The Church Is Touching The Threshold
”“Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them—the children of Israel.“
Joshua 1:2 NKJV
Instantly an old season came to an end and after all the frustrating years of waiting, wondering and questioning it was suddenly time for movement.
The church of Christ is on the threshold of sudden change. The tiresome days of the lone pastor shepherding complacent sheep have come to an abrupt end.
Who will accept the shift?
”“What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you shut the door of the Kingdom of Heaven in people’s faces. You won’t go in yourselves, and you don’t let others enter either.“
Matthew 23:13 NLT
I can see a religious spirit standing next to the pastors whom the Spirit of the Lord is watering with divine inspiration for reform. Standing next to them with great intimidation it holds a stick and strikes their heads shaming them for even considering such radical change in the church!
A command is being issued to depart from the old stationary ways and enter into movement.
”Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses.“
Joshua 1:3 NKJV
Ownership, authorship and dominion have been granted to those who will enter the new.
A few years ago I traveled to Scotland. Having Scottish ancestry on both sides of my family I immediately felt a sense of belonging among the community and culture even though it was my first time to visit. This must have been how the people of Israel felt as they entered the Promised Land. A feeling of “this is a new experience yet I belong here”.
”No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go.“
Joshua 1:5-7 NKJV
In the story of Moses, through the plagues, the Lord systematically shamed and defied each of the gods Egypt held dear. Ra, the god of the sun, was the most prominent. When the Lord caused darkness to cover the land He established His sovereignty and dominion over Ra! The Lord desires now to shame everything that exalts itself against Him.
Joshua initiated an apostolic age. Graciously God had bestowed upon him the ability to effectively appraise gifts, callings and talents. From the most underdeveloped expression to the absolute prodigies and everywhere in between Joshua could analyze, evaluate and determine where they would be best placed for the advancement of God’s Kingdom on the earth!
Such an apostolic age is being offered to the church now.
How many pastors will step out of stationary shepherding and into magnified movement?
Certain churches will be called to specialized purposes and particular Kingdom expressions.
We must unify, each taking our positions.
This collective positioning both inside and between the churches will fortify our position and bring the promise into view.
The vision that comes to mind is the Roman defensive position called “The Orbis”. Soldiers would stand side by side in the shape of a circle all facing outward holding shields. Each soldier is covered and they are protected as a group.
We are at this moment standing right at the threshold of the greatest outpouring of glory the world has ever seen. Some have already crossed, others are standing and looking. Take a moment now to pray the body of Christ through the threshold!