How to's

“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ”
Ephesians 4:11-12

Is it scriptural when Churches become family businesses?

Is it right to have our family head our Church after us, just like any other business?  Can the seed of greatness be transferred? Can a father bequeath his wisdom to his offspring? Can a mother share her divine gifting with her offerings?
Can parents pass on their unique peculiarities even anointing to their offspring? Can a father grant his offspring access to God, via his relationship with Him?

In other words, is anointing transferable?
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Exodus 10:23 - “…Yet all the Israelites had light in the places where they lived.”

God’s plan is not just for us to have traditional or conventional family units or roles within the household, but to have the church members have their household indwelt with the Light, the Holy Spirit’s revelation. Our relationship with God should permeate our entire household and bring his light to our family members. continue

Hebrews 10:25 – “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching…”

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Revelation 1:20 - ”The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.”

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INTRODUCTORY OBSERVATIONS:  Most of the book of Revelation is a prophecy about the Last Days, far into the future from the New Testament era.  It does not reveal the future events in chronological order.  Instead, the events predicted in one chapter can occur simultaneously with events in previous chapters.  This “cyclical” style of writing was very common in ancient Israel – the Book of Hebrews follows a similar structure.  This is why we see in Revelation some overlap with the seals, bowls, and trumpets – they are describing the events occurring at the same time in the Last Days. continue

“…And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”  - Genesis 12:3

God wants to bless each person individually with salvation and a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  In addition, the Bible teaches that God has special blessings he intends to give to families as a whole, not just to individuals in isolation.  

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“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.” - Hebrews 4:12

The Bible is the basis for all of our messages in our services and meetings.  Usually we preach on a single verse or passage, although sometimes a topical teaching (say, on angels or salvation) merits references to a number of relevant texts.  In Maranatha churches, we do not preach on other books (even popular Christian books) or have study groups to discuss “hot” publications in the contemporary culture around us.  We believe that only the Word of God can feed a person’s soul or satisfy one’s spiritual hunger.  The Holy Spirit speaks to our hearts through His Word.   continue

Matthew 24:46 -  ”…It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns.”    

Each week or month that passed brings us closer to our Blessed Hope, the coming of our Lord Jesus.  We feel that we must make the most of the time we have remaining (see Ephesians 5:16).  Time is running out for us to carry out everything the Lord wants us to do, and for those around us to receive the blessing of salvation through Christ.    

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1 Sam. 3:9-10 -  ”Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening…”

In this story, Samuel is a little boy who lives at the Tabernacle in Israel and helps with chores.  This was the twilight of the period of the Judges in Israel, a time of great spiritual confusion.  The priests in that day had lost connection with God.  The Bible says that it was very rare then for anyone to hear directly from God.  The people had stopped listening.  The priests themselves were unfaithful.  There were awful scandals surrounding the new generation of priests, and the old generation had grown weak, lazy, and ineffective. 

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Deuteronomy 30:19 - “Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.”

Deuteronomy 30 is part of Moses’ “farewell address” to the Israelites. As God’s prophet, he brought an important message to the people for that moment.  Israel was completing a period of wandering in the wilderness.  At that moment, they were finally preparing to enter the Promised Land.  Most of the original generation that left Egypt in the Exodus was now dead – they had died in the wilderness due to their disobedience.  A new generation had arisen, those who were children at the time of the Exodus.

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