Passionate Pursuit: Engaging God for Spiritual Victory
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound truth that God is a miracle-working God who desires to work in our lives, but He requires our active participation. We delved into the story of Elisha and King Joash from 2 Kings 13, where Elisha instructed Joash to strike the ground with arrows. Joash's half-hearted response resulted in limited victories over his enemies. This narrative serves as a powerful reminder that our spiritual victories are often determined by the passion and determination we bring to our walk with God.
Elisha, known for his double portion of anointing, exemplifies the pursuit of God's power and presence. His life was marked by miracles and a relentless desire for more of God. This same passion is required of us today. We must not be content with minimal effort or lukewarm faith. Instead, we are called to pursue God with fervor, to stir up the gifts within us, and to actively engage in spiritual disciplines like prayer, worship, and fasting.
The story of Joash teaches us that God honors our passion and determination. When we approach Him with a heart full of desire and a willingness to go beyond the minimum, He responds with His presence and power. Our spiritual journey is not about checking off a list of requirements but about cultivating a deep, abiding relationship with God. We are encouraged to take hold of the spiritual weapons available to us and to use them to overcome the challenges we face.
In these perilous times, we need to be people of passion, fully committed to seeking God and His kingdom. Our faith should not be passive but active, characterized by a relentless pursuit of God's presence and a desire to see His will accomplished in our lives. Let us be determined to have victory, not settling for anything less than the fullness of what God has for us.
Key Takeaways:
1. Active Participation in Faith: Our spiritual victories depend on our active participation and passion in seeking God. Like King Joash, we must not settle for minimal effort but strive for a fervent pursuit of God's presence and power. [38:33]
2. The Power of Passion: Elisha's life demonstrates the power of passion in pursuing God's anointing. We are called to stir up the gifts within us and seek God with fervor, knowing that He honors our desire for Him. [44:33]
3. Spiritual Weapons: Prayer, worship, and fasting are powerful spiritual weapons that enable us to overcome challenges. We must actively engage in these disciplines to experience God's deliverance and victory. [50:49]
4. Determination in Perilous Times: In a world filled with challenges, we need to be people of passion, fully committed to seeking God and His kingdom. Our faith should be characterized by a relentless pursuit of God's presence. [01:08:33]
5. God Honors Our Desire: God responds to our passion and determination. When we approach Him with a heart full of desire and a willingness to go beyond the minimum, He blesses us with His presence and power. [01:02:53]
Youtube Chapters:
[0:00] - Welcome
[36:25] - Introduction and Worship
[38:33] - Active Participation in Faith
[40:27] - The Arrow of Deliverance
[42:22] - Determined to Have Victory
[44:33] - Elisha's Double Portion
[46:02] - Symbolic Actions and Prophetic Meaning
[47:31] - The Importance of Passion
[48:59] - Beyond the Minimum
[50:49] - Spiritual Weapons
[52:42] - Taking Hold of God's Promises
[53:38] - Stirring Up the Gift
[54:54] - The Power of a Choice
[56:27] - Walking in Victory
[01:02:53] - God Honors Our Desire
[01:08:33] - Determination in Perilous Times
[01:14:46] - Closing Prayer and Invitation
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- 2 Kings 13:15-19
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Observation Questions:
1. What specific instructions did Elisha give to King Joash regarding the arrows, and how did Joash respond? [40:27]
2. How did Elisha react to Joash's actions, and what was the consequence of Joash's response? [47:58]
3. What does the story of Elisha and Joash illustrate about the relationship between human action and divine intervention? [38:33]
4. How is Elisha's life described in terms of his pursuit of God's power and presence? [44:33]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. What might Elisha's anger towards Joash's half-hearted effort suggest about the importance of passion in our spiritual lives? [47:58]
2. How does the narrative of Elisha and Joash challenge the idea of doing the bare minimum in our faith journey? [48:59]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that spiritual disciplines like prayer, worship, and fasting serve as "weapons" in our spiritual battles? [50:49]
4. How does the sermon interpret the concept of "active participation" in faith, and why is it crucial for experiencing God's presence and power? [38:33]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you approached a spiritual discipline with minimal effort. How did it affect your spiritual growth, and what changes can you make to pursue God with more passion? [48:59]
2. Elisha's life was marked by a relentless pursuit of God's presence. What specific steps can you take this week to stir up the gifts within you and seek God more fervently? [44:33]
3. Consider the spiritual "weapons" mentioned in the sermon. Which one do you feel most comfortable using, and which one do you need to engage with more actively? [50:49]
4. In what areas of your life do you feel God is calling you to go beyond the minimum? How can you respond to this call with determination and passion? [48:59]
5. The sermon emphasizes the importance of being fully committed to seeking God, especially in challenging times. How can you cultivate a more active and passionate faith in your daily life? [01:08:33]
6. Think about a current challenge you are facing. How can you apply the lesson of Joash's story to ensure you are actively participating in seeking God's deliverance and victory? [40:27]
7. How can you encourage others in your small group or community to pursue God with passion and determination? What role can you play in fostering a culture of fervent faith? [38:33]
Devotional
Day 1: Active Participation in Faith
In the story of Elisha and King Joash, we see a clear illustration of how our spiritual victories are often linked to the level of passion and determination we bring to our relationship with God. Joash's half-hearted response to Elisha's instruction to strike the ground with arrows resulted in limited victories. This narrative serves as a reminder that God desires our active participation in faith. We are called to pursue God with fervor, not settling for minimal effort or lukewarm faith. Our spiritual journey is not about checking off a list of requirements but about cultivating a deep, abiding relationship with God. When we approach Him with a heart full of desire and a willingness to go beyond the minimum, He responds with His presence and power. [38:33]
"Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord." (Romans 12:11, ESV)
Reflection: In what area of your spiritual life have you been half-hearted? How can you actively participate in seeking God with more passion today?
Day 2: The Power of Passion
Elisha's life is a testament to the power of passion in pursuing God's anointing. Known for his double portion of anointing, Elisha exemplified a relentless desire for more of God. This same passion is required of us today. We must not be content with minimal effort or lukewarm faith. Instead, we are called to stir up the gifts within us and seek God with fervor, knowing that He honors our desire for Him. Our spiritual journey is not about checking off a list of requirements but about cultivating a deep, abiding relationship with God. When we approach Him with a heart full of desire and a willingness to go beyond the minimum, He responds with His presence and power. [44:33]
"For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands." (2 Timothy 1:6, ESV)
Reflection: What gifts has God placed within you that need to be stirred up? How can you fan them into flame with passion and purpose today?
Day 3: Spiritual Weapons
Prayer, worship, and fasting are powerful spiritual weapons that enable us to overcome challenges. These disciplines are not just religious rituals but are vital tools in our spiritual arsenal. When we actively engage in these practices, we position ourselves to experience God's deliverance and victory. In a world filled with challenges, we need to be people of passion, fully committed to seeking God and His kingdom. Our faith should be characterized by a relentless pursuit of God's presence. Let us be determined to have victory, not settling for anything less than the fullness of what God has for us. [50:49]
"For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds." (2 Corinthians 10:4, ESV)
Reflection: Which spiritual weapon—prayer, worship, or fasting—do you need to engage with more intentionally this week? How can you incorporate it into your daily routine?
Day 4: Determination in Perilous Times
In these perilous times, we need to be people of passion, fully committed to seeking God and His kingdom. Our faith should not be passive but active, characterized by a relentless pursuit of God's presence and a desire to see His will accomplished in our lives. The story of Joash teaches us that God honors our passion and determination. When we approach Him with a heart full of desire and a willingness to go beyond the minimum, He responds with His presence and power. Our spiritual journey is not about checking off a list of requirements but about cultivating a deep, abiding relationship with God. [01:08:33]
"Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain." (1 Corinthians 15:58, ESV)
Reflection: What specific challenge are you facing today that requires steadfast determination? How can you actively seek God's presence and guidance in this situation?
Day 5: God Honors Our Desire
God responds to our passion and determination. When we approach Him with a heart full of desire and a willingness to go beyond the minimum, He blesses us with His presence and power. Our spiritual journey is not about checking off a list of requirements but about cultivating a deep, abiding relationship with God. We are encouraged to take hold of the spiritual weapons available to us and to use them to overcome the challenges we face. Let us be determined to have victory, not settling for anything less than the fullness of what God has for us. [01:02:53]
"And you will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:13, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to seek God with all your heart? How can you demonstrate your desire for His presence and power today?
Quotes
1) "He's the author and finisher of our faith. He is the author and finisher of our faith. But yet the Bible says we are we are labors together. With God. So there are a whole lot of things that depend on us. We have a role in a proactive role. Amen. In the kingdom of God and our own lives and our even our own spiritual walk with God. Many folks kick back and cross their arms and are waiting on God to do things whenever he has instructed us to have a certain hunger and thirst for God. And we have a role in the kingdom of God." [38:33] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2) "God is a miracle working God. God can work in your situation. God can take a mess and turn it into a miracle. God is a supernatural wonder working, awesome, almighty, bountiful blessings, superb supplying God. Someone give God a hand clap of praise today. And this prophet, he was actually about to pass off the scene, about to go on to his heavenly reward. And before he did, he stopped by the king of Israel and talked to Joash, the king. And he, uh, instructed him to first, as we read, shoot an arrow through the window. That was symbolic of a victory of deliverance, an arrow of deliverance coming for Israel in the town of Apec or Afec, however you pronounce that." [46:02] (51 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3) "We've got to have a determination. We've got to have a passion. Jesus inspired John the Revelator to write to the church of Ephesus and said, you've got this right. You've got that right. You've got the truth. You hate the false apostles. You do good works. But I have a little problem with you. You've left your first love. You've lost the passion for it. You've lost your fervor. You've lost your fire. You told the Laodiceans, I'd rather you be hot or cold, but because you're lukewarm, I'm going to blot your name out of my book." [49:37] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4) "What are some of our weapons? Prayer is a weapon. Coming to church is a weapon. Praising God is a weapon. Might seem foolish to the natural mind. Okay, whatever. You know? Well, do I have to get baptized? I want to get baptized. Do I have to do it in Jesus' name? You get. You get to do it in Jesus' name. Holy Ghost. Oh, I don't know. Do I have to get? You get to get the Holy Ghost. You mean we can have and we can. God's Spirit living on the inside of us and some folks are arguing about it. I said, Lord, I need everything you've got for me." [51:21] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5) "You've got to take what God has for you. You've got to take your victory. You've got to take. Praise God. Amen. Even those that already have the Holy Ghost. Paul. He said, stir up the gift that is within you. I was preaching in a Spanish church a couple weeks ago and I went to read that verse. In the Spanish, it literally says, rekindle the fire of the gift that is within you. Amen. Amen. Rekindle that fire. Rekindle that passion. Stir up that gift. Praise God. Stir up. Stir up. Stir up. People are stirring up arguments. Stirring up drama. Stirring up confusion. We need to be in the presence of the Lord." [53:11] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6) "There's a war on. There's a war going on for your soul, for your victory, for your peace, for your joy. Amen. But we've got weapons. Praise God. A weapon. Paul said we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against spiritual wickedness, et cetera. There's a force in the world of darkness. But you can overcome it. Someone clap your hands to the Lord. Smite the ground. Smite the ground with prayer. Smite it with your reading your Bible. Smite it with coming to church. Smite it with turning your complaining into thanking God. God for something. Smite it with forgiving your enemies." [54:17] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7) "When I got in the church, Brother Brock, I was just, I just wanted to please God. I wanted so much of God. If you'd have told me some, some suggestion of how I could get closer to God, I'd have said, absolutely. Yes. Praise God. I hadn't thought of that. Amen. That's a good idea. Draw nigh to God. You take action on your part. And he shall draw nigh to you. His presence, his power, his, his, the availability of his spirit is so precious beyond words that he, he, he, he, he told us, don't cast your pearls before swine. There's something sacred about the presence of God." [56:59] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8) "God has a plan for your life, but he won't put luxury in the lap of apathy. He's got you've got to have a passion. Praise God. How unfair, how unfair of Elisha didn't even specify. The exact count of how many times to hit the ground and then got angry at him because it's it's not the number. It's the it's the it's something in here, something in here says, what can I do for God? How can I get closer to God? Not the bare minimum stuff, but I want to get I want to be involved in his kingdom. I want that victory." [01:17:18] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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