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Dr. Ronald Powell
Today's Message
Whose work is it?
* Now we ask: Is God at work in this place? In us? In me?
* Better still: Is the work God's or our own?
Our Proof Text:
Psalms 127:1-2 (AMP) 1 EXCEPT THE Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; except the Lord keeps the city, the watchman wakes but in vain. 2 It is vain for you to rise up early, to take rest late, to eat the bread of [anxious] toil-for He gives [blessings] to His beloved in sleep.
Then the LORD said to Moses, "See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts-to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of craftsmanship. Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, to help him. Also I have given skill to all the craftsmen to make everything I have commanded you" (Exod. 31:1-7)
In the previous text we see that the real work is done by God Himself.
Picture this:
John 15:4-8 (NLT) 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. 5 "Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. 6 Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. 7 But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! 8 When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.
Concerning the Work of men: Let's look at Hebrews Chapter 4
For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. -- Hebrews 4:10
Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. -- Hebrews 4:11
We are to labor to "enter into God's rest."
"Resting" in God is impossible for self reliant, proud people. If His yoke is easy and His burden is light, why are so many of us working so hard?
Why are we so burdened by duty, especially Christian duty? This burden can not be the fruit of the spirit.
Except ye become as a little child, you can not enter into God's kingdom. Children depend on their father.
Being in God's Kingdom is being in the spiritual realm where all outward measures are abandoned so we can "wait on the Lord."
If you are not "waiting on the Lord" and have not "entered into His rest", you are not bearing spiritual fruit, but are struggling in the FLESH. Why is this?
Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. -- John 12:24
Pride keeps us from giving up the FLESH.
- FLESH is any and all self-initiated work . The question is what is the SOURCE of what you do? The question is NOT what you do. Do your actions, thoughts, viewpoints come from self or from God? The answer to these questions tells us if we have entered into God's rest. The FLESH is not just "bad things"; the FLESH is all things initiated by self, even "good things."
Even Jesus told us to do nothing through natural means , the self.
Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself , but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. -- John 5:19
He said, "I can of mine own self do nothing." --John 5:30
Would the LORD not work with US in the SAME MANNER?
Verily, verily, I say unto you, except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. -- John 12:24
When wheat falls into the ground, the husk falls off in order to allow the seed to grow.
- How do we "enter into God's rest?"
- When it is done, how will we know?
To bear fruit a seed must be "buried."
Once you are "dead" and the FLESH is gone, the spirit of God can then be expressed in your "temple."
The very "life" of God Almighty (in you) can be imparted to others only after the husk has fallen to the ground.
Then, the "life" that all the believers need will emerge with no effort whatsoever.
To turn away from the FLESH to the spirit we must repent, that is, change our mind toward OUR VERY SELVES.
One thing - the way UP is found only by going DOWN. The FLESH rebels at this constantly.
This "one thing" is contrary to everything in our society and contrary to the very nature of man himself. The problem is that everyone wants to be "resurrected" but nobody wants to "die."
Even Jesus did not resurrect Himself. He "lay down" His life and the Father "raised Him." Are we any different? Lay down the self and the Almighty will raise you up.
Closing: One thing certain is that where work is, God is.
Romans 8:7-14 (NLT) 7 For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God's laws, and it never will. 8 That's why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God. 9 But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.) 10 And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God. 11 The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you. 12 Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. 13 For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.
Ephesians 1:18-23 (AMP) 18 By having the eyes of your heart flooded with light, so that you can know and understand the hope to which He has called you, and how rich is His glorious inheritance in the saints (His set-apart ones), 19 And [so that you can know and understand] what is the immeasurable and unlimited and surpassing greatness of His power in and for us who believe, as demonstrated in the working of His mighty strength, 20 Which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His [own] right hand in the heavenly [places], 21 Far above all rule and authority and power and dominion and every name that is named [above every title that can be conferred], not only in this age and in this world, but also in the age and the world which are to come. 22 And He has put all things under His feet and has appointed Him the universal and supreme Head of the church [a headship exercised throughout the church], 23 Which is His body, the fullness of Him Who fills all in all [for in that body lives the full measure of Him Who makes everything complete, and Who fills everything everywhere with Himself].
Pastors & Ministers everywhere...
Whose work is it? Who does the Work? (See John 14) |
