Distiny Pt3 Distractions Series

Destiny will not be Denied but Destiny can be Missed.

Jesus tells the story of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15:11-31. The destiny of the son was assured as long as he stayed close to his father. The son’s destiny was to inherit the estate. Until that time, with his father and family, his role was to maintain progress and prosper the estate. He could not do any of those things while away from his father.

Believers are called “heirs & co heirs with Christ” so we are guaranteed an inheritance;

Rom. 8:16-17: "The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs -- heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together." The Bible teaches we will inherit the following;

1. All Things (The Universe) Heb. 1:2, Rom. 8:32 Eph. 3:9 Heb. 1:3 Thus, with Christ, the saints inherit the universe.

2. The World Rom. 4:13: Gal. 3:16 Gal. 3:29 Gen. 22:17: 1 Cor. 15:22 John 3:16 1 Cor. 6:2

3. The Kingdom of God 1 Cor. 15:50,53 Rom. 2:5-7

4. Eternal Life 1 Tim. 1:17Rom. 16:26 Eph. 3:11 Titus 3:5-7 Heb. 7:16 Luke 20:36 Phil. 3:21

5. Salvation Rom. 8:2 Heb. 1:14

6. The Promises Gal. 3:29 Heb. 6:12 1 Cor. 1:20 Eph. 1:13 Heb. 9:15

Until the time comes when we will inherit all that our Father has promised in this life and in the eternal life to come, our role with the Father and family of God, as co-workers and partners is to maintain progress and prosper the estate. Our Heavenly Father’s estate is all that he is the Head over. (1Cor 11:3, Eph 5:23, Col 1:8) God, of course is the Head over all things from the environment to the economy, from the natural to the spiritual realms (Eph 1:22 Col 2:10). We clearly cannot maintain progress and prosper everything in the Father’s estate. Therefore, we must seek to maintain progress and prosper those things the Father has given us charge over such as;

1. His Church; It’s all about devotion to the people next to you. (Acts 2:42, Rom 12:10, 1Cor 16:15, 2Cor 7:12)

2. Our family; Loving and serving one another. How we train our children will affect them and their children. (Eph 6:1-6, Col 3:19-21)

3. Our Health; Fit to serve is not just to do with the soul. 1 Cor 6:19-20 1 Cor 3:16-17 Lev 11:1-47 Gen 1:27 1 Cor 10:31

4. Our Community; we are here to pray and preach.(1Tim 1:1-6 Matt 28:19-20, 2Pet 3:9, 1Cor 1:17)

Destiny is All about Progressing and Prospering

The Church’s destiny is to grow. When Jesus said; “I will build my Church” Matt 16:18, He promised that the Church we are a part of would not stay the same, from its beginning the Church has been on the road of progressing and prospering. The reason why many churches are not Progressing and Prospering is because they are living today in their heritage and not form their inheritance; they glory in the past and neglect what the Lord has already given to them in the present to help his church progress and prosper.

Jesus has given us instructions about Love and Unity among believers as a key to church growth. (John 13:34 17:23)

Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to help us build His Church. (Acts 1:8)

Jesus put in place gift ministries to equip His people to build His Church. (Eph 4:10-12)

No Destiny without Maintenance

Unfortunately some churches are in a maintenance program of keeping things the same, in the hope of keeping their church going. If there is no vision a church and Christians will not progress or prosper, they will perish spiritually and materially. (Proverbs 29:18)

Unfortunately many Christians want to progress and prosper without maintenance, like the Prodigal they say; ‘give me my inheritance now.’ However, because they have not maintained their spiritual life they have not progressed in spiritual maturity and eventually end up messed up.

Progressing is about growing in excellence not thinking this is the way we have always done it and this is the way we will always do it. Progressing is being equipped for works of service by doing the training, reading the book, listening to the speaker. (Eph 4:10-12)

Prospering is not all about money. Jesus calls us to “seek first his Kingdom and righteousness” and not to worry about all the other stuff. When people’s lives are consumed and driven to get stuff and more stuff they themselves are stuffed. Because their concern is not His Kingdom and righteousness, its simply more stuff.

Materially Prosperous people are not always happy people because all is not well with their soul. They may have gained the whole world but lost their soul. God and his Kingdom and righteous must come first and he will take care of all the other stuff.