Empowered for Victory: Aligning with God's Promises
Summary
Bishop J. Bradford Johnson Jr. delivered a sermon titled "Sunday Morning Victory Encounter" on December 13, 2023, where he emphasized the importance of aligning one's language and perspective with God's plan for victory. He began by expressing gratitude and setting the stage for a discussion on Matthew chapter two, shifting the focus from spiritual warfare to a more victorious dialogue. Bishop Johnson stressed that speaking from a place of defeat is counterproductive, and instead, believers should empower themselves by speaking about God's promises and victories.
The sermon highlighted the power of Jesus' story, particularly His resurrection, as a source of strength for believers to rise above their challenges. Bishop Johnson reminded the congregation that God equips them with the power to overcome tests and that by partaking in Jesus' story, they can receive its benefits. He also discussed the inconvenience faced by Mary and Joseph due to Jesus' story, yet they remained faithful, which led to the fulfillment of prophecy.
Bishop Johnson underscored the significance of the word of the Lord in believers' lives, cautioning that not everything heard in church is God's word. He connected hearing God's word with having a vision for one's life, asserting that it is impossible to see God and focus on struggles simultaneously. He encouraged the congregation to make necessary changes to see and experience God's plan for their lives.
The sermon also reflected on the importance of positioning in God's plan, using Joseph's story to illustrate how being out of position can lead to captivity by the enemy. Bishop Johnson warned that God may place individuals in inconvenient places to reverse their life's trajectory and that obedience to God's calling is crucial.
Bishop Johnson addressed the desire for improvement in various life areas, emphasizing that wanting better is insufficient without facing challenges. He highlighted the importance of handling anger, adversity, and choosing the right relationships. He also discussed the inevitability of facing opposition as one grows in favor and blessings, using Paul's example of finding strength in weakness through God's grace.
The sermon concluded with an affirmation of victory for those who have God on their side. Bishop Johnson reassured the congregation that despite the enemy's attempts to steal their joy and praise, they remain victorious through God's provision. He encouraged them to expect good things and adopt a mindset of victory, as God is the author and finisher of their story.
Key Takeaways:
- Aligning one's language with God's plan is essential for victory. When believers speak from a place of defeat, they empower their struggles. However, by speaking about God's promises and victories, they empower themselves to align with God's shift in their lives. This change in dialogue is a powerful tool in the journey towards triumph. [35:38]
- The story of Jesus is a source of strength and victory for believers. By focusing on His resurrection and the power to overcome death, believers can rise above their challenges. God's provision of power in times of testing is a reminder that they are not alone in their struggles and have the strength to overcome. [56:01]
- The word of the Lord is precious and should be the foundation of a believer's vision for their life. Hearing God's word is crucial for seeing God's plan and experiencing a life on the rise. It is through this divine vision that believers can shift their focus from their struggles to the transformative power of God's word. [38:08]
- Being in the right position according to God's plan is vital for avoiding captivity by the enemy. Just as Joseph's story shows, God may place individuals in inconvenient places to preserve and eventually deliver them. Obedience to God's positioning can lead to the fulfillment of His promises and the avoidance of the enemy's control. [59:04]
- Victory is assured for those who remain steadfast in God's plan, despite the enemy's attempts to steal their joy and praise. Believers are encouraged to focus on God's ability to provide and to maintain a victorious mindset. By recognizing God as the author of their story, they can expect good things and embrace a narrative of triumph. [52:23]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 2:13-15 (NIV)
> "When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. 'Get up,' he said, 'take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.' So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: 'Out of Egypt I called my son.'"
2. 1 Samuel 3:1 (NIV)
> "The boy Samuel ministered before the Lord under Eli. In those days the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions."
3. 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 (NIV)
> "To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
#### Observation Questions
1. What was the instruction given to Joseph by the angel in Matthew 2:13-15, and why was it significant?
2. According to 1 Samuel 3:1, what was the condition of the word of the Lord during Samuel's time, and how did it affect the people?
3. In 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, what was Paul's response to his "thorn in the flesh," and what did he learn from God's answer? [44:10]
4. How did Bishop Johnson describe the importance of aligning our language with God's plan for victory? [36:15]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Joseph's obedience to the angel's command in Matthew 2:13-15 illustrate the importance of positioning oneself according to God's plan? [59:04]
2. What does the rarity of the word of the Lord in 1 Samuel 3:1 suggest about the spiritual state of the people, and how does this relate to the need for divine vision in our lives? [38:08]
3. How does Paul's experience with his "thorn in the flesh" in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 teach us about finding strength in weakness and relying on God's grace? [44:47]
4. Bishop Johnson emphasized the need to change our dialogue to align with God's promises. How can changing our language impact our spiritual journey and victory? [36:55]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt out of position in your life. How did it affect your spiritual journey, and what steps can you take to align yourself with God's plan? [59:04]
2. How can you ensure that the word of the Lord is a precious and guiding force in your life, especially when facing challenges? [38:08]
3. In what ways can you change your language to speak more about God's promises and victories rather than your struggles? Share a specific example. [36:55]
4. How do you handle adversity and opposition in your life? What can you learn from Paul's response to his "thorn in the flesh" to improve your approach? [44:47]
5. Bishop Johnson mentioned the importance of choosing the right relationships. How can you evaluate and improve your relationships to better align with God's plan for your life? [41:59]
6. Think about an area in your life where you desire improvement. What specific changes can you make to handle challenges better and grow in that area? [41:13]
7. How can you adopt a mindset of victory and expect good things, even when facing difficult circumstances? Share a practical step you can take this week. [52:23]
Devotional
Day 1: Empowerment Through Divine Language
Speaking victory aligns one with God's plan, transforming one's outlook and circumstances. By consciously choosing words that reflect God's promises, believers can shift their reality from defeat to triumph, embodying the power of life and death held in the tongue. This practice is not just about positive thinking; it's about aligning with the divine narrative that has been set forth for each life. [35:38]
Proverbs 18:21 - "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits."
Reflection: What words have you been speaking over your life recently, and how can you adjust your language to align with God's promises?
Day 2: Resurrection as the Source of Strength
The resurrection of Jesus is a testament to the ultimate victory over life's greatest challenges. Believers are invited to tap into this source of strength, which enables them to rise above any test or trial. This power is not just a historical fact but a present-day reality that offers a share in Jesus' victory over death and despair. [56:01]
Romans 6:4 - "We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life."
Reflection: How can the power of the resurrection influence your approach to the challenges you are currently facing?
Day 3: Vision Founded on the Word
The word of the Lord is the bedrock upon which a believer's vision for life should be constructed. It is through the divine word that one can see beyond current struggles and embrace the transformative journey God has planned. This vision is not a fleeting dream but a clear and purposeful direction that comes from hearing and internalizing God's truth. [38:08]
Habakkuk 2:2-3 - "Then the Lord replied: 'Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it. For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.'"
Reflection: What specific area of your life needs a renewed vision based on God's word, and how can you start to cultivate that today?
Day 4: The Importance of Divine Positioning
Being in the right position according to God's plan is essential for spiritual success and avoiding the snares of the enemy. Sometimes, God's positioning may seem inconvenient, but it is designed for preservation and ultimate deliverance. Obedience to divine placement is a key factor in realizing God's promises and living a life free from the enemy's control. [59:04]
Esther 4:14 - "For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?"
Reflection: Are there areas in your life where you feel 'out of position'? How can you align yourself with God's positioning to fulfill His purpose for you?
Day 5: Maintaining a Victorious Mindset
Victory is not just an outcome; it's a mindset that believers must cultivate, knowing that God is on their side. Despite the enemy's attempts to disrupt joy and praise, maintaining a victorious mindset allows one to expect good things and recognize God as the author of their story. This mindset is a shield against despair and a declaration of faith in God's provision. [52:23]
Psalm 44:6-7 - "I do not trust in my bow, my sword does not bring me victory; but you give us victory over our enemies, you put our adversaries to shame."
Reflection: In what ways can you actively cultivate a mindset of victory in your daily life, especially in areas where you feel challenged?
Quotes
"We want better, but have you gotten better at handling the pressures of life? We want better, but have you gotten better with your anger issues? We want better, but have you gotten better with how you handle difficulty?" [41:59] (Download)
"As you increase in favor, you will increase in haters; as you increase in blessings, you will increase in enemies. And if you can't handle one enemy, you're not ready for the multitude that may come with your blessings." [42:46] (Download)
"Many are ready to move into the next, but have not determined if your next is ready for the current you. Are you prepared for the challenges that come with your own growth and the new levels you seek?" [44:10] (Download)
"The very next thing the text said the word of the Lord was rare, which means they were having church but God was only talking to a few people. It did not say God wasn't talking, it said that the word of the Lord was rare." [38:40] (Download)
"What I hear from God determines how I see God, and you can always tell how a person hears God based on what they see for their life. If I'm hearing God, I ought to be seeing God." [39:23] (Download)
"It is impossible to see God and to see your struggle at the same time. If I'm seeing God, then I'm seeing better, I'm seeing brighter, I'm seeing victory." [40:18] (Download)
"God never said operating in promise will fit into your life without any inconvenience. God will position you in an inconvenient place to reserve the trajectory of your life." [59:52] (Download)
"Anytime you are out of position, the enemy will take over. Anytime that you're not praying, the enemy will take over. Anytime that you're not where God has called you to be, the enemy will take over." [01:01:24] (Download)
"The enemy tried to take your smile, your strength, your mind, and your joy, but you still won. You're still dancing, lifting up holy hands, still coming in the house of God telling Him thank you." [52:23] (Download)
"God's not at the end of my story, God wrote my story; He's the author and I am the finisher of my faith. If God's writing it, I know this thing is going to end up good because His thoughts towards me are good and not evil, to give me an expected end." [55:16] (Download)
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