What is against us?
5th March John Griggs
What stands against us expecting change
Two parts to this morning: Philosophy & Practicality
In the heavenlies
In the heavenlies are the spiritual powers, there are things which are seen and unseen. How do we get it to things we can see.
Regarding others
We have a problem with lack of forgiveness, which is a barrier of sin.
The story in John’s Gospel of man who was blind but got healed, Jesus spat on the ground to make mud. Interesting that to the Masai in
Africa
forgiveness is symbolised by spit. Maybe Jesus was saying that he forgave the man as well as healed him.
Lack of forbearance with others (tolerance). Everybody has annoying habits and we have to forbear with it.
Our past – we all have an ancestry, we are all between the beginning of time and the end of time, all the people who went before us have affected us. History affects the present. Both affect the future. We affect the future.
What stands against us. Ourselves!
Regarding our strength
Failure and laziness is not the same as weakness. Doing nothing is not us showing weakness so God can work with us, that's just lazy.
We are only human. There are only 24 hours in the day. God gave us the principle of working for 6 and resting for one.
Things on our ‘to do’ list: the top 100 items, are they helping me bring in the kingdom, are they helping me move on.
2 Cor 12 v 9 My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.
Our weaknesses
The flesh Rom 8 v 1-17 ie sinful nature
Ambitions Psalm 84 v 10 a single day in your courts ... I would rather be a gatekeeper in your house …
An aside about gatekeepers: 1 Chron 9 v 22-30 there were lots of gatekeepers, they had lots of responsibilities, not just like doormen, it was a vital service.
Partners and families. Both a blessing and a responsibility.
Security. Where does our security lie
The country we live in and our culture – eg we probably wouldn't be Christians if we lived in the middle east.
Our resources
We have the keys of the kingdom, and whatever is bound on Earth is bound in Heaven
Gates of hell will not prevail against us
Holy Spirit
Other people – the assembly of the saints (here and in Heaven)
What to do
Seek first the
kingdom
of
God
Be filled with the Spirit, pray in tongues
Let streams flow out of you
Be aware of God around you
Use all our senses to be aware of God
- Smell God: incense, flowers in the field, food
- Listen to God: music, through others, inner voice, God even speaks through asses – how humbling! Sounds of nature
- Feel God: hugs from others, dance, feeling emotions (sparked by words or poetry), feel the wind
- Taste God: food & wine, taste and see that the Lord is God, reading the Bible is tasting
- See God: imagination, pictures, look at the world, at other people, creation
Summary
Although there are a number of things against us, the most problematic is ourselves
We have resources, including the keys to the kingdom, the Holy Spirit and our physical senses
In our weakness he is strong
Remember …
Rom 8 v 31b-32 If God is for us who can be against us ….
Rom 8 38-39 Nothing can separate us from the love of God
Be more aware that we are linked with God
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