Lessons from the First Great Reset

There are many lessons we can learn from the first great reset to the Body of Christ in the first century. Throughout history, all the Lord’s resets have always produced greater things. It is a biblical principle.

If you read this article based on the media world’s use of the words “Great Reset,” I hate to disappoint you. I am Kingdom and I simply have no use for the “Lego” games men play. I am only interested in the dealings of the Creator of Heaven and Earth with man. Since the tower of Babel, men have tried to adjust (reset) their position in the grand scheme of things to no avail. If you are a Child of God, do yourself a favor and divorce yourself from all the political games and the empty rhetoric of these times. In its place, exchange it for a greater intimacy with the Lover of your Soul and improve your awareness of what He is doing by His Spirit.

Those of us in 2021 who are feeling the tremors of what may be the last great shake (reset) must prepare our hearts to hear and move with His voice. Resets have purpose. We change with them or are crushed by them. Nothing remains the same for the comfortable and the satisfied. Those who Hope and Trust in God have nothing but His Peace and Joy to look forward to no matter what happens.

We have created this article to be shared in a Bible Study format. This will allow for all the readers to share, have questions, and discuss solutions from within the Body of Christ.

1. It started by the death of Stephen the deacon in Acts Chapter 8:1

And Saul was there, giving approval to Stephen’s death. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. God-fearing men buried Stephen and mourned deeply over him. But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison.

“The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.”

John 12:24 Truly, truly, I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a seed; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.

It takes great wisdom and knowing the ways of the Lord to understand that even though Stephen was greatly gifted, more was done through his death then if he had remained alive. Sometimes good things must die to give birth to greater things.

2. On that day, a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.

The Church is Jerusalem was stagnant. Since the Day of Pentecost, five to seven years had passed with little growth. Something was needed to get them to understand their responsibility in “Go into all of the world.” A great reset!

The word “scattered” used here in Greek means dispersing to plant. Sometimes we must be shaken out of our comfortable state before we do what God wants us to do. That is the purpose of a reset.

I do not believe in human church planting. I believe in seeds sprouting where Father has planted them. Many times, church planting has been used as a cover for a particular ministry to expand their brand or to separate a younger up-and-coming leader away from the main ministry. Mathew 15:13 But Jesus replied, “Every plant that My heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by its roots.” When Paul speaks of planting in the New Testament, he is in no way crediting his own choices. In fact, his call and his first journey come from a Holy Spirit rhema word to the leaders in Antioch.

3. But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison. The problem with Bible translations, The Greek word “lumainomai” has nothing to do with destroy as we understand it. It would have been better translated maltreat, abuse or defile. Saul made it hard to be a Christian and easy to be in fear in Jerusalem. I do not want to downplay the harshness of the treatment. I want you to understand that whoever messes with the Body of Christ is touching Jesus Christ himself as the Lord reminded Saul on the road to Damascus. In Acts 9:4 Saul, Saul “Why do you persecute me?” If you are going through a particularly difficult situation, know that you are not alone and your Heavenly Father knows your need even before you pray.

4. Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. In our 21^st century mindsets, we see pastors pulling out Bibles and preaching sermons from podiums. Maybe you see Christians passing out tracts and asking everyone they met “If you died tonight do you know where you would go?” Nothing could be further from the truth! Every Christian shared Christ with everyone they met in their daily living. They did not have to be conscious that they were “soul-winning.” They lived the joy, the hope, and the love of the Christ life 24/7. Which caused people everywhere to ask, “What must I do to be saved?” If the church were scattered today, it would go into a shock and coma. We simply do not know how to operate as the Body of Christ outside our meetings and programs. May the Lord have mercy on us until the “appearing of the sons of God.”

5. When the apostles in Jerusalem heard Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. I love how the apostles flowed with what the Lord was doing! They did not have a problem because they did not author the move of God. They were not jealous because Philip was not an official evangelist. When they arrive, they do not take over the revival, they just simply assisted to bless what the Lord was already doing. How different from those who call themselves Apostles today! Have faith the Lord has his own reset in the works and will raise up his called five fold ministers who will serve the Body without taxing her financially or stealing the Lord’s glory.

6. The resulting good of the spread of the gospel leads some to see this persecution as being the will of God. God can and will use pressing circumstances to guide us into His will. God does not get His will accomplished by designing evil circumstances. There is a significant difference in God using man’s mess for His good and God causing evil for His own purposes. In Christianity, the ends do not justify the means.

7. So, there was great joy in that city. Transformation brings joy. It cannot be hyped, orchestrated by men, or promoted by social media. When genuine change happens, the world takes notice. It does not just say there was great joy in His Church. Scripture says there was great joy in the city, even among those who worshipped other gods. Peace and joy in the Holy Spirit it not just reserved only for the believers any more than rain only falls on Christians. “And it will be in the last days, God says, I will pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh” What do you think that will look like? His creation will feel His blessings from the tallest mountain to the smallest insect. The whole earth is groaning for that day!

As we face the COVID-19 Worldwide Pandemic, political instability and the soon coming economic hardships, we must remember the Bridegroom has nothing but love for His Bride. Only God can truly reset. May His Kingdom come, and His will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.

Much love,

Jose L. Bosque

JaxChristian1@gmail.com

1st Great Reset