Transforming Dysfunction Through Spiritual Intervention and Blessing

 

Summary

In our journey through life, we often find ourselves in environments filled with dysfunction and tension, whether in our workplaces, families, or communities. These situations are often the result of sin and brokenness, and sometimes they carry a spiritual dimension that we might not immediately recognize. As beings created in God's image, we are called to release His goodness, power, and love into these spaces to transform the atmosphere. This transformation requires us to draw deeply on God's resources, acknowledging that some challenges cannot be overcome by human effort alone.

Reflecting on a personal experience, I shared how our church staff faced a season of intense conflict and dysfunction. Despite our best efforts to resolve these issues through meetings and discussions, it wasn't until we invited our prayer team to intercede that we experienced a breakthrough. This taught us that some problems have a spiritual layer that requires spiritual solutions. We need to be open to the possibility that spiritual opposition might be at play and seek God's intervention to change the atmosphere.

The story of Elisha in 2 Kings illustrates this truth. When the king of Aram sent horses and chariots to capture Elisha, he relied solely on natural means to solve a problem that had a spiritual dimension. Elisha, however, understood that God's power was greater than any earthly force. He prayed for his servant's eyes to be opened, revealing the heavenly army that surrounded them. This story reminds us that those who are with us are more than those against us, even when we cannot see it.

We are encouraged to build spiritual memory banks, remembering God's past faithfulness to strengthen our faith in present challenges. By doing so, we prepare ourselves to face future "horses and chariots" with confidence in God's provision and protection. Moreover, we are called to be instruments of blessing, recognizing that blessing others is a form of spiritual warfare that pushes back darkness and changes the atmosphere.

Key Takeaways:

1. Dysfunctional dynamics often stem from sin and may have a spiritual layer. Recognizing this can help us seek God's resources to transform these situations, as human effort alone may not suffice. [05:52]

2. When facing repeated obstacles, consider if God is redirecting you. Surrendering your plans to Him can lead to new paths and blessings, transforming your life and those around you. [10:44]

3. Use natural resources wisely, but trust in God for deliverance. Pray for His victory over dysfunction, whether the cause is natural or spiritual, and seek courage to take the next right step. [13:16]

4. Build a bank of memories to remember God's faithfulness. This practice strengthens your faith and prepares you to face future challenges with confidence in His provision. [19:17]

5. Blessing is a form of spiritual warfare. By speaking and living blessings, you push back darkness and change the atmosphere, becoming an instrument of God's grace and power. [25:18]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:28] - Calling in the Prayer Team
[04:01] - Spiritual Metaphor of Poison Ivy
[05:52] - Spiritual Layers of Dysfunction
[08:23] - Horses and Chariots: Natural vs. Spiritual
[09:55] - Recognizing God's Redirection
[10:44] - Surrendering to God's Plans
[11:41] - Trusting in God Over Resources
[13:16] - Using Resources Without Trusting Them
[14:35] - Prayer for God's Victory
[16:34] - Remembering God's Faithfulness
[18:08] - Expecting Spiritual Opposition
[19:17] - Building Spiritual Memory Banks
[21:08] - Those Who Are With Us
[23:04] - Elisha's Prayer and God's Power
[25:18] - Blessing as Spiritual Warfare
[26:23] - Changing the Atmosphere

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- 2 Kings 6:8-23
- Psalm 20:7

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Observation Questions:

1. What was the king of Aram's initial plan against Elisha, and how did he attempt to execute it? [08:23]
2. How did Elisha respond to his servant's fear when they were surrounded by the enemy? [21:08]
3. What role did the prayer team play in resolving the conflict within the church staff, according to the sermon? [02:28]
4. How did the atmosphere change after the prayer intervention during the church staff's conflict? [04:01]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. In what ways does the story of Elisha and the king of Aram illustrate the concept of spiritual warfare? [05:52]
2. How does the sermon suggest that spiritual opposition might manifest in our daily lives, and what should be our response? [26:23]
3. What does the sermon imply about the importance of recognizing God's redirection in our lives? [10:44]
4. How does the concept of building spiritual memory banks help in facing future challenges, according to the sermon? [19:17]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a situation in your life where you faced repeated obstacles. How might recognizing a spiritual layer to these challenges change your approach? [05:52]
2. Have you ever experienced a time when you felt God was redirecting your plans? How did you respond, and what was the outcome? [10:44]
3. In what ways can you use natural resources wisely while still trusting in God for deliverance in your current challenges? [13:16]
4. What are some practical steps you can take to build a "bank of memories" to remember God's faithfulness in your life? [19:17]
5. How can you actively participate in blessing others as a form of spiritual warfare in your community or workplace? [25:18]
6. Think of a current dysfunctional situation you are facing. How can you invite God's presence and resources to change the atmosphere? [26:23]
7. Identify one area in your life where you need to surrender your plans to God. What steps will you take this week to do so? [28:03]

Devotional

Day 1: Recognizing Spiritual Layers in Dysfunction
In our lives, we often encounter dysfunctional dynamics that stem from sin and brokenness. These situations can manifest in our workplaces, families, or communities, and they may carry a spiritual dimension that is not immediately apparent. Recognizing this spiritual layer is crucial because it allows us to seek God's resources to transform these situations. Human effort alone may not suffice, and we must be open to the possibility that spiritual opposition might be at play. By inviting God's intervention, we can change the atmosphere and bring about healing and restoration. [05:52]

"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." (Ephesians 6:12, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a dysfunctional situation you are currently facing. How can you invite God to reveal any spiritual layers and seek His intervention today?


Day 2: Surrendering to God's Redirection
When we face repeated obstacles, it may be a sign that God is redirecting us. Surrendering our plans to Him can lead to new paths and blessings, transforming our lives and those around us. This requires humility and trust, acknowledging that God's plans are higher than our own. By letting go of our own agendas, we open ourselves to the possibility of divine guidance and the unfolding of His perfect will. [10:44]

"Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established." (Proverbs 16:3, ESV)

Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you feel stuck. Are you willing to surrender your plans to God and trust Him to lead you in a new direction?


Day 3: Trusting God Over Natural Resources
While it is important to use natural resources wisely, our ultimate trust should be in God for deliverance. We are encouraged to pray for His victory over dysfunction, whether the cause is natural or spiritual. This requires courage to take the next right step, trusting that God is with us and will provide the strength and wisdom needed to overcome challenges. [13:16]

"Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God." (Psalm 20:7, ESV)

Reflection: Consider a challenge you are currently facing. How can you shift your trust from your own resources to God's provision and guidance?


Day 4: Building Spiritual Memory Banks
Building a bank of memories to remember God's faithfulness is a powerful practice that strengthens our faith. By recalling His past provision and protection, we prepare ourselves to face future challenges with confidence. This spiritual memory bank serves as a reminder that God is always with us, even in the midst of trials, and that His faithfulness endures forever. [19:17]

"I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old." (Psalm 77:11, ESV)

Reflection: Take a moment to reflect on a time when God was faithful in your life. How can this memory encourage you in your current circumstances?


Day 5: Blessing as Spiritual Warfare
Blessing others is a form of spiritual warfare that pushes back darkness and changes the atmosphere. By speaking and living blessings, we become instruments of God's grace and power. This act of blessing is not only transformative for those we bless but also for ourselves, as it aligns us with God's heart and purposes. [25:18]

"Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them." (Romans 12:14, ESV)

Reflection: Think of someone you can bless today, even if they have wronged you. How can you be an instrument of God's grace and power in their life?

Quotes



If there's any level of spiritual opposition, spiritual sort of dysfunction, or spiritually pushing things against you, here's the deal. Whether it's just natural or natural and spiritual, we need God's resources to change the atmosphere. [00:05:52] (17 seconds)


Have you ever hit your head against a wall? The same wall or a different iteration of the wall over and over and over again? Have you ever hit your head against the wall enough times before you step back and finally realize, wait, God, is this you? [00:10:07] (15 seconds)


Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord. Our God. So what does it mean to have horses and chariots? Because Israel had horses and chariots. What does it mean to use things, but not trust things? That's the question, right? [00:12:26] (16 seconds)


And so throughout the scriptures, there's this incessant call to remember, remember, remember. Recite God's faithfulness. Tell it to each other. They would pile stones up and say, that's an altar that reminds us God's been faithful here. [00:16:45] (16 seconds)


Those who are with us are more than those who are with them. If you are in Jesus Christ, this is true every day of your life to your dying breath. Jesus is Lord. He has all authority in heaven and on earth. [00:20:56] (14 seconds)


Anytime you speak blessing or live blessing, you are an instrument of light pushing back darkness in whatever way that gets expressed. And after they throw this big party for the army that came to abduct Elisha, they send the army back to the king of Aram. [00:25:58] (20 seconds)


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Transcript
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