CRITICAL FOUNDATIONS FOR EXPERIENCING SUPERNATURAL OPEN DOORS

1. HEARING AND DISCERNING GOD’S VOICE AND INSTRUCTIONS:
Genesis 12:1; Isaiah 30:21; Psalm 32:8 KJV
That Abraham heard and discerned God’s voice in the multitude of the voices around him, made a difference in his story and destiny. While others were celebrating victories, God spoke to Moses… the land is still ahead of you cf Deut. 1:6ff. The same applied to Joshua in Jos. 13:1ff What voice are you hearing? Can you discerned God’s voice like Elijah at brook cherinth to go meet a widowed woman to feed her?
2. A CHANGE OF COUNTRY:
Gen 12:1: KJV
(a) Country bespeaks nativity, i.e. where you belong. For those who are not yet saved, you cannot experience God’s supernatural open doors without becoming a native of God’s own country through salvation. John 3:27 KJV, James 1:17
(b) Since every country also has a cultural system, those already in God’s kingdom need a change of ways of life, lifestyle and philosophies. i. Behavioural Culture: Rom 12:2, 1 Peter 2:11-12 KJV
ii. Giving Culture: Prov 11:24 KJV
Give your tithes, diverse offerings, sow seeds, give your first fruits, etc.
iii. Marriage Culture: let biblical principles govern your marriage… 1 Peter 3:1,7 KJV; Matt 18:19-20
iv. Worship Culture: Matt 6:24 Matt 6:33 KJV
Instead of pursing the blessings of God and the mundane things of life, rather pursue the God of the blessings.
v. Mention other culture and lifestyle that may hamper your supernatural open doors
3. A CHANGE OF COMPANY/COMPANION: Gen 12:1: KJV Whoever you walk with or walks with you influences and affects your life and destiny. As long as Lot remains with Abram, he was a problem to him.
a. Separate from Sinners and their ways of Life: Ps 1:1-3 KJV
b. Separate from fools: Prov 13:20 KJV
c. Separate from the Riotous: Prov 28:7 KJV
Remember Dathan, Korah, Abiram and their companies?
d. Separate from Gluttons: Prov 28:7 NKJV
Remember Achan and Gehazi?
e. Mention other companies and companions you need to separate from. Stop being emotional about relationships. Get spiritual.
4. A COMMITMENT TO A LIFE OF OBEDIENCE: Deut 28:1-2, Isa 1:19-20 KJV

THE PARADOX OF OUR SALVATION

TEXT: I Cor. 1:18-25
1. The power of God for salvation is packaged in what humanly appears foolish – visa
– The cross – a humiliating form of execution reserved for worst criminals among the Romans
– Among the Greeks, if Jesus were God he wouldn’t have subjected himself to be treated in such a way he was treated.
– Among the Jews: the cross was a shameful punishment and even a curse from God – Deut 21:23; Gal 3:13-14
2. Our salvation has a present and future aspect – being saved 1 Cor. 1:18b, Rom 13:11; Phil. 1:12, 1 Thess 5:8-9; 2 Tim. 1:9; 3:15; 4:18; 1 Pet. 1:5
3. The wisdom/ philosophy/ religion systems of this world amount to foolishness before God – vv19 – 20
4. Salvation is based on God’s terms not on human terms no matter how good – vv 21 & 22
5. Our salvation is based on Christ’s work on the cross – vv 23 & 24
6. God is merciful but no match for anybody in His plan – v 25

SOME WAYS THROUGH WHICH GOD SPEAKS TO US

1. THE BIBLE:

The Bible which is the inspired, inerrant and the infallible Word of God - Josh 1:8 (KJV), Deut 31:26 (KJV), Josh 23:6-8 (KJV), Isa 8:19-20 (KJV), Isa 8:19-22 (NLT)

The Word of God is the judge of all other means.

i. Psalm 119:105:- to explain situation from God’s perspective
Ps 119:105 Your words are a flashlight to light the path ahead of me and keep me from stumbling. TLB

ii. Psalm 119:130:- to open your eyes to see beyond your nose
Ps 119:130 - The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. KJV

2. THE INNER WITNESS

i.e. your regenerated spirit: The Holy Spirit communicates to man’s regenerated heart/spirit

i. The Holy Spirit through our regenerated spirit
Rom 8:16 - And the Spirit himself joins with our spirits to say we are God's children. NCV

ii. Our Hearts
Gal 4:6 - Since you are God's children, God sent the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, and the Spirit cries out, "Father." NCV

iii. A Spirit In Man
Job 32:8 - But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding. KJV

iv. The Spirit Which Is Of God

1 Cor 2:12 - Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. KJV

1 Cor 2:12 - And God has actually given us his Spirit (not the world's spirit) to tell us about the wonderful free gifts of grace and blessing that God has given us. TLB

3. DREAMS

This is a sequence of images that appear involuntarily to the mind of a sleeping person, sometimes with a mixture of real and imaginary characters, persons and events. Job 33:14-17(TLB), Gen 20:3 (KJV), Gen 37:5 (KJV), Matt 1:20 (KJV), Acts 2:17 (KJV)

Conclusion:
God's will is to speak directly to us not with an intermidiary. Therefore, let us create a conducive environment for Him to speak to us

FORCES AND FACTORS THAT WILL DETERMINE YOUR JOURNEY IN LIFE

INTRODUCTION

Life is a journey and every man on the earth today is on a journey. Israel as a nation took a journey between Egypt into Canaan which is the inheritance of God for them. So many things affected them on that journey. Only two of the original people that left Egypt for Canaan got there eventually. Others did not make it. As a born again Christian, you are also on a journey. One is a journey into the plan and purpose of God for you here on earth while the other is a journey to eternity. Where and how a man will end his journey however depends on certain forces and these are the things I intend to share with you today. If you get these things right it will guide you on your journey through life such that you will not only go through life journey well, you will also end it well.

1. THE GOD YOU KNOW

What you know in life greatly affect your journey in life. Look through the bible well, you will discover, that those who made it and did exploit in the purpose and plan of God were men who knew certain things. The One Person you must know in life if you don’t know any other person is God. In Daniel 11:32 the bible says that “those that do know their God shall be strong and make exploits.” This implies that those that do not know their God shall be weak and shall be exploited. You may not know man in life but if you know God in life, God will work things out for you.

PAUL SAYS IN

2 Tim 1:12 … for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. KJV

MOSES’ EXAMPLE:

Ex 15:2-3 2 The Lord is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt him. 3 The Lord is a man of war: the Lord is his name. KJV

DAVID’S EXAMPLE:

Ps 27:1-3 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? 2 When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. 3 Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident. KJV

2. THE PROPHECIES/ PROMISES BEFORE YOU … this is your compass, this generate vision and dream for you

EXAMPLE Of Josiah 1 Kings 13:1-2; 2 Kings 23:15-19
Example of Solomon: 1 Kings 1:28-31
Example of Timothy: 1 Tim 1:18
Example of Jesus Christ: Heb 10:5-7; Ps 139:16; Jer 1:4-5

3.THE TRUTH YOU KNOW

You will know the truth... this is your weapon along the journey. When Goliath confronted Israel in battle, he had held Israel hostage for 40 days until someone come who knew that Goliath was uncircumcised. He knew that anything that does not carry the mark of circumcision is already marked for failure. David confronted Goliath on that note and killed him. Mordecai told Haman that he was a Jew and so he can’t bow. Mordecai knew too well that you cannot defeat a Jew in life. Though Job went through crises but he knew and confessed some truth that helped him: Job 19:25-27

Example of Abraham

: Rom 4:19-21
Paul also confessed to knowing some truth: 2 Tim 1:12 12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. KJV

CONCLUSION

Beloved what you know will affect your behavior and reactions to situations and circumstances in life. You must know the God you serve, you must know the greatness of that God; know the covenant and promises of God. You must know – like David and Mordecai – that you are a covenant child of God, you carry the mark of circumcision of the blood of Jesus, whatever comes against you is marked for failure. Face life with that knowledge and attitude and you will see what your results will be from today.

HEARING GOD

Sunday School Hour

PRE-REQUISITES TO HEARING FROM GOD (PART 2).

Ministering: Rev’d. Olubunmi Obalade

Last week, we examined some pre-requisites to hearing from God. This include:
1 THE PERSON MUST BE BORN AGAIN
2. LIVING A RIGHTEOUS LIVE: HEB 12:14 (LB)
3. THERE MUST BE PATIENCE EXERCISED:
4. YIELDEDNESS UNTO GOD: this bespeaks giving up of oneself to God or Self surrender.

Today we will examine the concluding part on this topic;

5. QUIET DISPOSITION:

A quiet disposition connotes a life free from internal commotion, instability, disturbance or noise. This talks of a noiseless and stable mind. It is a heart free from rancour and bitterness. James 1:5-8 (KJV, MESSAGE)
Your heart must be quiet before God and willing to receive Isa 30:15 (KJV, NCV, NLT)

6. SINCERITY OF HEART:

This call for an honest disposition before God; a heart without hypocrisy, being original, being true to yourself. This people draw near to me to inquire…but their heart is… Isa 29:13 (KJV), Ezek 14:1-11 (KJV)

7. DEVOTION TO FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD

* Seek God in and through Prayers: Hab 2:1 ( KJV, Easy to Read Version), Ps 105:4 (KJV), Prov 28:5 (KJV)
* Devotion to God’s Word: – what you stuff yourself with is what you vomit: the word is the raw material for he/she to speak. Ps 1:1-3(KJV)
* Praises and thanksgiving as against murmuring and complaining – creating an atmosphere for God 2 Kings 3:11-18 (KJV)
* Self Denial: fasting – avoidance of indulgence - Dan 10:2-5 (KJV)

Conclusion:

The most important thing is to be calm before God; He is committed to leading us. God Bless You.