The Church is God’s chosen weapon to combat evil – Why are so many missing it?
- This is for the micro church and the macro church
- So few chosen – Matthew 20:16– …For many are called, but few chosen.”
- This year is about activation, hence the book of Acts
Thinking varsity is glamorous
- Every year they would call some of the JV up
- Servant leadership – Matthew 20:16 – So the last will be first, and first will be last. Many are called, But few chosen.
Bigger challenges on varsity
- Bigger devils requires you to be in better shape
- Going from Elijah to Elisha – Elijah Spirit multiplication
Can only blame yourself on varsity
- Adam blamed Eve – Genesis 3:12 – Then the man said, “The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate.”
- God has protected us on JV – everyone gets to play, get an award
Varsity is about becoming a son or daughter
- Becoming a son or daughter – Romans 8:12-17 – Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 17Sons are heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.
- Sonship, joint heirs with Christ, only comes via the Spirit, and it looks like something – 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
- The world awaits us growing up – Romans 8:19 – For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.
A Paradynm shift.
- God wants to mature, promote you – 2 Peter 1:3 – By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life.
- 8 The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.9 But those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins.
- 10 So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away. 11 Then God will give you a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
- Some won’t make it.
Lord give me the courage to change – 2 Corinthians 3:18 – transformed from glory to glory
Time to grow up
- Going from immaturity to maturity –Hebrews 5:12-14 – For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
- Maybe what this season is all about – God’s growing up His Church
Too many are counting the cost
- Don’t bother counting – Luke 14:28 – For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it—
- It will cost you everything – ask Ananias and Sapphria – Acts 5
- Let God’s divine nature promote you – 2 Peter 1:3-11– By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. 4 And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.
- 5 In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge,6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.
- 8 The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins.
- 10 So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away. 11 Then God will give you a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
- 1 Corinthians 11:27-32 – shortly we need to examine ourselves, not just ourselves in a vacuum but also how we’ve in relationship to each other
- 10 years ago we had revival here for 23 days
- 11/11/11 call – God’s not finished
Lord give me the courage to change – Will I trust you Lord?