Sunday Re Cap (17th Feb 2008)

OUR COVENANT RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD Part II

At the core of every relationship is the dynamic tension that can lead to growth and maturity. Elements of take control and surrender.

How to identify when to surrender and when to take charge?

As we study Bible characters we would notice some very general patterns that most of them followed in seeking God’s will in entering into New Beginnings.

The STOP Method

1. Surrender

• Do not remember the former things nor consider the things of old (surrender) Is 43:18-19; forgetting what is behind (Phil 3:13)
• Luke 9:23 deny himself (surrender) and follow me.
• Abraham surrendered (Gen 11:31 & 12:1-3; Gen 22 sacrifice Isaac; Luke 9:59,61
• Many remain in surrender and don’t move on to the next part. What do we do after surrender?
  

2. Trust

• Abraham trusted that God would provide the sacrifice.
• Joseph trusted God to bring to pass the destiny. That God has New Beginnings for him. Do we?
• Trusting God’s grace (His unmerited favor) instead of our self efforts. Devil’s ploy to tire us out, burn out, strive
• Jesus trusted; Paul trusted (2 Tim 1:12)
  

3. Obey

• 1 Sam 15:22, Is 1:19
• Children of Israel in the wilderness-obedience issue-manna to be collected day to day (still an issue today? Word?
• Nation of Israel-Judges 2-3: apostasy, oppression, repentance, restoration.
• Many give up at OBEY.
  

4. Persevere, Patience

• (Heb 6:12) That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. (Jas 1:3) Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
• Eph 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
  

Conclusion

• We need to understand that this is a dynamic relationship and it through the understanding and living this relationship that we are launched into the New Beginnings with God.
• In the end, it is not so much what we achieve or the goals that we attain but the richness of the relationship we have grown with God.
• God’s ultimate aim in giving us New Beginnings is not goals but to draw us closer to Him!