KINGDOM REVOLUTION
KINGDOM REVOLUTION
Friday, 19. December 2008
Kriston Couchey
REFORMATION OR REVOLUTION
Famed writer Thomas L. Friedman disagrees with the assertion by some that we are in a green revolution. Some oil and car companies who traditionally have resisted change are now beginning to promote themselves as reformed green companies. The reality is that this new reformation has changed very little the nature of their business or how they operate. You can put green lipstick on a pig, but... well you know the rest...
In this day of emphasis on the kingdom of God, we have seen a similar church reformation. Many ministries, movements, and networks have been recognizing the gospel of the kingdom; reforming their message and doctrines, yet the nature and operation of their institutions have changed very little. Kingdom lipstick will not turn the church into the spotless bride she is destined to be. The nature of the church must undergo radical change/transformation. Transformation that is nothing less then revolutionary.
REVOLUTION: CHANGE OR DIE
Unforeseen and tragic circumstances are forcing governments, banks, car companies, and business in general to radically change. It's not a matter of making a few minor adjustments to survive in this day, it is a matter of changing the very nature and goals of the institutions that now exist. The choices for many are radical transformation or death of the institution. Yesterday's business models of greed, prosperity, and influence have reaped a harvest of collapse and recession.
In the church we have come to the same dilemma. Without revolutionary change, ministries, movements, and networks will cease to exist. The choice is for the ministry, movement, or network to die or radically change. Reforming doctrine and structure will not save us, complete transformation of the inner man to the image and nature of Christ is the only option.
Like the forthcoming kingdom revolution confronting the church, The American Revolution also posed a dilemma for people. Many in the colonies who were loyal to or held places in the British Government fled for their lives, losing everything, homes, land, business, influence, and position. While those who chose to embrace and promote revolution became part of the dawning of a new Republic whose future was bright. Many not supporting or part of this radical change of government authority lost everything they had in the colonies.
REVOLUTION: A CHANGE OF AUTHORITY, A CHANGE OF HEART
The changing of Israel's leadership from King Saul to King David in many ways is a picture of transformation of government authority coming to the church. While Saul at first had a changing of his heart when anointed as king, over time It hardened. Saul, still anointed with authority, chose to exercise that authority to please men and protect his position. David was also anointed with authority, but exercised it at times to his own hurt in order to express the heart of God to those He loved, even his enemies. While Saul exercised authority according to men's wisdom, David exercised authority as an expression of Mercy and Love.
Jesus Christ was the fullness of God's heart of Love expressed toward men. He exercised divine authority many times after being gripped with divine compassion for someone, this resulted in deliverance, healing, miracles, and resurrection from the dead. And then he said "As Father has sent me, so send I you...."
WHAT DOES KINGDOM REVOLUTION LOOK LIKE?
The revolution God is bringing is a revolution of God's LOVE; God's heart of divine love expressing itself with divine authority to bring kingdom transformation and love to others. Kingdom revolution is not about hierarchy or position. It is about relationship and transformation. While God gives authority to people for His own purposes, we will see a direct correlation between great love and great authority to do the work's of God and give guidance to His people. Those with a transformed heart will have great authority to bring miraculous transformation (revolution) to the lives of those they have compassion for.
We will see as this revolution progresses the things God values prosper, and the things which men value fade. Position and title will be of small value, while the premium of love will conquer all, and those who have nurtured God's love in their hearts will exercise great authority to bring this revolution to the nations.
In Him
Kriston Couchey
I cannot do it...It is God who gives interpretations... ~Joseph~
http://my.opera.com/Boanerges/blog
Friday, 19. December 2008
Kriston Couchey
REFORMATION OR REVOLUTION
Famed writer Thomas L. Friedman disagrees with the assertion by some that we are in a green revolution. Some oil and car companies who traditionally have resisted change are now beginning to promote themselves as reformed green companies. The reality is that this new reformation has changed very little the nature of their business or how they operate. You can put green lipstick on a pig, but... well you know the rest...
In this day of emphasis on the kingdom of God, we have seen a similar church reformation. Many ministries, movements, and networks have been recognizing the gospel of the kingdom; reforming their message and doctrines, yet the nature and operation of their institutions have changed very little. Kingdom lipstick will not turn the church into the spotless bride she is destined to be. The nature of the church must undergo radical change/transformation. Transformation that is nothing less then revolutionary.
REVOLUTION: CHANGE OR DIE
Unforeseen and tragic circumstances are forcing governments, banks, car companies, and business in general to radically change. It's not a matter of making a few minor adjustments to survive in this day, it is a matter of changing the very nature and goals of the institutions that now exist. The choices for many are radical transformation or death of the institution. Yesterday's business models of greed, prosperity, and influence have reaped a harvest of collapse and recession.
In the church we have come to the same dilemma. Without revolutionary change, ministries, movements, and networks will cease to exist. The choice is for the ministry, movement, or network to die or radically change. Reforming doctrine and structure will not save us, complete transformation of the inner man to the image and nature of Christ is the only option.
Like the forthcoming kingdom revolution confronting the church, The American Revolution also posed a dilemma for people. Many in the colonies who were loyal to or held places in the British Government fled for their lives, losing everything, homes, land, business, influence, and position. While those who chose to embrace and promote revolution became part of the dawning of a new Republic whose future was bright. Many not supporting or part of this radical change of government authority lost everything they had in the colonies.
REVOLUTION: A CHANGE OF AUTHORITY, A CHANGE OF HEART
The changing of Israel's leadership from King Saul to King David in many ways is a picture of transformation of government authority coming to the church. While Saul at first had a changing of his heart when anointed as king, over time It hardened. Saul, still anointed with authority, chose to exercise that authority to please men and protect his position. David was also anointed with authority, but exercised it at times to his own hurt in order to express the heart of God to those He loved, even his enemies. While Saul exercised authority according to men's wisdom, David exercised authority as an expression of Mercy and Love.
Jesus Christ was the fullness of God's heart of Love expressed toward men. He exercised divine authority many times after being gripped with divine compassion for someone, this resulted in deliverance, healing, miracles, and resurrection from the dead. And then he said "As Father has sent me, so send I you...."
WHAT DOES KINGDOM REVOLUTION LOOK LIKE?
The revolution God is bringing is a revolution of God's LOVE; God's heart of divine love expressing itself with divine authority to bring kingdom transformation and love to others. Kingdom revolution is not about hierarchy or position. It is about relationship and transformation. While God gives authority to people for His own purposes, we will see a direct correlation between great love and great authority to do the work's of God and give guidance to His people. Those with a transformed heart will have great authority to bring miraculous transformation (revolution) to the lives of those they have compassion for.
We will see as this revolution progresses the things God values prosper, and the things which men value fade. Position and title will be of small value, while the premium of love will conquer all, and those who have nurtured God's love in their hearts will exercise great authority to bring this revolution to the nations.
In Him
Kriston Couchey
I cannot do it...It is God who gives interpretations... ~Joseph~
http://my.opera.com/Boanerges/blog
Views: 3
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Comment by Carolyn on December 28, 2008 at 9:46am -
Kris, aha! Its love, that wonderful marvelous thing that comes from God alone. Of course you are right and this is the only real motivation for change, enablement for change, and power to survive change that exists.
However, I cannot see how the revolution is going to come about since the meaning of love and the kind of love and the power of love is so watered down. The love some speak about just isn't God's kind. It doesn't move us beyond ourselves.
Sometimes in these discussion groups, there is a real problem with the doctrine being espoused. Its enough of a problem to be deadly to the faith of those drawn into it. Yet, the proponents use the "we must love one another" to say that we cannot just reject what they say and we must be kind about it.
A further distortion is loving the leadership of a church group means not having a way to require transparency from them and be able to openly bring comment on the direction they want to take the group. Love can love past a disagreement, but it doesn't overlook it. Sort of like sin... I can sure love past the sin, but I won't leave someone in it if I have any ability to help them out of it. Problem is that it must be God's way and his compassion that moves us.
You are right about kingdom revolution. I love and hold to the idea that God really does want us to usher in his kingdom so that his will is done on earth as it is in heaven.
Let me tell you about an incident.. or event.. Maria Woodworth-Etter wen to San Francisco to bring a Holy Ghost revival. Her ministry was so powerful that the elderly were healed and saved in her meetings in droves as they praised God in his presence (she called them brands snatched from the burning), and the demonstration of power brought people to their knees just from His presence for miles around her meeting places. When she arrived the officials of the city withstood her. They encouraged rabble rousers to keep people away from the meeting, set up police lines that did not allow people in, and harrassed the ministry in any way they could without just arresting her and her associates. Finally the churches agreed that they didn't need to have her meetings there, so Maria dusted off the soles of her feet, gave that prophetic word, and left. That was April 12th, three days before the San Franscisco earthquake.
It might not seem like love but the whole city was so corrupt and there was no way for an entrance of God into the hearts of men while it stood. So it did not stand any longer. It was not his choice, but the rejection of the Holy Spirits kindness doesn't leave much if any place for God to act. It wasn't the sin, which has been paid in Jesus, but it was the rejection of the Love of God that caused their downfall. Just as it has always been... Regards, Carolyn
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Comment by Kriston Couchey on December 28, 2008 at 7:26pm -
Wonderful comments,
Love loves enough to speak the truth that others won't. Love loves enough to confront and rebuke when a brother or sister is in spiritual danger. You are not seeing people calling for love on these forums, they are calling for acceptance for doctrines of demon's. Jesus loved people enough to call some vipers, but BECAUSE HE LOVED THEM ENOUGH TO DIE FOR THEM.
The kind of kingdom Revolution love is love that lays down it's life for the sheep. that means speaking a hard word at times. I too have propesied to people destruction without repentance, and destruction has come... Not for anger, but love sake...
Kris
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Comment by Carolyn on December 28, 2008 at 7:52pm
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I heard a really good quote the other day... When someone tells you something and asks for tolerance, you can be sure its a lie, because truth withstands scrutiny, while a lie depends on tolerance... I think it was John McArthur that said it... Carolyn
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