We were given a book called The Brilliant Church by Dr. Martin Williams that has been very helpful. Here are key statements that I wish to retain as a basis of my understanding:
- The Church is a group of redeemed people that live and serve together in such away that their lives and communities are transformed page iii
- "Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it. And he was afraid and said, "How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven!" page 14
- He calls the house of God, the place of God's presence. The House of God can be translated simply into the Church. In Jacob's eyes the Church was awesome. Page 17
- ...the heart of God is for the Church to be known as the Gate of Heaven page 17
- The Church is the place of entrance for the heart of God. God wants to use the Church as the originator, the innovator, and the initiator of executing His will page 18
- This is what God expects from the Church that revelation knowledge and innovation would increase as the people of God walk out the plan of God from the House of God. page 24
- No matter where you go, no matter where you live, you want to be a part of a life-giving church. The Church is the only hope for the earth and for mankind ever getting back on track. page 24
- The fruit and the leaves could be used for food and for healing medicine and all of this would happen because the water flowed from the temple. A river came out of the House of God.
- Everything rises and falls on leadership. Research has shown leaders provide more influence in shaping a church's culture than any other organizational factor. page 29
- Remember, the gate is the place of transactions. The gate is the place of entrance. The gate is a place of "transfer". A place where ruling authorities occupy making decisions for those housed inside the city gates. Most importantly don't forget that Jacob called the House of God "the gate". The type and shadow here is that no matter what is going on in the world around us a shift can happen overnight through the Church.
- We must pray but at some point, we must get up and act on what we believe. page 43
- Have you ever thought much about God learning on the Church? Have you considered the fact that God is depending on the Church? page 45
- The marketplace during Jesus's day was located immediately inside the gate. The gate was the entrance to the city; it is where elders sat and judged what came in and out of the city and it was also the marketplace. At the gate of the city the elders acted like "watchmen".
- The Church is the place of transfer. According to God, the Church will always be the most important entity on the planet! page 54
- ...only kings in those days had churches. The Greek word is ecclesia. An ecclesia is a group of people who were called-out to represent the king in important matters. Through this group called the ecclesia or church, the king's will would be executed. These are people who have His heart and know His will. They are also given permission to act on His behalf. That's why this revelation of Jesus being King is so important. page 77
- ...the Gates of Hell that guarded and protected the systems will longer have power. Then satan would be totally powerless against the Church. And again the kingdoms of this world would become the kingdoms of our Lord and His Christ. page 78
- These keys of the earth according to Jesus would be given to His Church; not necessarily to individuals, but to this collective group of called-out representatives referred to as the "ecclesia". page 79
- He says keys not just one key. The earth is not one-dimensional, it is multifaceted. There are many systems, or kingdoms, on this earth, all made by God to be managed by man. page 79
- With authority comes responsibility. With responsibility comes accountability. With accountability comes management. Lastly, with management comes reward or punishment. page 80
- ecclesia...church... is a people who have been called out to make an assembly page 86
- We should no longer seek after the center of our longing and focus in life but on the center of His longing and whatever is pleasing and acceptable unto Him. Page 87
- ...don't struggle with this principal, give up an give in to the perfect will of the King; and watch life get better for you page 88
- Grace is simply the supernatural ability of God to get things accomplished page 93
- ...there is a fellowship of this mystery which only a few had the revelation of page 93
- The Church was designed to be at the top of every system and discipline of life. The Church was originally designed to rule and reign over all the systems and mountains of the entire world page 94
- He wants to reign over the worlds of business, education, family, entertainment, government and health, finances and as well as church.
- In the last days
the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established
as the highest of the mountains;
it will be exalted above the hills,
and peoples will stream to it.
2 Many nations will come and say,
“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
to the temple of the God of Jacob.
He will teach us his ways,
so that we may walk in his paths.”
The law will go out from Zion,
the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
Micah 4:12
- According to Apostle Paul's revelation the Church is responsible for showing how brilliant God is. God's attempt to show His brilliance was to build His Church! page 95
- Brilliant describes something super bright like intense lights at a football stadium, a super sparkly diamond, or the student who graduates from Harvard at age 13 page 99
- The Church is the most important entity on planet earth; however, it must be "brilliant" to be effective page 101
- The brilliant diamond is cut with seven intentional facets. The facets are designed to fully capture, embrace and emulate light when it engages with it page 102
- The Church was created to show the brilliance and true characteristics of God page 105
- The Church should sparkle and shine with the original idea of God. It is the portal and gate by which God intended to lead, manage and influence the earth's systems. page 108
- Whatever God is doing in the earth, it will be done through the Church! If it's not of the Church, God is not involved with it! page 108
- Fire happens when the revelation of the Kingdom comes through the Church then this revelation is put into context of all the systems or kingdoms of the world, if you will. When revelation leaves the Church and enters the world, it engages the systems of the world with the wisdom of God. page 110
- These seven churches speak to us personally. God is going to hold us responsible for the truth we have heard or we would have heard if we had listened. The sad truth about this all is that God's Church is going to be built with or without you! page 111
- The Church is a collection of purposed people who become a part of body that moves together to fulfill the ultimate purpose; God's will on earth. page 115
- My faith, which is my action base on what I believe, does not even work properly outside the leadership of the Church page 116
- It is my hope that I can be a part of a local Church and a universal Church that restores beauty to the world. page 121
- The seven mountains of Family, Education, Government, Media, Church, Business and Health will be dramatically changed and healed when the revelation of the Kingdom shines on them. Page 122
In Jesus name the house of KM Briggs stands united with The Church and we are in agreement to give our life to the cause of the Church!
Martin
- Have you ever thought much about God learning on the Church? Have you considered the fact that God is depending on the Church? page 45
- The marketplace during Jesus's day was located immediately inside the gate. The gate was the entrance to the city; it is where elders sat and judged what came in and out of the city and it was also the marketplace. At the gate of the city the elders acted like "watchmen".
- The Church is the place of transfer. According to God, the Church will always be the most important entity on the planet! page 54
- ...only kings in those days had churches. The Greek word is ecclesia. An ecclesia is a group of people who were called-out to represent the king in important matters. Through this group called the ecclesia or church, the king's will would be executed. These are people who have His heart and know His will. They are also given permission to act on His behalf. That's why this revelation of Jesus being King is so important. page 77
- ...the Gates of Hell that guarded and protected the systems will longer have power. Then satan would be totally powerless against the Church. And again the kingdoms of this world would become the kingdoms of our Lord and His Christ. page 78
- These keys of the earth according to Jesus would be given to His Church; not necessarily to individuals, but to this collective group of called-out representatives referred to as the "ecclesia". page 79
- He says keys not just one key. The earth is not one-dimensional, it is multifaceted. There are many systems, or kingdoms, on this earth, all made by God to be managed by man. page 79
- With authority comes responsibility. With responsibility comes accountability. With accountability comes management. Lastly, with management comes reward or punishment. page 80
- ecclesia...church... is a people who have been called out to make an assembly page 86
- We should no longer seek after the center of our longing and focus in life but on the center of His longing and whatever is pleasing and acceptable unto Him. Page 87
- ...don't struggle with this principal, give up an give in to the perfect will of the King; and watch life get better for you page 88
- Grace is simply the supernatural ability of God to get things accomplished page 93
- ...there is a fellowship of this mystery which only a few had the revelation of page 93
- The Church was designed to be at the top of every system and discipline of life. The Church was originally designed to rule and reign over all the systems and mountains of the entire world page 94
- He wants to reign over the worlds of business, education, family, entertainment, government and health, finances and as well as church.
- In the last days
the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established
as the highest of the mountains;
it will be exalted above the hills,
and peoples will stream to it.
2 Many nations will come and say,
“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
to the temple of the God of Jacob.
He will teach us his ways,
so that we may walk in his paths.”
The law will go out from Zion,
the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
Micah 4:12
- According to Apostle Paul's revelation the Church is responsible for showing how brilliant God is. God's attempt to show His brilliance was to build His Church! page 95
- Brilliant describes something super bright like intense lights at a football stadium, a super sparkly diamond, or the student who graduates from Harvard at age 13 page 99
- The Church is the most important entity on planet earth; however, it must be "brilliant" to be effective page 101
- The brilliant diamond is cut with seven intentional facets. The facets are designed to fully capture, embrace and emulate light when it engages with it page 102
- The Church was created to show the brilliance and true characteristics of God page 105
- The Church should sparkle and shine with the original idea of God. It is the portal and gate by which God intended to lead, manage and influence the earth's systems. page 108
- Whatever God is doing in the earth, it will be done through the Church! If it's not of the Church, God is not involved with it! page 108
- Fire happens when the revelation of the Kingdom comes through the Church then this revelation is put into context of all the systems or kingdoms of the world, if you will. When revelation leaves the Church and enters the world, it engages the systems of the world with the wisdom of God. page 110
- These seven churches speak to us personally. God is going to hold us responsible for the truth we have heard or we would have heard if we had listened. The sad truth about this all is that God's Church is going to be built with or without you! page 111
- The Church is a collection of purposed people who become a part of body that moves together to fulfill the ultimate purpose; God's will on earth. page 115
- My faith, which is my action base on what I believe, does not even work properly outside the leadership of the Church page 116
- It is my hope that I can be a part of a local Church and a universal Church that restores beauty to the world. page 121
- The seven mountains of Family, Education, Government, Media, Church, Business and Health will be dramatically changed and healed when the revelation of the Kingdom shines on them. Page 122
In Jesus name the house of KM Briggs stands united with The Church and we are in agreement to give our life to the cause of the Church!
Martin
