Reformation

By Greg Crawford Apostle

Acts 3:21 Whom the heavens must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.

Reformation will be the next focus of the church and for some they are already catching on. We have been in this mindset now for almost a year. Reformation is different then revival (to revive or bring back to former state of life) or awakening (to cause to come out of slumber). Reformation means to reform what already has been in place. Webster’s defines reformation as the act or state of being reformed. Reformed is defined as to be changed for the better. From this simple definition we see we need a change (reformation) and not revivals (to go BACK to a former state of life, who wants that to live in the past. Awakening is the catalyst of reformation. The illumination of what was always there, but not always seen in times past. We see scripturally more reformers than revivalist in scripture. When the life of believers got complacent, is not revivalist but exhorters coming to remind them to not let things slip.

Hebrews 2:1 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip .

But most of the time you see God bringing reformation and changing the container portraying His glory. The catalyst again is awakening expressed as supernatural manifestations causing the reformation. Revival touches the church and a few unbelievers possible, but reformation transforms a society to know that as a society or nation they have has an encounter with God. This begins with the awakening of a person’s spirit which touches both the church and the unbeliever. To me revivals only maintain what has been and awakening releases the future of what will be. What we are talking about is reaching towards the prize of finishing. The outcome of this is reformation!

Joshua 24:14-15 Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD . 15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD .

The reformers we see in scripture and history knew the revelation that God released would require every man to decide what that revelation meant to him personally and would require him to believe. The revelation God brought would eliminate all excuses men would give to not believe and would show His glory as well. This type of revelation was an issue of the heart and not of membership of a ?mother churches’ doctrinal statement!

Acts 19:28-30 And when they heard these sayings , they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians . 29 And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul’s companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre . 30 And when Paul would have entered in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not .

Paul had just confronted the belief system that was false. We see it as cultic and this is true, but the reality is Paul was not confronting cults in his ministry but belief systems. What we must understand like the Apostles of Acts reformation is confrontational with the belief system of people and will expose the belief system men had imposed on others. These things may or may not be cultic. The things that are false will come into conflict with what God is bringing as revelation. Without discernment and true spiritual understanding we could reject the revelation God desires to bring and only see it as conflicting and maybe even confusing. Yet most unbelievers will probably embrace the revelation because they have no preconceived ideas and belief systems.

So what needs to transpire to see reformation? The key is awakening the church into purpose, function and mandates. As I see it there are 3 parts that much be touched or awakened and then we will see reformation. Here they are briefly.

1. Theological transition
There is and has to be a Kingdom theology established. This is the main mandate now happening in the church. We are both returning to the basic foundation doctrines of the Christ and the Apostles of the early church. The self centered gospel we currently have will be set aside. Revelatory truth and mysteries of Christ is now bringing freshness to the church and should be bringing hope to unbelievers. If not then things need to be re-examined. In this area a new focus and understanding is coming concerning Eschatology – the doctrine of last things, and Ecclesiology – The doctrine of the church (ekklesia) as Jesus defined and meant to be. When these two finally merge or we have an alignment of heaven and earth we will see true awakening occur. We right now are at the beginning stage of the shifting in theology and for most leaders who do not “tune in” to the spirit this will be a hard, to almost impossible shift to happen.

2. Leadership transition
With awakened revelation, true leaders will begin to function differently. They will move from reactive (telling what wants to hear) to proactive (telling what needs to hear). This will begin to shift mindsets and paradigms away from self centeredness into Kingdom, (corporate Body of Christ). Leaders with true revelatory understanding will no longer be threatened to raise up those under them and also release them into function. Greater team dynamics of ownership of the vision and working together across boundaries is also a part of the shifting. Leaders will move away from being the source of jealousy causing division in the body of Christ to addressing false doctrine causing division in the society of nations.

3. Functioning Transition
The third will be a move from program driven church to Spirit led meetings. This comes from the first 2 transitions. People do not change how they function until the value systems changes. Values systems come from 2 sources Theology and leadership. As these 2 align people will be released to function. These means the true church will realize the Chronos (Natural seasons) and Kariso (divine moments) times of God. Gifts will be moving in people and services office restored to the Body. True biblical Apostolic Government in place and functioning. Environments for creativity to be released will also be formed thus releasing the prophetic, worship, arts and writing. Some of these are now occurring but not in the fullness by any means. As we function correctly we also will move in correct authority. We will realize we have a purpose, cause and will finish a destiny. Society will be effortless touched and sacrificial giving of lives will occur for the sake of souls again. The kingdom will be allowed to both change and participate in society!

Next week we will continue this teaching on reformation.

This message may be forwarded, posted on your website or distributed to your news group as long as it remains unedited and all ministry contact information is included.

Greg Crawford Apostle
J. I. M. Ministry Base
116 W. Burlington
Fairfield, Ia 52556
641-472-9916

J.I.M. Ministry Base
Iowa Alliance For Reformation
Jubilee School of Ministry
Jubilee on MYSPACE

GOD’S POWERFUL VOICE
Bob Stiles

In early January of 2006, CIA officials believed an audio-taped message threatening the United States was from al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, who warned that plans for terror attacks were under way – and also offered a “long-term truce.”

” … The war against America and its allies will not be confined to Iraq,” the voice on the tape said, adding that “Iraq has become a magnet for attracting and training talented fighters”…. “It’s only a matter of time,” the voice said, referring to attacks. “They are in the planning stages, and you will see them in the heart of your land as soon as the planning is complete.”

It seems to be big news around the world each time there’s a new terrorist tape identifying the voice as that of Osama bin Laden. His voice is authenticated and the world-wide attention proves that his voice is still a powerful one.

Psalms 29:1-9: “Give honor to the Lord, you angels; give honor to the Lord for His glory and strength. Give honor to the Lord for the glory of His name. Worship the Lord in the splendor of His holiness. The voice of the Lord echoes above the sea. The God of glory thunders. The Lord thunders over the mighty sea. The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty. The voice of the Lord splits the mighty cedars; the Lord shatters the cedars of Lebanon. He makes Lebanon’s mountains skip like a calf and Mount Hermon to leap like a young bull. The voice of the Lord strikes with lightning bolts. The voice of the Lord makes the desert quake; the Lord shakes the desert of Kadesh. The voice of the Lord twists mighty oaks and strips the forests bare. In His Temple everyone shouts, “Glory!””

What does today’s Scripture teach us about the power of God’s voice? The cedars of Lebanon were giant trees that could grow to 120 feet in height and 30 feet in circumference. A voice that could split the cedars of Lebanon would be a truly powerful voice – the voice of God. All that was impressive to people was under God’s complete control. Psalm 33 says that when He spoke, the world began! It appeared at His command. Let everyone stand in awe of Him!

You see, there is a voice – more powerful than any earthly one- the voice of the Almighty God, the only true God, which has been authenticated through the Holy Spirit, as revealed to us in the Bible. The awesome thing is that God wants to speak His powerful voice into our lives! Jesus said, “I will not leave you alone, I will come to you…. I will give you another Counselor who will never leave you! And when He comes, He will guide you into all the truth, for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. You can believe in and trust the voice of God. He is real! Take a couple of minutes to praise God. You might want to read today’s scripture aloud as words of praise. Thank Him for His ultimate power and control. Tell God what you need in your life…..now listen for His voice. Every day this week, take a moment to meditate on the truth that God’s voice is the most powerful.

Bob Stiles is the Worship Pastor at Vineyard Christian Fellowship in Grove City
www.gcvineyard.org

Power to Be an Eye-Witness
Tom Pauquette

Acts 1: 4, 8: On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about… 8 you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Good news – it looks like there’s going to be food in heaven!! Can you imagine? In the passage above it starts by saying that Jesus, risen from the grave and on His way back to the Father, was eating with His disciples. I like that.

Then Jesus gave them a strict command: “Wait!” He told these excited disciples to hurry up and wait. What were they to wait for? They were to wait for the “gift” of the Holy Spirit. They were commanded not to go off and try to save the world, speak in His Name, or even conduct a simple “Bible study” until they had first been empowered to do so. They were commanded to wait for the Holy Spirit to come on them.

Verse 8 tells us why. It says that they were guaranteed of one thing if they would wait for the Holy Spirit to indwell them – power! They would have the power they needed to live (and die) as eye witnesses to the movements of God Himself. They would not be preaching about the Gospel, they would be living and preaching the Gospel itself.

Believer, being indwelt by the Holy Spirit is not an optional experience reserved only for the enthusiastic. Being filled, immersed, apprehended, and guided by the Holy Spirit is at the essential center of our walk with the Lord. The truth is that we have a job to do. But it is a job we can not do. Only the Holy Spirit can do it through us. It will only happen through us if and when we give ourselves to being filled once and freshly filled again with God’s Holy Spirit.

Are you living your life in the Holy Spirit? That’s where the power is. Are you holding still and submitting yourself to God in such a way that you can be indwelt by His Spirit? Set aside a time right now when you will clear away the world and enter in to the Lord’s Presence for this very purpose. If you have experienced this before, then you will be glad to do so again. If you have not yet had this experience then buckle up and hang on tight.

Have a power day!

Tom Pauquette is the Senior Pastor at Vineyard Christian Fellowship in Grove City
www.gcvineyard.org

THESE COMMANDMENTS
Scott Pontier

Deuteronomy 6:4-9: Hear, O Israel: The LORD is our God, the LORD alone. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.

These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

Most commentators understand the phrase “these commandments” to allude to a number of things; specifically the commands given in this paragraph, more broadly to include the commandments in Deuteronomy, the Torah and, even more, all of the Biblical text. That’s a whole lot of commandments and can seem to feel very stifling and restrictive.

Christians have struggled with the idea of salvation for centuries. Common to our understanding is that our salvation could never come under our own power. There is nothing we can do to earn favor with God to the point of salvation. We have been able to come to God, quite simply, because of His own grace, His free gift of His son, Jesus. Through his blood we are saved. So what’s up with all these commandments?

Christianity as a whole runs a wide spectrum on how they approach this question, most often we hear words from Ephesians 2, “it is by grace we have been saved.” Citing this text often helps us understand that we cannot earn favor with God – He gives it freely. If we are not careful, however, it can lend to thinking that tells us, “obeying commandments is not as important as simply loving or worshipping Jesus,” or “people who work so hard at obeying God’s ‘rules’ are just trying to earn their way to heaven.”

Keep reading in Ephesians 2:8-10. There is a reason we have been saved and we have been saved in order to do “mitsvot” – a word meaning “good deeds” as well as “commandments” or “teachings” as we see it in Deuteronomy 6.

When a teacher like Paul uses the phrase “good works” in his books, anyone reading them in the first century would have understood mitsvot from Deuteronomy. Read Deuteronomy 5:33. A central understanding to being a Christian is that we are saved by God’s grace and His grace alone so that we may participate in God’s heart, his mitsvot. What is God’s heart? Feeding the hungry, caring for the poor, taking care of the orphan, the widow, the stranger in your land. God’s heart is for the good deeds of taking care of others – loving our neighbor.

God is looking for partners – people who will do the mitsvot and become co-creators with God, making the world the kind of place God originally intended it to be. it is by doing the mitsvot, these commands, these good deeds, that we help repair and restore this broken world.

How have you written the mitsvot on your heart?

How can you impress them on your children, talk about them when at home and on the road?

Where would God have you help restore his world today?

Colossians 3:12-17

Scott Pontier is the Student Ministries Pastor at Vineyard Christian Fellowship in Grove City
www.gcvineyard.org