The Paradox of Relationship

Luke 18:9-14 KJVS And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: [10] Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. [11] The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. [12] I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. [13] And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. [14] I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Paradox defined is a situation, or thing that combines contradictory features or qualities.

There could not be a more paradoxical episode than two people attempting the same act with possibly the same objective with such contrasting methods and outcomes.

This parable all others proposes a central thought.

“Our relationship with God and His response to us is solely based on our humility and openness before Him”

The first character is the Pharisee

• He is one who knows the law and prides himself in its practice.

• He was seen as one who was very close to God by the society and respected as that.

• He was an example and dream of most of society.

• He had special access to the temple.

• Their spiritual acts were deliberately public and attention seeking.

Paradox - The most famous Pharisee is the great apostle Paul

Acts 23:6 KJVS But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.

Philippians 3:5-6 KJVS Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; [6] Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

Acts 26:5 KJVS Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.

What we can see from the life of Paul is sincere and passionate in His error and committed to it.

Paradox - Publican was the tax collector of the day

• Politically, regarded as a traitor to the Jewish people.

• Socially, an outcast of society. The lowest form of a human.

• Religiously, excommunicated and viewed as beyond redemption.

Paradox - These two men now have a desire to come to God.

• One comes out of religious duty (prayed with himself) and the other out of a need for mercy (God be merciful to me a sinner).

• One comes out of the desire to praise himself but the other to present himself before God.

• One called on God to validate his claim of righteousness the other called on God to deliver him from his poor state.

• One goes to his appointed place of prayer but the other goes as far as his status will allow him (stood afar off).

• One had the possibility of getting even closer as he is elevated in his religious position, the other is stuck at that distance for life.

• One spoke with arrogant confidence to impress the other smote his chest repeatedly to confess.

1. Human access does not equate to spiritual access.

2. Religion compares but spirituality confesses.

3. Self righteousness is a dangerous illusion of spiritual relationship

4. Regardless of our sense of entitlement and self righteousness God is not moved.

5. God will respond to your humble desperate cry and not a proud comparative rant.

6. Call out to God from where you are and in the condition you are.

The paradox - Two men, one exercise, different results.

This is exactly the reason Jesus came. He came to reach those who by every other matrix cannot come close but He has drawn near.

He went away justified (rendered, declared or exhibited to be righteous)

Listen to the Podcast:

He's Still Working: The Potter, The Clay, and The Process

Today we tend to like finished products. We look for it in almost every aspect of our lives.

If we have been a part of the construction of anything we know how we become impatient in seeing its completion.

We struggle with the process and in most cases our frustration is in that we do not understand the plan.

Israel as a nation is in rebellion as the people of God. His chosen special ones.*

God wishes to communicate to them in a way that they would understand, that regardless of all they have done, their failings and their rebellion that “He Still Working”.

He send the prophet to a place where he can receive the most accurate object lesson in human experience of what God is up to.

It is a message of Hope, a message that would convey His commitment to them and that what He has in mind for them to become.*

It is not easy to shape a human. The chorus says “It took Him just a week to make the moon and stars, the sun and the earth and Jupiter and Mars, how loving a patient He must be cause He’s still working on me”

We must know who we are in this entire engagement.

Two characters one desire

• The Potter who has control of the plan.

• The Clay that has control of the process

1. The Plan

Jeremiah 29:11 KJV “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”

• Every potter has a plan. He may not be able to articulate it in very descriptive terms but it is His vision.

• The plan is not the desire of the clay but the one who is fashioning it.

2. The Process.

James 1:2-4 KJVS “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; [3] Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. [4] But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”

• It’s a patient game of wait and see.

• The piece of clay is selected from a larger lump.

• That He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

• The clay is soaked

  in water to extract air bubbles.

Ephesians 5:26 KJVS “That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,”

• The clay is slapped

  violently to remove foreign bodies in it.

  
  

• The clay is spun

  on the wheel where it has no control of it self.

  
  

• The clay is shaped

  by the strong hand of the potter until what He has in His mind is manifested in that clay.

  
  

• The clay that is shaped is subjected to fire.

• The clay is decorated in the potter’s own fashion

• The clay is consecrated for use as a trusted vessel

3. The Problem. Vs 4.

• The Clay is uncooperative

• Lack of obedience deforms the vessel

• The process must start over because He would not display what does not meet His approval.

Why all this process?

• That vessel is a reflection of the potter

• That vessel is representation of the potter

• That vessel is a receptacle of grace

• That vessel must be resilient in hardship

1. He is prepared to go through the same process over and over until we become who He wants us to be.

2. He has the vision for our lives beyond what we can imagine but we must trust the process and not be distracted by other vessels who are under process as well.

3. We waste time resisting the process and risk never becoming what He desires us to be.

4. Every vessel is unique. Psalm 139:14-18

Listen to the The First Cup Podcast here:

Encountering God: Changed by the Spirit

By: Pastor Terrence Sobers

“A New Life”

Main Points:

• The Damage of a Deceived Heart (Error in Ignorance)

• The Impact of an Encounter with God (A moment of Discovery)

• Explore and learn from what Occurs (Choose to Engage)

• An Encounter is Personal (The change to you is most important)

• An Encounter can be Destabilizing (Change is not always straight forward)

• In Divine things there are Destiny Helper (Nothing Divine is ever done Alone)

• Change is a Double-Edged Sword (Growth has Challenges)

• Spiritual and Natural Change (Revelation and Growth)

• Restore-Strengthen-Learn (Choose to Develop)

• God Gets Glory (your encounter should have an impact)

• Change will be Opposed (resilience is required)

The Damage of a Deceived Heart

(Error in Ignorance) 

Acts 9:1-2 NKJV Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.

• Zeal is a great gift of God but when applied in error can cause great damage to the thing or One whom you are seeking to Honor

• Parents, spouses, friends, Christians all with good intention but in ignorance can cause great hurt to the ones they are seeking to Bless or honor

• It is critical to seek to ensure you are correct before you act

The Impact of an Encounter with God

(A moment of Discovery) 

Acts 9:3 NKJV 3 As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. 4 Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”

• Divine Encounter - Paul met God

• Change usually starts with an encounter. You have a new experience, meet someone else, and are exposed to new information

• Where nothing changes…nothing changes

• Insight and awareness, are key to any change that occurs in our life

Explore and learn from what Occurs

(Choose to Engage) 

Acts 9:5-6 NKJV 5 And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. [a]It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” 6 So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

• Divine Purpose - Paul was given instruction from God

• Seek to understand what you are experiencing. Having a new experience and not engaging deep enough to benefit is pointless

• An encounter without engagement is an opportunity lost

• Use the opportunity to find out how your life can change or improve as a result

• God always is seeking to get our attention and direct us towards better, but He is usually waiting for an engaged Heart.

John 4:23 - "But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such to worship Him"

God is seeking those who are genuinely interested in Him and His purposes

Jeremiah 29:13- 13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.

This speaks of an intentional, active, persistent process

2 Chronicles 16:9(a) For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. In this you have done foolishly; therefore from now on you shall have wars.”

This is an instance where the seer Hanani had to remind King Asa, that dependance on God was better than dependance on man. His dependance on the King of Seria was an affront to God.

An Encounter is Personal

(The change to you is most important) 

Acts 9:7 NKJV 7 And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one.

• Do not expect everyone to fully understand what’s happening to you, you yourself may not fully understand

• If you have a genuine encounter, people should notice some difference even if they don’t comprehend everything that is happening

An Encounter can be Destabilizing

(Change is not always straight forward)

Acts 9:8 NKJV 8 Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

• Sometimes things seem to get worse rather than better when you have an encounter with God

• You may have to lose things you treasure

• You may need help in ways you didn’t before

• It may cause a change in how you function for some time

• But it is all apart of transitioning to better

In Divine things there are Destiny Helper

(Nothing Divine is ever done Alone)

Ananias Baptizes Saul

Acts 9:10-12 NKJV 10 Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” 11 So the Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. 12 And in a vision, he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.”

• When your encounter is genuine, you often need helpers to get you to your next stage

• God works best in community; we do not do it all alone

Change is a Double-Edged Sword

(Growth has Challenges) 

Acts 9:13-16 NKJV 13 Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much [b]harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children[c] of Israel. 16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.”

• All will not accept that you have changed based on your history

• The change can expose you to new levels of life, opportunity and authority

• Change will bring new responsibilities and challenges and often pain and pressures

  
  

Spiritual and Natural Change

(Revelation and Growth)

Acts 9:17-18 NKJV 17 And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord [d]Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized.

• You will be embraced by those who understand, not everyone will understand

• Divine Revelation- Encounters can cause physical and spiritual change. Paul was delivered from spiritual and natural blindness

• Encounters require a response. Paul got up and was baptized. He became committed to God

Restore-Strengthen-Learn

(Choose to Develop) 

Acts 9:19 NKJV 19 So when he had received food, he was strengthened. Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus.

• Just because God Has Changed you or created opportunity. It doesn’t mean you are fully ready for the journey or know all that is necessary

• Take time to develop in the way God is leading you

• Seek to become stable, before seeking to expand

• Be humble enough to learn from others

God Gets Glory

(your encounter should have an impact)

Saul Preaches Christ

Acts 9:20-22 NKJV 20 Immediately he preached [e]the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God. 21 Then all who heard were amazed, and said, “Is this not he who destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem, and has come here for that purpose, so that he might bring them bound to the chief priests?” 22 But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this Jesus is the Christ.

• Paul preached Christ boldly- Active Service

• Genuine change always produces fruit and Glory to God

• It is usually testified by others, if no one notices the change is questionable

• Consistency breads development and increased impact

Change will be Opposed

(resilience is required) 

Acts 9:23-25 NKJV 23 Now after many days were past, the Jews plotted to kill him. 24 But their plot became known to Saul. And they watched the gates day and night, to kill him. 25 Then the disciples took him by night and let him down through the wall in a large basket.

• Divine Empowerment - Paul persisted despite attacks and persecution

• All will not approve your change; many will resist it and reject you

• Resilience and Dependence on God and often other is Essential

Declarative Prayer:

• We Declare that we will seek Divine Encounters

• We Declare that we will accept Divine Direction

• We Declare that we will fulfill Divine Purpose

• We Declare that we will depend on Divine Empowerment

IN JESUS NAME

Listen to this sermon Podcast: