Series: Restoring the Image
Sun am 4th March 2012 – Kobus Swart
Josh. 1:7-8; Matt. 4:4; John 6:63; 1 Cor. 2:9; Dan. 11:32; Eccl. 3:11; John 16: 5-15; Jude 1:5
It is sad to see that the Church does not often upgrade its “operational systems”. For example, in the Old Testament one of the first operational systems was the rod of Moses. After that followed the cloud and the fire by night, which could also be seen as operational systems ie. that which conveyed, communicated or signified the next step. Then something changed. The moment Israel passed through the Jordan River into the land of promise the Word of God became the new operational system. Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go. This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success (Josh. 1:7-8).
The Word of God should have central place in our meetings; we are to be directed and find our life from the proceeding Word of God, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God”(Matt. 4:4). This means present truth. “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life” (John 6:63). We are not talking about good sermons or quoting Bible verses alone. There has to be Spirit and life for the transformation to be effective.
“We must press on in the Holy Spirit. If we do not see beyond the visible, if we cannot touch that which is intangible, if we cannot hear that which is inaudible, if we cannot know that which is beyond knowing, then I have serious doubts about the validity of our Christian experience” (Tozer).
When last have you heard the voice of God in your heart? When last have you seen beyond the visible? When last have you understood something beyond your mental capability? We fail to see, understand and experience the greatness of our creator God. There is only one God that is real and that is worth pursuing and knowing and the key that we have is the Holy Spirit. THINGS WHICH EYE HAS NOT SEEN AND EAR HAS NOT HEARD, AND which HAVE NOT ENTERED THE HEART OF MAN, ALL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM (1 Cor. 2:9).
I trust that you are making progress in your waiting on God; that each one is taking time with Him, just you and God where there is no other noise, no other distraction. Bring your minds under subjection to your spirit. We have a very active intellect and we have confused intellectual knowledge with spiritual knowledge. We are always so busy and in a hurry. I challenge you again, take time off, whenever it suits you; but discipline yourself. If we do not apply this principle we will not grow to the next level. It is the people who know their God that shall be strong and do exploits (Dan. 11:32).
You are at your best when you are the “I am” that God has made you. Take the layers off, and remove the layers such as “I am poor, I am struggling”. Remember… greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4). Stop limiting your brother. Therefore from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh… (2 Cor. 5:16). We have been recreated in Christ.
There are two things that shape us: heredity and environment. That environment is simply called “In Him.” For example, a child might have the potential in him or her to be a great musician, but unless that child grows up in the correct environment that unlocks and develops that gift, that gift will remain dormant. And this is where the Holy Spirit comes in. We have not given Him His rightful place in our lives. Inside of you is a spiritual giant. A fish cannot exist outside of water. A seed needs to be in the right soil under the right conditions in order to grow. It (the shell) has to die in order for the life of the seed to come out. So also we need the correct environment in Him to come to our full potential.
“But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment; concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me” (John 16:5-9). “…the Lord, after saving a people out of the land of Egypt (picture of salvation from sin), subsequently destroyed those who did not believe (Jude 1:5). What is sin? Let us not be guilty of not believing in Him and what He accomplished for us on the Cross! The believing eyes will see the glory of God (John 11:40).
But when He, the (Holy)Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose (declare or transmit) it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine; therefore I said that He takes of Mine and will disclose it to you (John 16:13-15).
The forming of the corporate SON depends on the Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit we welcome You!