|
 The
Days of His Presence
by Francis Frangipane
$10.00 Book |
 The
Stronghold of God
by Francis Frangipane
$13.00 Book |
 The
Power of One Christ-Like Life
by Francis Frangipane
$12.00 Book |
 Holiness,
Truth and the Presence of God
by Francis Frangipane
$9.00 Book |
News Item #1 - Please Pray For
the State of Ohio. Barbara Yoder, a member of our USSPN National Apostolic Team,
reminded me of the following regarding the presidential race in Ohio. During
our 50 State Tour Meeting in Ohio on October 2-3, 2003, we declared that Ohio would
be a swing state in our nation. One aspect of the prophetic word was that in the
2004 national election Ohio will become a deciding force; there will be a breakthrough
in revelation of God's word in Ohio, and energy from heaven would be released there;
the revelatory sword of the Lord would do surgery on that state, and the outcome
of the presidential election was going to somehow be determined by what takes place
in Ohio.
So please pray for the state of Ohio.
Blessings,
Chuck D. Pierce |
"Brethren, join in following my example, and observe
those who walk according to the pattern you have in us. For many walk, of whom I
often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross
of Christ." Philippians 3:17-18
Paul faced a major problem in the first century: many deceivers had crept into the
Christian church. The apostle said these false leaders were enemies of the cross
of Christ. Paul warned the Philippians to recognize the differences between a true
man of God and a false teacher or prophet. Without any sense of false humility,
Paul declared that both his vision and his attitude toward attaining it were examples
for us to follow.
The context in which Paul wrote describes both his self-righteousness before he
found Christ and his utter abandonment of fleshly confidence afterward. We will
study these verses carefully. For in an age of increasing deception and distractions,
we find a standard that will keep us aimed at the fullness of Christ's Presence.
"Beware of the Dogs"
Paul started this third chapter of Philippians with a caution. He said, "Beware
of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision" (Phil.
3:2).
There were three types of false teachers Paul warned about. The first group he referred
to as "the dogs." The phrase, "beware of the dog(s)" is still used today. It means
there is a vicious animal here. Additionally, most of the dogs of Paul's day were
scavengers. In the first century, one could find dozens of dogs eating off the rubbish
heaps outside cities; their faces would be bent downward as their muzzles turned
up garbage.
Today's church has similar people: "fault-finders" - people without real faith or
love who continually feed upon the garbage and failures of the human condition.
Paul's warning holds true today: Beware of those who whisper sarcasms to you, who
are continually discovering what is wrong with others! If you listen to them, you
will become like them: their words will rob you of vision, leave you without joy,
and drain you of your energy.
There are others in this category who cannot accept God's promises of a glorified
church at the end of the age. The idea of unity among Christians angers them. In
spite of their criticisms, the expectation of a special time of glory at the end
of the age was the apostolic viewpoint (2 Cor 3:18; Rev 19:7-8; Isaiah 60:1-3).
Yet, lest we miss the great day of the Lord, let us also heed Paul's warning to
"beware of the dogs."
"Beware of the Evil Workers"
Paul also warned against the evil workers. These are harder to discern than the
"dogs," but he describes them briefly in the first chapter. They proclaim Christ
from "envy...strife...selfish ambition" rather than out of love (Phil. 1:15-17).
"Beware," Paul said, "of those who preach Christ to build their own kingdoms, whose
ministries are motivated by ambition." James adds, "For where jealousy and selfish
ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing" (James 3:16). In our nation,
this has been a serious problem in the church. May God help us all to preach Christ
purely from a heart of love!
"Beware of the False Circumcision"
The third warning was aimed against the "false circumcision" (Phil. 3:2). These
were the Jewish Christians who, when they were saved, tried to make Christianity
an extension of Judaism. This last teaching was the most dangerous because it seemed
the most plausible. The essence of this error was that Christ's atonement was not
enough for salvation; you also had to keep the whole system of Mosaic Laws. Paul
wrote the next fourteen verses to refute these legalists, as well as to give the
church a clear example of what it means to be an authentic Christian. He began his
correction stating, "For we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit
of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh" (Phil. 3:3).
Paul explains that, when it came to the righteousness in the Law, he had been blameless.
After presenting all the things of which his flesh could boast - born of the tribe
of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews, a Pharisee, and a persecutor of the church - Paul
then states, "But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as
loss for the sake of Christ" (Phil. 3:7).
In the apostolic definition of Christianity, truth is found in knowing Jesus. We
do not keep the Law - we keep Jesus. Without violating the spirit of the Law, if
we truly keep Jesus, we will go far beyond the righteousness of the Law.
Gain Christ and the Power
of His Resurrection
Paul said he counted "all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing
Christ Jesus my Lord" (v. 8). Everything Paul may have been in his flesh he considered
as religious rubbish in order that he might gain Christ.
Christ was more than the Law-giver. He was the Faith-giver, Love-giver, Life-giver,
Power-giver, and Health-giver as well.
Paul went on, "that I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection" (v. 10) If
we say we know Him but do not know the power that raised Jesus from the grave, we
really do not know Him as He is. In Acts, Peter proclaimed that it was impossible
for death to hold Jesus (Acts 2:31). Hebrews tells us that Christ was raised as
a priest by virtue of an "indestructible life" (Heb. 7:16). To be intimately acquainted
with Christ's resurrection life as a source of our life is to know one side of Christ's
nature.
Take Up Your Cross and Follow
Him
Paul also embraced "the fellowship of [Christ's] sufferings, being conformed to
His death" (Phil. 3:10). The knowledge of Christ's power is accessible only through
conformity to His death; resurrection is attained through crucifixion. No one will
enter the fullness of Christ's Presence without carrying the cross to get there.
It is self which occupies the heart, denying Christ's entrance into our lives. Without
the cross, self becomes an idol in the temple of God.
Participation in Christ's sufferings is part of knowing Christ. Paul did not embrace
death in a morbid surrender to destruction; He embraced Christ's death, the death
to self. It is this surrender to God's will which manifests the Presence of Christ
within us. It forgives those who have "crucified" us - a sacrifice of love, not
merely self-denial.
In knowing Christ, Paul hungered to know both aspects of Christ: His sufferings
and His resurrection. Hunger to know Jesus is the core reality of what it means
to be a true Christian.
"Forget What Lies Behind
-
Press On Toward the Goal for the Prize"
Paul continued, "Not that I have already...become perfect, but I press on in order
that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus" (Phil.
3:12). Keep this thought in mind: This was an apostle who was pressing on! This
was a mature Christian who was reaching forward.
Paul said, "One thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to
what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of
God in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 3:13-14). What did Paul choose to "forget"? He put aside
the wounds, the offenses, and the pains of yesterday that he might be fully given
toward the upward call of God in Christ.
As long as we are continually remembering the past, we cannot leave it. We disqualify
ourselves from embracing the future God has for us!
The prize in true Christianity is to attain the glory of God. To obtain that prize
is worth letting go of everything else. Those who would have you passively sit back
with a false security are blind to the goal, the prize, the upward call of God into
which Paul himself was pressing.
In Pursuit of Christ
Many teachers will come and go throughout your life. As you seek guidance, remember
Paul's warnings: never follow anyone who is not himself pressing toward the prize
of Christ Jesus! You can pray for them, stand with them, and encourage them. But
if they are not going where you are going, do not follow them!
Paul went on, "As many as are perfect, have this attitude" (Phil. 3:15). It was
in this context that Paul said, "Brethren, join in following my example, and observe
those who walk according to the pattern you have in us" (v. 17). Of course, the
first and final pattern for our lives is Jesus Christ. Yet, Paul was the pattern
of one in pursuit of the Perfect Pattern.
In this world of illusions, deceptions, and seductions, let us beware of those who
are like dogs, always focused upon the refuse of life. Let us flee from the evil
workers who are full of envy and ambition. Let us not yield to the legalists who
put a standard of righteousness before us other than Christ.
Paul tells us that these all are "enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction"
(v. 18-19). Let us, instead, run toward Christ-likeness. Like Paul, let us press
toward the glorious prize: laying hold of Christ Jesus our Lord. For it is here
that the Presence of Christ manifests within us.
God bless you!
Francis Frangipane
http://www.frangipane.org/
comments@frangipane.org
Adapted from The Days of His Presence
A service of Frangipane Ministries, Inc. Copyright (c) 2004 All rights reserved.
____________________
IN CHRIST'S IMAGE TRAINING:
We are now taking registrations for our July 2, 2004 term!
Registration for this Level 1 term closes June
24, 2004.
____________________
UPCOMING EVENTS:
July 8-10:
"In Christ's Image Training" Impartation Seminar, Cedar Rapids, IA.
Sorry, ICIT students only.
 |
"The Days of His Presence"
by Francis Frangipane
$10.00 Book |
A great shaking is occurring
in the church, and unscriptural divisions are all crumbling like houses of clay
in an earthquake; God is rumbling through Christianity! What remains will be our
devotion to Christ.
The Days of His
Presence is a trumpet call. It not only heralds the return of the Lord,
but the return of His glory to the church at the end of the age. Under-girded by
both the Word of God and a vision the Lord gave Francis in 1971, this book will
do two things: transform your view of the last days and help prepare you to receive
the fullness of Christ in the day of His glory!
Feel free to order
online OR by phone (1-8.6.6-881-0477)
http://www.elijahshopper.com/detail.aspx?ID=459
|
 |
"The
Stronghold of God"
Finding God's Place
of Immunity from Attacks of the Enemy
by Francis Frangipane
$13.00 Book |
A road map into the stronghold
of the Most High. The atmosphere of thanksgiving, praise, faith, and love are places
of immunity for God's servant. This book is the first part of a series on spiritual
protection. (Formerly The Place of Immunity)
Feel free to
order online
OR by phone (1-8.6.6-881-0477)
http://www.elijahshopper.com/detail.aspx?ID=462
|
 |
"The
Power of One Christ-Like Life"
by Francis Frangipane
$12.00 Book |
| The prayer of a Christ-like
intercessor is the most powerful force in the universe. It can delay God's wrath
until the time comes when He pours out His mercy. Discover the power waiting to
be released by one Christ-like life. This book takes the truths from "America
at the Threshold of Destiny" and applies them to people around the world.
Feel free to
order online
OR by phone (1-8.6.6-881-0477)
http://www.elijahshopper.com/detail.aspx?ID=466
|
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"Holiness,
Truth and the Presence of God"
A Penetrating Study
of the Human Heart and How God Prepares it for His Glory
by Francis Frangipane
$9.00 Book |
| This book,
Holiness, Truth and the
Presence of God, is not a book for everyone. It is for those who are
unsatisfied with their progress and willing to do something about it. It is for
every saint who feels he cannot exist unless he finds the fullness of God.
Feel free to
order online
OR by phone (1-8.6.6-881-0477)
http://www.elijahshopper.com/detail.aspx?ID=464
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