Prophetic Insights for COTRM
Introduction
Began the year- series- Dangerous Church.
God is raising the bar for His people (church) …
Take the Challenge- (picture)
read your Bible
fast
pray- corporate-Tues/Thur/Sun, MyHop
engage in Christian relationships-join-HC
serve/give
give financially
This is a year- filled w/opportunities- take advantage.
Opportunity
a condition favorable for advancement/success.
God’s favor is available for us so we can accomplish God’s work here on earth.
God is calling us to be Kingdom of God builders.
Taking hold of these opportunities- involve risks
we must learn to reach forward with our faith,
to take a hold of what God is placing before us,
and bring it into the everyday world we live in.
Mtt 6:10 'Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. NASU
P Tony-talked about being commissioned/enabled.
Commission- authorization to perform certain acts.
Enabled- to provide w/means to accomplish those acts.
This is why- being baptized in the HS is so important.
It is time to get our spiritual lives in order are you
born again- personal relationship w/Jesus Christ,
baptized in water,
baptized in the HS,
engaging in Christian relationships,
do you have a point of service/giving?
Prophetic Insights for COTRM
Mission statement
Encounter God, Love People, Share Life
Everything- we do/believe- anchored on God’s Word.
It is also important that we engage God regularly such that we can experience divine Encounters.
Encounter- to come upon someone, engage someone.
God speaks with and desires to interacts w/us.
This is essential for us to fulfill God’s call on our lives.
I desire for my life/COTRM- to be a force for reformation, and
a prophetic voice in our generation.
Acts 13:36 "For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep, and was laid among his fathers and underwent decay; NASU
Served- to be subordinate, FWM- under-oarsman.
Typical Roman war ship driven by rows of oarsman (500). These oarsman had to follow the instructions of the Coxswain (picture).
They were under his authority- had to work in unison.
This is a picture of the church / the Coxswain is Jesus and
we are the under-oarsman, following His direction- to move ahead.
I want to challenge us to be proactive in developing spiritual vision, spiritual maturity, and effectiveness in service/building-Kingdom of God.
We need to be asking God to allow us to think His thoughts and
dream His dreams.
Isa 55:6-12
Solomon says this Eccl 3:1 There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven NASU
It is important that as the church we make an effort to understand and respond to the season we are in.
I solicited vision for 2010 from our Ministry Team.
1. Prepare
Preparation- to make ready for use/service/occasion.
This is a season to get ready for the days ahead.
How can we prepare
Studying God’s Word (so we can stand)
Financially: get out of debt/live on less, save
Training
take classes, certifications
learn first aid, CPR
fish, garden
Storing
food, water
Not for the purpose of hoarding, but preparing ourselves to be better able to serve/help others.
2 Tim 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. NASU
KJV- Study to show yourself approved.
Study- FWM- to hasten to do something, exert effort.
2. Peace
Now is the time to learn to walk in an inner peace when the world around us- filled w/violence, chaos.
Isa 26:3 "The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, Because he trusts in You. NASU
Jn 14:27 "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful. NASU
We must get beyond striving for personal salvation- and begin to live/die for others- God’s Kingdom.
We want our lives to open a door for people to step into a relationship with God and into His Kingdom.
Take time to understand-where God has you and who you are in Christ.
Heb 6:11-12
11 And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end,
12 so that you will not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. NASU
Is your relationship with God secure?
P Tony challenged us to understand the difference between holiness and righteousness
Righteousness- living right before God
Holiness- being available for God, surrender
Frequently ask yourself the question
How will I live the remaining days of my life?
If we build the small things daily in our lives, the end result will be a magnificent cathedral.
3. Confidence
A picture of a large airplane- its real wings were removed and much smaller wings installed in their place- did not look like it could fly.
When God calls us to do something, or walk down a certain road,
it often seems like His provision is not enough.
Just like- airplane looks like it could not fly, God’s ways sometimes seem insufficient in the natural.
But as we look to/obey God, He will always be there and see us through whatever situation we are in.
Do not need to look for-approval- men/society/culture- all we need is God’s approval.
Plane- look stupid w/small wings- God will make it fly
4. Revelation
God wants to give to His people a fresh revelation of Himself and His love for us.
1 Ki 3:7-12
Two principles we can draw from this passage
1. Solomon understood his need for Revelation
He could not govern the people w/o wisdom from God
2. Not concerned for personal gain
Solomon more concerned for others than himself.
The result of this is summarized in
1 Ki 4:29 Now God gave Solomon wisdom and very great discernment and breadth of mind, like the sand that is on the seashore. NASU
5. Urgency
Elvis Presley song
Words to song
It is now or never, tomorrow will be too late.
We are in a season when everything that can be shaken is going to be shaken.
Heb 12:25-29
This is a season to learn how to endure and be faithful.
What has God called you to FOCUS on in this season?
6. Unity
Airplane- represented COTR- going through turbulence. The people glued quarters around the neck of the plane and it landed safely.
Everybody had a part to play each person’s contribution was small, but together it made a difference.
Each of us doing something small, together can amount to something great in God’s eyes.
Conclusion
Isa 25:6 The Lord of hosts will prepare a lavish banquet for all peoples on this mountain;
A banquet of aged wine, choice pieces with marrow, And refined, aged wine. NASU
There is coming a time when people are going to say, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.”
This is a season to put our house in order.
I want us to look at the world beyond just ourselves.
Our culture is much too egocentric-about me/my needs
We need to see life through God’s eyes- not our own.
It is not all about my personal salvation.
God has saved me so I can bless/support others.
Take the Challenge-
read your bible
fast
pray- private/corporate
engage in Christian relationships-join-HC
serve/give
give financially
Psa 71:10-16
David- in adversity, trouble
Prays first, place hope in God, reinforced by verbally praising God more and more.
Additional Information
It’s Now or Never, Elvis Presley
It's now or never,
come hold me tight
Kiss me my darling,
be mine tonight
Tomorrow will be too late,
it's now or never
My love won't wait.
When I first saw you
with your smile so tender
My heart was captured,
my soul surrendered
I'd spend a lifetime
waiting for the right time
Now that your near
the time is here at last.
It's now or never,
come hold me tight
Kiss me my darling,
be mine tonight
Tomorrow will be too late,
it's now or never
My love won't wait.
Just like a willow,
we would cry an ocean
If we lost true love
and sweet devotion
Your lips excite me,
let your arms invite me
For who knows when
we'll meet again this way
It's now or never,
come hold me tight
Kiss me my darling,
be mine tonight
Tomorrow will be too late,
it's now or never
My love won't wait.
