The Mega Pastor: A Boook for Preserving the Church

By Douglas C. Stewart

The Mega Pastor

Theological * Political * Philosophical * Apologetically * Inspirational

Dr. D.C. Stewart has written a book that is absolutely about Christian leaders being accountable in all things and that Christians conduct themself in godliness. The Mega Pastor is a shepherding pastor of Gods workmanship, who encounters and overcome the intrinsic of all agendas that the body of Christ Jesus is up against. The Mega Pastor is the one taking the lead in the fight of faith. It is fit for the Mega Pastor and leaders of the flock of God to detect and expel the enemies from within and to expose the enemy that is outside looking in. There are primarily three groups of people categorizing this book. The secular humanist, which are all types of people that causes negative affect against Christian believers. Hirelings are those who are in the position to protect and serve the body of Christian believers but are not chosen, therefore causing many to stumble at the word of God and in faith. The Mega Pastors are those called and chosen of God who keeps the faith, walk in truth and preserve the body of Christian believers.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Nov 23, 2010
• ISBN: 9781456819903

Douglas C. Stewart

Dr. Douglas C. Stewart is a Professor of the Biblical Studies program of the Covenant Bible Seminary in Lakewood Washington since 2003. He received his Master of Divinity with the Seminary June of 2001 and completed the Doctor of Ministry degree program June 2005 with the Seminary. Dr. Stewart completed undergraduate work with the University of Saint Martin’s in Lacey, Washington with the Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Management and has currently completed a Master of Science Degree with Troy University in International Relations through Troy University branch at Fort Lewis, Washington. He authored his first book “Empowered Through the Ministry of Prayer” in 2006. He has been afforded the opportunity to pastor on a number of occasions while in the military. After retiring from the military he continues to serve the Lord actively teaching at the Seminary, Home Fellowship, Bible Studies, and Evangelizing.

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Copyright © 2010 by Douglas C. Stewart.

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Contents

Acknowledgement

Preface

Introduction

The Mega Pastor

Chapter 1

Steps of Christianity

Chapter 2

God and His Church

Chapter 3

Mega Views on Life

Chapter 4

The Cell Ministry

Chapter 5

The Shepherding Pastor

Chapter 6

In The Name of Religion

Chapter 7

Mega Factors

Chapter 8

The World of Evangelism

Chapter 9

Servants of God

Chapter 10

Building for Eternity

Chapter 11

Virtuous

Chapter 12

Ritual Bondage

After words

Bibliography References

Restore our fortunes, O Lord,

Like the watercourses in the Negeb!

May those who sow in tears

reap with shouts of joy!

He that goes forth weeping,

bearing the seed for sowing,

shall come home with shouts of joy,

bringing his sheaves with him

(Ps. 126:4-6). ASV

Acknowledgement

Many thanks to

my wife Chong;

the most virtuous women I know,

for all that you do!

Preface

To the Church of Jesus—Bishops, Elders, Deacons and students of the gospel and all who are called, beloved of God the Father and are preserved by the blood of Jesus Christ, mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.

I pray that this book is a total inspiration and joy to all those who read it. I have put forth my heart to bring to you the life realities—luminosity inerrancy of the Word of God. For many truths seem to be hidden, but I am reminded of the acclamation of the scriptures proclaiming, That if this gospel be hid than it is hid to those that are lost (2 Cor. 4:3). I pray that this book also will give further insight to the Word of God and its divine intervention into your life. The Lord is soon to come for his Church, not another church, but his Church. The Church that is called by his name, washed in his blood, born of the water, and of the Spirit. Be thankful and holdfast to the testimony of Jesus, it will lead you in the I AM that Jesus declares in St. John 14:6. Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

You will find in this book many scriptures, advises, expressions, quotes, and examples to follow and things not to follow. The world continues down a dark lonesome path of ungodliness surely to give way to a destitute end. As the world self-destructs retrospect little by little they declare there are no answers to the world’s problems, even by the brightest thinkers who concluded the proposition of globalization. And the next argument would be Making Globalization Work (George Stiglitz, 2007). How soon do we forget that globalization did not begin in the 21st Century! Globalization was introduced by the Lord Jesus Christ in giving us the Great Commission. Now that the world has gotten into a situation that it must communicate across borders it gives the term globalization a new meaning all together. As far as the Church of Jesus is concern everything must remain as tangible as it did when Christ gave the Great Commission to His disciples.

Biblical scriptures are very clear and discreet; thereby inspiring men to position themselves regarding life conducts in relationship to their salvation. God’s word has a purpose in retuning men back to a state of innocent. Therefore, Christians in pursuit of life-full should rigidly parallel the Biblical account with an expectation of receiving life abundantly, better known as liberty. Freedom comes with a price that money cannot purchase; only a blood sacrifice carries the wealth of eternal freedom. All things pertaining to life and godliness are found in the covenant blood of Jesus Christ who is Creator—Savior of all things. The life we enjoy on earth is not to be without or separated from the Lord God our Father and his Son Jesus Christ. Liberty ordained in this life is meant to usher and prepare men for the next life in God’s kingdom of heaven, which is an eternal spiritual garden.

We have entered into an age where people are their own reality show; self-interested, and anarchy of folly. Therefore, pastors are called and sent out by the living God; according to His purpose, that they should obey his voice and not departing from it at all, respecting life and godliness. These men ought always to obey the gospel and teachings of the infallible Word of God. They are in God’s plan of salvation and should not subject themselves to a lower standard based on conditions regarding subverted laws, family members, society, and diverted institutional systems of subtlety often created against the Church. They must always stay pure from idol worship and all matter of filthiness of the flesh. Pastors and the entire five-fold ministry are placed on the frontline in the fight against wickedness. They are positioned by God to be in the line of fire. If pastors and ministers choose not to be in the line of fire they are out of position with God. Their alignment is no longer in the line of fire against the enemy of God, but now they are in God’s line of fire and they are positioned with the enemy. Therefore, their end is likening unto Judas, who betrayed Jesus and would later hang himself. Judas missed the mark of the high calling of God. The sad part about this ordeal is that he did not make it into heaven to live with Jesus, he is reserved for the lake of fire in hell.

"For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them:

but the word preached did not profit them,

not being mixed with faith in them that heard it" (Hebrews 4:2).

Introduction

The Mega Pastor

What has become the American way is not necessarily the right way for all people. If you are an American, supported by America and have been indoctrinated by what I call the battle focus strategist tactics of American, then you are expected to think like an American. Mainly, in the offensive battle against the enemy, because I am an American soldier, it is becoming of me to think like an American soldier, but when on the defense it is important for me to think like the enemy! The American way is having the featured characteristic of the United States with patriotism and pride, better known as Americanism. David Gelernter (2007), however, would take the thought of Americanism many steps further and portray Americanism by saying, Americanism is no civic religion; it’s a biblical religion. Americanism doesn’t merely announce the national’s ideals on its own authority; it speaks on behalf of the Bible and the Bible’s God . . .

During my entire military career I have been taught about the enemy tactics and what to expect of the enemy, but when Sept 11, 2001 came, what I had feared for many years was upon us. We had been thinking like Americans and not like the enemy. My entire military career I had been in combat support units that would always be expected to be in the defensive position, with concerns about the enemy getting behind the line of defense to cut off supplies from the forward elements.

The enemies that the mega pastor war against do not give the impression of being an adversary to bring any attention their way. They will not attack the frontline if they cannot complete their mission for the very reason they will die in vain. They arrive with all the credentials needed to get free passage to where they can do the most damage. They become one of us as a wolf in sheep clothing. If Satan cannot destroy the church from without he moves inside to destroy, where he can do the most damage.

There is no difference with the remaining body of believers today. Christian enemies operate today both on the inside and outside of the church and they also have affluently penetrated congress and the justice system. Although they are the enemy of God it is their purpose to persuade everyone that they are affectionate of everyone in the church and concern for all people. Their agenda arguably is the equality for all people and to uphold our national constitution. It is obvious that their connotation of the constitution is contrary to the message of the forefathers of America. In the mass of the justice system, the churches enemy creeps in by portraying the name of civil liberties and equalities. It is up to the mega pastor and leaders of the flock of God to detect and expel the enemies from within and to expose the enemy that is outside looking in. The Church is literally sleeping with the enemy. Therefore, the words of Apostle Paul comes to us saying, And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed (Romans 13:11). As men and women of God we have no desire to mimic the enemy but we must always be fully aware of his tactic. Greater concerns await the fate of the Christian believers for various reasons. Mainly Christian organizations do not unite in any coalition assembly (ecclesia) to combat the enemy. They do not do research on a large scale into laws put before the senate, nor do they push or persuade any legislative bills of their own defiant. Churches do not unite to form any association to lobby in the name of Christianity. Christian believers are left to react to whatever the world and the world’s laws bring their way.

The mega pastor is a book I believe that every pastor and leader in the ministry of the gospel of Jesus Christ must get their hands on to help support and lead a solid ministry having both God’s favor and man.

Now is the appointed time for the true church to be counted (gathered), heard, and preserved in Jesus Christ. Praise, honor, and glory to the Lord our God. According to it Hebrew translation tsaba refers to gathering, organizing for warfare. Many people gain favor with men and loose favor with God, because they are men pleasers. Many that are called into the ministry will actually begin with a heart and mind to serve God, but over a period of time they waver under the ever increasing pressure from oppositions. Factors that enter into the process are money, pride, sexual preferences, sexual desires toward attractive leaders, and increasingly leaders have their own personal family problems, such as, unfaithfulness, not keepers at home, etc.

Leaders and those that are faithful, experience extreme measures in life but are made to go through the pressing times of despair, as their footsteps are ordered by God. Living the life of Christ is the most serious business on earth next to leading God’s people in pastoral ministries. Paul writes to the Corinthians saying, Behold, I show you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed (I Corinthians 15:51-52). Time, days and years lived on earth is but a moment in contrast to eternity in the next life to come. That is why the ministry is of great importance.

This book presents life and death. It admonishes the church as well as challenges the hierarchy of Christendom from the four corners of the earth, great and small, rich and poor, Bishops and pew members. Christendom is truly a great cloud of witness, beholding and testifying of God’s goodness.

The purpose of this book is to strengthen the hands of pastors and their leaders with insight, to be over comers. This can only be done by observing the scriptural text of the Torah, Prophets and the gospel of Christ unearthing the entire Bible. This great cloud of witness must incorporate the ways of God in their daily functioning of the church and identify their purpose in the Church. By the same gauge, rituals must not replace spiritual ecclesiastic. God has given to the wise the Spirit of Counsel, Wisdom, Might, Understanding, Knowledge, and the Fear of the Lord. And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD (Isaiah 11:2).

With all intended purposes aspiring from the Word of God, Christ Church is called to repentance, humility, and to come to arms in the fight against the devil. There is a time and need for admonishment and also a time for rebuke. Let true worshippers of Jesus present themselves before God as a mighty army to fight against the wiles of evildoers. Unfruitful prowlers of unbelief, lingers among Christian believers to distort as never before. They go forth roaring as a lion bring persuasive fear through the juridical system and other false allegations.

And even now as many will read this book, they will look for ways to condemn and render this refining message useless. Nonetheless, it is no small matter that man is limited and will always be at the mercies of God. God gives man the power of choice. And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD (Joshua 24:15).

This book cannot possibly have all the answers to the problems that Christian’s the General Assemblies of believers are confronted with on a daily basis. Problems are manifested and diversified in many ways among leaders of the end time church, a post-modern society. How each situation is dealt with makes all the difference in how the outcome will come to a close. However, how to fix the problem is not always clear and precise. It is very frustrating to never be able to overcome a problem in your line of ministry and you know what is causing the problem. Some pastors and leaders do not see the problems for the reason that the problems are in their house or have to do with someone that is very close to them in ministry. Some pastors and leaders will look the other way and be in denial of the truth. Many that have been married twice, perhaps three or more times will automatically have the probability of facing additional problems in ministry, I speak of this not to any condemnation.

There are hundreds of problems that continue to bring a reproach against the Church body of believers. With steadfastness we shall endure to the end and we will sit down with Christ in His throne. My personal advice to leaders in ministry is to begin with God whole heartily and continue unto the end. Many begun but doing the course of the journey they became weary and coincided in their flesh.

The objective of this book is to raise concerns and strengthen the body of the Christian Faith Church of believers against lawlessness and the work of the enemy. This book . . .

1. The mega pastor essential premises are the establishing of awareness of those things affecting Christian lives, responsibilities both collectively and as individuals, and the avoidance of succumbing to worldly lust which suggest a lack of total soundness within the arena of Christianity.

2. Examines the people of God and leadership character; purpose, works, and response to God, it asks the questions, (who are the people of God and what is it they are supposed to be doing?).

3. Considers and infers the self-interest of this modern day’s world position against the Lord Jesus Christ and Christianity.

4. Is about declaring the gospel of Jesus—virgin birth, death, burial, and resurrection. Churches today are preaching about God, but clearly, churches are not preaching the full gospel of Jesus.

5. The mega pastor is focused on pastoral (bishopric) leadership, offices and divers ministries within the body of Christ. Why do we have so many weak and frail leaders leading ministry today?

6. Recognize the globalizing power of spiritual darkness that has brought oppression and increases Christian persecution around the world such as never before. Organizations and institutions are waging spiritual warfare against Christian morality. The fool has said in his heart there is no God (Psalm 5).

As long as agnostic organizations are allowed the power to destroy the core foundation of morality and Judeo-Christian principles that built America, the world will not be willing to accept the truth of salvation. Therefore the world cannot be vindicated of its sinful nature of evil, continuing to shed the blood of innocent. Sin by nature will always reject the kinsmen Redeemer, the Lord Jesus Christ with no fear of God. Furthermore, the church goes through external hellish ways from the discontent of the world. That is expected but it should not have to endure such internal filthy lucrative on the inside of the church such as money racketeering and all manner of illicit sex scandals. Numerous sources have reported the child molestation cases of priest abusing kids. The one that have gone unreported is the abuse of the mentally ill by priest. According to the Associated Press, July 7 2010, the Vatican grapples with how to sanction priests who rape children; it has also mulled how to punish priests who sexually abuse mentally impaired adults. The Associated Press also reported on other internal mishaps within religious organizations such as gay policy conflicts. Under current church policy, Presbyterians are only eligible to become clergy, deacons or elders if they are married or celibate. Their new proposed policy would strike references to sexuality altogether in favor of candidates committed to "joyful submission to worship of Christ. Donna Rivett, an elder at the Presbytery of Tropical Florida, said during assembly debate on the gay clergy policy that the Presbyterians would become further divided. A number of major Christian denominations have voted in recent years to allow non-celibate gays to serve as clergy if they are in committed relationships. Among them are the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the U.S. Episcopal Church and the United Church of Christ.

What makes a pastor a Mega Pastor? What makes a pastor worth God’s time, seeing He is a holy God? Church misconduct will not go without adjudged, neither will the priest who has defiled his garments with shame and his nakedness does appear. Henry Morris, Many Infallible Proof (August 2002, p.202) writes, "The most striking prediction associated with moral conditions in the last days is that the characteristic of professing religious people, in the realm of Christendom, will be essentially the same as those of the heathen in the old pagan world.

J.T. Muller(1934) Christian Dogmatic P.547-549, describes the Properties of the church (Ecclesiae) outlined in seven principles:

The Church is invisible. (Ecclesiaestinvisibilis.) Not an outward polity of good and evil.

The Church is the communion of believers.

The Church is one. (Ecclesiaunaest.)

The Church is holy.

The Church is universal, or catholic.

The Church is apostolic.

No salvation outside the Church.

According to Holy Scripture the Christian Church has certain undeniable characteristics for the very reason that it is the communion of all true believers. (See Romans 5:1-2, Ephesians 3:12, Hebrews 4:16.)

The title "Mega Pastor’ is placed on this book as I believe that shepherding and ministering to the things of God is the greatest work anyone can be called to do. It is an enormous lifetime work. Before God prepared earth for man’s inhabitant it was meant that mankind should live forever and not die. Furthermore, God gave himself to die on the cross in order to redeem men back to the path that leads to the Tree of Life and has given unto us in these latter days the Ministry of Reconciliation charged by the Great Commission. The house of God is a spiritual tabernacle that is built to offer up spiritual scarifies, praise, honor and glory. Sadly, so many of those who have joined the mega pastor as a leader in the Church of Jesus are total disgraces to the gospel of Christ and have allowed disparity, corruption and volunteered assault against Jesus. No one can align themselves with sin and be justified in the flesh.

As the different versions of Bibles are being written in these latter days, man will never change God and the word He ordained from the beginning. Man must live by every word that proceeds from God!

Chapter 1

Steps of Christianity

Christianity is the most contested religion in the entire world, yet, it remains the most powerful. It is furiously debated above all other religions in the world today. No religion on the basis of its merit alone has gained as much attention as Christianity. Nations do not address themselves as Christian nations, and the one nation (America) that was born a Christian nation looks for ways to deny its authenticity.

In the study of Christianity and the ideology of religion, the mysteries of God in flesh appear to be an elusive concept on the cognitive surface of Causal Reasoning. God’s gift to mankind is a great phenomenon. He dwelt in flesh, had to die, and was resurrected from the dead; seen by men and angels and forever lives an unmatched power.

Christianity is not some sort of empty enlightenment. It did not derive from a form of social engineering. Christendom is not based on the precepts of empiricism, human reasoning (philosophy), common laws, nor formulated through ecclesiastical ideas of Popes and emperors of the Middles Ages. This divine Church was purchased by the blood of Jesus the Christ, Son of the living God, and rightfully so. Those that are found in this Church are called Christians. According to Henry Morris (1996), the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is the crowning proof of Christianity. If the resurrection took place, then Christ is God and the Christian faith is absolute truth. Death is man’s greatest enemy, and it has conquered all men but Christ.

We find that the root of Christianity has nothing to do with prosperity on earth. Prosperity on earth indicates incompleteness. Jesus came to give us life in the full. That is to have eternal life in His kingdom that He has prepared for those who love and obey His voice.

Where is your place in Christ’s Church as a leader and student of the gospel? Your canonization must give consent to God’s will. How can anyone become sanctified to the degree of the first great commandment if their consecration is not amid their whole heart? And the second great commandment is to love your neighbor (i.e. enemy, co-worker, conservatives, liberals, Republicans, Democrats, all people) as yourself. Your place as a born again Christian is to walk in obedience to the scriptures as the Holy Spirit guides you in the ways of God.

Consider this, righteousness is ordered by God and the psalmist has declared, The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way (Psalms 37:23). If righteousness is founded in the man of God, there is a possibility that he may lose focus on the ordinary things in life, and perhaps God’s ways. He must be extremely copious in the heart toward the Lord Jesus Christ and must never lose focus on God’s righteousness and ultimate will—The Great Commission. God has issued an ultimatum decisively purposed for those who walk in truth. In return, the result from those who walk in truth toward the kingdom of heaven leads us to the final verdict, which is the kingdom of God, will be numberless. This signifies that no man can count the number of righteous men God will place in His kingdom. (See Revelation 7:9; 21:1-3.)

Furthermore, canonizing steps of Christianity are integrated and embraced. It is also the accepted way through obedience within His divine will. Isaiah cried out, who has believed our report and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? Christianity for all those chosen of God began with belief. As books were canonized and placed into the Holy Bible after great scripting so shall the people of God be canonized individually and placed into the kingdom of God, according to the judgment of Jesus.

Bishops, Pastors, Deacons, and Clergymen—ministers of the gospel must not contend or forsake the will of God in any desperate quest for power and recognition. If they seek greedy gain by entertaining those with secular connotations after the rudiments of this world, it will be the prelude to judgment upon those leaders. These leaders will hear the voice of God in the garden of their souls. Being a church leader carries ample weight and all church leaders will give an answer to God the day that He shows up with judgment and not a token of mercy.

The pulpit, for some, is simply monetary and for others it is attention, fame, and glory. Many cherish the title that comes with similar positions. Subsequently, none of these things matter, because they are not consecrated factors that garnish the ways of Christianity. I do not discard positions and titles, as everyone is quite aware that it comes with being a leader in ministry, but it is the steps of truth that reflect the pure personification of God. Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God (James 4:4). Steps of Christianity are those steps that walk circumspectly in the things of God. There are two cognitive responses set before mankind; to be spiritually minded or to be carnally minded. This is the distinction between God and mammon. To be carnally minded is without a doubt an enmity against God and it refers to death. To be spiritually minded is life and peace with God. (See Romans 8:4-8.) Spiritually minded refers to being led by the Spirit of God; it is a meditative response toward the things of God, like Daniel, who purposed in his heart not to become defiled after the rudiments were put before him. (See Daniel 1:8.)

One of the greatest misconceptions of Jesus’ coming is that people have a tendency to believe Jesus came to make bad people good. Jesus came to bring people from death to life. It is the Spirit that gives life. Not only would Jesus be raised from the dead, but He would be the one that raises the dead. Ezekiel’s vision in the valley of dry bones was the transformation of death to life by the Spirit. This miraculous event would unfold on the day of Pentecost. (See Acts 2:1-6.) The church received new birth meaning literally, life.

• Peter’s response: he wept bitterly for he had denied Jesus three times as it was orated. Impending after the resurrection Jesus would command Peter three times to feed His sheep. Therefore, Peter would most of all recognize and receive the Steps of truth as Christ Jesus positioned him in the gospel’s evangelical field. Peter’s course from this point forward is intense and sharply distinctive as seen throughout the book of Acts.

• Peter’s message: it began on the day of Pentecost. The works of a mega pastor is unleashed. The gospel that Peter preached throughout the book of Acts of the Apostles are still being refuted and rejected. After all that the Apostle Peter went through he took a firm stance in Acts 10:42-43, by saying, And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

Acts chapter 10 is one of Apostle Peter’s most profound messages in the book of Acts. He well defines the gospel of Jesus and how salvation is wrought in Jesus’ name. If there were no remission of sin (forgiveness) then the gospel would be useless and all the preaching that is proclaimed would not benefit anyone.

The first book of the Bible, also called the book of Moses, is Genesis. The word walking in contrast to steps is implied for the first time in chapter three of Genesis, it says, "And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden" (Genesis 3:13).

God’s voice traveled through the garden as though it walked. Therefore it is safe to say that Enoch also traveled with God by obeying His voice. In the New Testament we would clarify Enoch’s way of traveling as being led by the Spirit of God. This concept of the voice of God walking has not changed. God’s word is unchangeable and it speaks to warn and to make corrections. The proposition of God’s voice traveling in the garden is a step of canonizing—standardizing principle concepts. This canonization process must now begin with Adam and Eve because of sin. Just as Peter received correcting and understanding, Adam and Eve would receive reproach from God. God, having of old time spoken unto the fathers in the prophets by divers portions and in divers manners, hath at the end of these days spoken unto us in (his) Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom also he made the worlds( Heb 1:1-2 ASV). God’s voice is still traveling by His messengers today, His chosen people.

It is not a mystery or secret that people walk and run for miles daily to condition their body and to feel good about themselves. Some will go to extreme measures in trying to achieve a great bodily figure. Once they have achieved what they call a great figure that is pleasing in their own eyes, they expect the public to praise them for such great looks. Those people who gain the great figure will often have fear of losing it all. When you see many of the celebrities in their fifties and beyond taking extreme measures, it is since they remember those days when they lit-up the camera and the magazines posted them on the front pages. Some were called the center-fold, whether they were the best dressed or worst dressed they were there. And now, the fifty plus year old grandmothers are considering posing for adult magazines just to stay in the light of the world. I don’t know what exactly they are thinking and feeling, but who will teach them the real steps of truth at such an age? At this point in life they should have learned how to enjoy life with respect for their family and their own bodies. This tells me from a psychological point of view they are out of step with the love of God and in love with the lovers of this world.

The Oprah Winfrey show televised Suzanne Somers’ daily routines to stay fit and young looking. Beyond the age of sixty now, each day she takes 60 pills, rubs estrogen on her arm, and injects estriol (bioidentical hormones supplements). She has taken these extreme measures to reach self-gratification and temporal joy which is meaninglessness toward true happiness. This became her standardize way of living.

This chapter concentrates on Building and Canonizing Successful Steps which are True Steps of Christianity. And this chapter also uncovers Foundational Truths to show God’s standard. These standards represent the power of God’s word, like that of a sounding trumpet, it is the executioner.

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: (Ephesians 6:17). The trumpet does not sound until the word is given. Many seem to believe that God’s word is so sacred that it is directed for only a few privileged indigenous people. Without God’s word there would not be a divider and enlightener of soul and spirit among people making it possible to conceive its truth. Biblical scriptures are given for all mankind to observe and do well, but all have not the will, the desired means to live in God’s plan. God is a Spirit and we learn this from the Bible and from our personal life experienced in the Christian faith. God mandates that true worshipers must worship Him in Spirit and in Truth, saying, But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth (John 4:23-24). Now if God is a Spirit, how can mortal man walk with Him and what truth do we have to clearly indicate God is pleased? The Bible, the Word of God, declares that no man has seen God at any time and lived. (See John 1:18; I John 4:12.)

This is a question that is not about what you know about God, rather what God knows about you. God walked with Enoch, Abraham, Isaac, Moses, and many others because of what He saw in them. He walked with the Apostles, whom He had chosen because of the Holy Spirit He put within them. They had to have the power of the Comforter in order to walk pleasing before Him. God truly is a Spirit and those that are born of God must worship Him in spirit and in truth. Jesus says, But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth (John 4:23-24). Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth (John 9:31). We have this evidence that if Christ Jesus abides within an individual He testifies of Himself. Many Christians believe by receiving healings and financial blessings that God is well pleased with them but I am also reminded that God also heals people that are not saved and blesses individuals and corporations beyond measure that are not true worshippers. God is well pleased when He is drawn to you and allows the Holy Spirit to draw you unto Jesus Christ. If any man shall reject the Lord Jesus whom God has sent he has also rejected the Almighty God.

He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak (John 12:48-50).

Building Steps of Relationship

First, we will attempt to bring clarification to building steps (walking with God). The second goal is to clarify the purpose of building your relationship with God. And the final point is to consider how can I canonize (build my relationship with God)?

The prophet Enoch walked with purpose before God. Therefore we will refer to the life of Prophet Enoch in identifying the purpose of building with God. (See Genesis 5:24.) Walking is an action verb meaning to make steps, normally considered by a human, but not always. To walk with also is in an agreement or to go in the same direction at the same time, which makes walking with God more difficult. Man does not know the way God is going but the Lord God provides guidance and directions. A blind man or woman can walk alone by using a cane, tapping from side to side as they go. They also can use a dog known as a seeing eye dog that has been trained to guide them safely. To walk with a cane and with a dog that is trained is wonderful, but to walk with a friend brings more comfort and security. When you have several friends walking with you in agreement it brings greater peace, comfort and joy. The blind person is depending on objects, animals, and peoples, which they cannot see with their eyes, yet they can come and go safely. Canonize is referred to meeting the acceptance of God’s standard and will. To be declared by God regarded as a saint, going beyond man’s rules and ecclesiastical laws and resting in God’s statutes and divine way of life.

A woman who marries a man who seems to know where he is going gives her comfort until she finds out he does not have a clue. They once walked in agreement on things and shared their views with understanding. She continues to follow his lead as Abigail who married Nabal continued with him faithfully until she realized her husband had put his life in jeopardy and also his servant’s life. A breach in confidence and security had tainted Abigail’s trust and respect for Nabal, her husband, so she moved with hast to strike an agreement with David. David agreed to her terms, which meant saving her husband’s life. (See I Samuel 25:25-37.) Now let’s consider Abigail’s canonized steps of truth. First she became a peacemaker. Jesus said, blessed are the peacemakers. Abigail made peace with David, saved the hired hand and saved her husband. She brought peace into a situation where there was no treaty to sign, just an agreement between parties. Second, she acknowledges David’s lordship as one with authority by making herself a handmaiden and performing obeisance before David.

Building, as to consecrating your Christian walk with God, in its simplest terminology is to live daily in His presence. You are not able to see God, but somehow you must learn to live with God and exist in His Spirit. Walking with God also may be seen as walking mutually exclusive in harmony with the Spirit of God, by keeping in step with God. Do not get out of step with the Holy Spirit. Man’s ways are not God’s ways and as of this fact Christian leaders are required to modify their ways. Believers must make the proper adjustment in their walk of life in order to serve the living God.

• To walk with God one must realize that God has what he needs; eternal life.

• To walk with God one must purpose in his heart not to defile himself; be holy.

• To walk with God one must praise, worship and give thanks to the Lord God.

• To walk with God one must learn to trust in God with the whole heart.

• To walk with God one must lose their life for Christ’s sake.

• To walk with God one must be of a willing mind.

• To walk with God one must believe that God is.

• To walk with God one must obey the voice of God.

• To walk with God one must be a hearer of the Word of God.

• To walk with God one must be a doer of the Word of God.

• To walk with God one must recognize the enemy of God.

• To walk with God one must have the love of God in their heart.

Take a moment here and find scriptures to match each bullet listed above. Identify those words that are bold and those that are underlined in your own words. From the twelve bullets listed, identify three that you have trouble with? Consider what you can do to build your relationship with God.

Which bullet can you relate to from Jeremiah 7:23-24? Make notes and explain your position as it applies to your walk with God.

Enoch Walked With Purpose

The Bible does not tell us that God walked with Enoch, but it tells us that Enoch walked with God. Although man is drawn to God it is up to man to choose God. Everyone that is saying Lord, Lord may be religious but it does not mean they are canonized with the purpose of God in their hearts, saying Lord, Lord. Lord translated to postmodern day Christian terminology is the same as saying: I believe, I accept Jesus in my heart, and the equivalent. Many will say I believe and I accepted Jesus, but are they truly canonized with God? God is not giving heaven away and that was never His intended purpose. Therefore we must focus on building and strengthening our relationship with God.

God purposed that man would be born into the Kingdom of Heaven. A heavenly host beyond numbering was declared by Apostle John when he was caught up in the spirit unto the throne of God. In the letter to the Ephesians Apostle Paul tells the Ephesians to be filled with the Spirit; in Galatians to walk in the Spirit, in 2 Corinthians  . . . changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit". Peter preaches on the day of Pentecost and gives the message of repentance and baptism in Jesus’ name for the forgiveness of sins. (See Acts 2:36-38.) Three thousand souls were converted on that same day and thousands of others were converted following that. Jesus gives the message of being born of the water and of the Spirit to Nicodemus (See St. John 3:1-8.) Jesus’ conclusive message to Nicodemus was that you must be born again.

And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him (Genesis 5:24). The voice of God was walking in the Garden of Eden and when man was rejected from the garden, God’s voice walked among the righteous. God’s voice was walking and Enoch followed the voice of God, which is the word of God. The word voice or voice of God refers to the Hebrew word Qowl (Kole) meaning to call aloud, claim, and proclamation. From the scripture it is obvious that the voice of God refers to God’s messengers, who were sent out to proclaim the message of God. God will never be without a witness; even during the tribulation period when things are bleak He will send back two prophets to show His wonders.

The Prophet Enoch represents the Church of Christ under grace. Enoch is a Philadelphia Church that kept the word of God’s patience. God translated Prophet Enoch, meaning he was caught away into heaven by the Spirit of God. He was changed the very way Apostle Paul describes the Church translation in I Corinthians 15. Enoch is chosen by God within the parameters of God’s callings. Gracefully, Enoch purposed to be canonized with God, therefore, God purposely chose him.

But this thing commanded I them, saying, OBEY MY VOICE, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you. But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in the counsels and in the imagination of their evil heart, and went backward, and not forward (Jeremiah 7:23-24).

There is another way to look at Enoch’s walk with God. It was said that he pleased God. (See Hebrews 11:5.) By this we can conclude that in the process of building his relationship with God he walked pleasingly. The concept to walk pleasingly goes back to the simplest terminology, as to live with God. It, again, takes the Spirit of God to live and abide with God. Evil, called the Evil One comes to stop and disrupt the purpose of God. God did not take Enoch out of the world until he was proven and afterward Enoch would receive a bigger and better place to abide; the kingdom of heaven. Prophet Enoch had to first overcome the Evil One.

The purpose of canonizing (walking) with God is to uphold a standard, which is your conversation. As your life reflects God’s standards in the face of the world it also brings life abundantly in the earth and the everlasting kingdom of Heaven. Therefore, strong consideration must be given to how we walk with God, and before Him. Each step of truth is to be as God’s Tabernacle Plan that God formulated by setting everything apart by divine ordinances. Everything was sanctified to be holy unto the Lord. There are many challenges in being a true believer of the gospel of Jesus and a greater challenge in being a minister—leader in the Church. Challenges can be straight-forward, befalling, and mystical. Vision of God is palpable in the lives of those that do not stagger at the certainty of the word and turn back to someplace God delivered them from.

Jesus overcame the Evil One (Satan) in dying and defeating death by the resurrection. Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil (Hebrews 2:14).

Canonizing The Way We Walk With God

These are the four points I will make containing Canonizing Steps of Christianity 1) Pleasing God. 2) Your conversation. 3) Personifying the will of God. 4) Staying true to God. Furthermore, Enoch’s walk with God also shows us the love and mercy of God. Because of God’s love and mercy we walk in Jesus Christ that we may live eternally with Him in the rapture being translated as the prophet Enoch was translated.

1) What Does it Mean to Walk Pleasingly?

Ref: I Thessalonians 4:1-9; Galatians 5:16-25; II Samuel 2:29

a. o walk pleasingly begins with the aspiration and confidence of the heart to literally look for ways to do the determinant will of God. As one grows and hears the Word of God their faith also grows and increases with the increase of God in their life. This is a believer’s walk because without faith it is impossible to please God. Again, no one has seen God at any time, but we know that Jesus declared Him and His testimony is true.

b. As a leader in the house of God you must observe the will of God for yourself and for those that are of the household of faith. The profound thing about observing the will of God and executing God’s will to perfection is not a simple task. We trust in the tradition of men and we seek to please our higher Elders, District Councils, Bishops, and Church Organizations. The key to success is to allow those among you and your leadership to share in the vision and not to make them a bystander waiting for you to make all the decisions. It is written that Jesus had favor with God and man.

c. In the Biblical days there were daily sacrifices of atonement made to God for the many sins and convictions of the children of Israel. Jesus became the sacrifice of the world to save a dying world. Christ put an end to ceremonial sacrifices forever saying, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, (Hebrews 10:26). An end was brought to dead sacrifices. Pastors and leaders are now the daily canonized bread in the hand of God among those who willfully yield to Him to do as He pleases in spreading the gospel of Jesus that is to offer up spiritual scarifies. (See I Peter 2:5.) While Christians are to be daily canonized bread we find a much deeper revelation. The Called, Chosen, and Faithful are become the Tabernacle Plan of God. Every iota (the least) of the Tabernacle Plan given to Moses was set apart for the glory of God, this by grace is become the true and spiritual tabernacle. (See Hebrews 8:2.) Paul gives us a practical message in Romans saying, I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. Canonizing with God is not resisting God’s way but humbly presenting your body as the daily sacrifice in Christ Jesus. Remember, believers walk with God, it is not God walking with you. The conformity is in your dealing in serving one another in love and obedience in the will of God. In the judgment Jesus said when I was hungry you gave me to eat, thirsty you gave me drink. (See Matthew 25.) Christians, unbelievers, kings, and priests all must choose to serve God. No one will be excluded in the judgment.

d. Seeing that God gives us grace and mercy by engrafting us into heavenly places by His Holy Spirit, we ought to give earnest heed as Christian believers regarding the sanctification of our vessels. We denounce the works of the flesh through the process of mortification. For example, there are many ungodly fleshly deeds done in our bodies, therefore, we should consecrate our ways by canonizing the path of holiness. Simply put, meaning to make completeness of our time by seeking out the will of God.

e. The chosen of God are those that will truly seek to please God. Their mantel is charged with judgment and confidence in the Living God. They will be careful to take into consideration the directives of God’s word and not to make a play of selfishness. They go beyond those scripture that are comfortable unto them and embrace with great delight. They rightly divide the Word of God and give thanks unto their Maker.

2) How do I Walk as a Living Epistle?

Ref: Galatians 2:14; Malachi 2:6

Christian believers are the spoken word as an open book that lay open daily on display waiting for someone to come observe the things written within. Only, let your conversation