Author: Jim Sanderbeck

Pastor Jim Sanderbeck

December 5, 2024

Now that the election is past and millions of prayers have been answered, my concerns for the Kingdom cause of Christ going forward into 2025 are two-fold.

1. Christians will not get weary in the battle because the battle is not over by any long shot.

I’m sure you have heard that at the Constitutional Convention on September 17, 1787, when asked if we had a republic or a monarchy, Benjamin Franklin responded: “a republic, if you can keep it.”

The Great Experiment of bottom-up governance will constantly be harassed by those who think of self-first and rule-through-control.  It is satan’s nature.  Satan is the father of lies and filled with deceit.  We must be ready for anything.  Using programs and strategies of deceit, lies, and lawlessness for control through fear will silently and then blatantly again rise to the surface if we do not stay alert.  Satan and his demonic forces do not just fade away.  Their modus operandi will be to continue to harass and consume in an attempt to weaken resolve and regain control of their unrighteous agenda against God.  The Ekklesia must not fall asleep or enter into lethargy.

Pro 6:9  How long will you lie down, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep? :10  “A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to rest”— :11  Your poverty will come in like a vagabond And your need like an armed man. (NASB)

Now that significant ground has been taken, the Ekklesia MUST press beyond the finish line through Jesus Christ.  We must not slumber or sleep but rather protect our righteous heritage lest we lose the republic and its righteous foundation.  This verse from the old Methodist Hymn must resound in the hearts of the Ekklesia.

Rise up, O men of God!
Have done with lesser things;
Give heart and mind and soul and strength
To serve the King of kings.

2. God will move to center stage in this nation by the intentional acts of those He has tapped to lead the nation back to the foundational covenants and purposes. I am concerned that attention will be focused so strongly on the man and the team of men and women fulfilling the actions of transformation that God will be moved to a lesser position.  To achieve the next Great Awakening, a worldwide billion-soul harvest, and the discipling of nations, only God can be center stage.

The victories achieved so far have been achieved because God has heard the cries of His people and has chosen to show grace and mercy even when neither is warranted.  The sins of the nation and the blood of millions cry out “GUILTY”, but God chooses once again to show Himself to be filled with mercy and compassion.

God’s mercy is not new.  Six hundred years before the birth of Jesus, Israel was divided into 2 kingdoms.  Sins similar to those that have been experienced in this nation were rampant in both the northern and southern kingdoms of Israel.  God was sending judgement and captivity upon them in the form of the Assyrians.  The prophet Micah spoke harshly to the people of their sin and warned of the coming judgement.  BUT, in the midst of that judgement, he spoke of hope for a remnant of the nation.

Mic 2:12  “But I will gather you together, all you people of Israel that are left. I will bring you together like sheep returning to the fold. Like a pasture full of sheep, your land will once again be filled with many people.” (GNB)

On the Dec. 5^th Give Him 15, Dutch Sheets refers to a prophetic word by Scott Reese.  A portion of that prophecy says:

“You will witness a breaking down of the political divide and see the establishment of a righteous government, holding a righteous scepter in their hands. You will see a governmental body actually stop and pray before a vote in order to ascertain My heart. The podium will be used for godly leaders crying out together in faith, as opposed to arguing, defending unrighteousness, offending My heavens, and shutting off the land from My purposes.”

When I heard this prophesy, my heart rejoiced.  God Father, Son, and Holy Spirit must be the center of what we do going forward.  Giving Him glory and praise must be intentional on the part of these new passionate leaders AND the Ekklesia.  This prophetic word is obviously on the heart of God, and we must heed its exhortation.

Every mountain of society is going to be impacted by the Spirit of God but only if we give God pre-eminence for the coming victories.  We must pray now for those who are positioned by God to bring about transformation to our nation.  That their hearts are soft to Him; their ears are quickened to hear the Voice of Holy Spirit.  That they will find counsel from Godly men and women.  That they will be obedient and not willing to bathe in the tub of glory that is only be reserved for Him.   SELAH.

To the Ekklesia: This prophetic word from Apostle Tim Sheets is God’s NOW directive to the Ekklesia.  I have said that Nov. 5^th was a “fence line” that is going to require a choice by everyone:  “Will you be for God, try to sit on the fence or be against God.”  For the Ekklesia, there is only one path to follow.  If you are asking God “what should I be”? and “what should I do now”?, this word is your clear directive

Jim Sanderbeck

Prophetic Word by Apostle Tim Sheets

Text copied from Give Him 15 on Nov. 15, 2024

Bold & Highlights by JAS

America’s recent election has been called “historic” numerous times. When something significant happens in the natural realm, one must also pay attention to what is concurrently taking place spiritually. A shift has taken place, resulting in an open heaven over our nation, and causing a different anointing to flow from Holy Spirit. He is anointing new assignments. The possibility of great turnarounds is before us and must be stewarded by Ekklesia. We must continue to be watchmen on the wall, offering up wise prayers to implement the right changes.

When I asked the Lord what the next step for the Ekklesia should be, He said,

“It is now time for My Ekklesia to embrace and live in a higher authority mindset, one that stewards wisely the principles I have revealed.”

The Lord spoke the following words to me after the election:

“The trumpets of war have sounded from Heaven. Arise Ekklesia; rise in your authority. You will find it more than enough. Rise and confront the forever loser with My words. As you do, he will flee from you, so rise and confront his dark kingdom. For the Lord declares the prevailing anointing now flowing will activate an attitude of heroes of faith.”

The phrase “attitude of heroes of faith” caught my (Apostle Sheets’) attention. An attitude means a settled way of thinking that is reflected in behavior; a mental state, or character that is demonstrated. It is also an aviation term related to a plane’s position and angle, enabling it to maintain stability.

The word continues:

“So arise, Ekklesia, as Holy Spirit anoints your behavior and disposition (the tendency of something to act in a certain manner under given circumstances) to represent Me in disciplined power. Holy Spirit is anointing the true church to behave differently and walk in new directions. Paths walked in authority towards hell’s advances in government or in culture are similar to the attitudes of My heroes of faith. New paths into harvest fields are also being prepared in order to reap a worldwide harvest. A billion soul harvest will be reaped, just as heroes of past reformations and revivals reaped the harvests of their day. 

“Arise, Ekklesia, as Holy Spirit shapes your disposition to reign with Me in great authority and reap My greatest harvest. For the anointing now being poured from Heaven will shift attitudes, actions, and mindsets, creating heroes of faith who work for My cause. Holy Spirit’s presence and anointings will affect the Ekklesia’s very disposition. This will be clearly seen, bringing fear into demonic strongholds. 

“For now, the intimidating Ekklesia will rise against hell in My breaker anointing, and My compassion will rise toward My harvest. A different behavior will be seen in My remnant warriors, attitudes and mindsets that reflect My power. They will not be intimidated. Rather, the weight of glory resting upon them will make them intimidators of hell’s kingdom. For My glory intimidates hell, says the Lord, and My glory will intimidate hell through this presence upon My Ekklesia. They will behave as those carrying a great weight of My glory and authority.

“Ekklesia, behave as sons and daughters. Behave as joint heirs with Me. The Lord says the world will now see the paths of My Ekklesia extending into all of the earth. The direction she travels will show an aggressive resistance to hell’s advances in government and cultures. The Ekklesia will now be presented as anointed for spiritual war, for battle, to reign, and to bring change. They’ll be anointed to work for My harvest, to reap the lost. I am anointing My Ekklesia with a determined attitude to prevail and win, just as I did Gideon’s 300 and David’s mighty men. 

“Shift now into a prevailing mentality, prevailing behavior. A determined anointing to win will now fill My remnant. They will not surrender My Kingdom to the governments of man, but will influence the governments of man with My ways. They will not surrender the spiritual weapons I’ve given them, but will use them. They will not hesitate at demonic clamor and activity. They will not relinquish their authority, their swords, or their spears. The sword of My word will swing from their mouths, empowered to demolish strongholds, scattering and shattering enemy plans. The sword of My word swung by My Ekklesia’s decrees will be a disruptive force, confusing the plans of demonic powers. It will disrupt the followers of Baal, causing disarray from coast to coast. 

“For you will see, even this month, says the Lord, and in the months to come, the acceleration of disarray. Confusion and bewilderment will mystify those committed to dark agendas. They will wear the yoke of their own confusion, reap their own destructive plans, and wander their paths of disillusion. 

“My Ekklesia will rise, and their attitude will reveal their trust in Me. They will surrender nothing. They will not take orders from kings, potentates, governors, congressmen or women, senators, prime ministers, mayors, city councils, school boards, professors, or woke mobs. My Ekklesia listens to Holy Spirit. Their orders come from Lord Sabaoth. They are those who stand for My cause without compromise. An anointing to prevail will produce great victories.”  

Antioch International Ministries & Living Word Church of New Wilmington host a “HEALING SUMMIT”

(Attendance by RSVP to jsanderbeck1@yahoo.com)

Livestreamed Around the World & Sponsored by: Oasis Church, Middletown, OH with Apostle Tim Sheets

Where: Living Word Church of New Wilmington

22 Victory Lane, New Wilmington, PA 16142

When: August 30^th, 2024

Time: Seating @ 6:45 PM with Service Time of 7:00 PM

Dress: Casual & Informal

This service is open to anyone in need of healing, a miracle, or deliverance.

Prophetically, God is saying that we are entering an era of signs, wonders, miracles, healing and deliverance as documented in Scripture.  Out of a live-streamed service from Oasis Church, you will be part of an epic worldwide congregation coming together to celebrate and believe for healings and miracles.  Local ministers & leaders will administer with prayer and the laying on of hands.  Find out more at www.oasiswired.org .

The prophet Exekiel said this, referring to the provision of the river of God:

Eze 47:9  “It will come about that every living creature which swarms in every place where the river goes, will live. And there will be very many fish, for these waters go there and the others become fresh; so everything will live where the river goes. …Eze 47:12  “By the river on its bank, on one side and on the other, will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither and their fruit will not fail. They will bear every month because their water flows from the sanctuary, and their fruit will be for food and their leaves for healing.”

Just prior to His ascension into heaven, Jesus was with His disciples and said:

Mark 16: 17  “These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name [Jesus] they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues; :18  they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” :19  So then, when the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. :20  And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them, and confirmed the word by the signs that followed. (NASB)

THIS is that time for us.  Why not us; why not now?

Jas 5:17  Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months. :18  Then he prayed again, and the sky poured rain and the earth produced its fruit. (NASB)

Mar 13:5  And Jesus began to say to them, “See to it that no one misleads you. :6  “Many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He!’ and will mislead many. :7  “When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be frightened; those things must take place; but that is not yet the end. :8  “For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will also be famines. These things are merely the beginning of birth pangs. :9  “But be on your guard; for they will deliver you to the courts, and you will be flogged in the synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them. :10  “The gospel must first be preached to all the nations. :11  “When they arrest you and hand you over, do not worry beforehand about what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour; for it is not you who speak, but it is the Holy Spirit. :12  “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and have them put to death. :13  “You will be hated by all because of My name, but the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.  (NASB)

“Pray Against America’s Arab Spring” 

Nick Manzo, AIM Apostolic Council July 24, 2024

I have been doing word studies on light, lamp, illumine, etc. in the last week.  I felt that I needed to focus on Jesus (always a good thing) because so much of our prayer focus has been spiritual warfare for America, Israel, and the harvest.

During my study on April 21, I heard the Spirit say, “Pray against America’s Arab Spring.”

I remembered the Arab Spring that eventually led to the Muslim Brotherhood gaining the leadership in Egypt’s government, and the chaos and oppression that followed.  I had to look up some details and found that the flash point for the Arab spring was that, in 2010, a young street vendor in Tunisia protested the economic and governmental difficulties of that season by self-immolation.  A protest movement, dubbed the “Jasmine Revolution” in the media, quickly spread through the country, then throughout much of the Arab world over the next several years.

The flash point today has been the Hamas atrocities against Israel, and the subsequent Israeli war against Hamas in Gaza.  The attack, backed by Iran against the nation of Israel, was a manifestation of the “prince of Persia”, the same demonic principality Michael had to overcome, so Gabriel could bring the answer to Daniel’s prayer.  I feel the warning I was given has been confirmed by the increased Pro Palestinian protests here and abroad.

Today, July 24, 2024, I am called back to the desires of the enemy to bring forth an Arab Spring against the United States and the Western World.  It is already being executed against Israel with attacks by Hamas (Palestine), Hezbollah (Lebanon), the Houthis (Yemen), and Iran.  We must remain a loyal ally of hers.

The exposure of antisemitism world-wide is part of the shaking that is forcing the darkness to reveal its hand.  The Pro-Palestinian demonstrations in Washington DC today when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke to Congress, are a harbinger of the unrest that we must pray against.  The socialist sponsored BLM riots are a pattern that may be emulated by the Pro-Palestinian supporters.  The failure of the Deep State to call those “Peaceful Protesters” rioters is a concern.

The boldness of the attack on President Trump, and the ineptness or corruption of the Secret Service in protecting him, have highlighted the depth of the endemic debasement of many of our American Government institutions.

We must continue to stand on the wall, decreeing and declaring the Word of the Lord, fulfilling  the scriptures of 2 Chronicles 7:14 “If My people…”, and Psalm 122:6-9 “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem…”.

THE SEASON OF AWAKENING, EXPOSURE AND JUSTICE IS UPON US

As I awakened, I immediately had this vision.  I was standing beside a large locomotive steam engine and as I looked out in front of me there was one set of train tracks extending to the horizon.  I was not on the train but standing beside it.  I could feel the train’s power.

I asked the Lord “what am I seeing?”  The Lord said “this train is carrying all of the evil doers and evil acts that have been purposed to change this nation from its foundational intents and purpose.  I have gathered them all together.”  Then I asked the Lord what are these tracks that I see?  Where do they go?”  The Lord responded “These tracks guide this train and they go for 150 miles.  When the train has traveled 10 miles, I will provide you a sign that will confirm this vision that I am showing you.”

I asked the Lord “what is meant by this?”  The Lord responded “The miles are the number of days in this vision.  On the tenth day, I will give a sign that will confirm that this is a true vision.  When the train reaches 150 miles, it and all that is on it will be destroyed.”  [I had the distinct impression that those on the train who would repent of the evil they had done and sincerely accept Jesus as their Savior before it reached the end of the tracks, they would be removed from the train.  I was also impressed that those who saw and understood this vision and accepted Jesus as it passed by would be awakened and saved.]  Immediately then, the train moved forward very quickly like a video on fast forward, and as it reached the horizon, I saw a great explosion of fire and smoke and the vision ended.

Interpretation:

I believe God is speaking to His Ekklesia to alert us that His plan for restoration and transformation is now being made known.  I believe that in 10 days (somewhere in the 2^nd week of July 2024) there will be a sign come forth that will confirm the validity of this vision so that the Ekklesia will know what is underway in the Spirit of God.  I believe in 150 days (somewhere in the 3^rd or 4^th week of November 2024) evil acts within the USA and evil doers who have perpetrated them will be fully exposed and removed.  [ I don’t know how.  That is up to God to deliver judgement and justice.  But what has been going on that is evil is going to be removed or destroyed.]  I believe that there will be miracles and deliverances along the way that will bring an alert to those who are cold and lukewarm to the things of God.  Opportunities to minister salvation and baptism in the Holy Spirit will be many.  I believe the next 150 days will be a call to repentance, righteousness and purity towards and for God.  Because of these recognized alerts, I believe we will see the next great awakening begin to take place with thousands being saved in this nation.  It is my counsel by the Holy Spirit to quickly come to attention, get prepared, and be obedient to all of Holy Spirit’s directions.

The following article is taken directly from Dutch Sheets and his Give Him 15 episode of May 30, 2024.  It is provided in its entirety (including references) and all credit for this rich article goes to Dutch Sheets–not Antioch International Ministries or myself, James Sanderbeck.  I provide it in reference to the recent request by Democratic Senators that Justice Samuel Alito recuse himself from any case related to the January 6^th Capitol events for flying the An Appeal To Heaven flag at his premises.  I am providing it to demonstrate the richness of United States of America heritage and for an awakening of factual history to every American and especially the Ekklesia.  In my opinion, this recusal request shows both the ignorance of history and the degree of fallen degradation that so-called Democratic leaders, especially these Senators, of the current government represents.

See the Link for entire article: https://www.givehim15.com/post/may-30-2024

Jim Sanderbeck, President

Antioch International Ministries

GIVE HIM 15

Dutch Sheets

May 30, 2024

The Appeal to Heaven Flag

As I stated yesterday, I was out of the office for a week, so am only now able to comment on the news of Justice Alito’s “egregious” behavior in flying the Appeal To Heaven flag. What was he thinking? Never mind that our first President, George Washington, commissioned the flag and flew it on our naval vessels. Doesn’t he know the flag is about prayer? The Justice should know that Judges must have nothing to do with prayer! And the most egregious of all, the flag was seen at the Capitol on January 6th! Every flag taken there should be banned from America! (Well, with the exception of Old Glory, which was also there.) If Justice Alito doesn’t resign, he should recuse himself from any future Supreme Court cases regarding prayer, patriotism, free speech, and evergreen trees!

Forgive my sarcasm and attempt at humor, but this controversy is so ridiculous it begs for it. It is now considered treasonous to fly one of the flags under which America was born. “Trump Derangement Syndrome” has now been revealed as actually “Christians and Patriots Derangement Syndrome.” It turns out he was right when he said it’s us the left is coming after, he’s just standing in the way.

Because of my promotion of the flag, Ceci and I began receiving phone calls and texts from reporters immediately after the news broke. They wanted to know if I knew the Justice, his wife, if I gave him the flag, and more. The answer to these questions was “No.” I have never met any of the Supreme Court Justices or any of their family members. And I have no idea where or how Justice Alito procured his flag. (In full disclosure, my office DOES sell them, as do Amazon and others.) I received my Appeal To Heaven flag from an America-loving wounded warrior who is actually fighting for his life from an illness he contracted while serving in Afghanistan.

I’m told that Speaker Johnson has the flag outside his office and that Senator Cotton is now flying one outside his, as well. I have never met these leaders either, and don’t know how they got their flags. Although I did find out from a leftist reporter recently that I am Speaker Johnson’s mentor! It’s amazing what you can learn from the mainstream media. I recently learned from a Christian watchdog, who partners with the mainstream media, that I caused January 6! (No, I wasn’t even there.)

Here is a brief summary of my introduction to the ATH flag and an explanation of its beginning, taken from my small book, An Appeal To Heaven:

“’Before I give you this gift,’ he said, ‘I need to explain the history behind it. It’s a replica of the flag displayed by George Washington and America’s founding fathers. This flag was actually used before the Stars and Stripes existed. In many ways, it is the banner under which America was born,’ he explained.

“‘This banner has the phrase “An Appeal To Heaven” across the top,’ he continued, ‘a phrase our Founders took from the writings of John Locke, an influential English philosopher from the mid-1600s. Locke wrote a series of papers on “Natural Laws,” stating that human rights originate with God, not government.’

“Locke made the case that when people have done everything humanly possible to experience those God-given rights and have failed to do so, there remains but one option:

And where the body of the people or any single man, is deprived of their right, or is under the exercise of a power without right, and have no appeal on earth, then they have a liberty to appeal to heaven…’(1)

“Major Ostan continued, ‘Locke’s phrase, “appeal to heaven,” connotes that when all resources and the ability to attain justice on earth are exhausted, an appeal to earth’s ultimate Judge is the final recourse. This concept would become a foundational philosophy in American society, used even in the Declaration of Independence.’

“Will went on to explain that George Washington and his contemporaries grabbed hold of this phrase in America’s cause for freedom from Britain’s tyranny. Having exhausted all peaceful possibilities of experiencing the liberty they so desired, the colonists realized their only hope for freedom was through war. Yet with Britain’s great military, weaponry, and wealth – contrasted by the colonist’s dire lack of these resources –  any military attempt to break free from British rule was preposterous, even laughable. Laughable, that is, unless Almighty God intervened.

“The stance of the colonists was simple. Their right to freedom came from God: He would help them. ‘We will appeal to heaven!’ they declared.

“And a flag was born.

“From the days of the pilgrims, godly men and women have believed the Almighty was involved in the birth of our nation. They also felt that if a nation chose to partner with and honor God, it would experience His favor and blessing in extraordinary ways. Washington and the colonial dreamers agreed. But they decided to take it a step further and find out if the Sovereign was, indeed, birthing ‘A city [nation] set on a hill that can’t be hidden…a light to the world’ (Matthew 5:14). They no doubt knew of John Winthrop, a leader of the puritan’s Massachusetts Bay Colony, using this verse in his 1630 speech on board the Arbella to describe what he believed God wanted to build in America.(2)

“General George Washington, leader of the American Revolution, obviously believed in this divine plan. He commissioned several ships for the Revolutionary War efforts and, highlighting their dependence on providential help; each vessel was to fly under the Appeal to Heaven banner, also known as the Pine Tree Flag.(3) The popularity of the flag spread and was soon flying throughout the colonies, as well as being adopted as the flag for the Massachusetts State Navy.(4) It became the symbol of these colonists’ unwavering spirit of liberty, as well as a clear statement of where they placed their faith.”(5)

Don’t be distracted by the accusations of the left. They want to intimidate us into silence. It’s a good thing to love America. My advice to all patriots, regardless of your religious affiliation or lack thereof: fly and salute your American flag EVERY DAY! Say the Pledge of Allegiance to Old Glory; stand for the anthem with your hand over your heart, and sing along LOUDLY.

To believers, my advice is: Fly BOTH flags! Salute one and pray under the other. Love God unashamedly; believe and honor the Bible – all of it; attend a church that isn’t afraid to preach truth, including the truth regarding America’s birth by God, and the purpose for which He did so. And by all means, attend one which teaches and encourages its congregants to vote biblical values.

Pray with me:

Father, thank You for giving us praying leaders in Washington. Strengthen their resolve to seek You for wisdom, and to ask for Your blessing on our nation. Give us many more who unashamedly fly the ATH flag, both Democrats and Republicans. No leader in America  – especially America – needs to be intimidated regarding mentioning You or embarrassed when doing so. Overrule the evil attacks against them, including President Trump. Encourage him, and may his heart be turned always to You. Restore justice to America’s defiled judicial system – from the DOJ down.

We ask You to overturn every effort to destroy America’s Judeo-Christian roots. We boldly declare that we ARE a “city on a hill,” as our Founders and Presidents have called us. We also acknowledge that this does not make us loved by You more than other people throughout the world. It is a calling to SERVE the nations by delivering the gospel of the Kingdom to them. We boldly declare that we will see this calling reemerge from its root system, though the tree has been damaged and its fruit spoiled. Your discipline will bring forth the peaceable fruit of righteousness once again. We appeal to You for these things and do so through the risen King, Jesus.

Our decree:

We decree that appealing to heaven is the believer’s right and America’s heritage.

******************************************************************************************

References:

1. John Locke, The Second Treatise of Civil Government. “Chapter XIV, Of Prerogative, Section 168.” 1690.
2. John Winthrop, “A Model of Christian Charity,” 1630.
3. American Memory. “Col. Joseph Reed to Col. John Glover and Stephen Moylan.” October 20, 1775. The Library of Congress. Memmory.loc.gov/mssp/mgw/mgw3b/001/08504.jpg
4. Naval History and Heritage Command. “The U.S. Navy’s First Jack.” U.S. Navy. Published December 17, 2014. www.history.navy.mil/browse-by-topic/heritage/banners/usnavy-first-jack.html
5. Dutch Sheets, An Appeal To Heaven, (Dutch Sheets Ministries, 2015).

WHAT IS THIS BIBLICAL EXPERIENCE REALLY ABOUT?

A BIBLE/WORD STUDY

 Pastor Jim Sanderbeck, May 2024

Luk 19:1  He [Jesus] entered Jericho and was passing through. :2  And there was a man called by the name of Zaccheus; he was a chief tax collector and he was rich. :3  Zaccheus was trying to see who Jesus was, and was unable because of the crowd, for he was small in stature. :4  So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree in order to see Him, for He was about to pass through that way. :5  When Jesus came to the place, He looked up and said to him, “Zaccheus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” :6  And he hurried and came down and received Him gladly. :7  When they saw it, they all began to grumble, saying, “He has gone to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” :8  Zaccheus stopped and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, half of my possessions I will give to the poor, and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will give back four times as much.”  (NASB)

:9  And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he, too, is a son of Abraham. :10  “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save THAT which was lost.” (NASB & KJV)

This is why we must be careful in Biblical translation.  (See NASB, KJV, AMP, TPT, MSG BIBLES)  Amplified concurs with authenticity of the KJV & NASB.  TPT & MSG translations could be insufficient in the accuracy of the translation.

All italics by JAS

SALVATION (Strong’s G4991) Soteria—rescue or safety (physically or morally); deliver, health, salvation, save, saving

HOUSE (Strong’s G3624) Oikos—of certain affinity, a dwelling (literally or figuratively), by implication a family, home, household, temple.

SEEK (Strong’s G2212) Zeteo—seek (literally or figuratively) specifically to worship God (or in a bad sense) to plot against life.  Go about, desire, endeavor, enquire (for), require, ? will seek (after, for, means)

SAVE (Strong’s G4982) Sozo—to save, that is, deliver or protect (literally or figuratively), heal, preserve, save (self), do well, be (make) whole.

So, What was the “THAT” which was lost?

Read Gen. 1:25-30, 2:7-9; & Gen. 3  especially vs 17-24 to get the foundational understanding of what the “that” was that was lost.

Gen 1:25  God made the beasts of the earth after their kind, and the cattle after their kind, and everything that creeps on the ground after its kind; and God saw that it was good. 26  Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” :27  God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. :28  God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” :29  Then God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the surface of all the earth, and every tree which has fruit yielding seed; it shall be food for you; :30  and to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the sky and to every thing that moves on the earth which has life, I have given every green plant for food”; and it was so. 

Gen 2:7  Then the LORD God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being. :8  The LORD God planted a garden toward the east, in Eden; and there He placed the man whom He had formed. :9  Out of the ground the LORD God caused to grow every tree that is pleasing to the sight and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

Gen 3:17  Then to Adam He said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree about which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat from it’; Cursed is the ground because of you; In toil you will eat of it All the days of your life. :18  “Both thorns and thistles it shall grow for you; And you will eat the plants of the field; :19  By the sweat of your face You will eat bread, Till you return to the ground, Because from it you were taken; For you are dust, And to dust you shall return.” :20  Now the man called his wife’s name Eve, because she was the mother of all the living. :21  The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife, and clothed them. :22  Then the LORD God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of Us, knowing good and evil; and now, he might stretch out his hand, and take also from the tree of life, and eat, and live forever”— :23  therefore the LORD God sent him out from the garden of Eden, to cultivate the ground from which he was taken. :24  So He drove the man out; and at the east of the garden of Eden He stationed the cherubim and the flaming sword which turned every direction to guard the way to the tree of life.  (NASB)

When God regularly met with Adam (& Eve), it was in a perfect garden that supplied for every need, (Eden) and in a perfect face-to-face family relationship.  Everything man needed for life, rule and stewarding was made available to him.  This provisionary and face-to-face relationship was meant for life for all time.  However, disobedience through deception (willful sin) brought about in the natural earth an unrepairable separation between man and God.  Man’s security and significance was lost.  Fear (they hid themselves) became their motivating factor.  Faith was exchanged for fear.  Instead of a complete dependence upon God for every need through the tree of life, man chose self-dependance through the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.  Man was put out of the garden for he was alienated from God.  (Gen. 2:16-17) The face-to-face relationship with God was lost.  All that was purposed for man was lost and cut off because of sin and man no longer could gain entry to the garden (Eden).  Most importantly, that which was lost was man’s relationship with God, his significance (authority & special position) and his security.

Genesis 12:1-3; 14:17-24; & Chapt. 15:5-6; 17-1-6.  Covenant relationship was provided as a way to re-connect with God.

Gen 12:1  Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go forth from your country, And from your relatives And from your father’s house, To the land which I will show you; :2  And I will make you a great nation, And I will bless you, And make your name great; And so you shall be a blessing; :3  And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.” (NASB)

Gen 14:17  Then after his return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley). :18  And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; now he was a priest of God Most High. :19  He blessed him and said, “Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; :20  And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” He gave him a tenth of all. :21  The king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give the people to me and take the goods for yourself.” :22  Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have sworn to the LORD God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth, :23  that I will not take a thread or a sandal thong or anything that is yours, for fear you would say, ‘I have made Abram rich.’ :24  “I will take nothing except what the young men have eaten, and the share of the men who went with me, Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre; let them take their share.” (NASB)

Gen 15:5  And He took him outside and said, “Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” And He said to him, “So shall your descendants be.” :6  Then he believed in the LORD; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness.

Gen 15:18  On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, “To your descendants I have given this land, From the river of Egypt as far as the great river, the river Euphrates:

Gen 17:1  Now when Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty; Walk before Me, and be blameless. :2  “I will establish My covenant between Me and you, And I will multiply you exceedingly.” :3  Abram fell on his face, and God talked with him, saying, :4  “As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you, And you will be the father of a multitude of nations. :5  “No longer shall your name be called Abram, But your name shall be Abraham; For I have made you the father of a multitude of nations. :6  “I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make nations of you, and kings will come forth from you. :7  “I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your descendants after you. (NASB)

The Abrahamic covenant of the Old Testament (Covenant) promised a way of blessing and relationship back with God for and through Abram.  God saw in Abram a man of faith in God and reckoned it unto Abram as righteousness which had been was lost by Adam.  Abram becomes Abraham (father of many nations) and by his obedience and faith in that covenant resulted in the birth of Isaac (the promise) and ultimately the people became Israel.  However, under this covenant, the only way for that covenant of relationship with God to continue was through the law.  A priest now (signified by Melchizedek [some say he was Jesus] and the priestly order that followed) was an intermediary between man and God.   Man was still under the curse of Genesis 3 and the only way man could have a relationship with God and overcome the evil was through a blood sacrifice and legal practices.  Face-to face relationship with God remained lost.  The relationship would be termed today as religion (A particular variety of beliefs, especially when organized into a system of doctrine and practice; A set of beliefs, values, and practices) and institutional (A custom, practice, relationship, or behavioral pattern of importance in the life of a community or society -; long association with a specified place, position, or function).

Ezekiel 37:21-28  The promise of a united nation and a new covenant.  The nation had split into 2 groups—(10 tribes + 2 tribes-Judah & Benjamin)

Eze 37:21  “Say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD, “Behold, I will take the sons of Israel from among the nations where they have gone, and I will gather them from every side and bring them into their own land; :22  and I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel; and one king will be king for all of them; and they will no longer be two nations and no longer be divided into two kingdoms. :23  “They will no longer defile themselves with their idols, or with their detestable things, or with any of their transgressions; but I will deliver them from all their dwelling places in which they have sinned, and will cleanse them. And they will be My people, and I will be their God. :24  “My servant David will be king over them, and they will all have one shepherd; and they will walk in My ordinances and keep My statutes and observe them. :25  “They will live on the land that I gave to Jacob My servant, in which your fathers lived; and they will live on it, they, and their sons and their sons’ sons, forever; and David My servant will be their prince forever. :26  “I will make a covenant of peace with them; it will be an everlasting covenant with them. And I will place them and multiply them, and will set My sanctuary in their midst forever. :27  “My dwelling place also will be with them; and I will be their God, and they will be My people. :28  “And the nations will know that I am the LORD who sanctifies Israel, when My sanctuary is in their midst forever.”‘” (NASB)

This promise of a new covenant was now prophesied and this new covenant promises that what was lost (relationship of being face-to-face with God) would be forever re-established.

Matthew 1 especially vs 17; John 3:16-21; and Luke 22:14-20

Mat 1:17  So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; from David to the deportation to Babylon, fourteen generations; and from the deportation to Babylon to the Messiah, fourteen generations.

Joh 3:16  “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. :17  “For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. :18  “He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. :19  “This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. :20  “For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 3:21  “But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.”

Luk 22:14  When the hour had come, He reclined at the table, and the apostles with Him. :15  And He said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; :16  for I say to you, I shall never again eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” :17  And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He said, “Take this and share it among yourselves; :18  for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine from now on until the kingdom of God comes.” :19  And when He had taken some bread and given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” :20  And in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood.

The coming of Jesus Christ (Messiah), His sinless life, His shed blood in death, His resurrection to life eternal and His ascension to His heavenly throne as the advocate for man restores everything that was lost for those who believe.  That which was lost is redeemed and the face-to-face relationship with God is forever established.  And finally, Jesus makes the way for man to enter a new covenant with all authority, significance and security restored.

Mat 16:16  Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” :17  And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. :18  “I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. :19  “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.”

Mat 28:18  And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. :19  “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, :20  teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

So, What was the “THAT” which was lost?

• Intimate Family Relationship with God (God wanted a family so He created man in His image).
• Man’s Significance, Rank, Confidence
• The Authority To Steward All Of Creation
• Man’s Security, Safety & Provision

These were the “that’s” which were lost.  Most importantly our face-to-face intimate relationship with God.  But through the new covenant in Jesus Christ everything that was lost has now been restored.  The law was fulfilled in Jesus.  He has sought us and saved us because we were lost from Him.  Remember the parable of the lost sheep:

Mat 18:10  “See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven continually see the face of My Father who is in heaven. :11  [“For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.] :12  “What do you think? If any man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go and search for the one that is straying? :13  “If it turns out that he finds it, truly I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine which have not gone astray. :14  “So it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones perish.

Luk 19:9  And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation (rescue/deliverance) has come to this house, because he, too, is a son of Abraham. :10  “For the Son of Man has come to seek (search for specifically to worship God) and to save (to make whole) THAT which was lost.” (NASB)

Eph 2:8  For by grace (unmerited favor; divine enablement) you have been saved (made whole) through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; :9  not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. :10  For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

Pastor Jim Sanderbeck

January 11, 2024

As I recently sent in a vision email to our Antioch International Ministries, as we began 2024, I believe God Is challenging us to now pursue doors of opportunity that clearly lie within our own personal and corporate spheres of influence.  To expand the Kingdom in the earth, we must now engage fully.  We can not be just hearers or readers of the Word but we must be doers also.  We must take full opportunity to engage with the world around us.  If we want to truly be part of the church Jesus is building, we must apply and appropriate the instructions of His Word.  No more lethargy or complacency.  The word is ENGAGE!

For some time I have been quoting and sharing two scripture passages that clearly teach us that we are not located in the times we live by accident and that we have very clear authority to enact and legislate on behalf of God and His Kingdom.

• Acts 17:26-27

Act 17:26  and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation,

Act 17:27  that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us;

• Matthew 16:18-19

Mat 16:18  “I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; [ekklesia – a legislative body within a territory with the authority of rulership to enact laws and make legal decisions] and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.

Mat 16:19  “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.”

I use the passage in Acts to communicate that we are not located in a place or in a time by accident.  It tells us that no matter our position or timeframe, God is not far from us but we have to search for and find Him.  (This is not strange because many places in Scripture we are told our job is to seek and find Him.  One example is Jerimiah 29:13 as well as many others.)

I use the scripture in Matthew to communicate that as sons of God we have been given authority by Jesus to legally legislate what goes on in the places and seasons where He has positioned us.  (This is also not strange because Jesus tells us in multiple Scriptures that He has given us who follow Him authority over evil and unrighteous things.  One example is Luke 10:19-20.)

As we began our AIM Book Review series this month, one point of discussion led us to the word metron as a descriptive of “sphere of influence.”  This word is used scripturally in the context of “metering out” a measured portion of something. In this context, Paul was speaking of the authority metered out to him, the measure he had been given by God at Corinth.

“For we are not bold to class or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves; but when they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are without understanding. But we will not boast beyond our measure, but within the measure of the sphere which God apportioned to us as a measure, to reach even as far as you. For we are not overextending ourselves, as if we did not reach to you, for we were the first to come even as far as you in the gospel of Christ; not boasting beyond our measure, that is, in other men’s labors, but with the hope that as your faith grows, we will be, within our sphere, enlarged even more by you, so as to preach the gospel even to the regions beyond you, and not to boast in what has been accomplished in the sphere of another. But he who boasts is to boast in the Lord. For it is not he who commends himself that is approved, but he whom the Lord commends.”  (2 Corinthians 10:12-18 NASB)

“Sphere” is from the Greek word kanon, which means “a sphere of rule or activity; a boundary.” Paul recognized not only his measure of authority, but also the places where he had been assigned this authority. He knew there were boundaries or limits to it, but he was also very aware that he absolutely did possess God-given authority in his God-given spheres.

THE VERY NEXT DAY after our discussion, Dutch Sheets spoke about metron and spheres of influence in his devotional on Give Him 15.  Here is the link to that devotional:

https://www.givehim15.com/post/january-11-2024

The explanation and the vision for 2024 could not be more clear.  It is time for Awakening, Revival and Transformation.  It is time for Exposure, Accountability and Justice.

God is clearly telling us that our assignment is at least two-fold in 2024.  We are assigned to pray like our world, nation and lives depend on it because it does.  Prayer that is not weak nor loosely general.  Rather, prayer that is filled with the power and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.  Prayer with legislative authority and declarations of what is permitted and not permitted in OUR SPHERES OF INFLUENCE.  Truly, things have moved now to the “tipping point.”  The days of spectatorship for those who truly are of the Ekklesia is over.  Secondly, we are assigned to engage by taking every opportunity to touch the world around us by impacting our spheres of influence.  Believers and unbelievers alike are struggling to make sense of an inside-out and upside-down world.  Only one person can straighten that out—His name is Jesus.  Let’s join together with one another and the Angelic Host of heaven and win our world to the King and His Kingdom.  If you win your world and I win mine and if that pattern extends across the nation and around the world, 2024 will tip creation back on balance.  TOGETHER, WE CAN!!

Pastor Jim Sanderbeck

December 6, 2023

I know we are entering the Christmas season.  And most leaders will bring forth celebratory exhortations as we come together in worship and fellowship—as we should.  I don’t want to hinder or take away this powerful season of honoring our Savior King’s birth.

Chairos Moment

However, in midst of this celebratory season, we are experiencing a chairos (ki´-ross) moment.  [Chairos: A moment defined in the Greek as “the right time”; God’s time.  A time when God breaks into chronos (chronological time) and releases His magnificent Kingdom plan and purpose.  Jesus said, “it is not my time.”  (John 6:7,8)  (I.e. The time for Him to be revealed as the Messiah had not yet been reached.)  The chairos moment had not yet come].

Holy Spirit is speaking and directing us to come to the wall with weapons and tools.  (Nehemiah. Chapter 4)  Just like the Jews of Nehemiah’s day, I believe that we are in a chairos moment of time as well as the Christmas season.  Nehemiah said in 4:20 “wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, run to that place.  Our God will fight for us.”  The trumpet in that case sounded the chairos moment.  We must hear that trumpet for us today.

This Christmas season we are in an unprecedented season of warfare.  It is a chairos moment for the Ekklesia (the church Jesus is building) to be revealed as God’s authority in the earth through Jesus Christ.  True, if you have been involved with spiritual matters over any of the last 30 years, we have experienced some aspect of spiritual warfare.  I was introduced to spiritual warfare back in the early 1990’s.  However, this chairos moment of spiritual warfare is at a higher and more intense level than, perhaps, ever before.  I’m experiencing and learning that what came before as spiritual warfare was an elementary preparation for what is happening today.

The Lion Of Judah, The Ekklesia, And The War.

Over many decades and longer, the western church has been made very familiar with Jesus as the Lamb, but the western church is way behind in knowing Jesus as the Lion of Judah.  Please understand that both Lion and Lamb demonstrate our God’s great love for man.  The Lamb of God acts to love through everything salvation has to offer.  The Lion of Judah acts to love through conviction of sin and ultimate judgement of all that is unrighteous.  In both cases, he operates out of His love.

Today, in chronos time, God will continue to operate by showing Himself as the Lamb, but it is a chairos moment for the Lion of Judah’s (Rev. 5:5) appearance over the evil, lawlessness, and unrighteousness that is completely out of hand in the USA and around the world.  The Lion has come on the scene to judge the stench of sin and unrighteousness that comes from those who have rejected Him and His Kingdom.  The Ekklesia is His agreement in the earth.

Believers have a Kingdom assignment and purpose.  In this day, when you obediently follow God’s directives, the enemy is threatened more than ever before.  He recognizes that, as the Ekklesia learns who they are and continues to aggressively move to advance the Kingdom of God, his time is short.  Today, he has been so prideful and arrogant that he has been caught in the midst of his lies.  His lies are exposed and the power of fear has been overcome.  Jesus said, “I saw satan fall light lightening” [Luke 10:18], and John wrote in the Revelation of Jesus Christ “the dragon and his angels [satan and his fallen angels] was just not strong enough”. [Rev. 12:7-8]  Satan has been trying to do all he can to bring unprecedented fear and has gone overboard in his tactics of pain and atrocities against humanity, God’s chosen, and those unwilling to submit or compromise the promises of God through Jesus Christ.  However, the Lion of Judah is now roaring.  Don’t poke a lion with a stick.

How Is This War To Be Fought?

Under the leading of Holy Spirit, It  means that praise and worship needs to be understood and used as a weapon of war.  It  means we are to be praying and declaring the Word of God over our circumstances in the Name and by the Blood of Jesus.  We’ve done these things in the past but not as aggressively and intently as is necessary today.  It is going to have to be not daily but multiple times during the day.  Whenever Holy Spirit quickens our spirits, we must engage.

Recently, teachers and prophets have been saying that we need to “cooperate” with the Angelic Host of Heaven in this raging spiritual war.  What does that mean and how is it to be carried out?  I’m learning now to implement way beyond the elementary levels of the spiritual warfare of the 1990’s.  It is inviting and commissioning our angels to gather and minister on behalf of the Ekklesia.  It is speaking the Word of God to the angelic host and they will carry out God’s Word. (Ps. 103:20)

My friends, we are in an all-out war against hell’s evil spirits.  These panicked demons are rotten, blatant and in your face in this hour.  At least in our lifetime, they are operating at levels not experienced before.  They will kill you if they can. They are manifesting on every social/cultural mountain.  [As an example: Look at the word of the people-group that has brought terror to the nation and people of Israel.  They are called Hamas. The Hebrew word for violence is hamas.  Genesis 6:11,13]  How much of an accident is that?

Today, I encourage everyone reading this article to “gird up your loins”, “Eph 6:13  take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.”  And on behalf of all believers (especially those with whom you have close relationship,  Eph 6:18  With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints”.  Look closely at the intent and the deeper meaning Apostle Paul was communicating in these passages.  He wasn’t just passing time or speaking into the air.  WE MUST STEP IT UP!  We have not been here before.  We must move in symphonic agreement with Holy Spirit in spiritual matters that concern us and our assignments.  We must work in cooperation with the angels.  All of these things together is what is releasing the roar of the Lion of Judah.

In closing, Merry Christmas to you.  May you celebrate the birth of King Jesus with reckless abandon.  Additionally, I pray God’s wisdom, understanding, protection be upon and within you, your ministry assignments, and your family in this season of war.  I pray that the Lion of Judah will manifest against every form of evil arrayed against you.  And, I pray that your weapons will be battle hardened, sharp and strong in every satanic encounter.  May our God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) get all glory and find us obediently being His ambassadors in the earth.  You are Joel Chapter 2.