Who We Are as a Church in the Spiritual Realm and Who We Are Called to Be in the Earthly Realm?

1. We are a people sent by God into the world with prophetic grace and a mandate to spread God’s truth in our generation. For the Spirit of Christ is the “spirit of prophecy” (Rev. 19:10). The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of prophets and prophecy. That is why, by our very nature, we are a prophetic Church. This is how the Church of Christ was designed from the very beginning (Acts 2:17–18).

The grace in this church is, in essence, the grace of apostolic-prophetic ministry. A prophet is someone whom God has chosen and specially clothed with the Holy Spirit, set apart so that he may hear, see, and proclaim the whole counsel and oracles of the Lord (Jer. 1:5–12; Eph. 3:2–11; John 16:13; 1 Cor. 2:10; Acts 2:1–4, 17–18).

2. The Bible is a prophetic book from Genesis to Revelation. The first five books of the Bible, often classified as “the Law,” were received and written down by the prophet Moses and therefore are prophetic words. Abraham, the father of the covenant of all born-again believers, was directly called a “prophet” by God (Gen. 20:7). In fact, according to the standards of Holy Scripture, we believers today have a prophetic heritage (Gal. 3:13–15, 26–29).

3. In Christ today, we are like Isaac. Isaac inherited the prophetic root as the promised child of prophecy (Gal. 4:6, 28). Therefore, we as the Church are prophetic. Jacob was the son of Isaac chosen by God to carry the prophetic heritage into the future. As a prophet, he prophesied Israel’s future through his twelve sons (Gen. 49). Joseph inherited the same spirit and demonstrated the wisdom of a prophet, becoming the ruler of Egypt.

4. Judah, the son of Jacob the prophet, passed his prophetic inheritance to David. David, though he was a king, strongly manifested the spirit of prophecy, as we see in the book of Psalms. Greatness and victories became possible because he identified himself with the inherited spirit of prophecy—the roar of the Lion of the tribe of Judah (Amos 3:7–8; Rev. 5:5–6). Jesus came as the “Son of David,” from the tribe of Judah. Jesus is the embodiment of the spirit of prophecy (Rev. 19:10–13). Therefore, His Church—the Church that Jesus is building—cannot be anything other than a “prophetic Church.”

5. The New Testament is a book of prophecies that have been fulfilled and that are yet to be fulfilled (Rev. 17:17; Eph. 5:13–18). In fact, the last book of the New Testament—the book of Revelation—is one hundred percent prophetic. Therefore, we can confidently conclude that the New Testament Church, the victorious Church of Christ in this last time, is a prophetic movement. That is why it is incorrect, from a biblical and theological point of view, to limit ourselves to definitions such as a “Baptist,” “Pentecostal,” or “Charismatic” church. This is said without any bias against these denominations. Moreover, we belong to the “Word of Faith” movement. And the fathers of this unprecedented movement in the history of modern Christianity are all “sent prophets.”

Who are we as a Church? We are a prophetic new generation sent by God into our world! Each of us who is in this church today has a choice—to fully identify with this prophetic generation. But we must also be careful and remember that “double-mindedness” is not accepted in the Kingdom of God. No one can be in two places at once and still receive the promise God has appointed (Jas. 1:8).

In April 1999, during a personal three-day fast and prayer, the Lord visited me and said: “It is time to move forward. I want you, together with Me, to raise up people of dominion and kingly thinking—free from oppression, who walk in the spirit of breakthrough and live in victory...”

The “Living Grace” Church is an apostolic-prophetic church called to raise up “kings and priests” for God for the purpose of exercising dominion on earth in every sphere of life. This is the church Jesus revealed to me (His servant Sidney Innocent) and commanded me to build according to the pattern and plan that were given (Ex. 25:40).

God’s prophetic design has always been to have “kings and priests” on the earth (Ex. 19:5–6; Isa. 61:6; 1 Pet. 2:9; Rev. 5:9–12; Isa. 60:1–4). This means that we are God’s people who deeply understand what redemption has made us. (As written in the book “Attention! Kings Are Coming”). Through this awareness, God positions us as a church that attracts the elite of our society (Isa. 60:1–4).

We are a church that keeps in view and recognizes its dual status in redemption and its covenant responsibility to manifest it in practice: as kings—to reign on the earth (Rom. 5:17), and as priests—to serve God by representing Christ to those who do not know God (2 Cor. 5:17–20).

As God’s “kings” on earth, we have received the scepter of righteousness to manifest God’s righteous rule and authority in every sphere of life and society. Both spiritually and outwardly—even in how we dress. Kings do not dress carelessly! (Ex. 28:2). By the power of God we are called to destroy the works of the devil and dismantle all designs of darkness, and also—by the wisdom of God and discernment—to build systems and organizations that bring solutions that can come only from God’s children in every sphere of life (Mark 6:2; Job 29:11–25; Prov. 24:3–6).

As God’s “priests” on earth, we are justified to serve God’s interests, proclaiming His glory to all people: to pray for the salvation and redemption of those who are not yet born again through knowing Jesus Christ; to witness to men and women, persuading them to come to Christ and become members of the Church (1 Pet. 2:9; 1 Tim. 2:1–4; Luke 14:23).

We are a church called to embody the physical reality of Jesus’ prayer: “Your Kingdom come; Your will be done, as in heaven, so on earth” (Matt. 6:10). Don’t you want to be a serious and faithful member of such a church? I believe this is your desire—that is why you are reading this.

We are called to be part of the prophetic program and the program of advancing the Kingdom (Mic. 4:1–2; Isa. 2:2–3). Jesus in Matthew 6:33 established this prophetic agenda as a covenant through which “all other things” will be supernaturally added to us without prayer or exhausting struggle for it. Isaiah 65:17–25 vividly portrays the prophetic picture of what this covenant looks like in real life.✝️✨

“WE ARE A CHURCH THAT EMPHASIZES THE PROPHETIC NATURE OF THE WORD OF GOD, THE PRACTICE OF BIBLICAL FAITH, THANKSGIVING AND PRAISE, PRAYER, THE GATHERING OF THE SAINTS, SALVATION / REDEMPTION, AND THE FULLNESS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.”

What does this mean?

We are an apostolic-prophetic Church endowed with prophetic grace and a mandate to reign as kings and priests. In practice, this means that we are called to emphasize such prophetic realities that lead to dominion and victorious living: THE PROPHETIC NATURE OF THE WORD OF GOD, THE PRACTICE OF BIBLICAL FAITH, THANKSGIVING / PRAISE, PRAYER, THE GATHERING OF THE SAINTS, SALVATION / REDEMPTION, AND THE FULLNESS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. (Isa. 2:1–3; Mic. 4:1–2; Isa. 11:1–4; Joel 2:1–11, 15–19, 21–27; 2 Pet. 1:19; Acts 20:24–28, 32; 1 John 1:1–2; Rom. 10:8–17; Acts 2:1–4, 17–21; Heb. 11:6, 32–35; John 1:1–5; 1 John 1:1–2; Acts 4:31; 1 Thess. 5:18; Jer. 30:19–21; 1 Tim. 2:1–4; Luke 14:16–23; Eph. 5:14–18; Heb. 10:22–27, etc.).

I think you are now beginning to see what kind of Church Jesus is building together with us. We are not here as “jugglers” or “entertainers,” but to demonstrate in this one and real life the “life in abundance” that Jesus brought us. (John 10:10) This is God’s agenda for the Church of the last time. (Mic. 4:1–2; Zech. 8:19–23)

As God’s servant and your pastor, this prophetic vision is what daily compels me to follow Jesus with all my heart, all my soul, and all my strength! This is my motivation and the reason why I preach the way I preach, speak the way I speak, and do everything the way I do. I am a covenant-bound man who has consciously made the decision to please and obey the One who called me—the Lord Jesus Christ! The Church belongs to Him. (Matt. 16:18) And to Him alone I give and will give all glory!!!

Will you obey the Lord and follow me as I lead you to your “rich place” in Christ? (1 Cor. 11:1, 2 Tim. 3:8-10, 1 Cor. 4:16, Phil. 3:17)

Make a decision before it is too late! For there is a great difference between a “follower” and a “visitor.” Only followers can be changed by the power of God and brought to greatness. (Matt. 4:19)

“Let Your Kingdom come. Let Your will be done, as in heaven, so on earth.” (Matt. 6:10)

The importance of understanding who we are as a Church in the realms of the spirit cannot be overstated. For on earth it must be as it is defined and designed in the heavenly realities. What we become and what we can achieve begins with knowing who we are. To be in church and not know what the Church is, what it stands for, and what it is called to do is a position of defeat.

In Acts 19:13–16 we see how the devil dealt with the sons of the high priest who tried to cast out demons in the name of Jesus. The evil spirit asked them, saying: “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?” If you do not know who you are in the spiritual realms, the name of Jesus, though mighty, will not give you the desired result. The devil fears and respects the name of Jesus only in the mouths of believers who know who they are.

LISTEN: WE, AS INDIVIDUAL BELIEVERS, ARE WHO THE CHURCH WE BELONG TO IS! We can build our lives only according to the divine pattern given for our church. You cannot rise above what you know your church to be. Jesus builds your life according to the VISION He gave for the Church. When a pastor has no understanding of what the church should be and has no clear vision from Jesus, then all that is visible is merely a religious game.

Therefore, it is vitally important to know who we are as a Church! Our expectations in life as devoted church members must flow from who the Church is called to be.

In the first three parts of these teachings we saw a brief yet detailed picture of who we are as a Church and who we must be. Namely: (1) an apostolic-prophetic church; (2) a church of kings and priests; (3) a church that emphasizes the prophetic nature of the Word of God (Scripture), practical biblical faith, thanksgiving/praise, prayer, the gathering of the saints, salvation/redemption, and the fullness of the Holy Spirit.

In full, there are 21 facets of who we are and who we must be as the Church of Jesus Christ. But at this time, by the direction of the Holy Spirit, we will uncover only 16 facets of who we are and who we must be. We have already examined the first three. So let us move on to the next 13 facets of who we are in the spiritual dimension and who we must be in the physical:

4. WE ARE A CHURCH OF GREAT POWER AND MULTIFACETED WISDOM OF GOD:

This means that God has appointed us to be filled with His power and wisdom and to manifest them in order to reign on the earth. By doing this, we represent Christ in the world in every sphere of life where we are placed through our diverse gifts, callings, and professions. Unbelievers must see the difference in us by the results we achieve. (Joel 2:1–11; Ps. 109:1–3; 1 Cor. 1:18–30; Acts 1:8; John 14:12; Mark 6:2; Eph. 3:10–11; Eph. 5:14–18)

5. WE ARE A CHURCH OF THE SUPERNATURAL:

This means that our true nature as born-again believers is supernatural (John 3:6–8). As a church and as individuals, we must not be “ordinary.” We are in this life as “gods” to do works like God the Father according to the Word of God (John 20:21). We are to live the supernatural naturally (Ps. 82:5–6; John 10:35; Joel 2:1–11). In fact, people of this world, observing us, should come to the conclusion and say: “The gods have come down to us in human form” (Acts 14:11).

Do you see your church—the church Jesus is building? Do you see who you must be? And can you see yourself as one of the active and fruitful members of this church? (Matt. 4:19; John 15:16)

Welcome to the church Jesus is building! And next time, don’t forget to bring someone new so that he may meet Jesus!

We live in a very destructive and disoriented generation. People run here and there and cannot focus or become rooted in anything in life. Most alarming is that the majority of Christians fall into the same category. As the apostle Paul said, they waver and are carried about by various winds of attractive teachings. As a result, they are unable to develop the kind of necessary faith that changes lives.

“Why?” some may ask. Because believers do not know who they are! We must know who we are as the Church and as members of the Church in order to act with authority in the spiritual realms. (John 1:20–27; Acts 19:13–16). We continue to consider: “who we are as a Church and who we must be on earth”:

6. We are a Church of sons and daughters of God (Rom. 8:19–22). A few years ago the Lord said to His servant: “I have appointed you to be a beacon of hope for your generation. You are responsible for leading this generation out of the bondage of evil and corruption. For the nations are waiting to see My glory in you—in My sons and daughters, to whom they will be drawn.” Prophetically, this means that God has programmed unbelievers (those not born again) to be in search of the “sons of God.”

As the Church and as God’s people, yes, we are born-again believers, but we must grow into spiritually mature sons and daughters of God. (Gal. 4:1; Heb. 5:12–14; Heb. 6:1–3; 1 Cor. 13:11; Eph. 4:11–14). That is why in this Church we cannot tolerate spiritual infancy for long.

7. We are a Church of saviors and carriers of solutions in various sectors of society and the economy (Obad. 1:17, 21; Matt. 5:13–16): As a prophetic Church, God has positioned us as “saviors” to bring solutions to the problems humanity faces in every sphere of life and society to which each of us is called. This also indicates that we are a Church from which outstanding people will arise on all the “mountains” of society, accomplishing great works in areas such as education, science, technology, innovation, inventions, design and art, media, music, entrepreneurship, medicine, government, legislation, law, and much more. (Ps. 86:3–7). People will say of us: “That outstanding man or woman is a member of that Church.”

Prophetically speaking, we live in days when many in the Church will rise with the same level of prophetic wisdom as Joseph and Daniel and will operate in the supernatural in various sectors of society and the economy. (Eph. 3:10–11; Gen. 41:38–41; Dan. 1:19–20; Dan. 5:8–12).

Do we see who we are and who we must be? Go and tell many who we are as a Church!❤️✝️

Friends, remember: you are what you think (Prov. 23:7). Therefore, keep focusing and meditating on God’s vision for our life!

We continue to consider who we are:

8. We are a Church of people who think in terms of possibilities and makers of history (Joel 2:1–11; Mark 6:23; John 14:12). The vision that led to the publication of the book “Attention! Kings Are Coming” is nothing other than the vision of people who think in terms of possibilities and make history; those who carry out a spiritual and holy revolution in the power of the Holy Spirit and in the wisdom of God (Isa. 61:4–11; Zech. 4:1–10).

9. We are a Church as a “city” or “people” on the top of the mountains (Isa. 2:2–3; Mic. 4:1–2; Matt. 5:14–16; Isa. 60:1–22). This means that we are called to be a prophetic mega-church (of a great multitude of people) that functions as a great city, draws the attention of all nations, and reaches the global community.

10. We are a Church in one place, but everywhere—a “Church without walls” (Zech. 2:3–5; Matt. 28:19–20). We are an apostolic-prophetic church in Ukraine. This makes us, first and foremost, a missionary and evangelistic church with a global vision. This means, among other things, that any devoted member of this church who travels or relocates to another city in Ukraine or beyond is encouraged not to join another church, but to pray and start a “home group” as a fulfillment of God’s Word and the mandate given to us (Acts 8:4–6, 12–17; Mark 16:20; 2 Cor. 5:10, 17–20).

Dedicate yourself to God’s vision—and you will be amazed at how God will beautify your life!❤️

One of the main principles of the Kingdom of God is vision. What we do not see clearly, God will not accomplish. (Jer. 1:11–12). As a church, we must see God’s plan for us together so that God may reveal His power for us. Therefore, we continue to answer a very important question: “Who are we as a church?”

11. We are a church of people of breakthrough and triumph (Joel 2:7–8; Mic. 2:10–13; Isa. 45:1–3; Job 22:28–30; Zeph. 3:14–20; Eph. 6:10–18; Jas. 1:2–8). This means that we are a purposeful people filled with God’s faith, grounded in the prophetic nature of the Word of God and the power of the Holy Spirit. We have inner potential, talents, and gifts from God to fulfill the dominion mandate according to Gen. 1:26–28. We do not give up, but we hold on to faith, break new boundaries, and accomplish exploits. For us there is no “better yesterday.” We go from one success to another. (Prov. 4:18; Isa. 43:18–20)

12. We are a Church that raises financial pillars of the prophetic last days (Deut. 8:17–18; Deut. 28:1–2, 11–12; Isa. 1:19; Isa. 60:1–7; Hag. 2:7–9; 3 John 2; Prov. 10:22; 2 Cor. 8:9). One of the main characteristics of this church shown to God’s servant is financial prosperity. In essence, one of God’s key prophetic programs for the end-time church is covenant wealth and abundance. Our generation will say: “When you come to that church, poverty and lack are left in the past.”

Through understanding and obedience to the prophetic requirements of the covenant of wealth, we will see men and women become great stewards of wealth and significant property. Note—this is covenant wealth, not just wealth. There are two kinds of wealth: wealth that comes from God and wealth gained through human effort. The difference is that wealth from God brings no sorrow and is protected from world crises. (Deut. 8:17–18; Prov. 10:22; Eccl. 5:18; Prov. 13:11; Matt. 6:19–21)

The reason God pours covenant wealth upon the Church is so that believers will use it to spread His Kingdom and establish His purposes on earth. (1 Chr. 29:1–3; 2 Cor. 8:1–5)

So let us follow this vision and accomplish exploits for the Kingdom of God!❤️

Friends, are you beginning to understand who we are as a church and who we must be in the eyes of God and Jesus, the builder of the Church?

And now let us consider the next two aspects of who we are as a church:

13. A church with a special focus on godly family life and raising righteous children (Mal. 2:15; Gen. 2:18–25; Gen. 18:19; Heb. 13:4).

God’s primary goal for the family is to raise godly and righteous children in God’s ways. God desires to fill the earth with people who fear Him. As a church, we are called to fulfill God’s mission regarding family and marriage in our generation.

This also means that ministry to men, women, and children will be carried out purposefully and in a specialized way. Only God-fearing and “whole” men and women can raise godly children who will be pleasing to God.

14. We are a church with a special focus on young people aged 15 to 45:

When God showed His servant a vision based on Joel 2:1–11, the people he saw were mostly young men and women. They were extremely zealous, filled with God’s power, took responsibility, and accomplished exploits in every sphere of life. And then the Lord said: “…a new people, such as has never been before, and after them there will be no such.” Thus he understood that Jesus was speaking about an end-time prophetic movement! (Acts 2:17–18; Amos 8:11–13; Prov. 22:6; Lam. 3:27)

Note: to make history and carry out spiritual revolutions, God always uses the younger generation as a catalyst. That is why the devil desperately tries to seduce young people and draw them into his traps to take possession of their souls. Therefore, parents must stay on their knees in intercessory prayer until they see their children established in Christ.❤️✝️

Last week we stopped at the 14th aspect of who we are as a church. Now let us consider the final two of the 16 aspects of who we are as a church:

15. We are a church in which sickness and disease have no power over the bodies of the saints through faith (Matthew 8:17; Matthew 4:23–24; Matthew 9:22).

God is raising us as an army of breakthrough and victory. This army of God, according to His prophetic plan, will have no one among us weakened by sickness or disease (Joel 2:1–11). It is written: when God brought them out, there was not one sick among them (Psalm 104:37).

Friend, in this church you do not need a special prayer for healing. All you need is to encounter Jesus during our church gatherings. And when the Word is preached, the anointing for healing is present to heal from every sickness (Luke 5:17; Psalm 106:20). Let your faith come alive for supernatural healing!

16. We are a church of distinction and excellence, a church of honor and glory (Zephaniah 3:14–20; Micah 4:1–2; Romans 8:29–30).

As a prophetic church and a people of the end-times agenda, we are marked to be different and to demonstrate excellence wherever we are represented. We are destined to be "glorified," both as a church and as individuals.

Ukraine and the whole world are about to see a new kind of believers. They are on the top of the mountain, and their lives and actions are like a ray of great light that shines and drives out all darkness.

This is who we are. This is who you are called to be! ❤️✝️