100224w What’s in Your Heart?
Tim Franklin
Introduction:
· We have been looking for several Wednesday nights at the subject of “That I May Know Him, I Must Know Him, I Want More of Him.
· I am going to ask you the question tonight, just as has been asked by Capitol One-What’s in your wallet? Only I am asking “What’s in your heart?”
· Lets read Isaiah 52:2-3, Awake, Awake! Put on your strength O Zion; put on your beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the Holy City! Shake yourself from the dust, arise; Sit down, O Jerusalem! Loose yourself from the bonds of your neck, O captive daughter of Zion!." NKJV
· There are benefits to knowing Him and there are benefits communing with Him.
1. Finding Proper Posture Before God
A. The first posture is to be awake. Awake! Heb, Uwr—to rouse one’s self, to stir up to awake.
i. Matthew 26:41 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." NKJV Grk gragoree—to watch by giving strict attention to.
ii. Luke 18:1 Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, NKJV
B. To be awake is to be postured to pray.
i. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 pray without ceasing, NKJV This is a position that is to never stop.
ii. Prayer is communion, conversation, connection, and it is done continually when the spirit rules over the flesh. Even when we are sleeping!
C. The benefits
i. We will put on spiritual strength! Against Satan, sin, temptation and hells gates!
ii. We will put on holy/beautiful garments of righteousness and be clothed in glory.
iii. We will not a part of unclean—we will not have fellowship with the wicked.
iv. We will quit running around trying to find someone to pray for us. We will shake ourselves from the dust. We will arise and be free!
v. We will sit in peace. And we will rest there!
vi. We will loose ourselves from the grip of Satan and identify with Him!
D. What I am talking about here is the anointing of God! I would say you are very anointed if you have spiritual strength, righteousness, faith, peace, and freedom!
2. Poor Posture Of Prayerlessness
A. Isaiah gives us the results of not posturing ourselves in the place of prayer; the results are more problems.
i. Isaiah 52:3-5 For thus says the Lord: "You have sold yourselves for nothing, And you shall be redeemed without money." 4 For thus says the Lord God: "My people went down at first Into Egypt to dwell there; Then the Assyrian oppressed them without cause. 5 Now therefore, what have I here," says the Lord, "That My people are taken away for nothing? Those who rule over them Make them wail," says the Lord, "And My name is blasphemed continually every day. NKJV
a. We sell ourselves for nothing to the devil.
b. We will go donw to Egypt, back into the world.
c. We will become oppressed
d. We will be taken away like slaves.
e. We will wail from the bondage we are in.
f. And the wicked will blaspheme God, that is a condition we see currently in our nation.
ii. Prayerlessness affects you whether you think it does or not. We cannot afford to be a prayerless people.
a. The decision to pay the price and pray is a decision that every Christian has to make. That is one of the reason Paul writes, I beat my body and make it my slave! 1 Cor. 9:27 God calls us to pray but few answer the call and he will not forces us.
b. “The second you say no to prayer—“I’m too tired.” Or “I don’t feel like it”—the real you is an idol worshiper. You have submitted to the lower nature and your flesh has take the place of God.” Benny Hinn Submitting to the flesh will kill us, but walking in the Spirit/Following the Spirit will give us life!
B. Isaiah then shifts back to power of awakening and posturing ourselves before God.
i. Isaiah 52:6 Therefore My people shall know My name; Therefore they shall know in that day That I am He who speaks: 'Behold, it is I.'" NKJV This is the ultimate blessing of prayer: WE SHALL KNOW HIM! And His power!
ii. When we know Him and His power look at what happens: We become major voices of redemption, peace and salvation. Is 52:7-10.
3. I Found Him!
A. Psalms 89:20 I have found My servant David; With My holy oil I have anointed him, NKJV
i. This is a messianic Psalm. It is all about Jesus.
ii. I am in Him.
a. John 15:5-7 "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. NKJV
b. 2 Corinthians 1:20 For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us. NKJV
c. 2 Corinthians 5:21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. NKJV
d. Eph 1:1,4,7,10,11.
e. Co. 2:6-11
iii. If I am in Him then all of Ps. 89:20 is on me!
B. Ps. 92:10 If He is anointed like that of a wild ox then that anointing is on me!
C. Acts 10:38 If Jesus was anoint to do all of those great works and I am in Him then I am anointed to do great works!
Conclusion:
· Let’s go for it!
· Jeremiah 29:13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. NKJV
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