September 26, 2009

• Seven Steps toward a Victorious life In Christ by Pastor Don

  These verses are the path to spiritual maturity.  Pastor Don gave a brief review.

  Isaiah 7:10-11 Moreover the LORD spoke again to Ahaz, saying,  “Ask a sign for yourself from the LORD your God; ask it either in the depth or in the height above.”

  It begins with asking for a sign and as we mature we will begin making right choices, and discerning between good and evil.

  By the time we get to verse 17 (The LORD will bring the king of Assyria upon you and your people and your father’s house—days that have not come since the day that Ephraim departed from Judah.” ) we are more mature, we are no longer babes in Christ.  God permits the Assyrians to come into our lives.

  This can be a spanking for a rebellious child, or the Assyrians can be coming in to strengthen up a child, giving them a chance to test their spiritual “muscles” of faith.  God will permit you to be tested and tried with the adversary, but he will define the exact perimeters of the test.  We won’t succeed unless we ask God’s help.

  Our strength is with resolve to live the VICTORIOUS LIFE.  When we have a trial and tribulation in our life we need to realize that God permits it.  There is no testimony without a test and we need to press in.  The process gives us fiber to make it.

  Ephriam and Manasseh are sons of Joseph – Ephriam departed from Judah.  Judah means praise.  The Jews received the Messiah and the Gentiles were grafted in.  We are praisers to God. 

  Pastor Don gave us a land mine statement. He said that if we care about spiritual growth we need to examine ourselves to see where we are in the process.  We need to do the work of examining ourselves.

  There are six steps in the process.  Pastor Don covered this over two studies, so I am going to combine the notes to make one entry.

  1. EXAMINE OURSELVES IN THE AREA OF TEACHEABLE.

  Paul knew that he had more to learn and grow.  What do we need to learn or are we still searching things out?  Pastors are most guilty for they want to protect their place and status.  We are not to forsake the assembly of the brethren, and it is important to seek knowledge and understanding.  Pastor Don spoke about how many pastors do not go to conferences to enrich their lives.  If we do not keep teachable maturational growth stops and comes to a grind. We need to examine who and what we are and take correction and suggestions.

  2. SPIRITUAL WARFARE

  We are doing warfare in UNION with God.  It is not all about me, me, me. We are fighting against the flesh and fighting with the Spirit of God, doing warfare about the flesh and the enemies of the Kingdom.  Our battle is not against flesh and blood.  Ephesians 6:12  For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age,^fiberaddict