John 11:17–26 (NLT) 17 When Jesus arrived at Bethany, he was told that Lazarus had already been in his grave for four days. 18 Bethany was only a few miles down the road from Jerusalem, 19 and many of the people had come to console Martha and Mary in their loss. 20 When Martha got word that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him. But Mary stayed in the house. 21 Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask.” 23 Jesus told her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 “Yes,” Martha said, “he will rise when everyone else rises, at the last day.” 25 Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. 26 Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this, Martha?”
What is Jesus saying? "I Am The Ressurection"
“When encounter The Resurrection, our body will perish, but our spirit will live forever.”
"When we encounter Jesus, death loses its power over us."
Romans 8:10–11 (NLT) 10 Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God. 11 The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.
"The Holy Spirit is the escort that leads us to know and become like Jesus."
“And The Life”
John 11:32–37 (NLT) 32 When Mary arrived and saw Jesus, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died.” 33 When Jesus saw her weeping and saw the other people wailing with her, a deep anger welled up within him, and he was deeply troubled. 34 “Where have you put him?” he asked them. They told him, “Lord, come and see.” 35 Then Jesus wept. 36 The people who were standing nearby said, “See how much he loved him!” 37 But some said, “This man healed a blind man. Couldn’t he have kept Lazarus from dying?”
God is emotional.
John 11:38–44 (NLT) 38 Jesus was still angry as he arrived at the tomb, a cave with a stone rolled across its entrance. 39 “Roll the stone aside,” Jesus told them. But Martha, the dead man’s sister, protested, “Lord, he has been dead for four days. The smell will be terrible.” 40 Jesus responded, “Didn’t I tell you that you would see God’s glory if you believe?” 41 So they rolled the stone aside. Then Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, thank you for hearing me. 42 You always hear me, but I said it out loud for the sake of all these people standing here, so that they will believe you sent me.” 43 Then Jesus shouted, “Lazarus, come out!” 44 And the dead man came out, his hands and feet bound in grave clothes, his face wrapped in a head cloth. Jesus told them, “Unwrap him and let him go!”
“In Christ, we are defined by a resurrection moment.”
The Resurrected life:
Living Hopeful
John 11:26 (NLT) Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this, Martha?”
"In the Kingdom, hopelessness is an illusion.” Isaiah 61: 3(NIV) A garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.
Faith is active trust.
Hope is the joyful expectation of good.
“Hope is Holy optimism.”
1 Peter 1:3–4 (NLT) 3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, 4 and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay.
1 Peter 1:3 (NIV)… he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
2. Freedom 1 Corinthians 15:57 (NLT) Thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 2:4–6 (NLT) 4 God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, 5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) 6 For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus.
References: John 10, Psalms 23, 1 Peter, Exodus 33,
John 10:6–21 (NLT) 7 "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who came before me were thieves and robbers. But the true sheep did not listen to them. 9 Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures. 10 The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. 11 "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep. 12 A hired hand will run when he sees a wolf coming. He will abandon the sheep because they don't belong to him and he isn't their shepherd. And so the wolf attacks them and scatters the flock. 13 The hired hand runs away because he's working only for the money and doesn't really care about the sheep. 14 "I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, 15 just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep, too, that are not in this sheepfold. I must bring them also. They will listen to my voice, and there will be one flock with one shepherd. 17 "The Father loves me because I sacrifice my life so I may take it back again. 18 No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again. For this is what my Father has commanded." 19 When he said these things, the people were again divided in their opinions about him. 20 Some said, "He's demon possessed and out of his mind. Why listen to a man like that?" 21 Others said, "This doesn't sound like a man possessed by a demon! Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?"
"Good" Ka-los: beautiful, good, desirable. Intrinsically sound and morally and ethically flawless.
Not so good shepherds. A. Vile shepherds, Thieves and robbers, false messiahs, and mobsters led the religious system.
B. Faithful Shepherds: Abraham, Moses, David.
"You don't have to be flawless to be faithful."
Romans 3:23–24 (NLT) 23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard. 24 Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.
"There are no perfect sheep, only a perfect shepherd."
II. The Shepherd Heart of God John 10:11(NLT) "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep. Matthew 18:12–14 (NLT) 12 "If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders away, what will he do? Won't he leave the ninety-nine others on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost? 13 And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he will rejoice over it more than over the ninety-nine that didn't wander away! 14 In the same way, it is not my heavenly Father's will that even one of these little ones should perish.
How does one acquire sheep? They purchase them 1 Peter 1:18–19 (NLT) For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And it was not paid with mere gold or silver, which lose their value. 19 It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God.
1. He died brutally. "Under the law, the sheep dies for the shepherd. In grace, the shepherd dies for the sheep."
1 Peter 2:24 (NLT) He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed.
2. He died willingly & sacrificially. John 10:18(NLT) "No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily..." "When God became a man, The Shepherd became The Lamb."
3. He died victoriously. John 10:18(NLT) "...I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again."
"Jesus is the only one that ever defeated death."
When the I Am is you Shepherd: 1. Belonging. John 10:27 (NLT) My sheep…
Mark 3:13 (NIV) Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him.
"He called you because he wanted you."
Romans 8:28–30 (NLT) 28 We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. 29 For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory.
2. Knowing. John 10:27 (NLT) My sheep listen to my voice I know them…
"Proximity develops a discerning ear." 3. Leading John 10:27 (NLT) My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me." "Jesus doesn't just listen. He leads. His sheep don't just listen; they follow."
Matthew 9:36 (NIV) When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
Matthew 11:28–30 (NIV) 28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
References: John 9 John 10, Ezekiel 34, Jeremiah 23, Pslams 23
John 9:35–41 (NLT) 35 When Jesus heard what had happened, he found the man and asked, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” 36 The man answered, “Who is he, sir? I want to believe in him.” 37 “You have seen him,” Jesus said, “and he is speaking to you!” 38 “Yes, Lord, I believe!” the man said. And he worshiped Jesus. 39 Then Jesus told him, “I entered this world to render judgment—to give sight to the blind and to show those who think they see that they are blind.” 40 Some Pharisees who were standing nearby heard him and asked, “Are you saying we’re blind?” 41 “If you were blind, you wouldn’t be guilty,” Jesus replied. “But you remain guilty because you claim you can see.
John 10:1–8 (NLT) 1 “I tell you the truth, anyone who sneaks over the wall of a sheepfold, rather than going through the gate, must surely be a thief and a robber! 2 But the one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice. 5 They won’t follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don’t know his voice.” 6 Those who heard Jesus use this illustration didn’t understand what he meant, 7 so he explained it to them: “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep.8 All who came before me were thieves and robbers. But the true sheep did not listen to them.
Thieves and Robbers: “Many are more familiar with the voice of thieves and robbers than the voice of Jesus.”
The Abundant Life John 10:1–8 (NLT) 9 Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures. 10 The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.
Psalms 23:1(NIV) I shall not be in want.
“I Am The Gate.” 1. Access. Hebrews 10:19–22 (NIV) 19 Since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.
2. Inspection.
Psalm 23:4 (NIV) Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 139:23–24 (NIV) Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24 See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
“Jesus will never affirm sin because sin is harmful.”
“The conviction, cleansing, and correction of the Lord is his affirmation.”
3. A Family. Ephesians 2:18–19 (NIV) 18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. 19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household.
4. Security. Proverbs 18:10 (NIV) The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. “We find our security and identity in His name. The I AM is the gate to safety."
Psalm 46:1–2 (NIV) God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear…
Close: Matthew 7:13–14 (NIV) 13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
Revelation 3:8 (NLT) “I know all the things you do, and I have opened a door for you that no one can close. You have little strength, yet you obeyed my word and did not deny me.
Genesis 1:1–4 (84) 1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. 3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness.
John 1:1–14 (NIV) 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men.5 The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. 6 There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. 8 He himself was not the light;he came only as a witness to the light. 9 The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 8 Sukkot
John 8:12 (NLT) Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness,because you will have the light that leads to life.”
John 8:17-19 (NLT) 17 Your own law says that if two people agree about something, their witness is accepted as fact. 18 I am one witness, and my Father who sent me is the other.” 19 “Where is your father?” they asked. Jesus answered, “Since you don’t know who I am, you don’t know who my Father is. If you knew me, you would also know my Father.”
John 8:31–32 (NLT) 31 Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. 32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
John 8:42–44 (NLT) 43 Why can’t you understand what I am saying? It’s because you can’t even hear me! 44 For you are the children of your father the devil…
John 8:58 (NLT) “I tell you the truth, before Abraham was even born, I Am!”
The darkness speaks of 1. Absence 2. Evil 3. Deception/ Spiritual Blindness. 4. Hopelessness
The light speaks of 1. Illumination+Revelation Colossians 1:15 (NLT) Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. 2. Safety 3. Truth
“Light is offensive to darkness.” “When you close your eyes to the light of truth, you close your ears to God’s voice.”
John 8:24 (NLT) “For unless you believe that I Am who I claim to be, you will die in your sins.”
4. Hope
Psalm 34:5 (NIV) Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.
5. Guidance Psalm 119:105 (NIV) Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
John 8:12 (NLT) “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness." We Eat the bread and follow the light.
John 9: John 9: 5-7 (NLT) 5 While I am here in the world, I am the light of the world.” 6 Then he spit on the ground, made mud with the saliva, and spread the mud over the blind man’s eyes. 7 He told him, “Go wash yourself in the pool of Siloam” (Siloam means “sent”). So the man went and washed and came back seeing!
Living in the Light: 1. Walk in the light 1 John 1:5–7 (NIV) 5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
2. Stay in the light Micah 7:8 (NIV) Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light.
3. Shine the light 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NIV) We, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
_____________________ Colossians 1:12–13 (NIV) 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. 13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves.
Ephesians 5:11–14 (NIV) 11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. 14 This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”
The call of Moses(Exodus 3) , The manna from heaven(Exodus 16), The feeding of the 5000(John 6)
“You have to get Jesus right.” “If you get Jesus right, you get God right.”
“I AM” Exodus 3:13–14 (NLT) 13 Moses protested, “If I go to the people of Israel and tell them, ‘The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,’ they will ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what should I tell them?” 14 God replied to Moses, “I Am Who I Am. Say this to the people of Israel: I Am has sent me to you.”
Self-existent: He simply is.
Self-sufficient. And all sufficient
Present: Not “I was, or I used to be.”
John 8:58 (NLT) “Before Abraham was even born, I Am!”
I AM the bread of life. John 6:20 (NLT) He called out to them, “Don’t be afraid. I Am here!”
Greek “The I Am is here.”
John 6:25-36 (NLT) 25 They found him on the other side of the lake and asked, “Rabbi, when did you get here?” 26 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, you want to be with me because I fed you, not because you understood the miraculous signs. 27 But don’t be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you. For God the Father has given me the seal of his approval.” 28 They replied, “We want to perform God’s works, too. What should we do?” 29 Jesus told them, “This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent.” 30 They answered, “Show us a miraculous sign if you want us to believe in you. What can you do? 31 After all, our ancestors ate manna while they journeyed through the wilderness! The Scriptures say, ‘Moses gave them bread from heaven to eat.’”
Manna” What is it?
John 6:32-36 (NLT) 32Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, Moses didn’t give you bread from heaven.My Father did. And now he offers you the true bread from heaven. 33 The true bread of God is the one who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” 34 “Sir,” they said, “give us that bread every day.” 35 Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. 36 But you haven’t believed in me even though you have seen me.
Jesus was dealing with: 1. They wanted to crown him king. 2. They had elevated Moses. 3. They wanted another sign: “Signs point to something.”
“Jesus puts the Man in manna.”
John 6:47-51 (NLT) 47 “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes has eternal life. 48 Yes, I am the bread of life! 49 Your ancestors ate manna in the wilderness, but they all died. 50 Anyone who eats the bread from heaven, however, will never die. 51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live forever; and this bread, which I will offer so the world may live, is my flesh.”
The Bread of Life, What is he saying? 1. He is essential
John 8:24 (NLT) “Unless you believe that I Amwho I claim to be, you will die in your sins.”
2. He is sufficient YHWH Jirah. Provider. Genesis 22:14
Philippians 4:19 (NIV) My God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
3. He is sustaining
4. He is substantive and satisfying.
“Cravings are nurtured.”
5. He is sharing life
John 6:66–69 (NLT) 66 At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him. 67 Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, “Are you also going to leave?” 68 Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. 69 We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God.”
“Bread must be broken to be shared.”
Luke 22:19–20 (NIV) 19 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.
“Jesus, the bread of life, was broken to be shared.”
John 6:58 (NLT) 58 I am the true bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will not die as your ancestors did (even though they ate the manna) but will live forever.”
One of the reasons many Christians struggle is because we don’t know how to manage chaos.
We will have trials.
John 16:33(NLT) “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
“Your chaos is not your identity.”
We must remember: Jesus already won.
Championing Chaos
1. Words
Proverbs 18:21(NLT) The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.
Luke 6:45 (NLT) “A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart.”
“We must see things in the spirit and speak them into existence.” -Prophet Ron Campbell
Psalms 19:14 (NLT) “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”
2. Prayers
“We should pray about our situation more than we talk about them.”
“Worrying isn’t praying. “
Philippians 4: 6-8(NLT) Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on these things.
“There’s a difference between a prayer list and a prayer life.” -Pastor Gerald Brooks
3. Community
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12(NLT) Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor. For if one falls down, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to help him up! Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; but how can one keep warm alone? And though one may be overpowered, two can resist. Moreover, a cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
At Overflow, we follow Jesus together.
Tale of Two Paralyzed Men John 5 & Mark 2
“As Christians, we function from a place of VICTORY.”
Solid people obey! Genesis 2:16:17 (NLT) 16 But the Lord God warned him, “You may freely eat the fruit of every tree in the garden— 17 except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat its fruit, you are sure to die.”
John 14:15 (NLT) If you love me, obey my commands.
1 John 5:1-3 (NLT) Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. 2 This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. 3 In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome
Obedience reveals how deep our affections are towards God and people.
John 10:27 (NLT) My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me
Genesis 22:1-18 (NLT) Some time later, God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied.2 Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.”3 Early the next morning, Abraham got up and loaded his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told hima bout. 4 On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. 5 He said to his servants, “Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship, and then we will come back to you.”6 Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together, 7 Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, “Father?” “Yes, my son?” Abraham replied. “The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” 8 Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together. 9 When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. 10 Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. 11 But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. 12 “Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.” 13 Abraham looked up and there in a thicket, he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.” 15 The angel of the Lord called to Abraham from heaven a second time 16 and said, “I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, 18 and through your offspring[b] all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.”
Walking in the plans and purposes of God for your life will often lead you out of the plans and purposes others have for you.
1. Obedience starts with trust. Proverbs 16:9 (NIV) A man makes his plans but the Lord establishes His steps.
Disobedience is disregarding God’s established steps for my own plan.
2. Obedience brings on opportunities to doubt. Doubt cannot dictate our actions.
3. Obedience is always followed by provision. Proverbs 2:6 (NIV)For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
4. Obedience will always cost you something but will always result in blessing. Genesis 22:15-18(NLT) 15 The angel of the Lord called to Abraham from heaven a second time 16 and said, “I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, 18 and through your offspring[b] all nations onearth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.”
Your obedience, or lack there of, will have generational impact!
5. Obedience requires endurance Romans 5:1-5 (NLT)Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we[c] also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
Are you walking in your plans or His steps?
Do you trust Him? If not, why?
What does God need to do in you so that He can work through you?
