[Anatomy of a Nation in Decline] 09 – Reference Point: God is Sovereign, Part 5

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2012SCOTT WEBSTER MINISTRIES. Page 1 of 6

P r o p h e t i c B r i e f

Anatomy of a Nation in Decline - Part 9

Reference Point God is Sovereign #5

On February 1 the headline in the NY Times blared: In Atlanta, HousingWoes Reflect Nations Pain. Reports and interviews were based inMarietta, a suburb in NW Atlanta where I have lived for 15 years. Thearticle reported that in November, prices of single-family homes were downclose to 12 percent compared with a year earlier, the largest decline amongmajor metropolitan areas. Home prices regionally are now below theirlevels from 2000, making Atlanta one of only four metro areas to haveexperienced such a slide. In Marietta unemployment is 9.2 percent, slightly

higher than the national average, in part because one in every four jobs lostduring the meltdown was connected to real estate. Those jobs have yet toreturn, and people who are working are having trouble qualifying for loans.Nationwide housing prices are projected to drop at least another 5 percent in2012 because of the large amount of distressed properties for sale. What isGod up to in the economic crisis, and how does He expect us to respond?

The answer to that question goes much further than expressing personalfaith and believing God to overcome within ones individual financialsituation. Clearly God is moving against the systems of the earth.Everywhere you care to look there is meltdown and default, politicalinstability and natural disasters. But what is our responsibility when God ismoving in this way? There are dual movements taking place in the earth

today at the same time that God is shredding the earthly systems He isresourcing His Church and building within us the ability to stand strongwithin a time of crisis.

I wrote in the last issue that God is at work in the earth, exposing the falseapostolic order. It talks like God and looks like God but the principles that itoperates by are not of the Lord (2 Thess 2:4). It has never been moreimportant for each church to have a quality apostolic connection. When theglobal economy is melting down and systems are being broken all aroundus, the church is being renovated and comprehensively built by theanointing or dimension of Christ that is apostolic.

To this end we are continuing the interview I had with two of the pastors in

our apostolic network in order to provide one small sample of whatapostolic building looks like. The details of each church or apostolicnetwork will differ because God is diverse and has given each one a uniquecalling and anointing, yet the principles of correct building are universal.For example, no matter where you live in a small hut in a village, anapartment in the city or a house in the suburbs the core building is all thesame. The ground must be level and some foundation must be laid; it mustbe built level or it will eventually shift and collapse. The walls have to besquare and the roof and outer structure must keep out the elements. Nomatter where you live these things are universal, and while each home orapartment has a unique layout of rooms and its own distinct dcor, the corebuilding components are all the same. Correct building in the Church is like

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ISSUE 502 FEBRUARY 8TH 2012

Insight and Analysis for the 21st Century
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that. We are looking at the examples of Raleigh and David but it has

universal application, regardless of the geographic location or individualanointing your church might have. So lets share some more from thatinterview.

Scott: Share with us some of the principles or realities that allow you toopen up your church to an apostolic impartation.

Raleigh: First let me define what we think of when we say apostolic.The apostolic dimension is the widespread distribution of apostolic graceto the general body of Christ in order to strengthen and stabilize it and torelease the access for the apostolic characteristics to function generally inthe life of each kingdom believer.

Scott: Thats an important place to begin because it removes so many ofthe false definers that circulate in the church about the apostolic that itinvolves how big your church is, or it places too great an emphasis on theindividual who is called to function as an apostle. We dont hold to thosethings; we are very much about getting the nature of Christ and the graceof God in this case apostolic grace from the apostle to the people.

Raleigh: Exactly. Back in 1997 our

church recognized the need to havegreater impartation upon us throughinteraction with others in spiritualranking in the dimensions and other

aspects of the Christ grace-gifts (Eph.4:9-16). We could see biblical examplesof the demand to avail ourselves togreater dimensions of the Christanointing. We humbly determined thatthis relationship:

a) Couldnt be political or bureaucratically ecclesiastic; b) Had to havesimilar mentality and passion for Christ, holiness, faith, Biblical teaching;c) Had to give us a way to improve, grow, connect to the wider Body ofChrist, a place of belonging, a covering; d) Had to be a genuine place forthe pastor to yield and be accountable; e) Had to offer genuine and

2 Thessalonians 2:2-4 (NIV)2 not to become easily unsettledor alarmed by the teachingallegedly from uswhether by a

prophecy or by word of mouth orby letterasserting that the dayof the Lord has already come. 3

Dont let anyone deceive you inany way, for that day will notcome until the rebellion occursand the man of lawlessness[a] isrevealed, the man doomed todestruction. 4 He will opposeand will exalt himself overeverything that is called God oris worshiped, so that he setshimself up in Gods temple,

proclaiming himself to be God.


The details of each church or

apostolic network will differ

because God is diverse and

has given each one a unique

calling and anointing, yet the

principles of correct building

are universal. For example, no

matter where you live in a

small hut in a village, an

apartment in the city or a

house in the suburbs thecore building is all the same.

The ground must be level and

some foundation must be

laid; it must be built level or it

wil l eventually shift and

collapse. The walls have to be

square and the roof and outer

structure must keep out the

elements. No matter where you live these things are

universal, and while each

home or apartment has a

unique layout of rooms and its

own distinct dcor, the core

building components are all

the same. Correct building in

the Church is like that.


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meaningful apostolic relationship with others who have spiritual authority to help us grow in faith and theknowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.

WHEN THE LORD LED US TO CONGRESS WBN WE REALIZED THAT WE WERE HOME!

Congress believes that long term, sustainable success must be based on carefully established ethical platforms(the Word of God). Congress elevates principles such as integrity, excellence, humility, leadership throughservant-hood, and achievement through sacrifice.

Congress as an apostolic network is a gathering of autonomous, self-governing kingdom communities that arevoluntarily united around a common vision and purpose determined by a called, gifted and spiritually functioningapostle. It is set in motion by voluntary mutual receptivity, affording us the privilege of being joined to a widervision with core operational platforms of apostolic grace and apostolic relationship.

Our primary network model is reformation of the church, development of accurate structure that enables the saintsto grow, and relationship that builds strength, governance and support. Our network relationships are uncoveredor discovered not made or created. The network is in fact the reality of joined lives. We therefore celebrate ourrelationship within the apostolic grace anointing. Because of this joining there is a consequent covenant brotherhood of all those joined to the same grace. The basis of our relationship is we connect to the same

heavenly flow thats how we join by covenant beyond earthly limitations or arrangements.

Scott:Excellent. We are talking about a foundation for apostolic relationship that is based in Biblical principlesand ethics. I think that is essential because it is like the house I was referring to in the introduction of this brief the basics have to be correct or the house will fall into disorder and collapse. Unfortunately we have seen manyapostolic houses collapse because they were driven by competition, desire for personal profile, or some otherdeficient character attribute in the apostle. I heard of one guy who started a network and he had a pricing scheme those who contributed the most to his ministry were in a kind of presidents circle and got access to theapostle and also to the speakers at his annual conferences, while those who gave less had to sit in the back andnever talked to the leader. That was quite a few years ago and as time went on the guy went into deep doctrinalerror. His problem was not doctrinal, it was ethical and spiritual he loved money and profile more than he lovedGod. Darkness is not content to have one part of your life; it comes in and takes over all. This apostle is nowfully immersed in a cult he built his house on a slope and it slid down into the darkness.

David, same question for you what are some of the principles or realities thatallow you to open up your church to an apostolic impartation?

David: Well, Scott, there are several key principles that serve to drive ourseamless connection with apostolic grace. The first is the principle of spiritualauthority. I want to have authority in my life, my marriage, and my ministry;therefore, I realize that I must be submitted to authority. I realized that I oftenhad no authority in my life, ministry, etc., because I was not truly submitted toauthority. The apostolic is now greatly released into my church as a result ofmy relational heart-connection and submission to apostolic grace andimpartation. It begins with me being imparted to, and then flows into the



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church that I lead.

The second principle is of building on an apostolic/prophetic foundation.Ephesians 2.20 teaches us that the church is built upon the foundation ofapostles and prophets. Therefore, I am required by God to build the ChurchI lead that way. An apostolic and prophetic foundation creates the accuratespace and shape of what God wants built in my church. There are massiveresources in God available when we build according to the pattern! Ineeded a true apostolic / prophetic foundation within the Church I wasbuilding in order to truly be building!

The third is the principle of collaboration. For many years, my 'battlecry' (if you will) was "I want to do something great for God!" What Irealize I meant by that was that I, and I alone, wanted to come up withwhatever it took to build something 'great'. I was trapped within sight of myown giftedness and abilities and could not see that greatness was not determined by how great "I" could be, but bycollaboration to build something was impossible with only "I". Once I began to see that the greatness of God is beyond my own singular giftings, I realized that if I would 'die' to my personal dreams of greatness, andcollaborate with the apostolic, I could truly be great. Not because of me, but because of a company of people allwalking, building, and living in apostolic grace.

Scott: Collaboration and genuine relationship are absolutely foundational. Every pastor, every apostle in factall leaders MUST be relationally healthy. That is not just a statement, it is a prophetic imperative. I found intraveling to many churches over the years that church leaders were some of the most insecure people I had evermet. Part of that is lack of personal development, but part also is their context. They are genuinely called by Godbut often the training and mentoring they receive does not equip for the work of leading a church. But becausethey are a leader they cant look foolish and show their vulnerability, so they are often stuck in a place ofunderdevelopment.

The answer is relationship; being joined to genuine apostolic leadership allows each one of us to open our heartsto receive an impartation. I think if just one thing had to be highlighted about our network that would be surprising, it might be the level of relational joining and mutuality that God has given us. There is a strongrelational component to the apostolic! This manifests in many ways, for example how deeply invested I am (and

all of our apostolic leaders are) in your churches Raleigh and David. We arent trying to extract something fromyou or get more dates to fill a preaching calendar; we have come alongside and are building with you. We own ittogether. We have accepted a joint responsibility to mature the people andcare for them that is really beautiful and much more biblical than just oneperson carrying the load. For us there is no such thing as my people.

The inverse is also true the two of you are standing with me as I buildSWM, and although you are not part of the designated team of SWM, thefruit of what God helps us accomplish will abound to your account. It isnot structural or administrative; it is relational and driven by heartconnectivity. We have internalized the verse Am I my brotherskeeper? (Gen 4:9). We answer that with a resounding yes!!!

David: I agree Scott. Our church no longer looks at me as the SOLEbuilder, definer, and spiritual leader of our church. Yes, I am the SeniorElder within our local context, but because we are joined to a world muchlarger than what is in Long Beach, our leadership is greater than what is inLong Beach. When Dr. Woodroffe or Scott Webster (or other leaders withinour network) come to our Church, we no longer see them as "visitingministry", but as our own foundational leadership building OUR (us andthem) Church. It is a wonderfully freeing, empowering, and safe way tobuild.


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The Parable of the Vineyard:

Its About Relationship!

Jesus told the parable of a vineyard in Matthew 21 and it really speaks to the issue of relationship, collaboration

and mutuality discussed in the above interview.

Mt 21:33-43 Listen to another parable: There was a landowner who planted a vineyard. He put a wall

around it, dug a winepress in it and built a watchtower. Then he rented the vineyard to some farmers and

went away on a long journey. 34 When the harvest time approached, he sent his servants to the tenants to

collect his fruit. 35 The tenants seized his servants; they beat one, killed another, and stoned a third. 36

Then he sent other servants to them, more than the first time, and the tenants treated them the same way.

37 Last of all, he sent his son to them. They will respect my son, he said. 38 But when the tenants saw

the son, they said to each other, This is the heir. Come, lets kill him and take his inheritance. 39 So they

took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. 40 Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard

comes, what will he do to those tenants? 43 Therefore I tell you that the Kingdom of God will be taken

away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit.

The parable is directed towards Israels rejection of the Kingdom of God through their refusal to be a light to

the nations. They kept the resource given to them by God for themselves, and by refusing to share with the

nations they rejected God. They demanded the privileges of singular ownership when God had made them

stewards. The crux of the parable: the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people

who will produce its fruit(Mt 21:43). The parable has some key principles regarding how we build apostolic

networks and the positions we take as pastors and leaders:

Principles:1. Corporate ownership is the primary aim of the Kingdom of God. The purpose for planting the vineyard

and supplying it with everything necessary for successful cultivation was to rent it out, or share it with

others. God made man to rule the earth and to sit in the throne with Him (Rev 3:21). Deep within the mind

of God is the refusal to possess anything singularly. It is an ethical position within the divine mind, not an

emotional longing for companionship. Therefore our commitment to shared life is principled, and cannot be

based on emotional ties or temporary arrangements.

2. It is deception to think that our productivity is singular in the first place. It is the landowner who

supplied the required components that allowed the vineyard to be fruitful. He planted the vineyard, built a

wall around it, and put a watchtower in it. The parallel with a specific church is clear: God is the one whoauthorizes a church to exist (planting of the vineyard); He protects the work and secures peoples hearts

(building of the wall), and God is the one who graces leaders with wisdom and understanding to shepherd

peoples lives (put a watchtower in it). Those who insist on possessing their lives and ministries singularly

are in deep error, for they are not the originator of any Kingdom qualities which they claim as their own.

Paul said he was an apostle by the grace of God; he understood that it is God who empowers people to be

fruitful in the first place. Such a revelation compels us to share what He has given us with others; freely

you have received, freely give Mt 10:8.



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3. Abundant fruit which is not willingly shared is judged by God to be barrenness. Servants were sent to

collect the fruit produced, indicating that the workers did have success in their work in the vineyard.

However, in verse 43 Jesus declared to these same productive workers: the kingdom of God will be taken

away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit. In the mind of God a persons strident

insistence on singularity is equivalent to aborted purpose, even when their efforts produce much fruit.

Building an apparently successful church or large ministry alone, without offering it to others to own

alongside us, will be rejected by God as barrenness. Many will be shocked when their abundant spiritual

works are rejected by God due to their refusal to take on His corporate nature (Mt 7:21).

4. Disregard for our brothers is contempt for God. The refusal to build corporately with our brothers

indicates deep hatred for God. John made it clear that we cannot say we love God who we cant see if we

dont love our brother who we can see (1 John 4:20). There is a direct parallel between our commitment to

building shared life with men and the true nature of our joining to God. Death to self, refusal to possess

purpose alone and commitment to the welfare of our brothers are qualities which indicate correct

relationship with God.

Questions for Consideration:

a) Are there other principles you can extract from this parable?

b) Are there aspects of relational health and personal maturity that God is dealing with you about so that you

can live in closer proximity to your brothers?

c) How have you dealt with the rejection and betrayal of your past and moved past it? Can you describe how

you trust the Lord and move towards relationship in spite of what has happened in the past?

d) Is there an aspect of your life or ministry that you hold too dearly?

e) How have you deliberately sought to bring others into genuine ownership of what God has led you to

produce?


Releasing The New Prophetic Dimension Activating The Capacity To Build Obeying The Command To Finish

[Anatomy of a Nation in Decline] 09 – Reference Point: God is Sovereign, Part 5

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