In episode 57, we shared what was called a “non-exhaustive” list of all that is “in Christ.” We thought it would be awesome, fantastic, super great to continue along this line and show another non-exhaustive list of things that are from, by, and through the Father.

In this podcast, we reveal and highlight things that are done by the Father. We encourage you to spend time with the Father going through this list.

One way to connect with the Father is to read the verses from the perspective of the Son who is thanking His Father for all that He has done.

For example:

You read silently: Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, (Phil 2:9)

You say, as if you are the Son, out loud: Thank you, Father, for highly exalting me and bestowing me with the Name above every name.

This can be done alone or with another person. It’s a way to enter into and experience the fellowship between the Father and the Son.

If you find other things that are by the Father let us know!

Here is the PDF of the list we read through on the podcast, enjoy!

BY THE FATHER

Anyone who has listened to us for any period of time knows that we do not shy away from difficult or unpopular topics on this podcast. While we are not looking to be controversial, we do desire to speak the truth regarding Christ and his kingdom.

Today we would like to address consumer Christianity, politics, and the idea of “Christian morality” vs a morality that is born out of the life of Christ. We’re calling this episode: “We’re Not in Kansas Anymore: We Are Not American Christians.”

* Consumer Christianity

* We want to add Jesus to the lives we have made for ourselves, not make Him our very life

* We want church programs that dispense Jesus on demand (church when we want it how we want it)

* Political Christianity

* We want Jesus to be lord of our political party

* We want to be a Christian Nation

* Constantine

Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm.” ~ John 18:36

For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. ~ Colossians 1:13-14

But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. ~ Galatians 6:14

We are Christians in the Kingdom of God. That is our true citizenship.

We are members of the Heavenly Kingdom, the New Nation, the 3rd Race. We have been called out. We are called-out ones. We have been called out of the world, man-made, established political system.

The world, and the world systems (political, economic, religious, healthcare, educational etc.), have been crucified to us, and we to the world and its systems. This is our reality; however, we have brothers and sisters who seem to have forgotten this reality.

Let’s talk about our reality…

* We are Christians “little Christs”

* We pledge allegiance to the Kingdom of God

* We see other Christians across the globe as brothers and sisters

* We are physically living in America

* We are strangers and aliens in this world

* The upside-down Kingdom

* Set Your Mind On Christ

But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;  for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.1Pe 2:9-10

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Mat 6:33

YOU HAVE HEARD IT SAID:

You have heard it said that I (Christ) am making America Great Again…but I say my kingdom is not from this WORLD. I am bringing My New Kingdom into your world.

THE CHURCH THE IMAGER OF CHRIST

In the first part of our 2-part series “Created in His Image,” we presented Jesus as the perfect image of God. (Christ is the visible image of the invisible God Col 1:15; The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 2 Corinthians 4:4)

This week we would like to consider what it means when we read in the scriptures, “‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness’… So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” What does it mean to be created in the image of God? What’s an image bearer and why does it matter?

In this podcast we’re going to answer some questions:

What is an image bearer?

* “We were created to image God – to be Him as if He were here. We are His representatives. It’s a function that we need to fulfill.” Michael Heiser

*  For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers.  And those He predestined He also called, those He called He also justified, those He justified He also glorified…Romans 8:29-30

*  I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb. The city had no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gave it light, and its lamp was the Lamb Rev 21:22-23

What Image are you bearing?

* “Humankind was created ‘to function in the capacity of the image’ of God.” Major Ian Thomas

* We were created to be image bearers of the divine nature and not the image bearers of the sin nature.

* Adam failed–he imaged somebody else. From that point on we imaged death.

* Satan was claiming humanity as his own expression and so we bear the image of sin.

What was God’s greater purpose for sending His Son?

* “We’ve lost sight of what God had in mind in sending His Son into this world, those that He foreknew and predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son.” Major Ian Thomas

What does transformation have to do with image bearing?  

* “The measure to which you and I have obeyed the gospel is the measure in which the Lord Jesus may once more come in us, functionally operative, through his Holy Spirit, teaching our minds, controlling our emotions and directing our will”  Major Ian Thomas

What is Christ inheritance in the Saints?

* There are unseen image bearers: “God alone created humankind to function as his administrators on earth. But he has also created the other elohim of the unseen realm. They are also like him. They carry out his will in that realm, acting as his representatives. They are his heavenly council in the unseen world. We are God’s council and administration in this realm.” – Michael Heiser

* His image bearers are the expression of a reclaimed kingdom manifesting his rule and kingship on earth. Wherever his people are, there his kingdom increases–it becomes his jurisdiction(the territory over which authority is exercised). We are His heavenly territory who are putting into effect and are responsible for administering his Government on earth. We can only accomplish this if we are learning to bear the Image of Christ. with and by His life.

“Now that you have been reconciled to God, Now that you do know that your sins are forgiven, now that you are on the way to heaven, now that you have escaped the puntinitive consequences of your guilt, now that you know that you’re not going to hell, now that you know your identity in Christ, now that you know you’re fully redeemed, now having claimed your inheritance in Christ, my concern for you is that, will you allow the Lord Jesus, your creator, to have His inheritance in you?

Christ the Perfect Imager

What is an image?

“A selem [saw-lem] (image/idol) is defined as “a representation in physical form, not a representation of the physical appearance. The image is a physical manifestation of divine (or royal) essence that bears the function of that which it represents; this gives the image-bearer the capacity to reflect the attributes and act on behalf of the one represented” -John Walton

Jesus Christ is God’s Image. The Son is the only one within the Godhead with the function of an imager. His job is to bear the image of the Father.

Jesus the last adam was born in the image of God. He is the container/vessel in human form created to be the image of God, and He perfectly imaged God.

Christ is the visible image of the invisible God Col 1:15

The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 2 Corinthians 4:4

The Imager does the imaging (a function/verb/Job/Vocation)

For example,

22 I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God almighty and the Lamb. 23 The city had no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gave it light, and its lamp was the Lamb Rev 21:22-23

The Lamb is Jesus Christ who is the lamp that contains or images the Light of God. This is what it means to be an imager.

Who does Christ Image? The Great I AM!

Christ is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of God’s nature..Heb 1:3

Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am.” John 8:58

The Nature/Essence of the I AM

* Christ images the Father – Hebrews 1:3; Col 1:15

* Christ images God’s Last/Second Adam – 1 Cor 15:45;47

* Christ images God’s Reconciliation – Col 1:20

* Christ images God’s Light – John 8:12;Rev 21:22-23

* Christ images God’s Word – Hebrew 1:12;Matt 17:5; John 1:1

* Christ images God’s Kingdom Luke – 17:21

* Christ images God’s Rest/Sabbath – Hebrews:4:10;

* Christ images God’s Wisdom – 1 Cor 1:24

* Christ images God’s Power – 1 Cor 1:24

* Christ images God’s Purpose – Eph 1:10; Col 1:16-18;Eph 3:10

* Christ images God’s Rule – Eph 1:22; Col 1:18;

* Christ images God’s Authority – John 3:35;Phil 2:9

* Christ images God as Mediator – 1 Tim 2:5

* Christ images God’s Pleasure – Col 1:19; Matt 12:18

* Christ images God’s Nature – Heb 1:3;Phil 2:6; Gal 5:22

* Christ images God’s  Name John – 8:58;Phil 2:9

* Christ images God’s  Judgement – Act 17:30-31;John 5:21-31

* Christ images God’s Way, Truth, and Life – John 14:6

* Christ images God’s  Body – Col 1:15;Col 2:9

* Christ images God’s Creation/creativity – Heb 1:12;Col 1:16

* Christ images God’s Family – John 3:16;Col 1:18; Heb 2:11-12

* Christ images God’s Justice – John 12:31-32

* Christ images God’s Temple/Dwelling – John 2:21;Col 2:9

* Christ images God’s Provisions – John 6:51;John 7:38; John 4:14

* Christ images God’s Mercy – Luke 6:36; Eph 2:4

* Christ Images God’s Grace – 2 Tim 2:1

* Christ images God’s Forgiveness – Eph 1:7-8; Col 1:13-14

* Christ images God’s Redemption – 1 Cor 1:30; Eph 1:7

* Christ images God’s Righteousness – 1 Cor 1:30

* Christ images God’s Holiness – 1 Cor 1:30

* Christ images God’s Strength – Phil 4:13

* Christ images God’s Oneness – John 17:20-23;John 14:8-11

* Christ images God’s Fullness – Col 2:9

How does Jesus the imager bear the Divine Image?

John 14:8-11:

Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.

Last week, Tyrone, Andrew, R.C., Alison, Carrie, and Bridget went over the many reasons (and sometimes excuses) that groups have for no longer gathering together, or breaking apart.

This week, they want to share about how expectations can hurt a group, what the different seasons of a church can look like (and how to push through the tougher seasons), and a few earthly and heavenly realities of the church.

Expectations (or “Wish Dreams”)

Example Expectations:

* I’m going to get the model on how to do this and then reproduce it.

* I’ve read all the books, so I know how this should look already.

* I know Jesus, I just need the church practicals.

* I know I have things to learn, but I also have much to share, and can’t wait to share it.

* Organic church will save my kids/marriage/family/etc.

These are just a few examples of expectations that can either be, or lead to, what we call wish dreams. This term was coined by Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who defined the Wish Dream as the “right way of doing things” mentality (or expectations of what church should look like). He said,

“The serious Christian, set down for the first time in a Christian community, is likely to bring with him a very definite idea of what Christian life together should be and to try to realize it. But God’s grace speedily shatters such dreams.”

Our Wish dreams will destroy things of the Lord quicker than anything. The Church is to meet the Lord’s whole desire.

Church Life

Body Life

* Heavenly Reality

* Earthly Reality

* Body Being Built Together

* For His purpose

* Different body parts

Life of the Individual Member

* Consistent & intentional pursuit of the Lord:“We never grow closer to God when we just live life. It takes deliberate pursuit and attentiveness.” – Francis Chan

* What is directing our lives: external systems vs. internal life of the Lord?

Seasons of the Church

* Spring-New growth

* Summer-Fullness

* Fall-Harvest

* Winter-Barren, Rest, Dry, Deepening Roots

Spiritual Battle

* A real battle

* The world is hell-bent against an expression or many expressions of Christ on the earth.

More Helpful Thoughts

* God’s intention for outside help/ministry of Christ

* People will leave

* This is Christ’s Church, not our group – He builds with whomever He chooses

* Have a plan for new people

* Don’t let new people throw the group off track

Conclusion

* We need a revelation of a bigger Christ!

* We have been placed on this earth for a purpose. The church exists for a purpose.

* We cannot serve two masters. (Such as the American dream and Christ’s dream. This is untangling from the world.)

* Planning Meetings

* It is okay for the group to decide to take breaks from regular corporate meetings (for a season).

* Meeting together under the headship of Christ–Kingdom Communities

* Is possible and not a pipe dream

* We cannot do this, but Christ is more than able and He will see His Purpose Fulfilled

* Christ in You!

So you’ve followed the Lord’s call unto something deeper and you’re finally meeting with people outside of the institutional church system. Everything can only go up from here, right?

Andrew, Carrie, Tyrone, Alison, R.C., and Bridget are back at it, this time sharing from testimonies and experiences working with people why some groups meeting outside the institution break apart or stop meeting altogether. It’s not particularly easy to talk about, but their desire is that it will be beneficial to those meeting now and in the future by giving them an idea of what to be watchful for and to encourage them to hold fast to the Head!

SO REALLY…What went wrong with us?

* We all just couldn’t find the time to commit. I know we all live in the same city, but traffic and schedules and young kid duties precluded us from getting together on weekdays. And peoples schedules on weekends are full, too.

* We can’t agree what church should be. Such as some want a couple songs then a pure preaching/teaching format while others long more for sharing and praying.

* We let false teaching (or distractions) seep into our meetings and no one stood against it. Before we knew it, these false teachings were taking over the meetings.

* We have unresolved issues. (This can be so many things and may be different in each group.)

* Example #1: Some in the group had offenses with one another that were not dealt with. They could not worship in the same space as the offender. (Or they had offenses with a believer outside the group–either way, it hurts the group.)

* Example #2: Our group had issues with childcare. We would never come to a consensus about what to do with the children during the corporate meetings. Eventually, some stopped attending because of the unresolved issue of childcare.

* We were not spiritual, evangelistic, wholistic, veganistic, etc., enough. Basically, it’s not what I want it to be.

* We have all been “caged lions” for so long and forgot how get own spiritual food and share it with others.

* We are the only ones bringing spiritual food to the meetings, so it is too difficult to meet with the others.

* We can’t agree on asking for outside help (from experienced and trusted groups/workers).

* We have became jaded by our difficulties and are unwilling to commit anymore.

* We made a “church made for man” instead of understanding who the Church really is. And then it failed or fell apart when we couldn’t agree on how we would even like for it to be made, or how it would work for us.

* CHURCH MADE FOR MAN by Pam Stroud (Thanks, Pam!)

We meet together as the church for the Eternal Purpose of God. Simply put, the Eternal Purpose of God is “a House and Family for the Father, a Body and Bride for the Son, and a Temple for the Spirit” (Milt Rodriguez). The reality of the church is that she is the manifestation of this purpose. Any group meeting outside of the institutional church system that deviates from this purpose will be functioning on the effort of man, not the strength of God, and it will be difficult, if not impossible, to maintain.

We’ll go into more on what it looks like to live out this purpose together while holding fast to the Head in “What Went Wrong With Our Group Part 2.”

To The Saints is partnering with 3rdRace.org!. We are doing another topic in our reframing series. We are doing a podcast on reframing Leadership to kick off a series of blog posts on what is leadership according to Christ.

Intro/Background:

* All of us speaking today have been in some type of institutional church/parachurch leadership

* Each of us has experience in traditional church leadership

* When believers in Christ leave the IC there are usually two responses

* Find a group with a better leader or a leader that I can follow or learn from

* Reject leadership altogether

* We believe that there is a third approach to leadership for believers meeting outside of the institution

What is leadership according to the world standards?

* Man does the leading

* Individual-Focused (self-centered)

* Force, fear, tyranny, oppression, and deception

* Trying to be the top dog; cutthroat (me first)

* Based on natural abilities

* typically naturally charismatic people end up leading

* Character flaws ignored (ex: Presidents)

* Hierarchy–climbing the corporate ladder

* Idea that I can do the most “good” by being in the highest place

* Titles

* Visible expression of man

* A select individual or group of individuals make decisions for the rest of the community

* Much more concerned with efficiency (or control) which is why there can’t be too many cooks in the kitchen.

What is leadership according to modern Christianity?

* Job description (titles)

* Pastor, Associate Pastor, Doctor, Reverend, Bishop, Apostle, Evangelist, etc.

* Can be education-based, personality-based (natural abilities)

* Appointed or “called” (trying to be top dog)

* Servant leadership

* Committee (select group of individuals makes decisions for the rest of the community)

Problems with bringing worldly view of leadership into the body of Christ

* Stunted and/or abnormal growth

* Underdeveloped or nonexistent spiritual instincts

* Spiritual senses are underdeveloped, nonexistent or abnormal

* They become lazy and apathetic

* Pastor upset church because he didn’t do everything the previous pastor did

* Does not prepare them to co-reign with Christ

* Does not follow the Life of Christ–focused more on external structure

* Unhealthy pressure on the “leaders” or those in leadership to do it all

What is leadership according to Christ

* Spirit does the leading through the many members

* Servant; laying one’s life down for another; based on Christ’s abilities

* No worldly Hierarchy – submitting to Christ in one another as we live corporately by the Spirit

* Functions/Family

* There is the cross

* Denying oneself

* Meets the desire of the Lord’s heart: to have a home where HE can call the shots;

* The picture of a family and a body describe leadership according to Christ

* Visible expression of CHRIST

“In sum, leadership according to Jesus is a far cry from what it is in the institutional church. Our Lord dealt a deathblow to both Gentile/ hierarchical and Jewish/ positional leadership models. These ego-massaging models are incompatible with the primitive simplicity of the organic church and the upside-down kingdom of Jesus Christ. They impede the progress of God’s people. They suppress the free functioning of the believing priesthood. They rupture the image of the church as a family. They do violence to the leadership that exists in the triune God. And they place severe limitations on the headship of Christ. For these reasons “it shall not be so among” those who bear the name of the Savior.” Reimagining Church: Pursuing the Dream of Organic Christianity,

This week, R.C, Bridget, Carrie, Tyrone, Alison, and Andrew talk about the word “community” and how it is so much more than a buzzword; it is a reality of our new life in Christ.

Divine Life is Communal

God is not an individual but a community.

(Quotes and paraphrases are from “The Community Life” of God by Milt Rodriguez.)

“Our God is community. He is Three-in-one. He thinks in communal terms and He speaks in communal terms. He lives a communal lifestyle. He lives as three distinct Persons who all have their own unique personalities and yet are one. They live together, act together, they fellowship with one another continuously.”

Eternal, divine life is a life of community, co-working, co-operation, fellowship, self-dedication to one another and a laying down of life for one another.

Jesus, while walking the earth, displayed for us the community life of God.

“He never worked alone. He spoke the words from the Father. He did the works of the Father. He cast out demons by the Spirit (Matt. 12:28) Jesus lived by the life of the triune God.”

“As a person, He has a will and the power to chose. And He chose, as a man, to live and work in the communal life of God. He had a communal consciousness and was aware of where He had come from. He was not going to act independently from that community just because He was here on earth.”

“In fact, the Father sent Him to continue that fellowship, that corporate lifestyle, here on earth so that His disciples would begin to “see” with new eyes.”

“One of the greatest needs among believers today is to be able to “see” from this communal viewpoint.”

Divine Life Is Relational

There is a relationship between the Father, Son, and Spirit. All other “relationships” are but a reflection of that one relationship. (They are pictures of, reflect parts of THE relationship that exist between the Father/Son/Spirit.)

“There is only one relationship on earth that is NOT a picture or reflection of the divine relationship but IS rather an expression of the fellowship of the Godhead. This is the relationship of the members of the Body of Christ. This is because the Body of Christ is constituted for the specific purpose of expressing the community life of GOD.”

It is the body of Christ, literally. It was created to participate in and give expression to the communal life of God. This is why church is soooo much more than a group of people gathered together in a living room once a week.

Body life is the result of each member participating, partaking together in the communal, relational life of God. So that, just as Jesus displayed the community life of God while on earth, He can still continue to display that community life through his many membered body.

It is within this context, reality and understanding in mind that we’ll be speaking today.

Counterfeit Communities:

* World System:

* Gangs

* Motorcycle and Street

* Work Groups

* Neighborhoods (HOA)

* Special Interest/Hobbies Clubs/Groups

* Facebook/Social Media Groups

* Sports

* Going to a ball game or a sports bar

* everyone cheering together, giving high fives

* Playing on a team together – common goal/purpose

* Church “Friends”

* Nuclear Family

What are these counterfeit to? The Real Community. Why are these counterfeit? They are counterfeit because they center around something other than Christ Himself.

Kingdom Communities

Characteristics:

* Kingdom Vision–Eternal Purpose

* Christ Focused

* No Hierarchy

* Male/Female

* Age

* Leader

* Constant/Regular Contact

* Face-to-face contact

* In each others lives

This week we are sharing the different books and people that have influenced us over the years.

Andrew:

* Eat The Meat And Spit Out The Bones—Separate The Wheat From The Chaff

* Richard Foster “Celebration Of Discipline: The Path To Spiritual Growth” “Devotional Classics” “Spiritual Classics”

* Renovaré (https://renovare.org/) They provide practical resources for cultivating a life-God’s life- becoming more like Jesus from the inside out.

* Frank Viola’s Trifecta “Pagan Christianity (1/08)”, “Reimagining Church: Pursuing The Dream Of Organic Christianity (8/08)”, “From Eternity To Here: Rediscovering The Ageless Purpose Of God (3/09)”  http://reimaginingchurch.org/

* Manfred Haller “The Mystery of God: Christ All And In All” Christ centered teaching from Switzerland.  Christ and the church are one. We are a community in which Christ lives. We are a society whose existence is Christ Himself, an organism growing in the fullness of Christ…Open your eyes to seeing Christ all around you.

* Sons Of Korah (http://sonsofkorah.com/)

* “Sunshine”–my wife

Tyrone:

* The Community Life of God by Milt Rodriguez

* From Eternity to Here by Frank Viola

* The Normal Christian Life by Watchman Nee

* The Normal Christian Church Life by Watchman Nee

* The Crucified Life by A.W. Tozer

* The On High Calling by T. Austin-Sparks

* Experiencing the Depths of Jesus Christ by Jeanne Guyon

* The Spiritual Guide by Miguel Molinos

* “We’re Jesusverts”  ~T.F.

Alison:

* Christ is All podcast (Frank Viola)

* God’s Favorite Place on Earth by Frank Viola

* The Community Life of God by Milt Rodriguez

* From Eternity to Here by Frank Viola

* Unoffendable by Brant Hansen

* Hinds Feet on High Place by Hannah Hurnard

* The Importance of Being Foolish by Brennan Manning

* Ruthless Trust by Brennan Manning

* The Butterfly in You by Milt Rodriguez

* The Pursuit of God and The Counselor by AW Tozer

* Intimacy with Christ by Jeanne Guyon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bridget:

* My father who adopted me.

* Madame Guyon autobiography – written at the request of a priest/friend while in prison. A life utterly surrendered to God’s will, no matter the cost.

* Hind’s Feet on High Places – Hannah Hurnard

* The Stewardship of the Mystery – T. Austin-Sparks

Carrie:

* From Eternity to Here – Frank Viola

* Whats with Paul and Women – Jon Zens

* Sit Walk Stand – Watchman Nee

* Normal Christian Life – Watchman Nee

* God’s Spiritual House – T. Austin-Sparks

* The Butterfly Within – Milt Rodriguez

* Community Life of God – Milt Rodriguez

* The Indwelling Life of Christ-All of Him in all of Me – Major Ian Thomas

* Experiencing the Depths of Jesus Christ – Jeanne Guyon

R.C.:

* Threshold Conference 2009 messages by Frank Viola, Milt Rodriguez, and Gary Welter

* Houston Conference Summer 2009

* From Eternity to Here (Frankie V)

* Sit, Walk, Stand (Watchman Nee)

* The All-Inclusive Christ (Witness Lee)

* T. Austin-Sparks

* Body Life

* Milt Rodriguez

* Of note, looking back over the past few years and what has influenced me, I see a pattern forming: all my influences include other people – a body. I would listen to the messages on cd (yes, I’m that old) with my wife and others.

In this episode, R.C., Alison, Tyrone, Bridget, Carrie, and Andrew share how they saw Christ in “Bottle Shock.” This movie is based on a true event: a blind taste-test in 1976 between French and American (specifically Californian) wines that rocked the wine world. But it is also the story of a man who put everything into his passion, his son’s journey to make that same passion his own, and their community trying to build something unexpected together.

Come along with us, pour yourself a glass (if that’s your thing :)), and find Christ in “Bottle Shock.” We’d love to hear from you if you get a chance to watch it! Leave a comment below.