June 5, 2016 1 John 4:4 Surviving Change Shaka...also known as Shaka Zulu was one of the most influential monarchs of the Zulu Kingdom. He ruled the Zulu empire in Southern Africa in the early 1800's. He has been called by some a military genius, for his reforms and innovations, and condemned by others for the brutality of his reign. A Captain Fairwell had built a guarded closeness with this powerful Zulu warrior and spent much time in the monarchs presence. The Captain went to the British fortress in Cape Town to see if these two nations could live together in harmony merging custom and respect for their differences. On a return from Cape Town, Captain Fairwell came cautiously into Shaka's presence and awaited to be recognized. Shaka was familiar with the various inducements England had offered previously. After a long pause and without turning toward his guest, Shaka broke the silence. "Tell me, Zebana," his name for the Captain, "How do you catch a monkey?" Captain Fairwell responded, "A gourd is used that has a narrow neck. The top is cut off and something is put inside, a piece of fruit or some shiny trinket. He reaches in and grabs the bait. He then is trapped because he cannot withdraw his fist." Shaka continued, "Once the monkey realizes he is trapped, why does he not let go of the bait?" "Because his greed makes him blind," the Captain answered. "And what is he greedy for,"shaka asked? "I suppose for something he cannot have," was the answer. 1
After another long pause, "And what new bait have you Zebana, brought for this monkey I yearn for something shiny?" (Long Pause) So often dear friends the problem we have with change is because we want something that we cannot have WHAT WAS. Struggle as we might to hold onto it, it whatever it is will only destroy our joy, our will, our happiness, peace and contentment because we hold onto something that in reality only exists in our heads, not in reality. Beloved, We all seek to go to Heaven. We want to serve God and walk in His favor. The past is our gourd and it has a very narrow neck. Friends, I have become used to change, I have learned to embrace change but trust me I often wish for what was too. But I, a man who believes God s word and God s word says, No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back, is fit for service in the kingdom of God. (Luke 9:62) We need to let go of the shiny things inside and give our lives completely to Jesus, to yield to his Lordship. (Long Pause) Charlemagne (742-814) was the most infamous ruler of the Middle Ages and a key figure in European history. It is reported that after his death, Charlemagne was buried wrapped in royal robes and placed in a marble chair. On his lap was a Bible opened to Mark 8. His finger pointed to verse 36. (Slow) "For what will it profit a man, if he gains the whole world, yet loses his own soul?" Oh but how we struggle to keep the world we know while missing the path that God has destined for us in the future that we do not know. 2
Change is inevitable. Change is a Process... Change comes to all of us-whether we prepare for it or not. Our lives are in a constant state of transition. Life is always moving forward; nothing ever remains the same. To move forward, you have to leave the past behind. There is no standing still because time is moving forward. To a greater or lesser degree, we are continually being changed--whether suddenly or gradually--into the new, the different, the unexpected, or the untried. Everything in this world is liable to change and it is the law of life. If you don't change your life; your life will change you. The only constant in life is change. Health may give place to sickness, pleasure may give place to pain, plenty may give place to poverty, love may give place to enmity, honor may give place to disgrace, strength may give place to weakness, and life may give place to death. The process never ends until we die. We need to remember that Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift of God, that s why we call it the present. Matt. 6:34 says this: Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Jesus told us several times in this section of Scripture to take no thought about natural things; clothes, food, shelter, etc. Take no thought means to not be anxious, worried, or troubled. We are not to be worried, concerned, anxious, or troubled about tomorrow. After all, our Father knows what we need. Live today. Live in the now, in our thoughts, we are often somewhere else. Live in the present, by practicing God s presence every moment of everyday. Rejoice in the Lord. Psalmist says This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it. 3
We need to rejoice in the present. - Robert J. Hastings said It isn't the burdens of today that drive men mad. It is the regrets over yesterday and the fear of tomorrow... Regret and fear are twin thieves who rob us of today. And the choices we make are ultimately our own responsibility. Are you a Change Agent or a Victim of Change? The choice is yours? We must become the change we want to see in the world. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future. When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves. Harold Wilson said Change is inevitable. He who rejects change is the architect of decay. The only human institution which rejects progress is the cemetery. If you're in a bad situation, don't worry it'll change. If you're in a good situation, don't be over excited it'll change. If you don't like something, change it. If you're a believer, God has called you to be a change agent in the world, fulfilling His purposes wherever you go. Your story is so much more than your personal life; it s a vital part of the greater story of what God is doing in the world. Stepping into your role as God s representative within your sphere of influence will unleash God s power all around you, changing the world for the better. All information will cause you to change, either for the negative or the positive. It's up to the individual to accept or reject the information based on the source. In order for us to grow in maturity and in character, we must first gather new information to reach the level we have set for ourselves. We can't allow every piece of information to occupy our mind. Television, radio and what we gather from friends and social media can be a serious distraction. Like everything else, we have to learn how to filter this information that comes 4
into our minds. This is why Knowledge of God is the most powerful source which we can use to change the world. The best changes often start as single, simple thoughts of God. Jesus said Consider carefully what you hear," Once you submit yourself to the principles of the word of God, change will begin to affect your life. You will learn to accept the change that happens to you under the Biblical principle as being prosperous and productive. When change comes, we must realize that it doesn't come over night. Transformation comes through a period of time and there will be "setbacks". Be patient and allow it to run it's course. Nothing worth having comes easy, but the rewards are worth the effort. The greater the level of assignment God gives you, the more spiritual warfare will take place over you. When God calls you for a mission He will train you for it in a way that best prepares you to handle the mission s demand. Change and innovation are integral components of both biological and spiritual growth. The Scriptures focus more on process than on product, because all believers are in a process (whether we resist it or not) of becoming the people God meant us to be. Without change, growth is impossible. Abram learned the truth that it is impossible to stay where you are and go with God at the same time: The Lord had said to Abram, Leave your country, your people and our father s household and go to the land I will show you. Abram experienced immense change through his encounters with God. This is no mere shifting of external elements in his life, not simply an adjustment of activity or schedule. God asked for a complete overhaul of Abram s career, dreams, and destiny. God even changed his name from Abram to Abraham to signify the depth of this change. But there is 5
a huge gap between when the promise comes and when it is fulfilled. Change is part of God s plan for us, but it s hard. Change is tough enough when we re the only ones involved. But the role of a leader is to bring about change in others. Now that s really tough! When God calls a person, it requires trust and obedience to follow him. It is not simply a call to a new way of life; it is a call to a new kind of life. This level of uprooting and total change can generate great stress. It is threatening, scary and difficult. Change of this magnitude must be deeply rooted in a solid core of values. Whatever your age, no one is saved full grown. How do we grow from childhood to adolescence to maturity? You will not instantly be mature. Maturity is a lifelong process, As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby;. Feed daily on the Word of God. That s where our strength lies. Saturate your heart and life with the Word. Maturity is Christ-likeness., Till we all come unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. Jesus said "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:5) Jesus spoke of Himself as a Vine and we are His branches. He tells us that the branch is to abide in the vine, and then there will be growth, maturation, fruition. Jesus also shows us how to change and improve our selves to become what God wants. The only way to replace the error of the world s way of thinking is to replace it with God s truth, and the only infallible 6
source of God s truth is found in his revealed word, the Bible. There are no shortcuts. There is no magic formula for renewing our minds. We must fill our minds with God s word. Jesus prayed, Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth This is why Moses said to Joshua This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. (Joshua 1:8) 7