Restoring Kingdom Order (2005)
Restoring Kingdom Order
Pastor E. Keith Hassell
Order: A Definition
God is a God of Order
The Four Ordered Houses
House: A Definition
God is a House Builder
How Does God Build Houses?
The Benefits of the House
Keepers of the House
The Fourth Ordered House
Related topics: Kingdom of God; Order; Restoration;
Related teachings:
Restoration
Isaiah 9:6-7 “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.”
Order: A Definition top
· Order (Funk & Wagnall’s): “A condition in which there is a methodical, proper, and harmonious arrangement or disposition of things; a proper or working state or condition”
God is a God of Order top
· The order of the furnishings in the house of God (Exodus 39:37; 40:4,23)
· The wood was to be laid in order on the altar of God (Leviticus 1:7)
· The sacrificial parts were to be laid in order upon the wood of the altar of God (Leviticus 1:8,12)
· The tribes of Israel had a camping order around the tabernacle (Numbers 2)
· The tribes of Israel had a marching order (Numbers 10)
· God had an order in which sacrifice and worship was to be done
· Judgment came upon David's men when they did not follow God's order in bringing in the ark to Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 15:13)
· The service of God's temple was set in order (1 Chronicles 29:35)
· A land without order is likened to a land of the shadow of death (Job 10:22)
· Jesus is after the order of Melchizedek (Psalm 110:4)
· God has ordered the steps of a good man (Psalm 37:23)
· God spoke to Zacharias in the order of his division concerning the birth of John (Luke 1:8)
· God has established that everything in the church be done decently and in order (1 Corinthians 14:40)
· The resurrection will take place for each after his own order (1 Corinthians 15:23)
· Paul rejoiced to see the order in which the Colossian Christians operated (Colossians 2:5)
· Paul left Titus in Crete to set in order things that were lacking, appointing elders in every city (Titus 1:5)
· God has an order of authority in the home (1 Corinthians 11:3; Ephesians 5:22 - 6:4)
· God has an order of authority in the church (Ephesians 5:23)
· God has an order among masters and slaves (Ephesians 6:5-9)
· God has an order in ministry (1 Corinthians 11:4-16; 1 Corinthians 14:34; 1Timothy 2:11-15; Titus 2:1-8)
· God has an order in society (Romans 13; Titus 3)
· The army of God marches in order (rank and formation) without breaking rank or pushing one another (Joel 2:7 8)
· God has an order in prophetic fulfillment (2 Thessalonians 2:1-3)
The Four Ordered Houses top
· First: The Kingdom Of God
· Second: The Church
· Third: The Family
· Fourth: The Physical Body
House: A Definition top
· House (Greek: oikia) Julius Wellhausen argues that “house” in Aramaic, and so here, means “a political territory,” as in “house of Lysanias” (International Critical Commentary—Matthew, p. 134). Luke uses the phrase “oikos epi piptei” (“house falls upon house”) which is the correct reading in Matthew 12:25 for “every house divided against itself”. The idea is that when a kingdom is internally divided and so comes to a fall, the separate houses (families & households), too, come into conflict with one another in the struggle and also go down in ruin (Goldenhuys, p. 332).
God is a House Builder top
· When God builds the house, He also guards the house. If God does not build it, then nothing protects what is not built according to His pattern.
o Psalm 127:1-2 (NKJV) “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.”
· “House” is a spiritual metaphor for a family
o The “house of Joseph” and the “house of David” for example
· “House” refers to God’s seed-line, His generation, and His family
· God is still in the house-building business.
o 2 Samuel 7:12-16 (NKJV) “When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be his Father, and he shall be My son. If he commits iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men and with the blows of the sons of men. 15 But My mercy shall not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I removed from before you. 16 And your house and your kingdom shall be established forever before you. Your throne shall be established forever.”
How does God build His house? top
· God builds revelationally
o Matthew 16:18 “Upon this rock, I will build My church.” God builds His house through the revelation of who Christ is.
· God builds relationally.
o God builds His house by putting us into godly relationships with others in His family.
o The Body is built as each member is properly “jointed” where the Lord has determined them to be connected.
o Personal destiny arises out of family relationships. Nothing should be allowed to destroy these relationships. “What God has joined together, let not man separate.” (Matthew 19:6 NKJV)
· God builds generationally
o God is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
o The generation that does not think long range is the “terminal generation.”
o God builds His house by adding sons and daughters.
· The Hebrew word for “son” (Ben) and for daughter (Bath) are derived from the same Hebrew root (Banah-baw-naw) which means: “to build, obtain children, make, repair, set up”
· How does God build the house?
· Psalm 127:3-5“Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward.”
· Sons and daughters are
o A heritage from the Lord
o A reward from the Lord
o Like arrows in the hand of a warrior
o A source of happiness to those whose quiver is full
o A source of strength and confidence (not ashamed)
o A source of authority and power over the enemies in the gates of the city
· The Hebrew model for maturity was not based upon knowledge, as was the Greek’s model, but was based upon relationships and developing maturity in those relationships.
· Abram wanted Eleazar, his servant, to be the heir to his house, but God said that He would give Abram a son as an heir.
· Moses was faithful in God’s house as a servant, but Christ was faithful in His house as a Son.
· God is building His house today not with servants but with sons.
· Sonship is not a matter of gender or age.
· Although both servants and sons serve in the Father’s house, the difference is one of relationship, attitude, and motive.
· God will raise up heirs and not hirelings to govern His flock (John 10:11-18).
· Question: Are you a son or a servant? Do you think like a son or do you think like a servant?
The Benefits of the House top
· Relationship
· Provision
· Protection
· Identity
· Direction
· Training
· Correction
· Discipline
· Inheritance
· Blessing
Keepers of the House top
· Every house has keepers
o Ecclesiastes 12:3 (NKJV) “In the day when the keepers of the house tremble, and the strong men bow down; when the grinders cease because they are few, and those that look through the windows grow dim;”
· Every housekeeper must chose to order his house
o Joshua 24:15 (NKJV) “And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
· Every house must be built upon obedience to Christ's words if it is to stand
o Matthew 7:24-27 (NKJV) “Therefore wwhoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: 27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”
· Every house is built through wisdom
o Proverbs 24:3-4 (NKJV) “Through wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; 4 By knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.”
· Every house is established by understanding
o Proverbs 24:3-4 (NKJV) “Through wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; 4 By knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.”
· Every house is filled with all precious and pleasant riches by knowledge
o Proverbs 24:3-4 (NKJV) “Through wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; 4 By knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.”
· Housekeepers must maintain the house
o Ecclesiastes 10:18 (NKJV) “Because of laziness the building decays, and through idleness of hands the house leaks.”
· Houses must be watched over for protection
o Matthew 24:43 (NKJV) “But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into.”
· The housekeeper is responsible for the well being of those in the house
o Matthew 24:45-51 (NKJV) “Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? 46 Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. 47Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods. 48 But if that evil servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ 49 and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards, 50 the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of, 51 and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
· The housekeeper is responsible to provide for the needs of those in his own house
o 1 Timothy 5:8 (NKJV) “But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”
· Houses that are found worthy will be blessed with peace
o Matthew 10:13 (NKJV) “If the household is worthy, let your peace come upon it. But if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you.”
· Houses must be unified to stand
o Matthew 12:35 (NKJV) “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.”
· Houses are places of teaching
o Acts 20:20 (NKJV) “how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house,”
· Houses can be built up or destroyed by those who live in the house
o Proverbs 14:1 (NKJV) “The wise woman builds her house, but the foolish pulls it down with her hands.”
· Houses must be set in order
o Isaiah 38:1 (NKJV) “In those days Hezekiah was sick and near death. And Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, went to him and said to him, ‘Thus says the Lord: “Set your house in order, for you shall die and not live.”’”
· Houses must be built by the Lord's design and ability or the house is built in vain
o Psalm 127:1 (NKJV) “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.”
· Houses that reject Jesus will be left desolate without God's presence or blessing
o Matthew 23:38 (NKJV) “See! Your house is left to you desolate;”
The Fourth Ordered House top
· The human body is the fourth ordered house
o Earthly tent (2 Corinthians 5:1)
o Temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19)
o House (Matthew 12:43-45)
o Clothing (2 Corinthians 5:2-4)
o Members of Christ (1 Corinthians 6:15)
· The owner of the body is God, the Holy Spirit
o 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
o 1 Corinthians 3:16-17
· The Relationship in the house is that of spiritual union between the Holy Spirit and the human spirit as in the case of marriage, and as sons with God as our Father and Jesus as our head
o 1 Corinthians 6:17
o Galatians 4:6
o Romans 8:15
· The Headship in the relationship is the Holy Spirit or the Spirit of Christ
o Proverbs 16:32 “He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.”
o Luke 21:19 “By your patience possess your souls.”
o Romans 6:13 present your “members as instruments of righteousness to God.”
o Galatians 5:16 “Walk in the Spirit and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.”
o 1 Thessalonians 4:4 “Each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor.”
· The Provision of the fourth ordered house is to be a cooperation of personal and Divine ability
o Ephesians 4:28 “Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.”
o 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12 “If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread.”
o 2 Corinthians 9:10 “Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness.”
o Philippians 4:19 “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
o Matthew 6:33 “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”
· The Protection of the fourth ordered house comes by means of a personal and Divine cooperation
o Psalm 91 “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.”
o Ecclesiastes 7:16-17 “Do not be overly righteous, nor be overly wise: Why should you destroy yourself? Do not be overly wicked, nor be foolish: Why should you die before your time?”
o Luke 22:36 “Then he said to them, ‘But now, he who has a money bag, let him take it, and likewise a knapsack; and he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one.’”
o 2 Timothy 4:17-18 “Also I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion, and the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom.”
· The Identity of the fourth ordered house is a cooperation of family genetic traits under God's design
o Psalm 139:13-14 “For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well.”
· The Direction given to the fourth ordered house is a combination of personal openness and obedience to God by His Word, His Holy Spirit, and His delegated authorities
o Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
o Romans 8:14 “For as many as are led by the Holy Spirit of God, these are the sons of God.”
o Hebrews 16:17 “Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would not be profitable for you.”
· The Discipline of the first ordered house is cooperation of personal and Divine discipline
o 1 Corinthians 11:31-32 “For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world.”
o 1 Corinthians 9:27 “But I discipline my body and bring it under subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.”
o Hebrews 12:5 “My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; for whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.”
· The Inheritance of the fourth ordered house is deter-mined by the sins of our forefathers and the sins of our youth(Generational and sin curses), but can be changed by the new birth if appropriated
o Exodus 20:5 “For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me.”
o Ezekiel 18:2-4 “What do you mean when you use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying: 'The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge'? As I live, says the Lord God, you shall no longer use this proverb in Israel. Behold, all souls are Mine; The soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is Mine; the soul who sins shall die.”
o Job 13:26 “For You write bitter things against me, and make me inherit the iniquities of my youth.”
o Galatians 3:13-18 “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree'), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith . . . For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no longer of promise; but God gave it to Abraham by promise.”
o Psalm 47:4 “He will choose our inheritance for us.”
o Revelation 21:7 “He who overcomes shall inherit all things.”
· The Proving of the fourth ordered house is a cooperation of Divine approval and the confirmation of His delegated authorities along with the testing of our own hearts
o God Tests (Exodus 20:20; Psalm 7:9; 11:4; 17:3; 1 Thessalonians 2:4; James 1:4)
o Man Tests (Matthew 7:15-21; 1 Thessalonians 5:21; 1 Timothy 3:10; 2 Timothy 2:2; I John 4:1)
o We are to test ourselves (2 Corinthians 13:5)
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w Matt. 7:24–27; Luke 6:47–49