Steps to becoming an Empowered Son
The Glory Summit 2014 has just ended. The theme as you are already aware was ‘The Empowered Sons’. In the next few weeks, we would be looking at the High Points of the High Powered summit. Privileged to have a summary of the message of one of the days with title stated above, let’s commence with it. It is as rendered by Dr. I.S James in his weekly letter to his partners, The Kingdom Partners. For more about the partners read the insert below. Happy reading.
Dear Partner,
Wow! What a week we just had. The Glory Summit 2014 was such a huge success and I am convinced earth-shaking testimonies will abound as a result of the workings of the Holy Spirit through each day of the program, and, even now, beyond. This week’s letter shall basically rehash some of the issues we considered during the summit itself. CDs of the full teachings are available at GCM Bookshop. Am sure it will bless you.
STEPS TO BECOMING AN EMPOWERED SON
1.) KNOW YOUR GENEALOGY (Matt.Chapt.1)
The first step to becoming an Empowered Son using Matthew’s narration of the Gospel of the first empowered Son, Jesus, is to identify your genealogy. Whose gene do you carry? If you don’t know where you are coming from, how then you will you know where you are going? What is peculiar to your gene, do you understand the make up of your gene? Are you proud of your gene, because God decided it before you were born. Jews (that should include spiritual Ones too) don’t joke about their genealogy (Neh.7:4-6, 6:61-64).
Do you know the core values of GCM? What makes us different from other churches? Can those unique qualities be seen in your life? Can someone accuse you of being a Glorylander?
2.) CHILDREN ARE BORN, BUT SONS ARE GIVEN (Matt. Chapt.2)
We all started as children. Children have to grow into becoming Sons before they can be given to be used by God. Even Jesus, like every other child, had to go through process before being declared a Son. Until then, children have to be hidden and protected. Children are also no threat to the enemy, and no different from slaves until they become Sons (Gal.4:1-7). Jesus had to be ‘hidden’ in Egypt until He became a Son, as it is written, “out of Egypt I called my Son” (v15).
3.) EGYPT IS ALSO A TRAINING CAMP (Matt. Chapt.3)
The bible didn’t say how long Jesus was in Egypt, but it was no doubt a time of growing up and training. Like John the Baptist (the main subject of this chapter), a lot of training was done in secret, hidden away at the backside of the desert. John was in the wilderness until the time of his showing to Israel. Moses was also tending sheep in the wilderness when God showed up in the burning bush. Baby Jesus had to be taken to Egypt to escape the threat of King Herod.
Don’t be in a hurry to jump out to start a ministry, be patient while you are going through your own training, when it appears as though God has forgotten you. When your time of showing forth comes, God knows how to showcase you.
4.) THE IMPORTANCE OF SUBMISSION AND DISCIPLINE
(Matt 4); (Heb. 5:8)
After Jesus had been affirmed by his Father as a Son in Matt 3, he was still led into the wilderness to learn (more like understand, in human form) obedience, discipline, submission and self control. Children don’t understand the meaning and importance of discipline, Sons do.
Sons must learn to subdue the flesh and submit to authority. Children always want to wallow in the liberty of doing whatsoever they see other kids do, Sons must learn the lesson of self restraint and differed gratification, especially if they want to finish strong like Jesus!
5.) UNDERSTANDING THE PRINCIPLES OF THE HOUSE
(Matt. Chapt.5-7)
In the Sermon on the Mount spreading three chapters, Jesus started teaching the principles and values of true Sonship. You have to know the principles and the values of the ‘house’.
What are the core values that guide our conduct as Christians and Glorylanders? You have to internalize these values and principles until they become your speech, conduct, etc. Children all look, talk and behave alike, but differences can only be seen in Sons with different set of values and conduct. Your conduct and character will tell whose Son and household you are from.
6.) BEHOLD! THE EMPOWERED SON! (The Supernatural stage)
(Matt. Chapt. 8-9)
No father can hand over a loaded gun to his child, however much he is loved.You have to come to understand the importance of discipline, submission and self restraint before God will release his power to you for supernatural works, miracles, etc.Until the ‘Prodigal Son’ grew up and repented from his childish actions, the father didn’t put the ring (of authority) on his finger. We should be redirecting our efforts at ‘searching’ for that illusive and never lasting anointing to divine character qualities instead. Anointing, miracles, signs and wonders may open the door, but it is character that will keep you in!
7.) PASSING THE LEGACY STAGE (Matt. Chapt.10)
It was in Matthew chapter 10, after going through all the above steps that Jesus started sharing the burden of the Father with the disciples. That of praying for more laborers and the need for more Sons. While Children cannot, only Sons can become invested in their father’s business and reproduce after their kind. It is only when you have come of age, i.e. imbibed the above qualities that you are ready to empower others.
It was at the completion of His assignment that Jesus said, “As the father has sent me, I also send you”. How many children have you ‘birth’ into the kingdom? Do you now wonder the frightening increase of spiritual impotency and barrenness in the body of Christ today? Sorry for being too direct, but when was the last time you prayed the sinner’s prayer with a lost soul?
CONCLUSION
According to the book of Matthew, the above steps outline Jesus’ journey to Sonship. It must also become our pattern. Make His footsteps your pathway this week. And become empowered!
Your Fellow Partner,
Dr. I.S. James
