Sermon on 15 Oct 2023 by Pastor Justin
Introduction
How do we live out God’s call? We do so not just by wanting it but by facing it. We are all called and God anoints us, just as how He anointed Jesus, with the Holy Spirit.
how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him. - Acts 10:38
Message
God calls us to live a ‘zoe’ life.
The word ‘zoe’ means godly life. It means a life of blessing, of wholeness, of abundance. This is the normal Christian life. The kingdom of God is about righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Rom 14:17). John 1:4 says that in Him was life. John 10:10 tells us the devil comes only to kill, steal and destroy. The devil wants to pull us away from God. So we need to be vigilant.
God calls us to keep our step with Christ and our eyes on the heart of God and seek His power.
Spiritual warfare is real. The devil wants to pull you away from God. Do what is pleasing to God. Seek His power and strength. Always remember ‘in the beginning’ (Gen 1:1). Put God at the beginning, put Him first, before everything.
So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. - 2 Corinthians 5:9
Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. - 1 Chronicles 16:11
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. - Matthew 6:33
We can achieve victorious living not by our strength but in our submission to the Holy Spirit.
Understand the battleground you are in
In 1 Samuel 17, David the shepherd boy took up the challenge against the giant Philistine Goliath. Standing at nearly 3m tall, with full armor, Goliath symbolises the problems that we face. But David killed Goliath with just one stone and a sling. Victory comes through understanding the true battle (1 Samuel 17:45).
Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. - 1 Samuel 17:45
David was discerning to the true nature of the battle. He understood that the fight was not against people or circumstances. Don’t look at Goliath. Don’t fight the people or the circumstances (John 8:44, 1 Peter 5:8); the fight is not with flesh and blood. Spiritual warfare is about the spirit. Look to God instead. See your circumstances through the lens of faith and trust in God’s power to bring victory (1 Samuel 17:46).
This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. - 1 Samuel 17:46
Understand our identity in Christ (1 John 5:4, 4:4). Understand the power of prayer and intercession (2 Corinthians 10:4).
Understand God’s desire for us in battle God wants our faith, our willing hearts, our obedience.
A man after My own heart, who will do all My will. - Acts 13:22
Understand that the battle belongs to the Lord
Then all this assembly shall know that the Lord does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s, and He will give you into our hands.” - 1 Samuel 17:47
Living out God’s call every day is about having faith in God’s ability to deliver us from the enemy (Exodus 14:14; Psalm 91:11).
Understand that we are not called to rely on our own strength or abilities. The Lord will deliver. Depend on the Lord, through prayer. Understand that the battle belongs to the Lord through praise and worship (2 Chronicles 20:20-22). When you are in pain, in suffering, pray and sing His praises.
Closing
May the fresh fire of the Holy Spirit be with you as you live out God’s call every day.
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