Genesis 18: 14(a)
Intro
Something beautiful, something good
All my confusions he understood
All I had to offer Him
Was brokenness and strife
And He made something
Beautiful out of my life
Abram and Sarai’s desire- to have a child of their own
Their crisis was
· Sarai was barren & well over the age to conceive
· her life was almost over, yet she had no child of her own.
Situation totally beyond her control.
She devised her own plan…..
Genesis 16:1-5; 17:1-5; 15-16
1. Wait on God’s Timing
Season in life for everything
Crises have expiry dates too
All parties involved in crisis must wait on God
God gave the promise to Abram,but Sarai too had to trust and obey.
She influenced Abram to sleep with Hagar
2. Keep the faith
Abram too looked at reality
From a biological & human perspective, it was impossible to conceive
From God’s perspective, it was possible
Our reality is not God’s reality.
From which perspective are you looking from at your crisis?
If you look at human reality, you will lose faith and devise your own plan .
3.Take responsibility for your actions/state
Sarai blamed Abram for her distress/suffering
She mistreated Hagar as a result
God revealed His just character when He promised to bless Ishmael too
The Covenant God made with Abram was for the unborn-not-yet conceived child: Isaac
This also reveals God’s divine plan for individuals long before birth
Nothing will be able to stand in His way from fulfilling it.
Sarai complicated their lives more by her impatience
Genesis 21:1-5
God fulfilled His promise in spite of their unfaithfulness and doubt
Closing
God made something beautiful out of Sarai’s pain of bareness
He made her a Mother of Nations; thereby changing her name to Sarah
Abram to Abraham-father of Nations
God brought something beautiful out of a couple’s bareness: Parents of Nations
Jesus is able and willing to make something beautiful out of your crisis too.
He is able to grant you your desire
Monday, February 29, 2016
Prosper where planted
Psalm 1
Text Verse 4
Intro
If you have an abundance of money, possessions and fame, but lack health, peace of mind and people to share it with ,can you consider yourself as prosperous?
If you are contend with your circumstances; and live in peace with people and are in good
health, but lack basic needs, can you still consider yourself as prosperous?
“A man is not rightly conditioned until he is a happy, healthy and prosperous being;and happiness, health and prosperity are the result of a harmonious adjustment of the inner man with the outer of the man with his surroundings “ James Allen
Prosperity defined
A state of flourishing, thriving, growth, success and good fortune.It encompasses wealth, happiness and health.
Your view of PROSPERITY is determined by the Kingdom/kingdom you are operating from.
God’s Kingdom is different from the worldly one. Therefore the standards and requirements of each one is different.
A. SIGNS OF PROSPERITY
1. PROFITS others
The fruit on a tree is enjoyed by others too not only the person who planted it.
2. PRODUCTIVITY
The tree is always able to produce fruit because the roots receive nourishment
3.PERSONIFIES life
No one can dispute the state of wellness of a tree that flourishes.
B. HOW TO FLOURISH/SUCCEED/PROSPER
1. Be PLANTED by living water
The Word of God is the Source of it.
Only a person whose roots are firmly established in the Word of God will succeed in their endeavors.
2. Remain in the PRESENCE of God
The Lord’s Presence will only accompany us if we walk in obedience and completely trust in Him.
3. Strive to PLEASE God
The only way to please God is to become more like His Son in character and nature.
Jesus was and is the personification of the Beatittudes.
Conclusion
Factors that will hinder prosperity:
· Rebellion/Disobedience towards God
· Discontentment
· Negative attitudes (resentment, anger, strife, unforgiveness etc.)
“The secret of success in life is for a man to be ready for his opportunity when it comes”
(Benjamin Disraeli)
Where are you planted-by streams of living water or in dry/desert areas?
Align yourself to prosper/flourish/succeed!
Text Verse 4
Intro
If you have an abundance of money, possessions and fame, but lack health, peace of mind and people to share it with ,can you consider yourself as prosperous?
If you are contend with your circumstances; and live in peace with people and are in good
health, but lack basic needs, can you still consider yourself as prosperous?
“A man is not rightly conditioned until he is a happy, healthy and prosperous being;and happiness, health and prosperity are the result of a harmonious adjustment of the inner man with the outer of the man with his surroundings “ James Allen
Prosperity defined
A state of flourishing, thriving, growth, success and good fortune.It encompasses wealth, happiness and health.
Your view of PROSPERITY is determined by the Kingdom/kingdom you are operating from.
God’s Kingdom is different from the worldly one. Therefore the standards and requirements of each one is different.
A. SIGNS OF PROSPERITY
1. PROFITS others
The fruit on a tree is enjoyed by others too not only the person who planted it.
2. PRODUCTIVITY
The tree is always able to produce fruit because the roots receive nourishment
3.PERSONIFIES life
No one can dispute the state of wellness of a tree that flourishes.
B. HOW TO FLOURISH/SUCCEED/PROSPER
1. Be PLANTED by living water
The Word of God is the Source of it.
Only a person whose roots are firmly established in the Word of God will succeed in their endeavors.
2. Remain in the PRESENCE of God
The Lord’s Presence will only accompany us if we walk in obedience and completely trust in Him.
3. Strive to PLEASE God
The only way to please God is to become more like His Son in character and nature.
Jesus was and is the personification of the Beatittudes.
Conclusion
Factors that will hinder prosperity:
· Rebellion/Disobedience towards God
· Discontentment
· Negative attitudes (resentment, anger, strife, unforgiveness etc.)
“The secret of success in life is for a man to be ready for his opportunity when it comes”
(Benjamin Disraeli)
Where are you planted-by streams of living water or in dry/desert areas?
Align yourself to prosper/flourish/succeed!
Christian perfection
Spiritual maturity
The purpose of this message is to encourage us to break out of the shell of whatever it is that is restricting us from being what God wants us to be.
1. Why are you here?
The real purpose for human existence is to worship our Creator. Everything that exists was created for us for our enjoyment and.to be drawn closer to God
But our inherited sinful nature resulted in the death of our spiritual capacity to fulfil the purpose or our creation. .
However, God also created a plan of salvation: we had to be restored to the original glory that belonged to Adam, our original ancestor. Because of the holiness of God, we had to be made holy “as He is holy”.
2. The plan of salvation
It requires a restoration of the human spirit; a spiritual rebirth; (Jn 3:3).
In this restored condition, there has to be a cooperation with the Holy Spirit to produce growth into maturity in the born-again believer.
Otherwise. . . stunted growth.
Heb 5:11 – 6:3
We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. 12 In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! 13 Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness.
3. The tragedy of immaturity.
it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn.
As wonderful as that first spiritual event may be, there is more to salvation than just to become a child of God (Jn 1:11)
Too many Christians are satisfied with being born again. They find the doctrine of holiness or the doctrine of entire sanctification to be too harsh; too complex; too complicated. They prefer to stay where they are.
12 In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!
13 Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness.
In this text we can see God’s view of slow growth.
It is here where sanctification begins – initial sanctification; where the Holy Spirit revives the human spirit to dwell within, and spiritual growth should now begin. Obedience to the still small voice of the Holy Spirit is essential here.
4. The fulfillment of spiritual maturity
14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.
Definition of salvation: “the renewal of our souls after the image of God” the restoration of the lost glory that once belonged to Adam.
The gift of salvation is more than just a beginning. Those weaker ones who are contained in this text are like the modern Christian who is persuaded to believe false doctrine that has the effect of creating a false sense of security.
So, such a born-again believer will probably fall back being content to remain as is. He will lose his hunger and thirst for righteousness.
He should be encouraged to add to his faith, those virtues that build the Christian character; also (Rom 6:16-19).
· 16 Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey-- whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?
· 17 But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted.
· 18 You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.
· 19 I put this in human terms because you are weak in your natural selves. Just as you used to offer the parts of your body in slavery to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer them in slavery to righteousness leading to holiness.
5. the blessing of passing the exams toward Christian perfection
· 2Pet 3:17,18 Therefore, dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position. 18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen
Childlikeness is what a growing Christian is. Such a person will ask intelligent questions like a growing child will ask of his father.
To be a Christian is like riding a bicycle.
To stand still, results in falling back into sin.
Let us first define sin.
6. Maturity Feeds On Knowledge, Spiritual Adulthood And Righteousness
You can never have enough knowledge. “Deeper, deeper in the love of Jesus. . “
What about PERFECTION? Should we aim at being perfect Christians?
What is perfection?
Heb 11:39,40 Only together with us, will they be made perfect
We are not called to perfection of performance. However, we are called to perfection of intention.
We are called to Blamelessness and not to faultlessness.
1Pet 1:3 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness
Here is where God has given us the material we need to advance in our spiritual growth.
Eph 4:11-17
11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers,
12 to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.
The relief of graduation toward maturity and holiness
Matt 7:21 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
Holiness is not optional, it is the expressed will of God. Only born again believers can be made holy and only God can do it.
Chapter 6
6:1 Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, {1 Or <from useless rituals>} and of faith in God, 2 instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3 And God permitting, we will do so.
Christian perfection has always been the quest of the true Church.
Unfortunately, the “many” are the ones seeking salvation on the broad road and only a few are on the narrow road that leads to heaven.
The purpose of this message is to encourage us to break out of the shell of whatever it is that is restricting us from being what God wants us to be.
1. Why are you here?
The real purpose for human existence is to worship our Creator. Everything that exists was created for us for our enjoyment and.to be drawn closer to God
But our inherited sinful nature resulted in the death of our spiritual capacity to fulfil the purpose or our creation. .
However, God also created a plan of salvation: we had to be restored to the original glory that belonged to Adam, our original ancestor. Because of the holiness of God, we had to be made holy “as He is holy”.
2. The plan of salvation
It requires a restoration of the human spirit; a spiritual rebirth; (Jn 3:3).
In this restored condition, there has to be a cooperation with the Holy Spirit to produce growth into maturity in the born-again believer.
Otherwise. . . stunted growth.
Heb 5:11 – 6:3
We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. 12 In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! 13 Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness.
3. The tragedy of immaturity.
it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn.
As wonderful as that first spiritual event may be, there is more to salvation than just to become a child of God (Jn 1:11)
Too many Christians are satisfied with being born again. They find the doctrine of holiness or the doctrine of entire sanctification to be too harsh; too complex; too complicated. They prefer to stay where they are.
12 In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!
13 Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness.
In this text we can see God’s view of slow growth.
It is here where sanctification begins – initial sanctification; where the Holy Spirit revives the human spirit to dwell within, and spiritual growth should now begin. Obedience to the still small voice of the Holy Spirit is essential here.
4. The fulfillment of spiritual maturity
14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.
Definition of salvation: “the renewal of our souls after the image of God” the restoration of the lost glory that once belonged to Adam.
The gift of salvation is more than just a beginning. Those weaker ones who are contained in this text are like the modern Christian who is persuaded to believe false doctrine that has the effect of creating a false sense of security.
So, such a born-again believer will probably fall back being content to remain as is. He will lose his hunger and thirst for righteousness.
He should be encouraged to add to his faith, those virtues that build the Christian character; also (Rom 6:16-19).
· 16 Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey-- whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?
· 17 But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted.
· 18 You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.
· 19 I put this in human terms because you are weak in your natural selves. Just as you used to offer the parts of your body in slavery to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer them in slavery to righteousness leading to holiness.
5. the blessing of passing the exams toward Christian perfection
· 2Pet 3:17,18 Therefore, dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position. 18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen
Childlikeness is what a growing Christian is. Such a person will ask intelligent questions like a growing child will ask of his father.
To be a Christian is like riding a bicycle.
To stand still, results in falling back into sin.
Let us first define sin.
6. Maturity Feeds On Knowledge, Spiritual Adulthood And Righteousness
You can never have enough knowledge. “Deeper, deeper in the love of Jesus. . “
What about PERFECTION? Should we aim at being perfect Christians?
What is perfection?
Heb 11:39,40 Only together with us, will they be made perfect
We are not called to perfection of performance. However, we are called to perfection of intention.
We are called to Blamelessness and not to faultlessness.
1Pet 1:3 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness
Here is where God has given us the material we need to advance in our spiritual growth.
Eph 4:11-17
11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers,
12 to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.
The relief of graduation toward maturity and holiness
Matt 7:21 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
Holiness is not optional, it is the expressed will of God. Only born again believers can be made holy and only God can do it.
Chapter 6
6:1 Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, {1 Or <from useless rituals>} and of faith in God, 2 instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3 And God permitting, we will do so.
Christian perfection has always been the quest of the true Church.
Unfortunately, the “many” are the ones seeking salvation on the broad road and only a few are on the narrow road that leads to heaven.
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