep THE Passion!

Our hunger and thirst for God escorts us into deep satisfaction in God! Dr. Kevin M. Drury, DMin A Hisstorymaker!

Fathers, Discipline And Personal Training

Posted on by under Bible, Christian, Excellence, LifeGiving, Righteousness, School Of The Spirit, Training

God has always been a Father!

God is pro fatherhood! Fatherhood in His Kingdom is a level of maturity, not merely a male who impregnates a woman.

 God has always been a personal trainer!

Kingdom fathers and personal trainers believe in discipline. Fathers and personal trainers know that undisciplined people rarely achieve greatness or fulfill their potential. Fathers and personal trainers “push” people beyond what they believe they can achieve and beyond where they are, and they help them see that there is a price to pay to get where they are going and that price is well worth paying.

There is a heavenly clarion call being trumpeted by apostolic and prophetic voices calling their tribal people home – into communities [common unities] where fatherhood is valued over denominational truth [their denomination’s version of truth] – and where true father’s are disciplined and exercise discipline as compared to quasi-father’s who just want to be friends and have “fun”.

Fun is such an overused word in the Kingdom of God!

Hear the words of the writer of Hebrews as you read this text from Hebrews 12:5-17 NLT ~~~~

5 And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said, ‘My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline, and don’t give up when he corrects you.’ 6 For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child. 7 As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? 8 If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all. 9 Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever? 10 For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. 11 No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. 12 So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. 13 Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong. 14 Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. 15 Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many. 16 Make sure that no one is immoral or godless like Esau, who traded his birthright as the firstborn son for a single meal. 17 You know that afterward, when he wanted his father’s blessing, he was rejected. It was too late for repentance, even though he begged with bitter tears.”

V5 – “Have you forgotten the ENCOURAGING words God spoke to you as His children?”

  • The writer then quotes Proverbs 3:11,12 – “My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline, and don’t give up when He corrects you. For the Lord DISCIPLINES those He loves, and He punishes each one He accepts as His child.

It is interesting to me that the writer of Hebrews use the phrase “encouraging words” to describe the discipline of the Lord. This tells me that discipline involves injecting courage into [in courage or put courage in] the hearts and minds of those who ‘receive’ correction.

V6 – “For The Lord disciplines those He loves, and He punishes each one he accepts as His child.”

  • Discipline and punishment are equated with love and acceptance. You don’t hear that taught in most pulpits today!

V7 – “Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by a father?”

  • The writer expresses surprise that anyone would consider not being disciplined by their father!

V8 – “If God does not discipline you . . . it means you ARE illegitimate and not REALLY His children at ALL.”

  • One of the signs that we are truly God’s child is we accept discipline. If we run from and refuse to receive discipline it is an indication that we are not related to God. Rebellion is associated with witchcraft! Witchcraft is an expression of the core value of the prince of darkness.

One of the contemptible issues in our modern Christian churches is leaders who refuse to exercise discipline in regard to unruly members. There are so many churches to choose from and there are too many leaders willing to accept people into their community for the sake of having seats filled and bank accounts with plenty of money in them.

“Christians” will migrate to places where they can have “fun” and “enjoy”  the benefits of the community without truly being connected or committed to the community. The “fun loving” Christians feel entitled to the benefits without the responsibility to those in authority.

V10 – “For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best the knew how.”

  • Our earthly fathers may be natural or spiritual. They represent God’s delegated authority in our lives. Human fathers, even in their imperfect attempts to bring correction, do what they think is best for us. This is not speaking of the obvious abusive fathers that some have had in their lives. Abuse is never to be tolerated by anyone on any level.

We are to honor those in authority over us, whether in the home, at work or in church. We demonstrate respect for God in the way we respect those God has placed us under in life. We may not agree with everything they do or say but we are not responsible for what they do or say. We are responsible for treating them with the same respect we treat God Himself. No real respect for God’s leaders shows no real respect for God.

Jesus said on judgment day we would give an account for how we treated the poor and the imprisoned. “Inasmuch as you did it to them you did it to Me.”

How much more will be be held accountable for the way we treated those in authority?

V10 – “God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we may share in His holiness.”

  • Holiness, or separation to God for His holy purposes lived out through us is connected to discipline.

V11 – “No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.”

  • Discipline is NOT fun! How about that for all you who think that God is only interested in you having fun? “It IS painful!” But the result of discipline is a harvest of right living for those who are trained by it. The Greek word trained is ‘gymnazo’. According to Thayer’s Dictionary of New Testament Words it means:
    1. to exercise naked [in a palaestra or school of athletics]
    2. to exercise vigorously, in any way, either the body or the mind

It comes from a root word that means to be stripped, or laid bare. Seems like the Lord’s training regimen is thorough and is meant to expose every flaw we have in our life.

This is the same word the writer of Hebrews uses in chapter five verse 14 to speak of the mature in Christ. Maturity requires discipline and discipline must be applied personally by the individual and individually by the Lord.

ARE WE HAVING FUN YET?

V12 – “So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees.”

  • Get a grip! Reevaluate your position concerning God’s purpose for your life. Take personal responsibility for your inability to handle what God’s dealing are with you and your inability to walk it out in a way that is honorable.

V13 – “Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong.”

  • Straighten up! Do you not realize your inconsistencies are adversely affecting the walk of other people?
  • Your walk should help others not hinder them!

V14 – “Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord.”

  • Stop causing trouble! Do your homework as it relates to being holy! If you don’t, the Lord will know it and will not allow you to see Him!

V15 – “Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.”

  • You are not in this by yourself. You are responsible to others and for others. The way you relate to people affects your access to God’s grace [His divine ability]. Your negative attitude toward others is poisoning you and corrupting others because you have negated the grace of God in your own life. How is that working out for you?

V16-17 – “Make sure that no one is immoral or godless like Esau, who traded his birthright as the firstborn son for a single meal. 17 You know that afterward, when he wanted his father’s blessing, he was rejected. It was too late for repentance, even though he begged with bitter tears.”

  • What will it profit you if you get your way but lose everything God predetermined for your destiny?

Keep THE Faith! Keep THE Passion!

Dr. Kevin M. Drury, DMin

A Hisstorymaker!

It’s Time To Act Up! #3 – Where’s Your Focus?

Posted on by under Bible, Christian, Excellence, LifeGiving, Righteousness, School Of The Spirit, Training

Where is your focus?

Our focus determines our outlook!

Our outlook speaks of our mental view, or the way we see things in our mind. It also means our point of view or where we “point” our sight. Our outlook is our line of sight…

The apostle Paul prayed for the saints in Asia Minor this prayer found in Ephesians 1:17-19 ~

“17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe.”

Paul prayed for the first century saints, who were under the earthly rule of Rome yet more importantly were citizens of heaven, to receive “a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge [intimate awareness and connection to God] of Him [the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of Glory].”

Please notice the order:

  1. “A spirit of wisdom” –
  2. “A spirit of revelation”

Wisdom must precede revelation so that we can rightly steward heaven’s downloads. Otherwise it is like a river without banks. The water just runs all over the place without clear direction or purpose.

Paul then proceeds to ask God to grant these saints with multiple citizenships [earthly and heavenly] eyes to see. The eyes he desired them to see out of are not the ones in their heads. These are the eyes of the heart, or of the regenerated new man, or new creation.

As citizens of heaven on earth we must see from heaven’s perspective or we will find it difficult to  overcome life’s obstacles and earth’s limitations. Our faith [seeing what God sees and saying what God says] is what overcomes the world.

These “eyes of the heart” are to be enlightened, opened, illuminated, and focused on God, who is the God of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Father of glory. In other words, we must see that the Father and the Son are truly One and the same. Jesus said, “If you have seen Me you have seen the Father.”

What did Jesus ever face that caused Him concern and consternation? It was never the problems of the planet such as sin, sickness, poverty, or lack of resources. His problem was with the perception of the people.

“Only believe” was a central theme of His ministry. “If you have faith the size of a mustard seed you can . . . . “

Jesus never needs a lot to work with. He can take the little we offer Him and transform people, places and even the planet.

This synergistic understanding creates continuity in our heart and head which leads us to seeing Him who is invisible, understanding that He loves to do the impossible, that He has really good plans for us and tremendous resources available to us to bring transformation to the planet.

What are these resources?

They are:

  • “The hope of His calling” – Do you realize that we have no calling apart from His calling. Our call in life is simply a product of His calling. His calling is redemptive and transformational. He came to bring heaven to earth not rescue His people off of the earth. “Occupy until I come” is a command. The purpose of an occupation force is for transforming the area and society where the “force” understands it’s mandate and enforces the will of the conquering King.
  • “The riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints” – Did you ever stop to think that Jesus has an inheritance in us – His saints? We know that we have an eternal inheritance in Him but what about His inheritance in us? God has deposited in each of us a ton of grace, ability, intelligence, opportunity and a host of other beneficial resources. And He fully expects to receive “much good fruit” from us.
  • “The surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe” – Think about what you just read!
    • “Surpassing!”
    • “Greatness of!”
    • “His power!”
    • “Toward!”
    • “Us!”
    • “Who believe!”

And the problem is?

Our problem is not what opposes us! Our problem is our perception of what opposes us! Actually, our problem is us! “We have met the enemy and the enemy is us” [1970, Walt Kelly, author of the comic strip Pogo].

Apostolic and prophetic ministers pray prayers, write blogs and books, prophesy and preach sermons that redirect people’s focus off of themselves and whatever they face, and onto the only Source that provides solutions to the seemingly overwhelming problems that “appear” to be standing in their way.

Look at what the prophet Isaiah said 8 centuries before Jesus came in the flesh.

Isaiah 60:1-5

“1 Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. 2 For behold, darkness will cover the earth and deep darkness the peoples; But the Lord will rise upon you and His glory will appear upon you. 3 Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.

4 Lift up your eyes round about and see; They all gather together, they come to you. Your sons will come from afar, and your daughters will be carried in the arms. 5 Then you will see and be radiant, and your heart will thrill and rejoice; Because the abundance of the sea will be turned to you, the wealth of the nations will come to you.”

This text is a dichotomy!

On the one side are the obvious problems that Isaiah saw, which represent your target and your mission in life, which you are facing [have the opportunity to see].

They are:

  • “Darkness covering earth” and
  • “Deep darkness covering the peoples”

Memo to self ~ You are not responsible for what you cannot control!

On the other side is YOU!

In addition to you is all that you have at your disposal to dispose of the problems facing mankind.

Isaiah saw these as well. Genuine apostolic and prophetic ministry does not focus on the problems. They look right past the “dirt” and get to the gold!

You and I are responsible for utilizing the tools God gives us to approach life with faith and joyful expectation of success. This is where the grace gifts of apostle and prophet are vitally important. These gifts of Christ see the unseen [what God sees and says] and they release courage to face life in such a way that helps people overcome. Apostles and prophets, among other things, equip the saints to live from the superior, unseen spiritual world toward the natural world. Our faith is anchored in the spirit world, where God who is Spirit rules from His throne.

Isaiah saw and declared that we have:

  • “Your light!”
    • Your light represents your revelation and understanding of God
      • Use the revelation and understanding of God that you have in a way that is productive
    • “[That] Has come!”
      • What are we waiting on?
        • Using what we presently have ensures access to whatever we need now and in the future
  • “The Lord!”
    • This should be enough, but along with Him comes all that He is and all that He possesses
  • “The glory of the Lord [that] has risen upon you!”
    • The Lord’s glory represents His manifest presence
    • His manifest presence represents His tangible activity
    • His tangible activity represents His supernatural interventions
  • “The Lord will rise upon you!”
    • This speaks of the baptism in the Holy Spirit
    • We will touch on this in a minute
  • “His [The Lord’s] glory will appear upon you!”
    • I believe this is another way of stating the baptism of the Holy Spirit and the anointing that will flow out of you

You are responsible for YOU! You are to responsibly ~

  • “Arise!”
    • Get up! Stand up! Act up!
  • “Shine!”
    • Be bright, cheerful, full of expectation of imminent good!
    • Be happy and joyful [full of joy]!
  • “Lift up your eyes!”
    • Look at the goal not the obstacle!
    • Get God’s perspective!
    • In the sport of track and field there is an event called the “100m and 110m hurdle race.” These races consist of a distance of 100m for the women and 110m for the men. For the race ten hurdles of a height of 83.8 cm [2.75 ft] are placed evenly spaced along a straight course. The racers know that the hurdles [obstacles] are there but they don’t focus on them. They focus on the goal [finish line] and visualize themselves hurdling [flying over] all of the hurdles [obstacles].
  • “And see!”
    • Really see! Or, see what is really real!
    • See the solutions not the problems!
    • See what you possess not what you are lacking!
    • God asked Moses, “What do you have in your hand?” God wanted Moses to see what was available to him to carry out his mission.

What did [does] God want His people to see? He wanted [wants] them to see their harvest!

“Nations will come to you!” We know we are to go to the nations but what about expecting nations to come to us?

“Kings [will come] to the brightness of your rising!” Can you handle attracting people of influence and authority? Can you see powerful people being attracted to you and your business or ministry?

“They all gather together!” You will not have to go out and look for them. They will assemble themselves and make it easy for you to recognize them.

“They come to you!” Oh Yeah! I bet you did not know just how attractive you are in God’s eyes!

“Your sons will come from afar, and your daughters will be carried in the arms!” Distance, danger, discouragement, despair, dysfunction and disillusionment cannot keep your covenant family from getting to you.  This is very important I believe because it appears Isaiah is predicting the arrival of “children” that have our DNA.

DNA is vital to furthering legacies and inheritances. Physical and spiritual DNA are critical components to handing off to future generations of “relatives” what we have worked hard to obtain. If we hand over our life’s work to someone that does not have our DNA then is could be squandered.

“Then you will see and be radiant!” The realization of what your faithfulness in dry and desperate seasons produced will result in you radiating the glory of God.

“Your heart will thrill and rejoice!” You will not be able to contain the unmitigated pleasure, excitement and joy of this moment of satisfaction in seeing for real what was really there all along.

“Because the abundance of the sea will be turned to you!” Abundance? Yep! More than you can comprehend.

“The wealth of the nations will come to you!” Wealth? Yep! God is provision [pro – vision] and He will provide for His people of vision.

The Isaiah 60 text immediately follows what Isaiah saw and said in chapter 59. Let’s look at what immediately precedes verse 1-3 of chapter 60.

“19 So they will fear the name of the Lord from the west and His glory from the rising of the sun for He will come like a rushing stream which the wind of the Lord drives. 20 A Redeemer will come to Zion, and to those who turn from transgression in Jacob, declares the Lord. 21 ‘As for Me, this is My covenant with them,’ says the Lord: ‘My Spirit which is upon you, and My words which I have put in your mouth shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouth of your offspring, nor from the mouth of your offspring ‘s offspring,’ says the Lord, ‘from now and forever.'”

Here Isaiah declares there will be a holy respect for God and His glory. He says the wind [Spirit – John 3] of the Lord will drive a rushing stream [move of God]. This move of God will result in “A Redeemer is coming to Zion, and to those who turn from their transgression in Jacob.” In the natural Zion is the Eretz Israel, or Land of Israel, the physical inheritance of a physical people who were to be in covenant with God, and Jacob is Israel according to the flesh.

In their completed form Zion is the Church, the community of blood bought saints of God who are rightly fitted, formed and fashioned into a spiritual house of worship [Hebrews 12; 1 Peter 2], and Jacob is the new creation, or the Israel of God [Galatians 6].

God’s promise to these repentant people is an eternal –

  • Multi generational blessing of salvation and Holy Spirit baptism
  • Multi generational blessing of respect for revelation of and in God’s Word

Notice the word “upon” is used by Isaiah to illustrate the arrival of the Holy Spirit upon the repentant ones in Jacob. Luke wrote that Jesus used this word in Luke 24 and Acts 1 to describe the baptism of the Holy Spirit. “You shall receive power WHEN the Holy Spirit comes UPON you, and you shall . . . “

The  initial fulfillment of this promise  is found in Acts chapter 2.

“36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ —this Jesus whom you crucified. 37 Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what shall we do?” 38 Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 “For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.”

Luke records this historical event by clearly communicating God’s intent for salvation and the baptism in the Holy Spirit to be multi generational. God’s Promise is to our literal and spiritual offspring.

So, what are you focusing on?

Is what you are focusing on creating confusion, consternation or confidence?

Just because there are obstacles does not mean you have missed God. Keep your eye on the goal and sail right over every hurdle.

Keep THE Faith! Keep THE Passion!

Our Hunger And Thirst For God Escorts Us Into Deep Satisfaction In God!

Dr. Kevin M. Drury

A Hisstorymaker!

It’s Time To Act Up! Part 2 – The Apostle’s Doctrine

Posted on by under Bible, Christian, Excellence, LifeGiving, Righteousness, School Of The Spirit, Training

This is the second blog in the series It’s Time To Act Up!

Now is the time to rise up to your rightful place as a co-heir and co-laborer with Jesus the Christ.

In this second installment I want to revisit something we saw in the first blog – The Primitive Church.

On the Day of Pentecost Peter preached a pentecostal sermon and 3000 people were born again and ushered into the Kingdom of God.

In verse 42 of Acts 2 we read the following account written by Luke. This Luke is the author of the Gospel of Luke.

“And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine . . . “

Who were these apostles? What was the doctrine of these apostles? Why would anyone pay attention to what these apostles had to teach?

All of these are very good questions but in this blog I will focus on the apostle’s doctrine.

The Apostle’s Doctrine

I want to go ahead and inform you that I will not be delving into every aspect of the apostle’s doctrine in this blog. But I have chosen some aspects of it that I want to highlight.

Our selected verse begins by emphatically stating those who heard what was said on The Day of Pentecost “continued steadfastly” in the apostle’s doctrine. So let’s begin with what this means as a segue from Blog 1 to Blog 2.

To continue steadfastly means ~

They purposed to purposefully pay attention & not be passive hearers!

They purposed to purposefully direct their attention to the speaker and what was spoken!

They purposed to be purposefully unwavering, unswerving in their commitment to continue!

They purposed to purposefully position and posture themselves for optimum success!

In other words, these first century saints accepted personal responsibility for their progress in the faith. This means they understood the role that faithfulness plays in their personal progress. Or, they knew, “That preacher just doesn’t feed me anymore” is not a valid reason for their lack of growth.

What Is the Apostle’s Doctrine?

We get a vital clue early on in the day on that first Pentecost Sunday.

Acts 2:5-12

“5 And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. 6 And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. 7 Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabs–we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.” 12 So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “Whatever could this mean?””

The wonderful works of God formed a framework for the Apostle’s doctrine [teaching, belief system, core values].

The apostle’s beliefs and core values were the platform from which they communicated through their words and lifestyle what they believed.

The way we live communicates more to others what we believe than our words!

Actions speak louder than words!

“The wonderful works of God”

  • God’s works are wonderful [full of wonder]

  • God is wonderful [full of wonder]

  • God is really good

  • God is really good at being really good

  • God is worth talking positively about

  • God is worthy of our praise

“We hear them speaking in our own tongues [languages]”

God cares enough for every person to communicate to every person in a language they can understand. This means that God is speaking to every individual in a language they recognize and should respond to in a way that connects, or reconnects them to God who loves them passionately.

God’s Awesome Deeds!

Psalm 66:5,6

“Come and see the works of God, who is awesome in His deeds toward the sons of men. 6 He turned the sea into dry land; They passed through the river on foot; There let us rejoice in Him! 7 He rules by His might forever.”

“Come and see the works of God”

God invites every generation to benefit from His past activities.

“Who is awesome in His deeds toward the sons of men”

God is awesome and He points His awesomeness towards the sons of men. This is a different depiction of God than the judgment preachers have. The Hebrew word for ‘awesome’ is yare [yaw-ray’]. This word means: To reverence, to be in awe of, to honor and respect, to have a healthy fear that leads to faithfulness in the relationship. This word can also mean to be afraid of.

The idea here I believe is a combination of the New Testament revelation where Jesus said [paraphrase], “Do not fear man or what man can do to you. Fear God who can destroy both body and soul in hell.” Jesus was clearly saying there is a day of judgment so don’t treat God with contempt. The context is clearly on the goodness of God should lead to honor and respect for God.

Also, “It is the kindness of God that leads men to repentance.” When we see the ministry of Jesus He confronted sin but loved the sinner. He even confronted the sin and corrupt mindsets of His disciples. But He came to save not to judge and condemn. “It is appointed unto man once to die, AND THEN the judgment.”

What is God inviting us to see?

“He turned the [Red] Sea into dry land” speaks of God delivering His people out of 430 years of Egyptian bondage and slavery. This is equivalent to the born again experience and water baptism. Through the new birth we are delivered from the domain of darkness [Egypt] and the prince of darkness [Pharaoh] and translated into the Kingdom of light [the Kingdom of God’s dear Son Jesus the Christ].

“They passed through the [Jordan] River on foot” speaks of God leading His people into their inheritance [destiny, His purpose for their lives].

God wants us to see that salvation without the proper destination is an unfulfilled salvation.

God does not save people to get them to a place called heaven. God saves people to be heavenly citizens on earth. In other words, born again people are God’s gateway to bring heaven to earth. Born again people are stewards of heavenly realities with a responsibility to overcome the world and occupy the world until God comes. The purpose of occupation is always transformation!

“There let us rejoice in Him”. God will lead people to the place of destiny but will not make a person enter, embrace, enjoy, expand or export their destiny. To rejoice denotes joyful celebration.

Where are we to rejoice? Not after crossing the Sea but after we have passed through the River by foot [we enter by our own volition] into our place of inheritance and destiny.

This does not mean we should not celebrate our deliverance from Egypt. It means we must proceed on to our destiny. Too many Christians think forgiveness is all there is to the Christian life. Forgiveness and conversion is the doorway to destiny.

Psalm 119:111

“Your testimonies I have taken as an inheritance forever, for they are the rejoicing of my heart.”

The Hebrew root word for ‘testimony’ means to repeat, to do the same thing over and over.

When a testimony of God’s activities in our lives is released it carries an invitation for others to experience God in that very same way. It is like a prophetic word from God saying, “I will do it again for you [them].”

Psalm 78:5-8

“5 For He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which He commanded our fathers that they should teach them to their children, 6 that the generation to come might know, even the children yet to be born, that they may arise and tell them to their children, 7 that they should put their confidence in God and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments, 8 and not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation that did not prepare its heart and whose spirit was not faithful to God.”

“God established a [the principle of sharing the] testimony [of His wonderful works]  in Jacob [the Prince who was living out of a false identity based on his behavior instead of his calling]!”

“[God] appointed a law in Israel [the redeemed and new name for Jacob after His conversion at the river Jabbok], which He commanded our fathers [those responsible for stewarding the miraculous interventions of God in the affairs of man].”

God wants each generation to pass on to future generations His testimonies! There are at least 3 or 4 generations of covenant people that should be introduced to the testimony depending on how you interpret verses 5 and 6.

Sharing God’s testimony creates confidence and courage in the lives of those who hear it and it keeps current the truth that God cares and is active in their lives. This results in faithfulness to God and His commandments [which are: Love God! Love people!] [Verse 7]

Failure to share the testimony causes people to forget God’s faithfulness which results in rebellion against God. [Verse 7]

God indicted the “fathers” for their failure to faithfully follow His decrees! God calls those who fail to pass on His testimony stubborn, rebellious, unprepared and unfaithful to Him. [Verse 8]

We see the results of this failure as we keep reading Psalm 78.

Psalm 78:9-11

“9 The children of Ephraim, being armed and carrying bows, turned back in the day of battle.10 They did not keep the covenant of God; They refused to walk in His law, 11 and forgot His works and His wonders that He had shown them.”

These 3 verses need little commentary. Ephraim was one of the largest tribes numerically. History records them as the tribe that led the rebellion against God. They are often used to describe the “10 tribes”, the “house of Israel” as compared to the house of Judah.

The text tells us although they were prepared outwardly they were cowards inwardly. Because they “forgot” God’s works and His wonders that He had shown them they deserted in battle and their decision destroyed their destiny.

Psalm 78:40-43

40 How often they provoked Him in the wilderness, and grieved Him in the desert! 41 Yes, again and again they tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel. 42 They did not remember His power: The day when He redeemed them from the enemy, 43 when He worked His signs in Egypt, and His wonders in the field of Zoan;

These sons of the rebellious unfaithful fathers continued their downward spiral into apostasy. This should be a WARNING for anyone who believes they can live for God without living responsibly in the relationship with God.

Can you believe you can provoke and grieve and tempt and limit God?

We see again how rebellion in the heart causes amnesia in the head. I wonder if some of the mind and memory deficiencies we are seeing in our society today can be traced to unfaithfulness in sharing  with others the wonderful works of God in our lives.

The Hebrew word ‘signs’ in verse 43 is “oth or owth” [is sound like oath]. According to Brown-Driver-Brigg’s Definition this words means:  A sign or signal, a distinguishing mark, a banner, a miraculous sign, and proof.

According to Strong’s Definition is means: A beacon, a flag, a token and evidence.

The Hebrew word for ‘wonders’ in verse 43 is mopheth [mo-faith]. Yep! I love God! This word means: a wonder [as a special display of God’s power], a sign or token of a future event [do it again].

Mopheth comes from a Hebrew root word that means: To be bright, beautiful, conspicuous, and to beautify.

From these two graphic Hebrew words we can see how God wants to advertise His care for people and announce His intentions to help when life happens and we find ourselves in situations that need resources from the only Source that can truly deliver.

A great lesson in this is mopheth creates more signs and wonders and more signs and wonders creates mopheth!

For the life of me I cannot wrap my mind around the many modern, post modern, contemporary and relevant church cultures that refuse to allow the Spirit of God to manifest the gifts of God. Especially the gifts of healings and miracles.

Some “say”, “we believe in that”, but never allow it. They don’t want to create a climate for disappointment in case someone doesn’t get healed. What about those in their midst that have no hope other than God’s miraculous intervention? What about ‘mo faith’? Haven’t they already disappointed the very people that are out of human options?

1 Corinthians 2:1-5

“1 And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. 3 I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling, 4 and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.”

Paul used testimonies to reach the people of Corinth! His ministry in Athens was based on debate. His trip to Corinth gave him time to evaluate his methodology and when he arrived his change of strategy ended in greater success.

What was his change in strategy? He moved away from intelligent debate and made room for the moving of the Holy Spirit in supernatural power. The goal of his new method of ministry according to Paul, “so your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.”

The fruit of this change in strategy? A Church was born! A significant church that brought the Gospel of the Kingdom to a new continent and invaded new cultures with the Kingdom culture.

Paul’s message was Jesus Christ, and Him crucified! Paul taught the life, supernatural ministry, death, burial, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ. I am sure he also included his own personal testimonies that included his supernatural encounter on the road to Damascus, and his healing at the hands of Ananias, the skeptical servant of God.

This simple message about the Person named Jesus of Nazareth, God’s only begotten Son, who came from heaven to earth, to deliver all of God’s creation from bondage in the land of darkness [Egypt / sin], and to provide for us throughout our journey of discovering our purpose in life [40 years in the wilderness], and lead us into our inheritance [our destiny] – turned the world upside down in the first century.

Until the life and ministry of Jesus the Christ, and the simple message about His life and ministry, people were left to fend for themselves. The climate of the culture of that day was despair. Why? Rebellion! From Malachi to John and Jesus there was 400 years of silence from heaven.

Matthew 28:16-20

“16 But the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated [Mount of Olives]. 17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful. 18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.””

Jesus’ commands were part of the apostle’s doctrine [teaching]!

There are over 40 commands given by Jesus! Some are found in this text.

  • “Go” – 2/3 of God’s name is GO. The Gospel begins with GO! What are we waiting for? We are not waiting on God. He is always on the GO!
  • “Make disciples” – Please notice Jesus did not say, “Make converts”. While conversion is important and the first step into discipleship we must remember and teach others that salvation may be a free gift, discipleship will cost us everything!
  • “Baptizing them” – Water baptism may not save a person but it is a requirement for discipleship. To be baptized in water in the 1st century was a huge deal. When most “converts” came up out of the water they were disowned, disinherited and a disgrace to their family, friends and faith [Judaism]. They were choosing to “lose everything in order to gain Christ.”
  • “Teaching them to observe ALL I commanded you” – Wow! What about that! Without obedience there is no relationship. This is a foreign concept today in our modern, post modern, contemporary and relevant Christianity.

Jesus was asked what are the greatest commandments. He replied, “Love God! Love people!

Jesus took His 10 commandments where 9 were negative and transformed them into 2 positive commandments. Under the Old Covenant the focus was on what we could not do and what we should stay away from. Under the New Covenant the focus is on what we get to do and Who we are to get close to.

So, what Jesus was saying is this:

Love trumps Law! Love is greater than rules and regulations!

If you are married, are you faithful to your spouse because the Law says, “Do not commit adultery” or are you faithful because you love them and would never do something that would violate them?

Well then, it is possible to remain faithful to God by demonstrating our love by not violating His heart!

The Miraculous Lifestyle Is Part Of Jesus’ Commands!

Matthew 9:35 – 10:1,7,8

“35 Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. 36 But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. 37 Then He said to His disciples, ‘The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. 38 Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.’ 1 And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease. 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 demons. Freely you have received, freely give.'”

V35 – Jesus always modeled Kingdom ministry. Kingdom ministry combines teaching and preaching the Gospel of the [His] Kingdom with demonstrations of supernatural power to destroy human maladies. Please notice He healed EVERY sickness and EVERY disease!

V36 – When he saw the human condition of dis-ease, dis-[re]pair, and dis-ability He was moved with compassion [with passion]. When we think of Christ’s passion we limit it to the work of the Cross. The work of the Cross was the payment for the results of the work of the Cross which Jesus dispensed before He went to the Cross.

Compassion is not sympathy. It is a stronger emotion that requires intervention. Sympathy sits impotent wishing things were different and doing its best to help the suffering endure it until they eventually die. Jesus saw the weariness [and hopelessness] and loss of relational connection [scattered].

Why were they in this condition? “They were LIKE sheep having NO shepherd.” They had shepherds but their shepherds were not intervening with God’s power to deliver them from their dysfunctions.

V37 – Jesus then directed His disciple’s attention to the real condition of the crowd. Jesus did not create a culture of worrying about not disappointing the people in the crowd. I also believe it was at this point that Jesus realized the ministry was too big for Him and He needed to empower His disciples to Act Up!

V38 – Jesus then employs the disciples to pray because prayer is the path to correct posture with God. Prayer means humility and dependance. Prayer is like plugging an extension cord into a wall electrical outlet so that the same power at the wall can be extended to where it is needed.

V10:1 – Jesus then licenses His disciples to do God’s work with God’s authority and power. Jesus is the King of the Kingdom and as King He grants certain privileges and responsibilities to the citizens of the Kingdom.

The word ‘power’ in this verse is not the best translation. It is the Greek word exousia [ex-oo-see’-ah] with the emphasis on the “see”. This is relevant! The English transliteration is authority, not power. Picture a traffic cop directing traffic in a busy intersection where the traffic light is not functioning.

The vehicles have more power than the lone policeman but the authority granted him by the governmental body he represents creates the climate of respect so when he blows his whistle, and or raises or waves his hand, the drivers in those vehicles obey. They stop when he says stop! They move in the direction he directs them to. This is what Jesus was granting to His disciples.

Jesus instructs them to do what they just watched Him do by “giving them authority to cast out unclean spirits, and to heal all [the different] kinds of sickness and all [the different] kinds of disease.”

V10:7 – Jesus then instructs His disciples to move forward – “As you go”. Next He tells them what to say, “The Kingdom of heaven [God] is at hand [here].” “The present tense reality of God’s rule is right here, right now, and is within your reach.”

V10:8 – Jesus gave 4 commands in order to demonstrate to those hearing that God and His Kingdom are here [present].  Please notice He did not command them to become better communicators of Truth. We should be better communicators of Truth but what we do to demonstrate Truth is more powerful than mere words in proper format. Those 4 commands are:

  1. Heal – the sick! Which ones? Those who are sick. Remember Jesus healed every sickness and disease among the people and gave His disciples a  “do it again” with this new crowd of people.
  2. Cleanse – the lepers! Leprosy is a type of sin that destroys people’s lives and separates them from society. This involves physical healing as Jesus physically healed lepers. The greater reality here is about the restoration to the community of those who have issues that are no longer hidden inside and have caused a disconnect in relationships.
  3. Raise – the dead! Which ones? Those who are dead. Jesus was always ruining funerals and the mindsets of the mourners.
  4. Cast out – devils! This is dealt with in Luke 10 where Jesus ups the ante by giving His disciples power [dunamis – dynamic supernatural power] and authority [exousia] to tread upon serpents and scorpions [types of unclean spirits]. I believe what He intended here is not simply commanding devils to leave people as it was to teach the people how to live free from demonic influence. Remember, Jesus said in another place that when an unclean spirit leaves it goes through arid places and then returns to see if the “house” has been put in order. The best way to cast out darkness is to infuse a house with light. The best way to remove evil is to practice God’s presence and righteous living. To “tread upon” evil spirits is to live above their influence by walking in purity and power – which is Biblical Christianity.

Giving is another commandment!

Luke 6:38 – “Give and it shall be given back to you . . .” This is a command not a suggestion. The context of this command is not money by the way. It applies to financially supporting God’s work but it not limited to it as some preachers seem to think and teach.

Acts 20:25 – “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Jesus is not saying receiving is not a blessing and beneficial. He is simply saying there is something significantly greater available to a person that possesses their possessions instead of their possessions possessing them.

By the way, this statement attributed to Jesus is not found in the Gospels. That was for free!

The Supernatural lifestyle is another commandment!

Luke 24:49 – “Do not leave Jerusalem until you are clothed with Power.” “Do not leave your place of conversion to go do My work without My Power!”

Acts 1:4,5 – “4 And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; 5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.””

Remember, Luke is the author of the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts. He clearly clears up any ambiguity that may exist in the minds of the multitudes who believe this is not a command.

If you will do a study of Jesus’ instructions to His first disciples in the 4 Gospels you will find that almost every time, if not every time, He connects preaching to the miraculous. How we think we can advance His Kingdom in our day without the supernatural tools mandated and made available in that day is beyond me.

Acts 1:8 – “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Power is what Jesus said would be the prevalent evidence of a Spirit led and Spirit empowered life. This power is the miraculous power, strength and ability that is the Holy Spirit. This power is granted to the saints who in obedience to Christ, the Head of the Church, to destroy the works of the devil. This power, as we have seen in this blog is released through anointed preaching and teaching and in the undeniable release into the lives of people oppressed by the devil.

Acts 8:4-8

“4 Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word. 5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. 6 And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. 7 For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed.8 And there was great joy in that city.”

Persecution from the unsaved Jews in Jerusalem was now in full swing and some of the believers fled the city. Look carefully at the methodology and fruit of ministry by these “primitive” believers.

V4 – They preached the word – God’s word is always the foundation for ministry

V5 – Philip arrives in Samaria and preaches Christ. Notice He did not preach Jesus. He preached Christ which tells me the emphasis was on the Spirit baptized, Spirit led and Spirit empowered Jesus. Christianity that reduces the importance of or eliminates altogether the supernatural and miraculous is not the Christianity Jesus started and handed off to the “primitive” disciples.

V6 – Those in Samaria conducted themselves the same way those in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost [See The Primitive Church blog and the beginning of this blog]. These hearers with “one accord HEEDED the things spoken by Philip.” Luke goes on to say they ‘were hearing and seeing’ the miracles which he did.” The Gospel of the Kingdom continued to be seen and heard nearly 5-8 years after Pentecost. Miracles, not wise and persuasive messages got the people’s attention.

V7 – Notice that the text does not say Philip commanded the unclean spirits to come out of people. It does not even say he laid hands on the lame and paralyzed. He may have! I believe the Presence of God was so thick and the atmosphere in Samaria was so full of God’s glory that darkness had to flee.

V8 – The fruit of ministry that includes the miraculous was an entire city was filled with great joy. The way to win our cities is to allow the Spirit of God to demonstrate the power of God. We need to get back to the simplicity of the “primitive church”.

Acts 10:38 – “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.”

Before the river Jordan experience Jesus was a law abiding, ethical and moral man. After His encounter with the Holy Spirit He went on the attack. I have multiple blogs and messages on what true Biblical Christianity is and is not.

When Jesus handed the baton of advancing His Kingdom from Jerusalem to the rest of the planet He wanted His work done the way He did it when He was personally and physically on the planet.

When Jesus came He said, “If you have seen Me, you have seen the Father.” This clearly communicates God sent Jesus to model Christianity.

The doctrine of the apostle’s was ~

God cares!

Jesus came!

He is the standard for all life and ministry, and He set the standard!

He is calling you!

He is calling you to be His disciple, not some preacher’s disciple!

He is calling you to reach your God-given purpose in earth!

It is time to Act Up!

A portion of this message  and future messages can be watched on YouTube at Bethel By The Sea. I am getting closer to publishing my book CHRISTIANITY THE WAY JESUS LIVED IT, Releasing The Christ Within You. A lot of this material is in this book.

Keep THE Faith! Keep THE Passion!

Our hunger and thirst for God escorts us into deep satisfaction in God!

Dr. Kevin M. Drury, DMin                                                                                                                                      A Hisstorymaker