Living As A

SupernaturalBroker OfGod’sKingdom

Why is l

ife so

hard ?

Why is l

ife so

hard ? Why do I feelWhy do I feelUnfulfilled?Unfulfilled?

Have you ever wondered ?Have you ever wondered ?

Why haven’t things worked out the

Why haven’t things worked out the

way I thought they would?

way I thought they would?Why do IWhy do INot have Not have victory?victory?

What is this despair What is this despair deep inside of me?deep inside of me?

Where is the power?

Where is the power?Why do Why do Miracles Miracles

never never happen to happen to

me?me?

Why does Why does victorious victorious Christianity Christianity Elude us?Elude us?

• Our view of Our view of the the ChristianChristian

• faith can be faith can be so weak!so weak!

It’s almost as ifIt’s almost as ifSomething is setSomething is setAgainst us whichAgainst us which

We can’t seemWe can’t seemTo break through!To break through!

Has God abandoned us? Did we not pray enough?Has God abandoned us? Did we not pray enough?After a while, the accumulation of event after event that we do not likeAfter a while, the accumulation of event after event that we do not like

and do not understand erodes our confidence that we are part of something and do not understand erodes our confidence that we are part of something grand & good, & reduces us to a survivalist mindset.grand & good, & reduces us to a survivalist mindset.

What is really going on here?What is really going on here?Good Grief- life is brutal.Good Grief- life is brutal.

Day after day it hammers us, till we lose sight of what God intends towards usDay after day it hammers us, till we lose sight of what God intends towards usand we haven’t the foggiest idea why the things that are happeningand we haven’t the foggiest idea why the things that are happening

to us to us areare happening to us. happening to us.

EldridgeEldridge

The answer has to do The answer has to do with destinywith destiny

It has to do with why we are here…It has to do with why we are here…It has to do with what we are born It has to do with what we are born

intointo

Everything Everything has a has a purpose purpose and aand atimetime

When things miss When things miss their purpose or their purpose or time, they become time, they become

displaced, displaced, disoriented, & disoriented, & disturbed.disturbed.

When you connect to When you connect to the realm God has the realm God has

for you- you for you- you discover who & why discover who & why

you areyou are

The kingdom of God The kingdom of God is indigenous to is indigenous to impossibility impossibility

hence the hence the Christian’s Christian’s

natural domain is natural domain is the realm of the the realm of the supernatural.supernatural.

We live in a tension of We live in a tension of absolute gratitude for absolute gratitude for what God has done & what God has done &

absolute absolute dissatisfaction that dissatisfaction that pulls us into the pulls us into the

impossible.impossible.

Bill Johnson

Key ParadigmsKey Paradigms•Not all truth is equal in weight.Not all truth is equal in weight. While Old covenant revelation is both true & important for us to While Old covenant revelation is both true & important for us to know, it is surpassed by New Covenant truth. Hence any apparent know, it is surpassed by New Covenant truth. Hence any apparent conflict can only be resolved in favor of the New Covenant- Jesus conflict can only be resolved in favor of the New Covenant- Jesus being the perfect & final model.being the perfect & final model.

•Everything Jesus did he did as a man in submission to God, not as GodEverything Jesus did he did as a man in submission to God, not as GodJesus Jesus denieddenied his equality with God and was the 1 his equality with God and was the 1stst born of many born of many brothers. What he did, he did in obedience & submission as a model brothers. What he did, he did in obedience & submission as a model for us, & calls us to do even greater works than his.for us, & calls us to do even greater works than his.

•God’s word is both the promise & provision for our participation in God’s word is both the promise & provision for our participation in his will.his will. In the New Testament, Jesus ultimately & plainly reveals God’s will. In the New Testament, Jesus ultimately & plainly reveals God’s will. He shows us that God’s will is life, light, love & liberty. As it is in He shows us that God’s will is life, light, love & liberty. As it is in heaven, is also his plan for earth. Everything else is an aberration.heaven, is also his plan for earth. Everything else is an aberration.

•Not all truth is equal in weight.Not all truth is equal in weight. While Old covenant revelation is both true & important for us to While Old covenant revelation is both true & important for us to know, it is surpassed by New Covenant truth. Hence any apparent know, it is surpassed by New Covenant truth. Hence any apparent conflict can only be resolved in favor of the New Covenant- Jesus conflict can only be resolved in favor of the New Covenant- Jesus being the perfect & final model.being the perfect & final model.

•Everything Jesus did he did as a man in submission to God, not as GodEverything Jesus did he did as a man in submission to God, not as GodJesus Jesus denieddenied his equality with God and was the 1 his equality with God and was the 1stst born of many born of many brothers. What he did, he did in obedience & submission as a model brothers. What he did, he did in obedience & submission as a model for us, & calls us to do even greater works than his.for us, & calls us to do even greater works than his.

•God’s word is both the promise & provision for our participation in God’s word is both the promise & provision for our participation in his will.his will. In the New Testament, Jesus ultimately & plainly reveals God’s will. In the New Testament, Jesus ultimately & plainly reveals God’s will. He shows us that God’s will is life, light, love & liberty. As it is in He shows us that God’s will is life, light, love & liberty. As it is in heaven, is also his plan for earth. Everything else is an aberration.heaven, is also his plan for earth. Everything else is an aberration.

•Facilitating liberty is paramount in the Church’s mission.Facilitating liberty is paramount in the Church’s mission. The Church contending for human liberation from evil darkness such The Church contending for human liberation from evil darkness such as- sin, demonic oppression, sickness, disease, & poverty, is the as- sin, demonic oppression, sickness, disease, & poverty, is the continuation of Jesus work on earth & a necessary outworking of continuation of Jesus work on earth & a necessary outworking of reconciliation with God. It also glorifies God.reconciliation with God. It also glorifies God.

•The fingerprint of the devil is clear.The fingerprint of the devil is clear. From the New Covenant paradigm, anywhere we see oppression or the From the New Covenant paradigm, anywhere we see oppression or the compromising of human liberty, be it through politics, religion, finance, compromising of human liberty, be it through politics, religion, finance, sickness or any other means, there is Satan’s hand. Our mission is to sickness or any other means, there is Satan’s hand. Our mission is to enforce the will of God over the dominion of Satan. enforce the will of God over the dominion of Satan.

•Redemption never implies approval of evil.Redemption never implies approval of evil. Just because God brings good out of bad situations, does not mean he Just because God brings good out of bad situations, does not mean he authored or approves of those situations. It just shows how amazingly authored or approves of those situations. It just shows how amazingly powerful & gracious he is. God cannot & will not be accused of powerful & gracious he is. God cannot & will not be accused of culpability for evil.culpability for evil.

•Intimacy is the essential core of all Christian life, power, faith & Intimacy is the essential core of all Christian life, power, faith & authority.authority.The meaning & the means of the Christian life are this-: to come to the The meaning & the means of the Christian life are this-: to come to the Father through Jesus the Son in the fellowship of the Holy Spirit.Father through Jesus the Son in the fellowship of the Holy Spirit.

Are we born Are we born again?again?

To understand the deep things of God To understand the deep things of God you must first qualify through you must first qualify through

spiritual rebirth & renewalspiritual rebirth & renewal

How The Gospel UnfoldsHow The Gospel Unfolds

..Revelation...Repentance...Faith...Salvation.....Revelation...Repentance...Faith...Salvation.....Fullness...Transformation...Obedience...Victory....Fullness...Transformation...Obedience...Victory..

• ““As you go preach this message: the kingdom of As you go preach this message: the kingdom of heaven is near. Heal the sick, raise the dead, heaven is near. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. demons. Freely you have received, freely give. Go without money & don’t pack.” Mt10:7Go without money & don’t pack.” Mt10:7

• ““These signs will accompany those who believe: These signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their bare hands; & when they drink deadly with their bare hands; & when they drink deadly poison it will not hurt them at all; they will poison it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.” Mk 16:17get well.” Mk 16:17

• ““I have given you authority to trample on snakes I have given you authority to trample on snakes & scorpions and to overcome all the power of the & scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.” Luke 10:19 enemy; nothing will harm you.” Luke 10:19

• ““All authority in heaven All authority in heaven & earth& earth has been given has been given to me. Therefore go…” Matt 28:18 to me. Therefore go…” Matt 28:18

Repent enough to be transformed

WordWordBeliefBeliefBaptismBaptismRenewalRenewalFruitfulFruitful

nessness

Covenant Covenant Foundations For Foundations For The MiraculousThe Miraculous

5 Important Differences

Between Old & New Covenants

1. The Old is an obsolete shadow of the superior New Covenant

Heb 8: 6But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises. 7For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion to look for a second....13In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.

The old was

exclusive, the New is inclusiv

e

Ex19...while Moses went up to God. The Lord called to him out of the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the people of Israel: 4You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. 5Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; 6and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel.”

The old was legal works

based.

The new is Spirit grace

based

2 Cor 3:6 6who has made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

Rom 7:66 But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve not under the old written code but in the new life of the Spirit.

The Old bound up, the New sets

free

Gal 3:23Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. 24So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. 25But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian...Gal 5:1For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

The old failed the new cannot fail

 Heb 8:6 But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises. 7For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion to look for a second.8For he finds fault with them when he says:      “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah, not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt.      For they did not continue in my covenant, and so I showed no concern for them, declares the Lord.For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts,      and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall not teach, each one his neighbor and each one his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,  for they shall all know me,      from the least of them to the greatest. For I will be merciful toward their iniquities,      and I will remember their sins no more. In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.

The Primary Revelation of the OT

•To reveal the seriousness of the problem of sin & to bring humanity to a point of recognizing their need for a savior. Gal 3:22-24

The Primary Revelation of the NT

To reveal the supremacy of the love of God over the powers of sin & death through the life, death & resurrection of Jesus & the

subsequent transformation of his people.

Points of Application

•Not all truth is equal

•The final word on revelation & God’s will is Jesus

•Christians are covenanted to live according to the New Covenant

•There are irrevocable absolutes upon which our covenant is founded- these need to be settled in our heart & mind.

To be eligible for To be eligible for spiritual power & spiritual power &

authority you need to authority you need to understand one simple understand one simple

truth.truth.The kingdom of God is The kingdom of God is

really, truly, really, truly, genuinely at hand. genuinely at hand.

A kingdom is a king’s A kingdom is a king’s domaindomain

What God’s dominion looks What God’s dominion looks likelike

•Healing Lk 9:2,11, 10:9

•Deliverance Matt 12:28

•Repentance & faith Mk 1:15

•Power Mk 9:1, 1cor 4:20

•Revelation Luke 8:10

•Proclamation Lk 9:60

•R.P.J Rom 14:17

God’s Will?-God’s Will?-“On earth “On earth

as it is in as it is in heaven”heaven”

Having Having received received the Spirit the Spirit Understand Understand you are you are the the

gateway to gateway to heaven heaven

Miracles- Miracles-

Power, Power, Faith, Faith, & & AuthorityAuthority

Powerlessness is inexcusablePowerlessness is inexcusable

•ProximityProximity A sense of divine A sense of divine presencepresence

•Spirituality Spirituality Fruit of the Fruit of the Spirit Spirit

•CapacityCapacity Gifts of the SpiritGifts of the Spirit

•ActivityActivity Works in the SpiritWorks in the Spirit

• TerritoryTerritory Souls & communities Souls & communities won won

The key is the Holy SpiritThe key is the Holy Spirit

The Power ofThe Power of

PowerPower

is the capacity, strength is the capacity, strength

or ability to do something. or ability to do something.

((AbilityAbility))

FaithFaith

is the hope & conviction is the hope & conviction

concerning a certain outcome. concerning a certain outcome.

((MotivationMotivation) )

AuthorityAuthority

is the recognised right to exert is the recognised right to exert

power or influence (power or influence (StatusStatus))

Power, faith & authority in turn define, release or confine each other

The interplay betweenPower, Faith & Authority

2. The realm 2. The realm of paradigms & of paradigms &

mindsetsmindsets

• The Bible is clear on the need to demolish what it calls pretentious mindsets.

• 2 Cor 10:4f for the weapons of our warfare are not merely human, but they have divine power to destroy

strongholds. We destroy arguments 5and every proud obstacle that sets itself up against the knowledge of

God, and we take every thought captive to obey Christ.

• It’s also clear we need to renew the mind with Godly patterns or mindsets.

• Rom 12:2 Do not be conformed to the pattern this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your

mind, so that you may discern what the will of God is—what is good and acceptable and perfect.

MRI showing Neural Pathways in the brain.

The Word of God is both his promise & provision for our The Word of God is both his promise & provision for our participation in the divine.participation in the divine.

Jesus is the perfect revelation of God’s character & God’s will. Jesus is the perfect revelation of God’s character & God’s will. Whatever we think we know from the OT or from our experience is Whatever we think we know from the OT or from our experience is inferior to (that is), surpassed by, what Jesus reveals about God’s inferior to (that is), surpassed by, what Jesus reveals about God’s character & will. character & will.

According to the Jesus revelation, God is gracious & good all the According to the Jesus revelation, God is gracious & good all the time, he saves & heals all who come to him. You can trust him.time, he saves & heals all who come to him. You can trust him.

The purpose of your continued existence. Either life is about you, or The purpose of your continued existence. Either life is about you, or you were bought with a price that you may be spent on him & his you were bought with a price that you may be spent on him & his purposes.purposes.

We need to settle some absolute truths once and for all.

3. The paradox between promise &

experience

The paradoxThe paradox is that God’s word & will are certain & is that God’s word & will are certain & true, yet at times despite our best efforts what true, yet at times despite our best efforts what

should happen does not happen. should happen does not happen. We hit the wall!We hit the wall!

According to Jesus witness, although God neither According to Jesus witness, although God neither causes nor delights in these times, never the less causes nor delights in these times, never the less

he extracts glory out of them.he extracts glory out of them.

Paradox of GloryParadox of Glory

•The man born blind- Born to reveal The man born blind- Born to reveal God’s powerGod’s power

•Lazarus- Death conquered reveals Lazarus- Death conquered reveals Jesus GloryJesus Glory

•Paul- Weakness catapults us into Paul- Weakness catapults us into powerpower

To engage the miraculous

Power is the capacity, strength

or ability to do something. (Ability)

Faith is the hope & conviction

concerning a certain outcome. (Motivation)

Authority is the recognised right to exert

power or influence (Status)

We want to increase our We want to increase our authority through intimacyauthority through intimacy

We want to faithfully We want to faithfully manage the paradox manage the paradox between promise & between promise & experience because experience because power is perfected in power is perfected in

weakness.weakness.

We want to increase our faith We want to increase our faith capacity through destroying capacity through destroying old & creating new mindsetsold & creating new mindsets

The cause of disease & The cause of disease & infirmityinfirmity

• Afflicting demonic powers Mk 9:14fAfflicting demonic powers Mk 9:14f

• Chance arising from creation’s subjection to decay Rom 8:20Chance arising from creation’s subjection to decay Rom 8:20

• Self inflicted conditions based in vulnerable Self inflicted conditions based in vulnerable

predisposition Gal 6:7predisposition Gal 6:7

• Chosen for glory Ex 4:1Chosen for glory Ex 4:1

• Life- abundant, eternalLife- abundant, eternalGod’s promises reveal his provision for the contingencies we

shall face.

Prosperity of Prosperity of SoulSoul

Perfume and incense make the the heart glad, Perfume and incense make the the heart glad, but the soul is broken by trouble. but the soul is broken by trouble. Pr27:9Pr27:9

Channels of Soul Damage•Compromised God

factor

•Circumstances that wound

•Relationships that break us

•Deferred hope

The Prosperous Soul

Secure &

Stable

Undisturbed

Non-defensive

non-indebting

Generous

How to prosper How to prosper your soulyour soul

a) Truth must prevail over the facts- Transformed minda) Truth must prevail over the facts- Transformed mind

b) Faith & hope must prevail over fear & despair- New positive heartb) Faith & hope must prevail over fear & despair- New positive heart

c) Intimacy must prevail over emptiness- Fullnessc) Intimacy must prevail over emptiness- Fullness

d) Forgiveness & mercy must prevail over offense & justice- Generosityd) Forgiveness & mercy must prevail over offense & justice- Generosity

e) Submission & obedience must prevail against independent autonomy-Faithfulnesse) Submission & obedience must prevail against independent autonomy-Faithfulness

f)f) Living for Him must prevail over living for your self- Kingdom Living for Him must prevail over living for your self- Kingdom

Maintaining Maintaining ProsperityProsperity

••Strengthen yourself in the Lord like David did- Strengthen yourself in the Lord like David did- 1 Sam 30:61 Sam 30:6

••Keeping the Lord before you causes the soul to rejoice- Keeping the Lord before you causes the soul to rejoice- Psalm 16:9Psalm 16:9

••Lose your godless self then find your true self in Christ- Lose your godless self then find your true self in Christ- Gal 3:20Gal 3:20

••Take up your cross daily & follow him-Take up your cross daily & follow him- Lk 9:23 Lk 9:23

••Trust in his vindication- Trust in his vindication- Ps 25, 26 Ps 25, 26

••Be strong & very courageous- Be strong & very courageous- Joshua 1:7 Joshua 1:7

••Be anxious for nothing- cast your anxiety on him- Be anxious for nothing- cast your anxiety on him- 1 Pet 5:7 1 Pet 5:7

••Rejoice in persecution & suffering disgrace- Rejoice in persecution & suffering disgrace- James, Jesus, Acts James, Jesus, Acts

••Rejoice in the Lord- Rejoice in the Lord- Paul, Job, HabakkukPaul, Job, Habakkuk

••Meditate on his word- Meditate on his word- Ps1; 19:7Ps1; 19:7

••Promote kindness- it nourishes the soul. Promote kindness- it nourishes the soul. Prov 11:17Prov 11:17

••The right words satisfy the soul- The right words satisfy the soul- Prov 18:20Prov 18:20

••Seek wisdom- it’s sweet to the soul- Seek wisdom- it’s sweet to the soul- Prov 3:22; 24:14Prov 3:22; 24:14

••Remember God- Remember God- Psalm 42:2Psalm 42:2

••Wait on God- Wait on God- Psalm 130, 131Psalm 130, 131

End