Living Victoriously Through Faith and Obedience
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound truth of living victoriously through the authority given to us by Christ, while acknowledging the reality of life's challenges. We began by reflecting on our spiritual authority as described in Ephesians 2:6, where we are seated with Christ in heavenly realms. This authority empowers us to overcome adversities, symbolized by snakes and scorpions in Luke 10:19. However, the journey of faith is not devoid of difficulties. Instead, it is through these trials that our faith is tested and strengthened, as James 1:2-4 reminds us.
We delved into the concept of spiritual pruning, as illustrated in John 15:1-4, where God, the gardener, prunes even the fruitful branches to make them more fruitful. This process, though challenging, is essential for our spiritual growth and alignment with God's will. We must embrace these trials with perseverance, understanding that they are opportunities for God to work in us and through us.
The story of Naaman in 2 Kings 5 served as a powerful illustration of obedience and humility. Naaman's healing from leprosy required him to follow a simple yet humbling instruction from the prophet Elisha. Despite his initial resistance, Naaman's eventual obedience led to his miraculous healing. This narrative underscores the importance of trusting God's process, even when it doesn't align with our expectations.
We concluded by emphasizing the need for obedience in our walk with God. Victory is not merely about praying for breakthroughs but practicing obedience in our daily lives. Philippians 1:6 assures us that God, who began a good work in us, will carry it to completion. Our victory lies on the other side of our obedience, and we must persevere, trusting in God's faithfulness.
Key Takeaways:
- Authority and Responsibility: As believers, we are seated with Christ in heavenly realms, granting us authority over adversities. However, this authority comes with the responsibility to face and overcome challenges, not avoid them. Our victory is found in navigating through difficulties with faith and perseverance. [33:44]
- The Purpose of Trials: Trials are not a sign of failure but an opportunity for growth. Like the pruning of fruitful branches, God uses challenges to refine us and increase our fruitfulness. Embracing trials with joy, as James 1:2-4 suggests, allows perseverance to complete its work, leading to maturity and completeness. [36:24]
- Obedience Over Convenience: The story of Naaman teaches us that God's instructions may not always align with our expectations. True victory requires humility and obedience, even when the process seems inconvenient or illogical. Our healing and breakthrough often lie in following God's simple yet profound directions. [46:52]
- Faith in God's Faithfulness: Our faith is not about having enough belief in ourselves but trusting in God's faithfulness. The shield of faith in Ephesians 6 is about relying on God's promises and character. We must align our desires with God's will, seeking His guidance and trusting His process. [39:04]
- Perseverance and Completion: Philippians 1:6 assures us that God will complete the good work He began in us. Our role is to persevere, allowing God's process to unfold in His timing. Victory is not just about praying for breakthroughs but practicing obedience and trusting that God is not finished with us yet. [53:22]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Introduction to Authority
- [02:15] - Seated with Christ
- [05:00] - Understanding Spiritual Authority
- [08:45] - Trials and Pruning
- [12:30] - The Role of Perseverance
- [15:20] - Naaman's Story of Obedience
- [20:10] - The Challenge of Humility
- [25:00] - Faith in God's Faithfulness
- [30:00] - Aligning with God's Will
- [35:00] - Practicing Obedience
- [40:00] - Perseverance and Completion
- [45:00] - Encouragement to Keep Going
- [50:00] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Ephesians 2:6
2. Luke 10:19
3. John 15:1-4
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Observation Questions:
1. According to Ephesians 2:6, where are believers positioned with Christ, and what does this imply about their spiritual authority? [33:44]
2. In Luke 10:19, what authority has Jesus given to His followers, and what are the symbolic meanings of "snakes and scorpions"? [33:44]
3. How does John 15:1-4 describe the process of spiritual pruning, and what is its purpose? [36:24]
4. What was Naaman's initial reaction to Elisha's instructions, and how did his attitude change throughout the story? [46:52]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of being "seated with Christ" in Ephesians 2:6 affect a believer's perspective on facing life's challenges? [33:44]
2. What does the authority to "trample on snakes and scorpions" in Luke 10:19 suggest about the believer's role in spiritual warfare? [33:44]
3. In what ways does the process of pruning, as described in John 15:1-4, reflect God's method of refining and growing His followers? [36:24]
4. How does Naaman's story illustrate the importance of obedience over personal expectations in experiencing God's miracles? [46:52]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent challenge you faced. How did your understanding of being "seated with Christ" influence your response to that situation? [33:44]
2. Identify an area in your life where you feel spiritually attacked. How can you apply the authority given in Luke 10:19 to overcome these challenges? [33:44]
3. Consider a time when you experienced spiritual pruning. How did that process lead to greater fruitfulness in your life? [36:24]
4. Naaman initially resisted Elisha's instructions because they didn't meet his expectations. Is there an area in your life where you are resisting God's guidance because it seems inconvenient or illogical? [46:52]
5. How can you practice obedience in your daily walk with God, even when it feels difficult or inconvenient? [53:22]
6. Reflect on a situation where you stopped short of completing what God asked you to do. What steps can you take to resume and persevere in that process? [53:22]
7. How can you align your desires with God's will, seeking His guidance and trusting His process, especially when the outcome is uncertain? [39:04]
Devotional
Day 1: Authority with Responsibility
As believers, we are granted spiritual authority through our position in Christ, as described in Ephesians 2:6. This authority empowers us to face and overcome life's adversities, symbolized by snakes and scorpions in Luke 10:19. However, this authority is not a means to avoid challenges but a call to navigate through them with faith and perseverance. Our victory is found in the journey through difficulties, where our faith is tested and strengthened. Embracing this responsibility means acknowledging that our spiritual authority is both a privilege and a duty to act in alignment with God's will. [33:44]
Ephesians 1:20-21 (ESV): "that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come."
Reflection: In what specific area of your life do you need to exercise the authority given to you by Christ, and how can you do so with faith and perseverance today?
Day 2: Trials as Opportunities for Growth
Trials are not indicators of failure but opportunities for spiritual growth and refinement. Just as a gardener prunes fruitful branches to increase their yield, God uses life's challenges to refine us and enhance our fruitfulness. Embracing trials with joy, as James 1:2-4 suggests, allows perseverance to complete its work, leading to maturity and completeness. This perspective shifts our understanding of difficulties from obstacles to opportunities for God to work in us and through us, aligning us more closely with His purpose. [36:24]
1 Peter 1:6-7 (ESV): "In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ."
Reflection: What current trial are you facing that you can view as an opportunity for growth, and how can you embrace it with joy and perseverance?
Day 3: Obedience Over Convenience
The story of Naaman in 2 Kings 5 illustrates the importance of obedience and humility in our walk with God. Naaman's healing from leprosy required him to follow a simple yet humbling instruction from the prophet Elisha. Despite his initial resistance, Naaman's eventual obedience led to his miraculous healing. This narrative teaches us that God's instructions may not always align with our expectations, but true victory requires humility and obedience, even when the process seems inconvenient or illogical. Our healing and breakthrough often lie in following God's simple yet profound directions. [46:52]
1 Samuel 15:22 (ESV): "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.'"
Reflection: Is there an area in your life where you are resisting God's instructions because they seem inconvenient? How can you practice obedience today?
Day 4: Faith in God's Faithfulness
Our faith is not about having enough belief in ourselves but trusting in God's faithfulness. The shield of faith in Ephesians 6 is about relying on God's promises and character. We must align our desires with God's will, seeking His guidance and trusting His process. This trust is not passive but active, requiring us to engage with God's word and promises, allowing them to shape our perspective and actions. By doing so, we find strength and assurance in God's unchanging nature and His commitment to fulfill His promises. [39:04]
Hebrews 10:23 (ESV): "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful."
Reflection: What is one promise of God that you need to hold onto today, and how can you actively trust in His faithfulness in your current situation?
Day 5: Perseverance and Completion
Philippians 1:6 assures us that God will complete the good work He began in us. Our role is to persevere, allowing God's process to unfold in His timing. Victory is not just about praying for breakthroughs but practicing obedience and trusting that God is not finished with us yet. This perseverance is an active engagement with God's ongoing work in our lives, requiring patience and trust in His perfect timing. By remaining steadfast, we align ourselves with God's purpose and witness the fulfillment of His promises in our lives. [53:22]
James 5:11 (ESV): "Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful."
Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to practice perseverance, trusting that God is still at work, and how can you actively engage with His process today?
Quotes
"But let me say, we've been talking a whole lot about our authority. Through February, we talked about this a bunch in the I Do Declare series. And then in this Thy Kingdom Come, our authority and the responsibility that we have. You know, Ephesians 2 .6 says, And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus. And we talked about what that means as we're seated with Christ in heavenly realms. You know, we have authority. We have responsibility. And I wanted to check in on week number five. How do we feel? Do we feel like we have authority? Do we feel like we're taking the responsibility that God has given us? Like, are we victorious? Like, are we floating above?" [00:31:14] (44 seconds)
"Well, sometimes I don't feel like that. And so let's talk about that a little bit today, right? In Luke 10, 19, it says this, I have given you the authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy. Nothing will harm you. How's that going? Well, we're going to test it today. So I have some snakes, and no, I'm not. I'm just kidding. Just kidding. But listen, there's a lot of symbolism in this verse, too. It may have been 100 % literal. Because he's speaking to his disciples who he sent out, and they came back, and they were like, hey, this is working. Like, this authority that you've given us, it's working. We're casting out demons. We're healing people. It's amazing what's going on." [00:32:31] (43 seconds)
"And Jesus says, yeah, I've given it to you. Now, you're using it, right? But there's this, it's literal, but there's also a lot of symbolism here. Snakes and scorpions in Scripture, all throughout the Old Testament, represent really difficult things. Deception, danger, demonic power, Satan, lies and judgment and pain and torment, spiritual attacks. And so he's telling us, though, that he's given us the authority to overcome these things. I'm like, man, you know what? Sometimes I just, I don't know if I'm feeling it. Sometimes I'm not experiencing that, right?" [00:33:13] (33 seconds)
"So are we living victorious, or am I missing something? Let's talk about that a little bit today. We can live in victory and authority, but I want to make sure that we're clear that that does not mean that there's a complete lack of difficult times. That's not what this means, right? There are difficult times. Sometimes it's for a purpose. Look at what it says in John 15, verses 1 through 4. Here's what it says, I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit. That's difficult. That's difficult, right? While every branch that does bear fruit, he prunes." [00:33:47] (39 seconds)
"You are already clean because of the word that he's spoken to you, right? Remain in me, and I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself. It must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. This is talking a whole lot about, listen, there's going to be things that appear to us to be difficult. Because it is God working in us to get rid of things that we don't need. And to make the things that are successful, the parts of us that are successful, that are actually bearing fruit, bear more fruit. Make them even better." [00:35:10] (34 seconds)
"But none of this can happen without obedience, right? And so we have that verse again, Luke 10, 19, right? We have the authority to trample on snakes and scorpions, right? To overcome the power of the enemy. But I want to point out real quick, yes, we have the authority and the responsibility. But we will not be able to trample on our difficulties unless we come up against some difficulties. All right, do you understand that? We don't have the opportunity for victory unless we come up against some kind of a battle, right? In order to overcome our difficulties, we have to face them." [00:36:24] (38 seconds)
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds. Because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete and lacking nothing. This is huge, right? Let perseverance finish its work. Don't give up. Don't stop. Don't get distracted by the pruning or the difficult things that we face. That may be for a purpose. They may be because we're boneheads. Don't let it stop you. Pick yourself back up." [00:37:03] (39 seconds)
"Understand who we are as kingdom people and know that we can live victorious. Right? I'm going to go back to it again because I love this. The shield of faith in the armor of God that we talk about. The shield of faith is not, I have enough faith. I can do this. No. It is faith in God's faithfulness. God said it and we can rely on it. We can trust. We can stand on that foundation. God says it and it's true. So what areas of my life and maybe am I allowing the enemy to take control? And how can I walk in victory?" [00:37:48] (39 seconds)
"And we need to see the character of God. We need to be careful not to take one or two stories or verses out of context and make up our minds that this is how God's going to do it. Right? We need to understand that the goal isn't just our results and our answers that we're looking for. But it is alignment with God and His will. That's the goal. Alignment with God and His will. That's important. We don't just want to, we want to make sure we're not using the Word of God, but we're being transformed by the Word of God." [00:40:07] (34 seconds)
"It's not a vending machine for answers. It's a revelation of the God who wants a relationship with us. Scripture is a revelation of the character of God. That God who wants a relationship with us. And so we need to be careful not to use it as a vending machine. This is the one I want. This is the answer that I pick. Instead, we ask God, what do you have for me today? How will I be victorious today? What is your will for me today? I love this verse in 2 Chronicles chapter 7. But sometimes I think this is exactly where we stop short." [00:40:41] (43 seconds)
"Some of us know the process. And we've stopped. Some of us don't know the process. But we're working. I don't know when it's going to come. But I'm going to have faith that it's coming. Let me encourage you. Philippians 1 .6 says this. Being confident of this, that he who has began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Jesus Christ. We can have faith in his faithfulness. He who has begun a good work in you will carry it on. Will complete it." [00:51:44] (37 seconds)
"That we can let perseverance finish its work. It's not going to be easy the whole time. Sometimes it's really inconvenient. And it's difficult. But we let perseverance finish. God doesn't quit. He doesn't start something and then walk away. So you might be on dip number three. Dip number six. But it's still in progress. The good work of God is still in progress. And your victory might be just on the other side of your obedience. So keep going. Keep trusting. He's not finished yet." [00:53:09] (43 seconds)
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