Spiritual Maturity #12

A. Overcoming self doubt, relying on human ability that ends in frustration, failure and defeat is not what God wants for you. He wants you to n ever feel inferior because you are a Christian or because of other people’s opinion or circumstances of life. Never limit God or fence Him into your inabilities or your lack of faith.
Never make the mistake of Moses by believing that God can not enable you in every way. Ex. 4:10. Because of his lack of faith Moses doubted God’s judgment and God’s anger burns against Moses as He says, “So what if you can’t do it, That does not change anything.” Why does it not change anything? Because “Nothing is impossible for God.” That’s the statement of Ex. 4:11-12.
Many New Testament Scriptures convey that same truth to us today. In Matt. 19:26, Jesus told His apostles, "With men many things are impossible, but with God all things are possible." Lk. 1:37, The angel told Mary, "For with God nothing will be impossible." What is the Message? We are to believe greatly in a great God with whom nothing is Impossible. Phip. 4:19.
Where does that say, “It is not impossible to have what it takes to be a successful Christian?” Phip. 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Where is the impossibility in that? There are none and until you believe that and Live that there will always be impossibilities.
No scripture says that more vividly than Heb. 11:6.
Now where are your Impossibilities. Only one thing makes our impossibilities possible. Lack of faith in God.
Relate an Old Testament story to illustrate my point: About a prophet named Amos. Amos went from his hometown of Tekoa to Bethel where the King of northern Israel had built an ornate, elaborate temple.
That’s the scene in Amos 7:8-11. Jereboam built the biggest church house and hired the most eloquent preacher possible and entertained the people every Sabbath. If anyone had a reason to feel Inferior, Amos did.
Amos was an uneducated sheep herder. That’s strike one. He was a fig picker with stained hands. That’s strike two. And he had a Southern accent. That’s dtrike three.
Amos walks in and delivers God’s message to the king and the king’s preacher. That message said, “You’re doomed. Repent or perish, turn or burn.” Amos 10:12, says, “Then Amaziah said to Amos: "Go, you seer! Flee to the land of Judah. There eat your bread, and prophesy. But never again prophesy at Bethel, for it is the king's sanctuary, and it is the royal residence." You won’t get paid for preaching here!
(1) Notice Amos’ answer in Amos 7: 14-17. Amaziah said, “Don’t preach!” What did Amos do? Hauled off and preached! He said, “I’m not a prophet.” I’m not related to a prophet, never been to a School of Preaching, a Christian University or a prophet school. I’m jJust doing what God told meto Do.” Where does Amos have his eyes? On self or on God? “I didn’t ask for this job, God called and I responded.”
The lesson is obvious. Inferiority complexes are the tool of the Devil and they have no place in your life as a child of God.
(1) God loves you and values you above all else. You are of more worth than all the universe. Jno. 4:24. Your greatest need is to worship God in spirit and truth. God is seeking you and your eternal salvation. God places high value on you. He places you at the top of His list.
(2) You have to seek Him on His terms. In Spirit and in Truth. And you have to grow to spiritual maturity. You can’t just laze around and sponge off God like a lazy bum. God expects you to bear fruit.
Eph. 2:10. Become God’s workmanship, not our own. You do it by growing the fruit of the Spirit in your life.

(3) What is that workmanship? 1 Pet. 2:5, 9.
(4) Here’s what God is doing for you: Rom. 8:28, “God is working all things together for your good, because you are called according to His purpose.” God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the Angels and Heavenly Beings and all the lessons I’ve taught you have one purpose. To bring you closer to God. To help you understand there is only one thing worth giving yourself to in life.
(5) Rom. 8:31-35; 37-39. Inferior? Absolutely Not! You are of great worth. By growing to spiritual maturity you are doing the greatest work in the world. You are the only thing that stands between the people of this world and their eternal damnation. God is working in you to accomplish His work of eternal salvation. And that is the most important work in all the world. Phip. 2:12-16.
Don’t hinder your spiritual growth by giving the things of the world most of your time, effort, energy and resources.
(1) Eph. 3:17?21. “Let Christ dwell in your hearts through faith; (Why?) so that you, may be rooted and grounded in love, and be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height??to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”
(2) Acts 20:32.

Spur - 12/08/02 am