Kingdom of God

Kingdom of God

Kingdom Prayer

"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!" (Matthew 7:7-11).

I believe that in this passage of Scripture that Jesus was giving us the way that prayer works in and for Kingdom of God. However, I submit that there is a type of prayer that oftentimes is overlooked when this Scripture is mentioned. When this Scripture is mentioned in the parallel Scripture in Luke, something important is added.

"If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!" (Luke 11:13). Notice, the Holy Spirit is the answer to prayer. While I believe that this "ask, seek and knock" principle should be used for many types of prayer, I also believe that it should be applied in a context that is sometimes overlooked.

Jesus has been teaching about the Kingdom of God. He has been teaching in this particular portion that our righteousness must exceed that of the Scribes and Pharisees. Then He talks about murder and adultery in the heart, oaths, going the second mile, loving your enemies, good deeds, prayer and fasting, keeping your eye on Him and not the world, trusting Him for all your needs so as not to worry, and finally, judging, all of which we covered in previous chapters. If you were to go over this list without revelation and understanding you could feel condemned. You might say, "How can I live like this?" Jesus' answered your question before you even asked. He in effect says, "You cannot, but if you ask, seek and knock, I will give you the Holy Spirit, not just once, but in ever increasing measure, so that He may live His life in and through you."

In any prayer, most often our real answer comes in the form of revelation knowledge, God speaking, often referred to as rhema. This gives us supernatural knowledge regarding the finished work of God through the Cross and resurrection of Jesus. Sometimes it can come to us in the form of a fact or a promise. For instance, "You are seating with Him in heavenly places" (Ephesians 2:6). That is a fact. "You have been crucified with Christ" (Galatians 2:20), a another fact. "And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work" (2 Corinthians 9:8), a fact and a promise that causes hope. This type of revelation has enough power within it to change us and/or our circumstances, most likely in that order.

The only blessed life on this earth is to live in the Kingdom of God. You cannot live in the Kingdom and enjoy its blessings very long without living a righteousness that exceeds the Scribes and Pharisees. You cannot do that without dying to your self and allowing the Holy Sprit to live the life of Jesus in and through you.

Sowing and reaping is real.

Jesus concludes His teaching about living in a higher righteousness with this sobering thought. "Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets" (Matthew 7:12). I don't think this needs my comment.

Opposition.

In this and other related Scriptures mentioned in this chapter, He warns us that there will be opposition in prayer, and that we should be aware of that opposition and understand how to overcome it. He was also instructing us that prayer does not begin with us, but it begins with Him, as Lord. Going back to God's original creation, Adam was to have dominion over the earth and everything in it, but he was to first fellowship with God first, obtain his orders and plans, and then execute them.

I believe that there are two primary factors that hinders prayer. First there is Satan, the prince of the air, who opposes our contact with God. Next, as is stated in this Scripture, "You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures" (James 4:3).

These two factors combine to make us feel separated from God, unworthy, and often give us the attitude of "Why should I even bother trying to get closer to God?" When you are feeling this way, press on with the ask, seek and knock process as we describe it below.

The way is narrow.

"Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it" (Matthew 7:13,14). Many pray for issues all of their lives and never understand some of the basics. I believe that the ask, seek, knock process gives us a path to follow.

Jesus warned us that we would sometimes think that God does not hear or answer our prayers.

The friend at midnight.

"And He said to them, 'Which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight and say to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves; 'for a friend of mine has come to me on his journey, and I have nothing to set before him'; and he will answer from within and say, 'Do not trouble me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give to you'? I say to you, though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him as many as he needs.

So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!'" (Luke 11:5-13).

We know from Scripture that God is love, God is good, and by these verses, that God wants to bless His kingdom children. However He warns us that there is a procedure for passing the blessings from the heavenly realm to the earthly realm. He warns us about the narrow gate and difficult way. We don't simply tell God what we want and then expect a special delivery package the next day. There is a Kingdom process.

In this Luke Scripture there is a parable about a friend asking for help. The man inside the house was asleep, and was rather indifferent to the request. Jesus was saying, that often it will seem like God is indifferent, but He is not. Our persistence in prayer is needed. However, many misunderstand what kind of persistence is needed.

The unjust judge.

"Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, saying: "There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, 'Get justice for me from my adversary.' And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, 'Though I do not fear God nor regard man, yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.' Then the Lord said, 'Hear what the unjust judge said.' And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?" (Luke 18:1-8).

Daniel's prayer.

Notice in the following Daniel example, God was not holding out on Daniel's prayer and request, but an enemy devil, a satanic angel, had held up the answer. God had also honored Daniel's kind of prayer, an unselfish prayer for his people, a prayer admitting his people's failure to obey God, and a prayer for God to show mercy and to speak again. It was not "asking amiss," but was the prayer of a man who had "died to himself."

Step one - ask.

During our asking process, which could be for some personal need or perhaps as an intercession for someone else, we lay our petition out before God. We tell Him what is on our mind, admit we do not have all the answers, and ask Him to reveal His will and His Word, or rhema on the situation. Often it is just pouring out our frustrations. We ask for forgiveness, for mercy and to keep us from presumptuous sins. We tell Him how we do not line up with the Kingdom of God righteousness that exceeds that of the Scribes and Pharisees. We ask Him for a breakthrough in our soul.

We need to ask as in the model of the Flowing River, walking through the Tabernacle and taking up our cross. [1]

Seldom is my "asking" for something personal, rather it is asking for God to speak His ordained Word, His rhema to me. If I can hear God speak, the main part of my battle is over! "Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him" (1 John 5:14,15).

Part of this step is worship and thanksgiving. What we need most of all is the Holy Spirit making Jesus real to us. Looking at so many examples in Scripture we need to worship Him and rehearse our thanksgiving before this is possible. "Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name" (Matthew 6:9). "Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name" (Psalms 100:4).

Ask as Daniel asked.

He asked favor for his people and for the Kingdom of God. However he also asked for forgiveness and for God's mercy. He laid himself out with his people as disobedient sinners.

Daniel 9:3-7, 10:17-19

3 Then I set my face toward the Lord God to make request by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes.

4 And I prayed to the LORD my God, and made confession, and said, "O Lord, great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and mercy with those who love Him, and with those who keep His commandments,

5 "we have sinned and committed iniquity, we have done wickedly and rebelled, even by departing from Your precepts and Your judgments.

6 "Neither have we heeded Your servants the prophets, who spoke in Your name to our kings and our princes, to our fathers and all the people of the land.

7 "O Lord, righteousness belongs to You, but to us shame of face, as it is this day--to the men of Judah, to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and all Israel, those near and those far off in all the countries to which You have driven them, because of the unfaithfulness which they have committed against You."

10:17 "Now therefore, our God, hear the prayer of Your servant, and his supplications, and for the Lord's sake cause Your face to shine on Your sanctuary, which is desolate.

18 "O my God, incline Your ear and hear; open Your eyes and see our desolations, and the city which is called by Your name; for we do not present our supplications before You because of our righteous deeds, but because of Your great mercies.

19 "O Lord, hear! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, listen and act! Do not delay for Your own sake, my God, for Your city and Your people are called by Your name."

Step two - seek.

The next stage is seeking to hear from Him in response to our request. Often prayer is answered not in a material way, but by God speaking His Word to us. Prayer is not going to be answered unless God originates it. We need Him to reveal His will to us. Sometimes we do not hear anything in reply to our request. Sometimes He just sends us back to what He told us years or months ago. Often, we do hear from Him through various media, including His Word, the witness of the Holy Spirit, through other people and through circumstances. I like to line up all four of these if possible.

Daniel sought.

Daniel 10:2-9

2 In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three full weeks.

3 I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.

4 Now on the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, that is, the Tigris,

5 I lifted my eyes and looked, and behold, a certain man clothed in linen, whose waist was girded with gold of Uphaz!

6 His body was like beryl, his face like the appearance of lightning, his eyes like torches of fire, his arms and feet like burnished bronze in color, and the sound of his words like the voice of a multitude.

7 And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the men who were with me did not see the vision; but a great terror fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves.

8 Therefore I was left alone when I saw this great vision, and no strength remained in me; for my vigor was turned to frailty in me, and I retained no strength.

9 Yet I heard the sound of his words; and while I heard the sound of his words I was in a deep sleep on my face, with my face to the ground.

Daniel received.

Daniel 9:20-22

20 "Now while I was speaking, praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the LORD my God for the holy mountain of my God,

21 yes, while I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, reached me about the time of the evening offering.

22 And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, "O Daniel, I have now come forth to give you skill to understand."

Daniel found.

God spoke about an important future event concerning the crucifixion of the coming Messiah. This was far above what Daniel could have prayed for. One day many years ago when I felt that God had let me down on a business deal that did not work out, one which I desperately needed, He spoke this to me. "Larry, how would you like it if I gave you everything you prayed for, nothing more and nothing less?" I said, "No Lord, only You know what is good for me." He said, "Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us" (Ephesians 3:20).

During the 25 years following that conversation, that promise has come to pass in my life, and is still unfolding. Be prepared to find more than you are capable of asking for!

Daniel 9: 23-27, 10:1

23"At the beginning of your supplications the command went out, and I have come to tell you, for you are greatly beloved; therefore consider the matter, and understand the vision:

24 "Seventy weeks are determined For your people and for your holy city, To finish the transgression, To make an end of sins, To make reconciliation for iniquity, To bring in everlasting righteousness, To seal up vision and prophecy, And to anoint the Most Holy.

25 "Know therefore and understand, That from the going forth of the command To restore and build Jerusalem Until Messiah the Prince, There shall be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks; The street shall be built again, and the wall, Even in troublesome times.

26 "And after the sixty-two weeks Messiah shall be cut off, but not for Himself; And the people of the prince who is to come Shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end of it shall be with a flood, And till the end of the war desolations are determined.

27 Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; But in the middle of the week He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate, Even until the consummation, which is determined, Is poured out on the desolate."

10:1 In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a message was revealed to Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar. The message was true, but the appointed time was long; and he understood the message, and had understanding of the vision.

Step three - knock.

Once God speaks, His Word, His seed, is planted in our hearts. Satan comes to steal. We must stand, by speaking the Word, and by overcoming the temptation, sin and flesh in our own lives, as laid out in the Parable of The Sower in Mark Chapter 4. We must have patience to inherit the promise, because the promise is in the form of a seed planted in your heart. Satan attempts to steal the seed by various means, but of which have to do with your potential ungodly "walk."

Knocking includes spiritual warfare against the demonic forces assigned to stop God moving through our prayer. We stand. Standing infers that we already have a victorious position that we need to protect against attack. We do that by faith and patience, and by speaking the appropriate Word of God out loud as the sword of the Spirit.

"Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, " "And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; ("Ephesians 6:11-14,17).

Daniel's knocking.

Daniel 10:10-15

10 Suddenly, a hand touched me, which made me tremble on my knees and on the palms of my hands.

11 And he said to me, "O Daniel, man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you." While he was speaking this word to me, I stood trembling.

12 Then he said to me, "Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words.

13 "But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia.

14 "Now I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision refers to many days yet to come."

15 When he had spoken such words to me, I turned my face toward the ground and became speechless."

We live in a world that is more spiritual than natural.

The Kingdom of God rules the spiritual through us as we walk and live in it. The spiritual governs the natural realm. We don't see the "prince of Persia" or other such spiritual demonic beings, but they are real. They tempt us to misjudge God as the "one who will not open the door at midnight." They tempt us to live out our old unregenerated nature, the flesh, instead of allowing God's character to prevail in our everyday lives. According to the Parable of The Sower in Mark chapter 4, as we do this, Satan steals the Word that Jesus planted in our hearts.

"The sower sows the word. And these are the ones by the wayside where the word is sown. When they hear, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts. These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness; "and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word's sake, immediately they stumble. Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word, and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred" (Mark 4:14-20).

THE HAND OF GOD
In dealing with the hand of God, you must understand God's language and
His interpretation of the Word. For example, in dealing with the word "death,"
Christ referred to it in Luke 8:40 as sleeping. We must understand that His
language is not like our language. "His thoughts are not like our thoughts, and
His ways are not like our ways." So in understanding the hand of God,we
must prophetcally look at the hand that appeared writing on the wall (Daniel
5:1-5) and understand that God is still using His hand to write on the wall of
our hearts. The hand symbolically represents the five-fold ministry:
Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor and Teacher.

1. The Apostle is the thumb because it is the only finger that can touch all
the others, therefore it establishes and brings order to the other
ministries.
2. The Prophet is the index finger because he directs, points and guides
the church in the way it should go.
3. The Evangelist is the middle finger, because it stands out from among
the rest and reaches out to save the lost.
4. The Pastor is the ring finger because symbolically he is married to the
church.
5. The Teacher is the little finger (pinky) because it balances the rest of
the hand and the church's teachings.

As we study Matthew 12:13, we notice a man with a withered hand that God
healed on the Sabbath (Seventh Day). As we comprehend the days of God,
we must know that the Bible says, "a thousand years is as a day, and a day
is as a thousand years to the Lord." It is almost six thousand years,
or six days, from Adam until now, and we are approaching the the seventh day of
God. Praise God!!! This means that we are approaching the eternal day of
the Lord. Symbolically, we now see that the hand of God (Apostle, Prophet,
Evangelist, Pastor, Teacher) is coming to full strength and power on the
Sabbath Day of the Lord, which we are now entering according to God's time
table.
In John 20:27, Christ told Thomas, "to thrust his hand into His side, and be
not faithless, but believing." Symbolically, Christ is calling His five-fold to go
into the "inward part" of God to understand the deep things of the Father.
The deep things of God, which represents His secrets and mysteries, are
calling to the deep things of man. As Christ wrote in the sand during that
time, His hand continues to write today, revealing mysteries and secrets to
the church, just as His hand wrote on the wall.

God cannot be mocked;

The Lord said to Hosea; Go Go and marry a girl who is a prostitute, so that some of her children will be born to you from other men. This will illustrate the way my people have been untrue to me, committing open adultery against me by worshipping other God's. Hosea 1:2.

Where there is no vision, the people perish. Prov 29:18 In a democracy every person has the right to dream his or her own dreams about the future. The Kingdom of God is not a democracy, it is a Kingdom where Jesus is King. At the cross, those of us who have sworn allegiance to Christ have surrendered to him.

"You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honour God. 1 Cor. 6:19-20.

Honour God? What does that mean? It means discovering His purpose for your life and refusing to walk after other God's.

With that in mind, consider these words: "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do" ( Eph. 2:10 NIV).

Your life's been pre-planned. You can't just take your talents, experiences, opportunities and education and run off in any direction you please. No, you lost that right at Calvary . But then why would you dream of doing such a thing? What could possibly be more fulfilling than God's purpose for your life? And what could be more tragic than missing out on it?

Maybe up until now your vision has been making money, but it's the kind of vision that finds you at the end of life wondering what you could have done, should have done, with your brief stay on this planet. You cannot wring enough meaning out of secular accomplishments to satisfy your soul. The hole you're trying to fill has an eternal dimension that only Christ can satisfy.

That's why it's imperative for you to pray, "Lord, help me to discover and fulfil your vision for my life."

Remember the wrong vision could even send you to hell.

The time has come for the Lord is saying, "Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your Luxurious, panelled houses, when the Temple of the Lord remains a ruin?"

What is the result you plant much but harvest little. You scarcely have enough to eat or drink, and not enough clothes to keep you warm. Your income disappears, as though you were putting it into pockets filled with holes. (Hag 1:4-6).

When the Lord's temple lies in ruins and the people no longer care He says;

If Your only concern is for your own selfish comforts, your fine homes. That is why I am holding back my blessings until all you have worked for is ruined. Hosea 1:10:11-12

The great financial decrease has started in the synagogues of Babylon.

The people lived under closed heavens when they neglected the house of the Lord.

The Lord hates robbery

Jesus Christ is the King is King of kings and ruler of rulers

Isaiah 14:24 The Lord Almighty has sworn surely as I have planned so it will be, and as I have purposed so it will stand.

Isaiah 11:9 They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my Holy Mountain ; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.

Deut 30:34. Israel is my special people sealed as jewels in my treasury, vengeance is mine, and I decree punishment upon all her enemies, their doom is sealed.

Isaiah 11:11 The Lord will raise His hand the second time to recover the remnant of his people.

He will be a banner of TRUTH, salvation for the entire world, the nations will rally to him

The jealousy between Israel and Judah will end; they will not fight each other any more.

The Lord will not allow the ungodly railings of the few to thwart His counsel His plans and purposes.
The Babylonian empire, confusion and corruption is doomed, you will scream in terror for the time has come for the Lord Almighty to crush you, your arms paralysed with fear; the strongest hearts will melt and are afraid, fear grips you with terrible pangs like those of a woman in labour. You look at one another helpless as the burning city reflect upon your pallid faces.

For see the day of the Lord is coming; the terrible day of his wrath and fierce anger. He will punish the world for it’s evil, the wicked for their sin, crush the arrogance of the proud man and the haughtiness of the rich.

The armies of Babylon will run until they are exhausted, Babylons days are numbered; her time of doom will soon be here, the Islamic brotherhood of evil will be destroyed. Babylon has fallen and will never rise again.

The day of the extortioner is at an end, the spoiler ceases, the oppressors are consumed out of the Land.

Isaiah 14:5 The Lord has broken the staff of the wicked, and the sceptre, authority of the rulers of darkness.

JESUS IS LORD - THE EVANGELIST
Whenever we study church government, we should go to the Word of God to understand how God wants His church to be established: God has given us his guidelines and principals in His Word, but He leaves the responsibility of how to apply those guidelines and principals to us.

What is the origin of the word "church." The word "church" in 1 Corinthians 12:28, comes from the Greek word ekklesia. Ekklesia comes from another Greek word ekkaleo. Ekkaleo is a compound word . It is made from two word ek- and kaleo. Ek means "out" and kaleo mean "to call." Thus, what the word "church" really means is "the called out ones" or the "chosen ones" as translated in Ephesians 1:4. When Paul said we were chosen in Him before the foundation of the world, the same word is ued (ekkaleo).

What is church? First Corinthians 12:27-28 says, "Now ye are the body of Christ and members in particular." Today, the word "church" is loosely used to describe a building made of brick and mortar, which could also house a disco, school, industry, or retail store. The universal church is made up of every born-again believer on the face of the earth. Every group of believers who worships together is a segment of the "universal church." Those segments that meet together are "local churches."

The church has been called out. If the church is the "called out" or "chosen" ones, there has to be someone calling or choosing. "God hath set some in the church." 1Corinthians 12:28 God is doing the calling or choosing. Ephesians 4:11 says, "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;" - but who is "he." To understand. we can look at Ephesians 4:8-10, "WHEN HE ASCENDED UP ON HIGH, HE LED CAPTIVITY CAPTIVE, AND GAVE GIFTS UNTO MEN. (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things)." The Lord Jesus Christ if the "he" who ascended, and the He Who gave gifts to men

Referring back to 1Corinthians 12:28, God the Father is the One who sets the ministry gifts in the church: these ministry gifts are chosen by God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ in combined authority. Jesus is the One who calls and appoints the ministry gifts. The One (Jesus) who does the calling has authority over the one He calls (whoever chooses the ministry gift has authority over the one He calls); whoever chooses the ministry gift has authority over the one who is chosen. So, who is head of the church? Ephesians 1:22-23 says, "And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body the fullness of him that filleth all in all." The Lord Jesus Christ is the Head of the church. He was given that position by God the Father. He was given authority over the church by God the Father as well all ministry gifts He chooses to distribute.

THE EVANGELIST

The meaning of the word "evangelist" is, One who brings the evangel (the good news); a messenger of good tidings.

The third ministerial office is that of the evangelist: the evangelist is a proclaimer of the Gospel. That is the purpose of ministry, and he does not deviate from it. The evangelist simply preaches the love and forgiveness of God and the salvation that is available to all through His Son Jesus Christ. When the evangelist preaches this simple Gospel message, people receive salvation.

The word "evangelist" is used only three times in the New Testament: 1) Philip the evangelist is spoken of in Acts 21:8, 2) the gift "evangelist" is listed in Ephesians 4:11, 3) Paul told Timoty to do "the work of an evangelist" in 2 Timothy 4:5. Philip then is the only model other than Jesus that we have for an evangelist.

Jesus stood in all of the five-fold ministry office (Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor, and Teacher.) Jesus said in Luke 4:18, "THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME, BECAUSE HE HATH ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR; HE HATH SENT ME TO HEAL THE BROKENHEARTED, TO PREACH DELIVERANCE TO THE CAPTIVES, AND RECOVERING OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND, TO SET AT LIBERTY THEM THAT ARE BRUISED, TO PREACH THE ACCEPTABLE YEAR OF THE LORD."

- An evangelist is a direct endowment or ministry gift from God to the Church. A person cannot go to bible school and study to become an evangelist - he or she must be "anointed" to function effectively in this office.

- The supreme gift of a real evangelist is the power to bring a person's soul to a decision for Christ. as only the preaching of the Word affects the will of the sinner. Hence, in the ministry of the evangelist, the preaching of the Word of God is essential.

- Evangelists are often called exhorters (which is a office in and of itself.) Exhorting involves encouraging, comforting, and admonishing people. The Word of God mentions the office of the exhorter, "Or he that extorteth, on exhortation: ..." Romans 12:8. An "exhorter" exhorts people to be saved (the supernatural equipment of miracles and gifts of healings does not follow the ministry of exhortation) . One may start out as an exhorter and as he proves faithful, God may set him in the office of the evangelist at a later time.

- God has ordained that the gospel shoud be preached with "signs following" as we read in the book of Mark, Jesus' words, "Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved...And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils, they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover." Mark 16:15, 17-18

- Supernatural equipment accompanies the evangelist's ministry. We are to preach the gospel and the Lord will confirm the Word with signs following. We have all been called to the work of preaching the gospel, but the "anointing" to manifest supernatural attestation with signs, even the gifts of healings, seem attached to the office of the evangelist. Without the demonstration of supernatural signs and wonders, you get only a certain measure of obedience by the people - outward compliance with cermonies, form, baptism and church membership; requirements of a religious type. Yet with the supernatural power of God, which demonstrates people are dealing with a real and living God, comes real submission of hearts to Him.

- The evangelist's ministry is more of a "ministry on the move, " traveling around ministering to the unsaved.

Philip - the Evangelist

The church at Jerusalem had picked Philip as one of the seven deacons who would serve the apostles and the other disciples. He was described as being of "honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom." (Acts 6:3) Though Philip had no training as an evangelist, that is the office God called him to fill and a whole city came to God because of his evangelism: "Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many that were possess with them: and may taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. And there was great joy in that city." Acts 8:5-8 Philip was gifted to minister only in those areas of healing, but it was enough to get people saved - these healings drew their attention to Philip's ministry and ultimately to the Lord Jesus Christ.

1) As an evangelist, Philip had the ability to get people saved, but his ministry did not extend beyond bringing people to salvation.

2) Philip had no ability to establish a church, or to get people rooted and grounded in the Word, or to teach them.

3) He seemingly did not have the ministry to impart the baptism in the Holy Spirit that Peter and John had (Acts 8:14-17).

4) Philip did his job in getting the people to God by preaching salvation through Jesus Christ. Then the apostles sent others to take them on in God.

One person will never be able to do everything. And he should not. All of us are limited. Every minister is limited and that is why we need one another.

Timothy - the Evangelist

Paul wrote to the young preacher Timothy: "Watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry." 2 Timothy 4:5. This means that Paul was very conscious of the fact that God had laid His hand upon him (Timothy) and had called him to save souls. So he admonished him to do the work of an evangelist. Paul was saying to Timothy "Now God has given you this ministry gift. I want you to make full proof of it. Get out there and get those people saved."

- If you need an evangelist, call upon the Holy Ghost and He will send you one - Jesus said He would: "The harvest is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest." Matthew 9:38

We need to pray that God will give us some great evangelists and that could mean you. As an evangelist, nobody has to give you a place to preach.

- In summary, the characteristics of an evangelist today are:

1) A proclaimer of the gospel/ preacher of the gospel

2) "Anointed" to preach the gospel, the Good News

3) Comes with supernatural equipment (gifts of healing, gifts of the working of miracles)

4) A true evangelist must preach the Word

5) Moves around preaching the gospel and getting souls saved

Evangelists get discouraged sometimes when they go to a church and fail to get many people saved. The reason is they are doing their evangelizing in the wrong place - you cannot expect to grow corn if you plant the seed around the church altar. Evangelists need to go out and plant their seed where the sinners are, then they will reap a harvest. (LS p. 239)

Mobilize To Evangelize
Stephen F. Olford
Jul 21, 2007

In Luke 14:25-35 the context is one of urgency. Jesus was on His way to the cross. His ministry had become so popular that great multitudes were following Him. But as always in the ministry of our Savior, He never attempted to enlist recruits under false pretenses. Turning to that great crowd, He laid down the terms of discipleship, describing the kind of person He wanted in His service. He called for:

Learners Who Will Follow at Any Cost

"If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple"; and again: "So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple" (vv. 26-27, 33 NKJV). Three times in these verses the expression "My disciple" is used. In the Greek and Latin it simply means "pupil" or "learner."

There were several lessons the Master wanted His followers to learn in the school of obedience. First, they had to be willing to sacrifice human relationships – cost what it will – in order that Jesus Christ might reign supreme in their lives.

Second, they must be willing to die to their own reputations in order that Christ alone might have the glory; and, thirdly, they must be prepared to sacrifice whatever resources they possessed – to hold them lightly – in order to lead a life of discipline and dependence on Christ alone.

Builders Who Will Labor at Any Cost

"For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it" (v. 28). Jesus demanded that all who intend to "build a tower" to the pleasure of God should do so after careful thought and planning. They must have a set purpose in mind, being ready to count the cost to see that the project is brought to completion. Each of us is building for eternity. In order for our "tower" to stand the test at the judgment seat of Christ, we must ensure that our building is scripturally conceived – built upon the authority and specifications of the Word of God. It must be sacrificially constructed. Just as the Savior gave His time, energy, body, yes, and His very life’s blood for us and our salvation, so we must invest everything to erect a structure that is worthy of Him.

Regrettably, far too many believers represent half-finished buildings because they have allowed indiscipline, incompatibility or immorality to gain the upper hand in their lives. They may have stood in a convention or conference, in response to some spiritual challenge; yet today they stand dormant, representing uncompleted tasks because of defective obedience.

Soldiers Who Will Battle at Any Cost

"Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand?" (v. 31). Christianity is not only decisive, it is aggressive. The true soldier of Christ must take the offensive in the battle for truth. He must fight against the overwhelming forces of evil in "the strength which God supplies through His eternal Son."

Paul reminds us, "If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Rom. 8:31). No Christian has an excuse for failing in the battle of life because of the greater contingents of power, on the part of the enemy. He must refuse to flinch, never negotiating conditions of peace with his foe, for this inevitably leads to compromise. Someone has said, "It is not for you to reason why; it is for you to do or die."

Martyrs Who Will Witness at Any Cost

"Salt is good; but if the salt has lost its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is neither fit for the land nor for the dunghill, but men throw it out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!" (Luke 14:34-35). Throughout Scripture salt is associated with sacrifice and is called "the covenant of your God" (see Lev. 2:13; Mark 9:49). Jesus was calling for martyr-witnesses who would covenant to endure sacrifice and death, if necessary, in order to make their influence for Jesus Christ known and felt in a corrupt generation.

There are times when God calls for silent witness, such as the occasion of our Savior’s trial before Pilate (Mark 15:5). Later it was vocal, when He acknowledged that He was born a king – "For this cause...I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth" (John 18:37). When our Christian stand is challenged we must never hesitate to speak "with grace, seasoned with salt" (Col. 4:6).

The greatest need in the Church of Jesus Christ at the present time is for martyr-witnesses. Large crusades, radio and television programs, and even literature, will not accomplish the task. God’s supreme method is that every child of God should be a martyr-witness, operating as the early Christians did after the persecution of Stephen when they went everywhere sharing the Gospel (Acts 8:4). In a little over thirty years the then-known world had heard the message of a saving Christ.

The Savior is looking for recruits to carry on His program. Will you be one of them? As you face your crucified, but risen Lord and gaze upon His glorified wounds, will you tell Him you are willing to serve Him anywhere, at any time, at any cost?

Use the words of Saint Ignatius Loyola (1491-1556) as your response: "Grant us, O Lord, to serve Thee as Thou deservest; to give and not to count the cost; to fight and not to heed the wounds; to toil and not to seek for rest; to labor and not to ask for any reward, save that of knowing that we do Thy perfect will, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."

Jesus Saves, Blesses, Prospers, Heals, Guides, Establishes, Restores, Strengthens

Morris Cerullo World Evangelism M.T.L. The Christian Media, Nicholas King and P.A.L.S. Christian internet ministries, Broadcasting Radio Television Newspapers, magazines

Jesus said; I will build my Church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.

The Lord’s wisdom, counsel, plans will prevail and be established

Great is the Lord who enjoys helping them

It is by my Holy Spirit success will come says the Lord.

The God of Peace will crush satan under our feet

The Lord will remove the strength of all opposition.

The Lord will cause the enemies that rise up against them to be smitten before them, and flee from them seven ways.

From Nicholas King and P.A.L.S. Our help, strength, comes from the Lord maker of heaven and earth. W.C.P.F. http://wcpf. angelfire. com/ ; http://picasaweb. google.co. uk/worldprayer