Scripture reading
Eph. Chapter 1
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Introduction
I was here at the church praying Wednesday morning, and it was starting to get intense. Father has a way of doing that when I least expect it. I spend a fair amount of time praying for you. I pray especially that we would see and hear more clearly. That we would catch a vision of our purpose and destiny in Christ. That the agenda of Father would be brought about in our church. That His transformative power would be at work in us, changing our thinking, our preconceptions, our motivations, our ways of doing things.
The more I devote myself to prayer, the more I get a hint that Father is up to something in our church, and it’s big. I know Father has called us to a higher place. Father does not intend for us to be average Christians in an average church. Ordinary Christianity no longer makes the grade. We just cannot live our lives like we have in the past. We cannot accept church as usual any more. We cannot be bench warmers in the Kingdom.
I know that He desires that we take hold of a greater grace, a greater faith, and run the race harder, farther, and longer than we ever thought we could. And I am absolutely sure that each one of us is capable of much more than we think.
Jn. 14:12-13 I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father.
Ep. 3:20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us…
Holy Spirit power is at work in us, and He wants to do much more. Right here, in this place. In you. Not that you’re anything special. But it doesn’t take special people, just willing hearts. Father has plans, and we had better be on board with them. We better start preparing for a new kind of church, a new vision, a new paradigm of understanding Father. He is planning a great work in us. If we’re willing.
Earthquake
As I said, my prayer time was getting intense. I heard the word “earthquake.” Not a natural earthquake, something else. I thought of the song “It is well,” which we sang last Sunday.
Grander earth has quaked before; Moved by the sound of His voice…
I think we’re coming to a time when Father’s voice will sound out like no one has ever experienced, right here in our church and it will shake things. It will be a seismic quake of revelation, correction, empowerment, and transformation. The things on your spiritual shelves and in your spiritual cupboards will get shifted around. Some things will fall and get broken. The spiritual houses you have built will be tested.
He. 12:26-29 At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” 29 The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken — that is, created things — so that what cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, 29 for our “God is a consuming fire.”
If you are building your house on the Solid Rock, things will go better for you. However, if you are trusting in your job, your government, or your smarts, you will be shaken up. If you’re lukewarm, consumed with the affairs of this world, or living a double life, your world is going to get shifted. This shaking will reveal to each of us what our lives are built around. Even for those of us who may be pretty well established in the faith.
But let me tell you, it is good to go through this earthquake. Father is preparing us for what is to come, and it’s better to know sooner than later that your spiritual house is solidly built. It’s better that you have a chance now to put your spiritual house in order. It’s time to prepare the way, individually and corporately, for the Glory of the Lord.
But you know something? You shouldn’t be discouraged or fearful. You’re stronger than you think.
This mountain right in front of me will be thrown into the midst of the sea.
Take heart, the move of God is worth it.
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Father has spoken
May I tell you some things I know about Father?
But before I do, we need to ask, how do I know anything about Father? How do any of us know anything about Him? Some of us might think that we set out to find evidence of Him, and by a systematic, logical process, we discovered Him. We figured it out and we decided to believe, right?
No, Father showed himself. That’s the only reason we know of Him. He showed Himself. After all, Father could have easily chosen to hide, and we would remain unaware. We wouldn’t know anything about His nature, His character, or His purpose. In fact, the reason for our very existence would a mystery.
But we know. We know. The very fact that we know about at least a little about Father means we received revelation. Everything we know about Him is because He revealed Himself to us. I’ll repeat that. Everything, everything we know about Him is because He revealed Himself to us. Father by His very nature is the revelatory God.
Responsive: Father is knowable… because He wanted to be.
This is actually quite profound when you think about it. Father came to us. He purposed that He would be known. He made testimony about Himself. The dictionary defines testimony as the “evidence or proof provided by the existence or appearance of something.”
In the past, he let all nations go their own way. 17 Yet he has not left himself without testimony… Ac. 14:16-17
That phrase “without testimony” is the Greek word amarturos, which means “without witness.” He did not leave Himself without witness about himself. And despite all the nations going their own way, there has always been a testimony.
Creation
One way He provided testimony is creation.
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. 2 Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. 3 There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Ps. 19:1-3
Creation plays an important role in Father’s revelatory purposes. Creation is a Big Voice. The heavens are talking. The stars have a lot to say. The sun and the moon and the galaxies testify. They are witnesses of God. Notice the psalmist says they “display knowledge.” They know Father. They have knowledge about the glory of God, knowledge about His nature and purpose and power. Creation knows Father and His plan.
This is an incredible testimony, a sure witness, a powerful revelation of Father. I would call this “general revelation,” since it speaks to every human on earth.
Father has spoken to you
Father’s revelation resounds in the farthest corner of the universe. Every atom, every solar system, every DNA strand, every flower. Which means, of course, He is speaking to you. We know/that we know/that we know that there is most certainly a God out there, even if we try to deceive ourselves into believing otherwise.
For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities — his eternal power and divine nature — have been clearly seen… being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. Ro. 1:20
Notice that revelation has consequences. The heavens aren’t speaking for nothing. There’s a reason for it. Men are held to account. This testimony is personal. It speaks directly to us. The evidence demands a verdict. I would call this “specific revelation.”
Despite being accountable, at this point we don’t have a way to respond, because we don’t know what to do with this revelation. You see, we can acknowledge there is a God, and perhaps even conclude that there are resulting moral obligations, but that doesn’t give us the ability to address them, or even know what they are.
So Father does what Father loves to do. He gives MORE REVELATION!
Scripture
Like creation, Scripture is a major revelation of Father’s purpose for the universe. He spoke to the prophets of old, who recorded for us the very words of God. He isn’t just Creator, He wants us to know Him. We have something in our hands that tells us everything we need to know about His eternal plan. It is Father’s heart in written form.
And the Bible is trustworthy. Scripture is the final word on every matter of the faith and practice; and everything we believe, everything we do, everything said from this pulpit, or even what comes from our own mouths, must be compared to the unchanging truth of Scripture.
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2Ti. 3:16-17
What a wondrous thing this is! We have a handy reference guide that lays it all out for us. It testifies to our innermost being, delivering a message of not only His purpose, but also a conviction of guilt. We hear His testimony and we discover we come up short.
We must respond. But how?
He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Mi. 6:8
Father has a message aimed right at you. He has shown you.This is called a moral imperative. A moral imperative is something that compels a person to take action.
Responsive: With increased revelation… comes increased responsibility
Father wants a response.
This moral imperative requires an answer from us. How should we respond?
Interestingly, even in the face of revelation, we want to systematize. We are predisposed to rules and systems. Solve the problem, or find a way to get around it. Develop a strategy. Write down our steps, 1-5. It worked before, why wouldn’t it work again? Do this, don’t do that, follow these precepts.
This is how denominations are formed. Revelation came, and now we are going to set up camp here because what we had good results. But unfortunately, Father has moved on.
Responsive: If Father is moving… I want to move too.
God’s game… God’s rules.
It’s interesting that Father gave the law in the O.T.. All those rules and regulations play right in to what we humans naturally tend towards. But the law doesn’t change hearts. It doesn’t make anyone righteous. And of course Father knew this. But, He also knew that He would provide the ultimate solution, something way beyond a system of do’s and don’ts.
So, we have a lot more revelation in Father’s perfect law, but we still don’t have answers. We have exhausted our human skills and efforts, only to come up empty. Ultimately, it only leads to death.
The soul who sins is the one who will die. Ez. 18:20
Sin. Basically, sin is violating Father’s rules. We simply don’t have the ability to avoid violating His rules, because we can’t live perfect lives. According to the unerring justice of Father, violating His rules carries a death sentence.
This in a nutshell, is the nature of the problem. This particular level of revelation does not save us. Everything we could do, every rule we might follow, every strategy we might employ, leads to death.
Responsive: Without Father in my equation… I might as well give up.
Father has your answer.
I believe that one of the key issues with which all people must be confronted is the end of themselves. This is the place where Father often meets us. And His timing is always perfect.
You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Ro. 5:6
That is, in the midst of our hopeless state, Father came with the ultimate solution, the revelation of Jesus Christ.
“While we were still powerless…” The magnitude of this revelation is off the charts. We were powerless, unable to do anything to affect our destiny, when the answer comes at just the right time. Jesus.
Isn’t it wonderful that Father did not leave us in our situation? He did not abandon us. He did not consign us to death. It’s a revelation of the heart of God that brings life to us. This is Father.
Responsive: I’m here today… because he showed me something life-giving... and powerful.
In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son… He. 1:1-2
Father steps into history in the most profound way and speaks by His Son. This Son died for the ungodly. Us. He didn’t just send any old someone to die in our place. This is His son. The ultimate revelation, Jesus Christ. Jesus is the answer to the question of the ages.
- Who is this Son, this Christ?
The One who died to wash away our sins. Father sent His Son to earth to defeat death and the power of sin. When there’s sin, someone has to die, remember? Someone has to die. Jesus carried our death sentence to the cross. If we accept this gift.
- Who is this Son, this Christ?
He didn’t stay in the grave. In an unprecedented show of Father’s power, Jesus rose from the grave, victorious over death. This is good news. Oh, yes, it’s good news. That resurrection is a boatload of good stuff. Because He lives, I live.
- Who is this Son, this Christ?
It’s good that because Jesus lives we now live, but there’s more. Father beckons us into His presence, and Jesus is the sole entrance point into the presence of the Father.
I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.” Jn. 10:9
- Who is this Son, this Christ?
He not only lives, He ascended to heaven and is now seated at the right hand of Father. He intercedes for us before Father. King of kings. Exalted. He rules the nations with an iron scepter. He is glorious, altogether lovely, beautiful, incomparable, majestic, worthy, holy, He’s the mighty One!
Your Response
What does it take to enter this gate and be saved, that is, to be brought into the family of Father?
Believe - whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
Turn from your wrong thinking and wrong doing - Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out… Ac. 3:19
Open the door - Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. Re. 3:20
Do what Father wants you to do - If you love me, you will obey what I command. Jn. 14:15
Are you part of Father’s family? You might think you are, but please, make sure. Today is the day to turn from your ways and come into line with Father’s ways. Today is the day to begin your new life. Today is the day of salvation. Jesus is that gateway to the loving Father.
If you already belong to Father, you may have wandered. You might find yourself in a situation or even a state of mind that you need to turn away from. That’s what repent means. Turn away. Change course. Go Father’s way. Don’t just stop what you’re doing, go Father’s way. Are you angry with someone? Have you been so involved in your life and personal pursuits that you’ve put Father on the back burner? Have you been deliberately disobedient to Father? Are you involved in a sinful activity? Are you on the run from Him?
As I continue I’d like you to let these questions to weigh upon you. After I’m done today, there will be the opportunity for you to respond.
Revelation continues
Now we at this church believe that Father is still revealing things. He still speaks today. Remember, …If anyone hears my voice... If you have accepted Father’s terms and are saved, you received a whole lot more than avoiding a death sentence.
Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Ac. 2:38
When you became a member of His family, he gave you a gift, His Holy Spirit. The gift of the Holy Spirit is Father making His dwelling within the deepest parts of you. One thing Holy Spirit does is connect with your spiritual nature and speak to you.
Responsive: Because Holy Spirit lives in me… I should listen to Him
Holy Spirit is Father’s power at work in us, causing Father’s character to grow within us.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Ro. 15:13
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. Ep. 3:16-17
Holy Spirit is the glorious riches of Father. Holy Spirit is the power in us to do what Father has called us to do, and to be what He called us to be. Holy Spirit is how we live a life that is pleasing to Father. Holy Spirit is how we hear from Father.
These are profound statements. It boggles the mind when you stop and think about it. I don’t think I will ever get used to the idea that the Creator of the universe has saw fit to take up residence in me. And, He is at work in us, He’s changing us, He’s forming us, He’s making us a fitting dwelling place.
And we… are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2Co. 3:18
Responsive: My Holy Spirit transformation… pleases Father
Prophecy: More revelation!
As His character is formed in us little by little, we begin to more clearly hear His voice. He not only speaks to us about us, but he speaks so that we may speak to others. And of course He’s not just speaking to you, He’s also speaking to others.
Holy Spirit builds up the Church by speaking to us, and we in turn encourage one another with those words. This is prophecy. You might think that prophecy is this super-spiritual/predicting disaster/Thus saith the Lord kind of thing, but it’s more than that. Within the family of Father, it’s something different:
…everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort. 1Co. 14:3
Prophecy builds up. It encourages and comforts the brethren. It’s life giving, destiny speaking, and identity making. And, it’s something we should desire:
Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. 1Co. 14:1
When Holy Spirit took up residence in your inner being, He also gave you spiritual gifts. One of these gifts is prophecy. I believe we all have the ability to prophesy to a greater or lesser degree because we all can hear Him.
For some it is an extraordinarily powerful gift. Others, perhaps not so much. But since we are commanded to especially desire this gift, it implies that we can operate, in this gift or any spiritual gift, more powerfully.
I am emphasizing the revelatory nature of Father because hearing is so key to leading a life pleasing to Him. Prophecy is a vehicle, a ministry of the Body to assist each of us on to maturity. If we are to be the people Father wants us to be, we have to hear for ourselves what Father is saying.
Responsive: Open my ears… that I may more clearly hear Your voice
More Holy Spirit!
It is not unbiblical to want more of Father’s Holy Spirit:
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! Lk. 11:11-13
We can have more of Holy Spirit, and in fact we are commanded to be filled:
…be filled with the Spirit. Ep. 5:18
The way that sentence is constructed in the Greek, it suggests the continual and repeated filling of Holy Spirit. Keep on being filled with the Spirit…
Responsive: Father, I desire to honor You… by having more of You.
Rightly Regard The Body
I need to mention something else. Hearing from Father carries with it a danger of arrogance. We get caught up in the marvelous things we are hearing and start to think of ourselves as someone special. But being spiritually gifted is not the same thing as being spiritually mature. And because of the human element, prophecy is subject to discernment and confirmation.
Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. 2Co. 13:1
You are only one witness. Prophecies must be confirmed. In the public setting, prophecy is a matter of the discernment of the Body:
Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. 1Co. 14:29
So let’s be mindful when delivering a prophetic word, and let others judge it for themselves.
Another thing: Since we are talking about the Body of Christ, we must learn to value and embrace it. The ministry of the Body is something I believe Father is increasing in us. The mutual counsel of the brethren is becoming a critical issue.
Why is this? Listen: We are not always at the top of the pyramid when it comes to hearing Holy Spirit. We don’t always hear perfectly. Sometimes others are hearing more clearly than we are. Get that? Sometimes others are hearing more clearly than we are.
That may ruffle the feathers of some of you, but it needs to be said. There will be times when Holy Spirit is speaking to someone about you that He may not be saying directly to you. This is the ministry of the Body, the community of believers, in action. And we are told to rightly regard the Body (1 Cor 11:29).
We are a community. So there will be times when someone has a prophetic word for you. If you have been careful to surround yourself with men and women of character and spiritual maturity, this means that when they speak you might find yourself in a position where your humble response is, “It is enough for me that it is you who are saying it.”
Responsive: Make me a person… who will listen to Your voice… wherever it comes from.
A third thing: I also want to say that if you are really hearing from Father, you will be a person of action. You will be doing the works He ordained for you. However, for some of us, we want to jump to the head of the line, thinking that we should be in some influential position doing wondrous healings and speaking powerful prophetic words. But let me say this: Those who hear from Father also clean toilets, feed the poor, and labor anonymously in the Kingdom. If you are powerfully gifted, get your hands dirty.
I’ve said all this so that you might begin to embrace a passion for Father in your life that increases and bears fruit. To draw near to Him so that you can hear Him speak. To live blameless lives so as to not defame the name of Christ.
That’s what I want you to do, to get passionate about pleasing Father. Not to gin up your emotions or motivation, not get you fired up. No, my prayer is that you would never be satisfied or comfortable where it comes to the things of the Kingdom. That being about Father’s work would consume you.
And this can only happen one way, by the power of His Holy Spirit.
Some things I know about Father
I too want to hear more clearly what Holy Spirit is saying. I pray this continually for all of us. In these times of what seems like incredible darkness, we who are children of light must shine forth with the good news of the gospel. We must walk in the revelatory power of Father. We must minister spiritually with maturity and wisdom. We, like the apostles, cannot help but testify of what we have seen and heard.
So let me go back to the beginning. I am now ready to tell you some things I know about Father.
He is the Good Father. (Mat 7:11)
He is the kindest person you will ever meet. (Jer. 9:24)
He has given us everything we need. (2 Pe 1:3)
He dwells in the highest glory. (Ps. 15:1)
His anger lasts a moment, but His favor for a lifetime. (Ps. 30:5)
He has ordained a destiny for us. (Jer. 29:11)
He has washed us, forgiven us, and delivered us from death. (1 Cor. 6:11)
He is worthy of all praise and exultation. (Ps. 145:3)
He is incomparable, altogether lovely, and glorious in splendor. (Ps. 145:5)
He has saved us and seated us in heavenly places. (Col. 3:1)
He has defeated death and the grave. (1 Cor. 15:55)
He rose from the dead, and is enthroned at the right hand of Father. (Rom 8:34)
He speaks, and the foundations of the earth shake. (Ps. 18:7)
He has opened the narrow gate and beckons us into His presence. (He 10:19)
The government is upon His shoulders, and its increase shall not end. (Is. 9:6)
He has done wonders. (Ps. 40:5)
He has defeated the enemy and given us His victory. (Ps. 18:25)
He is at my right hand; I shall not be shaken. (Ps. 16:8)
When I call to him, I am saved from my enemies. (Ps. 18:3)
He saves the humble and brings down the arrogant. (Ps. 8:27)
He is enthroned as the Holy One. (Ps. 22:3)
He blesses those who fear Him. (Ps. 34:9)
He is the defender of the widow and the orphan, and feeds the poor. (Ps. 68:5)
He is our light and our salvation. Whom shall we fear? (Ps.27:1)
He is the lifter of our heads. (Ps. 27:6)
He has heard our cries for mercy. (Ps. 116:1)
He is a strong tower, a fortress for the righteous. (Ps. 61:3)
His compassions fail not. (Lam. 3:22)
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne. (Ps. 98:2)
And,
He sustains everything by His mighty Word. (Heb. 1:3)
Do you hear this mighty word? Incline your ears, people of God! Father is speaking, and He has something to say to you right now. Something about His glory. Something about your destiny. Something about his character. Something about your life. Something about His purposes on the earth!
Conclusion
Now you might remember that I told you I would give you the opportunity to respond. If you have been doing some business with Father this morning, you need to tell someone. There will be people here with whom you can talk. They might pray with you, or they might offer a word of encouragement or direction. This time of ministry is not simply for those who have problems. It’s not only because you are struggling or are sick or because you have some situation.
Some of you are going to come for prayer because you just received the gift of salvation. Or perhaps you need more information before you make your decision. That’s ok. Come get some prayer and counsel.
Some of you have been wandering away. Or maybe your saved but in sin. You need to come for prayer as well.
Most importantly, others of you have recognized a hunger for more of Him. You want to answer the call for the fullness of the Holy Spirit. Come and receive an impartation.
For the rest of you, please realize this may take some time. Don’t worry about it. You might be wondering what to do while you wait for the concluding worship set. May I suggest that you pray as well? Or, take a look around. If you’re a mature person of faith, Holy Spirit may be leading you to speak encouragement to someone. That is, to prophesy.
If you’re unsure about how to do that, or want to get input before praying for someone, please consult an elder, a deacon, or a member of the prayer team. Would you leaders please put up a hand and let everyone know who you are?
Lastly, there is a prayer room right down that hallway by the sound board. If you want private prayer, people will be there for you if you want that. Or you could just go there and do your business with Father on your own. So let’s take some time to pray.
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