“Sphere of Influence” by Dave Bessey

www.reach413.com

Each and everyone of us have a ministry, a place in grace where we are called to work. You can call it a lane, the zone, a sphere, or jurisdiction of authority, but it is there where you were called to influence for Christ. Your measure of grace is there to be effective even in our weakness. Even the help is there and your team of support.,Yet some would just argue for the sake of arguing, but truly there are some in the apostolic ministry who call themselves apostles who are not apostles and instead they sent themselves and function not by God’s power. But there are some false apostles and prophets, some false evangelist, false pastors and false teachers too. Years ago I wrote a message called “Super-Apostles”:

“Super-Apostles” by Dave Bessey

With the genuine comes the false too.

For many years 30 years or so, there has been a movement of the Holy Spirit worldwide to reform the Church. It is the Apostolic Movement. Some regions and nations have rejected the move while others have been led to embrace this grace. Without the apostles, true apostles working with the prophets we have distorted leadership foundations. A lopsided wheel will not roll smoothly. The sheep get malnutrition and do not grow in their calling. Even more so if we are in the pastoral denominational paradigm, then evangelism and disciple making are unfunded and internal in-reach takes Priority over outreach to the lost captives.

Today the move is about the apostles. True apostles. Those of us called and anointed to serve and are in training from the Holy Spirit. Some of us may still be in the desert place waiting for promotion, while others have been ordained by Christ and have their platform. Some may be in a cave like David, pursued by the "saul" spirit and waiting on The Lord for promotion. Waiting can seem arduous, lonely, and dangerous, especially because the attacks can come from the enemy as well as family. The religious love to attack that what they don't support or understand.

Here is a few good words before we dig in on this subject. This will be a revisiting of the apostle Paul's struggle against the "super" apostles he faced:

21 Mar 2017 Charisma Magazine

3 Sure Signs of a False Apostle - Jennifer LeClaire

Since the 1990s, we’ve been witnessing the Lord restoring the office of the apostle to the church. Of course, the rise of true ministry gifts always prompts Satan to raise up a counterfeit anointing to pervert the pond.

The Bible warns of false apostles and I’ve certainly seen my fair share of them. But what does a false apostle look like? How do you recognize them? What does Scripture really say about these hucksters?

I decided to study this out after I saw several articles online arguing Paul, who wrote two-thirds of the New Testament, was a false apostle. Between such odd assertions and the number of people claiming to be apostles without any evident fruit, I set out like a good Berean to offer some truth on false apostles.

Yes, There Are Modern-Day Apostles.

Before we get into the signs of a false apostle—and this is just part one in a series—let’s start off with a foundational scripture to set the stage. Eph. 4:11-14 makes the case for modern-day apostles:

“He gave some to be apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers, for the equipping of the saints, for the work of service, and for the building up of the body of Christ, until we all come into the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, into a complete man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so we may no longer be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about with every wind of doctrine by the trickery of men, by craftiness with deceitful scheming.”

Nowhere in Scripture does it say Jesus stopped calling apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. (We’ll look more closely at the functions and purposes of apostles in another series, but I felt an urgency to start raising awareness of the biblical signs of false apostles this week.) I am not offering signs of false apostles based on my experience with them as that’s subjective and can start a witch hunt. The Bible has plenty to say on its own without inserting our opinions at this point.

Just as we find authentic apostles in the New Testament, Paul made it plain there were false apostles in his day—and there are still false apostles in our day. We'll start our study exploring 2 Cor. 11. Note that just because someone has poor character does not make them a false minister, but false ministers have poor character.

1. False apostles boast about themselves. They are braggarts. Paul longed to impart spiritual gifts to help establish people in what God was calling them to do (Rom. 1:11). False apostles seek to puff themselves up in your eyes so they can get something from you rather than adding something to your life.

Paul wrote, “And I will continue doing what I am doing, that I may cut off the opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be found equal to us in what they boast about. For such are false apostles…” (2 Cor. 11:12-13).

Prov. 27:2 says, “Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.” Now, it’s absolutely legitimate to offer stories and testimonies of the power of God because it builds people’s faith. But false apostles are more interested in puffed up power stories that exalt themselves rather than glorifying Christ and building your faith in Him. It can be a fine line, but the line is there.

2. False apostles are merchandisers. What was Paul speaking about in 2 Cor. 11:12? What was he going to continue to do in order to cut off opportunity from the false apostles who wanted equal status with Paul and his true apostolic company? He was preaching the gospel free of charge.

“Did I commit a sin in abasing myself that you might be exalted, because I preached to you the gospel of God free of charge? I robbed other churches by accepting wages from them to serve you. 9 Furthermore, when I was present with you and was lacking, I was a burden to no one” (2 Cor. 11:7-9).

There is nothing wrong with receiving an offering for the work of the gospel. There is everything wrong when you begin fleecing the sheep to line your pockets for personal gain. There is nothing wrong with asking partners to help support your ministry. There is everything wrong with manipulating people for mammon.

3. False apostles are deceitful workers. False apostles operate in deceit and align with those who operate in deceit. Just as there are companies of false prophets, there are networks of false apostles.

In context of those who brag and merchandise people, Paul wrote, “For such are false apostles and deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also disguise themselves as ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works” (2 Cor. 10:13-15).

The Greek word for “deceitful” in this verse means deceitful. False apostles are not people who take on a title without the gift, the calling or the fruit. They may be sincere and misguided—but that doesn’t make them false. False apostles are those who set out to deceive.

I pray that the Lord would sharpen your discernment in these last days, to recognize these deceitful workers; to avoid labeling the false as true and the true as false; and to rightly divide the word of truth, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

“Prophecy for Apostles” by Shane Mason

Many people today have a problem or at the least they feel uncomfortable with the terminology...apostle and even prophet; and yes much abuse with "titles" have infiltrated the church.

However, in my perception and study of Church history of the last 150 years, it is false TEACHERS that have accomplished far more damage to the Church by heretical teachings that have went unchallenged by mainstream Christianity (e.g. Dispensationalism; Postponement Theology; Calvinism and Cessationism) ...until Authentic Apostles started emerging. Authentic Apostles come with plum line in hand, weighing doctrine and establishing authentic revelation, as faithful stewards of the mysteries of the Kingdom of God.

Apostles see the Messiah with vivid clarity and possess panoramic vision of the blueprints of the Lords Church. Hence they lead the march against the many erroneous doctrines held by mainstream denominations of today. Reformation is the only thing that will lead to UNITY...

False apostles will be exposed...but we must embrace the authentic as they emerge. Change is GOOD and change is GOD. - Shane Mason

We must come to agreement in the battle that Jesus is our Senior Commander, our King, no one else. He is the Yahweh of Armies, for He is God. As the senior or more experienced apostle, prophets and evangelists are coming forth to train us, we need to make sure we stay humbled and the feet of our King. To use a Hollywood dialog from the mom of superman, "With great power comes great responsibility." You authority comes directly from Christ and not your apostle or pastor. With that said, it does not diminish the need to honor those who have loved us and mentored us. We need to listen and learn.

"I have been in a series of prophetic dreams & night visitations that have shaken me and revealed many things to me. My heart is full of things to ponder! Last night it continued as The Lord began to speak to me about a fresh movement of revival based, apostolically charged churches & Hubs that He wants to raise up. I woke up excited and activated with fresh hope for America & the nations. Let's get to work!" Ryan LeStrange

We are are on the verge of a true apostolic explosion...revival in our hearts as we unite will bring an incredible victory. This revival will come because we are no longer focused on leaders or church, we focused on Christ alone and we are sons and daughters of the king!

I wish that you would bear with me in a little foolishness, but indeed you do bear with me. For I am jealous over you with a godly jealousy. For I married you to one husband, that I might present you as a pure virgin to Christ.

But I am afraid that somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve in his craftiness, so your minds might be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

For if he who comes preaches another Jesus, whom we did not preach, or if you receive a different spirit, which you did not receive, or a different “good news”, which you did not accept, you put up with that well enough.

For I reckon that I am not at all behind the very best (super) apostles. But though I am unskilled in speech, yet I am not unskilled in knowledge. No, in every way we have been revealed to you in all things.

Or did I commit a sin in humbling myself that you might be exalted, because I preached to you God’s Good News free of charge? I robbed other assemblies, taking wages from them that I might serve you.

When I was present with you and was in need, I wasn’t a burden on anyone, for the brothers, when they came from Macedonia, supplied the measure of my need. In everything I kept myself from being burdensome to you, and I will continue to do so. As the truth of Christ is in me, no one will stop me from this boasting in the regions of Achaia.

Why? Because I don’t love you? God knows. But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them that desire an occasion, that in which they boast, they may be found even as we.

For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as Christ’s apostles. And no wonder, for even Satan masquerades as an angel of light. It is no great thing therefore if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works. I say again, let no one think me foolish. But if so, yet receive me as foolish, that I also may boast a little. That which I speak, I don’t speak according to the Lord, but as in foolishness, in this confidence of boasting.

Seeing that many boast after the flesh, I will also boast. For you bear with the foolish gladly, being wise.

For you bear with a man, if he brings you into bondage, if he devours you, if he takes you captive, if he exalts himself, if he strikes you on the face. I speak by way of disparagement, as though we had been weak. Yet in whatever way anyone is bold (I speak in foolishness), I am bold also.

Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the offspring of Abraham? So am I. Are they servants of Christ? (I speak as one beside himself) I am more so; in labors more abundantly, in prisons more abundantly, in stripes above measure, in deaths often.

Five times from the Jews I received forty stripes minus one.

Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I suffered shipwreck. I have been a night and a day in the deep. I have been in travels often, perils of rivers, perils of robbers, perils from my countrymen, perils from the Gentiles, perils in the city, perils in the wilderness, perils in the sea, perils among false brothers; in labor and travail, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, and in cold and nakedness.

Besides those things that are outside, there is that which presses on me daily: anxiety for all the assemblies. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is caused to stumble, and I don’t burn with indignation? If I must boast, I will boast of the things that concern my weakness.

The God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ, he who is blessed forever more, knows that I don’t lie. In Damascus the governor under King Aretas guarded the Damascenes’ city, desiring to arrest me. Through a window I was let down in a basket by the wall, and escaped his hands. (2 Corinthians 11:1–33 WEB)

We may be weak in our body, but the Spirit is never limited unless we do the limiting by our sin and disobedience. As we submit and obey, our faith joins the power of grace in your sphere to bring our victory.

Now I Paul, myself, entreat you by the humility and gentleness of Christ; I who in your presence am lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you.Yes, I beg you that I may not, when present, show courage with the confidence with which I intend to be bold against some, who consider us to be walking according to the flesh.

For though we walk in the flesh, we don’t wage war according to the flesh; for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the throwing down of strongholds, throwing down imaginations and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ;and being in readiness to avenge all disobedience, when your obedience will be made full.

Do you look at things only as they appear in front of your face? If anyone trusts in himself that he is Christ’s, let him consider this again with himself, that, even as he is Christ’s, so also we are Christ’s.

For though I should boast somewhat abundantly concerning our authority, (which the Lord gave for building you up, and not for casting you down) I will not be ashamed, that I may not seem as if I desire to terrify you by my letters.

For, “His letters”, they say, “are weighty and strong, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech is despised.” Let such a person consider this, that what we are in word by letters when we are absent, such are we also in deed when we are present.

For we are not bold to number or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves. But they themselves, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves with themselves, are without understanding. But we will not boast beyond proper limits, but within the boundaries with which God appointed to us, which reach even to you.

For we don’t stretch ourselves too much, as though we didn’t reach to you. For we came even as far as to you with the Good News of Christ, not boasting beyond proper limits in other men’s labors, but having hope that as your faith grows, we will be abundantly enlarged by you in our sphere of influence, so as to preach the Good News even to the parts beyond you, not to boast in what someone else has already done. But “he who boasts, let him boast in the Lord.” For it isn’t he who commends himself who is approved, but whom the Lord commends. (2 Corinthians 10:1–18 WEB)

Do not stretch yourself beyond you jurisdiction, but follow Christ and push your faith! Pray your boundaries of your life and influence will increase. Ultimately our commendation comes from God alone.

Remember there will always be opposition from the religious spirited people who do not want change. As ambassdors of the Kingdom of God, we reform, we do not rebel or boast in ourselves. Sometimes people confuse the two. They may say you are harsh or rebellious people, because you challenge what the denominations or religious system is teaching:

"Don't confuse the rebellious with the reformers.

They both refuse to conform to cookie-cutter Christianity but the rebellious refuse to recognize authority and operate with a critical spirit, looking for dirt. Reformers may challenge the status quo but their intention is to discover authentic Christianity amidst the various doctrines, traditions and philosophies of men that have muddied the waters of what we call church. Reformers are looking for Christ. Love and honor is revealed in the authentic, but hate and dishonor in the false. United we stand but divided we fall.

It's the difference between a pessimistic mindset and an optimistic perspective. The rebellious can't seem to get past the humanity in the church, allowing offense to disconnect them from the divinity in the church (Christ in us). Reformers refuse to allow the humanity in the church to keep them from discovering divinity in greater authenticity (knowing Christ more). The distinction between the two can be seen by examining their fruit." - Apostle Bo Salisbury

Just because because an apostle or prophet will not conform to your agenda as a leader does nor make them false or rebellious. They may see something in the leadership or system that is religious or false and counterfeit. Jezebel may be in control and not the Holy Spirit. We are called to never embrace or tolerate a spirit which is not of Christ. Even human spirit and the flesh in the leaders will cause apostle and prophets to stand against a ministry of leaders as should all believers, but many are deceived or not even saved and looking for a spiritual fix to make them happy. Apostles will bring strong words which invoke holiness and repentance. Their purpose is governance and not placation of the sheep. Their vision of Christ as King prevails over the vision of a motherly heart shepherding sheep. The fatherly heart is driven by discipline or correction too, to help bring growth through coaching, mentoring and equipping. This kind of alignment is not always pleasant to receive at first, but is based in the word of God, it is prophetic and revelatory and not opinionated:

Let us therefore give diligence to enter into that rest, lest anyone fall after the same example of disobedience.

For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and is able to discern the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

There is no creature that is hidden from his sight, but all things are naked and laid open before the eyes of Yahweh, to whom we must give an account. (Hebrews 4:11–13 WEB)

We are accountable ultimately to our King and we are as weak as our weakest member. To be united and strong we need all leaders functioning, especially our apostles and prophets, who are considered the foundation of the construct of the Church. If Jesus expects His grace to reach all of us we need to have all of us functioning fully as mature believers. We should no longer be just drinking milk. We need the meat of the word as well. The apostles bring that meat and correction in their anointing to govern and raise up (build) the church or body of Christ. It is time we recognized that the "pastor" is not the head of the Church. Our King Jesus Christ is the head no one else and especially not any spirit like jezebel, python, ahab, saul, or any witch who is their slave. Amen? Be set free in Jesus name!

Note: The apostle Paul was dealing with many false apostles in Ephesus and Corinth and he had to put some protection in place for the new believers to watch out. John was led to write a rebuke about that in Revelation:

““To the angel of the assembly in Ephesus write: “He who holds the seven stars in his right hand, he who walks among the seven golden lamp stands says these things: “I know your works, and your toil and perseverance, and that you can’t tolerate evil men, and have tested those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and found them false. You have perseverance and have endured for my name’s sake, and have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen, and repent and do the first works; or else I am coming to you swiftly, and will move your lamp stand out of its place, unless you repent. But this you have, that you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of my God.”Revelation‬ ‭2‬:‭1‬-‭7‬WEBUS

“Do you look at things only as they appear in front of your face? If anyone trusts in himself that he is Christ’s, let him consider this again with himself, that even as he is Christ’s, so we also are Christ’s. For even if I boast somewhat abundantly concerning our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for casting you down, I will not be ashamed, that I may not seem as if I desire to terrify you by my letters. For, “His letters”, they say, “are weighty and strong, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech is despised.” Let such a person consider this, that what we are in word by letters when we are absent, such are we also in deed when we are present. For we are not bold to number or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves. But they themselves, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves with themselves, are without understanding. But we will not boast beyond proper limits, but within the boundaries with which God appointed to us, which reach even to you. For we don’t stretch ourselves too much, as though we didn’t reach to you. For we came even as far as to you with the Good News of Christ, not boasting beyond proper limits in other men’s labors, but having hope that as your faith grows, we will be abundantly enlarged by you in our sphere of influence, so as to preach the Good News even to the parts beyond you, not to boast in what someone else has already done. But “he who boasts, let him boast in the Lord.” For it isn’t he who commends himself who is approved, but whom the Lord commends.”2 Corinthians‬ ‭10‬:‭7‬-‭18‬ ‭WEBUS‬‬

“Oh, that you would bear with me in a little folly—and indeed you do bear with me. For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted—you may well put up with it! For I consider that I am not at all inferior to the most eminent apostles. Even though I am untrained in speech, yet I am not in knowledge. But we have been thoroughly manifested among you in all things. Did I commit sin in humbling myself that you might be exalted, because I preached the gospel of God to you free of charge? I robbed other churches, taking wages from them to minister to you. And when I was present with you, and in need, I was a burden to no one, for what I lacked the brethren who came from Macedonia supplied. And in everything I kept myself from being burdensome to you, and so I will keep myself. As the truth of Christ is in me, no one shall stop me from this boasting in the regions of Achaia. Why? Because I do not love you? God knows! But what I do, I will also continue to do, that I may cut off the opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the things of which they boast. For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.”II Corinthians‬ ‭11‬:‭1‬-‭15‬ ‭NKJV‬‬