In simple terms the Reformation was a time when God's word was given priority over the Pope. It wasn't just Martin Luther, but he became the poster boy of the Reformation. Like the others who championed this cause, it wasn't completed. The elephant in the room being, that if we are returning to God's word then we must obey it. If we obey it then it calls for all believers to rally under the risen Lord, not Men. It was right to oppose the Roman systems but it seems it just fragmented into millions of sub systems. As I always say, we moved from one Pope to the present problem of having millions of them!
Have you ever had a disagreement with another believer from another church? Its usually something petty. There is the evidence that coming together for Theological discussion or even mutual encouragement is difficult when believers are closed to change. It isn't long until a church gains some following then a whole set of distinctives are established. These become the departure point for believers as we rally around our 'correct' practice or doctrine. Behold! We have millions of believers separated by their own membership criteria... sounds like the Roman church to me!
So what do we do? Do we have a centralized Pope figure who will steady its global adherents into one (erroneous) doctrine or can any old idea become established thus producing a million Popes? Both flatly deny the purpose of God for 'ekklesia.' So what is the intention for the gathering of God's people? First we need to identify something that is not commonly agreed with.
The people of God can gather for a variety of reasons. Today we tend to say that any old gathering of believers is 'church.' The wrong use of 'when two or three are gathered...' is partly to blame. It is contextually about church discipline yet many have this a s a mantra for 'everything is church!' What is also misunderstood is Jesus instruction at the Last Supper. Jesus told those sat around his to 'Do this' when meeting to remember Him. It is a repeated message from me that 'this' was eating and drinking together. What we have today as a cracker and sip token-gesture towards a full meal and lots of wine. Many say the church has progressed and it is fine to sip and crunch a cracker - 'our hearts are right.' But how can the heart be right when it doesn't want to obey Jesus?
One of the strongest evidences that church should be a family meal together is the disciples themselves. Those sat around Jesus had no problem doing precisely what Jesus told them to do. They set up gatherings that met to remember Jesus in homes with food and drink - eaten together. To return to this way of meeting also asks questions about leadership and leaders. Here is the problem. People don't want to change from being in charge to being just a brother. The heart problem occurs when the command to meet simply around food and drink as equals is resisted by 'what will be lost' in the process. Position, status and resource is at stake. How precious do we hold that particular trinity of lust?
Jesus simply wants us to do as he says. In that, we would find a better and more functional relationship with Him as all the props, scaffold and theater fall away. He only wants the best for us but we insist our ways must be God led. Sadly the pages of the Prophets warn us that this was the folly of Israel, they felt God was leading them. However it was the slippy slide towards idolatry what was really happening. Paul tells us in 1 Cor 10 these things happened to warn us in our day!
Your leadership may not don the cloaks and hats and swing a fiery handbag through the hall. But at its core the Roman Catholic Pope is just a man heading a movement that takes charge of the direction of subscribers. When we go ahead ignoring the basic command to remember Jesus with a communal meal, like the Pope, we prefer to do it our way. God's love for us is so immense that He wants us to be fully met spiritually while we walk our faith out. This can only happen when we submit to His design, yield to his will and abandon to His ways.
Imagine what potential the Lord would have if we just did it His way? Do we have a blueprint? Is it in the book of Acts?
Gary Ward
Thursday 22 December 2016
Friday 16 December 2016
My New E-Book
I've been busy finishing The first in the Cogs of the Kingdom Series "Taken for a Bride."
Click here for the Amazon Download
Click here for the Amazon Download
This can be read on any device by downloading the free kindle app
Tuesday 29 November 2016
Evidence of God's True Sending #1
Because of the way the church has been led by people more than Jesus, we have a problem. The problem is that people have launched into ministries by their own momentum, or the momentum of a ministry who sends them. Obviously this causes disagreement and outrage to think what they are doing 'for the Lord' is not the Lord's sending at all. So that it's not just an opinion, let's look at the scriptures to explore the nature of God's sending.
When God does anything He always creates an empty void for Him to speak into. The first few verses of Genesis are no idle poetry! It is information on how God creates. When a person is truly sent by God, an empty void must be created. 'Tohu and Bohu' are the Hebrew words used and relay the idea of a 'desolate vacuum.' A 'formless void' is the KJV, we can get the idea of the necessary canvas that God works with. I have met people who are convinced they are sent by God to do a work but there was never the formless void 'canvass' that God speaks into. Where else do we find this 'formless void' in Scripture before God does His unique work?
In 2 Kings 3 we find the story of the kings joining together to fight the Moabites. Elisha is somewhat reluctantly with them but when the come across difficulties they call upon Elisha. The word of the Lord was to 'dig deep ditches.' This is a physical way of creating a formless void for God to act. Then, God filled the ditches with water. He had them create a space for Him to then fill. The water filled ditches became the means of the victory when we read on.
How do these things translate into our walk as New Testament believers? The general observation from the Bible is a Spirit-led period of 'waiting.' The Disciples were asked to wait for the Holy Spirit. Paul had 14 years before He was sent to the Gentiles (Gal 2:1). When we look at Moses and his 40 years of shepherding before he was sent to Pharaoh, we must ask why are these great men of God required to wait? God is creating a formless and empty void within them. He is excavating the heart, digging deep ditches! Paul or Moses saw need and probably had opportunities to meet them. but both had determined that they will not move until the Lord fills the void and forms the sending.
For God to issue forth from a person He must destroy what fills the space in the heart of a man. Secret ambition, lust for power, the chase for 'get and gain' are all standard resident heart attitudes of fallen man, to name but a few. So often, when a person has self-sent themselves into a ministry these unchallenged heart attitudes come out. A formless void was not created by God within their hearts. They were not sent by God. There are those who have yielded to God's process of digging deep ditches and they have waited for His processes to be complete. God is still speaking into these formless voids and creating a sending! This is very good news as His power and grace can issue forth into this dark world causing wonderful works to be done.
One huge error in the church is the idea that the primary mission of the church is to do works. Someone hires a hall, gets a crowd then states the purpose. Its been done for years and years but we need to think differently. Works are the other side of the 'faith' coin but it is strictly the issuing forth of God's works, not ours. So is everyone sent, is everyone a potential Apostle? No. But to be part of a genuine Apostolic work is something the Lord leads people in.
Give yourself to the Lord and allow him to excavate your heart. Resist filling the space with the stuff of earth. Allow God to send you in His way, His time and His purpose.
Gary Ward
Give yourself to the Lord and allow him to excavate your heart. Resist filling the space with the stuff of earth. Allow God to send you in His way, His time and His purpose.
Gary Ward
Monday 14 November 2016
The Insatiable Jesus!
My tent-making role for some time has been youth work. This has taken various forms from sports development (some years ago!) to teaching and now a housing role. All of the sectors have a common factor - young people who have experienced challenging circumstances that have left them needing support. One of the great privileges of my present role is that I can talk openly about Jesus Christ and share the good news of Gods rescue plan through Him.
We are doing two baptisms this coming Friday and this led to a young person, not saved, coming to the weekly Bible Study. Previously I had chatted with her about Jesus but she is resistant to the message. As she sat in the Bible Study she started to tell me why she didn't want to follow God. Take note that she has, in her admission, accepted that 'God' as a concept is perfectly fine. Her problem lay in another area that was amazing to watch.
Un-yeilded
'God,' and the concept that He has come to rescue mankind wasn't a point of resistance, but that He has standards, was. She doesn't like the idea that God would 'reject' certain lifestyles where she would accept them. "I cannot accept God's opinion over my own," was the conclusion. The conversation continued. I relayed the important detail that we becoming a Christian is not the acceptance of a rule-book but the bowing before the Almighty Lord and King of the Universe. Then it struck me! The girl has not had Jesus, risen and glorified, revealed to her yet. She has retained information over time but the Lord was still just a concept, an idea. This wasn't something that was entirely new information to me, but in the conversation it was illuminated to me there and then. No-one can truly drag their flailing hearts before the Lord unless they have been given a glimpse of His risen glory!
Just a glimpse!
It's been nearly 27 years since I experienced the insatiable draw, that consuming sense of... Him! The chat reminded me that within the comings and goings of our lives, wondering how we fit and walking out 'today' with sometimes scant information, it's really all about Him... just Him! That Jesus was revealed to me, and I was made able to perceive, was the grace that everyone calls amazing... and that it is! The Father drew me to the Lord and at the right time showed me a glimpse of Him. Let's not forget that whatever your own walk entails today, the Father saw it in his choosing to show you the risen Lord! Good for us huh? But what about the girl?
During the conversation, what I just explained, sort of... emerged into my heart / mind... spirit? So I just stopped talking. I realised something I knew well, but needed a nudge about: God can reveal Himself to her (and anyone) at His chosen time. Our interaction with her was a strengthening of the portrait being painted of Jesus in her head. What God can do, and I believe will do, is drag that picture into her heart and make it explode into a three dimensional reality that Jesus is alive, risen and glorified as her King and Lord of all. When that happens she cannot and will not resist. He is truly insatiable!
Take heart!
This is also real for all those family members, friends and those in your scope of influence (you?). We often think that God is watching for a criteria where He will offer grace to a lost person. The truth is that you and I did nothing to earn the glimpse of Jesus. God did it at the right time. Right now you can afford to cease the doubting, that gnawing worry that *-----------* will never accept Jesus. As we pray for them we can be assured that when God reveals the Lord to them they will be as knocked off their feet as you was! They cannot resist... it's just a matter of time. It is right to keep praying, not as if we are twisting God's arm to get on with it, but that we become calibrated towards His will and purposes. Pray, trust and walk well.
Gary Ward
14/2/17 Update. The girl received Jesus as her Lord and Saviour a couple of weeks ago. Praise the lord for His grace and mercy.
Wednesday 9 November 2016
An 'Issachar Alert'
How can we know for certain what we should do in response to our times? 1 Chronicles 12:32 has been used to justify any old plan for years. But is there a way of being sure we are tracking with the will and purpose of God accurately?
32 from Issachar, men who understood the times and knew what Israel should do—200 chiefs, with all their relatives under their command;
Let's just begin by saying believers aren't 'Israel.' Yet this verse can apply to God's beloved, chosen people. So as a believer the challenge is to ask 'do you understand these times and know what believers should do?' I want to offer an observation about the political year we have all witnessed. And keep in mind the last 5 to 7 years of political revolt worldwide which has some wars still raging.
A Vote Against Rote
Yesterday Donald Trump became the next President of the United States. He won the race by outing the political system and offering what it turns out to be what more people want: freedom from the constraints and containment of a self serving government. Like all systems, eventually the 'tail wags the dog' and invisible institutional forces and tradition rules the way it carries out its business. Of course, believers know there are more invisible forces than these elements, but for now lets focus on what is actually happening before our eyes. It is significant that not many months ago Britain voted to exit the European Union for much the same reasons. So two massive nations have voted to not be part of their respective governing bodies, both citing corruption in the core constitutional practices. The people were tired of the 'machine' that churns out the same 'biscuits' no matter whose operating it.
When something happens twice we should take notice.
God's Hand in History...
When Nebuchadnezzar invaded Jerusalem it was something everyone who was listening knew would happen. Through Jeremiah, God had warned his people to turn from their idols and practice what had been instructed. They didn't so God raised up Nebuchadnezzar to make Judah a vassal nation. Subsequently Jehoakim did not understand the times and did not know what Israel should do. He rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar and thus against the will of God. Jehoachin also died doing this and over the rubble of Jerusalem, Zedekiah is led away blinded, to die in Babylon yet not ever seeing it - as predicted.
The Pattern Disrupted...
For someone who witnessed the three sieges of Jerusalem, it was an act of God being executed before their eyes. In the same way we must discern what God is doing today. We must understand the times and know what God's beloved people must do. What is supposed to happen is that everyone votes to keep their own lives secure, safe and prosperous. In both cases the people have voted for change even if there may be personal cost involved. When we witness the UK and USA have 'other-than' events occur politically, it can be observed that the Lord may be speaking. What we are observing is true in the spiritual realm as it is in the natural realm. When the people of the most powerful and influential countries vote to reject the corruption of governing bodies what can we say is the spiritual meaning? Simply: It's the same thing!
The Growing Remnant...
The Prophets told Israel / Judah that they are playing fast and loose with God's judgement. The Priests and leaders were sternly warned to get their act in order or... *insert details of the judgement.* Now we have had years of warning to the leaders of the church and I see that the Lord is going to give His people clarity of sight to identify corrupt systems and structures in church and vote 'out.' Who has been doing this warning? The Prophets themselves! The Apostles! And now those who are relaying their words to this generation! Just as the people have voted to opt out of overbearing government systems, so God's people will increasingly walk from the man-led churches. Now... a warning.
Is This a Leading?
When someone connects something like I have above it can be handled wrongly. For all the wrong reasons people leave their churches. For some people, the system / structured church is right for them because their faith is fragile and they would never survive outside of it. Someone once used the lyric, 'before you can swim you've got to be ok to sink.' If a believer is going to opt out of the system in MUST be God's leading or they risk injury to themselves and their families. I have seen believers opt out of the church, even because they see the corruption, but then are decimated by the enemy and the lure of this world. The reaction to a bad system and corrupt leadership is NOT a green light to 'go it alone.' I stayed in a very corrupt system for some years before it was time to be led out by God. Daniel was LED INTO a corrupt and evil regime by God, so seeing corruption is not God's leading by default. I cannot emphasise enough that we respond to God's leading and must resist reacting to the problems. That said, I do think the gap between people seeing the corruption of man-led church and God leading them out will shorten. Anyone sensing God's leading to seek Biblical ekklesia should take it very seriously.
What God Will Lead You To
Just so you know I'm not sat here with a hotline to God! I'm only taking what the Prophets said and applying it to our time. Peter told us this leads to 'wholesome thinking ( 2 pet 3:1).' In 1998 while on a trip to the east coast of Australia the Lord began accelerating my awareness that the church (and myself partying to it) was not right. I left in 2000 and was led to start a small group in homes. We simply met around a covenant meal and equal sharing as in 1 Cor 14:26. It was a re-calibration towards what 'ekklesia' was intended to be according to the New Testament. This is what the Lord will lead you to start or become part of. In doing so, man's leadership of God's people diminishes and Jesus can be the head and leader as it should be. Be ready for a time of significant transition because as I found, I was not immune to being system-ised. God is still schooling me in certain areas where the system imprinted onto my mind. I have to try hard in some areas to think freely. However, the joy and freedom of gathering with family to remember Jesus far outweighs the struggle.
And Most Important...
There are those who get so wrapped up in these issues that they take their eyes off Jesus. We can be assured that with our gaze on the risen glorified Lord, no matter what comes our way He will have His will be done and His Kingdom come. In Daniel 2 the rock not formed by human hands comes and smashes the iron and clay. This causes the collapse of every influence that the previous empires have had on this world and Jesus, the rock, will rule and reign the entire earth. Keeping our eyes on King Jesus is today's focus. Let Him lead you to understand the times and know what you should do.
Gary Ward
10/11/16
32 from Issachar, men who understood the times and knew what Israel should do—200 chiefs, with all their relatives under their command;
Let's just begin by saying believers aren't 'Israel.' Yet this verse can apply to God's beloved, chosen people. So as a believer the challenge is to ask 'do you understand these times and know what believers should do?' I want to offer an observation about the political year we have all witnessed. And keep in mind the last 5 to 7 years of political revolt worldwide which has some wars still raging.
A Vote Against Rote
Yesterday Donald Trump became the next President of the United States. He won the race by outing the political system and offering what it turns out to be what more people want: freedom from the constraints and containment of a self serving government. Like all systems, eventually the 'tail wags the dog' and invisible institutional forces and tradition rules the way it carries out its business. Of course, believers know there are more invisible forces than these elements, but for now lets focus on what is actually happening before our eyes. It is significant that not many months ago Britain voted to exit the European Union for much the same reasons. So two massive nations have voted to not be part of their respective governing bodies, both citing corruption in the core constitutional practices. The people were tired of the 'machine' that churns out the same 'biscuits' no matter whose operating it.
When something happens twice we should take notice.
God's Hand in History...
When Nebuchadnezzar invaded Jerusalem it was something everyone who was listening knew would happen. Through Jeremiah, God had warned his people to turn from their idols and practice what had been instructed. They didn't so God raised up Nebuchadnezzar to make Judah a vassal nation. Subsequently Jehoakim did not understand the times and did not know what Israel should do. He rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar and thus against the will of God. Jehoachin also died doing this and over the rubble of Jerusalem, Zedekiah is led away blinded, to die in Babylon yet not ever seeing it - as predicted.
The Pattern Disrupted...
For someone who witnessed the three sieges of Jerusalem, it was an act of God being executed before their eyes. In the same way we must discern what God is doing today. We must understand the times and know what God's beloved people must do. What is supposed to happen is that everyone votes to keep their own lives secure, safe and prosperous. In both cases the people have voted for change even if there may be personal cost involved. When we witness the UK and USA have 'other-than' events occur politically, it can be observed that the Lord may be speaking. What we are observing is true in the spiritual realm as it is in the natural realm. When the people of the most powerful and influential countries vote to reject the corruption of governing bodies what can we say is the spiritual meaning? Simply: It's the same thing!
The Growing Remnant...
The Prophets told Israel / Judah that they are playing fast and loose with God's judgement. The Priests and leaders were sternly warned to get their act in order or... *insert details of the judgement.* Now we have had years of warning to the leaders of the church and I see that the Lord is going to give His people clarity of sight to identify corrupt systems and structures in church and vote 'out.' Who has been doing this warning? The Prophets themselves! The Apostles! And now those who are relaying their words to this generation! Just as the people have voted to opt out of overbearing government systems, so God's people will increasingly walk from the man-led churches. Now... a warning.
Is This a Leading?
When someone connects something like I have above it can be handled wrongly. For all the wrong reasons people leave their churches. For some people, the system / structured church is right for them because their faith is fragile and they would never survive outside of it. Someone once used the lyric, 'before you can swim you've got to be ok to sink.' If a believer is going to opt out of the system in MUST be God's leading or they risk injury to themselves and their families. I have seen believers opt out of the church, even because they see the corruption, but then are decimated by the enemy and the lure of this world. The reaction to a bad system and corrupt leadership is NOT a green light to 'go it alone.' I stayed in a very corrupt system for some years before it was time to be led out by God. Daniel was LED INTO a corrupt and evil regime by God, so seeing corruption is not God's leading by default. I cannot emphasise enough that we respond to God's leading and must resist reacting to the problems. That said, I do think the gap between people seeing the corruption of man-led church and God leading them out will shorten. Anyone sensing God's leading to seek Biblical ekklesia should take it very seriously.
What God Will Lead You To
Just so you know I'm not sat here with a hotline to God! I'm only taking what the Prophets said and applying it to our time. Peter told us this leads to 'wholesome thinking ( 2 pet 3:1).' In 1998 while on a trip to the east coast of Australia the Lord began accelerating my awareness that the church (and myself partying to it) was not right. I left in 2000 and was led to start a small group in homes. We simply met around a covenant meal and equal sharing as in 1 Cor 14:26. It was a re-calibration towards what 'ekklesia' was intended to be according to the New Testament. This is what the Lord will lead you to start or become part of. In doing so, man's leadership of God's people diminishes and Jesus can be the head and leader as it should be. Be ready for a time of significant transition because as I found, I was not immune to being system-ised. God is still schooling me in certain areas where the system imprinted onto my mind. I have to try hard in some areas to think freely. However, the joy and freedom of gathering with family to remember Jesus far outweighs the struggle.
And Most Important...
There are those who get so wrapped up in these issues that they take their eyes off Jesus. We can be assured that with our gaze on the risen glorified Lord, no matter what comes our way He will have His will be done and His Kingdom come. In Daniel 2 the rock not formed by human hands comes and smashes the iron and clay. This causes the collapse of every influence that the previous empires have had on this world and Jesus, the rock, will rule and reign the entire earth. Keeping our eyes on King Jesus is today's focus. Let Him lead you to understand the times and know what you should do.
Gary Ward
10/11/16
Tuesday 8 November 2016
USA in Crisis!
As I write this the United states is voting for Trump or Clinton. Because the United States is a mover and shaker globally, who is in the driving seat is of primary importance. The crisis in the USA however is not about the result of the election, it is all about the spiritual state of the country. For many years the church has been modelling 'Laodicea' and Jesus tells us this is a problem of Biblical proportions.
In Revelation 3 Jesus speaks to the Laodicean church. This church's title means, 'the judgements and opinions of the people.' Implicit in this title is the fact that man is leading the church, not Christ. The biggest problem with Laodicean believers is they don't think they are Laodicean! Our materiel possessions have never been a problem to God. It's when we value them over and above the place they should be in life, that's when we stray into error and idolatry. What the Laodicean Christian does is not only value possessions but showcases them as evidence of blessing from God. When we identify anything as a 'blessing' from God, it must be genuine fruit. What is the genuine fruit?
Read Psalm 1
When you see a child in a Godly family grow into a walk with the Lord. That's fruit. A marriage that stays together... Fruit! A life that is growing more in its affection for Jesus over time... juicy fruit! A growing understanding of the purposes of God via the witness of the Bible Characters: you guessed it... fruit! When the Lord adds to the number of your gathering we can see fruitfulness. When the sweet wine of fellowship flows in the course of the lives of the believers can be seen as fruit. Basically - what is the Lord growing and producing is His fruitfulness.
The last time I checked, fruit naturally grows on trees. Groups that meet simply and allow the Lord to build his church and produce His fruit are like an orchard. Trees are used to describe believers through the Bible and we would be wise to allow the Gardener permission to tend to His trees. It's a beautiful thing to see the Lord grow fruit on his trees but He also prunes the trees. This way He bears more fruit through that tree. The USA has these groups and they are the increasing as believers flee the error.
Send in the Clones!
What we find in the USA is demonstrated in how fruit is handled by merchants. Go to a supermarket and look at the fruit. It is all shiny and the same colour. It's all the same size and the misshapen ones get discarded or hidden at a discount bucket. The lights make the humble apple look like its on stage and about to wow the world. Rows upon rows of uniformity presented as merchandise to be sold for profit. What I'm describing is the church culture that history has created where the people (Laos) have their own judgements and opinions (Dicea) handle the people. Like the apples in the supermarket, believers are all the same, lined up in rows to look good to the world. Worldly people buy into it and perpetuate the problem. Jesus instructs what He will do with these believers and offers the solution in the letter to the Laodicean church in Revelation Ch 3. Repent!
"True Darkness is when you Dont Know its Dark"
So it is important who becomes the countries leader, but this wont stop the problem of Laodicea. The only way to escape the conveyor belt of cloned Christianity is to return to the biblical dimensions of 'ekklesia.' The hardest part of this is dragging our hearts before the Lord and confessing our lust for the things of this world and recognising our desperate lack. Allowing Jesus to lead His church by doing this means the USA and all the aspiring mega-church-supermarkets will stop and return to bearing fruit that comes from the Lord. To truly impact the country you live in, the answer is to be anchored into Jesus, risen and glorified as he can produce fruit that your communities can see is not of this world. The President of the United States of America cannot affect your neighbours spiritually. Only Jesus issuing forth through you can make the impact.
Gary Ward
In Revelation 3 Jesus speaks to the Laodicean church. This church's title means, 'the judgements and opinions of the people.' Implicit in this title is the fact that man is leading the church, not Christ. The biggest problem with Laodicean believers is they don't think they are Laodicean! Our materiel possessions have never been a problem to God. It's when we value them over and above the place they should be in life, that's when we stray into error and idolatry. What the Laodicean Christian does is not only value possessions but showcases them as evidence of blessing from God. When we identify anything as a 'blessing' from God, it must be genuine fruit. What is the genuine fruit?
Read Psalm 1
When you see a child in a Godly family grow into a walk with the Lord. That's fruit. A marriage that stays together... Fruit! A life that is growing more in its affection for Jesus over time... juicy fruit! A growing understanding of the purposes of God via the witness of the Bible Characters: you guessed it... fruit! When the Lord adds to the number of your gathering we can see fruitfulness. When the sweet wine of fellowship flows in the course of the lives of the believers can be seen as fruit. Basically - what is the Lord growing and producing is His fruitfulness.
The last time I checked, fruit naturally grows on trees. Groups that meet simply and allow the Lord to build his church and produce His fruit are like an orchard. Trees are used to describe believers through the Bible and we would be wise to allow the Gardener permission to tend to His trees. It's a beautiful thing to see the Lord grow fruit on his trees but He also prunes the trees. This way He bears more fruit through that tree. The USA has these groups and they are the increasing as believers flee the error.
Send in the Clones!
What we find in the USA is demonstrated in how fruit is handled by merchants. Go to a supermarket and look at the fruit. It is all shiny and the same colour. It's all the same size and the misshapen ones get discarded or hidden at a discount bucket. The lights make the humble apple look like its on stage and about to wow the world. Rows upon rows of uniformity presented as merchandise to be sold for profit. What I'm describing is the church culture that history has created where the people (Laos) have their own judgements and opinions (Dicea) handle the people. Like the apples in the supermarket, believers are all the same, lined up in rows to look good to the world. Worldly people buy into it and perpetuate the problem. Jesus instructs what He will do with these believers and offers the solution in the letter to the Laodicean church in Revelation Ch 3. Repent!
"True Darkness is when you Dont Know its Dark"
So it is important who becomes the countries leader, but this wont stop the problem of Laodicea. The only way to escape the conveyor belt of cloned Christianity is to return to the biblical dimensions of 'ekklesia.' The hardest part of this is dragging our hearts before the Lord and confessing our lust for the things of this world and recognising our desperate lack. Allowing Jesus to lead His church by doing this means the USA and all the aspiring mega-church-supermarkets will stop and return to bearing fruit that comes from the Lord. To truly impact the country you live in, the answer is to be anchored into Jesus, risen and glorified as he can produce fruit that your communities can see is not of this world. The President of the United States of America cannot affect your neighbours spiritually. Only Jesus issuing forth through you can make the impact.
Gary Ward
Tuesday 25 October 2016
An End Times Survival Kit
We can't ship these things out to you but here is a list of things we can be doing to ensure we don't get led astray or walk into error over our focus.
1. Anchor into Jesus. This may mean hard decisions about your 'preachers.' Colossians 2:6-8
2. Carefully read the Prophets and Apostles while asking the Lord to show you His will. 2 Peter 3
3. Make sure you are led into roles tasks and functions... by God and God alone. Romans 8:14
4. Develop an understanding of the Word of God. 2 Timothy 3:16
5. Be Discerning. Jesus said 'Do not be deceived' as a headline issue for end times. Matt 24:4
6. Manage people. Some people are 'kryptonite' to your walk. 1 Cor 15:33
7. Keep very short accounts. Repentance is a lifestyle not an event. 1 John 1:9
8. Don't make 'worship' just something you do at church. It's your entire life! 1 Cor 10:31
9. Be ready to share your faith. Rehearse what you will say. 1 Peter 3:15
10. Predetermine to be an ambassador of love. Even when it is hard. The Bible.
Gary Ward
1. Anchor into Jesus. This may mean hard decisions about your 'preachers.' Colossians 2:6-8
2. Carefully read the Prophets and Apostles while asking the Lord to show you His will. 2 Peter 3
3. Make sure you are led into roles tasks and functions... by God and God alone. Romans 8:14
4. Develop an understanding of the Word of God. 2 Timothy 3:16
5. Be Discerning. Jesus said 'Do not be deceived' as a headline issue for end times. Matt 24:4
6. Manage people. Some people are 'kryptonite' to your walk. 1 Cor 15:33
7. Keep very short accounts. Repentance is a lifestyle not an event. 1 John 1:9
8. Don't make 'worship' just something you do at church. It's your entire life! 1 Cor 10:31
9. Be ready to share your faith. Rehearse what you will say. 1 Peter 3:15
10. Predetermine to be an ambassador of love. Even when it is hard. The Bible.
Gary Ward
Friday 21 October 2016
Three Signs of End Times
History has thrown up good reasons for believers to think they are in the last moments of history before the Day of the Lord. I can't imagine being herded into a subway for any other reason than a sandwich. But in world war 2 people hid from hundreds of bombs dropping from planes. Sat hearing explosions in my city would have stirred feelings of 'end times' for sure. It turns out that World war 2 was not the Antichrist, although it was a type of Antichrist in Hitler. The Bible is clear that the entire world will be taken in by the Antichrist proper, and if you feel it is too ridiculous to imagine we have been shown Germany, the nation of the finest and most brilliant people on earth be sucked into the Nazi regime. Why would anyone claim that the days we are in now bear the marks of 'end times' more than any?
1. The level of deception
Firstly we have the fact that deception is everywhere. On being asked about the last days Jesus said 'do not be deceived.' I rarely meet a christian who is grounded in solid biblical teaching. They are either so worldly that you can't see the mark of new birth or so stuck in the mindset of Laodicean church practice that they will never receive anything to re-calibrate their spiritual compass. The prophets and Apostles told of these things and its nothing new. In the end times everything is concentrated but God always provides a remnant who stay on track. You can tell who they are because they will not compromise the speaking of truth even at personal cost and the detriment of their own progress. It isn't about attention, adoration or applause for them. Believers are strangely drawn to them or instantly repelled as the gap between truth and deception becomes more stark. Be warned - there is a huge acceptance of false teachers today because of the error that says 'their hearts are right.' Jude, Peter, Jesus all say this is not true. Anyone teaching doctrinal error with no self assessment has something wrong spiritually.
2. Prophecy and Israel
The second mark of the end times being upon us is the events in Israel. Since 1948 scripture has been fulfilled in and around Israel including the Jews returning to their own land. This has to happen for the Day of Jacobs trouble to take place. We are seeing prophecy being fulfilled such as Damascus being destroyed before our eyes (Isaiah 17). This is not a regular thing. It is a once-and-only-once event for anyone who is watching and remotely interested. As these things continue to occur we have to conclude that the Bible has always been forensically true and our unbelief is the issue.
3. Believers falling away
The third of three things to highlight in this writing is the falling away of believers. This is connected to the first two issues. Deception takes believers away from their living source Jesus Christ and they find their level as a non distinct entity in the world. The detachment from understanding the Jewishness of the Bible and the Lords intent towards the Jews (Rom 9-11) leads to a woeful neglect of what the scriptures say. As the gap widens between the Jewishness of the Gospel mixed with the false teaching of Laodicean faith, people fall into a category rather than a vibrant faith that stands for Jesus.
As we say to everyone who comes to our house group, 'be discerning.' I want people to come to us and assess what issues forth from us. We want people to be accessing things that aren't deceptive and focused on the truth about God. We want people to be able to figure this out from the Lord, not from the propaganda weaved into the Bible teaching or preachment. We want people to find true connection as the family of God and try to walk it out well. We want people to be watching the world as the are dieting on the word. We want that to lead to a healthy perspective on their own occasion as a believer and be a vessel the Lord can issue forth through. We practice the first things while having our eye on end times. The times are growing darker and it is getting harder to find believers who have stayed clear of the sensual, ear-tickling sound-byte merchants whose aim is to promise much yet deliver nothing.
Please make sure you read 'The End Times Survival Kit' coming next
Love in Christ
Gary Ward
1. The level of deception
Firstly we have the fact that deception is everywhere. On being asked about the last days Jesus said 'do not be deceived.' I rarely meet a christian who is grounded in solid biblical teaching. They are either so worldly that you can't see the mark of new birth or so stuck in the mindset of Laodicean church practice that they will never receive anything to re-calibrate their spiritual compass. The prophets and Apostles told of these things and its nothing new. In the end times everything is concentrated but God always provides a remnant who stay on track. You can tell who they are because they will not compromise the speaking of truth even at personal cost and the detriment of their own progress. It isn't about attention, adoration or applause for them. Believers are strangely drawn to them or instantly repelled as the gap between truth and deception becomes more stark. Be warned - there is a huge acceptance of false teachers today because of the error that says 'their hearts are right.' Jude, Peter, Jesus all say this is not true. Anyone teaching doctrinal error with no self assessment has something wrong spiritually.
2. Prophecy and Israel
The second mark of the end times being upon us is the events in Israel. Since 1948 scripture has been fulfilled in and around Israel including the Jews returning to their own land. This has to happen for the Day of Jacobs trouble to take place. We are seeing prophecy being fulfilled such as Damascus being destroyed before our eyes (Isaiah 17). This is not a regular thing. It is a once-and-only-once event for anyone who is watching and remotely interested. As these things continue to occur we have to conclude that the Bible has always been forensically true and our unbelief is the issue.
3. Believers falling away
The third of three things to highlight in this writing is the falling away of believers. This is connected to the first two issues. Deception takes believers away from their living source Jesus Christ and they find their level as a non distinct entity in the world. The detachment from understanding the Jewishness of the Bible and the Lords intent towards the Jews (Rom 9-11) leads to a woeful neglect of what the scriptures say. As the gap widens between the Jewishness of the Gospel mixed with the false teaching of Laodicean faith, people fall into a category rather than a vibrant faith that stands for Jesus.
As we say to everyone who comes to our house group, 'be discerning.' I want people to come to us and assess what issues forth from us. We want people to be accessing things that aren't deceptive and focused on the truth about God. We want people to be able to figure this out from the Lord, not from the propaganda weaved into the Bible teaching or preachment. We want people to find true connection as the family of God and try to walk it out well. We want people to be watching the world as the are dieting on the word. We want that to lead to a healthy perspective on their own occasion as a believer and be a vessel the Lord can issue forth through. We practice the first things while having our eye on end times. The times are growing darker and it is getting harder to find believers who have stayed clear of the sensual, ear-tickling sound-byte merchants whose aim is to promise much yet deliver nothing.
Please make sure you read 'The End Times Survival Kit' coming next
Love in Christ
Gary Ward
Saturday 15 October 2016
The Present and Coming Famine
Amos Chapter 8 is fairly substantial and it is important to read it now to make sense of the rest of this writing. Essentially it is time for Israel to be judged by God. Amos heralds this time as imminent for the people at the time. As with the prophets generally, the content applies also to the first coming and second comings of Jesus. It is just a simple fact that the dynamic between God and mankind has patterns. There are the unbelievers who are doomed. There is the faithful believers and the unfaithful believers. It is generally unfaithful believers the Lord directs judgement towards whilst we know the unbeliever is hurtling towards the White Throne of Judgement anyway.
Today we have a situation where believers are going ahead with practices that defy the scriptural boundaries for walking with God. Christ-professing people are behaving more like Baal worshippers in some charismatic circles. There is always consternation about interpretations of God's word but these days we have people who deny fundamental doctrines. There has always been those who see 'ministry' as an opportunity to make money and it is the people who have little to start with that get sucked into the error. This is something I feel is a pertinent for this exact time we are in. Amos 8:4-6
“Hear this, you who are swallowing up the needy,
who intend to make the poor of the land fail,
5 and who are saying,
‘When will the New Moon fade
so we may sell grain,
and the Sabbath conclude
so we may market winnowed wheat?—
shortchanging the measure,
raising the price,
falsifying the scales by treachery,
6 buying the poor for cash,
and the needy for a pair of sandals,
selling chaff mixed in with the wheat.’ ISV
Today we have a situation where believers are going ahead with practices that defy the scriptural boundaries for walking with God. Christ-professing people are behaving more like Baal worshippers in some charismatic circles. There is always consternation about interpretations of God's word but these days we have people who deny fundamental doctrines. There has always been those who see 'ministry' as an opportunity to make money and it is the people who have little to start with that get sucked into the error. This is something I feel is a pertinent for this exact time we are in. Amos 8:4-6
“Hear this, you who are swallowing up the needy,
who intend to make the poor of the land fail,
5 and who are saying,
‘When will the New Moon fade
so we may sell grain,
and the Sabbath conclude
so we may market winnowed wheat?—
shortchanging the measure,
raising the price,
falsifying the scales by treachery,
6 buying the poor for cash,
and the needy for a pair of sandals,
selling chaff mixed in with the wheat.’ ISV
Grain and Wheat is the word of God. Amos indicates this in verse 11 onwards. Today we have people who lead believers and they sell the word of God and market it. Not only that but the quality of the word of God is diminished. They sell the chaff... the degraded bits that bulk up the content. I remember sitting in on sermons that are devoid of the exegesis of the Word of God. They are speeches aimed at keeping the attendance and as a by-product, keeping the cash flow. It is usually people who are poor that buy into the false gospel that promises multiplied returns for a generous investment by rote. The leaders feel they are doing God's will by building 'ministry' when the whole idea of God's people assembling is to build the people up. Judgement is here for those who, as the KJV version tells us in v 5 are: making the ephah small, and the shekel great. That is, the word of God is reduced but the cash is increased.
The famine we have for Gods word will only increase and a sign of the judgement upon these is scratching around for God's word. While you do hear some standard preachment from the money preachers they really have nothing to say. The 'payload' that comes from a believer who is walking with the Lord is absent yet they can fill the seats with people. God opting out of something is the scariest thing judgement-wise. I want a bolt from the blue so I can see my wretchedness! But if God has 'left the building' and everything goes on as normal... that is worrying. Yet this is the mark of the famine. When God leaves an endeavour it is reduced to a mere religious festival yet many see the numbers, slick and shiny productions, as a mark of God's signature. The blind lead the blind.
When a famine occurs everyone has to endure it. However, before Jesus' first coming there had been about 400 years of silence. No Prophet had spoken even though much was occurring politically in and around the Land of Promise. Then John the Baptiser starts heralding the coming of Messiah. His voice was, as John reminds us of Isaiah 40:3 a 'lone voice crying in the wilderness.' The characteristics of John the Baptiser are a pattern that could earmark those who are sent to provide food in this famine. There are those raised up who bear the characteristics of John to herald the second coming of Jesus. Don't be surprised if you see unknowns emerging from obscurity speaking out strongly to return to God's word in repentance. It will be no shock to see counter-culture utterances coming from believers who are 'scruffy' like John the Baptiser was, compared to the 'rock-star' religious of his time. You probably wont like the accents of those sent to speak forth God's word or their straightforward delivery of truth. Like the religious cohort in Jesus time you may want to shut them up!
Is there any good news? Of course! Chapter 9 tells of further misery by Gods hand on sinners but again we see the idea of a remnant saved from the whole. Let's get before the Lord, ready for his sifting hand, a Holy audit of our walk and what we party to. Let's be about His word and watching for anything that bends us towards love of this world. Let's cast off all the things that make any of this about us. It's all about Jesus and Him glorified.
Gary Ward
Monday 26 September 2016
Jude#10 But, Beloved... v17-19
What we find repeated in Jude's epistle is that these false teachers are driven by natural instincts, not by the Spirit. How can we be sure we are not deceived and are actually a false believer / teacher? A while ago I did some writing on evidence you are saved and this can be helpful. The KJV is better with this:
Jude used the words 'beloved' as the true children of God. The recognition here is that a believer has been called out of this world and been made to 'love God back.' This is a reality for all who believe and something we can enjoy through our lives. Isn't it amazing that right now other are also called and chosen to walk as God's children! The challenge to me is to address my self as this and then others. As in Jude#1, It was observed that Jude writes to those called and loved by the Father and kept by Jesus Christ. This is intent from God! He wants to call you, love you and keep you! This is also true of other believers. Selah.
Homework time !
It is my observation that Jude knew he was writing to saints through the ages. In verse 17 he addresses 'beloved' but in verse 20 he seems to be pointed towards 'you, beloved' meaning his actual readership at the time. Jude wants us, who are in the last days, to remember what the apostles taught. That invitation is reiterated by most of the epistles. Happy reading...
Rank and Defile...
Verse 19 is of interest because the idea here is that these people divide the flock. In the first 10 years of walking with Jesus and denominations, I heard the idea of division being where people in unity eventually split apart. This does happen but the main reason for this is a different kind of division. The division that occurs when rank appears among the brothers and sisters devastates God's people. If we examine church splits and factions it usually has some brothers or sisters who don't feel they have been treated well. If we pick that apart isn't it the case that the causes are around lack of recognition, importance, significance, resource, all things that the western psyche calls valuable? It is indeed natural instinct that settles to rank and file, not the Spirit who chases us down until we die the deaths we need to.
It's what we can see today!
It is here Jude ends the slamming of false teachers and begins to encourage the believers. This is something the Church has not fully grasped. So what we see is the array of pseudo Churches whose doctrines are modern day versions of all that has gone before in Jude's time. Western Christianity follows its natural instinct, choosing sensuality and inch-deep-revivals instead of ditching ease for the sake of Christ. Jude, under the inspiration of the Lord, was fervently jealous for the beloved.
'Lord give me the balance and grace to contend for the faith.'
Gary Ward
17 But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; 18 How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. 19 These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.
Jude used the words 'beloved' as the true children of God. The recognition here is that a believer has been called out of this world and been made to 'love God back.' This is a reality for all who believe and something we can enjoy through our lives. Isn't it amazing that right now other are also called and chosen to walk as God's children! The challenge to me is to address my self as this and then others. As in Jude#1, It was observed that Jude writes to those called and loved by the Father and kept by Jesus Christ. This is intent from God! He wants to call you, love you and keep you! This is also true of other believers. Selah.
Homework time !
It is my observation that Jude knew he was writing to saints through the ages. In verse 17 he addresses 'beloved' but in verse 20 he seems to be pointed towards 'you, beloved' meaning his actual readership at the time. Jude wants us, who are in the last days, to remember what the apostles taught. That invitation is reiterated by most of the epistles. Happy reading...
Rank and Defile...
Verse 19 is of interest because the idea here is that these people divide the flock. In the first 10 years of walking with Jesus and denominations, I heard the idea of division being where people in unity eventually split apart. This does happen but the main reason for this is a different kind of division. The division that occurs when rank appears among the brothers and sisters devastates God's people. If we examine church splits and factions it usually has some brothers or sisters who don't feel they have been treated well. If we pick that apart isn't it the case that the causes are around lack of recognition, importance, significance, resource, all things that the western psyche calls valuable? It is indeed natural instinct that settles to rank and file, not the Spirit who chases us down until we die the deaths we need to.
It's what we can see today!
It is here Jude ends the slamming of false teachers and begins to encourage the believers. This is something the Church has not fully grasped. So what we see is the array of pseudo Churches whose doctrines are modern day versions of all that has gone before in Jude's time. Western Christianity follows its natural instinct, choosing sensuality and inch-deep-revivals instead of ditching ease for the sake of Christ. Jude, under the inspiration of the Lord, was fervently jealous for the beloved.
'Lord give me the balance and grace to contend for the faith.'
Gary Ward
Monday 19 September 2016
Jude#9 Who is your Preacher?
Verses 17, 18 and 19 is Jude telling us that the Apostles have spoken:
17 But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. 18 They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.” 19 These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.
It is not popular today, but the Apostles are our 'ground zero' for God's truth. In Acts the people devoted themselves to the Apostles teaching and the Lord added to their number (Acts 42-47). Yet today we look to the one on the platform to deliver 'God's word.' It is my observation that God's word has been spoken and authenticated and it is that word we must deliver.
Jude repeats several times in his epistle that the false brethren / teachers follow their own natural desires. They are divisive and don't have the Spirit of God. When a person has really come to the Lord in contrition and genuinely given themselves over to his hand, they are led by the Spirit. Of course everyone falls, trips and stumbles along the way but if a person has a continual intent to serve their flesh and follow their own instincts I would question their true position in Christ.
Its happening now!
To me the vital component of these verses is the phrase 'in the last days.' Jude, like Jesus and the other contributors of the New Testament cite 'the last days' as being a concentrated time of this phenomena. The lighter application is usually cited followed by 'but in the last days...' a 'heavier' application. This way of speaking or writing was a Rabbinical component first recorded by Rabbi Hillel, the grandfather of Rabbi Gamaliel, Paul's tutor. To unpack 'Kal Vachomer' would take us from this subject but even for a novice in Hebrew like myself it is useful to identify repeated devices used in the Bible. What we do find is that there is a phenomena where the Apostles all has a sense of the last days being full of false teachers and the like.
'Follow my leader...'
We all have some Bible teachers that we admire and feel their ministry is of use. One additional phenomena in the last days is chasing after preachers who only speak what you want to hear. 2 Tim 4:3 is clear that people will desire to be facilitated by the false teachers. So the onus is not just on the false teachers but also those who swallow and follow their doctrine. The hearers are also predisposed towards entertainment, novelty, words that make them feel good instead of the Gospel that challenges to the core.
'It's ok... their hearts are right!'
Jude tells us in no uncertain terms that false teachers hearts are NOT right. God does look at the heart but sometimes He finds a heart not right. If we speak out of the abundance of the heart and it is not scriptural then ipso facto, their hearts are not right. Beware compromising over false teachers because 'some' of what they say is right. Jude has absolutely slammed the preachers you may be hooked into.
Who is your Preacher?
Gary Ward
17 But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. 18 They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.” 19 These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.
It is not popular today, but the Apostles are our 'ground zero' for God's truth. In Acts the people devoted themselves to the Apostles teaching and the Lord added to their number (Acts 42-47). Yet today we look to the one on the platform to deliver 'God's word.' It is my observation that God's word has been spoken and authenticated and it is that word we must deliver.
Jude repeats several times in his epistle that the false brethren / teachers follow their own natural desires. They are divisive and don't have the Spirit of God. When a person has really come to the Lord in contrition and genuinely given themselves over to his hand, they are led by the Spirit. Of course everyone falls, trips and stumbles along the way but if a person has a continual intent to serve their flesh and follow their own instincts I would question their true position in Christ.
Its happening now!
To me the vital component of these verses is the phrase 'in the last days.' Jude, like Jesus and the other contributors of the New Testament cite 'the last days' as being a concentrated time of this phenomena. The lighter application is usually cited followed by 'but in the last days...' a 'heavier' application. This way of speaking or writing was a Rabbinical component first recorded by Rabbi Hillel, the grandfather of Rabbi Gamaliel, Paul's tutor. To unpack 'Kal Vachomer' would take us from this subject but even for a novice in Hebrew like myself it is useful to identify repeated devices used in the Bible. What we do find is that there is a phenomena where the Apostles all has a sense of the last days being full of false teachers and the like.
'Follow my leader...'
We all have some Bible teachers that we admire and feel their ministry is of use. One additional phenomena in the last days is chasing after preachers who only speak what you want to hear. 2 Tim 4:3 is clear that people will desire to be facilitated by the false teachers. So the onus is not just on the false teachers but also those who swallow and follow their doctrine. The hearers are also predisposed towards entertainment, novelty, words that make them feel good instead of the Gospel that challenges to the core.
'It's ok... their hearts are right!'
Jude tells us in no uncertain terms that false teachers hearts are NOT right. God does look at the heart but sometimes He finds a heart not right. If we speak out of the abundance of the heart and it is not scriptural then ipso facto, their hearts are not right. Beware compromising over false teachers because 'some' of what they say is right. Jude has absolutely slammed the preachers you may be hooked into.
Who is your Preacher?
Gary Ward
Thursday 15 September 2016
Jude#8 Enoch said WHAT? v 15-16
As we push on through the epistle of Jude we come to a reference to 'Enoch.'
14 Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about them: “See, the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of his holy ones 15 to judge everyone, and to convict all of them of all the ungodly acts they have committed in their ungodliness, and of all the defiant words ungodly sinners have spoken against him.” 16 These people are grumblers and faultfinders; they follow their own evil desires; they boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage.
Jude wants us to know that the Enoch he is referring to was the actual one who was taken by God. This was the first 'harpazo,' 'snatching away' we find in scripture. It is a type of Elijah's removal, Jesus ascension and the removal of the true ekklesia at the resurrection. So we don't get confused about where this prophesy comes from, it is not from what is referred to as today's 'Book of Enoch.' Just to confuse matters the Dead Sea Scrolls do have similar writings probably recorded by the Essenes at Qumran. Today's book of Enoch may provide some interesting reading, as do most pseudepigraphical writings but are not inspired Holy Scripture.
The Lord comes to Judge
Still, the real Enoch prophesied this! The holy ones are either believers or angels. It is the Lord who judges and this is Jude's point as he continues to slam the false brethren. I sway towards Jesus accompaniment to be resurrected saints. This is consistent with the return of Christ with the believers who have their resurrection bodies. The first thing to happen is the tribulation survivors are judged as 'sheep' and 'goats.' The sheep go on to live in the Millennial reign and the saints govern them with Jesus as King of the world.
The emphasis on 'ungodly'
I am comforted that Enoch specifies that the sinning, speeches, acts, are all ungodly in nature. This is not applicable to the believers who still may have times when they don't walk well. Judgement is not coming to the repentant believer who comes to the Lord in contrition. Godly people get it wrong. Jude quotes Enoch who is specifically earmarking the ungodly who are unrepentant and defiant.
What do you long for?
Verse 16 offers further descriptions of what to expect from these false teachers / brethren. They bear the marks of the unregenerate, wilfully self-orientated heart. An interesting Greek word for 'lusts' here is 'epithumea' which is better phrased 'longings.' Their longings are to be at an advantage over others, in a better position and will flatter others while marketing self. To me this speaks of today's false teachers whose message is to tell people they are alright (flattery) instead of delivering the Gospel, which is a sword to the heart. They also market self presenting as an example of God's prosperity- supposed 'blessing.' Don't forget all this was spoken about in the first century. It is not a new thing. What is a new thing is believers who are impressed by the fake and inspired by the counterfeit. Jude says 'contend' while the majority of Christendom seeks to be 'content.'
Gary Ward
14 Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about them: “See, the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of his holy ones 15 to judge everyone, and to convict all of them of all the ungodly acts they have committed in their ungodliness, and of all the defiant words ungodly sinners have spoken against him.” 16 These people are grumblers and faultfinders; they follow their own evil desires; they boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage.
Jude wants us to know that the Enoch he is referring to was the actual one who was taken by God. This was the first 'harpazo,' 'snatching away' we find in scripture. It is a type of Elijah's removal, Jesus ascension and the removal of the true ekklesia at the resurrection. So we don't get confused about where this prophesy comes from, it is not from what is referred to as today's 'Book of Enoch.' Just to confuse matters the Dead Sea Scrolls do have similar writings probably recorded by the Essenes at Qumran. Today's book of Enoch may provide some interesting reading, as do most pseudepigraphical writings but are not inspired Holy Scripture.
The Lord comes to Judge
Still, the real Enoch prophesied this! The holy ones are either believers or angels. It is the Lord who judges and this is Jude's point as he continues to slam the false brethren. I sway towards Jesus accompaniment to be resurrected saints. This is consistent with the return of Christ with the believers who have their resurrection bodies. The first thing to happen is the tribulation survivors are judged as 'sheep' and 'goats.' The sheep go on to live in the Millennial reign and the saints govern them with Jesus as King of the world.
The emphasis on 'ungodly'
I am comforted that Enoch specifies that the sinning, speeches, acts, are all ungodly in nature. This is not applicable to the believers who still may have times when they don't walk well. Judgement is not coming to the repentant believer who comes to the Lord in contrition. Godly people get it wrong. Jude quotes Enoch who is specifically earmarking the ungodly who are unrepentant and defiant.
What do you long for?
Verse 16 offers further descriptions of what to expect from these false teachers / brethren. They bear the marks of the unregenerate, wilfully self-orientated heart. An interesting Greek word for 'lusts' here is 'epithumea' which is better phrased 'longings.' Their longings are to be at an advantage over others, in a better position and will flatter others while marketing self. To me this speaks of today's false teachers whose message is to tell people they are alright (flattery) instead of delivering the Gospel, which is a sword to the heart. They also market self presenting as an example of God's prosperity- supposed 'blessing.' Don't forget all this was spoken about in the first century. It is not a new thing. What is a new thing is believers who are impressed by the fake and inspired by the counterfeit. Jude says 'contend' while the majority of Christendom seeks to be 'content.'
Gary Ward
Wednesday 14 September 2016
Jude#7 Biblically describing false teachers v12
Jude describes the false teachers that have slipped in among believers in verse 12. In doing so he is using characteristics of other scriptural examples and applying them to his description. Anyone studying the Jewish ways of thinking /writing would call it 'Midrash.' Simply put, well known themes in the Old Testament are extracted to make a point. Jude is a prime example of using phrases that explode into a mind map so we see his point. Let's look at verse 12
12 These people are blemishes at your love feasts, eating with you without the slightest qualm—shepherds who feed only themselves. They are clouds without rain, blown along by the wind; autumn trees, without fruit and uprooted—twice dead. 13 They are wild waves of the sea,foaming up their shame; wandering stars, for whom blackest darkness has been reserved forever.
Jude begins by affirming the practice of ekklesia ('church') as eating a meal together. If the 'love feast' was not ekklesia but 'any old meal' then we could say, 'so what! False teachers eat things. What's the crime?' Jude is saying that the false teachers take part in the covenant meal, unashamedly. The covenant meal was the 'this do...' Jesus commanded and is for believers. It is eaten together as a remembrance of Jesus' completed work and his return. That they eat with believers is identifying with them... Jude has already pointed out the anathema (4-7) of them even being alongside the true children of God. Then the descriptions begin:
'Shepherds who only feed themselves'
God appoints shepherds to feed the 'flock.' These are the genuine God-equipped facilitators who have been sent to spiritually feed believers. The false teachers may have an element of data to share among the believers but the true motive is to relish in the position and the benefits of status. Jude confirms this later in verse 16. The ekklesia love feast was seen as a physical action of a spiritual principle. We partake of the shared food as we all partake of the shared bread of life... Jesus Christ (John 6:35). False teachers are all about their marketing of self.
'Clouds without rain, blown along by the wind'
Jude wants us to recall Proverbs 25:14 - 'Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of his gifts falsely.' The idea here is that a cloud can be seen yet not deliver what one would expect from a cloud. So is the false teacher: You can physically see the 'teacher' but what is delivered is not the expected sound Biblical teaching. To further explore the scriptural meanings some have used 'rain' to mean the outpouring of God's grace and 'wind's' to mean 'spirits.' It is also the case that clouds used in scripture are directed by God i.e. the cloud like a fist in Elijah's day. False teachers appear to be legitimate but fail to deliver God's agenda.
'Autumn trees, without fruit, uprooted and twice dead'
Trees in scripture often reference people, and people- trees. The Cedars of Lebanon is an example and the blind man healed saw people like 'trees.' But these trees are like the Autumn trees that have no fruit. Fruit is the marks of God's life issuing forth into the world. The false teachers have none, but not only that! We must turn to Psalm 1 to find a tree planted by streams of water. Its root would be in the stream and feeding from it. Jude tells us the false teachers are uprooted, not feeding from their source and twice dead. Twice dead refers to the first and second death unbelievers experience. believers may die once but escape the second death because of the completed work of Calvary. False teachers do not show Godly fruit, their only use, like a dead tree, is for firewood!
'Wild waves of the sea, foaming up their shame'
When we come across wild waves we can go to several places. Immediately reference the storm that squalled while Jesus was asleep in the boat. I also think of Psalm 77 when Asaph likens his inner turbulence to the raging seas. I'm also thinking of the flood waters. All these involve raging waves and the false teachers are intent on capsizing the faith of others. Psalm 23 states that the Lord leads us beside still waters and a leader would be seeking the fellow brother or sister to be sourced in Jesus, the prince of peace. Peter reminds us that in the last days many will follow their sensual desires. Jude agrees and hints that their own shameful fleshly motives cause the turbulent waters. False teachers bring storms instead of calming them because the flesh loves drama.
'Wandering stars, for whom the blackest darkness has been reserved forever'
With this I am drawn to two places. Firstly the stars in Genesis mark the times and seasons. So they have order even though the detail of how this works is not clear. Secondly I go to Abraham and how each star represented a believer. Such is the promise to a believer their entire life is in Christ and led by Him. So the idea of wandering doesn't last long for a believer. We are brought into line quickly by our Lord who cares for us. The false teachers are not in Christ, are not represented by the celestial array but do their own thing masquerading as the genuine article. False teachers are self perpetuated wanderers who look like they are children of the promise yet are actually doomed.
The ways of a false teacher as told by Jude:
Jude has us again search around the scriptures because he wants us to see that his observations are scripture, not just an opinion. We see the order of things when God has his way and then the disorder of the false teachers. In our modern Christian interpretation of the Bible we may feel Jude is being over dramatic. Jude valued and rejoiced in the beloved children of God. Somehow we are less celebratory about our brothers and sisters. A by-product of this is we are less concerned about false teachers. It is my observation (and I want to be wrong about this) that the element of false teaching is much more prevalent in today's church than we think. Like I don't see demons behind every lamp post, I don't see a false teacher in everyone who disagrees with me. What I do see is leaders chasing profile, importance, status, significance, prosperity, offerings, opulence and reputation. I hope there is a repentance because according to Jude, God is not taking prisoners.
Gary Ward
12 These people are blemishes at your love feasts, eating with you without the slightest qualm—shepherds who feed only themselves. They are clouds without rain, blown along by the wind; autumn trees, without fruit and uprooted—twice dead. 13 They are wild waves of the sea,foaming up their shame; wandering stars, for whom blackest darkness has been reserved forever.
Jude begins by affirming the practice of ekklesia ('church') as eating a meal together. If the 'love feast' was not ekklesia but 'any old meal' then we could say, 'so what! False teachers eat things. What's the crime?' Jude is saying that the false teachers take part in the covenant meal, unashamedly. The covenant meal was the 'this do...' Jesus commanded and is for believers. It is eaten together as a remembrance of Jesus' completed work and his return. That they eat with believers is identifying with them... Jude has already pointed out the anathema (4-7) of them even being alongside the true children of God. Then the descriptions begin:
'Shepherds who only feed themselves'
God appoints shepherds to feed the 'flock.' These are the genuine God-equipped facilitators who have been sent to spiritually feed believers. The false teachers may have an element of data to share among the believers but the true motive is to relish in the position and the benefits of status. Jude confirms this later in verse 16. The ekklesia love feast was seen as a physical action of a spiritual principle. We partake of the shared food as we all partake of the shared bread of life... Jesus Christ (John 6:35). False teachers are all about their marketing of self.
'Clouds without rain, blown along by the wind'
Jude wants us to recall Proverbs 25:14 - 'Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of his gifts falsely.' The idea here is that a cloud can be seen yet not deliver what one would expect from a cloud. So is the false teacher: You can physically see the 'teacher' but what is delivered is not the expected sound Biblical teaching. To further explore the scriptural meanings some have used 'rain' to mean the outpouring of God's grace and 'wind's' to mean 'spirits.' It is also the case that clouds used in scripture are directed by God i.e. the cloud like a fist in Elijah's day. False teachers appear to be legitimate but fail to deliver God's agenda.
'Autumn trees, without fruit, uprooted and twice dead'
Trees in scripture often reference people, and people- trees. The Cedars of Lebanon is an example and the blind man healed saw people like 'trees.' But these trees are like the Autumn trees that have no fruit. Fruit is the marks of God's life issuing forth into the world. The false teachers have none, but not only that! We must turn to Psalm 1 to find a tree planted by streams of water. Its root would be in the stream and feeding from it. Jude tells us the false teachers are uprooted, not feeding from their source and twice dead. Twice dead refers to the first and second death unbelievers experience. believers may die once but escape the second death because of the completed work of Calvary. False teachers do not show Godly fruit, their only use, like a dead tree, is for firewood!
'Wild waves of the sea, foaming up their shame'
When we come across wild waves we can go to several places. Immediately reference the storm that squalled while Jesus was asleep in the boat. I also think of Psalm 77 when Asaph likens his inner turbulence to the raging seas. I'm also thinking of the flood waters. All these involve raging waves and the false teachers are intent on capsizing the faith of others. Psalm 23 states that the Lord leads us beside still waters and a leader would be seeking the fellow brother or sister to be sourced in Jesus, the prince of peace. Peter reminds us that in the last days many will follow their sensual desires. Jude agrees and hints that their own shameful fleshly motives cause the turbulent waters. False teachers bring storms instead of calming them because the flesh loves drama.
'Wandering stars, for whom the blackest darkness has been reserved forever'
With this I am drawn to two places. Firstly the stars in Genesis mark the times and seasons. So they have order even though the detail of how this works is not clear. Secondly I go to Abraham and how each star represented a believer. Such is the promise to a believer their entire life is in Christ and led by Him. So the idea of wandering doesn't last long for a believer. We are brought into line quickly by our Lord who cares for us. The false teachers are not in Christ, are not represented by the celestial array but do their own thing masquerading as the genuine article. False teachers are self perpetuated wanderers who look like they are children of the promise yet are actually doomed.
The ways of a false teacher as told by Jude:
- They do not prioritise the Lord or His people over self
- They do not issue forth the Lord's agenda
- They do not demonstrate a fruitful journey
- They do not promote peace, unity and love
- They do not bear the marks of the believers journey.
Jude has us again search around the scriptures because he wants us to see that his observations are scripture, not just an opinion. We see the order of things when God has his way and then the disorder of the false teachers. In our modern Christian interpretation of the Bible we may feel Jude is being over dramatic. Jude valued and rejoiced in the beloved children of God. Somehow we are less celebratory about our brothers and sisters. A by-product of this is we are less concerned about false teachers. It is my observation (and I want to be wrong about this) that the element of false teaching is much more prevalent in today's church than we think. Like I don't see demons behind every lamp post, I don't see a false teacher in everyone who disagrees with me. What I do see is leaders chasing profile, importance, status, significance, prosperity, offerings, opulence and reputation. I hope there is a repentance because according to Jude, God is not taking prisoners.
Gary Ward
Tuesday 13 September 2016
Jude#6 Korah's Rebellion v11
Jude verse 11 has been split up into three sections, each highlighting the individuals Jude cites as being like false teachers. Numbers 16 tells of the story where Korah raised up a group of supporters to come against Moses' leadership. This didn't go well for Korah and his followers who were swallowed up by the ground! Such was the Lord's disdain for this rebellion, even those who grumbled about the incident were threatened with plague and many died for just grumbling! Our God is a God of self control so why do we see this seemingly knee jerk reaction from the Lord? The answer lies in what was going on both at surface level, and if you will allow the pun... also beneath the surface.
Self appointed leadership
The telling phrase from Korah was that the leaders had 'gone too far' in supposedly raising themselves up among the people. Korah and company thought they could do a better job that Moses! One of the issues at hand is the heart of Korah and the other rebels. They completely miss the appointment of Moses by God and make leadership a matter of human ability, skill, ingenuity and genius. It was not known to Korah or most of the people that Moses had those ego issues laid to rest over 40 years of tending Jethro's flocks in Midian. God is white-hot jealous of the masterpiece Moses was after the process of deconstruction. Korah was truly rebelling because he was vying for leadership yet had not been in the fires of preparation for God's sending. As a Levite he was part of the core significance of the nation but it wasn't enough for Korah and the gang!
A picture of the faithless
When we apply Moses as a type of Christ (Col Ch 2 / Hebrews generally) we see a vital issue occurring in all this. Unbelievers are people who do not see the way God has initiated a rescue plan. They choose to ignore the Creator whilst engaging the Creation (Rom 1). Korah is a picture of someone who sees the God-orientated world then relies on self to negotiate it all. "Jesus wilfully stood in my place to pay the price for my own sin?" 'Korah' says he can do a better job of saving himself and rejects Jesus! The drama of the ground opening up and swallowing the rebels is the picture of the destiny of the unbeliever.
God acts on behalf of the sent ones
Does this passage apply to leaders today? Is everyone who questions church leadership a type of 'Korah?' What we have to do is be precise in what is and what isn't rebellion. If someone has the bible in one hand and a 'leader's' words and/or actions the other, the believer is being biblical in discerning what issues forth from the 'leader.' It is Jude, among others, that challenge us to contend for the faith and that places cross hairs on everyone walking as if they are a leader. If, like Korah, it is someone who has opposed a leader in order to usurp the position then that person or group must be challenged. But notice something about Moses. He immediately falls before the Lord and seeks His council. Moses didn't have a denominational fraternity to pat him on the back when the going gets tough. There were no titles or platforms to sustain a perception of 'special.' Missing were the purpose driven sermons delivered with the aim to find approval. All Moses had was God's accompaniment through a biblical sending which will have a component of authority. Seeing an opportunity, Korah trampled on holy things and stirred up the wrath of God.
The legacy of Korah...
Jude is likening false teachers who have crept in among believers as Cain / Balaam / Korah. In these last days this is seen everywhere in Christendom. In Jude's day there were two kinds of leader. One was God-appointed like Moses. The other was self appointed like Korah. We can tell who the 'Korah' leaders are by exploring Jude verse 12, the next writing of this series.
Gary Ward
Self appointed leadership
The telling phrase from Korah was that the leaders had 'gone too far' in supposedly raising themselves up among the people. Korah and company thought they could do a better job that Moses! One of the issues at hand is the heart of Korah and the other rebels. They completely miss the appointment of Moses by God and make leadership a matter of human ability, skill, ingenuity and genius. It was not known to Korah or most of the people that Moses had those ego issues laid to rest over 40 years of tending Jethro's flocks in Midian. God is white-hot jealous of the masterpiece Moses was after the process of deconstruction. Korah was truly rebelling because he was vying for leadership yet had not been in the fires of preparation for God's sending. As a Levite he was part of the core significance of the nation but it wasn't enough for Korah and the gang!
A picture of the faithless
When we apply Moses as a type of Christ (Col Ch 2 / Hebrews generally) we see a vital issue occurring in all this. Unbelievers are people who do not see the way God has initiated a rescue plan. They choose to ignore the Creator whilst engaging the Creation (Rom 1). Korah is a picture of someone who sees the God-orientated world then relies on self to negotiate it all. "Jesus wilfully stood in my place to pay the price for my own sin?" 'Korah' says he can do a better job of saving himself and rejects Jesus! The drama of the ground opening up and swallowing the rebels is the picture of the destiny of the unbeliever.
God acts on behalf of the sent ones
Does this passage apply to leaders today? Is everyone who questions church leadership a type of 'Korah?' What we have to do is be precise in what is and what isn't rebellion. If someone has the bible in one hand and a 'leader's' words and/or actions the other, the believer is being biblical in discerning what issues forth from the 'leader.' It is Jude, among others, that challenge us to contend for the faith and that places cross hairs on everyone walking as if they are a leader. If, like Korah, it is someone who has opposed a leader in order to usurp the position then that person or group must be challenged. But notice something about Moses. He immediately falls before the Lord and seeks His council. Moses didn't have a denominational fraternity to pat him on the back when the going gets tough. There were no titles or platforms to sustain a perception of 'special.' Missing were the purpose driven sermons delivered with the aim to find approval. All Moses had was God's accompaniment through a biblical sending which will have a component of authority. Seeing an opportunity, Korah trampled on holy things and stirred up the wrath of God.
The legacy of Korah...
Jude is likening false teachers who have crept in among believers as Cain / Balaam / Korah. In these last days this is seen everywhere in Christendom. In Jude's day there were two kinds of leader. One was God-appointed like Moses. The other was self appointed like Korah. We can tell who the 'Korah' leaders are by exploring Jude verse 12, the next writing of this series.
Gary Ward
Sunday 4 September 2016
Jude#5 Balaam$ error
Balaam was a man whom God had gifted with prophecy. He was well known because when King Balak wanted a 'voice of God' to the Hebrews, he consulted Balaam. We are in Numbers 22-24 for this story which is so important in the scriptures that it appears in a warning to the churches in Revelation in Jesus' letters to the seven churches. To find out what the issue is with Balaam we have to tell the story. Here is an overview but I'd recommend diving into this and watching the drama unfold. Balak was concerned that the nation were to travel through and camp in his lands. Balak summoned Balaam for a reward to dure God's people but Balaam was adamant that God would have to be consulted and curse the people in order to weaken them for battle. Balak sent a second party of more distinguished people and thus greater reward.
This promise of more reward and probably prestige stirred Balaam's interest so he took his donkey and set off for Moab to consult with Balak. On the journey an angel stood before them to stop Balaam. The donkey could see the angel but God's Prophet (!) could not. Selah. Ballam beat the donkey leading to the donkey speaking to Balaam. As this story unfolds It's good to see the Lord reminding men who are in his service that even a donkey can be made to speak God's word so let's be sober about our graces. Balaam was made able to see the angel and was told the donkey saved his life. He was also told to only say what God was saying about the Hebrews regarding King Balak.
Balaam told Balak that he would only tell him what god was saying. Every time Balak took Balaam to view the Hebrew nation camping Balaam made sacrifices and relayed God's blessing to His people. Balak was furious and took him to a hand full of different places. Each time Balak was told God's word - a general blessing on His people! Balak finally told Balaam that he wasn't going to reward Balaam aven after Balaam reminded him that he did what he said he was going to do- relay God's word in the situation. Up to now we find Balaam can be seen as impressively obedient to the Lord. But this is not the whole story.
In Numbers 25 we find the men of the chosen nation fornicating with the Moabite women and as a result a great judgement falls upon the Israelite (Deut 23:3-6). It is not until Numbers 31:16 and then Revelation 2:14 do we find that this fornication was a result of Balaam teaching Balak how the people of God could curse themselves. This was by breaking the Law of God, as stated Deut 23:3-6. 2 Pet 2:15 and of course, Jude, also identify Balaam as an outstanding example of false teaching. So what exactly do we find with Balaam that speaks of today's false teachers?
Within the initial story we find that Balaam saw his God given gift as a means for earthly reward, namely money. It is a strange thing we see occurring but I see it all the time in today's ministry. Good men who have clearly been gifted use the graces of God for excessive personal gain. Like Balaam they are unmoved by a small job, it has to include big platforms and big offerings. In order to get the booty they are willing to sacrifice the people of God. Maybe they aren't enticing the believers with sexual immorality and lawbreaking but certainly twisting the word of God to make it fit their perverse positions.
As we observe the Laodicean church we see the acceptance of false teachers and their teaching. It is mostly accepted among the prosperity preachers that money, 'things' and 'gain' are the objectives of the kingdom. Balaam stands as the biblical example of someone who can talk the talk... yet behind the words and sound-byte declarations is a heart that will readily throw believers under the bus as long as the dollar is promised.
Judgement is coming.
Gary Ward
This promise of more reward and probably prestige stirred Balaam's interest so he took his donkey and set off for Moab to consult with Balak. On the journey an angel stood before them to stop Balaam. The donkey could see the angel but God's Prophet (!) could not. Selah. Ballam beat the donkey leading to the donkey speaking to Balaam. As this story unfolds It's good to see the Lord reminding men who are in his service that even a donkey can be made to speak God's word so let's be sober about our graces. Balaam was made able to see the angel and was told the donkey saved his life. He was also told to only say what God was saying about the Hebrews regarding King Balak.
Balaam told Balak that he would only tell him what god was saying. Every time Balak took Balaam to view the Hebrew nation camping Balaam made sacrifices and relayed God's blessing to His people. Balak was furious and took him to a hand full of different places. Each time Balak was told God's word - a general blessing on His people! Balak finally told Balaam that he wasn't going to reward Balaam aven after Balaam reminded him that he did what he said he was going to do- relay God's word in the situation. Up to now we find Balaam can be seen as impressively obedient to the Lord. But this is not the whole story.
In Numbers 25 we find the men of the chosen nation fornicating with the Moabite women and as a result a great judgement falls upon the Israelite (Deut 23:3-6). It is not until Numbers 31:16 and then Revelation 2:14 do we find that this fornication was a result of Balaam teaching Balak how the people of God could curse themselves. This was by breaking the Law of God, as stated Deut 23:3-6. 2 Pet 2:15 and of course, Jude, also identify Balaam as an outstanding example of false teaching. So what exactly do we find with Balaam that speaks of today's false teachers?
Within the initial story we find that Balaam saw his God given gift as a means for earthly reward, namely money. It is a strange thing we see occurring but I see it all the time in today's ministry. Good men who have clearly been gifted use the graces of God for excessive personal gain. Like Balaam they are unmoved by a small job, it has to include big platforms and big offerings. In order to get the booty they are willing to sacrifice the people of God. Maybe they aren't enticing the believers with sexual immorality and lawbreaking but certainly twisting the word of God to make it fit their perverse positions.
As we observe the Laodicean church we see the acceptance of false teachers and their teaching. It is mostly accepted among the prosperity preachers that money, 'things' and 'gain' are the objectives of the kingdom. Balaam stands as the biblical example of someone who can talk the talk... yet behind the words and sound-byte declarations is a heart that will readily throw believers under the bus as long as the dollar is promised.
Judgement is coming.
Gary Ward
Thursday 1 September 2016
Jude #4 'Taking the Way of Cain'
All the contributors to the New Testament epistles describe some aspect of the false believer. The warning against false teachers is a core theme from the Prophets to Jesus and onto the Apostles. A theme that runs across all the descriptions is the motivation by lust. This is not just exclusively lust of a sexual nature, but all that which the flesh desires. Jude v 10
10 Yet these people slander whatever they do not understand, and the very things they do understand by instinct—as irrational animals do—will destroy them.
The idea is that these lusts become a motivating factor in the comings and goings of the (false) believer. My understanding is that through the New Testament, and certainly Peter, these behaviours are not unbelievers but also believers who are in the 'falling away' process. A Jewish linguistic property occurs several times to say this happens in the days of the writers but will be a heavier application in the last days (v18), these days we live in. Let's examine the first of Jude's warnings in verse 11
11a Woe to them! They have traversed in the road of Cain,
The first example includes Cain who in Genesis 4 brought fruit as an offering to God. Abel, his brother brought from the first fruits of the flock with the fat. There are many discussions about why Cain's offering was not pleasing to God and one of them is because the sacrifice for the atonement for sin had been made. That atonement involved an animal's skin as a covering for their nakedness. This was the way it was done. If we substitute Cain for 'Israel' and Abel for 'Jesus' we find interesting reading in Chapter 4 as Cain kills Abel and is banished from the garden. Israel killed Jesus then rejected Him, causing Israel to be rejected in favour of the Gentiles. It is uncanny how this mirrors Israel but not surprising as the Bible is full of types and 'Prophetic Theatre.'
Abel did the thing what God had instituted as an offering. Cain did what he thought was pleasing from his own works. This principle is central to Jesus' teaching and the focus of the epistles: NOT BY WORKS! The false believers will ply their own trade and try to pass it off as 'God.' Anyone wanting to do things God's way, thus in direct refutation of their own works will be 'killed.' In History we have seen this where those wanting to walk well outside the institutions were literally killed! Today we have a social martyrdom where the questioning believer is ignored, made a mockery of and slandered.
Offerings in the New Covenant?
Today's good offering is to give our mangled carcasses, ideas, ingenuity, creativity, genius, degrees, methodologies, formulas and purpose-driven hubris to God. Of course we are not the offering, Jesus was. Our giving ourselves to God is because we recognise we couldn't provide a good offering, that's why Jesus came to give himself. The bad offering is when we think we were placed on earth to do our own thing and present that to God. So many leaders knock together a vision statement that for all intents and purposes looks amazing. It sounds brilliant, hitting all the right mission fields, equipping and sending etc. How do I know this isn't a vision statement from God?
Here's an illustration: My daughter and I go shopping for groceries. As we do this we may chat over what we want having done a brief itinerary. I'm the Father with the money and she is there to take part in the shopping. She is there by permission and it is my delight, the one with all the resource, power and ability, to involve her. At no stage do I pass the mission (to buy food) over to her. She can't do it, she has no resource! Or a car... she doesn't know what we need! Imagine if my daughter one day asks for the car keys. No. You can't drive. She then embarks on a long walk for groceries she has no idea of what is needed. After several hours she comes back exhausted and shows me her efforts. She has bought all the wrong foods and doubled up on non-essentials. This is what happens when we try to make our own ministries and callings. It cannot possibly be a pleasing offering to God because we cannot possibly know how the individual called 'me' fits in the specific circumstance of my 'calling.'
A Biblical principle
From the start of Genesis this principle is laid out for us. It is constantly underlined throughout the Bible that we are just vessels through which the Lord's initiatives and momentum flow. The people Jude is talking about are those who present to the Lord works that have not originated from the Lord. They have a 'ballpark' of Jesus and some real ingenuity but it is not an issuing forth of God's sending. They have come about by man's creation, something that anyone who has truly encountered the cross knows is futile. 'Cain' is a major theme as is 'Israel.' The rejection of Messiah by Israel was precisely because their own works, the religion they had brought about, the resultant positions they found themselves in were much too precious to handball to Messiah. Works - 'my offering' won the day for Israel but got them kicked out in the Diaspora. Cain wandered, Israel wandered. It is my understanding that Cain came to the Lord with repentance in chapter 4 of Genesis and the Lord marked Cain and protected Him as with Israel.
Lighter into 'Heavier' last days...
The way / road / traverse of Cain has a two sided nature. One is a 'works' orientated walk with God, the other is the attitude to those who are in proximity to the Lord so he can issue forth through them. 'Cain' always tries to do away with 'Abel.' The Roman Catholic and Protestant Churches killed those who would not follow their institutions. Today many local city Pastors kill the future of any they detect are issuing forth the Lord's will and purpose over their schemes to run a business. Read the Prophets, look at the life of Jesus and watch the remnant come out of the man-orientated religious dimension into life following the Son.
Gary Ward
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