Reflection on Titus 1:10-16

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Scripture

Everything is pure to those whose hearts are pure. But nothing is pure to those who are corrupt and unbelieving, because their minds and consciences are corrupted.

Observation

There are many rebellious people who deceive others. This is especially true of those who insist on circumcision.

Paul says Timothy should reprimand them sternly, so they will stop believing Jewish myths and stand firm in the faith.

Everything is pure to those whose hearts are pure, but nothing is pure to those who are corrupt. They claim to know God but their lifestyles show that they are far from Him.

Application

If your heart is pure before God, nothing will take you away from him. It is only when we are impure or less than completely sold out to Him, that we can be deceived and turn from His truth.

The problem is that many of us have mixed motives. We want enough of God to be sure that we are saved, but we still want to enjoy the worldly way of life that leads to destruction.

To move on with God, we need to decide that everything is about Him. Our heart and mind must be surrendered to God alone.

Prayer

Grant me a pure heart, Lord Jesus, a heart that is 100% for you and you alone. Amen.

Reflection on Titus 1:1-9

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Scripture

This truth gives them confidence that they have eternal life, which God – who does not lie – promised them before the world began

Observation

Paul, a slave of God and apostle of Christ, has been sent to proclaim faith to God’s people. This truth gives us confidence that we have eternal life. God promised this before the world began.

Paul is writing to Titus, his true son in the faith. He instructs Titus to appoint elders in every town on Crete. Elders must be blameless with exemplary families. They must not be arrogant, quick-tempered, nor a heavy drinker, violent or dishonest. They must enjoy giving hospitality and be deeply convicted of the gospel message.

Application

The truth of the gospel gives us confidence of eternal life. God has given us this amazing gift which nobody deserves or could earn.

We will live with God for ever .

It is this amazing message that Jesus died for our sins that gives us confidence. I have nothing that I could offer God. But when I received His gift, He called me holy and righteous.

This is an eternal promise that God made before the world began. Before He made us He saved us. He saw my sin before the world began, but still He provided a way for me to be brought back into His family.

Surely, I am not worthy of this love. That is what love does- it puts itself out regardless of the worthiness of the recipient.

Prayer

Lord, I thank you for your amazing, unfailing love. Amen.

Reflection on 2 Timothy 4:9-22

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Scripture

Yes, and the Lord will deliver me from every evil attack and will bring me safely into his heavenly Kingdom. All glory to God forever and ever! Amen.

Observation

Paul requests Timothy to come to him soon. Demas has abandoned the Lord because of the world. Of his close friends only Luke is still with him.

Even though Paul was alone when brought before the judge, God was with him, and He will bring him safely to His heavenly kingdom. The Lord gave him the opportunity and the strength to preach the gospel.

Application

The great assurance of the faith is that we will overcome every enemy. God will bring us through the attacks of the evil one. If we stand firm in Christ, He will carry us through to the heavenly Kingdom.

There is no fear in Christ. His perfect love drives out all fear. He has conquered death and promises that we will share in that victory.

When we are under threat to our lives we must remember that this life is not the end. There is a reward awaiting us in heaven. The worst the world can do is destroy our body. Christ will recreate our body and soul for heaven.

Prayer

Thank you Lord for this wonderful promise. I know that when I die, I will rise to be with you for ever. All glory to you forever and ever. Amen.

Apostolic Summit 2022- Session 8

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Session 8- John Alley

The Call To Serve God

Abraham – go to a place you do not know.

Joseph – dreams, beaten up, sold into slavery.

Moses – burning bush. He didn’t want to go

David – minding sheep, prophet comes looking for him.

Jeremiah – you have a job to do. No choice!

Disciples – call comes out of the blue. “Come and follow me.”

Paul – “You will be told what you are to do.”

Five-fold ministry an anointing to receive directions from the Lord and to represent Him before the church.

Elders – five fold ministers with heart for the church in city or region.

Galatians 1:1. The call is from God, not man.

Apostolic Summit 2022- Session7

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Session 7- Paul Botha

John Alley

3 prayers before speaking

  1. Bind spirits
  2. Submit to Lord, not trusting own ability, previous success
  3. Pray for spirit of understanding to be on the church

Prophetic pain

  • Much of sickness, pain comes from our own thinking, allowing demons to pull us down.
  • Some comes from criticism, accusation etc.
  • Some is a message from the Lord, a call to prayer. Pain in the body is symbolic of something. Praying for healing won’t work. Find what the message is, pray into it.

Paul Botha

What he is doing is only possible because of the foundation laid by John and Peace.

Peace Church is not just an apostolic community but a prophetic voice also.

The days that are coming are going to be substantially different. The West is on the precipice of change. The church can either lead the process or be taken over by the change.

The church before Pentecost was praying but they woke up the next morning and everything was changed. Empowered to change the world

1.What is the Apostolic?

Primary gifting- first in function.

Struggle for identity for apostles and for the church

Regional transformation. John 4. Samaritan woman.

City Elders – functional unity

Unless the church understands the times and invades the culture the nation will be radically different.

Current move of God :

Reset– dining saloon changed to troop carrier

Reposition – – church is being repositioned for mission. Culture responds to the gospel. Not nice Christians, hot Christians.

Reap

What are we meant to do about it?

Develop Father and Son relationships with functioning apostles

Apostolic Summit 2022 – Session 6

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Session 6 – John Alley

Commission for this Summit is to revisit the core topics of Sonship and Community.

Central heart message of apostles will be about love.

1 Corinthians 13. Normal healthy apostolic life.

Need a major input of Grace that changes our heart.  Apostles are meant to help this happen.

Supernatural outpouring of love. Power to understand the length, breadth, depth, height of God’s love. This is the fullness of God.

5-fold work with apostles to raise church to relational maturity. Find the supernatural anointing of Holy Spirit that gives us greater love.

Chuck Clayton. Thoroughly unique. Full of love and wisdom. Made mistakes but God didn’t want John to make same mistakes.

Great prophet. Never felt anything so just talked and hoped it was God, but always accurate and powerful.

Great pastor. Loved people, pastors.

1 Thessalonians 1:2-5.  Paul walked in faith, hope and love. Known by his lifestyle. “You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.”

Too much in minds of some pastors is the desire to be the “big man.” Heart of apostle is to be a servant. Apostle has to teach pastors how to serve.

1 Thessalonians 2:1-12   Don’t let courage fail you in strife. Don’t fail to tell the truth when others have different opinions. Like a mother, gentle, not the “big man.”

V. 8 Not here to sell a product. Apostle is there to share himself with them. Power is not in healing the sick, but power to change the heart. That is what apostles are here for. Progressive work over time.

V. 11. Only now does Paul mention fathers. It is a gentle, giving grace.

Anointing by which community is built. After John released this anointing the church was changed. Cell groups started working, relationships healed.

Need both the teaching and the anointing. Knowledge and power.

Signs and wonders do not make you an apostle. An apostle seeks an answer to people’s problems and signs and wonders follow. It is gentleness and love.

Apostolic Summit 2022- Session 5

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Session 5 – David Alley

What is apostolic message?

Apostolic message is not getting apostles back. It is about preaching the original message that the apostles taught.

People think they know what the Gospel is, but they don’t. We use the term apostolic to distinguish from institutional Christianity.

Where is it going?

To maturity! Doctrinal and relational.

Not about doctrinal purity. Love and accept one another even if we haven’t got the theology perfect.

The message helps us to attain place where we are one heart and one mind.

We need genuine apostles! Millions call themselves apostles. About 99% aren’t really apostles.

How do we know who the genuine apostles are?

No check list in Scripture

Heart test.

Revelation  2:1-2.

Jude 3-4,11

  1. Do they do it for God or themselves? (Cain)
  2. Do they have regard for brethren? (Cain)
  3. Are they promoting themselves? (Korah)
  4. Are they using the Lord to get money?

What do we need to do about it?

  1. Trust the apostles God has put in your life
  2. Give up your requirements to be recognised
  3. Make Prayer for the apostolic message regular part of your life.