Wavem' Like you Just Don't Care

Welcome to Celebration. If you are joining us via the podcast, our prayer is you are encouraged and if you are in the Orlando area, you will come join us.

Today I am excited to kick off a new series, From Here to There, surrounding the life of Abraham. Over the next 3 weeks we will identify 3 important things you need to bring with you when you are going from where you are to where God is leading you. We are introduced to this mountain of a man in and we follow his journey through . Roughly 13 chapters but his life shapes the entire Bible. Why? Was he perfect? No. Did he perform massive miracles? No. He was a man that endeavored to believe God. He trusted God. He had faith.

What is faith?

(NKJV) — 1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Faith has substance, it is something you can feel even if you can’t see it. I am trusting even when I can’t see it, but you can see it when I am trusting.

(ESV) — 1 Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. 2 And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” 4 So Abram went, as the Lord had told him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran.

(NKJV) — 1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Faith has substance, it is something you can feel even if you can’t see it. I am trusting even when I can’t see it, but you can see it when I am trusting.

(ESV) — 1 After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” 2 But Abram said, “O Lord God, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” 3 And Abram said, “Behold, you have given me no offspring, and a member of my household will be my heir.” 4 And behold, the word of the Lord came to him: “This man shall not be your heir; your very own son shall be your heir.” 5 And he brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” 6 And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness. 7 And he said to him, “I am the Lord who brought you out from Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land to possess.” 8 But he said, “O Lord God, how am I to know that I shall possess it?” 9 He said to him, “Bring me a heifer three years old, a female goat three years old, a ram three years old, a turtledove, and a young pigeon.” 10 And he brought him all these, cut them in half, and laid each half over against the other. But he did not cut the birds in half. 11 And when birds of prey came down on the carcasses, Abram drove them away.

Not sure if you have ever had a “these things” season. For Abram:

He lost his brother, He lost his father, Got separated from his nephew , Denies his wife , Nephew gets kidnapped, Goes to war to retrieve nephew, Getting old, Pays tithes…

He lost his father

Got separated from his nephew

Denies his wife

Nephew gets kidnapped

Goes to war to retrieve nephew

Getting old

Pays tithes…

Notice there are 3 stages of a storm, before, during, and after. Before the storm is quiet, during is chaos, after is peace. You may be in a “these events” season that is chaotic but for every before, there is an after.

2 But Abram said, “O Lord God, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” 3 And Abram said, “Behold, you have given me no offspring, and a member of my household will be my heir.” 4 And behold, the word of the Lord came to him: “This man shall not be your heir; your very own son shall be your heir.” 5 And he brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” 6 And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness. 7 And he said to him, “I am the Lord who brought you out from Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land to possess.” 8 But he said, “O Lord God, how am I to know that I shall possess it?” 9 He said to him, “Bring me a heifer three years old, a female goat three years old, a ram three years old, a turtledove, and a young pigeon.” 10 And he brought him all these, cut them in half, and laid each half over against the other. But he did not cut the birds in half. 11 And when birds of prey came down on the carcasses, Abram drove them away.

(HCSB) — 1 After these events, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield; your reward will be very great.

God goes on to explain the book of Exodus in 2 sentences, but affirms Abram, that His hand is on him and his legacy that has yet to be born.

Not sure if you have ever had a “these things” season. For Abram:

He lost his brother

He lost his father

Got separated from his nephew

Denies his wife

Nephew gets kidnapped

Goes to war to retrieve nephew

Getting old

Pays tithes…

Notice there are 3 stages of a storm, before, during, and after. Before the storm is quiet, during is chaos, after is peace. You may be in a “these events” season that is chaotic but for every before, there is an after.

(HCSB) — 17 When the sun had set and it was dark, a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch appeared and passed between the divided animals. 18 On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, “I give this land to your offspring, from the brook of Egypt to the Euphrates River: 19 the land of the Kenites, Kenizzites, Kadmonites, 20 Hittites, Perizzites, Rephaim, 21 Amorites, Canaanites, Girgashites, and Jebusites.”

Name above all names:

Sometimes our opposition has a name to it but we serve a name that’s above every name

(NKJV) — 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name,

I am certain you are familiar with the term, opposites attract. We’ve all heard of couples that couldn’t be more different but somehow they found chemistry and we chalk it up to opposites attract. Interestingly enough this concept is drawn from magnets. Magnets create a magnetic field where it draws items made from the same material that actually have different “pull”. This “pull” is a magnetic field where the two opposites attract to one another. Paula Abdul tells us “I take--2 steps forward I take--2 steps back, We come together, Cuz opposites attract, And you know--it ain't fiction, Just a natural fact, We come together, Cuz opposites attract.” Sometimes it’s little things. Who has ever washed your car only to have it rain immediately afterwards…or even worse. True story: a few months ago Maegan and I were taking our Senior Pastors, Stovall and Kerri, to dinner. I get the car all cleaned up and we pick them up and they are raving about how nice the car is. I drop them off at the front and I go park my car. After a lovely night of conversation, I go to retrieve the car. To my surprise, I walk up and there is bird poop on my car. When I say bird poop, I am not talking about a single drop or two, it was like every bird in the city ate something that didn’t agree with their stomach and thought my car was a porta potty. My car was so white I thought it was vandalized with paint. I literally tried to park in the best place available only to have positioned exactly at the spot where it would endure a violent assault. It’s crazy how things like this happen. Who has ever been in a hurry to get somewhere and somehow get stopped at every red light there is to the location? These are truly small things but what about when they have larger impact? Have you ever made your mind up to be the bigger person to someone you don’t agree with only for them to act ever smaller? Have you ever made a decision to spend a season focusing on God only to have temptation focus on you? Ever notice how it’s not until you decide to fast everything that you are fasting from begins to speak louder? While I think much of this is steeped in our humanity but I also think we have to acknowledge that we have a very real enemy that wants to keep us from living a life where God is exalted and we are free.

Who has ever been in a hurry to get somewhere and somehow get stopped at every red light there is to the location? These are truly small things but what about when they have larger impact? Have you ever made your mind up to be the bigger person to someone you don’t agree with only for them to act ever smaller? Have you ever made a decision to spend a season focusing on God only to have temptation focus on you? Ever notice how it’s not until you decide to fast everything that you are fasting from begins to speak louder? While I think much of this is steeped in our humanity but I also think we have to acknowledge that we have a very real enemy that wants to keep us from living a life where God is exalted and we are free.

12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. ( NKJV)

(HCSB) 19 For I do not do the good that I want to do, but I practice the evil that I do not want to do.

Context/Background: After These Things

In all honesty, one could make a similar argument as it relates to Abram. He was minding his business then God shows up and it seems things got messy. The text says AFTER THESE THINGS. Not sure if you have ever had a “these things” season. For Abram:

He lost his brother, He lost his father, Got separated from his nephew, Denies his wife, Nephew gets kidnapped, Goes to war to retrieve nephew, Getting old, Pays tithes…

In all honesty, one could make a similar argument as it relates to Abram. He was minding his business then God shows up and it seems things got messy. The text says AFTER THESE THINGS. Not sure if you have ever had a “these things” season. For Abram:

He lost his brother, He lost his father, Got separated from his nephew, Denies his wife, Nephew gets kidnapped, Goes to war to retrieve nephew, Getting old, Pays tithes…

Notice there are 3 stages of a storm, before, during, and after. Before the storm is quiet, during is chaos, after is peace. You may be in a “these events” season that is chaotic but for every before, there is an after.

God checks in on Abram to reaffirm the promise. Understandably, Abram is a bit concerned about his ability to measure up. I want you to notice even after hearing the Word of God, Abram still wanted a little bit of clarity. We often make the mistake in believing that God can’t handle our questions. Abram wasn’t looking for a guarantee but he did want clarity on the promise. There’s a difference between the two; a guarantee is anything that assures a certain outcome with details, while a promise is an oath or affirmation; a vow; a commitment. Let me give you this example, if you ask me for directions to my house, I can tell you at least 3 ways to get there. If you ask me to give you the directions that can guarantee that you won’t hit traffic, I can’t do it. However, if you follow my instructions, I promise you will arrive at my house. God can handle our questions but we must make sure the answers we are seeking reinforce the promise, not provide guarantees. We often want guarantees, but God speaks the language of promises.

Guarantees nullify faith, promises build faith

(NLT) — 6 And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.

Guarantees create unhealthy expectations, promises keeps us expectant

Guarantees obsess over details, promises focus on the big picture. Some maps are so detailed that the extra energy isn’t worth saving 2 minutes.

A promise from God packs provision: , Let’s go to the other side. Peace! Be still! Where’s your faith?

Promissory notes. Nothing returns void. A promise from God is more powerful than a guarantee from the world. God’s promises are more powerful than the world’s guarantees.

(NLT) And the Lord said, “That’s right, and it means that I am watching, and I will certainly carry out all my plans.”

(NLT) 11 It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.

(NLT) — 6 And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.

(ESV) — 17 no weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their vindication from me, declares the Lord.”

(NKJV) — 17 No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, And their righteousness is from Me,” Says the Lord.

BRING is a very interesting word that God uses. There’s a difference between BRING and GET. As a father there are many joys and milestones that you get to celebrate. First tooth, words, steps. Those are incredibly important but another milestone is when your kids can start giving back. When they can run errands Bring me something to drink versus get me something to drink. What God was telling Abram, what you need you already have. The ingredients for your miracle are already in your inventory. Perhaps there are moments we can’t bring our wholeness because they enemy has placed expired items on your shelf. The cross isn’t complicated. Freedom isn’t about doing, it’s about receiving. Fear has expired. Depression has expired. Sickness has expired. David took his family back and made the enemy pay interest. The ingredients for your miracle are already in your inventory…take it so you can bring it!

9 So He said to him, “ Bring Me a three- year- old heifer, a three- year- old female goat, a three- year- old ram, a turtledove, and a young pigeon.” ( NKJVS)

The ingredients for your miracle are already in your inventory. () BRING is a very interesting word that God uses. There’s a difference between BRING and GET. As a father there are many joys and milestones that you get to celebrate. First tooth, words, steps. Those are incredibly important but another milestone is when your kids can start giving back. When they can run errands. Considering I have done nothing but run around for them, it is the least they could do. I recall when my daughter when to school wearing 2 different shoes and I drove all the way to her school to keep her from being a laughing stock, so when I ask them to run errands for me, I have no regrets. Bring me something to drink versus get me something to drink. What God was telling Abram, what you need you already have. The ingredients for your miracle are already in your inventory. Perhaps there are moments we can’t bring our wholeness because the enemy has placed expired items on your shelf. The cross isn’t complicated. Freedom isn’t about doing, it’s about receiving. Fear has expired. Depression has expired. Sickness has expired. Anxiety has expired. David took his family back and made the enemy pay interest. The ingredients for your miracle are already in your inventory!

(NKJV) — 2 And Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears it, he will kill me.” But the Lord said, “Take a heifer with you, and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’

(NKJV) — 6 Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God. 7 Then David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech’s son, “Please bring the ephod here to me.” And Abiathar brought the ephod to David. 8 So David inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I pursue this troop? Shall I overtake them?” And He answered him, “Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all.” 9 So David went, he and the six hundred men who were with him, and came to the Brook Besor, where those stayed who were left behind. 10 But David pursued, he and four hundred men; for two hundred stayed behind, who were so weary that they could not cross the Brook Besor. 11 Then they found an Egyptian in the field, and brought him to David; and they gave him bread and he ate, and they let him drink water. 12 And they gave him a piece of a cake of figs and two clusters of raisins. So when he had eaten, his strength came back to him; for he had eaten no bread nor drunk water for three days and three nights. 13 Then David said to him, “To whom do you belong, and where are you from?” And he said, “I am a young man from Egypt, servant of an Amalekite; and my master left me behind, because three days ago I fell sick. 14 We made an invasion of the southern area of the Cherethites, in the territory which belongs to Judah, and of the southern area of Caleb; and we burned Ziklag with fire.” 15 And David said to him, “Can you take me down to this troop?” So he said, “Swear to me by God that you will neither kill me nor deliver me into the hands of my master, and I will take you down to this troop.” 16 And when he had brought him down, there they were, spread out over all the land, eating and drinking and dancing, because of all the great spoil which they had taken from the land of the Philistines and from the land of Judah. 17 Then David attacked them from twilight until the evening of the next day. Not a man of them escaped, except four hundred young men who rode on camels and fled. 18 So David recovered all that the Amalekites had carried away, and David rescued his two wives. 19 And nothing of theirs was lacking, either small or great, sons or daughters, spoil or anything which they had taken from them; David recovered all. 20 Then David took all the flocks and herds they had driven before those other livestock, and said, “This is David’s spoil.”

* (NKJV) — 3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,

(NLT) — 3 By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.

Dissection brings direction. Abram is instructed to cut the animals in half to establish the covenant. According to thebibleproject.com, a covenant is best define as a relationship that has promises and obligations. A weaker nation may want to connect with a stronger nation so they enter a covenant or relationship promising to be loyal and faith in exchange of their covering and protection and provision. The cutting of the animals was meant to symbolize the consequence of not holding up you end of the agreement. Abram was required to bring animals that symbolize priesthood, freedom, dominion. I can’t imagine how graphic that must be. How messy it is. I believe that God was showing Abram that it’s not always easy but if you want to go to the next level, there’s some things you have to cut out. Growth requires sacrifice. Cut out negative attitudes. Cut out complaining. Cut out bad influences. Cut out toxic relationships. It can be uncomfortable but it keeps frustrations from poisoning your faith. There are essentially 3 ways to surgically get freedom in your life:

Abram is instructed to cut the animals in half. I can’t imagine how graphic that must be. How messy it is. I believe that God was showing Abram that it’s not always easy but if you want to go to the next level, there’s some things you have to cut out. Cut out negative attitudes. Cut out complaining. Cut out bad influences. Cut out toxic relationships. It can be uncomfortable but it keeps frustrations from poisoning your faith. There are essentially 3 ways to surgically get freedom in your life: amputation (), limitation (), mortification (; ). What is it that God is request that you cut? Dissection brings direction. Spiritual surgery brings clarity. There are times when amputation is necessary for survival.

Amputation ()

Limitation ()

Mortification (; )

What is it that God is request that you cut? Dissection brings direction. Spiritual surgery brings clarity. There are times when amputation is necessary for survival.

10 Then he brought all these to Him and cut them in two, down the middle, and placed each piece opposite the other; but he did not cut the birds in two. ( NKJVS)

* 30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. ( NKJVS)

30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. ( NKJVS)

* (NKJV) — 1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

(NKJV) — 1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

* (NKJV) — 5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.

(NKJV) — 5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.

* (NKJV) — 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

The text tells us that birds of prey came down. Birds of prey are vultures. Vultures are attracted to death. When you have made the decision to give something to God, it’s a sacrifice. Sacrifice means something has to die. Sometime it’s your will that has to die. Sometimes it’s your way that has to die. Your yes’s are also no’s. Don’t think for a minute that the adversary of your soul isn’t going to do all that he can to pick away at the things you give to God. Marriage, life, ministry, finances, etc. Vultures were drawn to Moses, Jesus, the Church. What dies in infancy, doesn’t mature to reproduce. That said, the text tells us that Abram didn’t just accept this. In fact, he DROVE the enemy away. Your worship is the vehicle that drives the enemy crazy. Crying babies on the plane drive me nuts. I just can’t relax when there is someone screaming in my ear. Your worship is the crying baby in the enemies ears. Abram didn’t quietly sho the vultures away. A wave offering is when you take what’s in your heart and present it to God. I’ve entitled this message…and wave them like you just don’t care. Because there are times you have to wave arms before God and not care about what people think. Not care about what spectators may feel. I’m not politely asking the enemy to get out of my mind or family, I’m invoking the power of heaven with my praise.

Your worship keeps the enemy from getting comfortable. The text tells us that birds of prey came down. Birds of prey are vultures. Vultures are attracted to death. When you have made the decision to give something to God, it’s a sacrifice. Sacrifice means something has to die. Sometime it’s your will that has to die. Sometimes it’s your way that has to die. Your yes’s are also no’s. Don’t think for a minute that the adversary of your soul isn’t going to do all that he can to pick away at the things you give to God. Marriage, life, ministry, finances, etc. Vultures were drawn to Moses, Jesus, the Church. What dies in infancy, doesn’t mature to reproduce. That said, the text tells us that Abram didn’t just accept this. In fact, he DROVE the enemy away. Your worship is the vehicle that drives the enemy away. Abram didn’t quietly sho the vultures away. A wave offering is when you take what’s in your heart and present it to God. I’ve entitled this message…and wave them like you just don’t care. Because there are times you have to wave arms before God and not care about what people think. Not care about what spectators may feel. I’m not politely asking the enemy to get out of my mind or family, I’m invoking the power of heaven with my praise. Worship is the vehicle that drives the enemy away.

11 And when the vultures came down on the carcasses, Abram drove them away. ( NKJVS)

* 11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,” Says the Lord of hosts; ( NKJVS)

11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,” Says the Lord of hosts; ( NKJV)

* 1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. ( NKJVS)

1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. ( NKJV)

* (NKJV) —31I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.

(NKJV) I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.

* 3 But You are holy, Enthroned in the praises of Israel. ( NKJVS)

3 But You are holy, Enthroned in the praises of Israel. ( NKJV)

(ESV) — 17 When the sun had gone down and it was dark, behold, a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch passed between these pieces. 18 On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, “To your offspring I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates, 19 the land of the Kenites, the Kenizzites, the Kadmonites, 20 the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Rephaim, 21 the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Girgashites and the Jebusites.”

Name above all names:

17 And it came to pass, when the sun went down and it was dark, that behold, there appeared a smoking oven and a burning torch that passed between those pieces. 18 On the same day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying: “To your descendants I have given this land, ( NKJV)

Sometimes our opposition has a name to it but we serve a name that’s above every name

* 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. ( NKJVS)

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. ( NKJV)

(NKJV) — 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name,

We are told that it gets uncomfortably dark. I went fly fishing in MT. After traveling miles the guide told us to “look up”. I noticed something I didn’t see before, mountains and stars. Big mountains, God is bigger. Bright stars, God is brighter. On the other side of our comfort, is our miracle. The sun isn’t anywhere in sight but God shows up and passed between the pieces. God is in the middle of your situation. God is in the middle of your sacrifice. The flaws in your life don’t attract the enemy, it attracts God. Covenants are created from conflict.

Faith has substance, it is something you can feel even if you can’t see it. I am trusting even when I can’t see it, but you can see when I am trusting.

Wavem' Like you Just Don't Care

Introduction

Scripture(s)

Illustration

Transition: After These Things

Guarantees vs Promises

Observations

BRING IT:

CUT IT OUT:

DRIVE IT AWAY:

Closing