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Dr Atef 2005. PROPHETIC PRAYER. Formation of Christ in Us taught about ways in which our spiritual life develops – this teaching relates to the Means of Grace….
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PROPHETIC PRAYER • Formation of Christ in Us taught about ways in which our spiritual life develops – this teaching relates to the Means of Grace…. • The next two slides come from the Formation of Christ series to illustrate how the Means of Grace fit in with other aspects – Dr Atef 2005 begins with slide 5!
Romans 8:29 “become into the likeness of His Son” • 2 Corinthians 3:18 “transferred into His image” • Colossians 1:27 • Colossians 2:2-3 • Ephesians 3:8 • Philippians 2:12-13 “work out your salvation with fear and trembling” EF: “in comparable riches” can be revealed when Christ is formed in us
Foundation • The Principles • The Assurance of Salvation • The Seasons of Salvation and the Divine Calendar • The City of the Soul and the City of God • The Spiritual fatherhood and the Sanctifying Pouring of the Holy Spirit • The Means of Grace Cause stepping forward – steps that help the Formation of Christ Establishes each step
Jeremiah 6:16 This is what the LORD says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.
Dr Atef’s Calling • Re Early Fathers • While studying medicine -> dedicated order in the Coptic Church • Deep hunger -> studied Theology – not satisfied – ministry to youth & ministers of the Lord • Noticed chronic problems linked to chronic sins in “advanced” leaders and self
Dr Atef’s spiritual journey • Grace from God to understand things in the spiritual realm (prepn for something re this generation) • God appointments with significant people (including ministers in the west) • “must be a solution in God’s heart” – burden for this generation & to find solution to this unscriptural tendency to fall.
Dr Atef seeking a solution • Asked leaders – no convincing answers! -led by the Lord to solitary prayer – to receive from Him • 2 years re “What is happening in the church of today?” – it must be possible in practice to become holy • Understood many things re spiritual world & powers & how linked to flesh & fallen nature.
Further seclusion times • Back to ministry – read widely western books & Early Church Fathers – realised ECF had very high level of spirituality – but how to get there? • Continued to grow – but realised growth stops – some things/sins remained. • 2 more years of seclusion – studied Bible deeply – the Lord taught him prophetic meanings
Special burden and answers • Back to ministry – special burden involving body of Christ – East & West • Seclusion for 4 years – the Lord led him to read ECF writings (first 4 centuries -> answers to questions re spiritual problems came – but ECF writings obscure • the Lord said to worship as they did – they received the meanings through worship so worship will re-open them
Impossible! • ECF ways of worship seemed humanly impossible – Holy Spirit said “Begin little by little” • As he worshipped the readings opened up to him • Very important mysteries re the life of the Church.
Deuteronomy 32 • [13] He made him ride on the heights of the land and fed him with the fruit of the fields. He nourished him with honey from the rock, and with oil from the flinty crag, • [14] with curds and milk from herd and flock and with fattened lambs and goats, with choice rams of Bashan and the finest kernels of wheat. You drank the foaming blood of the grape.
Spiritual Food • Description of Israel walking in the desert – but also other deep important meanings re spiritual food – EF conviction opens these mysteries • A person consists of different elements each with special food – soul, mind, spirit, flesh • Why? Because the root of sin is in that a person is dis-integrated.
Dis-integration • Happened when sin entered the world • Mind, soul, spirit etc operate independently -> Matthew 22:37; Mark12:30; Luke 10:27 • EF– greatness of salvation = disintegration reversed –> harmony restored in each – then God is glorified in each -> earth filled with knowledge of His Glory -> Isaiah 11:9 & Habakuk 2:14
After coming to Christ • continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, (Phil 2:12) -> not just to grow in the Spirit/minister/complete calling – but also to allow salvation to reach fullness inside -> God’s glory revealed in each. • Paul believer is in Christ & Christ in him how in practice? - happens by faith, but inner harmony needed.
Vine and Branches • Can happen by simple acceptance and faith & there is a place for practising biblical truths by faith. • But practically this is hindered by our dis-integration • To enter the fullness, we need a different level of understanding – a different level of spirituality – to be here not here
Secret sin • Can be in peace with the Lord & fruitful in ministry but sin still reigning inside in a hidden way & may surface (lower level) • We say this is “normal” – but Holy Spirit wants to prepare the bride for the final ornaments in the last days - spots of filth -> HS staggers back – cleansing needed so bride is like groom & can receive ornaments
Objections • Can feel we are doing our best – do not have time or ability to do more..; • We are not looking at the potential of the grace that can change our time and abilities • Need for us to climb the mountain to be close to the Lord • His face seen in our faces…
Spiritual Fatherhood • EF concept – can discern what stage disciple is at -> what food they need (“Father”, as role similar to parent re child’s needs) • True Fatherhood has disappeared – now thought of in terms of responsibility only • Food needs change as person grows – eg needs differ for those advanced in the spirit
John 21:15-17 • 1) Feed my lambs - milk needed • 2)Tend my sheep – need to take care of hidden oppositions which prevent growth – akin to dealing with physical dietary issues - requires discernment (rare today) • 3) Feed my sheep – have grown up now & inner hindrances dealt with so need food for adults (Heb 5:16)
Hindrances • Due to fallen nature -> opposing factors especially in mind & in soul – due to disunity • Unity restored -> heart straight & obedient to Christ -> can receive all spiritual food & spiritual growth will be continual • In reality years sometimes pass without growth nowadays
Food for the Mature • Not just about obeying commandments – something more – key = John 21:18 & also found elsewhere in scripture • 2nd stage -> person required to obey in normally accepted things & put in circumstances that test his faith in obeying commandments • 3rd stage -> person required to go against accepted logic - resulting in dishonour
Third Stage • Things get v difficult & person’s path leads through disgrace/dishonour – humanly seems illogical & many stumble. • Matthew 5:11 • To accept this path you need to have received sheep’s food from one who has gone through the 3rd stage –> mind is renewed & see that this will separate from people but bring one very close to Christ
3rd Stage RESULTS • Gal 1:10 – Paul not worried re men’s opinions of him • Accepting the disgrace of Christ delivers from the disgrace of sin & prepares bride for ornaments. PROCESS • Song of Songs 5:2-6
Song of Songs 5:2-6 • Bride @ in believers home –> rest & comfort – sleeping & heart awake = best spiritual level – no awareness of 3rd stage • Used to waiting for Christ from well known doors (ministry, giving etc) & not aware of other doors • Vs 3 – very mystical – hears Groom’s call “I am in lots of darkness & need you” – response “I have left the darkness…”
Song of Songs 5:2-6 • Unable to perceive Christ calling through unbelievers in difficulties or problem in her own life which seem v deadening – logic says “Can’t be Christ’s voice” as seems -> disgrace & step back not forwards. • Robe = appearance which is now honourable. Feet = walking in paths • Jesus’ 3 questions for Peter – as well as interpretation due to 3 denials – is this too.
Peter & 3rd Mile • Peter had keys to Kingdom -> v important he went 3rd mile… • 2nd question “Do you love Me? = “Are you ready for 2nd mile? (more loving & giving?) • 3rd question = “Are you ready for 3rd mile in love? (Jesus didn’t ask everyone this – not in sermon on mount – but there for those who are willing) • Hence John 21:18 for Peter……
Jesus & 3rd Mile • Year 1 – people getting to know about Jesus • Year 2 – Jesus – fulness of honour • Year 3- things changed – Pharisees opposition – people asked “Is He working for Beelzebub?... • -> Crucifixion from which came Resurrection…
Back to the Bride.. • Groom @back door asking you to come out into rain/darkness -> appearance is distorted.. Bride “This is not what I learned @ Church” & draws back..(Church not feeding sheep) • Jesus knows why she is not ready & wants to heal the missing part – knows her love for Him is true – so puts hand of love through latch in door -> she is moved
Myrrh • Heart wants to follow Him but divided inside as mind says “No” -> painful • Drawn by love to open, but hand/heart full of pain. • Jesus – “I have to leave” as not ready to take her in that state -> she wakes up… realises needs to follow Him or will lose Him. • She now searches – has accepted 3rd mile
Song of Songs cont. • Wounds from watchmen – the disgrace of the third mile • Hand – prophetically, when He stretched out His hand he was feeding her the food of the third mile. • “Even though they take my veil I will still follow Him” – she is able to walk the 3rd mile
The Church Today • Requires this kind of bride – ready for the 3rd mile - badly needs these mysteries of EF re spiritual feeding and spiritual growth. • These kinds of suffering are purifying and purging the deep wounds that humanity was wounded with because of sin. • When we accept these cleansing wounds we will then be ready to accept and receive the final ornaments of the bride
Further fruits from this mystery • Restoration to the church of a lost heritage that was given to her in the apostolic age - then the church shook the whole world and caused the Kingdom of God to come in different nations – the message of salvation touching hearts • Early church was on higher level – so able to stand fast in days of persecution and martyrdom….
Standing Fast • We tend to think this is due to strong faith – partly this is true but the reason is the food of love qualifying them for the third mile -> the strong tying of love between their heart and the heart of Christ – so that they refused to run away from martyrdom even when they could. • Jesus’ love on the cross is the love of the slain
Slain Love and next step… • This slain love is full of the power of salvation -> many left idolatry and came to faith. • The first step in the great path towards this is to start to learn the way of worship used by the Early Church Fathers.
