Checking Your Spiritual Status

“Checking Your Spiritual Status”

TEXT: Isaiah 40:31 (KJV)31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall

renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as

eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk,

and not faint.

Introduction: The Word Eagle or Eagles appear many times

throughout the Word of God.

(1) There is a reason for that; it often denotes the spiritual condition

of God’s people, (Spiritual Status) and calls for us to examine

our current spiritual status as opposed to where God would have

us be.

(2) When the Bible speaks of the eagle it brings to mind;

{a} The Eagle’s swiftness of flight.

{b} The act of mounting HIGH IN THE AIR

{c} The eagle is a symbol of strength.

{d} The eagle sets its nest in high places

{e} The Eagle’s powerful vision.

(3) God Himself is compared to a eagle training its young to fly.

Ex 19:4 (KJV)4 Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and

how I bare you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself.

{a} The eagle which carries its young upon its back.

{b} “and brought you unto myself.” Intimacy in relationship, Providential Care

(4) So it is clear that we have a choice; we can soar high in victory

like the eagle or we can find ourselves grounded, living in danger,

within the view and reach of the enemy.

(You can’t soar with the eagles, if you goanna run with the turkeys.)

Concerning Spiritual Status:

I. Are You Where You Want To Be In Your Relationship With God?

[A] Desire effects status.

Mark 11:24 (KJV)24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

(1) You will NEVER rise above your Heart’s desire!

(2) Desire: (Webster) to long for or to crave, to ask for or to solicit.

[B] I had rather be close to God during the worst of times than to be

away from Him during the best of times.

Phil 3:10 (KJV)

10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

(1) My desire: to be close to Him in whatever condition I find myself.

(2) It is far better to know Christ along with His sufferings than to

not know Him at all.

[C] If you are not where you want to be, if you are not comfortable

with your current spiritual status, you can change it!

[D] Without a desire to Know Him better, to have a deeper relationship

with Christ, to have the Power of the Holy Ghost abiding in you,

your relationship is absolutely going to suffer!!

II. Are You Where You Should Be?

[A] Satan will seek to rob one of his desire for God.

(1) He would fill your heart with a desire for earthly pleasures.

(2) He will try to occupy you with so many things so that you

have no time to focus on your spiritual condition.

[B] So it is not so much as : are you where you want to be as; are you

where you should be.

(1) If not, you need to seek God that He will replace the desire for

Spiritual things.

{a} Renewal, Revival, Restoration.

[C] Don’t settle for Spiritual Complacency.

(1) Eagles get tired;

(2) They need restoration

(3) God made a way; Molting Stage Each Spring

{a} The eagle’s feathers lose their luster.

It’s appearance is not as beautiful

{b} The eagle’s beak becomes dull

It can no longer rip through its prey as it once did.

When this happens it effects it’s meals.

{c} The eagle’s claws have become dull.

It is now having a hard time catching its prey.

Prey = Blessings

{d} Its feathers are worn and some are missing:

That means it cannot soar as high as it once did.

It may not be able to escape the enemy.

It’s well being is now at risk.

[D] The molting stage is a process of renewal-- God has provided for.

(1) In order to be renewed, the eagle must come down to ground

level (humility) and go through the molting stage.

Molting stage: Prayer & fasting

Broken and contrite

Humbled and rededicated

{a} Its vision becomes clear and powerful again.

{b} Its beak and claws become sharp again.

{c} Its feathers fill in and began to shine again.

He has regained his luster and come spring, he can

rise up and soar high with victory and strength.

(2) The eagle now looks like he did in days of his youth.

(3) The Glory days have returned!

Psalms 103:4-5 (KJV)4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;