Engaging Actively with God's Promises and Conditions

 

Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound truth that God's promises are not just declarations but are accompanied by conditions that require our active participation. The essence of our journey as believers is to understand and engage with these promises and conditions, ensuring that we align our actions with God's word to see His promises fulfilled in our lives. We delved into the importance of knowledge, emphasizing that knowing what God has promised is only the beginning. We must also understand the conditions attached to these promises to activate them effectively.

The journey of faith is not passive; it requires obedience and action. We examined the biblical examples of individuals who experienced God's miraculous interventions because they understood and fulfilled the conditions attached to His promises. The story of Naaman, who was healed of leprosy after obeying the prophet's instructions, illustrates the power of obedience. Similarly, the lepers who moved towards the enemy's camp, driven by a prophetic word, demonstrate how God orchestrates circumstances to fulfill His promises when we act in faith.

We also discussed the role of faith as the bridge between God's promises and their manifestation in our lives. Faith is not merely a mental assent but an active engagement with God's word, leading to obedience. It is through faith that we commit God's integrity to perform His word in our lives. The Bible is replete with examples of individuals who, through faith, subdued kingdoms, obtained promises, and experienced God's supernatural interventions.

In conclusion, the message is a call to action for believers to rise above passivity and engage actively with God's word. It is a reminder that while God's promises are sure, they require our participation through knowledge, understanding, and faith. As we align ourselves with God's word and fulfill the conditions attached to His promises, we position ourselves to experience His faithfulness and power in unprecedented ways.

Key Takeaways:

1. Understanding God's Promises and Conditions: God's promises are accompanied by specific conditions that require our active participation. Knowing these conditions is crucial to activating His promises in our lives. Without understanding the conditions, we risk missing out on the fulfillment of God's word. [10:09]

2. The Power of Obedience: Obedience is the key to unlocking God's promises. Biblical examples, such as Naaman's healing, illustrate that miracles often occur when we act in obedience to God's instructions. Obedience is the practical expression of our faith. [22:03]

3. Faith as Active Engagement: Faith is not passive but requires active engagement with God's word. It is through faith that we commit God's integrity to perform His word in our lives. Faith involves obedience and action, leading to the manifestation of God's promises. [23:56]

4. The Role of Knowledge in Faith: Knowledge of God's promises and the conditions attached to them is essential for effective faith. Without knowledge, we cannot fully engage with God's word or experience its transformative power in our lives. [12:10]

5. God's Faithfulness and Our Responsibility: While God's promises are sure, they require our participation through knowledge, understanding, and faith. As we align ourselves with God's word and fulfill the conditions attached to His promises, we position ourselves to experience His faithfulness and power. [45:03]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [08:07] - The Importance of Knowledge
- [10:09] - Understanding Promises and Conditions
- [12:10] - The Role of Knowledge in Faith
- [15:40] - The Power of Obedience
- [22:03] - Faith as Active Engagement
- [23:56] - Engaging God's Word
- [30:14] - Biblical Examples of Obedience
- [32:35] - The Dynamics of Faith
- [34:54] - God's Faithfulness and Our Responsibility
- [36:30] - The Role of Prophetic Declarations
- [40:25] - Overcoming Doubt Through Prayer
- [43:51] - God's Credentials and Our Faith
- [45:03] - The Power of Believing God
- [48:11] - Repositioning for God's Promises

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:

1. Genesis 17:6
2. Psalm 112:1-3
3. Deuteronomy 28:1

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Observation Questions:

1. In Genesis 17:6, what promise does God make to Abraham, and how does it relate to the concept of fruitfulness discussed in the sermon? [08:07]

2. According to Psalm 112:1-3, what are the characteristics of a person who fears the Lord, and what are the promised outcomes for such a person?

3. Deuteronomy 28:1 outlines a condition for receiving blessings. What is this condition, and how does it connect to the sermon’s emphasis on understanding the conditions attached to God's promises? [10:09]

4. The sermon mentions Naaman's healing as an example of obedience. What specific action did Naaman have to take to receive his healing, and how does this illustrate the power of obedience? [15:40]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the promise in Genesis 17:6 of making Abraham exceedingly fruitful relate to the broader theme of God's promises requiring active participation? [08:07]

2. In what ways does Psalm 112:1-3 illustrate the relationship between fearing the Lord and experiencing prosperity and righteousness? How does this passage support the sermon’s message about the role of knowledge in faith?

3. Deuteronomy 28:1 speaks about diligently hearkening to God's voice. How does this concept of diligence and obedience align with the sermon’s discussion on the conditions necessary for activating God's promises? [10:09]

4. The sermon highlights the story of Naaman as an example of faith and obedience. How does Naaman's initial reluctance and eventual compliance with the prophet's instructions reflect common human responses to God's conditions for His promises? [15:40]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a promise from God that you are currently holding onto. Have you identified the conditions attached to this promise, and how are you actively engaging with them? [12:10]

2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of obedience in unlocking God's promises. Can you recall a time when obedience to God's word led to a significant change in your life? How did it impact your faith journey? [22:03]

3. Consider the role of faith as active engagement with God's word. What steps can you take this week to deepen your faith and actively engage with a specific promise from God? [23:56]

4. The sermon discusses the necessity of knowledge in faith. What specific areas of your spiritual life do you feel need more knowledge and understanding? How can you seek this knowledge in the coming weeks? [12:10]

5. Reflect on the concept of God's faithfulness and our responsibility. How can you better align your actions with God's word to experience His faithfulness in your life? [45:03]

6. The sermon calls believers to rise above passivity. Identify one area in your life where you have been passive in your faith. What practical steps can you take to become more active and engaged in that area? [36:30]

7. How can you incorporate the practice of making faith declarations in your daily life, as suggested in the sermon? What specific declarations can you start with this week? [23:56]

Devotional

Day 1: Understanding God's Promises and Conditions
God's promises are not unconditional; they come with specific conditions that require our active participation. To truly activate these promises in our lives, we must first understand what God has promised and the conditions attached to these promises. Without this understanding, we risk missing out on the fulfillment of God's word. It is essential to engage with God's word actively, seeking knowledge and wisdom to discern these conditions. As we align our actions with God's instructions, we open ourselves to experiencing His promises in our lives. [10:09]

"For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity." (Proverbs 2:6-7, ESV)

Reflection: What specific promise from God are you seeking to activate in your life, and what steps can you take today to understand the conditions attached to it?


Day 2: The Power of Obedience
Obedience is the key to unlocking God's promises. Throughout the Bible, we see examples of individuals who experienced God's miraculous interventions because they acted in obedience to His instructions. Naaman's healing from leprosy is a powerful illustration of how miracles often occur when we follow God's guidance. Obedience is not just about following rules; it is the practical expression of our faith. When we obey God's word, we demonstrate our trust in His plans and open the door for His promises to manifest in our lives. [22:03]

"And Samuel said, 'Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.'" (1 Samuel 15:22, ESV)

Reflection: Is there an area in your life where you feel God is calling you to obedience? What practical steps can you take today to respond to His call?


Day 3: Faith as Active Engagement
Faith is not a passive state of mind but an active engagement with God's word. It involves obedience and action, leading to the manifestation of God's promises in our lives. Through faith, we commit God's integrity to perform His word. The Bible is filled with stories of individuals who, through faith, subdued kingdoms and obtained promises. Faith requires us to step out of our comfort zones and trust in God's plans, even when circumstances seem challenging. It is through this active engagement that we experience God's supernatural interventions. [23:56]

"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation." (Hebrews 11:1-2, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to actively engage your faith? How can you take a step of faith today to trust in God's promises?


Day 4: The Role of Knowledge in Faith
Knowledge of God's promises and the conditions attached to them is essential for effective faith. Without knowledge, we cannot fully engage with God's word or experience its transformative power in our lives. Understanding God's promises allows us to align our actions with His will and positions us to receive His blessings. As we grow in knowledge, we become more equipped to navigate the challenges of life with faith and confidence, knowing that God's promises are sure. [12:10]

"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you from being a priest to me. And since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children." (Hosea 4:6, ESV)

Reflection: How can you deepen your knowledge of God's promises today? What resources or practices can you incorporate into your daily routine to grow in understanding?


Day 5: God's Faithfulness and Our Responsibility
While God's promises are sure, they require our participation through knowledge, understanding, and faith. As we align ourselves with God's word and fulfill the conditions attached to His promises, we position ourselves to experience His faithfulness and power. It is a call to rise above passivity and engage actively with God's word. By doing so, we open ourselves to the transformative power of His promises and witness His faithfulness in unprecedented ways. [45:03]

"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful." (Hebrews 10:23, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you actively participate in God's promises today? How can you align your actions with His word to experience His faithfulness in your life?

Quotes


The knowledge of the promises that have been made available to the believer in Christ. Then number two, the knowledge of the conditions. Your knowledge is not complete if you do not know the participatory role. That you have to play in committing God to perform for you. [00:09:14]

For instance, when the Bible says you shall be the head and not the tail, that is what we know, but there was a condition upon which that statement will work. Deuteronomy 28 and verse 1, it shall come to pass, it says, if thou shalt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord, to do and observe all that I have commanded you this day, that this blessing shall come upon you and shall overtake you. [00:09:42]

So we isolate promises independent of the awareness of the conditions connected to them. Hallelujah. There are times where you watch a beautiful advert on TV and after rejoicing, thinking the advert is too good to be true, you will see a small statement written there, terms and conditions apply. [00:10:09]

There is a condition attached to not dying, but live and declare the works of the Lord. Are we together? Honor your father and your mother, it says, so that you shall be long and it shall be well with you. You can't just shout and say it must be well with me. Based on what? [00:10:56]

The knowledge of the conditions that are connected to the promise is what activates the promise in your life. Are we together? Yes. Oh, my God shall supply all my needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. That's not what the Bible says. [00:11:27]

That was a prayer coming from someone who had received gifts of honor and benevolence from a faithful people, and he was speaking to them. That prayer is not supposed to be a confession. It's a prophetic blessing from someone who gave to a prophet, a man of God, and he was releasing it. [00:11:56]

It is amazing that two believers, the Bible says the same Lord is rich unto all, but two believers can attempt to engage the word to perform in their lives. One person will receive an extraordinary result and the other person will be left out as though God intentionally decided to not make him experience the word. [00:14:12]

And the difference I am telling you largely is that. That one person may be aware of what God has said and even though knowing that God is faithful and true, he is not able to engage the word for his profiting because he does not know the participatory role. [00:14:42]

Listen, salvation is the cheapest and the easiest thing given to the believer in Christ. But even at that, it comes at the instance of your believing and your confessing. Am I right on that? As simple and cheap and free as salvation is. There are people. [00:15:12]

Going to hell today because the condition for salvation to walk in your life is not just that Jesus died. That has already happened, but that you must receive, believe that report. The Bible says in Romans chapter eight, when you read from verse nine and 10, that if you confess with your hearts, the Lord Jesus, your mouth, the Lord Jesus, and you believe in your hearts that God raised him from the dead, you shall be saved. [00:15:42]

It says for with the heart. Man believes unto righteousness. And with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. So an individual can stand close to this precious gift and still go to hell. That does not negate the fact that Jesus died and rose again. That does not negate the fact that God loves you. [00:16:12]

There are people suffering all over the world, and yet the epitome of love is still seated on his throne. And you'll be wondering, is God not watching these people? Is God not watching the children die? Is God not watching the governments of nation plunge? Is God not watching the people down? The reason is because there is always something men must do that makes good the word of God in their lives. [00:16:42]

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Transcript
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