Kingdom Ministry of the Father to the Son

1Co 4:14-21

(14) I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you.

(15) For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.

(16) Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.

(17) For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.

(18) Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you.

(19) But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power.

(20) For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.

(21) What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?

Paul was writing to the Corinthians to set many things in order that were out of order in the Church. When he wrote to them, he didn't want to condemn them or embarrass them. He didn't want to stifle their zealous spirit. So he approaches them as a father would his own son. He wanted to warn them to not get so zealous that they lose their spiritual discernment. Paul addresses the fact that their are many teachers and instructors in Christ, but there are not many fathers.

There is a tremendous difference between a teacher and a father over someone. I teach 5 days a week kids in public school, but I'm not a father to anyone of them. There really can be no argument of the powerful influence and impact a father has over his children. Paul believe himself to be a father to the Corinthians. He birthed them into the kingdom through the gospel and beseeched them to follow him (their father). Just as our Father sent His own son to teach us the ways of our Father, so also did Paul. He sent his own son in the ministry, Timotheus, to bring them into remembrance of his ways (their father) in Christ.

The anointing of the father to the son is completely spiritual and is not necessarily genetic.

We see the anointing of the father to the son clearly in the lives of Abraham, Isaac, to Jacob (Israel). The Father initially called Abraham unto His own. Instructed him to leave his very own natural father and follow Him to a place and destiny far beyond anything he could ever imagine. The Father instructed Him personally, and uniquely, and when He imparted to Him the promise and the anointing of his destiny, He then wanted Abraham to impart and instruct the same promise to his promised child (Isaac). Isaac in turn, held on to the promise and anointing imparted to his father and passed it on to Jacob, who later became Israel. Clearly, this is the beginnings of the initial precedence of the impartation of the father's anointing onto the son.

However, we must also recognize that the father's anointing can be passed down to another, "a son", without genetic relationship.

Moses - Joshua

Exo 17:9

(9) And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand.

Here we see the beginning of a relationship developing between Moses and Joshua. Moses wanted Joshua to choose men to go out and fight Amalek while Moses stood atop the hill. As we continue to observe snippets of their relationship, we see Joshua begin to cling to Moses.

Exo 24:13

(13) And Moses rose up, and his minister Joshua: and Moses went up into the mount of God.

Exo 33:9-11

(9) And it came to pass, as Moses entered into the tabernacle, the cloudy pillar descended, and stood at the door of the tabernacle, and the LORD talked with Moses.

(10) And all the people saw the cloudy pillar stand at the tabernacle door: and all the people rose up and worshipped, every man in his tent door.

(11) And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle.

When Moses went up the mountain to receive the commandments of the Lord, it was Joshua that stayed at the edge of the mountain waiting for him all those forty days. When Moses went into the tabernacle while the glory of the Lord descended upon the tabernacle, it was Joshua who did not depart out of the tabernacle, but remained as close to Moses as possible, without interfering with the relationship Moses had with his heavenly father.

Exo 32:17-18

(17) And when Joshua heard the noise of the people as they shouted, he said unto Moses, There is a noise of war in the camp.

(18) And he said, It is not the voice of them that shout for mastery, neither is it the voice of them that cry for being overcome: but the noise of them that sing do I hear.

Here we see Moses correcting and instructing Joshua in discernment. It is a mild and subtle example, but it attests to this developing relationship and the instruction that Moses was imparting to his "son".

Num 11:25-29

(25) And the LORD came down in a cloud, and spake unto him, and took of the spirit that was upon him, and gave it unto the seventy elders: and it came to pass, that, when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, and did not cease.

(26) But there remained two of the men in the camp, the name of the one was Eldad, and the name of the other Medad: and the spirit rested upon them; and they were of them that were written, but went not out unto the tabernacle: and they prophesied in the camp.

(27) And there ran a young man, and told Moses, and said, Eldad and Medad do prophesy in the camp.

(28) And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of Moses, one of his young men, answered and said, My lord Moses, forbid them.

(29) And Moses said unto him, Enviest thou for my sake? would God that all the LORD'S people were prophets, and that the LORD would put his spirit upon them!

Here again, we see Moses being an example of selfless father, who is not concerned with himself receiving all the attention. Rather, he shows Joshua that a leader must desire the best for others and not horde the "glory" or "anointing" to himself. A father wants to see all his sons blessed.

Num 27:18-23

(18) And the LORD said unto Moses, Take thee Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay thine hand upon him;

(19) And set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation; and give him a charge in their sight.

(20) And thou shalt put some of thine honour upon him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient.

(21) And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall ask counsel for him after the judgment of Urim before the LORD: at his word shall they go out, and at his word they shall come in, both he, and all the children of Israel with him, even all the congregation.

(22) And Moses did as the LORD commanded him: and he took Joshua, and set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation:

(23) And he laid his hands upon him, and gave him a charge, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses.

Num 32:12

(12) Save Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite, and Joshua the son of Nun: for they have wholly followed the LORD.

Deu 34:9

(9) And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him: and the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did as the LORD commanded Moses.

In these verses, we see that our Father instructed Joshua's father in the ministry, Moses, to publicly recognize the anointing upon Joshua by bestowing the father's honour upon the son, Joshua, through the laying on of hands and public declaration. Joshua, over the years, through his clinging, through receiving instruction, and by his testimony of faithfulness to Moses and the Lord was seen as a man who wholly followed the Lord. Because of this, the anointing from Moses was bestowed upon Joshua, that the Israelites would hearken and esteem him as they did Moses. This resulted in Joshua leading the people of God into the promised land.

Elijah - Elisha

We know how Elijah was told by the Lord to anoint Elisha as the prophet to succeed him. Elijah found him plowing with oxen in a field and cast his mantle upon him. Elisha then came under the tutelage, guidance and direction of Elijah. From that day forward, Elisha did not leave his side, nor cease to minister to him.

They spent a period of time together and in that period not only did Elisha learn a great deal, but he became very attached to Elijah. Elisha desired purpose and that purpose is only found in the anointing. Elisha became like Jacob, in that Jacob would not let go of “the angel of the Lord” until he was blessed. In like manner, Elisha would not let go of Elijah until he was blessed.

2Ki 2:2

(2) And Elijah said unto Elisha, Tarry here, I pray thee; for the LORD hath sent me to Bethel. And Elisha said unto him, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they went down to Bethel.

2Ki 2:4

(4) And Elijah said unto him, Elisha, tarry here, I pray thee; for the LORD hath sent me to Jericho. And he said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they came to Jericho.

2Ki 2:6

(6) And Elijah said unto him, Tarry, I pray thee, here; for the LORD hath sent me to Jordan. And he said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And they two went on.

2Ki 2:9

(9) And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.

2Ki 2:11-13

(11) And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.

(12) And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces.

(13) He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of Jordan;

2Ki 2:15

(15) And when the sons of the prophets which were to view at Jericho saw him, they said, The spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha. And they came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the ground before him.

In this relationship, we see clinging, correction and calling, just as we did Moses and Joshua. May people believe that the greatest part of Elijah’s ministry was calling fire down from heaven and consuming the prophets of Baal. Or it was Elijah shutting up the heavens of rain or allowing it to rain once again at his whim. Some think it the meal and oil provision through the famine or restoring life to the boy that died. Or even reproducing the dividing of the waters with his mantle.

However, the greatest part of Elijah’s ministry was imparting His anointing onto another so that the kingdom of God would continue after His departing. Elisha received a double portion of the spirit that rested upon Elijah.

In studying this topic, we must also recognize that the ministry of the father to the son is not gender specific.

Naomi-Ruth

Rth 1:8-18

(8) And Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, Go, return each to her mother's house: the LORD deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me.

(9) The LORD grant you that ye may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband. Then she kissed them; and they lifted up their voice, and wept.

(10) And they said unto her, Surely we will return with thee unto thy people.

(11) And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? are there yet any more sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?

(12) Turn again, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have an husband. If I should say, I have hope, if I should have an husband also to night, and should also bear sons;

(13) Would ye tarry for them till they were grown? would ye stay for them from having husbands? nay, my daughters; for it grieveth me much for your sakes that the hand of the LORD is gone out against me.

(14) And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her.

(15) And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law.

(16) And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:

(17) Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.

(18) When she saw that she was stedfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her.

Do you see Ruth's level of loyalty and commitment to Naomi? Knowing the story, you see Ruth clinging to her mother. You see Naomi instructing Ruth that lead to her being redeemed by Boaz, and according to Matt 1:5, she found herself in the lineage of her God and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Jesus - disciples

Jesus was a Father to His disciples (His sons).

Being that Jesus was God the Father manifested in the flesh (1 Tim. 3:16), I submit that Jesus was not only their Father by creation, but also He was their “Father in the ministry”. They were not related by genetics, yet they were chosen to be His sons. This picture of Jesus adopting the disciples in the natural was a type of what He was going to do in the spirit when His disciples received the Spirit of adoption in their hearts.

Rom 8:15-16

(15) For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

(16) The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

Gal 4:4-6

(4) But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

(5) To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

(6) And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

Jesus was the Spirit of God incarnate and the scriptures tell us that those that are led by the Spirit are sons of God. What was Jesus doing during the days of His flesh? He was leading, teaching, guiding & directing His children in the ministry that would be set before them. Three and a half years, He fathered them in the ministry of the kingdom of God. They followed him, leaving their family and homes to be Fathered like no other, like never before.

Within this adopted family, we see an inner circle of Simon Peter, James & John. They desired more intimate walk with Him. They were a little bit more sold out than the others. Jesus saw that. He knew that. So He allowed them to be witnesses of His transfiguration on the mount. The three, saw Him, like none of the other disciples.

Simon, became Peter, the piece of rock that led the charge of feeding His sheep (John 21), beginning in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, unto Samaria and through the uttermost parts of the earth, the Gentile world.

James and John, were actually the sons of Zebedee, but Jesus surnamed them the sons of Thunder. They were the ones that desired selfishly to sit at his right and left hand in the throne room of heaven. Yet, they knew not what they were asking for.

This same John, was still the beloved disciple that rested His head on Jesus’ bosom. He literally heard the very heartbeat of God. Because of the closeness of their relationship, and by looking at the letters that John wrote, we see John was charged with the anointing to reveal Jesus not only as the Son of God but also as God Almighty!

In Gal. 2:9, it says that these three, of the inner circle, were pillars in the 1st century Church. They were the ones that they perceived of the grace given unto Paul, and gave Paul and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship charging that they (Paul and Barnabas) would minister to the Gentiles while they continued ministering to the Jews. So we see great authority vested unto them, not spoken of as the other disciples.

Looking at the bigger picture though, these adopted sons turned the world upside down and the ripples from the 1st century are still being felt today. This anointing from the Father to the son was so powerful, that each one of the disciples were committed with His grace unto their deaths. They were martyrs with the highest calling.

The anointing in the ministry of the Father to the son is authority, intimacy, power, and a legacy of the ministry of the kingdom.

Genetically sons usually resemble their father. Jesus Himself said,

Joh 5:19-20, 30

(19) Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.

(20) For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.

(30) I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.

Joh 8:28, 35

(28) Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.

(35) And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.

Heb 3:5-6

(5) And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after;

(6) But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.

Jesus, as a type of son, resembled His Father, not only physically, but spiritually.

Every aspect of the Father shown to us in the Old Covenant:

Jehovah Jireh (Provider),
Jehovah Nissi (Banner),
Jehovah Rophe (Healer),
Jehovah Tsidkenu (Righteousness),
Jehovah Rohi (Shepherd),
Jehovah Shalom (Peace),
Jehovah Sabaoth (Hosts),
I Am,

…is known to us in every respect through Jesus Christ. He, the Son, was the personification of His Father.

Listen to how Paul describes his sons in the ministry:

Tit 1:4

(4) To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.

Phm 1:10-12

(10) I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:

(11) Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me:

(12) Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels:

1Co 4:17

What I’ve come to realize after reviewing all these verses that I’ve shared with you is that a true son is one who honors His Father by expressing and representing to others His father’s wishes, desires and will.

Jesus was one of those rare, unique individuals, like Moses, like Abraham, that are called to be “fathers”, when there was no an appropriate father figure for them. God was their father and directly lead them and fathered them into their respective ministries and callings.

And as God taught them to be fathers, then they fathered men in the earth to continue the ministry of the kingdom. Abraham did with Isaac. Isaac then did so with Jacob (Israel). Moses did with Joshua. Elijah did so with Elisha. Naomi did so with Ruth. Jesus did so with His own disciples. This is the principle pattern of anointing from father to son. The anointing flows most effectively, from father to son.

Today, God is still fathering unique individuals in order to father others in the ministry because as Paul said, there are 10,000 instructors all around, but there are very few fathers. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Why do you think we see such immaturity in our body? Why do we so many young Christians zealous for the Lord, but lacking maturity after walking many years in Him? Why do we see so little accountability with so many ministers? Why are there so many spiritually weak Christians?

Many of them have not found their proper father in the ministry. God has not called them to be fathered directly by Him in the ministry, but God has called someone else to father them, like Paul fathered Timothy, Titus and Onesimus in the ministry of the kingdom.

We’ve missed something along the way. God surely father’s each and every one of us individually. This is how he conforms us into His image. But in our striving to be independent, we have failed to recognize, or what we refuse to embrace, is that He will also do this work through men as well. Ordinary, but very special men, not because of who they are, but because of what the Father has done in them as He has fathered them Himself, in order to benefit you.

How many people have we seen or known who will not honor their natural father (for a myriad of reasons)? Many of those same children will also not honor their God given spiritual fathers, for they have not learned to be sons, humble and submitted. Life has taught them to fend for themselves and make their own way to survive. Satan, has aborted many ministries, by simply cursing the father in the home.

Regardless of your earthly family and life circumstances, God has a word for you:

Psa 68:6

(6) God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry land.

You are where you are at spiritually because that’s where you want to be. When you consider your present circumstances and wonder why you are in a dry land, consider what has been shared here. It may be because you are not willing to be fathered in the ministry because you will not humble yourself and be submitted to the father God has chosen specifically to father you in the ministry of the kingdom. Remember, the rebellious are the ones who dwell in a dry land.

Is it any wonder, why David prayed against his enemies this,

Psa 109:9 Let his children be fatherless, and his wife a widow.

Psa 109:12 Let there be none to extend mercy unto him: neither let there be any to favour his fatherless children.

He prayed that the children of his enemies would be fatherless and that there would be none to “favour” the children left behind. In other words, let mine enemy have not a proper father in the home, or have no father at all. Let no one come in to that home and be a father figure to those fatherless children. In doing so, a family is crippled for many generations to come by taking care of that one father.

These principles applied to any family will bear forth fruit. Let us follow the example of Isaac, Jacob (Israel), Joshua, Elisha, the disciples, and the sons of Paul in allowing ourselves to be fathered in the ministry.

[I want to thank Dr. Mark Hanby & Craig Lindsey Ervin for sharing insight into this pattern of ministry with their book, You Have Not Many Fathers: Recovering the Generational Blessing]