Spiritual Readiness in Times of Disaster (Part II) Austin Disaster Relief Network

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1 Spiritual Readiness in Times of Disaster (Part II) Austin Disaster Relief Network IV. Spiritual Readiness, Provision #2 - Blood of Jesus/Biblical Forgiveness & Repentance (deals with the penalty of sin) Through Adam s sin, we (humans) usurped God s place of authority over our lives and established ourselves as king (king self/self-rule). We were born with Adam s seed in our hearts, born into the kingdom of darkness (1 John 5:19/John 12:31). Psalms 51:5-6 I was brought forth in iniquity and in sin my mother conceived me NKJV Romans 3: 23b-25a for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood The bible tells us there is a penalty for walking in sin and it is eternal life in the Lake of Fire (separation from God for eternity) and Eternal Suffering (Luke 16:19-24, Rev. 14:11, Mark 9:47-48). There is only one substitute who is perfect, without spot or blemish who can pay the price of our sins and bear the penalty of our sins. His name is Jesus Christ. He is our propitiation (1 John 2:2)! Hebrews 9:22b...without the shedding of blood there is neither release from sin and its guilt nor the remission of the due and merited punishment for sins. *Testimony: Eisenhower s favorite World War II story It is through the Holy Spirit giving us revelation and/or opening our hearts to these truths about hell, eternal suffering, eternal separation, the Kingdom of God, Heaven and Jesus Christ that enabled us to surrender ourselves back to God through Jesus Christ (John 3:16). So what must we do? Repent! For the Kingdom of God is at hand What is the difference between Repentance vs. Forgiveness? How did we establish Him in our lives as Savior and Lord? 1. Rich Young Ruler, a Story of Repentance? Luke 18:18-30 (NKJV) Now a certain ruler asked Him, saying, Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? 19 So Jesus said to him, Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. 20 You know the commandments: Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and your mother. 21 And he said, All these things I have kept from my youth. 22 So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me. 23 But when he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich. 24 And when Jesus saw that he became very sorrowful, He said, How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! 25 For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. 26 And those who heard it said, Who then can be saved? 27 But He said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God. 28 Then Peter said, See, we have 1

2 left all [b] and followed You. 29 So He said to them, Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or parents or brothers or wife or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, 30 who shall not receive many times more in this present time, and in the age to come eternal life. 2. Zacchaeus, a Story of Repentance? Luke 19: 1-10 (NKJV) Then Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. 2 Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. 3 And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way. 5 And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house. 6 So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully. 7 But when they saw it, they all complained, saying, He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner. 8 Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold. 9 And Jesus said to him, Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; 10 for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost. 3. Woman at Jesus feet, a Story of Repentance? Luke 7:36-50 (NKJV) Then one of the Pharisees asked Him to eat with him. And He went to the Pharisee s house, and sat down to eat. 37 And behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the Pharisee s house, brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil, 38 and stood at His feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil. 39 Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he spoke to himself, saying, This Man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner. 40 And Jesus answered and said to him, Simon, I have something to say to you. So he said, Teacher, say it. 41 There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more? 43 Simon answered and said, I suppose the one whom he forgave more. And He said to him, You have rightly judged. 44 Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. 45 You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. 46 You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil. 47 Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little. 48 Then He said to her, Your sins are forgiven. 49 And those who sat at the table with Him began to say to themselves, Who is this who even forgives sins? 50 Then He said to the woman, Your faith has saved you. Go in peace. The Rich Young Ruler was 18 away from heaven (distance between his heart and head). For Zaccheaus and the Woman, both had revelation that Jesus was the Christ, like Peter did. Only the Holy Spirit can give this revelation about Jesus and no one else. Without it, one may simply have academic knowledge only vs. a true heart change. We cannot even love Him without Him empowering us to love Him. It s all Him! We need to surrender our ability to love Him, and stop striving to love Him. Simon Peter answered and said, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17 Jesus answered and said to him, Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. Matthew 16:16-17 (NKJV) 2

3 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. Romans 10:9-10 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 The Kingdom of God cannot advance in you unless His government has been established in your heart first? In other words, is Jesus on the throne of your heart? For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Is. 9:6 (NKJV) Biblical Repentance establishes Jesus as Lord over your life because you are returning back to Him and His higher ways of living to the level of Holy Spirit revelation given to you. Receiving His suffering, death and blood over your sins establishes Him as Savior, recognizing that you need a Savior. Both are key to OPEN the narrow gate that leads to a spiritual life in the Kingdom of God (Matt. 7:13-14). He who covers his transgression will not prosper but whoever confesses and forsakes his sins will obtain mercy Proverbs 28:13 Repentance is not simply asking God to forgive you. Repentance is making an irrevocable decision to change from your sinful ways to those the Holy Spirit has revealed as acceptable to Him, to follow Him (change of mind, direction/will, coupled with godly sorrow/emotions). Simply asking God to forgive your sin without making any commitment or effort to change is not biblical repentance. Fortunately, God has made available to every born-again believer powerful provisions and promises that will empower us to overcome every temptation! Our human willpower was not designed to be used to conquer our unrighteous practices. Your human willpower was designed to direct your soul (mind, emotions, will) and flesh to appropriate the provisions made available to conquer the power of sin and your unrighteousness practices. Wedding Parable: Invitation went out, one guest was not wearing a wedding garment and was cast into outer darkness he never changed (Matthew 22:1-14). Jesus says for many are called but few are chosen. Mark 1:15 Jesus said The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel. Luke 13:3 Jesus told one group of followers unless you repent you will all likewise perish. Acts 3:19 Peter told the a crowd Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. NKJV Worldly Sorrow vs. Godly Sorrow? Example: Peter vs. Judas? No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NKJV) For even if I made you sorry with my letter, I do not regret it; though I did regret it. For I perceive that the same epistle made you sorry, though only for a while. 9 Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, 3

4 but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing. 10 For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. 2 Corinthians 7:7-10 (NKJV) Warning: Are you walking in a projected/perceived image before man or your actual image before God (James 1:22-24)? Most of us come before this mirror at church and act like Jesus but what about everyday life? Are we trying to win man s approval or God s approval? It is dangerous to worry about your image before man vs. God. If we choose to live according to our perceived image, we will forsake the image of Christ. Good news, when you walk in the fear of the Lord, the mirror is constantly before you. Testimony: George s Test at Work Class Discussion: What is Biblical Repentance? What are the steps to biblically repent? What is the difference between Godly Sorrow & Worldly Sorrow? Practice: Take 5 minutes to practice Biblical Repentance IV. Spiritual Readiness, Provision #3 Born Again Provisions and New Identity in Christ (deals with the power of sin) Acts 2:37-38 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said to them, Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Romans 6:1-14 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? 3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. 7 For he who has died has been freed from sin. 8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 9 knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. 10 For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. 11 Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. 13 And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. 14 For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace....we have access to this grace through faith by which we stand. Romans 5:2 (NKJV) Jesus leads the way: Matt. 3:16 When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. 4

5 A Biblical Picture of our Born Again experience, Water Baptism, Holy Spirit Baptism, Wilderness experience and Promiseland/Destiny as a Believer When we are born again, water baptized and filled with the Spirit, Satan and his demons lost their power to manipulate and control you, closing the gate in their face. They no longer have legal rights to you and legal authority to influence, control, attack or harass you. Their legal rights have been severed and terminated. Becoming a born again Christian makes available powerful provisions to overcome temptation and sin through faith in Jesus Christ. Faith is the pipeline for His grace/provisions to flow through (water tower story). Without faith, it is impossible to please God. (Heb. 11:6 NIV) But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord (James 1:6-7) 1 Cor. 10:13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. (NIV) Three powerful Kingdom truths must be understood and remembered at all times: Truth #1 Spiritual Crucifixion, Death, Burial and Resurrection (Romans 6) You are legally dead to sin and the law of sin and death (Romans 6:1-18) you are no longer a citizen in Satan s kingdom and/or subject to his laws (Romans 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death NKJV) The legal transfer of your citizenship from the Kingdom of Satan to the Kingdom of Jesus (Col. 1:13 (The Father) has delivered and drawn us to Himself out of the control and dominion of darkness and has transferred us into the Kingdom of the Son of His love. (AMP) Analogy: An illegal immigrant becoming a US citizen Making Jesus Lord and Master of your life now that your citizenship has transferred into the Kingdom of Jesus, Jesus must become Your Lord and Master. Learning how to make Jesus Lord on a practical basis is a process. Definition of Lordship: Lordship is simply defined as obeying the revealed will of Christ (Rhema) to you. Definition of Anarchist: Anarchist is defined as one who is lawless; one who flaunts or ignores all governments, both earthly and heavenly. An anarchist is one who is a law unto himself; who does what he wants, whenever and however he wants and refuses to be restricted or ruled in any way by anyone except himself. In a Christian s life, the Kingdom of Jesus is wherever Jesus rules and reigns without resistance. Our obedience is to the Lordship of Jesus, not to a set of laws or rules. The Lord Jesus expects us to obey only the directions (Rhema) He reveals to you through the Holy Spirit. 5

6 1 John 2:3-5 We know that we have come to know Him if we obey His commands. The man who says, I know Him, but does not do what He commands is a liar and the truth is not in him. Truth #2 Deliverance (Colossians 1:13) Your Initial Legal Deliverance from the Authority, Power and Control of Satan and Demons. a. You have been legally delivered from the control of Satan and demons b. Satan and demons have been disarmed and deprived of power to harm the spirituallyresurrected eternal you Satan cannot touch the Spirit of God/Holy Spirit within you and your eternal destiny in heaven unless you reject God. (God) disarmed the principalities and powers that were ranged against us and made a bold display and public example of them, in triumphing over them in Him and in it (the cross). Col 2:15 (AMP) 2. You have authority and power over Satan and demons (Luke 10:19 Behold! I have given you authority and power to trample upon serpents and scorpions over all the power that the enemy (possesses); and nothing shall in any way harm you. (AMP) *Testimony: Friend s daughter delivered from anxiety Provisions have been made available to stay delivered after being legally and completely delivered (staying delivered requires learning to hear and obey the Holy Spirit s voice, identifying and consistently appropriating the provisions made available through the seven provisions given to us) 2 Cor. 10:3-6 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing very thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, 6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled. Satan and demons can regain legal access to Christians through 5 areas: 1. Unrepented Sin 2. Lack of Knowledge of God s Word 3. Believing a Deception 4. Walking in Passivity 5. Spiritual Authority. James 4:7 Submit yourselves, then to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you How to recover deliverance to born again Christians who have intentionally or unintentionally lost it. 1. Some have knowingly made only a partial commitment to the Lordship of Jesus (Israel loved God and Baal He is a jealous God) 2. Have faulty biblical foundation (deception) 3. Fail to appropriate provisions 4. Practice sin 5. They are passive 6

7 6. They don t understand spiritual authority Warning on Presumptuous Sinning: Does our heart say, Oh, I am covered by His grace without the use of self-control or flat out rebelling? This is a very dangerous place to be. Grace does not say go ahead and sin.. I will cover you or does it say Don t do it, I have made available powerful provisions to overcome every sin! Galatians 5:19-21 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Hebrews 5:9 And, [His completed experience] making Him perfectly [equipped], He became the Author and Source of eternal salvation to all those who give heed and obey Him Hebrews 10:26-27 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. Hebrews 10:28-31 Anyone who has rejected Moses law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know Him who said, Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, [a] says the Lord. [b] And again, The LORD will judge His people. [c] 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Hebrews 6:4-6 For it is impossible [to restore and bring again to repentance] those who have been once for all enlightened, who have consciously tasted the heavenly gift and have become sharers of the Holy Spirit, and have felt how good the Word of God is and the mighty powers of the age and world to come, if they then deviate from the faith and turn away from their allegiance [it is impossible] to bring them back to repentance, for (because, while, as long as) they nail upon the cross the Son of God afresh [as far as they are concerned] and are holding [Him] up to contempt and shame and public disgrace. Truth #3 Spiritual Circumcision (Colossians 2:11-12) In Him also you were circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands, but in a [spiritual] circumcision [performed by] Christ by stripping off the body of the flesh (the whole corrupt, carnal nature with its passions and lusts). 12 [Thus you were circumcised when] you were buried with Him in [your] baptism, in which you were also raised with Him [to a new life] through [your] faith in the working of God [as displayed] when He raised Him up from the dead. Your sin-loving carnal nature is cut out and removed from your spirit: Your soul/flesh still need to be transformed. Your spirit has been perfected. You receive a good a clear conscience: You are legally free from guilt and condemnation of your past (1 Peter 3:21 - AMP) You make a binding legal covenant with God (why is this important?) 7

8 1. Covenant brings you into an intimate family relationship with the Creator of the Universe. 2. Covenant makes available every provision and resource necessary to fulfill your God-ordained destiny (5,000 promises of God) 3. Covenant grants you authority to use the name of Jesus (John 14:12-14) 4. Covenant brings great responsibility (Be fruitful, multiply, be a godly steward of everything He places in your hands, do what is biblically right, demonstrate sacrificial love, fulfill your part of covenant promises Holy Spirit reveals to you) How do you stay in Covenant with God? Listen to His voice, obey Him, and accept Jesus as Your Lord. You become a member of the Body of Christ - You have been adopted by God into His family. You are a son/daughter of God. You have a responsibility towards the body: to love unconditionally, serve, using spiritual gifts to edify the body, train and equip, to promote truth and unity within the body. Jesus said to His disciples A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another (Christian brothers/sisters); as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. John 13:33-35 Testimony: Daniel s prayer time Class Discussion: What are three powerful kingdom truths we must always remember? Name minimally two benefits from each truth? How does faith play a part in our walk with God? Name five areas Satan and his demons can regain legal access with a Christian? Practice: Take 10 minutes to practice praying boldly the benefits discussed above with a partner. EXAMPLE: Jesus demonstrates as a man filled with the Holy Spirit, walking in right relationship with God and in perfect faith...how to utilize the power/provisions given to Him to overcome Satan and his tricks: Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. 3 Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread. 4 But He answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. [a] 5 Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 and said to Him, If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: He shall give His angels charge over you, and in their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone. 7 Jesus said to him, It is written again, You shall not tempt the LORD your God. [c]8 Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to Him, All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me. 10 Then Jesus said to him, Away with you, [d] Satan! For it is written, You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve. 11 Then the devil left Him, Matthew 4:1-11 8