Invisible Luchadores: Evil Spirits
Luchadores are the many wrestling personalities that make up Mexico’s wrestling pop culture known as Lucha Libre. The luchador wears an iconic mask and matching outfit to reinforce is characters personality and storyline. He generally has a trademarked grappling move that he uses on his opponent to subdue them, pin them to the ground and disqualify them from the competition.
Luchadores are fictitious characters that exist for our entertainment, but life has a way of revealing very real luchadores that rise up to oppose the purposes and plans God has for all of our lives. They show up the moment we are conceived and are especially active when are young and vulnerable. They look to find success and establish a foothold in our lives, jumping into the ring whenever their grappling skills are needed. The luchador will nudge, shove, contain, carry off, submit and even destroy. He will function at any level we allow.
Luchadores have names, familiar to us all, like insecurity, discouragement, unbelief, fear, bitterness, deception, sickness, spirit, Satan. And the luchador is a master of disguise, the best of which is his ability to function without even being noticed. We see the negative circumstances he creates, but we fail to detect his presence. As a result, we think to ourselves, this is just the way life is sometimes, it’s how things often go, it’s something that we have to put up with, or at best, something we have to work around. We end up living lives that are less than what Jesus died for, simply because we fail to bring about the luchador’s eviction.
This series is designed to expose the invisible luchadores that we need to identify, call out, rebuke and banish forever so that we can thrive in life enjoying the good things that God has for each and every one of us!
Matthew 8:16 That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick.
Hollywood and pop-cultures depiction of spirits/demons has led many to disregard and even disbelieve their reality/function in the real world. But scripture paints a far more normative picture:
Jesus had regular interactions with the Devil, demons and spirits.
Satan in the desert – Matthew 4
Syrophoenician woman with an unclean spirit - Mark 7:25–26
Mary Magdalene, who had seven demons - Luke 8:1–2; John 11:2
Man in synagogue - Mark 1:23–26
Man called Legion – Mark 5:2-5
Crowds - Matthew 8:16
Jesus gave His disciples the mission/authority to cast out spirits.
Matthew 10:1 (ESV) And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction.
The Early Church regularly dealt with spirits.
Peter - Acts 5:16
Phillip – Acts 8:6-7
Paul – Acts 16:16-17
Casting out spirits is part of a believer’s mission.
Mark 16:17–18 (ESV) And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
Notables About Spirits: spirits are not to blame for everything or even the majority of things but they exist and are very real. They are not to be feared.
they impact us all on some level
Ephesians 6:12 (ESV) 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.
1 Peter 5:8 (ESV) Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
they attach to people through key gateways of sin (by, and against)
rebellion (Saul’s) - 1 Samuel 16:14–15 (ESV) Now the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and a harmful spirit from the Lord tormented him. And Saul’s servants said to him, “Behold now, a harmful spirit from God is tormenting you.
prostitution (Mary) - John 11:2 (ESV) It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill.
occult (Slave girl & Paul) - Acts 16:16–18 (ESV) As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by fortune-telling. She followed Paul and us, crying out, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.” And this she kept doing for many days. Paul, having become greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And it came out that very hour.
unsaved (Syrophoenician) - Mark 7:25–26 (ESV) But immediately a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit heard of him and came and fell down at his feet. Now the woman was a Gentile, a Syrophoenician by birth. And she begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter.
Judas betrayal - Luke 22:3–4 (ESV) Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them.
In my experience spirits nudge, budge, shove and onboard in moments of fear, deception, loss, trauma, unforgiveness, bitterness, sin
they drive those they attack into acts of self-sabotage\
Young boy - Mark 9:22 (ESV) And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.”
Demoniac - Mark 5:5 (ESV) Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always crying out and cutting himself with stones.
Saul trying to kill David - 1 Samuel 18:10–11 (ESV) The next day a harmful spirit from God rushed upon Saul, and he raved within his house while David was playing the lyre, as he did day by day. Saul had his spear in his hand. And Saul hurled the spear, for he thought, “I will pin David to the wall.” But David evaded him twice.
respond to medication (as opposed to eviction) - 1 Samuel 16:23 (ESV) And whenever the harmful spirit from God was upon Saul, David took the lyre and played it with his hand. So Saul was refreshed and was well, and the harmful spirit departed from him.
a common fingerprint of spirits is the presence of bizarre medical conditions
tongue but mute - Mark 9:17 (ESV) And someone from the crowd answered him, “Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a spirit that makes him mute.
ears but deaf - Mark 9:25 (ESV) And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.”
spirit of infirmity - Luke 13:11 (ESV) And behold, there was a woman who had had a disabling spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not fully straighten herself.
a common fingerprint of spirits is heightened emotional outbursts - Mark 5:5 (ESV) Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always crying out and cutting himself with stones.
not intimidated by spiritual atmospheres (church) - Mark 1:23 (ESV) And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out,
when cast out, they will try to come back - Matthew 12:43–45 (ESV) “When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, but finds none. Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house empty, swept, and put in order. Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So also will it be with this evil generation.”
while spirits will escalate from harassment to attachment to possession, there are no examples of believers being possessed
Walking In Freedom From Nudge, Budge, Shove….
Follow Jesus And Fear Not - Acts 19:13–16 (ESV) Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists undertook to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims.” Seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Sceva were doing this. But the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?” And the man in whom was the evil spirit leaped on them, mastered all of them and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.
Recognize A Spirits Influence
testing - Romans 12:2 (ESV) Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
test - 1 John 4:1 (ESV) Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.
recognition - 2 Corinthians 2:11 (ESV) so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.
discerning of spirits - 1 Corinthians 12:10 (KJV 1900) To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
ask for wisdom - James 1:5 (ESV) If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
Identify And Call The Spirit By Name
what is your name? Luke 8:30 (ESV) Jesus then asked him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Legion,” for many demons had entered him.
name reveals attachment point
Command The Spirit To Leave With Your God-Given Authority
cast out with the word - Matthew 8:16 (ESV) That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick.
cast out with authority - Mark 6:7 (ESV) And he called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits.
Walk In The Spirit, Strong & Without “Velcro”
be filled with the spirit - Ephesians 5:18 (ESV) And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,
the Spirit is the strongest man - Matthew 12:43–45 (ESV) “When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, but finds none. Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house empty, swept, and put in order. Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So also will it be with this evil generation.”
Renounce all sin (no velcro) - Titus 2:11–12 (ESV) For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,
Invisible Luchadores - a series to expose enemies that show up to push back against YOUR BEST LIFE, often in disguise, especially as we stretch for MORE.
Ephesians 6:10–12 (ESV) Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 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.
LIFE Is Filled With Luchadores
“wrestle, armor, schemes and forces” indicate an opponent
these luchadores show up at conception
they continue every day after
function at whatever level they are permitted (nudge, shove, tackle, harass, intimidate, corral, lay siege, kill and destroy)
Everyone Has An Arch-Luchador
every wrestler has a nemesis, and so do you
luchadores look to find success and lock in and travel for as long as they are allowed
they introduce themselves via deception, trauma, someone sin against you, your personal sin
they appear in forms of sicknesses, brokenness, strongholds and spirits
who is yours?
Luchadores Are Masters Of Disguise
“for we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against” indicates a confusion to what is actually happening.
“you thought one thing, but it’s actually something else”
luchadores are good at hiding, disguising themselves and blaming others
some experience the impact of the luchador, never see the luchador – they settle with the circumstance
luchadores are happiest when you are ignorant of their existence and live within the confines of their harassment
some experience the impact of the luchador and blame the wrong source
luchadores love to have you burn calories fighting the wrong opponent
Luchadores Lose When God’s People Fight Back
when you finally recognize your luchador…
when you finally recognize who you are in Him…
when you finally function in the strength of the Lord (inward) and the strength of His might (outward)
when you finally begin to use your armor/weapons
you can stand against His schemes (stay your course)
you may have to fight… again… and again… but you win every time!
Joshua 10:7–8 (ESV) So Joshua went up from Gilgal, he and all the people of war with him, and all the mighty men of valor. And the Lord said to Joshua, “Do not fear them, for I have given them into your hands. Not a man of them shall stand before you.”
Jeremiah 1:4-10 (NLT)
4 The Lord gave me this message: 5 “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations. 6 “O Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I can’t speak for you! I’m too young!” 7 The Lord replied, “Don’t say, ‘I’m too young,’ for you must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you. 8 And don’t be afraid of the people, for I will be with you and will protect you. I, the Lord, have spoken!” 9 Then the Lord reached out and touched my mouth and said, “Look, I have put my words in your mouth! 10 Today I appoint you to stand up against nations and kingdoms. Some you must uproot and tear down, destroy and overthrow. Others you must build up and plant.”
Those in the Bible who stretched for more: Abraham, Gideon, David, Moses, Ruth, Jeremiah, Joshua, Esther
“The STRETCH is the catalyst that unlocks the MORE that He has. As I do my part, God will miraculously do His part!”
catalyst: something that causes activity, an event, or change. And usually, these events and changes are big.
God will release abilities that have remained dormant as you begin to stretch.
“Your best unfolds when God is permitted to build a better you,” Ps. Steve
Excuses that get in the way of stretching for more:
Offenses from others in church family.
Believe to be unqualified for the job.
Refusing to give up control of how much to give out.
Stretching through those excuses:
Go to God’s word
Pray scripture audibly
Spiritual counsel
1 Peter 5:10 (NIV) And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
Philippians 1:6 (CEV) God is the one who began this good work in you, and I am certain that he won’t stop before it is complete on the day that Christ Jesus returns.
Oswald Chambers: “Patience is more than endurance. A saint's life is in the hands of God like a bow and arrow in the hands of an archer. God is aiming at something the saint cannot see, and He stretches and strains, and every now and again the saint says, ‘I cannot stand anymore.' God does not heed, He goes on stretching till His purpose is in sight, then He lets fly. Trust yourself in God's hands. Maintain your relationship to Jesus Christ by the patience of faith. 'Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him.”
Isaiah 54:2 (NIV) “Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes.”
Genesis 2:18, 21-22 (ESV) Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man.
In 6 days God created the heaven and the earth and it was GOOD!
good: tob (gk) – pleasurable, agreeable, enjoyable… for everyone involved
Genesis 2:18 (ESV) Then the Lord God said, “It is NOT GOOD that the man should be alone;
not good, not pleasurable, not agreeable, not enjoyable… for everyone involved
NOT GOOD: ALONE, the condition of Adam
NOT GOOD was not the result of bad circumstances
NOT GOOD was because Adam had yet to become who God designed Him to be
God Made A Promise: Genesis 2:18 (ESV) I will make him a helper fit for him
a better translation - I will COMPLETE him and he will FACE & SEE his helper.)
Adam’s Transformational Moment: Genesis 2:21-22 (ESV) So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man.
God didn’t change Adam’s circumstances; He removed his rib! And then his circumstances changed.
Your best life unfolds when God can build the better you.
Key Transformational Moments
1. When You’re Forced To Choose Between Him And Something Else…
2. When God Repeats Himself, Again - when God is trying to get our attention, he repeats himself audibly while using circumstances to reinforce His message
Numbers 22:
Balak, King of Moab was afraid of Israel and their recent wins
v5 call for Balaam son of Beor at Pethor in the land of the people of Amaw (prophet, diviner)
v6 “curse a swarm of people coming out of Egypt”
v8 “I will bring back word to you, as the Lord speaks to me”
v9-11 “these men want me to go with them to curse a swarm of people so they can win
v12 “you will not go, you will not curse, these people are blessed”
v15 repeat (God doesn’t change his mind!)
v22-35 Balaam was going in a wrong direction, donkey saw the Angel of the Lord about to punish her master and she turned off the road into the field (struck); on a narrow walled path, he put his foot into a wall (struck); lay down in road (struck with staff)
sometimes we push against what God has speaks to us, He repeats himself
we ignore God and do what we want, and when less than ideal circumstances develop we scream, “why is this happening?”
less than best circumstances often develop to reinforce His message
lay down on the table, repent and ask God to transform you
After David’s huge failure - Psalm 51:10 (ESV) Create (bara – to shape) in me a clean heart, O God, and renew (chadash – repair) a right spirit within me.
pray - declarative prayer
press in – study, conversations, research
3. When Your Leader Says, “Can We Talk?”
this happens as God sees my “rib” keeping me from experiencing/maintaining His best and I am not hearing HIM.
we have to develop the mindset – “they aren’t doing this for them, they are doing this for me!”
have a teachable spirit/submissive spirit - Isaiah 66:1–2 (ESV) …Thus says the Lord: All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the Lord. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.
remember that God uses imperfect leaders to perfect us!
good loving leaders don’t wield submissive clubs!
Hebrews 13:17 (ESV) Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.
we typically choose our leaders in the good moments; don’t eject from the tough ones
Conclusion
Matthew 12:13 (ESV) Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And the man stretched it out, and it was restored, healthy like the other.
Genesis 2:18, 21-22 (ESV) Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man.
In 6 days God created the heaven and the earth and it was GOOD!
good: tob (gk) – pleasurable, agreeable, enjoyable… for everyone involved
Genesis 2:18 (ESV) Then the Lord God said, “It is NOT GOOD that the man should be alone;
NOT GOOD: ALONE, the condition of Adam
(gk) hi – he, she, it
(gk) bad – separated (implies a design feature yet to be realized)
NOT GOOD was not the result of bad circumstances. NOT GOOD was because Adam had yet to become who God designed Him to be. NOT GOOD applies to You. You are not who God designed you to be either… YET
2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV) And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
God Made A Promise: Genesis 2:18 (ESV)
I will make him a helper fit for him
make (asah – make, accomplish, the idea of completing)
fit (neged – in front of, facing)
I will complete Him and he will FACE and SEE his helper.
Adam’s Transformational Moment: Genesis 2:21-22 (ESV) So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man.
God didn’t change Adam’s circumstances; He removed his rib! Too many people think a change of circumstances leads to a better life.
October 2018 Benzinga article by Hannah Genig – according to a study by Wolf Street, nearly one-third of U.S. lottery winners declare bankruptcy within a few years of their big win.
In the late 1980’s, William Post III, won $16.2 million in the Pennsylvania Lottery. By the early 1990’s, Post was $500,000 in debt and filed for bankruptcy.
Alex and Rhoda Toth won $13 million. They took their winning in payments of $666,666 over a 20-year span in 1990, but filed for bankruptcy in 2006. The couple was later charged with tax evasion. Rhoda was sentenced to two years in prison and was fined $1.1 million.
Denise Rossi won $1.3 million. Her first endeavor after her big win was to divorce her husband, who had no knowledge of the win. Later, her ex-husband sued and the judge declared that Rossi had violated state asset-disclosure laws. As a result, the ex-husband received all of the winnings.
Adam’s external circumstances improved as his internal transformation was underway.
Your best life unfolds when God can build the better you.
Key Transformational Moments
When You’re Forced To Choose Between Him And Something Else…
you face a decision that requires you to say no, even walk away from something you value because you know that God has something better. The challenge is that you can see the thing you are walking away from but can’t see the thing you are walking toward… YET!
Genesis 12:1–4 (ESV) Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” So Abram went, as the Lord had told him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran.
sometimes it’s a choice between good and bad.
sometimes it’s a choice between good and God’s better
recognize and embrace – this is a defining moment, a hardening of the cement of who you are and will be. It points the trajectory of your life and the destination you encounter are at stake.
take the first step!
When God Repeats Himself, Again…
the value of reading, listening, and praying is that it tunes you into heaven’s frequency
when God is trying to get our attention, he repeats himself audibly, and other times through circumstances
Numbers 22 - Balaam was going in a wrong direction, donkey saw the Angel of the Lord about to punish her master and she turned off the road into the field (struck); on a narrow walled path, he put his foot into a wall (struck); lay down in road (struck with staff)
sometimes we find ourselves listening to the same themes over a few years, even a few decades.\
recognize & embrace the moment
press in – study, conversations, research
pray - declarative prayer
failure to respond creates a rut that is hard to escape, forming the you that is less than what God intended.
We are continuing in our series “MORE.” It is so important that we continue to dive into this idea that God is the GOD of more. It is so easy to find ourselves in positions that we lack something and instead of taking it to God we try to figure out how to become comfortable with our lack. We let it move in a become a bothersome roommate that makes messes and doesn’t pay the rent on time.
Lack is a concept that was created by and perpetuated by Satan himself. God created the Earth and gave Adam and Eve dominion over everything. And Satan comes along and say to Adam and Eve that God is withholding from you. If you eat from the tree he told you not to eat from, He knows that you will be like Him, knowing right and wrong. God is withholding. And mankind has struggled ever since believing that for whatever reason that God is holding back His goodness from us.
But, throughout the scriptures through God, His son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit there is a constant drumbeat of He has more for us and that lack is not a part of His original design or heaven.
But what about being content?
10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:10-13
This does not mean that following Jesus means that we will not experience pain, trouble, heartache, or sadness. But it does mean that God strengthens us to fight to see the fulfillment of his promises.
UNDERSTANDING THE FIGHT
In the battle to experience the fullness of God, we must understand the enemy(s) that we are facing.
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,
2 Corinthians 10:3-5
Our own thoughts keep us from experiencing MORE!
We talk ourselves into thinking that God doesn’t care about our situation or that He has better things to do. Or worse yet that He is unable. We argue with our own doubts and we seek other’s opinions on what we should do. These are the real enemies that we face.
Take a moment and stretch.
Doesn’t that feel good. Stretching is likely on of the first things that you do in the morning, or after a long car ride.
Stretching is often a preparation for some activity. It helps prevent injuries and decreases stiffness. It can helps to relieve stress and promotes circulation.
Physical stretching is a good but, the stretching that we do in the spirit is the catalyst to unlock the more.
2 examples of a stretch to experience God’s best.
1. Man with the withered hand. - He went on from there and entered their synagogue. 10 And a man was there with a withered hand. And they asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”—so that they might accuse him. 11 He said to them, “Which one of you who has a sheep, if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not take hold of it and lift it out? 12 Of how much more value is a man than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” 13 Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And the man stretched it out, and it was restored, healthy like the other. Matthew 12:9-13
Jesus could have healed the hand without the stretch but, the stretch was the indication of the man’s faith in Jesus.
FAITH REQUIRES ACTION!
2. Woman with the issue of blood 43 And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and though she had spent all her living on physicians, she could not be healed by anyone. 44 She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, and immediately her discharge of blood ceased. 45 And Jesus said, “Who was it that touched me?” When all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the crowds surround you and are pressing in on you!” 46 But Jesus said, “Someone touched me, for I perceive that power has gone out from me.” 47 And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. 48 And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.” Luke 8:43-48
It was her faith the made her well. Her stretch was the catalyst for God to show up big!
There were hundreds in the crowd that could have “touched” Jesus. What was different about her?
GOD WILL USE OUR LACK TO COMPEL US TOWARDS HIS MORE!
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Matthew 5:6
Hunger and thirst are things that we “lack” that compels us to be filled.
What else do we lack? It is time that we stretch toward what God has already promised we can have or experience.
Keys to Stretching for MORE!
STRETCHING WILL BE UNCOMFORTABLE AT FIRST – Any new area that we venture into will require some adjustment. The stretch will always be a move toward the unknown. It requires faith.
STRETCH OFTEN – This allows for the faith muscles to move more effectively. Consistent stretching in faith increases the level of faith that you operate in.
STRETCH BIG – You can’t outstretch God’s goodness! Understanding that we are stretching for what God already has prepared for us.
IT IS NEVER TOO LATE TO STRETCH – A issue of blood for years, a withered hand, a diagnosis, a persistent fear, brokenness. Maybe you have never stretch out for God’s goodness before. He responds when we stretch!
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed, to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord. – Luke 4:18-19 (NASB)
RECOGNIZE THE SOURCE
Where are you looking for your favor?
James 1:17 – Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. (NASB)
Mt. 13:22 – And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. (NASB)
Deceitfulness of money is the lie that it will solve your problems
RECOGNIZE HIS AUTHORITY IN ITS DISTRIBUTION
It is his yoke…
Mt. 11:29 – Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. (NASB)
We don’t get to choose our favor
Mine vs. Yours
1 Cor. 12:4-11 – Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons.But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills. (NASB)
RECOGNIZE THAT THERE IS FAVOR
There are always going to be problems
Mt. 13:24-29 – Jesus put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while everyone was asleep, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and slipped away. When the wheat sprouted and bore grain, then the weeds also appeared. The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’ An enemy did this,’ he replied. So the servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’ ‘No,’ he said, ‘if you pull the weeds now, you might uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat into my barn.’” (NASB)
Problems don’t mean “no favor”
Are you trying to grow wheat or kill tares?
RECOGNIZE YOUR INFLUENCE ON FAVOR
Put yourself in the right environments
Our experiences are an even mix of our personality and context (situation/setting)
Heb. 10:24-25 – And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds. Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Guard your mind
Coffee example – Conventional wisdom is not wise
The Spirit reveals ALL truth – Ask Him to reveal His favor in your life
John 14:26 – But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have told you. (NASB)
Declare your favor
Our words have the power to impact our favor
Mt. 12:33-37 – Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad; for a tree is known by its fruit. You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks. The good man brings good things out of his good store of treasure, and the evil man brings evil things out of his evil store of treasure. But I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” (NASB)
The words of my mouth – Pr. 12:14
Pr. 12:14 – A man will be satisfied with good by the fruit of his words… (NASB)
My Declaration: In 2020, God has MORE. MORE for me. MORE for you. MORE for us. MORE through us for them! I will not wait for MORE to simply show up. I am STRETCHING for the MORE God has for me. The STRETCH is the catalyst that unlocks the MORE that He has. As I do my part, God will miraculously do His part! I am stretching for MORE, because that is who God is. God is the God of MORE.
2 Corinthians 8:7 (NIV) But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.
context: this scripture was dealing with a vision builders offering in Corinth communicated for over a year, focused to meet the need of sister church in a different city.
excel – considerably more than what anyone expects
grace – something given freely and generously by God
giving – specifically in church
The following several chapters Paul talks about this offering. The following verses are directed at those who would participate in the Vision Offering:
2 Corinthians 9:6–8 (ESV) The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.
2 Corinthians 9:10–12 (ESV) He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God.
Vision requires MORE than the day to day.
Vision will always require faith. Faith to see it. Faith to resource it. Faith to build it. Vision will always require Vision Builders.
When vision is embraced with faith, miraculous things happen to build the vision, AND miraculous things happen for the Vision Builder. When we help build God’s house, he helps build ours!
Excel In The Grace of Giving…
1. share something – our first efforts to take something of ours and give to the church.
2. return the tithe
first 10th income, return to house of the Lord, live on 90%
allows for bread in house, God’s blessing
the tithe recognizes God as source
it keeps money in its rightful place, controlling greed
unlocks a supernatural flow
3. give additional offerings
above and beyond tithe, for missionary, special project, etc.
see a need, give what you can
at first it will feel like, “but I already give so much”
4. become a Vision Builder, activating FAITH for His House and yours
at this stage, you’ve seen God do some amazing things
this stage vision driven, faith activated, requires a sacrifice
this stage, faith stories are created - vision is accomplished and givers unlock a back flow into their own life that is remarkable.
Become A Vision Builder
Psalm 37:4 (ESV) Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Luke 12:29–31 (ESV) And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.
In 2020, God has MORE. MORE for me. MORE for you. MORE for us. MORE through us for them! I will not wait for MORE to simply show up. I am STRETCHING for the MORE God has for me. The STRETCH is the catalyst that unlocks the MORE that He has. As I do my part, God will miraculously do His part! I am stretching for MORE, because that is who God is. God is the God of MORE.
The first MORE we will always stretch for is MORE of Him.
DESIRE: something wanted that leads to a quest
There are two types of DESIRE: EMOTIONAL and INFORMED. Bother will take you to its destination.
Emotionally Fueled Desires Have Drawbacks:
have to be continually refueled by emotions and emotions often change, to sometimes contradictory desire, requiring a change of direction
easily influenced (turn off soundtrack in a scary movie)
can be easily manipulated (child support commercials – flies, watery eyes, dump, sad music)
can be misinformed, even deceived (think you’re being pulled over by police)
the epicenter where temptation occurs
difficult to arrive at specific solid destination
most destinations are filled with unmet expectations
Informed Desires Have Great Strengths:
ignores emotion, distraction, misinformation, manipulations, temptation, by continually re-informing itself of the “why”
regularly arrives at specific, highly valued destinations and regularly enjoys the benefits.
“The heart wants what the heart wants” is only half true. You can tell the heart what to want and it will!
When you set your heart on a desire and experience it, it is amazing. But in God’s economy, there is one superfluous desire that radically unlocks all other desires…Deisring More of God, FIRST!
When More of God is Your First Desire:
1. your first desire will be satisfied - Jeremiah 29:12–14 (ESV) Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord.
2. He will influence your other desires for the better - He will give you the desires of your heart.
3. your other desires will also be satisfied - Proverbs 10:22 (ESV) The blessing of the Lord makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.
4. He will meet all of your needs – Luke 12:29-31 For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.
MORE of God, FIRST is more than an idea, it is a way of living!
it is a series of simple, informed decisions that turn into a lifestyle filled with MORE!
Set Time With God, First
doesn’t have to be first thing in the morning
doesn’t have to be the longest time slot
focused, distraction free, intimate
time in the Word, time in prayer.
Listen To God, First
decide in advance to say YES to anything and everything that God says
when your discover God requires an adjustment in thinking or action, do it immediately.
when you disobey scripture, you put yourself first, or someone else first.
·allow the input of others to come after you have consulted Him
His words to you are at the level of scripture
don’t ignore, reject and ultimately grieve the Holy Spirit
Become Like Him, First
we look to others and emulate them, becoming more like them
we are made in His image, but the image is skewed
Romans 8:29 (ESV) For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV) And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
we should always have one or two areas in nonconformity that are being conformed
the big external obvious tend to be first: murder, theft, lying, sexual sin, drunkenness
the deeper works of the soul come next: fear, identity,
Give To Him, First
give is against our nature, the first struggle every child experiences – we are first
tithe – when God gives to you, your return a tenth to Him before you do anything else
offering, sacrifice offering – dreaming about a trip, large ticket item… dream about a big amount to give to him
service
you can give to him by giving to others - Matthew 25:40 (ESV) And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.
“And then GOD answered: “Write this. Write what you see. Write it out in big block letters so that it can be read on the run. This vision-message is a witness pointing to what’s coming. It aches for the coming—it can hardly wait! And it doesn’t lie. If it seems slow in coming, wait. It’s on its way. It will come right on time.” Habakkuk 2:2-3 MSG
Action Steps:
Get A Vision
Write It Down- list out the vision the God has for me so that when the vision becomes faint, unlikely, or I become discouraged, I can look back to it and allow it to propel me to keep going
Do It - all the vision planning doesn’t mean anything unless I actually put my hand to the plow and begin the work. It’s not going to be easy but the end result with be well worth it.
In our day and age, everyone seeks instant gratification and rewards. We constantly strive to reap the harvest before the seed has even been planted. The only way to truly reap: work and patience. Very rarely is pursuing God’s vision for our lives about the destination. It’s never about a milestone or title. The true harvest, is not reaching the finish line, it’s how we finished; who we have become to get there. It’s always about the journey God leads us on and how He helps us become who He has destined us to be, because if we are not prepared to receive the harvest when it comes, much of will be lost and ultimately we will be left unfulfilled. So I will run the race and fight the good fight not solely because of where I will end up, but who I will become.
Stepping past the overwhelm in our lives is a process that God says he will help us conquer.
God Calls Us To Joy!
Luke 6:23 ‘..Leap for Joy.’
Romans 12:12 ‘Let this Hope burst forth within you, releasing a continual joy.’
1 Thessalonians 5;16 ‘Let joy be your continual feast...’
God Offers Help- Lets Take It!
Isaiah 42:16 "But I'll take the hand of those who don't know the way, who can't see where they're going. I'll be a personal guide to them, directing them through unknown country. I'll be right there to show them what roads to take, make sure they don't fall into the ditch. These are the things I'l be doing for them-sticking with them, not leaving them for a minute."
Action Steps:
Brain Dump - write out what is overwhelming you. Brings a to-do list for the things you can take care of to relieve the overwhelm.
Spiritual Health
Take care of your temple. Eat well and get exercise and good rest 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Read your bible and pray every day. Realigns our focus with the promises of God. Reminds us of the promises and fills our spirit in a way we sometimes don’t notice until we absolutely need it.
Proclaim the promise, rather then the problem. Stop perpetuating the problems and challenges...it doesn't fix or alleviate the issues. Proclaim the promises God has already given us over these areas. Gal 6:7-8 “What a person plants, he will harvest.” What I say and do out loud will start my results on their way to me.
Turn down opportunities in life that add to overwhelm and provide no quenching to your spirt. Giving myself more to do doesn't help overwhelm. Jump at chances to deepen faith and quench spirit. The spiritual renewing that takes place when we realign our focus on Jesus makes the future challenges easier to walk through with grace and correct perspective. That same effort you jump towards God filling your spirit is the same energy in your spirit you will experience as you go out and experience life!
Romans 5 3-4 We can rejoice too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us-they help us learn to endure. And endurance develops strength of character in us, and character strengths our confident expectation of salvation.
God Believed In You On Your First Day
““Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, And before you were born I consecrated you.”” Jeremiah 1:5 NASB
God Believed In You On Your Worst Day
“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 NASB
YOU are SACRED and HOLY to God And nothing you have done has changed that
Action Steps:
Reading the word on a regular basis... -realigns my heart with Gods truth -Declares Gods love over me
Build godly relationships -Godly people treat me the way God sees me -reinforces the notion of how God uses the body to show His love
Do that next thing -what ever it is, that tug, step into it -it gives God opportunity to bless you and show you in tangible ways, who you are to Him
Matthew 2:11 ESV And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.”
Ever had difficulty finding the perfect gift? But when you find it, you know it…
The Magi brought specific gifts for their recipient…
Gold, The Gift For A King
Magi recognized Jesus as a king - Matthew 2:2 (ESV) saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
Magi brought Jesus gold, the customary a gift from one Kingdom’s King to another.
Queen of Sheba visited king Solomon and brought him gifts, including 120 talents of gold, or 7936lbs or $186,273,792
How much gold would the wise men have brought Jesus? Gold is currently $1467 oz. An iPhone 5 size would be $47,000.
John 18:33, 36–37 (ESV) So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”
Revelation 19:11–16 (ESV) Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.
The gift of gold was the perfect gift for our King, Jesus!
Frankincense, The Gift For A Priest
Frankincense is an aromatic gum resin. Produced by scraping the bark of certain. When burned as incense, it creates a strong and beautiful aroma. The cost of frankincense precluded it from being common. It was burned to worship God.
Exodus 30:34–37 (ESV) The Lord said to Moses, “Take sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum, sweet spices with pure frankincense (of each shall there be an equal part), and make an incense blended as by the perfumer, seasoned with salt, pure and holy. You shall beat some of it very small, and put part of it before the testimony in the tent of meeting where I shall meet with you. It shall be most holy for you. And the incense that you shall make according to its composition, you shall not make for yourselves. It shall be for you holy to the Lord.
Hebrews 4:14–16 (ESV) Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
The gift of frankincense was the perfect gift for our Priest, Jesus!
Myrrh, The Gift For A Sacrifice
Myrrh is a fragrant spice derived from the sap of a tree native to the Near East.
Like frankincense, it can be used as incense,
It also had wider usage as a perfume, anointing oil, balm
John 19:38–39 (ESV) After these things Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away his body. Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight.
Myrrh, the perfect gift for our sacrifice, Jesus,
Jesus, the Perfect Gift For Us
No other gift is so uniquely fashioned for each and every one of us!
John 3:16–17 (ESV) “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
Matthew 26:26–28 (ESV) Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.