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Preke

Die Ekstase van die normale Christelike Lewe.

4Wees altyd bly omdat julle weet dat julle aan die Here behoort. Ek sê dit weer: “Wees bly!” 5Laat almal sien hoe bedagsaam julle lewe. Onthou: Die Here kom binnekort! 6Moet oor niks bekommerd wees nie, maar bid oor alles. Vra alles wat julle nodig het van God, terwyl julle Hom ook dank vir alles wat Hy doen. 7As julle so bid, sal julle God se vrede beleef. Hierdie vrede is wonderliker as wat ’n mens ooit kan dink. Omdat julle aan Christus behoort, sal die vrede van God julle harte en gedagtes soos ’n veiligheidswag oppas. 8Ten slotte, liewe broers en susters beplan alles wat waar, eerbaar, skoon, suiwer, lieflik en lofwaardig is. 9En leef volgens alles wat julle van my geleer, oorgeneem, gehoor en gesien het. Dan sal die God wat vrede gee, by julle wees.(Phil 4:4-9) 

Hierdie Skrifgedeelte is gelaai met praktiese riglyne vir REGLEWE te midde van moeilike tye. Die lewe was nog nooit maklik nie. Elke dag is vol uitdagings, wat ons moet oorkom. Baie mense probeer die LEWE ontsnap op vele maniere… om later te ondervind ons vlugtog het net sake vererger… Die Jesus KULTUUR en LEWE ontsluit ‘n innerlike geluk en vreugde wat mens anker en versterk te midde van die moeilikste van tye.  

Die ekstatiese ontvlugting wat Vader God vir ons bied, is nie ‘n oomblik of ervaring van ONVLUGTING NIE maar ‘n leefwyse waar ons te midde van moeilike omstandigheid vreugde en welgeluksaligheid beleef. 

11Dit het Ek vir julle gesê sodat julle my blydskap mag ervaar en julle blydskap volkome kan wees. (Joh 15:11) 

8Hom het julle lief, al het julle Hom nooit gesien nie. Al sien julle Hom nou nie, vertrou julle op Hom; julle kan die wonderlike blydskap wat julle in julle voel, eintlik nie onder woorde bring nie. 9Julle ervaar hierdie blydskap, want julle is reeds besig om julle finale redding, wat die doelwit van julle geloof is, te verkry. (1 Pet 1:8-9)

13“Ek is nou na U toe op pad. Ek sê hierdie dinge terwyl Ek nog in die wêreld is sodat hulle my blydskap in al sy volheid in hulleself kan ondervind. (Joh 17:13) 

God het bedoel dat ons hierdie ekstase vind in Hom (Ps 119:16; Job 22:25-26), jou huwelik (Prov 5:18) en die Liggaam van Christus (Joh 17:21). 

Wanneer ons ons hart wend en fokus op enige goedkoop alternatief, raak ons een met ʼn objek (substance) en verloor ons ons menslike en goddelike eienskappe.  Dit is die kern van alle tipes van verslawing.  Ons diepste begeerte in verhoudings is om met iemand een te word, ʼn sielsgenoot te vind met wie ons kan oud word.  Ware geluk is nie geluk as dit nie met iemand gedeel kan word nie.  Verslawing lei tot diepe eensaamheid en ʼn konstante verwydering van sulke sinvolle verhoudings.  God het ons dan ook geskape om in eenwording ekstase te ondervind.  

Spiritual ecstasy is an altered state of consciousness characterized by greatly reduced external awareness and expanded interior mental and spiritual awareness which is frequently accompanied by hallucinations and emotional/intuitive (and sometimes physical) euphoria.  Eksase bring mee dat ons “invincible” voel, ons voel kragtig en “bold”, jy kan onthou, jy het helderheid, beleef euphoria, en jy is ontspanne.  

Ons natuurlike soeke in tye van nood is ontsnapping en ontvlugting.  

Omdat ons nie hierdie ekstase eerstens in Hom kry nie, (Mat 6:33) en ook nie in ons maats nie, soek ons dit op ander plekke, en  vul die honger in ons hart met musiek, seks, dwelms, voorskrifmedisyne, alkohol,  sport, en kos.  Alhoewel daar opsigself niks boos is omtrent enige van hierdie “substances” nie, is dit bedoel as aanvullers en nie die kern en wese van ons ontvlugting nie.  Hierdie dinge offer kortstondige  ontvlugting en ons “voel” tydelike beter, maar hierdie middels bied nie die krag, vermoë en genade om ons probleme te oorkom nie.  Dit kan net die Here doen! Buite die raamwerk van intimiteit en eenwording in ons verhouding met God, ons maat, en die liggaam, word die einste middel wat ons gebruik vir ontvlugting ons tronksel.  Ons wat geskape is na God se beeld, raak slaaf van geskape middels.  Jesus is pure vreugde! 

Die voorhangsel is geskeur (2 Cor 3:7-4:6) Die heerlikheid en glorie wat net vir die hoë priester bedoel was het nou in ons kom woon.  Soos wat ons vanuit hierdie diepe intimiteit met Hom leef, is daar deurentyd momente waar Sy vreugde tasbaar in ons word.  

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Toe Johannes nog in sy moeder se baarmoeder in Jesus se teenwoordigheid kom, het hy met vreugde opgespring.  Want kyk, toe die geluid van jou groet in my ore klink, het die kindjie in my skoot van vreugde opgespring. Lukas/Luke 1:44 En die engel sê vir hulle: Moenie vrees nie, want kyk, ek bring julle ’n goeie tyding van groot blydskap wat vir die hele volk sal weesLukas/Luke 2:10 Elke keer wat ons Jesus ontmoet, Hom beleef, die Woord vir ons duidelik word, Hy met ons praat, ons lei, ons wys deur iemand anders wat Jesus leef, in die alles vind ons ware vreugde!!! 

Kyk net na die volgende “mindmap” en sien die vrymaking en verlossing van jou redding! 

Die koninkryk van God (hemel, vrede, vreugde) het gekom, en tuiste in ons hart gevind!  (Luk 17:21) Hierdie koninkryk is nie ʼn destinasie nie, maar ʼn bedryfstelsel.  Soos wat ons in gehoorsaamheid in Sy genade leef, vul Hy ons lewe met vreugde, nie net subjektiewe ervarings van vreugde nie, maar vreugde wat ander lewens raak.  

  1. Die Heilige Gees vul ons met vreugde!

Want die koninkryk van God is nie spys en drank nie, maar geregtigheid en vrede en blydskap in die Heilige Gees.Romeine/Romans 14:17 En die dissipels is vervul met blydskap en met die Heilige GeesHandelinge/Acts 13:52

  • Dis beter om te gee as om te ontvang.

dat onder baie beproewing deur verdrukking hulle oorvloedige blydskap by hulle diepe armoede oorvloedig was in hulle ryke milddadigheid. 2 Korintiers/Corinthians 8:2 

  • ‘n Gelukkige huwelik! 

Geniet die lewe met die vrou wat jy liefhet… 

Mag jou fontein geseënd wees, en verheug jou oor die vrou van jou jeug — Pred 9:9 die lieflike wildsbokkie en aanvallige steenbokkie; laat haar boesem jou altyd vermaak, mag jy in haar liefde gedurigdeur bedwelmd wees. Spreuke/Proverbs 5:18

  • Die vreugde van om ‘n siel te wen.

En hulle is deur die gemeente uitgelei en het Fenícië en Samaría deurgegaan en vertel van die bekering van die heidene, en aan al die broeders groot blydskap verskaf.  Handelinge/Acts 15:3

  • Eenheid is vreugde!

maak dan nou my blydskap volkome deur eensgesind te wees: een in liefde, een van hart, een in strewe.  Fillipense/Philippians 2:2 Ek doen ’n beroep op julle almal, broers, in die Naam van ons Here Jesus Christus, om eensgesind te wees. Daar moet geen verdeeldheid onder julle wees nie. Julle moet een wees in dieselfde gesindheid en met dieselfde oortuiging.  1 Korintiers/Corinthians 1:10

  • Geniet die gawe van jou werk! 

Kyk, wat ek as ’n goeie ding gesien het, wat voortreflik is, is dat iemand eet en drink en die goeie geniet vir al sy arbeid waarmee hy hom vermoei onder die son gedurende die getal van sy lewensdae wat God hom gee; want dit is sy deel.  18 Ook vir elke mens aan wie God rykdom en skatte gegee het, en wat Hy in staat stel om daarvan te eet en sy deel te neem en hom te verheug by sy moeitevolle arbeid, is dit ’n gawe van God.19 Want hy dink nie baie aan sy lewensdae nie, omdat God hom laat besig wees met die vreugde van sy hart. Prediker/Ecclesiastes 5:17

  • Die euforie van goed doen. 

Want ons is sy maaksel, geskape in Christus Jesus tot goeie werke wat God voorberei het, sodat ons daarin kan wandel. (Eph 2:10) Wanneer ons goed doen aan ander, laat dit ons goed-voel, en kry die lewe weer betekenis.  

LEWE ELKE OOMBLIK IN DIE VREUGDE VAN SY NABYHEID!

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Sermons

How to free yourself from a bad spirit.

Christians can have a bad spirit. 

But He turned and rebuked them, and said, “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. (Luk 9:55) 

let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. (2 Cor 7:1) 

Jesus Came to set the captives free

To preach the gospel to the poor;

He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,

To proclaim liberty to the captives

And recovery of sight to the blind,

To set at liberty those who are oppressed (Luk 4:18) 

He restored our authority so we can resist evil

We have jurisdiction on earth (Gen 1:28; 2;15) but we lost this jurisdiction because of disobedience towards God, and our rebellious adherence to satan (Luk 4.6). The devil usurped our original position (Joh 12:31; 2 Cor 4:4; Eph 2:2; 6;12). 

Jesus demonstrated the power we as humans should have, and commissioned us to exercise our authority (Mat 10:1; Luk 10:19). Jesus overcame the powers of darkness. (Col 2:15; 2 Cor 2:14). One who knows his or her jurisdiction does not fear rebellions of obstruction of justice, but determines to exercise authority over it  (Acts 8:22-23; 19:14).

We need to exercise our authority to evict bad spirits that we have allowed. 

Submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7)

You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)

For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (2 Cor. 10:3-5)

Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith.” (1 Pet. 5:8-9) 

Do your own deliverance 

  1. Honest Repentance & Confession 

Repent through the sin list mentioned in the Bible. 

Gal 5:19-21; 1 Cor 6:9-10; Rom 1:29-31.  
Repent for disobedience, the root of all sins.  Repent for opening up, and allowing evil in.  Close and shut the doors.  

  • Forgive and intercede for your enemies

Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” (Luk 23:34) 

(Mat 18:34-35; Luk 17:1-5)
Confront Christian Family Members who have hurt you. 

  1. Repent – Ask forgiveness by specifically naming the wrong, mistake, fault, error. Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom. (Ps 51:6)
  2. Recognise the hurt you have caused. You need to better articulate the pain you have caused than the victim. Seeing and understanding the effects of your sin, and what transgression (injury) it has caused. 
  3. Restitution, restore back what you have broken, stolen, etc. Physically Repay, fix. 
  4. Remorse – Godly Repentance (2 Cor 7:9) 
  5. Relent Turn and by faith never do it again. 
  6. Take Charge & Responsibility 

Give the eviction notice! “Away with you, Satan! For it is written…” (Mat 4:10) work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. (Phil 2:12-13) 

Categories
Sermons

7 Ways to Stay Spiritually Fit

1. Feed your spirit through the Word, prayer and meditation. 

It is written, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that goeth forth through the mouth of God.” The word referred to here is ῥῆμα rhḗma; the voice of someone speaking. This implies God’s audible voice. “He caused you to suffer, and caused you to hunger, and then gave you the manna to eat—something which ye had not known before, nor did your ancestors. He wanted you to realize that one lives not only on bread, but of every word the Lord says.” (Deut 8:3).

When we read the Bible, we do it prayerfully, set to hear His voice. Meditation is precisely the contemplation of God’s Word, so that the passage He has enlightened in your heart by His Spirit can gain our understanding of what we need to do, to apply in practice.

  • These audible statements from God’s Word anchor us, and make us steady in times of evil and crisis.
  • These words speak to our spirits, and help gain insight.
  • These words from God touch the roadmap of our faith journey with the Lord.

The more time you make with the word, read it, memorize, pray, preach and live the more Word fit one becomes. You hear His voice more and more clearly, because you have a faith-word vocabulary. 

2. Activate your Faith.

“What does it help, my brothers, if someone claims to believe, but his actions don’t confirm it?” Faith is an action, a verb, it is obedience. It is the doting and act of the Word, which makes us mentally fit. Faith fit!

Serving Jesus is impossible for the flesh, it costs faith to forgive, serve, the person who doesn’t deserve love, gives you last money, prays for the sick, leads someone to the Lord. The more you start applying the word in faith, the fitter you get. You build as too true faith muscles, and a capacity of faith when, for example, you physically praise the Lord in difficult circumstances.

You can immediately count out someone who spends a lot of time in the gym on their physical fit appearance — the great of their muscles. So you can immediately measure believers by the greatness of their acts of faith. 

3. Practice your spiritual gifts:

The Father has made provision for us by the Holy Spirit to live supernaturally like Jesus: The 9 fruits of the spirit (Galatians 4:20-21) and 9 gifts of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:4-11) are God’s supernatural validation to live Godly fruitfully.

These are supernatural gifts to demonstrate God’s love in the world. These gifts make our ministry directed, focusing on giving. When we can do something meaningful to someone, it makes us feel good, and we feel inspired. a valuable spiritual exercise in times of need and loss.

When you have physically nothing to give to someone, but you can, by a prophecy, enlighten someone’s mind and give new hope, you feel rich. We are rich in Christ in that He has given us access to His kingdom. a spiritual inheritance of divine gifts and abilities. (Eph 1:3; 2 Peter 1:3-4) 

4. Rest. 

Jesus made time to lay down and sleep even in the midst of a day-trip. (Mark 4:35-41) Studies have found that sleep is non-negotiable when it comes to concentration and imagination abilities, and emotional stability. A concert violinist sleeps up to nine hours to be totally mentally rested, to give them best.

In a study group, a difficult code-word discovery exercise was given to two groups. One group slept sufficiently and rested, the other stayed awake. The group that rested resolved the problem twice as fast than the other group.

Sleeping well presupposes soul rest. You don’t fall asleep if you’re upset, or worried about a certain crisis. “Be careful of nothing, but let everything through prayer and cries with thanksgiving become familiar with God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4:6-7).

This is an essentially important daily exercise that faith people must master. We must teach each how to reveal your needs to the Lord in prayer, through petition, and then thanksgiving, and then in His presence, receive the gift of soul rest. Our entire spiritual battle in this life is from the position of rest. We’re fighting harder, resting harder! This resting position is our position of authority and authority to silence the storm like Jesus. 

5. Interact with the fellowship of believers. 

Social discourse is indispensable, and core to our spiritual existence. The talk together, witness, share, and stories tell us build up in our faith. Dr Henry Cloud tells of his brother-in-law completing his NAVY SEALS training when, on the last day of “Hell’s Week”, he was physically no longer able to complete the killing swimming effort. His friend saw him struggling, and began to cheer him on from the side. Suddenly almost supernaturally he gained strength to finish. Spending time, eating and socialising with the right people sets up your mind. It is especially in these “togetherness” times where we practice our spiritual gifts to build, sooth, encourage, and encourage one another. Some people still struggle to pray,  speak on tongues and prophesy in the company of others.  “How then does the matter stand? When you come together, then each of you has a psalm or a teaching or a language or a revelation or a layout — let everything be founded.” (1 Cor 14:26)

So to get mentally fit is not only chit-chat, it is to go over to deeper conversations and spiritual ministry. It is to lay hands on one another and pray for one another so we for our spiritual strengthening and fitness.

6. Open yourself up to mentoring. 

We all need feedback from a specialist, to help us grow and develop in a certain area. As with athletes who want to perform better, we each need a spiritual mentor and coach.

In our heart, every person thinks he or she is doing right. That’s when our life stands under the light and standard of Christ Jesus, we realize our sin and miserable self-justification. Spiritual Fathers want to see their children grow up in adulthood in Christ Jesus’ life, thought, habits and values (Galatians 4:19; Col 1:28-29). This means there is a specific encouragement, correction, admonition, rebuke and chastening that is part of the mentoring process (Hebrews 12:5-11). People who do not receive spiritual direct coaching aimed at Christ’s example tend to misrepresent Jesus. 

7. Think right. 

Much of our spirituality is locked up in our thinking. How we think, the specific way and process of thinking determines our life. Spiritual people have their minds formed by the Word. They think Word, and according to the directives and wisdoms of the Word. Consider the wisdoms of the preacher and proverbs.

“For they that are carnal devise fleshly things, but they that are spiritual, spiritual things. For what the flesh devises is death, but what the Spirit devises is life and peace; because what the flesh devises is enmity against God; for it does not submit to the law of God, for neither can it. And they that are in flesh cannot please God; however, ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if even the Spirit of God which abides in you.” (Romans 8:5-11).

Thinking follows beliefs, or worldviews that ultimately form an ideology. It’s not so much about what you think here, but how you think. Do you think linearly or systemically? Do you think from God’s perspective or that of a person like Peter? (Mat 16:23). Do you think to re-utilize one aspect or  entirely pluralistically?

Spiritual men have the words of Christ (2 Cor 2:16).  “The wind blows where he wants, and you hear his sound, but you don’t know where he’s coming and where he’s going. So is everyone born of the Spirit.” (John 3:8). Spiritual people are therefore unpredictable, fresh and new, but defining a certain directionthe throne room of the Lord.

Examples of negative thinking are practical:

  • do you always think the worst of someone?
  • Are you like Thomas always disbelieving because you want to see first?
  • Are you derogatory on yourself?
  • Constantly measure yourself by others?
  • Do you do self-examination all the time?
  • Do you always seek the error with someone else first?
  • Are you full of excuses?
  • Do you feel entitled to something you haven’t worked for?

These thoughts are all examples of thinking that haven’t caught mental fitness yet. How long does it take you to move from a ‘default’ old way of thinking, to think right again? This process needs to take place faster, for the person who is spiritual fit.

In times like these, it is important that we get spiritually fit, with great value to our overall immune system health. Spiritual-well being is beneficial to all the other aspects of our being (social, emotional, mental, physical, vocational, mental) anchoring and correcting your humanity, emotions, desires and habits.

Spiritually mature and healthy people:

  • Deal with stress, and crises better.
  • They can handle change better.
  • They are not so much attuned to the daily news events and circumstances.
  • They are usually more helpful and seek practical solutions.
  • They are people-oriented to recognize people’s need more quickly, and to actively help.
  • They’re more grateful people.
  • They are more peaceful and happy people! 
     
Categories
Preke

7 Maniere om geestelik Fiks te Bly

  1. Voed jou gees deur die Woord, gebed en meditasie. 

Daar is geskrywe: Die mens sal nie van brood alleen lewe nie, maar van elke woord wat deur die mond van God uitgaan.” 

Die woord waarna hier verwys word is ῥῆμα rhḗma; die stem van iemand wat praat.  Dit impliseer God se hoorbare stem.  Hy het julle laat swaarkry en julle laat hongerly en toe vir julle die manna gegee om te eet—iets wat julle nie vantevore geken het nie en julle voorouers ook nie. Hy wou julle laat besef dat ’n mens nie net van brood leef nie, maar van elke woord wat die Here sê. (Deut 8:3) 

Wanneer ons Bybel lees, doen ons dit biddend, ingestel om Sy stem te hoor.  Meditasie is juis die bepeinsing van God se Woord, sodat die gedeelte wat Hy deur Sy Gees in jou hart verlig het kan insink, ons begrip kry om te verstaan wat ons moet doen, om in die praktyk toe te pas. Hierdie hoorbare insprake vanuit God se Woord, anker ons, en maak ons bestendig in tye van onheil en krisis. Hierdie woorde spreek tot ons gees, en help om om insig te verkry.  Hierdie woorde van God raak die padkaart van ons geloofsreis met die Here.  Hoe meer tyd jy met die woord maak, dit lees, memoriseer, bid, preek en leef hoe meer Woordfiks raak ‘n mens. Jy hoor Sy stem al hoe duideliker, want jy het ‘n geloofs-woord-woordeskat.

 

2. Aktiveer jou Geloof. 

Wat help dit, my broers, as iemand beweer dat hy glo, maar sy dade bevestig dit nie? 

Geloof is ‘n aksie, ‘n werkwoord, dit is gehoorsaamheid. Dis is die doen en handeling van die Woord, wat ons geestelik fiks maak. Geloofsfiks!

Om Jesus te dien is onmoontlik vir die vlees, dit kos geloof om te vergewe, te dien, die persoon wat nie liefde verdien nie lief te hê, jou laaste geld te gee, vir siekes te bid, iemand na die Here toe te lei. Hoe meer jy die woord in geloof begin toepas, hoe fikser word jy.  Jy bou as te ware geloofspiere, en ‘n geloofs-kapasiteit wanneer jy byvoorbeeld die Here fisies loof in moeilike omstandighede.

Jy kan iemand wat baie tyd in die gimnasium spandeer dadelik uitken aan hulle fisiese fikse voorkoms – die grote van hulle spiere. So kan jy gelowiges dadelik uitken aan die grootheid van hulle geloofsdade.  

3. Beoefen jou geestelike gawes: 

Die Vader het deur die Heilige Gees vir ons voorsiening gemaak om bonatuurlik soos Jesus te leef: Die 9 vrugte van die gees (Gal 5:20-21) en 9 gawes van die Gees (1 Cor 12:4-11) is God se bonatuurlike bekragtiging om Godsvrugtig te lewe.

Hierdie is bonatuurlike genadegawes om God se liefde in die wêreld te demonstreer.  Hierdie gawes maak ons bediening gerig, en fokus ons om te gee. 

Wanneer ons iets betekenisvol vir iemand kan doen, laat dit ons goed voel, en ons voel geïnspireerd. ‘n Waardevolle geestelike oefening in tye van nood en verlies.  Wanneer jy fisies niks het om vir iemand te gee nie, maar jy kan deur ‘n profesie iemand se gemoed verlig en nuwe hoop gee, voel jy ryk.  Ons is ryk in Christus, deurdat Hy ons toegang gegee het tot Sy koninkryk, ‘n geestelike erfenis van goddelike gawes en vermoëns. (Eph 1:3; 2 Pet 1:3-4) 

 

4. Rus. 

Jesus het tyd gemaak om selfs te midde van ‘n dagreis, neer te lê en te slaap. (Mark 4:35-41) Studies het bevind dat slaap is ononderhandelbaar wanneer dit kom by konsentrasie en denk vermoëns, en emosionele stabiliteit. [1] 

‘n Konsert violis slaap tot 9 ure om totaal verstandelik uitgerus te wees, om hulle beste te gee. In ‘n studie groep is ‘n moeilike kode-woord ontdekking oefening aan 2 groepe gegee. Die een groep het genoegsaam geslaap en gerus, die ander het wakker gebly. Die groep wat gerus het, het 2 keer vinniger die probleem opgelos as die ander groep.  

Om goed te slaap veronderstel sielsrus. Mens raak nie aan die slaap as jy ontsteld is, of bekommerd is oor ‘n sekere krisis nie.  Wees oor niks besorg nie, maar laat julle begeertes in alles deur gebed en smeking met danksegging bekend word by God.

En die vrede van God, wat alle verstand te bowe gaan, sal julle harte en julle sinne bewaar in Christus Jesus. (Phil 4:6-7) Hierdie is ‘n wesenlike belangrike daaglikse oefening wat geloofsmense moet baasraak.  Ons moet elkeen leer hoe om in gebed, deur petisie, en dan danksegging jou behoeftes aan die Here bekend te maak, en dan in Sy teenwoordigheid die geskenk van sielsrus te ontvang.  Ons hele geestelike geveg in hierdie lewe is vanuit die posisie van rus. Ons baklei harder, deur harder te rus! Hierdie rusposisie is ons posisie van gesag en outoriteit om soos Jesus die storm stil te maak.  

 

5. Interaksie met die gemeenskap van gelowiges.  

Saamkuier is onmisbaar, en kern tot ons geestelike bestaan. Die saampraat, getuig, deel, en stories vertel bou ons op in ons geloof.  

Dr Henry Cloud vertel van sy swaer wat besig was om sy Navy Seals opleiding te voltooi toe hy op die laaste dag van “Hell’s week” fisies nie meer in staat was om die moordende swem poging te voltooi nie.  Sy vriend het hom gesien sukkel, en hom van die kant af begin moed inpraat, skielik amper bonatuurlik het hy krag gekry om klaar te maak.  Om saam met die regte mense tyd te spandeer, te eet en te kuier, stig jou gemoed. Dis veral in hierdie saamwees tye waar ons juis ons geestelike gawes beoefen om mekaar op te bou, te stig, te bemoedig, en aan te spoor. Sommige mense sukkel nog om voor mense te bid, wat nog voor mense in tale te spreek, die uitleg te verkry, en te profeteer?!  HOE staan die saak dan, broeders? Wanneer julle saamkom, dan het elkeen van julle ’n psalm of ’n lering of ’n taal of ’n openbaring of ’n uitlegging — laat alles tot stigting geskied.(1 Cor 14:26) Om geestelik fiks te word is dus nie net die kuier aspek nie, dit is om oor te gaan na dieper gesprekke en geestelike bediening. Om vir mekaar die hande op te lê, en te bid word ons geestelik versterk en fiks.  

 

6. Maak jouself oop vir mentorskap. 

Ons het almal terugvoering nodig van ‘n spesialis, om ons te help groei en ontwikkel in ‘n sekere area.  Soos met atlete wat wil beter presteer, het ons elkeen ‘n geestelike mentor en afrigter nodig. In ons hart dink elke mens hy of sy doen reg. Dit is wanneer ons lewe onder die lig en standaard van Christus Jesus staan, besef ons ons sonde en misrekende self-regverdiging.  

Geestelike Vaders wil toesien dat hulle kinders opgroei in volwassenheid in Christus Jesus se lewe, denke, gewoontes en waardes. (Gal 4:19; Col 1:28-29) Dit beteken daar is ‘n spesifieke aanmoediging, korreksie, vermaning, bestraffing en tugtiging proses. (Heb 12:5-11) Mense wat nie geestelike direkte afrigting ontvang wat op Christus se voorbeeld gerig is nie, is geneig om Jesus te misverteenwoordig.

 

7. Dink reg.  

‘n Groot deel van ons spiritualiteit is opgesluit in ons denke. Hoe ons dink, die spesifieke manier en proses van dink bepaal ons lewe. Geestelike mense het hulle denke laat formeer deur die Woord. Hulle dink woord, en volgens die voorskrifte en wyshede van die woord. Dink aan die wyshede van prediker en spreuke.  Want die wat vleeslik is, bedink vleeslike dinge, maar die wat geestelik is, geestelike dinge.

Want wat die vlees bedink, is die dood, maar wat die Gees bedink, is lewe en vrede,

omdat wat die vlees bedink, vyandskap teen God is; want dit onderwerp hom nie aan die wet van God nie, want dit kan ook nie. En die wat in die vlees is, kan God nie behaag nie; julle is egter nie in die vlees nie, maar in die Gees, as naamlik die Gees van God in julle woon. (Rom 8:5-11) Denkwyses volg geloofsoortuigings, of wêreldbeskouings wat uiteindelik ‘n ideologie vorm.  Dit gaan nie hier soseer oor wat jy dink nie, maar hoe jy dink. Dink jy liniêr of sistemies. Dink jy vanuit God se perspektief of die van ‘n mens soos Petrus. (Mat 16:23) Dink jy redusering na een aspek of pluralisties geheeldenkend? Geestelike mense het die sinne van Christus. (2 Cor 2:16) Die wind waai waar hy wil, en jy hoor sy geluid, maar jy weet nie vanwaar hy kom en waarheen hy gaan nie. So is elkeen wat uit die Gees gebore is. (Joh 3:8) Geestelike   mense is dus onvoorspelbaar, vars en nuutdenkend, maar bepalend van ‘n sekere rigting – die troonkamer van die Here. Voorbeelde van negatiewe denke is prakties: dink jy altyd die slegste van iemand? Is jy soos Thomas altyd ongelowig omdat jy eers wil sien? Is jy neerhalend op jouself? Meet jouself gedurig aan ander? Doen jy die heeltyd selfondersoek? Soek jy altyd eers die fout by iemand anders? Is jy vol verskonings? Voel jy geregtig tot iets waarvoor jy nie gewerk het nie? Hierdie gedagtes is alles voorbeelde van denke wat nog nie geestelik fiks geraak het nie. Hoe lank vat dit jou om vanuit ‘n ‘default’ ou manier van dink, te beweeg na weer reg dink? Hierdie proses moet vinniger plaasvind, vir die persoon wat geestelik fiks is.  

In tye soos hierdie is dit wesenlik belangrik dat ons geestelik fiks raak, met groot waarde tot jou algehele immuniteit . Geestelike fiksheid help om al die ander aspek. te van jou menswees, emosies, drifte, gewoontes te anker en reg te rig.  Geestelik gesonde mense hanteer spanning, en krisisse beter. Hulle kan verandering beter hanteer. Hulle is nie so baie ingestel op die daaglikse nuusgebeure en omstandighede nie. Hulle is gewoonlik meer hulpvaardig en soek praktiese oplossings. Hulle is mens-georiënteer om mense se nood vinniger te herken, en daadwerklik te help. Hulle is meer dankbare mense.  


[1] June J. Pilcher, Allen I. Huffcutt; Effects of Sleep Deprivation on Performance: A Meta-Analysis, Sleep, Volume 19, Issue 4, 1 June 1996, Pages 318–326, https://doi.org/10.1093/sleep/19.4.318

Categories
Sermons

Walk and Live in the Spirit

Lord you want to partner with us, through our prayers we receive Your answers. Our works is by Your grace. Our possessions is by your blessing. Our obedience is by your call. Our weakness is replaced by Your strength. This is a great mystery. I pray help us to make this sacred partnership more seamless and flowing, reciprocal, intimate, and natural.
In the same way, Jesus could do nothing without the Father; we can do nothing without the Holy Spirit. Jesus could do nothing without Him seeing the Father do it (John 5:19-20, 30). He could only do His will (John 6:38) – do only what the Father taught (Joh 8:28), according to what the Father commands (John 12:49).

In order for us to live and move by the way of the Spirit, or as Ap Paul put it: “walk in the Spirit” (Gal 5:16) we must learn to be holy devoted and depended on the Holy Spirit. We literally can do nothing without Him!

In the OT, people lived by the Law, in the NT believers live by the Holy Spirit.

It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. (Zech 4:6)

ALL LIFE IN THE New Testament IS BY THE SPIRIT

Know God by the Spirit: No one can know a person’s thoughts except that person’s own spirit, and no one can know God’s thoughts except God’s own Spirit. (1 Corinthians 2:11)
Walk according to the Spirit and not gratify the desires of the flesh. It is the power of the Spirit life, that free you from the gravitational downward pull of the flesh and sin. (Rom 8:2-4; Gal 5:16)

A new power is in operation.

  • The Spirit of life in Christ, like a strong wind, has magnificently cleared the air, freeing you from a fated lifetime of brutal tyranny at the hands of sin and death. The Message: (Rom 8:2).
  • Set your mind on the things of the Spirit (Rom 8:5-8).
  • Put to death the deeds of the body by the Spirit (Rom 8:13).
  • The main characteristic of being a child of God is being led by the Spirit. (Rom 8:14)
  • Know the Fatherhood of God and subsequent sonship by the Spirit (Rom 8:15-17).
  • Hope in the Spirit (Rom 8:23-25).
  • Pray in the Spirit (Rom 8:26-27). In other passages Paul mentions — (Jude 20)
  • Be filled with the Spirit (Eph 5:18).
  • Serve in the Spirit (Rom 7:6; 15:16).
  • Love by the Spirit (Rom 15:30; Gal 5:22-23; Col 1:8).
  • Know one-another by the spirit.
  • The way of the spirit is more accurate and also quicker! Jesus knew the heart of Nathaniel even before he had met him. (John 1:47)
  • Similarly, the Lord revealed to Ananias not only the change in Saul (Paul) but also his destiny before he met him (Acts 9:10).
  • Phillip was divinely led to meet the servant of the court of Ethiopia (Acts 8:26). Jesus knew what was in the Pharisees’ hearts.
  • He knew the woman at the well in the spirit (John 4).

Imagine a church where people know each other in the spirit, where everyone knows their place and function, and naturally work together without complaining and strife because they do not feel threatened by one another.

  • We are taught by that what the Holy Spirit teaches. (1 John 2:27; 1 Cor 1:13)
  • People err, in interpreting the Bible without the Spirit. (2 Cor 3:6)
  • We can only know God, by the Spirit, because He is Spirit. 1 Cor 2:10-12)
  • We cannot be regenerated and born again without the work of the Spirit. (Tit 3:5)
  • The Eternal spirit through the Blood of Christ, cleanse you from an evil conscience. Heb 9:14

PRAYER: Help me to walk, live and have my being in the spirit alone.
Let me be able to say like Jesus, I do nothing unless the Spirit, I say nothing unless the spirit.

ABIDING IN THE SPIRIT
It is only in the spirit that we are safe.

  • It is only in the Spirit, that we cannot be deceived and misled. (1 John 4:1; John 16:13)
  • Words and deeds done in the spirit, (1 Cor 2:13) He will defend.
  • In the Spirit we are accurate. In the Spirit we are holy and perfect. (John 17:17)
  • In the Spirit we are righteous. In the Spirit we will know the way in the Holy of holies. (Heb 9:8)
  • In the Spirit there is liberty. (2 Cor 3:17)
  • In the Spirit we are whole, and able to speak the whole gospel.
  • In the Spirit we have access to all things, gifts of the Spirit, (1 Cor 12:7-10) fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:21-22).
  • In the Spirit we are seated in heavenly places and will have authority. (Eph 2:6)
  • In the Spirit we know all things, and intentions of the heart. (1 Cor 2:10)
  • In the spirit we will know how to rightly divide and speak the truth.
  • In the Spirit, the dead are made alive! It is by the Spirit that we are unified and become one like the God-head.
  • It is by the Spirit that we are convicted, regenerated, filled, sanctified, justified and glorified.
  • We have no life, existence or substance outside of the spirit. All spiritual life is by definition in the Spirit.

Life in the spirit is a decided, conscious, intentional, aware, and awakening partnership, not a possession. A yielding, not an overpowering control. An awakening, not an unconscious, senseless, paralysed, cold, inert, insensate, insensible, lethargic, numb, passed out, stupefied, tranced state of being. Those are characteristics of being possessed by demons. Satan makes you like a zombie!
The Spirit gives life and unlocks supernatural inert abilities that God has all-ready birthed in us. By the Spirit, we are united in the divine!

We miss out on the spirit-life because of:
Self: Ego, pride, insecurities, flesh. The way of the carnality and fleshly thinking is enmity to the Spirit. (Rom 8:5) There is no middle ground, no compromise.
The Holy Spirit is Jesus who walks in our streets today. He is a person. He does the same work as Jesus has come to do. (Joh 14:15)
The people treat Him the same as they treated Jesus. Who crucified Jesus? The religious and so-called clergy of that time. The Holy Spirit wants to work through us; He wants to use us and let His gifts work through us and lead us to the Father. He wants to reveal Christ to us so that He will become a reality in our lives. He wants to make us His disciples. He wants to lead us into deeper dimensions in the Spirit.

WAYS HOW WE RESIST THE SPIRIT
Isaiah 63:10 But they rebelled, and grieved his Holy Spirit;
Asab: A verb meaning to hurt, to pain, grieve, to shape to fashion.

Mat 12: 31-32 Therefore I say unto you, Every sin and blasphemy shall men be forgiven; but the blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven of men.
32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him; But whosoever speaketh against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him in this age, nor in the coming.
blasphēmía: Blasphemy, verbal abuse against someone which denotes the very worst type of slander mentioned in Matt. 15:19 with false witnesses; wounding someone’s reputation by evil reports, evil speaking.
Acts 5: 3,9 Then Peter said, Ananias, why did Satan fulfill your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep the price of the land? Then Peter said to her, Why did you agree to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who bury your man are at the door, and they will carry you out.
pseúdomai; fut. pseúsomai, mid. deponent of pseúdō (n.f.), to cheat, defraud, falsify. To lie, to speak falsely or deceitfully
Acts 7:51 You stubborn and uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit; just as your fathers, so also you.
antipíptō; fut. antipesoúmai, from antí (G0473), against, and píptō (G4098), to fall. To fall or rush against or upon in a hostile manner, assault, resist by force and violence, fall or strive against (Acts 7:51;
Acts 8: 18-22 And when Simon saw that by the laying of the apostles the Holy Ghost was given, he offered their money 19 And said, Give me this power also, that whosoever shall lay my hands upon the Holy Ghost can receive. 20 But Peter said to him, Let your money go away with you, because you thought to receive the gift of God through money. 21 You have no part or fate in this matter, because your heart is not right before God. 22 Repent therefore of this evil from you, and pray to God, whether the mind of your heart may be forgiven you.
1 Thess 5:19 Do not quench the Spirit
Sbénnumi: To quench, extinguish
Eph 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
lupéṓ̄: to grieve, afflict with sorrow; to be grieved, sad, sorrowful, to offend

BEING IN THE SPIRIT DOES NOT MEAN YOU ISOLATE YOURSELF
Being most connected and in tune, in the spirit, enables you to connect on a higher level with people, and being really present in their deep hidden needs, wants, desires, and motives.
Being connected in the Spirit first, then he will connect you with man, but on a higher level, so that you can pull them up, and not be pulled down by man’s devices.
Being in the spirit does not disconnect you with man, becoming ascetic, it connects you to man, on a deeper divine spiritual level. People are most carnal, and do not understand the ways of the spirit. It is foolishness and strange to them. There are very few people who live and abide in the spirit.

Life in the Spirit is living like by the natural law of helium, where the way of carnality cannot escape the natural law of gravity.

So people not living in the spirit, will always pull you down. They do not even realise it, but they do.

THE SPIRIT AND THE WORD
The WORD and the Spirit is one. Sword of the Spirit is the Word. Eph 6:17
It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. (Joh 6:63)
The language of the spirit is the Word of God. Every single word we speak in the Spirit is based and founded on scripture. It is like someone who has memorised all of scripture and had understanding and insight into the whole of scripture. Your spiritual vocabulary is Word-based. They only speak from the Word. (Josh 1:8) The Spirit gives life to the Word. The Word becomes flesh in us by the Spirit.
You cannot be like Jesus without the Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit who resurrects, reveals, and manifests Christ in us. Only the Spirit reveals Jesus in us.
It is simply not in man, to be like Christ, and any attempt is of the spirit of the anti-christ.
The way of the Spirit is holy and sacred. Life in the spirit is holy, consecrated, sanctified, precise, accurate, on the mark – Jesus.
In the spirit is the only way to sin-less. It is He who works it in us; and draw us closer, into a more holy consecrated lifestyle.

WE CAN EVEN WORK IN THE SPIRIT
Oh God may we walk in the spirit continually. Help us to remain and abide in the spirit. Help us to find our complete habitation in the Holy Spirit.

Work done in the Spirit is worship and glorifies God. Work can be done in the Spirit, for daily labour is not ungodly, secular, or sinful. (Exo 31:3,5; 35:31) Work is part of our creational purpose, subdue, and multiply. (Gen 1:28) When we work by the Spirit it will not be laborious, it will be innovative, precise and intentional.

In the Spirit, you will be able to focus and accomplish. Your work will be a blessing! Your work will be a sermon, an extension of His grace and character in you. You work will reveal God, the same way His creation reveals Him. Your work will be excellent, and spectacular, rich in precise detail, order and creative. Believers being in the spirit has done many new inventions.
Work in the spirit makes this world better because it resonates heaven! (Mat 6:10)
When living in the spirit, our constant focus and attention are on His ability, not ours. His strength, power, fruit, gifts, testimony, and riches. We are dead to our capabilities, efforts, methods, trying, and achievements. Our confidence is in Him. Our default is Christ. We have died to self, our dreams and ambitions. We have died to our mistakes, failures, inabilities and incompetence. Thy life we now live we live in the Son.

Categories
Sermons

More than Conquerors

If you ever wanted proof and physical evidence of the truth, examine the outcome of people living the truth in most trying times throughout history.  “Those of the way”, the first followers of Christ lived a certain kind of life, valued certain things, abstained from the things of the world, and organized themselves in a way that sustained them through the darkest of times of human history. 

Like the Jews, Christians is the most persecuted religion in the world, at various times close to extinction, [1] yet the true church remnant survived. The Hebrew writer speaks about a kingdom that cannot be shaken. Now this phrase “once and for all” clearly indicates the final removal of things that are shaking, that is, the old order, so only what is unshakeable will remain. Since we are receiving our rights to an unshakeable kingdom we should be extremely thankful and offer God the purest worship that delights his heart as we lay down our lives in absolute surrender, filled with awe. For our God is a holy, devouring fire! (Heb 12:27-29). COVID 19, and the threat of even more severe viruses to come has magnified the unsustainable weak spots of materialistic humanistic naturalistic modernity, providing an excellent opportunity for the church to REBUILD the WASTE places. (Isa 58:12) Constructing a benevolent EDEN-Like society, with living stones of the Kingly nobility of the righteous! 

Consider for a moment that the first believers of the NT church were mainly a persecuted church, first by the Jewish religious establishment and then also the secular humanistic Roman government. Martyrdom was part of daily life during the first decades of the early Christ-following community. Persecution is part of being a follower of Christ. (Mat 10:24; Luk 21:12-16; John 16:1-4; 15:20) Paul was witness himself of Stephen’s martyrdom, and later we read of Herod beheading James, John’s brother.  (Acts 12:2) Later the converted apostle Paul vividly describes his own suffering.  poorly clothed, beaten, and homeless… imprisonments often… five times I received forty stripes minus one…Three times I was beaten with rods… once I was stoned… three times I was shipwrecked.  (Rom 8:35; 1 Cor 4:10-13a; 2 Cor 4:8-9; 6:4b-5, 8-10; 11:23b-29; 12:10; Phil 4:12). Most of the jewish believers, were disowned from their inheritance, family and means of income as they liberalised themselves from the yoke of Jewish laws and prescriptions.

To maintain one’s course, and purpose of preaching and living the message of the Kingdom under such violent threat with no personal gain, substantiate the meaningfulness of the content of the message.  

The core ideals of the message of the Kingdom are to practice the ‘gospel of love and charity’ which included almsgiving and care for widows, orphans, slaves, travellers, the sick, the imprisoned and the poor under the threat of persecution, and even towards their persecutors!  “If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also (Luke 6:29); do not resist an evil person (Matt. 5:39); blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness (Matt. 5:10); if they persecuted me, they will persecute you also (John 15:20).” Paul and the other New Testament authors sustained and developed the theme that followers of Christ were to suffer, not fight, for their Lord. A believer’s weapons are spiritual, not composed of iron or bronze. (Eph. 6:13).

It should however be noted than in a relatively short period of 50-60 years covered in the NT, the church did not only survive, but thrived during these difficult times.  Pro-Christian historians emphasized the random persecution of some of the Roman emperors, but the fact is: decades often passed between assaults on Christian groups and, while it’s true that several emperors did, in fact, go after Christians per se, most weren’t persecuting them for their religion but their wealth. 

Paul himself was certainly not a poor beggar-type preacher: Travel by ship, with companions, moving offerings by cart over long distances to the various churches, and personal scribes cost a lot of money in those days. Paul must have come from a wealthy family being offered the privilege to be trained under the prestigious teacher Gamaliel (Acts 22:3). Paul a recipient of legal roman citizenship, and appointed Pharisaical privileges made him used to power and status.  Paul also owned a tent-making enterprise, a lucrative specialized industry in biblical times. Because inns were filthy or nonexistent, tents were luxury items for wealthy travelers and, more importantly, they were standard equipment for Roman legions, especially during the winter. Paul was held in special custody by Felix and Festus in Caesarea for a lengthy period of time (Acts 24:27). It seems unlikely that these governors would have accommodated Paul as a “house- guest” for such a long time, even if under house arrest, if he had not been a man of great influence and social stature.[2]  Felix “had hopes of a bribe from Paul; and for this reason sent for him often and talked with him” (Acts 24:26). 

The immanent new JESUS counter-culture movement held high moral values, and ethics, particularly when it came to money. The Didache, or “The Teaching of the Twelve,” dates back to the second century revealing a practical hard-hitting ethical code of protocol regarding money.  

Do not be one who holds his hand out to take, but shuts it when it comes to giving. If your labor has brought you earnings, pay a ransom for your sins. Do not hesitate to give and do not give with a bad grace, for you will discover who He is that pays you back a reward with a good grace. Do not turn your back on the needy, but share everything with your brother and call nothing your own. For if you have what is eternal in common, how much more should you have what is transient!… Now about the apostles and prophets: Act in line with the gospel precept. Welcome every apostle on arriving, as if he were the Lord. But he must not stay beyond one day. In case of necessity, however, the next day too. If he stays three days, he is a false prophet. On departing, an apostle must not accept anything save sufficient food to carry him till his next lodging. If he asks for money, he is a false prophet.…[3]

Give this Jesus-culture room and time to mature over 40 years and you will see immanent economic wealth of family-centered enterprises, self-sustainable communities, their intrinsic philanthropic benevolent actions towards the most marginalized making them the most-loved and revered businesses in society.  

Like the creation story the genesis of the church started with divine provision to sustain it.  

  • The first Church in Jerusalem “No one Lacked” (Acts 4:34) 
  • Bearing the fruits of righteousness and the fruit of the spirit, are the most basic attributes for any business enterprise and improved employment.  Wesley noted that in the old days of Methodism, the people were poor. But, he observed, in the 20, 30, or 40 years since they joined the society, many Methodists had become 20, 30, or even 100 times richer than they were at first. With this increase in wealth had come a decrease in godliness. It seemed to him the more money the Methodists had, the less they loved the Lord.[4]
  • Speaking to the rich (1 Tim 6:17; James 5:1-6) means there were wealthy people too, who came to the faith.
    • Zacchaeus the tax collector (Luke 19:110)
    • Cornelius the Centurion (Acts 10:1-48)
    • Roman centurion who believed. (Matt. 8:5-13; Luke 7:5)
    • Erastus, a major benefactor of public works in Corinth (Romans 16:23) 
    • The Ethiopian Treasurer (Acts 8:26-40) 
    • Lydia (Acts 16:13-15, 40)
    • Ananias & Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11)
    • Joseph, called Barnabas (Acts 4:36-37)

It is henceforth evident that living the message of the Kingdom and following the Kingdom-eternal pursuits and lifestyle does eventually benefit the user “all these things shall be added to you” as promised by Jesus when we seek first His righteousness and Kingdom.  It is thus the purpose of this study to rediscover the unshakable Kingdom practices for the best way to do live.  

Preach this kingdom message to the Poor

Jesus pertinent answer to John’s disciples to validate His ministry has special significance because of this one line: “the poor hear the gospel of the Kingdom preached to them.” (Mat 11:4) It is also at the core of His messianic mandate: “anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor” (Luk 4:18) Jesus did feed the multitude, but he did not start a feeding program, a housing project, or a school or ECD centre. His gift to the poor was a message! Everyone who adheres to this message and follow Him and His instructions get to all take care of the poor, the poor too!  Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need  (Eph 4:28) 

What makes this message so special, that it would really help the poor? Poverty alleviation is a very complicated pursuit, with no easy solutions. 

First, let us discover what is poverty from a biblical perspective? 

Former Zimbabwean Farmer Boet Pretorius, explained that one-sides human-aid from the rich amplifies god complexes and strengthens inferiority complexes if not done from a Biblical world-view perspective. “Who are the poor?” 

  • Poor relationship with God –Poverty of Intimacy
  • Poor relationship with myself- Poverty of Being
  • Poor relationship with family – Poverty of Trust
  • Poor relationship with community- Poverty of Security
  • Poor relationship with Creation- Poverty of Stewardship 

From the biblical perspective all mankind is considered poor, and in need of healthy relationships. Therefor the gospel is for all of mankind. The economically rich may default on all 5 these relationships measured against a biblical definition of poverty. 

One of Jordan Peterson’s “Rules for Life as an antidote to Chaos” see society as a fundamentally hierarchical structure. 

The top 1% have as much loot as the bottom 50% — and where the richest eighty-five people have as much as the bottom three and a half billion. That same brutal principle of unequal distribution applies outside the financial domain—indeed, anywhere that creative production is required. The majority of scientific papers are published by a very small group of scientists. A tiny proportion of musicians produces almost all the recorded commercial music. Just a handful of authors sell all the books. A million and a half separately titled books. 

This phenomenon is well summarized by Jesus in the parable of the talents. For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. (Mat 25:29) Life is thus a lifelong struggle to assemble enough skills, knowledge, resources, victories, accomplishments, appearance, wealth, status to secure a safe and peaceful future for you and your offspring. Many unfortunately desperately fail! 

Lobsters, one of the oldest species to survive, have a similar battle to secure themselves the best safe location, food, and mating partners. The lobster who achieve a victory gets a good dose of serotonin that makes them change their posture, they become confident, and begin to make bigger bolder movements, a bit cocky, which off course helps them to win the next victory.  The ones who have lost, withdraw, becomes timid, scrunched up, inhibited, drooping, skulking sort of lobster. We see the same reaction in human beings.  Poor people typically talk in terms of shame, inferiority, powerlessness, humiliation, fear, hopelessness, depression, social isolation, and voicelessness.  But it is not only the economically poor who are inhibited: Divorce, unemployment, business venture failure, terminal sickness, and many other life’s struggles makes one feel hopelessly discouraged and depressed.  Life in reality is complicated, hard and increasingly difficult.  

So, what is the message of the Kingdom, and how is it going to help all of us who suffer from the spiritual, emotional, physical, social, financial, vocational, intellectual poverty??? 

The Good news of the Message of the Kingdom is: 

God gives no-bodies, average people, the least, the fools, the poor, the fisherman Royal Status to become God’s own children! “For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” (Luk 7:28) Sinners, lepers, tax-collectors, feeble and sick people get invited and translated from an earthly temporary existence to an eternal, immortal, holy habitation! 

The whole NT is full of the language of royalty discribing God’s people: the Elect, chosen, 

Chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people (1 Pet 2:9) 

Reign in life (Rom 5:17) 

Saints (Rom 1:7) 

Seated with Christ (Eph 2:6) 

His workmanship (Eph 2:10) 

All Authority (Eph 1:22-23) 

By the GREAT ATONEMENT of Christ He has provided for us an eternal, perfect, position, and status – THE RIGHTEOUSNESS of CHRIST! (Mat 6:33; Rom 14:17; Rom 5:17; 2 Cor 5:21) It is to this really that Paul prays “may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened” to the calling, inheritance and power we collectively have in Christ!! So very few people in Christ, really see this spiritual reality.  

This royal inheritance and status is not to be achieved, or earned. It is given by birth, being born-again by the Spirit. (John 3:5; 1Pet 1:23) Like born royals we have to learn to act accordingly, the law being our tutor. (Gal 3:24)

To have this wonderful new identity, status, position, inheritance, power, and glory one must off-course DIE, surrender, abandon, all SELF. (Mat 16:14; Rom 6:11; Gal 2:20) So that the CONFIDENCE He gives be not in any of OUR own fleshly performances and accomplishments! This new life in Christ is a GIFT, a GRACE, a divine enablement of which we became partakers! (John 1:12; 2Pet 1:3-4)

Now this is all great to write on paper; but remember the saints of the New Testament had no wealth, power, knowledge, prestige to boast about. “For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called” (1 Cor 1:26) that no flesh should glory in His presence.(v29). But most importantly, the followers of the way received a new sound mind (1 Cor 2.16; 2 Tim 1:7) A completely new way of seeing oneself. 

It is with this new IMAGE in mind that Paul writes: 

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

According to Henry Cloud, Daniel Siegel professor at UCLA a leading Neurobiologist summarise the triangle of well-being as Physical makeupMental health and Relational well-being. [5] Most people will certainly agree that feeling fit and healthy, having a sound productive mind, and some wholesome friends whom are authentic, stimulating us to be the best version of ourselves is a good summery of ‘that-is-life’. Off-course one needs to develop and find a meaningful vocation that earns not only a pay-check but enables us to make a meaningful contribution to mankind. We are emotional beings that needs to express our emotions in a healthy way to energize us to be the best we can be. Knowing oneself, (identity) and making peace with ‘being’ grounds you, but also positions you to take responsibility for your own life, and face life’s obstacles. Finally we all live somewhere in a location, where using all the available natural resources responsibly as good stewards to improve the spacial environment makes one feel good, and others too! 

HOWEVER!!! What to do when like Job, you lose all your possessions, wealth, health, status and family in one moment?   

This is the CORE of the Kingdom Message: Without a spiritual connection of oneness with God our Creator made possible in a personal intimate relationship with Jesus His only begotten Son who gives us inner peace and joy one’s life is empty, and one remains poor!! 

The gift of the RIGHTEOUSNESS of Christ, is the pearl of great price, (Mat 13:46) the hidden treasure in a field (Mat 13:44) as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things. (2 Cor 6:9-10) Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Phil 4:11-13) When one spends time with economically poor mature believers, these verses come alive in faces and stories of people living a supernatural, simple existence of being rich in their knowledge of God, selfless ego, interdependent family and community life without any of the modernities the western world hold dear.   Even in the midst of severe persecution, these believers act with noble royal resolve and inward dignity. 

From this new MIND, awakened to the inner reality of Christ within, God gives us a list of Kingdom activities and actions to do, that incarnate Christ in the flesh through His body of believers! These activities makes the invisible unshakable kingdom and reign of God visible, in specific locations all over the earth. Here is a short list, of kingdom practice and realities.   

Strengthened in the Inner man (Eph 3:16) 

Rooted and grounded in His love (Eph 3:17) 

Receive the power to change and be transformed from our sinful, evil nature. (Rom 1:16)

Continuously being filled with the Spirit Eph 5:18; Col 3:16 and resulting spontaneous expressions of worship.

The gifts of the Spirit. (1 Cor 12-14) 

The Fruit of the Spirit and righteousness in Christ (Gal 5:21-22)

According to the natural hierarchal pecking order of man sharing and giving is reserved for the rich and powerful, now the POOR become the givers, sharing their all, and loving the unloved and underserving! (Acts 4:34-35) 

Servanthood is no longer a curse, but the Dignity of a king, who helps and support his fellow-human-being on their way.  

The power to overcome the battles of people’s destructive hierarchal pecking order gymnastics with the opposite spirit! (1 Pet 2:15)  

The most amazing revelation is to understand how all these activities, releases a natural doses of serotonin to the practitioner. Makes you feel good! These activities becomes like wins under the belt, like the lobster who has been victorious. Triumphs in life makes one feel good, and help you gain confidence, but it is not lasting. Even the best winners, may feel very insecure and threatened by the upcoming competitors.  Our confidence is never based on our achievements, it is the humble knowing that it was Christ who strengthened me to give, to love, to believe, to heal, to go, to speak.  We are dead, and have been crucified with Christ, the life we now live is received by faith on a daily basis, so that no flesh can boast. It is this holy divine presence of the indwelling Holy Spirit that keeps us, and sustains us.  

Followers of the new and living WAY of Christ, thus have an eternal unchangeable reason to pull our shoulders back, stand up straight and confidently do what He commands us to do, in the midst of trials, tribulations, troubles, tribulation, and temptations! Now, is this not good news to the poor? 


[1] https://www.huffpost.com/entry/christianity-most-persecuted-religion_b_2402644

[2] Chapter 21: How Rich Was Paul? John W. Welch

[3] “The Gallery—Church Fathers and Their Thoughts on Wealth,” Christian History Magazine-Issue 14: Money in Christian History: Part I (1987)

[4] Charles Edward White, “Four Lessons on Money,” Christian History Magazine-Issue 19: Money in Christian History: Part II (1988)

[5] Pocket guide to interpersonal Neurobiology, an integrative handbook of the mind as quoted by Dr Henry Cloud, The power of other. 

Peterson, J., Ingendaay, M. and Müller, M., n.d. 12 Rules For Life.

Cloud, D., 2016. Power Of The Other. Harpercollins.