These companion banners express a fundamental truth that we must keep before us as we press into the vision that God has given to us. The first banner speaks of human effort. The lettering and design all strain upward, signifying man's attempts to do the works of God with our own strength. The second banner shows God's way. It is by the power of His Spirit alone, freely given and comes by nothing of our own devices.
The banners were intended to be put on either side of a central cross. With the cross central in the tableau, so is it's message also central. If anyone woud come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. ---Mathh. 16:24 In order to become vessels fit for the Master's use, we have to lay down our human efforts,k thoughts, plans, ideas, concepts, ministries, training and credentials, at the Cross. When we so humble ourselves, we become available to the Holy Spirit for ministry to others and the power of the Spirit is released.
Mountain BannerLETTERS: Bronze, a symbol of strength.
MOUNTAIN: Symbolic of the flesh. What are you, O mighty mountain? --Zech 4:7. The flesh counts for nothing. The mountain is constructed with a twisted mixture of blues (the revelation of God) and of browns (symbolic of the thoughts and nature of man). For He knows how we are formed, He remembers that we are dust. --Psalm 103:14 The mixture of the blues and browns and muddying of them together speak of how we take the revelation of God and pollute it with our own thoughts and ideas.
CHAIN: Symbolic of pride Therefore pride compassed them round about like a chain.. --Psalm 73:6. It is pride that causes us to corrupt the revelation of God. The chains of pride are formed link by link and end up going nowhere, just like the mighty tower of Babel, ancient man's badly flawed plan to reach God.
Dove Banner
The spirit gives life: the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. --John 6:63
BACKGROUND: The blue-green color speaks of the life the comes through the revelation of God. (Blue for revelation and grace, and green for life.)
DOVE: Represents the Holy Spirit (John 1:32). The presence of the Dove here is to show that the ways of the Spirit are gentle(Matthew 10:16) The Spirit is represented by a white dove outlined in gold and silver.
Even while you sleep among the campfires, the wings of My dove are sheathed with silver, its feathers with shining gold --Psalm 66:13
COLORS TRAILING THE DOVE: Represent the wind of the Spirit (Acts 2:2) These transparent, flowing colors also represent the refreshing, life-giving ministry of the Spirit.
WATER: The streams coming from the mouth of the dove represent the living water spoken of in John 7:38:39: Whosoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him. By this He meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were later to receive.
SIDE PANELS: The figures shown ant the beginning and ending of the quoted scripture on these banners suggest branches to represent Jesus, "our righteous Branch" as prophesied in Jeremiah 23:5-6. Further Jesus IS the Word (John 1:1). The main message is contained in the two center banners, but the outer panels are to cause us to pause and to ponder (selah) the Truth revealed.
Banners commissioned for and reside at Living Word Church New Wilmington, PA
