How To Build (2/28/11)

Shalom,

 

    Please begin by reading Prov 24:3-4.

 

    A good house, whether a family home or a body of believers, is properly built in the same manner.  Wisdom, understanding, and knowledge are very important matters in both places.  Receiving and using these blessings from Yahweh are important to remaining on the solid foundation of Jesus the Christ.  To have these three things we must trust and obey our Lord, seeking his counsel and direction above all others.  Actually, the only way we'll fully have access to these qualities is through committed obedience to our Lord.

    Let me share something from Luke 9:28-36, the Transfiguration of Jesus.  When Peter and his associates saw the awesome transformation of Jesus they pretty much freaked out.  They were so astounded they couldn't think straight.  They had nothing in their life experience to help them discern what was going on.  And in his ignorance Peter spoke, "not even knowing what he was saying" according to verse 33.  Peter didn't know what he was talking about when he spoke about building tents for Jesus and his heavenly counselors.

    Recognize that Peter was so confounded he said the opposite of what Jesus desired.  Peter, the representative of the apostles said, "Let's stay here."  Jesus told them it was time to go back down the mountain.  In other words, "it's time to leave."  The apostoplic leadership was ready to build a memorial on that mountain.  But that wasn't the Kingdom vision for the ministry of Jesus.  These men had things backwards.

    Now consider our modern day leadership.  Many of today's leaders are saying, "let's get out of here."  I'd have to say the majority of evangelicals want the Rapture to come and take them away from this evil world.  But Yahweh is speaking, "occupy the land, take back the territory."  So, just like Peter, the primary leadership of the Church of Jesus the Christ has things backwards.  Instead of working to take back territory, many bodies of believers are hiding behind their church walls and waiting to be removed from the bad situation we find our world in.  Wanting to avoid evil isn't really a bad thing, but not being brave and bold in sharing the Gospel is.

    The word apostle comes from the Greek word APOSTOLOS.  That word came from a Phoenician practice.  It was the lead ship in their navy.  The Romans took the word and amplified it.  They placed their generals and admirals on the lead ship.  When they arrived at a destination they were to reproduce the culture and climate of Rome so all who followed could settle the conquered land easier.  The first people brought into a new land were artisans and teachers and other influential leaders.  They were to spread the influence of Rome in advance of common people being brought in to fully occupy the land.

    The Body of Christ is to bring the Kingdom of Yahweh into places so that all who follow will feel more at home.  We're to establish the Kingdom wherever we go, especially those who are in leadership.  The influence of solid Christianity should overwhelm the pagan roots of our societies.  Christians living out good examples of Christianity are to be changing the atmosphere, helping people adjust to the influence of their Creator in their everday lives.

 

    1 Cor 12:28 gives an order of the established leadership of Yahweh's Kingdom.  First, apostles.  Second, prophets.  Thrid, teachers.  When these offices unite they will overcome the entrenched principalities and powers.  When the real shows up, the counterfeit always backs off.  So, for us to build the Kingdom there must be apostolic leadership, prophetic insight, and right Kingdom teaching.  Too much of Christianity insists we can get by with only the good teachers, but the Word of our God says no, you also need apostles and prophets.  Good teaching is important, but so are apostolic authority and prophetic insight.

    1 Cor 14:4 says, "He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself."  The word edifies means to build an edifice with the capacity to house Kingdom power and revelation.  The more any of us as individuals prays in tongues, the better able we'll be to handle Kingdom things.  We get built up and strengthened beyond anything we can do naturally.  We receive supernatural strength, wisdom, and power.  We need the supernatural gifts given by our Lord to be effective Kingdom builders.  So given all that, let's look at wisdom, understanding, and knowledge.

    "A house is built by wisdom."  Wisdom means learned skill.  Wisdom of this type comes through prolonged and committed study and effort.  Yahweh builds his wisdom into our intelligence when we apply ourselves to learn his ways and purposes.  The only true source of wisdom is our Creator.  No college education or book learning can give us the wisdom based in heaven.

    Remember Psalm 127:1.  "Unless Yahweh builds a house, the work of the builders is useless."  Joshua knew this when he said, "as for me and my family, we will serve Yahweh."  He committed himself and his family to the service of his Lord and God.  This is what Yahweh expects from every family.  This sort of commitment will always bless and strengthen those who obediently serve their Father.  To gain the wisdom that comes from heaven requires time and effort on our part, time studying and learning and effort put into drawing closer to our Lord.

    So if we or anyone we're responsible for are to grow in faith and grace, we must learn the ways of Yahweh.  Remember, we're talking about learned skill.  You can't just pray for some automatic download from heaven.  You have to apply yourself to learning this skill.  It's an acquired skill, not somethingwe get miraculously.  Our willingness to pursue a closer walk with Yahweh and our spiritual hunger and thirst is what will determine how much heavenly wisdom we gain.

 

    "A house becomes strong through understanding."  Understanding means experienced insight and good sense.  Again we're talking about something that takes time and effort.  If we've applied ourselves to learning Yahweh's rules for life, we'll gain his kind of understanding.  This is comprehension gained by observing and paying attention.  There's no magic pill we can swallow to attain this great blessing.  Heb 5:14 points out, "Solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil."  It takes time to mature, to learn how to use the discernment we gain from the indwelling Holy Spirit.

    This kind of understanding will help us overcome doubts and fears.  When we're uncertain of our next step, this kind of understanding will guide us to secure ground.  It will help uis see beyond the natural, giving us spiritual help in our decision-making.  Strong in this verse means established.  Understanding will help us find the firm ground we need to stand on while we face uncertainties or when we enter new territory.  Heavenly understanding builds our confidence in the one who can do all things.  It helps us trust him when our natural eyes don't see the solutions.

 

    "Through knowledge its rooms are filled with all sorts of precious riches."  Knowledge means well informed learning.  Yahweh doesn't want mindless or robotic followers.  He wants properly educated people who learn for a good purpose.  If your learning is well informed, you can apply your lessons in real life with excellent results.  A person who learns things only theoretically, often struggles in real life situations.  Those who walk with Yahweh in committed relationships will have access to Holy Spirit vision and insight.  You will be able to handle even the toughest life situation with peace and intelligence, while others are confused and overly stressed.

    Practical skills that can be learned through diligent study, training, and experience are what Yahweh desires for his followers.  We should be financially intelligent, able to deal with the ups and downs of worldly economics.  We should be excellent at our jobs because we have extra help from the Holy Spirit to accomplish them.  We should be technically proficient because we take the time to really learn how to be the best.  Our knowledge base should extend to any area our Lord leads us to participate in.  Giving godly counsel, helping people in need, and many other day to day tasks can be done better by a Spirit-led follower of Jesus.

    Acquiring life skills is good.  Yahweh expects his followers to be the best at what they do, or at least to put forth their best effort in all they do.  All Christians should be self-sufficient, able to provide for themselves and their families.  Lazy Christians give a bad testimony, and bring instability to the Body and to their own families.  Yes, there are situations that are out of our control, but if we're solidly seeking our Lord and working to be the best Kingdom builders we can be, we'll still have full confidence and trust in our Lord to see us to a safe and secure place.

    If we can apply ourselves to gaining Yahweh's wisdom, understanding, and knowledge we'll present an outstanding witness to our world.  They should like what they see in us, or be greatly offended by our diligence to walk in biblical truth.  Either way, our Christianity should be clearly recognized by all the people we encounter day to day.

 

    If we're going to build Yahweh's Kingdom in advance of those coming behind us, we must be diligent.  Our Father is telling us to occupy the land, to build his Kingdom here and now, not to wait for the Rapture to take us away from all the evil.  No, the full Kingdom doesn't come until Jesus returns, but we should be doing everything we can to make the transition from world to Kingdom easier.

    Yahweh gave us a design plan to help us build with an accurate Kingdom design plan, an active operational authority structure.  Apostles, prophets, and teachers need the synergy of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  We need all three offices filled with Spirit-led men.  We can't build according to Yahweh's plans with only one office filled.  Trust our Lord to guide us and give us insight into who should be seated in the offices of apostle and prophet.  Work together and build Yahweh's Kingdom.

 

    Blessings & Peace, Mike