THE HAND MINISTRY

Pastor Carolyn Sissom (4907 views)

THE HAND MINISTRY

Delivered at Lincoln Bible Church - Houston

Wednesday, January 13, 2015, the Year of Our Lord

Pastor Carolyn Sissom

 

I want to greet and honor Apostle Ken and Pastor Sheila Giles.  Sheila brought Ken into our lives through their marriage.  Sheila is a honored daughter of the House of Eastgate.  As a member, she excelled in all of her ways to give honor to Jesus Christ, and the ministry of the church, and the church leadership.  She served with a spirit of excellence as a Deaconess, on the praise and worship team, the jail ministry and tent coordinator for our annual tent revival.  She has prophetic gifts and is now standing in the Office of Pastor.

 

It is with great honor that I am asked to address the assembly of Lincoln Bible Church-Houston.  The birthing of a church fellowship is a supernatural work and a divine visitation of the HAND of the Lord as He watches over and graces His appointed and anointed ministers to do the work of the Kingdom of God.

 

The local assembly is the visible aspect of the church, whereas the universal Body is the invisible aspect of His Church.  The word “church” is in the New Testament over 100 times and 90% of those references are to a specific local body.

 

It is my persuasion that the pattern and principles of New Testament divine order are still as relevant to the church of the 21^st century as it was in the Book of Acts.  Some have taken it upon themselves to create a new order.

 

“Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it” (Psa. 127:1).  I am also persuaded that only apostles and prophets carry the grace, authority and anointing to start churches. 

 

The Lord has set into the church, apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers, bishops, deacons, administrators and servants. (1 Cor. 12:28; Acts 10:28; Phil 1:1; 1 Tim 3:2, etc.)  The Lord Jesus Christ was a servant and as a pastor, I consider myself a servant of the Lord.

 

The Apostle is one who is sent forth as a messenger and is fully authorized to represent the name he bears.  The apostles is commonly referred to as God’s authority.  This is commonly referred to as part of the HAND ministry for the five-fold ministry and for the HAND OF GOD.

 

1. Jesus the Apostle ---    Governing – Heb. 3:1
2. Jesus the Prophet –     Guiding – John 4:19
3. Jesus the Evangelist – Gathering – Luke 4:18
4. Jesus the Pastor –       Guarding  John 10:11
5. Jesus the Teacher –    Grounding – John 3:2.

 

There are three categories of Apostles:

 

1. The Chief Apostle, the Lord Jesus Christ (Heb. 3:1).
2. The twelve apostles of the Lamb (Matt. 10: 2-6; Rev. 21:14).
3. The many apostles of the Spirit ---Nowhere is it taught that the apostolic ministry would cease; rather, it is needed until the Church is perfected and presented to Jesus her Husband.  We need every gift to the Church given by Jesus.

 

There is a long list of those named as Apostles in the New Testament:

 

1. Barnabas and Paul
2. Andronicus and Junia (Romans 16:7)
3. Titus (11 Cor. 8:23 “messengers” = apostolos”)
4. Epaphroditus (Phil. 2:25 “messenger” = “apostolos”_
5. Paul, Silvanus (Silas), and Timothy (1 Thess. 1:1 with 2:6).
6. James and possible all four of the brothers of the Lord (1 Cor. 9:5; 14: 5-8; Gal. 1:19).
7. Apollos and Sosthenes (1 Cor. 1:1; 4: 6-9).
8. “All the apostles” (1 Cor. 15: 5-7; 9:5; Rev. 18:20).

 

The apostle with the prophet ministry is a foundational ministry to the Church.  He/she lays foundational truths.  He establishes new works and new assemblies.  He has raised up some Timothy’s.   He/she has a specific commission from the Lord Jesus with a specific authority and spiritual endowments to accomplish that ministry.  We don’t have to “work it up”, create “hype” or “drama”.  That which we are called to do “will be within us” as we walk in our calling with humility.

 

He or she has the signs of an apostle: all patience, signs, wonders, mighty deeds. 

 

Those who claim to be apostles (as well as all ministers) and are not, “their end shall be according to their works”.

 

Local churches of the New Testament are “autonomous”, “independent” and “self-governing”.   Autonomous to be undertaken or carried on without outside control and capable of existing independently.  A New Testament local assembly is self-governing, self-supporting, and self-propagating.

 

The Lord spoke to me after our ten year anniversary at Little White Church.  He said, “it takes 10 years to establish a church in a community”.  I understood that to mean it would take 10-years for the community as a whole to recognize the established church.  The Lord establishes His Church in the Spirit immediately.

 

I want to add one more thought concerning the local church and that is the “covering”.

 

The term is a broad-based, often misunderstood, and many-faceted Bible principle.

The major concepts are that of protection, refuge, security, and balance: 

 

1, A covering in general for the Body of Christ is the Blood and the Cloud (Ex. 12;       

     (Psalm 105:39).

2.  For the individual believer –the garments of salvation.

3.  For the natural family –divine order in family rules.  The order of authority:

    Jesus, husband, wife, children.  The Lord made the home before he made the

    church.  The natural authority of the home cannot be over-ruled by the Church.

4. For the spiritual family, the local church ---all elders, deacons and saints are

     under the protection of the Lord Jesus, the ministries of Eph. 4:11 in the whole

    Body of Christ universal as they speak the same thing, and are submitted one to

    another in the love and fear of God. (Eph. 5:21).

5.  A covering for the operation of the gifts and manifestations of the Holy Spirit ---

    Word of God and valid oversight.  I send out my sermon notes to be judged by the

    whole Body of Christ.

6.  A covering for the ministry---garments of priesthood, cleansing, calling of God,

     anointing, measure of faith.

7.  A covering for the entering into the Presence of God --- proper principles of

     prayer, praise and worship.

8.  A covering for God Himself – the veil, cherubims, the mercy-seat, and His glory.    

     He never speaks as One.  

 

1 John 5: 7-8: “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost; and these three are One.  There are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the Blood; and these three agree in One.”

 

This Christmas I received a visitation of “exceeding great joy”.  The Lord revealed Himself powerfully in my life and the ministry during the month of December.  This followed a year, whereby, our fellowship had been tested in tribulation on many levels.  After almost 30-years of serving the Lord as a Pastor, none of these things move me.  My challenge was to lead an “emerging remnant” through this tribulation and into the greater weight of glory and faith.

 

In early January, Wanda Alger, Intercessor for America posted this Word:

“The JOY OF THE LORD will become a distinguishing mark of the true Bride. There is a JOY that has power in it, not just good feelings. It’s a joy that has FACED THE WORST and chooses to lift up Jesus (Acts 13:52). Even as darkness increases and faith is tested, believers will learn to rise up and REJOICE, even as the enemy looks them in the face. This JOY will be so “unnatural” that it will break off Fear and even Death. The Church will join the Father as He sits on His throne and laughs (Psalm 2:4; 37:13). The Kingdom of Heaven will not be hindered nor God’s throne be usurped. All doubts will cease and the Bride of Christ will begin to sing for the wedding is near.”  Wanda Alger

I understood this perfectly.  I knew the “joy” I have been experiencing had nothing to do with my feelings and was far above all the arrows of the enemy.  No matter what the “naysayers”, critics, complainers, or trouble makers threw my way, it could not touch me in this wonderful place.  Of course, fear cannot exist there and death has no power.

The Song of the Church in Revelation 15 is being sung now---as the judgment-angels are abroad on their mission, the ear of faith hears the song of Heaven.  The song of  the present is that of the partially completed and completing ranks of the glorified church.   It is the song sung on the Heavenly Mount while the battle is still raging.

Rev. 15: 2-4: “I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire; and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.  They sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are Your ways, You King of saints.  Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? for You only are holy; for all nations shall come and worship before You; for Your judgments are made manifest.”

The song of the overcoming, triumphant church on earth joins with the mighty multitude of the redeemed of both the Old and New Testament saints---a united Church.  The glorious company of apostles, the godly fellowship of prophets, and the noble army of martyrs are gathered to sing the song of deliverance for the encouragement of the drooping and faint-hearted, who are still struggling in the conflict, or buffeting the storms.

 “Great and marvelous are your works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are Your ways, You King of saints.”

The Lord is bringing together a unified body.  All those who are in vain glory, vanity of religion, competition, pre-eminence, self-promotion and apostasy will be separated from the true Church.

This is our joyful testimony and experience on these blissful shores--- “We went through fire and through water, but you brought us out into a wealthy place.” (Psa. 66:12)

Every billow of tribulation is hushed.  All is changed into calm, reflecting the glory of the Everlasting Hills, and the Sun of Righteousness. 

“ Covenant relationships with others in the body of Christ will be critical. This will increase oneness and the needed spiritual authority at the local level. Church divisions and disagreements will take a back seat in order to “…attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God – to mature manhood…” (Ephesians 4:13). Generational mantles and blessings will be fulfilled in and through families revealing the love and promise of the Father (Acts 3:25).

 Five-fold ministers at every level will emerge in equipping the saints to do the work that’s needed in every sphere of society. Apostolic and prophetic authority will become more localized as God’s prepared leaders will equip and train the saints to do the work. Individuals who seek to build their own ministries and reputations will prove ineffective unless they are multiplying their gifts and becoming spiritual fathers and mothers to the next generation.” (Wanda Alger)

Many of the people of the United States have come into agreement with national sin.  The apostasy of the nation and the people comes as a result of many individuals committing their own sins.  National repentance and revival will come as each individual deals with his own individual sin, just as if he were the only sinner.

 

I believe there is an emerging overcoming church who will not come into agreement with the sins of this nation.

 

Our Tuesday morning group has been studying the Book of Ezra. The HAND ministry is beautifully established in Ezra 7.

The principle of Zerubbabel and Jeshua, and the ministry of Nehemiah (civil governor) and Ezra (priesthood) are types of the King-Priest principle (apostle and prophet).   The Hand of the Lord is revealed in power and wisdom as the Good Hand of the Lord was upon Ezra. 

 

Ezra 7:6: “The Lord granted Ezra all his requests according to the hand of the Lord His God upon him.”

 

The Lord anoints for “Civil” authority as well as “Spiritual” authority.

 

The Lord spoke through King Artaxerxes to Ezra giving this authority and blessing to the “house of the God of heaven.”  I am persuaded that King Artaxerxes’ declaration is a prophetic proclamation for the Church.  The Lord dwells in the praises of his people.  His house is in the saints through the Blood of Jesus who sits at the “right hand of God”.

 

Ezra 7: 23-24: “Whatsoever is commanded by the God of heaven let it be diligently done for the house of the God of heaven; for why should there be wrath against the realm of the king and his sons?   Also we certify to you that touching any of the priests, Levites, singers, porters, Nethinims, or minister of this house of God, it shall be unlawful to impose toll, tribute, or custom, upon them.  And you Ezra, after the wisdom of your God, that is in your hand. Set magistrates and judges, which may judge all the people that are beyond the river, all such as know the laws of your God; and teach them who do not know.”

 

The “house of the God of heaven” is a New Testament term for the Church as the sanctuary, and the temple, and the dwelling-place of God.  This building of God is a habitation of God through the Spirit and a spiritual house or abode not made with hands.

 

This “wisdom of your God” (Vs. 25) is the wisdom “from above” - - supreme intelligence such as belongs to God and given as a gift to those whom the Holy Spirit chooses.  The wisdom of God as evinced in forming and executing counsels in the formation and government of the world and the scriptures.

 

 

The word for “hand” means “power”.  The Word and Wisdom of God was in the hand of Ezra.  There are blessings to submitting to the five-fold ministry of Eph. 4:11 metaphorically described as the “Hand” ministry---the Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor and Teacher – who are set into their office, and empowered by the Hand of God, not the hand of man. 

 

The power, wisdom, consecration, direction, and presence of the Lord’s HAND is manifest on Ezra/Nehemiah for the work the Lord God commissioned them to do.

 

1. Ezra 7:6: - Answered prayer.
2. Ezra 7:9 -  Moving out of confusion and into peace.
3. Ezra 7:28 – Strength to assemble in the day of restoration.
4. Ezra 8:22 – Goodness and protection.
5. Ezra 8:18 – Wisdom and understanding.
6. Ezra 8:31 – Deliverance from the enemy.
7. Neh. 1:10 – Great power
8. Neh. 2:8   -  Supply to meet the need – unlimited supply.

      9.  Neh. 2:18 - Ability to move others to action.

 

 

Rom. 9:27-28: “”Isaiah also cries concerning Israel.  Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved.  For He will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.”

 

7:18-20: “Whatsoever shall seem good to you, and to your brethren, to do with the rest of the silver and the gold, that do after the will of your God.  The vessels also that are given you for the service of the house of your God, those deliver you before the God of Jerusalem.  Whatsoever more shall be needful for the house of your God, which you shall have occasion to bestow, bestow it out of the king’s treasure house.”

 

Jesus the King through the prophetic voice of King Artaxerxes has decreed and “loosed” the finances on this side of the river (veil) for that which Ezra does require!  This is unto the (unlimited realm) of:

 

1. 100 talents of silver ---unlimited redemption.
2. 100 measures of wheat – unlimited Word of God.
3. 100 baths of wine – unlimited Joy of the Lord.
4. 100 baths of oil and salt – unlimited Spirit of God.

 

This is the 100-fold principle of Matt. 13:23.  The total = 400 made up of 4 x 100 reveals the principles for God’s whole creation.

 

God can put things into men’s hearts which would not arise there of themselves, and into their heads too, both by his providence, and by his grace, in things pertaining both to life and godliness.  If any good appear to be in our own hearts, or in the hearts of others, we must give the glory to God who put it there, and bless Him for it.  When government leaders act for the suppression of vice, and the encouragement of religion, we must thank God who put it into their hearts to do so.

 

Ezra 7:28:

“And I was strengthened as the HAND of the Lord my God was upon me and I gathered together out of Israel chief men to go up with me.”

 

 

For all who follow after the Lord and called into the ministry, we have one testimony and one testimony only of the grace, wisdom and strength on our life.  “I was strengthened to undertake the services as the hand of the Lord my God was upon me, to direct me and support me.”  If this is not so, then we all fall.

 

Ezra 8:22: “…The hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek Him; but His power and His wrath is against all them that forsake Him”

 

Carolyn Sissom, Pastor

Eastgate Ministries Church

Scripture from K.J.V. – I entered into the labors of Tongue of the Learned by: Kelly Varner; Memories of Patmos by: John Ross MacDuff.  Sermon notes and Bible Study notes by: Carolyn Sissom: Ezra – Chapter 7; and The Song of the Church, www.eastgateministries.com.   Comments and conclusions are my own as led by the Holy Spirit and not meant to reflect the views of those from whom I gleaned.