Becoming Apostolic

Intro:

If God’s been good to you, why don’t you give him a hand clap of praise right now.

What a time we had at the Family Conference this weekend! If you missed it, that’s your loss!

Our Pastor brought a word from the Lord

Shallow churches, pastors, ministers, families have no place in Pentecost!

If you attended and failed to receive what you went desiring for, ask yourself if you truly let go of that “thing” and praised God for the victory?

Thank God your here today because God’s given us another chance to receive a blessing through unrestrained worship!

Movement 1: What does it mean to be Apostolic?

Today I’d like to welcome you to Apostolic Gateway. For 10 years, some of you have attended a church with the adjective Apostolic.

With the help of the Lord, I would like to preach for a few moments - Becoming Apostolic

The Old Testament Connection:

In the OT, gateways were places in which one could enter or exit. However, there is one gateway that we should be concerned with when talking about Jesus and Apostleship, which is the Tabernacle’s gateway.

The Gateway that separated the holy from the holiest of holies was to be covered by a curtain of blue, purple, and scarlet linen. This was different than the surrounding outer walls that were pure white. There was only one entrance and that was through the east gate.

Exodus 26:31 KJV 1900

And thou shalt make a vail of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen of cunning work: with cherubims shall it be made:

Exod 26:31

King James Version Chapter 27

16 And for the gate of the court shall be an ghanging of twenty cubits, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, wrought with needlework: and their pillars shall be four, and their sockets four.

Exod 27:16

Further, we should understand the direction in which the gateway faced…for it faced East.

Similar to the Garden, there was an East gate. This was the gate Adam and Eve used to exit out of the presence of Yahweh when they had sinned. Humanity would have to go through another Eastern gate in order to get back to his divine presence.

This gate was the Tabernacle

Today, I’ve defined our Noun, but not the adjective. What is Apostolic?

Apostolic shares the root of the Greek word ἀπόστολος. Those presented the title of Apostle were identified to have experienced or witnessed Jesus first hand. In other words, they had authority from their firsthand experience of knowing who Jesus Christ was and how he lived.

It should also be understood that Apostle means to be sent, but no one is sent unless he or she has someone to send them.

Our church today points to the fact that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life (Jn 14:6). We understand that no man comes to God, but through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. However, we also understand that in order to be Apostolic, one must have witnessed Jesus first hand. Such an experience would enable an individual to take on the characteristics and traits of the Mighty God in Christ!

King James Version Chapter 14

6 Jesus saith unto him, I am hthe way, ithe truth, and kthe life: no man cometh unto the Father, lbut by me.

Movement 2: Barnabas, an encourager to Paul

Paul had a powerful testimony that permeates the deep places of Scripture, however, Paul was not a lone ranger nor did he become Apostolic on his own. We know of Ananias, however, very rarely do we hear about the Apostle, Barnabas.

Barnabas was more than a fancy preacher, manager, director, or teacher. While his real name was Joseph, he was given the name Barnabas by the Apostles of the early church. Barnabas being translated means “son of consolation” (consolation = παράκλησις) or “son of encouragement.”

Barnabas didn’t go around tearing people down, but encouraged them.

Barnabas was capable of seeing someone’s potential, even when others failed to do so!

He didn’t judge a book by its cover!

Acts 9:26–27 KJV 1900

And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.

Acts 9:26-27

You see Barnabas saw something in that old Saul. He knew there was potential even when everyone else had their doubts. Barnabas didn’t dismiss Paul because of his past, but viewed his Spirit in the eyes of a merciful God. The reality is that type of Spirit brought about what many historians argue as the third most influential person in human history, the Apostle Paul.

Barnabas wasn’t done encouraging Paul because when it came time to launch Paul’s potential, he brought him to the place of ministry.

Acts 11:22–26 KJV 1900

Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch. Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord. For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord. Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

Acts 11:22-26

Paul must have been broken and distraught as a result of how his fellow brethren and sisters thought of him, but he would go on to be lifted up in a time of need. The man that had endorsed the actions that ended the life of Stephen would go on to provide a living, breathing Testimony of the transformational power of Christ to the Christians who had been scattered by such horrors!

Antioch would be the launching point of the rest of Paul’s ministry!

Today we have some who are sitting in Tarsus, not knowing when God will lift them up for ministry

If you’ll just be faithful and keep your nose to the grind in Biblical study, soul winning, Prayer, and fasting, God will open that door! He has you in the process!!!!

The roots of Apostolic ministry can be found in encouraging others and believing in God to bring about their full potential in Him

Movement 3: Fear Not

Paul exemplified ministry with a purpose in his first letter to the Corinthians -

1 Corinthians 15:31 KJV 1900

I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.

1 Cor 15:31

You see, we hear it preached so often that Paul is really saying I die daily as repentance. The context of this passage points toward something very different -

Paul was writing to bunch of believers that doubted whether or not Jesus had actually risen. The doubted that there was going to be an afterlife.

He was simply ministering to people who had doubt about the supernatural power of God.

Paul drove home that he was willing to die daily for his brothers and sisters in Christ

He knew what his reward would be!

He didn’t fear for his own life

Isaiah 41:10 KJV 1900

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: Be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; Yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

Isa 41:10

Maybe your in a place where doubt has creeped into your inner psyche. Its gotten to the point where you’ve decided to question everything and anyone who’s ever taught you Scripture.

Today, I’m here to tell you to take that doubt and cast it out

The reality is your doubt is the breeding ground for fear.

Fear will keep you in bondage

Fear will make you a prisoner of playing church but not really being the church

Fear will hinder the joy of the Lord in your life!

I wish someone would say, “Fear you have no place in my heart!”

Apostles were fearless in the face of a world with doubt. They never stopped preaching the Gospel to people even when their lives were on the line!

Movement 4: The Apostolic Experience

Acts 2:38 tells us of the Pentecostal experience, where if you’re full of the Holy Ghost today, you’ve experienced that power from on High! However, I’d like to propose to you today that that alone is not the Apostolic experience!

The Job

You see when I’m hiring a team, I look for qualified people that have had years of experience. Education alone won’t do it. Job knowledge without education won’t do it!

Yes, I said it. The job I have today is highly technical and requires a vast amount of study in order to accomplish the mission. One doesn’t just simply walk onto the job and know how to solve every problem or understand all the job’s vernacular.

Experience brings in an enrichment to that education process. The foundation is there with a bit more standing on it. A person with years of experience offers established methods and processes in which a task can be done. They don’t simply show up and say I’ve got it figured out.

They’ve put time into understanding and knowing their craft

They’ve memorized technical attributes required by their craft

They have more than a shallow understanding of what it takes to accomplish the mission

Many of you are probably thinking that I’m talking about my secular job, when I’m really talking about hiring ministry leaders in the church! Jesus isn’t looking for people who’ve had a singular occurence of education without experience, he’s looking for the whole package! He’s looking for people who’ve been consistent!

He’s looking for people who’ve been in the trade and have stayed in the trade

The doors open to walk in, but don’t quit even when you mess up!!!

The Apostolic experience is more than the initial infilling of the Holy Ghost, it’s a life long process!

Apostolic means to encourage

Apostolic means to live without fear

Apostolic means to be a witness of Jesus Christ - this can only be done through the Holy Ghost

In order to be Apostolic, you must be a witness of Jesus Christ through the Holy Ghost

Acts 2:42 KJV 1900

And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

Acts 2:42

You’ll never be able to flow and move in the Spirit if you never continue after Pentecost!!!!

The Tabernacle in the Old Testament was guided by the pillar of fire!!!

You have spiritual pillars in your life through:

The Word

Prayer

Fasting

Your Pastor

“Stop knocking those pillars over and start allowing them to provide a firm foundation in your life!!!”

These altars are open -