Why is it that when we get saved we don't just automatically go to heaven?
Why does God call us to spend our lives doing His ministry?
Why is it so important for us to learn to be the best spiritual leaders we can be? What is the purpose of all God's efforts, and our own?
People.
Everything God does is with a purpose, and that purpose is so the spiritually lost people would come to know Him and be restored to His Kingdom and eternal life.
The only way to eternal life is through Jesus Christ. But a person cannot be saved by someone else's faith in Jesus for them—They must have a revelation of God for themselves and have their own faith in Jesus Christ in order to receive eternal life. And with that relationship, comes worship.
"God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth" (John 2:24).
Worship is the bridge between our vision of the seen world and the unseen world. Worshipping God is the bowing of our hearts in surrender to the eternal Creator of all life. Worship keeps us loving God and loving people.
These past few weeks we have covered four of the stages necessary in order for a vision to be realized in our leadership:
- Observation of the need
- Conversation with the person
- Presentation of the truth
- Examination of the problem
Today we will analyze the fifth component of vision found in the John 4 narrative:
- Revelation of God.
There are three core principles of revelation:
1. 'Is that so?'
This is the first principle of revelation. It requires an honest heart asking a sincere question. When we hear a possible solution to one of life's challenges we ask, "Is that so?" This is our heart seeking for worship.
The woman at the well in John 4:19 recognized that there is something special about Jesus. The term "prophet" immediately came to her mind and her heart was triggered to share a sore point culturally.
Debate has existed for centuries among the Jews and Samarians regarding worship and the rituals involved in worship at that time. She knew her tradition well. The well was definitely not a place for someone to worship God.
Yet, we can almost hear a twinge of uncertainty in her voice as something deep inside of her heart wished it to be different.
2. 'That's so.'
This is the principle where an awakening of truth is perceived.
Jesus didn't hesitate a moment in responding to the woman. With laser accuracy he not only addresses her concern, but also flipped the whole argument on worship upside down.
This is a new dispensation of grace. The Holy Spirit is confirming the proposed solution to the woman's heart and mind.
This is the point of revelation where we become convinced that the Word of God is the truth. This is where our heart understands its design for worship.
3. 'Do so!'
Faith is truth in action. This final step is where the Spirit elicits a response. Every revelation of God is an invitation to respond by faith and worship through grace.
Through faith and worship we respond to what is being revealed to us.
Jesus announces His Messianic identity as clear as anywhere else in the New Testament. "I am He." The revelation exploded in the woman's heart giving her an opportunity to worship in a place she never thought possible.
The Messiah not only explained the controversy of her generation, but also exposed the contents of her heart. The only adequate response left was a heartfelt response towards Christ of embracing His identity as well as proclaiming it to her hometown and responding with worship.
As spiritual leaders, we are to follow Jesus's example and help others find their own revelation of God, while encouraging them to act on their faith.
If you would like to read our previous blogs on the subject, they are linked in order below:
Mikel French has challenged spiritual awakening all across America, where many celebrations extended into multiple weeks, and has conducted celebrations in France, Sweden, Russia, Romania, Poland, Ukraine, Moldova, Serbia, Germany, South Africa, Malawi, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Haiti, Japan, Singapore, India and Thailand. He conducted an outreach celebration in Manila, Philippines, reaching 200,000 teenagers with the book of hope. Through the generous support of partners, he has presented the message of Jesus Christ to millions of people in the nation of Russia through televised citywide soul-winning celebrations. Mikel considers it an honor to assist in conducting the annual pastor's conference, where thousands of pastors from Russia's 11 time zones come for training, teaching and equipping. Mikel and his wife, Marsha, reside in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
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