March 2008 Newsletter

SPIRITUAL WARFARE AND THE LOCAL CHURCH [Part II]

A REVIEW OF THE ARMOUR – Eph.6:14-17

Verses 14-17 list the six pieces of armour and verse 18 tells us that the seventh aspect of ‘standing’ is in prayer: prayer for all the saints! All kinds of prayer in the Spirit! It is a corporate activity and action: PRAYER

The Belt of Truth

“Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth” v14. What is the truth? Jesus said “Sanctify them by your truth. Your word is truth” Jn.17:17. The first way to stand is to be girded with the truth of the word. But what does it mean to ‘gird your waist’ or to put on the belt of truth? If the word is the truth then we cannot literally wear a belt of truth. We must consider: how does the word operate to gird our loins/waist to stand against the devil?

Peter says, “Gird up the loins of our mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ” 1 Pet.1:13. We need to have the truth of the word in our minds and in our thoughts. The promise of the New Covenant is that God said in Jeremiah 31:33, “I will put My law in their minds and write My law on their hearts.” Read, study and come to understand the word of God so that it is in your mind. The mind must be comprehensively taught in the word of God. This is the work of discipleship and is basic to the fulfilment of the Great Commission (Matt.28:19-20).

There is much teaching in the New Testament concerning the mind and our thoughts. We are to be “renewed in the spirit of our minds” Eph.4:24; we are to be “transformed by the renewing of our minds” Rom.12:2; and we are to “set our minds on things above” Col.3:2. The very word repentance means ‘a change of mind’.

If the belt of truth is to gird up our minds, why does the Scripture tell us that it is a belt that goes around our loins? Because the ancients believed that the mind was resident in the lower part of the body. They did not consider the mind to be based in the head as modern man does. The ancients did not major on ‘head’ knowledge but rather on a ‘deep knowing’. The word in the Old Testament translated ‘mind’ and sometimes ‘heart’ is literally ‘kidneys’. That is why that Paul says to gird the waist with the belt of truth.

The Breastplate of Righteousness

“Having put on the breastplate of righteousness” v.14. The breastplate literally protects that part of the body where the heart is. It is a breastplate of righteousness. What is ‘righteousness’ and how do we ‘put it on’? Righteousness is imputed to us when we come to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and faith comes by hearing the word (Rom.10:17). The breastplate is protecting our heart and it is “with the heart that one believes unto righteousness” (Rom.10:8-10). Righteousness comes by believing the word in your heart. The word goes from the mind to the heart, bringing forth righteousness. If we are walking in righteousness then the devil cannot accuse us of anything.

The Shoes of the Gospel of Peace

“And having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace” v15. The shoes refer to our ‘walk’. Once you have the word of truth in your mind and you are believing it in your heart, then you are able to walk in the knowledge of the word. This walk is upon the pathway of peace, and peace is a given characteristic of the kingdom of God in the Holy Spirit (Rom.14:17).

The Scripture says, “You will keep in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You” Isa.26:3. 

The gospel is called “the gospel of peace” and “how beautiful are the feet of those who preach it” (Rom.10:15).

Having girded our minds with the truth and believing the truth in our heart, we are able to go forth preaching that gospel of peace. The shoes enable us to stand and to withstand the attacks of the devil, and again it is the word! Preaching the word!

God promises this peace to all those who continually bring their “requests” to Him, “by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving” (Phil.4:6). This peace is then a guard upon the mind and the heart, as it were, sealing the word that the mind and heart have believed.

The Shield of Faith

“Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one” v16.  Faith is said to be a shield and “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God” Rom.10:17. This is the ‘rhema’ word, the quickened word (Matt.4:4).

Once we have begun to learn the word in our minds, believe the word in our hearts and are walking in the truth of the word, the next part of the armour is to receive that quickened word in the moment of attack or trouble. It is the word of faith that comes into our heart and understanding so that we are able to use that word to extinguish the fiery darts of the devil that are coming against us. These darts can be in the form of doubts, hurtful things that have been said to us or about us and such like.

Remember it is “our faith that has overcome the world” 1Jn.5:4.

Helmet of salvation

“Take up the helmet of salvation” v17. A helmet covers the head, which represents our decision-making faculty, the place of authority.

From the previous pieces of armour we can say that our mind is filled with the word and our heart is believing the word. Now we can make Godly decisions, which is the faculty of the will.

When we are in the battle we need to be able to make Godly decisions having our mind, will and emotions all immersed in the truth of the word of God. We are seeking the Lord’s will for every decision; we are at war, but being totally led by the Lord, submitting our decisions to the will of the Lord, being led by the Spirit.

Sword of the Spirit

“And the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” v17. This is the ‘rhema’ word of God; Matthew 4:4 and Luke 4:4 give good examples of spiritual warfare using the sword of the Spirit. Jesus used the ‘quickened word’, the “sword of the Spirit” to overcome the devil. Notice that the devil’s temptations were in words.

Much of the battle occurs in our minds when words/thoughts and imaginations are negative, accusative, condemnatory and discouraging. It is to gain victory in this battle in the mind that we need “the word of Christ that is to dwell richly in us” (Col.3:16); that we need to hear “the word of faith which we preach; the word that is near, in our mouth and in our heart” Rom.10:8.

When John saw Jesus in the midst of the seven lampstands “out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword”(Rev.1:16). When Jesus wrote to the church at Pergamos, He spoke as “He who has the sharp two-edged sword” (Rev.2:12). The two major problems in Pergamos were to do with doctrine: “the doctrine of Balaam” (v14) and “the doctrine of the Nicolaitans” (v15). It is the word of God “which is sharper than any two-edged sword” (Heb.4:12) that brings the true doctrine, the very truth of the word of God.

In 2 Thessalonians, the “lawless one” will be consumed “with the breath of His mouth and destroyed with the brightness of the Lord’s coming” (2:8). However before that one is destroyed many will have received “strong delusion that they should believe the lie” (v11). The battle is with the word: the truth or a lie. The sword of the spirit is the word of God!

Prayer for all the saints v18

Lastly we are told to pray “always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints”. We are commanded to be in constant prayer for all the saints so that as a body we will be able to stand and withstand the devil. This prayer can be both individual and corporate prayer, but it must be Spirit-led prayer. Supplication includes identifying with the needs of others and coming before the throne of grace on their behalf.

Prayer is often not included as part of the armour. However it is number seven and in the context of the other six aspects of the armour, perhaps the most important and effective.

THE SPIRITUAL ARMOUR IN SUMMARY

·         Belt of truth – think on the word of God

·         Breastplate of righteousness – meditate on the truth of the word of God

·         Shoes of the gospel of peace – walk in the truth of the word of God

·         Shield of faith – believe the truth of the word of God

·         Helmet of salvation – protected by the truth of the word of God

·         Sword of the spirit – speak the truth of the word of God

·         Prayer – pray the truth of the word of God

The Strategic Role of the Apostle

In verse 19 Paul requests prayer for himself “and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel.” For us to be successful in this warfare that we are in, and to go forward, we need to pray for the apostle or the elder appointed by the apostle who has the responsibility of bringing forth the word.

Paul knows that he needs to speak boldly, so that the saints will receive the word and grow up in Christ and be able to stand and withstand the attacks of the devil in the evil day. Without apostolic teaching, “the whole counsel of God” (Acts20:27), the local fellowships will not be successful in withstanding the attacks of the devil and will be deceived and sidetracked by his schemes without even being aware of it.

The Power of Preaching the Gospel

In Acts 8 Philip, an ordained deacon, had gone to Samaria to preach the gospel and there were powerful results. This city had been under the control of a sorcerer who had exercised power in that city (v10). Philip came alone, preaching the gospel; the people witnessed miracles, healings and deliverance (v6-7), and many believed. Here we see the preaching of the gospel with signs and wonders overcoming the powers. One man, discipled, trained and sent out by the apostles was able to preach with signs and wonders and affect a whole city. There was a greater power with the man of God. He simply preached the kingdom of God and even the sorcerer became subject to his word and was baptised (v13).

We must Know our Authority in Christ

In Acts 19 we read of Paul in Ephesus. In verse 13 some local exorcists heard Paul dealing with the devil in the name of Jesus and so thought they could do this also. But when they were confronted by the devil, he asked them “Jesus I know, and Paul I know, but who are you?” (v.15). They tried to cast out devils in the name of Jesus whom Paul preached; they had no authority of their own and so were attacked themselves by the devil.

The effect of this was that the whole city came under the fear of God and the name of Jesus was magnified, and the “word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed” (v17-20).

Paul was preaching the word, reasoning daily; the result was that the demonic realms were overcome. The city got into an uproar. The demonic powers had overstepped the mark by attacking some Jewish exorcists, but the name of Jesus was magnified and the people came out of occultism and turned to the Lord. There is no evidence of binding of the powers, only the preaching and teaching of the word of God.

The key to victory is to be together in fellowship under elders appointed by apostles;

then the local church has authority to stand against principalities and powers.

This is part two of the series on ‘Spiritual Warfare and the Local Church’ by Paul Galligan.

Reports

Kenya relief: Last week we were able to transfer a further $5,397 to Kenya to give aid to those who have been displaced or suffered loss in the recent crisis. A considerable part of these funds came from brethren in USA through Don Atkin. We were able to distribute these funds to 20 different brethren who are ministering in different areas to the victims. All who received are being accountable and send back reports of the way the money has been used. Thank you to all who have contributed.

Apostle Meshack Mbugwa, Nairobi, sent this report:

The challenge here is resettlement, we have many people who need to travel up country since the places where they were working are now very hostile to them. Facilitation of their travel and what to do when they get back to the village is the main challenge. I am making an appeal for more funds to enable us to establish an economical empowerment strategy which will help the affected not only with food but some kind of assistance to venture into small business and farming. Today may give them food but tomorrow still waits. In our meeting l will be putting this agenda to the council, for us to come up with a strategy on how to finance the affected into some kind of entrepreneurship.

For example in our local congregation we have a number of internally displace persons who really need our help, l have been appealing to our brothers to accommodate and help them, we have been able to collect clothing and bedding to help them.

Please on behalf of the company here in Nairobi and Kenya we do thank all who are supporting us sacrificially at this time. We need your prayers first and foremost. The situation is still very delicate.

Myanmar Mission:

Paul and Nick departed Myanmar on 24^th Feb. after their two week mission in Myanmar. They have seen the beginnings of an apostolic council form based on voluntary relationship between leaders already functioning in apostolic ministry. As well as teaching in seminars in a number of different locations they had divine encounters - On Sunday morning we met a Chin Pastor in the Hotel and I gave him "Walking in Our Inheritance".  He came to see me last night, having read the whole book. He really liked it and had a few questions. He is General Secretary of Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Myanmar. He is amazingly open to Apostolic. So we gave him second book and he has already invited me to teach at his annual Pastors' seminar next year-a God appointment! We thank God for the wonderful work He is doing in this nation. We are privileged to be called by God to minister in this nation and to play a small part in the Great Restoration that Jesus is bringing to pass in His Church.

Pastor Nung Khan Mang, who accompanied the team and attended most of the meetings sent this report: It was excellent to accompany the Apostle and I realized Apostolic teaching is the 'Key' to bring about the restoration of the original Church so that it will come to perfection that will result in a glorious church ready to be the Bride, and receive Christ Jesus when He comes.
The Lord revealed many deep things which I cannot explain by words, deep in side me I know I received the spirit of sonship, it brought peace in my heart and I know the reality of being a son of God.

I brought Apostle Paul to South East Asia Mission College and he taught powerfully. The Lord brought new revelation every day as I spent time sitting under the apostolic teaching. Everyday apostle Paul explained things to us in a much deeper and deeper level. So I recognized that God really revealed the mysteries of apostolic teaching to Apostle Paul Galligan. 

India Mission:

Paul and Nick met up with Jean Manning in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday 24^th and then continued on to Delhi together. They spent the first two nights at the India Campus Crusade for Christ headquarters, Gurgaon, near Delhi, before flying to Bagdogra in the North East, then travelling by road to Jaigon where they are being hosted by Silas Lama. Up to 30 attended the meetings from the North East region of India, some coming from Bhutan. Jean has been ministering in this area for a number of years and a very good and effective foundation has been laid. Paul has been able to facilitate the development of an apostolic company. Silas is called to be an apostle. Paul, Jean and Nick have been sharing in the teaching in the sessions, Paul has had some valuable 'one on one' time with leaders.

There has been a real pioneering work done in this North Eastern area of India, an effective door open. Jean's ministry in the area has been very effective. On Sunday 2nd the team travelled by road from Jaigon to Siliguri where they are being hosted by Adam and Rosemary [who came to our midyear school in 2006]. One pastor reported, “All the pastors are saying your speaking is having a big impact. We must change. It is as if Jesus is here talking to us”.

Team travels to Hyderabad on 6^th. Paul & Nick return home on evening of 11^th. Jean remains in India, based at Gurgaon with India Campus Crusade for Christ, until 30^th March.

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CALENDAR

March:

Fri. 14^th Fellowship tea at SHILOH – 6.30pm, Paul & Nick sharing about their trip.

Fri. 21^st – Sun.23^rd EASTER WEEKEND SEMINAR at SHILOH:

                             Fri. 21^st Session I: 2pm – 4pm; Session II: 7pm – 9pm

                             Sat. 22^nd 10am to 4pm – three sessions, including lunch.

                                            7pm – Music, praise & worship night

Easter Sunday 23^rd Community Sunday at SHILOH 9.30 for teaching,

                                           10.30 worship, communion, followed by fellowship lunch

Wed. 26^th – Mon. 31^st Paul & team Northern house church ministry trip

                              Wed. 26^th Caboolture; Gladstone in evening

                               Thurs. 27^th Mt Morgan; Half Tide in evening

                               Fri. 28^th Mackay; Proserpine in evening

                               Sat. 29^th & Sun.30^th Proserpine, Col & Judy Krueger, ph 49470134

                               Mon. 31^st returning to Toowoomba.

Sat. 29^th  Killarney – young adults fellowship; Glynn & Lara Browne, ph. 0429356587

April:

Thur.24^th - Sun. 27^th COMMUNITY WEEKEND at SHILOH: 

                          Thurs. 24^th – Bible School 9am – 4pm; you are welcome to participate   

                          Fri. 25^rd – 9am – 4pm teaching; 7pm – Worship/Seeking the Lord night

                          Sat. 26^th - Training Day at SHILOH  teaching10.30am – 4pm                                                      

                          Sun.27^th -   Community Sunday at SHILOH 9.30 for teaching,

                                            10.30 worship, communion, followed by fellowship lunch.

May:

Fri. 30^th – Sun. 1^st June  COMMUNITY WEEKEND at SHILOH:     

                                Fri. 30^th  7pm – Worship/Seeking the Lord night

                                Sat. 31^st - Training Day at SHILOH 10am for cuppa,

                                                 sessions 10.30am – 4pm                                                      

                                Sun. 1^st June -   Community Sunday at SHILOH 9.30 for teaching,

                                                  10.30 worship, communion, followed by fellowship lunch.

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Overseas trips:

Africa: Team led by Paul Galligan. April 30^th Depart for Nigeria

May 14^th Team transits to Liberia; May 24^th Team arrives in Kenya, home 16^th June.

Philippines: May 14^th – 29^th Team led by Jean Manning.

Mid year Training School

SHILOH School of Ministry

Monday 30^th June – Friday 18^th July 2008

[three weeks]

Pastors, Leaders and those called to minister in the body of Christ

Following our January training school we made the decision to bring some changes to our mid-year school. The length of the school has been extended to become a three-week school, and the time-table each day will be less intense. We plan to start each day at 10.30am with worship. There will be three teaching sessions per day, finishing at 4pm. There will be no evening sessions. We want to promote the opportunity for fellowship amongst the attendees which can happen freely in homes in the evenings. There is no charge for the school and attendees are welcome to come for one, two or three weeks as they are able.

Basic Timetable:

10.30 Worship

11-12md Teaching

12-12.30 prayer or ministry time

1.30-2.30 Teaching

2.45-3pm Testimonies/Communion

3-4pm Teaching

For International brethren & open to brethren in Australia, a further two weeks of training and equipping is offered in small group tutelage from

Tues.22^nd - Fri.25^th & Tues. 29^th – Thurs.31^st 

Training School for Children & Youth,

ages 4 to 13

Monday 7^th July to Friday 11^th July

Venue:

SHILOH CENTRE

19 Russell St TOOWOOMBA

QLD 4350