The Modern-Day Movement of God

The Modern-day Movement of God

3 added to our number!

Let’s look at the progression of the first century movement of God:

“So those who accepted his message were baptized, and that day about 3,000 people were added to them.”  Acts 2:41 

“…praising God and having favor with all the people. And every day the Lord added to them those who were being saved.”  Acts 2:47 

“But many of those who heard the message believed, and the number of the men came to about 5,000.”  Acts 4:4 

“Believers were added to the Lord in increasing numbers–crowds of both men and women.”  Acts 5:14 

“In those days, as the number of the disciples was multiplying…” Acts 6:1 

“So the preaching about God flourished, the number of the disciples in Jerusalem multiplied rapidly, and a large group of priests became obedient to the faith.” Acts 6:7 

“So the church throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace, being built up and walking in the fear of the Lord and in the encouragement of the Holy Spirit, and it increased in numbers.” Acts 9:31 

“After they had evangelized that town and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, to Iconium, and to Antioch…” Acts 14:21 

“So the churches were strengthened in the faith and were increased in number daily.” Acts 16:5 

“When they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city officials, shouting, ‘These men who have turned the world upside down have come here too’…” Acts 17:6 

“But I ask, “Did they not hear?” Yes, they did: Their voice has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the inhabited world.” Romans 10:18  

It is amazing to sit back and see the movement of the first century church take place starting from a small church of 120 and ending in proclamation “to the ends of the inhabited world.” The motivating vision for the first century church was given by Jesus (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8 ) and it is this vision of proclamation that moved the first century church movement. The word ‘movement’ implies moving. If you are not moving, you cease to be a movement. Movement implies numerical growth and geographic expansion. If a fellowship of churches stops growing numerically and geographically, it stops being a movement of God. Sadly, many of us were saddened to see our former fellowship which many of us found our salvation in, cease to be a movement and become simply a fellowship of churches with no unified effort or plan to see the world one in our generation. This is not to say there aren’t hot spots in the ICOC that are growing or that there aren’t saved disciples outside of God’s movement, yet the issue is not salvation rather proclamation in our generation. There was a coordinated effort by the leadership in complete unity to evangelize the world during the time of the New Testament church. God has once again rose up men and women with the dream of restoring the first century church movement in our modern time. In less than two years since it began, the Sold-Out Discipling Movement has grown to 32 churches with 15 in the United States and 17 internationally! Even more exciting was to celebrate God’s hand at work this last weekend at the 2008 World Missions Jubilee and to see the send off of two new churches to Washington DC and New York City! To give perspective, the Boston Movement (ICOC) which was initiated in 1979 had 3 churches (Boston, Chicago, London) by 1982 three years into our former movement. God is certainly taking us beyond what we could have imagined! I have been to every Jubilee out of Portland since they started back in 2004 and it is amazing to see how God is truly building a church to all the nations! 

Most inspiring to me at the Jubilee is to see the restoration of the New Testament church right before my eyes. Acts 18:8-10, “Paul left [the synagogue]. He took the disciples with him and had daily discussions in the lecture halls of Tyrannus [campus ministry!]. This went on for two years, so that all the Jews an Greeks who lived in the providence of Asia heard the Word of the Lord!” This was modern day Turkey which is bigger than any state in the US and that region was evangelized. This doesn’t mean every person became a Christian, simply that they all had a chance to hear the unadulterated gospel message. In Revelation we find the letter is addressed to the seven churches of Asia which were planted during this two year span in influential cities: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. Ephesus was an influential city or a “pillar church” in which these other surrounding cities could be planted. Like Jerusalem, Antioch, Philippi and Rome it provided a base to send out plantings. What can we learn from this passage to help do our part here in Phoenix in evangelizing the world? 

1. Target Cities

Paul focused on evangelizing the most influential cities in order to get to the rest of the world. As a church we must go to the most influential places in our city to help build to reach everyone. Yet, as the Spirit continues to move us, God-willing we will plant a church and focus on targeting a city of influence. Excitingly, Kip McKean, world missions evangelist in the City of Angels Church which has seen 121 baptisms and 62 restorations since it started in May of 2007, announced a Five Year Plan to reach cities of influence in our world. This is a plan to reach target cities in five years, please visit the www.caicc.net to pray over this plan God has put on the heart of his movement. Prayerfully there will be discipling churches in London, Miami, India (overseeing church), Johannesburg, Mexico City, Paris, and Hong Kong by 2013 to God’s glory! Other US plantings are under consideration such as Boston, Houston, Denver, San Diego and San Francisco and internationally in Sydney, Sao Paulo and Moscow. There are remnant groups in some of these places but we believe trained leadership is the need of the hour. Phoenix is the nation’s fifth largest city and growing with an estimated population of 5 million with 110,000 college students and having the nation’s largest university (ASU). The time is now for each of us to make a decision to fully commit ourselves to doing our part in building God’s movement here in Phoenix. Chris and I have both decided to radically start praying for boldness and faith as we declare God’s glory here in the valley of the sun.  

2. Daily Discipling, Small Groups, and Evangelism

Paul would take the disciples with him and have daily discussions in the lecture Hall. Excitingly, this fall we will have five ‘Life Talks’ on campus. Every disciple is called to be evangelistic every day. Do you honestly share your faith everyday? The Bible teaches that small groups were the method of Jesus and of Paul. It is only through these small groups that we can multiply into other small groups. As a church that is following Jesus and the Scriptures every member is called to be a part of a small group (Bible Talk/ Life Talk), to have a discipling relationship, and to be totally committed to daily evangelism. When is the last time that you have gone with other disciples to share your faith such as Paul and the disciples in the first century? Do your discipling times only focus on sin confession or are they geared towards helping others become Christians as well? Let’s regroup with our small groups and come up with a plan for this fall to evangelize our territory God has already given us.  

3. The Call to be Sold-out!

What makes us distinct as a movement of churches is the call for every single disciple to be sold out to God (Matthew 13:44-46; 22:37). Our congregations are to be composed of ‘only sold-out disciples’ not saying we are the only disciples but that every member through discipling and the scriptures is called to be like Jesus. Every person who gets baptized, moves-in, or is restored is called to this commitment. One of the aspects of the Jubilee that moved my heart so much was to see many of the leaders and disciples truly selling everything they own to give their lives fully to God’s kingdom. We have brothers and sisters in Africa who sleep in heaps of garbage in their poverty and are so fired up and fruitful because they realize that the kingdom is all that really matters. Many leaders have sold their houses and given up six-figure salaries to serve God full-time and give their money to God’s work. One of the points of the weekend is there is the kingdom and nothing else. How sacrificial are you when it comes to building the movement of God? Are you truly like Jesus in all areas of your life? One of the questions asked during the Jubilee is what is false about you? Let’s all make a decision to recommit ourselves to God heart and soul, and truly give up everything to help build the movement so that His glory is declared among the nations. 

Campus Minister, 

Mike Patterson

Summer Goal Hit: 3 More added this past Sunday!

We prayed for a goal of seven baptisms for the summer, well this past Sunday the Lord added three more souls to our number: Miguel, Robert, and Tarah join the campus movement here in the valley making that seven baptisms for the summer! (Display images)

Another added to our number!

We welcome Bavon Damon to our campus ministry family, as he was baptized this past Sunday.

3 Added to our number & a NEW audio sermon

LIFE Campus Ministries welcomes Leslie, Lance, and Byford to our ministry who were all baptized within the last three weeks.

Click here for the latest audio sermon: “House of Prayer for All Nations” - Mike Patterson

The Upside Down Revolution (NEW: Audio!)

The summer LIFE CAMPAIGN is kicking off next week! What better way to get fired up than to remember the revolution God ignited here in Phoenix at ASU earlier this year in March. Below are the three keynote speeches from the 2008 Campus Retreat “Come Join His Upside Down Revolution!”

God’s Revolutionary War - Victor Jr. Gonzalez (Los Angeles, CA)

Reformation vs. Restoration - Anthony Franklin (Chicago, IL)

Come Join His Upside Down Revolution - Mike Patterson (Phoenix, AZ)

CAMPUS PHOTOS (see new article below!)

“A KINGDOM OF PRIESTS”

“Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation…” Exodus 19:6 

“You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign of the earth.” Revelation 5:10

Moses predicted it and the Bible confirms that all disciples of Jesus Christ are called to be priests. In fact, His kingdom is to be a “royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9). When one understands the role of a priest in the Old Testament, a better understanding of our discipleship becomes prevalent. The priests held a special role in the Old Testament. All priests were Levites, but not all Levites were priests. They oversaw the spirituality of Israel, administered the sacrificial system to keep the purity of Israel, and helped with diseases and other needs as part of their profession. Their role was to guard the worship, be a personal example of holiness (Leviticus 11-15), bless/encourage people (Leviticus 9:22), and handle contribution (Nehemiah 10:36-39) among other duties. As disciples, we are all called to be priests and carry out these roles under the new covenant. Ultimately, the priest was called to reconcile men to God (evangelism!) and preach the word. Let us look at the first priesthood ordination of Aaron and His sons in Leviticus 8:23-24, and at the three actions that priests must take, which are also what we as disciples must adhere too.

“Moses slaughtered the ram and took some of its blood and put it on the lobe of Aaron’s right ear, on the thumb of his right hand and on the big toe of his right foot. Moses also brought Aaron’s sons forward and put some of the blood on the lobes of their right ears, on the thumbs of their right hands and on the big toes of their right feet. Then he sprinkled blood against the altar on all sides.”  Leviticus 8:23-24.

I. Hear God’s Voice

The blood was to be put on the ear lobe as a reminder for the priest to always listen to the voice of God. Constantly, we are putting noise in our ears, whether it be the radio, kids in the back seat fighting, and in general just the commotion of life. In all this, it is easy to miss the voice of God. While walking around on campus, trying to do my priestly duty by reconciling men to God, it is amazing how many have headphones on listening to music. Our generation has forgotten the importance of being still and listening to God. The priest was responsible to determine what God’s will was for the nation (1 Samuel 23:6-12). As Christians, it is imperative that we are in God’s word on a daily basis to listen to His voice, and follow where He goes. Sadly, even in the Old Testament, priests could be misled to think they are following God, yet they followed lies. Jeremiah 5:30-31 reads, “A horrible and shocking thing has happened in the land: The prophets prophesy lies, and the priests rule by their own authority, and my people love it this way.” But what will you do in the end? It is sad to see in our former fellowship many ‘prophets’ preach lies to the people. Character assassinations, half-truths, and false-doctrine (discipling is optional, autonomy, lukewarmness, mainline theology, etc.) may be preached to the people, but as priest we cannot rule (do our discipleship) by our own authority. Are you as a priest in God’s authority? It is great to be part of a movement where discipling is practiced and world-wide brotherhood is the norm. If this isn’t the norm, you may be missing God’s voice. What will you do in the end?

II. Do the Work of God

Next, the priest would put the animal’s blood on his thumb. This was a constant reminder to always do the work of God. For the priest, this meant living a sacrificial lifestyle that focused on the atonement of men’s sins. We are all priests according to the scriptures, yet only Jesus is the ultimate High Priest who helps us share a relationship with God. It is because of His great sacrifice at we are bent on helping others meet with our High Priest, Jesus (Hebrews 7-8). As a young Christian, I remember having many big dreams for God’s kingdom such as being a Bible Talk leader and one day leading a church. Yet, I wasn’t willing to work as hard as I needed to see these dreams accomplished. When entering college, I gained a deep conviction that a disciple is a worker. God blessed my dreams. Jesus himself calls us His workers that are sent out to reap a harvest of disciples (Luke 10:2). In fact, the Bible says we were not only saved to work, but created for good works in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:10). If you aren’t a worker for the Lord, you aren’t truly saved. Jesus has given us the ministry of reconciliation. One must look inwardly and ask themselves if they are truly giving it all they’ve got to see men and women reconciled to God? 1 Corinthians 15:58 says, “…Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” In context, Paul is teaching us that we work hard because we know that there will be a resurrection one day when God comes to dwell with us. Because of this, our labor isn’t in vain! God is using this work to train and transform us for the day when we will reign with Jesus. Are you remembering to do the work of God? 

III. Walk in God’s Ways

Finally, the priest put some blood on the big toes of their feet for a constant reminder to walk with God. Genesis 5:24 says, “Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.” This man walked so closely with God that the Lord just couldn’t wait to have him in Heaven with Him. How has your personal walk with God been lately? The priest was to be an example in personal righteousness, especially in the area of purity. He represented the purity of Israel. The disciple’s life should represent the purity of God’s church. When sin was in the camp, it was the priest who had to act fast and radically to atone for the sin and obey the law. God desires a fellowship of only “sold-out disciples” because when He looks down from Heaven that is all He sees in regards to the church. It is heartbreaking for me to see churches in the area that are no longer composed of a “royal priesthood” (only disciples) and the few priests deciding to stay in lukewarm fellowship ruling by their own authority (autonomy). One disciple in such a fellowship was content that his personal ministry practiced the truths of God’s word, even though the older members were not living as priests (disciples of Jesus). The one living as a priest is concerned with ALL spiritual Israel (the church) not just part of it. God works when His movement is pure, the priests understood this concept. Will you follow God and walk with Him if you are in a dead congregation? After a time, you cannot. A daily walk with Jesus is essential to living out God’s will. We are called to “worship in spirit and in truth” John 4:23-24, not with dead or lukewarm disciples who have forgotten they were called to be priests.

Matthew 28:18-20 states the mission of God’s priesthood and encompasses the three reminders. Those eleven men heard Jesus’ voice to go and make disciples, and because they did the work of God- they saw an evangelized world in their lifetime (Colossians 1:23). We too can do it in our lifetime if we understand and then live out our calling as priests to the Living God. The promise then was that Jesus would always be with them as it is for us who live as priests walking with God.

Campus Minister,

Mike Patterson

Mike Patterson Blog Update

 

Hello everyone, my personal webpage is back up and running with a new article on how Jesus defines fellowship. Also, the audio sermons have been updated on that site as well. Visit my personal site and blog at www.mikepatterson.homestead.com

SEE BELOW FOR SUMMER LIFE TALKS (formally “Bible Talks”) SCHEDULE.

L.I.F.E. Campaign

Jesus says in John 10:10, “I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.” This summer our campus ministry will begin our LIFE Campaign to bring true life to every college student on campus. Suprisingly, 30,000 students alone still reside at ASU over the summer and take classes as well as many at the community colleges. Pray for us as we live life to the full and bring love to a hurting world. Want to join a “Life Talk”?

ASU Life Talk

Thursday 8pm- Cholla Volley Ball Court- Join us for some fun, fellowship, volley ball, and an informal discussion in God’s word.

SCC Life Talk- Time: TBA

MCC Life Talk- Wednesday 3pm @ the Cafe.

Contact Mike Patterson (316) 519-0769 or missionsprophet@gmail.com for more info.

6 Things in Hell that need to be in God’s Church

The latest Audio Sermon is available online from our house church service “6 Things in Hell that need to be in God’s Church”: CLICK HERE