2, January 2005
Dakota Community Church
Make Your Move
Introduction:
When it comes to having things happen in our lives most of us would really like it if God would just hurry up and do something.
We want Him to light the fire, to send the power, to cause revival.
We definitely can not do anything without Him.
Sometimes however the problem is not that God is not moving – the problem is that we are not moving.
Consider what God has already done:
- He sent Jesus.
- He has cleansed us from sins stain.
- He has released us from sins power.
- He has given us His word as a foundation and a weapon.
- He has given each of us the measure of faith.
- God has provided the whole armour.
- He has filled us with the Holy Spirit and with power.
- He has broken the curse of the law.
- He has promised to meet all our needs.
- He has given us the authority to bind and loose in the spirit realm.
- He gives us access to come boldly into His presence.
- He took the stripes for our healing.
Given all of this I cannot help but think that perhaps there is now something that we are supposed to do.
Have you ever been frustrated by someone who doesn’t know it is their move?
- At our games night?
- At the turn onto Dakota on Monday morning the woman in front of me sat right through the flashing green light trying to read what was going on in the old Dakota IGA.
As believers we need to know when we are to wait patiently and when it is our move!
1. It’s your move on soul-winning.
Praying for revival is important and there is no doubt that God does move at times in various supernatural ways; in the here and now we can not simply throw up our hands and say oh well, I guess God isn’t moving here.
Illustration:
An abandoned inner city lot was a real eyesore covered in weeds, garbage twisted metal and broken glass. A local man decided to do something about it and cleaned the place up, planted grass, flowers and trees; finally he put in a play structure and some swings transforming it into a beautiful park.
As one of his neighbors passed by the finished work the man said, “What do you think of the beautiful park I made for the kids?
The neighbor replied, “You shouldn’t take credit for the wonder of God’s creation.
Oh yeah, the man replied. “You should have seen the mess God had this place in without my help.
The point is – GOD USES PEOPLE!
Matthew 28: 18-20
18Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore –
- pray about it
- I am going to do it.
- Ask the angels
- No it’s therefore
go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age
Acts 1:8
7He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
9After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.
The final instruction – power to witness
Incidentally there were 120 in the upper room but look at this:
1Corinthians 15:3-8
Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. 6After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8and last of all he appeared to me also.
More than 500 brothers, I wonder where they all were?
That’s a sermon for another Sunday.
So then what is our move then?
(a.) Prepare – make sure the cupboard is full.
(b.) Ask for the Devine appointments – be lead by the Spirit.
(c.) Go – get out there and meet people.
Ask the pastor of a large growing church why they are large and growing and you will hear, “Because we preach the word without compromise.”
Ask the pastor of a small church why they are small and not growing and you will get the same answer.
2. It’s your move on improving the quality of your life.
Have you been sitting around hoping God will do something to improve:
- Your health and fitness?
- Your financial picture?
- Your marriage or other relationships?
- Your stress level?
One question
Have you done the things you know you are supposed to do in these areas?
You cannot believe that a particular individual will marry you.
You cannot dictate how God will bring it about.
You cannot command when the fulfillment will come.
Hebrews 11 – died without seeing it!
Joshua 1: 8
8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
Joshua 1:8 (NKJV)
8This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
Why does God want us to prosper and be in health? Witness
How do I look if my kids are going to bed hungry?
So what is our move then?
(a.) Decide what needs improving.
(b.) Get wisdom on the subject.
(c.) Act
Proverbs 19: 8
8He who gets wisdom loves his own soul; He who cherishes understanding prospers.
3. It’s your move on dealing with the devil.
Do not make the mistake of having too big a devil. Don’t fill your talk and thoughts with him and his activities.
Matthew 18: 18-19
18"I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
19"Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."
Psalm 91: 9-10
9 If you make the Most High your dwelling- even the LORD , who is my refuge- 10 then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent.
Psalm 91: 7
7 A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.
1Peter 12: 8
8Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
James 4: 7
7Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
So what is our move then?
- You’ve got it use it!
Conclusion:
Don’t sit waiting when it’s your move. Why some do not act against the devil.
- fear
- ignorance
- don’t want responsibility
Proverbs 19: 3
3 A man’s own folly ruins his life, yet his heart rages against the LORD.
The situation you live in doesn’t have to live in you.
PowerPoint available on request - dcormie@mts.net
