Unlocking Divine Power Through Relationship with Christ

 

Summary

In today's message, I emphasized the profound truth that true power and influence in the Kingdom of God do not come from worldly status, wealth, or recognition, but from our relationship with Jesus Christ. Many of us may feel insignificant or powerless in the eyes of the world, but when we know Jesus, we have access to the "master key" that opens doors no one else can. This key is our faith, obedience, and confession of His name, which grants us access to divine opportunities and blessings that surpass human limitations.

I shared a story about a little puppy and a big dog to illustrate that knowing the right person, in this case, Jesus, can open doors that seem impossible. The big dog relied on its strength, while the little puppy simply knew the person inside who could open the door. Similarly, our strength lies not in our abilities but in our connection to Christ, who can open doors and make a way where there seems to be none.

I also highlighted the importance of humility and the danger of pride. Regardless of our achievements or possessions, we must remain humble, recognizing that we are all sinners saved by grace. This humility keeps us grounded and prevents us from looking down on others, understanding that God can use anyone, regardless of their worldly status, to accomplish His purposes.

Furthermore, I encouraged everyone to hold fast to their faith, especially during times of testing. God often allows us to go through trials to test our perseverance and faithfulness. However, He promises to come through for us suddenly and unexpectedly, demonstrating His power and love in ways that leave no doubt about His intervention.

Finally, I challenged everyone to move from being mere spectators in the stands to active participants on the field of faith. By serving, giving, and living out our faith, we can become part of God's "Ring of Honor," recognized not just by people but by God Himself as faithful servants who have overcome the challenges of life through obedience and unwavering faith.

Key Takeaways:

- True power in the Kingdom of God comes from our relationship with Jesus, not from worldly status or possessions. Knowing Jesus gives us access to divine opportunities that surpass human limitations. [20:36]

- Humility is crucial in our walk with God. Regardless of our achievements, we must remember that we are all sinners saved by grace, which keeps us from looking down on others and helps us recognize the value in everyone. [23:30]

- During times of testing, we must hold fast to our faith. God allows trials to test our perseverance, but He promises to come through for us suddenly and unexpectedly, demonstrating His power and love. [29:59]

- Our perspective in life can change everything. By seeing challenges as opportunities for God to work, we can maintain hope and faith even when circumstances seem dire. [34:16]

- Moving from being spectators to active participants in our faith journey allows us to be recognized by God as faithful servants. Serving, giving, and living out our faith earn us a place in God's "Ring of Honor." [42:22]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [19:29] - The Power of Knowing Jesus
- [20:36] - Access to the Master Key
- [22:04] - The Importance of Humility
- [23:30] - Sinners Saved by Grace
- [24:05] - Obedience and Faithfulness
- [25:16] - Facing the Synagogue of Satan
- [26:20] - The Big Dog and Little Puppy
- [28:21] - Tests and Trials
- [29:59] - God Comes Suddenly
- [31:45] - Waiting on the Lord
- [33:20] - God's Perspective Changes Everything
- [34:16] - Seeing Challenges as Opportunities
- [36:09] - Becoming a Pillar in God's Temple
- [42:22] - Entering God's Ring of Honor

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Revelation 3:7-13
- James 4:6-10
- 1 Peter 5:5-7

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Observation Questions:

1. In Revelation 3:7-13, what does Jesus promise to those who have "little power" but have kept His word and not denied His name? How does this relate to the concept of the "master key" mentioned in the sermon? [20:36]

2. According to James 4:6-10, what is the relationship between humility and receiving grace from God? How does this passage support the sermon’s emphasis on humility? [22:04]

3. In 1 Peter 5:5-7, what are believers instructed to do with their anxieties, and how does this relate to the sermon’s message about holding fast during trials? [29:59]

4. How does the story of the big dog and the little puppy illustrate the sermon’s point about knowing Jesus and having access to divine opportunities? [26:20]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. What does it mean to have a "master key" in the context of a relationship with Jesus, and how can this concept change a believer's perspective on their own power and influence? [20:36]

2. How does the sermon’s emphasis on humility challenge common societal values of status and self-sufficiency? What might this look like in a believer’s daily life? [22:04]

3. The sermon mentions that God often comes through "suddenly" and "unexpectedly" during trials. How might this understanding affect a believer’s patience and trust in God’s timing? [29:59]

4. What does it mean to move from being a spectator to an active participant in one’s faith journey, and how does this relate to being part of God’s "Ring of Honor"? [42:22]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you felt powerless or insignificant. How did your relationship with Jesus provide strength or open doors for you during that time? [20:36]

2. In what areas of your life might pride be hindering your relationship with God? How can you practice humility this week to align more closely with God’s will? [22:04]

3. Think of a current trial you are facing. How can you hold fast to your faith and trust that God will come through for you suddenly and unexpectedly? [29:59]

4. Identify one way you can move from being a spectator to an active participant in your faith. What specific action can you take this week to serve or give in your community? [42:22]

5. How can you change your perspective to see challenges as opportunities for God to work in your life? What practical steps can you take to maintain hope and faith during difficult times? [34:16]

6. Consider someone in your life who may feel insignificant or powerless. How can you encourage them with the truth of their value in God’s eyes and the power of knowing Jesus? [20:36]

7. What is one specific area where you can practice obedience and not deny Jesus’ name, even if it means facing challenges or opposition? [24:05]

Devotional

Day 1: True Power Through Relationship with Christ
True power and influence in the Kingdom of God are not derived from worldly status, wealth, or recognition, but from a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Many may feel insignificant or powerless in the eyes of the world, but knowing Jesus provides access to divine opportunities and blessings that surpass human limitations. This relationship acts as a "master key," opening doors that no one else can. Faith, obedience, and the confession of His name are the keys that unlock these divine opportunities. [20:36]

"For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong." (1 Corinthians 1:26-27, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you feel powerless, and how can you invite Jesus into those areas to unlock divine opportunities?


Day 2: The Power of Humility
Humility is essential in our walk with God. Regardless of our achievements or possessions, we must remember that we are all sinners saved by grace. This humility keeps us grounded and prevents us from looking down on others. It helps us recognize the value in everyone, understanding that God can use anyone, regardless of their worldly status, to accomplish His purposes. [23:30]

"For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." (Luke 14:11, ESV)

Reflection: How can you practice humility today in your interactions with others, especially those who may not share your beliefs or status?


Day 3: Perseverance Through Trials
During times of testing, it is crucial to hold fast to our faith. God often allows us to go through trials to test our perseverance and faithfulness. However, He promises to come through for us suddenly and unexpectedly, demonstrating His power and love in ways that leave no doubt about His intervention. [29:59]

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." (James 1:2-3, ESV)

Reflection: What current trial are you facing, and how can you see it as an opportunity for God to demonstrate His power and love in your life?


Day 4: Seeing Challenges as Divine Opportunities
Our perspective in life can change everything. By seeing challenges as opportunities for God to work, we can maintain hope and faith even when circumstances seem dire. This shift in perspective allows us to trust in God's plan and timing, knowing that He is working all things for our good. [34:16]

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a current challenge you are facing. How can you reframe it as an opportunity for God to work in your life?


Day 5: Active Participation in Faith
Moving from being spectators to active participants in our faith journey allows us to be recognized by God as faithful servants. By serving, giving, and living out our faith, we earn a place in God's "Ring of Honor." This active participation is not just about being recognized by people but by God Himself as those who have overcome the challenges of life through obedience and unwavering faith. [42:22]

"Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God." (Hebrews 13:16, ESV)

Reflection: What is one specific way you can move from being a spectator to an active participant in your faith journey today?

Quotes


Folk may not know who you are but you know him, you confess him, you obey him. He got a master key and nothing will make the Lord more real to you than when he opens things up you were too powerless to open up on your own because you had little power, little notoriety, little name recognition. [00:20:29]

No matter what position you hold, money you have, or influence you will keep yourself small. Folk may be whispering in your ear, oh you all that and a bag of chips, don't believe it. You better keep yourself small in the eyes of God. Pride cometh before the fall. [00:21:46]

If God has blessed you, praise God. If God has given you a great job, bless God. If God has given you a big house, bless God. If God has given you a nice car, bless God. God has given you great clothes, bless God. Just so long as you know you're no better than the widow on fixed income. [00:23:36]

I know you don't see him doing anything. I know it looks like you just waiting for nothing, but God likes to come in. He likes to break in when you didn't expect it, when you didn't think there was any way that this thing could ever get better, that this trial could ever end. [00:30:18]

When God is silent, that doesn't mean he's still. I know you don't see him doing anything. I know it looks like you just waiting for nothing, but God likes to come in. He likes to break in when you didn't expect it, when you didn't think there was any way that this thing could ever get better. [00:30:18]

He says, I have the master key. That must be your perspective. Perspective is everything. It's like the Montana, Montana put out a thing for catching wolves and they were going to pay $5,000 for any trapper who caught a wolf, $5,000 per wolf. Sam and Jed decided to go wolf hunting. [00:33:31]

I know the devil may be nipping at you, the synagogue of Satan may be nipping at you, but when you got God's perspective, it changes what you're looking at. So I'm coming quickly. I'mma come suddenly. So what did he tell you to do in verse 11? Hold fast. [00:34:41]

Hold fast. Don't, I know you want to give up. I know you want to quit. I know you're tired. He says hold fast. Make sure you're obeying and not denying. You do, you hold fast to your obedience and non-denial and at his time, suddenly, don't let them take your crown. [00:35:05]

He who overcomes the tendencies to stop obeying and to stop denying, he who overcomes that and says, God, as the old folks say, I'mma hold on till my change come. You know it's rough, it's tough, but I believe you and not my circumstances as the final orbiter of my situation. [00:35:46]

He says you will have a name in the New Jerusalem. Let's get something straight. Everybody is not equal in heaven. Okay, let's get this straight. Okay, you can have a 40 white bulb, a 60 white bulb, a 75 white bulb in your house, 100 white bulb in your house, 150 white bulb in your house. [00:37:22]

All Christians are Christians, but they don't have the same watts, and so they don't exude the same experience because they don't have the same relationship. Jesus said in St John Chapter 2, verse 23-25, it says many believed on him, many believed on him, but he would not commit himself to them. [00:38:08]

If you want God to put you in the Ring of Honor, if you want when he hears you and sees you to say, Well done my good and faithful servant, if you want him to call you out of the crowd and let all of Heaven know you're one of his choice servants, I challenge you to leave the stands. [00:42:22]

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Transcript
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