Embracing Authority: A Call to Spiritual Reformation
Summary
In the discourse on the Reformation Church, Judy Stevens delves into the concept of authority and reformation within the Christian faith, emphasizing the need for believers to recognize and exercise the authority granted to them by God. She begins by referencing Genesis 1:26-28, where God gives mankind dominion over the earth, suggesting that over time, this authority has been diminished or forgotten. Stevens points out that Jesus, during his time, revisited this doctrine, challenging the religious norms of his day by healing and delivering on the Sabbath, thus asserting his lordship over religious traditions.
Stevens also discusses the resistance that comes with reformation, often from a spirit of religion that clings to traditions without life. She encourages letting go of traditions that no longer carry the foundation of scripture or the current movement of God. She shares her personal journey from being raised in a Lutheran church, where she was baptized as an infant, to her eventual conversion at a renewal conference, highlighting the transformative power of personal encounters with God.
The talk further explores the idea of reformation as a time of revolutionary change, as seen in Jeremiah 1:10 and Hebrews 12:27, which speak of uprooting the old to make room for the new. Stevens asserts that God's intention is for his children to grow and mature into their full anointing, and she encourages individuals to see themselves as God sees them, as special and loved.
Stevens provides practical steps for becoming a reformer, such as confronting personal mindsets, breaking "casualty covenants" that align with negative family patterns, and understanding one's identity in Christ. She emphasizes the importance of having a new attitude, as reflected in Matthew 11:12, which speaks of the kingdom of God advancing forcefully.
The message also touches on the three groups of people present during Jesus' time and their parallels in the modern church: leaders with vision, followers who trust and support their leaders, and those who resist change. Stevens urges listeners to embrace their roles in the reformation movement, whether as leaders or supporters.
In conclusion, Stevens calls for a warrior spirit to fight spiritual battles, referencing 1 John 3:8, which speaks of Jesus' purpose to destroy the works of the devil. She highlights the importance of prayer, especially praying in the spirit, as a means of aligning with God's will and building oneself up in faith.
Key Takeaways:
- Believers are encouraged to recognize and exercise the dominion and authority that God has granted them over creation. This authority is not limited to specific days or circumstances but is a constant that should be utilized in all aspects of life. The reformation is about reclaiming this authority and living it out in daily life. [01:04:39]
- Traditions can be beneficial when they are filled with life and aligned with scripture. However, when traditions become lifeless or disconnected from God's current movement, they should be challenged and potentially discarded. This process is part of the reformation, which seeks to revitalize the church by removing what is outdated or unscriptural. [01:05:59]
- Personal transformation is a key aspect of reformation. Individuals are called to confront their own mindsets and attitudes, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. This requires a lifestyle of renewing the mind, which, while it may seem like hard work, becomes easier with increased awareness and spiritual growth. [01:18:49]
- The concept of "casualty covenants" refers to agreements or beliefs that individuals inherit from their family or culture that are not aligned with their identity in Christ. Breaking these covenants is essential for living out the fullness of being a new creation in Christ, free from the limitations of the past. [01:20:46]
- A reformer must have a warrior spirit, not in a physical or violent sense, but with a forceful attitude in the spiritual realm. This involves taking hold of the kingdom of God with determination and passion, as reflected in the life verse of Matthew 11:12. The warrior spirit is about advancing God's kingdom and resisting complacency. [01:37:45]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Genesis 1:26-28
2. Jeremiah 1:10
3. Hebrews 12:27
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Genesis 1:26-28, what authority and dominion were given to mankind by God?
2. In Jeremiah 1:10, what actions are described as part of the reformation process?
3. How does Hebrews 12:27 describe the purpose of shaking both the earth and the heavens?
4. What personal experience did Judy Stevens share about her journey from tradition to personal faith? ([01:07:31])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of dominion in Genesis 1:26-28 relate to the authority believers are encouraged to exercise in their daily lives? ([01:03:56])
2. What does the process of uprooting and planting in Jeremiah 1:10 symbolize in the context of spiritual reformation? ([52:08])
3. How can the shaking described in Hebrews 12:27 be seen as a positive force for growth and maturity in a believer's life? ([52:53])
4. What are some modern-day examples of "casualty covenants" that believers might need to break to fully embrace their identity in Christ? ([01:20:46])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a tradition you follow that may no longer be filled with life or aligned with scripture. How can you discern whether to keep or discard it? ([01:05:59])
2. Think about a time when you felt your authority in Christ was challenged. How did you respond, and what could you do differently in the future to assert your God-given dominion? ([01:04:39])
3. Identify a personal mindset or attitude that you need to confront and bring into obedience to Christ. What practical steps can you take this week to start this process? ([01:18:49])
4. Have you ever felt bound by a "casualty covenant" from your family or culture? What steps can you take to break free from these limitations and live out your new identity in Christ? ([01:20:46])
5. How can you cultivate a warrior spirit in your spiritual life, especially when facing challenges or resistance? What specific actions can you take to advance God's kingdom forcefully? ([01:37:45])
6. Reflect on a past breakthrough in your life. How can remembering this experience strengthen your faith and encourage you in current or future challenges? ([01:25:00])
7. Consider your role in the reformation movement within your church. Are you a leader, a follower, or someone who resists change? How can you better embrace your role to support the church's vision? ([01:14:53])
Devotional
Day 1: Embrace Your Divine Authority
God has bestowed upon each believer the authority to steward creation and live with dominion. This authority is inherent and not confined to specific conditions, empowering believers to act with God-given confidence and purpose in every aspect of life. [01:04:39]
Luke 10:19 - "Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you."
Reflection: In what areas of your life have you not been exercising the authority God has given you? How can you start stepping into that authority today?
Day 2: Discerning Tradition's Value
Traditions hold value when they are vibrant and scripturally sound, but when they become hollow or misaligned with God's movement, they must be reevaluated. This discernment is crucial for the church's vitality, ensuring that practices and beliefs remain relevant and life-giving. [01:05:59]
Isaiah 43:19 - "Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."
Reflection: Are there any traditions in your faith practice that may have lost their vitality? How can you seek God's guidance in discerning which traditions to uphold and which to let go?
Day 3: Transformation Through Mind Renewal
Personal transformation is a cornerstone of spiritual reformation, requiring believers to challenge their own mindsets and align their thoughts with Christ. This transformative process involves a continuous renewal of the mind, leading to spiritual maturity and a deeper understanding of one's identity in Christ. [01:18:49]
Romans 12:2 - "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."
Reflection: What thought patterns do you need to change to align more closely with Christ's teachings, and what practical steps can you take to renew your mind today?
Day 4: Breaking Free from Limiting Beliefs
Casualty covenants—unhelpful beliefs inherited from family or culture—can hinder one's walk with Christ. Breaking free from these constraints is essential to fully embrace the new identity in Christ, unshackled from past limitations and empowered to live in the freedom of God's truth. [01:20:46]
Ephesians 4:22-24 - "Put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness."
Reflection: What are some "casualty covenants" you may have unconsciously agreed to, and how can you begin to break them in light of your identity in Christ?
Day 5: Cultivating a Warrior Spirit
A reformer's heart is marked by a warrior spirit, engaging in spiritual battles with determination and fervor. This spirit is not about physical aggression but about advancing the kingdom of God with a passionate resolve, standing firm against complacency and the enemy's schemes. [01:37:45]
2 Timothy 1:7 - "For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control."
Reflection: How can you embody a warrior spirit in your spiritual life, and what does it mean to you to forcefully advance the kingdom of God in your context?
Quotes
"We've got to realize that God is in control of everything; He's in control of the Nations, the political arena, He's in control of all things. So we have to align ourselves up into what God is doing in the midst of everything." [55:04] (Download)
"When you see things happening, say 'God, shake loose all that can shake, tear down, destroy, uproot everything that's not of you, God, in order that righteousness, peace, and joy, the power of God can be established and built.'" [55:49] (Download)
"Our violence is in our spirit, my life's verse is Matthew 11:12, the kingdom of God is forcefully advancing and the violent in spirit take it by force. Now that's an attitude, that's not just a Sunday morning attitude." [01:17:35] (Download)
"We have to confront our own personal mindsets and attitudes. Romans 12:2, which is very similar, not conform to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. It's not just a one-shot operation, guys. I'm talking about a lifestyle." [01:19:29] (Download)
"We don't have to live by what our family went through, we have the ability because we are a new creation to break that casualty covenant we have to do away with that." [01:20:46] (Download)
"We've got to understand how God sees us; He's the good father. We might see ourselves as incompetent or worthless and that's a lie. We've got to see ourselves as God sees us." [01:21:27] (Download)
"God is a god of order but he's a god of Grace and when Jesus would challenge these oral laws it got him in trouble. He was a revolutionary Changers and there's times that if our walk we're going to have to kind of step up and say that's not right." [01:01:15] (Download)
"Our battle primarily is not against flesh and blood, it's against powers, principalities, rulers and darkness, but unfortunately sometimes people are influenced by that so we have to have discernment, we have to know our Authority." [01:01:54] (Download)
"We say we are the head not the tail, but do we believe them on Tuesday and Wednesday? He's saying you got it church, you've got the authority now please start using it." [01:04:39] (Download)
"Traditions are good if there's life in them, if they still have the foundation of the scripture, if it's currently what God is doing, if it's present truth to what God is saying and doing now." [01:05:59] (Download)
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