Isn’t that the truth? Isn’t that the Biblical pattern?

Mt.11:12 ‘ And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent men take it by force.’

The Greek word for violence is Biazo, which means to press into with energy. The kingdom is always on forceful advance. Nothing can stop it or thwart it. God’s purposes will stand and will win the day. But, will the student advance with it? That part is the unknown.

In 1Cor.3:18 ‘ Let no man deceive himself.’ In the verb tense, that word deceive has with it the idea of being done unintentionally. To just drift into. So, drifting, falling away from, mis-representation, just happens, naturally. The way of the kingdom, however, is the way of the King, which is intentionality. The right of each believer is stated in John 1:12 ‘ But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name.’

As children of God, as sons and daughters of the Lord, we have the right and the privilege to change. Rom 12:2 states that. Being children of God means that we do not have to be conformed to this world any longer. In fact, the Greek word for conformed is su-schema, which means to be fashioned to the external form. It is a command. Do not be conformed in the pattern of your thinking any longer.
Rather, we are also commanded to be transformed. The word transformed is metamorphoo, a change in condition from the earthly into the supernatural. It starts as an invisible process but it results in a change of one’s outward form. As children of God, built into the adoption papers is forceful advance, from conformation to transformation.

As part of the right to become children of God, we are also given the right to know and to prove the will of God. Knowing the will of God is a right reserved for the sons of God. In fact, it is a mark of growth into maturity.

It was the custom of a Jewish father to take his son to the city square when he had reached manhood. He would announce to the city that his son was equal to himself in all business affairs, meaning when they dealt with the son they were dealing with the father. In doing so, hw would announce to the whole city, This is my much loved son, in whom I am well pleased.

This is the same for the students in the MC program. Postured for graduation, for promotion, like General Booth, from the time they enter the program to graduation day. Moving into the marketplace is promotion. It should be awaited for with eager anticipation, just like the ballplayer on the bench who has only seen action in practice.
It is the honor of a son, a daughter, like that in Jewish culture, to know the will of the Father. And, not only that, but to prove that will. That word prove denotes purpose, it is an articular infinitive. A son is purposeful. He lives his life with purpose because he was created by a purposeful God.

These opening statements are necessary because they lay the important foundation of the principle of advance. The kingdom of God, as noted, is all about advance. The M.C. program, like everything else in our Christian journey, must not become an end in itself. Rather, it lays a critical foundation, that of intimacy with God. It all starts with that. Everything flows out of friendship with God. Whether it was Abraham, the friend of God; or David, a man after God’s own heart; or Caleb, the worshipping warrior, they all proceeded out of a place of intimacy, a place of friendship with God. This first order than is righteousness, the act and the privilege of the children of God being made right in the eyes of Almighty God.

The M.C. in the marketplace is simply an m.c. in advance. One who is rowing into his/her future. As he rows, he will begin to notice something. As the son begins to mature, he begins to see that truth, although narrow, is as multi-faceted as the Lord Jesus Himself. To righteousness there is justice; to faith there is works; we are to be in the world but not of the world. In essence, Eph. 3:14-15 ‘ As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves, carried about by every wind of doctrine…but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him, who is the Head, even Christ.’

For the graduate to become successful in the marketplace, there must come a maturing into an understanding of the working of the Kingdom of God. That student, in essence, becomes more well-rounded, more heart-felt, more fully integrated into life that is rooted unswervingly in a Scriptural worldview. It is the process, the advancement of a life that has progressed from the foundation of surrender to one of incarnation.

This advance becomes a melding together, a welding, a unity of being and doing, faith and works, a life of grace and forgiveness and disciplined training. This is how the graduate starts to become useful in the world around him. This is how he grows, as did Jesus, ‘full of grace and truth’. It is also the way, as Jesus, how he will keep ‘increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.’ (Luke 2:52)

It is the way, in other words, of maturity.

This is a day that revolts against maturity. Extremes dominate. Scriptural truth is not all about righteousness; neither is it all about justice. Like it is so often stated, the more you know, the more you discover how much you don’t know because of the depth of the subject. Arguably, one of the most complete descriptions of this Biblical balance is from the Book of Micah, one of the minor prophets.

Micah 6:8 ‘ He has told you. O man, what is good ; And what does the Lord require of you. But to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.’

This portion of Scripture was called the Micah Mandate by the former President Theodore Roosevelt. He wrote an inscription of this passage on the inside cover of a pocket New Testament that was given to soldiers during the First World War by the New York Bible Society. Roosevelt believed that even in the face of odds and an enemy that was superior in number and even equipment, we could win if depended on the threefold cord of this mandate. To do and to be on the lookout for justice; to have a concern and a posture toward mercy; and to walk in reverent humility before Almighty God. This is what he called spiritual integrity.

This was the same opinion and the same passage of scripture used by George Washington to the nation in one of last statements. ‘ for without an humble imitation and example of these things, we can never hope to be a happy nation.’

In Micah 6:8, the Lord answers, “He has shown you, O man.’ He has told you.
Told-nagd—to bring forward, to bring into the light, to declare, to explain, to announce, to now reveal.

In other words, God has already given the solution to keep the student in advance. Should it be with thousands of rams, or with ten thousand rivers of oil? Or, even the firstborn among their children? There is an answer, it is already given. NO. It is something far greater that is required, far more precious than those things. He wants you. It is not a pre-requisite for salvation, but to be about doing justice, loving mercy, and walking humbly with our God—a balanced Biblical worldview, is God’s prescription to keep faithful in the kingdom, even after the rush of the m.c. experience has concluded.

JUSTICE

The Hebrew word used here is mishpat=to do right, rightful action.
Other Scripture verses where this word is used:
Isaiah 56:1 ‘ Thus says the Lord, Preserve justice, and do righteousness, for My salvation is about to come.’
Psalm 89:14 ‘ Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Thy throne; lovingkindness and truth go before Thee.’

Throughout the Bible, mishpat is always linked with the truth of righteousness. They are simply two truths that go together, like the legs of a stool or the foundation of God’s throne. If one tries to do good without being good, Biblically, is just foolishness. On the other hand, any people that really love the Lord and truly desire to serve Him, will inevitably pursue justice as well. This is a sobering point to m.c. program directors. If the student does not come out with a passion to see His glory expressed thru the jurisdictions, in light of this, than have we presented an accurate gospel?

Governor Morris, the drafter of the final version of the Constitution, stated,’ A righteous people simply cannot exist apart from the aspiration to liberty and justice.’

In addition to all that we do in our training of our students, we must disciple with no distinction between the inward and the outward; the heart and the mind; the soul and the body.

MERCY

The word used here for mercy is chesed, which expanded means goodness, kindness, loyalty.

Biblically, chesed is linked with the exercise of authority. The two, like righteousness and justice, are inseparable concepts in Scripture. Authority cannot be held without mercy, and mercy cannot be exercised without authority.

Mt. 23:11 ‘ But the greatest among you shall be your servant.’

So, our authority, our influence in the culture, in the marketplace, is related to our chesed. Historically, it was the acts of mercy thru the church that gave legitimacy to the gospel, as understood by the world.

In fact, today, there is much warfare over who feeds the poor in America. Who clothes the naked? Which institution is socially responsible? Is it the church or the state? There is such a politicalization of the poor that it is difficult to get anything done without jumping thru much red tape.

Why is this? I believe there are two main reasons. First, the effects of dualism. When we, as the church decided that the building and the ministry defined holy and that work was secular( which translated means without God), the enemy filled in the void. They are now doing what we have been deceed to do. As a church we need to repent for the sin of dualism. Because we have abandoned our post, committed apostasy, we have turned innocent people over to the cruel mercy of the wicked.
Prov.12:10 ‘ the compassion of the wicked is cruel.’

The second reason has to do with a demonic strategy to keep the church from it’s authority. In 1929, the Council of Religious Affairs in the Soviet Union was instructed by Joseph Stalin of the Communist Party to enforce a comprehensive ban ‘ on charitable or cultural activities by churches.’ They stated, ‘The State cannot tolerate any challenge to its claim on the heartstrings of the Russian people.’

Stalin understood the connection between authority and merciful service. They understood Luke 22:25 ‘ those who have authority over them are called Benefactors.’ This is a basic principle of Biblical worldview, the ability to lead in a society is earned, not inherited. It is earned through faithful, merciful service.

For the m.c. to transition well into the marketplace, he must have the posture of servanthood, the ministry of exercising mercy. This is no small statement. It has been humanists that have laid claim to the high moral ground of the poor and the outcast. In short, humanists have made a pretense of mercy since it has been a largely forgotten, neglected Christian vocation.

There is so much to say on this point! What is an m.c. program without graduates who are willing and prepared to serve and carry a heart of mercy into the marketplace? To have the authority to speak truth into the lives of the people around us, to give a higher vision of living to our culture, we must serve.

The fact is that modern man is looking for proof. They want evidence. The attitude of all aspiring young leaders should be that of Jesus, ‘ who , although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant…’

The cross was the evidence we have in Christ. Genuine mercy will be that evidence for the ones the m.c. will be joining in the marketplace. Are we for real? Are we authentic? There must be proof to a watchful world. ‘ He has shown you, O man, what is good and what the Lord requires of you: to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.’

Righteousness has to do with our standing with God, we are declared to be in right standing with God. It is about you and God; your character, purity, obedience, and personal destiny. The operant word, however, is you. But the Christian experience is more than just you. It is about them, the world that Christ also died for. This is called justice, making right what is so wrong in the world. Righteousness is your privilege, justice is your responsibility.

This message today has to do with our Christian responsibility of bringing justice to the earth. Before exploring this , first we need to examine some basic assumptions.

1 John 3:8 ‘ The Son of God appeared for this purpose, that He might destroy the works of the devil.’

Why did the Son of God appear? What is the nature of man? What is the purpose of your existence? Why, after being saved, did God not kill you at the altar and take you with Him to heaven? The answer to these and questions like these will help us to begin to see truth and to align our thinking as to become more Biblically based. This is part of our salvation process. As you know, salvation is a process. We are saved if we have confessed Christ, and we are being saved. How? In the area of our thinking. We get a new spirit, made alive by our confession of the Blood of Christ. But, that really has little to nothing to do with our thinking. In fact, in the area of our thoughts, I would venture to say that most of us are enculturated. We think old, which is a problem because scripture commands us in Rom. 12:2 ‘ And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.’

Do not be conformed. It is a command, which means that transformation is a command as well.
Conformed-suschhematizo-from sun-together with; and schema-to fashion to the external form. So, scripture tells us to not fall in with the external and fleeting fashions of this age nor think like them, but to undergo a deep inner change by a renewing of your mind as the Spirit of God alone can work in you.

Transformed-metamorpho-a change in condition from the earthly into the supernatural; it starts as an invisible process but it results in a change of one’s outward form.

1 Cor. 3:18 ‘ Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become foolish that he may become wise.’

This is another powerful command. Let no man keep on, in a repeated and continuous fashion, deceive himself. It carries with it the additive command to stop it and to train the mind to think like Christ. We have been given the mind of Christ.

I am amazed, though I should not be, at the clarity and directness of the Word. ‘ Let no man deceive himself’. That word deceive means a false representation, a distortion of the truth so as to mislead others, this does not have to be done intentionally. Most of the time it is done accidentally, as in not by design. If it is not done by design, it does not properly represent the great I AM.

So, back to 1Jn.3:8 ‘ The Son of God appeared for this purpose’.
The word appeared used here is phaneroo, which means to make manifest, to make known, to open up as by divine revelation. In Eph. 3:3, Paul stated that ‘by revelation, there was made known to me the mystery”. This is how, as children of God we are to now live, by revelation. The mysteries of God, the mysteries of truth progressively being opened up to you as you apply your mind to study the ways of God.

Mt. 16:13 ‘ Who do people say that the Son of Man is? ‘

What do you think? What say you? What did they say? What was their response? Some say…John the Baptist; others say…Elijah; still others say…Jeremiah, or one of the prophets. Theirs was not a prophetic voice to the culture, yet, in their stage of development. Peter, however, answered and said, ‘Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.’ Distinctive, revelatory, prophetic and not an enculturated parrot. The mark of a son is the mark of growth into maturity. Being able to carry more weight, more responsibility.

It was the custom of a Jewish father to take his son to the city square when he had reached manhood. He would announce to the city that his son was equal to himself in all business affairs, meaning when they dealt with the son they were dealing with the father. In doing so, he would announce to the whole city, ‘ This is my much loved son, in whom I am well pleased.’

This is the same for us today. We get saved, righteousness. Now, we must” prove what the good and acceptable and perfect will of God is”. The honor of a son, like that in Jewish culture, is to know the will of the Father. And not only that, but to prove that will. Like Samuel, do not allow the word of the Lord fall to the ground! That word prove has is an articular infinitive, that is , it denotes purpose. A son is purposeful. Scripture says in John 1:12 ‘ But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name.’

People are not chopped liver; neither are they animals or fetuses. People are unique special creations of a Personsal God. It was for humans that the earth was specifically created and designed. In fact, the earth is the only planet unique enough in its mixture of oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide that can support human life. When you take into account the precise distance the earth is from the sun as well as its rotational axis, one can not only conclude the fact that the earth has been built for us, but that we are a special people, indeed.

Psalm 8 echoes this fact. Vs.3-5 ‘ When I consider Thy heavens, the work of Thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which Thou hast ordained; What is man, that Thou dost take thought of him? And the son of man, that Thou dost care for him? Yet Thou hast made him a little lower than God, and dost crown him with glory and majesty! Thou dost make him to rule over the works of Thy hands; Thou hast put all things under his feet, all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field, the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes through the paths of the seas.’

Are all men created equal? No, but they are all created unique. The wonder of man is stated here in this psalm of David. What is man, that Thou, the One responsible for the beauty and the majesty of creation, art mindful of him? The uniqueness of man is that he, and he alone is created in the image of God. Man has been specifically fashioned by God, crowned with glory and majesty, made to rule over all the works of God, and all things have been put under his feet.

Righteousness is about being right with God, but it naturally should lead us to an inner peace, and a rest. This is a rest that says, I am loved, I belong, I have purpose in this life. In fact, there should be no doing until this matter of being is settled. JOHN 1 stated that God gave us the right to be called the children of God, and so we are. Mt. 3:16 ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’ Jesus was accepted as a son and had that internal affirmation even before He had performed a single miracle.

Do you know that you are a child of God, a son in whom He is already well pleased? Are you at peace because your sense of identity is set? Justice must flow and proceed forth from that proper relationship with Father God as well as a solid theology. Otherwise, we will buy into some other gospel and have a humanistic message.

When considering how will you change or how will society change, do you take deeply into account the fall of man or the power of the Holy Spirit within you? Modernity has taught us that the three horsemen of society, capitalism, science and medicine, technology all offer us hope to deliver us and to save the poor. The claim is made that things are getting better. Most Christians believe that once they are saved, they are fixed, and that problems they are facing must somehow be the fault of someone or something outside of them. If I am depressed, if I am in financial difficulties, if I have relational problems, since basically I am o.k., the solution must be something like a pill , or a government program, or a counselor with a degree. But you must know, as a Biblical theist, that the fundamental claims of capitalism( the American dream), science, and technology is a lie. They cannot save . Saving is not in their power. They may help and be used by God as tools. They may enhance your life, but they will not because they cannot deliver you.
For example, Why are people poor and hungry? On the surface, this may appear to be a simple question, how you answer it depends on how much of the truth has transformed your mind or how conformed you are to the world’s system.

A secular humanist will say that the roots of hunger are outside of man and are found in the physical world. An evolutionary secularist will tell you that there are too many people in the world and that there is not enough food to go around, and that the natural resources are insufficient for adequate food production.

A revolutionary secularist , on the other hand , will emphasize that people are poor and hungry because of the exploitation of others, especially the rich or western culture. The roots are extrinsic , too many people or, someone is keeping it from me, or not enough resources. Some blame game. So how do you solve the problem with these models? Redistribution via taxation so everyone has an equal share population control.

Malcolm Muggeridge, a leading BBC correspondent of his day, and a third generation Marxist, asked Mother Theresa, why she worked so hard to keep her kids alive when there were so many children in the world. Her only answer was a very quizzical look. He repeated the question, but got the same response. He later realized that Mother Theresa saw those children in a totally way than he did. While he saw them as consumers, just a part of society really nothing than the rest, she saw them as image bearers of God and unique creations. For her, it was an absurd question.

We see then that we are unique and special creations of God, given the right to be called the children of God. We are His sons and daughters, given His mind and expected to know His will and to transact business in His name and to develop Biblical understanding of the complex problems of life.
This is all part of being righteous. But, as we have alluded to, God not only expects us to be righteous, but also just. We are expected to extend both righteousness and justice in all that we touch both personally and socially.

Psalm 82 ‘ God takes His stand in the His own congregation; He judges in the midst of the rulers. How long will you judge unjustly, and show partiality to the wicked? Vindicate the weak and fatherless; do justice to the afflicted and destitute. Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them out of the hand of the wicked.’

Here, we see that God roots Himself, He firmly plants Himself—where? In the midst of His church. It is from this position that He administrates justice. It is from the Hebrew word, natsab, which means a posturing word from a position of authority.

It is God’s expectation, in His own congregation, in you, specifically, to administrate justice. This means to vindicate the weak( you govern and administer righteousness, so you must know the good and perfect and acceptable will of God.), and fatherless, you do justice to the afflicted and destitute, you rescue the weak and needy, and you deliver them out of the hand of the wicked. In short, God wants to deliver, to save, to rescue, to give a way of escape to the weak, and He has decided the only way He will do it is thru you ,thru the church! He does not expect the state or the federal government or the county or any other social organization to care for these. It is the church. It always has been. In fact, He asks us a question. “ How long will you judge unjustly? And show partiality to the wicked? ‘ It is interesting and sobering to take note of vs.6. ‘ I said you are gods, and all of you are sons of the Most High.’ This is a truth. The awesome wonder and horror of the truth that, being made sons of God, God Himself calls us gods. That is an amazing privilege that carries a weighty responsibility. As the Sovereign of the earth, God is invoked personally to correct the evils of His representatives. Vs. 8 ‘ Arise, O God, judge the earth! For it is Thou who dost possess all the nations.’

Historically, the church has been doing the act of the apostles since it was birthed. For centuries, the church was the primary agent for charity and compassion in the world. Even the enemies of the church had to admit this. In the fourth century, emperor Julian the Apostate, tried to undermine Christianity, but noted, ‘ We ought to be ashamed. Not a beggar is to be found among the Jews, and those godless Galileans feed not only their own but ours as well, whereas our people receive no assistance from us at all.’

Throughout history, whether it has been throughout Europe, into the deepest depths of Africa, the American frontier or the outer reaches of China, Christianity has authenticated the gospel by its good works. In fact, some of the great heroes of the faith were willing to give the best of their lives for the sakes of the weak and desperate.

• Basil of Caesarea-330-was well known as an establisher of schools, but he is best known for his medical care that resulted in the first system of fully staffed hospitals.
• Augustine—430—changed the face of the church with brilliant theology, but he transformed the economics of Northern Africa with establishing works of charity in thirteen cities.
• John Wyclif—1329—known for his translation of the bible into English; but he also unleashed a grass roots movement of lay preachers and relief workers that brought hope to the poor
• Jan Hus—1400—another reformer that shook the church hierarchy with his vibrant sermons, but the thing that really shook the hearts of his superiors was how he mobilized an army of relief workers for relief aid for one disaster after another. He gained high moral ground with the powers of the day based on his service to the poor.
• John Calvin—1500—renown in Geneva as the center of the Great Reformation, he also transformed the city into a safe haven for all of Europe’s poor, persecuted, and dispossessed
• Dwight L. Moody—1889—was America’s premier evangelist following the civil war, he was also responsible for organizing more than one hundred fifty street missions, soup kitchens, clinics, schools, and rescue outreaches.

Each of these were heroes of the faith. Like their Savior, the word became flesh and dwelt among men. They were righteous men, like you, having been given the right to become children of God. They understood that they were all sons of the Most High, and allowed the truth to pervade their lives so that they were accurate representatives of that truth. They allowed God to take His stand in His own congregation, and bring justice thru them to vindicate the weak and fatherless, to do justice to the afflicted and destitute.

And such are you! Some of the names you carry in your spirit, genes, your DNA are Greatness in God, Doer of exploits, Man-o-War, Reformer, Victor, and Re-presenter. This is who you are. Doctor, plumber, carpenter, maybe. But reformer, hero who you really are.

Finally, here are a couple of things you can do to bring to pass the truth of these words spoken today. 1) become part of a bible study 2) read a book about a reformer 3) help off-load some of the responsibilities off of Pastor Michael and Yvonne. They are involved with much.

Heb.12:15-16 ‘ See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled; that there be no immoral or godless person like Esau, who sold his own birthright for a single meal. For you know that even afterwards, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought for it with tears.’

This is obviously a powerful and sobering Scripture for all of us but specifically, I believe for m.c. graduates approaching graduation into the marketplace. In other to avoid Esau’s destiny, I want to suggest that the graduate, and the student mentors be in a certain orientation to interpret God. It is little doubt that most, if not all want only what God wants, but most of what He wants He has already spoken. Let’s delve into the mind of God a little.

Dt. 8:2 ‘ The Lord has led you in the wilderness.’

Here, there are some amazing thoughts. First, the thought of the wilderness. There really is such a place that exists for His children. Secondly, He leads you into there. Dt. 8:2 goes on to tell us that this wilderness that ordained by God had Godly purpose. “To humble you, testing you , to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not.’

Some say and think that the next step into the marketplace is a step into the wilderness. Compared to an m.c. experience, that may be true! Test-to try, to prove, to assay. A good father will assay his sons to see what is in their hearts. The commands and the laws of God are all designed to keep our hearts on fire for God. We all have a propensity to wander and isolate or be single generational. The testing of Father is to see if we will walk in His ways as well as in the ways of our fathers. The wilderness is designed to keep our hearts hot, to stay in focused pursuit, and to build continuity as we pursue our calling.

Dt.8:3 ‘ And He humbled you and let you be hungry…that He might make you understand that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by everythingt that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord.’

I am suggesting that the m.c. program, for most, is not the threshold into the student’s promised land. Rather, it is a training time preparing the student for the next level of training.
Just like these Israelites, Father has to make us understand some basics. Such as, ‘ man does not live by bread alone’. Basic, yes, but truth, at every step does not come naturally to us. We are in constant need of fathering. What the student thought was learned in the program, will have to be learned again, this time in a more specific context, a deeper level. Bread is good, but it is inaminate. The mouth of the Lord is a Living Being. In other words, books, tapes, videos are all good. So are teachers, but the deeper impartation will come when the student learns from a master in a craft. Father will not raise you in the church than abandon you to the wilderness of the marketplace or school. No, He led you there for your good, but He will not leave you there.

Amos 2:10 ‘ And it was I who brought you up from the land of Egypt, and I led you in the wilderness forty years that you might take possession of the land of Amorite.’

This is a sense of the leading of the Lord. Is He the One leading you? Leading you into the wilderness? Or, is your testimony only that He brought you out of the land of Egypt? The principle is found in Col.1:13, ‘ For he delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son.’ The training was not an end in itself. The same God who took you out of Egypt, will take you into the wilderness to train you to take possession of the land of the Amorite.

Gen 45:8 ‘ Now therefore, it was not you who sent me here, but God; and He made me a father to Pharaoh and lord of all his household and ruler over all the land of Egypt.’

A redeemed perspective of the sovereignty of God. It was not you who sent me, but God. How do you decide what you will do next? Is it opportunity, or desire, or a parent, or a need in the program? Are you sent by God? The Lord had to take dramatic steps to preserve a people. We think that Joseph is so spiritual, but I wonder how he felt about it. Is this what he planned after his m.c. year? God had to capture Joseph and put him thru an intense training program in the dungeon for many years to qualify him to be a deliverer of a nation.

Note the quality of character of Joseph . Gen 50:20 ‘ do not be afraid, for am I in God’s place? And as for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive. Therefore, do not be afraid, I will provide for you and your little ones. So he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.’

This is where it is at. Son is good and the kingdom is built upon sons, period. But don’t stop there! Joseph became a father to Pharaoh, a deliverer to a nation, and a provider for his family.

It is interesting that it took Egypt to fulfill the dreams of Joseph. Father spoke a wonderful prophetic dream to the chosen one of the chosen people. His method of delivery was Egypt and a dungeon. Most of the graduates are called to be Josephs, to fulfill their call in the marketplace, in a land called Egypt. Do most of them understand this?

Joseph did eventually get audience with the king. What got him there was both his prophetic gift as well as the gift of his wilderness. It taught him sweetness of character. ‘ Am I in the place of God.?’ He had both the character and maturity as well as the powerful gift of the prophetic. Allow God to put you into levels of training, just as He did with Joseph. Do you see the sovereignty of God? The same God who delivered Israel out of Egypt is the same God who brought them into Egypt in the first place. The same God who brought Israel into the promised land is the same God who brought them into the wilderness. Why? In order to preserve a people alive. Deliverer of a nation. A provider of many. A son, a daughter who is willing to be sent into a hard place to demonstrate the goodness of God.

Psalm 105:’ Make known His deeds among the peoples.’

Make known His deeds. Among the peoples. The peoples live out there, in the marketplace.

Vs.11 ‘ To you I will give the land of Canaan as the portion of your inheritance, when they were only a few in number, very few and strangers in it.’ Did you catch that? Their inheritance was Canaan. Also, there were only a few in number. Not the majority. But they received it when they were still the minority, and strangers in it. It certainly does appear that you just don’t go into the marketplace to see what happens. It is better to go in as the Israelites went in, as ones sent to possess their promise.

Vs.17 ‘ He sent a man before them, Joseph, who was sold as a slave. They afflicted his feet with fetters, he himself was laid in irons; until the time that his word came to pass; the word of the Lord tested him.’

Time-the right time, the proper time.

It was God’s word that sent Joseph into Egypt. And in the midst of it all, his obedience simply allowed his destiny to catch up to God’s decree of his life.

Tested-to fuse metal, to purge, to smelt.

Faith is forged. It is made in fire. It is designed to result in something. 1Pt. 1:7 ‘ That the proof of your faith , being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.’

The glory of God on the earth is forged. It does not occur naturally, as in heaven. No, it is made and the tools thru which He releases it thru you is fused metal, purging, refined, smelting furnace. The kingdom of God suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.

Heb 12:15 ‘ See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God.’

This is a truth that the m.c. at the point of graduation needs to engage. ‘ See to it ‘ is an action word. It means to give close attention to. To be an overseer of the purposes of God. So, this really is not about you, as it never has been! The next phase of the journey is still about His purposes. For most, that will be the marketplace.
Comes short-to be deficient of , to lack
Grace-the favor of God.
The graduate will need to know that grace will be there, but it must be received. Favor will also be there, but the attitude must be in agreement with God’s. It is not automatic. Having a heart for the world, the lost, the poor, the orphan, the naked, the hungry –people, is what the marketplace is all about. It is what the Bible calls justice.

Finding the grace of God is dependent upon seeing. For example, when speaking of the marketplace, one is really speaking of the next stage of development in the student. The marketplace is about learning how to partner with others. “ I want to make a difference in the world” is a great motivation, but it is also called the self-stage, no matter how noble it may sound. In fact, John Maxwell, in his book, Winning With People, states, there are three kinds of people when it comes to giving:

1. The takers—they receive and never give, Focused on themselves and on their destiny and calling. Thus, they are never satisfied.
2. Traders-keeping score, willing to give but the primary motivation is not to serve but to get; they may give because they feel they owe the one who gave to them.
3. Investors-these focus on people, they give first. They believe that success comes from helping and caring and best way to do this is to give of themselves. Investors invest in people, and they take that principle into the marketplace.

It is interesting to note that we are to actively see to it that we do not miss the grace of God. That is , do not elevate your desire above God’s for you. If you do, you will miss the grace of God and cause a root of bitterness to spring up. It causes trouble and defiles many.

Heb.12 goes on. There is more we are to see to in this transition time. ‘ That there be no immoral or godless person, like Esau, who sold his own birthright for a single meal.’

What will you sell your birthright for? A single meal? A single relationship? A single desire to marry a pastor? A single desire not to marry one? A single desire to go to school when your authority thinks a second year would be good? A single desire to turn the word upside down but unwilling to train?

At the end of graduation , it is a new day, a new season. Manna, which you have not known. The day after graduation, you are already yesterdays news. There is no such thing as waiting around to see what is next. Without a determined posture and a plan, the graduate is at risk for apostasy, which is a failing at the grace of God. It is a critical period of transitions that requires all the more grace, favor, and presence of God.

The awful example used is of Esau. He despised his birthright, and all the advantages of it. He saw the despising too late. Apostasy is the fruit of preferring the gratification of the flesh to the blessing of God. It is Esau not appreciating the responsibilities of his calling ; it is Joseph saying no to Egypt; it is Esther refusing the king. Here is the fear of the Lord : although Esau repented, he could not reverse what had been done. He simply missed it. I don’t think that Joseph wanted to go to his wilderness, but he certainly did not miss the grace of God. He had audience with the king. Esau got his meal, but he missed his destiny.

Scripture called Esau a godless man. The Greek word is baino=to go beyond a boundary. He wanted what he wanted. But every priest has a boundary in which to minister. 2 Cor.10:13 ‘ But we do not boast beyond our measure, but rather within the measure of the sphere which God apportioned to us as a measure, to reach even as far as you.’

Part of the maturing process is to come to the understanding that you are not an island, God did not create a new vision when He created you, and that you are a role player on a team. The amazing powerful apostle Paul, stated that he did not over-extend himself; he did not boast beyond his measure; he did not work in other mens labors. The m.c. grad will need to start on the journey discovering his measure, his border that God has called him to labor in. Within that border, he will need to find those who have gone before to learn the partnership principle.

‘Afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected…’

The key word in this phrase is the word afterward. In transition time, now is the time to get clear with the Lord. Now is the time to face those of work, or school, or the postgraduate life. Now is the time to understand how Father builds. How does the example of Elijah/Elisha apply to the marketplace? You may be the great trailblazer who will immediately do great and mighty things. But, more likely, you will be an Elisha washing the hands of an Elijah. Finding a spiritual dad, waiting to be sent and promoted by the Lord. Graduating from the momentum, and being violent in spirit to find your who to sustain it. How many grads lose steam and momentum? A doorway is opened for the accuser to enter and to sow a root of bitterness.

How much do you really hunger for the purposes of God? Passion is critical, but Esau was a man of passion too. Appetites are appetites, desires are desires. The key is not passion, alone but let it be said of you like it was said of Phinehas, the priest, ‘ In that he was jealous with My jealousy among them.’ (Num. 25:11). Get red in the face to advance God’s causes on the earth, even if that means being sent to the wilderness of the marketplace.

From that secure position, we also understand that sonship also is a process of personal development. This is one in which we are ever-increasing in the inheritance of His heart and in His goals and aspirations. We probably all understand Eph.1:18 ´I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so that you may know what is the hope of HIS calling, what are the riches of the glory of HIS inheritance in the saints.´ As we mature we begin to understand that this really is not about us, but it is all about His inheritance, and our calling is about fulfilling His hope. We tend to know this but it is mostly on an intellectual level. To begin to mature is to begin to have a change of the center, from your hopes to His hopes, from your calling to His calling that He wants to express thru you.

Gal 4:4 ´But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law´

The process of development as a son. Born a son but becoming a son. The fullness of time speaks of a process. The Greek word means the completion of a particular period of time ordained and appointed by God. There is a task , something that you must accomplish in these years in school. It is ordained by God. Here you are to develop a philosophical base of how to see the world. Everything flows out of the grid of being a son. In Gal 4 the believer was born a son but there was more for his development. Born a son, but a relative child in his understanding of the world and how Father sees the world. So he went thru a process of training to reach a fullness of time. At that point of fullness, when a father defined it , the son was sent into the world. Note, that it is only a mature son that bring effectual change in the world.

Our model of change, of this development process in found in the Trinity itself. Father thought it, Biblical worldview; the Son spoke it ,declaring and decreeing; and the Holy Spirit did it . Our process of development as sons will follow a similar pattern.

The process of maturing as sons is the process of transformation. It is a law that what you do proceeds out of who you are, being leads to doing. So, the process of coming into maturity involves you embracing change. Your mind needs to see things differently; you need to continue to develop a Biblical worldview, you need to understand that the Holy Spirit will add people such as mentors to your life to expand your view of the world. It is a wonderful process!

Personal change, or transformation, is a painful process. It takes work to change, it takes work to mature. Is it worth it? There is nothing like being used by God , sent by Him or His elders , trusted with things that are important to Him. Transformation involves choices, setting aside and saying no to some things in order to say yes to what really matters. Transformation involves changing your choices. This is a mature decision. It is a lifelong process. The journey you are on is a journey of bringing change to the world around you. To some that may just mean the local neighborhood. To others, it may mean going to foreign lands. But to all , those whom He has saved, to those whom He has called, He has put His people on our hearts. The nations are simply people groups, who need the Lord.

Transformation is not an end in itself, however. It is important to change but you change for another. The first commandment is to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind , and strength, but the second commandment is just as great, to love your neighbor as yourself. Bringing justice to the earth is every believers calling.

Psalm 82 ´ God takes His stand in His own congregation, He judges in the midst of the rulers.´

God takes His stand. That means that He is fully rooted , fully grounded, fully entrenched in the midst of His church. He is stationed in His church, and from this place He moves and does business in the world.

He takes His stand in His own congregation. Congregation, here is the assembly, the place of appointment. There are many people doing many good and righteous things, but, justice must flow out appointment. Justice must flow out of placement. You must be rooted and grounded in a local assembly before you go and do in the world. Why? This is how God patterned it. He is rooted and planted, and from that position He goes and does.

He judges in the midst of the rulers. Judges here is to decide, to administrate justice, to bring equity, to plead the cause of the poor and needy. God is at work, but He is at work in the midst of His people. He just doesn´t go out on His own; neither does He just stay in the midst of the congregation, but He administers justice thru you.

Is 58:6-7 ´Is this not the fast which I choose, to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the bands of the yoke, and to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?

Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into the home; when you see the naked to cover him; and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?´

This is bringing justice; this is loving your neighbor as yourself, this is allowing God to love the world thru you.

Dt.10:17 ´For the Lord your God is the the great , the mighty, and the awesome God who does not show partiality nor take a bribe; He executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and shows His love for the alien by giving him food and clothing, so show your love for the alien…´

Dt.15: 11 ´The poor will never cease to be in the land; therefore I command you saying , You shall freely open your hand to your brother , to your needy and poor in your land´

Dt. 16:20 ´Justice and only justice you shall pursue, that you may live and possess the land which the Lord your God is giving you.´

So, righteousness and sonship are foundational truths that you must get deep into your being. As you get deeper into relationship with the Lord, sonship begins to mature into the heart of God to bring justice to the earth. In fact, it is an expectation of the Lord.

Ps. 82:2-4 ´How long will you judge unjustly, and show partiality to the wicked? Vindicate the weak and fatherless; do justice to the afflicted and destitute . Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them out of the hand of the wicked.´

Here it shifts from God doing justice on the earth to you doing justice on the earth. Vs. 6. tells us that all of us are sons of the Most High. This is the work of sons .This is at the core, the fiber of your calling. No matter what you do, you are to be an administer of justice.

Is.58:12 ´ And those from among you will rebuild the ancient ruins ´

Apparently not all will be rebuilders. Not all carry the heart of God. Do you? Where is your heart for the poor? The widow? The orphan? The needy? Is God expanding your heart for your neighbor? Do you understand that God is preparing you to rebuild dry, ruined, desolate institutions? At this stage it may seem a bit much. Just getting a good job may be your major goal, but you are being trained at a much higher level than that.

´You will raise up the age-old foundations; and you will be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of the streets in which to dwell.´

In the courts of heaven you will be called. You will have a name. If you can receive the heart of God for His people and His land, you will get a reputation in heaven. It will be decreed of you that you carried out the justice of God on the earth during your watch.

You will be called restorer i.e. healer.

Acts 10:38 ´ You know Jesus of Nazerath, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good , and healing all who were oppressed by the devil; for God was with Him.´

• This is the basis of development. In your DNA is the same anointing as Jesus, to do good heal all who are oppressed by the devil There is much to be said of the training of bringing development, justice to your sphere.
• How do you relate to a foreign culture? How are to be seen as relevant?
• How do deal with poverty? What are the causes of poverty?
• How much change can you really expect to bring? Will it be sustainable?
• How do you bring change? How do you go about it?

There is much to learn about this subject!