THE CHURCH: CALLED OUT OF BABYLON
THE CHURCH: CALLED OUT OF BABYLON
Friday, 9. January 2009, 12:29:48
Kriston Couchey
CALLED OUT OF BABYLON
A remnant of Israel left Babylon (confusion of men's works) to restore the city of Jerusalem and build the Temple (dwelling place) of God. Prophetically we are in the midst of this transition. Thousands are being called out of organized churches, movements, and networks and starting small home groups, "organic" or "simple" fellowships of worship and relationship.
The remnant were corrected for building their OWN houses and leaving the Temple unfinished and ignored. Today, many coming "out" of the systems of men’s religion have replaced dead religious systems with their OWN houses, practicing the religion of NOT being religious. Many have left Babylon (confusion of men's works) only to go out and build it again, only smaller and more "Organic".
Hag 1:9 - "You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little. What you brought home, I blew away. Why?" declares the Lord Almighty. "Because of my house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with his own house.
THE CHURCH (EKKLESIA) CALLED OUT ONES
It's important to understand what the Ekklesia (church) has been called out (separated) TO, and called out FROM. We are NOT called out to a new system, network style, or church structure. We are called to the fullness of the measure of the stature of Christ, to be His Body, His dwelling, to BE HIM to each other and the then the rest of creation.
The church is not a structure as much as an expression, each one being an expression of His person. We must focus on seeing Christ (His identity) formed in each person, instead of trying to build a new structure, which only causes us to build Babylon (dead religion) again. Being His body will make us fulfill our destiny and the purpose for which we were called out: To receive an inheritance with Christ as sons and daughters of God. We are called to be ONE with the Lord, in nature, in purpose, and in authority.
Jesus said "I will build (form the structure of) my church." We simply manifest the portion of His being He put in us and He will make the connections and network people to HIS specifications. He does this through people, but in a way that gives expression to His nature and takes the focus off structure and puts them on the most important thing, the presence and dwelling of God IN men.
If Christ be formed in us, our very existence is a threat to the foundations of men’s religious creations. How can you box in or hold under the thumb of religion one that has by faith embraced AND lives out (expresses) the reality of Christ in them? They have no need of religion.
CALLED OUT FROM
In Christ, we are made to BE a new creation, expressing by what we DO the Divine Nature of the indwelling Christ. So, what are we called from? We are called out from having to DO in order to BE. The foundation of the Babylonian religious systems of men is based upon performance, not a person. It is the tree of the knowledge of good and evil that says "if you do this you can be like God!" We already ARE created in His likeness, and have the power to become the Sons of God though faith in His name.
GATHERING OUTSIDE THE CAMP UNTO HIM
When we gather unto HIM, we see Him expressed through His people. The old is trying to build a structure, a network, a system of church, expecting that the Word of the Lord and the gifts will make what they've built an acceptable offering to the Lord.
God is expressing His nature and authority through people in ways that are not boxed and packaged by men's thinking. Men's boxes simply make the expressions dim and disappear, or worse, start manifesting demonically. When we stop DOING church and start BEING the church, the glory of God is revealed to His people, and then through them to all of creation. All of creation groans for the sons of God to be revealed.
In Him
Kriston
http://my.opera.com/Boanerges/blog
Friday, 9. January 2009, 12:29:48
Kriston Couchey
CALLED OUT OF BABYLON
A remnant of Israel left Babylon (confusion of men's works) to restore the city of Jerusalem and build the Temple (dwelling place) of God. Prophetically we are in the midst of this transition. Thousands are being called out of organized churches, movements, and networks and starting small home groups, "organic" or "simple" fellowships of worship and relationship.
The remnant were corrected for building their OWN houses and leaving the Temple unfinished and ignored. Today, many coming "out" of the systems of men’s religion have replaced dead religious systems with their OWN houses, practicing the religion of NOT being religious. Many have left Babylon (confusion of men's works) only to go out and build it again, only smaller and more "Organic".
Hag 1:9 - "You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little. What you brought home, I blew away. Why?" declares the Lord Almighty. "Because of my house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with his own house.
THE CHURCH (EKKLESIA) CALLED OUT ONES
It's important to understand what the Ekklesia (church) has been called out (separated) TO, and called out FROM. We are NOT called out to a new system, network style, or church structure. We are called to the fullness of the measure of the stature of Christ, to be His Body, His dwelling, to BE HIM to each other and the then the rest of creation.
The church is not a structure as much as an expression, each one being an expression of His person. We must focus on seeing Christ (His identity) formed in each person, instead of trying to build a new structure, which only causes us to build Babylon (dead religion) again. Being His body will make us fulfill our destiny and the purpose for which we were called out: To receive an inheritance with Christ as sons and daughters of God. We are called to be ONE with the Lord, in nature, in purpose, and in authority.
Jesus said "I will build (form the structure of) my church." We simply manifest the portion of His being He put in us and He will make the connections and network people to HIS specifications. He does this through people, but in a way that gives expression to His nature and takes the focus off structure and puts them on the most important thing, the presence and dwelling of God IN men.
If Christ be formed in us, our very existence is a threat to the foundations of men’s religious creations. How can you box in or hold under the thumb of religion one that has by faith embraced AND lives out (expresses) the reality of Christ in them? They have no need of religion.
CALLED OUT FROM
In Christ, we are made to BE a new creation, expressing by what we DO the Divine Nature of the indwelling Christ. So, what are we called from? We are called out from having to DO in order to BE. The foundation of the Babylonian religious systems of men is based upon performance, not a person. It is the tree of the knowledge of good and evil that says "if you do this you can be like God!" We already ARE created in His likeness, and have the power to become the Sons of God though faith in His name.
GATHERING OUTSIDE THE CAMP UNTO HIM
When we gather unto HIM, we see Him expressed through His people. The old is trying to build a structure, a network, a system of church, expecting that the Word of the Lord and the gifts will make what they've built an acceptable offering to the Lord.
God is expressing His nature and authority through people in ways that are not boxed and packaged by men's thinking. Men's boxes simply make the expressions dim and disappear, or worse, start manifesting demonically. When we stop DOING church and start BEING the church, the glory of God is revealed to His people, and then through them to all of creation. All of creation groans for the sons of God to be revealed.
In Him
Kriston
http://my.opera.com/Boanerges/blog
Views: 4
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Comment by Rod on January 9, 2009 at 9:42pm -
I was thinking of two verses which recently came to mind and though reading : Rev 18:4 Then I heard another voice from heaven say: "Come out of her, my people, so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues; and Colossians 2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deciptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principals of this world rather than on Christ. Could we apply those to the situation with Institutional churches?
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Comment by Kriston Couchey on January 10, 2009 at 1:08am -
thanx all,
Rod, The journey out of dead religion is a heart journey. eventually where you are fellwoshipping does make a difference. I, like many had to make progressive steps of coming out. But you can be OUT of the institutional church and be just as relgious in your being OUT as being in the institution. I've beenthere, done it, and see it still with many. Trying to build something apart from the living presence and expression of the Lord actually doing it.
The Lord spoke to me a couple years ago after years of trying to start home meetings and trying to work things out as far as my own personal call and ministry. Once I had come to the place of quitting adn sayiong alright, i don't care about doing this anymore He said " I will build you a ministry." I had been doing so much to do the perfect New Testament church thing in my home and with others and it was just frustrating, then the and when i stopped buidling, the Spirit said thanx, you've been in my way too long...
It's not about institutional vs simple etc. I truly beleive God can do the same work in larger setting in buildings He can do in a small one. We just have'net been letting HIM build His church.
Kris
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Comment by Rod on January 10, 2009 at 12:51pm
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Kris: It's not about institutional vs simple etc. I truly believe God can do the same work in larger setting in buildings He can do in a small one. We just have not been letting HIM build His church.
Rod: Interesting and important point. Pick your battles comes to mind. Viola constantly says that church Pastures are often gifted good people and many have written him agreeing. Locally I've managed to maintain a dialogue with a small church "Pasteur" on much of the subject material of PC and RI but have become estranged with a particular brethern in our small fellowship trying to discuss PC.
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Comment by Kriston Couchey on January 10, 2009 at 1:30pm
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My point is this: The whole issue isn't PC, PI, SC or IC. It is Christ, and His expression through people. That is His intention for the church. People don't need to be confronted with Pagan Christianity, they need to be presented REAL Christianity which is NOT a structure or style of gathering. It is a person expressed through people. It is love that does not take advantage or exploit people. This can be done in a large church setting by the Spirit or smal. While this is more suited to an Organic style of gathering, If we preach gathering stlye, we convert people to gathering style, not Christ.
Kris
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Comment by Kriston Couchey on January 12, 2009 at 9:40pm
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Thanx for the encouragement Ron,
there is actually a church that is millions strong and BIG. I am not talking about the clubs we have out there that are nothing more then a game people play. NOTHING is impossible with God. One day we will have the largest corporate gathering ever seen, all praising and glorifying Him, When Christ is Head ans things go according to His plan and numbers are nothing.
There IS an element of truth to violas teaching, because God is calling people to more organic expressions. this serves a purpose, but one day we will see larger gathering serve a purpose as well, not with the crap we see now. But undeer the headship of the Lord regions will gather corporately. Both expression will sevve a purpose, the larger for trianing and teaching the smaller for doing.
don't box him out...
Kris
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Comment by Doug and Donna Spencer on January 14, 2009 at 12:47pm -
Kris:
First I want to thank you for your comments and the wisdom they obviously reflect given to you by the Lord. I had the same experience as you in the forums; basically deciding I didn't have time for a lot of the nonsense that goes on there. I have learned to follow the Biblical example of warning those who are teaching a false doctrine or are being divisive. I'm not there to argue with them, just to warn them. If they don't respond, well then I just shake the dust off my feet and move on. I think that is what you have done on the forums as well.
Second, what you are saying here lines up with what the Lord has been telling me lately. The picture I get is a house (me). As a sinful man I am occupying the house. Jesus comes along and says He won't move in until I move out completely. Too often we want to be roommates with Jesus, but He doesn't want that. He wants to occupy us completely. We aren't even allowed a tiny little closet up in the attic; we have to completely move out before Jesus can come in. All of us struggle with wanting to hang on to one small corner of the house (our sinful nature). Jesus wants nothing to do with our sinful nature other than to crush it under His feet.
What you said about finally letting go strikes a strong chord in me. You said:
The Lord spoke to me a couple years ago after years of trying to start home meetings and trying to work things out as far as my own personal call and ministry. Once I had come to the place of quitting adn sayiong alright, i don't care about doing this anymore He said " I will build you a ministry." I had been doing so much to do the perfect New Testament church thing in my home and with others and it was just frustrating, then the and when i stopped buidling, the Spirit said thanx, you've been in my way too long...
I moved here to Hickory, NC this summer all the way from the mountains of Northern Idaho for the sole reason that I thought this is where the Lord told me to go. Yet, I sit here many days wondering: Did I hear correctly? Why am I here? Am I supposed to start a home fellowship? If not, then what am I supposed to do here? I want to have the peace of not having to "do" anything, but there is still that part of me that says if I was brought here, surely I was brought here to "do" something.
Maybe I am the only one with these questions and frustrations, but we are by and large, a nation of "doers", so not "doing" anything can be quite frustrating. I'd be interested in hearing what the Lord has been doing with you after the Lord spoke to you a couple of years ago and you "got out of the way."
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Comment by Kriston Couchey on January 14, 2009 at 2:47pm
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Doug,
Hey, thanx for the encouragement. the Lord called me to the desert in 2001 after being in and out of the "system" both minstering, and being under the thumb of controlling "leaders". After losing my job , reputation, and all hope of fullfilling the call on my life. the Lord showed up and basically said, alright, you've had your chance and ruined averything you touched, NOW let me do it.
He did two things for me more imporaqtnat then what He is aving me do.
#1 He broke my heart for His church.
#2 He filled me with confidence in the authority He told me piont blank, "I have given you great authority, use it!"
From that point I began to see in small home meetings and groups i was snet to minister to the power of God in deliverance, healing, and the deep presence of God. First in my home and with those we invited to just pray with, and secondly with those he sends me to minister to. All of this done with NO strings attached as far as "titles" or postion. Just simply the REAL authority to bring healing of both body AND innner man.
He has let me know that it is time to go and bring healing to the church. not physical, though this is an outward sign, but healing of the abuse and control of years of beating and fleecing the sheep. this is not just me, but many who He has called. The verse he gave me when commisioning me was, "and to those who fear the Lord, the son of righteousness will rise with heealing in His wings. gos is also restoring the hearts of the fathers, "leadership" to the children. Right now there is no relationshiop at aLL in many case. Wow, i must go, but will post more later. I have some writing on these things here: http://my.opera.com/Boanerges/archive/
And the Lord spoke to me in a dream to write a book.
Later, Kris
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Comment by Kriston Couchey on January 14, 2009 at 4:52pm
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I have seen the power of God manifest in many ways since being filled with the holy spirit in 1994 while driving to work stoned. God showed up in my car and changed everything... I began to walk in healing, deliverance, prophesy, dreams, etc.
I also was called at that time by the lord to help "build the temple".
i was shown by the lord many things that others here also have recieved. I was able to operate in gifts to a point but could never see others activated like my heart desired. That means seeing others walking in "THEIR" anointing.
After my call by the Lord in the last two years i began to see activation. People began to respond to the unction of the Spirit within me with change. This is a result of GOD building and me just being obedient to do what He is saying. He sent me to and has sent them to me to "release" them to do His work.
i don't know how to explain it. You've seen an ordination ceremony in the IC where they lay hands on and send someone out into ministry. Well He gave me the grace to do this kinda thing, to "Activate" people and thier gifts. My children have more prophetic gifting going on in our home meetings then i could ever imagine now. Releasing people is NOT as an overlording thing, but just as a function of my gift. i may never fellowship again with some of the people He has had me do this for, but they are not MY ministers, they are God's.
I have been released by others at certian places in my life, the word of authority to do this is given many in the body, but only by the Spirit's unction. the real isue is this, Is the spirit of God building or are we? He CAN'T and WON'T until we stop trying ourselves. It's called coming into the REST of His presence.
Well I must go
Kris
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Comment by Mitzi Cox North on January 20, 2009 at 1:05pm -
I just joined this site and would like to add a comment in regards to "doing". I think God waits until we are so totally satisfied with just Him, and Jesus, and the Holy Spirit before He allows us to get involved again in "doing." I think that our "flesh" wants to be engaged in doing. When we were in "church" we were always doing and it brought us a type of satisfaction. Now He is our satisfaction. As long as we are preoccupied with doing something for the kingdom, I wonder if we're still walking after the flesh. I'm wondering if that's where the rest that the Bible speaks of comes in. When we are truly walking after the Spirit and being led by the Spirit there is a rest. When I finally gave up looking for someplace to go to, or something or someone to validate my walk with God, then the answers came. It is so difficult to be still and just be alone with Him, but He desires that more than anything we could ever do for Him. Does that make sense?
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Comment by Kriston Couchey on January 20, 2009 at 2:39pm
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Mitzi,
Thanx for the comment,
Rest IS the place the Lord is bringing His people. The rest of "Him", Loving Him and being loved by Hm, and BEING secure and safe in His presence. Authority to do comes only our of this place of rest. Rest is not having to do is being a resting place for His Glory (His Goodness/nature ) as well as finding our resting place in Him.
thanx for theadded insight
Kris
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