Simply Uncaged

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David never really knew goliaths strength, because he was so focused on God’s.

David had favor over his life.

Favor is the unearned, unusual, uncommon, unexplainable access

King Saul was disobedient & the Lord has chosen a new king… David.

The Lord told prophet Samuel to anoint a new king.

David’s brothers made it to the anointing ceremony but David was in the pasture tending the sheep.

Prophet Samuel thought it was one of David’s brother… but the Lord said don’t look at the outer, that’s what man see’s… but the Lord looks at the heart. (1 Samuel 16:7)

Because of Saul’s disobedience, it allowed a tormenting spirit from God to be sent…

99% obedience is still disobedience. Especially if the Lord gave a specific instruction.

As David went out to face the Philistine, King Saul told him to put on some armor to face this giant.

David tried it on… but realized it didn’t fit then took it off.

He could of said “well its King Saul, he must always know whats right”… but David discerned the armor didn’t fit him and took it off.

& we know how the story goes, David defeats Goliath with God on his side, sling shot & a rock.

Later David gets the praise of people…

7 So the women sang as they danced, and said: “Saul has slain his thousands, And David his ten thousands.” 8 Then Saul was very angry, and the saying displeased him; and he said, “They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed only thousands. Now what more can he have but the kingdom?” 9 So Saul eyed David from that day forward.

Never let jealousy get to you… the scripture is clear that Saul ‘eyed’ David since that day!

Don’t ever take your eyes off God just to have your eyes focused on man.

Anger, pride, jealousy can destroy you from the inside out.

Now there was this tormenting spirit that was upon Saul and they heard that David can help remove that.

David had a gift, & your gifts make room for your (Proverbs 18:16)

21 So David came to Saul and stood before him. And he loved him greatly, and he became his armorbearer. 22 Then Saul sent to Jesse, saying, “Please let David stand before me, for he has found favor in my sight.” 23 And so it was, whenever the spirit from God was upon Saul, that David would take a harp and play it with his hand. Then Saul would become refreshed and well, and the distressing spirit would depart from him. (1 Samuel 16:21-23)

David was used to remove the spirit & refresh Saul.

A man named David that was used to help another man Saul would soon replace him in the very throne he’s sitting in.

David was a God pleaser.
Saul was a man pleaser

Why was God’s favor on David?

Understand this… David won battles & wars.

He took dominion and territory. He was a true warrior for the Lord even when he had moments where he fell short.

#1 Man after God’s heart.
22 And when He had removed him, He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.’ (Acts 13:22)

Continue to pursue God.

Favor wasn’t just the sling shot win… it was favor that allowed the giant to be taken out.

#2 Man of wisdom.

33 Hear instruction and be wise, And do not disdain it. 34 Blessed is the man who listens to me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at the posts of my doors. 35 For whoever finds me finds life, And obtains favor from the Lord; (Proverbs 8:33-35)

Solomon wrote this proverb… who was David’s son.

The blessing of Solomon came from David’s righteousness and wisdom towards God.

Da

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Let’s rethink favor.

What if favor is not always when good things happen or blessings overflow?

Let’s look at Joseph’s life.

What if God’s favor is PROTECTING you while He’s PREPARING you.

What if God’s saving you FROM something because He’s saving you FOR something?

Joseph had these moments.

Pit betrayed from his own brothers.
Palace slave to Potiphar
Prison accusation of something he didn't do.

Favor may not always look like overflow but prescribed as private training.

It might feel like the worst time of my life, or worst year of my life but what if this is divinely orchestrated for a major transition.

Looking at Joseph’s life, it does not always look like God really want this on Josephs life.

But when you read what Joseph proclaimed after going through that decade through Egypt… he quotes to his brothers (who were the exact ones that got him to be in Egypt in the first place) 

20 But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. (Genesis 50:20)

From pit being sold into slavery by his own brothers, to being a slave at Potiphar's house, to being thrown in prison for being excused of trying to make a move on Potiphar's wife that lead to a promotion over the land of Egypt resources.

This is the journey that Joseph went through.

Something about the scriptures that prove God was always with Joseph.

2 The Lord was with Joseph, and he was a successful man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. (Genesis 39:2)
3 And his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord made all he did to prosper in his hand. (Genesis 39:3)
21 But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. (Genesis 39:21)
23 The keeper of the prison did not look into anything that was under Joseph’s authority, because the Lord was with him; and whatever he did, the Lord made it prosper. (Genesis 39:23)

The scriptures are very clear that the Lord was with Joseph 4 times in the same chapter even though he was a slave to Potiphar and got accused for making a move in Potiphar's wife and getting thrown in prison.

This proves that bad circumstances don’t mean the absence of God.

The Lord was with him through this whole journey.

4 So Joseph found favor in his sight, and served him. Then he made him overseer of his house, and all that he had he put under his authority. (Genesis 39:4)

The Lord was with Joseph but he also had favor on his life in the midst of all this.

Favor?

Favor is the uncommon, unexplainable, uneared, unusual access & kindness.

It’s that access & acceptance with the RIGHT people and is only God given.

I’d encourage us to continue to study Joseph’s life through this lense.

How do we discern favor on someone's life that might seem like it’s NOT favored in the natural?

How to discern favor?

#1 God is the source

#2 Continue to seek God’s will over your life… sovereign, preferred, permissible, personal

#3 Guard and grow like a gardener (mind & heart)

#4 Discern His will in the wilderness
-favor
-peace
-provision

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 Favor is uncommon, unexplainable, unusual, unearned access.

8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. (Genesis 6:8) NKJV

9 This is the genealogy of Noah. Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God. (Genesis 6:9) NKJV

8 But Noah found favor with the Lord. (Genesis 6:8) NLT

Noah was a just man.

The bible tells us the just shall walk by faith.

Noah built the ark, not just because He was right with God... but because the favor of God was on his life!

Would he have built the ark that kept his family safe from this flood without God's grace & favor?

There are some things we won't be able to accomplish without God & His grace!

This is why we here sayings "Only by the grace of God!" 

Who else had favor?

17 The king loved Esther more than all the other women, and she obtained grace and favor in his sight more than all the virgins; so he set the royal crown upon her head and made her queen instead of Vashti. (Esther 2:17)

26 And the child Samuel grew in stature, and in favor both with the Lord and men. (1 Samuel 2:26)

52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. (Luke 2:52)

Favor is NOT always EVERYONE liking you… but the right people liking you.

The people who will give you access & unusual promotions is how favor positions you.

Remember you can’t earn favor, but you can position yourself to access it!

How to find favor?

#1 Be humble

God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.

Humility is being a person who God can trust.

Humility is not thinking of yourself less, it’s thinking less of yourself.

God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.

#2 Be helpful

1 God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. (Psalm 46:1)

God has assigned people in our life & in the season we are in… to help.

We serve God, but the Lord may appoint us to serve others.

Ministry is to be a servant.

We are called to be ‘living sacrifices’. (Romans 12:1)

#3 Be holy

To be holy isn’t perfection, it’s to be set apart.

13 Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 14 as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; 15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:13-16)

We’re called to make ‘set apart’ decisions.

To make decisions that set us apart from culture.

We are called to not be conformed to the world.

Not be influenced by the patterns of this world.

Set our minds on the things above!

8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. (Philippians 4:8) 

 Favor - unearned, uncommon, unexplainable, unusual ACCESS

Fire that leads to favor that leads to fruit.

Fire refines us.

Just how they allow fire to heat up gold so the impurities rise up to the top.

8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. 9 Now God had brought Daniel into the favor and goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs. 10 And the chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel, “I fear my lord the king, who has appointed your food and drink. For why should he see your faces looking worse than the young men who are your age? Then you would endanger my head before the king.” (Daniel 1:8-10)

6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 8 whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls. (1 Peter 1:6-9)

How does the Lord test us by fire?

#1 Lord tests the heart

3 The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, But the Lord tests the hearts. (Proverbs 17:3) NKJV

3 Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but the Lord tests the heart. (Proverbs 17:3) NLT

#2 Tested by being praised

21 The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, And a man is valued by what others say of him. Proverbs 21:27) NKJV

21 Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but a person is tested by being praised. (Proverbs 21:27) NLT

#3 Tested of impurities

4 Take away the dross from silver, And it will go to the silversmith for jewelry. (Proverbs 25:4) NKJV

4 Remove the impurities from silver, and the sterling will be ready for the silversmith. (Proverbs 25:4) NLT

Why Jesus comes with fire on earth?

49 “I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! 50 But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am till it is accomplished! (Luke 12:49-50)

11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit [a]and fire. 12 His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” (Matthew 3:11-12)

Benefits of God’s Favor

#1 Wisdom

4 And so find favor and high esteem In the sight of God and man. (Proverbs 3:4)

1 My child, never forget the things I have taught you. Store my commands in your heart. 2 If you do this, you will live many years, and your life will be satisfying. 3 Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart. 4 Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will earn a good reputation. (Proverbs 3:1-4) NLT

#2 Wife

22 The man who finds a wife finds a treasure, and he receives favor from the Lord. (Proverbs 18:22) NLT

#3 Wealth
A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, Loving favor rather than silver and gold. (Proverbs 22:1) NKJV

1 Choose a good reputation over great riches; being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold. (Proverbs 22:1) NLT

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The power of collaboration.

When we come together and allow our calling to usher in God's presence... it honors guard.

The Lord needs people who are after His heart & wanting to give their heart to the Lord.

22 And when He had removed him, He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.’  (Acts 13:22)

& it's not always by our own ability... but availability.

God wants your heart.

It's not the question of "are you able?" 

The question is "are you available?"

Be available for the Lord.

How to have a heart of God?

Humility
Community
Availability

1 body.
1 Spirit.
1 Battle.
1 Enemy.

The heart of God.

Is your heart really right?

We can have titles like pastor or prophet but if our heart is not right…

One of the last things Jesus will say is “well done my beloved servant”.

Jesus came to serve not to be served.

Our heart must be right when we’re serving…

God
People
Family
Unbelievers

10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. (Psalm 51:10)

People are operating off the wrong spirit and a dirty heart.

The grace of God, that covers us.

God uses us so our family can be set right.

That generational curse runs out when it runs into you… but your heart needs to be right.

If your heart is not right, it will be difficult to know how to deal with the curses.

To minister means to serve.

You must have a servant heart for the people, to serve the people. Aside from the bible studies, preaching, teaching… the heart needs to be right.

Humility is a weapon.

Those that humble themselves He exalts.

He doesn’t exalt the deliverance minister.

He doesn’t exalt the animated preacher.

My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. (Psalm 73:26)

How to know your humble?

You give glory to God.

It may seem easy to try to steal His glory but we should never try to take it because we want His presence!

The enemy is after your land.

Your heart is land.
Your soul is land.
Your mind is land.

37 Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ (Matthew 22:37)

How to give God your heart, soul & mind?

Love Him.

Love God more than you love this world.

Love God more than your own desires.

Love God above all!

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Ministry is all about Jesus.

Everything we do is about Jesus.

It was never about us, but Him.

& we have to trust He always has the best plan for us.

Every sermon should point to…
#1 The glory of God
#2 our need for Jesus
#3 The Lordship of Him
#4 The hope of salvation

Be in love more with the person of Jesus over the person sharing Jesus.

We are called to love others, but to love God above all!

37 Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ (Matthew 22:37-39)

26 “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. 27 And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. (Luke 14:26-27)

We honor people, but we love God above all.

God’s word must be honored.

Preached with clarity, accuracy, power & authority.

4 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. (2 Timothy 4:2)

It’s Him who breaks chains, it’s Him who heals, & Him that delivers.

We must acknowledge God as God, who has all power & authority in His hands.

We used to deal with a prosperity gospel but now we are dealing with a popularity gospel.

A saved person’s life demonstrates your salvation.

The moment you read your word from adoration instead of obligation… you’re in a real relationship with God.

If you want to see revival, you must revive your reverence for God.. we need a bible revival!

we are called to..
Follow Jesus
Fish for souls
Forsake Sin

Everything that is not eternal, is worthless in eternity.

Holiness isn’t proving you have more of Jesus, holiness proves that Jesus has more of you.

We are living holy because we want to please Him & we love Him!

1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. (Romans 12:1)

It’s not perfection, it’s making ‘set apart’ decisions.

We pursue God because He is constantly pursuing us.

There could be 1000 steps between us and Him, & His love is so great that He will take 999 of those steps & leave the last one for us.

He could look at a million people yet you are the only one He sees.

Our hearts burn for Him because His heart burns for us.

Revival is an experience in the church.
Evangelism is an expression of the church.

Evangelism is telling people about the grace of God.
Discipleship is teaching people how to walk in it.

The gifting draws people to you.
The anointing draws people to Him.

When you start to point everything you do towards Jesus, your life changes.

Prayer is an instrument.

Prayer is not a way to get God to do what you want, prayer is for you to become an instrument for God to do what He wants.

Prayer should be our first response, not our last resort.

It's the fervent prayer of a righteous man that avails much.

The ability to be passionate and having reverence towards God.

People that don't get excited to pray or have no idea behind 'why' we pray strip God of the power that pray has for us!

Here are 7 types of prayers:

#1 Petition

14 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him. (1 John 5:14-15)

#2 Praise & thanksgiving

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)

Praise is offered to God for who He is & what He does.

Thanksgiving is offered to God for what He has done for us.

Psalm 48:1
Psalm 100:4

#3 Worship

Worship is an attitude.

My attitude towards God.

23 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. (John 4:23)

9 In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. (Matthew 6:9)

Hallowed to be holy, we must see God as holy.

#4 Intercession

This means 'to come in between'.

Genesis 18,19 Abraham is interceding for Sodom & Gomorrah.

Exodus 32 Moses is interceding for the Israelites that have made a golden calf as an idol.

Prophetess Anna was a REAL intercessor in the book of Luke.

36 Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; 37 and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. 38 And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem. (Luke 2:36-38)

I truly believe intercessory prayer takes a strong disciple & mature believer.

#5 Dedication

We must first dedicate ourselves above all.

To dedicate yourself unto God. To choose righteousness & sanctification.

9 “I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours. (John 17:9)

36 do you say of Him whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’? (John 10:36)

What has God set you apart for?

#6 Persistence

5 And He said to them, “Which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves; 6 for a friend of mine has come to me on his journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; 7 and he will answer from within and say, ‘Do not trouble me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give to you’? 8 I say to you, though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him as many as he needs. Luke 9 “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. (Luke 11:5-9)

We're called to sometimes press in with prayer.

Pressing into the promise of God that He has in our life.

In Acts 12:5 the church was praying for Peter to be released from prison.

Something powerful with persistence prayers.

#7 Blessing

23 “S

As Christians we’re called to be a living sacrifice.

Jesus gave His life for us on the cross. The least we can do is live for Him.

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, *which is* your reasonable service.” (Romans 12:1)

You will reap the reward of the sacrifice you’re willing to lay down on the altar.

The sacrifice isn’t because of who you are. It’s because of who God is. He is worthy.

It’s important to note that what’s more important than the sacrifice is the heart behind the sacrifice. 

Sacrifice has to come from a place of true joy and a pure heart. It’s not about just ‘giving to God’.

Obedience is better than sacrifice is what 1 Samuel 15:22 shows us.

Your character will also have a greater impact than the sacrifice.

“You will know them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:16)

Jesus sets some pretty strict guidelines to following Him in Luke 14:25-33:

Now great multitudes went with Him. And He turned and said to them, “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has *enough* to finish *it*— lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see *it* begin to mock him,  ****saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish’? Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.

There’s a cost to following Jesus. 

Sacrifice isn’t actually about just what you give, it’s about what you give up. What you leave behind to follow after Jesus. That’s sacrifice as well.

Abraham was called to give up His only Son. God was testing Abraham’s level of obedience by telling him to give this sacrifice.

Abraham didn’t fear losing his son, he feared disobeying God. 

Let God move in your heart daily. Allow Him to test you with your level of sacrifice to do His will

David spoke about the sacrifice of thanksgiving and the sacrifice of joy.

This is a sacrifice we can all give.

Give the sacrifice of joy when you don’t feel good. Give the sacrifice of thanksgiving when nothing looks good in your life.

It doesn’t always need to be complicated. Our heart just needs to be right and God will lead the sacrifice 

Saul was sacrificing what God didn’t call him to give. His heart wasn’t in the right place.

Everyone carries an individual ministry that requires surrender, obedience, and sacrifice.