“This is the root of grace : the dismantling of our power. Whenever even a little power rises up in us, the Spirit and the authority of God will retreat to the corresponding degree. In my estimation this is the single most important insight with regard to the kingdom of God..” Arnold
“It is a common temptation to think that we bring the kingdom by our power. The “mystery” of our Lord’s death, resurrection, and glorification is that we participate in it, but do not bring it about. Our “hope” is always present, but our weakness prevents us from realizing it. If the church oversteps its true vocation (being salt and light and sheep among wolves) then they truly don’t serve this world and they misunderstand the Lord’s pattern. ” Marva Dawn
In Leviticus salt was commanded to be used in all offerings and was the sign of the covenant. We are the visible sign of the New Covenant.
Light scatters the darkness and gives meaning, direction, and an explanation to the world.
And yes we are called and sent to be sheep among wolves…remember the disciple is not above his teacher and the servant is not above his lord.
True power is found in weakness.
True glory is found through suffering.
This is Jesus Christ’s pattern.
Beware of the message that man will produce the return of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Or that man will subdue the earth in his own power.
Or it’s our calling to overtake the mountains of this world and make them our own.
These are messages of man and man’s power.
We have yet to master the seven deadly sins…
lust
gluttony
envy
greed
sloth
anger
pride
let alone the mountain of mammon.
The true calling to the church today is brokenness and weakness.
Revival through brokenness and weakness.
This sounds blasphemous to the modern Christian. Brokenness and weakness ?
I have never been more sure of anything else in my life.
If you read the Word of God and stop listening to the propaganda of man….you will see a pattern that has been lost.
Paul knew it and lived it…..
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
There is the pattern of glory….in all its glory. Sounds thrilling.
This message doesn’t sell well. You don’t make much on the old circuit with a message of brokenness and weakness.
People don’t listen anymore. But I will tell you this….
This world needs Christ.
This world needs weak and broken people to share Christ with them.
Our churches need broken and weak people who reject the popular propaganda and embrace the Word.
Our wives and children need weak and broken men who deny their own will and seek His.
As individuals we need to be broken and weak…
Remember….
We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us
We are sojourners and pilgrims.
Let’s follow the pattern. Revival will come.
Kingdom Files 