Kingdom Nets, Networking & Relationships – Part 1 Series

Compiled by: Herman Abrahams (Pastor), Cornerstone Faith Ministries, P.O. Box 740, Westridge 7802, Rep. of South Africa.

E-Mail: Mentorship2003@yahoo.co.uk

Note to the reader:

If you have been blessed with this sermon compilation, I would be honoured to receive an e-mail from you simply stating where in the world you are based- this is merely so that I can have the pleasure of giving thanks to Almighty God that all over the globe, the ministry which he has entrusted to me, is blessing the Body of Christ and helping to extend the Kingdom of God.

Please feel free to communicate. Thank you.

Herman Abrahams,

Cape Town, South Africa.

KINGDOM NETS, NETWORKING & RELATIONSHIPS – PART 1

(By Herman Abrahams)

INTRODUCTION – THE MIRACLE OF NETWORKING

We are living in the age of the Internet – the worldwide web, the e-mail, the Global Village. This is the age of the Cell phone and SMS’s, etc. One can fly to a faraway land, and on arrival, whilst still on the aeroplane, immediately send an sms to a loved one back home to announce one’s arrival. We are able to watch sports and many other events live on TV; sadly, even war. We can arrange a bus or train trip, a flight or car hire with immediate effect via the internet. There is a network in place that makes all of this a reality.

1. WHAT IS NETWORKING?

1a) A DICTIONARY DEFINITION:

(i) Any arrangement or fabric of parallel wires, threads, etc. crossed at regular intervals by others fastened to them.

(ii) A group, system, etc. of interconnected or cooperating individuals

1b) In the broad sense, networking is simply enhancing life by sharing resources thru relationships and connections.

(i) Networking depends on these relationships and connections as the core of its power.

(ii) The miracle of networking is the unlimited potential it has for bringing previously isolated things together for beneficial exchanges and marvelous accomplishments.

(Item B is a quote from “Apostles And The Emerging Apostolic Movement” by David Cannistraci) [Regal Books].

In my own life I have been blessed with a network of wonderful Godly relationships. As a pastor I’ve submitted my life to Apostolic oversight – a Father in the Lord. Through this relationship I have been networked with many wonderful ministers of the Gospel. This has given me the opportunity to travel to many nations to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom of God. There is a miracle in networking !!

2. THE GREATEST NETWORK –THE BODY OF CHRIST

(2a) Like so many successes in our day, networking succeeds because God invented it.

(2b) Networking is a reflection of the divine pattern of interdependence and unity God has ordained for the Church.

(2c) The Body of Christ is, in essence, the greatest network ever invented.

(2d) As a powerful network of human lives, it depends on the strength of its relational connections to fulfill the Great Commission.

As an example, in the local church the smallest network are those involved in “where two or three are gathered together”. The next level of network could be those connected to the same home group or ministry team. This is followed by network of believers that meet together for congregational meetings.

3. SCRIPTURAL IMAGES THAT SUPPORT THE IDEA OF THE BODY OF CHRIST AS A NETWORK:

(3a) A Joining together

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(i) Eph. 4:16 NKJV

From whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

Amplified Bible vs 16:

“… Closely joined and firmly knit together by the joints and ligaments”

(NIV) vs 16:

“From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”

“…every supporting ligament” - represents the knots in the kingdom net.

For a believer to grow and mature in God he must be in the network of the Body of Christ (Eph 4:13).

(ii) 1 Cor.1:10 NKJV

Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment

(NIV) vs. 10

… that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.

(3b) Effectiveness

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Eph 4:16 “… the effective working by which every part does its share”

The New Testament has many practical applications of networking:

i) The Early Church networked to share resources so effectively that not one among many thousands lacked for anything. Acts 4:34-35:

34 There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.