Have you ever wondered why God created you and me in this world? He created us for a purpose. The purpose is to fulfil the will of God, do what he has planned for us in the world and fulfil the Glory of God. The worldly pleasures etc.. are part of his plan. There is a purpose for each of his creation, we are to work for that and accomplish in the world before we move to the eternal world.
John 7:38 (NIV) - 'Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” '
Faith in Christ
The first step to Unleash God’s Super Power in us is “Whoever believes in me”, Why do we need to Believe in Jesus ? because of his love for us, he sent his only Son Jesus to us as ultimate sacrifice for our Sins. As prior to christ death we were condemned for the Sins and ultimate price for the Sin is death. But with Jesus we have a victory over death.
1 John 2:2 (NIV) 'He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. '
1 John 4:9,19 (NIV) 'This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. We love because he first loved us. '
Once you Start believing then we are “born again” in Christ clothed with the goodness of Christ (Grace / Mercy / Spirit / Gifts of the spirit). We mature in Christ Day by day as we follow Christ footsteps, the imperishable seed starts to transform us from inside to show the goodness of Christ to the whole world ( John 7:38 ..rivers of living water will flow from within them”)
1 Peter 1:23 (NIV) - 'For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. '
No transformation in us can happen, without having the belief (faith) which is the 1st step
James 2:26 (NIV) 'As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.'
Ignorance of What we have
As you’r born again, many of us live as “Babes in Christ” they live a “Babe” life for many many years. Even though they attend Church, they pray, they attend many conventions, they do many things like the Pharisees to keep up to the world traditions. But there is no true inward spiritual transformation as they don’t realise what they have inherited when they were Born again.
As you are born again, the self nature of you are gone, we are clothed with the Spirit of God, Gifts of God. As a result our heart condemns us when we sin, we will not continue with the sinful life of past, We will try to live a life like Jesus (1 John 2:6). We will imitate all the Good things of him.
1 John 3:9,24 (NIV) 'No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God. The one who keeps God’s commands lives in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.'
1 John 2:6 (NIV) 'Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did. '
This happens only because the Spirit of God lives in us and guides us ( 1 John 3:24 ”And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us”)
Ignorant of the Spirit’s Power
We are ignorant of the Super power of this Spirit that guides us every day, the spirit is not only meant to make our path’s pure, it has many more purpose for which God has given to us.
In Old Testament days we had Prophets (Abraham / Jacob / Moses etc..) / Kings through (Political Leaders..) who were anointed by God, through God’s anointing they did miracles / Prophesy to unleash the power of God.
But After Christ conquered the death in Cross - All Believers (you and me) in Christ are given the same power of Prophets / Kings thru the Holy Spirit of God to lead us Acts 2:17-18 NIV ““ ‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. Early Church lead by the Apostles got this, over a period of time we are tricked to believe that it does not exist, the self in us makes us believe that we are more powerful than the spirit that leads us. Thats the reason many of us disobey God and do according to our own desires.
Once we are lead by the Spirit of God we are credited with the fruits of Righteousness from Christ Philippians 1:11 (NIV) 'filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God. '
The Gift of his spirit and fruit of righteousness is not given to us only to enjoy but to bring glory and praise of God Philippians 1:11 “… glory and praise of God”
Ignorant that we are co-workers of God
The “Glory of God and Praise of God” can come only if we do the will of God to spread the good news of God to people who may not know Christ. Christ did not die for us alone, he died for the whole world (Christians and non-christians).
Spreading the Word of God is done by Workers in God, We are ignorant that all who are “Born again” are Co-workers in God’s Service. 1 Corinthians 3:9 NIV “For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.”
As a Co-worker of God we are to bring fellow people of the world to the kingdom of God as that will bring Glory to God Luke 15:10 (NIV) - 'In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” '
A general misunderstanding among “Born again christians” is - Co-workers are applicable to Pastors / Missionaries.
Some feel going to church, you are entitled to get all the benefits of Co-workers in his judgment days.
Some feel giving missions contribution makes them get full credit of missionary work, This is a wrong doctrine and misunderstanding. Remember when we stand for judgement, God will ask account of what we did for the glory of God, we cannot say missions contribution and escape from his wrath Luke 13:25-28 (NIV) 'Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Sir, open the door for us.’ “But he will answer, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’ “Then you will say, ‘We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.’ “But he will reply, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!’ “There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out. '
Many of us are like Moses - when Moses was called by God, he gave a reason “I am slow of speech and tongue… .Please send someone else”. We give lame excuse like him, how can I do his work ? We say we have a full time job, I am very busy with my work / family / Kids classes / Gym routine and many reasons that keep us occupied in our daily life Exodus 4:10-13 NIV - Moses said to the Lord, “Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.” The Lord said to him, “Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.” But Moses said, “Pardon your servant, Lord. Please send someone else.”” God’s answer to Moses: Ex 4:10,11,12 (eloquence) “Who had made man’s mouth?”
Don’t start look at your strength to do his will, Depend on God’s will to do his work. If God can use Moses “Who was slow to speech and tongue, break the Red Sea and do a Super Power miracle”, he can do the same with you and me
Ignorant to Pursue Personal Purity
We are made to believe, we cannot become holy, there some truth and some thats not true.
All the self in us is bad as we are filled with deceit and with evil things that comes from our heart.
Jeremiah 17:9 (NIV) 'The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?
Mark 7:21-23 (NIV) 'For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile a person.” '
But this does not stop us from being purified by God to purse his holiness, As God’s children we are to put our self (our own heart that tells the evil things to do) to pursue the holiness of God
1 Peter 1:14-16 (NIV) 'As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” '
Don’t depend on your strength, rely on Christ strength to make you pure like him, its a marathon race, we get cleansed every day when you ask for his holiness.But you need to follow as its written 1 Peter 2:16-17 (NIV)
1 Peter 2:16-17 (NIV) - 'Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor. '
1 Corinthians 1:30 (NIV) - 'It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. '
As you pursue holiness, God will credit his Wisdom / Understanding / Knowledge / Counsel / Mercy / Power (Healing / Prophesy and distinguishing spirits) / tongues / interpretation of spirits / Reverence if we pursue the personal purity. 1 Corinthians 12:4,7-12 (NIV) - 'There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines. Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. '
Without holiness, you will not be able to understand the will of God or do what God’s calling you to do Hebrews 12:14 (NIV) “…without holiness no one will see the Lord."
How can you unleash the Super Power thru you
1. As co-workers of Christ - Each of us are called to minister for God, that’s the purpose he created us. Start with a ministerial team of your family - if you are married start as team of husband and wife.
2. Start with small beginning - Ask God to lead you what he wants to do according to his will. God knows how to lead you from the small to take to his path, you don’t need to worry. Look at Billy Graham or any mega church pastors, all started small with only few as a prayer group, now God has expanded them and blessed many from their calling.
3. What team ministry can you do.
Praying together (Acts 13:1,2)
Planning together
Working together (according to gifting & strength) Learning from one another
Being accountable to one another
Giving opportunity to one another
4. Each of us should remain true to his calling, if you are called to write continue to Write, if you are called to pray , pray, God will lead you to next steps, don’t plan and look to expand. God knows the right time to do his will. 1 Corinthians 7:20 (NIV) 'Each person should remain in the situation they were in when God called them. '
5. God’s kingdom there is no competition, all are co-workers. There is no target like many people say (We have to get 100 people in 1 month or x in 1 year etc..). Quality of the soul matters to God more than the number of Souls you bring to God. If you get one soul to God who is right and follows till the last day that matters more than winning 100 souls and not having any soul in the last day of judgement. God’s work is not business, it's not for your profit. God’s work is to glorify God and bring praise to him by your works.
6. Jesus ministry in the world was to the Poor to have the gospel (Matthew 11:5) i.e. the helpless, neglected, marginalized, downtrodden, untouchables. Let's learn to emulate Jesus when we are a coworker in Christ.
7. As you pray for God’s leading ask God to lead you in these 5 areas
“ministry” = helping people
“exhort” = personal counselling
“giving”= spending for others
“leading”= caring and modelling
“mercy” = compassion (eg. Mother Teresa)
8. Remember the reward for Co-worker James 5:20 - 'remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.' Even if we feel righteous with our acts in world, God’s view is different, “Isaiah 64:6 (NIV)..our righteous acts are like filthy rags in God’s eye” so no righteous act of us can justify before God. The work (Co-worker) what you do can get the Grace of God to say because you turned one sinner, I give grace to “cover over a multitude of sins” Pray and start some thing that God asks you to do.
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