THE MIRACLE OF GOD S EXALTATION

Transcription

1 THE MIRACLE OF GOD S EXALTATION By Rick Sizemore

2 Learning to Live a Life of, Dependency and a Perspective of Relationship - Humble is from the Greek word Tapeinos, which means Laying low - Working Definition: is having the perspective of seeing oneself in proper relationship to God and others. is also to be totally dependent on God and relationships with others in order to be exalted into our place or destiny. - Example of : Philippians 2:3-8: Jesus and the Father: - Perspective of Relationship: v. 3,5,6: Jesus saw Himself in proper relationship to His Father. - Dependent: v. 8: Jesus was dependent on His Father to raise Him from the dead. \\ Acts 2:25-27; 31 Note: Being Humble and Being Proud are opposites: 1 Peter 5:5-6 - God exalts the humble and humbles the proud! Pride: Independent and a Perspective of Self-exaltation - Pride: Greek Huperphanos; which means Appearing over - Working Definition: To be self-dependent, not reliant on God or others, seeing oneself better than others. - Example of Pride: Luke 18: Perspective of self-exaltation: v. 9, 11: The man was seeing himself as better than others. - Independent: v. 9, 12: The man was depending on His works and resources to justified before God. Dealing Jesus 2

3 Importance concerning 1. must be established before honor & exaltation: Proverbs 15:33; 18:12; Matthew 23:12 - Why: Protection against pride/self dependency: Deuteronomy 8: /dependency is a key to fulfilling our destiny: Psalm 37:11 - The humble will obtain honor: Proverbs 29:23; v. 7,8 - Conversely; Pride goes before destruction/stumbling: Proverbs 16:18 - There is a proper time for the humble to be exalted: 1 Peter 5:6 Note: Exaltation will be examined in a later session. 2. releases the grace of God into our lives: James 4:6 Note: Believing/trust are acts of dependency - Conversely, God orders himself against the proud: 1 Peter 5:5 - The proud will be humbled: Matthew 23:12 3. /dependency releases justice and instruction: Psalm 25:8-9 - Humble or Pride, the Key to intimacy with God: Psalm 5:5; 138:6,7; Isaiah 66:2 - Moses: Numbers 12:3, We are commanded to humble ourselves, not to ask God to humble us: - Old Testament: 2 Chronicles 7:14; 12:6,12; 30:11; 32:26; 33:12; 19,23; 34:27;36:12 - New Testament: 1 Peter 5:6; Matthew 23:12; Luke 14:11; 18:14; James 4:10 Ways God helps us become humble/dependent: (Note: Since falling/destruction is the result of pride; God s heart is to save us before destruction could occur.) The wilderness is God s method for humbling Deuteronomy 8:1-3 The Lord humbles us by turning us over to our enemies 2 Chronicles 28:18,19; 33:11-13 The Lord humbles them with labor Psalm 107:12 Question: How do we humble ourselves?

4 Humbling Myself in relationship to God! Foundations of Humbling Ourselves - To whom do we humble ourselves? - toward others: 1 Peter 5:5; Philippians 2:3-7 - Humbling ourselves before and under God: 1 Peter 5:6; Micah 6:8 - Spheres of humbling ourselves before God: - Under God s mighty hand: 1 Peter 5:6 - Provision (Deuteronomy 8:17); Protection & Placement (Luke 14:7-11) - In His Presence: James 4:10; Relationship (Exodus 33:11) - Key to Humbling ourselves is love: 1 Corinthians 13:4-5 Note: These statements regarding humility are simply test that can give me revelation whether I am walking in the love of God or not. If I am walking in the pure love of God, I am walking in humility. Humbling Ourselves Under the Mighty Hand of God! Application: Am I depending and seeing myself under God s hand for provision, protection and placement. 1. A Heart that is confident/righteous in God alone, not ourselves or any personal resource: Luke 18:9-14 Test: Do I consider what I have done or what Christ Jesus has done? Response: My confidence/boasting is in Jesus for Living: 2 Corinthians 3:4-6 Dealing Jesus 4

5 A heart of dependency, becoming child-like in our attitude: Matthew 18:1-4 Test: Do I have an attitude of the heart that is dependent on God? Response: an attitude of dependency on God: Psalm 73:28 Note: A child (paidion; a small dependent child) cf: Matthew 2:11 A heart of prayer and fasting: Psalm 35:13, Isaiah 58:5; Daniel 10:12; Ezekiel 8:21 Test: Am I worrying more about problems, than talking to God about the problems? Response: Intentional times of prayer/fasting to get God s perspective. Note: Prayer is an act of dependency and perspective. Seeing God as the source and depending on him to bring the desired end. A heart of obedience to God, no matter what the cost: Philippians 2:8 cf. 1 Peter 2:21-24 Test: Am I willing to obey or am I wanting do my own thing? Response: An attitude of obedience to God, not focusing on the cost. Humbling Ourselves in the Presence of the Lord! 1. A heart ready to repent and confess our sin: 1 Kings 21:20-29; 2 Chronicles 7:14 Test: Am I ready and willing to deal with my sin, not matter? Response: Keeping short accounts with God and others. Acts 24:16 Dealing Jesus 5

6 2. 3. A heart of unhindered praise and worship: 2 Samuel 6:12-23; 1 Chronicles 15:27 Test: Am I concerned about others perceptions while praising God? Response: Release and expose my heart in expressive praise and worship to God, not considering it s appearance to others. A heart declaring the nature & character of God: 2 Chronicles 12:5-7 Test: Is the awesomeness, majesty and holiness of God in my heart? Response: Continually focusing on the character and nature of God Psalm 73:28; Psalm 63:2,3. Note: Purpose of Sabbath, humility: Leviticus 16:31; 23:32 cf: Hebrews 4:2-11 Dealing Jesus 6

7 Humbling Myself in Relationship to Others! Review:, Perspective and Dependency of Relationship is having the perspective of seeing oneself in proper relationship to God and others. is also to be totally dependent on God and relationships with others in order to be exalted into our place or destiny - What does humility and pride have to do with exaltation? - does not seek exaltation, but allows God/others to exalt: Matthew 23:12; Luke 14:11; 18:14; James 4:10; 1 Peter 5:6 - Pride seeks and thinks about exalting oneself, but is humbled. - Satan: Isaiah 14:13; Ezekiel 28:17 - Us: Matthew 23:12; Luke 14:11 - is of the Heart and will manifest in physical actions and physical actions can plant humility: Psalm 15:2, Philippians 2:3; 1 Peter 5:5 - Remember: These statements regarding humility are simply a test that can give me revelation whether I am walking in the love of God or not. If I am walking in the pure love of God, I am walking in humility. Humbling Myself, In My Perspective of Others 1. A heart that sees others as more important than self: Philippians 2:3 Test: Do I have thoughts of myself being exalted among or over others? Dealing Jesus 7

8 A heart that looks out for the interest of others, over myself: Philippians 2:4 Test: Do I have thoughts of using others to fulfill my interest? A heart that does not seek equality with peers: Philippians 2:6 Test: Do I seek equality of roles and/or recognition with peers? A heart that looks to serve others: Philippians 2:7 Test: Do I use my gifts to exalt myself, or to serve others and see them fulfilled: 1 Peter 4:10 A heart that looks to make right sinful actions: Proverbs 6:2-5 Test: Is it easy for me to admit it when I am wrong? Is it easy to go to others and make a wrong, right? Humbling Myself, Submitting, Depending on Authority 1. A heart that is submissive to and dependent on authority: 1 Peter 5:5-6; Ephesians 5:21 Test: Do I have trouble submitting to and depending authorities, especially when the authority is doing something I do not like? Dealing Jesus 8

9 Humbling Myself, In My Placements and Perspectives 1. A heart that does not seek positions or places of honor: Luke 14:7-11 Test: Am I seeking to exalt/establish myself, or am I entertaining thoughts of wanting a position? 2. A heart that does not to seek the thoughts, opinions or recognition of people: Matthew 23:5,7,11;12 Test: Am I seeking the recognition and honor from others? 3. A heart that does not allow thoughts/words of comparison to others: Luke 18:11 Test: Do I have thoughts or speak words that compare myself to others?, A Place of Dependency and Honor - We need each other s help in order to be fulfilled: 1 Corinthians 12: Having a perspective of Honor toward each other: 1 Corinthians 12:22-25 Dealing Jesus 9

10 Exaltation, The Result of Exaltation Defined Exalted: Heb: rum, nasa; Grk, hypsoo To lift up, raise up, to be seen The Promise of Exaltation - God is exalted: Job 36:26 - God exalts and it is enduring: James 4:10; 1 Peter 5:6 cf. Romans 11:29 - Man s exaltation will fade away: Isaiah 24:4; Job 24:24 - He has given promises for exaltation: Matthew 23:12; Luke 18:14; James 4:10 - The Heart of the Father to exalt His Children: - God the Father to Jesus: Matthew 3:17; 17:5 - Exaltation is an expression of grace: 1 Peter 5:5,6 - The promise has a condition of humility: 1 Peter 5:5 - If I exalt myself, I will be humbled: Matthew 23:12; Luke 14:11; 18:14 - If I do not humble myself, no exaltation from God Dealing Jesus 10

11 What Happens when we are exalted by God? God will empower us to enter our promised land/destiny: Psalm 37:34 God will put us into leadership: 1 Kings 14:7; 16:2 God causes us to be respected by others: Joshua 3:7;4:14; 2 Chronicles 32:23 God will allow us to be exalted to places/ positions/honor: Luke 14:11 We can be justified before God: Luke 18:11-14 God will allow us to come into a time of blessing: 1 Chronicles 25:5 Traps That Can Occur In Regards To Exaltation 1. Delay of Exaltation: - Temptation to take exaltation into our hands: 1 Samuel 13: Obstacles to Exaltation: - Temptation to be discouraged and fearful: Number 13:33-ff 3. Prematurely Exalted: - Temptation to miss God s best:1 Samuel 8:4-6: Saul, not David - Time, Procedure for every Event: Ecclesiastes 8:4,5 - Cannot handle temptations of success: 1 Timothy 3:6 Dealing Jesus 11

12 4. Exaltation by men and not God: - Door for pride to enter, therefore destruction: 2 Chronicles 32: Exaltation of men has a cost or a barb: Luke 4: Self-exaltation: - Leads to destruction and disappointment: 1 Kings 1:5 Dealing Jesus 12

13 Exaltation, The Result of The Time of Exaltation - There is a season (chronos) and time (kairos) to Exaltation: 1 Peter 5:5,6 - Times (kairos) and a time of exaltation: Numbers 27:18,22; Joshua 4:14 - God gives times of exaltation in levels: Exodus 23:29,30 - Times can serve as road markers of exaltation: Acts 7:20 - Season (chronos) of Exaltation: - Moses/Israel: Acts 7:17; Joshua: Numbers 27:18,22; Joshua 3:7; 4:14 - Season is for preparation & resources for success: Acts 7: Need for faith increases, the seen disappears: Acts 7:18,19 - Sometimes it is in the season, that a destiny is placed in ours Heart: Acts 7:23,25 - A wilderness is usually a part of the season of exaltation: Luke 4:1 The Wilderness of Exaltation, it comes to give us... - An opportunity to develop character: Deuteronomy 8:2 - Obedience in the face of opposition: Numbers 13:33-14:9 cf. Hebrews 5 - Mentality of a warrior (Spirit & faith): Joshua 5:4,6 Judges 3:1,2 - No childish/slave/handout mentality: Exodus 16:3; Numbers 11:5 - An opportunity to become fulfilled in God: Deuteronomy 8:3 - Hunger/Thirst reveal dependency of heart: Exodus 16:3; 17:3,7 - Faith Factor; Known/seen of the world versus unknown/unseen of God: Verse 3 - Contentment, no matter what the circumstances: Philippians 4:11 cf. 2 Corinthians 12:10 Dealing Jesus 13

14 - A preparation for success: Deuteronomy 8:16,17 - Not easily seduced by personal pride: Deuteronomy 8:16,17 Out the wilderness of humility comes exaltation - Joseph in the wilderness of prison: Psalm 105: David in the wilderness of opposition: 1 Samuel 22:1-2 - Jesus in the wilderness with the devil: Matthew 4:1-ff - Peter in the wilderness of mistakes: Luke 22:31,32 Dealing Jesus 14

15 Humbling Myself Under God is having the perspective of seeing oneself in proper relationship to God and others. is also to be totally dependent on God and relationships with others in order to be exalted into our place or destiny. Pride is to be self-dependent not reliant on God or others, seeing oneself better than others. Humbling Ourselves Under the Mighty Hand of God! 1. Do I have a heart that is confident in God alone, not myself? Have I allowed pride in this area to enter my heart? 2. Do I have a heart that is child-like, totally dependent? 3. Have I recently humbled myself by entering into prayer and fasting? 4. Do I have a heart that is obedient to God, no matter what the cost? Dealing Jesus 15

16 Humbling Ourselves in the Presence of the Lord! 1. Have I been ready to repent and confess my sins to my brother/sisters? 2. Do I have a heart of unhindered praise and worship of God? 3. Have I been declaring the nature & character of God circumstances? Dealing Jesus 16

17 Humbling Myself in Relationship is having the perspective of seeing oneself in proper relationship to God and others. is also to be totally dependent on God and relationships with others in order to be exalted into our place or destiny. Pride is to be self-dependent not reliant on God or others, seeing oneself better than others. Humbling Myself, In My Perspective of Others 1. Have I been seeing others as more important than self? Philippians 2:3 2. Have I been looking out for the interest of others, over myself: Philippians 2:4 3. Have I been seeking equality with my peers? Philippians 2:6 4. Have I been seeking to serve others? Philippians 2:7 Dealing Jesus 17

18 5. Have I sought to make right any sinful actions that I have done? Proverbs 6:2-5 Humbling Myself, Submitting, Depending on Authority 1. Do I have a heart that is submissive to and dependent on authority? Humbling Myself, In My Placements and Perspectives alongside Others 1. Have I sought positions or places of honor? Luke 14: Have I sought the thoughts, opinions or recognition of people? Matthew 23:5,7,11;12 3. Have I allowed thoughts/words of comparison to others? Luke 18:11, A Place of Dependency and Honor 1. We need each other s help in order to be fulfilled: 1 Corinthians 12:14-22 Dealing Jesus 18

19 2. Having a perspective of Honor toward each other: 1 Corinthians 12:22-25 Dealing Jesus 19