Acts 13:1-3
1 NOW IN the church (assembly) at Antioch there were prophets (inspired interpreters of the will and purposes of God) and teachers: Barnabas, Symeon who was called Niger [Black], Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a member of the court of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, Separate now for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them. 3 Then after fasting and praying, they put their hands on them and sent them away.
The book of Acts is pivotal and essential for the Body of Christ. The historical accounts therein literally shape and outline the establishment of the New Testament church and instruct the believer in how the commands of Jesus Christ should be carried out. Yet, the Church today looks so different than that which was established. Of course, this is no surprised. It has been prophesied that in the last days men would become lovers of themselves. We understand that people have exalted themselves above God, even in the churches. Therefore, it is no surprise that we no longer look like the thing that was birthed by the Apostles.
So, how do we get back to what was ordained and established for God’s glory in the earth? I have no philosophical or theological plan. I simply believe God. In that, I believe that as we see error, we should fix it to the best of our abilities. To he that knows to do good, but doeth it not – to him, it is sin!
With that said, the opening of Acts 13 brought some interesting questions to my mind, and I began seeking God about this observation. God began to show me that the Body of Christ, just like our own, was never designed to become obese and stagnant. Yet, this is exactly what we’ve allowed to happen.
In the human body, if you put nothing in, you will starve. Have we not shut down evangelism in the Body of Christ, as a whole? Isn’t it strange that in the New Testament church, all the gifts were active? Yet in today’s world of Christendom, we seem to move through seasons of gifts. In the 70’s and 80’s, with the boom of gospel music and gospel television, we saw a “season” of evangelism. Everyone, it seemed, was called to be a missionary or an evangelist. Then, in the 90’s, we experienced the day of the prophet. As the 21st century rolled in, we see people becoming Apostles in alarming numbers. Yet, God’s desire is to see his complete Body functioning as a whole. In order for the church to grow, souls much come into the fold. Every season is one of evangelism, just as pastors have existed in every “season.”
In the same manner, in order for the church to grow, people have to move. Someone has to be SENT OUT in order to reap the harvest. Many have preached and taught about the many in ministry who were not SENT. People have been rebuked and instructed to examine who sent them. For many, an answer of “God” has not been good enough. Order says that God’s people should be sent by God through the means of a man or woman of God. I stand in agreement with that, according to the Word, but this brings up an interesting issue.
In the church today, people are rarely being sent anymore. I must say that there is fault to be carried on many sides – not just that of the one who has gone, but also the one who fails to send.
As my husband put it, the church is CONSTIPATED. Rather than sending people out according to their call, many leaders are holding God’s anointed and their gifts under a bondage called “order.” How is it that we gather together in the midst of so many gifts, just as we read in Acts 13, and lay hands on the saints, yet never send anyone out? Area churches are busting at the seams, but people are not being released to do the work of the Lord.
Acts 13:1-3
1 NOW IN the church (assembly) at Antioch there were prophets (inspired interpreters of the will and purposes of God) and teachers: Barnabas, Symeon who was called Niger [Black], Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a member of the court of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, Separate now for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them. 3 Then after fasting and praying, they put their hands on them and sent them away.
As I prayed and meditated on this Scripture this morning, God spoke very clearly to me about His people. He told me that times are going to get hard IN THE CHURCH. Many of you are feeling the pressure of ministry, but you’re fighting with what you’ve always been taught was “right.” You are fighting with “order,” but God is going to tear up your religion.
God is calling forth a generation – a remnant – that has a heart for Him. Now, I know this may make some mad, but in this Scripture, there is no reference to a membership or a board. Prophets and teachers (pastors) were present – and more than one of each. In the midst of praying and fasting, God gave instruction for anointing and sending. Too many of God’s people have been anointed and even confirmed in gifts, but never sent. Many of you have had two to three ordinations, but have no effective ministry. This day, it’s time to get busy and do what God has called you to do.
God gets no glory in gifts and anointing that are strapped to a pew two to three times a week. Where is the service? Where is the glory of God?
(1Co 7:17) But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches.
Paul stated that as call gifts and calls us, we are to walk. This is what he ordains in ALL churches. The Body of Christ must come into a place of maturity.
Now notice – when prayer and fasting went forth, and the laying on of hands took place, then the people were sent – there was no “checking” every word that was spoken. Those who were sent went forth in power. Some of you reading this message need to be released into maturity. Accountability is a good thing, but who said that you can’t preach a word sent from God or attend to a ministry assignment because there’s an Usher Board Anniversary service at your church? Can we grow up, Body of Christ? Paul never called Timothy back from the field because he was having a prayer meeting! We are at the place where we honor church services more than God. We are worshipping Pastors, not the Father! We are obedient to a program and a calendar, rather than the move of the Holy Spirit.
Leaders, we must stop hoarding the gifts and stop the operation of the spirit of control, all in the name of order. If God has called us to pray, fast and ordain, we must complete the work at SEND when the time comes. There are gifts lying stagnant in the house, and those of us who prevent the growth are accountable for the many souls that are being lost due to a stifled voice. There is meat in the house of God, but if we don’t release it, the Body of Christ will remain constipated!
(Rom 10:13) For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
(Rom 10:14) How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
(Rom 10:15) And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
(Rom 10:16) But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?
(Rom 10:17) So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
(Rom 10:18) But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.
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