Obedience unlocks God’s power

by Rick Warren

Let the Spirit change your way of thinking. Eph 4:23 (CEV)

Throughout the Bible we see an important truth illustrated over and over: the Holy Spirit releases his power the moment you take a step of faith.

When Joshua was faced with an impassible barrier, the floodwaters of the Jordan River receded only after the  leaders stepped into the rushing current in obedience and faith. Obedience unlocks God’s power.

God waits for you to act first. Don’t wait to feel powerful or confident. Move ahead in your weakness, doing the right thing in spite of your fears and feelings. This is how you cooperate with the Holy Spirit, and it is how your character develops.

While effort has nothing to do with your salvation, it has much to do with your spiritual growth. At least eight times in the New Testament we are told to “make every effort” in our growth toward becoming like Jesus (Luk 13:24 NIV; Rom 14:19 NIV; Eph 4:3 NIV; 2 Tim 2:15 NCV; Heb 4:11 NIV; Heb 12:14 NIV; 2 Peter 3:14 NIV).

We must let go of old ways of acting — “Everything . . . connected with that old way of life has to go. It’s rotten through and through. Get rid of it!” (Eph 4:22 MSG).
We must change the way we think — “Let the Spirit change your way of thinking” (Eph 4:23 CEV). The Bible says we are “transformed” by the renewing of our minds (Rom 12:2).
We must develop the habits of Jesus — Your character is essentially the sum of your habits; it is how you habitually act. The Bible says, “Put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Eph 4:24 NIV).

PROCESS FOR REIGNING

Faithful in Natural Things

25 July 2010 (am)

Pastor Melody vd Merwe

v     Every believer must pass thru a process of different stages to come to the fullness God intend for them.

v     Jesus journeyed between Bethlehem and the right hand of the Father.

Luke 2:52 … and Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and men.

v     Jesus was born to reign and we’re born-again to reign.

v     Believers have authority in the earth only thru Jesus.

v     God takes every believer thru steps of maturity, building character and skill into us as we go along. And gives us more, and word ruling responsibility as we grow up in Him.

NB!! Remember God is more interested in your character than your comfort!!!

CHARACTER IS A CHOICE!

You cannot rise above, or go beyond your character.

FAITHFUL IN NATURAL THINGS.

1 Cor 4:1-2 -            All servants of God – no matter gifting

-         Stewards of that – does not belong to us

-         Stewards of healing – laying hands on the sick

-         We are to be found faithful.

1 Pet 4:10…Good stewards (manager) of gifts entrusted to us. Not given for self, but to be a blessing to others.

Faithful – Def: any loyal and steadfast following / consistently reliable or dependable.

Discipleship – disciplined following of the Word of God.

Doing right is not only drawing closer to God in Bible study and prayer, but drawing closer to God as we go to work on time, clean house, car, room, garage, train and care for our children, feed the dog, mow the lawn…. Col 3:23+24…whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward… for you serve the Lord Christ.

NB!! Your outward life is your witness to the world.

1 Tim 3:7…must have a good testimony among those who are outside…

We are trained and tested according to our faithfulness in natural things.

Your outward life must express (should reflect) the excellence of God’s spirit inside!!!

1 Cor 4:1+2

Required – speak of necessity – not an option

Found – speaks of testing.

Faithfulness is only proven when tested. Marriage, friends, relationships.

Jesus found faithful even in silent years

Before ministry – “This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased” (Matt 3:17)

Obeyed parents, cleaned room, did homework, learned to be a carpenter, swept and clean workshop, obedient in all things.

People are more impressed with charisma than character, (anointing, gifts, talents).

Life of David

1 Sam 16:11-13. Notice David’s preparation in the pasture. Keeping the sheep.

We look at wrong things – God looks at the heart.

Jesse surprised – David surprised – never aspired to be king – doing what he knew to do – Anointed as king – still had a process to go thru before reigning.

v     Bear and lion – faithful shepherd – takes sheep from dangers mouth.

v     Only kills bear/lion if it won’t release sheep.

v     Protects sheep with his life

v     He understands entrustment – responsibility.

1 Cor 15:44-46 first natural then spiritual… born first then born again.

Must obey and honour natural father, then spiritual.

Faithfulness in Natural things:

1. Brings revelation in spiritual things –

Brings understanding

1 Sam 17:34-37 – Goliath, reputation, uncircumcised Philistine.

Courage and experience in the natural – Favour from God.

(v47) Battle is the Lord’s – God gave us authority.

Faithfulness in natural things brings understanding spiritually.

2.  Brings opportunities – Positioning (right place at right time).

1 Sam 17:17-24 Arose early, left sheep with keeper – sent by father (Jesse) not God – left cheese with keeper – was diligent to do as commanded by father.

3. Brings victory – Power of God

Lining yourself up – 1 Sam 17:40-54

v     Looks for what he knows – 5 stones (pebbles)

v     (v46) the Lord will deliver Goliath and Philistines.

Spiritual – God in Israel will be known.

Does not save with sword and spear, but uses it.

We must do our part (possible) – that which we’ve been entrusted with, for God to do the impossible.

4. Brings increase – Promotion of God.

1 Sam 18:7

Daughter of king and tax exemption.

Joseph – 20 years until he rules Egypt. “Overnight success”?!

Opportunity drops in your lap if you have your lap where opportunity drops.

Success just luck – ask any failure.

v     God doesn’t look for ability only availability and dependability.

v     Can you be counted on consistently

v     Faithfulness in natural things reflect the heart of God.

A Christian’s outward life should reflect the excellence and servanthood of the Spirit of God within.

We must demonstrate Godly character.

Faithfulness in Natural things reflect the heart of God

A pastor once asked to define “Faithful Attendance at Worship,” and this was his reply: All that I ask is that we apply the same standards of faithfulness to our church activities that we would in other areas of our life. That doesn’t seem too much to ask. The church, is concerned about faithfulness.

Consider these examples:

If your car started one out of three times, would you consider it faithful? If the paperboy skipped Monday and Thursdays, would they be missed? If you didn’t show up at work two or three times a month, would your boss call you faithful? If your refrigerated quit a day now and then, would you excuse it and say, “oh, well, it works most of the time.” If your geyser greets you with cold water one or two mornings a week while you were in the shower, would it be faithful? If you miss a couple of bond payments in a year’s time, would your bond holder say, “oh, well, ten out of twelve isn’t bad”? If you miss worship and attend meetings only often enough to show you’re interested but not often enough to get involved – are your faithful?

Be Faithful In Natural Things!!!