Opting in to Apostolic Culture

Opting in to Apostolic Culture
Source:
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In a prophetic conference in Atlanta Prophet Russ Walden shares a powerful word about Opting in to Apostolic Culture. The session begins with a prophetic word over the Atlanta area.

The Immediacy of God’s Presence:

The Presence of God’s Power:

[Luk 5:17 KJV] 17 And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judaea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was [present] to heal them.

What brought the power of the Lord that was present to heal? Let’s look at the opposite circumstance:

[Matthew 13:58 KJV] 58 And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.

This was in Jesus home area. They were offended in him because they only saw the carpenter’s son. Their faith or lack of it had a profound impact on what could be received even from Jesus Himself. If little faith resulted in “not many” mighty works then MUCH faith can result in MANY MIGHTY WORKS being done. As God told Wm. Branham in the 50’s healing revivals – “if you can get the people to believe nothing – not even cancer will stand before you…”

There are 2 aspects of God’s presence: 1.) His MANIFEST presence that is magnified by your faith and 2.) His ambient presence that is always in you no matter what your environment is.

His Ambient Presence:

[Jhn 14:16-20 KJV] 16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 [Even] the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. 18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. 19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. 20 At that day ye shall know that I [am] in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.

His Manifest, Immediate Presence:

[Act 4:33 KJV] 33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.

Immediate Healing and Miracles:

Matthew 8:3 … immediately his leprosy was cleansed…

Matthew 20:34 … immediately their eyes received their sight…

Mar. 1:31 … immediately the fever left her ….

Mar. 2:12 … immediately [the paralytic] arose ….

Luke 1:64 … immediately his tongue was loosed ….

Luke 8:44 … immediately her issue of blood was staunched ….

Luke 13:13 … immediately [the cripple] was made straight….

Promised to those who believe (not just to Jesus):

[Jhn 14:12 KJV] 12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater [works] than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

Manifest in those that believed as Jesus predicted:

[Act 3:7 KJV] 7 And he took him by the right hand, and lifted [him] up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.

[Act 9:34 KJV] 34 And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately.

[Act 16:26 KJV] 26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.

[Act 5:15 KJV] 15 Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid [them] on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.

Still the same today:

[Heb 13:8 KJV] 8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

We must realize that those of us who ENJOY His ambient presence (I will never leave you nor forsake you) can OPT IN to a culture of faith that encourages the experience of His manifest presence:

1.) We don’t have to wait for revival. In fact waiting for revival does very little to actually bring revival or an outpouring of God’s spirit. What can we do? We can opt in to the Apostolic Culture / the Culture of Dominion that provokes an outpouring of God’s Spirit – what we call His manifest present not just in a place but a whole city, even a nation…

What is apostolic culture:

[Acts 2:42-47 KJV] 42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. 44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all [men], as every man had need. 46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, 47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

1. Continuing in the apostle’s doctrine
2. Fellowship (living inclusively)
3. Breaking of Bread (relationship)
4. Prayers (prayer is not begging or pleading, prayer is ruling and reigning) When they were on the ropes they prayed and the outpouring was reignited.
5. Praise (Praise – which brings favor with the people)

The result (v. 47) the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. We tend to expect an outpouring which brings the people and then we do those 4 things. In the early church they did those 4 things and it brought the outpouring.

You do not have to see one thing change in your life or community to opt in to apostolic culture.

1. Who is the apostle in your life.
2. Who are you excluding from your life (by an act of your will or by negligence?)
3. Who are you in true accountable relationship with? (Unaccountable sons).
4. Do I find you praying?
5. Are you living a life of praise or stressing over problems at home and abroad?

Opting In to Apostolic Culture:

Apostle (doctrine)
Prophet (provoking us to inclusiveness) NT prophets are prophets of Christ (Love) and not Elijah (Judgment)
Evangelist (Relationship) Go out and make disciples (establish accountability) of the nations.
Pastor (More called to pray for you and with you and teach you how to pray).
Teacher (Teach you how to praise as a warfare strategy.

[Psalm 8:2 KJV] 2 Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.
[Matthew 21:16 KJV] 16 And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?