A CUT ABOVE --- REACHING FOR A HIGHER PLANE...
Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com
I. WHAT IS STATUS QUO?
A. Existing state of affairs.
Are we happy staying the same old way?
B. WHAT IS THE NORM FOR US?
AN AUTHORITATIVE STANDARD. A MODEL.
Binding guide to control or regulate acceptable levels of behavior.
Be average ---- AVERAGE JOE?
A set standard of achievement that is expected derived from an average of a group.
II. GOD HAS A CALL ON YOUR LIFE AND MINE!
WE ARE NOT TO ACCEPT EVERYONE ELSE’S NORM FOR US AND THE CHURCH.
WE MUST DISCIPLINE OUR STUDY, PRAYER, AND CHURCH ATTENDANCE TO EACH BEYOND WHAT IS THE ACCEPTABLE NORM.
A. Can an attitude of accepting the norm and status quo as the norm become a trap?
B. We can tend to accept where I am is where I am and this is where I shall always
be?
III. ASK YOURSELF WHY DO I SERVE THE LORD?
A. AN IMPORTANT QUESTION IS HOW WILL I SERVE THE LORD?
B. AT WHICH DEGREE OF SERVICE SHALL I BE SATISFIED?
C. WE SERVE BY ABILITY ----
Matthew 25:15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; o every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.
D. OFTEN WE COMPARE OURSELVES TO OURSELVES AND NEVER REACH THE DISTANCE BEYOND OUR ABILITY INTO THE REALM OF DIVINE ABILITY.
2 Cor. 10:12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
IV. MANY APPROACH GOD’S WILL IN ONE OF THREE WAYS:
1. OUT OF THE WILL OF GOD.
2. PERMISSIVE WILL OF GOD, YOU HIT THE TARGET ENOUGH TO SAY YOU HIT IT.
3. THE PERFECT WILL OF GOD.
A. We cannot accept anything less than the perfect will of God as acceptable.
B. We leave a TRAIL OF TEARS AND HEART ACHES MOVING IN THE FLESH.
C. ASK SARAH AND HAGAR?
V. THERE ARE NO SADDER WORDS OF PEN OR TONGUE THAN THE WORDS: WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN?
A. MY HEART KNOWS ONE OF THE REGRETS OF ETERNITY WILL BE, I WISH
I WOULD HAVE APPLIED MY SELF MORE THAN I DID.
B. The Helevision is hindering a lazy, uncommitted people to a trap of
being the NORM --- staying forever STATUS QUO!
C. MY FRIEND, WE MUST ACCEPT THERE IS MORE THAN THIS!
THE QUESTION IS NOT IS THERE MORE --- THE QUESTION IS WILL I ARISE?
VI. WILL WE DARE TO ARISE TO GOD’S PLAN FOR US?
A. WILL WE BELIEVE GOD HAS A GREATER PLAN FOR THIS CHURCH?
B. GOD IS SEARCHING, HIS EYES RUN TO AND FRO ---
C. CHRISTIANS ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE!
D. DARE:
To have sufficient courage.
To be bold enough to do.
Accept the challenge to perform.
Get ready to take chances.
E. Does it make you mad when somebody passes you doing what you said could not be done?
VII. DANIEL, SHADRACH, MESHACH, ABEDNEGO WERE 1000 MILES AWAY FROM HOME.
A. DANIEL WAS BELIEVED TO BE 17 YEARS OLD WHEN HE WAS CAPTURED.
B. DANIEL AT BEST WAS A SLAVE IN A STRNAGE LAND.
C. WHO WILL KNOW WHAT DANIEL DOES?
D. EVERYBODY ELSE IS DOING IT? SO WHAT? A LITTLE COMPROMISE?
E. EVEN DEAD FISH CAN SWIM DOWN STREAM?
VIII. LAZYNESS IN PEOPLE WILL NOT BE TOLERATED!
Daniel 1:4 Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as
had ability in them to stand in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.
IX. CLEAR ORDERS TO COMPROMISE?
HOW CAN YOU STAND AGAINST THE LAW AND PEER PRESSURE?
Daniel 1:5 And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king’s meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at
the end thereof they might stand before the king.
A. THE WORLD WILL TEST YOUR LOYALITIES!
B. The King ordered meat offered to idols and strong drink.
X. IT IS BEAUTIFUL WHEN GOD’S PEOPLE BELIEVE GOD’S WORD
AT FACE VALUE AND TAKE THE TEST THAT PROVES GOD’S WORD!
Daniel 1:8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
A. YOU MUST FIRST MAKE THE CHOICE TO BELIEVE!
B. THEN YOU MUST DECIDE TO STAND BY YOUR CHOICE NO MATTER WHAT.
XI. WHEN YOU MAKE THE CHOICE GOD WILL MAKE A CHOICE TO
STAND BY HIS MAN.
Daniel 1:9 Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.
XII. THERE IS A COST TO RISING A CUT ABOVE!
ARE WE WILLING TO APPROACH THE TEST WILLFULLY?
Daniel 1:12 Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.
13 Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king’s meat: and as thou seest,
deal with thy servants.
14 So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days.
A. WILL WE TURN DOWN STEAK AND WINE AND SWEETS FOR CORN
AND WATER?
B. Remember this is a 17 year old boy?
C. FAILURE COULD MEAN DEATH!
D.The King looked for good some looking, smart men that applied themselves.
E. Wanted learned, well trained, SELF DISCIPLINED young people.
XIII. DANIEL HAD GODLY CONVICTIONS THAT COST HIM DEARLY,
BUT COUNT THE LONG RUN COST!
A. WHY WERE THESE 4 BOYS A CUT ABOVE?
Daniel 1:17 As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.
Daniel 1:19 And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king.
B. We must dare to be different at school, if we want to be different in the lions’ den!
C. We must be different at home if we want to be different in the FIERY FURNANCE!
D. MY OPINION? DANIEL PASSED THE LIONS’ DEN TEST WHEN HE WAS 17 YEARS OLD!
XIV. HOW WILL THE ENEMEY TEST YOUR COMMITMENT?
A. WAS GOD MEAN TO TEST ABRAHAM AS HE LAID HIS ONLY SON
ON THE ALTAR?
B. Let me add my opinion, God knew Abraham.
God grew Abraham over time.
C. The TEST ON THE ALTAR WAS NOT FOR GOD TO TEST ABRAHAM, THE TEST WAS FOR ABRAHAM’S GROWTH.
D. NOT ALL MEN WILL BE REQUIRED TO LAY DOWN THEIR DREAMS IN TEST, BUT ALL GOOD --- FRUITFUL MEN WILL HAVE TO COME TO THIS POINT.
E. WAS GOD MEAN TO JOSEPH TESTING HIM BY A DYSFUNCTIONAL FAMILY?
THE WELL? EGYPT? SLAVERY? JAIL?
Ask Joseph what the test did?
Genesis 50:19 And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God?
20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring
to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.
F. THE CONCLUSION!
PLEASE MY FRIEND --- THIS TEST IS NOT MEAN!
THIS TEST IS NOT CRUEL! GOD IS GROWING YOUR FAITH AND TRUST!
GOD HAS A PLAN! OUR COMMITMENT AND DREAMS WILL BE TESTED!
EXPECT TEST! THRIVE DURING SEASONS OF TESTING.
YOUR CHOICE FOR SHALLOWNESS TODAY MAY COST DEARLY TOMORROW.
WE MEASURE SUCCESS BY WORLDLY STANDARDS.
WE FAIL TO SEE THIS IS A TEST!
THIS IS ONLY A TEST!
WILL YOU REACH WITH ME ABOVE OUR ABILITY?
Will you accept that with God there is a solution?
Do we accept the fullness of God’s word and God’s promises?
God’s promises are sure! We must reach above where we are!
We must reach above where our family history has been!
God desires to bless you!
We see this twisted trail as tears and pain --- GOD IS BUILDING PEOPLE.
WILL WE ALLOW WORLDLY SYSTEMS DESIRES TO MANIPULATE AND CONTROL
OUR HEARTS?
SOME OF YOU ARE READY TO QUIT!
Please hang on a little longer. Try again. Try harder.
Sickly oaks from sickly acorns grow.
My friend this test was not to break you, this test will make you.
Ask Joseph, Abraham, Daniel, Mother Teresa.
Will we pray the price?
His servant,
Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com
Invest in me? Pass this on to another. You could double the reach of my hands!
