Fishers of Men (Part 2)

I Luke 14:16-24 "Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper."

If you want to catch fish, you must go where the fish are.  Fish live in water.  You will never catch fish by waiting on top of a mountain or in the middle of a desert.

As  a believer, you must go where the fish are spiritually.  Men and women live in the world.  You cannot wait in the church building for unbelievers to come to you.  You must go into the marketplace, the schools, and the offices and "fish" wherever unsaved people are found.  

When you are fishing in the natural world, it is important to consider the environment.  You must observe the current and depth of the water.  You must know if it is salt water or fresh water.  You must observe how the wind is blowing.  All of these natural factors determine the type of bait and the methods you will use to fish.

The same is true in the natural world.  You must analyze the environment in which you find men and women.  What are their needs?  What is happening in their lives?  This will help you determine the method to use in fishing for their souls.

When Jesus met the woman at the well in John 4, He analyzed the environment in which He found her.  She was seeking natural water. He used this natural need to help her recognize her spiritual need.  The method He used "reeled her in" to the Kingdom of God.
 
In the natural world, if you are using trout fishing methods in salt water you will never catch trout.  Trout do not live in salt water.  They live in fresh water.

If you do not analyze the environment in the spiritual world, you will find yourself "fishing for trout in salt water" because you do not understand where people are and how to reach them. Before you cast out your net identify the fish in the area. if it's the poor, feed them. if it's the hurting, heal them. If it's the lonely, love them.
 

Fishers of Men (Part 1)

When Jesus Christ began His public ministry on earth, He called several men to be His first disciples: 

Mark 1:17 "And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men."

His first command to these men was to multiply spiritually.  If they followed Him, He would make them "fishers of men. They would reproduce as they "fished" spiritually for other men and women.

The last message of Jesus to His followers was a call to spiritual reproduction:

Acts 1:8, 9 "But ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. And when He had spoken these things, while they beheld, He was taken up; and a cloud received Him out of their sight."

How could the disciples fulfill this great commission given by Jesus?  How could this small group of people multiply to reach the entire world?

Jesus revealed specific methods which would enable His disciples to fulfill the command to reproduce spiritually.  The first and most important of these was given as part of the commission in Acts 1:8.  Disciples would multiply through the endument of power by the Holy Spirit.  Other methods were revealed as the followers of Jesus began to multiply and reach the world with the Gospel.  These methods are recorded in the books of Acts and the Epistles in the New Testament. 

The Bible teaches you how to to reproduce spiritually and fulfill God's command. But first, you must understand what it means to multiply.  To "multiply" means to increase in number by reproduction.  Multiplication is the process of multiplying.  When something is multiplied it is reproduced over and over again in like form.

In the natural world, men and women reproduce themselves by having children.  They multiply physically.  Spiritual multiplication is done by reproducing spiritually.  A believer reproduces by sharing the Gospel with others, leading them to become believers, and establishing them as disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Bible reveals God's methods for spiritual multiplication.  A "method" is a plan for accomplishing a specific goal. "Methodologies" is a system of methods which can be combined to reach a goal.

"Multiplication methodologies" are methods which enable believers to reach the goal of spiritual reproduction.  The goal never changes.  We are to reproduce spiritually and reach the entire world with the Gospel.  There are many different methods by which this goal may be accomplished.  These are the "methodologies" or various plans, by which you can multiply.

When man cooperates with God's multiplication methods, spiritual reproduction results.  Believers reproduce spiritually within the womb of the Church.

The men Jesus first called as disciples were fishermen. They were men of action.  They did not catch fish one at a time.  They used big nets to fish and brought in many fish of all kinds. 

When Jesus called them to be "fishers of men" He revealed a similar plan for spiritual multiplication.  His followers were to "catch" men and women from every nation, culture, language, and ethnic background.  Their spiritual "nets" were to be filled.

Jesus called men to action.  He said He would make them become fishers of men.  They would not just be spectators in God's plan.  They would be participators as they fished for the eternal souls of men and women.

The call of Jesus is still the same.  We are to become fishers of men.  If we are not fishing, then we are not following. 

Why did Jesus use the example of fishing to call His followers?

First, it was an example they could easily understand.  These men made their living by fishing.  It was the thing to which they devoted their time and energy.  When Jesus called them to become fishers of men, they understood that they would "catch" men spiritually, just as they had caught fish in the natural world.  They also understood the demands of this call.  Spiritual fishing would require a commitment of their time and energy. 

Second, Jesus used the example of fishing to call followers because there are principles of natural fishing which can be applied spiritually.
 

Failure or Finish (Part 3)

The Bible also contains many examples of leaders whose lives ended in failure and defeat:

Samson: Who was a great judge of Israel and had great physical strength given him from God.  He began to deliver Israel from the Philistine enemy.  Through involvement with a heathen woman, Samson was taken captive and died while yet a prisoner of the enemy.

Uzziah: He became a king when he was 16 years old and as long as he did what was right in the sight of the Lord, he prospered.  Uzziah sinned by entering the temple and performing duties which only the priests were permitted to do.  God smote him with leprosy and he died. 

Saul: Saul was the first king of Israel, adored by the people, and a man upon whom the Spirit of God rested.  Because of disobedience, Saul was rejected by God and another king was selected to complete his task. Saul's life ended in failure, disgrace, and suicide.

Eli:  He was originally a great priest in the house of the Lord.  Because of disobedience,  Eli and his sons died in disgrace.

Judas:  Judas was a disciple of Jesus during His earthly ministry.  He witnessed the great miracles of Jesus and heard His teachings.  Yet he betrayed Jesus and ended his own life by suicide.

 WHAT MADE THE DIFFERENCE?

Some of these leaders recovered from their failures and went on to be great men of God.  Others never changed. Their lives ended in defeat.  What made the difference?

To answer this question, let us examine in more detail the lives of two great leaders of the nation of Israel, the kings David and Saul.  First, read the story of David's failure in  II Samuel chapters 11-12.  Then read the story of Saul's failure in I Samuel chapter 15.

In our human reasoning, David's failure seems so much greater than that of Saul.  Saul simply brought back some oxen as spoil from battle when God had directed him not to do so.  David committed adultery with another man's wife.  When it was discovered she was pregnant, he had her husband killed to try to cover the sin.  Saul was rejected by God as king, yet David remained on the throne and was called "a man after God's own heart.”

Why did one man's life end in failure while the other went on to future successes?  The answer is one word: Repentance.  When the prophet Samuel confronted Saul with his sin, Saul said...

...I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the Lord, and thy words:  because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice. Then he said, I have sinned; yet honor me now, I pray thee, before the  elders of my people and before Israel, and turn again with me, that I worship the Lord thy God.  (I Samuel 15:24 and 30)

Saul was caught in his sin and he admitted it.  He was sorry, but only for being caught.  Being sorry for sin is not enough.  That sorrow must lead to repentance:
 
For godly sorrow worketh repentance  to salvation not to be repented of:  but the sorrow of the world worketh death.  (II Corinthians 7:10)

Saul admitted he had failed, but he blamed his failure on other people.  He wanted Samuel to honor him before the leaders of the people so he would not be disgraced.  He wanted Samuel to worship God with him to show to the people he was still a spiritual man.

Saul never confessed his sin to God, repented, and asked forgiveness.  He refused to accept personal responsibility for his actions.  He offered God worship when God wanted repentance.  Saul was more concerned about his reputation among the people than his relationship to God.  He saw the Kingdom not as God's Kingdom, but as a way to build his own empire. 

Because of this, Samuel told Saul:

...The Lord hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day, and hath given it to a neighbor of thine, that is better than thou.  (I Samuel 15:28)

The kingdom was taken from Saul and given to David.  

When the prophet Nathan confronted David about his sin, David immediately acknowledged:

I have sinned against the Lord.  (II Samuel 12:13)

He did not try to blame others.  He did not blame Bathsheba.  He admitted his failure and humbly repented before God.  David's great prayer of repentance is recorded in Psalms 51.  Read this entire Psalm in your Bible.  David acknowledged his sin and asked forgiveness: 

For I acknowledge my transgressions:  and my sin is ever before me.

Against thee, thee only have I sinned and done this evil in thy sight... Create in me a clean heart O God; and renew a right spirit within me.  (Psalms 51:3,4,10)

When confronted with failure, David repented and changed direction.  Saul did not.  He strayed farther from the will of God and his life ended in failure, defeat, and suicide. 
 

Failure or Finish (Part 2)

The Bible contains many examples of great men who at some point in their lives failed as leaders:

Abraham-He lied about Sarah being his wife for fear he would be killed and his wife taken from him.  Yet he is called a man of faith and the "friend of God.”

Moses-In anger he struck the rock and called forth water instead of speaking to the rock as God directed.   Yet the Bible says there has never been another prophet as great as Moses.

King David-He committed adultery with another man's wife, then had the man killed to try to cover his sin.  Yet he was a great king and is called "a man after God's own heart.” 

Jonah-He went the opposite direction when God called him to preach in Ninevah.  Later he preached the greatest revival in history.  The whole city repented.

Joshua-This man was a great military commander who assumed leadership of the nation of Israel after the death of Moses. One of the challenges God gave Joshua was to lead Israel to claim their promised land.  But at one point Joshua was so discouraged that he longed to be back on the other side of Jordan in the wilderness.  At another time he was deceived by the Gibeonites.  Yet this man went on to conquer the land promised by God.  

The Prophet Elijah-A wicked queen named Jezebel sent a messenger to the prophet Elijah informing him she was planning to kill him.  
 I Kings 19:4  "He went a day's  journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.  

Here was the great man of God who had healed the sick, raised the dead, and controlled elements of nature in the name of the Lord.  Now he was hiding, fearful, despondent, and requesting to die.  Yet Elijah returned to demonstrate God's power before the entire nation of Israel at Mt. Carmel.

Peter: This man denied Jesus, but later became a great leader in the early church.

The Apostle Paul: The Apostle Paul also faced failure. 

a. He wrote once that due to experiences in Asia he was  "pressed out of measure" and "despaired even of life"-2 Corinthians 1:8. 

b. He expressed times when he was troubled, perplexed, persecuted, and cast down-2 Corinthians 4:8.  

c. He  said  he  had  fears and troubles- 2 Corinthians 7:5, 6. 

But the Apostle Paul successfully spread the Gospel to the Gentiles, raising up great churches and leaders throughout the nations of the world.

Failure or Finish? (Part 1)

Proverbs 24:16 "A just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again."

God has perfect plans, but He works through imperfect leaders to accomplish His plans.  Because you are imperfect, you must understand the reasons for failure and know what to do when you fail.

We need to learn the basic causes of failure. Go has given us many examples of leaders whose lives ended in failure and those who turned failure into success.  We need to be given Biblical guidelines for facing failure and turning it to success.

There are three basic reasons for failure:

1. Failure in relationship:

Many leaders fail because they have an improper relationship with God.  They may not have developed the proper spiritual foundations listed in Hebrews 6:1-3.  When they try to build a work for God on a poor spiritual foundation, it collapses. Some leaders get so busy doing "God's work" that they  neglect prayer, Bible study, fasting, and seeking the Lord and His will.  Others lose their first intense love of the Lord Jesus Christ. Instead of God and His Kingdom being the priority, cares and riches of the world, making money, or pleasing people begin to take first place in their lives.

King Uzziah is an example of a leader who failed because of his own relationship with God.  King Uzziah started well.  He sought the Lord in 2 Chronicles 26:6-8.  He did well in battles against Israel's enemies.  But when King Uzziah became well known and prideful, he began to "act corruptly,” was unfaithful to God, and no longer sought the Lord according to Verse 16.

To be a leader, you must have close fellowship with God. Many leaders who have failed discover that their problem began with a failure in their own personal relationship with God.

2. Failure by commission:

"Failure by commission" means failure caused by your own sinful actions.  Sins of "commission" include every wrong action, word, attitude or motive.  Such acts or sins of "commission" result in failure.  We have had many Elmer Gantry's in the pulpit, in gospel music, and in other types of ministry. These individuals have continually abused their callings by doing things that are forbidden by God and when the revelation comes out turn their failures into objects of resentment toward God and the church.

3. Failure by omission:

"Failure by omission" means failure caused by what you do not do.  When you sin by "omission,” you fail to do what you should do.  The Bible says:

James 4:17 "For to him that knoweth to do right and doeth it not it is sin."

Sins of "omission" are things the Word of God says you should do but which you fail to do.  Jesus rebuked the religious leaders of His time for such "omissions.”  He said...

Matthew 23:23 "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!  for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith; these ought ye to have done, and not leave the other undone."

The Calling of God (Part 2)

God's plan is for each disciple (believer) to be a witness of the Gospel.  The early church grew as they followed this plan. Each believer shared the Gospel and was reproductive spiritually.  Their homes became centers of the gospel.  The church grew and multiplied as individual believers bore witness to the Gospel.

As the church grew, God called  some people to serve full-time as pastors, evangelists, prophets, teachers, and apostles.  Over a period of time,  believers became part of one of two divisions in the church.  They were either "clergy" or "laity."

The word "laity" comes from a Greek word which means "belonging to the chosen people of God." The basic meaning of the word is "all the people of God."  The terms "layman" or "laity" came to be used for those who were not serving in special full-time functions in the church.

The term "clergy" developed to identify professional ministers in the church.   Clergy refers to those who consider the ministry their profession and who usually are employed full-time by the church.  They may or may not be ordained by a denomination.

Over a period of time in church history, a gradual separation developed between clergy and laity.  Many laymen stopped reproducing spiritually.  They began to leave the challenge of reaching the world to the full-time clergy.  

No professional clergy can ever accomplish what the entire Church was commissioned to do.  This is one of the reasons we have not yet reached the world with the Gospel.  Believers have shifted their personal responsibility to the clergy.  The Bible does teach division of labor in the Church, but every person is to be involved in the spread of the Gospel.

As the church at Jerusalem increased, it became necessary for a division of labor to meet all the needs in the church.  The leaders gave themselves full-time to  study of the Word and prayer.  Laymen performed duties like ministering to the widows and other such tasks of serving.  But although believers served in different offices in the church, they were all involved in the spread of the Gospel. 

Stephen was one of the laymen chosen for serving tasks, yet he bore powerful witness to the Gospel according to Acts 6:8-11.  Philip was another layman chosen for serving tasks.  He shared the Gospel with the Samaritans in Acts 8:5-12.

When persecution came in Jerusalem and believers scattered to other cities they continued to be witnesses of the Gospel:

Acts 8:4 "Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word."

For true believers, there is no division between sacred and secular because Jesus is Lord of all. We all work for the same King and Kingdom!

 

The Calling of God (Part 1)

2 Timothy 2:2 "And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also."

 Growth in the human body starts with one cell of life. That cell multiplies over and over again until a human baby is formed.  After birth, the process continues in the child.  Human cells continue to multiply and growth occurs.  The same is true in the spiritual world.  Each person who has experienced new life in Jesus is similar to a living cell in the human body.  Each believer must reproduce spiritually. The Gospel is spread as believers continue to increase in this way. You have a personal responsibility in this spiritual process. You will learn of the plan of God for personal evangelism which makes "1 plus 1" more than two. 

The challenge of Jesus to believers is to reach the entire world with the Gospel according to both Matthew 28:19 and Acts 1:8.  Today we live in a growing world.  Thousands of new human beings are born each day.  The population of the world is increasing rapidly. There are many unreached people groups in the world who have never heard about Jesus.  These groups consist of millions of individuals who have not yet been reached with the Gospel. Many villages and communities have no church.  In many nations, there are not enough trained pastors for the churches that do exist.

So how can we ever achieve this great challenge of Jesus to reach the whole world with the Gospel?

God has a special plan for reaching the world with the Gospel.  Jesus summarized it when He told His disciples in Acts 1:8:

"But ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."

Here is God's plan: The Holy Spirit is the divine power behind the evangelistic process, Jesus Christ is the content of the message, and the whole world is to be the recipient of the message.

Disciples are the agents of the message.  God's method is for each disciple to bear "witness" of the Gospel message.  To "witness" is to tell what you have seen, heard, or experienced.  In a court of law, a witness is one who testifies about someone or something.  As  a witness, you are to testify  about Jesus and His plan for the salvation of all mankind.  There are two kinds of evidence presented by witnesses in a court of law.  One is testimony which is verbal witness about the subject.  The other is evidence which is visible proof.

The Holy Spirit helps you bear witness to the Gospel both verbally and through the demonstration of God's power. 

 

Fishers of Men (Part 5)

1 Peter 2:9, 10 "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light; Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy."

Being a true fisherman and a fisher of men for Jesus have almost equal results:

-Fishing in the natural world results in multiplication of fish.  

-Fishing in the spiritual world results in multiplication of men and women in the Kingdom of God. 

-Natural reproduction results in multiplication of living people. 

-Spiritual reproduction results in multiplication of spiritual people.

-Natural reproduction is the result of life.

-Spiritual reproduction is also the result of life. It does not come through programs and promotions of man.  Spiritual reproduction comes through the spiritual life flow of God.  

-In the natural body, reproduction starts in a woman's womb with a single cell of life.  That cell multiplies until a complete body is formed and a new baby is born.

-Spiritual growth is similar.  It starts with the life flow of God in one man or woman.  It multiplies in the spiritual  "womb" of the Church. 

Ephesians 2:18-22 "For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:  In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit."

Just as natural reproduction adds to your personal family, so does spiritual reproduction add to your church family. Those over the age of 60 make up the majority of regular attender of church services today. The families of our world are in jeopardy because of sin and despair. That's why we need once again to become fishers of men. Who knows the line between eternity in heaven or hell may depend totally on the line or net you cast out!

Fishers of Men (Part 4)

Matthew 9:37, 38 "Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest."

Luke 10:2 "Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth laborers into his harvest."

John 4:35 "Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest."

The time of day and seasons of the year affect fishing in the natural world.  Some fish migrate and cannot be caught in certain regions during some seasons.  The biggest fish are caught early in  the day when they come closer to the surface for feeding. If you fish in the wrong season or at the wrong time, you won't catch many fish.  

Timing is important in spiritual fishing also.  You will learn later in this course how important it is to "fish" the receptive areas of the world when the fish are "biting" spiritually. This is a fresh season. It is the Year of Jubilee. There is a harvest for us to reap and in this window of opportunity we must use all resources to fish for those that are lost.

A fisherman in the natural world must be patient.  He must wait for the fish to take the bait or swim into the net.  He can't be wandering around or just making a bunch of noise. He has to hold true to the standard he set for himself when he started. Jerking the line want make the fish bite any faster.

The same is true in the spiritual world:

James 5:7 "Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord.  Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain."  

Some churches will never fill their buildings, but that's not the most important thing. The most important thing is to patiently share the gospel with those who are hurting and see if they take the bait. If you've hooked them correctly, then you can take your time reeling them in. Try and force them and they'll break the line every time. Our job is to tell them, teach them, and disciple them. 

Sometimes the hardest part of being a fisher of men is waiting for the right opportunity. I can tell you from experience sometimes it takes longer to get them to bite, but it's worth the wait in the end.

 

Fishers of Men (Part 3)

Luke 5:1-11 "And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret, And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets. And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship. Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. And when they had this done, they enclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken: And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men. And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him."

A good fisherman uses different methods to catch fish.  He uses various baits to attract the fish.  He uses different kinds of fishing equipment which may include fishing rods, nets, spears, or baskets.  Different kinds of fish are attracted by different methods.  This is why a good fisherman uses various methods.

A fisherman can learn some of these methods in books written about fishing.  He learns other methods by experience and observation. The methods he uses change, but the goal is always the same-to catch fish.

If you are to be an effective spiritual fisherman, you must use different methods.  Different people are attracted to the Gospel by various methods.  Some are "reeled in" by teaching and preaching or comfort in time of need.  Others are "caught" by different methods. 

The methods of spiritual fishing are varied, but the goal is always the same-to catch the souls of men and women. You do not compromise the true Word of God, but you preach truth with love and compassion. You live what you preach and preach what you live. That kind of bait will attract many a "fish" who is searching to fill the hunger inside of them.

Whether you are using a fishing rod, net, or spear in the natural world, you must cast it into the waters and draw it out again. Jesus had to tell them to cast their ships out  a little from the shore. A vessel for sea was not built to travel on dry ground. It was built to be able to cross deep water. Unless you hoist your sail, the multitudes will never hear the message of hop you have in your heart.

In the natural world, how you cast into the water is very important. Your casting must be on target.  You must also use care in order to land your fish after catching it. Jesus told them to let their nets down for a draught or a catching. Even though they had already tried to fill their nets, this time with Jesus on board their catch was successful.

In the spiritual world, we are promised if we "cast out" the Word of God, it will not return void.  It will accomplish its purpose in the hearts and lives of men and women in Isaiah 55:11.  When you use the Word of God, you will be on target every time.  Eventually, it will "catch" men and women. 
 

Authority (Part 6)

Spiritual power is not something you work up through emotion.  You do not produce it with Scriptural learning. Even knowledge of Biblical power principles will not guarantee receiving spiritual power.

Spiritual power flows from its source.  Jesus is compared to a vine.  You are a spiritual branch. You cannot produce power in yourself.  He is the life flow from which the power comes.  Just let His power flow through you:

John 15:5 " I am the vine, ye are the branches:  He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much  fruit: for  without me ye can do nothing."


So how do you experience the power of God?

(1) Fast and pray.

Come before God and humble yourself through fasting and prayer. God has promised to hear when we come before Him in this attitude:

2 Chronicles 7:14a "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from Heaven..."

Do not pursue power itself.  Through prayer and fasting prepare yourself as a channel through which God's power can flow.

(2) Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 1:8 "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you." 

(3) Exercise your faith.

By faith, accept His promise of power:

Luke 10:19 "Behold, I give unto you power...over all the power of the enemy..."

Hebrews 11:1 "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.>

You accepted salvation by faith.  Now accept the power of God by faith.  Why is it so easy to accept salvation by faith and so difficult to trust God for miraculous demonstrations of His power like healing and casting out demons?

(4) Stand on Biblical principles.

-The power of the Gospel.
Your life must first be changed through the power of the Gospel.  Repentance is the basis of true spiritual power.

-The power of the Holy Spirit. 
You receive power after that the Holy Spirit is come upon you. 
-The power of love.
Any spiritual gift, any manifestation of power is ineffective  without it.
 
-The power of anointing.
It is the anointing that will break the yoke.  You cannot do it in your own strength and power.

-Power, faith, and works.  
These are inseparable. They must function together in your life and ministry.

-The power of the name of Jesus. 
You come in His authority.  It is power through His name.

-The power of the Word.
Speak His words, not yours.  His Word will not return void.  It will accomplish the purpose for which it is sent forth.

-The power of His resurrection.
Experience it now in your mortal body.

Spiritual power must be experienced individually by believers but it is not to function independently of the Body of Christ.  It is God's plan that the Church experience spiritual power corporately. The Church is to be the center for the demonstration of His power.

One day Jesus went into the temple in Jerusalem and found the leaders selling oxen, sheep, and doves.  They had actually made a prosperous business out of people's need for sacrificial animals.  They were using the church as the center for this merchandising.

Jesus made a small whip of cords and drove these people out of the temple.  He poured out the money and overthrew the tables.  He said. . . 

Luke 19:46 "It is  written, My house is the house of prayer:  but ye have made it a den of thieves."

In many instances today the Church has become a social center, a place for recreation and fellowship.  It has become a center of food distribution and entertainment.
 Some of these activities may have their place, but it is not God's true purpose for the Church.  The Church can even become a center of prayer and Bible study and still miss God's purpose if human needs remain unmet right outside its door.  The temple Jesus cleansed had become a center of trading and merchandise.  But Jesus explained the true purpose of the Church in a parable in Luke 14:16-24.  In this parable, the master of the house told his servants:. 

Verse 21 "Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt and the blind."

Verse 23 "Go out into the highways and hedges and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled." 

The Church is to be filled with multitudes having deep human need.  Believers are to go into all levels of society and compel them to come in.  The Church is to be populated with believers who have spiritual power.  This creates the corporate environment where God can manifest Himself.  The lame will be healed, the blind see, the deaf hear, and the power of the Gospel will change lives.

A needy world is looking on us. Suffering humanity is turning their eyes to the Church of Jesus Christ. We must have something to give.

 ________________________________

The Power of Suffering (Part 6)

Despite the questions, Job's response was: 

Job 13:15 "Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him."

Job 19:25, 26 "For I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God."

After all the questioning is finished, the emphasis must change from "me" to "Thee. You must commit your suffering, with all its unanswered questions, into the hands of God.

Proverbs 3:5 "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding."

God may reveal some of the purposes in your suffering, but it is possible you will never fully understand it:

Proverbs 25:2 "It is the glory of God to conceal a thing."

Deuteronomy 29:29 "The secret things belong unto the Lord our God; but those things which are revealed belong unto us..." 

There are some secret things that belong only to the Lord.  As Job, you may never understand all the purposes of your suffering:
 
Proverbs 20:24 TLB "Since the Lord is directing our steps, why try to understand everything that happens along the way?" 

When God finally talked with Job, He used several examples from nature which Job could not explain. God stressed that if Job could not understand what he saw in the natural world, he certainly could not understand that which he could not see in the spiritual world.  

When Job faces God, it no longer matters that he does not get an answer to his questions about suffering.  He is in the direct presence of God, and that experience leaves no room for anything else.  He is no longer controlled and tormented by human reasoning.  He replaces questions, not with answers, but with faith.

When you come to know God intimately through suffering, you see yourself as you really are.  You no longer know God second-handedly.  That face-to-face encounter with God does what arguments and discussions cannot do.

When Job stood before God, he had no new answers.  He was given no new facts about his suffering.  But he replaced questions with faith. Job has been in the direct presence of God, and that experience leaves no room for questions or doubts.

 

Authority (Part 5)

The Bible establishes the structure of authority for those who work either as employees or as employers. An employer is one who is the master, boss, or one in charge of workers.  An employee is a worker who is hired and has the responsibility of doing a certain job.

The Bible teaches in Epehsians 6:5-8:

"Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ: Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart: With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free."

The work of a servant or employee is to be done as unto the Lord because God is the source of all power.  Instructions are also given to masters or employers. The structure of one in authority under authority is again clearly reflected in this passage:

Verse 9 "And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening:  knowing that your Master also is in Heaven, neither is there respect of persons with Him." 

Employers are to treat their servants fairly, even as they are treated fairly by God from whom they derive their power.
 
 According to Matthew 20:25-28 the power structure of the world is not that of the Kingdom of God.  But even though we are believers and part of God's Kingdom, at the present time we still live in the world.  Each one of us live in a town or city which is part of a larger county, state, and country.  Each of us live under local and national government and there are laws and government leaders in authority over us. 

You previously learned that the Bible teaches God is the source of all power.  Romans 13 explains how this relates to governmental authorities. 

Verse 1 teaches that God is the source of all power and you are to be subject to these powers.

Verse 2 indicates that when you rebel against these powers, you are in reality rebelling against God.

Verses 3-4 explain that government leaders are a terror to you only when you disobey them. They are actually compared to ministers of God.

God brings government leaders to power and can dethrone them at will:

Daniel 2:21 "And He changeth the times and the seasons:  He removeth kings, and setteth up kings:  He giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding."

Daniel 4:17 "...that the living may know that the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever He will, and setteth up over the basest of men."

Daniel tells the story of a King Nebuchadnezzar who did not recognize the source of his earthly power until God taught him:

Daniel 5:20, 21 "But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his  kingly throne, and they took his glory from him. And he was driven from the sons of men; and his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild asses: they fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven; till he knew that the most high God ruled in the kingdom of men, and that he appointeth over it whomsoever he will."
 
 God sent a prophet to King Amaziah to instruct him when he was planning to go to battle:

2 Chronicles 25:7, 8 "But there came a man of God to him, saying, O king, let not the army of Israel go with thee; for the Lord is not with Israel, to wit, with all the children of Ephraim. But if thou wilt go, do it; be strong for the battle: God shall make thee fall before the enemy: for God hath power to help, and to cast down."
 These verses clearly illustrate that God sets up government leadership.  He is at work even in the battles of this world, raising up one, casting down another.  Unfortunately, just as authority structures are sometimes abused in the home and church, they are also abused in government.  Wicked and ruthless leaders have seized power in many nations.  They refuse to acknowledge God as the source of power and cause suffering for believers.  When any government or regulation contradicts that which is taught in God's Word, then you must obey God rather than man.  When the Disciples were told they could not preach in the name of Jesus in Acts 5:29:

"Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men."

They realized that this request was contrary to the commandment of Jesus which told them to preach the Gospel in all the world.   In other areas you are to. . .

Romans 13:5-7 "...be subject, not only for wrath, but also  for conscience sake. For this cause pay ye tribute also; for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues; tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to  whom  custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor." 

Because of their great responsibilities and the potential for their abuse of power, you are to pray:  

1 Timothy 2:2 "For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty."

God is the source of all power in the natural and spiritual worlds.  All power is delegated from Him.  He delegated this power to establish structure in the home, Church, marketplace, community, and nation.  But there will come a time in the future when all delegated powers again become His power: 

1 Corinthians 15:24 "Then cometh the end, when He (Jesus) shall  have delivered up the Kingdom to God, even the Father:  when He shall have put down all rule and all authority and power."

Verse 28 "And when all things shall be subdued unto Him (Jesus), then shall the Son also Himself be subject unto Him  (God) that put all things under Him, that God may be all in all."
 

Authority (Part 4)

When we speak of the authority structure in the Church, we are not talking about organizations of man.  We are not talking about denominations and the way they organize, hire, or vote on pastors and leaders.  We are referring to the Biblical structure of the Church established by God.

1 Corinthians 12:24-27 "For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honor to that part which lacked. That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular."

God sets in the Church special leadership gifts:

Ephesians 4:11, 12 "And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets: and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers. For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ..." 

These leadership gifts are set in the Church by God.  When you become part of a local church, then you come under the authority of the men set by God as leaders in that particular fellowship.  These special leaders  are assisted in the local church by elders and/or deacons who are to serve under their direction.  You can read about the duties and qualifications for these men in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1.

God also gives to each spirit-filled believer spiritual gifts. These gifts are to function in the church under the authority of leadership for the purposes of edification and the work of the ministry.  You can read about these gifts in  the following passages: Romans 12:1-8; I Corinthians 12:1-31;  Ephesians 4:1-16; I Peter 4:7-11. 

The Church is the spiritual body of Jesus Christ. Each member of the Church has a different responsibility, just as parts of a human body.  Each part comes under the direction of the Head of the Church, Jesus Christ.  
 

In the human body, each part receives direction from the head.  The same is true in the spiritual body of the Church.  There can be no unity in the body without the authority of the head, Jesus Christ.

Members of the body are to submit one to another, just as they do in the natural body.  For example, when it comes to reading in the natural body, the eye takes authority.  When it comes to walking, the feet take authority.  Members of the spiritual body are to submit in a similar way one to another to enable effective functioning in ministry. Remember, God is not the author of confusion.

Authority (Part 3)

The very first structure of authority established by God was the home in Genesis 1-3.  Here is God's  structure for the home: 

The Bible teaches that the husband should be the head of the home.  The authority of the husband in the home is to be based on love:

Ephesians 5:23 "For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body."

Verse 25 "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the Church and gave Himself for it."
 The wife is to be under the loving authority of the husband:

Ephesians 5:22 "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord."

Together, the wife and husband are to be in authority over the children:  

Ephesians 6:1-3 "Children, obey your parents in the Lord;  for this  is right. Honor thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth."

Parents are also warned in Verse 4:

"And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath; but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord."

All authority carries with it responsibility.  Parents must exercise godly authority with love.  Husbands must exercise leadership  that is like that of Christ for the Church.  They are not to be bossy and cruel and require the wife and children to serve them like slaves.  They are to relate to their family as Jesus does to the Church.

Husbands should listen to their wives, as they are a gift from God and a helpmate. How can a wife help a husband who never listens to her and disregards her opinion?  There are Biblical records where God told men to listen to their wives (Abraham) and where God spoke first to the wife before speaking to the husband (Manoah).  This is why it is important for a husband and wife to respond properly one to another.  It is interesting to note that one of the reasons God called Abraham to the great responsibility of ministry was that his home was in proper order.

Each authority structure is to be a fair and loving one.  Unfortunately, in every structure, authority has been abused and people do not always act in a loving and fair way.  The authority structure God has established in the home vitally affects ministry.  If the home is not in order then one cannot exercise proper leadership in ministry which is a greater responsibility.  This is why God established a properly ordered home as a requirement for leadership in the Church:
 
1 Timothy 3:2; 4, 5 "A bishop then must be. . . one that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;"

"(For if a man  know  not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church  of God?)"

Titus 1:6"...the husband of one wife, having  faithful children not accused or riot or unruly." 

The Bible also speaks of prayers being hindered when there is disharmony between a husband and wife. Our homes would be much safer and more prepared against the attacks of the enemy if we live under a godly example of authority.
 

Authority (Part 2)

God is still seeking for someone to go forth with His authority:

Isaiah 6:8 "Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?"

God gave a measure of His authority to men and women in Old Testament times, but the full revelation of His power and authority came through Jesus Christ.  Jesus knew He had this authority according to Matthew 28:18:

"And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in Heaven and in earth."

Jesus continually demonstrated that He had authority:

Matthew 9:6 "But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith He to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house."

Jesus received His authority from God and with it He triumphed over all the powers of the enemy.

Jesus is the head of all principality and power declares Colossians 2:10 because as Verse 15 says, "having spoiled principalities and powers, He made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it."

Jesus is under the authority of God and in authority over all other powers and authorities.  Jesus has delegated authority to you as a believer in Mark 13:34:

"For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left His house, and gave authority to His servants, and to every man His work, and commanded the porter to watch."

You come under the authority of Jesus and, by doing so, you are also under the authority of the Father.  Believers are people of spiritual authority who are under authority. 
 
God is YOUR source of power:

Colossians 1:16 "For by Him were all things created, that are in Heaven, and that are in earth, visible, and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers:  all things were created by Him, and for Him."   
 
God is also the power behind all authority structures He has established in the world:

Romans 13:1 "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers.  For there is no power but of God:  the powers that be are ordained of God."

In addition to the supreme authority of God, believers are under other structures of authority He has established.  These include authorities in the home, Church, work place, and government. 
  
Each person's situation differs from others.  Some women have no husband.  Some people do not work and have no master or employer. They are not involved in these structures of authority.  But it is important to recognize the structures which do relate to you because God has established them. You must be under the  authorities He established in order to function in authority.  Legitimate authority is always delegated from some source.

When you are under authority, you have a legitimate source from which your own authority is derived.  For example, the wife in a home derives her authority from the husband.  The deacons and elders in a Church derive their authority from the men God sets in spiritual leadership over them.  An employee has limits of authority set by his employer.  But all these chains of command lead ultimately to God, who is the source of all authority.  

All authorities are instituted by God.  When tracing  authorities back to their source, we always end up with God.  Because of this, rebellion against authority hinders the flow of God's power in your life.  When you rebel against those in authority you are actually rebelling against God:

Romans 13:2 "Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation."

To be a person of authority, you must be under the authority of God and of those whom God has sets over you. In our denomination that means my Administrative Bishop and our General Overseer. You may not always agree with those in authority, but you honor them as they obey God's Word.

Authority (Part 1)

Romans 13:1 "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God:  the powers that be are ordained of God."  

From the creation of the world, God has worked to bring order out of confusion.  One way He has done this is to establish structures of authority in every area of life.  The greatest and highest authorities are God Himself, the Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.

God has also established structures of authority which affect your life.  These authorities are important if you desire spiritual power.  If you are not properly under authority then you cannot exercise authority.

One day in Capernaum, Jesus had an interesting encounter  with a military leader.  We are not given this leader's name.  We only are told that he was a Centurion and had a servant who was quite ill.  You can read the story of the Centurion in Matthew 8:5-13 and Luke 7:1-10. 

The Centurion was a man under the authority of Rome.  He also had authority, as he was the military leader of 100 men.  Because of this he immediately understood the spiritual relationship in which Jesus worked with the Father.  It was similar to his own natural relationship as a Centurion with his commander.
 
Jesus was a man of authority.  He acted with authority.  He forgave sins, healed the sick, cast out demons, and did miracles. But Jesus was also under authority.  He was under the authority of  the Father: 

John 5:19 "Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, Verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He seeth the Father do:  for what things soever He doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise."

John 5:26, 27 "For as the  Father hath life in Himself; so hath He given to the Son to have life in Himself; And hath given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of man."

John 6:38 "For I came down from Heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of Him that sent me."

John 7:16 "My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me."

John 8:29 "And  He that sent me is with me; the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please Him." 

The Centurion recognized the power of this authority structure and, because of it,  he knew it was not necessary for Jesus to come to his home to heal his servant.  He knew Jesus had enough power to just speak the word and healing would come.  Jesus commended the Centurion for his great faith and healed his servant.

Wherever authority is manifested, there is a chain (prof command.  This is why the scribes and Pharisees questioned Jesus, "By what authority doest thou these things?" in Matthew 21:23.  Whenever men see lives filled with power and authority, they seek to discover the source. Are you seeking after the source?

The Power of Suffering (Part 7)

When you suffer according to the will of God, you should realize you are not alone. Many other believers are experiencing similar battles:

1 Peter 5:9 "...knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. 

The storms of life are inevitable and uncontrollable, as illustrated by the parable of the two houses in Matthew 7:24-27.  Storms will come to those who have built their lives upon God's Word as well as those who have not.  The foundation of a man's life is what will determine the outcome of the storm.

Suffering is to be expected as part of the will of God:

2 Timothy 3:12 "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution."

Philippians 1:29 "For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for His sake."

2 Thessalonians 1:5 "...that ye may be counted worthy of the Kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer..."

1 Thessalonians 3:4 "For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should  suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass and ye know."

Matthew 24:9 "Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you:  and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake."

Luke 21:12 "...they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my names sake."

John 15:20 "Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you..."

Now this does not mean that you make yourself suffer believing it would be pleasing to God.  God is never pleased when people suffer.  To purposefully make yourself suffer (an act called asceticism) is a sin.  

Many people do this to try to appease God's anger or make themselves appear holy or religious before men.  But God is only appeased by the blood of Jesus Christ.  God does, however, take the tragedy of suffering when it does touch your life and redeem it for good.

Part of the follow up plan in establishing early churches was to teach believers that they would experience suffering.  This is missing in many churches today:

Acts 14:22 "They returned. . . confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter the kingdom of God."

The call of Jesus to followers is one of denial and suffering:

Matthew 10:38 "And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me."

16: 24 "Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."

Mark 8:34 "Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross, and follow me."

10:21 "Come, take up the cross, and follow me."

Luke 9:23 "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me."

14:27 "And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple."

Jesus called believers to a life of denial, suffering, and the cross because of the powerful potential of the fellowship of His suffering. Resurrection power and the power of His suffering are like the positive and negative forces of electricity used in modern societies.  It takes both the positive and negative to create power

The Power of Suffering (Part 5)

I (11) To change your focus:

When you experience suffering you often focus your attention on the cause and effect. You are concerned with what caused the difficult circumstances and the terrible effect it is having in your life.  God wants to change your focus from struggling to understand the temporal situation to recognizing the benefits of the eternal:

2 Corinthians 4:17, 18 "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal."

1 Peter 4:12, 13 "Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when His glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy."

2 Timothy 2:12 "If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him."

(12) To change the old nature:

God said of the nation of Moab:

Jeremiah 48:11 "Moab hath been at ease from his youth, and he hath settled on his lees, and hath not been emptied from vessel to vessel, neither hath he gone into captivity; therefore his taste  remained in him, and his scent is not changed."

Because Moab had not experienced the troublesome pouring out and stirring similar to that necessary to develop good wine, the nation did not change.  Moab was at ease and settled in prosperity and because of this did not develop and mature properly spiritually.  Therefore there was no change. His "own scent" remained in him.

Suffering rids you of the old nature.  As you are stirred, troubled, and poured out, your spiritual scent changes from carnal to spiritual. 

(13) To prepare you for ministry:

You have asked to be used by God. You desire to be more like Jesus and prayed to be a chosen vessel for His use.  The answer to your prayer may come through suffering:

Isaiah 48:10 "Behold I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction."

It is through affliction that you move beyond the calling as a child of God to become chosen of God.  Affliction according to the will of God refines you for His use just as metals are refined in a furnace in the natural world.

(14) To prepare you to reign with Christ:

2 Timothy 2:12 "If we suffer, we shall also reign with him."

(15) To give you spiritual blessings:

Jesus said:

Matthew 5:10-12 "Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake; for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad:  for great is your reward in heaven:  for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you."

(16) To teach you obedience:

Hebrews 5:8 "Though He were a Son, yet learned He obedience by the things which He suffered..."

(17) To test the Word of God in you:

Psalms 12:6 "The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times."

(18) To humble you:
Deuteronomy 8:15, 16 "Who led thee through that great and terrible wilderness, wherein were fiery serpents, and scorpions, and drought, where there was no water;  who brought thee forth water out of the rock of flint; Who fed thee in the wilderness with manna, which thy fathers knew not, that He might humble thee, and that He might prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end..."   

(19) To enlarge you spiritually:

This means you grow spiritually:

Psalms 4:1 RSV "Thou has enlarged me when I was under pressure."

(20) To help you come to God intimately:

You come to know God on a more intimate basis through suffering.  Job, who suffered much, learned this truth and said in Job 42:5, 6 "I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear:  but now mine eye seeth thee. Wherefore I abhor myself and repent in dust and ashes."  

Some of us know God only second handedly. When we are experiencing the blessings of life, God is often a luxury instead of a necessity.  But when you have a real need, God becomes a necessity.
 
Job came to know God more intimately through suffering.  Before he suffered, Job knew God through theology.  Afterwards, he knew Him by experience.  This is why Paul said in Philippians 3:10:

"That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death."

You can only come to know God in resurrection power through the intimate fellowship of suffering.

Throughout his ordeal, Job questioned God as to the cause of his suffering. It is not wrong to question God.  Jesus knew the purpose for which He had come into the world was to die for the sins of all mankind.  Yet in His hour of suffering He cried out, "My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?" 

It is what follows the questioning that is important. The Lord's  next words were, "Into thy hands I commit my spirit."  

The Power of Suffering (Part 4)

I (6) To teach you not to trust in yourself:

Paul spoke of the purpose of his sufferings in Asia:

2 Corinthians 1:8, 9 "...In Asia we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life;  But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God which raiseth the dead."

You will come to recognize that... 

2 Corinthians 4:7 "...we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us."

(7) To develop spiritual qualities:

Romans 5:3, 4 "We glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation worketh patience, and patience experience, and  experience hope, (resulting in the love of God being shed abroad in our hearts)."

1 Peter 5:10 "...after ye have suffered awhile, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you."

These qualities conform you to the image of Jesus, which is God's plan for you.

(8) To manifest the works of God:

"When the disciples saw a man who had been blind from birth, they asked who was responsible for his condition.  Was it the sin of his parents or of the man himself?  Jesus answered: Neither this man sinned nor His parents; but that the works of God should be made manifest in Him" in John 9:3.
 
(9) To perfect the power of God:

2 Corinthians 12:9 "And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee; for my strength is made perfect in weakness.  Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

(10) To remove that which is unstable:

Suffering results in all that is unstable being shaken out of your life.  You cease to depend on people, programs, or material things as these all fail in your time of need.  God permits this in "removing of those things that are shaken as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain" in Hebrews 12:27.

During the storms of life, everything crumbles that is not built upon God and His Word, so don't build on unstable principles or blame God for problems that arise in your life.
 

The Power of Suffering (Part 3)

Remember, God does not cause suffering.  Suffering is in the world because of sin, but God uses suffering as an opportunity to demonstrate His power.  He uses it.

(1) God takes that which was intended for bad and turns it to good. 
He redeems it to accomplish His purposes.   Despite the negative circumstances, God is at work behind the scenes.  Satan inspired men to deliver Jesus to death, but God redeemed it for good.  His death resulted in salvation and resurrection life.

God demonstrates His power when He takes your suffering and uses it to accomplish His purposes.  There are no accidents or chance happenings in the life of believers because God:

Ephesians 1:11 "...worketh all things after the counsel of His own will."

(2) God turns natural losses to spiritual gains.  Paul wrote of his losses in the natural world:

Philippians 3:7, 8 "But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of  all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ." 

(3) Your human weakness provides opportunity for the demonstration of the power of God. 

Paul knew that the weakness of God is stronger than men according to 1 Corinthians 1:25.

That's why God told Paul: 

2 Corinthians 12:9 "My  grace is sufficient for thee; for my strength is made perfect in weakness"

This is why Paul said in 2 Corinthians 12:9, 10:

"Most  gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong."

(4) To test your faith:

Everything in the spiritual world is based on faith.  This is why the strength of your faith must be tested: 

1 Peter 1:7 "That the trial of your faith being much more precious than of gold that perisheth though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ."

It is a trial of faith when you pray as Jesus did, for God to let the cup of bitterness pass, and yet it does not pass.  Instead, you are forced to drink deeply of its suffering.  Faith will learn that our prayers are not unanswered just because they are not answered the way we want.   

(5) To equip you to comfort others: 

2 Corinthians 1:3, 4 "Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God."

When you share God's comfort with others you: 

Hebrews 12:12, 13 "...lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed."