New Wine for New Wineskins January 2009


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Let the Weak Speak

Part 5 – Esau – Messing with the Blessing (2)


Remember – the power of God that Jesus was anointed with is no longer limited to one individual person or restricted to one geographical location!

Isaiah 8: 18

18 Here am I and the children whom the LORD has given me!
We are for signs and wonders in Israel
From the LORD of hosts,
Who dwells in Mount Zion.

Let’s read our foundation scripture for this series – Let The Weak Speak!

Joel 3: 9 – 10

9 Proclaim this among the nations:
“Prepare for war!
Wake up the mighty men,
Let all the men of war draw near,
Let them come up.
10 Beat your plowshares into swords
And your pruning hooks into spears;
Let the weak say, ‘I am strong.’”

It is time to win the war of words and to crush our defeated enemy under our feet by standing on and proclaiming the word of God!

IT IS TIME TO LET THE WEAK SPEAK!  IT IS TIME FOR THE WEAK TO SAY, “I AM STRONG!”

God’s heart is always to bless us!  Jesus came so that we could have and enjoy life in all of it’s fullness!

Before anything else we need God’s blessing first in our lives.  We have to become totally dependent upon his blessing and his strength.  It is time to seek the kingdom of God and his righteousness first so that all the other things that we need are added to us in abundance and so that we can fill up and overflow and become the blessing we are designed and destined to be.  It is time to be a sign and a wonder and the most exciting thing that is going on!

IT’S TIME TO LET THE WEAK SPEAK!  LET THE WEAK SAY, “I AM STRONG!”

Hebrews 10: 12 – 39

12 But this man (Jesus), after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; 13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. 14 For by one offering he has perfected for ever them that are sanctified. 15 Whereof the Holy Spirit also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, 16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; 17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. 18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. 19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 By a new and living way, which he has consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 21 And having an high priest over the house of God; 22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil con-
science, and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

IT’S TIME TO LET THE WEAK SPEAK!  LET THE WEAK SAY, “I AM STRONG!”

24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as all of you see the day approaching. 26 For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sins, 27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. 28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: 29 Of how much greater punishment, suppose all of you, shall he be thought worthy, who has trodden under foot the Son of God, and has counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and has done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
30 For we know him that has said, Vengeance belongs unto me, I will recompense, says the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. 32 But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after all of you were illuminated, all of you endured a great fight of afflictions; 33 Partly, whilst all of you were made a gazing-stock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst all of you became companions of them that were so used. 34 For all of you had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that all of you have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. 35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which has great recompense of reward. 36 For all of you have need of patience, that, after all of you have done the will of God, all of you might receive the promise. 37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. 38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. 39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

Every time we count our birthright and the blessing as secondary to the demands of our flesh we insult the Spirit of grace and put distance between ourselves and our brethren – we damage the unity of the Spirit and the power of the blessing!  That price is always too high!

Ephesians 4: 27

26 Be angry and do not sin: do not let the sun go down on your wrath,  27 nor give place (an opportunity) to the devil.
 
I have often heard it taught that nobody can take our place but this is not scripturally accurate.  The solemn lesson to be learned from Esau’s life is that we must keep our place or be replaced!

Have you been messing with the blessing?

Proverbs 4: 23

23 Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.

IT IS TIME TO LET THE WEAK SPEAK!  LET THE WEAK SAY, “I AM STRONG!”

As we go on and look at those in the Hebrews 11 “Hall of Faith” who overcame their weakness by faith we will see that they all – just like us – had to overcome the works of the flesh by choosing to take God at his word and accessing his grace – his supernatural strength that is always more than sufficient for our weakness!

If you are wondering if you have been messing with the blessing let’s take a quick run through the works of the flesh and test ourselves.

2 Corinthians 13: 4 – 5

4 For though He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him by the power of God toward you.
5 Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified.

Galatians 5: 19

19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are…

ADULTERYvoluntary sexual intercourse between a married person and a partner other than their lawful spouse.

U.S. statistics show that born-again Christians divorce at the same rate as non-believers, but for different reasons.  The number one reason cited by non-believers is incompatibility, whereas the number one reason given by Christians is adultery.  Remember – Jesus raised the standard and said that looking at someone with lust was committing adultery in our hearts!

Have I been messing with the blessing?  LET THE WEAK SAY, “I AM STRONG!”

FORNICATIONconsensual sexual intercourse between two persons not married to each other

Statistics show that nearly half of all teenagers have had sex before their 18th birthday.  Far from it being the romantic high they expected, many reported experiencing something much more disturbing.  The incidence of STD’s among teenagers has sky-rocketed – in the ten years from 1991 to 2001 the number of teens contracting an STD in the UK doubled from 669, 291 to 1, 332, 910.  The most prevalent STD is chlamydia, followed by gonorrhea.  Over 100, 000 women a year in the US alone become infertile through developing PID (a complication of both chlamydia and gonorrhea which is a serious infection of the reproductive organs).  Untreated gonorrhea infections can spread into the blood stream and infect the joints, heart valves, or the brain.

Have I been messing with the blessing?  LET THE WEAK SAY, “I AM STRONG!”

1 in 5 babies in the UK are aborted – that is 600 babies a day, whereas only 300 babies a year are placed for adoption.  Many discover that dealing with the aftermath of abortion is not the easy option that they were promised and long to turn back the clock but it is not possible!

Have I been messing with the blessing?  LET THE WEAK SAY, “I AM STRONG!”

The Greek word translated fornication here is porneia from which we get the English word pornography.  Quote – “Pornography in many forms is invading people’s homes and is available 24 hours a day.  In a short period of time, the Internet has become the most exploited instrument of perversion known to man”.  There are well over 4 million pornographic websites – that’s 12 per cent of all websites in the world, totaling 372 million pornographic pages.  Pornographic search engine requests total 68 million per day.  Pornography is physically more addictive than cocaine.  Sex addiction is increasing rapidly among non-Christians and Christians alike.  Just because it’s legal doesn’t mean it’s moral!

Have I been messing with the blessing?   LET THE WEAK SAY, “I AM STRONG!”

UNCLEANNESSimpurity; state of being morally defiled

This can begin as a sin of the thought life.  We are exhorted in Philippians 4: 8  to think on whatever is pure.  Our thoughts will become our words (dirty talk, improper suggestions, etc); our words will become our actions; our actions will become our habits; our habits will become our character; and our character will determine our destiny!

Have I been messing with the blessing?  LET THE WEAK SAY, “I AM STRONG!”

LEWDNESSpreoccupation with sex and sexual desire; trait of behaving in an obscene manner

It is interesting to note that the first four works of the flesh are sex-related.  Sex is one of the most powerful drives in our lives.  Sex is a gift of God and was designed only to be enjoyed within the context of marriage.  Sex outside of marriage is always destructive.  That which began in uncleanness progresses to lewdness.  Much of modern so-called comedy and a large percentage of what is produced by the entertainment industry is a manifestation of this spirit.  Every media seems to be providing titillating fuel for our sex drive!  Even advertising feeds on this preoccupation with sex – using it to sell every kind of product.  It is hard to satisfy insatiable flesh!

Have I been messing with the blessing?  LET THE WEAK SAY, “I AM STRONG!”

IDOLATRY blind or excessive devotion to something

An idol is something / anything that gets in the way of your wholehearted worship of God!  Many people are obsessed with sport or some other form of entertainment that takes over and controls much of their lives.  A lot of this can be associated with mammon as much of the sport and entertainment industries are controlled by mammon – and you can’t serve God and mammon!

Have I been messing with the blessing?  LET THE WEAK SAY, “I AM STRONG!”


SORCERY / WITCHCRAFT
use of supernatural power over others through the assistance of spirits; astrology, spiritualism, clairvoyance, etc.

Anything that the devil offers as a shortcut or supposed supernatural assistance will end in death and destruction.  When we seek to control someone else’s life or impose our will upon them we are  engaging in witchcraft tactics and opening ourselves up to demonic infiltration.

The Greek word here is pharmakeia from which we get pharmacy, and so the use of any mind-altering drugs could also be categorised as a work of the flesh.                           

Have I been messing with the blessing?  LET THE WEAK SAY, “I AM STRONG!”

HATRED intense animosity or hostility

Jesus said that if we hate someone it is the seed of murder in our hearts.  Hatred usually grows in the fertile ground of offence – leading to bitterness and resentment and then to hatred and murder.

Have I been messing with the blessing?  LET THE WEAK SAY, “I AM STRONG!”


CONTENTIONS
the acts or instances of striving in controversy or debate

Deliberately stirring up controversy and debate for the purpose of creating contention is a work of the flesh and can lead to all kinds of strife and division.

Have I been messing with the blessing?  LET THE WEAK SAY, “I AM STRONG!”

JEALOUSIESfear or wariness of being supplanted; apprehension of losing affection or position; resentment or bitterness in rivalry; having to do with or arising from feelings of envy, apprehension or bitterness

Enough said!  Unfortunately, the church is full of this kind of stuff!

Have I been messing with the blessing?  LET THE WEAK SAY, “I AM STRONG!”

OUTBURSTS OF WRATH forceful, often vindictive anger

Anger is on the increase.  Nearly nine in ten UK drivers say that they have been road rage victims at least once, a survey of drivers has found.  While 20% said they had experienced road rage more than 10 times, more than 70% admitting committing the offence themselves.  Anger management classes are now on offer to help connect people with the primary emotion such as fear, frustration, anxiety, sorrow, or feeling diminished, that inevitably precedes the experience of anger.  The primary emotion is itself believed to be the result of an unmet need.

Have I been messing with the blessing?  LET THE WEAK SAY, “I AM STRONG!”

SELFISH AMBITIONSan eager or strong desire to achieve something, such as fame or power

Ambition is of the soul, vision is of the spirit.  Where God gives vision He also makes provision because he is ‘pro’ – for – the vision.  Ambition will often require ducking and diving to bring it to pass.

Have I been messing with the blessing?  LET THE WEAK SAY, “I AM STRONG!”

DISSENSIONSdifferences of opinion; disagreements

If we go with the flesh and live out of our souls we will have as many opinions as there are people and disagreement will be the norm.  But if we individually submit to God and allow him to give us his opinion then we will have agreement and a demonstration of his power and glory!

Have I been messing with the blessing?  LET THE WEAK SAY, “I AM STRONG!”

HERESIESany opinions or doctrines at variance with the fundamental or orthodox

Are we diligent in testing the spirits and in testing prophecy and teaching by taking it back to the clear revelation of Scripture or do we just accept everything we hear and see as coming from God?

Have I been messing with the blessing?  LET THE WEAK SAY, “I AM STRONG!”

ENVYa feeling of discontent and resentment aroused by and in conjunction with a desire for the possessions or qualities of another

Are our hands clean and our hearts pure in this area?

Have I been messing with the blessing?  LET THE WEAK SAY, “I AM STRONG!”

MURDERSthe unlawful killing of one human by another, especially with premeditated malice

Many who never take a physical life let the bitterness and resentment in their hearts loose through their tongues and engage in character assassination!

Have I been messing with the blessing?  LET THE WEAK SAY, “I AM STRONG!”

DRUNKENNESSa temporary state resulting from excessive consumption of alcohol; intoxication

The Greek word used here would be better translated intoxication.  This  throws up the question of how much is too much?  Many countries now operate a zero-tolerance policy in relation to drinking and driving, acknowledging that intoxication begins with the first drink!   We are not here to legislate, but if you feel the effects of the drink you had last night in the morning then you have probably been intoxicated (poisoned).

Have I been messing with the blessing?  LET THE WEAK SAY, “I AM STRONG!”

REVELRIESboisterous, unrestrained merrymaking

Usually associated with drunkenness!  The effects of alcohol progress (or regress) from euphoria (BAC – Body Alcohol Count = 0.03 to 0.12%) through excitement, confusion, stupour, coma, and eventually death (with a BAC = more than 0.50%).

Have I been messing with the blessing?  LET THE WEAK SAY, “I AM STRONG!”

AND THE LIKE – the list goes on and on – because flesh is insatiable!

Galatians 5: 21

…of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Thank the LORD that there is a God ‘BUT’ next!

Galatians 5: 22 – 26

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

The fruit of the Spirit – the fruit of the BLESSING!  You can never produce fruit unless a seed first of all goes into the ground and dies!  Those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

John 12: 24

24 Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much fruit.  

We can be blessed but if we never become a blessing we have missed the point!  The blessing can only be spread as we are willing to die to selfish ambition and the desire to build our own little empire and stay focussed on the game plan which is to reach the whole world with the good news of Jesus Christ!

John 12: 25

25 He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

The days of the church being added to in dribs and drabs are no longer sufficient!  Individuals are added to the church when they are born again but as the number of people being added to the church begins to grow exponentially we move to a new dimension.   Jesus said it was better for him to go because as long as it was just him, the number of his disciples was being added to, but when the Holy Spirit came it was time for explosive multiplication!

John 12: 26

26 If anyone serves me, let him follow me; and where I AM, there my servant will be also.  If anyone serves me, him my Father will honour.

We need to be where Jesus is and involved in what he is doing in our generation.  We don’t want to be like Esau who yielded to his weakness – who despised his birthright and played fast and loose with the blessing, and who messed with the blessing!  We want to acknowledge our weakness and our complete dependence on the blessing that will enable us to overcome our weakness and empower us to fulfil our purpose and destiny as world changers – turning the world the right way up!

Ephesians 5: 18

18…be continually being filled with the Spirit

IT IS TIME TO LET THE WEAK SPEAK!  LET THE WEAK SAY, “I AM STRONG!”

As we turn our weakness over to the LORD – as we go into the ground and die – we are raised up with Jesus to live our lives for his glory and in his strength!  Let’s never despise our birthright or count the blessing as something to be traded for an opportunity to indulge our flesh!  The weakness of our flesh is no longer excusable because God’s supernatural strength has been made available to all of his children!

IT IS TIME TO STOP MESSING WITH THE BLESSING!

IT IS TIME TO LET THE WEAK SPEAK!  LET THE WEAK SAY, “I AM STRONG!”

 

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