This message, while being directed specifically to Everlasting Covenant, also pertains to all of the Church. The Church in general, has been pulled away from the foundation and purpose to which we have been called. We need to look back to the beginning, and restore those things that we were purposed to do. Vince Lombardi, coach of the Green Bay Packers, decided to begin the 1961 spring training for his team by teaching them "the hidden power of mastering the fundamentals". That year, his team won the championship, and several more after that. The Church needs to rediscover the hidden power of mastering the fundamentals as well.
For Everlasting Covenant, our foundational scripture from the beginning has been:
"For I am not ashamed in the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation for every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." Rom. 1:16
The verse that follows says, "For therein (the gospel) is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith."
Scripture asks the question, "If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?" (Ps. 11:3). We need to restore the foundations of the Church built upon Christ and His commands. Christ gave this "great commission" to His disciples:
"All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world ("aion"-period of time, age)." Amen." Mt. 28:18-20
From the beginning, the purpose of the devil has been to destroy the Godly foundations, and man's relationship with God by substituting the truth of God's word for the lie, "Hath God said...?" Jesus spoke of those workers who were faithful to His commands:
"Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season ? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath." Mt. 24:45-46, Lk. 12:41-44
In order to carry out these commands that Jesus gave to us, His servants, including giving meat in due season which is His Word, His Body must be functioning properly. That means every part of the Body must be in its proper place, and supplying what is needed to edify the whole Body:
"...by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body...for the body is not one member, but many....But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him." 1 Cor. 12 (excerpt)
In the above chapter of 1 Corinthians, Paul was teaching that like a physical body has various contributing parts, so has the spiritual Body of Christ. The different parts, like the foot, the eye, the ear, are distinct and individual in their purpose, yet they are necessary to make the whole body function properly. Paul mentions just a few of the functioning parts of Christ's Body: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues (v. 28). Not only do these functioning parts working together carry out the commission of Christ, but they edify the Body itself. This includes keeping the Body from being derailed into false doctrines and by deceiving men, while bringing forth the unity of faith, the perfect man, and the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ (Eph. 4:13-14). Of this fully functioning Body, where all parts are in place and contributing, Paul says:
"...speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love." Eph. 4:15-16
According to the verses above, "love" is not manifested by speaking lies and false assurances according to the whims and fads of men, but it is manifested in the speaking of truth, and truth is determined and embodied in the Word of God.
The Body of Christ is not fitted together as we, man, deem to be good, with every member deciding his or her own place, or whether each part will determine for himself whether to be part of the Body or not, but the parts of the Body are assigned and determined by the Holy Spirit and under the headship of Christ.
Paul identifies his own part in the Body as an apostle "separated unto the gospel of God". This same gospel was promised by the prophets, and was made into flesh through Jesus Christ, the promised seed of David. This same Jesus was declared to be the Son of God through the demonstration of power by the Holy Spirit by the resurrection from the dead (Rom. 1:1-4). This is the gospel, this is the power of God unto righteousness. This is the commission with which are to go into all nations and make disciples.
We will be able to accomplish the commands of Christ only as the Church restores the foundations upon which we have been built, fitly joined together, edifying and supplying, even as we maintain the truth against the winds of doctrine that have been released by Satan, who is challenging the Church in these last days asking, "Hath God said...?"
For Everlasting Covenant in this time, our commission includes bringing the book, "NAZAH", which testifies to the truth of Christ and His suffering, death, burial, and resurrection illustrated prophetically in Isaiah 52-53 and other prophetic scriptures, to the Jew first, and also the Greek.
*The above is based upon the 3/3/19 message to the Church from Dr. Kenneth Stevenson.
To Contact/Submit prayer requests/Support the ministry/Order the book, "NAZAH":https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8
http://endtimeschool.com/
To watch/hear Dr. Stevenson's complete message:
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Prayer of Salvation for all who desire to receive Jesus as their Savior: Lord Jesus, I desire to know You, and to know Your salvation. I believe that You died for me, and that You were resurrected for me. Forgive me of my sins. Come into my heart, change me, fill me with Your righteousness. Inscribe my name in the Lamb's book of life. Baptize me in Your Holy Spirit, so that I can learn the truth of Your Word and ways, and be strengthened in my walk all the days of my life. You are the hope of my life, and You are my eternal life. I place my trust in You, Lord, for myself, and my whole household. Use me to do the will of the heavenly Father, Who sent You, in Whose name You came. In Your name, and in thanks and praise I pray, Amen.
https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8
Prayer of Salvation for all who desire to receive Jesus as their Savior: Lord Jesus, I desire to know You, and to know Your salvation. I believe that You died for me, and that You were resurrected for me. Forgive me of my sins. Come into my heart, change me, fill me with Your righteousness. Inscribe my name in the Lamb's book of life. Baptize me in Your Holy Spirit, so that I can learn the truth of Your Word and ways, and be strengthened in my walk all the days of my life. You are the hope of my life, and You are my eternal life. I place my trust in You, Lord, for myself, and my whole household. Use me to do the will of the heavenly Father, Who sent You, in Whose name You came. In Your name, and in thanks and praise I pray, Amen.
To order "NAZAH": https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8 http://endtimeschool.com/
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