The last couple of days we have looked at being very afraid of God in a good way so that we will not be afraid of anything or anyone else. Jesus came that we would have life by conquering death. Death no longer has any sting. So as radical Christians we need to get out there and do something. We don’t want the angel to come and say, “Why are you standing here looking into the sky. (Acts 1)” We need to fulfil the great commission and go and make disciples. The Old Testament tells us how this is done. Deuteronomy 11:25 “No one will be able to stand against you. The Lord your God, as he promised you, will put the terror and fear of you on the whole land, wherever you go.” Joshua 1:5 “No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Moses told Israel God’s command and said, “when they were to take the land, the Lord will deliver them to you, and you must do to them all that I have commanded you. 6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” No this is not the crusades but yes we will take the land. Jesus has made it clear to us that the gates of Hades will not stand against us. (Matthew 16:18) Ephesians 6:11 “Put on the full armour of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” Matthew 28:18 “Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Jesus gave us authority just as Moses gave Joshua authority (Numbers 27:20) Matthew 10:1 “Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.” Luke 10 “I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.” So since we fear God we are fearless and we can go out in the name of the Lord and make disciples in strength and courage because we know the battle is the Lord’s and He goes before us to defeat our enemies. We need to stop standing on the sidelines looking into the sky and go out in strength and courage and be the powerful church we are called to be. We have everything we need to do this, but we must humble ourselves and obediently follow the word of God.
Rock Report by Pastor Paul
This is a blog that comes from my personal devotions each day. The Blog has replaced the Sermon section. There will also be the occassional food for thought.
