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I sense the Lord saying these words… “I am calling my people to a higher place, to walk in higher heights than you have walked before, to do things that you have never done before. Things that are going to require boldness. Things that are going to require the strength of the Lord.
You have sung about the joy of the Lord being your strength. You have said that ‘there is none like you’, you have declared those words to me says the Lord. And I am calling you to that today. That if you believe that, that if you say ‘there is none like you’, then draw from me says the Lord your God. Let my strength infuse you. Let my strength strengthen you to do the works that I am calling you, to that higher place that I have called you to walk in.
A higher plane, says the Lord. You shall mount up with wings as eagles as you wait upon me. You shall walk in the heights that I have called you to. But it is going to require faith, it is going to require trust. It is going to require you walking with me on a daily basis, you listening to the word of the Lord so that you can take the steps that I have ordered for you, says the Lord. This is the place that I am calling you to. Walk there in it.”
I sense the Lord saying this as well…“As this is the beginning of a new year, let it be the beginning of a new day for you. Let it be the beginning of a new day for this church. Let it be the beginning, says the Lord, of you walking in those places that I have called you to. Look at it as a fresh start, says the Lord. Don’t look at the past. Don’t look at the circumstances saying, ‘well, we can’t, because of whatever.’ Look at it as a new time a new experience for new opportunities, says the Lord. And walk there in it.”
Places • Higher place, higher heights • Both spiritual and physical • Walking with the Lord • Listening to the word of the Lord and walking in the steps ordered of the Lord • Developing the spiritual organs by which we can know God (A.W. Towzer) • God doesn’t have favorites, he has intimates (Dr. Howard Morgan) • Strength of the Lord
I. The Strength of the Lord • Do things you have never done before • Require boldness • Require the strength of the Lord • Let my strength infuse you • Let my strength strengthen you to do the works • You have sung about the Joy of the Lord being your strength
Ephesians 5:15-20 • Be careful how you live • Make the most of every opportunity • Don’t act thoughtlessly • Understand what the Lord wants you to do • Don’t be drunk with wine • Be filled with the Spirit
II. God’s Strength Supply • Luke 24:49 • I will send the Holy Spirit • Wait till the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven
Acts 1:1-8 • You will be baptized with the Holy Spirit • You will receive power when the Spirit comes upon you • You will be my witnesses
Acts 2 – the Event and the Results • Day of Pentecost • All the believers were filled with the Holy Spirit • Speaking the languages of the people • Some amazed • Some ridiculed – just drunk • Peter preaches with boldness • All invited to receive this gift of salvation and the Holy Spirit
Acts 4: • Peter filled with the Holy Spirit spoke to the rulers and elders • You crucified Jesus • Obey God or man? • We cannot stop telling this • Prayer for boldness in preaching and God’s miraculous acts • All filled with the Holy Spirit – preached with boldness
III. Not Drunk, but Filled • Alcohol affects the brain soon after it enters the blood stream. Within minutes, it numbs the nerve cells, slowing their messages to the body. The muscles of the heart strain to cope with alcohol's depressive action, and the pulse quickens.
If drinking persists, the nerve centers in the brain governing speech, vision, balance and judgment are derailed.
The brain's frontal lobe, which controls our judgment and inhibitions, is adversely affected. • If ingesting the alcohol continues, the drinker may lose consciousness, and be in danger of dying from respiratory failure.
DUI – Under the Influence • DWI – While Intoxicated (Impaired) • The Devil’s counterfeit of the real thing • Stimulated Euphoria vs. the Joy of the Lord • Self Confidence vs. boldness
Peter “under the influence” – the real thing • Before – denial of even knowing Jesus • After – Acts 2:36; 4:10 – “This Jesus, whom you crucified”, 4:19 – “we can’t stop telling…”
Forget problems vs. casting cares and peace beyond comprehension • Philippians 4:7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
Impaired judgment vs. God’s insight • John 16:13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future.
Hangover, sickness, death vs. continually filled with the Holy Spirit
Euphoria – the joy of the Lord • Ephesians 5:19 – filled with the Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, and making music to the Lord in your hearts
Psalms 5:11 But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them sing joyful praises forever. Spread your protection over them, that all who love your name may be filled with joy. • Psalms 33:1 Let the godly sing for joy to the LORD; it is fitting for the pure to praise him. • Psalms 81:1 Sing praises to God, our strength. Sing to the God of Jacob. • Psalms 92:4 You thrill me, LORD, with all you have done for me! I sing for joy because of what you have done. • Psalms 95:1 Come, let us sing to the LORD! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation.
1 Corinthians 14:15 Well then, what shall I do? I will pray in the spirit, and I will also pray in words I understand. I will sing in the spirit, and I will also sing in words I understand.
Profound Word from the Lord… “Lighten up” • Living Under the Influence – led by the Spirit of God • Living While Intoxicated – living by the Spirit (controlled by the Spirit)
Romans 8:5 - 9 5Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. 6So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. 7For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. 8That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God. 9But 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.)
