Being a Joseph people with a Joshua heart!
Being a Joseph people with a Joshua heart
Joshua is a warrior, a general, his name is the Hebrew version of Jesus
It is a book about overcoming spiritual warfare it is a mirror/parelled of the book of Ephesians what Ephesians explains doctrinally Joshua explains practically
Joshua Possession of earthly kingdom/land Ephesians church possession of the Kingdom of heaven
Genesis – Election
Exodus – deliverance went in as a family came out as a nation, redemption by grace
Leviticus – manner of worship and fellowship sanctification
Numbers – failure of unbelief
Deuteronomy – obedience
Joshua is a practical book about warfare, they were on the offense as we should be rather than fearing the enemies we attack hell to take back the land and the people….gaining victory and what tools to we use to gain victory
Joshua is about our predestined inheritance of God’s people through one man like we gain our predestined inheritance through one man Jesus…both are a gift of grace received by faith…by law Israel could not be entitled to the land, it was a gift of God but they still had to take possession of it not just sit around and wait for it to be given to them as we must do with the Kingdom of heaven
Matthew 11:12
And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.
Joshua 1:1-9– The commission
After the death of Moses the Lord’s servant, the Lord spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ assistant. He said, 2 “Moses my servant is dead. Therefore, the time has come for you to lead these people, the Israelites, across the Jordan River into the land I am giving them. 3 I promise you what I promised Moses: ‘Wherever you set foot, you will be on land I have given you—4 from the Negev wilderness in the south to the Lebanon mountains in the north, from the Euphrates River in the east to the Mediterranean Sea in the west, including all the land of the Hittites.’ 5 No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you. 6 “Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. 7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. 8 Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. 9 This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Six attributes of Joshua
1) Joshua was a faith person.
He had faith to believe God when no one else did – he received God’s commission by faith to lead the people
He was faithful to God and the leadership: he was promoted because he learned to be humble, trust God and serve under Moses –
Exodus 33:11
Inside the Tent of Meeting, the Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. Afterward Moses would return to the camp, but the young man who assisted him, Joshua son of Nun, would remain behind in the Tent of Meeting.
Joshua 1:7
Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do
God can and will give us dreams but we must remain servants and obedient to see them fulfilled…we can not be blessed of God with pride and arrogance…if you are struggling with a dream have you rebelled against your boss, parents, pastors, other leaders…have you violated God’s principles but expect God’s blessings
2) Joshua had vision–
Numbers 14:6-9
Two of the men who had explored the land, Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, tore their clothing. 7 They said to all the people of Israel, “The land we traveled through and explored is a wonderful land! 8 And if the Lord is pleased with us, he will bring us safely into that land and give it to us. It is a rich land flowing with milk and honey. 9 Do not rebel against the Lord, and don’t be afraid of the people of the land. They are only helpless prey to us! They have no protection, but the Lord is with us! Don’t be afraid of them!”
He saw the potential within the promise & God’s people
He could see God’s favor was upon them
As we talked the last two weeks we need to dream big and line it up with God’s big dream, what were you created to do, and what has he called you to do
3) Joshua had purpose
Joshua 1:3,4
I promise you what I promised Moses: ‘Wherever you set foot, you will be on land I have given you—4 from the Negev wilderness in the south to the Lebanon mountains in the north, from the Euphrates River in the east to the Mediterranean Sea in the west, including all the land of the Hittites.
He knew God’s desire for the people
He needed to lead the people into the promise
God has give each of us a measure of faith for a purpose ask these questions:
1) What do I love to do?
2) What drives me crazy? (Problem do I want to solve)
3) What natural and supernatural gifts do I possess?
4) What do others see in me?
4) Joshua had training
Exodus 24: 12,13
Then the Lord said to Moses, “Come up to me on the mountain. Stay there, and I will give you the tablets of stone on which I have inscribed the instructions and commands so you can teach the people.” 13 So Moses and his assistant Joshua set out, and Moses climbed up the mountain of God.
God called him to lead early on
He learned under Moses
Joshua 1:8
Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.
God will always place someone in your life to train you if you are willing to be trained
5) Joshua had a promise
God gave the land
God gave the resources to do it
Joshua 1:5
No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you.
6) Joshua had a work ethic
He understood the task
He rolled up his sleeves
God gave them the land but he didn’t tell all the other people to get out. God told His people to go in.
Joshua 1:6,7
6 “Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. 7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do.
Deuteronomy 4:1
“Now, O Israel, listen to the statutes and the judgments which I teach you to observe, that you may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers is giving you. NKJV
Our Call today that is similar
Mark 16:15 -18
And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
The Joseph Generation, a prophetic call to the church Part 2
We talked about how Joseph was a dreamer and we need to get bigger dreams any one want to tell me what their dream is?
We prayed for these bigger dreams and believe me if you received prayer the Lord will give you bigger dreams because He loves you and every person in this nation
He will give you wisdom because God is faithful to His promises and James told us that if we need it, God will give it.
But God is pouring out an anointing on this generation to be the Joseph generation….God has a destiny for you and He is moving you toward it.
In Acts 3Peter and John are on their way to the temple they pass a man that Jesus must have passed many times but God’s call of action was for Peter and John and this man…he begs them for money and here is their response in verses 4-6
“Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 The lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting some money. 6 But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!”
How does this tie in with Joseph’s story?
It is about the power of God being poured out, let’s look at the story
Joseph had done nothing wrong but ended up in prison…God used his imprisonment to train him in his gifts
Then Pharaoh’s cup bearer and baker both were in prison and had dreams…Joseph had gained such favor with the guards that he was as a prisoner a leader in the prison he saw the two officials In Genesis 40:7,8
Why do you look so worried today?” he asked them.
8 And they replied, “We both had dreams last night, but no one can tell us what they mean.” “Interpreting dreams is God’s business,” Joseph replied. “Go ahead and tell me your dreams.”
Joseph was always a dreamer but God stirred in him a gift of the Spirit to interpret dreams so he could change the world.
Fast forward to Jesus…
Jesus walked with and taught his disciples for 3 ½ years. He performed all kinds of miracles and taught them to perform them as well. But the power they walked in rested in the anointing of Jesus.
So Jesus said to them John 14:12
“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father.”
They should do greater works? We should do greater works? How is that going to happen?
Jesus goes on to say
John 14:16
And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—
How does this all tie in…
When God wants to change the world He releases an anointing to do so
God wanted to save Abraham but he also wanted to save Egypt and allow them to see Him, as God, so he stirred up the gifts in Joseph to be exactly who he needed to be.
Jesus said this about the Holy Spirit to the disciples as part of his final words.
Acts 1:8
But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
120 people in an upper room were filled with the Holy Spirit gathered in unity
Acts 2:4 “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
The results the wonderful works of God were heard in at least 16 different languages and I am sure many more
The power is released so that every person could hear and understand the Gospel.
The gifts of the Holy Spirit are for the church but also as we see here for the world to know and understand the great works of God
God doesn’t always do the miracles we want but we don’t always know what miracles he will do if we don’t step out in faith
Jesus died on the cross for our salvation but he empowered us with the Hoy Spirit to bring hope, joy, and freedom to the world
Examples…Get Go, meeting with other non-spirit filled pastors, random people
3000 people die every day without Christ
Daniel 11:32b “but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits.”
You are called to change the world…the empowering of the Holy Spirit does that…
- learn to flow in the gifts of the Spirit and how to use them to impact the nation and world
- God is raising up a generation of leaders who will save the world…leaders in faith, leaders in business, leaders in education, leaders in government, leader in arts and entertainment, leaders in media, leaders in family it happens by not being afraid to dream, understanding how to communicate to this generation and flowing in the power of the Holy Spirit! You are those leaders!
So what do you do next?
1) make the commitment to believe and receive this word! Believe in the fact that you are the answer, and the hope and the freedom because of Christ in you
2) begin to allow the Lord to speak to you about your dream…commit to a certain amount of time every day to talking with God about your dream! God is always talking 2 Chronicles 16:9, Daniel 11:32b and every other scripture comes to life as we weight on Him…. You see if you really believe He loves you, then you will also believe He enjoys spending time with you!
3) write down your vision Habakkuk 2:2-4
Then the Lord answered me and said:
“Write the vision
And make it plain on tablets,
That he may run who reads it.
For the vision is yet for an appointed time;
But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie.
Though it tarries, wait for it;
Because it will surely come,
It will not tarry.
As you write it down always keep it in front of you so you measure you decisions not based on your circumstances but instead on God’s vision, dream for your life!
Proverbs 23:7 “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.”
4) Begin doing the vision! Allow the Lord to open your eyes to all the needs around you that you need to meet using the gifts and callings he has given you. As God has shown you His plan make decisions based on that plan… Further your education, develop your skills, allow Him to stretch your faith. Part of my daily prayer is God help me to see circumstances, people and things the way that you see them!God will begin small with you, be faithful doing the small steps Jesus said Luke 16:10
He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much;
As you begin to focus your time, talent and treasure on what God wants he will multiply it all until you are fulfilling every dream and then he will give you new ones until your destiny is complete
It begins today if you will allow him he will open your eyes to everything around you that you are supposed to do! Take the leap of faith and just do it! You can only do great exploits if you begin to take action… You will make mistakes you have to because faith requires you to do things and say things you have never done before and you never do something for the first time perfectly! If we are afraid to make mistakes you will never walk by faith or grow! God’s grace is always sufficient for you
Psalm 37:23,24
The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord,
And He delights in his way.
Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down;
For the Lord upholds him with His hand.
Now it will come to life for you!
Joseph generation, a prophetic call to the church Part 1
Joseph – dreamer,
God is raising up the Joseph generation
100+ countries around the world
– shot at, surrounded by terrorist and delivered by God, in near plane crashes, met, talked and prayed with presidents, terrorists, a pope, and leaders of all faiths, I have seen people of every faith come to Christ
I have seen blind eyes open, deaf ears open, a baby dead in a womb come to life, people stand up out of wheel chairs. Prophesied over tens of thousands of people but more importantly I have seen hundreds of thousands come to Christ and tens of thousands filled with the Holy Spirit
My daily prayer
God break my heart with the things that break your heart. Help me to see people and things they way you do. Teach me how to be a man 100% sold out to you!
Genesis 37:5-7
“Now Joseph had a dream, and he told it to his brothers; and they hated him even more. 6 So he said to them, “Please hear this dream which I have dreamed: 7 There we were, binding sheaves in the field. Then behold, my sheaf arose and also stood upright; and indeed your sheaves stood all around and bowed down to my sheaf.”
God is always raising up men and women of vision. Especially in critical moments in time
Proverbs 29:18tells us
Where there is no prophetic vision (revelation) the people cast off restraint,
Without men and women who know God’s heart and follow His heart there is no hope for our world.
Jeremiah prophesies this about all who follow Jesus…Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
I believe he is speaking prophetically not only about us but also the hope we can bring to everyone around us.
The United States is growing further and further away from the Lord because the church feel asleep…he is awakening them but the Lord gave me this prophetic word several years ago for churches all around the world
“you are not the victims of an anti-God society you are the heroes the world is waiting for to bring them to freedom”
God is raising up the Joseph generation of dreamers to begin dreaming big dreams the things that are impossible, things that bring hope and great future
Romans 12:3
For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.
You have been given gifts, talent, a personality, and abilities for the purpose of fulfilling you and your destiny
Paul challenges us to think the way God thinks, to dream the way He dreams to not be limited in our understanding by our limitations because we serve a God without limitations
1 Corinthians 2:9,10
But as it is written:
“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,
Nor have entered into the heart of man
The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”
10 But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.
Think about your dreams…what are the gifts God has given you
James 1:17
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.
Every gift came from God he ties them in with your dreams and has a plan to bring hope, life, love, freedom joy and so much more to everyone you know because of you!
Yes Joseph was a dreamer but his dreams didn’t come about that easily…when God gives us a dream it doesn’t mean that you are ready to fulfill it
David had to learn even though he was anointed to be King at a young age so did Joseph
Dream with me for a moment…
what is it that you love to do?
What skills talents, abilities, anointings do you have?
What problem do you see that you want to solve
Dream big! Because if you can do it, the dream is too small. God wants us to walk by faith so the dream must be too big for you
After Joseph had his dream he found himself sold into slavery I believe this is prophetic for this generation…not that you be sold into slavery but what he learned there
Genesis 39: 1-6
Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. And Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him down there. 2 The Lord was with Joseph, and he was a successful man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. 3 And his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord made all he did to prosper in his hand. 4 So Joseph found favor in his sight, and served him. Then he made him overseer of his house, and all that he had he put under his authority. 5 So it was, from the time that he had made him overseer of his house and all that he had, that the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of the Lord was on all that he had in the house and in the field. 6 Thus he left all that he had in Joseph’s hand, and he did not know what he had except for the bread which he ate.
Joseph prospered as a slave…isn’t that strange? God had a plan
Joseph was sent into slavery so he could learn the culture, understand the language and be exactly where he needed to be to fulfill his destiny.
God has you planted, in your job, your community, your school exactly where you need to be to engage your culture
In the church, we have our own culture, our own language but it is rare that we lead someone to Christ in the church. This generation must learn the language and the culture of their world not to be influenced by it but instead to understand how to communicate to this culture in a way they can understand it.
Many people followed Jesus…he never once compromised who He was or the call on His lifebut he hung around sinners, and broken people all the time so much so that He was accused of being one
Luke 7:34
The Son of Man, on the other hand, feasts and drinks, and you say, ‘He’s a glutton and a drunkard, and a friend of tax collectors and other sinners!’
He wasn’t but he was around the broken so much the religious people thought he was.
We are called to be light but we can only be that when we are around darkness.
God is calling this generation to engage their generation to understand them so they might be able to communicate the Gospel to them in a way they can understand…using every form of communication
Jesus commanded us to “Go into all the world”
After Joseph learned to understand and connect with the culture and the language God had another plan for him it didn’t seem like a blessing but it was…He ended up in prison….that is not to say that this generation is destined to prison but it is what He learned in prison that I need you to grasp…the right hand to the Pharaoh, the cup bearer and the Baker were thrown into prison and during that time they both had dreams…
God stirred two very powerful things in Joseph that He is stirring in this generation today something that the Holy Spirit wants to release in this generation that I will talk about next time…so will you come back for the next time? I want to see the release of those two things in this generation…I want you to be prayed up and prepared to receive what the Lord has for you so take time
Today…if you are willing I want to release an anointing of the Holy Spirit in you for two things today
- might be bold enough to allow the Lord to give you big dreams and for your to have big dreams
- the key to engaging with your culture is wisdom
James 1:5says this
“If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.”
Intimacy
Intimacy– fairly large word as the English language goes, 4 syllables
It is a word most women long for…many men shudder
It is a word God desires for us and the word the enemy fears for us
It is a combination of…Trust, Love, vulnerability, strength
Hopefully in a few minutes we will all be at peace with this word and moving toward true intimacy
Believe it or not, it is something everyone desires
Failures in intimacy case things like
Depression
Unfulfilled expectations
Feelings of worthlessness
Broken relationships
Broken marriages
Job loss
Emptiness
Sex is not real intimacy – sex is simple biology or lust drives a person alone it leaves people empty with no connection, intimacy builds a relationship to lovemaking and wholeness, completeness and connection
Intimacy is not people sitting in a room on their devices or watching TV….that may be relaxing but it is not intimacy
Intimacy is not casual
Intimacy is not accidental
Intimacy is not closed
So we have some of what intimacy is not so what is it?
Intimacy is a deep connection with a friend, child, parent, spouse, God, that says…I know you, you know me, you accept me for who I am and love me enough to push me to be better. I can share with you my fears, loves, worries, joys, I can be totally vulnerable to you and you will still love me, believe in me, and value me, and not judge me…it is like trust but more than trust
Jesus talks about the intimacy that He and the Father want with us
John 17:21
“I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.”
In this one verse Jesus’ high priestly prayer is for the power of God to flow through His people in the way it did through Jesus as he walked the earth
“I pray that they will be one, just as you and I are one”
There was nothing between Jesus and His Father but love and He is praying here that there would be nothing between each one of us but love.
Remember a few weeks ago I talked about how “love” is one of the evidences of the Holy Spirit
It is the Father’s heart that we walk in intimacy with one another that there would be an openness and a vulnerability that is rewarded with trust, love and being fully accepted.
Gossip, backbiting, tearing one another down, un-Christ-like competition, jealousy, envy, slander, fear these and many more things are the things that cause walls that hinder intimacy. Intimacy builds bridges and tears down walls
Matthew 18:19,20
I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. 20 For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.”
There is power in unity of the church family….many times the reason we don’t see the Holy Spirit move is because the power of agreement moves mountains but notice it only takes a few but then if you are not in unity you might miss it….it is sad to say but I have seen this often, a miracle report will be shared about a healing, salvation, a relationship restoration, financial miracle, a new job and after the service or a few days later I will ask people and they will have no recollection or will belittle the miracles of God….I am not a hype person, I am a person of intimacy…Jesus stressed this with in Luke 10:38-42
As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. 39 Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. 40 But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.”
41 But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! 42 There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Let’s look at my definition again of intimacy
Intimacy is a deep connection with a friend, child, parent, spouse, God, that says…I know you, you know me, you accept me for who I am and love me enough to push me to be better. I can share with you my fears, loves, worries, joys, I can be totally vulnerable to you and you will still love me, believe in me, and value me, and not judge me…it is like trust but more than trust
Do you see the difference between Mary and Martha with this definition?
The vulnerability, acceptance, honesty, and openness that were happening here between Mary and Jesus…our minds can make this sexual but it was not,
it was a pure honest love of two people valuing and seeing each other for who they are
Martha saw Jesus for what he could do for her or she could do for him to gain his favor but Mary had already gained his favor by her openness to love with a pure heart to want to hear Jesus’ heart and Jesus defended her because he saw and knew her heart together their purpose was nothing more than to honor the Father where as Martha’s was to honor everyone at the feast, her culture, and ultimately herself for being a good hostess….it was not manically evil it just was not intimacy with the Father that Jesus loved and loved to bring others into
In our service to the Lord, in whatever that is, in our service to each other if our desire is to promote intimacy with the Lord, real friendships grow, not based on what you can do for me or what I can do for you, but instead on our mutual love of God
Then out of that love, we do the work, the ministry, build the friendships that are bonds for life
Out of that love that is where freedom comes the Holy Spirit is honored and given place because He only desires intimacy with the Father and helping us gain intimacy with the Father.
As men we want respect…it is part of our nature to have and gain respect but we limit our ability to receive and gain respect by our lack of intimacy and vulnerability to the Lord
Ephesians 4:30-32
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, wrath (rage), anger, clamor (harsh words), and evil speaking (slander) be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. (NKJV)
The Message
Don’t grieve God. Don’t break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don’t take such a gift for granted. Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. 32 Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.
Men, all the respect you want and need to feel like a man can’t come from any personor that person has power over you, yes you can gain their respect by living this way and we must have a good reputation among those in and outside of the church. But if you are grieving the Holy Spirit through your
– anger,
– cutting remarks and jokes,
– jealousy,
– envy,
If you are:
– cruel to one another
– putting one another down rather than building each other up,
– if you are holding unforgiveness
You will never flow in the wisdom, knowledge, power, fearlessness, love, soundness of mind that you can in order to shine….only real men of God can totally be at peace, feel empowered and always at peace, always overcome and feel the respect that comes only from being true to the heart of God
As the world sees that we are “in the Father, and the Father in us” we have the power to conquer and change a broken world around us. Giving out hope, life, love, joy, and freedom and believe me you will gain all the respect you need!
Ladies, you want real relationship that connection of love that doesn’t let go. The only way we can have that kind of love, the love that fulfills and overflows, the kind that allows you to feel completely safe and secure? The Lord wants that for you too but just like the men acquiring respect, real love begins with the Lord…The 1stCorinthians 13 kind of true love only comes from the Holy Spirit’s being alive in us
If we grieve Him…
The Message
Don’t grieve God. Don’t break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don’t take such a gift for granted. Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. 32 Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.
Ladies you desire real, honest, unconditional love in all of your relationships, start by allowing the Holy Spirit to be welcomed in all of your relationships…
– walk in forgiveness,
– walk away from gossip,
– from tearing others down
– judging them,
– always giving love and being gentle,
Then the love, power, soundness of mind, deep friendships, love will be yours because the Holy Spirit will be flowing through you
Ladies and Gentlemen both of these examples also apply to your relationships not only with spouses, friends, co-workers, and God but they can be applied to how you raise your children, allowing them to see that you are consistent inside of your home as you are outside the home, that you walk always in forgiveness, that you aren’t slandering other, being critical always, being judgment and harsh…walk always in love, and forgiveness and your children will be different too
Gifts on the go! (What we can do Part 3)
We have talked about tongues, Wisdom, Knowledge faith and healing. If you missed any of those, get our app Christian Center PA or go to our website www.christiancenter.usand catch up on the teachings
All of these gifts are available to us and are for the purpose of building up the Body and reaching the world.
As the Holy Spirit is in you, you can rely on Him to move through you as you get to know Him better through daily spending time with Him
1 Corinthians 12:4-11
There are diversities (distinctive) of gifts [special abilities given by the grace and extraordinary power of the Holy Spirit operating in believers], but the same Spirit. 5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all [inspiring, energizing, and empowering them]. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: 8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.
Working of Miracles–
The spiritual gift of miracles is described in Scripture much like the gift of healing. It is found in 1 Corinthians 12:10and the Greek phrase
energemata dynameon –literally translates “workings of powers.” The double plural most likely means that these gifts were diverse and were not permanently available at the will of the gifted believer, but instead were bestowed at various times and circumstances. Thus, the gifts are subject to the divine will of God and His purposes and are not decided by the one who performs the miraculous works.
We know that Jesus performed many miracles in His earthly ministry, even more than those recorded in Scripture (John 20:30-31, Acts 2:22).
The Apostles regularly performed miracles of all kinds including casting out demons, healings, raising people from the dead, striking people dead, causing blindness, and much more (Acts 2:43; 3:1-10; 5:1-16; 9:36-43; 13:4-12; 19:11-12).
Other believers performed miracles as well, including Stephen (Acts 6:8) and Phillip (Acts 8:4-8).
Miracles were given by God to the church to reveal the presence and glory of God among all people and to create a sense of awe and wonder and Godly fear. Though there were many enemies of the church, often the result of miracles being performed was more people coming to faith in Jesus and glorifying God, as well as greater faith and boldness within the church (Acts 4:29-31; 9:35, 42).
Those with the spiritual gift of miracles often
– have a heightened sensitivity to the presence and power of God through His Holy Spirit.
– have a special measure of faith and desire for God to reveal Himself and draw many to faith in His Son Jesus Christ.
– take care not to draw attention to themselves or have a following of people, but are constantly pointing others to Jesus.
Example: Demon possessed woman in Sudan “Jesus Christ is come in the flesh”
Those with this gift understand that God is Sovereign and He can work when and how He desires, but they make sure they are available and listening to the prompting of the Holy Spirit.
This takes time of learning and waiting on God to have the confidence to know what He is doing in any time
This gift is often accompanied by prayer and strong petition by these individuals for God to reveal His glory to people.
They do not claim power themselves, but always give credit and glory to God for His mighty works. Often God will deliberately humble them to keep them relying on His grace and pointing to His Son, rather than miracles. See also 1 Corinthians 12:10, Acts 1:8;
When someone is presented as God’s man or woman as the man of power of the hour you need to ask yourself what spirit are they flowing in as this is all done by God’s power. We can not accept the credit nor the criticism
“Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? — 6 just as Abraham “believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” 7 Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham”
Prophecy
-The spiritual gift of prophecy is an extraordinary and unique gift. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 14:1to “Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.”
-This gift is a blessing to the church and can be to those in the Kingdom of darkness and should not be quenched or despised (1 Thessalonians 5:20).
-Those who have the gift of prophecy differ from the Old Testament Prophets who spoke the authoritative Word of God directly. Their words were recorded as Scripture as they proclaimed, “Thus says The Lord,” whereas the messages from those with the spiritual gift of prophecy must be tested which means they can be wrong (1 Corinthians 14:29-33; 1 Thessalonians 5:20-21; 1 John 4:1-3).
The Greek word for the gift of prophecy is
Propheteia –which is the ability to receive a divinely inspired message and deliver it to others.
These messages can take the form of exhortation, correction in the life of the unbeliever (gently), prediction of future events, comfort, inspiration, or other revelations given to equip and edify the body of Christ
But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. 4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church…..But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted by all. 25 And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you
I saw this happen in Russia as they brought young man and women in from the streets and the Lord gave me words about them, not condemnation but things that only God knew so they would know He loved them…each one came to Christ because of this
Again, they do not constitute the authoritative Word of God, but are the human interpretation of the revelation that was received. They are spoken in human words through a human mind, which is why they must be tested against the Scriptures.
Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies. 21 Test all things; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil
The Holy Spirit gives the gift of prophecy to some believers to make God’s heart known and to edify the church.
This gift
– is for the benefit of both believers and unbelievers and is a sign that God is truly among His church (1 Corinthians 14:22-25).
– those with this gift are sensitive to both the prompting of the Holy Spirit and the needs of the church body.
It has become an inaccurate tradition that a word comes unexpectedly and with great force, a prophetic word, insight understanding may be delivered to a person days, weeks, or months in advance to be delivered at God’s right timing
1 Corinthians 14:32,33 Remember that people who prophesy are in control of their spirit and can take turns. 33 For God is not a God of disorder but of peace, as in all the meetings of God’s holy people.
A prophetic person should be humble and continually study the Scriptures in order to test these revelations before speaking them. When they do speak, they should allow and even expect others to weigh what is said against the Scriptures and interpret the message accordingly. In this way the church may be continually built up together in unity 1 Corinthians 14:4, 26,1 Corinthians 12:10, 14:1-5,1 Peter 4:10-11.
A prophecy can be a direct word, a teaching, preaching, prayer, it can show up in many forms. Any time a distinct word from the Lord is proclaimed, a prophecy is delivered
Discerning of spirits(1 Cor. 12:10; Luke 8:29)
The spiritual gift of discernment is also known as the gift of “discernment of spirits” or “distinguishing between spirits.”
The Greek word for the gift of discernment is Diakrisis. The word describes being able to distinguish, discern, judge or appraise a person, statement, situation, or environment.
In the New Testament it describes the ability to distinguish between spirits as in 1 Corinthians 12:10, and to discern good and evil as in Hebrews 5:14.
The Holy Spirit gives the gift of discernment to enable certain Christians to clearly recognize and distinguish between the influence of God, Satan, the world, and the flesh in a given situation. The church needs those with this gift to warn believers in times of danger or keep them from being led astray by false teaching. See also I Corinthians 12:10, Acts 5:3-6; 16:16-18;1 John 4:1.
“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world”
It is important that we understand especially in today’s culture where there are some who claim to be following Christ, even filled with the Spirit but are not, the fruit is not active in their lives and in its place is manipulation and false things….This gift enables us to know clearly what is God and what is not God, understanding the fruit of the Spirit and looking for the fruit enables this gift to function at a very high level. Is the ministry about building the person and their kingdom or the Kingdom of God?
Interpretation of tongues(1 Cor. 12:10; 14:13-33)
The spiritual gift of interpretation of tongues is found alongside the gift of speaking in tongues in1 Corinthians 12:10.
– The Greek word for interpretation is hermeneiaand simply means to interpret, explain, or expound some message that is not able to be understood in a natural way.
– this spiritual gift is the supernatural ability to understand and explain messages uttered in an unknown language.
– This is a revelatory gift, meaning that God “reveals” the meaning of the words or message being spoken and allows the interpreter to communicate its meaning to those who need to hear it. When this happens in the church two things happen: the church is edified and God is glorified.It is especially effective when someone interprets other than the person who gave the tongue and in some cases I have seen it where a second person not in the room at the time of the first interpretation, interprets the same things as the first
The spiritual gift of interpretation is given by the Holy Spirit to certain individuals to reveal messages spoken in an unknown tongue to God for the building up of the church. Like the gift of prophecy, tongues that are interpreted have the effect of encouraging and blessing the church to love and serve God more deeply and effectively. See also 1 Corinthians 12:10, 30;14:28. This gift is only used within a ministry environment
Each of these gifts are available for anyone who is filled with the Spirit. Some may stay with a person for life some may come and go as the need demands but learning to use these gifts and understand them takes time, learning from people experienced in these areas. Personally I have used all of these gifts with the exception of a tongue in a public meeting.
Gifts on the go (what we can do Part 2)
Gifts on the go(what we can do Part 2)
Last week I began taking about the gifts of the Spirit and we talked about wisdom and knowledge something I think we could all use…this week let’s go a little further
1 Corinthians 12:4-11
There are diversities (distinctive) of gifts [special abilities given by the grace and extraordinary power of the Holy Spirit operating in believers], but the same Spirit. 5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all [inspiring, energizing, and empowering them]. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: 8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.
Faith –
The spiritual gift of faith is not to be confused with saving faith. All Christians have been given saving faith Ephesians 2:8-9,
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast”
Not all receive a special gift of faith. The word for faith in the New Testament is
“Pistis”– It carries the notion of confidence, certainty, trust, and assurance in the object of faith.
The gift of faith is rooted in one’s saving faith in Christ and the trust that comes through a close relationship with the Savior. Those with this gift have a trust and confidence in God that allows them to live boldly for Him and manifest that faith in mighty ways.
The gift of faith can be given one time, many times, or be with a person for ever…George Mueller from Bristol England denied he had it but everyday the children in his orphanage would gather around empty tables with empty plates and they would pray and within moments something would happen, a vehicle would breakdown loaded with food in front of the orphanage, a baker would bring fresh baked goods, someone else a large catch of fish, everyday they needed food and everyday God would supply, after they prayed
The Holy Spirit distributes this gift to some in the church to encourage and build up the church in her confidence in God. Those with the gift of faith trust that God is sovereign and He is good. They take Him at His Word and put the full weight of their lives in His hands. They expect God to move and are not surprised when He answers a prayer or performs a miracle.
- Supernaturally trusts and does not doubt what the Lord is saying or doing.
- Goes beyond saving faith and natural faith
- Ability to overcome great adversity with confidence
- Benefit of a group of people generally not just an individual
Acts 4:19,20 “But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. 20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard”
Bob and Fran Hanus
Think about it, has there ever been a time when you needed to believe, you felt the full confidence to believe even though it didn’t make sense. You had an overwhelming sense of peace that despite what was going on around you, you knew God was handling the situation….That is the gift of faith in action and you can have it happen more often as you are in the word and prayer so you know the Holy Spirit in person
Healing –
I have several acquaintances who seem to have this gift and I have asked them, because I question myself, why they don’t simply go into children’s hospital and lay hands on every child and heal them….their answer….they are not the healer, God is! Every gift even if given freely is still dependent upon the Holy Spirit. As we learn to move in the gifts we are given, most of them are completely dependent of our responding appropriately to the Holy Spirit, tongues is often how we get there to understand the Father’s heart so we can flow in the gifts better. Jesus didn’t heal all of the sick, crippled and broken in Israel but he did heal everyone he saw the Father healing
John 5:19
So Jesus explained, “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does.
This spiritual gift is closely related to the gifts of faith and miracles. All spiritual gifts are to be exercised in faith, but gifts of healings involve a special measure of it. This gift is interesting in that there is no guarantee that a person will always be able to heal anyone he or she desires. It is subject to the sovereign will of God, as all spiritual gifts are.
The Disciples were given authority to heal and cast out demons, but they were not always successful. The Apostle Paul was not able to heal himself and was told that God’s grace was sufficient to carry him through his infirmity without removing it from him (2 Corinthians 12:7-10).
This gift is given at various times and places to reveal the God of heaven to the sick and tormented. If healing is not granted, then we can conclude that God has greater plans for letting the person go through the illness or infirmity.
We are all called to lay hands on the sick
Mark 16:17
And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.” (ESV)
The gift of healing gives you a confidence and insight that the Lord will heal….I have seen this in my own life but for me it has started as a leap of faith, just trusting the Lord and then watching him do the impossible and I expected it, to the point if someone did not get healed it was unusual. Mostly it was for the purposes of evangelism
But God does still heal today, sometimes it is gradual, sometimes it is instantaneous. Sometimes people are healed and they don’t even realize it until they look for it…sometimes people are healed in stages, sometimes it is through a doctor and sometimes just a miraculous touch…we are not the healer, God is.
My story with the accident skull and thumb but lots of dental work
Timothy had stomach ailments 1 Timothy 5:23
“No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.”
Paul left others ill 2 Timothy 4:20
‘Erastus remained at Corinth, and I left Trophimus, who was ill, at Miletus.’
Yet Acts 20:9-12
And a young man named Eutychus, sitting at the window, sank into a deep sleep as Paul talked still longer. And being overcome by sleep, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead. 10 But Paul went down and bent over him, and taking him in his arms, said, “Do not be alarmed, for his life is in him.” 11 And when Paul had gone up and had broken bread and eaten, he conversed with them a long while, until daybreak, and so departed. 12 And they took the youth away alive, and were not a little comforted.
I say all of this to say that we need to learn to listen to the Holy Spirit and allow the gifts to flow through us always and to realize that God will give us the Faith, Healing, wisdom and knowledge we need to accomplish everything we need and to give Him glory…next week I hope to finish the rest of the gifts
What we can do!
What we can do….
Real change in our world is impossible apart from the Holy Spirit’s moving in our world. God is waiting for us but not for us to do it in our own strength but we can do anything and expect amazing things as we learn to allow the Lord to empower us by the Holy Spirit.
Several weeks ago I talked about the gift of tongues, a spiritual prayer language given by God as a means of building ourselves up and a way to pray God’s perfect prayer…this is only the beginning of what God wants to do so we might walk in dominion in the Kingdom of heaven and winning the war against the kingdom of darkness (ignorance) by our walking in the Kingdom of light (knowledge, God’s knowledge not man’s)
Paul tries to make it plain here in his second letter to the Corinthian church
Later we will be praying for people to be baptized in the Holy Spirit
2 Corinthians 2:4-9
And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. 5 I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God. 6 Yet when I am among mature believers, I do speak with words of wisdom, but not the kind of wisdom that belongs to this world or to the rulers of this world, who are soon forgotten. 7 No, the wisdom we speak of is the mystery of God—his plan that was previously hidden, even though he made it for our ultimate glory before the world began. 8 But the rulers of this world have not understood it; if they had, they would not have crucified our glorious Lord. 9 That is what the Scriptures mean when they say,
“No eye has seen, no ear has heard,
and no mind has imagined
what God has prepared
for those who love him.”
Paul is telling us that as he spoke and ministered, he did not do it in his human strength. He was the best student, of the greatest teacher of his day but found that his strength was weak compared to the wisdom the Holy Spirit could pour through him. The power of the Holy Spirit in him and pouring through him enabled him to share of the Kingdom of God, God’s original plan for mankind and something that we have not yet seen but soon will!
If we were to read on, Paul is saying that God reveals the deep things to those that are spiritual, and the Holy Spirit gives us everything we need to bring hope, life, and freedom to the world but to the rest of the world this is foolishness.
I started out last week teaching about tongues and the real and practical application of a gift the Lord offers to us.
Today, I’m going to get through two more of the gifts and then at the end of the service if you are willing, we will pray for you to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit and you will receive it and begin to understand the deeper practical application of these gifts so you can function in your role as an ambassador of the Kingdom of heaven
1 Corinthians 12:4-11
There are diversities (distinctive) of gifts [special abilities given by the grace and extraordinary power of the Holy Spirit operating in believers], but the same Spirit. 5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all [inspiring, energizing, and empowering them]. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: 8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.
Each of these gifts is given freely by the Lord to strengthen and encourage Christians and to touch a world so they know God is real and loves them. We witness that in the book of Acts….
Allow me to try to explain them, starting with the most powerful according to Paul’s distinction
Word of wisdom
1) Wisdom insight into something unknown
2) Right application of truth.
3) Divine direction.
4) Seeing the world through God’s perspective.
5) Supernatural perspective to ascertain the divine means for accomplishing God’s will.
The one who uses this gift and the one who is benefited by this gift begin to have a healthy understanding of awe or fear of the Lord
“fear, awe of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” – Proverbs 1:7
1 Corinthians 2: 6,7
Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away. But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory.
In 1 Corinthians 1:17Paul says
“For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect.”
In other words he came with divine words or words of wisdom to preach the Gospel
Someone who speaks with this gift will help others understand the Lord’s will and purpose
It is the “next step” gift it gives us 20/20 foresight into understanding what the Lord wants to do, what His heart is. We all have 20/20 hindsight but this helps us to have no regrets as we know what to do next especially in this age which is like the book of Judges 21:25
“….all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes.”
Wisdom, as James puts it brings peace and all good fruit
James 3:17
It is “first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.”
The gift of wisdom as James describes it comes the nearest of the gifts of the Spirit to seem to be like the fruit of the Spirit.
Wisdom is not only the words that are spoken but often it can be the manner in which they are spoken.
Word of wisdom takes the next gift word of knowledge and knows how to apply the divine knowledge given
Paul speaks next about a gift of divine knowledge, God knows everything and he is willing to give freely what we need as we learn to listen
Word of Knowledge
- Information that was not be obtained naturally
- An utterance of facts given by divine inspiration through, mind, vision, dream, or some other insight that would otherwise remain unknown
- teaching based on divine insight and revelation.
Ephesians 3:3-5
that by revelation there was made known to me the mystery, as I wrote before in brief. By referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit;–
Old Testament reference to both gifts they only were with these people to accomplish the task
Exodus 31:1-5
Now the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “See, I have called by name Bezalel, the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. I have filled him with the Spirit of God in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all kinds of craftsmanship, to make artistic designs for work in gold, in silver, and in bronze, and in the cutting of stones for settings, and in the carving of wood, that he may work in all kinds of craftsmanship
This gift can refer to special knowledge as may be needed in a crisis, which, borders on the gift of wisdom. It could refer to supernatural knowledge about someone in a particular crisis, which then borders on the gift of prophecy. A word of knowledge may disclose a person’s illness, concern, or specific need.
In Russia this last time one of the leaders came to me, he is in his late 30’s and still not married and I gave him a word that it would happen and described her to him
Both of these “word” or utterance gifts may occur in conversation, counseling, or public speaking.
These are just a couple of things that can help you in your day to day life to bring others out of ignorance into the truth of who God wants them to be
How many decisions do you make every day that would be much better if guided by wisdom or knowledge from the Holy Spirit?
How many times have you hurt yourself by things you have said when the Holy Spirit could have given you the correct words to say that would have brought life instead of pain?
Pray for people to receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit!
How can we be sure? Part 2
How can we be sure? Part 2
Last week we have talked about fearlessness that complete absence of fear and power the type that brings glory to God as things that are evidences of the Holy Spirit being alive in you. This week we will talk about two more because these too are things the devil and the flesh are incapable of really make happen
2 Timothy 1:7
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
Love
Mahatma Gandhi – I like your Christ I just do not like your Christians, your Christians are so unlike your Christ!
Gandhi was on a search for truth, he found it in the words of Christ but not in the followers of Christ because of two things, peace and true love among Christ-followers
1 John 4:7,8, 14
Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. 8 But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love…..such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear.
Fear, one of the enemies greatest tools is destroyed by the power of the Holy Spirit in us…if God is love then the Holy Spirit is love
The fruit, characteristics of God’s nature start with love
Love is at the root of fearlessness, and it is certainly the basis of real legitimate power to change the world
In many ways we control love, we choose to love!
Yes, love is who God is and it is always the leading fruit of the Spirit
The love Paul is talking about is the purest form of love, the kind described in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
“Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.”
The reason many have not been able to live up to this level of love is a lack of the fullness of the Spirit alive in them, only the Holy Spirit, who is God, living in us can love this way through us.
Because love is part of the fruit of the Spirit it must be something we surrender to and allow to work it’s perfect work in our lives.
In some ways it is easy to think about working to love others. To see them and say, I will choose to love them, or asking, “God help me to love them!” But the Love the Holy Spirit pours through us is much more freeing than that!
The devil can’t love, he only hates so the Holy Spirit fully empowering us enables us, if we choose to really love.
John 8:44 “You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”
Hatred, murderous, liar is the character make up of the devil…real love is just the opposite
Part of love that is not demonstrated as much as it should be by Christians is complete forgiveness…how often does someone hurt us, reject us wound us and we hold a grudge, how often does someone not like our idea, not value our opinion and we hold bitterness toward them, how often have we been passed up for a promotion or position that we thought we deserved and we become bitter and angry…
Real love forgiveswe realize forgiveness is the key to our freedom, our freedom at a minimum and may mean real freedom for others as well. It doesn’t mean we need to put up with abuse or behavior that is not Christ-like in the name of love but we choose to not allow and offense to continue to hurt us over and over again through unforgiveness and on top of that, true love prays for the offender to come to freedom as well.
Matthew 5:44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, (NKJV)
– Real love doesn’t mean you are walking on egg shells around people
– It doesn’t hold a grudge bringing up failures from the past always
– It doesn’t look for people to get the come uppin’s
– it isn’t jealous of what others have in position, stuff or anything else
– it isn’t prideful feeling more important than others that is why it doesn’t demand its own way, it may demand God’s but not their’s
– it always desires the truth to come out not their opinion to be right or their feelings to be right but the truth in every instance because real loves highest desire is freedom for people and the truth makes people free
– love endures, never fails and never gives up that someday people will get it but once again that never means you are to put up with abuse
Until we learn to totally forgive others we can not flow in all the Holy Spirit has for us because Christ did the same for us….once again we don’t have to put up with people that continue in broken behavior or be around them but we must choose to forgive.
But total forgiveness means not repeating to others how someone hurt you over and over, stop making others feel guilty and pointing the finger, letting others save face rather than rubbing their noses in what they did, when you protect people rather than expose them, when you pray for them….this is a sign of real love, the kind only the Holy Spirit can give
Josif Tson, Corrie Ten Boom, Wan Ming Do all men and women that suffered loss of family, material wealth, health, freedom under Russian Communism, Nazi’s, and Chinese Communism respectively as you read their stories you find one under lying truth….they chose to forgive! The result: God brought freedom and used them to change the world
This is the definition of the love we can have through the power of the Holy Spirit and only the power of the Holy Spirit based on 1 Corinthians 13
Sound mind
How many people are out of there are out of their minds that you know?
When people believe a lie to be true and continue to promote it as truth.
When people are willing to die for a drug habit or alcohol habit rather than get the help they need
When someone is being abused and rather than get help they would return to the abuse
When people know they don’t have enough money to buy this thing or that and it will get taken away from them but they purchase it anyway
When you say you love someone but continue to verbally, physically or emotionally abuse them?
When you know you are broken and your refuse to get help?
All these things are signs of brokenness, a lack of a sound mind that needs healing
Here are the promises of God
Isaiah 26:3
You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!
Philippians 4:7
“the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
John 14:27 (NLT)
“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”
This soundness of mind and the fruit of peace we are talking about here means living in a calm, no anger, being able to handle every situation without havoc, fearing nothing, feeling safe and secure at all times, living in prosperity of mind, heart and position, living in harmony with other believers.
Because of the Holy Spirit you don’t ever need to lose your peace, your sense of security or clarity of mind and thinking because the Holy Spirit promises soundness of mind
God provides the sound mind but we must choose to have it. A sound mind is right thinking and right thinking leads to right living…making us different than the world
Optimistic and hopeful
2 Timothy 1:12
That is why I am suffering here in prison. But I am not ashamed of it, for I know the one in whom I trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until the day of his return.
Romans 8:28
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
Lives a life of Christian virtues
Philippians 4:8
And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
A sound mind is established on the Word of God
Psalms 1:2
But they delight in the law of the Lord; meditating on it day and night.3 They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.
These aspects of a sound mind are all things the Lord will do in us through the power of the Holy Spirit but they are things we have control over receiving of not.
Fearlessness and power are only things God can do we can pray but he makes it happen. He provides Love and soundness of mind but we must choose t walk out love and soundness of mind in all aspects
However as you have been filled with the Spirit and you nurture that relationship in your life you can expect, as you walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16), to see these evidences alive in you
Pray for those who desire to be filled with the Spirit r refilled but where not here or comfortable last week
How can we be sure?
No one wants to be deceived remember as I was preparing us for the in-filling of the Holy Spirit, I taught, what I believed to be enough to allow you to search out the scriptures, to prove to yourself what is real and what is not.
As you are learning to walk in the Kingdom full of the power of the Holy Spirit a few things, other than the gifts and fruit are going to start showing up in your life
That’s what we are going to talk about today
Jonathan Edwards the great revivalist preacher of the 18thcentury said there is one thing the devil can’t create it is a love for the glory of God. He doesn’t know how, he has no clue and the things I am going to share with you today are like that, evidences of the Holy Spirit being alive and active in you that neither the flesh nor the devil can produce, they all give glory to God!
This is the nearest, based on the word of God, what I believe will help you to understand that you are truly filled with the Holy Spirit is found in this verse
2 Timothy 1:7
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but (a Spirit) of power and of love and of a sound mind. (NKJV)
Fearlessness
Sometimes the word for “fear” is translated “timidity” but that would be an ineffective translation
If a person is shy, or timid and they are filled with the Spirit they will most likely remain shy but God will enhance their personality traits to cause them to be even more effective as their personality is a gift from the Lord to be able to impact people in that way as well
Fearlessness is the total absence of fear….you have heard me define courage as not the absence of fear but instead overcoming fear by faith.
Paul is telling a fearful Timothy that the Holy Spirit’s power in you will, at times, when needed, shore you up, not so that you have courage but that you have a complete absence of fear.
Fear is something that is completely foreign to the Holy Spirit. In Him there is no fear at all
Romans 8:15,16
“For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God”
The enemy lives in constant fear of what God has for his future, what we will do if we realize who we are in Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit
Many live in fear, because they fear the disapproval of man, always looking over there shoulders for how someone may react, not resting in the trusting love and approval of their Father
Timothy was filled with fear but it did not come from God. Paul knew this he had experienced his own battles with fear (2 Corinthians 1:8)
The Holy Spirit wants to mature us to the place where we can tap into the fearlessness when we need it to become who God needs us to be at any given moment.
Only the Holy Spirit can make us fearless….if you have fear, admit it, confess it, allow the Holy Spirit to raise up fearlessness in you….the enemy can not make you fearless only the Holy Spirit can.
Think about Peter’s fearlessness on the day of Pentecost a fisherman standing before the people who thought he was drunk, some of the most knowledgeable and powerful in the nation giving them the truth from the Holy Spirit for them to say after he delivered his word…”what shall we do????” that is fearlessness and power
You don’t need to raise your voice, there is confidence in what you know and need to do….no man can generate this kind of fearlessness only God!
Power
Jesus promised a sign of the Spirit’s moving in and through mankind would be power
Acts 1:8
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Luke 24:49
And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.”
At Pentecost with the fresh outpouring of the Spirit and in front of the Sanhedrin you can see the power of God manifest in Peter
No scripted sermon yet
Acts 2:37- People are overwhelmed with conviction and are saying “what do we need to do?”….3000 people said that, and came to Christ
Then in Acts 4:8-12 he amazes the leaders with his wisdom because he was “filled with the Holy Spirit”
We often think about the power of God as miracles and it can be but as Jesus said it is given to be His witnesses, everywhere He sends us
Jesus told us part of the Holy Spirit’s job was John 14:26b
“He, (the Holy Spirit), will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.”
Peter saw just that in the power he observed as he taught!
There of course was more power…
Acts 2:43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders.
– Peter healed the crippled man
– spoke boldly
– Spoke judgment over Ananias and Sapphira
– Received a vision that led a Centurion to Christ
– Escaped prison through an angelic visitation
Yet became embarrassed to be with Gentiles when Jews were coming to visit and Paul had to rebuke him
The power is there in ways we understand and yet do not understand but apart from the Holy Spirit we have no power and the devil won’t do anything that will glorify God the way these signs did
There are many things that seem like power but to God, curing cancer is as easy as healing a headache so discernment is needed when we go to meeting with people to see if the Holy Spirit is really in the house or not….we need to believe here as well and especially be aware that we are open to all God has for us….that we stay away from the traditions of men and grieving or quenching the Holy Spirit and we are ready for all God has for us
Acts 4:16
“What should we do with these men?” they asked each other. “We can’t deny that they have performed a miraculous sign, and everybody in Jerusalem knows about it.
I wanted to get to all 4 of what I would call evidences of the Holy Spirit alive in you but we need to spend time today praying for as many as we can that are hungry for more
2 Timothy 1:7
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but (a Spirit) of power and of love and of a sound mind. (NKJV)
Fearlessness and power are things only God can give as miraculous examples of God’s power alive in usand the devil can’t duplicate. We simply keep our hearts right, ready and always attuned to the Holy Spirit and God will flow through us this way. However the next two, Love and Soundness of mind are determined in many ways by us…we will talk about them next week!
How hungry are you?
You have spent weeks listening and learning. Do you believe what I am telling you to be the truth? Our region needs us to be all God has called us to be. We can only do that as we are filled with the Holy Spirit the way Jesus asked that we be.
Today you may be saying I was filled with the Holy Spirit but I’m not seeing what Pastor Tim described, then it is time to get refilled
OR You may be saying, I’m hungry and I want all God has for me, then this is part of what Christ died for so we could be temples of the Holy Spirit
Or you may be saying, this scares me but I believe the Pastors believe it so while I might not be there yet, I trust the Lord and I want all he has for me
I have instructed our team to not do anything but lay hands on you, pray for you in English and in the Spirit and give you some words of encouragement if you need them
We are allowing the Holy Spirit to do the work, what I’m asking from you is that you are open to receive what the Lord has for you
It is not based on your feelings but on your faith, not in us but in God’s love for you
Most of you will receive a prayer language just relax and allow the Holy Spirit to do the work
Some of you may feel nothing until later today or tomorrow but I guarantee you, if you come hungry you will be fed
After prayer, the people praying for you will try to follow up with you in a few days to help you even further to understand what the Lord is doing