To engage the Pathway of Responsibility we need to learn how to access beyond the veil and take our positions as lords, kings and sons on our thrones in the heavenly realms. When we are seated in the heavenly realms we can establish kingdom government on the earth. As a gateway of heaven the kingdom fills and expands our spheres on the earth.
Responsibility comes from pursuing relationship with the presence of the Person of God that will unveil His: Purposes – salvation- relationship. Promises – restoration, relationship. Provision – dependent relationship. Power – equipping relationship.
Isa 42:9 “Behold, the former things have come to pass, now I declare new things; before they spring forth I proclaim them to you.” We must be aware when the former or old things have come to the end of their usefulness so we can accept and embrace the new things.
God is revealing new things in our day; we have been looking at what are the old and what are the new things. Comparing and contrasting old and new so that we can make sure we are embracing the new and not clinging on to what is old.
Old things can be comfortable and familiar as illustrated by the children of Israel in the wilderness. Old forms of church wineskin, church government, ministry, prayer, thoughts, beliefs, doctrine, theology, evangelism are being challenged by new fresh revelation of truth.
A new level of experiential relationship with God releases a new level of communication with Him. A new ability to hear and see what God is doing that reveals a new theology, a new understanding about God Himself that comes from experience not theory. New doctrinal understandings from the Truth brings new foundational understandings. New mind-sets, truth from the mind of Christ. How much of what we believe is because we have always believed it based on what someone else has taught or from a religious construct, doctrine or theology? How much is from culture and society? How much is actually from direct personal and experiential revelation from God Himself?
The Joshua Generation are forerunners of new things which are characterized by establishing everything first beyond the veil in the heavenly realms. We looked at evangelism from a new perspective of being an embassy of heaven, a storehouse on earth ready for the harvest. Evangelism is not using fear to manipulate people to make a decision or pray a prayer. Evangelism is not trying to convince someone to follow someone they don’t know. Evangelism is being an ambassador representing God to people. We are all called to be firsthand witnesses using our testimony, the experience of our relationship with God.
Act 1:8 but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”
We are the message, the good news .We are all commissioned to be a kingdom influence by making known the reality of the kingdom through our lives . Therefore, we must expect the salvation of those around us. If we are light and that light radiates Jesus’ love and people will be drawn to it. People will experience love by the frequency of love that we carry.
Matt 28:18 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.”
Act 2:2 And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance. 5 Now there were Jews living in Jerusalem, devout men from every nation under heaven.
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.
1 Tim 2:3 This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
How long would it take for all 7 billion people in the world to know Jesus Christ personally? Look at two different strategies. First strategy is to reach the world is by addition. Equip 10,000 churches to add 1,000 people every year. Second strategy is by multiplication: One person decides to lead one other person to Christ every year, disciple the new believer and train them how to do the same with someone else. By teaching others to become teachers the person will multiply themselves.
The addition strategy, as impressive as it looks on the surface, will take 600 years to reach the world, and that’s assuming a zero population-growth rate. Since statistics suggest that we’re currently adding 135 million to the world’s population each year, the followers of the addition strategy will never actually accomplish the goal.
Multiplication strategy, on the other hand, will surpass it. It starts slow: After one year, there are only 2 disciples. At the end of the second year, 4. Third year, there are 8 followers of Jesus. Fourth year, 16. However, by year 33, you will have more than 8.5 billion Christians.
Population explosion? No problem — just 2 years later 34 billion Christians. The powerful potential of a ministry of multiplication, compared to one of addition? The DNA of spiritual multiplication is disciple making. We are all responsible to make disciples.
What can 50 people do? . Year 1 50 to 100. Year 2 100 to 200. Year 3 200 to 400 . Year 4 400 to 800. Year 5 800 to 1600. After 16 years 3,276,800. What if 20 groups did that? 65 million people.
2.2 billion Christians? Let’s be conservative and say 1 is a born again believer. 12 people to 220 million in 2000 years. If each 220 million was to disciple 1 person a year to do the same. Whole world could be reached in 5 years.
Gen 1:28 God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over it. As God’s children, His sons and heirs we have been given this mandate or authority to multiply through discipleship.
Matt 28:18 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.”
When we reach people, we need to give them a fresh start not introduce them to religion and a set of rules but to a personal relationship. We want people to go from Egypt through the wilderness directly into the promised land of heavenly sonship.
1 Cor 2:1 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 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.
In the home, workplace, marketplace, neighborhood, school, college etc. we are witnesses. Everywhere we are to be an influence, it is all about making disciples not just converts. We are not looking to redeem the 7 mountains of Family, Politics, Education, Finance, Health, Media, Sport, and Recreation and Entertainment but to be the heavenly alternative and make disciples.
Luke 17:21 the kingdom is within us because God is in us. Phil 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me . It is impossible to represent the kingdom as ambassadors in our own strength for our own reasons. We are His supernatural ambassadors.
There are some conditions that will make it easier for us to reach people. Darkness makes it easier to see the light. Instability makes it easier to see what is secure and unshakeable. There may well be some darkness and shaking so we must be ready.
Heb 12:26 And His voice shook the earth then, but now He has promised, saying, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth, but also the heaven.” 27 This expression, “Yet once more,” denotes the removing of those things which can be shaken, as of created things, so that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe;
Heb 12:22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, 23 to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant.
Isa 2:2 Now it will come about that In the last days The mountain of the house of the Lord Will be established as the chief of the mountains, And will be raised above the hills; And all the nations will stream to it. 3 And many peoples will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
Isa 60 :1 “Arise, shine; for your light has come, And the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. 2 “or 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.
Matt 5:13 “You are the salt of the earth; 14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; 16 Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
We have new revelation on what it means to be salt and light.
What are the characteristics of a kingdom lifestyle of love? What will make us distinctive? Do people notice that we have supernatural abilities, a different outlook, attitude and approach to life? Is it a crisis or an opportunity? Do we do what Jesus would do?
1 John 4:16 We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. 17 By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, so also are we in this world.
Rom 8:19 For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. 21 that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. God wants to show us off to the world God wants the world to see heaven on earth through us His children.
Attitudes of the kingdom. A settled way of thinking or feeling, typically reflected in a person’s behavior. How we think and act and react Matt 5:1-12 describes beautiful attitudes . Higher standards of behaviour that demonstrate God’s love.
Representing heaven’s superior authority power and wisdom Jesus is our example or model . What would Jesus do? What did Jesus do? How did Jesus do it? What am I going to do? Matt 5-7 manifesto of the kingdom. Values, Standards and Lifestyle of the kingdom. Jesus challenges the religious system with fresh revelation of God.
Matt 5:2 “or I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.
Rom 5:17 those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Righteousness is a gift received by faith through grace and cannot be earned We are ambassadors because we are righteous not to become righteous through our works .
Attitudes of the kingdom .Matt 5: 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 5 “Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. 7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. 8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. 10“Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Matt 5:3″You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule. 4″You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.
Matt 5:5″You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought. 6″You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat.
Matt 5: 7″You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full,’ you find yourselves cared for. 8″You’re blessed when you get your inside worldyour mind and heartput right. Then you can see God in the outside world.
Matt 5:9 “You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family. 10″You’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom.
What is the results kingdom attitudes. Blessed (happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous–with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s Favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions). Blessed (with a happiness produced by the experience of God’s favor and especially conditioned by the revelation of His matchless grace). Blessed (fortunate and happy and spiritually prosperous in that state in which the born-again child of God enjoys His favor and salvation).
Matt :9 “Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our ather who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. 1 ‘Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. We have to establish everything in heaven first to prepare for on earth as it is in heaven.
Zech 3:7 “Thus says the Lord of hosts, ‘If you will walk in My ways and if you will perform My service, then you will also govern My house and also have charge of My courts, and I will grant you free access among these who are standing here. We can use heaven’s court system to prepare for the kingdom to come through us and be at hand around us.
We have the ability to convene the mobile court to do court cases that removes the enemy’s legal rights for those in our spheres of influence. We have the authority of the verdicts to decree and declare and call forth God’s will and purpose – salvation.
Matt 16:17 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.” We have the keys of the kingdom to use by binding and loosing in heaven.
John 20:23 If you forgive the sins of any, their sins have been forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they have been retained.” We have the power of forgiveness to remove the veil of darkness caused by sin that is blinding people from the truth.
Heb 1:14 Are they (angels) not all ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation? We have the authority to send out angelic messengers and engage with peoples personal angels.
Matt 13:30 and in the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers, 41 The Son of Man will send forth His angels, and they will gather Matt 24:31 And He will send forth His angels with a great trumpet and they will gather together His elect from the four winds.
Call for divine appointments. Call for the engineering of situations and circumstances to create openness in people to the good news. We can speak to mountains or obstacles to command them to move.
Cornelius example Acts 10:3 About the ninth hour of the day he clearly saw in a vision an angel of God who had just come in and said to him, “Cornelius” 5 Now dispatch some men to Joppa and send for a man named Simon, who is also called Peter;
Acts 10:9 On the next day, as they were on their way and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour to pray. 1 he fell into a trance; 11 and he *saw the sky opened up, and an object like a great sheet coming down, lowered by four corners to the ground, 12 and there were in it all kinds of four-footed animals and crawling creatures of the earth and birds of the air.
Acts 10:44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the message. 45 All the circumcised believers who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. 46 For they were hearing them speaking with tongues and exalting God. Then Peter answered, 47 “Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptied who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he?” 48 And he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.
We must be very careful that we do not trade on Apollyon’s trading floor.
We must not let fear, doubt or unbelief stop us doing what Jesus is mandating us to do. We are sons of God who carry the answer to whatever the problems are. We need to be bold and courageous in being salt and light by arising and shining. We are the good news. We are the light of the world – let’s shine . We have the answer as God’s kingdom rule and reign can overcome all the works of the devil. We have the authority to establish the as it is in heaven on earth.
As individuals and corporately it is our responsibility to be ambassadors of heaven on earth. It is our responsibility to be ready for the harvest. It is our responsibility to reach the harvest with demonstrations of good news in love. Do you want to be an ambassador? Do you want to speak for God? Do you want to speak with authority and power? Do you want your words to move mountains? Do you want your words to carry creative power?
To be an ambassador of heaven and of reconciliation we must be willing to let go of our attachments to the earth. We must be willing to be transformed from the effects of nature, nurture and trauma caused by the world.
Our God is a consuming fire to purify and refine, not destroy. Be willing to engage the fires of heaven as living sacrifices. Fiery sword, Temple altar coals and seraphim, Judgement seat, consuming fire, River of fire, Fire stones, Fire walk with Jesus.