Week three the focus is on the Church’s role in the earth. Again, there is some background thoughts and verses, and then passages to meditate on. Return to these as often as you like (our suggestion is every day during this period!), dialog with the Lord about what they mean to Him, use the questions at the bottom as fuel, and then pray it: God if that’s what’s in your heart than do … in me, and do … in my city and in the nations of the earth!
Week 3: The Central Role of the Church – Governmental Intercession
PDF Handout – Week 3 – Governmental Intercession
Background Verses: God’s prophetic decree that His house will be called a house of prayer for all nations also speaks to the role of the Church in the earth. Jesus, in the only two times He speaks of His “church”, describes her primary role as a governmental one – His church is to be a voice of authority that speaks of things on earth and things move in heaven and speaks of things in heaven and things move on earth. The word we translate church is ekklēsia and speaks of an assembly gathered to make governmental decisions.
Matthew 16:18 “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
It’s an authority that we are to exercise gathered together as a holy people. It’s an authority that comes by His Presence dwelling in our midst. It’s an authority released by asking in agreement.
Matthew 18:17 “And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector. 18 Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. 19 Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”
When Jesus left the earth, the Church He left behind was a prayer meeting.
Luke 24:49 “Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”
Acts 1:14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication… 2:1 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
The key revelation that Church was founded on, that God wants to give us again in every generation, to make us that prevailing body, is the revelation that Jesus is the Christ – the anointed One who was promised to the nations as a Deliverer and a Righteous King, and who was promised the nations as His kingdom and inheritance forever.
Matthew 16:15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church…”
Peter stands up and gives the explanation on the Day of Pentecost – this Church is the sacred assembly God called for in Joel 2, and it is releasing the promise God gave afterward – that He would give His Son the nations by giving the nations His Son.
Acts 2:16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 17 ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy… 20 …Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord. 21 And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the Lord Shall be saved.’
It was not a one-time prayer meeting, but rather the apostolic Church interpreted life through that founding call – releasing on earth heaven’s agenda of Christ’s rule and reign… by asking.
Acts 4:24 So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: “Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them, 25 who by the mouth of Your servant David have said: ‘Why did the nations rage, And the people plot vain things? 26 The kings of the earth took their stand, And the rulers were gathered together Against the Lord and against His Christ.’ … 29 Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, 30 by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.” 31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.
Meditation Passage 1: Matthew 16:15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
Food for Thought: What does a revelation of Jesus as Christ give us that lets us pray with power? What can we expect to see in a world where darkness oppresses as Jesus builds His church that the gates of hell cannot prevail against? What does it look like to actually exercise the authority Jesus has given us and “bind” and “loose” things? (Mt 18 on page1 has some ideas)
Meditation Passage 2: Joel 2:12 “Now, therefore,” says the Lord, “Turn to Me with all your heart, With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.” 13 So rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the Lord your God, For He is gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, and of great kindness; And He relents from doing harm. 14 Who knows if He will turn and relent, And leave a blessing behind Him—A grain offering and a drink offering For the Lord your God? 15 Blow the trumpet in Zion, Consecrate a fast, Call a sacred assembly; 16 Gather the people, Sanctify the congregation, Assemble the elders, Gather the children and nursing babes; Let the bridegroom go out from his chamber, And the bride from her dressing room.
Food for Thought: If Peter interprets Acts 2 as a fulfillment of Joel 2 – the afterwards of God pouring out His Spirit came in response to what? What does a Church that is primarily a “sacred assembly” look like? What are some of the marks of the heart posture of that assembly? What are some of the marks of the way we gather together?