Sunday Sermon Summary: “You Are Called To Go Through!"
Praise Tabernacle International, Plantation, FL Pastor D.H.Dawkins, Sr. We are still on our journey to Pentecost! The key verses were from Numbers 13: 30-33 (KJV):
"30 And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it. 31 But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we. 32 And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel, saying, The land, through which we have gone to search it, is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in it are men of a great stature." 33 And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight." In the above text, this was Promise Land where spies went into the land to review it and bring back word to Caleb. However, the report they had given Caleb was not of what GOD had promised them. The report was deemed evil because it was contradicting GOD’s truth of what He already said. You must recognize it for what it is. In verse 32 they speak of giants, and in verse 33, because of their perception, they became what they saw. Proverbs 23:7 (KJV): "7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he…” "Where my mind goes, my life will follow."-D.H.Dawkins (Reminder: We are still on our journey to Pentecost!) In Acts, Jesus told His disciples to terry (remain in prayer mode and posture) in Jerusalem until they were endue with power. Again, there were much opposition against followers of Christ. It was a national policy that Christ followers were considered criminals. Why would GOD say stay in Jerusalem? In Numbers (key verses above), GOD brings his people into the Promise Land (greater peace) but they come upon giants—struggles, turbulence, opposition, BUT maturity, prosperity, manifestations, and miracles! 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (KJV): “3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; 4 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." Comfort comes through someone else. It is not meant to be hoarded for yourself. Ask GOD to use you as a blessing. Be a conduit instead of an hindrance! Some people will not work for what they want. Those who are Saved (those who have believed Jesus Christ as both Lord and Savior, and have received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit) know that GOD is suppose to bless them. However, they believe these blessings will be received with no struggles, losses, and challenges. It is human nature to find blame, but not within ourselves. We question GOD because of our struggle. Remember, GOD wants to bless us, and give us life more abundantly (John 10:10). “I must go through some areas” (spin off of John 4:4). There are some areas that you must endure. Every diamond was made in dirt. Flowers must press through gravity and rocks! There is a warrior in you, sometimes you are going to have to fight. “There is something in the struggles for you.” “There is treasure in this struggle to develop and build me up.” -D.H.Dawkins GOD left giants in the Promise Land on purpose and told His disciples to stay in Jerusalem on purpose! WHY? 1. They needed to learn how to fight. After Joshua shouted the wall fell down (Joshua 6), but they STILL HAD TO FIGHT! There is treasure behind the wall. The enemy cannot destroy you, so he distracts you. GOD starts you off with Giants so by the time you get to the next level you will be able to handle it. It will not be as challenging as what you already faced in the past. Before Goliath, David has already fought a bear and lion over his sheep (1 Samuel 17:36). By the time he got to Goliath, it was nothing to him.
2. Giants distinguish professors and possessors. It is not what you say what you have, but show and prove that you won the victory. Where is you trophies from the battles you have won? Never have a Promise Land with a grasshopper mentality. Your perception should match the giant. There will always be a way, but you first must have a will. 3. Giants exposes the grasshoppers in the crowd. Grasshoppers may blend in, but the Giants exposes them. When giants shows up, grasshoppers speak up. “We’re gonna die! We’re gonna die! We’re gonna die!” “It’s too big! It’s too big! It’s too big! Grasshoppers blend into their environment, but the giants will uncover them. Again, your perception has to change. Your perception should match the giant. 4. You will know yourself in your struggle. You see yourself under pressure. There will be things that are revealed about you. Facets will surface about your belief. If you say GOD is Jehovah Rapha—health and healer then so He will be! If you say GOD is your help (Psalm 121) then so He will be! Things about you will come to the light. 5. You get stronger—lay down your roots. You get serious! You understand that victory is pending! You do not waste time, you have intention and become more strategic.You spend more time digging into the word and prayer. 6. You become aware of the excess in your life. You start removing the unnecessary in your life. You begin reevaluating things around you and start reconsidering the placements of them in your lives. 7. You gain thankfulness. What you lose becomes constant in what you gain. Certain virtues surfaces. You become more appreciative because you had to fight and work for what you have. 8. It will test your level of commitment. Commitment is what makes a dream become a reality. Dreams are necessary, but not enough. You must wake up and work! People who are not aware of their purpose will quit when they hurt. Why? Their purpose was not clear. When you know your purpose you will not deter away from your purpose. 9. It qualifies you to rest. What did you get in your get through in order to rest? How many times did Jesus have to teach you a lesson? (Matthew 11:28 & Hebrews 4:11). 10. It qualifies you for the reward. This is the cheapest part. The real investment are 1-9, when you are fighting/running on the track. Now people want a V.I.P. seat in your life. Where where they when the dragon was breathing down your neck? Many times the endurance is as important as the reward. You may see the reward, but GOD sees the progress and development.
In Closing:
Refusing to fight will forfeit your destiny. The first generation of the Children of Egypt were lost because they did not want to fight. What you go through will help others to get through. The enemy wants you to think it is about you, but this is GOD’s way to get you up and developed to help others. Put yourself in the position! Though I may walk THROUGH the valley of death, I shall fear no evil (Psalm 23:4). Daniel in the lions den—GOD’s in it! The Three Hebrews boys in the furnace-—GOD’s in it! We need the struggle. Struggle does not last forever. Though weeping may endure for a night, joy comes in the morning (Psalm 30:5)! Selah!!! ——————————————————————————————————————————— (Picture courtesy of http://www.urban75.org/photos/wales/images/cefn13.jpg)
