“He also used these illustrations: “No one tears a piece of cloth from a new coat to patch an old coat. Otherwise, the new cloth will tear the old. Besides, the patch from the new will not match the old. People don’t pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the new wine will make the skins burst. The wine will run out, and the skins will be ruined. Rather, new wine is to be poured into fresh skins. “No one who has been drinking old wine wants new wine. He says, ‘The old wine is better!'” (Luke 5:36-39 GWT).
New wine cannot be poured into old wineskin. The wine will run out and be ruined. So too reformation and restructure in the Church is needed in order to create a new wineskin to receive God’s new wine.
A new word regarding present truth is being released and a spiritual transition is occurring. The ministry is changing. Removal of the old ministry allows for the establishment of a new order, just as Joshua succeeded Moses. The ministry of Moses brought about deliverance and the revealing of the glory of God, yet it did not bring the people of God into the Promised Land. God raised up a new leader, Joshua, who brought the people in. So it is in this new day and order in God. The priesthood is changing!
“The change in God’s law is even more evident from the fact that a different priest, who is like Melchizedek, has now come.” (Hebrews 7:14-15 New Living Translation).
And verse 15 again in the King James Version;
“And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest,”
The new priesthood will be faithful in both mind and heart to fulfill God’s purpose. God will give them a house; He will remove from other houses and add to their house. This new priesthood will be with an apostolic order.
I am not trying to be arrogant and display disrespect here with the senior leaders that have come through the seasons of Passover and Pentecost, but this is the truth; some of the present existing Charismatic, Pentecostal, and faith leaders we see and know today, cannot in this present reformation be called apostles as foundational ministry according to Ephesians 2: 19-20, because of their successful ministries and mega-churches, even though they may have been called into it by God. They can only be identified in this present move and reformation if they make a proper transition by emptying themselves of every old wine and old wineskin and put on the new wineskin and receive the new wine. They may speak about the “Kingdom”, but they are not of the Kingdom. It is only a new wine in an old wineskin and the end result is that it will spill and be ruined. They must successfully transition into an apostolic lifestyle and grace in other to be a part of what God is doing now.
I do acknowledge and honour these leaders and their ministries and their accomplishments for the Lord. Truly, they have been a forerunner of this present move, because without them we would have not come this far. However, we must recognize that their seasons have expired and their ministry and message is no longer applicable, it has to change. The end purpose of the season of Pentecost which has been characterized by the charismatic move and type of ministry is not the end of the plan of God, but only the beginning of the Feast of Tabernacles.
The strategies and methods for the first two seasons are not those of the third. These are not criteria for accuracy in what the Lord is doing presently. We must come to reality that the old season is completely different from this new season. The season determines the revelation and past revelation cannot produce the purpose of God for now. A clear and accurate proceeding word of God for this season is vital.
Though there has been a manifestation of the power and presence of God in the old season and monuments were built that have made an impact that still continues to this very day, the old voice continues to sound. It will continue to hinder the present voice of God that is unveiling the mysteries of the revelations of the purposes of God today. The voice of the old season will cry out for recognition and will challenge the word by their traditions and their religious egos. We must give way to what God is doing in this season. We need a ministry of revelation to know the present purpose of God. Let not the new be hindered by the old. We must seek the unveiling of the mysteries and the revelation of the purpose of God.
“Unless the LORD builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the LORD guards the city, The watchman keeps awake in vain.” (Psalm 127:1 – NNAS 1995 Edition).
The efforts of men cannot produce the purpose of God. Failure from human effort alone is often blamed on God.
Discipleship and impartation is available to all through the present apostolic reformation, as our places in God are identified. Relationship with the ordained ministry will release each one to become a part of the present move. Impartation through relationship will produce the new wineskin ministry.
The old ministry cannot become the present ministry unless God calls it. Though we seek for it because of our passion for the ministry, yet God cannot anoint us into it, because it has been pre-ordained before the foundation of the world. What we need to do is to identify our ministry and place in God and give room for what He is doing. When this is done, our relationship with the ordained ministry for now will cause an impartation in our lives and ministry to receive and become a part of the present reformation. There will be an impartation that will come through relationship. This is how we can become the new wineskin ministry. All will be given a chance to become involved in the present move.
Apostolic leaders should not be critical nor condemn those who fellowship around the past moves. We must use wisdom to engage and invite others into the purposes of God. We should seek the means and opportunity to introduce them into the present move so they would embrace the present truth of the Kingdom. Our participation in religious and ecclesiastical gatherings does not mean that we are endorsing their stiffness to respond to God’s move, indeed most times these gatherings are orchestrated by God through His divine purpose, to enable us meet with those we can bring into the purposes of God within this present apostolic reformation season.
A Prophetic and Priestly Company:
God has declared His Church to be a prophetic and priestly company. As a prophet, we stand in the gap as God’s mouthpiece to the people. As a priest, we stand in the gap as man’s mouthpiece to God. This interaction is the essence of the prophetic and priestly ministry; however, understand that as ministers of the Gospel our ministry is first to God and then to men.
New wineskin ministry must be flexible within the confines of scripture. Apostolic ministry is built on freedom to declare God’s voice and liberty to move with Him. There are no set rules or permanent doctrines, which bind the liberty of our expression to God’s voice. New wineskin ministries are not denominations, networks or institutional churches, but they are relational and apostolic ministers that are characterized by a new spirit and grace.
Apostolic Kingdom Leaders:
Leadership is important to any government, organization or system. The absence of true biblical apostolic order and Kingdom leadership signifies disorder, lack of purpose and aimlessness. Leadership is a principle in the heart of God. In order to raise up a Kingdom apostolic Church with a prophetic mindset, God will appoint apostolic leaders.
Kingdom leaders differ from other leaders, even from church leaders. They are co-labourers with a heart to network and build God’s Kingdom on earth, building not for selfish gain, but are Kingdom-minded and oriented. They do not promote the interests of carnal networks, but they promote the interests of the Kingdom of God. We must recognize that the ministry is changing and God is raising up a company of leaders with Kingdom characteristics who are willing to deny their independence, worldly values and selfish ambitions.
What makes us a Kingdom Leader and ministry is not the name that we bear. We are Kingdom Leaders because we reflect the life of the King in His Kingdom by the nature of the grace, the Spirit, the message, the mysteries and the characteristics displayed.
Kingdom leaders are globally mindful, focusing on a bigger goal of taking nations for the Kingdom. We should not be satisfied with our four walls of ministry operation and constantly pursue the principle of fast techniques towards Church growth, but we should be patient in building lasting legacy to impact generations. Kingdom leaders are more concern about the process than the size. Babylon’s value system is an expression of raising “Big Things” that impresses the natural man, but it displeases God. The Babylonian system that is instituted formulates to reach or replace God, and these traditions have become strongholds. This religious system causes the principles of the world to prevail as substitutes for God’s original intent and purposes. This system is known as a Nimrod pattern.
Kingdom leaders are men of vision; they have foresight, and like an eagle, they see and walk with clarity. It is impossible to accurately lead people without well-defined vision. A vision is not a strategic plan but is a spiritual revelation of the word and mind of God; it is His purpose enclosed in the heavens, but revealed by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the primary agent for the impartation of vision.
“Where there is no word (vision) from God, people are uncontrolled (cast restraint), but those who obey what they have been taught are happy.” (Proverbs 29:18 – New Century Version – brackets mine).
An accurate vision among leadership focuses the Body and gives understanding of God’s actions and plans. Leadership requires clear and accurately defined focus and vision, so that those being led can effectively serve the goal and purpose of the mission. Strategy and tactical response are reliant upon clarity in focus and vision.
Kingdom leaders are apostolic oriented leaders who bring intense clarity to the Church and activate a Kingdom mindset. There must be accuracy in what we seek to build for the Kingdom. A careful review and evaluation of each ministry in light of God’s word and the revelation of the Spirit will ensure compliance with the master plan.
Kingdom leaders are not entertainers or performers. We have had too much ministry of the impressionist on stage, exciting the emotions of the people without any impartation of the life and purpose of God. Indeed, the era of the ministry of “Michael Jackson” – the entertainment ministry must end in the pulpit. The focus must be on God and not us drawing attention to ourselves. We must move beyond eloquence and the wisdom of men and pursue the intent of the Father. These are not the days of emotional excitement, but of divine impartation. The focus is on God and his agenda, not on our agenda or us. Kingdom leaders are men that flow in the Spirit and with the Spirit. This is not the hour of men, but the hour of God. It is not man’s season, but God’s season. It’s a Kingdom thing!
Prophetically inclined Kingdom leaders should hear and listen clearly from the throne. The age of echoes is over – God seeks a voice. There is a great need for us to hear from those who are hearing from God. A fresh word from the Lord is given through those who hear from God.
Kingdom leaders are unapologetically bold in their approach, yet have a spirit of true humility.
A Kingdom leader should live an exemplary life before his family, local assembly, co-workers and business colleagues and society. The most effective leadership style is the one that leads by example. Regardless of the level of leadership, God expects His standards to be reached. This is how we go through the ordained processing factory of God’s leadership training.
Kingdom leaders are not church or men pleasers. Their focus is not to promote the effort of man, but to build the Kingdom of God.
As God raises up new ministries for this season, the leaders will become apostolic fathers to the Body of Christ. There is a need for father-ministries in the house of God. This office of father-ministries belongs to those who are indeed true fathers. As a friend of mine once said, “These apostolic leaders are Kingdom men who over time have served, laboured, gained experience, influenced, developed unquestionable character in their field, conquered, died to pride, and won over greed, self–centeredness and people pressure.”
As God raises up a new ministry that will carry the new wine, there will be character refinement, internal purification and reformation in the leadership of the Church. This will cause the Church to stretch out her tent and lengthen her line and the message of the Kingdom will be proclaimed to the end of the earth.
“Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world.” (Psalm 19:4).
Copyright © 2017 by Israel Onoriobe
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