“Appoint Elders In Every City!”
“The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epoch, in the History of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.” – John Adams to his wife, Abigail.
Sisters & Brothers In Messiah/Christ/The Anointed ONE, without God’s Vision we perish and our ‘founding fathers’ clearly had that when they voted for liberty or death, so that our constitutional republic could declare freedom to all humankind, who are created equal, in the image and likeness of God and endowed by our Creator! It’s obvious that the ‘early church fathers’ were building upon the foundation of Yeshua/Jesus/Salvation, upholding the teachings of the apostles, the breaking of bread and the continuous fellowshipping of the saints. I find it most interesting that the Apostle Paul writes to Titus and exhorts him to ‘appoint elders in every city,’ which is quite a task for anyone, but it’s obviously coming from The Holy Spirit, through him and still speaking to us, as the church today!
Titus 1:5-9
Amplified Bible
Qualifications of Elders
“5 For this reason I left you behind in Crete, so that you would set right what remains unfinished, and appoint elders in every city as I directed you, 6 namely, a man of unquestionable integrity, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of being immoral or rebellious. 7 For the overseer, as God’s steward, must be blameless, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not violent, not greedy for dishonest gain [but financially ethical]. 8 And he must be hospitable [to believers, as well as strangers], a lover of what is good, sensible (upright), fair, devout, self-disciplined [above reproach—whether in public or in private]. 9 He must hold firmly to the trustworthy word [of God] as it was taught to him, so that he will be able both to give accurate instruction in sound [reliable, error-free] doctrine and to refute those who contradict [it by explaining their error].”
Obviously, the standard is very high because the standard is to be Christ/Messiah/The Anointed ONE and it was He Who said, “Just As The Father Has Sent Me, So I Am Sending You” and it was He Who gave us this New Commandment for The New & Better Covenant, “LOVE ONE Another ‘Just As’ I Have LOVED You!”
We cannot do this apart from His Holy Spirit and His Anointing, which breaks down every yoke of sin and bondage. We are not alone. He goes before us in ALL things, is with us, will NEVER leave or forsake us, and promises that we will see His Goodness, Tender-Mercies and Loving-Kindness following us ALL the days of our LIFE. ALL of His Promises Are YES & AMEN!
That’s why we need to have confidence In Him, take courage, meditate on HIs Word, Will & Way, day and night, and be obedient, so that we can receive His BLESSING!
1 Timothy 3:1-7
Amplified Bible
Overseers and Deacons
“3 This is a faithful and trustworthy saying: if any man [eagerly] seeks the office of overseer (bishop, superintendent), he desires an excellent task. 2 Now an overseer must be blameless and beyond reproach, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, sensible, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not addicted to wine, not a bully nor quick-tempered and hot-headed, but gentle and considerate, free from the love of money [not greedy for wealth and its inherent power—financially ethical]. 4 He must manage his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity [keeping them respectful and well-behaved] 5 (for if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?). 6 and He must not be a new convert, so that he will not [behave stupidly and] become conceited [by appointment to this high office] and fall into the [same] condemnation incurred by the devil [for his arrogance and pride]. 7 And he must have a good reputation and be well thought of by those outside the church, so that he will not be discredited and fall into the devil’s trap.”
Notice below how the Apostle Peter calls us ‘fellow elders.’ There’s a Oneness In The Body, that Yeshua/Jesus/Salvation prayed for and purchased for us on The Cross, with His Precious Blood/LIFE, that brings His Unity of Spirit & Purpose, so that when we ALL do our part, we come into the FULLNESS Of GOD!
Messiah/Christ/The Anointed ONE said, “Father, I Have Given Them ‘THE SAME’ GLORY That You Have Given Me.” It’s a done deal, He Has Given His GLORY to us, The ONE Who Is, Who Was & Who Is To Come, ‘The Same,’ Yesterday, Today & Forever! Isn’t that GLORIOUS? Israel Is His Glory, The Church/The Bride/The Body/The Temple Of The Living God Is us, Jew & Gentile, ONE By Faith In Him, you and I ARE Living stones, being built up, into The Temple Of The Living GOD, here on Earth, Just As It Is In HEAVEN. So let us, just as in Genesis, God said, “Let Us,” follow His Pattern throughout The Scriptures, to receive the [conqueror’s] unfading crown of GLORY and shine His Light out to dispel, uproot and tear down the powers and principalities of darkness!
1 Peter 5:1-2
Amplified Bible (HERE)
“Therefore, I strongly urge the elders among you [pastors, spiritual leaders of the church], as a fellow elder and as an eyewitness [called to testify] of the sufferings of Christ, as well as one who shares in the glory that is to be revealed: shepherd and guide and protect the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not [motivated] for shameful gain, but with wholehearted enthusiasm; not lording it over those assigned to your care [do not be arrogant or overbearing], but be examples [of Christian living] to the flock [set a pattern of integrity for your congregation]. And when the Chief Shepherd (Christ) appears, you will receive the [conqueror’s] unfading crown of glory. Likewise, you younger men [of lesser rank and experience], be subject to your elders [seek their counsel]; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another [tie on the servant’s apron], for God is opposed to the proud [the disdainful, the presumptuous, and He defeats them], but He gives grace to the humble.”
Today I am summoning ALL Christians EVERYWHERE to meet with God, within your home, on your block, in the marketplace, your community, your local church, mega church, village, city, pueblo, reservation, county, state and nation, as apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, preachers, teachers, overseers, elders, deacons, deaconesses, shepherds, sheep, as The Church Of GOD, which He bought with His Own Blood/LIFE. He is no respecter of persons, male, female, slave or free, Jew or Gentile, red, yellow, black, white or any color in between. He has appointed, called you and gifted YOU, with every spiritual blessing, gift, talent and ability in Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12, like Queen Esther, to be the salt and light of the world, for ALL nations, peoples, tribes and tongues, for such a time as this or you wouldn’t be alive today in 2024!
Starting Monday evenings, 7:00 to 8:00 PM (MDT), on christianbody.net, we’ll be broadcasting, ‘HEALING AMERICA,’ so we hope you’ll join us, as we hope to conduct once a month conferences to bring unity to The Body, Equip The Saints for service In The Kingdom of God – which is Righteousness, Shalom/Peace and Holy Spirit JOY & Fulfilling of The Great Commission, reaching the unreached people groups in the world today, and ushering in the 2nd Coming of Jesus/Yeshua/Salvation!
We are looking to appoint elders in every city throughout New Mexico, across America, and around The WORLD – so prayerfully consider joining us.
If you or someone you know would like to have a prayer gathering in your area or anywhere around NM, don’t hesitate to contact me!
Acts 20:17
Amplified Bible (HERE)
“However, from Miletus he sent word to Ephesus and summoned the elders of the church [to meet him there].”
Acts 20:28
Amplified Bible (HERE)
“Take care and be on guard for yourselves and for the whole flock over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as overseers, to shepherd (tend, feed, guide) the church of God which He bought with His own blood.
THANKS & BLESSINGS,
Mark Tross
Prayer Coordinator for NM Prayer Connect, PATH-NM, COG-NM & El Paso, TX
