What A Year 2020 Has Been? By Alex Afriyie

Who could have imagined at the beginning of 2020 that we would have been dealing with the corona virus, race and justice issues worldwide and the possible end of a Trump presidency.

Photo by Julian Wan 

What has God been doing through all these things?

Well at the beginning of this year we felt that God gave us Isaiah 60 1 - 3 as a church:

Arise, shine; for your light has come,
And the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
2 For behold, darkness will cover the earth
And deep darkness the peoples;
But the Lord will rise upon you
And His glory will appear upon you.
3 Nations will come to your light,
And kings to the brightness of your rising.

We had the prophetic theme on our hearts, 'Living the Kingdom Life' and a global theme 'Better Together'.

I really believe that this interprets what God wanted for us this year. 

To arise in the darkness and show up strong as Christian's knowing that our light (the light of Jesus shining in our hearts - 2 Corinthians 4: 6) has come.

Darkness speaks of ignorance produced by sin (a state of rebellion and separation from God), but light speaks of revelation and clarity and peace.

This has been a year where as the people of God we have had to learn again to make God our source of security and then courageously be present to serve the world in love and power. The world has needed our love and unity in the midst of political disunity (including Brexit), racial disharmony and suspicion surrounding the Covid virus.

I hope this year you have arisen in leadership, compassion and your unique spiritual and natural gifts and made a difference to your family, friends, church, neighbourhood and sphere of influence in the market place. 

People living in darkness need us as the church to speak clearly about the dignity of all human beings, the availability of help and healing in Jesus and the Kingdom of God that is greater than any earthly political party or movement.

I hope you've had the courage to stand for the kingdom of God and not get bogged down with the enemies agenda of division and fear.

Photo by Julian Wan

Living the Kingdom Life in 2020

As we have sought the Lord together in LNC we have felt that this New Year will be one of living the kingdom life together. To live the kingdom life means to live out king Jesus’ life in our everyday lives and to be persistent with that. It means arising and shining for our light has come and recognising that the glory of the Lord has risen upon us (Isaiah 60: 1).

To live in the benefit of this we have to first realise that as New Covenant believers our light has come. This light (owr in Hebrew) is illumination, and symbolises salvation, prosperity, wisdom and justice. Jesus said, ‘I am the light of the world, whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life’ (John 8: 12). With all the confusion today personally, morally, emotionally, politically, relationally and financially, we are given light in the darkness so we can clearly see the way and show the way.

John Piper said, ‘in the light of Christ, is the brightness of God shining on the retina of the human soul’. We can see clearly now the light has come (pun intended).  Jesus explained it this way, ‘You are the light of the world’ (John 5: 14). So, people can recognise God through the light and glory (Kabod in Hebrew) on us. This glory is weighty, honourable, majestic, esteeming and a manifestation of God’s nature. It totally contradicts and overcomes the fear, division and despair we see in our world currently.

2019 was a year of great harvest for us in LNC and in London as a whole, where we saw over 1144 people respond to the gospel through the Turnings street evangelism and give their names and details in to be followed up. We saw unity in churches working together. We also saw many new ones coming into our congregation. We were surprised as we experienced the harvest and learnt to move in our authority and gained confidence in the power of the gospel (Matthew 28: 18 – 20 & Romans 1: 16).

So we believe arising this year for LNC will involve being faithful to disciple the new believers God is bringing in, being ready to rise into leadership, being ready to intentionally spend time praying together regularly, and being ready to take our mountain of influence for Christ, whether that is in family life, church, work, business, community work, education, media or arts and entertainment. Therefore, we need to be ready to support each other in doing this.

Will you be found living the Kingdom Life together with others this year? Will you arise in the areas that God has called you to?

‘…..who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns.’ (Luke 12: 42 – 43)

Pastor Alex Afriyie

A Culture of Discipleship – Evangelism, Discipleship & Miracles in 2019

2018

This has been an amazing year of acceleration in the presence of God. He has asked us to step into His presence and step out in His power and we have seen how God has promoted people and shifted people into positions and places where he wanted them to be. This has not been without disturbance and we have had to align ourselves spiritually and grow in character to handle the movement of God in our lives. A parallel has been the political movement in the nation with Brexit. But our trust is that God is shifting things for his glory in our lives, the church and the nation. We have emphasised stepping into the presence of God and stepping out in his power as presence-based ambassadors. I think the main thing we have learned is that we have to rest in the presence of God and have our minds set on the Spirit to be full of life and peace and to accelerate (Romans 8: 6). The alternative is to do things with a mind set on the flesh, (that is in our own strength and initiative devoid of reliance on God’s Spirit), but the results are death; that sense of being spiritually cut off and dry leading to being over stressed, depressed and burnt out.

2019

As we come to 2019 we have heard God speaking to us as core leaders in LNC about Evangelism, Discipleship and Miracles. We truly believe that it is time for the harvest (the evidence suggests people are spiritually hungry and are responding to God in the UK). So far over 13,000 people have responded to the gospel on the

streets of the UK and parts of Europe through the Turning since May 2016. The launch of the Turning will be significant for London and LNC as we reap on the streets in September.

GET READY, GET READY, GET READY

It's time to expand our hearts (2 Cor 6: 13), prepare our life groups (Acts 2: 42-47), and adjust our timetables to be able to disciple those who will come in. We want to develop a discipleship culture. In the midst of this we believe miracles will become common place, God breaking into the natural and taking us into deeper dimensions of His Spirit. As we saw in 2018, we believe we will

continue to see miracles of healing, financial provision and breakthrough in places of influence. Christians are now being moved into places of influence to advance the Kingdom in every mountain & sphere of society. We trust that through the turmoil of the Brexit process God will position the nation for blessing as people choose to look to Him as their ultimate government.

Scriptures to Meditate on:

John 4: 35 - Don’t you have a saying, ‘It’s still four months until harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.

Matthew 9: 36 - 38 - 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

Matthew 28: 18 - 20 - 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

2 Timothy 2: 2 - 2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.

Mark 16: 20 - Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.

Alex Afriyie

Step-In Step-Out in 2018

As we have sought the Lord for 2018 as a core leadership team at LNC, we have felt God speaking to us about His presence. We are to ‘step in’ to His presence and then from being empowered and built up in His presence we are to ‘step out’ as His ambassadors to touch lives around us. As we experience Jesus in His power and presence we have the scent of Him on us and His presence changes everyone it meets.

How do we step into the presence of God and step out empowered? 
As a young man I prayed without power. Then one day someone showed me how to give my life to the Lord. Although I knew I was forgiven I didn’t know Jesus power to overcome sin. Then I learnt about the Holy Spirit:

Acts 1: 8 – ‘You Shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has comes upon you and you shall be my witnesses…’ This totally transformed my life:

• I couldn’t help but live for Jesus – I loved his presence and would spend hours with Jesus in prayer, praise, thanks, intercession, tears and laughter,
• I couldn’t help but obey his Word to me. Everything He said seemed so clear and powerful and I didn’t want to let Him down.
• I found him releasing me from impurities as a teenager and literally felt unclean things leaving me.
• I found a new boldness to share the gospel and saw my brothers, sister, mum, gangs at school and teenage girls and boys as well as the dying come to know the Lord.
• Again, myself along with others saw the sick healed.

So how can we step into the presence of God and stay there each day in 2018?

1) By Faith – 2 Corinthians 5: 7 – ‘For we walk by faith not by sight’. How does faith come? By hearing God’s word. Hearing God’s rhema (creative word). Spend time this year based in Scripture. Listen to God every day. Meditate on His Word every day. Sometimes it will seem dry, but it is food to your inner most parts. Ps. 119: 11 says ‘Thy word have I hidden in my

heart that I may not sin against you’. Ps. 119: 130 ‘The entrance of your word gives light, it gives understanding to the simple.’ When you meditate on the Word even for 10 minutes a day you will find that it will empower you from the inside out and clear your mind and transform your thinking. You will make decisions bathed in God’s presence and will.

2) Make it your ambition to please the Lord – 2 Corinthians 5: 9 – 10 – Realise you have a purpose on the earth and a destiny to fulfil. Every day have the attitude that you are going to find out and fulfil a little bit more of that purpose that God has for you today. Consider that we must all appear before Christ and give an account. Although, we know we are saved by grace (thank God), but it will be great to stand before Jesus having fulfilled our purpose on the earth. Don’t let any fear of other’s opinions stop you fulfilling your destiny. It is Christ you will ultimately account to.

3) Let the Love of Christ control you – 2 Corinthians 5: 14 – You see God is love and he has demonstrated unconditional love ultimately in Christ dying in our place. We love because God first loved us (1 John 4: 19). In my life I have found myself empowered to love others because I know how much I am loved by the Father. It has helped me to love guys on the streets that no one else cared for and weep for them and see them come to know Jesus. Always remember to love and forgiven others – whether family or enemies. Step out as an ambassador of God’s powerful love.

4) See things from God’s perspective in the spirit – 2 Cor 5: 15 – 17 – People are either in Christ or not. He died for them all. We should now recognise people the way Christ recognises them. That includes ourselves as new creations, our brothers and sisters as new

creations. And the ultimate need of someone who doesn’t yet know Christ as the need to be a new creation. We can help improve someone’s habits, education or wealth but ultimately, they need Christ’s life-giving presence inside them to really live life to the full.

5) See yourself as an ambassador of Christ with a message – 2 Cor 5: 18 – 21 – You have had the word of reconciliation placed in you. The New Age Movement and people in general are trying to bring the message of hope and positivity without Christ. But it only makes sense in Christ. He loves you. ‘He became sin ….so that you might be made the righteousness of God in Christ’. We are carriers of His presence and ambassadors of that Good News. ‘God is not holding your wrongs against you’. 

It’s time to be presence-based ambassadors this year! ‘Step-in’ to His presence! ‘Step-out’ empowered to touch lives and see them transformed!

Advancing the Kingdom - Right Here, Right Now

As we have sought the Lord for 2017 we have heard the word for the year: ‘Advancing the Kingdom - right here, right now’ in LNC. What a year 2016 has been with so much political change and turmoil. Brexit, a new Prime Minister and a new unexpected American President. Finally we have seen the awful war in Syria unfolding on our TV screens. Yet in all these things, no matter what side we found ourselves drawn to, God is in control. He is shifting things and working through all the gaps and margins.

God's Kingdom Government

We are told in Isaiah 9 that to us a child has been born, to us a son has been given and of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end (vs. 5- 7). Isn't it great to know that God is in control of the eternal government and he sits on his throne in heaven (which is his headquarters) directing things. This doesn't mean there are not still battles raging on the earth. There are still rebel forces fighting against the King’s government, but ultimately, we know who wins. In fact, we are told that the Son sits in the heavens and laughs when he sees the nations' governments coming against him (Ps. 2: 4). Therefore, God is not worried or threatened by humanistic or demonic opposition.

The Nature of God's Kingdom

The nature of this Godly government is that it starts small as a child or a tiny seed, but grows into the mature Son's rule and reign. As at the battle of Midian, it can start small and look weak like Gideon and his 300-member army (Is. 9: 4 & Judges 7), yet it ends up defeating the whole army of the Midianites. This Kingdom (the King’s domain) is more than a geographical area but ‘a reign’ over hearts and minds. Of the increase of the King’s government and peace there will be no end (Is. 9: 7).

God's Kingdom reflects the Nature of the King

Another wonderful thing about the King’s government is that it reflects the life and nature of the King. His name will be called wonderful Councillor - He is a supernatural Councillor with incredible wisdom for us from heaven. He is Mighty God - He has all the power we need to transform our lives, church and society. He is God. He is Everlasting Father - that's wonderful; he is a relational father that is eternal - he'll never stop loving us. He is Prince of Peace - that means his Kingdom brings relational lasting inner peace with God and between peoples. It is a kingdom of shalom – wholeness, completeness, unity, social cohesion, health and prosperity.

How are we to respond to advancing Jesus Kingdom right here, right now, in 2017?

We are shown that the kingdom ‘forcefully advances’ in Matt 11: 12. The word here is biazetai which can mean that the Kingdom forcefully advances and that it can also be forcefully resisted. We see this in Jesus’ life where he forcefully advanced the kingdom through the casting out of demons, healing the sick and being an example of radical love to sinners (Luke 11: 20). Yet at the same time we see him forcefully resisted by the religious authorities and dying on a cross. However, even the resistance ended in victory for Christ and us through his redemption and resurrection power.

Be intentional

In terms of seeing the Kingdom forcefully advance in our lives firstly we need to have an encounter with ‘God right here, right now’. The Kingdom is right here, right now and it is up to us to be intentional about our response to it. When the Holy Spirit comes upon us sometimes it will be as a fire and powerful wind (Acts 2: 1 - 4). We are to respond proactively to his presence and rhema words to us right here, right now (John 15: 7 - 8). It may mean intentionally expressing our love for our wives or husbands or children in a way they understand and receive love (Ephesians 5 - 6: 4). Or perhaps being honest or faithful to our friends or neighbours, employer or employees (Romans 12: 9; Eph 6: 6 - 9). Or stepping out in faith to share the gospel with a friend or praying for someone on the street (Luke 9: 1 - 2). Or starting a Kingdom business or project. ‘Nothing is achieved by good intentions but anything is possible with definite goals’ that are birthed by God. Will you be obedient to the King this year? It could result in great advancement of the Kingdom into people's lives. When Jesus did what he saw his father doing there were results. As we step out we will see the kingdom manifesting right here, right now. That will change the world.

Be prepared for Resistance

Secondly when we do step out by faith and God's grace meets us and empowers us, we will still need to be prepared to be resisted. I'm amazed sometimes how everything can come against me when I decide to follow the prompting of the Holy Spirit. The car can break down, the printer can stop working, a misunderstanding occurs or people resist us or sickness breaks out. We have to be prepared for people or authorities to come against us at times when we decide to follow God's ways. In some countries physical persecution will take place against the gospel of the Kingdom. This reinforces how we need to pray and be in the Word and stand together as Christians. The success of the dream is in a good team. As we work together and synergize with our various God given gifts we will succeed (Eph 4: 16). For one can put a thousand to flight but two ten thousand (Deut. 32: 30). It's just the way the Kingdom works.

May God bless, grace and strengthen you as you advance the Kingdom in your life, church and society in 2017. For God is with you - right here, right now. 

Word for 2016

Lead Where You Are

‘Follow me as I follow Christ’

1 Corinthians 11: 1

Defining Leadership

As I have been seeking the Lord with Dorcas and the leadership team of LNC for the theme for 2016 we have felt that God has put the word ‘Leadership’ into our hearts. What does leadership mean? Maxwell defines leadership as influence. Even the most introverted of us leads many people without even realising it. We are all an influence to someone. So whatever stage of life we are in we can lead. The question is will we be a good or bad leader? The world and the church desperately need revived, righteous, courageous, and godly leaders in these times of fear, purposelessness and moral decay.

Focus on Jesus

Paul is courageous when he says ‘follow me’. Leadership takes courage. Many seek to pull leaders down when they take a stand. But he is also wise when he adds, ‘as I follow Christ’ (1 Corinthians 11: 1). Paul knows that our focus must be on Christ (the anointed Messiah) if we are to successfully lead others. We must learn to be led by Christ; by both his example in life and his transforming love in his death. Also, on an ongoing basis we must be led by his resurrection power through the Spirit. When we are focused on Jesus (the author and perfecter of our faith) we are able to run the race well and reach his goals for us and see revival in his church (Hebrews 12: 2).

Lead Yourself Well

As we focus on Jesus this year we will know his love and power and be able to lead ourselves well wherever we are in life. We will throw off everything that hinders and the sin that easily entangles us and be able to run with perseverance the race marked out for us (Hebrews 12: 1). In which areas do you need to disentangle yourself this year? It might be a sin that  needs to be defeated by looking at Jesus and allowing him to break its hold from you or it may be other habits that simply hinder you?

‘If you want to manage somebody, manage yourself. Do that well and you’ll be ready to stop managing and start leading’ (Richard Kerr). Does God want you to get your relationship with money right this year; Get out of debt, start saving and giving? Does God want you to sort out your relationships this year – start forgiving and be courageous in intentionally loving and caring?

Lead Your Family Well

Does God want you to love your wife (in the way she receives love) or respect your husband intentionally this year? Does God want you to parent your children by nurturing, caring and disciplining them? No mother or father is insignificant – you are a leader and shepherd of the next generation.

Lead Well in the Market Place

Is God challenging you to get to places on time this year? Does God want you to be an excellent employee or employer; Start a business, publish your first book or just keep your word this year? How does God want you to serve your neighbourhood? How does God want you to be a witness to his Kingdom this year and who does he want you to lead to Jesus?

Lead Well in Your church

Where does God want you to serve in your church this year? When each part, plays its part, the body grows (Ephesians 4: 16). Where and with whom does God want to align you this year? Where does he want you to be accountable and show respect? We will need to practice the little self-disciplines that come from the Spirit. For the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Gal. 5: 23).

Walk in Freedom and lead others

Galatians 3:1 says that for freedom Christ has set us free. Until you know you are freed from sin, loved by God and have been given a destiny and purpose, you will never start to love yourself or others. Once you realise you are totally loved by God and free from guilt and shame in Christ you will be able to run the race that God has for you and attain your goal (Hebrews 9: 14; 10: 22; 12: 1-2). Also once you know you are free you can freely love others and lead them into freedom (Gal 5: 13). People don’t care how much you know till they know how much you care. When you are free your freedom will liberate others (Mandela).

Focus and Clarity - Choose One goal

No matter what situation you are in at the moment you can change as God works in you in this New Year. And your change will lead others to change. What is the most drastic thing that people will notice about you in this New Year? What is the most drastic thing that people will notice about your church in this New Year? Choose one goal for the year and work on that with God's helps. As you do God will give you victory. 'He stores up success for the upright, He is a shield for those who live with integrity' (Proverbs 2:7). As you win, you will cause others to win. They will see tangible success in your life (even if that is through the difficulties of life) and they will want to follow you as you are following Christ. Let’s go for it in 2016.

May God richly bless you!

Making Disciples in 2015

(Be One, Make One)

….Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptising them…..teaching them to observe all I commanded you... (Matthew 28: 18 – 20)

Jesus parting message to his disciples was ‘Go and make disciples of all nations’ – This was not only his parting message but his life’s message. He called disciples to be with him and then sent them out to preach and demonstrate the gospel of the kingdom so that others could also experience his deliverance and become his disciples (Mark 3: 13 – 15). His instructions here were both imperative (a command) and indicative (a description of what we should be doing as a lifestyle) – ‘as you go therefore be making disciples…’ (Matthew 28: 19A)

Making disciples intentionally in the face of opposition

‘Go’ – This year we are going to have to fight for what God wants. In the UK we have a secular mind-set that breaks the laws of God, we have whole generations that don’t know God or the Bible and do not understand that life works better with God; we have multiple ideas about the spiritual world. There is going to be opposition from the enemy – he hates Jesus message being spread and God’s will being done.  We see here Jesus heart was clearly for discipleship. Both the active making of disciples of all nations and the lifestyle of being and showing discipleship as we are going about our daily business are important.  Discipleship starts by coming alongside those in the world who don’t know God but continues in the building up of those who are already on the journey of faith so that they become established in the foundations and move on to maturity (Hebrews 6: 1-2). It involves us giving to others but also being disciples ourselves of Christ. Being a disciple is about experiencing God’s love, loving and following Jesus, learning from him and being loyal to Him and His purposes.

Being a disciple

Being a disciple also involves the denying of ourselves, taking up our cross and following Jesus desires (Luke 14: 27). We have to count the cost of following Jesus; there will be times of denial of our immediate desires and also opposition from others. We see this in the life of Jesus as he fulfilled His father’s mission:

2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

(Hebrews 12: 2 – 3 NIV)

Restoring the Walls of the church

During 2015 we will also be looking at Nehemiah building the walls of Jerusalem and restoring sincere worship in the temple. In LNC we will emphasise the importance of working together in unity to build up one another and protect the church from spiritual attack. The returning Babylonian exiles had been desolate but they had not been forsaken. It took leadership, it took prayer, it took people stationing themselves where the gaps were and working together and guarding and building the city God had given them as an inheritance in order to see success. They had to be willing to listen to God appointed prophetic leadership and the trumpet call to rally them to fight together when the enemy attacked. They also had to be wise enough not to listen to the enemies’ lies. The devil will always contradict God’s word and try and discourage God’s people from the vision and prophetic word God has spoken over them (Nehemiah 4).

LNC

In LNC this year we believe God is calling us to emphasise being disciples and making disciples. This involves being good followers and good leaders. Good followers need to be able to listen and submit to God’s word to them. They also need to be able to covenant to work together with those God has called them to be with and recognise the godly leadership God is placing among them too. This was so important for the early disciples and early church and was equally as important for the returning exiles in Nehemiah’s day.

We will all need to be willing to do the work of ministry and defend and fight for God’s house and Kingdom. We will need to have the sword of the Spirit in one hand and our building tools in the other (Nehemiah 4: 17). We need to know the Word of God in order to apply it against the enemy’s discouragements (Nehemiah 4: 14 & Ephesians 6: 11 & 17). We also need to skilfully use our spiritual gifts to build up the church and strengthen its walls (1 Peter 4: 10). Through our Bible studies (see ‘the Bible and Lunch’ on the last Sunday of each Month in the Calendar), our cell groups, our men and women’s mentoring, our various evangelism and discipleship training weeks and our prayer conference and missions we will be given the tools to build, defend and fight for God’s Kingdom purposes and see the Church built up.

Conclusion

Let’s pray that God’s kingdom comes in our lives, families, churches and nation(s) in 2015. My prayer for LNC is that we are stronger together as the family of God, that we are wiser together in our decision making and that we grow spiritually, relationally and numerically this year. London needs us because London needs Jesus. This is also my prayer for all God’s people. The world needs you. Go and make disciples. Be built up as a disciple, and then build up and reach out. Let’s join together in building a Kingdom family that reaches generations in 2015.