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The reformation of the Church should commence with the sanctity of the head – Book of Consideration
By St Bernard of Clairvaux, 12th Century Cistercian Monk known as the Doctor of the Church.
Due to the Lord’s strategic help in warfare, David’s fame went throughout the nations around Israel. The fear of the Lord descended on those nations. It came from around the pivotal point of Jerusalem (a type of the Church), where David lived in a stronghold position. The breakthrough had come, and the time was ready to bring the ark out of the trees of the world, and place it in the Tabernacle that David had prepared. The Lord was ready to camp in a flexible tent where people could be truly liberated. It was David’s time to establish the proper order in worship and music, but he had to get his leadership team prepared in the sanctity of their lives. The structure he inaugurated gives wisdom and truth for us now.
Sanctify
David said this to his leaders, ‘… You are the heads of the fathers’ houses of the Levites; sanctify yourselves, you and your brethren, that you may bring up the ark of the Lord God of Israel to the place I have prepared for it’ (1 Chronicles 15:12).
Leaders: It must be noted that David first made it clear to his leaders that they must make themselves holy to bring up the Ark of God’s presence. In the New Covenant, Christ has made us holy by his finished work through the cross, however, through our faith we must live out that holiness in day to day life. The principle is - change has to start from the top first. Once God’s leaders are flowing with His apostolic order, then the rest of the people can follow properly, secure in their walk with God.
Brethren: David then refers to the brethren of the leaders. This is the rest of the tribe: their brothers, family, relatives and children. This speaks also of ones responsibility for other people generally, be it your own family, or those in your music dept who are under your care.
Leading Righteously
David shared this particular wisdom about leadership just before he died.
‘The Spirit of the Lord spoke by me, and His word was on my tongue, the God of Israel said, The Rock of Israel spoke to me: ‘He who rules over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God, and he shall be like the light of the morning when the sun rises’ (2 Samuel 23:2-4).
God’s leaders must lead righteously in their spiritual position of government, cause, conduct, and character - it is proper order. The fruit of righteous leadership is like the beauty of a sunrise.
‘Whoever offers praise glorifies Me; and to him who orders his conduct aright I will show the salvation of God’ (Psalm 50:23).
‘… He will guide his affairs with discretion’ (Psalm 112:5b).
The way of Christ is being real, and living with the fear of the Lord in our hearts; it is our pathway to moving forward in the things of God. Proper Divine order in the Church, and in our lives, is important to God. Christian’s who believe the Lord is not into structure, or are loose and liberal in their theology, don’t understand the bible.
‘Yes, the Lord will give what is good; and our land will yield its increase. Righteousness will go before Him, and shall make his footsteps our pathway’ (Psalm 85:12-13). Righteousness always leads the way.
A Place Prepared
God has a place prepared for the music he wants to bring forth in every ordained church. Music leaders called to ministry should be set apart to bring forth the apostolic sounds of the House of God in the their particular region. For too long, many have just given lip service to this, and church becomes just another gig in their busyness of life. We are sanctified and righteous by faith in Jesus, however, being set apart in Christ we must live in sanctity, preparing a place within ourselves in a consistent manner. This has to be a priority for our lives on a day to day basis: spirit, soul, and body. We must live holy for our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). Our responsibility is to look after them, not feed them all kinds of junk - be it food, or drink, audio, or visual, or otherwise.
David understood this and said, ‘I will behave wisely in a perfect way. Oh, when will You come to me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. I will set nothing wicked before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me’ (Psalm 101:2-3). David also exhorts, ‘… worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness’ (Psalm 29:2b). The clothing of holy living is attractive - be one of the beautiful people in Jesus! Hollywood, and all that is Vogue, pales in comparison.
The Command for Sanctity
David commanded sanctity from the ones who would facilitate the tabernacle - this must also apply to music directors, music leaders, and worship leaders in apostolic authority today. Jesus said, ‘… be holy for I am holy’ (1 Peter 1:16). Sanctity has to encompass our life in our consecration to God. The Levites (singers and musicians) wore the finest of linen (I Chronicles 15:27); David the leader wore a linen ephod. This was a double layer of material that sat on his shoulders; it spoke of sanctified apostolic government. It was an expensive, bleached white material, made in Egypt. The irony is, we are all redeemed from the Egypt’s of the world, and bleached white from our sin by the grace of God. The linen speaks of the righteousness Jesus Christ gave us. Linen is from the Hebrew word buwts - pronounced boots. You have to walk in righteousness if your gonna be a leader, because “those boots are made for walkin” baby.
Sanctity is not a cool subject to engage in for many believers, especially in our busy, image conscious world. Having genuine fellowship around the word is more often a rarity. The latest movie, party, clothes, or acquisition of assets can be more consuming. Sanctity is not often preached, taught, or emphasized in the proper context of what it truly means to be sanctified, nonetheless, it is essential to understand, and is the only way forward to be effective in the proper order of things. If you want to be a singer or musician who ‘shall never be moved’, then you need to grasp the importance of sanctity.
Read the following: ‘Lord, who may abide in your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy hill? He who walks uprightly, and works righteousness, and speaks the truth in his heart; he who does notbackbite with his tongue, nor does evil to his neighbor, nor does he take up a reproach against his friend; in whose eyes a vile person is despised, but he honors those who fear the Lord; he who swears to his own hurt and does not change; he who does not put out his money at usury, nor does he take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be moved’ (Psalm 15:1- 5).
Let Your Light Shine
God has put light in you; ‘the spirit of man is the lamp of the Lord’ (Proverbs 20:27).
Through your inner lamp, the Lord penetrates and examines our hearts. Through His light in us, our sanctity shines. Jesus admonished us, ‘take heed, that the light which is in you, be not in darkness’ (Luke 11:35). If we do not sanctify ourselves, and we put up with darkness in our lives through any sort of sin, we then become open to attacks of the devil - the light in you will then be darkness. Satan gets a foothold in areas of our life, and that is where we can be defeated. If potential music leaders are not ready, do not exalt them prematurely. When spiritual pressures come, any hidden darkness may emerge, due to them not understanding, or being ready to handle those pressures. Timing for release of ministry is important, if not they may become vulnerable, or fall into sin of various kinds.
The battles we have in ourselves often require repentance and constant vigilance. We must make a choice to sanctify ourselves and submit to God daily. The footholds of the enemy in our lives will then cease, and the devil will flee (see James 4:6). Apostolic singers and musicians must be in this place of sanctity, and then your music will carry governing power. God’s authentic opportunities for your life will come to you when you live in the proper order of sanctified living. Sanctity is a pleasant place; David knew the value of it, and consequently he was an immovable person in the things of God. ‘The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; yes, I have a good inheritance. I will bless the Lord who has given me counsel; my heart also instructs me in the night seasons. I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved’ (Psalms 16:6-8).
Embrace Sanctity
The preparation for artists to carry governing anointing is to fully embrace sanctity in their lives. This applies to all believers, all that are on music teams, and anyone who will ever minister on a platform. Apostolic authority can only reside in sanctity. That is why much of the five-fold ministry wisdom we have today, has first been restored over the past decades prior to the apostolic being firmly established now. We have needed more foundational wisdom to fully understand living in today’s world, and what it will take to stay effective. The apostolic paradigm is governmental; to carry that divine authority in what you do, is to be like Jesus, for He carries government on holy shoulders. ‘How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to your word’ (Psalm 119:9). Embracing sanctity, means accepting and doing all of what God says, then we can carry divine authority in His strength not our own.
To Sanctify Yourself
The moon shines full on all - The sun plays games on the flood
I am clothed in the finest of linen - I am washed in the finest of blood
With a crispness of air I breathe - With a torrent of tears I cry
We pray prayers to bare the deep - We look boldly on and die
To sanctify means: a separated individual, who is devoted, holy, prepared, and dedicated to God. To be genuinely sacred in attitude, majestic in conduct, and keeping yourself apart from worldliness. Our energy and time is devoted to the Lord - in the call on our lives, and with quality time in prayer and His word. In this consecration, we are secure in the knowledge that we completely belong to Christ for His purposes.
Consider the words of David. ‘How long, O you sons of men, will you turn my glory to shame? How long will you love worthlessness and seek falsehood? Selah. But know that the Lord has set apart for Himself him who is godly; the Lord will hear when I call to Him. Be angry, and do not sin. Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still. Selah. Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the Lord’ (Psalm 4:2-5). ‘Open to me the gates of righteousness; I will go through them, and I will praise the Lord. This is the gate of the Lord, through which the righteous shall enter’ (Psalm 118:19-20). The power of apostolic music is rooted in right living in Him. It is through the praises that come from living this life that we enter into all the Lord has for us.
The Result of Sanctification
The result of sanctification will be seen in your life and family, and your attitude to people in how you treat them. It is evident in your conduct, your attitude of heart, and the way you apply yourself to all the things you have to do. Sanctification adds to your life, so God can lift you up and bless you. Sanctification doesn’t separate you so that people can’t relate to you anymore - quite the opposite is true. Those who are really close to God will become more like Him: real, open, honest, approachable, loving, kind, thoughtful, and genuine. Sounds great doesn’t it, however, it is a constant challenge to maintain in any context, whether in family, church, or work.
The result of dedicating yourself this way is that you will become genuinely honored, and your gift and call is treated as sacred. If you walk in personal holiness, you will also treat others in a pure and sacred way also. The love of Christ will rise and be ‘shed abroad in your heart’ (Romans 5:5), and you will walk in strong governing spiritual authority. Living in sanctity, is being set apart for the high calling in Christ Jesus. David said, ‘Blessed is the man You choose, and cause to approach You, that he may dwell in Your courts. We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house… By awesome deeds in righteousness You will answer us’ (Psalm 65:4-5).
Sanctity also passes down to your children, in an awesome dimension of blessing - consider this promise. ‘Praise the Lord!
Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who delights greatly in His commandments. His descendants will be mighty on earth; the generation of the upright will be blessed. Wealth and riches will be in his house, and his righteousness endures forever’ (Psalm 112:1-3).
Bringing it all Together
The final restoration of the apostolic gifts and anointing, is like the final fifth ingredient of pure olive oil in the anointing recipe of Exodus 30:24. It brings all the right ingredients together, blending them for proper use. The apostolic brings structure, and prepares a place, or platform of authority. The first apostles of Jesus set everything in motion - the last apostolic move 2000 years later will finish the job. It is only now that we are really ready for proper apostolic order in the Church, and her music.
The apostolic dimension will take the Church to maturity; that is why David commanded his leaders to sanctify themselves first. If this is not adhered to, the enemy will grind you up in these days of vehement war, and it will be difficult to move forward in all that the Lord purposes for your life. Sanctity is a must to bring forth the glory of God; music produced from that posture of life has a great role to play - it will have apostolic power.
Consult the Lord
The Ark of the Covenant speaks of God’s manifest presence and glory. David and Israel had not consulted the Lord the first time they tried to bring the ark back to Jerusalem (see I Chronicles 15:13). They had been operating in presumption without fear of the Lord. Many churches do that today: they have votes on who leads the flock, or Mrs Nesbit tea and biscuit committees where the leadership is undefined, or worldly corporate models on how to run things. These are often full of the opinions of men, or earthly demonic principles that are void the Holy Spirit’s involvement, or just traditions that have nothing to do with God and his ways.
People suffer because of this, and die on the inside as a result. They know something is wrong but never really understand what it is. In these situations, good faithful people just keep on going never outwardly questioning. Fear is the root of this, or they don’t know how to communicate properly with those in leadership. The fear of man is the snare that grips them - perhaps not wanting to rock the boat. People suffer through lack of knowledge; they hold back and are held captive - it grieves the heart of God. We cannot be ignorant of God’s ways.
Presumption to Power
David had a constant, humble, honest and repentant heart after God - despite his failings. He is our model in having a life of apostolic power and victory. Jesus is your legal advocate; let His victory be yours. He knows your struggles. The Lord is bringing his people out of presumption and into power in this day.
Erroneous concepts of the way God’s kingdom works, are being rooted out and exposed with His truth. Being unaware of truth, and proper Godly order, will be a breeding ground for darkness, and consequently a contempt for the light that is in us. The tests, trials, and challenges you may go through are for the purpose of cleansing any darkness, so you can walk in true apostolic authority and power. Sanctification is great and to be embraced.
Don’t waste time trying to protect any self-image; beyond anything, this will keep you from seeing more of God’s glory and power in your life. Humbly seek the Lord with all of your heart, and commit yourself to sanctification; power will replace presumption and the rewards will be great.
David said, ‘The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold… Moreover by them your servant is warned, and in keeping them there is great reward. Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from secret faults. Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, and I shall be innocent of great transgression’ (Psalm 19:9-12).
Set Apart
In keeping God’s word there is great reward; we must do things God’s way. It is a time to be set apart for Jesus; to see the glory of God change our cities and nations. In the Old Testament there was a tribe called the Levites, God set them aside especially for His service. They were descendants of Levi, the third son of Jacob by Leah. Levite means - joined to. Singers, musicians, and music leaders are modern day Levites; we are to be joined to God. There is a reason why the Lord has ordained that singers and musicians are to be set apart for service. There is a reason that the artist has a generally more acute sensitivity. When an artist is unencumbered and focused on his gift and call, the results can be prolific. When the musical gift is free to grow and be developed, extraordinary things can be created - even the world knows that fact.
We are all familiar with the old image of a struggling, beret wearing, fine artist in Paris, who paints anything to survive and pay their rent. They love a benefactor who believes in them if they find one, as they can finance them to be free to create, without getting entangled with the worries of this present world.
In fact many ministries are able to function through the generosity of benefactors. In proper apostolic order, singers and musicians that are supposed to be separated to a full time call of God should be looked after in a biblical way. In bible examples, this provision was absolutely phenomenal.
Sancti Selah!
Chapter excerpt from “The Power of Apostolic Music” by Stephen Bennett, reprinted with author’s permission. Originally from England, Stephen
Bennett and his Australian wife Rebecca in the early nineties founded
Awesome City Music Ministries based in Sydney, Australia. Stephen’s
gifting spans various creative fields as a prophet and his creative
ministry mentors to a wide community of musicians,singers and artists
around the world. Stephen is a creative prophetic and apostolic voice
to the Church.(http://www.awesomecitymusic.com )
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