One reason why we spent so many weeks examining the works of the flesh before doing this study is because our carnal, selfish nature must be dealt with before we can be entrusted with the true riches of the kingdom. Some of this is dealt with as we learn to handle earthly riches. Even so, we are not just trying to stop manifesting the works of the flesh, but we are seeking to bear fruit for the kingdom. If we just pursue the negative, we will only become empty. If we pursue the positive, it will displace the negative.

As we have been studying the biblical prophecies of the end times and how we can be prepared for them, we have also concentrated on the importance of having the truth and loving the truth. This is crucial because the biblical definition of the darkness that is coming upon the world in the last days refers almost entirely to deception or that which is not true. When the Bible talks about walking in the light, it is speaking about walking in the truth. It may not sound possible at first, but you can know and love the truth and not necessarily walk in truth. How can this be?

Our study this week is from Ephesians 6:13:

        Last week we laid out the basic steps of progression to full maturity in Christ: 1) Believer, 2) Disciple, 3) Servant, 4) Friend, and 5) Son. These are all addressed in the New Testament, and we will study each one briefly, but enough for it to be clearly seen. This is so we can see where we are in relation to this calling and what our next step is. First, a superficial historical overview can be helpful.

The Ordination

         In pursuit of koinonia, we will need to extend grace and mercy to one another. Just as we must extend grace in coming into fellowship with those who we do not agree with in certain doctrines or methods, we must keep in mind that they are doing the same with us. After we have built some trust, we may start discussing issues we disagree on. The stronger the bridge of trust is, the greater the weight that can be carried by it and the deeper we may go with these issues. We have sound biblical wisdom for how we do this in Ephesians 4:1-3:

This year it seems that every demon in hell has been released against our upcoming Harvest Conference, which is very encouraging to us. As I write this, the remnants of Hurricane “Ivan the Terrible” continues to blow outside. It has been a hellish week for the Southeast, including the Carolinas, but not in the hearts of our people. Everyone seemed committed to overcome whatever came and have fought through every obstacle so far.

          It was to the last church the Lord addressed in the Book of Revelation, the church of Laodicea, that He gave His greatest promise to. Those promises are for His people today. They are for you. When most people think of the church of Laodicea, they think of the negative rather than the positive. It is time to consider these great promises. First, we need to see why they are so great.

          Commitment, loyalty, and faithfulness are all prerequisites for authority in any realm, and they are required for authority in the kingdom. Only those whose commitment to the kingdom is greater than their commitment to this world will be trusted with kingdom authority over this world.

    The Great Commission to go and “make disciples of all nations” (see Matthew 28:19) with the gospel is not just geographical. To be the salt and light we are called to be, we need to go into every field, every profession, every trade, as well as every nation and culture. We need to address the important issues of the times and to stand without compromise on the biblical perspective. We cannot do this if we do not know the biblical perspective.