February 3, 2019, Be Watchful Against the Spirit of Regression

Be Watchful Against the Spirit of Regression 

Pastor Donald preaches why we need to Be Watchful Against the Spirit of Regression from Luke 11. In Luke 11, after Jesus heals the boy of a mute spirit, Jesus states that any organization that is divided will collapse. Without solidarity and unity an organization will fall apart. 

Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. 

Luke 11:23 ESV 

Also, Jesus warns us that when took over our lives were made clean. The enemy has never given up on destroying us. The enemy will come in if you give the enemy to come in. 

"When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and finding none it says, 'I will return to my house from which I came.'  And when it comes, it finds the house swept and put in order.  Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there. And the last state of that person is worse than the first." 

Luke 11:24‭-‬26 ESV 

As we grow as Christians, we live our lives and sometimes start to grow backwards. We are falling back to our former life.  Regression comes in when we let go of the spirit that works in us. If we continuously walk with the Lord, we will live. Being saved is a continuous process. You must seek the guidance of the Lord.  God's mercies do not create obedience. We must respond in obedience to grow. The flesh is always warring with the spirit. This is a warning for everybody. The Devil wants to destroy you. 

As we read in 1 Peter and Romans

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 

1 Peter 5:6‭-‬9 ESV 

You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 

Romans 8:9‭-‬14 ESV 

There are three main ways that Christians can fight regression back to their old lives.

1A. Read your Bible. We need to gather together in the Lord. Read His word so that we know His will and how to abide in His will. 

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. 

Romans 12:2 ESV 

1B. Pray. Although devotion to prayer is difficult to maintain, those who seek the grace of God, need to pray so that they will get the grace to apply the word. 

2. Obedience to God's will. Power comes from obedience. When we do not obey, God cannot give us power.

But he said, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!" 

Luke 11:28 ESV 

3. Resist the Devil. Satan wants us to ruin our relationship with God. He will keep at it until we fail, but with God's word, prayer and spirit we can stand against the Devil. 

February 10, 2019 Honour the Lord in His Greatness and Receive His Greatness (Luke 11:29-33)

There are three classes of people in the world. People who have enough, people who don't have enough and people who don't have enough but who have untapped resources. Most Christians live like this. Jesus in Luke 11:29-33 talks about how people are looking for signs, but they are not using the resources God has already given them. Jesus relates how the Queen of the South, in 1 Kings 10:1-9, could see God's power and blessings in King Solomon. Jesus tells the crowd that He is greater than Solomon so why have they (we) not let Jesus be the Lord over them (us). 

Jesus also reference Jonah to the crowd. Jonah was a prophet who was told to go Nineveh to repent. The Ninevites were known as evil and violent people, so Jonah refuses but God turns Jonah around, the Ninevites repent and Nineveh is saved. Later, Jonah becomes upset with God because God is merciful. 

There are two main lessons to learn when we Honour the Lord in His Greatness and Receive His Greatness 

1. The extreme mercies of God are extended to those who do not deserve it. Jonah is angry that God wants to save the Ninevites but everyone is underserving. Our righteousness will not sustain us. We have to accept the mercies and repent. 

2. There is a clear warning of ignoring God's message. Jonah decides to turn away from God. But everything Jonah does to run away causes problems around him and to others. It is only when we completely submit to God and completely obey God that God can use us.  

January 20, 2019, Growing to Attain the Kingdom Maturity(Luke 13:18-19)

Growing to Attain the Kingdom Maturity 

Luke 13:18-19 

Everyone who believes in Jesus has peace when we are following and worshiping God in a right way. The dilemma is that most believers are not at peace. When we reflect on our lives, we wonder why we have not changed into the perfect followers of Christ. In fact, we may even ask why has not God changed me more completely. 

The parable of the mustard seed (Luke 13: 18-19) can be used to respond to the question, "Why do I keep sinning and failing?" Pastor Donald explains how the mustard seed illustration shows spiritual growth and four Kingdom principles of growth.

Principles Governing Growth in the Kingdom

1. The principle of growth of the Kingdom needs to be intentional. It takes willingness and commitment to grow spiritually. Spiritual growth does not just happen and it is not always fun. We cannot only do things that we are comfortable with or enjoy. With international commitment you do things to grow whether it is pleasant or not. 

2. Another principle is that growth in the kingdom has a small beginning and needs care. Like the mustard seed, something very small grew into a huge tree. Our faith will be exposed to temptations, trials, challenges and resistance. We have an enemy who is trying to destroy our growth. The enemy is attacking our faith to keep it small; however through suffering and endurance our faith grows and becomes perfect. (James 1:2‭-‬8‭, ‬10‭-‬12 ESV )

  

3. Another principle of growth is that progressive requires nurturing with tenacity.  There needs to be observation of our spiritual life and determination to follow Jesus in order to cultivate our faith. 

4. The last principle of growth is perfected in their ministerial responsibility. When we put into practice our Christian life, we grow. Moreover, the responsibility of our ministry allows us best to grow. By engaging in a ministry, we set the target to serve God in His Kingdom and by this we can perfect our faith more and more. 

We need to be active in our growth. How do we do this? Here are three ways to encourage  spiritual growth in our lives. 

Actively Taking Part in the Kingdom Growing 

1. Keep receiving God's word. Keep sowing by reading the Bible, hearing His word and praying.

2. We need to actively cultivate our faith. Find prayer partners, join Bible studies join and cell groups.  

3. Put in practice the revelation that has been given to you by the Holy Spirit. It will not be easy, but remember that branches that bear fruit are cut back to bear more fruit.