Miraculous Mountain Mover: The Thrilling and Challenging Adventure of Carrying on the Miraculous Ministry of Jesus in Our World

By Chuck Klingman

By definition, a disciple follows. As contemporary Christians today, most of us are sincere about proclaiming that we are disciples of Jesus Christ. Yet, in truth, and by definition, few of us really are.

Many of us are genuine about conforming to the Lords character, at least in part, and thats a worthy pursuit. However, for various reasons as explained in this book, very few of us today are personally carrying on with the Lords own miraculous works and ways, as directed.

In truth, our own prayers, personal ministries, and methods seldom resemble the timeless prayers, ministry, and methods of Jesus, nor do our results resemble His miraculous results.

This powerful book is passionately committed to helping and encouraging every believer to follow Jesus in the miraculous ways of a mountain mover, while explaining just how to do it.

So much more than another great book on prayer and discipleship, the Miraculous Mountain Mover is an invitation into the powerful life of active faith that is intended for every believer and follower of Jesus. As Christians, we are the Body of ChristHis hands and feet, His mouthpieceand were called to do His work on the earth in our day. Pastor Chuck has a first-hand experience of this, and it is his contagious passion to help others to do the same.

Be forewarned, this book is not for the faint of heart. As you read this book, you will be very encouraged. However, you will also be challenged to step out of the shadows of fear and doubt and into the adventurous life of faith that awaits! Enjoy!!

Brett Masters, Senior Pastor,

Dream Center Lake Elsinore

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Dec 15, 2017
• ISBN: 9781512796926

Chuck Klingman

Pastor Chuck has been walking as a disciple of Jesus Christ for about forty-five years, more than thirty of these as a pastor. His rich experience includes such things as: Serving as a Senior Pastor; Developing and leading various prayer ministries; Taking Jesus to the streets in the community; Serving as a professional licensed counselor; Speaking in pastor conferences; And, conducting fourteen extensive churchplanting outreaches in various parts of Africa, successfully planting more than thirty churches. Aided by a deep enjoyment of the intimate presence of God, a strong and effective prayer life, a resolute love for Gods living Word, and a contagious passion for the Holy Spirits fullness and power, Pastor Chucks clear and influential message today is calling the Body of Christ to genuinely live as true disciples, carrying on the ministry of Jesus.

Book preview

Section One:

The Mighty God of the Mountain Mover

"Lift up your heads, O you gates!

And be lifted up, you everlasting doors!

And the King of glory shall come in.

Who is this King of glory?

The LORD strong and mighty,

The LORD mighty in battle.

Lift up your heads, O you gates!

Lift up, you everlasting doors!

And the King of glory shall come in.

Who is this King of glory?

The LORD of hosts, He is the King of glory."

(Psalm 24:7-10)

CHAPTER 1

The King’s Highway

We will go along the king’s highway; we will not turn aside.

There are many ways to know someone. Before I began serving full-time as a pastor (which was about 1984), I worked bi-vocationally, operating a successful, small business while also serving as an associate pastor. My business customers knew me by the informal titles I carried, such as successful, Christian businessman, salesman, teacher, consultant, and supplier. And, by the experiences we shared, they also knew me as one they could always count on to help them accomplish their professional printing and publishing goals.

At the same time, the church congregation knew me as a pastor, teacher, preacher, leader, counselor, and friend, among other things, and they knew they could always count on me (by experience) to be there for them in those and many other ways.

Moreover, my immediate family knew me (and still does) in still other ways…as a father, husband, provider, protector, lover, leader, coach, teacher, disciplinarian, counselor, mentor, prayer warrior, businessman, pastor, and preacher, among other things. Whew!

Then, there were also people who knew me in yet other ways, such as son, brother, friend, missionary, evangelist, neighbor, and citizen, to name a few.

In the same way, there are many ways that people today know God. For example, nature reveals Him. The Holy Scriptures describe Him to us. His names reveal Him to all who know them. The many sermons we have heard have taught us about Him. Jesus, His Son, has revealed His loving and mighty Father to us. And, the Holy Spirit has often manifested His presence in our midst in signs and wonders.

Most likely, we have come to know our God (hopefully, by both title AND experience) as a wise and faithful Father, helping us along the way. Some of us have come to know our God as Abba or Papa, full of love, acceptance, mercy, patience, and steadfast compassion.

"But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, ‘Abba, Father!’" (Gal 4:4-6, emphasis added)

Many of us have come to know (hopefully by personal experience) Jesus, God’s Son, as the Savior from our sin, and as the Friend who is closer than a brother, loving, forgiving, accessible, and accepting.

Moreover, we may have come to know (also, hopefully by personal experience) God’s Holy Spirit, who brings His life-giving, thrilling, intimate, indwelling, empowering presence within our hearts.

Truly, such ways of knowing our God are all very good, and thankfully, many of us have become well versed in them.

However, in the same way that my family knows me deeper and more thoroughly than my congregation or my customers ever did, you and I must also come to know, understand, and experience our God in still other ways besides Savior, Abba, Teacher, and Friend.

Specifically, you and I, as true disciples, must also come to personally know and experience our God as our Almighty KING! Such knowing is essential to the accomplishment of our mission (see Section Two), and to being effective in our walk as disciples of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Again, such personal knowledge is imperative to our success!

Much like the street-boys in so many African cities, among whom I have spent much time, there was a story I remember hearing many years ago, set in an old European city somewhere back in the nineteenth century, or earlier, about a young, orphaned, teenaged boy growing up in the filth and danger of the city’s outlying slums. He lived as an impoverished beggar, surrounded by abject poverty, filth, peril, and darkness. Moreover, the community in which he lived suffered terribly under a cruel, oppressive, tyrannical, and illegitimate government.

It seemed there was no way out for the boy and his fellow gang of thieves and street-boys, and they were all destined to live their lives in subservient bondage and impotent hopelessness. Sounds somewhat like life the way many of us also know it (physically, or at least spiritually).

Then a hidden document was discovered by the people in the town revealing that the young man was actually born to be king of the land. Moreover (to make a long story short), as a result of the townspeople finding the hidden document, and realizing that the young man living in their midst was actually their legitimate king, the townspeople followed the boy to a joyous victory over the Governor, obtaining their freedom from his dominating, illegitimate, tyrannical power.

One obvious lesson for you and me from the story is that knowing one is being led by a legitimate king ought to make a huge difference in one’s life!

Growing up in a centuries-old democracy (or republic) may make it difficult for many of us to personally relate to the significance of that story because we are personally unfamiliar with the experience of living under an absolute monarch (a real king). However, a genuine understanding what it really is like to live under a true, absolute, and sovereign king may be imperative for us if we desire to personally experience a healthy and effective Christianity!

Now, most Christians today are familiar with the truth that Jesus is, "The King of kings, and the Lord of Lord." (Rev 19:16) However, in reality, few understand what that truth really means to our everyday lives. For example, as Christians today who are living in a democratic society, those of us who live in the USA may not fully understand nor value the freedom to choose, granted to us by our Constitution. And, as a result, we often choose to use our freedoms to rebel against the laws of the land, whether it’s driving ten miles over the speed limit, or failure to render aid, etc.. As a result, we proceed in life living independent of the powers that be, with few, if any overt consequences.

It is not like that when one lives under a genuine king. A king has dominion! A king is sovereign (supreme and absolute). A king has the right to rule, whether the king is benevolent or malevolent. Don’t proceed until you truly grasp the importance of that statement!

I’ll say it again. A king takes absolute dominion over his realm. In other words, what the king says, goes! He has the power to back it up! His will and word are supreme and sovereign! Although a king may sovereignly grant his subjects limited freedom to choose, there are always consequences attached to such choices. At the end of the day, it is the king’s way or the highway, as they say. Such authority must be respected absolutely.

Although a true king operates in such supreme authority and power, others are frequently authorized by the king to wield his or her authority and power, on his or her behalf. According to Wikipedia, typically a monarch either personally inherits the lawful right to exercise his or her authority and power, or is selected by an established process from a family or cohort. However, as an alternative, an individual may also become monarch by conquest, acclamation, or a combination of the two. A monarch usually reigns for life, or until abdicating his or her throne.

The Word of God has much to say to you and me about the significance of knowing God as our own absolute "King." Listen to how Jesus is described in the book of Philippians;

"Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient [by the way, that was an obedience that came from faith] to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore [this Jesus we know as ‘Savior,’ and ‘Friend’], God also has highly exalted Him [established Him as ruler and King], and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the [exalted] name of Jesus every knee should bow [in subservient respect and submission], of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord [Head, Supreme Ruler, or Monarch, if you will], to the glory of God the Father." (Phil 2:5-11, emphasis and comment added for clarity and understanding)

As Apostle Paul wrote there in Philippians, God has exalted Jesus ABOVE ALL. Jesus is Lord and King, by the will of God.

Listen to how Apostle Peter described Jesus in his first epistle;

"[Jesus] who has gone into heaven, and is at the right hand of God [ruling], angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him." (1 Pet 3:22, emphasis and comment added)

We see there that Peter knew Jesus Christ as King, high and lifted up, having the supreme authority and power to rule over creation from God eternal throne! Peter wanted to reveal Him to us in that precise and perfect manner.

Now, we understand that, as KING, the Lord’s WILL, WORD, and WAY, therefore, prevail! In His kingdom, Christ’s will, Word, and way are sovereign, unchanging, and indestructible BECAUSE He is King. It is the supreme authority and power of His truth, His opinion, His definitions, His instructions, and His ways that prevail. Because He IS King, such truths and directions do NOT change and cannot be stopped. Every other opinion, every other way, every other argument, every other justification, every other power is doomed to fail! That, my friend, is the truth! That is the WAY it is in God’s kingdom. THAT is the WAY of the King!

For example, IF this King Jesus (described in 1 Peter 3:22) tells us (His subjects) to set the captives free in His stead (He has done exactly that, so that He might be glorified and people might come to Him and be saved), THEN every other way for His subjects (His disciples) to handle spiritual bondage must be disobedient. In truth, all other ways to handle a captive soul will fail, and must yield to the King’s way!

Moreover, if this King Jesus has commanded demonic bondage to yield to His sovereign name, to His mighty, eternal Word, and to the power of His anointed presence, then it must! He is the King!

Listen to the way this kingdom truth was revealed through Prophet Isaiah;

"So shall My word [the King’s Word] be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it." (Is 55:11, emphasis and comment added)

In other words, as the King says, so shall it be! O Christian, know deep down to the depths of your being, what God says, goes! Why? Because HE IS KING OF ALL, and that is the way of kings!

Mark, in his Gospel, wrote about this familiar, kingly principle, when he said;

"So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God [on the Throne]. And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord [as their resurrected King] working with them [CO-LABORING WITH THEM], and confirming the word [His Word operating through their faith-filled confession] through the accompanying [supernatural] signs." (Mark 16:19-20, emphasis and comment added for clarity)

Did you hear it there in that passage? The King has it His way. Again, what He says, goes. What He says, happens. THAT, my friend, is biblical Christianity! It is so hard for us today to get our minds around the truth that the kingdom of God is not a democracy! And, to operate effectively in it, we MUST embrace the King’s ways. Apostle Paul pointed us to this kingly principle when he wrote;

"In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will [the ways of the King]." (Eph 1:11, emphasis and comment added)

Hear it again. Because the Lord is King, things happen according to His will and way (and not our own will and way).

Now, it is incumbent upon every disciple to understand and embrace the ways of our King. Such ways are reflected in the words of Moses, in the twentieth chapter of the Book of Numbers;

"We will not pass through fields or vineyards, nor will we drink water from wells; we will go along the King’s Highway; we will not turn aside to the right hand or to the left until we have passed through." (Num 20:17, emphasis added)

There is a WAY that we must go in this land (and, in this life), and it is the King’s way. Although it is so seldom understood these days, the King’s way is the right way. It is the righteous way. It is the only wise way. It is the way that works! Glory is on that WAY! Effective protection, provision, sovereign authority and supernatural power prosper there. Miracles are on the King’s highway. The kingdom of God is there. The King’s way is the WAY that God has blessed. The things of God prosper there. When do things work in the way the King has proclaimed, you might ask? The answer is, Yesterday, today, and forever.

Because we belong to the King of all kings, and to His kingdom, we will not eat the meal another is serving, another’s so-called truths, another’s carnal knowledge, opinions, answers, ways, traditions, reasoning, or religion. Such would not be sanctified, blessed, nor anointed. If it is not the Word of our King, we don’t want it. Such would likely be the way of deception and destruction, no matter how appealing, highly affirmed, or popular it may be.

If someone else than our King says the way to handle someone’s addictions is the world’s program, we pursue deliverance the way our King says we must, that He might be glorified. If someone else than our King says the way to handle someone’s infirmity is to go the way of the world, we, instead, lay hand on that one in the name of Jesus and heal them, that our King might be glorified.

Because we belong to the King of all kings, and to His kingdom, we will not drink some other drink. Every drink the world offers will not satisfy because it is not the drink of the King. It is NOT the promised drink that flows from the King’s Fountain…the fountain that never runs dry. Every other drink contains only the natural power of man, containing the ways of futility and failure. If someone else than our King says the way to handle someone’s emptiness and dissatisfaction is found in the ways of the world, we, instead, lay hands of them in the matchless name of Jesus, and minister the Holy Spirit’s glorious fullness.

Only the Holy Blood of Jesus saves, heals, and delivers. There is power in the Blood, and, for us, there is no other power but the life-giving power of our King. We do not live any other WAY than the King’s WAY. As true disciples, our way is the King’s highway. Because He is King, He determines our steps. He tells us where to go and what to do. With His Word, He reveals to us how things work and we follow His instructions. Because He is the KING of all kings, Christ has the superior authority and power in all ways, and at all times!

Jesus spoke about this same highway, as recorded in Matthew’s Gospel.

"Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way [every other way than the King’s way] that leads to destruction [that’s where all other ways conclude, whether we learned of them from Christians, or from others], and there are many who go in by it [that is a sad truth]. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life [some of us need to read that again], and there are few who find it. [Because He loves us, the King will have only His WAY prevail]." (Matt 7:13-14, emphasis and comment added for clarity and understanding)

So, what does all this mean for us as disciples of the Eternal King? What does this mean for a "miraculous mountain mover? What do these truths mean for true Christianity? Hear the truth. As it is with the King, so shall it be with those who follow Him!"

Allow Apostle John to teach us what it should mean to disciples of the King.

"Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, [is] the ruler [a place of absolute dominion, authority, and power] over the kings of the earth [Jesus is King over all kings]. To Him who loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings [He has authorized us to operate with the King’s own authority, power, and way], and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen." (Rev 1:5-6, emphasis and comment added)

Did you get that? We say with expressed confidence, "Jesus Christ is the King of kings." Furthermore, He has made us (together with Him), to operate as kings today…to operate in His stead, with His authority and power. We are called and authorized to operate in the knowledge of the King and His kingly WAYS, for His eternal glory and purposes.

It is written of God’s kingdom ways;

"Then comes the end, when He [Jesus] delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. For ‘He [the Father] has put all things under His [Jesus’] feet [under His reigning authority and power].’ But when He says, ‘all things are put under Him,’ it is evident that He [the Father] who put all things under Him [Jesus] is excepted. Now when all things are made subject to Him [Jesus, the ruling King], then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him [the Father] who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all." (1 Cor 15:24-28, emphasis and comment added)

Consider for a moment, the kingdom of God has a loving and benevolent, servant King, who is Jesus, the Christ. He faithfully serves His Father and His Father’s purposes. Because of His love for us, the Lord’s supreme authority and power work mightily to subject all things to His Father’s perfect will and way. For us to effectively follow and serve Jesus as King, we must, therefore, come to know Jesus as the King.

Now, I have written all of this as an introduction to coming to KNOW Jesus Christ as our King. Such knowledge will enable us to embrace the inspiring, exciting, life-giving revelations of God, found in the following three glorious passages of Scripture. May the revelation they bring to us, and the understanding provided in each passage enable, empower, and propel us to move mountains for God’s glorious kingdom!

"The King of Glory."

"Lift up your heads, O you gates [of revelation and Light]! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors [holding back our understanding of the King]! And the King of glory shall come in. [O GLORY!]

Who is this King of Glory? [Do you know Him?]

[He is] The LORD strong and mighty, The LORD mighty in battle.

Lift up your heads, O you gates! Lift up, you everlasting doors [of revelation and understanding]! And the King of glory shall come in.

Who is this King of Glory?

The LORD of hosts, He is the King of glory."

(Psalm 24:7-10, emphasis and comment added for understanding)

The God whose we are…the God who is our Lover, Abba, Savior, Provider, Protector, Teacher, Healer, Deliverer, and Giver of grace, truth, and life…the God whom we love…the God whom we serve…the God whom we follow, THAT GOD IS "the KING of glory!" Yes, He is the KING of all creation!

Moreover, He wants us to know Him precisely in that way. The Spirit cries out, OPEN UP THE GATES! OPEN WIDE THE DOOR! Will such revelation strengthen the way we pray? Will it change the way we live? Yes, of course! However, understand this, the doorknob of the door is on the inside! (See the Song of Songs, 5:2.) It is up to each of us to open it! "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me." (Rev 3:20) We must allow this revelation full access to our lives!

"Who is this King of Glory?" Will you describe Him to us, Holy Spirit? The King who instructs His true disciples to move mountains (Mark 11:23) is supernaturally strong and mighty in every way (and in every situation)! Habakkuk had a revelation of His powerful majesty and wrote: His brightness was like the light; He had rays flashing from His hand, And there His power was hidden. (Hab 3:4) Imagine being held, touched, healed, and aided by such a Hand as our King. The King who challenges us all to believe and obey Him in the face of great tribulation and trial is "mighty in battle!" The same One who is with us as we work on His behalf (and in His name), confirming His Word everywhere we go, is the Lord of the hosts of heaven, working on our behalf. He leads the heavenly hosts. He rules them. They serve Him day and night.

Such royal hosts, led by the King of heaven, are an awesome army numbering "thousands of thousands." (Psalm 68:17) At His leading, they work mightily on our behalf! He is the King who has proclaimed in our hearing that we are to dispossess greater and mightier nations than ourselves! (Deut 11:23) As God declared to Moses; Five of you shall chase a hundred, and a hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight; your enemies shall fall by the sword [God’s Word] before you. (Lev 26:8) The majestic "King of glory" is greater than all! His kingdom come, His will be done, right here and right now.

"The King of Saints."

"Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous: seven angels having the seven last plagues, for in them the wrath of God is complete. And I saw something like a sea of glass [humanity] mingled with fire [tribulation and judgement], and those who have the victory [reigning] over the beast, over his image and over his mark and over the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God [By the way, those are the ‘overcomers’ of Revelation 12:10]. They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God [the Old Covenant], and the song of the Lamb [the New Covenant], saying [the glorious message of Christ’s Gospel]:

‘Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the saints! Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy. For all nations shall come and worship before You, for Your judgments have been manifested.’" (Rev 15:1-4, emphasis and comment added for understanding)

O the majesty, the splendor, the bright and shining light of the revelation in this glorious passage! As the thrilling lyrics of the old worship song by the Imperials goes, You spoke the words, and all the worlds came into order. You waved Your hands, and planets filled the empty skies. You placed the woman and the man in the garden. And, though they fell, they found compassion in Your eyes. Oh Lord, I stand amazed at the wonder of it all, and yet a greater wonder brings me to my knees. Lord, I praise You, because of who You are!

Great are the works of God, our Creator, our everlasting Father! Great are the works of the Son, our Savior, Deliverer, Healer, and Lord! So great are the mighty, creative works of the Holy Spirit as He manifests the Words of God! And, so great and mighty are the supernatural works of the disciples of the Lord as they faithfully walk in obedient faith. They are great and marvelous indeed, throughout all eternity!

Furthermore, think of the ways of our God, so right and righteous! ALL are just! Nothing in the ways of our God is unfair. His ways are all always pure. Because of His victorious and unstoppable love for us, we can place our lives entirely in His merciful care and grace. For He and He alone is eternally holy. He is forever perfect and faithful in all His ways. He is never slack. We get away with no sin nor slight. Everything He has ever proclaimed shall come into being, every promise and pronouncement fulfilled. And, the end of it all shall be glorious beyond description! In the fullness of time, all creation will worship at His holy throne.

Therefore, He has become Eternal King over, and on behalf of all who trust in Him. We are His saints, and He is OUR King!

"The King of kings."

"Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He [Jesus] who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war.

His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself.

He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.

And the armies [the hosts] in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword [His unconquerable Word], that with it He should strike [judge] the nations.

And He Himself will rule them [as everlasting King] with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His [kingly] robe, and on His thigh a name written: ‘King of kings and Lord of Lords.’" (Rev 19:11-16, emphasis and comment added for understanding)

O my, as our previous passage in Revelation 15:4 declared, Who shall not fear Him, and show our KING the utmost respect and reverence!

Consider, now, Scripture proclaims, Jesus, through the Holy and sacrificial blood of His death and the Spirit empowered resurrection, and through our faith and trust in Him alone, has made us kings and priests. We are ordained as kings under His kingship, ruling with Him and on His behalf, while operating in His supernatural authority and power. Moreover, He is our King in every way, and at all times. We, in fear and reverence, submit to His Divine Truth, authority, and power now and forevermore. In fact, ALL powers shall come to submit to His supreme power, glory, and majesty. For, in His faithfulness, He has been enthroned as King of all!

The will and the ways intended by our Heavenly Father for His followers are that in our prayers and in all of our ways we are to seek, and find, and DO His KINGDOM, on earth just as it is in heaven. We, as Christian disciples, serve a mighty King! The end of the matter is this: we are following the KING, and we are to go His way!

Section Two:

The Glorious Mission of the Mountain Mover

Jesus commanded them, saying:

"And as you go, preach, saying,

‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’

Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers,

raise the dead, cast out demons.

Freely you have received, freely give."

(Matt 10:7-8)

CHAPTER 2

The Mission

Revisiting the biblical definition of discipleship

Uniting behind the disciple’s true mission

Way back when (that’s how older people begin a story), the very popular television program, Mission Impossible began every episode with the challenging instruction, Your mission, Mr. Phelps, should you choose to accept it, is…. It occurs to me, that would have been another way for the Lord to begin the Bible.

Have you ever been given a job to do without a clear understanding of the mission? Have you ever had a job to do without understanding the big picture of what is to be accomplished? If you have, then you will probably understand how frustrating, stressful, and ineffective such an experience can be.

In the long run, any good leader will never leave those they lead in the dark about what is to be accomplished. Any confusion about the mission will likely result in failure, and time spent in vain. Furthermore, a good leader teaches those who follow them precisely HOW to accomplish the mission at hand, and provides whatever is needed for those who follow to succeed.

Jesus was and is a good leader. In fact, Jesus is the perfect Leader! He has laid out before us a clear revelation of our mission as believers and disciples. With His own life, He has provided a perfect example for us to follow. In His Word, He has instructed us in the way we are to go. Moreover, He has sent His Spirit as our leader and teacher, reminding each of us, from moment to moment, where to go, what to do when we get there, how to do it, and then to perfectly empower us to succeed in our mission.

The truth is the Lord’s sufficient grace has provided all we need to succeed in our mission. When we follow well, God is greatly glorified in our lives!

Now, what is that mission? Quite simply, it is to make "disciples!"

Sounds simple enough, but in truth, we are not very good at it. In fact, look around the Church these days and you will see that we seem confused about both the goal, and the methods of discipleship. If we’ll be honest, for the most part, we are producing defective and dysfunctional results. Although they mean well, many disciples today are just spitting upwind, so to speak, not understanding their mission, nor the scriptural processes of true discipleship.

From the outset, many of us have been learning to be a disciple of Jesus from the wrong sources. In truth, you and I can only learn to be an effective disciple from the Lord’s own message and example, pure and simple! Jesus is the One we follow! HE is the only One our lives are to duplicate, and such replication is only done in oneness with Him.

Now to be sure, the goal of discipleship is NOT to develop a good church member, one who is effective at serving within the local church organization itself. NOR is the goal of discipleship the development of good, Christian character. In fact, the goal is not the development of the spiritual gifts within the disciple. Don’t take me wrong, those things are all good. However, they are NOT the essence of true discipleship.

Is there anyone, anywhere, who perfectly models true discipleship for us? The answer is, Yes, Jesus does! We should always and only follow the LORD’S example, but few of us do. According to the revelation of Scripture, Jesus is the ultimate Disciple, who, as His Father’s disciple, perfectly represented His Father and His Father’s kingdom (see John 5:19), by:

1. Supernaturally (using His Father’s power and authority) teaching and proclaiming His Father’s kingdom (which is God’s perfect will and Word made manifest), and

2. Supernaturally (using His Father’s power and authority) demonstrating and manifesting His Father’s kingdom, and

3. Using His Father’s supernatural authority and power, went about confronting AND overcoming whatever opposed His Father’s kingdom (such as sin, vain religion and its traditions, and EVERY demonic power).

In so doing, Jesus MODELED for each of us the perfect example of what it means to be a true disciple. He models for us what it is like to live as a faithful son (of daughter) of All Mighty God. Scripture instructs us that our mission, as those who follow Him as true disciples, is to "go and do likewise."

Please note: Because the One He followed operated using the Holy Spirit’s supernatural power and authority (not being limited by natural law)(see Gen 1:2), Jesus also operated in the supernatural (using His Father’s power and authority, through the Holy Spirit, to accomplish the mission His Father had given Him). By its very nature, true discipleship operates with the power and authority of the Lord’s Holy Spirit! (Acts 10:38)

Although it is often misrepresented and misunderstood in the Church today, Matthew 28:18-20 is widely acknowledged as God’s inspired revelation of the disciple’s universal mission statement. And, Mark 16:20 models how it happens.

Now, let’s consider the principles contained within these two powerful revelations;

"And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth [that’s the disciple’s power to get the job done]. Go therefore and make disciples [that’s the goal] of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you [following His instructions]; and lo, I am with you always [working in ‘oneness’ with us], even to the end of the age [this way will never change].’" (Matt 28:18-20)

"And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them [CO-LABORING] and confirming the word through the accompanying signs." (Mark 16:20)

We may glean much light and life from these glorious passages! Please allow me then to highlight the principles of true discipleship contained within them, and logically break down Matthew 28:18-20, verse-by-verse.

1. First and foremost, Christianity IS all about discipleship, pure and simple. It is all about being a disciple (the process of duplication), who go about making more disciples (multiplication)! Discipleship is NOT some optional Church program offered somewhere in a local church to people who have extra time on their hands. Then, what is our scriptural mission (commission, or more accurately, co-mission)? "Go therefore and make [true] disciples. In other words, as real Christians, we are to put our time, energy, and resources right HERE. We are to build-up the Body of the Lord’s disciples to live and walk AS ONE" with Him; people who are taught by Him, empowered by Him, and led by Him, doing the things He did in the way He did them, and producing the same results.

2. True discipleship comes from (and is based upon) the Lord’s power and authority to reign in life, as the triumphant King of all kings. "And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore [in other words, because of THIS truth] and make DISCIPLES.’" Jesus chose discipleship to be the vehicle for bringing forth the reign of His power and authority, using genuine and effective faith. Moreover, in that same power and authority, He has commissioned you and me to go and make disciples, who will also represent Him, as He really IS. Therefore, you and I have been given not only the Divine authority necessary to reign with Christ (representing the King), but also the Divine authority necessary for producing others who will do the same.

3. We must all understand, our spiritual, kingdom authority comes from our commission!

4. Discipleship is all about being thoroughly reconciled to our Heavenly Father, by receiving (using genuine faith) a "living oneness" with God’s resurrected Son, Jesus Christ, in the waters of baptism. That means we honestly receive such oneness with all He is, all He has done, all He is doing, and all He will do. In the act of baptism, we embrace becoming one with the Lord’s death, and one with His resurrected life. (see Rom 6:3-4)

5. Now, it is important to recognize, those who baptize us in the Lord’s name, do so in His stead (in His place). Jesus said to go in His authority and, "Make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." Disciples who have been baptized (having personally identified with the Lord’s death and resurrection in the process), will then, out of their spiritual oneness with victorious Jesus (see John 17:22-23), use the authority in His name to accurately represent Him in all things. (see 2 Cor 5:20)

6. Finally, being a true disciple of Jesus Christ is all about receiving, by that same faith, His Holy Spirit’s presence indwelling and empowering our lives, that we may do everything Jesus has taught and equipped His disciples to do. "Teaching them to observe [in other words, make it your practice] all things that I [Jesus] have commanded [note: not ‘requested’] you [as disciples]; and lo [thoroughly consider], I am with you always [working together with you in the Person of the Holy Spirit]." Because He is WITH us, we can also do everything (not just some of the things) He has taught and directed us to do. Now, just what did Jesus teach His disciples to do? He taught us to do whatever He has done (by His indwelling and empowering power and authority).

THAT, my friend, portrays a disciple, and his or her mission!

In summary, then, the well-defined PATH of every disciple begins with Jesus Himself. It originates IN HIM and follows His example.

For instance, acting as our MODEL for discipleship, Jesus, Himself, was:

• baptized in water, and

• baptized in the Holy Spirit, with supernatural authority and power following.

As a result, and as the true Disciple operating in genuine faith, Jesus:

• submitted to the Father’s will,

• fought, rebuked, cast out, and defeated all satanic powers and schemes everywhere they opposed and confronted Him,

• proclaimed the Gospel of God’s kingdom on earth as it is in the heavenly realms,

• taught, trained, and equipped disciples,

• prophetically revealed the future,

• took supernatural authority over natural events,

• supernaturally drew upon God’s power to provide for those who lacked, and,

• worked with the faith of believers to manifest God’s Word, to…

• heal them, cast out demons from their lives, bring them back from untimely death, bring them under God’s forgiveness in the shed blood of God’s perfect Lamb, and bring them into God’s kingdom.

• Then, repeating the process, the Lord’s disciples did likewise!

Therefore, here are just a few of the many scriptures that will expand and support our scriptural understanding of the PROCESS of "true discipleship," and thereby our MISSION. Being aware that we, as true disciples, are to follow in the ways of Jesus, let’s follow the scriptural trail marking out the true disciple’s path, and see where the footprints of those who have gone before us will lead. In so doing, both the MISSION and the METHODS of the true disciple of Jesus Christ will be revealed for our edification.

The Disciple’s Path

1. "When He had been baptized [in water], Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him." (Matt 3:16, emphasis and comment added) What was God’s METHOD for preparing Jesus for His MISSION? He was baptized in water AND in the Holy Spirit.

2. "How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power [METHOD: He was baptized in the Holy Spirit’s presence, power, and authority], who went about [His MISSION] doing good [which comprised healing the sick, casting out devils, raising the dead, setting at liberty those who were bound] and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him [like He is with us, in the Person of the Holy Spirit]." (Acts 10:38, emphasis and comment added) God’s METHOD for the discipleship of Jesus was the baptism of the Holy Spirit. His MISSION was to use that power and authority to heal and deliver all.

3. "At evening, when the sun had set, they brought to Him [Jesus] all who were sick and those who were demon-possessed. And the whole city was gathered together at the door. Then He healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons [His MISSION]…." (Mark 1:32-34, emphasis and comment added) Therein, the ministry and MISSION of Jesus are revealed to all who would follow.

4. "Then He [Jesus fulfilling His MISSION] said to the paralytic, ‘Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.’ And he arose and departed to his house. Now when the multitudes saw it, they marveled and glorified God, who had given such POWER to men [revealing His METHOD]." (Matt 9:6-8, emphasis and comment added) Again, the MISSION and METHOD of Jesus is revealed to us to follow.

5. "When the sun was setting, all those who had any that were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and [Jesus fulfilling His MISSION] He laid His hands on every one of them and healed them." (Luke 4:40, emphasis and comment added) The ministry and MISSION of Jesus are revealed to us to follow.

6. "…for power went out from Him [Jesus revealing His METHOD] and healed them all [His MISSION]." (Luke 6:19, emphasis and comment added) The METHOD and MISSION of Jesus are revealed to us again.

7. "But when the multitudes knew it, they followed Him [Jesus]; and He received them and ([fulfilling His MISSION] spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing." (Luke 9:11, emphasis and comment added) The ministry and MISSION of Jesus are revealed to us to follow.

8. "Then Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, [His MISSION] the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner [His METHOD!]." (John 5:19, emphasis and comment added) Again, the MISSION and METHOD of Jesus are described to all who would follow!

9. "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, [the true disciple][our MISSION described] the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father." (John 14:12, emphasis and comment added) Here the disciple’s ministry and MISSION are described to us (which are to be like those of Jesus).

10. "And as you [the true disciple] go [our MISSION], preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give." (Matt 10:7-8, emphasis and comment added) The disciple’s ministry and MISSION are to be like those of Jesus.

11. "But you [referring to the true disciple, and referring to our METHOD] shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you [the Pentecostal baptism of the Holy Spirit]; and you [referring our own MISSION] shall be witnesses to Me [alive and triumphant] in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." (Acts 1:8, emphasis and comment added) The disciple’s ministry, METHOD, and MISSION are revealed herein, and they are to be like those of Jesus.

12. "Peter [as a true disciple] said, ‘Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you [Peter’s MISSION and METHOD]: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.’ And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength." (Acts 3:6-8, emphasis and comment added) Peter’s ministry, MISSION, and METHOD are revealed here, and they are like those of Jesus.

13. "Also, a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and [revealing the true disciple’s MISSION] they were all healed." (Acts 5:16, emphasis and comment added) The ministry and MISSION of the disciple are described for us, and they are like those of Jesus.

14. "Then Philip [as a true disciple] went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them [revealing his MISSION and METHOD]. And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed." (Acts 8:5-8, emphasis and comment added) Philip’s MISSION and METHOD are described to us, and they are like those of Jesus.

15. "This man heard Paul [as a true disciple] speaking. Paul, observing him intently and seeing that he had faith to be healed [Paul’s MISSION and METHOD described], said with a loud voice, ‘Stand up straight on your feet!’ And he leaped and walked." (Acts 14:9-10, emphasis and comment added) Paul’s MISSION and METHOD are described, and they are like the Lord’s.

16. "It happened that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and dysentery. Paul [as a true disciple] went into him and prayed, and he laid his hands on him and healed him." (Acts 28:8, emphasis and comment added) Again, Paul’s ministry, METHOD, and MISSION are clearly revealed, and they are like those of Jesus.

In summary, we are the Lord’s "disciples on assignment." Out of our oneness with the resurrected Jesus Christ, and in the power and authority of the Person of the Holy Spirit, our MISSION, therefore, is to manifest God’s Word, His kingdom, and His glory, precisely as Jesus did. If you didn’t get all of that, don’t worry, it will be repeated elsewhere in this book.

In short, a disciple’s mission is to follow Jesus, doing what He did, in the way He did it. God be glorified!

CHAPTER 3

Essential Oneness

As He is, so are we

I wonder if we truly understand what it means to conform?

In high school, in the late 1950’s, it was imperative for a teenage boy to look cool every day, that is if he wanted to be in. How? By wearing blue jeans with the bottoms rolled under, white t-shirts tucked in, white socks, and either a leather jacket, a tank jacket (my favorite), or the right car club jacket (another favorite). Day after day, that was my uniform!

However, as I transitioned into college, the necessary cool look changed to the Joe-college, ivy-league look, including shirts