The Topic: New Season. Category: Experience God>
Bible Scriptures: Exodus 33:11, Joshua 1:1-3, 2 Kings 2:8-14, John 1:14-18, Isaiah 43:19, Acts 4:13.
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The last 3 years have been years of multiplication and sustainable growth of His kingdom and truth. In spite of covid lockdowns and restrictions in amongst the loss, sorrow and pain God is always working. Nothing can stop the advancing of God’s kingdom here on earth, in this world damaged by evil.
As we come into the second half of this year of an ‘explosive chain reaction’ of God’s truth, love and power, reaching nations through the highways and byways online, as we walk out the well marked pathway before us, we honour the past, give thanks to God for who He is and all He has done and prepare our hearts for the New Thing.
The new thing He has promised and is bringing to pass. The pure seed of His truth, with all differences and blockages removed. Where all who are thirsty to come and drink freely His Living Waters. For all to come, taste and see that the Lord is good.
It is this generation young and old who will enter into the new thing. The new thing that God has for His church, that is His people throughout the world. To surrender all differences and come together in His truth, love and power. We simply need to be willing.
back in time
Let us go back to the moment in time when Moses led the Hebrew people out of Egypt. Moses’ style of leadership was that he was the one through whom God did all the miracles. Moses was the one who spoke to God, received instructions from God and told the Hebrew people what to do. The Hebrew people at that time did not want to engage with God. They secretly in their heart did not want Him.
Exodus 33:11 So the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. And he would return to the camp, but his servant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, did not depart from the tabernacle.
new leadership
Moses’ servant Joshua would become Moses’ successor. God commissioned Joshua to be the leader of the new thing. the new thing that God wanted to do in the hearts and minds of the Hebrew people, the children of Israel.
The word translated “servant” here as in Moses’ servant does not mean slave, but rather a minister of God, one who does spiritual service. So Joshua did not depart from the tabernacle where God’s presence dwelt.
From the humble beginnings of ministry Joshua hungered to be in the presence of the Lord. It was out of that place of intimacy that he lived and empower others to empower others.
Joshua 1:1-3 After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, it came to pass that the Lord spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, saying: “Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them—the children of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses.
new empowerment
Joshua was given the Spirit of God and represented a new kind of leadership where he empowered all the children of Israel to be part of God’s miracles and wonders – including His salvation plan.
To go deeper please listen to our podcast ‘Be Strong and Courageous.’
true witnesses
The only two out of the many people that God delivered out from Egypt who entered the promised land were Joshua and Caleb. They hungered for His presence, they were willing to be surrendered to the will of God, had His Spirit within, and knew God was good, faithful and true. As a result they trusted in Him.
Not even Moses entered the promise land. He started to do the work of God in his own strength, thus not bringing glory to God. Yet God honoured Moses in so many ways. Joshua honoured Moses.
But God was calling His people and Joshua to a new thing.
Before entering into the new thing their needs to be a time of transition in acknowledgement of those who gone before and a letting go of the past.
season of transition
In a spiritual sense that is letting go of the ways of old, trusting in formulas, strategies, thoughts and even the gifts given. In letting go, or surrendering all back to God we are transitioning from the past and preparing ourselves to enter into the new thing.
Joshua was anointed for the generation of his time, a true witness of the living God. He empowered all to participate in God’s wonders.
With God, the new thing is always greater than the former.
Let us look at another time of transition to the new thing, once again at the river Jordan.
2 Kings 2:8-10 Now Elijah took his mantle, rolled it up, and struck the water; and it was divided this way and that, so that the two of them crossed over on dry ground. And so it was, when they had crossed over, that Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask! What may I do for you, before I am taken away from you?” Elisha said, “Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.” So he said, “You have asked a hard thing. Nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if not, it shall not be so.”
personal encounter
2 Kings 2:11-14 Then it happened, as they continued on and talked, that suddenly a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and separated the two of them; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. And Elisha saw it, and he cried out, “My father, my father, the chariot of Israel and its horsemen!” So he saw him no more. And he took hold of his own clothes and tore them into two pieces. He also took up the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and went back and stood by the bank of the Jordan.
Then he took the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and struck the water, and said, “Where is the Lord God of Elijah?” And when he also had struck the water, it was divided this way and that; and Elisha crossed over.
Elisha wanted to know the God of his spiritual father. He received a personal heavenly vision and took up the robe of prophet. The prophet’s role is to testify of God and speak His Word, so that the individual or group will know and experience Him.
new experience
The prophetic gift given is to reveal God and His heart for all people.
Elisha just like Joshua went through the river and went over to the other side. Elisha heard the call from an early age. Like Joshua, Elisha hungered for the presence of God.
The beloved spiritual father of Elijah was gone, but God’s love story lived on. Elisha entered into a greater revelation of God, His truth, power and love.
All of this was before Jesus, where God Himself became flesh and blood and walked the earth as a man, died, rose, ascended into heaven and poured out His Spirit upon all flesh.
God in Christ Jesus is calling His people to a new thing. As we come to the new thing, we acknowledge the past, yet we must let go of the ways of old, let go of what we think the text says, let go of our differences and let God reveal Himself to us.
Let God give us new ways to think and new ways to see. To live in a greater revelation of His love, truth and power, individually and collectively. So that the world may Him. Where hearts and minds are open to listen to Him, receive from Him and testify of Him.
new life
The Apostle John testifies of Jesus as the beginning of the new thing and speaks of John the Baptist as a true witness of God.
John 1:14-18 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. John bore witness of Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me is preferred before me, for He was before me.’ ” And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.
now is the time
Now is the time for this generation to receive the fullness of the truth and life. All who receive Jesus receive His Spirit. Like Joshua may we hunger for His presence, receive the truth in Jesus and empower others to empower others.
May we like Elisha see the open heaven that God has before His people and take up the robe of Jesus, His robe of justice and equality, truth and freedom, light and life.
By His Spirit may we know and experience the fullness of the living God, as He flows freely through us testifying of Jesus to others.
God the Father is seeking true witness of who He is, what he has done and will do. Just like Joshua and Caleb.
Jesus the King of kings gives us His robe, His name, His authority and His power to be His true witnesses. Birthed out of a new and greater intimacy, safe and secure living in the power of His love, the freedom of His truth and the victory of His cross and empty tomb.
The world does not need another religion, the world needs Jesus.
Man cannot change himself. Only Jesus can change lives, only Jesus, only He.
new intimacy
God called the children of Israel back to Himself, when He declared to them that they are to be His true witnesses of His love, truth and power. That was the situation when God said to them in Isaiah 43:19 Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness. And rivers in the desert.
God is calling His people back to Himself in greater intimacy, to be true witnesses of His love, truth and power. In surrender of self will to that of the Father’s will He is doing a new thing.
The time is now for the new thing of God, which in fact is the same thing from since the beginning. That is to know> and experience personally God’s love, truth and power. For the hearts and minds of His people to be transformed>, so that the world may know Him.
Letting His Living Waters flow freely in and through this dry land. This land where good works have wearied and religion has bound so many people. Where the truth has been compromised, questions have been muzzled and a generation lost.
This dry land cries out for true witnesses of the Living God in this generation.
conclusion
This generation is asking questions of belief and this world. We have the answer. His name is Jesus.
Therefore the more we focus on Jesus, in His sacrifice of self will and His victory in surrender over the evil powers, our selfish desires and death, the more we can experience His resurrection power and fire of His Spirit burning within. By His Spirit in surrender to Him and receiving from Him, we can live in a new freedom. His victory over self and the works of the flesh.
Now is the time for this generation. As God declared it all those years ago, Behold He is doing a new thing.
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Sermon categories: son of man> love of God> hope and healing> know God> truth> power> end times> experience God> life> success in life> kingdom>
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