Keep your focus to do what Jesus commanded!

Luke 8:23-25
But as they (the disciples) sailed he (Jesus) fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind (whirlwind) on the lake; and the boat was filling with water, and they were in great danger.
And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we are perishing! Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging waves: and they ceased, and there was a calm.
And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commands even the winds and water, and they obey him.

The disciples find themselves in the midst of a storm, which appears to threaten their lives. They shout to the Lord knowing “that all who call upon the Lord shall be saved”. Bill Johnson remarks that he was always taught that it was an expression of Faith to call upon the Lord when we are in danger. However in contradiction to this: Jesus wakes up, rebukes the storm and then He rebukes His disciples for their lack of faith. Jesus was obviously expecting something very different from His disciples.

He was obviously not expecting that they quietly sit in the boat and pray in their hearts to Him to save them either!
Jesus had earlier told His disciples, “The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.” (Luke 6:40). So I believe that the expression of Faith that Jesus expected from His disciples was that they should do what He had done, that is, command in the Authority of His Name.

Let us now investigate how we can relate this passage to the current disasters that are shaking the world!

Acts 1:6-8 (New International Version)
6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

As we see the increasing number and intensity of apocalyptic images of natural disasters coming upon the earth, we are tempted by feelings of hopelessness – questioning ourselves and not understanding why God is allowing all these things. We read the various confusing interpretations of the book of Revelations and hear so many saying that now is the End of Time!

The early disciples also battled with these thoughts, albeit for different reasons. The Old Testament prophets had spoken of a glorious future for Israel but since returning from the captivity in Babylon things did not appear so great. This caused some of the Jewish people to seek for answers in hidden symbols and numbers that were revealing the Masters Plan. Out of this search for answers the so called early Jewish apocalyptic literature developed.

The influence of the Greek thinking on the early Jewish apocalyptic literature caused people to take a very passive position on current events, because they developed a philosophy that they "knew" the Master's Plan. God would come and restore the Kingdom and there was nothing that anyone could do to change that – one just had to “survive” and remain faithful until that glorious Day!

In the Book of Revelation Jesus the Messiah reveals Himself as the One who is coming and is busy establishing His Kingdom on the Earth. He has clearly stated that we will not know the time of His coming. Despite this so many continue to try and press this book into a specific time schedule.

We need to break the Greek Philosophical View of the End Times (amongst other things by not debating about which Interpretation we subscribe to) over our lives and become active Ambassadors of God, by allowing Him to manifest His Kingdom in and through us. Let the People taste and see that the Lord is Good (through the Fruit of our lives).

Jesus requires and expects us to demonstrate Faith in these times – how do we do that? By doing the things that He would do if he were on the earth today – by healing the sick, casting out demons, raising the dead and teaching people how to enter and live in the reality of the Kingdom of God. (Actually He is on the Earth – living in His disciples)

This is so different from getting people to come forward in a meeting and repeat some small prayer!
It is also very different from getting people to a meeting where some “anointed one” can perform some demonstration of Power to the delight and amusement of the crowd – where the crowd returns home unaffected and unchanged in their hearts to wait for the next great entertainer!
It is also different to warming a church pew and hearing some orator encourage and motivate people that they too can be successful in this world – occasionally throwing in enough bible passages to convince that this is all happening “in the name of the Lord”!

Jesus is very clear in His command to His disciples:
He commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. (Acts 1:4-5)

My paraphrase of the command of Jesus:

Get baptised in the Holy Spirit and then be led by the Spirit to be the witnesses of all I have done – by doing the same things – and teaching people to obey all I have commanded you. Bring them into the Kingdom of God by demonstrating that my Kingdom has come upon the earth – my rule of Authority and Power is already established on the earth – by casting out demons and healing the sick. Oh and by the way, you have to renounce your life in this world if you desire to enter into the fullness of my Kingdom on this earth – you have to die to self to live for me – because it will actually be me living in and through you!

I want all men, woman and children to be delivered out of darkness – now go forth in the Authority of my Name!

... AND DO WHAT I HAVE COMMANDED YOU!

Are you dying to live?

Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.
Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. (John 12:24 -25)

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)

This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. (Luke 8:11)

In the beginning we see that our lives have become empty and devoid of order. It is our experience that we are living in deep darkness, totally without hope. God sees us in this situation and His Spirit begins to move upon us. As we are prepared the Word of God comes to us; God speaks to us meeting us where we are.

As His Words find entrance into our lives, the Light of His Glory begins to shine in us. As this Light shines in us, so God begins to separate us from those things that had caused the darkness. To the degree that we renounce this world and our lives in this world, we inherit the Life that only God can give.

We die to the chaos and darkness of this world and become fruitful citizens of an eternal Kingdom! The symbolism of water baptism has become a reality in our lives. We have been crucified and buried with Christ and now dwell resurrected in heavenly places. (Ephesians 2:6)

Think that a godly life is a way to make a profit?

Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.(1 Timothy 6:5)

Paul wants here to be aware that some people are denying the Teachings of Jesus Christ - regarding holiness, honour, service amongst others - but in their pride and envy cause dispute over words in order to justify their rebellion.

They have persuasive arguments for their position, are doing seemingly right things (like feeding the poor), offer wonderful Christian entertainment and teach on ways to get wealthy and how to have a good positive life in this world. They have redefined the biblical concept "Church" as a profit making organisation. In effect they have become friends of this world and in so doing have made themselves enemies of God.

We are warned to withdraw ourselves from such people and situations, because our eternal life could otherwise be endangered:

But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. (1 Timothy 6:9-10)

Instead we are well advised to flee these things and to pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. (1 Timothy 6:11)

What are you waiting for?

The powerlessness of the Will

For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
(Romans 7:18 – 20 KJV)

Paul illustrates quite clearly here that his will is not so free and not so powerful, but it has been taken captive by sin. He acknowledges what is good and even decides that this is what he wants to do, but finds out that he fails to do this. Sometimes he finds himself doing exactly that which he has decided is evil and does not want to do. So, a free will alone is not sufficient to enable us to do that which we will to do because we perceive it to be good. What can we do?

For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. (Romans 8:13 KJV)

Paul provides the solution for this problem we face. We use the free will we have to appeal to a higher authority, that is, the Authority of God, who dwells inside of us through His Spirit. We appeal that He would put to death the works of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-21) in us.

On what basis can the Spirit do this in us?

Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him. (Romans 6:3-8)

The basis is the statement of faith, that “old man is crucified with him”. As we believe this in our hearts and confess it with our mouths the spiritual reality of the Truth begins to manifest itself in our lives.

This is how salvation works, how healing works, or any other Truth that we take hold of and desire to see manifest in our lives and upon the earth. It starts as a confession on our lips and ends as a reality of the Nature of Christ formed within us. Martin Luther said this was fulfilment of what we expressed when we got baptised in water (Introduction to Romans).

The real experience of this truth in our lives, i.e. where the Word has become Flesh within and through us, delivers us from the power of sin, from the world and from the prince of the power of the air. This is real deliverance!

This is the wisdom of the cross demonstrating its power in our lives – not just an empty doctrine that is distant from our perception of reality! Praise the Lord for His Grace in our lives!

I think therefore I am?

I think therefore I am - Descartes

This is the application of the scientific approach to philosophy – I only accept what I can prove. I can only prove that I exist – because I am aware that I think. Everything else could be an illusion.

This thinking places man at the centre of his provable universe. This thinking empowers not only mistrust towards God, but towards all creation and society – because there may be nothing else. The only way forward for him is to eat from the tree of good and evil – that is to decide for himself what is good and what is not good - out of his own perspective. This has now become the ultimate self-centered life! One who is so ensnared through this self-centeredness is led in a  downward spiral towards a deepening reality of spiritual darkness – which leads to death.   

And the LORD God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.” (Genesis 2:16 – 17)

Where is the Gospel of the Kingdom?

The Mega-Church Movement is moving forward with influence and power: Great packaging, professional entertainment and positive self-assuring messages, but where is the Gospel of the Kingdom and the evidence through accompanying Signs and Wonders? Is a pure and Holy Bride being prepared for the Coming of the King? Are disciples being produced that are willing to deny self, the world and confront and destroy the spiritual forces of darkness?
What was that thing called the Great Commission all about? 
[Matt 23: 25 - 28]

http://vimeo.com/4521963

Habakkuk 1:5 (Amplified Bible) ⁵Look around among the nations and see! And be astonished! Astounded! For I am putting into effect a work in your days [such] that you would not believe it if it were told you.

The compromise with the World will bring forth the Judgement of the Lord on a people who call themselves by the name of the Lord but are actually misusing His Name to build a Kingdom of this world - that they can make their name great and enjoy the pleasures thereof:

Exodus 20:7 

You shall not use or repeat the name of the Lord your God in vain [that is, lightly or frivolously, in false affirmations or profanely]; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain. 

2 Timothy 3 ¹BUT UNDERSTAND this, that in the last days will come (set in) perilous times of great stress and trouble [hard to deal with and hard to bear]. ²For people will be lovers of self and [utterly] self-centered, lovers of money and aroused by an inordinate [greedy] desire for wealth, proud and arrogant and contemptuous boasters. ...  ⁴[They will be] treacherous [betrayers], rash, [and] inflated with self-conceit. [They will be] lovers of sensual pleasures and vain amusements more than and rather than lovers of God. ⁵For [although] they hold a form of piety (true religion), they deny and reject and are strangers to the power of it [their conduct belies the genuineness of their profession]. Avoid [all] such people [turn away from them].

Revealing God's Secret Plan

Ephesians 3:8-10 (Amplified Bible)

⁸To me, though I am the very least of all the saints (God's consecrated people), this grace (favor, privilege) was granted and graciously entrusted: to proclaim to the Gentiles the unending (boundless, fathomless, incalculable, and exhaustless) riches of Christ [wealth which no human being could have searched out],

    ⁹Also to enlighten all men and make plain to them what is the plan [regarding the Gentiles and providing for the salvation of all men] of the mystery kept hidden through the ages and concealed until now in [the mind of] God Who created all things by Christ Jesus.

    ¹⁰[The purpose is] that through the church the ^[a]complicated, many-sided wisdom of God in all its infinite variety and innumerable aspects might now be made known to the angelic rulers and authorities (principalities and powers) in the heavenly sphere.

Footnotes: [a] Ephesians 3:10 Webster's New International Dictionary offers this as a definition of "manifold" (the King James Version's rendering of the Greek polupoikilos).


The understanding of God's secret plan is only obtained through enlightment. How does this enlightment occur? Well, Jesus came to earth and dwelt among us two thousand years ago. When He returned to heaven, He promised to send the Holy Spirit - the Spirit of Truth - who would be with us until the end of the age. The Holy Spirit was sent to earth by Jesus (Acts 2:32-34) and where does the Spirit of God live?  Not in buildings - but inside of those who believe in and have accepted Jesus as Lord in their lives (1 Corinthians 3:16).

It is this Spirit that gives us the wisdom and revelation to know God and to understand what He has done for us (Ephesians 1:17-19).