Steps to Reach Entire Cities for Christ

[Acts 19:1-12 KJV] “And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, [2] He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. [3] And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism. [4] Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. [5] When they heard this , they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. [6] And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. [7] And all the men were about twelve. 

[8] And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God. [9] But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus.

[10] And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks. [11] And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: [12] So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them”.

I have faith that this thing shall grow and take over the entire city and every other city the Lord shall send us to. In the same way that 12 men, together with their pastor, could reach the whole of Asia in 2 years, we can reach entire cities for Christ. Nothing shall stop us. If God did it for Ephesus, that same God will do it for us. You don’t need any special gift to reach entire cities for Christ.

To reach entire cities for Christ;

1. Recieve the Holy Ghost if you have believed: 

Be anointed, hunger for the anointing. Jesus told them to wait in Jerusalem until they are endued with power from on high (Luke 24:44-52).

2. Be separated and decided to be part the faithful remnant: 

Every mission begins with a little flock. The mission in Ephesus began with twelve men who had believed after the extensive work of the apostle, Appollos. Your church may start with 2 or 3 attendees, but decide to be part and committed to that remnant. Because God always works with a remnant.

3. We must be committed to regular fellowship, teaching and prayer with thanksgiving and without wrath:

Sometimes, traveling long distances to go and preach to 2 people can be very frustrating when you forget the value of a soul. I exhort you to be committed to this fellowship and teaching and prayer meetings. This is why God is showing us “little” mercies, don’t play down on it.

4. Team up with others who call upon God out of a sincere heart to infiltrate the dark world:

Step out two by two to infiltrate the dark world with the gospel and power; in obedience to preach the kingdom, heal the sick, and cast out devils. We must reach out. We must preach; men to men, women to women, children to children. God sent Paul and Barnabas,  not Paul and Cynthia; Paul traveled with Silas, not Sussan. Care should be taken when we are on the mission field.

5. Give honest and timely feedback:

Don’t wait to be asked, you must report back. The disciples reported back to Jesus. They did not wait for Jesus to call them, they reported back to Him. They gave Him feedback. Not just on missions but even feedback on their personal lives.

6. Arise to thread upon serpents, and scorpions, and every power of the enemy:

Arise with force to crash the gates of hell. Without prayer and aggressive warfare, most of our churches will be empty.

7. Be willing to be an allos:

Another of the same kind. They took aprons from the body of the apostle and laid it on the sick. They did not have a personal plan or strategy. They were willing to walk in the wisdom of their father. There is nothing like being “original”. Any missionary who is not willing to be an allos will remain alone. You must be willing to look like and do things as your pastor.

May you get to the place where we can amplify our ministry through signs and wonders. Everybody in the church became a miracle worker. Everybody could cast out devils. We can also amplify our ministries and walk in the supernatural. Be blessed.

I love you!

Noah Simpe Bediako

Originally published at highcity.org

Break the Hold of Superstition by Preaching Jesus

[Acts 17:16-23 KJV] “Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry. [17] Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him.

[18] Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection. [19] And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is ? [20] For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean. [21] (For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.)

[22] Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars’ hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. [23] For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD . Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you”.

One of the greatest challenges to missions is the widespread superstitious beliefs that define the culture and lifestyle of our cities. In many of our cities, the gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ is not making a significant impact because our populace have bought into religious superstitions.

The story of Paul in Athens is very similar to what prevails in many of our cities. Many of us are given to idolatry and superstition. For instance, in our cities in Ghana, we follow the craze for money and fame, and many are deceived and led astray by the popular notions and beliefs without even cross-checking to see their truthfulness.

As we decide to embark on missions, many of us will have to confront the status quo. We must challenge the popular notions and belief systems that are contrary to the doctrine of Christ. This is the time to stand up with the truth and fight off every error that plagues the generation of men and women in our cities.

When the apostles entered the city and saw that the city was given to idolatry, they began to preach to them. They preached Christ Jesus as the doctrine. Paul did not mince words, he taught them the doctrine of Christ and exhorted them to believe on Him.

This is the time to preach Jesus Christ to the cities. We must rebuke darkness and bring in light. We must preach the gospel to the city and cause the Lord to reign in the city.

Stay blessed; I love you!

Noah Simpe Bediako

Originally published at highcity.org

Contending for Cities

“And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison. Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where 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 spake, 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. But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one: To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God. And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries. But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.” (Acts 8:1‭-‬13 KJV)

In this text I see a beautiful drama that is played out by four individuals:

1. One persecutor
2. One martyr
3. One evangelist
4. One wizard

I see how one man, Saul, could make life a living hell for the entire church; how one deacon believed unto death, and the whole church was revived and strengthened; I see how one deacon by prayer, preaching, and working of miracles and signs could contend for and liberate a city.

Philip, without a choir, without prayer warriors, with no supervision could single-handedly content and liberate the entire city of Samaria. Wow! so the question I ask is, “who is this Philip?”

“Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.” (Acts 6:3‭-‬6 KJV)

1. He was a man of honest report
2. He was a man full of the Holy Ghost
3. He was a man full of wisdom
4. He was a man who belonged and submitted to a church till he was appointed
5. He was a man who continued in the apostles’ prayer
6. He was a man with the hand and prayer of the apostles over his head

This our time! We can also do more. It’s time to contend and liberate our city. We don’t give a damn as to what others are doing and what titles people call them by. We know what we have been taught. We shall desire the anointing and go out and preach the word of God.

This is the time to preach the gospel and work mighty signs and wonders that will liberate this city in the name of Jesus, Amen!

I love you, stay blessed!

Originally published at highcity.org

Influencing Cities with Mighty Power

“Arise [from spiritual depression to a new life], shine [be radiant with the glory and brilliance of the Lord ]; for your light has come, And the glory and brilliance of the Lord has risen upon you.” (Isaiah 60:1 Amplified Bible)

​ Rising and raising others to influence this city and witness mighty miracles is the core mandate of the church. In other words, we exist to make disciples of the nations.

Bible Reading: Isaiah 60:1-6

We can influence our city on all the social, economic, political mountains of life. In faith and religion; family and health; law and governance; media and communication; science and technology; education and training; art and entertainment; business and commerce.

We must be able to influence these economic and social blocks; and witness mighty miracles right there. When the Lord walked on the earth, his influence was felt in all aspects of social, economic, and policies life. His body on earth today cannot do otherwise. we must arise and influence the cities, especially our cities.

The Bible tells us about how apostle Paul came into the city of Ephesus and found 12 committed disciples but even in the face of great opposition and unbelief, they reached all of Asia with the gospel and mighty miracles. I believe we can follow their example and fill our cities with the gospel and mighty miracles. It does not take much.

Influencing a city does not require lightening and flamboyance. Influencing your city and witnessing mighty miracles must be the common quest of the entire Christian church. We must desire to see mighty miracles and great deeds in our cities. We should want to see the cripples walking, blind eyes opened, and the oppressed liberated. (Acts 19:1-12)

The prophet instructs us in Jeremiah 4: 1-7

1. Break up your fallow grounds;don’t sow among thorns. The Lord upbraided them of their unbelief (Mark 16:14) He broke up their fallow grounds.
2. Circumcise your hearts;you cannot put new wine into old wine skins (Luke 5:37-38)
3. Arise and rally;it’s time to end oppression
4. Set up the standards towards Zion;set your mind on things above. Seek ye first the kingdom and righteousness God (Matthew 6:33)
5. Sow yourselves in righteousness;except a corn of wheat falls into the ground and die, it abides alone (John 12:24)

This is because the day of judgement is coming, it is a day reckoning. This is the day in which we shall all appear before the great king to be judged. We would all have to answer for all the things we did while on earth.

Stay blessed; I love you!

Originally published at highcity.org