Message 5: Responsibility
Throughout the world today God is raising up a NEW Christian:
• IDENTITY that is not based upon culture, race, gender, socio-economic status or income – rather they view themselves as members of the Kingdom of God! Therefore, they are not SINNERS SAVED BY GRACE – but are THE CHOSEN PEOPLE OF GOD – SAINTS CALLED TO A HIGHER PURPOSE!
• POWER FOR LIVING that doesn’t come from self, rather they are walking in the power of the Holy Spirit empower to do the impossible in Jesus Name! Therefore, because ‘all things are possible to those who believe,’ they are exercising their God-given AUTHORITY to raise the dead, heal the sick and bring freedom to the captives!
These two truths: Identity and Power – give you the ABILITY to do whatever Christ calls you to do!
The question isn’t whether you have the ability – the question is what will your RESPONSE be! I want you to put RESPONSE and ABILITY together – and they form the word: RESPONSIBILITY.
• RESPONSIBILITY to be Christ to a sick and dying world! Because I am a child of God, walking in His power and authority, I will bring Christ’s Presence into wherever He sends me! My response is the say “Yes, I am able to do the impossible in Christ’s power!”
This RESPONSIBILITY takes Psalms 24:1-2 seriously:
“The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters." Psalms 24:1, 2
And because God owns everything, the 21st Century Christian takes back that which has been wrongfully stolen from Him!
Here’s an example from George Otis’ book God’s Trademarks. Otis speaks of a time when his father, a longtime but former employee of Lear Jet felt the prompting of the Holy Spirit to call his former boss, William Lear. Here’s the story:
“My father had worked for Lear in the late 1950s as his corporate general manager. Despite Lear’s reputation as a hard-living eccentric, my father retained a fondness for him. Years after leaving Lear’s employ, my father was prompted by the Lord to call Bill. Although the two had not spoken for many years, he still knew how to reach his home in Reno, Nevada.
Bill Lear answered the phone.
“Bill, this is George Otis. I know this may sound odd, but the Lord placed you on my heart this morning. I just had to call and find out what’s happening in your life. God’s thinking about you, Bill.”
There was a long silence on the other end of the line.
“It’s good to hear from you,” Lear said tersely. “But could you call back in ten or fifteen minutes?”
The second time Bill’s voice sounded brighter.
“I need to share something with you, George. Something amazing. When you called a few minutes ago, I was sitting at my desk preparing to take my own life. I haven’t been well and I thought my revolver was the answer.”
Lear invited Otis to fly to Reno. With Otis’s help, he found Jesus Christ as his Savior and Lord. He died shortly afterward, at peace, a son of the King.” (As quoted by James Rutz in MEGASHIFT)
That is what I mean by taking responsibility. The Lord placed Lear on Otis’s heart. And Otis took responsibility and picked up the phone. Eternity shook.
How many times does the Holy Spirit put something or someone on your heart and you do nothing. Eternity lies in the balance – and we must take responsibility for our part.
In the early part of Ezekiel 22, God declares His intention to destroy Israel because of this corruption and evil deeds. In verse 30-31 He searches for just one man who will rise up to fight for Israel, to be used of God to restore the people of Israel to right living. And – as we are about to read – there is no one in all the land who will take responsibility. God is looking for a warrior, and all He finds is passivity!
"I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so that I would not have to destroy it, but I found none. So I will pour out my wrath on them and consume them with my fiery anger, bringing down on their own heads all they have done, declares the Sovereign LORD." Ezekiel 22:30, 31
In our world today, God is looking to raise up a new kind of Christian who will stand before Him in the gap and take responsibility – a Spirit lead determination to reclaim that which has been stolen by the enemy and what belongs to God.
These new saints of God understand God’s highest desires and they are willing to stand up and fight – tooth and nail, with fiery passion – to make sure that He doesn’t have to settle for anything less!
Walking in our new identity, empowered by the Holy Spirit, moving in Spiritual authority – we stand up to the bully, and in Jesus Name we fight the good fight of faith!
Someone has said that “talk is cheap” – but today, I’m going to disagree with that nugget of convention wisdom.
"The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart," that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame."" Romans 10:8-11
You are responsible to speak up! And what you say – has power!
I. The 21st Century Christian takes responsibility to speak the truth! – Ephesians 4:14-15
"Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ." Ephesians 4:14, 15, NIV.
As a Christian you’ve got two choices – believe the lies and get tossed like a toy boat in the ocean – or speak the truth and become like Jesus!
But God knows we need help with this. It’s easy to get caught up in the devil’s lies. It’s easy to get sucked into the vortex of his distortions! We need each other. We need to count on each other to ‘speak the truth in love…’ so that we can be free!
Let’s say you’ve got a Christian friend who is really depressed. They feel like giving up. Things are not going well for them. There vocabulary is changing – “I quit” “What’s the use” – become their mantra. What do they need?
They need you to come along side of them, and lovingly speak the truth. They need the truth. Why? Because Jesus said that the truth sets people free! And they need to be set free from Satan’s snare!
So, you come along – and appeal to their true identity. They are a Saint of God. They are Chosen and Precious to Him. So you remind them of that truth: “When I look at you, I see that you belong to Christ! I see that you love Him. I want to remind you that you are His. Nothing can separate you – even this discouraging time – from Him and from His love. You are His and He is yours.”
And you help them see, with gentleness of heart and compassion, that the sinful attitude, or behavior they are adopting doesn’t reflect who they really are. “This isn’t you. You are His. You love truth. This is leading you away from who you really are!”
And you remind them of the battle: “God wants you to experience abundant life. Real joy. Healing. Purpose, meaning and confidence. But you have a enemy who is doing everything that he can to take your eyes off of Christ and to kill you. Satan wants to kill you and everything you really stand for! And if you stay on this path, it only has one destination: death. But, when you turn back to Christ and trust Him with your life, He’ll lead you out of this mess and bring you to real life.”
And what is so cool about this – when you speak the truth in love this way – Jesus says in Matthew 18:15 that you will have…. ‘won your brother over!”
You are responsible to speak the truth in love!
But -
II. The 21st Century Christian takes responsibility to rebuke the liar!
You see, your friend who is struggling is doing so – not because they are bad, or somehow not truly saved – they are struggling because Satan is a liar and he is out to get them! So someone needs to stand up against the liar and put him in his place. Which, by the way, is hell.
Speak to the liar! He can’t hear what you are thinking. He is real and he can hear you. So stand up, gather your faith, open your mouth and rebuke Him in Jesus Name!
You’ve been given authority to tell Satan where to stick it! Paul was being troubled by a demonized girl and he finally spoke up…
"In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!" At that moment the spirit left her.” Acts 16:18
Listen to me: When you – or when people you love – are being told lies and are struggling spiritually, it’s time to stand up, to step up and speak out: “Satan, in the Name of Jesus Christ, I command you to leave me alone!” And when you do that, he has no choice but to flee!
How much of our suffering, temptation, struggle, and failure is directly the result of demons doing their very best to lead you away from Christ? All of it.
When your friend is struggling, help them see the warfare dimension and to gather up the faith to rebuke satan!
Take responsibility and tell him where to go – in Jesus Name!
Now there is a third dimension to spiritual speech…
III. The 21st Century Christian takes responsibility to speak faith! – Romans 10:8-11
"The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart," that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame."" Romans 10:8-11
Speaking faith is taking what you believe to be true about God and His plans – and opening your mouth and declaring them!
There is great power in spoken faith! Declaring what you believe with your mouth! Opening your mouth and making a verbal stand! Vital!
I’m not talking about emotional hype.
I’m not talking about positive thinking.
I am talking about taking a stand – declaring your faith. Confessing out loud what you believe and what you are believing God to do.
So, you are sitting down with your discouraged friend, and you begin to lovingly speak faith.
“God wants to heal you. God wants to restore you. God wants for you to feel His power. God wants you to trust Him. God will take care of all our your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus!”
Is that hopeful wishing? NO! It is taking God at His Word! “God, you said it. I am choosing to believe. I am believing that you will accomplish what you’ve promised!”
God is looking – far and wide – for a people who will stand up and take their place in the battle. Is there anyone here who will respond?
“The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters." Psalms 24:1, 2
Let’s take responsibility to cooperate with the Holy Spirit in recovering what belongs to God!
Take action…
• What truth do you need to speak today?
• What lie do you need to rebuke today?
• What faith needs expressing today?
• IDENTITY that is not based upon culture, race, gender, socio-economic status or income – rather they view themselves as members of the Kingdom of God! Therefore, they are not SINNERS SAVED BY GRACE – but are THE CHOSEN PEOPLE OF GOD – SAINTS CALLED TO A HIGHER PURPOSE!
• POWER FOR LIVING that doesn’t come from self, rather they are walking in the power of the Holy Spirit empower to do the impossible in Jesus Name! Therefore, because ‘all things are possible to those who believe,’ they are exercising their God-given AUTHORITY to raise the dead, heal the sick and bring freedom to the captives!
These two truths: Identity and Power – give you the ABILITY to do whatever Christ calls you to do!
The question isn’t whether you have the ability – the question is what will your RESPONSE be! I want you to put RESPONSE and ABILITY together – and they form the word: RESPONSIBILITY.
• RESPONSIBILITY to be Christ to a sick and dying world! Because I am a child of God, walking in His power and authority, I will bring Christ’s Presence into wherever He sends me! My response is the say “Yes, I am able to do the impossible in Christ’s power!”
This RESPONSIBILITY takes Psalms 24:1-2 seriously:
“The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters." Psalms 24:1, 2
And because God owns everything, the 21st Century Christian takes back that which has been wrongfully stolen from Him!
Here’s an example from George Otis’ book God’s Trademarks. Otis speaks of a time when his father, a longtime but former employee of Lear Jet felt the prompting of the Holy Spirit to call his former boss, William Lear. Here’s the story:
“My father had worked for Lear in the late 1950s as his corporate general manager. Despite Lear’s reputation as a hard-living eccentric, my father retained a fondness for him. Years after leaving Lear’s employ, my father was prompted by the Lord to call Bill. Although the two had not spoken for many years, he still knew how to reach his home in Reno, Nevada.
Bill Lear answered the phone.
“Bill, this is George Otis. I know this may sound odd, but the Lord placed you on my heart this morning. I just had to call and find out what’s happening in your life. God’s thinking about you, Bill.”
There was a long silence on the other end of the line.
“It’s good to hear from you,” Lear said tersely. “But could you call back in ten or fifteen minutes?”
The second time Bill’s voice sounded brighter.
“I need to share something with you, George. Something amazing. When you called a few minutes ago, I was sitting at my desk preparing to take my own life. I haven’t been well and I thought my revolver was the answer.”
Lear invited Otis to fly to Reno. With Otis’s help, he found Jesus Christ as his Savior and Lord. He died shortly afterward, at peace, a son of the King.” (As quoted by James Rutz in MEGASHIFT)
That is what I mean by taking responsibility. The Lord placed Lear on Otis’s heart. And Otis took responsibility and picked up the phone. Eternity shook.
How many times does the Holy Spirit put something or someone on your heart and you do nothing. Eternity lies in the balance – and we must take responsibility for our part.
In the early part of Ezekiel 22, God declares His intention to destroy Israel because of this corruption and evil deeds. In verse 30-31 He searches for just one man who will rise up to fight for Israel, to be used of God to restore the people of Israel to right living. And – as we are about to read – there is no one in all the land who will take responsibility. God is looking for a warrior, and all He finds is passivity!
"I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so that I would not have to destroy it, but I found none. So I will pour out my wrath on them and consume them with my fiery anger, bringing down on their own heads all they have done, declares the Sovereign LORD." Ezekiel 22:30, 31
In our world today, God is looking to raise up a new kind of Christian who will stand before Him in the gap and take responsibility – a Spirit lead determination to reclaim that which has been stolen by the enemy and what belongs to God.
These new saints of God understand God’s highest desires and they are willing to stand up and fight – tooth and nail, with fiery passion – to make sure that He doesn’t have to settle for anything less!
Walking in our new identity, empowered by the Holy Spirit, moving in Spiritual authority – we stand up to the bully, and in Jesus Name we fight the good fight of faith!
Someone has said that “talk is cheap” – but today, I’m going to disagree with that nugget of convention wisdom.
"The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart," that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame."" Romans 10:8-11
You are responsible to speak up! And what you say – has power!
I. The 21st Century Christian takes responsibility to speak the truth! – Ephesians 4:14-15
"Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ." Ephesians 4:14, 15, NIV.
As a Christian you’ve got two choices – believe the lies and get tossed like a toy boat in the ocean – or speak the truth and become like Jesus!
But God knows we need help with this. It’s easy to get caught up in the devil’s lies. It’s easy to get sucked into the vortex of his distortions! We need each other. We need to count on each other to ‘speak the truth in love…’ so that we can be free!
Let’s say you’ve got a Christian friend who is really depressed. They feel like giving up. Things are not going well for them. There vocabulary is changing – “I quit” “What’s the use” – become their mantra. What do they need?
They need you to come along side of them, and lovingly speak the truth. They need the truth. Why? Because Jesus said that the truth sets people free! And they need to be set free from Satan’s snare!
So, you come along – and appeal to their true identity. They are a Saint of God. They are Chosen and Precious to Him. So you remind them of that truth: “When I look at you, I see that you belong to Christ! I see that you love Him. I want to remind you that you are His. Nothing can separate you – even this discouraging time – from Him and from His love. You are His and He is yours.”
And you help them see, with gentleness of heart and compassion, that the sinful attitude, or behavior they are adopting doesn’t reflect who they really are. “This isn’t you. You are His. You love truth. This is leading you away from who you really are!”
And you remind them of the battle: “God wants you to experience abundant life. Real joy. Healing. Purpose, meaning and confidence. But you have a enemy who is doing everything that he can to take your eyes off of Christ and to kill you. Satan wants to kill you and everything you really stand for! And if you stay on this path, it only has one destination: death. But, when you turn back to Christ and trust Him with your life, He’ll lead you out of this mess and bring you to real life.”
And what is so cool about this – when you speak the truth in love this way – Jesus says in Matthew 18:15 that you will have…. ‘won your brother over!”
You are responsible to speak the truth in love!
But -
II. The 21st Century Christian takes responsibility to rebuke the liar!
You see, your friend who is struggling is doing so – not because they are bad, or somehow not truly saved – they are struggling because Satan is a liar and he is out to get them! So someone needs to stand up against the liar and put him in his place. Which, by the way, is hell.
Speak to the liar! He can’t hear what you are thinking. He is real and he can hear you. So stand up, gather your faith, open your mouth and rebuke Him in Jesus Name!
You’ve been given authority to tell Satan where to stick it! Paul was being troubled by a demonized girl and he finally spoke up…
"In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!" At that moment the spirit left her.” Acts 16:18
Listen to me: When you – or when people you love – are being told lies and are struggling spiritually, it’s time to stand up, to step up and speak out: “Satan, in the Name of Jesus Christ, I command you to leave me alone!” And when you do that, he has no choice but to flee!
How much of our suffering, temptation, struggle, and failure is directly the result of demons doing their very best to lead you away from Christ? All of it.
When your friend is struggling, help them see the warfare dimension and to gather up the faith to rebuke satan!
Take responsibility and tell him where to go – in Jesus Name!
Now there is a third dimension to spiritual speech…
III. The 21st Century Christian takes responsibility to speak faith! – Romans 10:8-11
"The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart," that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame."" Romans 10:8-11
Speaking faith is taking what you believe to be true about God and His plans – and opening your mouth and declaring them!
There is great power in spoken faith! Declaring what you believe with your mouth! Opening your mouth and making a verbal stand! Vital!
I’m not talking about emotional hype.
I’m not talking about positive thinking.
I am talking about taking a stand – declaring your faith. Confessing out loud what you believe and what you are believing God to do.
So, you are sitting down with your discouraged friend, and you begin to lovingly speak faith.
“God wants to heal you. God wants to restore you. God wants for you to feel His power. God wants you to trust Him. God will take care of all our your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus!”
Is that hopeful wishing? NO! It is taking God at His Word! “God, you said it. I am choosing to believe. I am believing that you will accomplish what you’ve promised!”
God is looking – far and wide – for a people who will stand up and take their place in the battle. Is there anyone here who will respond?
“The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters." Psalms 24:1, 2
Let’s take responsibility to cooperate with the Holy Spirit in recovering what belongs to God!
Take action…
• What truth do you need to speak today?
• What lie do you need to rebuke today?
• What faith needs expressing today?
posted by Doug Love at 8:11 AM
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