WE CAN HINDER GOD BY THE PERSPECTIVE I AM JUST AN ORDINARY PERSON. I MUST SEE BEYOND THE PERSPECTIVE THAT I AM AN ORDINARY PERSON, BUT I HAVE TO SEE THE PERSPECTIVE OF AN EXTRAORDINARY GOD.
By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com
I do this in two parts.
ORDINARY:
So common to become boring. Norm.
REGULAR, CUSTOMARY CONDITIONS.
KIND OF EXPECTED BEHAVIOR
Psalm 68:1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm or Song of David. Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him.
Illustration:
I get three or four people’s glasses, and then I give them back to the wrong person. We all see from a different perspective and different ways.
I am 6’2", my wife is 5’2" we see from a different perspective.
I see the top of refrigerators, my wife has never seen up there?
I. YOUR ATTITUDE WILL DETERMINE YOUR ALTITUDE!
WILL WE STAY HERE? IS THIS RUT ACCEPTABLE?
WHEN WILL WE CHANGE?
We will change when the PAIN OF STAYING THE SAME IS GREATER THAN THE PAIN OF FACING CHANGE?
A. RUT:
A recurrent state.
A TRACK WORN FROM HABITUAL PASSAGE.
A monotonous routine, fixed pattern.
Zech. 4:6 Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.
B. PARADIGM:
Example, pattern, normal way of operation.
NORM ---
C. PATTERN:
Habitual, automatic, unthinking, reinforced behavior.
A form, model, imitation.
Reliable sample of traits, acts, tendencies, or observations of a person
D. PERSPECTIVE:
To look at, interrelation of subject mental view.
To establish a value system then ranks by importance.
The art of drawing in 2 dimension and seeing in the third dimension.
Mental view of relative importance of things.
Attitude, approach, outlook.
E. ATTITUDE:
Opinion or way of thinking.
Behavior reflecting opinion.
Position, feeling,
Mental position based on how one views the facts.
F. SOME SEE THINGS AS THEY ARE AND WONDER WHY ARE THEY THIS WAY? OTHERS SEE HOW THINGS ARE AND DREAM HOW CHANGE CAN COME ABOUT AND BRING A PARADIGM SHIFT.
G. WE CAN BE SO SATISFIED HERE, WE REFUSE TO STEP TO THERE?
Years ago 95% of all watches were SWISS MADE. The watches were mechanical, gears moving to keep time. For several decades all watches were made this way.
One day a man was dreaming and came up with a BETTER IDEA!
He invented the QUARTZ WATCH, the movement was not gears, the whole system operated much different.
The man flew to Switzerland and tried to sell his quartz, SILICON time piece to the Swiss watch companies.
They refused to consider this silicon idea, it was crazy, watches have always had gears and were reasonably accurate.
The leaders all agreed and rejected the idea.
The man flew to Japan, there was no established norm of producing watches.
Japan bought the idea, today 95% of our watches come from Japan.
These quartz watches are 1,000 times more accurate and durable.
Most of the SWISS WATCH COMPANYS are out of business.
WHY?
H. WILL WE ACCEPT TODAY AS THE NORM?
WILL THE RUT OF THE SAMENESS BECOME OPEN ENDED GRAVES?
I. WHEN WILL WE CHANGE?
We will change when the PAIN OF STAYING THE SAME IS GREATER THAN THE PAIN OF FACING CHANGE?
II. WE NEED HUMAN VISION, BUT WE MUST SEE BEYOND THE VISIBLE, THERE IS A DIVINE VISION THAT CAN SEE BEYOND HERE AND BEYOND
THE MESS OF TODAY. WE MUST DREAM AND DREAM AGAIN.
2 Chron. 16:9 For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect
toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.
A. I heard John Hagee say:
THERE IS NOTHING WRONG, THAT DOESN’T START IN A WRONG WILL.
Wow, that is powerful. No wonder we should seek the WILL OF GOD!
What is motive behind the action?
B. Once there was an advertisement in a Texas Newspaper:
Read your Bible to know what people ought to do.
Read this paper to know what they actually do.
C. People tend to jump to conclusions quickly, and then jump at opportunity very slowly.
D. Many seek God that speaks with bolts of lightning and great thunder, while often God speaks with a still small voice.
E. I once was in a church service in the mountains.
Near the end of the service a lady stood up to testify.
She said, God wasn’t here in the first of the service, God wasn’t here during the singing, God wasn’t here during the message, but just a minute ago God
came into this church.
I thought, Lady you don’t know very much.
God was here at the very first, I prayed through out the day, and I brought God with me.
III. I MAY BE LITTLE AND NOTHING, BUT I KNOW IN WHOM I HAVE BELIEVED AND I AM PERSUADED THAT WHEN I CAN’T --- GOD CAN.
A. We often see in the perspective of WHY? WHY AM I SUFFERING?
THE REAL ISSUE IS NOT WHY DO WE SUFFER?
B. We must come from the perspective: I BELIEVE!
I BELIEVE THAT GOD IS ABLE!
2 Tim. 1:12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
IV. MY PERSPECTIVE: I AM JUST AN OLD ORDINARY LADY?
I AM JUST A HOUSE KEEPER? WHAT CAN I DO?
A. One day in 1943 thousands of soldiers were preparing to leave for Germany and Italy. The Army, the Navy, and the Marines were preparing to load on
the ships.
B. The General decided to have a huge parade through New York City to seek prayer and honor for the men. Many of these brave men would never return home.
C. A little old lady was sweeping off her sidewalk, and she heard the commotion of the crowd. She looked up to hear the cadence of the soldiers.
She stood at attention and watched as the men marched by her.
She cried and put her shoulders back as she saw the red, white, and blue flag go by.
D. After a few minutes the old lady put her broom stick on her shoulder and started marching along side of the troops.
E. Someone yelled out of the crowd: OLD LADY! OLD LADY GET OUT OF THE WAY!
WHAT CAN YOU DO OLD LADY?
F. The old lady yelled back with pride: I CAN SHOW ON WHOSE SIDE I AM!
She kept on marching!
V. WE HAVE FACED THIS PROBLEM SO LONG, THE PROBLEM HAS BECOME PART OF US. DON’T ACCEPT THE ENEMY’S GARBAGE AS GOD’S PLAN FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.
A. FOR TWENTY PLUS YEARS ISREAL WAS HELD IN DEGRADING SUBJECTION TO THE ENEMY.
B. MEET DEBORAH AND BARAK:
God calls a man named Barak to raise up the army of God.
Barak was so unsure of himself, and thus unsure of God’s Deliverance.
Judges 4:8 And Barak said unto her, If thou wilt go with me, then I will go: but if thou wilt not go with me, then I will not go.
C. GOD RAISED UP AN ORDINARY WOMAN NAMED DEBORAH TO CALL HER PEOPLE BACK TO THE PROMISE OF GOD.
Deborah knew God wanted to throw off the YOKE of Bondage.
D. MEET SISERA!
Sisera was an enemy of God and God’s people. A General in Jabin’s army.
Sisera commanded the most powerful army of the day.
Sisera served a god named RA, an Egpytian god.
RA was depicted as a human body, with a GOATS HEAD.
Ra was worshipped as the sun god. (thunder, idolatry, no moral standard.)
E. SISERA IS A TYPE IN THIS BIBLE LESSON.
Sisera is the enemy of God and the opposition of God’s perfect plan.
Sisera is happy to upset, maim, destroy, and kill everything pertaining to God.
Judges 4:15 And the Lord discomfited Sisera, and all his chariots, and all his host, with the edge of the sword before Barak; so that Sisera lighted down
off his chariot, and fled away on his feet.
F. MEET THE TRIBE OF THE KENITE.
Kenites were smiths, they were wandering smiths.
They worked with metal.
They were very kind to God’s people.
G. OFTEN THE KENITES WANTED TO STAY NEUTRAL IN CONFLICTS.
They did not want to become involved, and would side with the party of the best materialistic deal.
The hottest places in hell are reserved for those remaining neutral in moral crisis.
H. IN THIS TIME PERIOD, THE KENITES WERE LEANING TO THE MONEY AND PROFIT THEY HAD WITH EGYPT!
I. THE BATTLE WAS HOT AND HEAVY.
Sisera had great victories every where he took his sword.
Sisera had many allies and could not be beat.
Sisera won victory after victory.
VI. WHAT APPEARS TO BE A HEAVY PHYSICAL BATTLE, WAS A TERRIBLE SPIRITUAL BATTLE. THIS BATTLE IS NOT BETWEEN SISERA AND BARAK.
THIS IS THE LORD’S BATTLE. GOD IS LOOKING FOR A MAN OR WOMAN TO ARISE IN THE FAITH OF DIVINE POSSIBILITIES.
A. Then Sisera meets God’s ;eaders: Deborah supporting Barak, the battle goes hard, and God intervenes. God troubles Sisera.
SISERA DEVELOPS A RUN AWAY SPIRIT!
B. MORE THAN 50 MILES AWAY FROM THE BATTLE FRONT IS A LITTLE LADY DOING HER ORDINARY HOUSE WIFE WORK.
When others were standing neutral, JAEL WAS THERE!
C. MEET JAEL!
Jael means mountain goat, what a name for a woman.
Jael was married to Heber the Kenite.
Jael was a wife, a mother and just an ordinary woman.
D. Jael’s husband was on the wrong side?
THE TRIBE OF HEBER WERE FRIENDS TO THE ENEMY OF GOD.
Jael refused to be neutral in this time of trouble.
Jael knew God, and that RA of Egypt was nothing.
E. JAEL WAS A ORDINARY WOMAN THAT TAKES A STAND FOR GOD.
Jael had set up her tent under the OAK trees at ZAANAIM.
F. GOD SENDS AN ORDINARY WOMAN AN EXTRA-ORDINARY OPPORTUNITY!
Judges 4:20 Again he said unto her, Stand in the door of the tent, and it shall be, when any man doth come and enquire of thee, and say, Is there any man
here? that thou shalt say, No.
G. Sisera was hungry.
JAEL FIXED HIM A LORDLY DISH OF WARM MILK.
Sisera comes running by, he was so tired and weary.
Sisera was refreshed and he laid down on Jael’s floor to sleep.
Jael offers Sisera her floor to lay upon and rest a little while.
H. JAEL WITH HER LEFT HAND GRABS A BIG WOODEN STAKE, a tent peg, and in her right hand she grabs a big mallet or hammer, and quietly approaches her sleeping General guest.
Judges 4:21 Then Jael Heber’s wife took a nail of the tent, and took an hammer in her hand, and went softly unto him, and smote the nail into his temples, and fastened it into the ground: for he was fast asleep and weary. So he died.
I. JAEL BECOMES A MIGHTY WARRIOR AND NAILS GOD’S ENEMY TO THE FLOOR OF HER TENT.
J. HERE COMES BARAK RUNNING LIKE A CHICKEN WITH HIS HEAD CUT OFF.
ARE YOU WORRIED BARAK?
ARE YOU HIDING BEHIND LITTLE DEBORAH?
Judges 4:22 And, behold, as Barak pursued Sisera, Jael came out to meet him, and said unto him, Come, and I will shew thee the man whom thou seekest. And when he came into her tent, behold, Sisera lay dead, and the nail was in his temples.
K. COME AND SEE WHAT THE LORD HATH DONE.
THIS ORDINARY WOMAN ALLOWED AN EXTRA-ORDINARY GOD TO
ACCOMPLISH A GREAT VICTORY THAT BARAK THE GENERAL COULD NOT DO!
Judges 4:23 So God subdued on that day Jabin the king of Canaan before the children of Israel.
24 And the hand of the children of Israel prospered, and prevailed against Jabin the king of Canaan, until they had destroyed Jabin king of Canaan.
VII. YOU MAY FEEL ORDINARY, BUT OUR GOD DOES NOT KNOW YOUR PERSONAL LIMITATIONS!
GOD NEEDS YOUR PERMISSION TO RELEASE HIS PLAN IN YOU.
GOD IS AN EVER PRESENT HELP IN A TIME OF TROUBLE.
Psalm 126:2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The Lord hath done great things for them.
3 The Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.
A. WHEN THE GENERAL BARAK WAS NOT SURE OF TRUSTING GOD,
GOD RAISED UP A WOMAN OUT OF NO WHERE AND ACCOMPLISHED
HIS PLAN, AND GOD DID IT WITHOUT USING GENERALS OR BIG NAMED STARS.
B. GOD USED THE ORDINARY TO ACCOMPLISH THE EXTRA-ORDINARY.
C. DO YOU EVER FEEL LIKE GOD WANTS TO LET THE CAT OUT OF THE BAG?
This is not a secret, God will use those that COME AS WILLING VESSELS.
DO YOU REALIZE THAT YOU CAN IGNITE THE FLAME, STIR THE GIFT, AND START A NEW THING IN JESUS?
D. LET:
TO GAIN AND GET PERMISSION
To cause, make, to offer, to grant, to assign,
TO GIVE OPPORTUNITY,
To free from, TO PERMIT TO ENTER
Psalm 68:1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm or Song of David.
Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him.
VIII. GIVE GOD PERMISSION TO SET A NEW SPIRITUAL PRECEDENCE IN YOUR HEART!
A. A WOMAN CAME TO JESUS.
She was sick and weak.
She could find no solution to her problem?
She had spent all she had on the doctors, then the doctors refused her, and her condition had grown worse.
B. ONE MORNING IS GOING TO CHANGE THIS WOMAN’S LIFE.
She got up this morning and declared: I AM GOING TO TOUCH JESUS TODAY!
Matthew 9:20 And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment:
21 For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.
C. PRIOR TO THIS WOMAN TOUCHING JESUS THERE WAS NO BIG RECORD OF THE CROWDS COMING TO TOUCH HIM.
As a matter of fact, prior to this many people, vast crowds came and touched Jesus and left the same way they came.
D. THIS LADY SET A PRECEDENCE! SHE SET A PRIORTY.
Matthew 14:36 And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole.
E. This lady that was sick 12 years set a SPIRITUAL PRECEDENCE THAT MANY OTHERS HAVE FOLLOWED.
F. AS MANY AS TOUCHED HIM --- WHAT A TESTIMONY.
G. Does our testimony say: I HAVE LET GOD! NOW YOU LET GOD?
IX. DO WE LOOK FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE PITY PARTY?
THERE IS A TESTIMONY OF COMING INTO THE CHURCH, FINDING THE SWEET PRESENCE OF GOD, AND FINDING YOUR ORDINARY SELF BEHIND THE VEIL OF THE HOLY OF HOLIES!
A. MEET ASAPH:
Asaph was just an ordinary man.
Asaph was from the tribe of Levi.
Asaph was a good singer, and often times would lead the choir in worship during the time David was King.
Aspah wrote Psalms 50, 73 through 83.
Asaph was a skilled musican and song writer.
B. ASAPH PICKS UP HIS PEN AND WRITES A PROFOUND MESSAGE.
Psalm 73:1 A Psalm of Asaph.
Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.
C. Asaph quickly identifies a terrible weakness, he is sad and ready to quit.
Psalms 73:2 But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.
D. Asaph identifies his problem, he is A PEOPLE WATCHER.
He also compares himself and what he has to others.
Psalm 73:3 For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
E. Asaph is counting everything his neighbor has, and all the "stuff" he does not have.
F. NOW LET’S SEE IS GOD ARISING AND THE ENMIES SCATTERING, OR IS ASAPH IN THE MIDST OF A GREAT PITY PARTY?
G. As we specialize in PITY PARTIES, PRAISE AND GOD’S GLORY WILL DEPART.
KJV
Psalm 73:12 Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches. 13 Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed
my hands in innocency. 14 For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.
NLB
Psalm 73:12 Look at these arrogant people — enjoying a life of ease while their riches multiply. 13 Was it for nothing that I kept my heart pure and kept myself from doing wrong? 14 All I get is trouble all day long; every morning brings me pain.
H. HAVE WE LOST THE VALUE OF HOLINESS AND RIGHTEOUSNESS?
PITY PARTIES ARE PAINFUL AND HINDER LETTING GOD ARISE AND SCATTERING HIS ENEMIES.
Psalm 73:16 When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me;
I. ASAPH --- WHO IS BETTER OFF?
WHERE IS YOUR MORAL COMPASS?
Psalm 73:17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.
J. ASAPH’S JOURNEY TO ALLOW GOD TO ARISE AND SCATTER THE ENEMIES WAS FOUND IN THE CHURCH.
Psalm 73:28 But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all thy works.
K. WE HAVE MET SISERA, SANBALLOT, AND MANY OTHER ENEMIES OF THE CROSS.
Our journey has let us to a few Alexander the Coppersmiths, but we must keep ’neath the shadow of the cross.
X. I HATE SNAKES? I HATE HIDDEN SNAKES? BUT A SPIRITUAL POISONOUS SNAKE HAS NO DOMINION OR POWER TO HINDER YOUR LETTING GOD ARISE.
SHAKE IT OFF! RAISE YOUR HAND.
A. Paul just puts his feet on solid ground after a terrible storm and a worse ship wreck, but God is still there.
Acts 28:3 And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand.
B. GOD NEEDS YOUR HAND!
God needs you to keep reaching out in ministry!
Don’t hold back the gift, a testimony will arise, God will arise, His enemies will be scattered.
Acts 28:8 And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him.
C. My friend, quit telling others how big and mean that snake is...
testify HOW BIG AND GREAT OUR GOD IS!
D. MY GOD CAN HANDLE THIS.
1 John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
< LESS THAN
> GREATER THAN The greater than your problem is among us.
RELEASE HIM.
His servant, Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com
Will you help this preacher? Pass it on?
