Sin Is Not Imputed When There Is No Law

Today's Bible Study:

Just as through one man sin entered into the world ... and death through sin ... and so death spread to all men, because all sinned — for until the Law sin was in the world ...

but sin is not imputed when there is no law.

Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those who had not sinned in the likeness of the offense of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come.

If you've made it this far ... please comment and give your definition of "sin."

May God bless you abundantly, and make you a blessing to others.
Bishop Dennis Davis
Presiding Apostle/Prophet of CFI

Hear What God Is Saying And Walk In It

We need to know what God is saying to us, and then we need to walk in it. This, and much more, is covered in this video.

May God bless you abundantly, and make you a blessing to others!
Bishop Dennis Davis
Presiding Apostle/Prophet of CFI

Equipping Leaders

Here's a video for this blog. Says more than what I can write, and probably says it quicker than most can read. :-)

May God bless you abundantly, and make you a blessing to others,

Bishop Dennis Davis

Presiding Apostle/Prophet of CFI

I celebrated another birthday, Saturday, May 7. I won't say how old I am because everyone usually thinks I'm 5-10 years younger than I truly am ... so, at my age, I'll allow them to think what they will. :-)

While the day my mother gave birth to me is an important date, there is one day that is even greater, yet few celebrate it at all. That day would be the day we are "born again." Why most not celebrate it? I'd say because many have NO idea when they were born again ... which could be a problem.

On the one hand, there are those who KNOW that they were born again. They can tell you the moment or event, but they can't tell you the date. They can tell you specifics about that day, they just don't recall the month or day, and sometimes don't even recall the year. However, they do KNOW of a moment that they were born again, and their life changed.

On the other hand, there are those who have no idea of when they were born again. They can't point to a specific moment, event, season, or anything. They just "grew up" a Christian. These I am concerned about.

I understand that many churches don't keep the records, nor do they highlight the special day representing when they were born again. Thus, many don't know the date. But when someone can't point back to a time they made a decision to accept the Lordship of Jesus Christ, then we must encourage them to truly question ... have I truly made Jesus Christ Lord of my life? It's a decision one makes.

If you know the day you were born again ... cherish it. Make it special. Celebrate it. If you know the month, but not a specific day ... pick a day and celebrate it. My point is this ... we celebrate our fleshly birth, yet our spiritual birth is far more important. Which should we treasure more?

Those who may read this who don't know of any time that they could say, "I was born again," I challenge you ... make THIS day that day. Decide, and declare, that Jesus is Lord of your life from this day forth. Thank Him for the salvation that He has given to you, and rejoice!

My very special day was July 23, 1979 at 3:10 AM.

Proclaim the good news to others and invite them to accept the Lordship of Jesus for themselves.

May God bless you abundantly, and make you a blessing to others,
Bishop Dennis Davis

Personal Prophetic Ministry

The following is in response to a question I received through my website. I thought the response may help others, as well.

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Question:

Hello I was wondering if you do personal prophetic ministry?

Answer:

May grace and peace be manifested abundantly in your life.

Elizabeth, thanks for contacting me with your question.

I appreciate the seriousness of your question, and I'll answer that question after I say this. It seems to be a bit of humor between me and the Lord when someone asks me, what I'm sure to them is a simple question, and yet my answer isn't as simple and direct. So, please hang in here with me.

To answer your question, "simply" ... the answer would be "yes."

To answer your question more "completely" ... will take a bit more than a "yes." Please allow me to explain.

There are those who accept personal prophetic ministry, and those who do not. Obviously, I do accept it.

To those who do not accept it, the Lord "rarely" (not "never") directs a word to them. Just as Jesus could do no mighty work in Nazareth because of their unbelief, a word to the scoffer would be rejected.

To those who DO accept personal prophetic ministry there needs to be better understanding. God moves through each of His "vessels" uniquely. Just as the example of the difference between the foot and the hand in the body. Both are necessary. They are still, both, part of the body. Now in a bit different scenario that helps me personally understand how God uses each person uniquely is forks, spoons, and knives. Personally, I have a rough time using a spoon for what forks and knives are used for. Then to break it down even more, it's difficult to use a butter knife the same way you'd use a steak knife.

Now, let's understand that each individual in the body of Christ is unique. There's not another on the planet, exactly like me, and not another exactly like you. He'll use you one way, and me another.

To get back to your question, those who are utilized by the Lord in the personal prophetic ministry are unique. Each have varying styles and personalities, which simply reveals the creativity of the Lord.

As I equip and empower those the Lord sends my way, I in no way desire a clone. If they are a clone of me, then the work in them is not of the Lord. They must learn to go beyond me, and be moved by His Spirit. It is my responsibility to help them, and nurture them in the ways of the Lord, not in the ways of "me." I understand that they are unique and valuable to the Lord and to the body of Christ. Now they will definitely have my impression upon them, that's why the Lord sent them to me, because He wants the impression He's given me to be upon them ... otherwise, He would have sent them to another prophet for molding.

I say this in hopes of equipping you to be prepared for what the Lord has in store for you.

Always remember, a prophetic word is for exhortation, edification, and comfort. When a prophet brings you a word from the Lord, he will not bring fear. The word He gives you will not discourage you, it will encourage you. It will not be for condemnation, it will be for building you up. It will not bring you discomfort, it will bring you comfort.

I tell people who thinks God uses fear to motivate us ... that's simply not true. I've had someone tell me, "Well, if there is a serial killer in your house waiting for you, fear will keep you out of the house." Nonsense, we're told that God didn't give us a spirit of fear. Fear involves the flesh. We are not carnal. We are to be moved by His Spirit and His Word. I tell people that if there's a serial killer awaiting me in my house, God will simply tell me to go do something else. OR, if He tells me there is a serial killer in my house, He'll say it in such a way that it will not bring fear but comfort, and a solution for victory.

One last thing, NOTE ... we seldom (I didn't say never) are to seek a prophetic word. Let me emphasize again that I did NOT say that we are NEVER to seek ... what I said was that we are to seldom seek a prophetic word. Our leading and inspiration comes from the Holy Spirit. We're clearly told in Romans 8:14 that all who are led by the Spirit of God, are the sons of God. It does NOT say those who are led by prophets. Again, keep in mind, I am a prophet of God, but you are to be led by the Spirit of God, not by me. It is my responsibility to teach you to hear HIS voice. It is important that you are able to hear HIM, even when I am not, or another prophet is not, around.

As we are seeking the Lord, praying, and asking for guidance, He will send those to speak prophetically into our life. As a prophet, I am to equip you for the work He has called you to, and one of the most important ingredients in that equipping is teaching and showing you how to hear directly from the Holy Spirit. I've seen too many who have been called to the prophetic, who have become too puffed up in thinking everyone needs them. Instead they should be thinking that everyone needs the Lord, and understand that they are simply a tool (like a hammer, or sandpaper) which the Lord is utilizing to shape someone's life ... always remembering ... to God be all the glory, honor, and praise!

Finally, you were probably not expecting such a lengthy response. Had you inquired with someone else, you would have received a different response, because of how the Lord equips us individually. He led you to my website, and led you to ask me the question. This is the response you received. I don't believe it was by accident. God desires for you to have a deep and passionate heart to heart walk with Him. He doesn't want it to be superficial, He desires for it to have a strong root and strong foundation. He doesn't want you to have a life of quick fixes, He desires for you to be a vessel who is strong and healthy, and able to train up and equip others, to train up and equip others, to train up and equip other ... I hope you get the picture. He didn't make a mistake in molding you. You are unique! He didn't call you for your imitation of someone else, He called and equipped you for HIS purpose. He didn't create a purpose for you, He created YOU for a purpose. There's a difference. Be strong, be courageous, and be bold to be who God created YOU to be.

I hope this answers your question. If you have any others, or desire clarity on anything here, please let me know.

May God bless you abundantly, and make you a blessing to others,

Bishop Dennis Davis
Presiding Apostle/Prophet of CFI
www.BishopDennisDavis.com
www.VoiceOfTheAnointing.com
www.ChristianFellowshipInternational.net

Radical Change

I've known the Lord for over 31.5 years, and I've been in ministry nearly as long. I've studied His Word extensively. I've been exposed to many varied moves of God over those years ... some good, some questionable as to if it truly was a move of God ... some long term moves, some short term, and some as quick as one service only. I've also been exposed to many varied doctrines, with the same conclusions as the moves of God ... some good, some questionable.

I've made several observations over the years concerning the kingdom of God, the church, ministries, authority in the kingdom, authority in the church, the world, scripture, interpretation of scripture, and much more. As you read this, you may think that authority in the kingdom and authority in the church would be the same. Now, although it should be the same, upon research and study, you'll conclude that it is NOT ... well, it hasn't been ... but ... the times, they are a changing.

It's hard to explain, but in the last few months I've gained a clearer understanding of things that in years past have been "cloudy." I truly believe we are in the midsts of the most radical change in the way of "doing church" since the Protestant Reformation.

Isn't it interesting that most people who call themselves Christians, have very little understanding of what they should truly believe? What do you think about the fact that most "believers" have no, or very little, understanding of what happened in the Protestant Reformation? How many today know where the various denominations came from, and who knows the differences between them? Now most would say all that is not important. To which I'd say, it is important if one wants a true understanding of the ways of God.

How does the time of the Protestant Reformation compare with today? If we think we are so much "better off" than they were, we should do some more study. In the time of the Protestant Reformation, people were misled because most could not read the Bible, due to the language barrier. Today, many are misled because they don't find it important enough to read and study the Bible.

When one takes a close look at the church today, there is much to be excited about, with also some things that sound an alarm. There are changes that can be seen when one looks with an observant eye. Changes in style, appearance, methods, training, and authority, to name just a few.

Is it possible, as a few scholars and theologians have stated, that there has been a period of 1800 years when the biblical government of the Church was not explicitly in its proper place? Think of the time between Malachi and the New Testament. Over 400 years of silence, where we know of no record of any visitation of God ... no prophets, no miracles, no word from God. Then comes John the Baptist, the forerunner of Jesus. One representing the old covenant, the other being the manifestation of the new covenant ... old wineskin and new wineskin. So, why would it be said that the biblical government of the Church has not been explicitly in its proper place?

While there has been a "government of the Church" in place, when one understands the truth of God's word, and the ways of God, one would have to admit that it has not been a "biblical government." Why would some disagree with that statement? Let me ask another question ... why was there such controversy over the Protestant Reformation? People get accustomed to the "status quo." Most never study to show themselves approved unto God, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2Timothy 2:15)

Radical change is upon us. Look at the signs of the times. Look at the number of nations that are having demonstrations and upheavals. It is necessary to gain a better understanding of the truth of God's word. It is vital that we understand that we, as christians, may be in the world, but we are not of it. We have a King, and His name is Jesus! We are to be about the advancement of the kingdom of God.

The world needs solutions, and we as the children of God, should be the ones with the solutions. In their day, Daniel, Nehemiah, and Joseph (to name only a few) were given the solutions to their generations. Who are the ones in this day and age who will come forth with the solutions?

Again, radical change is upon us. Stand up, step out, and make a difference. Seek the Lord, like you've never sought Him before. Allow Him to lead you, as you've never allowed Him before. You will fall into one of the following categories.

1) Those who make things happen.

2) Those who watch what's happening.

3) Those who don't know what's happening.

Decide to be in group number one.

To God be all glory, honor, and praise!

May God bless you abundantly, and make you a blessing to others,

Bishop Dennis Davis

Presiding Apostle/Prophet of CFI

The Awakening is Upon Us!!!

Now many of you that have taken the time to read my facebook and twitter chatter, have heard me talking about an awakening. Up until tonight (you can tell me I've been hiding in a closet), but until tonight, I've not heard anyone else talking about an awakening. Tonight ... I read this ... "One of the things that we keep hearing for 2011 is AWAKENING is COMING! God is prophetically speaking to His people telling them to arise, awake, and accept the light of a new day!" Amazing! Glad someone is hearing it. The first and only time I've heard it, was some time ago while I was in prayer. It was birthed in my spirit, and it has been like a fire. Get ready.

I'm also the presiding Apostle/Prophet for CFI (Christian Fellowship International). I've prayed a lot about that. I kept telling my wife, I have to answer the question, "WHY?" Why CFI? This was back in October of 2010. I then found a book. It was discounted and only cost me a dollar. I look back and have NO IDEA why I picked up that book. I have NO IDEA why I purchased it after I picked it up. The ONLY reason it could have been, was that it was divinely prompted. That book answered so many of my questions. It would take a book, to explain all the answers the Lord revealed to me concerning questions that I'd had for years. However, through all that, the Lord revealed to me the WHY, that I'd been asking about. CFI is for equipping and empowering believers, and releasing them to fulfill the call of God on their lives. I've been communicating that to those who inquire about CFI, and anyone else that will listen. :-)

OK, having said that ... what else do I read tonight, from the same blog? (BTW, the blog I read can be found by clicking here ... it's by Brian Simmons, and it's about half way down the page.) The title is "Seven Components of a Great Life This Year and Some Celebrities Will Prophesy." He started out with what I mentioned in the opening paragraph of my blog here. Then he went into his 7 components. It was all good, but #4 was amazing, because in #4 he wrote:

4. Empowerment of Others to Fulfill Their Ministry

Non-controlling, equipping, releasing, affirming, fathers/mothers will arise in 2011. Will you be one of them? Now is the time to stop telling people in the Church what they can't do and begin to teach the saints what they can do! The works of Jesus are waiting for a faith-filled people to step out in ministry and do it! I love the legacy of John Wimber who taught our generation that we can "do the stuff." So why would we put so many barriers and restrictions and probations before God's people when He calls us to "do the stuff"? People who really know the power of God are now called to empower the people to know it, too! If you will give yourself like crazy to take off shackles from God's people and empower them to fulfill their ministry, 2011 will be the BEST year you've ever had!

I've recently been talking about coaching (similar to what he says about "fathers/mothers"), and how I see the need for everyone to have a coach. Yes, the Holy Spirit is our coach, but in case anyone hasn't noticed lately, some have had (admittedly) a rough time hearing that voice clearly. It is the responsibility of the mature to teach and train others how to hear that voice.

I find it amazing and exciting when the Lord does things like this. It stirs me when I get confirmation about what the Lord is doing. He has told us, by the mouth of two or more witnesses let everything be established.

I encourage you to get ready for a great outpouring ... a great AWAKENING. If you, or someone you know needs equipping and/or empowering, please visit the CFI website.

May God bless you abundantly, and make you a blessing to others,

Bishop Dennis Davis

Presiding Apostle/Prophet of CFI

Contrasting Kingdom Leaders and Church Leaders

The last two days, I've blogged concerning the kingdom of God. It is a vital understanding, as I see, for any christian today. Somewhere along the line, it seems the church has gone into survival mode and concentrated on "preservation" rather than warfare and attacking the "gates of hell." Jesus told us that the gates of hell shall not prevail against us. Why is it that most perceive that statement as hell attacking us? Have you ever seen "gates" as an offensive weapon? Aren't "gates" defensive? You can read about all this in a blog I wrote back in October by clicking here.

It would seem, the mindset of the church needs adjusting. I submit this blog to you in hopes it will stir you to meditate on God's Word ... that it will inspire you to search the scriptures ... and apply His truth in a more effective way in your life. The following was taken from Joseph Mattera's blog, in it's entirety. When something is said so well, why mess with it. So, allow the Holy Spirit to utilize the following to direct you to a deeper and more fulfilling walk with our Lord Jesus Christ.

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There is presently a revolution taking place among those on the leading edge of change in the Evangelical Church. The result is a transition from a church mindset to a kingdom mindset in which the walls of church buildings are no longer able to contain the raw creative energy of Christ-followers who are committed to preaching and applying the Gospel of the Kingdom to all the world, including its systems and structures.

As political solutions and big government attempts to heal our land fail miserably, more people will look to faith-based partnerships and churches to find solutions. Hence the irrelevancy of old church patterns and traditions will become more noticeable in the decades to come.

Consequently, it behooves us to continue to study the contrasts between leading-edge kingdom practices and old, irrelevant religious church patterns that have failed to effectively evangelize and transform communities with the gospel.

The following is a contrast between leaders with a kingdom mindset and those with a church mindset.

I. Kingdom leaders interpret Matthew 28:19-20 as referring to discipling all nations. Church leaders believe it only refers to all individual ethnic peoples.

The Body of Christ is now re-thinking the Great Commission scriptures of Mark 16:15 and Matthew 28:19-20. Instead of viewing them as commands to merely evangelize individual souls, now many are viewing the command in Mark 16 to ‘go into all the world and preach’ as a command to apply the gospel to both individual sinners and world systems. Matthew 28:19-20 is now regarded as the New Testament equivalent to the Cultural Mandate found in Genesis 1:28.

II. Kingdom leaders attempt to nurture and release world-class leaders who serve their communities. Church leaders nurture only those who serve in Sunday ministry.

Kingdom leaders understand that only 2% to 3% of those in their congregations are called to full-time church ministry. These leaders believe they are called to equip the saints for the work of the ministry which, in the kingdom, includes marketplace vocational ministry, not only ecclesial ministry. With this view, there is room for everyone in the congregation to be set apart and trained as a minister of the gospel.

III. Kingdom leaders understand and work with God’s common grace. Church leaders only understand and work with those who have experienced saving grace.

Kingdom leaders understand that God’s grace has been poured out to all of humanity so the world can function normally. Romans 13:1-7 calls civic leaders God’s ministers (diakanos or deacons). If God calls unredeemed leaders His ministers then kingdom leaders know they can also partner with political and community leaders, even if they are not in full agreement when it comes to faith and core values.

Church leaders only work with those that are in full agreement with their core religious values, thus insulating themselves from the world around them.

IV. Kingdom leaders have a biblical worldview that encompasses all of life. Church leaders have a semi-Gnostic Greek view of Scripture that regards only spiritual things as important.

Kingdom leaders know that the earth is the Lord’s and not the devil’s (Psalm 24)! They know that the Word became flesh. Thus, the material world is also sacred and something to be cultivated (Genesis 2:15).

Church leaders are only concerned with spiritual things like prayer, healing, the gifts and fruit of the Spirit, etc. These spiritual things are only really effective if they are applied to our walk with God and its concomitant love of neighbor as salt and light.

V. Kingdom leaders are working towards a new Christendom. Church leaders are only trying to produce individual Christians.

Kingdom leaders desire to interweave the principles of God’s Word into every fabric of culture so every nation and city favors Christianity and bases civic laws on biblical precepts.

Church leaders are not overly concerned with politics and economics but with adding new converts who, without a biblical worldview, will only perpetuate humanistic ungodly systems with their partial “spiritual” gospel.

VI. Kingdom leaders teach the church to embrace their secular communities before they experience conversion. Church leaders embrace people into their faith communities only after they experience salvation.

Kingdom leaders regard their cities and communities as gifts to the church and to the people who live in them. They embrace their communities in humility and send their members into their communities as servant leaders who will be the greatest problem solvers of the most challenging human needs.

Church leaders only embrace individuals in their communities after they have professed faith in Christ. Thus, they insulate and isolate themselves and their churches from the felt needs of their communities, yet are joyful as long as their churches are growing and their bills are paid.

VII. Kingdom leaders turn the world upside down (Acts 17:1-7). Church leaders restructure their local churches.

In Acts 17 it was said, when the apostles came into a community, that ‘those who turned the world upside down have come here also.’

Nowadays the typical church mindset is only concerned with what happens within the four walls of the church building. There are many churches that, if they closed down, the local community boards, police stations, and political leaders would barely notice they were gone!

VIII. Kingdom leaders articulate Christ as Lord over every culture. Church leaders preach Christ as only the head of the church.

Kingdom leaders recognize Jesus’ place as King of every secular king. This has vast cultural and political implications, and pressures the church to engage the secular arena.

Those with a church mindset only preach Christ as the head of the church and neglect Jesus’ function as King over the unredeemed world!

IX. Kingdom leaders shepherd whole communities. Church leaders shepherd only their church congregations.

Kingdom leaders understand they are called to communities, not only to local churches. Hence, they see themselves as chaplains and spiritual leaders of regions.

Church leaders feel no responsibility to their communities because they feel committed only to those who attend their Sunday services.

X. Kingdom leaders attempt to exorcise demons out of ungodly social systems. Church leaders only cast devils out of individual people.

Kingdom leaders understand that Jesus came to redeem systemic sin, not just individual sin (read Colossians 1:20).

Church leaders only feel called to deal with individual evil. Thus, they interpret passages such as Luke 4:18 as dealing with the individual poor and oppressed, neglecting the systemic reference from which it came. (Read Isaiah 61:1-4 to see that Luke 4:18 concerns redeeming and restoring desolate cities, not just individuals in need.)

XI. Kingdom leaders pray for God’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. Church leaders pray for revival in their churches.

The Lord’s Prayer (Luke 11) teaches us to pray that God’s will would be done and His kingdom would come on earth. Thus, kingdom leaders have as their prayer focus the kingdom being manifest on the earth.

Leaders with a church mindset are content with only the signs of the kingdom (healing and deliverance of individuals as found in Matthew 12:28 and Hebrews 2:1-3) instead of striving for a manifestation of the kingdom in their cities that impacts the quality of life politically and economically (Isaiah 61:3-4).

XII. Kingdom leaders believe for the gospel to economically lift whole communities. Church leaders believe for greater tithes and offerings to support their building projects and programs.

XIII. Kingdom leaders gravitate toward the complexities and challenges of cities. Church leaders gravitate toward lives of isolation and inward focus.

Before the Civil War, when the American church preached the kingdom message, the church was able to draft the founding documents of this great nation, and start schools and Ivy League universities, all for the purpose of placing godly leaders in society as the future presidents, governors, mayors, scientists, artists, writers, etc. The church took the lead in cultural reform.

But after the horrible experiences of the Civil War the church lost hope in the kingdom being manifest on the earth and started to focus on the imminent return of Christ and the rapture. This resulted in American culture being lost to secularists in one generation!

This turning away from the kingdom message led to church leaders isolating themselves from the looming threats of biblical higher criticism, Marxism, Darwinism, the infiltration of non-WASP immigrants, Sigmund Freud and psychology, and the Industrial Revolution. These brought many pressures upon the nuclear family as men had to go into the cities to find work. Instead of engaging the culture and these challenges head-on, the American church started looking for escape and changed its theology! The present move of God is finally bringing the church back onto the biblical footing of the kingdom message.

XIV. Kingdom leaders equip people for life. Church leaders equip people for church life.

Kingdom leaders inspire and equip the saints to serve in their cities as salt and light, to be like Daniel and Joseph who prospered and held significant leadership roles in the midst of pagan systems and kings.

Church leaders train people to be good altar workers, ushers, Sunday school teachers, Sunday preachers, etc.

XV. Kingdom leaders honor Jesus’ dual role as Redeemer and Creator. Church leaders separate redemption from creation.

Kingdom leaders realize that the Jesus who died on the cross (John 3:16) for the sins of the world (John 1:29) is the same Jesus who created the world (John 1:3-4).

When we apply the Word of God to culture we are embracing Jesus’ ownership of the whole world. But when we preach the cross of Christ only for individual sinners and do not also apply it to the created order we separate the Redeemer from the Creator!

XVI. Kingdom leaders are forward thinkers. Church leaders long for the past.

Kingdom leaders are excited about the future advance of Christendom in every facet of life and for every nation. They are excited over the increasing influence of Christ in culture. They train believers to replenish the earth by placing godly leaders in the realms of science, art, media, education, economics and politics. The sky is the limit for them!

Those with a church mindset long for the past, when life was much simpler and everyone in a community embraced the role of Christianity in culture. They do not like the vast complexities that social fragmentation has presented because it distracts from, and interferes with, their nice and neat Sunday church attendance parish structures.

XVII. Kingdom leaders apply their faith to the earth. Church leaders are focused on escaping the earth and making it to heaven.

The Bible is essentially not a book about heaven. It is not concerned with another geographic location whether spiritual or physical. It is mainly concerned with the person of Christ and His rule and dominion in the cosmos (read Ephesians 1:9-11)! Because of this, the Bible is the most practical book about life on the earth that has ever been written! Kingdom leaders understand and embrace this reality.

Church leaders emphasize heaven since they have no real sense of purpose to give to the majority of their congregants who are not called into full-time church ministry.

XVIII. Kingdom leaders envision the building of universities with theology serving as the “queen of the sciences.” Church leaders envision the establishment of church-centered Bible institutes that avoid liberal arts and the humanities.

XIX. Kingdom leaders are entrepreneurs. Church leaders are stuck in maintenance mode, merely holding their ground until Jesus comes back or they make it to heaven!

XX. Kingdom leaders pray for revival to bring people into the church and reformation to place believers as leaders in world systems. Church leaders merely pray and believe for higher attendance on Sundays.

XXI. Kingdom leaders work for cultural transformation. Church leaders focus on waiting for the rapture.

Jesus told the church to occupy until He comes. Kingdom leaders are busy strategizing how they are going to start schools of government to train political candidates, start businesses to create wealth to expand the kingdom, and develop educational programs to break cycles of poverty for at-risk children.

Those with a church mindset do not get involved in quality of life issues because their theology doesn’t allow for it! They think it is like arranging the chairs on the Titanic because the world will soon end when the antichrist takes over!

XXII. Kingdom leaders train their children to walk in biblical dominion in society. Church leaders’ highest hope is that their children don’t fall away from the faith!

Kingdom leaders have dominion as the primary goal for their children. They don’t teach their children to get secure jobs in big companies; they teach them to become the CEOs of Fortune 500 companies! They don’t teach them how to fish but how to own a lake! They echo the words of Moses in Deuteronomy 28:10-13 that teaches believers are called to be the head and not the tail, to be above and not beneath, to lend to many nations and not to borrow!

Church leaders take a defensive posture with their children by merely praying that they would not fall away from the faith. Even many who teach apologetics and biblical worldview are stuck in the church mindset because they are only teaching their children how to defend the faith instead of also how to advance the kingdom!

XXIII. Kingdom leaders empower the poor to own the pond. Church leaders give the poor some fish.

Kingdom leaders understand how to break poverty mindsets over people by equipping them to create their own wealth. Church leaders have an entitlement approach in which they merely feed the poor instead of equipping them to start their own businesses or work in high-level positions that will enable them to be prosperous for the sake of the kingdom!

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Yes, there's a lot there. I'm glad you made it this far (there will be a test). LOL

Seriously, you may want to re-read the above (if you can't now, come back and look it over again) ... there's a lot there to take in. Pastors, it's a good outline for a series of teachings (I'm probably gonna utilize it).

We need to get the "big" picture. To many times, we can only see to the next "wall." I tell people that if situations and circumstances (problems) start to weigh on me, that's when I like to go get in my plane and take a flight (I have a small Cessna). When I get up off the ground and start looking around, I see how big this world is, and how small those problems are. Does it change much? Just my perspective ... but when our perspective changes, we can many times address issues in a more powerful and effective way.

(If you haven't already, and you are interested in what Jesus had to say about the "gates of hell," you can read my blog on that by clicking here.)

May God bless each of you abundantly, and make you a blessing to others,

Bishop Dennis Davis

Presiding Apostle/Prophet of CFI (Christian Fellowship International)

Why I Preach the Kingdom

As a follow-up to what I began yesterday, “Contrasting a 'Kingdom' Mindset with a 'Church' Mindset,” I would like to continue to focus on the importance of the kingdom.

If you haven't read yesterday's blog, I want to encourage you to do so.

The following was written by Joseph Mattera, and I believe it is very pertinent for us at this time.

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By “kingdom” I mean the rule of God over all creation. This includes understanding that the church is not the entire kingdom, but is only in the kingdom as its primary agent of proclamation and application.

My eyes were opened in 1995 when I went from a dispensational belief system to the kingdom message. As a result, the positive results in my life, message, and ministry cannot be overstated! Believing the Cultural Mandate in Genesis 1:28 has caused me and my wife to understand how to think generationally and practically, resulting in us having two more children, training our children to be world changers (for example, my son Jason is now the editor of Human Events and has already written a New York Times bestseller), reshaping the way we view youth and children's ministry, and moving the people in our church from a poverty mindset to a mindset of biblical prosperity.

I will attempt to summarize all of my reasons for preaching the kingdom, both for my own benefit and the benefit of those who read my writings.

1. The kingdom message connects the whole Bible and all its covenants to the original Cultural Mandate found in Genesis 1:28 (be fruitful, multiply, replenish the earth, subdue it, and have dominion over the created order). Without this passage as our starting point, we cannot properly interpret all other subsequent biblical covenants, including the New Covenant, since the Cultural Mandate is the original covenant of creation which shows all of humanity our purpose.

2. The kingdom message connects Jesus in His dual role as both Creator and Redeemer (John 1:3, 11, 14; 3:16). Those who preach that the cross is only for individual redemption miss the truth that the cross of Christ was also for the purpose of reconciling all things in the created order back to God (read Colossians 1:20).

3. The kingdom message brings the church back to the overarching narrative (instead of only focusing on various subplots of scripture) which reveals the ultimate purpose of God for the cross and the church: the gathering together in one all things under the Lordship of Christ (read Ephesians 1:9-11).

4. The kingdom message is a generational message connecting the dots between the seed of the woman (Genesis 3:15) and the seed of Abraham who would become the church (Galatians 3:29) who, as children of God, are called to bless all the families of the earth (Genesis 12:1-3), rule as kings in the earth (Genesis 17:5-7), and possess the gates of our enemies (Genesis 22:17). By implication, this means the gospel message is holistic and applicable for our children’s children to engage in politics, public policy, economics, and all the practical affairs of this life that are under kingdom influence and blessing.

5. The kingdom message alone gives Jesus His proper place as King of Kings and Lord of Lords because every king must have a kingdom to qualify as a king! To separate the gospel from the kingdom is an attempt to give good news that only applies to the next life. Hence, it does away with the power of the messianic prophecies that speak of Jesus’ call as ruler over the nations (read Genesis 49:10; Psalm 2:9-11; Psalm 110:1-3; Isaiah 9:6.7; Daniel chapters 2, 4, 7).

6. Preaching the kingdom motivates and releases all the saints in the church to serve as ministers of the Lord in His kingdom. (Only 2-3% of all Christians are called to serve in full-time church ministry.) Every kingdom has need for architects, lawyers, judges, educators, sociologists, politicians, economists, social workers, writers, etc. Understanding this is exciting for every person in church because of their various callings to serve God in the marketplace.

7. Preaching the kingdom releases Holy Spirit inspired creativity! The first move of the Holy Spirit was not on the Day of Pentecost but when the Spirit hovered over the newly made creation of planet earth (Genesis 1:1-3)! Hence, the Holy Spirit is still excited and hovers over the creativity found in God’s image-bearers as we walk out our vocations in the marketplace!

The greatest composers, musicians, athletes, writers, poets, playwrights, and filmmakers should come out of our churches! The greatest universities (such as Harvard, Yale and Princeton, founded when the church preached the kingdom in the 17th and 18th centuries) should be founded by Christians! Hospitals and the greatest charities should be founded by Christians and churches! Future mayors, governors and presidents should come out of the Body of Christ because we are called to possess the gates of our enemies and have kingship and rulership in our spiritual DNA (read Genesis 17:5-7)!

8. The kingdom is what Jesus, John the Baptist and Paul preached and is the primary theme of the New Testament (read Matthew 3:2, 4:17; Mark 1:15; Acts 28:31).

9. The kingdom message causes the church to be holistic in its approach to ministry because, even by its very name, it pressures us to think of how we as believers can collectively steward the created order and manage the earth.

10. The kingdom message, if received and preached again by the majority of true believers, would most definitely result in us redeeming cultures, transforming cities, and bringing biblical reformation to whole nations. This would spare nations from either judgment or extinction for not following the pattern laid out in the Ten Commandments for structuring nations.

Hence, the only hope for the United States is the preaching and application of the kingdom message! As in other words, Haiti doesn’t need another healing crusade. What Haiti needs is an apostle of government to become president who will bring kingdom order and root out corruption!

11. The kingdom message announces Jesus’ inheritance as found in Psalm 2:9-11.

Where does it say in the Bible that Jesus would have died on the cross if there was only one person on the earth and/or one sinner to redeem? I hear preachers say this all the time! Show me chapter and verse for this!

Jesus died to redeem whole nations and people groups. This goes along with our inheritance as saints as found in Ephesians 1:10-11 and is part of the Great Commission found in Matthew 28:19, when Jesus commanded believers to disciple all of the nations, not just individual people but whole people groups!

The discipling of nations was very common in early church history. For example, when the heads of Gothic Germanic tribes would convert then all of their people converted as well. Whole nations would be baptized!

12. The kingdom message pressures pastors to become theologians who have a biblical worldview instead of only preaching the same feel-good, therapeutic messages Sunday after Sunday.

13. The kingdom message brings back to the fore true discipleship as it pressures every believer to study the scriptures pertaining to their particular marketplace calling as they learn to think biblically but speak secularly.

14. The kingdom message makes sense to everyone, especially world changers who come into our churches and feel bored when they are told that the highest calling they can have in life is to serve as an usher or minister for two hours every Sunday.

Because we have preached a truncated gospel we have lost the greatest world changers--politicians and statesmen with callings like Churchill and entrepreneurs like Bill Gates--because they come into our churches and only hear messages dealing with life after death. Thus, they leave and go into the world where their gifts are truly appreciated!

The current church mindset only appreciates and ordains Sunday preachers instead of nurturing and commissioning people called into secular culture as ministers and prophets. It is a sad thing but, given the kind of preaching we hear every Sunday, many churches currently have no place for believers called like Joseph (the prophet economist who saved Egypt and Israel in Genesis 37-50), Daniel (who, as a prime minister prophet brought transformation to Babylon and Persia), or Nehemiah (a politician who rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem)!

15. The kingdom message allows parents to recognize the marketplace callings upon their children and to disciple them in the scriptures accordingly! Not all of our children are called to be full-time church ministers but all of our children are called to serve as ministers in the kingdom!

16. Those who preach the kingdom message view the entire Old Testament as relevant today to apply both the moral law (Ten Commandments) as the foundation of judicial law, and its extrapolated 613 civic laws that apply the moral law to specific judicial situations for the purpose of structuring society. Thus, the kingdom message causes believers to take seriously the Old Covenant and study it as much as the New Covenant. (The Old Covenant civic laws have been modified, especially laws regarding sexual sin and capital punishment, because of the revelation of grace in the New Testament.)

17. The kingdom message causes us to reinterpret many salvation passages from an individualistic application to a systemic and corporate application. For example, Luke 4:18 connects Jesus as King announcing that in His new kingdom He will release the oppressed, empower the poor, and release the captive. This concerns systemic justice, not just casting a devil out of an individual. Compare this to Isaiah 61:1-4 to get the true meaning and context. Communities and cities are redeemed and lifted by the kingdom message.

In Conclusion: Ten Implications of the Kingdom Message

1. We understand that being born again is not about going to heaven but having our eyes opened so that we finally see the Lordship of Christ over all the earth as King of Kings (read John 3:3-6).

2. We understand John 3:16 as not just God loving individual sinners but sending His Son to redeem the created order. (The word “world” in the Greek is “cosmos” which is the systems of the created order.) Thus, God wants us as His kingdom people to apply the Bible to economics and public policy, not just to prayer and the fruit of the Spirit.

3. The ministry gifts found in Ephesians 4:11 are seen as equipping the saints for the work of the ministry in the marketplace to fill up all things, not just for church ministry (read Ephesians 4:10-12 for the context).

4. We shift from a platonic/dualistic approach to life, in which we erroneously believe that God only values spiritual things, to a holistic approach in which we value the material world as well. (John 1:14: The Word became flesh, thus flesh is not evil.)

5. There is a movement toward incarnation in which we not only “march for Jesus” but we “move in” for Jesus and immerse ourselves in our communities, not just our churches. We should serve our cities with our marketplace callings as ministers of the kingdom, not just serve God on Sundays in church buildings.

6. The church is to nurture apostles of government, law, economics, and education, not just ecclesial elders involved in church government, church by-laws, tithes and offerings, and nurturing Sunday school teachers.

7. We understand and view Jesus as the King of the earth, not just as the Head of the Body of Christ.

8. We understand that the church is not the totality of the kingdom but is the primary agent of the kingdom as salt and light (Matthew 5:13-16).

9. We are to labor not only for revival but societal reformation because revival brings people into the church and reformation places believers in societal leadership.

10. We now understand that the Bible is not really a book about heaven (it says very little about heaven!) but a book about God’s people stewarding the earth.

Both the Old and New Covenants serve as blueprints for local faith communities to branch out and structure societies with a biblical worldview as salt and light.

Although we believe in the separation of church and state because they are two separate spheres of authority in the created order, we do not believe in the separation of God and state because all of life is about religious and moral choices.

There is no such thing as moral neutrality. Either society will be under the rule of an atheistic, humanistic religious order or under a biblical religious order.

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More to come concerning the kingdom of God! I hope you are getting something from these that will stir you to meditate on God's Word, and inspire and empower you to effectively expand the kingdom of God.

May God continue to bless you, and make you a blessing to others,

Bishop Dennis Davis