Embracing Our Journey of Becoming in Faith
Summary
### Summary
Today, I want to talk about the concept of "becoming." This idea is deeply rooted in our spiritual journey and is something God has placed on my heart. We are always in a state of becoming, whether we are graduating, growing in our faith, or transforming into who God has called us to be. Romans 12:2 tells us not to conform to this world but to be transformed by the renewal of our minds. This transformation is crucial because the world is constantly trying to shape us into something contrary to God's will. We must be vigilant and intentional about becoming who God wants us to be.
God gives us time to grow into our calling. Young preachers often feel the urgency to do everything immediately, but God is patient. He waits for us to grow into our calling, and His grace is sufficient for us. Romans 11:29 says that the gifts and callings of God are irrevocable. These gifts and callings are like "baby gifts" and "baby callings" that grow and mature over time. Even if we stray, these gifts remain because they are from God.
Our gifts are our abilities, and our callings are our identities. The enemy tries to distort our understanding of these, but we must focus on who God says we are. The anointing we receive during worship is a continuous outpouring from God. The more we pour out, the more He pours into us. This anointing is essential for our spiritual growth and effectiveness.
We must also be careful about what we hear and how we perceive it. The enemy uses perception to deceive us, but we must have spiritual perception to understand God's will. Just like the people at the Tower of Babel, who were united in their purpose, we too can achieve great things if we are united in God's purpose. The enemy will try to disrupt this unity, but greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world.
The story of Esau and Jacob teaches us the importance of not just having gifts but knowing how to use them. Esau was a skillful hunter but didn't know how to use his skills to benefit himself. Similarly, we must learn to manufacture and multiply what God has given us. We are like a garden where God's river flows in one way but comes out in four ways, symbolizing multiplication and productivity.
The enemy will always try to disrupt God's plan early on. He perceives that God has something great in store for us and tries to abort it before it can come to fruition. But God is not limited by our failures. Just like Moses, who was exiled for his actions but later used by God to deliver His people, we too can be used by God despite our past mistakes.
In conclusion, we are always in a state of becoming. We must be vigilant, intentional, and patient as we grow into who God has called us to be. Our gifts and callings are irrevocable, and with God's anointing, we can achieve great things. Let us focus on hearing from God, perceiving His will, and using our gifts to their fullest potential.
### Key Takeaways
1. Transformation Over Conformity: Romans 12:2 urges us not to conform to this world but to be transformed by the renewal of our minds. This transformation is essential because the world constantly tries to shape us into something contrary to God's will. We must be vigilant and intentional about becoming who God wants us to be. [00:57]
2. God's Patience and Our Growth: God gives us time to grow into our calling. His grace is sufficient, and He waits for us to mature into the roles He has for us. Even if we stray, the gifts and callings of God are irrevocable. This understanding should give us peace and confidence in our spiritual journey. [01:47]
3. The Importance of Spiritual Perception: The enemy uses perception to deceive us, but we must have spiritual perception to understand God's will. Just like the people at the Tower of Babel, who were united in their purpose, we too can achieve great things if we are united in God's purpose. [34:29]
4. Manufacturing and Multiplying Our Gifts: The story of Esau and Jacob teaches us the importance of not just having gifts but knowing how to use them. We must learn to manufacture and multiply what God has given us. This involves understanding our gifts and callings and using them to their fullest potential. [22:44]
5. Overcoming Early Disruptions: The enemy will always try to disrupt God's plan early on. He perceives that God has something great in store for us and tries to abort it before it can come to fruition. However, God is not limited by our failures. Just like Moses, who was exiled for his actions but later used by God to deliver His people, we too can be used by God despite our past mistakes. [12:08]
### YouTube Chapters
1. [0:00] - Welcome
2. [00:57] - Transformation Over Conformity
3. [01:47] - God's Patience and Our Growth
4. [12:08] - Overcoming Early Disruptions
5. [22:44] - Manufacturing and Multiplying Our Gifts
6. [34:29] - The Importance of Spiritual Perception
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. 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."
2. Romans 11:29 - "For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable."
3. Genesis 1:28 - "And God blessed them. And God said to them, 'Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.'"
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Romans 12:2, what are we instructed not to do, and what should we do instead? How does this relate to the concept of "becoming"? [00:57]
2. What does Romans 11:29 say about the gifts and callings of God? How does this provide assurance in our spiritual journey? [01:47]
3. In Genesis 1:28, what four commands does God give to humanity? How do these commands relate to the idea of manufacturing and multiplying our gifts? [27:13]
4. How does the story of Esau and Jacob illustrate the importance of knowing how to use our gifts effectively? [22:44]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is the transformation of our minds crucial in our spiritual journey, according to Romans 12:2? How does this help us resist conforming to the world? [00:57]
2. How does understanding that God's gifts and callings are irrevocable (Romans 11:29) impact our confidence and perseverance in our faith journey? [01:47]
3. What does it mean to have spiritual perception, and why is it important in understanding God's will and purpose for our lives? [34:29]
4. How can the command to "be fruitful and multiply" in Genesis 1:28 be applied to our spiritual lives and the use of our gifts and callings? [27:13]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt pressured to conform to the world's standards. How did you handle it, and what steps can you take to ensure you are being transformed by the renewal of your mind? [00:57]
2. Have you ever felt impatient in your spiritual growth or calling? How can you remind yourself of God's patience and His timing in your life? [01:47]
3. Think about a gift or talent you have. How can you better understand and use this gift to benefit yourself and others, similar to how Jacob learned to use his skills? [22:44]
4. In what ways can you improve your spiritual perception to better understand and follow God's will? Are there specific practices or habits you can adopt to enhance this perception? [34:29]
5. Identify an area in your life where you can be more productive and multiply your efforts. What practical steps can you take to achieve this, and how can you ensure you are doing it in alignment with God's purpose? [27:13]
6. How can you stay vigilant against the enemy's attempts to disrupt God's plan for your life? What strategies can you implement to protect your spiritual growth and calling? [12:08]
7. Reflect on a past failure or mistake. How can you use this experience to grow and become who God has called you to be, just as Moses did? [12:08]
Devotional
### Day 1: Transformation Over Conformity
Theme: Renewing our minds to resist worldly conformity.
Description: Romans 12:2 urges believers not to conform to the patterns of this world but to be transformed by the renewal of their minds. This transformation is essential because the world constantly tries to shape us into something contrary to God's will. The process of renewing our minds involves immersing ourselves in God's Word, prayer, and fellowship with other believers. It requires a conscious effort to reject worldly values and embrace the values of the Kingdom of God.
Transformation is not a one-time event but a continuous process. As we grow in our faith, we become more attuned to God's will and less influenced by the world's pressures. This ongoing renewal helps us to discern what is good, acceptable, and perfect in God's eyes. By being vigilant and intentional about our spiritual growth, we can become who God has called us to be. [00:57]
Bible Passage: "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." (Romans 12:2, ESV)
Reflection: What specific worldly influences do you need to reject today to align more closely with God's will? How can you actively renew your mind to resist these influences?
### Day 2: God's Patience and Our Growth
Theme: Embracing God's timing in our spiritual journey.
Description: God gives us time to grow into our calling, and His grace is sufficient for us. Often, young preachers and believers feel the urgency to accomplish everything immediately, but God is patient. He waits for us to mature into the roles He has for us. Romans 11:29 reminds us that the gifts and callings of God are irrevocable. These gifts and callings are like "baby gifts" and "baby callings" that grow and mature over time.
Even if we stray from our path, the gifts God has given us remain because they are from Him. This understanding should give us peace and confidence in our spiritual journey. We can trust that God is not in a hurry and that He will guide us as we grow into our calling. Our role is to be faithful and patient, trusting in His perfect timing. [01:47]
Bible Passage: "For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable." (Romans 11:29, ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you feel rushed or impatient? How can you trust in God's timing and be patient as you grow into your calling?
### Day 3: The Importance of Spiritual Perception
Theme: Developing spiritual perception to understand God's will.
Description: The enemy uses perception to deceive us, but we must have spiritual perception to understand God's will. Just like the people at the Tower of Babel, who were united in their purpose, we too can achieve great things if we are united in God's purpose. Spiritual perception involves seeing beyond the physical and understanding the spiritual realities that influence our lives.
To develop spiritual perception, we must be in tune with the Holy Spirit, who guides us into all truth. This requires a deep relationship with God, cultivated through prayer, worship, and studying His Word. By sharpening our spiritual perception, we can discern God's will more clearly and avoid the enemy's deceptions. [34:29]
Bible Passage: "But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil." (Hebrews 5:14, ESV)
Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper relationship with the Holy Spirit to enhance your spiritual perception? What practical steps can you take today to sharpen your discernment?
### Day 4: Manufacturing and Multiplying Our Gifts
Theme: Utilizing and multiplying the gifts God has given us.
Description: The story of Esau and Jacob teaches us the importance of not just having gifts but knowing how to use them. Esau was a skillful hunter but didn't know how to use his skills to benefit himself. Similarly, we must learn to manufacture and multiply what God has given us. This involves understanding our gifts and callings and using them to their fullest potential.
God has given each of us unique gifts and talents, and it is our responsibility to develop and use them for His glory. This requires intentional effort and creativity. We are like a garden where God's river flows in one way but comes out in four ways, symbolizing multiplication and productivity. By being good stewards of our gifts, we can impact the world around us and fulfill God's purpose for our lives. [22:44]
Bible Passage: "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace." (1 Peter 4:10, ESV)
Reflection: What gifts and talents has God given you? How can you intentionally develop and use them to serve others and glorify God?
### Day 5: Overcoming Early Disruptions
Theme: Trusting God despite early disruptions and failures.
Description: The enemy will always try to disrupt God's plan early on. He perceives that God has something great in store for us and tries to abort it before it can come to fruition. However, God is not limited by our failures. Just like Moses, who was exiled for his actions but later used by God to deliver His people, we too can be used by God despite our past mistakes.
God's grace is sufficient, and His plans are not thwarted by our shortcomings. When we face disruptions and failures, we must trust that God can still use us for His purposes. Our past does not define our future in God's Kingdom. By surrendering our failures to Him, we can experience His redemption and be empowered to fulfill His calling on our lives. [12:08]
Bible Passage: "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28, ESV)
Reflection: What past failures or disruptions are you holding onto? How can you surrender them to God and trust in His redemptive power to use you for His purposes?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "We are becoming, we're still becoming and the Bible says that, that, that, that river that comes in one way, but it comes out four ways. Why? Because God knows how to multiply. Watch this. The Bible says that we, we know this, we know this scripture, but it also says that Jesus says, and I caught the first commandment. I'm not coming against the commandment, but Genesis one in 28 says, be fruitful and multiply. So do the earth and have dominion over the earth. You're all, that's a commandment. He looked at, he, he looked at Adam. He says, Adam, I want you to be fruitful. I want you to multiply. I want you to do the earth and I want you to have the million over the earth. Our problem is we just want to be fruitful." [27:13]
2. "I just want to talk a little bit about becoming, about becoming, because I think that's the word that God brought to my spirit, is that to become, we have to become something. And whenever you're graduating, you're becoming something. And every day in our life with God, we're becoming something. And that's what God has called us to do. So I want to focus on that a little bit. I'm using a scripture that we know in Romans 12 and 2, because the word become, word become literally means to grow or to change and to transform. How many of us, we're always becoming, we're always changing, we're always transforming whenever we're the things of God. We're never staying the same." [00:57]
3. "Becoming is actually more important than doing. We want to, we want to do, but becoming is more important than doing. Who we become, who we are, what we have is very, very much more important than doing. Whatever happens, God always gives us time to grow into whatever he has for us. So whatever we're becoming, God always gives us time to grow into whatever he has for us." [01:47]
4. "There's not enough devils in hell. That can stop me from my gifting. That can stop me from my calling. And sure can't stop me from my anointing. Do you believe it this morning? Amen. Amen. I've I've never questioned. I've never questioned. the 25 years that I've been here. I've never questioned. My gifting and my calling. never have. Because I allow it. I allow it to happen. I'm making a gummed up mess of it. It's nothing like I thought it would be. But I do know. That I'm where I'm supposed to be. Doing what I'm supposed to be doing. How do you know that? Because I heard from God." [37:52]
5. "We have to make sure that we're becoming what God has called us to become. I just use this scripture in Romans 12 and 2. We know it, but it says, do not be conformed to this world. How many of you know there's a world out there that is diabolically set up against everything you believe as a Christian? It says, do not be conformed. So we've got to be careful what we are becoming. So he says, do not be conformed to this world, but be, there it is, transformed by the renewal of your mind. Always having to become, always have to watch out because the enemy is out there. He's coming against us. The world is throwing us out. He's throwing things at us. And so we're making sure that we're not becoming what the world would have us to be, but we've got to become who God would have us to be." [00:57]
### Quotes for Members
1. "The worst day is in your Christian life is when you can think of a time that you were closer to God than you are right now. You can think of God and you had more joy than you have right now, that you have more freedom than you have right now. You in trouble, because the enemy is perceiving something. He perceives something. But let me tell you something. We can perceive, we have the gift of perception also." [27:13]
2. "The enemy has a perception and he begins to perceive he don't know what it is but he can tell he can perceive that god's getting me to do something absolutely amazing in your life so what does he do so he starts to attack i want to go over to um to exodus let's just go over to exodus and over and access chapter number one and it answers chapter number one in verse number seven the bible says but the children of israel was fruitful was fruitful and increased abundantly multiplied and grew exceedingly mighty and the land was filled with them now there arose a new king over egypt who did not know joseph and he said to his people look the people of the children of israel are more and minor than we are come and let us deal shrewdly with them at least they multiply and it happened it just case it happens in event of war that they also join our enemies and fight against us and so go up out and do the land and take over us therefore they set past masters over them to afflict them and their with their burdens and they built for pharaoh's supplies cities and and and and for for phenom and for rameses verse 12 but the more they afflicted them the more they multiply and the more they grew and they were to dread in the over they were to dread of the house of israel the whole point i wanted to see here is that this is this is pharaoh and pharaoh is is a type of enemy here pharaoh he could tell that god was going to do something with his people he could tell that god had a had a might they had they had an ability they had identification and they had a purpose and enemy will begin to attack that the reason why i want to bring that up today is because in grad graduates if you are graduating or you knew someone know someone that's graduating or you're just trying to go to the next level yourself because everybody in here is graduating from something either literally or either spiritually and we're doing this and the enemy will always attack you in the very beginning these kids i'm going to have up here in the second service i'm going to remind them that that god has a calling upon their life god has a gifting upon their life god has an anointing upon their life that they served him but there is a devil loose we don't want to talk about it but there is a devil loose and the bible says he comes but to kill steal and destroy and he won't attack you he won't wait around he'll attack you at the very beginning he will begin to disrupt god's plan early god you say you can be you can be in your 40s you can be in your 50s and say well this isn't for me let me tell you something i'm going to remind them something god always is still he his mercies are new every morning he's still always just just giving new purpose in your life under under the anointing of god and and the reason why you don't see it is because we don't know how to stifle we don't know how to stop the enemy but the enemy as soon as he detects as soon as he perceives that god's going to do something powerful in your life he tries to abort it early and take it out and here in this case right here we see that god had a plan and the enemy perspective is that he will gain insight into what god has planned for you he's always trying to gain insight what is it god wants to do to this preacher what is it god wants to do inside of of you what is it god wants to do inside of your neighbor what is it that you're serving god with all you have what is it that god and he's always trying to gain insight and he would try then to place you around the wrong people or get you attached or addicted or influenced to something and try to disrupt the plan of god in your life i want you to know this morning remind you this morning that the enemy is always trying to disrupt disrupt the plan of god in your life if he can throw a wrench in the fan and mess it up he'll do it if he can put us if he can get you discouraged if he can get you to think well god i never use anybody like me if god can if there's no if he can get you hanging out with the wrong people if he can get you distracted if he that's what he's trying to do be not conformed to this world but be calm transform by the renewal don't worry about what the enemy or the world says always make sure you know what god says how many listen to me this morning well no i just don't know why i was going to do this understand you have a calling you have an ability i'm going to talk to you a minute about hearing it's very important but you got to make sure you understand i've got a calling everybody says i've got a gifting say it i've got a gifting i've got a calling it is from god whether i obey or not it's on the inside of me boy if we can grab hold of that and the enemies come to steal kill and destroy but jesus says that i've come that you might have life and have it more abundantly devil you will not have my baby gifting and my baby calling because i will do whatever i gotta do to make sure i will not i will not allow the enemy to attach things or influence me or to disrupt disrupt things in my life that's going to cause me to lose my life and i'm going to lose my life and i'm going to lose what god has for me check this out we're going to read the rest of it and then we see out of this great is great jewish people here this this nation came a man named moses here's moses and moses was called by god to deliver the people from this oppression over 400 years later he's got a gifting he's got a calling he's got an anointing he's been separated he's been consecrated been set apart here's moses but the enemy used an anger on the inside of him that went against an egyptian and he allowed that anger moses did to to to rise up within him to the point that he killed this egyptian soldier to the point that the enemy set all this up why so that moses could be disbarred from the land that he was called to deliver see that's what the enemy is always trying to do he's trying to get something that we battle with something that we struggle with something because he can perceive that god wants to do something mindly god had he didn't know it because the conversation wasn't between god and moses and the enemy the conversation was between moses and god but he used something he will cause an influence he'll cause the wrong people he'll cause a a wrong theology he'll call a wrong thought pattern that to get you attached or get you detached from the thing of god and the very land that god has called you to liberate he's called you to be excommunicated from because that's what the enemy is always trying to do if he can separate you and get you alone then he's got you so we have to be careful because that's what the enemies do and and so now i got your attention on that and realize we got to understand that that god is not promote by longevity but god is not promoting by longevity but god is not promoting by longevity but god promotes by revelation if the enemy is perceiving then we got to make sure we're perceiving what god is saying amen boy there's ever been a time we got to receive revelation knowledge just right now if there's ever been a time that we got to hear from god that's right now anyway let's go to one of my favorite scriptures matthew chapter 16 matthew chapter number 16 and matthew chapter number 16 these here are some boys that's getting ready to get promoted here's some boys that's getting ready to go until another another level and over here in matthew chapter number 16 and matthew chapter number 16 and verse 17 this is jesus who just asked him who who do you think that i am who do you who do you think i am because if you don't know who god is you'll never know who you're going to be it's very important the devil always gets you to question who god is he came he came to jesus in the garden and we all get caught up with turning the stones into bread or or or throwing himself down from the pinnacle but the biggest thing is that the enemy questioned jesus with is what he questioned us is simply this if you are if you are the son of god turn these stones into bread you better make sure you know who jesus is i'm just talking to my church this morning we better because he'll come after you he'll attack you and he will cause you to run from the very place that you're supposed to deliberate he'll get you to run from your family that you're supposed to liberate he'll get you to run from a marriage that you're supposed to liberate he'll get you to run from a situation that god has called you for such a time as this to liberate because he could perceive there's something you know what it's time it's time to put on the whole armor of god the helmet of salvation the breastplate of righteousness shield itself we better put our feet saw with the preparation of peace what does that mean that means after we've done all we can do we gotta stand you might knock me down you might tear me down you might hurt me but i will not move i'm going to say just like a tree that is planted by the rivers of the waters of life we shall not be moved and the enemy is always trying to get us off of our gifting trying to get us off our our college because he don't want us to become you'll become as your identity if you ever put on something that that looks good and and and and and walk around with it and they look at you and say well that's very becoming of you what does that mean i mean that's very becoming of you what does that mean i mean that's very becoming of you that looks like you it looks like you that you know what that fits you that's very becoming of you and our problem is is we're not very becoming in the spiritual realm the enemy god has walked around unbecoming to the things of god and that's why things are confused that's why we we don't we don't have and do don't have the inner peace because they called the world says we're this way but god says we're that way and good news just like with moses it wasn't too late even though the enemy used him and got him excommunicated cause of god of grace cause of god of second chances and the same man that failed and left that land in which he was supposed to liberate he came back and god still used him so i'm here to tell somebody don't hang your head and kick the can and say oh i messed up god can still use you and you can do great and mighty things i don't care if you're 18 38 or 88 it doesn't matter god's not finished with you yet and as long as you're not finished with him you're not finished with him you're not finished with him because you know who he is he'll remind you who you are you're still becoming i said you're still becoming your pastor you think you've done you've been there a long a long time you you've done a whole lot no i'm still becoming it does not yet appear what i shall be but i do know that when he appears and comes through the eastern i will see him just as he is why because i'm still becoming this morning don't stop becoming these boys have been around jesus for three and a half years but here he is before they start on this the biggest journey and jesus comes to them he says guys it's very important it's very important that you know who i am and they said peter answered and said in verse 16 you are the christ you are the christ there's that anointing there's what does that mean that means my giftings and my calling my ability and my identity is wrapped up in your anointing christ christos the anointed one that flows my ability and my identity is based on the fact that you are the christ you are the christos you are the anointed one my my identity and my body here are i'm self- controling my identity and my deign thiszi is оставing me pig money is you ought to think that your genesis of spirit upon wisdom this is when realize fellowship johnnaire jesus said oh yes Rapidly I will follow therefore i will follow why you have done so and Messiah law will follow your races and your seed which means circular Jonah's son, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my father who is in heaven. And I say to you that you are Peter and upon this rock, I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Why is that important? Because he's going to come against you, but he won't prevail against you. Based on what? How many times you come to the church? Based on what? How many time you hear your favorite song? Based on what? How many time you raise your hand and say amen to the pastor? That was good. Based on what? How many times you park a car or keep a nursery or sign up for VBS? No, based on having an ear to hear what the Father is saying. You do not receive this by flesh and blood, but from my Father which is in heaven. And upon what you're hearing, upon revelation, and upon looks. the knowledge of revelation i'm going to build my church god builds his church upon people who are hearing today you will become who god has called you to become based on what you're hearing today so i have to be there's a lot of talk going on right now in the world today we have to make sure what we're hearing and that that hearing is coming in through a through a reservoir and and whatever we're hearing we got to make sure that we are manufacturers of what we are hearing we got to make sure we are manufacturers of of what our giftings and what our callings are well i got a gift in the calling pastor i mean trust you i'm a pastor and people do not lack be honest with you on whether or not they know what they're gifted in calling to do the problem is they don't know how to walk in that gifting and calling esau esau was a man who was a skillful hunter the bible says in genesis chapter number 25 verse 27 it says that esau was a skillful hunter boy he could he could go out he could hunt anything he could skin anything he could do whatever he had to do that's how esau was and jacob he was not he was a man that dwelled in tents i mean for a bunch of a bunch of country boys in other words esau was a man's man and and and jacob he was a mama's boy so if you're a mama's boy i'm sorry but that's just why it was nothing against it that's just who it was esau came in one day he was the older he was the one that had the birthright he came in and he was starving he'd been out hunting all day he'd been out killing all day he knew how to drag it in from the woods and hang it up in a tree so michael walked by and said well there's esau he's gonna go hunting again look at that look at that big old buck there he is look at that boar boy he can do it but he's hungry he's starving the food is hanging on the tree but he don't know how to manufacture it he don't know how to make it into something that's going to benefit him a lot of us we we we believe we might be preachers we believe we might be teachers if i'm talking to a bunch of preachers today or we might believe who we are who god called us to be in our home or who god's called what kind of wife or what kind of husband what kind of mother what kind of father friend, what kind of Christian God has called us to be. But unless we know how to manufacture what God has called us to be, it does us no good. And Esau was starving, he thought, to death because he didn't realize
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