-
Take The Hill!
Contributed by Gary Stebbins on Jul 13, 2007 (message contributor)
Summary: An exhortation to men on Father’s Day. God has given each of us a voice, what will we proclaim with it.
Father’s Day- speak to fathers/husbands/men/yng men
Mt 11:12 … the kingdom of heaven has been
forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold
of it. NIV
Advertisement- Marines- A Few Good Men!
How would you like your wife to say …
I married one of the few good men!
God- looking for men- ready to forcefully advance the
Kingdom of God-
in their- own lives, families, etc.
It takes guts, self-sacrifice, perseverance, faith, a man.
God could advance His Kingdom without us.
God has a plan and He will succeed and we
have an opportunity to participate. RHammond
What are we doing w/opportunities God has given us?
Our opportunities are often just on the other
side of the obstacles we face. Dr L Kennedy
Look again at Matthew …
Mtt 11:11 NASU
John- better than Moses, Daniel, King David, etc.
You/I have been created for even greater purposes.
Mtt 11:12 NASU
The coming of John the Baptist- ushered in a new day,
new era- an era of the Kingdom of God.
Violent- those who make an effort to enter the
Kingdom despite opposition.
Mtt 3:1-3 (voice of one crying in the wilderness)
The voice of John the Baptist made a difference in
advancing and expanding the Kingdom of God.
God- given every man a voice- what will we proclaim
God’s voice made a difference at creation,
Our voice can make a difference today.
God- given us 3 voices to advance/expand- Kingdom-
(Don Williams)
1. The voice of prayer
Prayer is advancing the Kingdom of God in heaven.
Communicating w/God to build a relationship w/God.
Prayer which reaches the heart of God comes
from the heart of man. Ron Hammonds
Prayer is communication directed towards God.
Mtt 6:5-6
Prayer does not go to man.
No one worthy to receive our prayers but God.
Our prayers do not need to be heard by men to
be effective.
(corporate prayer-do not use to send- message to men)
Prayer consists of- intercession, petition, thanksgiving
Intercession- bring others before God.
Petition- praying for you/families needs.
Thanksgiving- acknowledging God’s goodness
The devil wants to silence the voice of men in prayer.
2. The voice of confession
Confession is advancing the Kingdom of God on earth
A. Make declarations
Job 22:28 "You will also decree a thing, and it
will be established for you; And light will shine
on your ways. NASU
We make declarations on behalf of God in the earth.
Declare what God says is true about you/your family.
B. Establish Boundaries
Josh 24:15 "If it is disagreeable in your sight to
serve the Lord, choose for yourselves today
whom you will serve … but as for me and my
house, we will serve the Lord." NASU
Men- have you established boundaries in your family?
Is your house build on the solid rock of God’s Word
or the fickleness of your emotions and feelings?
Confession changes …
what you think,
what you feel,
what you want,
by causing what you believe to line up
with what God says. Ron Hammonds
Direct confession first at- ourselves, then others, God.
Ps 42:5 Why are you down in the dumps, dear
soul? Why are you crying the blues? Fix my
eyes on God — soon I’ll be praising again. He
puts a smile on my face. He’s my God. MSG
Learn to confess the Word of God over your lives and
the lives of your family members.
Declare before God what He says is true.
3. The voice of command
Command is advancing the Kingdom of God on earth
Command- confidence in God- who He is/we are.
Command is to …
Exercise dominion (where we have authority)
Affect change
Forcefully establish the Kingdom of Heaven
Jn 1:12 But as many as received Him, to them
He gave the right to become children of God,
even to those who believe in His name, NASU
Acts 1:8 but you will receive power when the
Holy Spirit has come upon you … NASU
When I was saved, I received authority/right/privilege
I am authorized to live for God/effect change- earth.
When I received the HS I received power, or ability,
to bring about that change.
Use command in two areas …
A. Spiritual darkness and demonic powers
Lk 10:19 "Behold, I have given you authority to
tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all
the power of the enemy, and nothing will injure
you. NASU
B. The mountains of life
Mk 11:23-24
Mountain- any voice that says the Kingdom of God
cannot come here.
Mountains- move over- cancer, financial, etc.
Conclusion
Each one of us has been given a …
Voice of prayer- speak to God
Voice of confession- speak to ourselves/others
Voice of command- speak to devil/mountains
We live in a NT era- we have been given these voices
to advance the Kingdom of God in our generation.
The devil won’t lie down/quit because you are saved.
You will have to get forceful.
Advancing the Kingdom must be done purposefully.