Ephesians 2:20-22 (AMP)20You are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Christ Jesus Himself the chief Cornerstone.21In Him the whole structure is joined (bound, welded) together harmoniously, and it continues to rise (grow, increase) into a holy temple in the Lord [a sanctuary dedicated, consecrated, and sacred to the presence of the Lord].22In Him [and in fellowship with one another] you yourselves also are being built up [into this structure] with the rest, to form a fixed abode (dwelling place) of God in (by, through) the Spirit.
The church is suppose to be built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Christ Jesus Himself as the chief Cornerstone. This is what scripture states. But sadly today, the church has been built upon the foundation of denominations, theology, and religion. Every church or denomination thinks the other guy or denomination is the luke warm church. They perhaps better look at themselves instead. Perhaps it is them who should ask God whether if they are the ones who have fallen away from Grace as an individual or a group.
God is going to bring restoration to His church. The lukewarm churches have compromised with sin and they are leading His people to assimulate with the world. Instead of accurately discerning and teaching His people to obey the faith in Jesus Christ, they are too busy catering to the needs of this or that group. Just as the politicians of our government, they cater to the middle instead of preaching uncompromise Truth!! Do they not know God is and about to clean house?
On the flip side, it is further sad that many of today's five fold minstry have stumbled the lay believers in which they themselves are viewed suspicious. Many have jumped the band wagon of the world's way seeking self gratification and attention. Those who are called to be Apostles, Prophets, Evangelist, Preachers, and Teachers should be more concerned of bearing FRUIT in their calling instead of concerning themselves over their titles, positions, and ranks.
The Pharisee with their nice clothes, positions, and titles came to John the Baptist to snicker at him. But John replied and said to GO BEAR FRUIT OF REPENTANCE!! Nothing is new under the sun. Even today, many of God's shepherd eat the best fat while His sheep starve.
Ezekiel 34:2-3(AMP)Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy and say to them, even to the [spiritual] shepherds, Thus says the Lord God: Woe to the [spiritual] shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the sheep?3You eat the fat, you clothe yourselves with the wool, you kill the fatlings, but you do not feed the sheep.
Perhaps, it would be best if they read the testimonies of those servants who have betrayed our Lord and are now in the cells of HELL! (http://www.spiritlessons.com/) Many are in HELL for stealing His Glory! If the title is to represent the anointing of the office, then let us walk in the calling and anointing and bear the FRUIT of the office. THERE ARE TOO MANY WALKING WITH PUFFED HEADS AND THEIR EYES GET WIDE AS THEY SEE THE MONEY IN THE OFFERING BAGS. Do they think it is their money? One must understand the responsibility and accountability that comes with a calling. Many preachers and their wives are ending up in HELL and what are apostles and prophets thinking? Are they thinking their jobs are easier?
Do not think just because you hear God that you do not have the ability to fall away. Apostle Judas was given the power to cast out demons with signs and wonders following. But Judas betrayed the Lord and fell away.
Acts 1:25 "To take the place in this ministry and receive the position of an apostle, from which Judas fell away and went astray to go [where he belonged] to his own [proper] place."
Do not think just because you are a Prophet, you are someone more special. God is no respector of men. If you disobey, you may be subject to His judgments more quickly. It is because you hear God more clearly and quickly that you will be held more accountable.
1 Kings 13:14-24 "And went after the man of God. And he found him sitting under an oak, and he said to him, Are you the man of God who came from Judah? And he said, I am.15Then he said to him, Come home with me and eat bread. 16He said, I may not return with you or go in with you, neither will I eat bread or drink water with you in this place.17For I was told by the word of the Lord, You shall not eat bread or drink water there or return by the way that you came.18He answered, I am a prophet also, as you are. And an angel spoke to me by the word of the Lord, saying, Bring him back with you to your house, that he may eat bread and drink water. But he lied to him.19So the man from Judah went back with him and ate and drank water in his house.20And as they sat at the table, the word of the Lord came to the prophet who brought him back.21And he cried to the man of God who came from Judah, Thus says the Lord: Because you have disobeyed the word of the Lord and have not kept the command which the Lord your God commanded you,22But have come back and have eaten bread and drunk water in the place of which the Lord said to you, Eat no bread and drink no water--your corpse shall not come to the tomb of your fathers.23And after the prophet of the house had eaten bread and drunk, he saddled the donkey for the man he had brought back.24And when he had gone, a lion met him by the road and slew him, and his corpse was cast in the way, and the donkey stood by it; the lion also stood by the corpse.
Apostles are called to preach the good news, promote obedience to the faith, lead people to accurate discernment, and make disciples.
Romans 1:1 FROM PAUL, a bond servant of Jesus Christ (the Messiah) called to be an apostle, (a special messenger) set apart to [preach] the Gospel (good news) of and from God,
Romans 1:5 (AMP)It is through Him that we have received grace (God's unmerited favor) and [our] apostleship to promote obedience to the faith and make disciples for His name's sake among all the nations,
Titus 1:1 PAUL, A bond servant of God and an apostle (a special messenger) of Jesus Christ (the Messiah) to stimulate and promote the faith of God's chosen ones and to lead them on to accurate discernment and recognition of and acquaintance with the Truth which belongs to and harmonizes with and tends to godliness,
1 Corinthians 12:28 So God has appointed some in the church [ for His own use]: first apostles (special messengers); second prophets (inspired preachers and expounders); third teachers; then wonder-workers; then those with ability to heal the sick; helpers; administrators; [speakers in] different (unknown) tongues.
Today, just as the world is leading many astray, many of God's servants create their own kingdoms and attempt to sit on God's throne. Instead of separating from the world, they are with the world cheering on the things of the world such as sports, drama, hollywood, and the other cares of the world.
All the servants of God whether you are in the five fold ministry or if you are just a lay believer called to OBEY, do not think we do not have the ability to fall away, become corrupted, or be deceived.
Many of you have been told you are this or that but many of you are still in your wildernesses. Humble yourself and seek His Face. Ask Him to teach you in all things. Do not let your pride get ahead of you.
YOU WILL RECOGNIZE THE TRUE SERVANTS OF GOD NOT BY HOW DOGMATIC THEY ARE ON AN ISSUE, DOCTRINE OR THEIR POSITIONS/TITLES. YOU WILL RECOGNIZE THEM BY THEIR ABILIY TO WALK IN LOVE AND HUMILIY. YOU WILL RECOGNIZE THEM BY THEIR ABILITY TO SERVE ONE ANOTHER INSTEAD OF WANTING TO BE SERVED.
Any servant of God must have the heart and willingness to DIE for the sheep. If they do not have such a heart, they will not inherit the Kingdom of God. It is time to wake up!! Let us return to the Biblical Fear of the Lord and SERVE Him trembling at His Word and Revering His commands.
Isaiah 66:2 (AMP)For all these things My hand has made, and so all these things have come into being [by and for Me], says the Lord. But this is the man to whom I will look and have regard: he who is humble and of a broken or wounded spirit, and who trembles at My word and reveres My commands
(of course, I say "YOU" generically and not anyone specifically)
FIRE OF GOD!!
Steve Yong Kim
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