The Gate Beautiful – An Appointed Time
June 29, 2014
The glory of God before us – in the land of the living
Press forward
Look up and receive the anointing from the Holy One – I John 2:20,27
Jesus builds His church and assembles it – Eph 4.
Callings – many called..few chosen - It is accurate to say that most Christians remain spiritual children.
They get tossed about by waves and movements, but seldom mature, and few ever walk in their calling.
True apostolic = 5 fold ministry
Beholding the beauty of the Lord - One thing
Psm 27:4
Psm 84:10
Gate beautiful – Acts 3:2-10
Beautiful – belonging to the right hour or season; fulfillment
John Baptist – A messenger for an appointed time
Matthew 11:7-10
As they departed, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John: “What did you go out into the
wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft
garments? Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. But what did you go out to see? A
prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet. For this is he of whom it is written:
‘Behold, I send My messenger before Your face,
Who will prepare Your way before You. ’
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John 1:15
John bore witness of Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me is
preferred before me, for He was before me. ’”
John 1:29-37
The Lamb of God
The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away
the sin of the world! This is He of whom I said, ‘after me comes a Man who is preferred before me, for
He was before me. ’ I did not know Him; but that He should be revealed to Israel, therefore I came
baptizing with water.”
And John bore witness, saying, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained
upon Him. I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘ Upon whom you
see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit. ’ And I
have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.”
The First Disciples
Again, the next day, John stood with two of his disciples. And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said,
“Behold the Lamb of God!”
The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.
Matthew 3:11
I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I,
whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
Matthew 11:11-12
“ Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the
Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. And from the days of John the
Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.
There are not many who are secure enough in their ministry to do this. I have questioned quite a few
who feel that if they do this then those whom they disciple will end up taking many of "their people."
One who is this insecure should not be in ministry in the first place. If the Lord really commissioned our
ministry, then He will take care of us. If we do not have this fundamental security in our lives, then we
need to question whether the Lord has really sent us, or if we have just assumed a position by our own
efforts.
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One of the great models of New Testament ministry was actually the last prophet under the Old
Covenant, as well as the first under the New Covenant, John the Baptist. His whole purpose was to
prepare for the One who was to come after him, to point to Him, and then be willing to decrease as He
increased. Contrary to this, church history testifies that almost every movement persecutes the
succeeding movements instead of helping to prepare the way for them, blessing and commissioning
them. Therefore, almost every new movement that arises to help the church advance also comes with
all of the problems of not only being an orphan, but one who had to live in fear of his parents trying to
kill him! This must change. RICK JOYNER
Psalms 27:4
One thing I have desired of the Lord,
That will I seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the Lord
All the days of my life,
To behold the beauty of the Lord,
And to inquire in His temple.
Psalms 84:10
For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand.
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
Than dwell in the tents of wickedness.
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