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Doing The Work Of The Kingdom
Contributed by Jeff Van Wyk on Jun 15, 2013 (message contributor)
Summary: We know that we can prepare boldly for what is coming because Jesus gave us the prophetic signs. He told us what we should look out for and we know that we are living in the last days because prophetically we know where the church will be in the future
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Doing The Work Of The Kingdom
The entire Word of God is prophetic because it is futuristic.
Amos 3:7 - Surely the Lord GOD does nothing, Unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets.
We know that we can prepare boldly for what is coming because Jesus gave us the prophetic signs. He told us what we should look out for and we know that we are living in the last days because prophetically the Bible has shown us where the church will be in the future.
We know that it will end in glory and will end strong and not weak. The Laodicean church is one of the seven churches that Jesus spoke about in the last days but it will not be the final church because the last church will be united and strong and will grow into the full stature of Jesus.
God is equipping and preparing His children for great and mighty things and we will finish strong. We will take the nations for Jesus by preaching the gospel to the ends of the earth. The devil has already been defeated and although he will exert great power on the earth, his reign of terror will end in the lake of fire.
The entire Word of God is prophetic, but it is also apostolic because the word “apostolic” is a doing word.
James 1:22 - But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
This is one of the most relevant apostolic verses of Scripture in the Bible. To be apostolic means we must be “doers” and what we do should extend beyond the four walls of our church and extend to the ends of the earth. An apostle is a person who performs the word in deed. At Pentecost, the disciples became apostles because they were anointed to do ministry. Jesus’ ministry was apostolic because of what He did.
Acts 10:38 - How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.
When you are busy working for God you are apostolic. The definition of an apostle is “one who is sent to represent another.” We are sent by God to represent heaven on earth. We are the answer to a distressed world.
The true definition of the apostolic ministry is “someone who is anointed by God to perform a supernatural task on the earth which will add to God’s Kingdom.” It implies that we can all be apostolic. God has always been building His Kingdom over the past thousands of years. To God, building His Kingdom or building His church is the same thing.
There are some terminologies in the Word that may change. The first time the word “apostle” was used was in the New Testament. It was never mentioned in the Old Testament, but its meaning carries the same function throughout the Old and New Testaments because God has always sent men and women to represent Him and to perform work for Him.
There are anointed people who are doing things in the name of the Lord but they are not sent by God to do whatever they are doing.
The Bible speaks about these people who will stand before Him testifying to all the mighty deeds they have done during their time on earth. But Jesus will send them away saying “I never knew you.” If we are not sent by God, we will not be acknowledged by Him. It is important to do only what God directs us to do. That is what Jesus did. He never did anything without God’s permission.
We cannot solve all the problems in the world, but we should rather wait for God to show us what He wants us to do before we do anything. We also need to know that we are following people who have been sent by God.
God has called us to work with Him and He is building His Kingdom with us and through us.
God is the builder
Colossians 1:16 - For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.
From this we can see the great apostolic power of Jesus as the Creator and because He created everything, He has power and authority over what He created. Those who have an apostolic anointing are also creative and the things they build for God are a testimony against the kingdom of darkness.
Matthew 16:18 - And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.