You will fail again and again in the ministry of God. It is not because your serving is not called upon by God, but simply because God wants to reveal Himself to you.
<Genesis 12, 15, 22>
Why does God always challenge us to let go of what we desire? Just like asking Abraham to sacrifice Isaac. God doesn’t want anything from you but just you knowing the heart of Him.
1. Three Emphasis of God (through Abraham’s life)
1) Let go of yourself
Not just tangible stuffs, much more intangible areas, such as pride.
It seems like you’re losing something in the world. In fact, you’re gaining everything - Christ.
2) God is always revealing to you, especially when you fail
Your weakness is only scary when you stop following God after you fail - leading to lukewarmness. When you fail, you need to see what is God trying to reveal to you.
Your faith will grow when you die and Christ lives in you. Hence, failure is the most moment for one to grow in faith.
3) God is always reminding you about the covenant
Covenant - God’s with you, you’re the source of all blessings, 4Gs.
Our feelings change easily, His covenant is constant.
- initially Ab didn't know, he went through many events -> when God asked him to go Canaan, he was shocked by the famine news. He didn't dare to declare sarai to be his wife (out of fear) and even then, God preserved him
-because God leads Him through the covenant
-today, God is establishing covenant with you -> regardless to your situations and conditions. i am with you, you will be the source of all blessings, 4G will happen in your life.
-It is not that you have excellent conditions, gab of tongues => NO, it is because you are walking with God, God is co-working with you. naturally, evangelism takes place.
-in the process of walking with me, you will realise DOE will happen = God-driven
-Gen 50:20 - You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.
-He is more alive and present in your life - As his spirit is always with you -> I will be with you always to the end of the age (Mt 28:20)
2. Foundation of Our Faith (Fixed Perspective) - Is your faith build upon the points below?
1) Only Problem -> Original Sin (Man separate from God) <Genesis 3>
2) Only Christ -> Is Jesus the most important person in your life?
3) Identity -> You’re loved, called and blessed.
Never ever use your own judgement to judge how much God loves you as you really don’t know what is the best for you.
4) Eternal Covenant
Every single success and failure in your life is part of the covenant of God. They will be used in one way or another.
5) Attitude in earthly living -> See all things as meaningless
Not by “emptying” your heart and mind. But see God’s spiritual principles and living them out (Him through you) -> Working out salvation
- it is: restoring a fixed and believing heart that: In this life, God is sovereign, He has perfect will in all things. everything that has happened and is happening is God wanting me to examine what is His good purpose in it
-Our responsibility: to hear, seek and follow Him
Internal >>>> External (below)
3. The right foundation of faith will lead right living (practical)
1) Receive the need to pray
We need to enjoy our prayer. We need to pray so that we can start seeing and confirming God’s love, faithfulness and works in your life.
2) A life guided by the HS <Gal 5: 12>
The heart of submission through prayers.
God is doing in our doing
3) See evidences of submission in your life -> Increment of joy, self-control and love
4) Become the witness of Christ - Evangelism
Our God is a very relevant God, He uses all our current conditions for you to evangelise. It is truly whether you can see His will.