STRETCH OUT AND TAKE TERRITORIES

STRETCH OUT AND TAKE TERRITORIES

“Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child: for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the LORD. Enlarge the place of your tent, and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out; do not hold back; lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes. For you will spread abroad to the right and to the left, and your offspring will possess the nations and people will inhabit the desolate cities.” Isa. 54:1-3

Barrenness is a condition of unfruitfulness.  The condition of the powerlessness to produce or bear spiritual children through soul winning acts and going to regain territories lost from the kingdom of darkness is the object of this discourse.  But barrenness is not a permanent condition. It can be broken, God will make a way of escape to come out of that rut.  You may be experiencing serious trouble in achieving, bearing good results, winning souls for Christ, or being unfruitful in taking over territories for the Lord.  It is temporary, the Lord has come with the season of revival to capacitate you with knowledge and grace gifts needed to stand and win territories for the Lord.

We are admonished to sing for joy and start to rejoice.  Not being fruitful in the great commission will soon be history.  Burst into shouts of joy.  You will make it.  You can do it.  You will bear fruit.  You will spread out.  Your outcome will surpass those who made it easily; you will live in great joy. Why? Because the rain of the glory of the Holy Spirit has started to fall and we will arise and shine and begin to go to towns, villages, cities, states and nations of the world preaching the Good News unto the saving of souls of the people.

You have been in spiritual college under the tutelage of the Holy Spirit and preparation for the journey is great but your season of graduation, being armed with all needed arms, wisdom and knowledge of the Son of God and grace gifts has come and you will match against the hordes of hell and release those who ought to be in the kingdom of light that has been held captives. Oil of gladness is being poured upon you and yokes and chains that had been hindering the people from being translated into the kingdom of the son of God shall be destroyed and burdens lifted off their shoulders.

“Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child: for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the LORD.” Isa. 54:1

The “Singing and Shouting for Joy” in Isa. 54:1 would come because of the increase of the unsaved trooping into the kingdom as we minister to the saving of their souls.  These are not natural children but they were spiritual children who would come from the gentile nations as we go into all nations to preach Christ to the saving of the souls of the people there.  On the right hand and on the left, meaning “on all sides” these newly saved spiritual children will come. 

By spreading the Word of God to the Gentile nations, Israel would be enlarging their tents. So shall be the story of the New Testament Church as we set out to obey the Great Commission in this season of the former and the latter rain in same season.

You see, the Christian Church is viewed as a continuation of the Jewish Church; and the conversion of nation after nation to the gospel is looked upon as the extension of Jewish authority over fresh lands.

“Therefore, they that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word. Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spoke, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. And there was great joy in that city” Act 8:4-8 

Philips went to Samaria and many gave their lives to the Lord and all manner of miracles, signs and wonders were done to attest to the authenticity of the gospel. Like Jesus proclaimed through Mark in Mark 16:20; they went everywhere preaching the Good News and God was working with them with signs following, so are we go to unto the nations and bring many into the kingdom.

The cities of these lands…desolate until then, without godly inhabitants, will under these conditions come to be inhabited; will be populated by faithful men having now received Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior after we ministered the good news to them. The intent of God has never changed, but if this growth is going to continue, the Church must be willing to be stretched beyond her standards and habitations and go into all the nations onto the end of the earth.

Our personalities, talents and gifts are differentiated by the design of God [Eph. 4:11-14], but all of us are mandated to “Go Ye” [Matt. 28:18-20].  We will not realize our greatest potential unless we are stretched by taking over other territories for the Lord.  We will not fully know who we are until we are stretched for the authority, power, glory and the host of heaven will back up our apostolic and evangelistic drives.  We are not effective unless we are stretched which simply mean reaching out to go and conquer other territories for the Lord.  Reaching and extending to save souls and bring them into the kingdom of Light are the faith building blocks of life. 

No one comes into this world fully equipped for success.  Success is not magic nor is it the work of a genius; but success is due to our stretching to take over territories for the Lord. And in this case, it simply means leaving our comfort zone to go into other places to save the souls of men and disciple them through the preaching and teaching of the word of God.

Most of us avoid stretching, reaching out and extending to other places and lazily sit on our oars in the local assembly where we worship God.  When we come up against something that is bigger than we are, we tend to back off or let go.  Why?  Much of the time it is because of FEAR and refusal to obey the mandate of God to “Go Ye”!  The unknown can really paralyze a person who is not willing to stretch beyond their fears.  Many times, unpleasant experiences of the past will strip us of the possibilities of the present. Bit I am sure that the Lord will go before us and make all the crooked places straight, empowering us through the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

But we refuse to understand that the one who sent us on this divine errand is well able to give us all the needed spiritual instrumentation to do the work successfully.

We do have the seven spirits of God, backing of angels; spiritual gifts, knowledge, wisdom and understanding of the word of God, the anointing, glory and all other graces to get the job of taking over territories done!

The work of the Kingdom of God can never reach God’s objective and command, if the majority of the Saints remain idle, lazy, slothful and unproductive.

Far too many people are satisfied with sitting on their oars in the Church getting fat through the word of God taught and preached not understanding that we are likened to petrol/gas tankers that when filled at the depot, we must have a destination where we must off load the product that we are filled with. Ministry is much more than being in the choir, ushering or sanctuary keeper department or even, you must stretch out and reach out to save the souls that are still in the kingdom of darkness.  Salvation means you are now saved and gifted to help someone else come to the saving knowledge of Christ. It is the work of all Christians not just the fivefold ministers.

“But you should control yourself at all times. When troubles come, accept them. Do the work of telling the Good News. Do all the duties of a servant of God” 2 Tim. 4:5 ERV 

The problem is that some people who have been baptized come out of the water satisfied and not realizing that it’s not the end, it’s just the beginning.  So, we come out of the old life into the new life still imprisoned by our unwillingness to get involved with the process that saved us by reaching out to save others.  We must obey the “Great Commission” by reaching out to save souls of men beyond our territory.                      

Contrary to popular opinion, fivefold ministers are called and equipped “… to equip the saints, to do the work of ministry, and to build up the body of the Messiah” Eph. 4:12 ISV 

For emphasis sake, it is the congregants that are to do the work of ministry and not just serving for example as choir, ushers, intercessor, administrators in the front office and sanctuary keepers; but to be trained so that they can go to all the nations and minister the gospel unto the salvation and discipling of those living in such territories.  

Taking means: To get into one’s hand, to get into one’s possession or power, to get into one’s control, to transfer into one’s own keeping and to obtain, or to secure

Territory: Is an area of land, towns, cities, or nations, that is considered as belonging to or connected with a particular country or person. A territory can be a country or region that is controlled by another country just like when Nigeria was under British rule. The meaning of TERRITORY is a geographic area belonging to or under the territorial dominion or rule of a governmental authority.

“The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever” Revelation 11:15.

Taking territories therefore, is the art of transferring one or more geographic areas into part of the kingdom of God. It is breaking into new frontiers. Taking your environment for Christ. Advancing from one level to another level. Growing into higher realm in the things of the Spirit.

So, warfare may be needed as rulership has to change.

“No man can enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house” Mark 3:27

The Israelites crossed into the Promised Land and there were people there, they had to engage them in battle in order to possess the land.

“Rise ye up, take your journey, and pass over the river Arnon: behold, I have given into thine hand Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his land: begin to possess it, and contend with him in battle” Deut. 2:24 

WHY TAKE NEW TERRITORIES

1. Because the earth is the Lord’s Psalm 24:1-2.

2. Because any territory not occupied by us will be taken over by the enemy.

3. Because the gospel must be preached worldwide and such kingdom of darkness translated into the kingdom of Light. Using the power of the Spirit to conquer souls to the end of the earth. [Acts 1:8]. It is God’s ultimate agenda

“And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come” Matt. 24:14

4. Because we are to make disciples of nations. God gave us the commission to do so. “And Jesus came and spoke unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen” Matt. 28:18-20

5. Because we must not settle for less or be at ease. It is dangerous to settle too soon or become lethargic Amos 6:1.

6. Because we need to create opportunities for others to come to the saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.

7. Because God expects it and commands it.

8. Because we are commissioned to liberate others (territories) from the enemies

9. The world is waiting for the manifestation of the sons of God Romans 8:19

10. There remain yet very much land to be possessed and the people turned around to serve the Lord [Joshua 13:1]. Else we will be rebuked like Joshua.

11.The world is waiting for us to manifest and declare His lordship. Romans 8:19

 

It is important to understand that as a believer, you operate from a very vantage point or advantageous position because the Bible says so. “The earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.  [Psalm 24:1]. This is called “taking back the territories for Christ”. It is winning souls that were lost back unto the Lord through the salvation of their souls. The whole world belongs to our heavenly father, and our responsibility is simply enforcing its restoration.

It is the Kingdom mandate or the agenda of Heaven according to Habakkuk 2:14 to spread the good news.

In fact, the whole essence of the gospel is to spread it to everyone, if truly it is the good news.

The question that follows therefore is, how do I take territories?

WHAT TO DO TO TAKE TERRITORIES

1. Decide to accept it’s possible. It is doable! For with God, nothing shall be impossible Mark 10:27, Luke 1:32.

2. Attitude adjustment. Choose to have the mindset that it shall be so according to the promises of God

3. Prayer strategy. “Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession” Psa. 2:8 [also Matthew 7:7], Psalm 2:8.

4. Forceful take over. “And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.” [Matthew 11:12]. There must be displacement by replacement!

5. Faith application. “For whatsoever is born of God overcome the world: and this is the victory that overcome the world, even our faith” 1 John 5:4.

6. Understand thoroughly the Kingdom mandate. “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come” Matthew 24:14 [Also Matthew 5:13-16].

7. Develop the right prayer agenda by praying in the will of God. “Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession” Psalm 2:8, [Also 1 Chronicles 4:9-10].

8. Develop a pioneer or pilgrim mentality, there are more lands and people to be won for the Lord, do not settle too soon. Hebrews 11:8-10.

9. Increase your capacity. “One day the Guild of Prophets told Elisha, "Notice how the place where we are living is too small for us” 2 Kings 6:1 ISV. [Also, Colossians 3:1].

10.Develop strategies for the new territories, gather information, get in the word, seek God’s face. Do not do only spiritual mapping but physical mapping, plan and strategize how and what it takes to conquer territories; train workers that will go into the new territories

11.Ask for instructions. Receive I pray thee the spirit of wisdom and revelation needed to do the work Ephesians 1:17-18.

12.Practically make room for more. “Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes; For thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left; and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles, and make the desolate cities to be inhabited. Isaiah 54:2-3.

13.Be willing to take risks, in other words, operate by faith. “Without faith it is impossible to please God” Hebrews 11:6 [See also Hebrews 11:1-3]

There has never been a perfect time to step out in faith better than now; because Jesus says emphatically in John 4:34-35, that the time is now.

Every person who is a saved believer is gifted by the Holy Spirit.

“But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:  for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills” 1 Cor 12:7-11

Please receive knowledge! As long as you are a born-again believer, you have at least one grace gifts with which you are endowed with to do the work of God. Jesus commissioned the whole Church both ministers and congregation to do the work of ministry.

“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. AND THESE SIGNS SHALL FOLLOW THEM THAT BELIEVE; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover” Mark 16:18 [Emphasis Mine]

Contrary to popular belief all Christians are empowered to do the work of ministry and it is ministers responsibility to teach, train, tutor and disciple congregants so they can cast out devil, preach Christ, and save the souls of men.

“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” Act 1:8 

We are all saved in order to be witnesses of Christ in our locality and to the end of the earth. You may have been fruitless in this venture in the past, but rejoice.  You may have failed as a Christian so many times before, but rejoice.  You may have been seriously discouraged and lost hope, but rejoice.  You may be truly barren, but rejoice.  You may be looked upon as an outcast, useless and good for nothing, but rejoice.  Burst into songs; rejoice right now, because you are about to be stretched forth as the former and the latter rain of the anointing will invigorate and empower you to do the works and save the souls of men. The greater One in you called the Holy Spirit is set to allow rivers of living waters to flow out of you to nourish the famished souls that need to be filled with Christ.