Take up your beam
Purpose of teaching- not just for information exchange but for life transformation- that is not a preference.
When Saul was knocked down by the HS on the Road to Damascus, he knew- not a casual transformation.
We live in an age that has trivialized faith.
We have made it little more than a preference where we move- boundaries of our faith to suit ourselves.
I want-COTRM experience to be spiritually formative.
Introduction
Last week- looked at the miracle of the birth of the Body of Christ some 2000 years ago.
Body of Christ- not born through the wisdom of men.
There is- supernatural element to the Body of Christ.
Kathryn Kuhlman- evangelist/healer-
Whenever we find the presence of the Holy Spirit, we will always find the supernatural.
The disciples were instructed by Jesus-
“And behold, I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” Luke 24:49 (NAS)
Church-different than other organizations-supernatural
To fulfill its mission it needs the presence of the HS.
Last week- challenged church- memorize two verses-
17 “These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues; 18 they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” Mk 16:17–18
Give out iTunes gift card to person who recites verses.
Elisha and the School of Prophets
Thursday morning- lady- FCC- prayed prophetically-
2 Ki 6:1-7
v1- School of the Prophets- young men being trained for prophetic/priestly ministry
Elisha-like his predecessor, Elijah-was a prophet-who-
understood God’s will (alignment- Jn7:17) and
how to exercise God’s power.
This space is too small (2 Ki 6:1)
The place where they met/lived was too small.
Limited- restricted, confined, cramped, narrow
It lacks- breadth, width, dimensions- need for growth.
God wants us to grow/expand, break off restrictions.
Too often our expectations before God are too small.
Too often our dreams of what God can do- too small.
I’m a thousand times bigger on the inside than I am on the outside. Smith Wigglesworth
Wigglesworth- dream in his heart that he had faith for.
“You are what you eat”-you are also what you believe-
I am not moved by what I see.
I am not moved by what I feel.
I am moved only by what I believe. Wigglesworth
What do you believe about God?
What do you believe about God in you? (Col 1:27)
What do you believe about God in the church?
Prayer prayed or prophesied- Thurs morning prayer-
-Standing room only inside and parking attendants on the outside
-Full hotels, restaurants overflowing- people flooding- area because of what God was doing
-On our sign we put the number of people saved and healed each weekend
What is God saying/what are we willing to believe?
Carry your beam (2 Ki 6:2)
Jordan- wooded banks would furnish plenty of beams.
Each member of the school- go to- Jordan, pick up a beam- join the rest- build new meeting/living area.
To accomplish this each one had to pick up a beam.
16 from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love. Eph 4:16
The church will-
never be built as God would have it, and represent on earth what He wants it to, without
each member going to the Jordan and picking up their beam.
Jordan- in this verse, is the source of life.
It speaks of drawing from the supernatural power of the HS as we press into the heart of the Father
.
It is a picture of each of us going to God individually-
getting equipped with our beam, and then
bringing that to the Body of Christ-
to build God’s Kingdom.
The prophets were building a gathering place.
The church is a gathering place were people can come together and experience the life/breath of God.
There is no organization- more important than- church.
Order and Authority (2 Ki 6:2-4)
There was authority/order, not chaos/random building.
They would not move apart from Elisha’s blessing.
They were not doing whatever they wanted, there was a moving/working together under- HS leadership.
The church is supernatural, but each of us have a place in a natural sense- w/our timbers- gifts, resources
.
Lesson from the Ax Head (2 Ki 6:5-7)
In building the church, or the Kingdom of God, there will always be difficulties (ax heads flying off).
We need to learn to look to God for His supernatural wisdom and solutions to those difficulties.
Elisha performed a miracle under- power of- HS, but the prophet still had to exercise his faith and
step into the water/take a hold of the ax head.
In this story we see God’s supernatural care/provision-
He is faithful no matter how small the need.
The church, like Elisha, needs to understand the-
-will of God, and -power of God (work of the HS)
It will take everyone of us asking God how that applies to our lives as individuals and as a member of God’s Body of Believers.
How can you participate?
Pray
Pray for provision, direction, wisdom, increase both in supply and opportunities for ministry.
Someone once said-
The Christian on his knees can see more than the philosopher on his tiptoes.
John Wesley-
I have so much to do that I spend several hours in prayer before I am able to do it.
Read/Study the Word
Stop doubting God’s Word and doubt your doubts.
Practice holiness
Holiness is setting your life apart for God’s use.
To be what God wants me to be I must bring my life into agreement with Him.
Carry your beam
-Serve
steward the days/hours God has given you
God has designed each person on purpose and for a purpose- God has created people as individuals, for a community- the purpose is to train for life- and the goal is to empower individuals to serve. Russ Kinkade
live your life on purpose instead of stumbling through it.
-Get connected
Church cannot benefit from the life of God in you, if you are not connected.
Join a HC, TRIM, Women/Men’s group.
Give
-Time
-Gifting
-Finances
Altar Call
Ask the congregation to pray-
Lord Jesus, I acknowledge that I am a sinner.
I believe that you died for my sins.
Right now I choose to turn from my sins.
I receive you as my personal Lord and Savior.
Through the help of the HS I will serve you all my life.
In Jesus name, Amen.
Our Challenge as a church
Many people going through difficult times financially.
The same is true for churches and ministries.
Church is always in need of resources/people to serve.
God planted a church on this land almost 50 years ago.
I am convinced God is not finished w/what He started.
For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. Phil 1:6 (NAS)
There is a calling of God on this church as there is on every church in this city.
Because of the economy, a year ago we eliminated our receptionist position and did pay cuts.
In December this year FOC/BOD must again make some difficult financial decisions.
As for many churches, offerings are affected by the economy.
Looking at- possibility of eliminating a staff position.
I do know exactly what God wants to do, but I do not believe He is asking His Church to draw back from ministry.
The needs in the world are greater than ever- the fields are white for harvest.
The enemy is destroying people eternally.
There have been many prophetic words God has spoken over this body that He wants to bring about.
Financial Decisions
When we make financial decisions as a church, we must approach those decisions w/combination of-
practical wisdom and a heart of faith.
How did Jesus pay taxes when they were due?
“ … go to the sea and throw in a hook, and take the first fish that comes up; and when you open its mouth, you will find a shekel. Take that and give it to them for you and Me.” Matt 17:27
We need the supernatural intervention of God that can come in three ways-
Faith- from God to continue- He will provide
Provision- financial break through, donation
Revelation- word from God- how do we proceed
Challenge
1. Prayerfully seek God concerning-
-His direction and provision for COTRM and
-your participation in that.
2. What beam does God want you to carry to the house?
3. As you pray, if God gives you something, please write it down and submit to the church.
