What do a toilet paper holder, salt and a bowl have in common?
Those present at the Missio Lux Celebration Sunday night know because we were able to recognize in the natural realm what God is doing with us, his followers, in the supernatural realm by calling us to be kingdom ambassadors filled with the king’s authority and power.
When Jesus was baptized (Mark 1) the heaven’s ripped open and the kingdom of God was released. It was finally kairos time. Right after his baptism, Jesus was sent into the desert to be tested by the Devil. Jesus was able to stand in that testing because he had a perfect identity as his Father’s Son. When we know and stand in our identity as God’s beloved children, Jesus’ followers and the Temple of Holy Spirit, we are able to exercise our authority that Jesus gives us.
Sunday we had a tool box present which held several items that represent different tools to use our authority Jesus gives us. The first is the authority of his name. Jesus tells us in Luke 24:47 “With my authority, go and witness.” In John 14:14 he tells us, “You may ask for anything in my name, and I will do it.” His name is like the money in the bank that gets used when we write a check.
The second area are the keys. Jesus told Peter, “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven.” We have keys that lock and unlock doors—we can lock out that which is not pleasing to God, and we can unlock the doors of provision, blessing, miracles and healing as well as areas of God’s character that we want ourselves to have, as well as those around us. Think of it like a treasure chest that holds hidden treasure that only the perfect key can open: we have been given that key!
The third representation of our authority is a rope. A rope ties people up. A rope also whipped Jesus which made his blood fall, his blood sets us free. The rope that ties us is also spoken of in Matthew 16 when Jesus taught that like the key, we can bind someone or something or we can loose it. The rope ties up that which is destructive in our lives.
What cuts up a rope? A sword. We had a sword in the toolbox because swords represent the Word of God. Hebrews 4:12 tells us: “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Imagining myself fighting a battle with a sword always makes my faith grow because I know the power that the sword carries to set people free.
Finally, the last area for authority in the tool box is a crown. Kings have crowns because they are a sign of their leadership. Jesus had a crown too, only his was made of thornes which once again made him bleed. When he died the brutal death but then did not stay in the grave, he was given an authority that every person in the entire history of humanity and in the universe will bend their knee to worship him. Every one. We can choose to do it willingly now, or on the final day. The cost to waiting to the final day is eternal; because not everyone will be included in his kingdom at that point.
Most of us are pretty clear that Jesus sits on a throne, but did you know that you do as well? Okay, it’s not the bathroom throne; it’s a positional throne once again in the supernatural. Ephesians 2:6 tells us that “We reign (on the throne) with Jesus in the heavenly realms.”
Okay, you may be saying, “I don’t hear of any toilet paper holders being in the toolbox” so what does that have to do with anything? This is the answer. When we know and experience the Father’s love, and begin to stand clearly in what he says about who we are, versus how the world or even ourselves, define us, our authority funnel is opened up.
When our funnels are clear, the kingdom authority and power (cover that next week) is able to move from heaven to earth. Jesus had the same Holy Spirit living in him that we have. He didn’t get his faith supersized at McDonalds—we each have the same starting point.
The difference between Jesus and us, however, is the amount of kingdom authority and power that can move through our funnels.
We stuffed paper in our toilet paper holders which represented areas of our lives that clogged our funnel. Some of those areas had to do with our identity and others had to do with our obedience, are we doing the things Jesus tells us to do and staying away from those areas which are destructive to us?
When we do, our funnel clears. We tried to pour salt through our clogged funnels and it didn’t work very well. Everything got stuck, except a few pieces of salt which slipped through. But, after we pushed out the clogs to represent our own cleansing, the salt poured through in a gush. Clear funnels set us free and bring God’s kingdom to others as we “re-present” him to the world.
My invitation to you today is to study these different areas listed in the Bible for yourself. Discover the truth of what you already have; they may be just a bit clogged in your funnel.
My challenge is to spend time reflecting on where your funnel is clogged.
Do you have a hard time believing Jesus had the same Holy Spirit that you carry?
Do you have a hard time stepping into the truth of what God says about you versus what you say about you?
Do you make choices to run away from God rather than coming near him?
Are you afraid to exercise your authority, does fear stop you from moving forward?
The funnel clogs are many, but the One who unclogs them is Just One. His name is Jesus, and as you bring your clogs to him for confession, he will be the stick to push the clogs out to empty out your funnel.
Then watch and see what God is going to do! It will amaze you and delight you because you will be more closely aligned to the place of God’s heart for you and the things he put in you to do to be his Kingdom Ambassador.
Those present at the Missio Lux Celebration Sunday night know because we were able to recognize in the natural realm what God is doing with us, his followers, in the supernatural realm by calling us to be kingdom ambassadors filled with the king’s authority and power.
When Jesus was baptized (Mark 1) the heaven’s ripped open and the kingdom of God was released. It was finally kairos time. Right after his baptism, Jesus was sent into the desert to be tested by the Devil. Jesus was able to stand in that testing because he had a perfect identity as his Father’s Son. When we know and stand in our identity as God’s beloved children, Jesus’ followers and the Temple of Holy Spirit, we are able to exercise our authority that Jesus gives us.
Sunday we had a tool box present which held several items that represent different tools to use our authority Jesus gives us. The first is the authority of his name. Jesus tells us in Luke 24:47 “With my authority, go and witness.” In John 14:14 he tells us, “You may ask for anything in my name, and I will do it.” His name is like the money in the bank that gets used when we write a check.
The second area are the keys. Jesus told Peter, “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven.” We have keys that lock and unlock doors—we can lock out that which is not pleasing to God, and we can unlock the doors of provision, blessing, miracles and healing as well as areas of God’s character that we want ourselves to have, as well as those around us. Think of it like a treasure chest that holds hidden treasure that only the perfect key can open: we have been given that key!
The third representation of our authority is a rope. A rope ties people up. A rope also whipped Jesus which made his blood fall, his blood sets us free. The rope that ties us is also spoken of in Matthew 16 when Jesus taught that like the key, we can bind someone or something or we can loose it. The rope ties up that which is destructive in our lives.
What cuts up a rope? A sword. We had a sword in the toolbox because swords represent the Word of God. Hebrews 4:12 tells us: “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Imagining myself fighting a battle with a sword always makes my faith grow because I know the power that the sword carries to set people free.
Finally, the last area for authority in the tool box is a crown. Kings have crowns because they are a sign of their leadership. Jesus had a crown too, only his was made of thornes which once again made him bleed. When he died the brutal death but then did not stay in the grave, he was given an authority that every person in the entire history of humanity and in the universe will bend their knee to worship him. Every one. We can choose to do it willingly now, or on the final day. The cost to waiting to the final day is eternal; because not everyone will be included in his kingdom at that point.
Most of us are pretty clear that Jesus sits on a throne, but did you know that you do as well? Okay, it’s not the bathroom throne; it’s a positional throne once again in the supernatural. Ephesians 2:6 tells us that “We reign (on the throne) with Jesus in the heavenly realms.”
Okay, you may be saying, “I don’t hear of any toilet paper holders being in the toolbox” so what does that have to do with anything? This is the answer. When we know and experience the Father’s love, and begin to stand clearly in what he says about who we are, versus how the world or even ourselves, define us, our authority funnel is opened up.
When our funnels are clear, the kingdom authority and power (cover that next week) is able to move from heaven to earth. Jesus had the same Holy Spirit living in him that we have. He didn’t get his faith supersized at McDonalds—we each have the same starting point.
The difference between Jesus and us, however, is the amount of kingdom authority and power that can move through our funnels.
We stuffed paper in our toilet paper holders which represented areas of our lives that clogged our funnel. Some of those areas had to do with our identity and others had to do with our obedience, are we doing the things Jesus tells us to do and staying away from those areas which are destructive to us?
When we do, our funnel clears. We tried to pour salt through our clogged funnels and it didn’t work very well. Everything got stuck, except a few pieces of salt which slipped through. But, after we pushed out the clogs to represent our own cleansing, the salt poured through in a gush. Clear funnels set us free and bring God’s kingdom to others as we “re-present” him to the world.
My invitation to you today is to study these different areas listed in the Bible for yourself. Discover the truth of what you already have; they may be just a bit clogged in your funnel.
My challenge is to spend time reflecting on where your funnel is clogged.
Do you have a hard time believing Jesus had the same Holy Spirit that you carry?
Do you have a hard time stepping into the truth of what God says about you versus what you say about you?
Do you make choices to run away from God rather than coming near him?
Are you afraid to exercise your authority, does fear stop you from moving forward?
The funnel clogs are many, but the One who unclogs them is Just One. His name is Jesus, and as you bring your clogs to him for confession, he will be the stick to push the clogs out to empty out your funnel.
Then watch and see what God is going to do! It will amaze you and delight you because you will be more closely aligned to the place of God’s heart for you and the things he put in you to do to be his Kingdom Ambassador.
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