Introduction
Completed a series about- Kingdom of God- being …
kingdom minded people, and
kingdom builders.
There are seasons of life we go through as Christians.
There are also seasons in the eternal plan of God.
Mtt 16:1-3
Important to understand the season we are in so we know how to live and prepare ourselves.
Since 9/11/2001- an increasing release of wickedness.
Rom 5:20 God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant. NLT
Along with the outpouring of sin, we also the increasing outpouring of God’s Spirit.
We are living in a time of great opportunity.
God doesn’t push, but He does give invitations and make opportunities. Don’t let them pass you by.
Kathie Walters
Kathie Walters talks about the angel of Change.
Two things we can do with change …
embrace change, or
resist change
If we do not change we will break.
Mk 2:22 "No one puts new wine into old wineskins; otherwise the wine will burst the skins, and the wine is lost and the skins as well; but one puts new wine into fresh wineskins."
We must learn how to respond to change.
Christians are supposed not merely to endure change, nor even prosper from it, but to cause it. Harry Emerson Fosdick
The church/Christians can often be …
impediment to change,
set up camp in our last place of revelation,
God- calling us to advance His Kingdom in our world.
Three truths we need to live victorious lives
Rev 12:10-12 NASU
Rv 12:11 Our brothers won the victory over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the truth which they proclaimed; and they were willing to give up their lives and die. TEV
1. The Blood of Lamb
We are a covenant people …
we have entered a sacred agreement w/God.
God has purchased us from every nation.
A covenant people does not mean
a perfect people, or
a people w/o sin- but a people pursuing God.
Isa 53:5-6
There are two aspects to the blood of Jesus Christ …
Jesus overcame the worse the enemy had for Him
By His death/resurrection He destroyed the power of death that the devil had over mankind.
Those who trust in Jesus share in the same victory.
Through Jesus sacrifice on the cross sin is forgiven
When we accept in faith what Jesus has done for us, our sins are forgiven.
We are not to continue in sin, but every sin we have committed has been nailed to the cross of Christ.
Rom 6:1-2
Amazed in the story about Lot …
Gen 19:16 But he hesitated. So the men seized his hand and the hand of his wife and the hands of his two daughters, for the compassion of the Lord was upon him; and they brought him out, and put him outside the city. NASU
Lot hesitated, did not take the angel’s warnings seriously- they had to seize his hand.
God, out of his mercy rescued Lot from destruction.
In same way we are rescued from spiritual destruction
We must understand how much God loves us.
We have been created for eternity and it is time to begin to live like we are eternal- now, today.
The enemies main weapon today is accusation.
Lk 22:31-32
Jesus prayed for Peter- we must pray for one another.
2. The Truth Which They Proclaimed
A personal relationship with Jesus Christ is where it all begins for a Christian.
Mtt 4:4 But He answered and said, "It is written, ’MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.’" NASU
We need- knowledge of Gods Word to walk in victory
The Word of God is a weapon God has given to us.
Eph 6:12-13, 17
Our mouth can be our greatest enemy …
we grumble/complain,
deny the truth,
promote a lifestyle unbelief
speak failure/death over our own lives.
I cannot serve a great God and remain small.
Since I serve a great God,
His greatness shall be seen in my life.
God’s promises are bigger than my problems.
(Pastor Clyde Oliver)
3. Willing To Give Up Their Lives And Die
We live in a culture of self-gratification and self-focus
The cross of Jesus Christ is essential in dealing with the selfishness in our own hearts.
By becoming true disciples of Jesus Christ, the cross keeps us focused on our transformation. It also keeps us from the quicksand of self-pity, gratuitous over-indulgence and unforgiveness. Francis Frangipane
We are called to be disciples of Jesus Christ.
Jesus makes a distinction between salvation and discipleship.
Salvation is open to all who will come by faith, while discipleship is for believers willing to pay a price.
Salvation means coming to the cross and trusting Jesus Christ, while discipleship means carrying the cross and following Jesus Christ.
In Lk 14, Jesus gave two parables to explain why He makes such costly demands on His followers.
Lk 14:27-33
Usual interpretation- builder/king- believers- we better count cost before we start- not able to finish.
Perhaps the- builder/king- represent Jesus, not us.
He is the One who must count the cost to see if we are the kind of material He can use to
build the church and
battle the enemy
He cannot get the job done with halfhearted followers who are not willing to pay the price.
Heb 5:8-9 (Jesus perfected through His sufferings)
If Jesus was perfected through suffering, so will we.
Jesus was beaten beyond recognition yet He forgave those who beat Him (Isa 52:14).
We either become Christ like and forgive, or we enter a spiritual time warp where we abide continually in the memory of our wounding. Francis Frangipane
The place of the cross is the place where we can experience true salvation- deliverance from self.
The cross of Christ also brings the favor of God.
Isa 53:10 But the Lord was pleased To crush Him, putting Him to grief; If He would render Himself as a guilt offering, He will see His offspring, He will prolong His days, And the good pleasure of the Lord will prosper in His hand. NASU
One who does not loves their life unto death is one concerned about their loyalty to God.
It does not always mean we will die physically, but we will give up our desires to see His fulfilled.
Conclusion
Rom 8:33-39
Rom 16:20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you. NASU
