September 20, 2010
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Acceptance by Anthony Fortes
Anthony said that he was going to cover three aspects of acceptance
1. We tend to accept only those truths that get through our filters
2. There can be victory by adversity
3. The benefits and power of adoption
FILTERS
Filters block particles. Are we blocking out the truth? Before we get saved we tend to fight against the truth.
At one point Anthony was wondering if Jesus was the Son of Man or the Son of God. Today He knows that Jesus is the Lord and Savior.
There were filters that blocked other truths, such as the truth about the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. Anthony had seen the abuse of these gifts and how they were not being used according to the Word of God. He had seen false prophets and teachers. This caused him to put up filters to reject the truth about the gifts.
1 Corinthians 12:7-11 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.
Anthony chose to believe what God had to say about Spiritual gifts, not the teaching of denominations. He learned that the Holy Spirit gave gifts, and if He wants to give them to us, we need to accept them.
We need to know the basics. Faith means to take the step from.
Anthony said that he found he was holding on to resentment, and that in his eyes was ugly, the man in the mirror that he was seeing.
We tend to hide behind masks and should not go it alone, for we need accountability.
When it is not of Christ it can lead to arguing. We can have resentment, blame another. It takes two people to argue.
In an argument there are three sides: yours, mine, and the truth.
We should not allow people to push our buttons. That is easy to say but hard to do.
It is not an accident that we are to EXERCISE our faith, it takes time to build our faith muscles.
One revelation of truth can change our lives. We can count it all joy and we can have victory by adversity.
Philippians 1:12-26 But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice. For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith, that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again.
Paul was in prison. He chose to accept this for he know that he was doing this for Christ. If Paul died he would go straight to heaven. But God still had work for Paul so he ws not done yet. With whatever we are doing we need to practice the presence of God.
Philippians 1:15 Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill:
People were trying to get Paul into trouble. There was rampant paganism, stiff-necked people, agnosticism, and this was creeping into the Church. Paul was dealing with this, and we too are facing this in the church today.
Paul writes to Timothy in First and Second Timothy to help Timothy deal with these elements trying to creep into the Church. Timothy was a young pastor. The elders he was pastoring were wondering who was Timothy to be leading them. Paul counseled Timothy to stay strong. Everything works together for good. As you grow, satan will not like it.
Job 1:6-12 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them. And the LORD said to Satan, “From where do you come?” So Satan answered the LORD and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.” Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?” So Satan answered the LORD and said, “Does Job fear God for nothing? Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!” And the LORD said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person.”
So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.Paul, in Philippians 3 speaks of obedience and suffering, but what he realizes is that everything is for the glory of God.
BEAUTY AND POWER OF ADOPTION
Ephesians 1:3-6 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.
Predestined means foreordained, established, prearranged. God knows what we are going to do, but He has good plans for us. We choose to follow them or not.
Ephesians 1:11 In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will,
We conform to the power of His Will. There is a bigger picture to the little piece that we see.
Romans 8:14-18 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
There is a big difference between adoption and foster care. We are adopted into the family of God. God has given us His Name.
Romans 8:23 Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.
The redemption of our body – a new creation.
Ephesians 1 is the first stage
Ephesians 8:14 is the second stage
Ephesians 8:23 is the third stage
We go from glory to glory. Accept the truth of God’s word, staying strong in adversity, then accept what God is doing through us in Christ.
We need to get to the point where, when we realize God is training us that we go through the situations following God’s direction, not trying to change the circumstance from happening, protect or exit from it, but rather determine to learn what it is that God is showing us through this situation.
This teaching gave me some things to think about, I hope it blesses you as well. I love that our church has so many people that share the Word of God and add depth of meaning to the scriptures. Praying your day is blessed.
Heather
