One thing that will make this revival different than all the rest is the apostolic restoration that has taken place over the last several decades. There is a difference when an apostle leads than when a pastor leads. Here are some of the distinctions.
The Apostolic Balance: One Flock and One Shepherd
Pastors need apostles!
Pastors are protectors. Apostles are acceptors! Pastors tend to segregate. Apostles tend to integrate. Pastors tend to build shelters. Apostles tend to build springboards (launching pads). Pastors tend to have a localized vision. Apostles tend to have a regional vision or beyond. Pastors like to focus on those already saved. Apostles have an ability to focus on all of mankind. Pastors are not normally fisherman but an apostle is also able to understand the ministry of the evangelist who has a heart for the lost, because his or her gift allows for it!
Apostles desire to see the entire body of Christ everywhere walk in unity; however, pastors usually only have a desire to see their church walk in unity. This is why pastors serve a localized group of people, but apostles are sent to a region with a vision for the community and beyond!
John 3:16 is very explicit that God Loves the entire world! Jesus also, speaking as an apostle, gave this exhortation in John 10: “I have other sheep who are not of this fold. I must also bring them, and they will hear My voice. There will be one flock and one shepherd” (v. 16).
If we are going to see people saved and discipled in this imminent revival, then we are going to have to lay down our religious intolerances and judgments of worldly people. If we do not do this, the newborns will not feel the Love of God and we will lose them quickly!
Feed My Sheep
John 21:15-17 says:
So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?”
He said to Him, “Yes, Lord. You know that I love You.”
He said to him, “Feed My lambs.”
He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?”
He said to Him, “Yes, Lord. You know that I love You.”
He said to him, “Tend My sheep.”
He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?”
Peter was grieved because He asked him the third time, “Do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Lord, You know everything. You know that I love You.”
Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.”
In my previous article, I pointed out that at the beginning of Peter’s ministry, Jesus was preparing him to catch large numbers of men. In the chapter of the verses above, after Christ’s Resurrection, Peter and some of the other disciples went back to fishing. They had once again taken in a huge catch of fish (John 21:1-14).
As a father of five and a grandfather of 10, over the years I have developed some little fun-time things that I would do with them. One of those fun, playful things that became an ongoing habit is that I will grab their heads with my hands and begin to squeeze their skulls and repeatedly tell them that I was giving them a “Brain Adjustment!”
That came to my mind as I was thinking about the rest of this passage of Scripture. You see, I know that personally over the years God has had to give me more than a few brain adjustments because my way of thinking was just not right! That is what Jesus is doing here with these disciples who were distraught and disoriented which led to them being disengaged with their call from God!
Jesus was again watching from the shore to see what they were going to do with this great catch of fish. In fact, He had instigated it one more time (John 21:6). So He gets their attention and tells them to bring the catch to Him (v. 10). Then Jesus goes into the above discourse with Peter and hones in on some heart and mind issues that Peter was not wanting to address yet! Where is the focus of your love, Peter? “Do you love Me more than these?”
You see many ministers today love the ministry more than the one who put them into the ministry and more than the ones that they are called to minister to!
Fish Are Transformed Into Sheep
Ministry is ultimately about sheep, and sheep are people! And not only are they people, but they are God’s people! And God is concerned about all of His children both saved and unsaved and those who are being kept in someone else’s sheepfold.
Pastor’s, I believe the Lord gave me a prophetic word for you: “Do you love the people of God more than the work that God has given you to do? Do you love the the miracles of salvation (people) more than the ministry of shepherding? Do you love Me more than you do fishing? And once you catch the fish, are you just going to throw them back or take them to market to sell off to the highest bidder? If you love Me, then you will love My people! And if you love My people then you will tend to their needs! Feed My sheep and tend My lambs!”
The fishermen are about to deliver the fish into the sanctuaries of many churches! Will you be ready to disciple them? {eoa}
Vince Viozzi is the founder of Vince Viozzi Ministries. He has served the Lord with his Prophetic Gift for over 35 years, and was a Senior Pastor for several years. His passion is to help to Strengthen and bring clarity to God’s Kingdom People by operating as a Prophet / Teacher, delivering God’s Kairos Rhema Word through prophecy and prophetic teaching. If you would like to invite Vince to minister, please send an email with the subject line “Invite Vince” to [email protected].
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