John 2: 15-17 Do not love or cherish the world or the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in him. 16For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh [craving for sensual gratification] and the lust of the eyes [greedy longings of the mind] and the pride of life [assurance in one's own resources or in the stability of earthly things]--these do not come from the Father but are from the world [itself]. 17And the world passes away and disappears, and with it the forbidden cravings (the passionate desires, the lust) of it; but he who does the will of God and carries out His purposes in his life abides (remains) forever. Amplified
What is worldliness, and when is it sinful?
There have been misconceptions concerning worldliness. Christians in earlier generations seemed to be either a lot more concerned about worldliness or spoke about it more than we typically do. A major shift seems to have occurred in less than three decades' time. To hear them describe it, worldliness was essentially the sin of being too cool or dressing modern. When I first took the youth group of my present Church the youth were not allowed to wear shorts to functions, it was one of the ways they demonstrated we are not of this world. Our Amish friends take it even further. Their strategy for avoiding worldliness involves avoiding all modern conveniences. The same sort of thinking culminates in austere forms of monasticism, where poverty, celibacy, and ascetic solitude are seen as sure means of avoiding worldly influences.
In its basic term worldly simply means "pertaining to this earth." So something can be "worldly" without being sinful. On the other hand, Titus 2:12 speaks of "worldly lusts," meaning passions that are set on earthly and temporal things. Love and devotion for earthly things is inconsistent with true love for God, because the passions that drive this world's philosophies and value-systems are all characterized by pride and sinful lust (1 John 2:15-17). In other words, worldliness is a sin of the heart. Conversely, worldliness isn't necessarily related to movies, music styles, the latest fashions, or other typical fundamentalist taboos. Those things certainly can be worldly and obviously do have a tendency to provoke sinful worldliness insofar as they naturally appeal to our passions and tempt us to become obsessed with earthly things. So you cannot discover whether you are worldly merely by seeing how you look or what kind of lifestyle you live. If you want to recognize true worldliness, you have to assess your desires and passions. What do you truly love? Since worldliness is inherent in the bent of the old man, so when you examine your heart honestly, you're virtually certain to discover a degree of worldliness there.
There is a story of two Buddhist monks walking in a drenching thunderstorm.
They came to a stream, and it was swollen out of its banks. A beautiful young Japanese woman in a kimono stood there wanting to get to the other side but was afraid of the currents. In characteristic Buddhist compassion, one of the monks said, "Can I help you?" The woman said, "I need to cross this stream." The monk picked her up, put her on his shoulder, carried her through the water, and put her down on the other side. He and his companion went on to the monastery. That night his companion said to him, "I have a bone to pick with you. As Buddhist monks, we have taken vows not to look on a woman, much less touch her body. Back there by the river you did both." The first monk said, "My brother, I put that woman down on the other side of the river. You're still carrying her in your mind."
One biblical instruction for how to deal with worldliness is found in the book of Ephesians: "Put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and . . . put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness" (Ephesians 4:22-24).
Why, as a disciple of Christ must we not love the world. Worldliness is not so much a matter of activity as of attitude. The church at times sought to define its position in Christ by describing what it does not do, I don't go to movies, I don't smoke, I don't drink, and I don't wear shorts. So the individual who didn’t do all these things must be a Christian. It is possible for a Christian to stay away from questionable amusements and doubtful places and still love the world, for worldliness is a matter of the heart. To the extent that a Christian loves the world system and the things in it, he does not love the Father. Worldliness not only affects your response to the love of God; it also affects your response to the will of God. “The world passeth away . . . but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever” (1 John 2:17). Doing the will of God is a joy for those living in the love of God. “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” But when a believer loses his enjoyment of the Father’s love, he finds it hard to obey the Father’s will.
When you put these two factors together, you have a practical definition of worldliness:"Anything in a Christian’s life that causes him to lose his enjoyment of the Father’s love or his desire to do the Father’s will is worldly and must be avoided." Responding to the Father’s love (your personal devotional life), and doing the Father’s will (your daily conduct)—these are two tests of worldliness.
John points out that the world system uses three devices to trap Christians: the lust (desire) of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (1 John 2:16). Worldliness is the lust of the flesh (a passion for sensual satisfaction), the lust of the eyes (an inordinate desire for the finer things of life), and the pride of life (self-satisfaction in who we are, what we have, and what we have done). God has given man certain desires, and these desires are good. Hunger, thirst, weariness, and sexual relationships are not at all evil in themselves. There is nothing wrong about eating, drinking, sleeping, or begetting children. But when the flesh controls them, they become sinful “lusts”. Because it involves violation by meeting legitimate needs in an illegitimate way. Hunger is not evil, but gluttony is sinful. Thirst is not evil, but drunkenness is a sin. Sleep is a gift of God, but laziness is shameful. Sex is God’s precious gift when used rightly; but when used wrongly, it becomes immorality.
The three Hebrew children and Joseph reveal to us how to face the pressure to conform, in each situation there was a declaration of faith that revealed their convictions. The scripture declares if “any man come after me let him deny himself take up the cross and follow me.” How does it apply to this pressure to conform? Deny the appetites that may be awaken within in order for you to meet legitimate needs in an illegitimate manner. There is a cross to bear in making a right decision in a wrong society. The cross is bearing the consequences of being obedient. What do you do when you make the right choice but the results of that choice are not immediate or you end up walking through the fire anyway or in prison like Joseph? It was Martin Luther King Jr in a union hall in lower Manhattan early in the l960’s; he closed a sermon of a speech: "Truth crushed to earth will rise again."
Today, we live in two worlds of news and information. One is "fact based," the other 'faith-based." It was a fact that there was a fiery furnace, it was intensified seven times its present heat, it was a fact that it would burn and kill for those who threw them in did died. But it was also a fact that God would deliver but if not they still would not bow. Their conviction was in God who is true and their servitude was not based on his deliverance. One is fact based, the other faith-based, may we choose faith. Deny, bear the cross and follow him, as we follow the “TRUTH”, God will rise again and again and reveal himself. He did walk with the Hebrew children in the furnace and he did show up in the prison cell for Joseph.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Alignment
I personally believe that alignment is a very pertinent word for the Body of Christ at this time; the word means “the state of adjustment or proper positioning”. If you were to take two twenty pound dumbbells and place one in each hand and carry them in front of you with your arms extended and then carry them at your sides in right proportion and walk the same distance you will notice a great difference in how much effort and energy one method would require above the other. I was in Guatemala and the Missions team that was with me found it very interesting that the woman carried their laundry baskets on their head at a fairly fast pace with no strain whatsoever. The Missionary informed us that from an early age they learn this practice, he said it involved developing their neck muscles and learning to walk in right alignment. It appears from the weariness on people’s faces, a fatigue that seems to be evident by their words and their actions that we need to consider our alignment in God in contrast to what we are facing and how we are responding to these things. The Prophet Haggai in chapter 1 verse 6, this is my paraphrase “you have planted so much seed and you harvest so little; you eat but ye you are always hungry; you drink but always thirsty; you have clothes on but yet you are always cold; you work so hard and when you get paid it seems like you placed your money in a bag with holes,” God says consider your ways. The people were misaligned and God begins to disclose to them the issue.
Haggai 1:7-9, 12-15
7“Thus says the LORD of hosts: Consider your ways. 8Go up to the hills and bring wood and build the house, that I may take pleasure in it and that I may be glorified, says the LORD. 9You looked for much, and behold, it came to little. And when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why? declares the LORD of hosts. Because of my house that lies in ruins, while each of you busies himself with his own house.
12Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the LORD their God, and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the LORD their God had sent him. And the people feared the LORD. 13Then Haggai, the messenger of the LORD, spoke to the people with the LORD’s message, “I am with you, declares the LORD.” 14And the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people. And they came and worked on the house of the LORD of hosts, their God, 15on the twenty-fourth day of the month, in the sixth month, in the second year of Darius the king.
The alignment begins by first of all assessing what area of my life is out of alignment. I must ask is anything in my life that is not functioning according to what Gods word says, anything that is out of order, anything I pour into and yet I feel so frustrated and depleted because it is not producing what is should.
The second thing I must do is find alignment, for a believer in Christ that alignment comes from the word of God. In 2 Chronicles we find right alignment for the Church, If my people, the alignment humble themselves, pray, seek my face, turn from their wicked ways then I will hear, forgive and heal. If I am having trouble with my mind and worry, Philippians 4:6-8 tells us not to worry about anything and pray about everything and the peace of God that is beyond our understanding shall keep (guard) our heart and mind through Christ Jesus. Then he says these are the things you need to think upon, what is true, honest, just, lovely, good report. I heard a very powerful quote this morning “until we change the way we look at things the things we look at will never change”, that’s right alignment.
In Ezekiel’s vision of the river, he is beckoned to go deeper into the river and there are different levels which are mentioned, the ankles, knees, the waist and then the river was so deep the prophet could no longer stand on his feet. In correlation with those depths I want to apply it to alignment.Proper alignment has to do with positioning. We must position ourselves properly in relationship to the word of God; I must submit myself to the word. So in my positioning I am aligning myself under Gods authority, my standing or positioning represents the waters to the ankles.
The knees, when exercising at the gym depending on the weight you are lifting there are certain exercises that require for you to bend your knees in order to take the pressure off of certain parts of the body especially your lower back, so it is with prayer. Prayer is the place where the pressure of or the weight of the things you carry is taken off of you and placed on God, “cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you: he shall never allow you righteous child of God to be moved.” (Psalms 55:22)
The water to the waist in the alignment process speaks of going beyond. In the world of sports groaning is a sound that is made which seems to indicate that they are reaching deep within you can hear this groan in tennis matches and also weight lifting. Watching the NBA finals there were moments in the closing of the game with less than a minute left where you knew every play and second was significant and crucial. This alignment that God wants to bring is a crucial place, everything counts, there is place where prayer becomes a groaning because of the intensity of the seeker and the serious of the hour concerning what must be attained.
Beyond is the place where it is so deep you are no longer standing on your own feet but the waves of waters carry you. When there is a proper alignment there is a place in God where you still have to bear what has been placed upon you but it is not affecting you because what you carry is carried by the God who carries you.
Haggai 1:7-9, 12-15
7“Thus says the LORD of hosts: Consider your ways. 8Go up to the hills and bring wood and build the house, that I may take pleasure in it and that I may be glorified, says the LORD. 9You looked for much, and behold, it came to little. And when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why? declares the LORD of hosts. Because of my house that lies in ruins, while each of you busies himself with his own house.
12Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the LORD their God, and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the LORD their God had sent him. And the people feared the LORD. 13Then Haggai, the messenger of the LORD, spoke to the people with the LORD’s message, “I am with you, declares the LORD.” 14And the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people. And they came and worked on the house of the LORD of hosts, their God, 15on the twenty-fourth day of the month, in the sixth month, in the second year of Darius the king.
The alignment begins by first of all assessing what area of my life is out of alignment. I must ask is anything in my life that is not functioning according to what Gods word says, anything that is out of order, anything I pour into and yet I feel so frustrated and depleted because it is not producing what is should.
The second thing I must do is find alignment, for a believer in Christ that alignment comes from the word of God. In 2 Chronicles we find right alignment for the Church, If my people, the alignment humble themselves, pray, seek my face, turn from their wicked ways then I will hear, forgive and heal. If I am having trouble with my mind and worry, Philippians 4:6-8 tells us not to worry about anything and pray about everything and the peace of God that is beyond our understanding shall keep (guard) our heart and mind through Christ Jesus. Then he says these are the things you need to think upon, what is true, honest, just, lovely, good report. I heard a very powerful quote this morning “until we change the way we look at things the things we look at will never change”, that’s right alignment.
In Ezekiel’s vision of the river, he is beckoned to go deeper into the river and there are different levels which are mentioned, the ankles, knees, the waist and then the river was so deep the prophet could no longer stand on his feet. In correlation with those depths I want to apply it to alignment.Proper alignment has to do with positioning. We must position ourselves properly in relationship to the word of God; I must submit myself to the word. So in my positioning I am aligning myself under Gods authority, my standing or positioning represents the waters to the ankles.
The knees, when exercising at the gym depending on the weight you are lifting there are certain exercises that require for you to bend your knees in order to take the pressure off of certain parts of the body especially your lower back, so it is with prayer. Prayer is the place where the pressure of or the weight of the things you carry is taken off of you and placed on God, “cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you: he shall never allow you righteous child of God to be moved.” (Psalms 55:22)
The water to the waist in the alignment process speaks of going beyond. In the world of sports groaning is a sound that is made which seems to indicate that they are reaching deep within you can hear this groan in tennis matches and also weight lifting. Watching the NBA finals there were moments in the closing of the game with less than a minute left where you knew every play and second was significant and crucial. This alignment that God wants to bring is a crucial place, everything counts, there is place where prayer becomes a groaning because of the intensity of the seeker and the serious of the hour concerning what must be attained.
Beyond is the place where it is so deep you are no longer standing on your own feet but the waves of waters carry you. When there is a proper alignment there is a place in God where you still have to bear what has been placed upon you but it is not affecting you because what you carry is carried by the God who carries you.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Fruit or Gifts
One aspect of the subject of spiritual gifts which is of very great importance is their relationship to holiness. So the question arises, Do spiritual gifts help toward holiness? Do they demand holiness before they can be bestowed? Are they evidence of holiness? Does the personal holiness of the individual affect their exercise? Are the gifts worth troubling about since holiness is of such supreme importance? As we speak of holiness, I speak of holiness in the sense of Christ-likeness in character: that positive result of salvation by which the very life of Christ is being lived out again in and through the life and character of the believer. There are many outward graces that mark such a character, and foremost among them we may certainly place that beautiful list for what Paul calls in Galatians 5:22-23 “the fruit of the spirit.” The list is as follows: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance.”
It is necessary to clearly understand the fundamental difference between these two terms. Fruit is the natural outcome, by a process of steady growth, of a principle of life within.Fruit takes time to develop and is brought to perfection by the assistance of much outside, such as sunshine, rain, soil, etc. Gifts on the other hand, may be given by the generous action of someone without. They are usually complete as given, though their exercise by the recipient can become more perfect by use.
Fruit comes gradually from within, while gifts come immediately from without. The fruit of the Spirit will thus be seen as the manifestation and outcome of the divine life put within the believer at regeneration; perhaps appearing almost instantly in same features, but more generally appearing gradually by a process of growth in grace. Its development will be helped by such outward means of grace as Christian fellowship and ministry, circumstances and, above all, communion with God. There is room for such fruit to grow throughout the whole course of a Christian’s life; and holiness when viewed from this angle should be steadily progressive. The progression of John 15 is that God desire for us to bear fruit, bear much fruit, to bear much more fruit. It is the pruning and the cut away of God that brings about the process of greater fruitfulness. Gifts of the Spirit on the other hand, can be bestowed suddenly at any point in the believer’s experience.
The bestowal of gifts of the Holy Spirit thus appears to be more or loess independent of a believers maturity of growth in grace, except, of course, as the Lord may mark the fitness of the individual. They do not seem to spring from the life within but are the sovereign acts of the Great Giver. There must be a balance between the fruit of the Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit. The fruit of the Spirit is for character and holiness and the gifts of the Spirit are for power.
Have you ever known those in the church who love to indulge themselves in sin on Saturday night and prophesy in the church on Sunday morning? Their lifestyle does not line up with the will of God for their lives. Why does the Lord allow His gifts to flow through them? Shouldn’t they lose the gift? Scripture says the gifts and callings of God are without repentance (meaning they are irrevocable). There is no guarantee that the men and women using these gifts will be faithful and honorable in using them. The Lord will deal with these individuals as He sees fit. We must pray for them. If we want the gifts of the Spirit to flow freely through us, we must allow the fruit of the Spirit to be manifested in our lives. We must learn how to "walk in love".
1 Cor. 13:1 - Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.
If the fruit of the Spirit is not present in our lives, and we prophesy in church on Sunday morning, our words will sound like clanging cymbals to the congregation. Would the sound of clanging symbols cause those present to be edified, or would it just give them a headache? We must be spiritually in tune with the Holy Spirit. We must not bring reproach to the Lord by the way we live our lives outside the four walls of the church. We must "get right" with the Lord. If we choose not to repent of sin, we are deceiving ourselves. Many have been playing church, but God is going to judge the sin that is rampant in our midst. God hates sin, because sin separates us from Him.
It is necessary to clearly understand the fundamental difference between these two terms. Fruit is the natural outcome, by a process of steady growth, of a principle of life within.Fruit takes time to develop and is brought to perfection by the assistance of much outside, such as sunshine, rain, soil, etc. Gifts on the other hand, may be given by the generous action of someone without. They are usually complete as given, though their exercise by the recipient can become more perfect by use.
Fruit comes gradually from within, while gifts come immediately from without. The fruit of the Spirit will thus be seen as the manifestation and outcome of the divine life put within the believer at regeneration; perhaps appearing almost instantly in same features, but more generally appearing gradually by a process of growth in grace. Its development will be helped by such outward means of grace as Christian fellowship and ministry, circumstances and, above all, communion with God. There is room for such fruit to grow throughout the whole course of a Christian’s life; and holiness when viewed from this angle should be steadily progressive. The progression of John 15 is that God desire for us to bear fruit, bear much fruit, to bear much more fruit. It is the pruning and the cut away of God that brings about the process of greater fruitfulness. Gifts of the Spirit on the other hand, can be bestowed suddenly at any point in the believer’s experience.
The bestowal of gifts of the Holy Spirit thus appears to be more or loess independent of a believers maturity of growth in grace, except, of course, as the Lord may mark the fitness of the individual. They do not seem to spring from the life within but are the sovereign acts of the Great Giver. There must be a balance between the fruit of the Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit. The fruit of the Spirit is for character and holiness and the gifts of the Spirit are for power.
Have you ever known those in the church who love to indulge themselves in sin on Saturday night and prophesy in the church on Sunday morning? Their lifestyle does not line up with the will of God for their lives. Why does the Lord allow His gifts to flow through them? Shouldn’t they lose the gift? Scripture says the gifts and callings of God are without repentance (meaning they are irrevocable). There is no guarantee that the men and women using these gifts will be faithful and honorable in using them. The Lord will deal with these individuals as He sees fit. We must pray for them. If we want the gifts of the Spirit to flow freely through us, we must allow the fruit of the Spirit to be manifested in our lives. We must learn how to "walk in love".
1 Cor. 13:1 - Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.
If the fruit of the Spirit is not present in our lives, and we prophesy in church on Sunday morning, our words will sound like clanging cymbals to the congregation. Would the sound of clanging symbols cause those present to be edified, or would it just give them a headache? We must be spiritually in tune with the Holy Spirit. We must not bring reproach to the Lord by the way we live our lives outside the four walls of the church. We must "get right" with the Lord. If we choose not to repent of sin, we are deceiving ourselves. Many have been playing church, but God is going to judge the sin that is rampant in our midst. God hates sin, because sin separates us from Him.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
What is that Sound from Heaven
What is that Sound from Heaven
The Day of Pentecost was about the power the Holy Ghost would give the believer to be a powerful witness. The greatest challenge of Pentecost was for the church to use its power and not remain in the upper room speaking in tongues.
Why did God do this? For one, Pentecost was a reversal of the judgment at the Tower of Babel when God confused man’s language (Gen. 11:1-9). God’s judgment at Babel scattered the people, but God’s blessing at Pentecost united the believers in the Spirit. The Tower of Babel was a scheme designed to praise men and make a name for men, but Pentecost brought praise to God. The building of Babel was an act of rebellion, but Pentecost was a ministry of humble submission to God. What a contrast!
Also this gift of tongues was to let the people know that the Gospel was for the whole world. God wants to speak to every person in his or her own language and give the saving message of salvation in Jesus Christ.
The emphasis in the Book of Acts is on worldwide evangelization; “unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8). “The Spirit of Christ is the spirit of missions,” said Henry Martyn, “and the nearer we get to Him, the more intensely missionary we must become.”
What did the sound from heaven bring? And how would it combat the forces of the enemy?
I. A unity Satan could not divide;
What keeps the devil defenseless?
a. Christians praying for each other
b. Building each others faith
c. Working together in harmony
d. A good steward of time, talent and money
e. Resisting gossip and division
f. Exalting Christ everywhere they went.
2. A tongue he couldn’t understand:
With all of his knowledge, he could not understand the prayer language that God gave his servants.
3. A fire he couldn’t put out:
A zeal to worship, to tell, share and work for God despite persecution. In fact persecution intensified the fire. Acts 8:4 says as the church was scattered and they preached the gospel everywhere they went.
4. A power he couldn’t handle.
Power for effective ministry, testify, deliver, heal and live above sin. In Acts 4:7 the religious leaders asked “by what power or by what name have you done this?” Verse 13 says they marveled when they looked at Peter and John because they perceived they were unlearned and ignorant.
5. A revival he couldn’t stop
People’s hearts were stirred and changed and they loved it and shared it. What holding you back from having revival? Acts 8:6 there were miracles, deliverances, healings and great joy in the city.
6. Results he couldn’t change:
Life changing results, signs followed them to work, school and the Market place. The lame man healed as recorded in Acts 3:9-11 was living proof it was staring them in the eye. The people saw him walking and praising God and they knew it was him who sat for alms and they were filled with wonder and amazement.
7. Evidence he couldn’t deny:
a. A new love for scripture
b. A new awareness of right and wrong
c. A desire to be like Jesus Christ
d. Social pressures from those convicted by their changed lives.
e. A desire to proclaim Christ to others.
f. A love for one another
All of these things we need;
1. Unity he can’t divide.
2. Tongue he can’t understand
3. Fire he can’t control
4. Power he can’t handle
5. Revival he can’t stop
6. Results he can’t change
7. Evidence he cannot deny.
It is the workings of the Holy Spirit who accomplished these things through the Church. Are these signs evident today?
The Day of Pentecost was about the power the Holy Ghost would give the believer to be a powerful witness. The greatest challenge of Pentecost was for the church to use its power and not remain in the upper room speaking in tongues.
Why did God do this? For one, Pentecost was a reversal of the judgment at the Tower of Babel when God confused man’s language (Gen. 11:1-9). God’s judgment at Babel scattered the people, but God’s blessing at Pentecost united the believers in the Spirit. The Tower of Babel was a scheme designed to praise men and make a name for men, but Pentecost brought praise to God. The building of Babel was an act of rebellion, but Pentecost was a ministry of humble submission to God. What a contrast!
Also this gift of tongues was to let the people know that the Gospel was for the whole world. God wants to speak to every person in his or her own language and give the saving message of salvation in Jesus Christ.
The emphasis in the Book of Acts is on worldwide evangelization; “unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8). “The Spirit of Christ is the spirit of missions,” said Henry Martyn, “and the nearer we get to Him, the more intensely missionary we must become.”
What did the sound from heaven bring? And how would it combat the forces of the enemy?
I. A unity Satan could not divide;
What keeps the devil defenseless?
a. Christians praying for each other
b. Building each others faith
c. Working together in harmony
d. A good steward of time, talent and money
e. Resisting gossip and division
f. Exalting Christ everywhere they went.
2. A tongue he couldn’t understand:
With all of his knowledge, he could not understand the prayer language that God gave his servants.
3. A fire he couldn’t put out:
A zeal to worship, to tell, share and work for God despite persecution. In fact persecution intensified the fire. Acts 8:4 says as the church was scattered and they preached the gospel everywhere they went.
4. A power he couldn’t handle.
Power for effective ministry, testify, deliver, heal and live above sin. In Acts 4:7 the religious leaders asked “by what power or by what name have you done this?” Verse 13 says they marveled when they looked at Peter and John because they perceived they were unlearned and ignorant.
5. A revival he couldn’t stop
People’s hearts were stirred and changed and they loved it and shared it. What holding you back from having revival? Acts 8:6 there were miracles, deliverances, healings and great joy in the city.
6. Results he couldn’t change:
Life changing results, signs followed them to work, school and the Market place. The lame man healed as recorded in Acts 3:9-11 was living proof it was staring them in the eye. The people saw him walking and praising God and they knew it was him who sat for alms and they were filled with wonder and amazement.
7. Evidence he couldn’t deny:
a. A new love for scripture
b. A new awareness of right and wrong
c. A desire to be like Jesus Christ
d. Social pressures from those convicted by their changed lives.
e. A desire to proclaim Christ to others.
f. A love for one another
All of these things we need;
1. Unity he can’t divide.
2. Tongue he can’t understand
3. Fire he can’t control
4. Power he can’t handle
5. Revival he can’t stop
6. Results he can’t change
7. Evidence he cannot deny.
It is the workings of the Holy Spirit who accomplished these things through the Church. Are these signs evident today?
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Understand the Times
George Barna delivers a wake-up slap for all leaders and churches in America; I am convinced that the typical church as we know it today has a rapidly expiring shelf life.
Our cultural norms, our personal expectations and the condition of the Christian community at large have produced a dizzying-array of challenges to churches. Across the nation, ministries of all sizes and shapes have responded with a frenzy of religious activity, producing more programs, buildings, events and resources than would have been imaginable at the turn of the century.
Yet as we prepare to enter into a new century of ministry, we must address an inescapable conclusion. Despite the activity emanating from thousands of congregations, the church in America is losing influence and adherents faster than any other institution in the nation. Unless a radical solution for the revival of the Christian Church in the United States is adopted and implemented soon, the spiritual hunger of Americans will either go unmet or be satisfied by other faith groups. No longer can we just minister to our kind and stay within our comfort zones.
These are important words because they tell us that these men from Issachar realized that changes were taking place in their nation and they needed to respond to those changes. They were also the kind of men who could make the right decisions. Like the men of Issachar, we need to be aware of the cultural changes and be prepared to meet the challenge of reaching an ever-changing culture with the Gospel message.
The men of Issachar not only understood what God was doing but they knew how to respond to what God was doing. They had a plan. We can understand and even understand what the Bible says the times but it means nothing unless we can then act upon that information. We must have the ability to respond and apply the truth in a way that the world around us can understand. So often the world sees the church as irrelevant, not because they do not have the truth but because they have failed to communicate it in an understandable way to the world around it.
Elton Trueblood wrote, "It used to be that Christianity was a revolutionary faith that turned the world upside down. But today Christians sit in Sunday morning church services looking at their watches, wondering what time dinner will be served, or thinking about the kickoff. And we hope that church won’t interfere with the things we would really rather be doing."
God is doing a new thing in the world today. The world is changing, and while these changes bring many challenges they also provide opportunities to witness like never before.
Some years ago a terrible railroad accident occurred, killing many people. A commuter train had stalled on the tracks just a few minutes before a fast freight was due to arrive. A conductor was quickly sent to flag down the approaching "flier." Being assured that all was well, the passengers relaxed. Suddenly, however, the speeding freight came bearing down upon them. The crash left a ghastly scene of horror. The engineer of the second train, who escaped death by jumping from the cab, was called into court to explain why he hadn’t stopped. "I saw a man waving a warning flag," he said, "but it was yellow, so I thought he just wanted me to slow down." When the flag was examined, the mystery was explained. It had been red, but because of long exposure to the sun and weather it had become a dirty yellow. Have we become yellow over time?
Has the urgency of the situation faded in the sunlight of this world and we are waving a yellow faded flag of redemption while our neighbors, family and coworkers and those who live around us sit idly by as the destruction of a Godless eternity come rushing toward them? We need to see where and how the Lord is moving today and to embrace the fresh movements happening all around the world. It is time to get right.
We need to make sure that we are biblically driven and not measure ministry by past successes or denominational culture. We need to get out and get going because there is a world that desperately needs to hear the good news about Jesus. It is time to reveal God, don’t try to explain it demonstrate it, don’t try to formulate it experience it, don’t try to live up to our heritage, lets make our own.
Our cultural norms, our personal expectations and the condition of the Christian community at large have produced a dizzying-array of challenges to churches. Across the nation, ministries of all sizes and shapes have responded with a frenzy of religious activity, producing more programs, buildings, events and resources than would have been imaginable at the turn of the century.
Yet as we prepare to enter into a new century of ministry, we must address an inescapable conclusion. Despite the activity emanating from thousands of congregations, the church in America is losing influence and adherents faster than any other institution in the nation. Unless a radical solution for the revival of the Christian Church in the United States is adopted and implemented soon, the spiritual hunger of Americans will either go unmet or be satisfied by other faith groups. No longer can we just minister to our kind and stay within our comfort zones.
These are important words because they tell us that these men from Issachar realized that changes were taking place in their nation and they needed to respond to those changes. They were also the kind of men who could make the right decisions. Like the men of Issachar, we need to be aware of the cultural changes and be prepared to meet the challenge of reaching an ever-changing culture with the Gospel message.
The men of Issachar not only understood what God was doing but they knew how to respond to what God was doing. They had a plan. We can understand and even understand what the Bible says the times but it means nothing unless we can then act upon that information. We must have the ability to respond and apply the truth in a way that the world around us can understand. So often the world sees the church as irrelevant, not because they do not have the truth but because they have failed to communicate it in an understandable way to the world around it.
Elton Trueblood wrote, "It used to be that Christianity was a revolutionary faith that turned the world upside down. But today Christians sit in Sunday morning church services looking at their watches, wondering what time dinner will be served, or thinking about the kickoff. And we hope that church won’t interfere with the things we would really rather be doing."
God is doing a new thing in the world today. The world is changing, and while these changes bring many challenges they also provide opportunities to witness like never before.
Some years ago a terrible railroad accident occurred, killing many people. A commuter train had stalled on the tracks just a few minutes before a fast freight was due to arrive. A conductor was quickly sent to flag down the approaching "flier." Being assured that all was well, the passengers relaxed. Suddenly, however, the speeding freight came bearing down upon them. The crash left a ghastly scene of horror. The engineer of the second train, who escaped death by jumping from the cab, was called into court to explain why he hadn’t stopped. "I saw a man waving a warning flag," he said, "but it was yellow, so I thought he just wanted me to slow down." When the flag was examined, the mystery was explained. It had been red, but because of long exposure to the sun and weather it had become a dirty yellow. Have we become yellow over time?
Has the urgency of the situation faded in the sunlight of this world and we are waving a yellow faded flag of redemption while our neighbors, family and coworkers and those who live around us sit idly by as the destruction of a Godless eternity come rushing toward them? We need to see where and how the Lord is moving today and to embrace the fresh movements happening all around the world. It is time to get right.
We need to make sure that we are biblically driven and not measure ministry by past successes or denominational culture. We need to get out and get going because there is a world that desperately needs to hear the good news about Jesus. It is time to reveal God, don’t try to explain it demonstrate it, don’t try to formulate it experience it, don’t try to live up to our heritage, lets make our own.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Ready for my Until
An interesting truth about the different seasons we face in life is that when God gets ready to act we must be prepared to respond. It requires more time to sow and cultivate than to reap. So it is with our lives, the element of walking through your wilderness experience is much longer than the mountain top places that follow.
Isaiah 42:9 “Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them.” The former passes away but the new springs forth, the message “says before it burst on the scene.”
This scripture is demonstrated in the life of Joseph, Genesis 41:14 records “then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him hastily out of the dungeon: and he shaved himself, and changed his raiment, and came in unto Pharaoh.” The sowing and cultivating took about 13 years but the moment of fulfillment came immediately.
Psalms 105:19 says “Until the time that his word came: the word of the Lord tried him”. It is the answer to so many of our questions. It deals with the why in your soul better than any passage I know. The until’s in life are God’s. “It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.” God knew when this exile named Joseph had had sufficient preparation. He knew how much of Pharaoh’s butler and baker Joseph needed. He knew how much determination the process alone could develop in Joseph. It does not take God long when you are ready. It becomes a battle of faith. Will you, or will you not rest your case upon God’s word? The word of the Lord tried him. There is always an “until” in God’s schedule, when enough has served his purpose. His dream came true when God choose for it to be fulfilled, when God deemed that Joseph was ready.
It is unsettling to contemplate how life makes some people grim and others gracious. Two people can walk through the same valley of discouraging circumstances. One emerges with resentment, the other with resiliency. Tragedy can be the making of some and the breaking of others. Some grow, others shrivel. Why?
What we must understand is that one of the most challenging and difficult lessons in the school of faith-obedience are that the God who gives the dream also prepares the dreamer to realize the dream. What we go through as we move toward our God-given goals is perfectly planned to make great people capable of handling a great dream. So here are a few encouraging scriptures for your season.
1. Do not give up and became discouraged!
Galatians 6:9 and let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
2. Do not cast aside your confidence!
Hebrews 10:35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward.
3. Be ready, all is not in vain
Hebrews 12:12 wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;
1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
4. Remember, it is God who brings it to pass, not you
Psalm 37:5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
Here is a little illustration, The Chinese bamboo tree starts from a seed. You plant the seed, and the first year you water and fertilize it and nothing happens. Then the second year you water and fertilize it and still nothing happens. This process continues through the 3rd and 4th years as well. But in the 5th year as you continue to water and fertilize the seed, sometime in the 5th year the Chinese bamboo tree grows 90 feet in six weeks. Now, let me ask you a question, did the Chinese bamboo tree grow 90 feet in six weeks or had it been growing all along where nobody could see it?
The question is “are you ready for your until?”
Isaiah 42:9 “Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them.” The former passes away but the new springs forth, the message “says before it burst on the scene.”
This scripture is demonstrated in the life of Joseph, Genesis 41:14 records “then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him hastily out of the dungeon: and he shaved himself, and changed his raiment, and came in unto Pharaoh.” The sowing and cultivating took about 13 years but the moment of fulfillment came immediately.
Psalms 105:19 says “Until the time that his word came: the word of the Lord tried him”. It is the answer to so many of our questions. It deals with the why in your soul better than any passage I know. The until’s in life are God’s. “It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.” God knew when this exile named Joseph had had sufficient preparation. He knew how much of Pharaoh’s butler and baker Joseph needed. He knew how much determination the process alone could develop in Joseph. It does not take God long when you are ready. It becomes a battle of faith. Will you, or will you not rest your case upon God’s word? The word of the Lord tried him. There is always an “until” in God’s schedule, when enough has served his purpose. His dream came true when God choose for it to be fulfilled, when God deemed that Joseph was ready.
It is unsettling to contemplate how life makes some people grim and others gracious. Two people can walk through the same valley of discouraging circumstances. One emerges with resentment, the other with resiliency. Tragedy can be the making of some and the breaking of others. Some grow, others shrivel. Why?
What we must understand is that one of the most challenging and difficult lessons in the school of faith-obedience are that the God who gives the dream also prepares the dreamer to realize the dream. What we go through as we move toward our God-given goals is perfectly planned to make great people capable of handling a great dream. So here are a few encouraging scriptures for your season.
1. Do not give up and became discouraged!
Galatians 6:9 and let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
2. Do not cast aside your confidence!
Hebrews 10:35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward.
3. Be ready, all is not in vain
Hebrews 12:12 wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;
1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
4. Remember, it is God who brings it to pass, not you
Psalm 37:5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
Here is a little illustration, The Chinese bamboo tree starts from a seed. You plant the seed, and the first year you water and fertilize it and nothing happens. Then the second year you water and fertilize it and still nothing happens. This process continues through the 3rd and 4th years as well. But in the 5th year as you continue to water and fertilize the seed, sometime in the 5th year the Chinese bamboo tree grows 90 feet in six weeks. Now, let me ask you a question, did the Chinese bamboo tree grow 90 feet in six weeks or had it been growing all along where nobody could see it?
The question is “are you ready for your until?”
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