THE STAIN THAT KEEPS US STUCK
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OVERCOMING THE STUFF THAT KEEPS US STUCK
OVERCOMING THE STUFF THAT KEEPS US STUCK
Or
ILLUSTRATE THE DIFFICULTY OF MOVING BEING STUCK
ILLUSTRATE THE DIFFICULTY OF MOVING BEING STUCK
Synopsis of Pilgrim’s Progress
Last week we heard the Lord telling us to go:
To go in spite of what cant see or the uncertainties in front of us. His Word is Our Vision. But the problem with going that challenges us, is that where we are (the place we are in) can be so enticing that it is hard to leave the comforts of our current situation.
All of us know comfort, because all of us are enchanted by the American Dream: of prosperity and comfort.
DON’T GET ME WRONG, GOD IS NOT OPPOSED TO COMFORT OR PROSPERITY
Scripture about God is our comfort
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,
Scripture about Prosperity
He is like a tree
planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers.
for the Lord knows the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish.
(whatever he does he prospers)
God is not opposed to comfort and prosperity: HE IS AT OPPOSED TO WITH OUR SEEKING AND BEING SATISFIED WITH ANY COMFORT AND PROSPERITY OUTSIDE OF HIM!
God is not opposed to comfort and prosperity: HE IS AT OPPOSED TO WITH OUR SEEKING AND BEING SATISFIED WITH ANY COMFORT AND PROSPERITY OUTSIDE OF HIM!
BUT THERE IS ANOTHER ANGEL HERE; THERE IS SOMETHING ELSE THAT KEEPS US FROM STEPPING OUT IN FAITH; THAT HOLDS US BACK
I WOULD EVEN THINK THAT THIS SOMETHING ELSE HAS AN EVEN GREATER PULL ON US THAN PROSPERITY AND COMFORT
IT IS MORE POWERFUL THAN THE ALLURE OF SUCCESS, FAME AND FORTUNE.
YOU KNOW WHAT THIS IS AND YOU CAN MARK IT, IMMEDIATELY. SOME ARE STILL SHACKED BY IT, IN SLAVERY TO ITS POWER
OTHERS OF US BATTLE IT MORE OFTEN THAN WE WOULD LIKE AND FALL UNDER ITS POWER TOO OFTEN.
BUT….
AS POWERFUL AS IT IS, WHEN IT IS DISCOVERED AND DEALT WITH, WE WILL BE UNBURDENED BY ITS POWER AND OUR LIFE AND SOUL UNLEASHED INTO A SUPERNATURAL DIMENSION OF EFFECTIVENESS FOR GOD IN WAYS THAT ARE INCALCULABLE.
WHAT IS THIS THING THAT KEEPS US STUCK: THREE WORDS:
OUR UNGODLY PAST
OUR UNGODLY PAST
OUR MESSED UP YESTERDAY
OUR MESSED UP YESTERDAY
Often times we view our past like we view quicksand: it takes us under and renders us incapable and unworthy of a future full of joy, life, vitality and purpose. Our past can make us feel un-useable.
We can feel that we are good for nothing but to sink in the combination of sands and waters of our sin that have come together to sink us!
Ø You know, that stuff you did that you not only regret, but you live in agonizing, ongoing regret.
Ø You feel stuck and even more everytime you feel like going forward, that stuff pulls you back.
· The power of quicksand is not that it is sand – but that is the combination of water and sand. By themselves both are not in and of themselves dangerous. BUT WHEN THEY COME TOGETHER, THEY HAVE THE POWER TO PARALYZE YOU
THE ENEMY IS ALWAYS TRYING TO MAKE THE STUFF OF YOUR PAST CONNECT WITH THE GUILT YOU WONT LET GO OF IN ORDER TO BRING YOU UNDER - TO SUFFOCATE YOU AND TAKE YOU OUT!
BUT LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING ABOUT QUICKSAND. LET ME LET YOU IN ON SOMETHING YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW
QUICKSAND
“QUICKSAND IS NOT AS DANGEROUS AS IT IS OFTEN ADVERTISED
· BUT QUICKSAND IS NOT AS DANGEROUS AS IT IS OFTEN ADVERTIZED
In fact, studies have found it is impossible to be completely submerged in quicksand because humans are less dense than quicksand and a person would only sink to their chest before they begin to float. But what can make quick sand deadly is its ability to trap and hold unsuspecting victims.
I WANT YOU TO KNOW THIS MORNING THAT OUR PAST, LIKE QUICKSAND IS NOT AS DEBILITATING AS WE ARE MADE TO THINK.
The devil HAS tricked us into thinking that our past disqualifies by constantly showing us our failure and shame. BUT its not just the devil – we can sabotage ourselves by always and only letting where we have been to be a debilitating cause of our forward progress in faith
OUR PAST RAISES TO THE SURFACE OF OUR EXISTENCE PAIN AND GUILT THAT CAUSE US TO THINKK AND FEEL LIKE YOU COULD NEVER HAVE WHAT THE LORD SAYS HE WANTS FOR YOU BECAUSE YOU HAVE FAILED SO MUCH. NOT ONLY THAT, YOU DON’T EVEN THINK YOU DESERVE WHAT THE LORD HAS FOR YOU.
SO WE LIVE, PARALYZED BY TWO REALITIES: THE SHAME OF OUR PAST FAILURES AND FEAR OF FUTURE FAILURE
SO WE LIVE, PARALYZED BY TWO REALITIES: THE SHAME OF OUR PAST FAILURES AND FEAR OF FUTURE FAILURE
THE SHAME OF OUR PAST FAILURES AND FEAR OF FUTURE FAILURE
SHAME - THE PARALYZING FEELING THAT I WILL NEVER BE BETTER THAN MY SINFUL PAST
SHAME - THE PARALYZING FEELING THAT I WILL NEVER BE BETTER THAN MY SINFUL PAST
FEAR - THE PARALYZING FEELING THAT I WILL ALWAYS MESS OVER GOD’S GRACE IN THE FUTURE
FEAR - THE PARALYZING FEELING THAT I WILL ALWAYS MESS OVER GOD’S GRACE IN THE FUTURE
THESE TWO EMOTIONAL REALITIES KEEP MEN AND WOMEN STUCK FROM WALKING IN FAITH BECAUSE THEY CRIPPLE OUR FAITH.
GET THIS
IF FAITH IS THE SUBSTANCE OF THINGS HOPED FOR - SHAME AND FEAR CHOKE OUT HOPE
IF FAITH THE EVIDENCE OF THINGS NOT SEEN: FEAR AND SHAME ARE THE ONLY EVIDENCE I SEE
BUT IF WE ARE GOING TO STEP OUT IN FAITH; IF WE ARE GOING TO MOVE FORWARD WE NEED TO KNOW HOW TO HANDLE THE SHAME OF OUR PAST FAILURES AND THE FEAR OF FUTURE FAILURE
HOW DO YOU DO THIS
1. TRUSTING HIS PROMISES
1. TRUSTING HIS PROMISES
GOD CALLS ABRAM TO GO TO AN UNKNOWN PLACE, BUT HE MAKES HIMSELF KNOWN BY GIVING ABRAM FIVE PROMISES
V2 - I WILL MAKE YOU A GREAT NATION
V2 - I WILL BLESS YOU AND MAKE YOUR NAME GREAT
V3 - I WILL BLESS THOSE WHO BLESS YOU
V3 - I WILL CURSE THOSE WHO CURSE YOU
V3 - IN YOU ALL THE FAMILIES OF THE EARTH WILL BE BLESSED
FOR ALL OF THE FEAR THAT ABRAM COULD HAVE HAD - HE WENT ANYWAY BECAUSE GOD MADE SOME PROMISES TO HIM
He is a THREE WORD SOLUTION to that nagging past that produces fear and shame: "YOU GOT PROMISES”
He is a THREE WORD SOLUTION to that nagging past that produces fear and shame: "YOU GOT PROMISES”
"YOU GOT PROMISES”
This is the only thing that makes you different.
YOU WONT HAVE A FRUSTRATION free life; etc.
what separates you is that you have promises
FIVE PROMISES
NOTICE THAT GOD JUST DOES NOT GIVE ABRAM PROMISES ABOUT HIS GREAT FUTURE. HE DOES NOT SAY
V2 - YOU WILL BE YOU A GREAT NATION
V2 - YOU WILL BE BLESSED YOU AND YOUR NAME WILL BE GREAT
V3 - YOU WILL BLESS BY THOSE WHO BLESS YOU
He
V3 - YOU WILL CURSE THOSE WHO CURSE YOU
NO!!!!! THE CERTAINTY OF THE PROMISES IS IN THOSE POWERFUL TWO WORDS THAT MAKE EVERY PROMISE OF GOD SOLID: “I WILL”
ABRAM WENT BECAUSE GOD SAID: I WILL
TO YOUR SHAME AND TO YOUR FEAR: GOD IS SAYING I WILL
GOD gives YOU the certainty of His “I WILL” in-spite of AND OVER who YOU WERE
GOD gives YOU the certainty of His “I WILL” in-spite of AND OVER who YOU WERE
You can’t eliminate fear and you cannot live truly without failure but here is the key: They do not need to dominate your outlook by keeping you from you stuck! YOU GOT PROMISES!
ABRAM WALKS OUT AND HE GOES TO CANAAN AND THE CANAANITES WERE THERE
In Shechem - he built an altar
In Bethel - He built an altar
EVERY PLACE WHERE THE ENEMY WAS ABRAM SAID - THIS BELONGS TO GOD. HOW COULD HE BE SO BOLD?
HE HAD PROMISES
LISTEN TO ME: IN ORDER FOR YOU GO YOU WILL HAVE TO RECLAIM SOME TERRITORY THAT THE DEVIL AND SIN HAVE SET UP CAMP!
- You have to go back over some stolen territory and stamp it: The Lord’s
- Go back over some …
EVERYWHERE SIN HAS HAD VICTORY IN YOUR LIFE BUILD AN ALTAR (PUT GOD’S COVERING AND FORGIVING PRESENCE OVER IT) -
I KNOW IT LOOKS TOUGH BUT YOU GOT PROMISES
I KNOW IT LOOKS TOUGH ETC BUT YOU GOT PROMISES
I GOT A SON THAT’S OUT THERE - BUT I GOT PROMISES
I GOT A MARRIAGE THAT’S STRUGGLING - BUT I GOT PROMISES
I’M HAVING TROUBLES FINDING A SPOUSE - BUT I GOT PROMISES
I GOT BILLS PILED UP - BUT I GOT PROMISES
I CAN’T REMEMBER EVERYTHING - BUT I REMEMBER I GOT PROMISES
I HAVE PROBLEMS IN MY PAST - BUT I GOT PROMISES
CANT SEE WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS - BUT I GOT PROMISES
GOD SEEMS SO DISTANT - BUT I GOT PROMISES
THE DEVIL REMINDS ME OF MY SIN - BUT I GOT PROMISES
§ You know how it ends
§ You know how it ends
TIGER WOODS WON THE MASTERS
§ On Good Friday we commemorate the death and crucifixion of Jesus – we celebrate this most dark day because we know one this: SUNDAY IS COMING
I had missed most of it (early start time)
They re-aired it so I watched this amazing event again
Found myself feeling a little anxious when Tiger missed a shot - then I thought: Why are you trippin’: YOU KNOW HOW THIS ENDS
SEE, I ALREADY KNEW HOW THIS THING WOULD END AND SINCE I KNEW HOW IT WOULD END, I WATCHED IT DIFFERENTLY:
No anxiety with a missed shot
No tension when the competition moved cloer
I KNEW THE END!
ABRAM WENT BECAUSE HE KNEW HOW THIS THING WOULD END BECAUSE HE HAD PROMISES
BELOVED, I WANT YOU TO GO, INSPIRE OF YORU SHAME AND IN-SPITE OF YOUR FEAR - BECAUSE YOU KNOW HOW THIS THING ENDS: YOU GOT PROMISES
Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.
In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?
-
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
§ So,
· when troubles come our way and fear rears its ugly face – You got a promise: SUNDAY’S a comin’
2.TELLING YOURSELF HIS TRUTH ABOUT YOU
2.TELLING YOURSELF HIS TRUTH ABOUT YOU
ABOUT YOU
See my shame lecture
You got to speak who you are in Christ all the time-I am who you say I am and I have what you say a half
In Christ you are not the same. This is the one thing you keep believing and it’s keeping you stuck. Yes, I hear what you say, but I’m talking bout what you BELIEVE. I’m talking about what you see.
See, you are living in the Yesterday of your sin and your failure when Thw Lord is calling you to a present and future that is glorious and transforming.
Some of us cant get out of our onw way! We live, constantly, in our minds and hearts in – what I don’t want etc…
We wallow in it; we define ourselves by it because we forget something really important . ….. Romans chapter 8
Ø In Christ: THERE IS NO CONDEMNATION
o No condemnation
Ø In Christ: NONE CAN PREVAIL AGAINST ME
o None can prevail against me
Ø In Christ: NONE CAN BRING A CHARGE AGAINST ME
o Nothing can separate me
In Christ: NOTHING CAN SEPARATE ME FROM GOD’S LOVE
THIS IS WHO WE ARE….IN CHRIST …. RIGHT NOW!
o Sure, chapter 7 raises its ugly head in my life, but I GOTTA REMEMBER THAT IVE BEEN
REMADE,
REDESIGNED
RENEWED
§ MY LIFE’S CHAPTER HAS BEEN REWRITTEN
IN CHRIST I AM A ROMANS 8 OVERCOMMER
SO HERE IS THE WORD FROM THE LORD TO YOU THIS MORNING ON THIS POINT OF SEEING YOURSELF THE WAY HE SEES YOU:
“STOP THE NEGATIVE THINKING THAT CONSTANTLY MAKES YOUR SIN SEEM GREATER THAN YOUR SAVIOR
“STOP THE NEGATIVE THINKING THAT CONSTANTLY MAKES YOUR SIN SEEM GREATER THAN YOUR SAVIOR
STOP THE NEGATIVE THINKING THAT MAKES YOUR PAST FAILURES THE THIEF OF YOUR TOMORROW GLORY”
STOP THE NEGATIVE THINKING THAT MAKES YOUR PAST FAILURES THE THIEF OF YOUR TOMORROW GLORY”
WHY DO WE NEED TO CHANGE OUR THINKING?
WHY DO WE NEED TO CHANGE OUR THINKING?
BECAUSE If you consistently and continuously LET YOUR FAILURES OF THE PAST DOMINATE YOUR THINKING you will ONLY and continuously be your sin. DONT MISS THIS!!!!
BECAUSE If you consistently and continuously LET YOUR FAILURES OF THE PAST DOMINATE YOUR THINKING you will ONLY and continuously be your sin. DONT MISS THIS!!!!
The scripture says “as a man thinks so is he.”
SO HERE IS THE WORD OF THE LORD TO US THIS MORNING ON THIS POINT:
STOP BEING STUCK IN YOUR SIN AND START LIVING SAFE IN YOUR SAVIOR
This is the only thing that makes you different. NOT FRUSTRATION free life; etc. what separates you is that you have promises
3. TRANSFORM YOUR PAST BY SEEING GOD’S PLAN IN IT.
3. TRANSFORM YOUR PAST BY SEEING GOD’S PLAN IN IT.
WHEN IS THE LAST TIME YOU THOUGHT ABOUT A LIGHT BULB?
ONE OF THE GREATEST INVENTIONS OF HUMANITY IS THE LIGHT BULB - THOMAS EDISON
Today we take for granted how significant this invention was as a means to harness electricity into light which would be a significant reason for the advancement of the modern age and technology.
o When God calls you to go you have to go into the territory that the enemy has taken and you need to set up an altar to the Lord (Presence of the Lord)
INDEED THE LIGHT BULB WAS AND REMAINS A BLESSING TO MANKIND
Yet, today, we dont even think about light bulbs until we need one.
indeed the light bulb is a blessing to humanity
o “I know you’ve occupied this for so many years – but my life and my soul is under new management: plant that kingdom FLAG
§ Show how racial exclusion is the work of the enemy and the way the church is designed to counter that is to have a heart and passion for the nations
But what you probably dont know about this invention by Edison is that he is said to have failed 10,000 times.
WHEN ASKED ABOUT HOW HE FELT ABOUT FAILING 10,000 TIMES EDISON RESPONDED
· Take back the unity that the enemy has stolen and is stealing
“I HAVE NOT FAILED. I’VE JUST FOUND OUT 10,000 THAT WON’T WORK”
“I HAVE NOT FAILED. I’VE JUST FOUND OUT 10,000 THAT WON’T WORK”
· You can’t
IN OTHER WORDS, EDISON WAS SAYING
§
“I DON’T SEE IT AS FAILURE; I SEE IT AS FEEDBACK”
THE WAY YOU TRANSFORM YOUR FAILURES - PAST AND FUTURE - IS TO LISTEN TO WHAT THE LORD IS TEACHING YOU FROM IT
§ Rename it
§ Rename it
§ Thomas Edison illustration
RENAME IT: NOT FAILURE - IT’S FEEBACK (TELLING ME HOW AND WHY WHAT I HAVE DONE WAS NOT WORKING SO THAT I WOULD NOT MAKE THE SAME MISTAKE AGAIN
HERE IS THE REALITY - You can’t change what you did but you change the hold it has in you that keeps you stuck
HERE IS THE REALITY - You can’t change what you did but you change the hold it has in you that keeps you stuck
You can’t change what you did but you change the hold it has in you. The grip and the six cup. That keeps you stuck.
The grip and the six cup. That keeps you stuck.
Redefine it on the basis of its feedback. The Feedback of the Lord makes you learn His lessons hidden in your failures.
The Feedback of the Lord makes you learn His lessons hidden in your failures.
See when you begin to hear the feedback of God from your failure then you can shift your perspective.
YOU CAN NOW BE GRATEFUL FOR WHAT HAPPENED BECAUSE YOU LEARNED GOD’S LESSON FROM IT
You have to fight to STOP THE VOICE THAT REMINDS YOU OF YOUR FAILURE, AND FIGHT TO HEAR WHO GOD SAYS YOU ARE
BY FAITH… No longer do you hear THE FAILURE OF
· “you blew it sexually and relationally” BUT IN CHRIST YOU HEAR THIS FEEDBACK hear: “you’re better because of it”
· “You’re messed up emotionally” BUT IN CHRIST YOU HEAR THIS FEEDBACK “you’re his masterpiece”
· “You have no usefulness because of your past- ” BUT IN CHRIST YOU HEAR THIS FEEDBACK - “you have a divine purpose that only you can fulfill”
HERE IS THE FEEDBACK TO ALL OF THE BUILT UP, PILED UP, JUNK YOUR PAST:
WHEN YOU HEAR THE FEEDBACK FROM THE LORD YOU WILL FIND THAT ALL OF YOUR FAILURES ACTUALLY QUALIFIES YOU TO BE A BLESSING.
WHEN YOU HEAR THE FEEDBACK FROM THE LORD YOU WILL FIND THAT ALL OF YOUR FAILURES ACTUALLY QUALIFIES YOU TO BE A BLESSING.
IT’S ABOUT HOW YOU SEE IT
SANDFORD AND SON - Juk dealer in Watts, CA.
One episode Lamont is thinking about leaving
Fred Sandford said: But to whom will I leave this empire
FRED DID NOT SEE JUNK - HE SAW AN EMPIRE!!!!!
I want you to know that when you look at your life and your past and all you see is junk - the real junk; not play play junk: THE REAL DEAL. WHEN YOU LOOK AND SEE ALL THE JINK IN YOUR LIFE HERE IS WHAT I WANT YOU TO KNOW:
GOD HAS TAKEN ALL OF THAT JUNK AND, IN CHRIST, THROUGH YOUR REPENTANCE, HAS COMBINED IT ALL INTO AN EMPIRE THAT THIS WORLD NEEDS TO SEE.
THE LIGHT BULB IS A BLESSING TO ALL OF HUMANITY, ONLY BECAUSE EDISON DID NOT LET 10,000 FAILURES HOLD HIM BACK; INSTEAD, HE HAD 10,000 LESSONS OF FEEDBACK AND ON THE 10,001ST TIME - THE BLESSING HAPPENED
I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT YOU MAY HAVE A STOCK PILE OF MESS;
YOU MAY BE SITTING ON 10,000 FAILURES,
BUT I WANT YOU TO SEE THAT GOD WAS DOING 10,000 TO PREPARE YOU TO BE A BLESSING. YES, IN YOUR MESS, AND FAILURES, AND THE HOST OF THINGS THAT HAVE BROUGHT YOU SHAME - ALL OF THAT GOD IS USING TO MAKE YOU YOU AND THE WORLD NEEDS YOU: JUNK AND ALL!
BUT
You can’t change what you did but you change the hold it has in you. The grip and the six cup. That keeps you stuck.
Redefine it on the basis of its feedback. The Feedback of the Lord makes you learn His lessons hidden in your failures.
See when you begin to hear the feedback of God from your failure then you can shift your perspective. You now are grateful for what happened because you have learned from it.
You have to fight to STOP THE VOICE THAT REMINDS YOU OF YOUR FAILURE, AND FIGHT TO HEAR WHO GOD SAYS
No longer do you hear
“you blew it” now you hear: “you’re better because of it”
“Your messed up” now- because of it- “you’re his masterpiece”
“You have no purpose- but because of it- “you have been given a purpose”
Etc.....
You can’t be anything
1. When I failed sexually the shame I heard was (xyz) But now, in Christ, I am not getting from that is that I should not …
2. When I failed financially I now hear the feedback…
3. When I failed…