Christ in Us, the Hope of Glory (with Pst. Ankit Sajwan)
Pastor Priji and Pastor Ankit have a conversation on several issues that hold us down from being victorious in our leadership.
Transcript:
Here’s a conversation Pastor Priji has with Pastor Ankit Sajwan, a Pastor at FOLJ, Delhi to the leaders of this age.
Pastor Priji: Please share some of the things that God is teaching you this season as leaders.
Pastor Ankit: One thing God is teaching me is we are not a religious organisation but the body of Christ, the victorious one.
The first thing to be understood is we are born of God and not victims of situations. We aren’t religious followers. Rather, we are ones filled with authority. Paul says that this mystery was hidden from ages and generations that is, Christ in us that is the hope of glory. (Colossians 1:27)
The church has to understand and recognise the position God has given us. God has given us the same position He gave Jesus. The bible says in Ephesians the same position God gave Christ He gave us. This is not just repentance, by being sorry but change in perspective. The concept of pent house has been derived from there. Seeing things from heaven’s perspective.
We are called to rule and reign. Psalm 110:2
The Lord will extend your powerful kingdom from Jerusalem; you will rule over your enemies. The biggest reason Jesus came to earth is to multiply. When Jesus died and when there was a harvest, God harvested many sons. We are walking in the same authority Jesus had. We are called to bring heaven on earth.
The hope of Christianity is not going to heaven, the hope of Christianity is Christ living in us, it is us bringing heaven on earth.
The Bible talks about the faith heroes in Hebrews. Though they pleased God they have not yet received the promise.
As Christ ambassadors it is our responsibility to bring heaven on earth.
Pastor Priji: Absolutely, that’s a revelation that is so under-spoken. Jesus told His disciples as the Father has sent Me, so I am sending you.
The way Jesus commanded authority we are called to do the same.
Pastor Priji: As leaders how can we train leaders to bring it into practice? What are some of the practical things you would suggest about rule and reign?
Pastor Ankit: Practically it would be spending a lot of time in the Pauline epistles. New Testament and New covenant are two different things. New covenant started from the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, before that it was old covenant being born under law.
Jesus never ministered to a born again Christian. After Jesus left, the Holy Spirit descended.
Ephesians 4:32 – Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
Pastor Priji: That’s not to be misinterpreted as the rest of Bible is not important. The whole of the Bible is important. Isn’t that what you’re saying?
Pastor Ankit: Absolutely, law of thermodynamics was always present on the earth. But, when we found it, we made these big boeing planes and we are able to travel.
Before Azusa street revival, the church didn’t know about the baptism of the Holy Spirit. God restored it.
When we soak ourselves in the Pauline epistles we know who we are in God and would change the way we see things.
Pastor Priji: Absolutely, that’s one perspective, majority of the church is focused on the death of Jesus not the resurrection. Would you please put your thoughts to this.
Pastor Ankit: The Bible talks about the first Adam. The first Adam represents entire humanity. What happened to Adam happened to entire humanity. Through Adam death came and it ruled. That’s why Jesus had to come as the last Adam. Adam brought dead but the solution to this death is resurrection. Paul says, if there is no resurrection of the dead then our faith is futile and we are still in our sins. Our focus should be on the resurrection.
He was on the cross for only 6 hours and now for more than 2000 years He is on the throne ruling and reigning, that’s where the church has to renew their mind that we are seated with Christ Jesus ruling and reigning.
Pastor Priji: Whatever we glorify will manifest in our lives. Not denying the death of Jesus but whatever you magnify, the victory that Jesus brought for us on the cross, will manifest more than just suffering.
Pastor Ankit: So many people believe being poor is suffering. Jesus was on the cross for 6 hours. Bible says anyone who wants to live a godly life will suffer persecution. What kind of suffering the Bible is talking about? The only kind of suffering for a Christian is persecution. Jesus was not poor. Through that persecution we learn to depend on God.
Pastor Priji: God called us to be the light, not hiding and being subjection to the darkness but being above. When leaders and pastors learn who we are in Christ will transform the way people look at Him. Would you like to add something to that.
Pastor Ankit: Jesus was forsaken for us but He is the King of kings. The Bible says, as He is not as He was. As He is that’s our identity.
As a church of Jesus we are not powerless believers, when we make declarations it changes things on the earth.
We hope you were blessed by this conversation and may it help you grow as a leader and your identity in Christ.
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Pls pray Ps Varghese and Ps Ankit that I get a good job in Abudhabi. Waiting so long. Elroy