EKKLESIA
There is an on-going battle between the kingdom of darkness and the kingdom of light. GOD is light; in Him there is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5 NIV). For He has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of His dear Son (Colossians 1:13 NLT). Through JESUS, we become children of light! We are the “Ekklesia”, the called out ones.
Matthew 16:18 NLT “..and upon this rock (Jesus the Rock of Ages) I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.” JESUS has guaranteed us, His church, the “Ekklesia”, victory in this battle! Therefore, be equipped to do His will, push back the enemy, establish His Kingdom order and extend His Kingdom Government wherever you are. The ‘hora’ time is here, a divinely pre-set time & limited period to accomplish the Lord’s specific purpose (hora-Strong’s Concordance); a woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come(John 16:21 NIV).
JESUS has given us the great commission 2,000 years ago, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of age” (Matthew 28:18-20 NIV). The Fivefold Ministry must rise up and do what JESUS has ordained. It was He (JESUS) who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to equip the saints (Ephesians 4:11 NIV).
How to live out our lives as the Ekklesia?
Key #1: The love of the Father
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love (1 John 4: 7-12). Chose to be a child of God and know God, be His sons and daughters and show forth His love!
Key #2: The Grace of the Son
“My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples (John 15:8). Jesus came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10). But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it (Ephesians 4:7). Make Jesus the center of your life, follow Jesus, be a disciple maker, go out and be with people, be willing to count the cost of commitment to point people to JESUS and the Kingdom of GOD.
Key # 3: The Fellowship of the Holy Spirit
Be filled and be led by the Holy Spirit. Be empowered to move in power and release the power. Desire spiritual gifts and move in them. The nine gifts of the Holy Spirit: the Word of wisdom, word of knowledge, discerning of spirits, prophecy, divers kinds of tongues, interpretation of tongues; gifts of faith, gift of healing and working of miracles (1 Corinthians 12: 8-11 NIV).
Do not walk in your flesh. But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another (Galatians 5: 16, 22-26 NIV).
Practical Steps to be God’s Ekklesia
What you need: You need the love of God in Your heart! Have the right heart posture – live in the centrality of Jesus, the centrality of repentance. Pray and listen to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Where to start: Where you are positioned, your house is a weapon for discipleship, office, work place, seek the lost in these places and identify the hidden barriers ie. belief system, culture, the worldview, etc.
When to start: TODAY, are you encouraging your faith communities? Are you seeking the lost?
Who to start with: Start with identifying the people to disciple, look for the person of peace (Luke 10:6), those who are open to you, welcome you or serves you in the community.
How to start: Show the gospel in your lifestyle and not just having meetings or transfer knowledge, listen to God and the people’s story, life sharing in relationship, celebrate by joining holidays, birthdays, eating together, practice gospel hospitality; speak a kind word, prayer, give away discipleship opportunities, form “Ekklesia community”.
In conclusion:
“Make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose” (Philippians 2:2). As the Ekklesia of Christ, we need to go back to the basics of the gospel: Be a disciple, be a disciple-maker and continue to multiply disciple-makers by having the love of the Father, experiencing the grace of the Son and fellowshipping with the Holy Spirit! Amen!