GOD IS EXTRAVAGANT
Pastor Terry Thompson
Jesus did not just come to redeem your life; He came to equip you to fulfill your God given mission.
In John 10:10 Jesus shares his two-part plan,
FIRST STAGE
He came so that you could have life.
SECOND STAGE
He came to activate you in a supernatural lifestyle, to be a sign and a wonder to the world.
John 10:10
“10. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I AM
COME THAT THEY MIGHT HAVE LIFE (VITALITY), AND THAT THEY MIGHT HAVE IT MORE ABUNDANTLY (EXTRAORDINARY).”
THE ESSENCE OF GOD’S POWER
Throughout the scriptures, one word keeps popping up which has a remarkable power behind it! That word is ‘HUMILITY’. Without this energy to yield to God, we cannot come into line with the purposes of God and exercise Kingdom power. The world tends to interpret humility as being weak and feeble, but the truth of the matter is it brings us into line with our Commander and Chief who connects us to His supernatural power.
John 14:12
“12. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.”
PRIDE v HUMILITY
Pride always looks at its own self achievements, closing its eyes to the greater. On the other hand, Godly humility opens its eyes to see the will of God and yields which ultimately leads to greater understanding.
James 4:10
(Strong’s Concordance)
“10. Humble yourselves (of one‘s soul bring down one‘s pride) in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift (to raise to the very summit of opulence and prosperity) you up.”
In the Old Testament, the word ‘humble’ is approached from a different angle which gives us a broader understanding of the word.
II Chronicles 7:14
(Strong’s Concordance).
“14. If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble (be brought into subjection) themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
GETTING IN LINE FOR THE POWER
Matthew 18:4
“4. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 23:12
“12. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.”
HUMILITY brings opulence. SUBJECTION or obedience brings promotion.
NICODEMUS
One-night Jesus talked to Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. Nicodemus had seen Jesus at work doing miracles among the people at Passover (John 2:23) and it caught his attention. Nicodemus announces, no man can do these miracles that thou doest except God be with him (John 3:2b).
Jesus entered into dialogue with him and told him, except a man be born again he cannot see (precise) the Kingdom (power) of God. (John 3:3). Now the natural cannot comprehend the spiritual! It takes a spiritual mindset to understand a spiritual action. Nicodemus could only respond according to his spiritual comprehension and that was zero. Nicodemus needed the Holy Ghost to guide him!
John 16:13
“13. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.”
QUESTION
Will you let God lift your expectations into a higher spirit realm?
Before Jesus gave the keys of the Kingdom to Peter, He raised the bar and asked him, who do you say that I am?” Peter received a living word that brought him into a new authority. But then in Matthew 16:22, Peter is rebuking Jesus and pride shows its face. We are most vulnerable after a great victory.
Matthew 16:22-26
“21. From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
- Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee,
Lord: this shall not be unto thee.
- But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.
- Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
- For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.”
I believe God is preparing His saints to move when He says move and stop when
He says stop. Paul said in Galatians 2:20
“20. I am crucified (to put one’s will second) with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live I the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”
PHILLIP
Phillip is a classic example of the crucified lifestyle, submitting himself under the will of the Father. He was sensitive to God’s instruction. Samaria was on fire with a powerful move of God because of Phillip’s sensitivity to God’s will. Yet just when things were doing so well the angel of the Lord instructed him to go to the Desert.
Acts 8:26
“26. And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.”
He had no details! Just step by step instruction. Then the Holy Ghost told him to go near and join thyself to this chariot. (v29)
After Phillip instructed the Ethiopian and baptized him the Spirit of the Lord took him about 32 miles to a place called Azotus (a stronghold). Yes God placed him in a stronghold.
CONCLUSION
We are in the last days. God is about to display His Kingdom power in an extravagant way. He is activating His harvesters with miracles, signs, and wonders. As they work alongside the heavenly hosts great victories will be gained. Their submission to the Lord will determine the depth of ministry they will minister in.
Love Y’all.
Keep under the spout where the glory runs out!!!