A BROADER VISION
Notes
Transcript
In many cases we have limited God and tied His hands by speaking negative thoughts...
By talking more about those who have fallen from the faith and the apostates of our time, than what God wills to do about the harvest in the end-time.
Our minds are so cluttered by the environment of our times, that all we can see is the deterioration, judgement, and the annihilation of the human race.
If we are not careful, we will miss the whole purpose of the awesome circumstances that exist about us.
Purposes that have been permitted by God so that the church can do it’s great work in this final hour.
Elisha’s Servant at Dothan
Elisha’s Servant at Dothan
We are much like the servant of Elisha, when he was at Dothan.
14 Therefore he sent horses and chariots and a great army there, and they came by night and surrounded the city.
15 And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?”
16 So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”
17 And Elisha prayed, and said, “Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
It would be to our advantage to “take another look”.
Sometimes the immediate circumstances have inhibited our faith to what God wishes to do.
All we can see and hear is the neighing of the horses, the bustling of the chariots, the enemies of God and righteousness declaring war on the church.
There is story in Mark 5 of Jairus, the ruler of the synagogue, who sought Jesus out to heal his sick daughter that was near death.
35 While He was still speaking, some came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?”
36 As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not be afraid; only believe.”
37 And He permitted no one to follow Him except Peter, James, and John the brother of James.
38 Then He came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and saw a tumult and those who wept and wailed loudly.
39 When He came in, He said to them, “Why make this commotion and weep? The child is not dead, but sleeping.”
40 And they ridiculed Him. But when He had put them all outside, He took the father and the mother of the child, and those who were with Him, and entered where the child was lying.
41 Then He took the child by the hand, and said to her, “Talitha, cumi,” which is translated, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.”
42 Immediately the girl arose and walked, for she was twelve years of age. And they were overcome with great amazement.
They laughed Him to scorn. They did not look on Him as:
Jesus Christ, the Son of god, or as
The Resurrection and the life, or as
The one who had power to speak life back into the deceased body.
To them He was just another religious leader.
If we are not careful, we will begin to feel we are just another church group, just another denomination. WE ARE MORE THAN THAT!
We are the church!
The NT church!
The church of the living God!
Sometimes you have to close the door on unbelief..... before you can speak life.....
There are voices all around us saying it can’t be done.....
It’s time to cast those thoughts and voices outside the door.
God is going to send a mighty revival.
Paul and Spain
Paul and Spain
30 Now I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me,
31 that I may be delivered from those in Judea who do not believe, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints,
32 that I may come to you with joy by the will of God, and may be refreshed together with you.
The apostle is determined that in spite of circumstances and opposition from without and within, he will go to Spain. He writes to a vibrant church in Rome, of whom he has not yet visited, and informs them of his desire to see them on his way to Spain. Even to have them assist him on his way. Paul’s vision is far bigger than we may give him credit for. The great city is a
Pray that I will be rescued from those in Judea who refuse to obey God.
Pray that my service and sacrifice and ministry will be accepted by
God will send great revival through the medium of His Church
God will send great revival through the medium of His Church
20 The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches.
16 Then God made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. He made the stars also.
17 God set them in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth,
18 and to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good.
Rev 2 and 3 are letters to seven local churches. Most of them are revival messages....
When God wants to talk to the church, He talks to the minister, the angel of the church.
The lampstands are churches
The stars are what God uses to light....
Attempt great things for God, expect great things from God
The Thessalonican Jews, after observing the mighty work of the early church, cried to the rulers of the city,
6 And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;
The early church believed they could change the world!
There was no question in their minds.
They were willing to pay the price.
They did not permit negative thoughts to enter their minds.
They believed every city, village, and country they entered would be given to them by God.