Thursday, January 15, 2009

The House Of The Lord

THE HOUSE OF THE LORD - God’s Plan To Liberate Your City From Darkness (By Francis Frangipane)

Can God build the Church in OUR CITY into a House of the Lord, fit for Him? Will this save our city? Will we pay the price?

A city divided against itself cannot stand. In this book Francis Frangipane challenges churches, their leaders and Christians to lay aside individual doctrinal differences and come together instead, uniting in worship and warfare - to remind the house of the Lord and bring healing to their cities.

“It will take a citywide church to win the citywide war. Our separate, isolated efforts will not stop the flood of increasing evil in our cities if we as Christ’s Church, remain isolated from each other. You may challenge that thought, but it was Jesus Himself who said, “Any city or house divide against itself shall not stand” (Matt 12:25)

STRATEGY TO REACH OUR CITY
1. Establish in the Church its true purpose, which is Christ-likeness. Doctrines which do not support transformation are given a lesser priority. Focus is riveted upon Christ in the Gospels.
2. Cleanse the Church of its visionless and loveless relationship to its city. Nineveh repented. Jesus said if His miracles were done in Sodom it would have repented. In many instances a righteous judge or king arose and turned all Israel back to God. To pray and see entire cities returned to the Lord is both biblical and possible.
3. Discern the specific satanic strongholds in the region. Through repentance and faith in God’s ability these strongholds must be removed.
4. Once satanic strongholds are pulled down in the Church through repentance, the Church has authority to war effectively against evil.
5. Position the Church in daily prayer and spiritual warfare in a minimum of five different church locations throughout the city. Members of various congregations meet in each location.

COMMITMENT

This call requires the laying down of our lives to see the will of God fulfilled. The reader is encouraged to receive from God the grace necessary to make the following commitments:
1. Only where the pastors and churches have overcome pride and ambition is there grace enough to change the entire city. Therefore with God’s help I commit myself to uniting with other pastors, intercessors and believers for the purpose of prayer and action for our city.
2. Only persevering prayer will prove worthy to launch revival. Therefore I commit myself to faithfulness in prayer, pledging myself to corporate prayer with other pastors and intercessors once a week, ultimately expanding that to once a day.
3. Since the answer for every battle is more of Jesus in the Church, our goal must be to see Jesus glorified in our lives. Therefore I commit myself to a life of surrender, that He might increase through me into the world.

From the Book: “The House of the Lord” by Francis Frangipane (Word Publishing) - Available from major Christian bookshops

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

The Future Of Melbourne

Crises, Opportunities and Contenders for our City

"Unless the Church is able to find meaningful ways of communicating biblical truth on moral values to a generation that is not listening to "outdated" moralising, western civilisation will not survive." (the Australian Prayer Network)

INTRODUCTION
There are many serious and urgent issues facing the future of our city.They include the rapid decline in personal relationships, private and public morality and values, personal well-being and health, and the rise of intentional opposition to Christianity.

THESE ARE SPIRITUAL ISSUES
They arise as a result of the lack of life-giving Christ-centred witness by the Church and the absence of united, intentional leadership and influence of the Church in society. The Christian Faith is the Foundation and Hope of our Society.

THE RESOURCES OF HEAVEN ARE AVAILABLE TO THE CHURCH
* There are great resources and opportunities available within the whole church.
* Corporate repentance and commitment to seek Jesus and His Kingdom are keys to revival.
* The Spiritual Awakening our grandchildren's city needs must start with the Church -NOW!

Will the Church Claim the Future? Or continue as it is?