Unity in Prophecy: Embracing Sonship and Transformation
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound beauty of prophecy and the unity it brings to the body of Christ. Prophecy, as designed by God, is a collaborative effort where each part contributes to a fuller understanding of His message. This unity is not just for personal affirmation but is meant for the nations, allowing us to receive and act upon God's word collectively. The week has been filled with powerful words about the fivefold ministry and sonship, emphasizing the importance of positioning ourselves and the church to receive God's word actively.
We celebrated the vibrant spirit of Harmony Church, likening it to a confetti machine spreading life and color over the city. This imagery underscores the church's international anointing and mandate to touch nations, encouraging each member to recognize their significant role in this mission. The call is to serve God wholeheartedly, impacting the city and beyond with the life of Jesus.
We delved into the essence of eternal life, which is to know God intimately, not just intellectually. This knowing, or koinonia, is an experiential fellowship with God, transforming our daily lives into a continuous act of worship and communion with Him. This relationship is the foundation of our identity, freeing us from the constraints of our past and enabling us to live from a place of victory and sonship.
Living by the Spirit, as outlined in Galatians 5, is not about behavior modification but about a transformation that comes from right believing. This transformation allows us to live above life's storms, immovable and unshakable, as we align ourselves with the Spirit. Our identity in Christ empowers us to deny the flesh and embrace the fruits of the Spirit, leading to a life of love, joy, peace, and more.
Finally, we emphasized the importance of sonship, rooted in the love of God. This understanding liberates us from fear and performance-based living, allowing us to live in the fullness of our identity as beloved children of God. This sonship perspective enables us to see divine solutions and live in harmony with the Spirit, breaking any yoke of bondage and fear.
Key Takeaways:
- Prophecy is a collaborative effort that brings unity and a fuller understanding of God's message, meant for personal and national affirmation. This unity allows us to receive and act upon God's word collectively. [01:09:01]
- Harmony Church is called to be a vibrant source of life and color, impacting the city and nations. Each member plays a significant role in this mission, serving God and the community wholeheartedly. [01:16:24]
- Eternal life is about knowing God intimately through experiential fellowship, transforming our daily lives into continuous worship and communion with Him. This relationship is the foundation of our identity in Christ. [01:20:22]
- Living by the Spirit involves a transformation that comes from right believing, allowing us to live above life's storms, immovable and unshakable. This alignment with the Spirit leads to a life of love, joy, peace, and more. [01:24:33]
- Understanding our sonship in God liberates us from fear and performance-based living, enabling us to live in the fullness of our identity as beloved children of God. This perspective allows us to see divine solutions and live in harmony with the Spirit. [01:29:57]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:09:01] - The Power of Prophecy and Unity
[01:16:24] - Harmony Church's Vibrant Mission
[01:20:22] - Experiential Fellowship with God
[01:24:33] - Living by the Spirit
[01:29:57] - Embracing Sonship and Identity
[01:34:00] - Prayer and Invitation to Know God
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. John 17:3 - "And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the one true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent."
2. Galatians 5:13-25 - Discusses living by the Spirit and the fruits of the Spirit.
3. Romans 8:12-15 - Talks about sonship and living by the Spirit.
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Observation Questions:
1. What does John 17:3 say about the essence of eternal life? How does this relate to the concept of koinonia mentioned in the sermon? [01:20:22]
2. In Galatians 5:13-25, what are the contrasts between living by the flesh and living by the Spirit? How does this passage describe the fruits of the Spirit?
3. According to Romans 8:12-15, what does it mean to live as a child of God? How does this passage describe the spirit of sonship?
4. How did the sermon describe the role of Harmony Church in the city and nations? What imagery was used to convey this message? [01:16:24]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of koinonia in John 17:3 deepen our understanding of eternal life beyond just intellectual knowledge? [01:20:22]
2. What does it mean to live above life's storms as described in Galatians 5? How does right believing lead to transformation according to the sermon? [01:24:33]
3. How does understanding our identity as children of God, as described in Romans 8, liberate us from fear and performance-based living? [01:29:57]
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that prophecy and unity contribute to a fuller understanding of God's message? [01:09:01]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current relationship with God. How can you move from intellectual knowledge to experiential fellowship (koinonia) with Him this week? [01:20:22]
2. Identify an area in your life where you feel challenged by life's storms. How can aligning with the Spirit help you remain immovable and unshakable in that situation? [01:24:33]
3. Consider your role in your church and community. How can you actively contribute to the mission of spreading life and color, as described in the sermon? [01:16:24]
4. Think of a recent situation where you acted out of fear or performance-based living. How can embracing your identity as a beloved child of God change your response in similar situations? [01:29:57]
5. Choose one aspect of the fruit of the Spirit from Galatians 5 to focus on this week. What specific action can you take to cultivate it in your daily interactions?
6. How can you practice discernment in your daily life to better align with the Spirit's desires, as discussed in the sermon? [01:09:01]
7. Reflect on a time when you felt disconnected from God. What steps can you take to ensure you are living in continuous worship and communion with Him? [01:20:22]
Devotional
Day 1: Prophecy as a Collaborative Unity
Prophecy is a divine collaboration that unites believers, allowing them to collectively understand and act upon God's message. This unity is not only for personal growth but also for the affirmation and guidance of nations. By embracing prophecy as a shared effort, the body of Christ can receive and implement God's word more effectively, fostering a deeper connection among believers and a stronger impact on the world. [01:09:01]
"For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged, and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets. For God is not a God of confusion but of peace." (1 Corinthians 14:31-33 ESV)
Reflection: How can you contribute to the unity of your church community by embracing and sharing prophetic insights with others today?
Day 2: Harmony Church's Vibrant Mission
Harmony Church is envisioned as a dynamic force, spreading life and color throughout the city and beyond. Each member is called to recognize their unique role in this mission, serving God and the community with wholehearted dedication. This vibrant spirit is likened to a confetti machine, symbolizing the church's international anointing and its mandate to touch nations. [01:16:24]
"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house." (Matthew 5:14-15 ESV)
Reflection: What specific action can you take this week to bring life and color to your community, reflecting the mission of Harmony Church?
Day 3: Experiential Fellowship with God
Eternal life is about knowing God intimately through experiential fellowship, transforming daily life into continuous worship and communion with Him. This relationship, known as koinonia, is the foundation of our identity in Christ, freeing us from past constraints and enabling us to live victoriously. By engaging in this deep fellowship, believers can experience a profound transformation in their spiritual journey. [01:20:22]
"And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent." (John 17:3 ESV)
Reflection: How can you deepen your experiential fellowship with God today, turning ordinary moments into acts of worship and communion?
Day 4: Living by the Spirit
Living by the Spirit involves a transformation that comes from right believing, allowing believers to rise above life's challenges, remaining immovable and unshakable. This alignment with the Spirit leads to a life characterized by the fruits of the Spirit, such as love, joy, and peace. It is not about mere behavior modification but a profound change in perspective and identity. [01:24:33]
"But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh." (Galatians 5:16-17 ESV)
Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to align more closely with the Spirit, and how can you begin to cultivate the fruits of the Spirit in that area today?
Day 5: Embracing Sonship and Identity
Understanding our sonship in God liberates us from fear and performance-based living, allowing us to embrace our identity as beloved children of God. This perspective empowers believers to see divine solutions and live in harmony with the Spirit, breaking any yoke of bondage and fear. By embracing this identity, believers can experience the fullness of life that God intends for them. [01:29:57]
"For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, 'Abba! Father!'" (Romans 8:15 ESV)
Reflection: What fears or performance-based pressures are holding you back from fully embracing your identity as a child of God, and how can you begin to release them today?
Quotes
"What I love about prophecy, and it's designed according to the Word, to be done in collaboration. We know the anointings in the cluster, but also we prophesy in part. And so when the parts come together, we get a full picture of what the Lord is saying. And so it's really encouraging to be in another space and recognize that we're hearing the same things. And so it's personally very affirming, but then I think it's for the nations. It means that in our unity we can receive what the Lord is saying." [00:06:19] (29 seconds)
"You were like a confetti machine, releasing vibrancy and color and life over the city. And I felt like even as there is anointing on your house, an international anointing on your life, there is a mandate to touch the nations. I felt like that that was expressed through the color, but also the life of the kingdom through every person that not only encounters you individually, but encounters you corporately and as a house. And I feel like the Lord is saying that he wants you to take your place in the city." [01:07:23] (34 seconds)
"And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the one true God and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. And I want to draw your attention to the word know there. And it's the Greek word koinonia, that they may know you. And it's not a head knowledge, a knowing about God, but it is an experiential fellowship. An experiential fellowship. I know Him. I've become well acquainted with Him. My life is immersed in His own." [01:12:24] (35 seconds)
"This is eternal life, that they would know you, that they would become, that we would come into an experience of who He really is and an understanding of life that is walked with Him, not apart from Him or just with Him on a Sunday or when all our ducks are in a row, but know that every day we would experience a deep fellowship with Jesus Christ. That is eternal life. Not reserved for when you get to heaven, but here, now on earth." [01:13:30] (34 seconds)
"This is the fruit of abiding. And you enter into, according to Ephesians 2 .6, as you are seated with Christ in heavenly places, having entered into the divine reality and mystery of His death, burial, and resurrection, you have now been raised up with Him. Hallelujah. And now who I once was is no more. And I'm experiencing now a new existence, which is simply Jesus Christ using my body." [01:14:54] (30 seconds)
"We begin to, what we do is, even as we pray, it's so wonderful that you're praying because you build a greater awareness of the supernatural realm. And you begin to understand and discern. Ooh, hang on a second. Things aren't always what they seem in the natural, but there's a supernatural spiritual reality going on. And as you grow up through discipleship in the Word and in truth, in community and fellowship, when you choose not to get offended, when you choose to remain plugged in, when you choose to humble yourself, it's amazing how that's actually called growing up and maturity in the things of God." [01:17:20] (37 seconds)
"The fruit that is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and all things beautiful and lovely. That's your inheritance. And so you don't, it's like you don't even need to, it's just who you are now. It's who you are. We're not in a behavior modification program. Hear that as Christians. We are not into behavior modification. We are actually into a life transformation, a mindset transformation, because it's actually right believing that leads to right behaving." [01:21:56] (29 seconds)
"Wow! To live in the reality of his love. And that's why every day you need to be in the secret place, drinking continually of the river of his pleasure for you and not giving the enemy a foothold. That's where lies are exposed, wrong belief systems, and we tear it down and we replace it with the truth and we live accordingly. And that's how you begin to cultivate a place of abiding in the Spirit. But then in the secret place, your life becomes the secret place." [01:23:59] (32 seconds)
"The mature children of God are those who are moved by the impulses. The mature children of God are those who are moved by the impulses of the Holy Spirit. And you did not receive the spirit of religious duty leading you back into the fear of never being good enough. Instead, you have received the spirit of full acceptance in folding you into the family of God. And you will never feel orphaned." [01:28:07] (26 seconds)
"I want to encourage you. It's like, oh, Pastor Gideon, can I borrow you very quickly? It's like the spirit here. It says, our spirit is bearing witness to the Father's proclamation. It's like he's the Holy Spirit is speaking into our spirit saying, you are God's beloved child. You are God's beloved child. You are God's beloved child. You are God's beloved child. And there is a perpetual proclamation about your identity and inheritance that the spirit is releasing, that the spirit is releasing." [01:29:39] (29 seconds)
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