RLCF Sermons

Shepherds and Spiritual Authority

Why Does God Crush Us? It brings Him pleasure (Isaiah 53:10). God delights in faith (Hebrews 11:6). Faith = “Father, into Thy hands I commend my spirit” (Luke 23:46). Jesus prayed this prayer on His cross every day (John 6:38; Luke 22:42). This is perfect faith (Hebrews 12:1-4)! This is our hope (I John 3:1-3). Who Does God Use? God isn't some desperate employer waiting for anybody to come work for Him. He would rather not build His church at all, than use gifted workers who are unbroken. But, if you are brokenhearted, nothing can overpower you, because God is with you (Psalm 34:18)!

1. Compassion: the breaking of Joseph (Genesis) - jealousy (37:4,5,11); sold into slavery (37:18-20,28); falsely accused (39:19-20); insignificant and forgotten (40:23); “the Lord was with Joseph” (39:2,21). God wants leaders who are full of compassion (Genesis 45:5-8;50:20). 2. Humility: the breaking of Moses (Exodus; Numbers) - “hunted” life (Exodus 1:22, 2:5, 2:16); misunderstood (Exodus 2:14, 5:20-23); bearer of blame (Exo. 16:1-4; Num. 12:1-3); “God spoke to him face to face” (Exo.33:11). God wants leaders who never justify or promote themselves (Numbers 12:2,16:4; Exodus 32:8-14). 3. Contentment - the breaking of David (I Samuel) - the forgotten son (16:7,11,13); the vicious hatred of the king (18:7-29); “a man after God's own heart” (13:14). God wants leaders who never grab for themselves (I Samuel 24:1-22; 26:1-25). Jesus' example (Philippians 2:5-6). 4. Sympathizing: the breaking of Peter; rebuke after the revelation (Matthew 16:15-23); Satan's sifting (Luke 22:31-32, 54-62); “...and Peter” (Mark 16:7). God wants leaders who never despise others (John 21:15-17; II Peter 1:5-11). Jesus' example (Hebrews 4:15).

Passionate About the Inner Life. It is because most Christians are content to live an external Christian life, that they are primarily interested in the external actions of Jesus, and the external manifestations of the Holy Spirit. Meditate on Jesus' secret years (Hebrews 12:2); When tempted, we face this choice: either pleasure (Hebrews 11:25) or suffering (I Peter 4:1).

The effectiveness of your prayer is determined by the righteousness of your relationships (James 5:16-18; I Peter 3:10-12). Men must be understanding of your wives (I Pet. 3:7); without a fighting attitude (I Tim. 2:8). Women must have hidden and modest virtue (1Pet3:1-6; 1Tim2:9-15). In other relationships, you must have a clear conscience (Matthew 5:23); a forgiving heart (Matthew 6:12,14,15). Pray in secret (Matthew 6:5-6) - Mark 1:35 (early in the morning, alone); Luke 5:16 (“slip away to the wilderness”); Luke 6:12 (“all night”); Matthew 26:39 (“on His face”). Pray to “Daddy” (Matthew 6:7-8): thankful attitude (Colossians 4:2); no anxiety, guard of peace (Philippians 4:6-7); with godly fear (Heb. 5:7; I Peter 4:7).

Praying in the Spirit (Ephesians 6:18; Jude 1:20) is like being pregnant with prayer -- carrying the burden that God has placed in us through His Spirit (Romans 8:19-32). These are the prayers that ascend up to heaven back to God, and He collects them as bowls full of incense (Revelation 5:8; 8:3-4). God attends to the prayer of the righteous (I Peter 3:10-12): women who are submissive and modest (v1-6) and men who live with their wives in an understanding way (v7).

“The condition of the church may be very accurately gauged by its prayer meetings. So is the prayer meeting a grace-ometer, and from it we may judge of the amount of Divine working among a people. If God be near a church, it must pray. And if He be not there, one of the first tokens of His absence will be a slothfulness in prayer.” (Charles H. Spurgeon) God wants to breathe into our spiritual being like He did into Adam's physical being (Genesis 2:7). God wants us to “breathe (in our spiritual beings) without ceasing”! (I Thessalonians 5:17) Prayer is communion with God: from His breath, flowing through His Spirit in us, back to Him. (Matthew 6:9-13; Romans 11:36) Elijah's prayer was from God (I Kings 18:1,36) and his only goal was to exalt God and His promises (v31,37); that's why it was answered.

The Law permitted evil for evil: "tit for tat" justice/fairness mentality is okay as law in society (I Timothy 1:8-11). The goal of the Christian under the New Covenant, however, is unadulterated love (I Timothy 1:5). Love is to overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21). When harmed physically: ask, but don't fight back (John18:23). When mistreated materially: live with contentment (Luke12:15; I Timothy 6:6). When your dignity is insulted: seek God's reputation alone (Matthew 12:32). Test your love especially by your reaction when: your “enemy” falls (Proverbs 24:17) or your “enemy” is in need (Proverbs 25:21). Love from the center of who you are (Romans 12:9): outdo each other in showing honor (v10); be inventive in hospitality (v13); make friends with "nobodies" (v16).

Your “enemy” is that person in any given circumstance who, in order to love them, will cost you love of Self. God never intended for us merely to taste His love, but for that love to become a compelling, reconciling force within us! (II Corinth. 5:14-20)

It is important to know what compelled Jesus love (John 14:30 - 15:17). If God is Love, then the test of your GOD-liness is a test of your LOVE-liness. The ultimate test of love is whether you can love your enemy. The world is characterized by SELF-love (II Timothy 3:1,5); God is characterized by UNSELFISH love (John 3:16; I John 3:16). We must be transformed from our human nature to the Divine Nature of Love (Romans 12:2).