Spiritual Fatherhood

 Over the past 20 years, at Church On The GO, in Newmarket, ON, I have had the privilege and experience of training up tens of children and teens in the church. God's grace allows me to keep at it to this day. Praise the Lord!

I was first introduced into youth ministry in 2001, by Pastor Rev. Margaret I Coates (1936-2012). Since then, Pastor Rev. Stephen Coates (her son) has been raising me in ministry as my ministry father. Recently one of my spiritual kids called me their spiritual father. What a tremendous honour. There is nothing like that.

I consider them spiritual children in that I have imparted my love of Jesus, my love of His Word and my love of His Spirit to them. I shared the Gospel with each of them. I shared the heart of the Heavenly Father with them, through Jesus Christ the Son of God.

All by the Power of His Holy Spirit!

1 John 2:13b "...I write to you, little children, Because you have known the Father."

Graphic created by Jenny Harrison

Their generation will carry the Gospel forward to new people. They will carry with them a deep understanding of God the Father's Heart. Many of my spiritual kids have grown up into fine young adults. They have continued to walk in and for Christ. Still others have distanced themselves from me, their old pastor and spiritual mentor. But I pray for them all. Some may forget me, but I have not forgotten them. And God knows where they all are.

Scattered across Canada, there are young adults with God's Spirit in them, because God allowed me to teach them the Gospel of Jesus, and to disciple them. That is what I live for. I live for Jesus. And for His spiritual family.

"And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming." (1 John 2:28)

#20yearsinthemaking #pastor #spiritualchildren #spiritualfatherhood

Graphic by Curtis Alexander

God Respects the Generations in Christ: Respecting the Younger.

Here is some food for thought for us to consider. God respects the GENERATIONS, gives them value and worth... He sent His only Son Jesus to shed His priceless sinless blood for us all. We need to show basic human decency and respect to everyone: to the saved and to the unsaved. The Blood atonement of Jesus is for all who will believe in Jesus and call on Him. 

THAT is why Peter tells us:

1 Peter 2:17 New King James Version (NKJV)

17 Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.

That word "Honour" is also known as respect. Respect is a basic human need. 

Graphic created by Jenny Harrison.

God made us to be respected and loved. Jesus' blood proves it. So we must be respectful to each other. 

In Christ, we have VALUE, and WORTH. God gives us RESPECT regardless of outward traits. And He respects the young and the old. Today lets focus on the young. When mankind's tradition tends to overlook the younger men and women, God does not always do the same. Many times in Scripture we see God showing honour and respect to the youngest. 

Does God sometimes break with man's age traditions? 
Does God look past our natural traits (appearance, gender, age etc) and look at the heart instead? ❤
Can the Younger be the Leader? 

According to God and His word, the answer is YES to all these questions. Have a look at the following Scriptures below! 😊💭

1 Sam. 16:7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

God foretells that the younger son will rule over the older (Jacob over Esau)
Gen. 25:23 And the Lord said to her:
“Two nations are in your womb,
Two peoples shall be separated from your body;
One people shall be stronger than the other,
And the older shall serve the younger.”

The younger son Jacob gets the First Born Blessing of Isaac.
Genesis 27:30 Now it happened, as soon as Isaac had finished blessing Jacob, and Jacob had scarcely gone out from the presence of Isaac his father, that Esau his brother came in from his hunting.

The younger son Joseph gets the First Born's Birthright from Jacob (Israel)
1 Chronicles 5:1[ The Family of Reuben ] Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel—he was indeed the firstborn, but because he defiled his father’s bed, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph, the son of Israel, so that the genealogy is not listed according to the birthright;

The younger son Ephraim gets the greater blessing of Israel, much to the displeasure of Joseph, the father.
Genesis 48:14 Then Israel stretched out his right hand and laid it on Ephraim’s head, who was the younger, and his left hand on Manasseh’s head, guiding his hands knowingly, for Manasseh was the firstborn.

God tells Samuel to anoint NOT the oldest or the middle sons, but the youngest son of Jesse:
1 Sam 16:11-13
11 And Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all the young men here?” Then he said, “There remains yet the youngest, and there he is, keeping the sheep.”
And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and bring him. For we will not sit down till he comes here.”
12 So he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, with bright eyes, and good-looking. And the Lord said, “Arise, anoint him; for this is the one!”
13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel arose and went to Ramah.

Never think you are too old or too young to be used of the Lord. God often breaks with man's traditions and chooses what pleases Himself, and suits His own kingdom purposes.

Remember, if God calls you to a ministry, a marriage, or a vocation, you are not too young to lead. God sometimes chooses the younger to lead the older, in ministry, in marriage, in business, and in life. And to this day, it still often breaks with man's traditions. 

Paul encourages and RESPECTS Timothy in the ministry:
1 Timothy 4:12 NKJV

Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

God encourages and RESPECTS young Jeremiah in the ministry:

Jeremiah 1:7But the Lord said to me: “Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’ For you shall go to all to whom I send you, And whatever I command you, you shall speak.

I also want to explore how God honours and respects the older generations, as society often tends to overlook them as well. I hope to discuss this soon!

God bless

Pastor Curtis

Mon Aug 31 2020 11:07pm EST

We See Jesus: The Red Heifer Sacrifice Pt 1 of 2 (Audio Message) - Pastor Curtis. New Graphics

 Audio Message at Church On The GO Aug 18 2020 by Pastor Curtis Alexander

Newmarket, ON. 

'We See Jesus, The Red Heifer Sacrifice- Part 1 of 2" 

Follow link for audio message:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_uc_MJeDK1sLVWex4Jzf76QqmZLDU9uf/view?usp=sharing

Graphics referred to in message are seen below. 

Graphics By Pastor Curtis Alexander:

Special thanks to Jenny Harrison for creating the follow Graphics based on Pastor Curtis' message:

"We See Jesus: Fulfilling Jubilee" Audio by Pastor Curtis Alexander plus new graphics

 Audio message: Pastor Curtis Alexander preaching/teaching: "We See Jesus: Fulfilling Jubilee"

Tue Aug 11 2020 at Church On The GO www.churchonthego.ca in Newmarket, ON.

Click this link to download the audio message:

 https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iFPSZZr2adrnCPci39wyXPK32BH3AWDw/view?usp=sharing

Graphics (based on message) created by: Jenny Harrison.

"The Heavenly Culture of Respect" Audio Message

Listen to my latest message on "The Heavenly Culture of Respect"

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1atK88A4xMD3NH4H1hlXzbHWz5LB_V0Ln/view?usp=sharing

Ast. Pastor Curtis Alexander teaching at Church On The GO ( www.churchonthego.ca ) in Newmarket, ON. Tues. July 28th 2020.

Special thanks to Jenny Harrison for creating this graphic based on my message

Special thanks to Jenny Harrison for creating this graphic based on my message

Above graphic created by Curtis Alexander

-PC 

Wed July 29th 2020 11:31pm EST

"Song of the Lord - Spontaneous Worship" Audio Message

Listen to my audio message on google drive, at this link:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kbw-wqPFldK79FzbMNFIzGNmH_Ebh8Xp/view?usp=sharing

"The Song of The Lord - Spontaneous Worship"

Message by Ast. Pastor Curtis Alexander Tues July 21st 2020 at Church On The GO, Newmarket ON. 

( www.churchonthego.ca ) 

Thanks to Jenny Harrison for creating this graphic, based on my message.

-PC 

God's Heart, Love and Promise to the Childless - A Scripture Study

This Bible study post is meant to be a healing balm and a comfort to those whose paths have felt unfulfilled, or perhaps people have excluded them even if it was unintentional. In Jesus we find fulfillment and all the love and validation we need. You may be overlooked by others because of your circumstance. Or you may be misunderstood. You may feel excluded, like an opportunity has been missed. I feel for you and with you. I can't understand why it happens.

 But JESUS will never ignore you... just call on Him and let Him minister life to you by His Spirit. I do not understand why God allows for childlessness, as for some it is very painful. For others, they accept it as their lot in life. Others pick the adoption route.

 God can do miracles, but He does not always choose to. It is a mystery at times. In the end, Jesus really is our ultimate inheritance. And all believers can believe Jesus, be saved, and be on a mission to make disciples (raise spiritual children), regardless of their natural state.  And God LOVES those who cannot have children (or did not have them for various reasons) with the same AGAPE love He freely offers all who come to Him. Agape is His Godly affection and provision and love as displayed and demonstrated and offered through the Lord Jesus Christ on the Cross of Calvary. 

God's Love, Heart, and Promise to the Childless and to those who cannot produce in the natural, a PLACE and a NAME "better than that of (natural) sons and daughters":

Isaiah 56:3-5 NKJV
3 Do not let the son of the foreigner
Who has joined himself to the Lord
Speak, saying,
“The Lord has utterly separated me from His people”;
Nor let the eunuch say,
“Here I am, a dry tree.”
4 For thus says the Lord:
“To the eunuchs who keep My Sabbaths,
And choose what pleases Me,
And hold fast My covenant,
5 Even to them I will give in My house
And within My walls a place and a name
Better than that of sons and daughters;
I will give them an everlasting name
That shall not be cut off.

Jesus affirms Isaiah by recognizing and validating those who will not be able to produce naturally in this life OR who choose to remain single as "spiritual eunuchs":
Matthew 19:12 For there are eunuchs who were born thus from their mother’s womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He who is able to accept it, let him accept it.”
That Greek word for "Eunuch" is G2135 on BlueletterBible and means:
https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G2135&t=KJV

-a bed keeper, bed guard, superintendent of the bedchamber, chamberlain

-in the palace of oriental monarchs who support numerous wives the superintendent of the women's -apartment or harem, an office held by eunuchs

an emasculated man, a eunuch

-eunuchs in oriental courts held by other offices of greater, held by the Ethiopian eunuch mentioned in Ac. 8:27-39.

-one naturally incapacitated

     -for marriage

     -begetting children

-one who voluntarily abstains from marriage

So this word can mean in a Christian sense, those believers who cannot produce children physically in a marriage, or it can mean a believer who chooses not to get married. God still loves and validates these dear people in CHRIST. Christ is all. He is our fulfillment! (Col. 2:10)

Christian community is rightly focused on Biblical marriage (between one man and one woman) and on producing the next generation of children. It is through this institution that countries are stabilized and communities are built. However, God does not let anyone fall through the cracks. Singles. The childless. Childless couples. Those who cannot  beget children or get pregnant.

 Some are simply unable to do what others can do. They have different gifts instead. And God has given them a heart to follow after the Spirit. We must be careful not to exclude or reject those who are unable to follow Adam's mandate naturally. God's agape Love is for them too. They are also just as welcome to enjoy the holy marital union should they desire it. God has given a variety of administrations, abilities and gifts, but it is all by the SAME HOLY SPIRIT.

1 Cor. 12:5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all.

Together with sensitivity and love, all believers within churches can work together to fulfill both the natural and the spiritual. Some will be exclusively focused on producing spiritual disciples. And that is ok. 

Jesus recognizes that not all believers will be able to have natural children in marriage. He also recognizes that some will choose to stay single for the Kingdom of God's sake. Jesus fulfills the promise of Isaiah 56:5. He Himself did not have a natural wife or natural children, but instead produced spiritual children through the Spirit of Adoption. (See Romans 8:15 below). And His Bride is the New Jerusalem in Heaven, a spiritual Bride (Revelation ch.21).

 He identifies with BOTH the childless (as He was without natural children on the earth) and with the Father (as He produced spiritual children through the Spirit of Adoption). 

Jesus promises to His followers:

Revelation 3:12 He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name.

A new eternal name for the naturally childless if they are overcomers in Christ:

Revelation 2:17“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.” ’

Having natural and/or spiritual children is a dual fulfillment in Christ:
Christ fulfills Adam's Mandate to be fruitful and multiply as the "LAST ADAM" (1 Cor 15:45; Mat. 5:17). He does so in the Spirit not in the natural.

Romans 8:15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”

Galatians 4:6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!”

Jesus's Great Commission to create new disciples (spiritual children) now runs parallel to Adam's mandate and is equal in value. The Last Adam (Jesus) actually fulfills all that Adam failed to do. It begins in the natural but must be completed in the Spirit of God with discipleship and the "Spirit of adoption".

Genesis 1:28 New King James Version (NKJV)

28 Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

Matthew 28:19-20 New King James Version (NKJV)

19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

Natural children as God's plan: Matthew 1:1-2
1 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham:
2 Abraham begot Isaac, Isaac begot Jacob, and Jacob begot Judah and his brothers.

Spiritual children as God's Plan: 1 Corinthians 4:17 For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church.

More on Spiritual Children: 

John regarded those he oversaw as spiritual children: 1 John 4:4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

Blessings as you consider God's heart and love toward all His followers in Christ, both those who can and have produced naturally and those who cannot or have not produced naturally. 

No matter what your circumstance is in the natural, ALL believers can be fruitful in the Spirit, through Christ the Vine. Instead of abiding in your miseries, abide in Christ your comfort. Let your branch bear spiritual fruit. (John 15)