Living Life with Purpose - Capacity Increase
A Sermon Preached on 27/5/12 at Word of Life, Johor Bahru.
In the parable of sower (Mt 13), the sower goes out into the ONE SAME field to sow seeds. The seeds as we know it, some fell by the wayside, and others on stony, thorny and good ground. For so long we always thought the type of ground determines what kind of ground we are. On the contrary it is the type of growth (character, personality) that determines the type of ground, or what we live by, standing on. Are we standing in Jesus on standing in sinking sand ?
We know that the moment we believe in Jesus and begin to raise-up the faith antennae, He begins His work of transforming us into His image. This is when the ground type will show. Because when His word enters us, we will either resists, have no desire for it, or receive it but forget later or want it but no capacity to follow Him.
The best thing to know here is, JEsus never judged you. Remember He sowed His word on EVERY ground type. We also know that HIs word is powerful and never returns to Him word. Given time and the right moment, His word will take effect in us ! You need to know Jesus loves you so !
So what grows capacity, our capacity...what turns us into new wineskins ? Is there something we must do ? I know alot and I was like this trying and trying to be "holy" and "righteous". Trying to be His disciple. Trying to well the word is "perform". I love Jesus dearly...but the approach is wrong.
Why ? because there's nothing I can do. I am not God ! Jesus is God ! This was where God refresh what redemption means and who Jesus is as my redeemer.
God brought me back to Abraham and Isaac on Mt Moriah. God told Abraham, to bring "his son, his only son". Did you know Abraham did not have 1 child..He actually had 2..Remember Ishmael ?. So what did God mean here ? To read that Isaac carrying the wood on his back is a picture of Jesus bearing His cross to golgotha !. God is telling us not Isaac..but Jesus !
Many people preach and say OH YOU NEED TO GIVE UP YOUR ISAAC ! ...Abraham did not give up Isaac, but he gave in to GOd ! Abraham did say that "they would return" ..Abraham also did say to Isaac, "God Himself will provide an offering for Himself (Gen 22:8). I think Abraham's faith in His master, help him understand God's purpose.
God don't want you to give up anything ..that is religion. Religion always demands demands demands..that is the Law. Telling you, you are a sinner but providing no solution to the problem. How many people are sin conscious ..not wonder they keep falling...We should be God conscious..When we come face to face with JEsus and dwell in His presence, He alone transforms us ! He alone increases capacity ...how with HIs love. When you know you are loved , love transforms you and causes you to be and do stuff that you never thought possible! Abraham never gave up Isaac and God did not want Him to give up Isaac. Many people equate Isaacs to secret sin ! MAN ! Isaac was God's promise to Abraham. God supplied HIs own to Abraham to complete the tasks. ! That is grace. Grace reveals God for who He is and in grace, salvation is found ! Saving redeeming grace !
When you look to Jesus our Redeemer, He took your pain and sin, He was punished and killed for our redemption...He paid a price so high, only the Son of God could pay...He became cursed so that we could be saved and blessed ! He cried out my God, my God why have you forsaken me, so we can cry out my Father, my Father why have you so blessed me!
Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the
knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. (2 Pet 1:2)
You see capacity must increase because God wants to drop Spiritual blessings and benefits and purpose into our lives. That takes place when we grow in the knowledge of Jesus our Lord, our God! How ? by dwelling in His presence ! Enjoying and receiving His love every day and moment !
God Bless
Luv
Edwin Koh B.L (28/5/12)
Capacity does not come by trying to do it yourself...With what God leads us to do, there will always be supply.
