A Five Fold Challenge

WE HAVE A FIVE FOLD CHALLENGE BEFORE US

By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com

I would like to give credit for the main points to Joe Girlder, Kentucky District Superintendent

of the Assemblies of God.

I adapted this from a lesson he gave to the 71st Kentucky District Council.

Definition:

CHALLENGE --- summons to a duel, to confront boldly, to accept accountability,

TO DEMAND DUE, to order to halt and prove identity, to invite to action, to invite into competition, arouse or stimulate

FAN THE FLAME!

2 Timothy 1:6 Wherefore I put thee in rememberance that thou STIR UP THE GIFT OF GOD, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.

We face many dangers of coldness, indifference, numbness, and being spiritually paralyzed. God needs men and women to step into faith action.

God’s word challenges every heart and every believer to step to the plate and do what they can, where they can, when they can.

Do you hear the spirit’s challenge?

THERE IS A 5 FOLD CALL COMING FROM THE HEART OF GOD.

1. GOD’S SPIRIT CHALLENGES ALL BELIEVERS TO ADVANCE

THE WORD.

A. There is a great potential by believing, proclaiming and standing on His Word.

Phil. 14:13 I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS ME.

THERE IS NOTHING MORE EMBARRASSING THAN TO SAY THAT CAN NOT BE DONE, THEN HAVE SOMEONE PASS YOU BY, DOING WHAT YOU SAID WAS IMPOSSIBLE.

John 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth will draw all men unto me.

B. Use the Word and allow the word to use you!

News you can use if you choose.

The word of God does the work of God.

Romans 10:8 But what said it? The Lord is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is the Word of Faith, which we preach.

The word of God is daily bread, not just birthday cake.

Many know the word but they never claim it!

C. Be Instant in the Word

2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the Word, be instant in season, out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.

5. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

Instant: ready now, urgent, rapid, ready to use.

D. In this battle the word is effective

2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.

E. Faith stands on the word BOLDLY

Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore COME BOLDLY unto the Throne of Grace, that we may obtain mercy, and FIND GRACE TO HELP IN A TIME OF NEED.

2. GOD’S SPIRIT TODAY CHALLENGES US TO PRAYER AND

FASTING

A. Big problems? Maybe we need seasons of big prayer and fasting to arise.

Matthew 17:21 Howbeit, this kind goeth not out by prayer and fastings.

B. We need both short term vs. long term commitment to prayer and fasting.

Mark 9:29 And Jesus said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.

C. There is a direct correlation between Prayer and the Word.

Acts 4:31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the Word of God with FAITH!

What you gain by intercession, you keep by intercession.

3. CAN YOU HEAR THE CRY TO CHALLENGE US TO GREAT

PENTECOSTAL PASSION?

A. Luke 24:32 Did not our hearts burn within us?

B. Jeremiah 29: 9 But His Word was in my heart a burning fire shut up in my bones

C. Fire, fervent, intoxication, radical change, rewrite history, plugged in ---

D. Vs. Barren, sterile, no fruit, unproductive, lacking stimulation, lifeless, no interest.

4. THERE GOES FORTH A GREAT CALL TO CHALLENGE US

TO WORSHIP, TO PRAISE, AND TO DO ALL IN JOY!

Last night in worship service, I asked who is the worship leader here?

I heard immediately someone respond, Pastor, You are!

There is a great danger to assigning others to be the worship leader and we ride their coat tails?

A. John 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship Him.

24. God is a spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and truth.

B. We must worship freely and be worship leaders pointing all toward the cross.

The Lord is counting on you to lead in worship.

5. THERE GOES FORTH GOD’S CHALLENGE TO DREAM

AND DREAM AGAIN

A. Proverbs 29:18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that loves the law, happy is he.

B. Real life and real ministry has a way of draining and destroying man’s vision.