Embracing Spiritual Time: Peace and Authority in Christ
Summary
### Summary
Tonight, we delved into the profound concept of understanding the difference between chronological time (chronos) and spiritual time (kairos). We explored how God operates within both realms, emphasizing that while we can measure chronological time with clocks and calendars, spiritual time is discerned through the Holy Spirit. Jesus' words in Acts 1:7-8 remind us that it is not for us to know the exact times or seasons set by the Father, but we are called to be witnesses empowered by the Holy Spirit.
We examined the importance of recognizing and seizing spiritual moments, using the example of Jerusalem missing its kairos moment when Jesus visited. This serves as a caution for us not to miss our spiritual opportunities. We also discussed the dual role of Christians to both do and teach, following Jesus' example of performing miracles to teach deeper spiritual truths.
The sermon transitioned into the topic of strongholds, particularly those affecting our homes, children, and marriages. We identified that strongholds often begin as footholds and are essentially houses of thoughts. The key to breaking these strongholds is peace, which many Christians lack. Peace is not just a state of mind but a powerful weapon against the enemy. It allows us to maintain faith and trust in God's promises, even when circumstances seem dire.
We concluded by emphasizing the importance of peace as a sign of victory. When we have peace, it signifies that we have authority over our situations. This peace is not a temporary holding pattern but a certainty of victory. We are encouraged to continue doing, teaching, witnessing, and waiting, trusting that God will move in His perfect time.
### Key Takeaways
1. Understanding Chronos and Kairos Time: Chronos time is the measurable, sequential time we live by daily, while Kairos time is God's appointed time for action. Recognizing the difference helps us to be sensitive to spiritual opportunities and not miss divine moments. [01:27]
2. The Dual Role of Doing and Teaching: As Christians, we are called to both do and teach, following Jesus' example. Miracles are not just acts of power but teaching moments that reveal deeper spiritual truths. This balance ensures that our faith is both active and instructive. [09:01]
3. Breaking Strongholds with Peace: Strongholds in our lives often start as small footholds and grow into significant barriers. The key to breaking these strongholds is peace, which acts as a powerful weapon against fear and oppression. Peace signifies our trust in God's promises and our authority over the enemy. [24:19]
4. Peace as a Sign of Victory: True peace in the midst of adversity is a sign of victory and authority over our circumstances. It is not a temporary state but a certainty that we will overcome. This peace comes from trusting in God's promises rather than our own understanding or emotions. [27:44]
5. Long-Suffering and Authority: Long-suffering, a fruit of the Spirit, is the determination to never give up, give in, or let go. It signifies our authority over our situations and our trust in God's timing. This perseverance ensures that we will see God's promises fulfilled in our lives. [32:40]
### YouTube Chapters
1. [0:00] - Welcome
2. [00:41] - Introduction to Breaking Strongholds
3. [01:27] - Chronos vs. Kairos Time
4. [02:23] - Spiritual Time Explained
5. [03:05] - The Role of the Holy Spirit
6. [04:01] - Missing Spiritual Opportunities
7. [05:37] - Chronological and Spiritual Planning
8. [06:24] - Recognizing Spiritual Seasons
9. [07:13] - Being Witnesses
10. [09:01] - Doing and Teaching
11. [10:38] - Balancing Action and Instruction
12. [24:19] - The Power of Peace
13. [27:44] - Peace as a Weapon
14. [32:40] - Long-Suffering and Authority
15. [46:58] - Closing Prayer and Benediction
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Acts 1:7-8: "He said to them, 'It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.'"
2. Luke 19:44: "They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God's coming to you."
3. 1 John 4:4: "You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world."
### Observation Questions
1. What are the two types of time mentioned in Acts 1:7-8, and how are they different? [01:27]
2. According to Luke 19:44, what was the consequence for Jerusalem not recognizing their kairos moment? [04:01]
3. In 1 John 4:4, what assurance do believers have about overcoming the world? [23:01]
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does understanding the difference between chronos and kairos time help Christians in their daily walk with God? [02:23]
2. What does it mean to be a witness empowered by the Holy Spirit, as mentioned in Acts 1:8? How can this empowerment manifest in a believer's life? [03:05]
3. How can peace be considered a weapon against strongholds, and why is it often lacking among Christians? [24:19]
4. What does it mean to have authority over a situation, and how does peace signify this authority? [27:44]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you missed a spiritual opportunity. What were the circumstances, and how can you be more attuned to kairos moments in the future? [04:01]
2. How can you balance the dual role of doing and teaching in your own life, following Jesus' example? Can you think of a recent situation where you did one but not the other? [09:01]
3. Identify a stronghold in your life that started as a small foothold. What steps can you take to break this stronghold using the peace of God? [24:19]
4. When facing adversity, how can you cultivate and maintain peace as a sign of victory? Share a specific strategy you can implement this week. [27:44]
5. Long-suffering is described as the determination to never give up, give in, or let go. How can you apply this principle to a current challenge in your life? [32:40]
6. Think of a situation where you felt overwhelmed by fear or anxiety. How can the assurance that "greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world" change your perspective and response? [23:01]
7. How can you be a more effective witness for Christ in your community, especially during times when you don't see immediate results? What practical steps can you take to continue witnessing, doing, and teaching? [17:19]
Devotional
Day 1: Recognizing God's Appointed Time
Understanding the difference between chronological time (chronos) and spiritual time (kairos) is crucial for spiritual growth. Chronos time is the measurable, sequential time we live by daily, while kairos time is God's appointed time for action. Recognizing the difference helps us to be sensitive to spiritual opportunities and not miss divine moments. Jesus' words in Acts 1:7-8 remind us that it is not for us to know the exact times or seasons set by the Father, but we are called to be witnesses empowered by the Holy Spirit. This understanding encourages us to be vigilant and discerning, always ready to act when God presents a kairos moment in our lives. [01:27]
Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 (ESV): "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted."
Reflection: Can you recall a moment when you felt a nudge from the Holy Spirit to act? How did you respond, and what was the outcome? How can you be more attentive to these kairos moments in the future?
Day 2: The Balance of Doing and Teaching
As Christians, we are called to both do and teach, following Jesus' example. Miracles are not just acts of power but teaching moments that reveal deeper spiritual truths. This balance ensures that our faith is both active and instructive. Jesus performed miracles not only to demonstrate God's power but also to teach important lessons about faith, compassion, and the Kingdom of God. By emulating this dual role, we can effectively witness to others, showing them the love of Christ through our actions and deepening their understanding through our teachings. [09:01]
Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV): "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
Reflection: Think of a recent situation where you had the opportunity to both act and teach. How did you balance these roles? What can you do to ensure that your actions and teachings consistently reflect the love and truth of Christ?
Day 3: Breaking Strongholds with Peace
Strongholds in our lives often start as small footholds and grow into significant barriers. The key to breaking these strongholds is peace, which acts as a powerful weapon against fear and oppression. Peace signifies our trust in God's promises and our authority over the enemy. When we maintain peace, we demonstrate our faith in God's sovereignty and His ability to overcome any obstacle. This peace is not just a state of mind but a powerful force that can dismantle strongholds and bring freedom to our lives. [24:19]
2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (ESV): "For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ."
Reflection: Identify a stronghold in your life that has been causing you distress. How can you apply the peace of God to this situation? What steps can you take to trust in God's promises and break free from this stronghold?
Day 4: Peace as a Sign of Victory
True peace in the midst of adversity is a sign of victory and authority over our circumstances. It is not a temporary state but a certainty that we will overcome. This peace comes from trusting in God's promises rather than our own understanding or emotions. When we have peace, it signifies that we have authority over our situations and that we are confident in God's ultimate victory. This peace allows us to navigate challenges with a calm assurance, knowing that God is in control and that His plans for us are good. [27:44]
John 16:33 (ESV): "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent challenge you faced. How did you respond, and what role did peace play in your response? How can you cultivate a deeper sense of peace in your life, especially during difficult times?
Day 5: Long-Suffering and Authority
Long-suffering, a fruit of the Spirit, is the determination to never give up, give in, or let go. It signifies our authority over our situations and our trust in God's timing. This perseverance ensures that we will see God's promises fulfilled in our lives. Long-suffering is not about enduring hardship passively but about actively trusting in God's faithfulness and His perfect timing. It is a testament to our faith and our commitment to God's will, even when circumstances are challenging. [32:40]
James 1:2-4 (ESV): "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
Reflection: Think about a situation where you have had to exercise long-suffering. How did this experience shape your faith and trust in God? What can you do to strengthen your perseverance and remain steadfast in your faith?
Quotes
1. "We are Christians, so we are people in which the Holy Spirit dwells. We are to be witnesses in the point that we don't know when, but we can find ourselves in a season of spiritual time. You can miss spiritual time." [03:05] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "I don't ever want to miss a spiritual time. We don't miss a physical time. We know what time it is. We've got calendars. We've got clocks. But it's very important for us to know what time it is. And we can sense in our spirit what time it is. Even though the world is going completely bonkers right now, and it's just crazy. But right in the midst of a chaotic world, it's still Kairos time. It is spiritual time." [06:24] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "We are supposed to, we're not supposed to just do, but we also have to teach. And we're not supposed to just teach and not do. We are to do and teach because of what Jesus did. So if we're going to everything that Jesus did, and every miracle, and every miracle that Jesus performed, he performed it to teach somebody something." [08:05] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "When you truly have authority over something, you can look at that thing without worry, fear, and anxiety. Your peace is proof, of your victory. If you got peace in it, then that is proof. That is surety that you will have victory. Peace isn't some peace. Let me add to that. Peace is not just some, it's, it's, it's not some temporary holding pattern to hold you until the real outcomes shows up. Peace is your certainty that you will win." [28:30] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Regardless of the situation, not because of who you are, but because whose you are, you have authority over. And when you realize you have authority over the situation, then you can have peace over the situation." [31:20] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "I'm never going to give up. I'm never going to give in. I'm never going to let go. I'm long suffering for this thing. I don't know how long my suffering is going to be, but I'm here to tell you, I'm going to wait this thing out. Come on, somebody. I'm not giving up. I'm not giving in. I'm not letting go because I have authority over this thing." [32:40] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "The fact that you are in no way alarmed by your adversary is a sign that you have authority over him. It's all about authority. What is authority? Right. You have the right to say, no to whatever he throws your way. You don't have to accept it." [40:49] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "If you're not looking for peace, you will not find it, but if you look for it, find it. It's a fruit. One thing about the kingdom of God, it's always fruit season." [42:59] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "We teach it. We do it. And we teach it. If I just teach it never do it, I lose my zeal for it. Have you ever seen anybody here? Well, not really. Have you ever seen anybody deliver? Well, no, not really. Have you ever seen anybody receive the gifts of the Spirit? Right, right, not really. But if you teach it and see it, not only do you believe it, but you have zeal for it." [46:16] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "A man with an argument is always at the mercy of a man with an experience. And once you've experienced it, and you got a word to confirm it, there's not enough devils in hell that can stop you." [46:48] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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