Victory Life Online

Consequences of the Christ - 6

Chosen, Called, Justified, Glorified

Living a Supernatural Life = Living life in the presence of God.

Making decisions, planning, remembering, learning, growing all in the presence of God.

Past hurts remembered in the presence of God turn into our greatest strengths.

Naturally hurts get us down. Supernaturally they become our biggest potential.

No condemnation -> No Separation with no failure in between.

___________________________________

Romans 8:30 (NLT)

And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory.

Chosen -> Called -> Justified -> Glorified

___________________________________

Romans 8:1 - No condemnation means we are chosen.

___________________________________

Called:

Romans 8:18 - Revelation

18 Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later.

___________________________________

Romans 8:21 - Delivered

…because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of [f [1]]corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

___________________________________

Justified:

Romans 8:23 - Aligned

Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.

___________________________________

Romans 8:24 - Divine Faith (Hope)

For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.

___________________________________

Made Holy:

Romans 8:26-27 - Promises

26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession [g [2]]for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God

The Holy Spirit never gossips about you. He always thinks you are pretty amazing and always speaks well of you.

___________________________________

CONCLUSION:

His love does supernatural things to us! Romans 8:35-38

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written:

“For Your sake we are killed all day long;

We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”

37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

___________________________________

[1] https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=romans8&version=NKJV#fen-NKJV-28138f

[2] https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=romans8&version=NKJV#fen-NKJV-28143g

Mission Weekend

Walk Across The Room

Awkward “elephant in the room” type moment…

“Don’t know their name…”

_____________________________________

We have spoken about missions a lot!

But we still have not seen Jesus return…

Matthew 24:14 New Living Translation (NLT)

14 And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations[a [1]] will hear it; and then the end will come.

_____________________________________

You have to walk across the room before you walk across the world…

Jesus already crossed the universe for you. He already walked across the room!

_____________________________________

Romans 8:1 New Living Translation (NLT) (No Condemnation)

So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. 2 And because you belong to him, the power[a [2]] of the life-giving Spirit has freed you[b [3]] from the power of sin that leads to death.

\/

Romans 8:39 New Living Translation (NLT) (No Separation)

No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

With no defeat in-between = YOU CANT GET THIS WRONG!

_____________________________________

Jesus walked across the room to show us how we are to step out!

JESUS’ FIRST STEPS

Galatians 4:4-5 New Living Translation (NLT)

4 But when the right time (a) came, God sent his Son (b) , born of a woman, subject to the law. 5 God sent him to buy freedom (c) for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children.

a) They were part of a plan.

b) Built around a person

(Jesus) not an organization (the church) The initial walk across a room was not arbitrary and still had to be taken by person. That person was sent by God the Father in the person of Jesus the Christ.

c) For a specific purpose.

Our scripture says that He came to “redeem those” under the law. That would be you and me.

_____________________________________

YOUR FIRST STEPS

If you have received grace you are to extend grace…

Your Timing

a) My Plan/Timing – Jesus has made it that your time is NOW!

b) You have been sent - HERE!

c) Your purpose? - To get really good at loving people

Every unique situation you have walked through is preparing you for the unique mission you will walk out.

_____________________________________

Be sensitive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Good is in you and so when the time comes for you to do good - you will want to. Does your desire to do good trump your desire to do nothing?

Your desire to do nothing is excuse based, your desire to do something is faith based.

They say that the opposite of faith is fear, I say the opposite of faith is an excuse…

Leave your “Circle of Comfort”. Malawi can be just as far away as a small group!

3. Be willing to enter the “Zone of the Unknown”. Faith creates  growth. Faith is about the unknown. If you only ever step into the known you are never really taking a leap off faith faith.

“take the right steps” vs. going in leaps and bounds

_____________________________________

[1] https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew+24%3A14&version=NLT#fen-NLT-23945a

[2] https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=romans+8&version=NLT#fen-NLT-28080a

[3] https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=romans+8&version=NLT#fen-NLT-28080b

Consequences 3

Approval

Continual pursuit for More

Approval

-

Money/Things

—

Perfection

—

Pride

—

Comfort

Attempting to Reach the Unreachable!

So many people chasing something they will never catch.

Get that happy—Can’t get that—Do, Not Enough—Doesn’t deliver!

Approval—Will you please like me—accept me—affirm me?

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

How many of you might care too much what others think?

If you’re raising your hand so I will feel better—Might have problem.

Drug addict seeks drugs—People pleasers seek approval.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3 PROBLEMS PEOPLE PLEASERS BATTLE

¥ You obsess about what others think.

New outfit—Music—Car—House—Hair—Cool enough?

Are we okay? Slow to respond on text? Bubbles disappear!

Most vulnerable after message—Sit down next to Amy—Puppy!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

¥ You are often overly sensitive to criticism.

One negative comment—Difficult feedback.

100 people say something positive—One negative.

¥ You have a hard time saying “no.”

Avoid conflict at all costs! Don’t want to hurt someone’s feelings.

Selling wrapping paper—Buy wrapping paper won’t use—Magazines won’t read.

Go to the party you dread—Go out with the guy you’d rather not see.

Overcommitted—Can you help—(Drowning)—Sure, happy to!

(Think I’ve got nothing better to do!)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

25 Fear of man will prove to be a snare… Prov 29:25

mowqesh (mo-kashe'); a noose (for catching animals), a hook (for

the nose).

25 Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe. Prov 29:25

Good news—Whoever trusts in the Lord—Is—Kept—Safe!

If you are anything like me,

I can easily be overly concerned with what people think about me.

Fearing what people think is a trap—a snare.

It’s not just a relational problem—It’s a spiritual one.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Becoming obsessed with what people think about you is the fastest way to forget about what God thinks about you.

That’s why we want to have a different goal!

Instead of living for the approval of people

Something impossible to obtain.

We want to live for God and God alone!

For his will—For his glory—For his purposes!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In fact it was the Apostle Paul who boldly declared in Gal 1:10

10 Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God.** If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant. * Gal 1:10

*If  pleasing people were my goal—I would not be Christ’s servant!*

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The truth is—We are drawn to carrying what people think!

So let’s call it what it is…

Here are two…

FACTS ABOUT THE DISEASE TO PLEASE

As much as we don’t want to admit it… #1

1) People pleasing is a form of idolatry.

More of SPIRITUAL problem than a RELATIONAL problem.

Idolatry! Putting people ahead of Christ.

I’m asking people to meet a need they cannot meet.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In fact Jesus show us this truth clearly in John 12:42.

Jesus had performed a bunch of miracles! But there were still Jewish leaders who wouldn’t believe Jesus was the Son of God.

Jesus described their idolatry this way…

42 …But because of the Pharisees they would not openly acknowledge their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved human praise more than praise from God. John 12:42-43

They loved the approval of people more than living for God.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Have you ever been there? I know I have.

You laughed at something you shouldn’t have.

You compromised values—Did something to impress—Lied save face.

You overcommitted to prove your commitment to God.

You let someone’s opinion of you stop you from something.

You hid your faith or didn’t share your faith—Possible add humor.

It’s a hard truth but it’s true—People pleasing is a form of idolatry.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The second fact about the disease please is  the good news. #2…

2) The approval of God sets us free from the disease to please!

I love the way Paul said it in 1 Thes 2

4 On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts... 6 We were not looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone else… 1 Thes 2:4, 6

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Think about how freeing this is!

We can’t please all people! No matter how hard we try!

You please one group—Another is disappointed.

You get it right—They change their mind.

We can’t please everyone—But—We can please God!

Because of what Christ did for us—We are forgiven—Changed!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I hope, I pray, you will accept this life changing truth!

If you are in Christ—GOD APPROVES OF YOU!

God doesn’t just love you—He accepts you! He likes you!

He approves!

Think about it—Your worth isn’t based on what people think about you!

Your worth is based on what God thinks about you!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

WHO YOU DOES GOD SAY YOU ARE?

¥ You are a new creation in Christ. 2 Cor. 5:17

¥ You are forgiven and your sins are washed away. Eph 1:7

¥ You are more than a conqueror through Christ. Rom 8:37

¥ You are God’s masterpiece. Eph 2:10

¥ You are the light of this world. Matt. 5:14

¥ You are filled with the same spirit that raised Christ. Rom 8:11

¥ You are a joint heir with Christ. Romans 8:17

¥ You are Christ’s ambassador. 2 Cor. 5:20    

¥ You are the righteousness of God in Christ. 2 Cor. 5:21

¥ You are greatly loved by God. Romans 1:7

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Embrace it! Hold onto it. Let it overcome you!

You can’t please everyone—But you can please God.

And because of Christ. He approves you are his!

When you believe that truth, you can declare it! You can live it!

Because I’m his—won’t obsess with what people think!

Because I’m crucified with Jesus—not going to hurt my feelings!

Because I belong to Jesus—Will address problems—never fear conflict.

Because I’m accepted—Say yes to what God wants me to do, no the rest.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Because I’m accepted…

No one can steal my joy!

No one call talk me out of my purpose!

No one can stop me from doing God’s will!

Fear of man proves to be a snare

But whoever trust in the Lord will be kept safe!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Consequences 2

LIfe

Romans 6:23

23 For the consequences of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.

_____________________________________

What is Sin?

Sin is adding an additional being to the sin equation - yourself.

Deciding what is good and bad created a tension in the human psyche that we were never designed to endure.

That tension is deadly…

Genesis 2:15-17

15 The Lord God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and watch over it.16 But the Lord God warned him, “You may freely eat the fruit of every tree in the garden— 17 except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat its fruit, you are sure to die.”

________________________________________

PROXIMITY vs TENSION

Deuteronomy 28:2 [1]

"All these blessings will come upon you and overtake you if you obey the LORD your God.

Its a curse having to figure out what is wrong or right.

It plays to our selfishness…

If I do it like this what will I get?

“You will be like God.” Satan

________________________________________

Proximity to God = Peace and not tension

Proximity to God = Blessing = Life

Deuteronomy 30:11-19

11 Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. 12 It is not up in heaven, so that you have to ask, “Who will ascend into heaven to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” 13 Nor is it beyond the sea, so that you have to ask, “Who will cross the sea to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” 14 No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it.

15 See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. 16 For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess.

17 But if your heart turns away and you are not obedient, and if you are drawn away to bow down to other gods and worship them, 18 I declare to you this day that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess.

19 This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live

Why All The Curses?

Genesis 3:14-19

God was not cursing them - he was highlighting what it is like to no longer be in proximity to HIM AND How we would supernaturally be restored.

In Satan he would be supernaturally defeated that would impact the flash and the world of man…

The blessing of God affects every aspect of mankind’s existence.

________________________________________

When evil is spoken over you - its words spoken without God.

If there is tension in your finance - without God

Tension in your marriage - without God

The tension in life is caused by us quibbling over what is wrong or right.

Blessing is enabled in our life through obedience in faith to the f - without quibble.

________________________________________

Curse = devoid of blessing (tension of good and evil tree)

Blessing = proximity to God

Proximity to God = life (tree choice)

________________________________________

Romans 6:23

23 For the consequences of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.

The reason we can say that Jesus took all of our curses at the cross, is because it is through Him that we are in proximity to God. There are no curses in proximity the God only blessing and life.

________________________________________

Generational Curse = generation 1 not teaching generation 2 how to be obedient.

It is not automatic - it is a choice.

Your obedience to God (proximity) breaks the curse (tension).

________________________________________

[1] https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/Deuteronomy/28/2

Consequences 1

What is Sin?

Romans 6:15-23

15 Well then, since God’s grace has set us free from the law, does that mean we can go on sinning? Of course not! 16 Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living. 17 Thank God! Once you were slaves of sin, but now you wholeheartedly obey this teaching we have given you. 18 Now you are free from your slavery to sin, and you have become slaves to righteous living.

19 Because of the weakness of your human nature, I am using the illustration of slavery to help you understand all this. Previously, you let yourselves be slaves to impurity and lawlessness, which led ever deeper into sin. Now you must give yourselves to be slaves to righteous living so that you will become holy.

20 When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the obligation to do right.21 And what was the result? You are now ashamed of the things you used to do, things that end in eternal doom. 22 But now you are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God. Now you do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life. 23 For the consequences of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.

________________________________

We try to combat the consequences (symptoms) but not the root cause.

________________________________

The two polar opposites help explain what sin is:

16 Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, OR you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living.

Obedience is not a weight to bear but a tool to resist sin and keep alive. Not physically but emotionally and spiritually.

Sin is therefore disobedience to God.

Is sin an action?

________________________________

Consequences of Sin

15 The Lord God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and watch over it.16 But the Lord God warned him, “You may freely eat the fruit of every tree in the garden— 17 except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat its fruit, you are sure to die.”

DISATISFIED

When we begin to entertain what is best for us without hearing the Word of God - we make decisions that move us from a place of association (obedience) to a place of opposition (disobedience).

“Don’t touch that” human nature - we touch it!

God wants us to obey him (opposite of sin) not so we blindly follow him, but so that the divine equation is true:

________________________________

Divine equation - obedience = life

Obedience is not about conforming to a law (death) but expressing freedom (life)

Sin = anything we do to distance our selves from God.

Consequence = shame, guilt and condemnation

________________________________

Work it back - shame guilt and condemnation comes from not fully expressing God in your life - something in your life is undermining your relationship with God.

Everything in the spiritual realm is direct opposites.

God is love. -> Obedience to love (God) = life

Therefore to love is to live.

________________________________

If love covers a multitude of sin

Sin covers a multitude of love

If love of God is life -> Sin covers life.

The moment we knowingly or subconsciously deny God - there is death. That death results in the consequence of shame and guilt.

Shame and guilt in turn cause us the die some more which causes us to disassociate ourselves from God even more.

Genesis 3:20

20 When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the obligation to do right.21 And what was the result? You are now ashamed of the things you used to do, things that end in eternal doom.

Then we try to cover over the shame and guilt by trying to do things that we think make ourselves feel better - even for a moment = addictions, perversions, immoral behavior, even illness and sickness.

Shame causes more consequences

SIN is not consequences.

Sin is stepping away from our relationship with God.

Addictions are not sin they are the consequence of a consequence.

Hiding behind something (addiction) is exactly what Adam and Eve did.

Genesis 3:8-11

8 When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man[a [1]] and his wife heard the Lord God walking about in the garden. So they hid from the Lord God among the trees. 9 Then the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?”

10 He replied, “I heard you walking in the garden, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked.”

11 “Who told you that you were naked?” the Lord God asked. “Have you eaten from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat?” (Have you been disobedient…)

Everything from that point was a consequence:

Lack of worth

Lack of self confidence

Blame

Hiding away (drugs alchohol) - “drink myself into a hole”

Shame is the ultimate weapon that Satan has.

He does not even need to create it He just has to get us to think we know better. When we think we have the right to chose - we immediately disassociate ourselves from Gods supremacy, we place ourselves on the throne. The moment we do that - Satan knows shame and condemnation follow:

The Sin loop begins.

Human rights

Gay rights

Sex workers rights

The moment there was disobedience God made a way out:

14 Then the Lord God said to the serpent,

“Because you have done this, you are cursed

    more than all animals, domestic and wild.

You will crawl on your belly,

    groveling in the dust as long as you live.

15 

And I will cause hostility between you and the woman,

    and between your offspring and her offspring.

He will strike[b [2]] your head,

    and you will strike his heel.”

JESUS!!!!!!

[1] https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+3&version=NLT#fen-NLT-64a

[2] https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+3&version=NLT#fen-NLT-71b

Winning The Game of Life

By having a God Inspired Purpose

Life of purpose vs. life of mediocrity.

John 10 - Abundant life

Not just breath and survive - achieve my desires and goals.

Abundant Life = Fulfilled Life

We don’t find that purpose and momentum on our own:

PSA 37:4

Take delight in the Lord,

and he will give you your heart’s desires.

MOSES STORY

MISDIRECTED PASSION

Ex 2:11-12

11 Many years later, when Moses had grown up, he went out to visit his own people, the Hebrews, and he saw how hard they were forced to work. During his visit, he saw an Egyptian beating one of his fellow Hebrews. 12 After looking in all directions to make sure no one was watching, Moses killed the Egyptian and hid the body in the sand.

THAT PASSION HAD A GOD THOUGHT BEHIND IT

Ex 2:23-25

23 Years passed, and the king of Egypt died. But the Israelites continued to groan under their burden of slavery. They cried out for help, and their cry rose up to God.24 God heard their groaning, and he remembered his covenant promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 25 He looked down on the people of Israel and knew it was time to act.[c]

40 YEARS OF REFINING AND ALIGNING

Spent time in Mideon being refined and aligned…

Refined - the gifts needed to be matured. His response had to be negotiate and reliant on Gods strength not his own (Murder).

Refine them from a pride into an ability and a humility that would fulfill Moses’s desires in a divine way.

Aligned - he needed to come to a realization that the reason he ran was he did not know that the history, position and personality he had been given was not his burden but his purpose.

Becomes a divine purpose when we can align who are to Jesus so that he can use us for good.

Not a pain but a promoter

Aligning and refining is not wasted time.

Desert time - Jesus conquered Satan

Public Speaking - trouble

Preaching - good.

HOLY GROUND MOMENT - BURNING BUSH

10 Now go, for I am sending you to Pharaoh. You must lead my people Israel out of Egypt.”

How that must have done something on the inside of him. But how inferior it must have made him feel.

Moses was content with having the gifts and using them in a way that he could control and understand…

Genesis 3:15b-17

When Moses arrived in Midian, he sat down beside a well. 16 Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters who came as usual to draw water and fill the water troughs for their father’s flocks. 17 But some other shepherds came and chased them away. So Moses jumped up and rescued the girls from the shepherds. Then he drew water for their flocks.

But now he had been shown and felt that what he had always desired, what had cause him to step out of his protected palace world into irrational defense of his people, what he had that would protect some women at a well, could be used to liberate an entire nation.

Aligning what little you think you have to the greater good that God has in mind = faith - He can see it but we can’t.

Realizing there is a God given purpose to your personality and talents = passion… (ongoing - not grow weary kind of life)

Mediocrity comes from weariness…

Isaiah 40:31 New Living Translation (NLT)

31

But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
    They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
    They will walk and not faint.

The weight of your problem becomes then fuel of your purpose.

A Holy Ground Moment With God

1. Submission and Worship - Aligns your life with His will (“Holy Ground” - Moses was anti-oppression - So was God)

2. Eliminates excuses and replaces them with supernatural gifts for the tasks at hand (I can not speak - What do you have in your hand?)

He gave Moses things he never knew he could do to replace the things he knew he couldn’t do.

3. Is always for others (liberation of the people)

Aligning our desires with His will

He will never force our will…

We just need to love Him in our day to day lives.

Romans 8:28

So we are convinced that every detail of our lives is continually woven together to fit into God’s perfect plan of bringing good into our lives, for we are his lovers who have been called to fulfill his designed purpose.

He wants to use every moment of the life that you call boring, the life that you feel lacks purpose, he wants to use every moment, if you will let him, to work his will. When we can give him those moments (love him) he will use them for good.

We can’t camp on Holy Ground…

We need to create an environment in our lives of having Holy Ground moments. But we can not camp in the anointing. If

Moses had stayed at the burning bush all he would have been able to do is have a good bbq.

If David had not responded to the anointing as king he would have just been a greasy shepherd.

There are major Holy Ground moments

The first one = called by Jesus (Love God - Love others)

From palace to people

Holy Ground moment 2 = baptism of the Holy Spirit. When you can no longer handle… In a moment of desperation, fear, hopelessness whatever it is, you strike out against your current circumstances and a desire, a dream, is revealed…

Marriage is a major holy ground moment.

Communion is another major Holy Ground moment.

All of these Holy Ground Moments (some call them sacraments) are moments of worship where we align our lives to the purpose of God.

But there are also Holy Ground moments that we can have every day…

Reading the Word

Being with other believers

Spending time reasoning with the Holy Spirit (meditation)

All the Holy Ground moments are day to day sandal removing activities we can do to ensure we are aligning our desires and our lives, our talents histories and pasts with Gods desire.

Despite your excuses, your life has something in it that you know God can use but you are afraid. Let him in supernaturally to link your dream to his and watch the purpose you so desire to walk out become reality…

Take delight in the Lord,

and he will give you your heart’s desires.

Peculiar 7

Blessed With A Burden

Many people pray, “God, please bless me.” And God wants to bless you. But the blessings of God are often more than a new car, a bigger salary, and a better lifestyle. In the series, “Blessed,” we’ll experience firsthand some of God’s unusual blessings.

GOD HAS BLESSED YOU WITH A BURDEN.

IDENTIFY YOUR DIVINE BURDEN

WHAT BREAKS YOUR HEART?

…The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.” When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. Nehemiah 1:3-4

WHAT MAKES YOU ANGRY?

…(Moses) saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his own people. Glancing this way and that and seeing no one, he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand.

Exodus 2:11-12

WHAT DO YOU CARE ABOUT THAT OTHERS DON’T?

Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?”

1 Samuel 17:26

I’M BURDENED BY _____________________________.

“I can stands no more” – Popeye

WRONG WAYS TO APPROACH YOUR BURDEN

COMPLAIN ABOUT IT.

IGNORE IT.

APPEASE IT.

THE RIGHT WAYS TO EMBRACE YOUR BURDEN

LET YOUR BURDEN RUIN YOU.

“Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty.” Isaiah 6:5

LET YOUR BURDEN MOVE YOU TO ACTION.

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”  And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” Isaiah 6:8

Personal Reflection

Describe a time when you had a “Popeye moment” when something bothered you so deeply that you had to act.

Finish the sentence: My divine burden is…

(What angers you? What breaks your heart? What do you care about that others don’t?)

How can you expose yourself more to your burden? As God increases your burden, what are you going to do about it?

Christ’s Faith

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—Ephesians 2:8

GALATIANS 2:16 we know full well that we don’t receive God’s perfect righteousness as a reward for keeping the law, but by the faith of Jesus, the Messiah! His faithfulness, not ours, has saved us, and we have received God’s perfect righteousness. Now we know that God accepts no one by the keeping of religious laws!

It is the faith OF Christ—Christ’s actual faith in us—that justifies us (makes us righteous).

Faith starts with human belief, but must quickly move to the real faith OF Christ.

Believing that He believes in you!

He never waivers….

His faith in you never waivers…

_______________________________

Human faith wavers continually and goes up and down according to how one feels at any given moment in time. It is much like a rollercoaster. When events seem positive or look good, human faith is up. When things look bad and the outcome of a matter appears gloomy, human faith disappears in an instant. God’s faith is permanent and does not waver.

_______________________________

His faith in us = grace

His grace in us = power

Romans 12:6-9

6 God’s marvelous grace imparts to each one of us varying gifts and ministries that are uniquely ours. So if God has given you the grace-gift of prophecy, you must activate your gift by using the proportion of faith you have to prophesy. 7 If your grace-gift is serving, then thrive in serving others well. If you have the grace-gift of teaching, then be actively teaching and training others. 8 If you have the grace-gift of encouragement,[b] then use it often to encourage others. If you have the grace-gift of giving to meet the needs of others, then may you prosper in your generosity without any fanfare. If you have the gift of leadership, be passionate about your leadership. And if you have the gift of showing compassion,[c] then flourish in your cheerful[d] display of compassion.

We don’t stand up because we fear our ability to follow through.

“Don’t start something you know you can’t finish.”

We can start anything because He said “It is finished.”

When we don’t have enough?

When we just cant find enough to press through!

Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us - Romans 12:3b

Filled but not full?

Hebrews 12:1-3

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross,scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

When it comes tp Jesus faith in you - it is perfect - there is no doubt.

1.     Have you ever thought about your thinking?

Thinking about our thoughts the peculiar series royal priest set apart – we are supposed to be different– the problem is we have our own way of thinking that we believe has been working for us just fine. dice example – we each have a way of thinking and many times it is in opposition to God. We have to be able to differentiate what’s good in our own eyes versus what is Godly

Acts 2:38 Then Peter said to them, Repent and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins: and you shall receive the Holy Spirit.

Romans 12:2 We have to change our way of thinking

And do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Matthew 5:27-28 Jesus knew the power of our thought life.

You have heard that it was said to those of old, You shall not commit adultery. But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

2.     Hungry Fighter Story: City built unprotected, attack, death, man spoke up and asked everyone to meet at the city gates at dawn. Some people were fearful and thought they couldn’t win. They made up in their minds they were going to die, beg for their life. Enemy was rejoicing outside the city

Look back at the city

Emerged as hungry fighters

Enemy realized these men had nothing to lose

You are the man in the city and you must decide what you will do. This is the point when your thinking will transform in to action.

Are you a Hungry Fighter?

3.     William Booth quote

We are not sent to minister to a congregation and be content if we keep things going. We are sent to make war and to stop short of nothing but the subjugation of the world to the sway of the Lord Jesus

4.     TEAM method – the battlefield is your mind.

Who is the enemy

 Ephesians 6;12 we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but spirits and principalities, the rulers of darkness.

Everybody is a champ until they get in the ring.

If an announcer was announcing the fight it would probably go like this

Enemy of God, deceiver of Adam and billions of people that have followed him. He has 6,000 years experience  in this corner we have a new believer 1 year of experience and is surprised that he is in the fight.

 If the enemy can shape your belief about yourself and others. You will be defeated before you know you are in a fight.

The enemy is seeking to destroy you. 1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

Our peculiar approach to defeat the enemy is our filter

OUR FILTER SHOULD BE: 2 Corinthians 10: 3-6 For though we walk in the flesh. We do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every though into captivity to the obedience of Christ

5.     Saul of Tarsus Example

Have you ever tried to do God’s will your own way.

We replace the enemy’s lie with God’s truth

Armor of God we don’t fight the enemy

6.     Gideon Example

Transition into being a Hungry Fighter

7.     William Booth quote

We are not sent to minister to a congregation and be content if we keep things going. We are sent to make war and to stop short of nothing but the subjugation of the world to the sway of the Lord Jesus

Holy behavior comes from

1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

Ephesians 6:12

TEAM method bad examples

Farming example. Didn’t know

We have to understand that we are made holy when we accept Christ and we do not have to live in this bondage. We are free and have to use the tools we were given.

In Ephesians 6:17 when Paul talks about the armor of God we are given only one weapon the sword of the spirit the word of God and continue to stand.

James 4:17 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

2 Corinthians 10: 3-6 For though we walk in the flesh. We do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every though into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.

How do we win the fight. We defeat the lies of the enemy with God’s truth.

John 8:32 And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.

Quote from William Booth of the salvation army

LOADING…

More Faith Needed

_______________________________

Picking your battles

Doing the right thing at the right time

Maximise

_______________________________

Hebrews 11:6 The Passion Translation (TPT)

And without faith living within us it would be impossible to please God.For we come to God in faith knowing that he is real and that he rewards the faith of those who give all their passion and strength into seeking him.

_______________________________

Where is your faith?

What about you?

Do you have faith to know that God is with you?

To overcome sin and guilt?

To be healed of disease?

To believe all things in His Word?

Do you really believe that “all things [will] work together for good” if you love God (Rom. 8:28)?

To believe God will work out injustices you have received?

To believe God will provide for you?

To believe that you can endure severe trials and persecution? Or that God will deliver you from them?

Get a full download (revelation) of faith

Download Site: Holy Spirit

Galatians 5:22-23: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”

__________________________________

Real faith comes from the Spirit of God—it is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. No one can have it without God’s Spirit.

No spirit no faith - no faith no pleasing God.

I found something I think I want to prioritize…. FAITH

_____________________________________

0 % MY CHURCH

The church denomination or affiliation you attend. This description of faith is seriously flawed.

DOWNLOAD CANCELED

Ephesians 44-5: being one body and one spirit, as you were all called into the same glorious hope of divine destiny.

For the Lord God is one, and so are we, for we share in one faith, one baptism, and one Father.

1000’s of churches in USA alone

______________________________________

10% POSITIVE THINKING

Faith is an intangible “feeling” that cannot be defined. It is often …personal, mysterious and unique to each person.

No definition, structure, or clear purpose and, inevitably, is whatever people want or need it to be.

“positive thinking” …take an optimistic view and remain upbeat about events and circumstances.

It’s a start but… these are just good qualities of mind.

____________________________________________

20% CONFIDENCE

Confidence is important:

Hebrews 10:35 - “Cast not away therefore your confidence, which has great recompense of reward.”

Confidence is most usually based on knowledge…

Confidence is vital for Christians, confidence alone is not faith. 

_____________________________________________

30% HOPE

Until then, there are three things that remain: faith, hope, and love—yet love surpasses them all. So above all else, let love be the beautiful prize for which you run. 1 Corinthians 13:!3

Hope is one of the top three but if faith and hope are the same thing, why are they listed separately?

______________________________________________

40% JESUS DIED FOR ME…

Faith is any general belief that Jesus died for your sins.

The fully downloaded version of faith does include this important belief.

There is no doubt that if someone does not believe in the most basic understanding that Christ died for his or her sins, there is a problem.

Without faith it is impossible to please God, and if someone doubts Christ died for his sins, he certainly is not pleasing God.

Believing that Christ died for your sins is a direction—an avenue—of faith, but not what faith is!

_______________________________

50%  STUDY

Prayer, study, fasting and meditation are spiritual activities.

“They that worship Him [the Father] must worship Him in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24).

Spirit reveals faith - Study defines it (doctrine)

The glass falling reveals gravity, science defines it (formulae)

_______________________________

_______________________________

60% Evidence

The already accomplished word of God

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith brings our hopes into reality and becomes the foundation needed to acquire the things we long for. It is all the evidence required to prove what is still unseen.

Evidence in courtrooms create a certainty.

Therefore, where faith is involved, there is an ASSURANCE that it will be received!

Faith is based on an evidence. We do not produce evidence of our faith (works) we have faith based on evidence…

If God promises to do something, it is impossible for Him to lie

Hebrews 6:18: So it is impossible for God to lie for we know that his promise and his vow will never change!

And now we have run into his heart to hide ourselves in his faithfulness. This is where we find his strength and comfort, for he empowers us to seize what has already been established ahead of time—an unshakeable hope!

OUR FAITH IS BASED ON HIS FAITHFULNESS

If you have true Christian faith, you do not need to search for the evidence—you already possess it!

_______________________________

70% ASSURANCE

If something is hoped for, that something has not yet been received. Therefore, where faith is involved, there is an ASSURANCE that it will be received! HIS FAITHFULNESS

Faith is spiritual, not physical. It is a confident assurance, which comes from the Spirit of God in the mind of a converted human being.

_______________________________

80% Promises of God

The yet to be accomplished word of God

Not just acknowledging them, or knowing them. They become your first thought, your default, your natural incline.

Every time you demonstrate faith in God, it involves a specific promise. A promise can involve healing, answers to prayer, receiving blessings, deliverance in a trial, guidance in a difficult decision and, most importantly, receiving salvation.

In every instance, faith involves claiming a specific promise made by God.

_______________________________

90% POWER

Combining that which God has already done (Evidence) with the assurance that what He says he will do (Promise) =POWER.

Jesus knew that “the Father that dwells in Me, He does the works”

John 14:10: Don’t you believe that the Father is living in me and that I am living in the Father? Even my words are not my own but come from my Father, for he lives in me and performs his miracles of power through me.

_______________________________

It was through the power of God’s Spirit in Him that Christ accomplished everything that He did.

But can you have the same kind of faith that Christ had!

_______________________________

100% GRACE

We can not complete the download on our own…

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—Ephesians 2:8

GALATIANS 2:16 16 we know full well that we don’t receive God’s perfect righteousness as a reward for keeping the law, but by the faith of Jesus, the Messiah! His faithfulness, not ours, has saved us, and we have received God’s perfect righteousness. Now we know that God accepts no one by the keeping of religious laws!

It is the faith OF Christ—Christ’s actual faith in us—that justifies us (makes us righteous).

Faith starts with human belief, but must quickly move to the real faith OF Christ.

Believing that He believes in you!

_______________________________

Human faith wavers continually and goes up and down according to how one feels at any given moment in time. It is much like a rollercoaster. When events seem positive or look good, human faith is up. When things look bad and the outcome of a matter appears gloomy, human faith disappears in an instant. God’s faith is permanent and does not waver.

_______________________________

Impossible to please God without faith - no one comes to the Father unless we come through Jesus.

Christ asked, “When the Son of Man comes, shall He find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8)

_______________________________