What does a real Christian look like

Throughout church history there has been many changes to the perception of what a Christian should look like and should act like.

Well meaning people, myself included, have taken the word of God and tried to give a relevant interpretation to Scripture.

For those whose eyes are not open and those whose spiritual senses have not been activated. They rely upon another person’s vision. Who in turn do the very best they can to in detail describe what a Christian looks like what a Christian acts like and what are the expectations of one who bears the name of Christ Jesus.

Man is the judge of the outward appearance but God is the judge of the heart.

Much of the present church has been divided into two camps. These two camps have their headquarters in extremes.

Camp 1:
You have the very liberal – Rejection of rules, unrestrained and free living. It’s my own journey, it’s my own faith, it’s my own life. Don’t judge me.
Camp motto: God is love full of mercy and grace.
All things are viewed through the lens…we are all Gods people, he loves us, no worries.

Camp 2.
You have the ultra conservative- legalistic rule writing measuring stick watching pharisee.
Camp motto: God is Holy full of righteous Judgement
All things are viewed through this lens… cross the T. Dot the I. Make sure you don’t miss a beat God is always watching.

The motto is true in both camps. They stand firmly upon truth. They are often unmovable because they so strongly believe in their motto. They have both feet upon 1/2 of the revelation.

We see in part and understand in part.

Camp 3- God wants us to be somewhere in the middle of these two extremes. These truths are not opposed to one another. God wants both of these rocks these pillars of truth to be the foundation of every believer. Place a foot firmly upon each motto.

Love-A compelling driving desire for relationship (closeness, fellowship, intimacy- and are culture everything is presumed sexual, this is not in a sexual way but rather affection confidence and strong and strengthening attachment)

1 John 4:7-11
7   Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
8   He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
9   In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
10   Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
11   Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

Mercy-suspended or stayed and or delayed judgment. You don’t get what you do deserve.

Titus 3:3-5
3   For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.
4   But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,
5   Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

Grace-transforming power. You get what you don’t deserve.
Grace – unmerited favor
Grace- enabling power

Grace gives the power to be accepted by God even with your past record.

In other words it doesn’t matter who you used to be what you used to do what you used to think about God yourself others or the world around you.

It doesn’t matter because Grace is not only here to justify you. Grace is here to transform you into another image.

So what you look like before the transformation doesn’t matter. His grace is sufficient for you.

I have confidence in his grace
HIs Grace has the power to transform me
It is all sufficient.

Grace gospel that is not transforming is a perverted Gospel.

Grace is our teacher and transforming power

Titus 2:11-15
11   For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
12   Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
13   Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
14   Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
15   These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

When you recognize you have missed the mark cry out for Gods grace that you may be transformed into his image.

I do not have confidence in my own will, my own abilities, my own flesh, but I do have confidence in your grace and your all sufficient power to make me into the image of yourself.

Some may trust in horses some may trust in chariots but we will trust in the name of our Lord

Holiness-separated and set apart from the world and from the crowd for a special purpose.
Those that reject holiness have consented to a life of average living. They reject the ability to do things the average person cannot do.

1 Peter 1:13-19
13   Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
14   As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
15   But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
16   Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
17   And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:
18   Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
19   But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

Righteousness-right action from one in a righteous state. None righteous no not one. Our righteousness is but filthy rags

2 Corinthians 5:18-21
18   And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
19   To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
20   Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.
21   For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Righteousness is not so much about what you have done, but more about what he has done in you.

We work the works of righteousness only when it is Christ’s work working through us.

Judgement- condemnation and justification.
The applying and the removal of penalty

Temporary judgement and eternal judgement.

Matthew 25:14-30

Matthew 25:23
His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
Matthew 25:28-30
28   Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.
29   For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.
30   And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

We are not free from effort
Our job is
0. To have confidence or faith in Christ Jesus his sacrifice and his grace

0. To have a Clear conscience before God
Perfect before God perfect in conscience sprinkled and removed the evil conscience and replaced with a clear conscience before God

0. Receive sonship and the restoration of sonship by understanding your identity of what Jesus has done and accomplished for you on the cross This brings the best out of you.

0. Deny ourselves and worldly and fleshly lust
0. Be salt and light ambassadors for Christ

Are there areas in your life yet to be yielded.

Fit to follow

There are many sings of aging. 
Gray hair 

Wrinkles 

Moving a little slower

One of the greatest signs of aging is reminiscing. 

It is a sign that you have been around for awhile. You want to reminder self and enlighten others about the days when you were younger stronger. For a moment you relive your prime. 
Well I have noticed that I have been reminiscing a lot more recently. 
I look at the Man in the mirror and I have come to a sobering thought. I will never be 20 again. Lol. 

Any of you older people notice how much more difficult it is to lose weight the older you get?

Naturally my fit may turn to fat. 

I thank God that spiritually, fitness has nothing to do with age and maturity. 

Luke 9:57-62

57   And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. 

58   And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. 

59   And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. 

60    Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. 

61   And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. 

62   And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. 
Fit for the kingdom- you cannot long for that what you have left behind when you turn the follow Christ you must turn all the way. 

He is your rabbi. Teacher. He has a responsibility to teach you and to provide for you. 
If you want to be fit to follow you must : hold on, press forward, follow anywhere, and don’t look back

Hold on- we must Apprehend what is apprehending us. Life presents you many opportunities to let go. Satan brings opposition in hope that you will Let go. It takes determination. It takes some grit.  
I.e. Like hanging on to a rope tubing behind a speed boat 
Hang on don’t let go

One of the fathers of the Argentina revival said talking about when you get it whatever you do don’t let go of it. 
Press forward –

Philippians 3:14

I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 
I.e.: Like moving a heavy object

Follow anywhere-

Peter said I will follow you anywhere 

John 13:37-38

37   Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake. 

38   Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice. 
Don’t look back-

Lots wife

Genesis 19:26

But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt. 
You cannot move forward while your heart is still in Sodom 

You must have forwarded vision

You are fit to follow when you are 100% surrendered to God. When your attention on him. 

It is God makes you fit  

Opposition to the Word of God and effective preaching

A traveler was in a foreign land, for the purpose of our story we will call him Jack. One day in a crowd of people a mysterious man approached Jack and whispered something into his ear and walked away. Jack knew that he had been given information that had the potential to change his life forever. The secret that he had been given had the potential to bring health, prosperity, and great freedom to his family and to the world.  As he was pondering the magnitude of the potential of these spoken words, his meditation was interrupted by the screeching of car tires. As He turn towards the noise he realize the car was about to run him over. Quickly he maneuvered out-of-the-way of the reckless car and bearly escaped with his life. Standing to his feet he dusted himself off and went on his way. Moments later he had a strange feeling that he was being followed. As he ducked into a shadow to avoid being seen suddenly a hand covered his mouth and he was dragged to a nearby car gagged and blindfolded. Yesterday life was pretty much normal. What was it that changed, he wondered. Why did people all of the sudden want to destroy me? I dont even know these people,  how could they hate me so much. Why would they be against me? As you ponder these things It suddenly occurred to him. It isn’t me they hate it is the word that I’m carrying. 

The word God is precious.  The word has purpose, it is powerful, and has great potential to prosper those that hear it and hold it. 
Isaiah 55:8-11

8   For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. 

9   For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. 

10   For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: 

11   So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. 

God wants His Word to be effective in us. He desires the word to grow and to bear fruit in our lives. 
The Devil wants to stop the Word at every opportunity he is given.  Why?Because faith comes by hearing and hearing the word of God.  Satan aggressively attacks at every stage, hoping to stop the word and ultimately destroy faith. 

Romans 10:17  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. 

Effective preaching has the Potential to prosper. The word is a seed. When properly planted it has the potential to increase faith and therefore prosper the individual, The land in which this individual lives, and the kingdom of God worldwide. 

The word is under attack. It’s not you it’s the word. 

In Luke 8 there is a parable of a farmer who sowed seed in ground of varying conditions. In this parable the seed is the preaching of God’s word. The ground is the hearts of men. 

Often times, when we reflect on this parable, we think of the condition of the heart. Although it is so important to make sure that our heart is ready to receive the word of God, today let’s focus on another aspect of this parable. What are the things that hinder us from growing, prospering, and producing fruit. What is the attack on the word that we must guard against. 

In all of these examples the people heard the word preached. There are some that will reject the initial preaching of the word and the seed is not able to be embedded in the hearts of these individuals. But many of these received the word of God however they did not grow properly and did not produce fruit.  Why?
You are responsible for your own spiritual growth

You cannot blame anyone not the preacher not your brother or sister in Christ not your economic situation not the country that you live and not the family you come from. 

Luke 8 There are 4 stages in this parable. 

Stage 1 The initial planting. Luke 8:5&12

The first seed was cast on the road where people walked on it and the birds stole away. The devil steals the preaching of the word from their heart so they cannot believe the preaching of God’s word and be saved. 
The seed was trampled- No respect for the preaching of the word.  No value in the word. Because The word is not precious to them they don’t treated with the respect it deserves. They are unaware that they are trampling maybe because they were preoccupied with other things. How can you be more focused. Get the sleep you need block out other thoughts that are distracting. 

The seed was stolen- as soon as you get out of church you can’t even remember what was preached. Even one week later you can’t recall what you have learned.  You can combat this by taking notes, reviewing, and meditating

Stage 2 the watering -Luke 8:6&13

Other seeds fell on the rock it grew but then died because it had no water. These people received the word gladly and started to grow. Then they stopped believing and turned away from God in the time of trouble because they did not have deep roots. 

1 Corinthians 3:6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 

Water is refreshing. You must hear and hear again. You must have the word continually refreshed by some more similar preaching. 

Psalms 119:9-11 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. 

Stage 3 the weeding and protecting the plant- Luke 8:7&14

Other seeds fell among the thorns the seeds grew but then later the weeds choked out the good plants. These people hear the teaching but Worries riches and pleasures of life kept them from growing and they could not produce good fruit. 

Some work has been given to it up to this point. 
Cares – missing and broken things bring cares and concerns. We must weed them out by proclamation of Gods word. 

Riches- you must be careful to still be desperate in your prosperity. False security in wealth and natural strength and power will end in spiritual ruin. You can have wealth and possession as long as they don’t have you. You must learn to depend upon God when there are other things available to turn to. 

Pleasures-  seasons and times of celebration are good but don’t become a pleasure seeker. Excess of entertainment can waste time and resources that can ultimately interfere with your study worship and spiritual growth. 
Stage 4 fruit bearing – Luke 8:8&15

Some seed fell on the good ground The seed grew and made it 100 times more grain. These people were honest in their heart they received the word of God and with patients they produced good fruit. 

Everyone fights through every stage. Those that endure till the end bear fruit. 

This is what you have been waiting for. 
You must pursue growth 

When you hear the preaching of the word it is delivered in seed form. You must make a commitment and put forth the effort necessary to pursue grows in the area which you have received the word seed. 
Some other thoughts to spur growth 

Romans 8

There is now therefore no condemnation to those that are in Christ Jesus Who walk not according to the flesh but according to the spirit. 

We must recognize where we are. 

We must commit to health plan. The in Jesus plan. His plan is his word 

We must walk it out spiritually and not fleshly. 
I am a temple in which God dwells
I am a gate in which God releases heavenly supernatural power into the earth

Internal blocks have to do with what you believe about yourself about God and the circumstances of life. 

Right believing produces righteous action. 

When you believe right about yourself you will do right. 

When you believe Wright concerning God you will open the door for God’s righteous Ness to be worked in you. 

When you believe right about your circumstance you will operate in corrective action to make your circumstance right. 
We must preach the word of healing
We must administer healing power

We must promote continual healing in our own selves.  

Without condemnation we must recognize where we are. If you have a broken leg and you’re hobbling along no need for ridicule just know you’re hobbling along it’s where you are at this moment. It doesn’t mean you have to stay like this but you must do what is necessary to bring proper healing so in the future you’re no longer hobbling.  

This same principle will work in your emotions in your mental capacity and in your spiritual life

There is now therefore no condemnation to those that are in Christ Jesus Who walk not according to the flesh but according to the spirit. 

We must recognize where we are. 

We must commit to health plan. The in Jesus plan. 

We must walk it out spiritually and not fleshly. 

Opposing forces to the God vision in your heart

. 
1. God still speaks through vision and dreams. And he will speak through a prophetic people. 
Joel 2:28-32

28   And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: 

29   And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit. 

30   And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. 

31   The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come. 

32   And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call. 

2. God is activating the spiritual senses of his people. We must exercise these senses to become mature in Christ. 
Hebrews 5:11-14

11   Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. 

12   For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. 

13   For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.  

14   But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.   
3. You will have opposition but that is how you will prove his overcoming power 
John 16:33

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. 
I’m gonna tell you something that’s going to take place but I’m going to tell you this ahead of time because if you will get in me you will have peace. If you stay in me nothing will be missing nothing will be broken….you will be whole… you will remain whole
You can typically tell when God is about ready to do something great….there comes a band of resistance. 
Oppositions

For Abraham it was the land of his fathers

For Moses it was pharaoh 

For Elijah it was Jezebel 

For Jesus it was the religious rulers of the temple 

For Paul it was numerous perils and sometimes prison.  
Cultural wars 

Babylonian culture

Zion culture
Jeremiah 50:10

And Chaldea shall be a spoil: all that spoil her shall be satisfied, saith the LORD. 
Chaldea- Jordan,Syria, Iraq

Spoil is the oil 
Genesis 15:7

And he said unto him, I am the LORD that brought thee out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give thee this land to inherit it. 
4. Come out from among them. God could not bless Abraham or make a covenant with him as long as he lived in the culture of Babylon. 
Jeremiah 50:44

Behold, he shall come up like a lion from the swelling of Jordan unto the habitation of the strong: but I will make them suddenly run away from her: and who is a chosen man, that I may appoint over her? for who is like me? and who will appoint me the time? and who is that shepherd that will stand before me?  
He is Babylon 

Her is zion

Dreams
7/22/17

I had a dream that I was building a house and I could not find anyone to build the foundation. I had people to do the framing the roof the interior work but no one wanted to lay the foundation. 
There is no glory in clearing the land

There’s no glory in excavation 

There’s no glory in a hole in the ground. There is no glory in the footer. No casual observer drives by a house and says “wow that’s an awesome foundation. Those concrete blocks just look great.”
The house represents vision. There are many people to finish vision but it’s hard to find someone to plant a vision. 
The thumb of the 5 fold ministry gifts is the apostle. The church planter. 
Jeremiah 1:5-10

5   Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.  

6   Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child. 

7   But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. 

8   Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD. 

9   Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth. 

10   See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant. 
6. The apostles job is more than digging and planting. It is also excavating. 
Rooting out- there are some deep issues of the past that need to be rooted out. 
Pulling down- there are some lofty attitudes and ideas. Some prideful things some spiritually elevated strongholds that need pulled down 
Destroy- there are some things that are controlling and influencing. Some things that are pulling away your focus from truly being the worshipper of God that you are called to be. 
Throw down- previous structures that look nothing like the plans that God has for you. (sometimes a good renovation is ok…other times the whole thing needs to come down.)
Today we are going to do some excavating.  

7. We can’t build without him

Co laborers. The spirit works with us confirming with signs
Psalms 127:1

..Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it:…
Naturally. 

The foundation of this ministry is the youth – 40 years old 

Bearing fruit in a field of tares.

Matthew 13:24-30
24   Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: 

25   But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. 

26   But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. 

27   So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? 

28    He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? 

29   But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. 

30   Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn. 
You are a chosen generation- you are a race made of different races
Church folk like to get around other church folk that believe like they believe that talk their language. 
Most of the time in your life will be spent around Gentile’s…among the unbelievers. 
We must learn to live an upright life in a world of sinners. 

1 Peter 2:12

Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.  
Some Christians want to live right among the church folk but when they get into a crowd of Gentile’s they forget that they’re Christians. 
When you’re in the church you feel the need to act right because you know the other Christians are going to judge you on your behavior. But when they get out into the world….the world’s not going to judge you on your Christian behavior they’re going to except you for who you are not who you pretend to be. So those that don’t live uprightly naturally feel more comfortable in the world then what they do in the church. So, are you most comfortable when you are surrounded by the Gentiles? is that who you really are? What kind of a Christian are you? Are you faking it in church or are you faking it in the world?  
God doesn’t want us to be faking it at all. The church needs to be more companionate and the Christian needs to be bold enough to live right in the world of tares.

Maybe a small bunny trail here…a notable side note:

(Christian, are you Judging to condemnation or are you discerning to edification. 
Think about The Speck and beam parable.  

You need to judge your own Motivation and spirit behind the analyzing of another brothers conduct and the heart. 

Are you wanting to help or condemn that person?)
Tares were planted while the church was sleeping. 

Vs 25   But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. 
While men are sleeping life goes on

Sleeping men – unconscious, powerless, insensible- they don’t know nor do they care about what is going on. 
Why is it that we are not seeing a revival. Why is it that the enemy is coming in and bringing destruction to our lives to our cities?

It is not because of our governmental situation. It is not because of our economical situation. It’s not because of our educational situation. 

It is because of our ecclesiastical situation. 
It’s because the church is full of apostates. From the pulpit to the pew we have forsaken what we know. What we have identified as The church are people 

Who know to live better than they’re living

Who know to pray better than they’re praying. Who know to watch better than they’re watching and to give better than they are giving. And to fear better than they’re fearing. 
What are Tares?

Anything that opposes healthy growth and fruitfulness in the people of God. May be opposition that is fleshly, mentally, or spiritually 
Spiritual opposition

Ephesians 6:12

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.    
Soulish opposition

Mark 4:18-19

18   And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, 

19   And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.  

-Cares of the world

-Deceitfulness of riches

-Lusts of other things. 
Fleshly opposition 

-Sinful men- wicked and unrighteous men and women may vex your soul as lot who lived in Sodom. 

-A religious spirit- controlling religious leaders- some of your greatest opposition will come from those who claim they are doing the work of God but are operating in a spirit other than the Holy Spirit. 
Acts 17:5-6 Religious leaders moved with envy, hand in hand with the lewd and assaulted the house of God’s righteous in hopes to stop those that are turning the world upside down. 

So we understand what Tares are. We understand the Christian dilemma. We are planted among the tares and there is no escape until the final harvest. 

Since there will be tares until the time of reaping, we cannot use tares as an excuse for an unfruitful lifestyle. 
So how do you bear fruit in a field of tares?
Only the strong survive!

1. Make good use of every beam of light- the word is the light

Receive study and Process the word of God. 
Receive the revival in your own heart

Acts 17:11 Berea- received the word with readiness of mind searched scriptures
2. Drink in every drop of rain

Live in the blessing, the refreshing spirit of God
Gods blessing is upon the righteous 

Walking in His Favor 
Favor- a special attention or preference shown, gracious acts of kindness with rights and privileges granted. 
Who qualifies for God’s favor?

A. Those who are in covenant with him.  

      Genesis 12 

b. The righteous 

      1 Peter 3:12

C. Those who are merciful and speak the truth. 

      Proverbs 3:3-4. 

D. The repenting sinner seeking salvation of the lord. 

3. Fight for your position…give up no ground to your enemy. You must not give any position of opportunity to the devil.

Their is a great cloud of witnesses but there is also an adversary seeking to destroy. You must have a healthy balance of reality. 

Take heed lest you fall

1 Corinthians 10:12

Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. 

How to Live and be Ready for the Rapture of the church.

How to Live and be Ready for the Rapture of the church. 
1 Thessalonians 4:15-18

15   For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.  

16   For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise 

17   Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 

18   Wherefore comfort one another with these words.  
Spiritual Preparation & Spiritual Perception…

1. Spiritual preparation 
Matthew 25….10 virgins
They all knew the bride groom was coming
Half of them missed it
What was in common 

They were all expecting his coming 

They all had equipment

They all gathered in the same place

They all heard the call

They all arose to meet him. 

Until close to the end they all look the same. You couldn’t tell who was going to make it and who wouldn’t. 
He took the wise in and then he shut the door. 

There was no second boarding call. 
There is no second shuttle- there’s no I’ll get you next time I come around.  

What was different ?

What they were watching was the only difference 
Matthew 25:13

Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. 
5 wise watched up and watched in

5 foolish watched up but not in. 
Many people are suffering from split focus. 

Their eyes are on many things
These foolish people would say I know that he’s coming I know that he’s coming soon I want to be ready when he appears. I am watching for him yet they are not watching with both eyes. 
They were watching up but not in. 
The foolish virgins allowed the oil of their life to dry up. Their flame went out. That which testified of their salvation that which set them apart from the darkness of the world. The light of their spiritual life went out. 
The sad thing is is that they didn’t even recognize it until his appearance. They became so comfortable living in the dim and then in the dark. 
You must watch for him and be ready at his appearance. For when he calls we must have attention upon him and upon our own spiritual condition. 
Preparation has to be made

People always prepare for what is important to them
The foolish virgins showed up at the right place but they were unprepared 

If someone shows up unprepared you can tell the level of priority that they put into what they do. 

Luke 21:34-36

34   And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. 

35   For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. 

36   Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. 
Watch and pray- they may say they’re watching they may say they’re praying but if their entire focus was upon being ready they would have noticed they didn’t have enough oil to sustain. They might have been watching halfway but they did not pay attention to the contents of their own spiritual condition.  

2. Spiritual perception 
We must become spiritually aware 
Revelation 1:10

I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, 
There is a difference between being in the spirit and in the flesh. 

Most Christians fluctuate between the two
The Bible says that we are not just to be occasionally in the spirit, But we are to walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh. 
Walk in the spirit not in the flesh

Galatians 5:16-18

16   This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.  

17   For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 

18   But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. 
How did you get the spirit?

How do you walk in the spirit?
Galatians 3:1-5

Did you Work hard or hear faith?

You begin with hearing faith 

You mature with hearing faith
If salvation came through hearing faith

The walking and the working of the gifts of the spirit come by hearing faith. 
We must be aware of our spiritual existence
Visual Illustration 
We are a spirit

We possess a soul

We live in a body
Our body has five senses. 

Sight hearing smell taste touch

These five senses are processed through our mind and our memory. 
In the same way our spirit also has senses. 

The senses of your spirit are also processed through your mind and memory. 
What you do in the body affects your mind and spirit
What you do in the spirit affects your mind and body
The language of the head is logical. Reasonable practical makes sense

It is Structured – left brain

The language of the heart is creative spontaneous inspirational full of design -right brain
There is a natural creativity and there is creativity enhanced by the spirit
Art and music is a release of the creative part of your brain. The release of such can be very spiritual. Can originate from the spirit. It can be Godly or it could be demonic. 

The spirit gives impressions, spiritual feelings, spiritual vision, spiritual thoughts. 
Some people have trained themselves to ignore that which did not come to them logically. 
The spiritual person learns and practices. He work on discerning what has come from his spirit what has come from his own emotions and what has come from the devil. 

The Jews use to cover their head with a shaw to pray. By doing this they shut out many of their natural senses. This would help them to focus on their spiritual sense
Watch to see what the Lord will speak to me

Habakkuk 2:1

I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved.    

We must be spiritually prepared and have spiritual perception to walk in the spirit and be ready for his appearance. 

Fighting spiritual regression

Some will Depart from the faith 
1 Timothy 4:1-5

1   Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 

2   Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; 

3   Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. 

4   For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: 

5   For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. 
The world is in a continual state of decline. 
Satan the god of this world is a downward force. Below are the steps Satan takes to gain total control of your life. 

Regression. – leaving your state of righteousness and returning to bondage. 

Repress – your desires for God 

Suppress– your praise and your prayer life stifling your expression of life. 

Depression– he will bring you into a state of depression sapping all spiritual and mental energy. You start to waste your life

Oppression – torment your mind you will have a hard time shaking off ungodly desire

Obsession – control your thoughts continually 

Possession -loose all control of curtain capacity 

Regression is the first sign that the enemy is at work. 
You must fight it aggressively 
1. Filled with the spirit and the word 

Combat the Seducing spirits doctrines of Devils with praise and the word
The word is a sword only in your mouth
2. We must maintain a forward vision

We must live the truth. Speaking lies in hypocrisy Don’t look back- 

Luke 9:62

And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.   
3. Reject the culture of the world. 

They Forbid to marry and eat meat. 

We must separate our life from the culture of the world. In America it is hollywood that sets the worlds culture but it is the church that sets the Christian culture. We cannot allow the worldly culture to set the Christian culture. 
By Reaching forward and pressing toward perfection in Christ Jesus. What are you reaching for?

Philippians 3:12-14

12   Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 

13   Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 

14   I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 

From Glory to glory

We are the Head not the tail

We lead and have authority 

We are more than conquerors 

Released from stronghold, and all enemy control.

2 Corinthians 10:3-6
3   For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 

4   (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)  

5   Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;  

6   And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. 
1. You must realize we are in a spiritual battle. We are in conflict against specifically the kingdom of darkness. 
There are two kingdoms….God’s and the devil’s
Matthew 12:25-30

25   And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand: 

26   And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand? 

27   And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges. 

28   But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you. 

29   Or else how can one enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house. 

30   He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.

Ephesians 6
2. Is The Devil’s kingdom at work in your system?
Satan has no power over the spirit. Any authority he may have is only over the natural system.   
Suggestive authority- he has the power to make suggestions to you. 

Delegated authority- he is able to operate only as far as you have given him authority to do so. 
The devil works in the flesh 

The Flesh– sarx- natural, physical, sensual nature. The flesh Is the operating system that Satan desires to work in. 
Satan (who’s name means opposition) works in the flesh realm, through strongholds, imaginations, and thoughts. 
Do not sit idle and allow him to work in your life you must wage warfare against him. 
War-strateuomai- strategic battle, military contending soldier against carnal inclination. 
3. How do you wage this warfare?

 You must pull down – violently to destruction- Strongholds and cast down- by non violent force-imaginations, high things, and thoughts. all of which exalt itself against the knowledge of God
Strongholds– ochyroma-castle, fortress, anything on which you rely. Fortified positions of belief. 
Imaginations-logismos- reasoning or conscience that is hostile to your Christian Faith …..in other words your faulty belief system. 
High thing-Hypsoma- high barrier
Thoughts-Noema-every mental perception. Divisive intellectual disposition. 

Revenge-ekdikeo- to make right and bring justice. 

Be ready to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. 

You overcome Satan’s work in your life by renouncing his work,repenting, and obeying Christ. 

I choose this day to release myself from every stronghold every imagination every high thing and every thought that is contrary to the truth that I know in Jesus Christ. I repent of every sin of commission and omission. I repent of all participation in rebellion which is as the sin of witchcraft, and of all the other involvement in occult practices. In the name of Jesus I align myself with the truth of God’s word. And from this day forward I will strive to honor the Lord’s commands and make right the wrongs that I have participated in. 

Breaking Limitations

The Spirit of God in the Old Testament time would come upon individuals for a certain work and then left again. 

Moses had a great portion upon him. He divided this portion among 70 others. 

Elijah had a portion and Elisha had a double portion. 

When Jesus was baptized in the spirit of the Lord rested upon him and he began to be led by the spirit into the wilderness and onward into his ministry with power. 
  Jesus had the fullness of the spirit without measure. 

..…No limitation……
John 3:34

For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him. 
2 Peter 1:2-4

2   Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, 3   According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:  4   Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 
We have the opportunity to walk in the fullness of the Spirit without limit as well.  

Wouldn’t it be great if all of God’s people lived a life without any limitation in the kingdom of God. 

*We would walk in absolute health and administer healing to all around us. 

*We would walk in absolute freedom from Satanic oppression and administer deliverance to all around us. 
*We would walk in the fullness and in the abundance of God’s blessing, and we would be a blessing to all around us. 

How do you live a life unlimited in that which is Godly?
Satan’s desire is to limit your effectiveness in God’s kingdom. 

1. You must first recognize the difference between 

the kingdom of God 

and the kingdom of this world
And there is a difference. 

In fact there is a great contrast The Bible likened it to light and darkness. 
The contrast is so great it is impossible to get the two confused.  
2 kingdoms 

2 authorities

2 lifestyles 
2 Corinthians 4:4

In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. 
Proverbs 29:18

Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.  
Para– perish- to cast off all restraint and run wild. No restraint. they have no limitation In the world’s Kingdom of darkness. Unbridled passion, no conviction no standard, anything goes. 

The more you limit your involvement in the kingdom of darkness. The more limitations are removed in the kingdom of light. You have the freedom to walk in the fullness of God. 

Esher– happy- happily blessed

The more you limit your involvement in the kingdom of God the more unlimited we will live in the world. 

2. Friendship with the world enemy of God
James 4:4-10

4   Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. 5    Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?   6   But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. 7   Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8   Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. 9   Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. 10   Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. 
The world- earthly rule, inhabitants of the earth, earthly affairs, earthly possessions, earthly pleasures, that seduce you away from God
These things that seduce you – this is the giveaway that it is of the world and not of God. 
**As a virus affects the operating system of a computer. 

Satan’s demonic spirits desire to operate within and against your operating system. 

We must Bind Every unclean spirit operating in your system, in your body and your mind and your emotions in your attitude in your finances in your occupation and your family
Satan Wants to limit your effectiveness in Gods kingdom.  

Limitation on your spiritual growth

Limitation on your peace and joy

Limitation on your prosperity
3. It is good when God is for us

Romans 8:31-37

31   What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32   He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? 33   Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. 34   Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. 35   Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36   As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37   Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 

Break the destructive cycles of life and release the limitations. 
The cycle of behaviors 

The cycle of failure 

The cycle of limitations 

Staying the hand of the destroyer

Applying The blood of Jesus 

Jesus is the Lamb of God applied to your hearts
Exodus 12:21-24

21   Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said unto them, Draw out and take you a lamb according to your families, and kill the passover.  

22   And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the bason, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that is in the bason; and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning. 

23   For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the LORD will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you. 

24   And ye shall observe this thing for an ordinance to thee and to thy sons for ever. 
Redeemed

Cleansed 

Justified

Sanctified