Aliens Pt. 2 – Alien Invasion
I mentioned last week that it seems that every generation has seemed to be enthralled with Aliens. George Orwell's War of the Worlds, Star Trek, Star Wars, Signs, Independence Day and the list goes on and on.
We established last week that we believe in Aliens. In fact, the truth be told, we are the aliens! 1 Peter 2:11makes it abundantly clear that we are not of this world! Peter addresses us like this: "Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers"
And out of that passage I challenged us that our main issue as aliens is that we are too hard to ID. We suffer from the blends. We tend to try to fit in and Peter and Jesus emphatically stated that we are not supposed to fit in. We are to stand out, be separate, and be identifiable. You will also remember that I said that we don't just stand out to stand out. We stand out for the sole purpose of allowing our lifestyle to lead to our leader. We do this, according to Peter, by abstaining from fleshly lusts and living with excellence so that people will be won to our leader by our behavior! If no one is asking you to take them to your leader then you may need a lifestyle adjustment!
So if we are Aliens why are we here? Surely our leader had a reason or plan for our existence!
There is a common theme that runs through practically every Alien movie or show. Invasion and domination! Take over.
Our leader made it undeniably clear that our responsibility and obligation is the same! We are supposed to be involved in world domination. This is a planned takeover.
Two passages which are important for us to examine as we turn 5 and wrestle with the question of "Why has God allowed Passion to exist?" "Why is Passion crucial for this region?" The first is found inside the passage of Scripture that we call the Parable of the Talents.
Text: Luke 19:13
And he called his ten servants, and delivered to them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.
The second is the passage of Scripture that may be one of the most important because it our leader's parting words! Parting words are crucial. They are our marching orders. It is, if you will, Jesus' last will and testament.
Mark 16:15-18
Then he said, "Go into the world. Go everywhere and announce the Message of God's good news to one and all. Whoever believes and is baptized is saved; whoever refuses to believe is damned. 17-18"These are some of the signs that will accompany believers: They will throw out demons in my name, they will speak in new tongues, they will take snakes in their hands, they will drink poison and not be hurt, they will lay hands on the sick and make them well."
1. Aliens should be preoccupied with occupying!
Our Master, through the use of a story, declares that we should occupy until He returns!
The word "occupy" here means not merely to "possess," as it often does in our language, but to "improve," to employ "in business," for the purpose of increasing it or of making "profit" on it.
A primitive root; to occupy (be driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish, to ruin: - cast out, consume, destroy, disinherit, dispossess, drive out, expel, inherit, magistrate, possess, get, (take) possession.
In other words, our leader has commanded us to inherit, to impoverish our enemy, to dispossess the devil, to expel him, to govern (magistrate). To bring to bear the government of a new kingdom with new laws and rules. Are you occupying? Are you improving things for His kingdom? Are you increasing His kingdom? Are you possessing any new territory? Are you invading and dominating?
We are supposed to be an invading (occupying) force not a retreating band of rag tag, fearful, back biting, self consumed, weak soldiers! I am concerned that we are occupied with a bunch of things but give very little thought, time or effort towards occupying for the kingdom’s sake.
To occupy is to fully influence every aspect of society as we know it, spiritually, as well as socially and economically. Society should see a dramatic change. This kind of change doesn’t just effect a generation but effects future generations as well. When the Apostles first preached, people weren’t just born again but every aspect of society and culture was changed. That type of influence doesn't just happen. It is something that we must be preoccupied with, plan for, pray about, and work on!
So how are we supposed to affect that kind of change? How can we truly occupy? That brings us to the 2nd passage. Because this passage clearly indicates that we have been given all the tools and power to affect that kind of change!
2. Alien powers are found in Alien purpose!
Can you imagine the change in our community, in our world if Aliens began to walk through society and cast out demons (most of us don't even recognize demons much less cast them out)? In Jesus' day folks fighting demons were brought to Jesus and disciples for help. Now because Aliens are not operating in Alien powers we try to medicate demons!
What would happen if Aliens once again began to cast off snakes (attacks of the enemy), lay hands on the sick and have them recover?
I am telling you at that moment we would go from inhabiting to occupying!
Some of you are asking God why He has placed you in the heathen environment in which He has placed you . . . He has done so to position you to dominate! And He has placed you there because it is in that environment and that environment only that the authority He has given us is best utilized. Remember a diamond shines best against a black background!
We want all the authority without any of the invasion "going"! No going … no power. We can huddle up here year after year and talk about authority, miracle power, provision, etc. but until we fulfill the command of "go" we have no access to or need for the authority!
Jesus promised dangerous gifts and power but until we are in dangerous situations we have no need for that type of power. No need to give someone a bazooka to kill a gnat! We have churches full of people this morning praying for and demanding power that they have no need of! Our leader will not waste those gifts on those that are not in situations that call for the use of those gifts! In other words, until you are in some demon filled situations, some snake overrun environments, poison atmospheres, and some sick homes you have no need of Alien Power.
Notice those gifts aren't prescribed for those that stay confined inside the walls. In fact, in this instance these gifts really aren't even prescribed for inside church services! They are designed for use as you invade schools, businesses, neighborhoods, ball fields, restaurants, etc. Maybe we are so wrapped up in seeing power displays inside church that we have failed to meet the criteria for seeing power displays in our daily lives. We spend our time and attention seeking powerful church services, goose bump inducing worship moments, and jaw dropping revelations from pulpits when our Leader has appropriated power for daily life and declared that it is as we invade society that we will see and experience the most powerful moments with God! So are you saying you don't want to have powerful services at Passion? No I am saying I expect to hear about the most powerful exploits, miracles, and breakthroughs as you take what you experience here and allow it to invade Dell, Cox, Mercy, SCU, Chesapeake, the bank, the drive through and your neighborhood. If we see more God in here than we do out there we have failed to invade as our leader has commanded!
Alien powers for Aliens who are going! Invading. Dominating. No power is usually a result of no purpose!! We as Aliens and Passion people must know and live on purpose! My desire is to see you dangerously powerful in your everyday life. I long to see people seek you out when they are battling sickness. I believe that the day is coming when parents of kids fighting spiritual battles will bang on your door for relief! How? Aliens invading!
