Against Lukewarmness

For Us or Against Us (5)

For Us or Against Us (4)

For Us or Against Us (3)

For Us or Against Us (2)

Reposted from original in March, 2021.

For us or Against Us?

Jesus said some controversial things about family and he was not immune to the challenges associated with family relationships. In Mark 3, we read how his family responded when he arrived in his home city. Prior to this, Jesus had healed the man with the withered hand, he travelled through Tyre and Sidon and crowds pressed against him and received healing. When the unclean spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out that he is the son of God. He went up to the mountain and appointed the twelve apostles and then went home to try to get away from the crowds. They could not even get a chance to eat, because the crowds came from everywhere to see him and to make contact with him. “And when his family heard it, they went out to seize him, for they were saying, “He is out of his mind”” (Mark 3:21).

Later that day, as Jesus taught, the scribes and Pharisees from Jerusalem who also followed him, accused him of being possessed by the devil. Jesus knew what they were saying and asked them how could satan cast out satan? “If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand” (Mark 3:24). A house divided against itself is defenceless from outside attack. He also warned them that anyone who blasphemed against the Holy Spirit, would not be forgiven. While he was teaching, his mother and brothers came outside, to ask for him to come to see them. The crowds mentioned to Jesus that his family were there and He asked them to explain who are his mother and brothers. He looked at them, looked at the people around him and said, ‘here are my mother and my brothers! “For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother”’ (Mark 3:35).

The text does not say anymore about whether or not Jesus went out to see his family. Perhaps he said these things because they wanted to seize him earlier. Imagine his own family wanting to seize him and calling him mad, while he was doing the will of God. Either way, Jesus made references to family at other times during his ministry. “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life” (Matthew 19:29). I don’t think his approach was one where he intended to disown his family. Nevertheless, they did not support his ministry and if given the chance, could have become a major stumbling block. His parents also didn’t understand his actions, when he went to speak to the elders in the temple at age twelve.

One would expect Mary and her children to have a greater understanding of Jesus’s purpose and ministry. An angel appeared to her before his conception and all the events surrounding his birth, should have prepared her for his life. Perhaps, even Mary could not see past Jesus as her firstborn son and his brothers perhaps thought he was a rebel or an outcast. Either way, Jesus did not allow the sentimentality of family to distract him. If his family walked in alignment with the will and purpose of God, then he would gladly embrace them. Once they failed to understand his assignment and could jeopardise his ministry, he didn’t have too much time for them. We have to learn from Jesus’s example and while we love our family and honour our parents, absolutely no one should stand in the way of our God given purpose and destiny. Being close to family is ideal, however, this may not always be the reality.

“Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me” (Matthew 10:37).

A.P.-Y.

The Intercessors’ Mantle (2)

The Intercessors’ Mantle

This is my final instalment in this series on spiritual authority. Authority relates to the power to influence others, make decisions and sometimes include the use of control. God has given the church authority over the earth realm and although this was subjugated by the devil, Jesus’s sacrifice on the cross restored our seat of authority. Our seating is in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. One of the most potent ways for us to exercise authority is through the spoken word. “so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11). God watches over his words to perform it and angelic assistance moves to carry out our words, spoken in alignment with the will of God.

The prince of darkness also understands spiritual authority and the power in words. We should remember that our words are not empty and also remember the power in agreement. Paul’s final words in Ephesians spoke of putting on the full armour of God. These scriptures remind us that we are always at war. This is not a physical war that we can win in our own strength. The battle belongs to God and our responsibility is to understand spiritual authority, wear our full armour and remain battle ready. Our battle is against the kingdom of darkness which includes principalities, powers, the rulers of darkness of this world and spiritual wickedness in high places. We would need another blog or teaching series to explain, the different ranks within the kingdom of darkness.

While understanding this system is important, it is even more important to wear our full armour and maintain our spiritual standing. “Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace” (Ephesians 6:14-15). We need the shield of faith to quench the darts of the wicked, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit which is the word of God. In addition to our full armour, we need to pray always in the spirit with prayer and supplication. We need to pray for ourselves and for the body of Christ, as our prayers are powerful and effective. We pray through the Holy Spirit and also pray in our heavenly language (in tongues). ”Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words” (Romans 8:26).

Our prayers and activities on earth are sealed through the name and the blood of Jesus. God has given him a name that is above every other name and at the name of Jesus, every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Philippians 2:9-10). The world and the kingdom of darkness fears the name of Jesus, because of the power and authority in his name. We cannot be afraid to make mention of his name and to call on him in our times of need. His name heals the sick, raises the dead, casts out demons and restores sight to the blind. We have no power without the name of Jesus and as we approach the throne of grace, we enter through the covenant of the blood. Jesus was in the beginning and he will return to receive the church at the end of this age.

“And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

A.P.-Y.