KINGLY EXPLOITS

KINGLY EXPLOITS
Transformation - Ed Silvoso has written a great book about Releasing Kings, breaking poverty, and discipling nations. Highly recommended reading! I also heard him share these points at Harold's conference. See chapter 3 in Ed's book, "The five pivotal paradigms for transformation" - really for reformation, are quoted below.
1. The great commission is about discipling nations, not just people.
2. The marketplace has already been redeemed by Jesus and now needs to be reclaimed by His followers.
3. Labor is the premier expression of worship on Earth, and every believer is a minister.
4. Our primary call is not to build the Church but to take the kingdom of God where the kingdom of darkness is still entrenched in order for Jesus to build His church.
5. The premier social indicator that transformation has taken place is the elimination of systemic poverty.
Fish or Fisherman - At the moment our missions emphasis is seeing people saved and healed. Last week we shared Duane Smith's trip report from the Philippines. He not only saw salvations and miraculous healings. He saw newly saved believers praying for the sick and getting instant results. So we're celebrating amazing results and at the same time seeing the next step.
Discipleship (and the gospel) includes breaking poverty off of God's people and showing them how to multiply their finances. When we explain the theology of healing we quote Isa 53 and 1 Pet 2:24 to point out that the basis for healing is in the atonement - through Jesus' redemptive work on the cross.
Surely he took up our infirmities... and by his wounds we are healed. Isa 53:4-5

...by his wounds you have been healed. 1 Peter 2:24
When we explain prosperity we often say it's a gift ("giving" Rom 12:8) and some have it and others don't. To be honest, most of what we know in the church about finances is how to take offerings... tithes, first fruits, seed, increase - everything goes in the ever present offering basket. The resulting saints are numb to the appeals for offerings, know little about personal generosity, and are generally broke at the end of the month. Very few know how to disciple the saints in a way that causes them to increase financially. Now, consider what Jesus accomplished on the cross in this area.
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. 2 Cor 8:9 NIV

10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. 2 Cor 9:10-11 NIV
Rich in every way - Our concept of the Gospel, revival, missions and reformation are just now starting to break out of poverty. Again my proof text is a person, David Tinney. Take the time to read his interview. David is a hard working business man that has been going to Ukraine for about 10 years. He is teaching business conferences and financial release in a missions context. "In many ways the believers in the Ukraine are ahead of Christians in the US… having investment clubs and training for investing, FOREX trading, and real estate." Yes, they heal the sick, see salvations, and plant churches. However, with the financial ingredient, they are also changing a nation... discipling a nation.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations  Matt 28:19
David demonstrates generosity by personal example, but he does it from a position of abundance instead of poverty. He's started businesses to fund his ministry. It includes teaching and books (one of his books is a best seller in Ukraine). However, David believes one of the keys to prosperity is taking care of widows and orphans. He's a lover of people, however, he's bold and aggressive in business and marketing so that he can be generous with the people he has passion for.
A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. Prov 11:25 NIV

He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done. Prov 19:17 NIV

A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor. Prov 22:9 NIV
 
Love,
 
John & Sue