Our Sufficiency Is Of God
Pastor Ken Crow
2 Corinthians 3:5-6 (King James Version)
5Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;
6Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.
1. The Word of God tells us in 2 Timothy 2:15.
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Having read that we know that Paul was stressing that we must be know the Word of God.
Our personal Bible study is absolutely essential to the ministry.
Jesus himself studied and taught in the temple in Jerusalem.
We must know what Jesus taught in order to relate the gospel to others .
I have found personally that it is much easier to follow an organized study plan than it is to just randomly pick up the Bible and start reading.
There are many daily study plans available or you can create one yourself.
Either find one or create one with a work book that includes questions on what you have just studied. Try to avoid study plans with doctrinal commentary . The idea here is to study the Word of God in it’s pureness not someone’s opinion on what they believe it is saying. As you study ask God to give you a deep sense of his presence . Find a nice quiet place where you will not be interrupted . Turn off the cell phone and allow yourself to enter into the pages of what you are reading. Remember it is the Spirit that gives life. That same Holy Spirit will give life to each scripture and the Spirit will transport that into our hearts. If one follows that in their personal study it will bring about a looking forward to their study time. .
Psalm 119:45-46 (King James Version)
45And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.
46I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.
Psalm 119:26-27 (King James Version)
26I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes.
27Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.
2. Before preaching or teaching seek that personal encounter with God.
Isaiah 6:1-8 (King James Version)
Isaiah 6
1In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the LORD sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.
2Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.
3And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.
4And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.
5Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.
6Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar:
7And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.
8Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.
In both the Old Testament we find that most if not all of God’s chosen speakers had something in common. That very personal encounter with God.
In the New Testament we find that those chosen to proclaim the message of Jesus Christ had very personal encounters with him. The disciples and apostles enjoyed and benefited from the teaching of Jesus live and in person. After the day of Pentecost they benefited from the encounters in the person of the Holy Spirit.
Just as important as our study and preparation in preaching is that encounter with the Holy Spirit . It is amazing what God will do in these times of isolation with him.
It is in times like these that Jesus Christ reveals things to us. Before we speak we truly need to have a spiritual revelation from the Holy Trinity.
Revelation 1:9-11 (King James Version)
9I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.
10I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,
11Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.
What John had to say to the Seven Churches of Asia Minor was directly revealed to him by Jesus Christ . Notice John said he was in the Spirit. What Jesus has to say to our church is just as important today .
It is extremely important that what we say is a message to the church from Jesus Christ.
The only way that can come about is we allow Jesus to speak to us before we get into the pulpit through the Holy Spirit.
Yes we should be in prayer concerning our message. But what I speak of here is much , much deeper.
John is called “ John the revelator” because he simply passed on what Jesus told him.
We should strive to be revelators simply of what the Holy Spirit is telling us and of The Word of God.
We can enter in to the Holiest of Holies to receive that revelation by:
A. Building an alter unto the Lord . Create a place just for you and the Holy Trinity.
B. Set aside a sacrifice of time to be there to meet with God.
C. Shut everything out of our minds and just get into a deep meditation on Jesus Christ.
D. Allow the Spirit to carry you in the Spirit . Let go and don’t resist what God is trying to accomplish.
E. Keep an open mind during this time. You will be amazed!
Joel 2:28-29 (King James Version)
28And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
29And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.
2 Corinthians 12:1-4 (King James Version)
2 Corinthians 12
1It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
2I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.
3And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)
4How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
God Bless And Amen
