Part 2 Sonship -Being the Elder Son

REMEMBERING SONSHIP  [Kariobangi 10/7/16]

[I preached this message at a small church in east Nairobi; I begin with my favourite quote from the Celtic theologian Erasmus]

Christ has become our memory because suffer from the “soul’s forgetfulness”. Christ has caused us to Remember who we are. Christ comes to Reawaken us to our true nature. He is our Epiphany. He comes to show us the Face of God. He comes to Reveal in us our Face, the True Image of the human soul. We must Rediscover our Identity as SONS of the KINGDOM! WE ARE HERE on earth to Reveal the Father's Will. Revelation of these Sons will Release Revival in the Earthly Realm!

The Elder Son

We all understand the joy of receiving the Lost Son home but what of those who are dutiful and dedicated, successful by the world's standards? The Rich and Successful sons also need to find salvation. Luk 19:8 And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord, Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor, and if I have wrongfully exacted aught of any man, I restore fourfold.

So let us consider the Elder son. Luk 15:25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard music and dancing.

Luk 15:26 And he called to him one of the servants [NOT his father] , and inquired what these things might be. 27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. 28 But he was angry, and would not go in: and his father came out, and entreated him. >> The soul anger had been stored up for all the years his brother had been lost. In those years he had been the son who based his life on POSTION, PERFORMANCE, AND PERSONALITY.

We must rediscover our identity as SONS of the KINGDOM! WE ARE HERE on earth to Reveal the Father's Will.

>>He was angry - This refers to the indignation of the scribes and Pharisees, mentioned Luk_15:1, Luk_15:2. In every point of view, the anger of the older son was improper and unreasonable.

>> the anger of the Elder brother describes the anger of the Pharisees to Jesus' message of Grace and a Forgiving Father.

>>He had already received his part of the inheritance, see Luk_15:12, and his profligate brother had received no more than what was his just dividend.

The word used for 'anger' is: [Strong's G3710] -ὀργίζω orgizō or-gid'-zo From G3709; 1) to provoke or enrage, that is, (passively) become exasperated: - be angry (wroth). Thayer Definition: 1) to provoke, to arouse to anger

2. to be provoked to anger, be angry, be wroth. [KJC]
   Other occurrences of 'orgidzo' angry, 5 Mat_5:22, Luk_14:21, Luk_15:28, Eph_4:26, Rev_11:18 wroth, 3 Mat_18:34, Mat_22:7, Rev_12:17
   >> In all these occurences it is either a brother angered [exasperated] or a master. God is never described as 'angry' [orgidzo] with you.
3. Eph 4:26 Be angry [orgidzo] without sinning. Don't go to bed angry. >>This is a 'soul anger' that is too common in our interactions.
4. Passive anger can be just as destructive to the soul. It is like drinking poison ['sumu'] and hoping your enemy is harmed. 'JuJu' [witchcraft] is used to harm others but it poisons our own souls. Even a meal made with anger will poison the soul. [Or sharing a bed]
5. Bishops must not be 'quickly angered' [orgilos]. Tit 1:7 Because a bishop is a supervisor appointed by God, he must have a good reputation. He must not be a stubborn or irritable person. He must not drink too much or be a violent person. He must not use shameful ways to make money.
6. Mar 3:5 Jesus was angry as he looked around at them. He was deeply hurt because their minds were closed. Then he told the man, "Hold out your hand." The man held it out, and his hand became normal again. >> Jesus was angry [orge] with a godly anger. This word occurs many times in the NT and refers to the anger of God at the imbalance found in the world system; the injustice created by Legalistic thinking.
7. Joh 7:23 If you circumcise a male on the day of worship to follow Moses' Teachings, why are you angry [bilious χολάω cholaō] with me because I made a man entirely well on the day of worship?
   - Jesus accused the Pharisees of being enraged based on his Sabbath actions.
   - this is the only occurrence of this word and describes an indignation at 'breaking religious rules'

ANGERED TO ACT

It seems through these examples of 'anger' that there is a righteous anger based on a sense of Kingdom living; and an unrighteous anger based on a Disruption of the religious status quo. What makes you angry? Our 'soul senses' are processing information about our world. Are we alert to these issues from our position in 'heavenly places' [Eph 2:6]? We are seated, as an Advocate, in the courtroom of heaven. We have a dominion over certain areas, usually related to the place we live.

• The word 'advocate' means: A Good Voice, so we are called to be a voice for Good in our realm.

• An Advocate is mandated to speak against the Accuser on behalf of those that are being wronged. For this reason you may have a deep soul burden for a particular segment of society [the elderly, the victims of a certain disease, sexual abused]. When you hear of certain injustices or abuse your soul becomes angered and therefore activated. The challenge then is to take the actions to alleviate the abuse.

• The Advocate must make his case with convicted passion. Those who are captive to Satanic schemes of disease, injustice, or simply poverty are Victims without a Voice. It is the passion of a 'vexed soul' Psa 6:3 My soul is also sore vexed: but thou, O LORD, how long?
• WE ARE VEXED FOR THE VICTIMS WITHOUT A VOICE!
• Several Biblical scribes describe their emotional makeup as a product of their soul, none more than David in the Psalms. Also significant are the occurrences in Jeremiah and Job. All three were men who faced great personal trials and yet spoke with passion about the circumstances of their time.
• Your soul can give you voice to the injustices of your place but keep your perspective from your position in Heavenly Places.