Hebrews 13:20-21 (NIV) May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you w/ everything good for doing his will, & may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever & ever.
Ephesians 2:10(NIV) For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
God not only created you for a journey, He also provided you with a map for it!
2 Timothy 3:14-17 (NLT) But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.
4 Realities about God's Word. Psalm 119:105 (NLT) Your Word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.
If you don't know what God says, you won't know what God wants.
1. God's Word establishes His standards.
Feelings are flavorful, not foundational.
God is the authority on morality and he has spoken. I want to please God, not appease the culture." Galatians 1:10 (NLT) Obviously, I'm not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ's servant.
Romans 12:2 (NLT) Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
3. God's Word reveals God's Ways The best way to Know Gods will is to understand his ways! Psalm 36:9 (NIV) With you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.
"We don't study the Bible to know the Bible, we study the Bible to know God." Psalm 103:7 (NIV) He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel.
The scriptures develop a framework for understanding God's nature and hearing his voice.
Colossians 3:16 (NIV)Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly…. 1 Corinthians 2:16 (NLT) "Who can know the LORD's thoughts? Who knows enough to teach him?" But we understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ. "Patterns Produce Paths"
4. The Word builds our faith 2 Corinthians 5:7 (NIV) We live by faith, not by sight. Romans 10:17(NIV) Faith comes from hearing the Word.
Feast on the Word. Get into the Word until the Word gets into you. YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT!
Practice the Word. James 1:22–25 (TPT) 22 Don't just listen to the Word of Truth and not respond to it, for that is the essence of self-deception. So always let his Word become like poetry written and fulfilled by your life! 23 If you listen to the Word and don't live out the message you hear, you become like the person who looks in the mirror of the Word to discover the reflection of his face in the beginning. 24 You perceive how God sees you in the mirror of the Word, but then you go out and forget your divine origin. 25 But those who set their gaze deeply into the perfecting law of liberty are fascinated by and respond to the truth they hear and are strengthened by it—they experience God's blessing in all that they do!
Hebrews 13:20-21 (NIV) May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, & may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever & ever. Amen.
1 John 2:17 (NIV) The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.
Matthew 6:10 (NIV) Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
James 4:13–16 (NLT) 13 Look here, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.” 14 How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. 15 What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.” 16 Otherwise you are boasting about your own pretentious plans, and all such boasting is evil.
“To fulfill God’s will, you need to know Gods will.”
We desire to fulfill the will of God in our direction and in every situation. 1. Directional- direction of our life. The big picture. 2. Situational- How to respond in situations, daily details.
3 core beliefs to understanding God’s will: #1. The universal will of God.
We were created for dominion(Genesis 1:28)
We are commanded to Love God (Matthew 22:37)
We are called to believe & follow Christ.(John 6:29)
We are commissioned to advance the gospel.(Matthew 28:19&20)
#2. He designed us for His purposes. “God isn’t going to fit into your plan; He is shaping you into his!” Colossians 1:16 (NIV) For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.
“God’s will for your life is not about you.”
“We are most fulfilled in fulfilling his will!”
Psalm 139:13–18 (NLT) 13 You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. 14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. 15 You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. 16 You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. 17 How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! 18 I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me!
“God’s plan for my life is My life for God’s plan.”
#3. The Great Adventure begins with Trust. Proverbs 3:5–6 (NIV) 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
God’s plan is not hard to discover; at times it’s hard to follow.
A. Trust Him “His path is the best path!” Romans 10:11 (AMP), No man who believes in Him [who adheres to, relies on, and trusts in Him] will [ever] be put to shame or be disappointed.
B. Don’t get caught up in the why’s of life.
Romans 8:28 (NIV) And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
C. Acknowledge him always.
D. He will make your path straight & right.
Direct: “Make plain and clear the path.”
Ephesians 2:4–10 (NIV) 4 Because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Acts 19:2 (NIV)"Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" They answered, "No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”
Acts 1:4–5 (NIV) 4 “Wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
We have the gift of righteousness and are made right with God. Now that we are his, he has a gift to give us!
The gift of Holy Spirit is the gift that keeps on giving!
Acts 2:1–4 (NIV) 1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
Times of Refreshing Acts 3:19 (NIV) 19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,
__________________________________ Luke 11:9-13 (NIV) 9 “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 11 “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
Ephesians 5:18 Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit
Faith is not ignoring reality, but it is seeing reality through God’s eyes.
Your Identity Outside of Jesus Ephesians 2:1 (ESV) 2 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins
Romans 6:6 (NLT) 6 We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin.
Colossians 1:21 (NLT) 21 This includes you who were once far away from God. You were his enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions.
Your Identity In Jesus 2 Corinthians 5:21 (NIV) 21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Ephesians 5:1 (ESV) 5 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.
Philippians 3:12 (ESV) 12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.
Your Purpose in Following Jesus
Ephesians 5:8-9 (ESV) 8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true),
Ephesians 5:2 (ESV) 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Colossians 2:6-7 (ESV) 6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
Conditions to the Promises Philippians 4:5-7 (ESV) 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Romans 4:7-8 (NLT) 7 “Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sins are put out of sight. 8 Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of sin.”
Romans 5:18 (NLT) 18 Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone.
God didn’t design you to sustain life, but to bring life. Genesis 1:28 (NIV) God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number… John 7:38 (NIV) Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.”
“Our purpose is not survival; it’s revival.”
1 Kings 17:17-24 (NIV) 17 Some time later the son of the woman who owned the house became ill. He grew worse and worse, and finally stopped breathing. 18 She said to Elijah, “What do you have against me, man of God? Did you come to remind me of my sin and kill my son?” 19 “Give me your son,” Elijah replied. He took him from her arms, carried him to the upper room where he was staying, and laid him on his bed. 20 Then he cried out to the LORD, “O LORD my God, have you brought tragedy also upon this widow I am staying with, by causing her son to die?” 21 Then he stretched himself out on the boy three times and cried to the LORD, “O LORD my God, let this boy’s life return to him!” 22 The LORD heard Elijah’s cry, and the boy’s life returned to him, and he lived. 23 Elijah picked up the child and carried him down from the room into the house. He gave him to his mother and said, “Look, your son is alive!” 24 Then the woman said to Elijah, “Now I know that you are a man of God and that the word of the LORD from your mouth is the truth.”
Releasing Revival 1. It’s already in you. Romans 8:11 (NLT) 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.
Luke 17:20-21 (NIV) 20 Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, 21 nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is within you.”
2. Take responsibility Verse 19 “Give me your Son”
Revival is our responsibility!
3. It starts in an upper room. Verse: 19...He took him from her arms, carried him to the upper room where he was staying.
4. Costs us our comfort 1 Kings 17:21 Then he stretched himself out on the boy… Stretch yourself.
5. Consistency Counts Verser 21 Then, he stretched himself out on the boy three times.
DON’T GIVE UP ON TWO!
“A lifestyle of consistency is more effective than a moment of Intensity.”
Matthew 7:7 (NLT) “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on
“The spoken word is a catalyst for bringing death to life!”
Proverbs 18:21 (NIV) The tongue has the power of life and death.
Matthew 8:5–13 (NLT) 5 When Jesus returned to Capernaum, a Roman officer came and pleaded with him, 6 “Lord, my young servant lies in bed, paralyzed and in terrible pain.” 7 Jesus said, “I will come and heal him.” 8 But the officer said, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come into my home. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed. 9 I know this because I am under the authority of my superior officers, and I have authority over my soldiers. I only need to say, ‘Go,’ and they go, or ‘Come,’ and they come. And if I say to my slaves, ‘Do this,’ they do it.” 10 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. Turning to those who were following him, he said, “I tell you the truth, I haven’t seen faith like this in all Israel! 13 Then Jesus said to the Roman officer, “Go back home. Because you believed, it has happened.” And the young servant was healed that same hour.
The weight of words “Our words are a catalyst for bringing death to life!”
1. Words carry authority 2 Corinthians 5:20 (NLT) So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us…
We have to be under his authority to speak his authority. Hebrews 11:3 (NKJV) We understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God….
2. Words work with faith. Mark 11:23 (NIV) "I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him.
3. Words are a weighty responsibility. Psalm 141:3 (NIV) Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.
Matthew 12:36-37 (NLT) 36 And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. 37 The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you.”
Life-giving Words Proverbs 10:11(NIV) The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life...
1. Prophetic Declarations “If it doesn’t possess the spirit of Jesus, it’s not a prophetic word; it's a pathetic word.”
2. Point to Jesus
Isaiah 61:1-3 (NIV) 1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, 2 to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, 3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion-- to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.
3. Proclaiming blessing Proverbs 11:11(NIV) Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted.
What comes out of your mouth identifies you.
Ezekiel 37:1-10 (NIV) 1 The hand of the LORD was upon me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the LORD and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. 2 He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry. 3 He asked me, "Son of man, can these bones live?" I said, "O Sovereign LORD, you alone know." 4 Then he said to me, "Prophesy to these bones and say to them, 'Dry bones, hear the word of the LORD! 5 This is what the Sovereign LORD says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. 6 I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the LORD.'" 7 So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone. 8 I looked, and tendons and flesh appeared on them and skin covered them, but there was no breath in them. 9 Then he said to me, "Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to it, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe into these slain, that they may live.'" 10 So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet--a vast army.
“NO DEAD THINGS ALLOWED!
Can these bones live? Ministry
Romans 10:9–10 (NIV) 9 If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
Proverbs 10:11(NIV) The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life...
Proverbs 10:20(NIV) The tongue of the righteous is choice silver….
Proverbs 10: 21(NIV) The lips of the righteous nourish many….
Proverbs 15:4(NIV) The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.
Hebrews 11:3 (NKJV) We understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God….
