Commissioning Service

19 December 2010

1. Introduction

We begun 2010 with a commissioning service – and we end 2010 with a commissioning.
2010 has been a year of change, challenges, and repositioning for many people.
Great grace is upon us to move forward and to grow in 2011.
Isaiah 54: 2-3

“Enlarge the place of your tent .. do not spare (hold back)”

· Enlargement requires change in heart, in thinking, in speaking and in doing.

2. Laying on of Hands with Prophecy

(a) Key Verse Acts 13:1-4

· Church at Antioch responded to the call of God to the nations.

· Church at Jerusalem lost its influence in the centre of Holy Spirit activity.

· The Heart of God is for nations – purpose of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit – Acts 1:8.

(b) Laying on of Hands

Practised through the Bible from Patriarchs, Moses – Jesus.
Impartation * Baptism of Holy Spirit * Healing * Deliverance
Confirmation – confirm what people are called by God to do, authenticate.
Commission – to give authority to function, authorise for a mission.

“Separate to me” = to disconnect from what previously was doing and set

apart for a work required by the Holy Spirit

“I have called” = to invite, to summon by personal invitation to fulfil a

destiny

“They sent” = 630 = apoluo = to set at liberty, release to function
Paul was functioning as a teacher/prophet (vs1) no mention previously to this of ‘apostle’.
Designated timing to conclude one ministry and begin another. Released to new work assigned by the Holy Spirit – apostolic work.
Prayer –prophetic word – laying on of hands.

(d) Timothy called to apostolic

Paul had lost Barnabus and Mark and required replacements.
1 Thes. 1:1 Paul Silvanus and Timothy.
1 Thes. 2:6 … as apostles of Christ – no mention before this time.
How did this come about? Preparation in the local church.

1 Tim 4:14 “Neglect not the gifts in you – given by prophecy with the laying on of hands of presbytery”.

2 Tim 1:6 “Stir up the gift of God which is in you by the laying on of hands.

· Prophetic utterance called forth the gifting and activated within Timothy.

· Laying on of hands = impart – confirm – commission.

· Apostles saw what the Holy Spirit was doing and spoke, prophesied and confirmed it.

· Commission = to confirm authority and empower for mission.

3. Recognising Apostolic Ministry

There are people who call themselves apostles and are not!

Some evidences of Apostolic call upon people:

(i) Separation to God by personal adversity (Mt.10)

· Apostolic ministry always provokes demonic opposition

· Causes manifestation in the spirit realm – opposition to the Government of God

· e.g. Acts 13:6

· Need to honour spiritual adversity as a sign that points to apostolic ministry

(ii) Progressive surrender to the Purpose of God (Phil. 2:5-10)

· Process of personal emptying yielding will and reputation

· Process of laying down personal agenda or personal benefit

· Sincerely seek the benefit of the people to serve

· Phil 2:20

(iii) Purifying of Motivations of Heart (Mt. 6:19-24)

· Process of letting go love of material things

· Heart set on God so not captivated or distracted

· Key tests are the tests of heart

· No favourites - can love and welcome all

(iv) Overcome love of Money (Mt 6:24)

· This is a master apostolic ministry must conquer

· Cannot serve God and Mammon – spiritual power

· Money can lock the mind and heart against the will and purpose of God

· Pharisees Mt. 23 – religious – love of money

· Issues of love/hate loyal/despise

· There is a process of dealing with love of money

· Key evidence is generosity!

(v) Operate in Power Ministry (2 Cor. 12:2)

· Apostolic is characterised by signs and miracles

· Paul (Rom 5:1-19) Philip (Acts 8:5-10)

· God bears witness by miracles

Christians may be able to ‘get by’ without faith in New Zealand but not in Pakistan.
In Pakistan you must have the real thing - faith proven by time and pressures.
Faith pleases God – gives access to presence and power.
How are you responding to God’s Development Process?