The Power Of A Shadow
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THE POWER OF A SHADOW
PASTOR TIMOTHY PORTER
TEXT: EPHESIANS 3:20 / PHILIPPIANS 4:4
🟩INTRODUCTION:🟩
🟨 Figure of speech🟨- when we say we live someone’s shadow?
Yet it is true
??noun
1. 1. ???a dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
🟨Every person casts a shadow🟨
As we watch our own fathers and mothers age, and we begin the journey of understanding age:
??We begin to realize how much of our fathers and mothers’ shadows live within us
??
And how great of a shadow they cast over our lives
🟨None of us escape the shadow of our fathers / mothers good or bad
💢For some of us:💢
🚩It might be a kind, strong life-giving shadow
🚩While for others – not so blessed or great
Your shadow might be one that is filled with brutality, violence, the smell of alcohol Moments of covering fearfully in corners
🚩For others – aching emptiness where the memory of a father’s or mother’s shadow ought to be
But we all –labor under that shadow
🔵It makes us who we are & shapes the people we want to be
🟨Have you ever considered that people are living in YOUR shadow ?🟨
??Some by Choice – they see something in you they want to be close to
??Pure proximity - people you work with or family (examples)
??Accidentally - Soccer Mom / Gym / Coffee shop (examples)
??They ask when watching you.
??• Is that the kind of man / woman I want to be?
🟨Elevate this🟨
• Someone in your shadow is watching closely and based on the activity and testimony of your life: Will determine if they want to be a follower of Jesus !!!
💢Your shadow has influence whether you want it to have or not💢
It is built into our genetic code to want to be remembered for something - “look what I can do “
If we were honest we most likely want to be remembered for being a positive and impactful influence. By being joyful and grateful.
Let me share with you how your shadow affects everone under it especially during the holidays.
🟪1.) YOUR SHADOW HAS INFLUENCE
Be grateful in all things Philippians 4:4
🟥Philippians 4:4 (KJV) 4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
When we rejoice we are being grateful for all that we have and don't have.
The bible teaches us that even when times are tough and hard we can be joyful.
🚩You influence others by the joy you show.
🟪2.) YOUR SHADOW CAN NEVER BE INCONSISTENT
Don't worry about anything.
🔷Worry is stewing without doing.🔷
You cannot project a reflection that is different from the reflection of your true self
??• Your kindness
??• Your faith
??• Compassion
When you worry these things can not be reflected.
Not a soul woke up one morning and said "Oh let me be a worrier today."
You learned to be a worrier from the shadow of your parents or garnd parents or from your peers.
The fact that worry is learned means it can be unlearned.
Jesus says in 🟥Matthew 6:34 (NLT2) 34 “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
🔷Where I am from it could be described like this "Don't open your umbrella until it starts raining."🔷
🟪3.) YOUR SHADOW CAN ONLY BE IMPACTFUL BY BEING IMPACTED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT
The holy spirit can only impact us by us seeking Him.
The best way to this is by prayer and fasting.
🟥Acts 13:2 (NLT2) 2 One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Dedicate Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them.”
🟥Acts 14:23 (NLT2) 23 Paul and Barnabas also appointed elders in every church. With prayer and fasting, they turned the elders over to the care of the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.
Use your time to pray and fast.
If you want to reduce ther stress level in your life stop worring.
💢If you prayed and fasted as much as you worry, You would have a whole lot less to woory about.💢
🟥Jeremiah 18:2 (NLT2) 2 “Go down to the potter’s shop, and I will speak to you there.”
🟪4.) YOUR SHADOW MUST OBEY HIS IMPULSE
The power of our shadow is not for status but for service.
🟥Acts 20:24 (NLT2) 24 But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.
🟥Ephesians 3:20 (NLT2) 20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.
🔵Being gratful, impactful and stress free comes from Thinking about the right things.
🔵The way you think determines s the way you feel and the
way you feel determines the way you act.
🟥Psalm 91:1-4 (NLT2) ?1 Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. ?2 This I declare about the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him. ?3 For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease. ?4 He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection.
🔵You must find a way to get under the shadow of the most high and out from under the shadow which has darkened your way.
🔵If you want change you must think about the right things.
Choose to think positive things and focus on God's Word
The result is:
🟥Philippians 4:7 (NLT2) ?7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
