Another great morning in church today…Gavin Lloyd spoke from Ephesians 6 (God Protects) the final chapter in our series on the book Ephesians.
Ephesians 6:10-20
The cry of the human heart is to fight. We will all be stirred by a noble cause.
Our greatest fights though are on the inside of us!
And yet… 'our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.'
This is a surprise to us because the battle really looks like flesh and blood! But Paul says it’s not!
2 Corinthians 10:4 - “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.”
God says that there will be times when He will fight with us and even fight for us!! The scripture says Exodus 15:3, “The LORD is a warrior; the LORD is his name.”
Deuteronomy 3:22, “Do not be afraid of them; the LORD your God himself will fight for you”
Just before David goes into battle he says this, 1 Samuel 17:47, “All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD's, and he will give all of you into our hands.”
There is one who has also gone on to fight for our salvation – His name is Jesus
God Protects
He gives us all we need to take a stand.
So often Christians wear themselves out by being on the offensive all of the time. Obsessed with driving out rather than just taking a stand.
All we need to do is make sure we are in the places and positions that we’re meant to be…and then take a stand.
Be sure you put your feet in the right place, then stand firm (Abraham Lincoln)
Places of heart and attitude, worship, church and vision, leadership, calling etc.
Paul assures us that the enemy WILL come! Make sure we’re properly and suitably equipped for when that happens
STAND FIRM
When taking a STAND 4 things to remember…
1) Jesus is stronger
1 John 4:4 - Greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world
Our God alone is all-powerful, all knowing and ever present! It’s important that we are aware of spiritual battles that go on everyday…but this reality is not meant to make us fearful to give us a fearful attitude or outlook, but to point us to God, His word and promises as a source of empowerment, equipping and strength.
Colossians 2:13-15
You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. He cancelled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross
Yes there is a struggle that goes on in an unseen realm we are reminded that our strength and ultimate victory can and will be found in Jesus. His power and work on the cross are the foundations of the confident spirit we are to face our daily trials and challenges with.
2) Put on all your armour
The armour works most effectively when all elements are deliberately put on every day.
We only need to make the decision to stand firm.
The Belt of Truth
Purpose of the Belt - The belt held the soldiers clothing next to their body to create an easier way to move. The belt was also used to strengthen and give support to the soldier.
Belt of truth = facts, truth, lack of deception
The truth that Paul is talking about is not from the opinions of our mind or what others might think. The truth that matters more than anything else is truth that comes from God. The belt of Truth is from God.
Christ is truth
The Word of God is truth
Living a life that follows truth
The belt of Truth:
Keeps us focused
Keeps us reminded
Keeps us supported
The Breastplate of Righteousness
Purpose of the breastplate: The breastplate was designed to protect the heart. The breastplate was a large plate of metal that extended from the neck down to the thighs.
Righteousness is the standing that we are given when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Saviour. Jesus is the one who makes us right with God the Father. It is Jesus that gives us a right relationship with God. Righteousness is literally being made right…because of Christ.
God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21)
As Christians we are meant to protect our hearts from the power and corruption of sin.
The Sandals of Peace - Feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace
Go where your salvation leads you. Where to? Church – Sundays, midweek, good places. They won’t lead you to places where we’re not to meant go…but where we should go!
The peace that we have in Christ gives us a firm standing in any situation that life can throw at us.
The peace of Christ gives us the security to stand for Him when we need to do so.
Go to the right places…and then STAND FIRM!
The Shield of Faith
Purpose of the shield - to protect the soldier from arrow attacks. These types of shields were often covered with leather and soaked in water prior to battle. The purpose was to put out flames if needed.
In ancient battles arrows were often covered in pitch or some type of combustible material. The arrows were then lit and shot to act like a small incendiary bombs. This is the type of strategy that the devil uses against us.
He assaults us with fiery attacks to…
• Question our salvation
• Question our calling
• Question our involvement
• Cause doubt and wonder in our lives
• Become discouraged, depressed and defeated
The sign of the Christian soldier is that we are to place our complete trust in God. It is our faith that becomes our shield from the fiery attacks of the Devil.
It is faith that gives us the strength to stand when Christ calls. The power and presence of God is our shield in life.
The Helmet of salvation
Purpose of the helmet - The helmet is meant to give protection to the head and to the mind. There is no possible way for the soldier to be effective if the mind is lost.
Thus the mind becomes on of the most vital areas to protect.
For the Christian, salvation becomes the source of our protection over the core of our being. When we are saved, we are offered protection for our minds. Why is this so important?
Romans 12:2 - Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Battle for the mind! Holy Spirit…brings life and peace to our minds!
The Sword of the Spirit
Purpose of the sword - The sword was used for both offense and defense. The sword could be used to either fight off the enemy or to slay the enemy.
Hebrews 4:12 - For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
Our sword is the word of God. The scriptures give us the ability to fight back against the schemes and the plans of the enemy.
3) We will stand in the end
God will not allow a skirmish to unfold more furious than we can handle. We can stand with our armour and know in the end we will stand.
1 Corinthians 10:12-13
So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it
4) We need each other
And the last verse encourages us to…
PRAY IN THE SPIRIT
Ephesians 6:18 - And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
So fight for and alongside one another in prayer constantly.
Matthew 12:25 – “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand”
A house divided against itself cannot STAND
1 Corinthians 15:57-58
But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Sunday, May 23, 2010
How to exit one season and enter another
This was the start of a special day for us at CLC. A great morning with an excellent message from Paul Benger on how to exit one season and enter another.
Exodus 14:5-25
Seasons change. Most people hope that it will be summer all of the time. Some Christians believe that they will go from summer to summer. But there is more than one season. Even in winter, deep beneath the surface, God is at work!
The Children of Israel had experienced one long winter season…Egypt. Yet this was their day, the day when Moses came back from 40 years in the wilderness, the day when they would leave one season and enter another.
When God is fulfilling his promise you don’t always recognise it…sometimes your focus remains on the day to days. The Children of Israel were going through a time like this.
“Why did you take us out of Egypt?” They couldn’t see what God was doing. Are we like that at the moment? Stuff to be done and we can’t see God in it all.
Transitions are so important, they keep us moving forward. God is saying to us today, “Keep moving forward”.
Exodus 14:13-15 - But Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.” Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to get moving!
Just stay calm, don’t be afraid…chill out! Moses is telling the people this, that God is on your side. In private he is crying out to God…he is panicking! God says, ‘tell the people to go forward’.
What are you doing? Are you moving forward? Moses was bold with the people and yet negative with God.
Don’t be tempted to hang about…get moving! Serve God, don’t hold back. It is a new season for you and for us as a church…a season of growth, miracles, favour, hope!
4 keys that help us move from one season to the next…
1) Don’t say it was better back then
Exodus 14:11-12 – and they said to Moses, “Why did you bring us out here to die in the wilderness? Weren’t there enough graves for us in Egypt? What have you done to us? Why did you make us leave Egypt? Didn’t we tell you this would happen while we were still in Egypt? We said, ‘Leave us alone! Let us be slaves to the Egyptians. It’s better to be a slave in Egypt than a corpse in the wilderness!’”
When we keep looking back it becomes increasingly frustrating. Don’t tie our lives to the past, tie it to the future that God has for us.
If we drive our cars constantly looking in the rear view mirror we’re going to CRASH!
Only look back at what Christ has done for you…at what he accomplished at the cross. Be thankful but keep moving into your future.
2) Use what you have in your hand
Exodus 14:15-16 - Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to get moving! Pick up your staff and raise your hand over the sea. Divide the water so the Israelites can walk through the middle of the sea on dry ground.
Recognise the potential God has put in you. We can’t suddenly have in our hands what somebody else has in theirs. Use, with faith, what we have in our hand right now.
David tried to wear Saul’s armour…but in the end had to use what God had placed in his hand.
3) Keep your focus on God not the problem or the enemy
Exodus 14:13-14 – But Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.”
Just stay calm! God is BIG. He is STRONGER! He will fight for us, he is our strength and shield.
Jesus said, ‘I Will build my church’. Always remember what God has promised.
4) Have faith for the future
Exodus 14:13-14 – But Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.”
Abraham Lincoln, ‘…always remember it is a slip and not a fall….failure is not final’
Proverbs 18:21 – The tongue has the power of life and death
Let us keep talking about the future. Have faith for a bigger and better future!
Exodus 14:5-25
Seasons change. Most people hope that it will be summer all of the time. Some Christians believe that they will go from summer to summer. But there is more than one season. Even in winter, deep beneath the surface, God is at work!
The Children of Israel had experienced one long winter season…Egypt. Yet this was their day, the day when Moses came back from 40 years in the wilderness, the day when they would leave one season and enter another.
When God is fulfilling his promise you don’t always recognise it…sometimes your focus remains on the day to days. The Children of Israel were going through a time like this.
“Why did you take us out of Egypt?” They couldn’t see what God was doing. Are we like that at the moment? Stuff to be done and we can’t see God in it all.
Transitions are so important, they keep us moving forward. God is saying to us today, “Keep moving forward”.
Exodus 14:13-15 - But Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.” Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to get moving!
Just stay calm, don’t be afraid…chill out! Moses is telling the people this, that God is on your side. In private he is crying out to God…he is panicking! God says, ‘tell the people to go forward’.
What are you doing? Are you moving forward? Moses was bold with the people and yet negative with God.
Don’t be tempted to hang about…get moving! Serve God, don’t hold back. It is a new season for you and for us as a church…a season of growth, miracles, favour, hope!
4 keys that help us move from one season to the next…
1) Don’t say it was better back then
Exodus 14:11-12 – and they said to Moses, “Why did you bring us out here to die in the wilderness? Weren’t there enough graves for us in Egypt? What have you done to us? Why did you make us leave Egypt? Didn’t we tell you this would happen while we were still in Egypt? We said, ‘Leave us alone! Let us be slaves to the Egyptians. It’s better to be a slave in Egypt than a corpse in the wilderness!’”
When we keep looking back it becomes increasingly frustrating. Don’t tie our lives to the past, tie it to the future that God has for us.
If we drive our cars constantly looking in the rear view mirror we’re going to CRASH!
Only look back at what Christ has done for you…at what he accomplished at the cross. Be thankful but keep moving into your future.
2) Use what you have in your hand
Exodus 14:15-16 - Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to get moving! Pick up your staff and raise your hand over the sea. Divide the water so the Israelites can walk through the middle of the sea on dry ground.
Recognise the potential God has put in you. We can’t suddenly have in our hands what somebody else has in theirs. Use, with faith, what we have in our hand right now.
David tried to wear Saul’s armour…but in the end had to use what God had placed in his hand.
3) Keep your focus on God not the problem or the enemy
Exodus 14:13-14 – But Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.”
Just stay calm! God is BIG. He is STRONGER! He will fight for us, he is our strength and shield.
Jesus said, ‘I Will build my church’. Always remember what God has promised.
4) Have faith for the future
Exodus 14:13-14 – But Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.”
Abraham Lincoln, ‘…always remember it is a slip and not a fall….failure is not final’
Proverbs 18:21 – The tongue has the power of life and death
Let us keep talking about the future. Have faith for a bigger and better future!
Sunday, May 16, 2010
How to win a battle you didn’t see coming
Great morning at CLC, Paul Benger spoke an excellent message on the subject of ‘winning battles we didn’t see coming’.
Exodus 17:8-16
How were the Israelites going to win this battle? They had been wandering in the wilderness because of the fear and the lack of faith of the ten spies.
Moses was continually frustrated at the people of Israel and their negative outlook on their circumstances. He had become a ‘manager’ of the people rather than a ‘leader’.
Here we find them at a place of rest, when an unexpected army rises up against them. Here they didn’t need a democratic vote on what to do; they needed leadership that says ‘we can do it!’
We all face unexpected battles from time to time. Here are 3 keys that show us how to win those battles we didn’t see coming…
1) Get yourself in the right position
Exodus 17:9 – Moses said to Joshua, "Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands."
Moses knew that the battles they faced were spiritual and not just physical. There are things that are bigger than we are. We need to remember our limitations.
Let us fight and pray. Do what we can do and let God do what he will do.
Let us get positioned correctly…on the mountain top in prayer. Lift our hands to God…this says I am relying on God, that the battle belongs to the Lord.
2 Corinthians 10:3-4 – For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds
This battle was being won by faith. As we position ourselves on the mountain top it gives us a different perspective…God’s perspective.
Prayer changes things. Moses saw that when his hands were up they were winning the battle, but when his hands were down they began to lose.
Hear the voice of God…to do that we sometimes need to switch our voices off!
Psalm 27:1-6 – The LORD is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life, of whom shall I be afraid? When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident.
One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple. For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock.
Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD.
When the day of trouble comes let us remain within the House of God where we find shelter and safety…where He sets us UP!
2) Get yourself in the right posture
Exodus 17:11-13 – As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. When Moses' hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset. So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword.
This battle was won sitting down with hands raised up.
Battles can sometimes last longer than anticipated. We therefore need to find a place of rest in the midst of the battle. They’re not won in striving but in rest.
Battles can make us weary and worn-out. We need to find rest in who God is…and the work he has done in our lives.
Hand raised up is the universal sign for SUBMISSION. That we are surrendered to God…that he knows better than you and me.
It is also the universal sign for PRAISE. We don’t often feel like praising in the midst of the fight and yet,
Hebrews 13:15 – Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise - the fruit of lips that confess his name.
Submission and praise wins the battle! Jesus is Lord! God will thrive in any circumstance…He is the same God wherever we find ourselves.
We also need to know how to hold one anothers hands up…which is why being in the House of God is so important to us when we are in a battle. What you do for others God will do for you.
As well as holding up people we also need to hold up the vision that God has given us.
3) Get yourself with the right people
Exodus 17:12-13 – When Moses' hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset. So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword
Moses didn’t go up the mountain alone…he went with people who would hold him up.
Let us walk with people who will hold us up. Relationships that are God given. Probably 90-95% of what God does in our lives is through other people.
Let us remain humble so that we can hear what other people say to us and let God speak to us through them.
Having the right people in our lives is so important in winning those unexpected battles.
Exodus 17:8-16
How were the Israelites going to win this battle? They had been wandering in the wilderness because of the fear and the lack of faith of the ten spies.
Moses was continually frustrated at the people of Israel and their negative outlook on their circumstances. He had become a ‘manager’ of the people rather than a ‘leader’.
Here we find them at a place of rest, when an unexpected army rises up against them. Here they didn’t need a democratic vote on what to do; they needed leadership that says ‘we can do it!’
We all face unexpected battles from time to time. Here are 3 keys that show us how to win those battles we didn’t see coming…
1) Get yourself in the right position
Exodus 17:9 – Moses said to Joshua, "Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands."
Moses knew that the battles they faced were spiritual and not just physical. There are things that are bigger than we are. We need to remember our limitations.
Let us fight and pray. Do what we can do and let God do what he will do.
Let us get positioned correctly…on the mountain top in prayer. Lift our hands to God…this says I am relying on God, that the battle belongs to the Lord.
2 Corinthians 10:3-4 – For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds
This battle was being won by faith. As we position ourselves on the mountain top it gives us a different perspective…God’s perspective.
Prayer changes things. Moses saw that when his hands were up they were winning the battle, but when his hands were down they began to lose.
Hear the voice of God…to do that we sometimes need to switch our voices off!
Psalm 27:1-6 – The LORD is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life, of whom shall I be afraid? When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident.
One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple. For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock.
Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD.
When the day of trouble comes let us remain within the House of God where we find shelter and safety…where He sets us UP!
2) Get yourself in the right posture
Exodus 17:11-13 – As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. When Moses' hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset. So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword.
This battle was won sitting down with hands raised up.
Battles can sometimes last longer than anticipated. We therefore need to find a place of rest in the midst of the battle. They’re not won in striving but in rest.
Battles can make us weary and worn-out. We need to find rest in who God is…and the work he has done in our lives.
Hand raised up is the universal sign for SUBMISSION. That we are surrendered to God…that he knows better than you and me.
It is also the universal sign for PRAISE. We don’t often feel like praising in the midst of the fight and yet,
Hebrews 13:15 – Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise - the fruit of lips that confess his name.
Submission and praise wins the battle! Jesus is Lord! God will thrive in any circumstance…He is the same God wherever we find ourselves.
We also need to know how to hold one anothers hands up…which is why being in the House of God is so important to us when we are in a battle. What you do for others God will do for you.
As well as holding up people we also need to hold up the vision that God has given us.
3) Get yourself with the right people
Exodus 17:12-13 – When Moses' hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset. So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword
Moses didn’t go up the mountain alone…he went with people who would hold him up.
Let us walk with people who will hold us up. Relationships that are God given. Probably 90-95% of what God does in our lives is through other people.
Let us remain humble so that we can hear what other people say to us and let God speak to us through them.
Having the right people in our lives is so important in winning those unexpected battles.
Sunday, May 02, 2010
Ephesians 5
Another great morning at CLC, Paul Benger continued this excellent series on the book of Ephesians with a message called GOD FILLS AND EMPOWERS.
Ephesians 5:1-21
We’ve all got things in our lives we want to see changed. What effects our lives? My life doesn’t have to be determined by the economic climate…but can be determined by God’s power and the Holy Spirit at work in me.
Christianity can thrive in any environment, no matter what is going on around us. It’s not what’s around us that matters but what is inside of us.
Christianity is not a ‘make over’…it’s a transformation, God at work in us changing us by his power.
5 things from Ephesians 5 where God fills us and empowers us…
1) God fills us and empowers us to love
Ephesians 5:1-2 – Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God
Be imitators of God. This doesn’t mean copying God. Let his life flow out of us. He fills us and causes us to love.
When we love people we want the very best for them. Jesus didn’t compete with people he celebrated people. We’re not vying for position, competing against one another.
Love people that God will change.
2) God fills us and empowers us to live in light
Ephesians 5:8-9 – For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth)
Once we were in darkness, even the light inside of us was dark. All our good stuff was filthy.
But God put his spirit in us. We can now live another way. Live as people of the light. The enemy’s trick is to make the darkness appear like light and the light appear like darkness…don’t buy that!
You are a light in the darkness. Be the light, be yourself. Turn the light on!
3) God fills us and empowers us to live wise
Ephesians 5:15-17 – Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is
God knows more than we do. Live with his wisdom…knowing his will for our lives.
Don’t let your wisdom take you somewhere you’re not meant to go. He is wiser than us.
You might have missed opportunities from the past…God is going to give you those opportunities again.
4) God fills us and empowers us to live full of the Holy Spirit
Ephesians 5:18-20 – Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ
Reject the notion of a pwerless Christianity. It’s not just a set of new values and stuff…it’s a life empowered by the Holy Spirit. It’s no makeover!
God gives us the power and grace to overcome. Whatever he asks us to do he empowers us to be able to do it!
1 Corinthians 10:13 – No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he'll never let you be pushed past your limit; he'll always be there to help you come through it
5) God fills us and empowers us to live submitted
Ephesians 5:21 – Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ
Get under the mission of your home, your church, your workplace. Being submitted to one another means we are under their mission.
MISSION
SUB
Everything that is not led goes nowhere! Servant leadership leads in a way that says how can I help you in what you are doing?
Ephesians 5:1-21
We’ve all got things in our lives we want to see changed. What effects our lives? My life doesn’t have to be determined by the economic climate…but can be determined by God’s power and the Holy Spirit at work in me.
Christianity can thrive in any environment, no matter what is going on around us. It’s not what’s around us that matters but what is inside of us.
Christianity is not a ‘make over’…it’s a transformation, God at work in us changing us by his power.
5 things from Ephesians 5 where God fills us and empowers us…
1) God fills us and empowers us to love
Ephesians 5:1-2 – Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God
Be imitators of God. This doesn’t mean copying God. Let his life flow out of us. He fills us and causes us to love.
When we love people we want the very best for them. Jesus didn’t compete with people he celebrated people. We’re not vying for position, competing against one another.
Love people that God will change.
2) God fills us and empowers us to live in light
Ephesians 5:8-9 – For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth)
Once we were in darkness, even the light inside of us was dark. All our good stuff was filthy.
But God put his spirit in us. We can now live another way. Live as people of the light. The enemy’s trick is to make the darkness appear like light and the light appear like darkness…don’t buy that!
You are a light in the darkness. Be the light, be yourself. Turn the light on!
3) God fills us and empowers us to live wise
Ephesians 5:15-17 – Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is
God knows more than we do. Live with his wisdom…knowing his will for our lives.
Don’t let your wisdom take you somewhere you’re not meant to go. He is wiser than us.
You might have missed opportunities from the past…God is going to give you those opportunities again.
4) God fills us and empowers us to live full of the Holy Spirit
Ephesians 5:18-20 – Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ
Reject the notion of a pwerless Christianity. It’s not just a set of new values and stuff…it’s a life empowered by the Holy Spirit. It’s no makeover!
God gives us the power and grace to overcome. Whatever he asks us to do he empowers us to be able to do it!
1 Corinthians 10:13 – No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he'll never let you be pushed past your limit; he'll always be there to help you come through it
5) God fills us and empowers us to live submitted
Ephesians 5:21 – Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ
Get under the mission of your home, your church, your workplace. Being submitted to one another means we are under their mission.
MISSION
SUB
Everything that is not led goes nowhere! Servant leadership leads in a way that says how can I help you in what you are doing?
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