GOD’S DEEPER WORK Faith series Pt 4
Pastor Ian Johnson Papatoetoe Elim Church.
We have seen that walking by faith brings us into the supernatural power of God. The Spirit works in us to accomplish things that are impossible to our understanding.
Our expectations are sometimes misdirected we look for God to show His power in:
Creation -- healing – supplying our needs—etc.
All these things are wonderful. But the bible declares the greatest things He does are internal.
Ephesians 3:20
20 Now glory be to God! By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope.
Only internal things will go with us into heaven!
God knows that our problems are not due to our environment, they are deeply personal.
Fixing the environment doesn’t repair the person.
If I lived in a better house
If I had a better father
If I had a happier childhood
If – if – if – if.
David was a man who allowed God to work on the inside!
Look at this.
Tell story of David & Beth Sheba
Psalm 51:1-19
1 For the choir director: A psalm of David, regarding the time Nathan the prophet came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba.
Have mercy on me, O God,
because of your unfailing love.
Because of your great compassion,
blot out the stain of my sins.
2 Wash me clean from my guilt.
Purify me from my sin.
3 For I recognize my shameful deeds—
they haunt me day and night.
4 Against you, and you alone, have I sinned;
I have done what is evil in your sight.
You will be proved right in what you say,
and your judgment against me is just.
5 For I was born a sinner—
yes, from the moment my mother conceived me.
6 But you desire honesty from the heart,
so you can teach me to be wise in my inmost being.
7 Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
8 Oh, give me back my joy again;
you have broken me—
now let me rejoice.
9 Don’t keep looking at my sins.
Remove the stain of my guilt.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God.
Renew a right spirit within me.
11 Do not banish me from your presence,
and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me again the joy of your salvation,
and make me willing to obey you.
13 Then I will teach your ways to sinners,
and they will return to you.
14 Forgive me for shedding blood, O God who saves;
then I will joyfully sing of your forgiveness.
15 Unseal my lips, O Lord,
that I may praise you.
16 You would not be pleased with sacrifices,
or I would bring them.
If I brought you a burnt offering,
you would not accept it.
17 The sacrifice you want is a broken spirit.
A broken and repentant heart, O God,
you will not despise.
18 Look with favor on Zion and help her;
rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
19 Then you will be pleased with worthy sacrifices
and with our whole burnt offerings;
and bulls will again be sacrificed on your altar.
A) 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God.
More than just a promise
Some of us have turned over more new leaves than the domain in Auckland!
He is asking for deeper than just a washing in the blood of Jesus forgiveness He had already done this!
He was asking for the impossible for man “Create”
Same word as found in Gen 1:1.
B) Renew a right spirit within me.
More correctly renew a steadfast spirit in me!
Steadiness in the storm!
Many of us are up one day and down the next
David doesn’t want to be jelly – he wants to be a rock.
I’m not talking about bad days. I’m talking about being faithful to God regardless of the circumstances.
It seems impossible!
But like Jesus said to Martha of Bethany
John 11:40
40 Jesus responded, “Didn’t I tell you that you will see God’s glory if you believe?”
We must not just lament our weak spiritual condition but we must approach the throne of grace with total confidence (Hebrews 4:16)
A steadfast spirit will hold us through the changing situations of life!
C) 12 Restore to me again the joy of your salvation,
and make me willing to obey you.
3rd thing we cant manufacture is a willing spirit.
David realised that only God’s power can make him walk in obedience!
Philippians 2:12-13
12 Dearest friends, you were always so careful to follow my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away you must be even more careful to put into action God’s saving work in your lives, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. 13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey him and the power to do what pleases him.
God is in the willing business!
David realized that his heart can betray him. His will can consent to the world and the flesh!
So he cries out to God to give him a willing spirit..
ARE CERTAIN CHANGES IMPOSSIBLE?
Your testimony is living proof that Jesus makes a difference in our lives.
Jeremiah 32:27
27 “I am the LORD, the God of all the peoples of the world. Is anything too hard for me?
Don’t attempt to be strong in yourself
This is oppisite to what is needed
God is always drawn to weakness
Psalm 51:17
17 The sacrifice God wants is a broken spirit.
God, you will not reject a heart that is broken and sorry for sin.
Lets join David in his prayer of faith and God’s deeper work will become real.
