Series: Sonship

Sun am 12 September 2010 – Kobus Swart

Heb. 11:39-40; Rom. 8:18,28,29; Phil. 2:13; John 17:15; Psalms 23:5;

Rom. 5:17; Isa. 60:1-5; Eph. 3:10; 1 John 4:1-5; 2 John 7;

Eph. 6:13 (Philips translation); 2 Cor. 13:3 (Philips translation);

Is. 9:7; Phil. 4:13; 2 Cor. 12:9-10; Rev. 2:26-28

This Word is directed to all potential overcomers; a people ready to receive instruction; a people who sincerely love the Lord and who are called according to His purpose.

There is a tremendous responsibility resting upon us – a finishing generation – who are still running the race, to realise the finishing part that we are going to play in perfecting those who died in the faith without having received the promise. “… all these (and the list will include all those who died in the faith right up to the present time), having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised, because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect” (Heb 11:39-40). There is a responsibility upon us to look beyond playing church, look beyond just “making a living”. We upon whom the end of the ages have come have a tremendous responsibility; we have to run this race knowing that we can shepherd history to its conclusion. This should be a fundamental motivational factor in our spirits; we are not running for ourselves only. We are running the race to complete that corporate picture of those who will stand before the throne one day from every nation, every tribe and every tongue. Every time we lose perspective, we get caught up in the sideline issues of life.

Our mind is either being renewed or it is at war with God. We have to keep the Big Picture before us at all times! God’s intention is to bring us to the full stature of His Son. “For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren.” (Rom 8:29). That sovereign power that causes all things to work for good in our lives kicks in when our heart is set to be an overcomer. Then all things will work together for good. The dragon stands before the woman who is ready to give birth to the manchild (Rev 12:3,4). There is always a “dragon” anticipating the birth of his own defeat through the overcomer.

“For it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure” (Phil. 2:13). There is a power at work in every born again Christian, and that power will only work to the degree that you allow it. This power is always linked to the Holy Spirit. You still have time to align your life.

Many Christians have been taught that one day when Jesus comes, we will all live victoriously. Christians are praying to the Lord to take them out of this mess and as nice and sincere as it may sound, this prayer is fundamentally flawed. Jesus Himself prayed, “I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one(John17:15). David sang, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; my cup overflows” (Psalms 23:5). 

“For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace (dominion grace; the grace to overcome) and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ “(Rom 5:17). We are called to reign and not just maintain.

Isaiah 60:1-5 does not say anything about being taken out of the mess or about God changing your environment or circumstances. He is rather going to change you. While there is be deep darkness in the world and upon people, the Lord will rise upon you, and His glory will appear upon you. Nations will come to your light. This is good news but it’s not going to happen if Christians don’t take their place and take their stand. There is something believers now have to see and embrace. God wants to turn the captivity of His people. “For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God” (Rom 8:19).

Judgment has started in the house of God and every household or grouping that calls itself church is going to be judged. Judgment is not always punitive, it can be corrective. The mature Church is the answer to a world in darkness. God is busy with a vast plan. “So that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the churchto the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places” (Eph 3: 10). Nations are going to come to our light!

Too many believers are praying for God to change their circumstances. God is interested in changing us; the power at work inside of us will lift us above our circumstances. “You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4). Let’s speak the truth of He who is in us. Our lives must become aligned according to the Plumbline, then He will become a plumbline in us to the nations and they will come to our light.

“Put on God’s complete armour so that you can successfully resist evil in its day of power and that even when you have fought to a standstill you may still stand yourground” (Eph.6: 13-Phillips Translation). “The Christ you have to deal with is not a weak person outside of you, but a tremendous power inside of you” (2 Cor. 13:3 – Phillips Translation).

Inner victory releases outward reign.

If I am victorious on the inside about a matter or circumstances, if I have the victory within, I can rule on the outside. Instead of fighting circumstances or a situation or a person, get the victory on the inside, get peace on the inside. “There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace” (Is. 9:7). Godly rule always results in peace and it must start within us.

“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (Phil 4:13). Your strength is in the power resident within. Authorities in worldly places are running out of answers. It is the overcomers who are going to rule the nations (Rev. 2:26-28). The world is in a mess without the corporate Son, the overcomers that should rule and reign with Him!