For the last few weeks we have been discussing Luke 18:27; "But He said, “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.” We have seen that with our salvation, and walk with Jesus we do not have a chance of living a victorious life on our own. Then we saw that with God it is possible! And, today I would like to look at how it is that God works in us! As we consider what that means to you and me, we end up right back at the question of absolute surrender. If we are honest with ourselves this lack of absolute surrender is our greatest hindrance, and the need of absolute surrender is the greatest need in our lives, and our walk with Jesus. This is why the Holy Spirit cannot fill us, set us apart for His use, and give us the victory in Jesus that turned the world upside down in the early Church. This is the reason the self-life continues to control our lives, and in turn we fight for control to feed our love of self. It is self that leads us to believe that we have it all together when in reality we don't have a clue what it means to be absolutely surrendered to God as Jesus was.
I find myself wondering, can I ever be absolutely surrendered to Jesus as my heart yearns for? Is there really hope for me? That is why I am so thankful, "the things which are impossible with men are possible with God." That is the thing about faith and trust; with God when we can believe it, it is a reality! The other side of that is that if we cannot truly believe it is true for us personally, it is not a reality! Friends, if we can take God at His word and believe Him when He says He will make us men and women of absolute surrender, then it is a done deal! Because our God promises He will not only give us this absolute surrender, but He will keep us there!
If we can believe our Lord is able to raise us up every morning with the assurance that He is in charge, and He is working out our life for us. Then
it is already a reality, even if we cannot see it yet. That is the promise of Philippians 2:13 "for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure."
Some of us are weary of thinking about sanctification. We pray, we long and cry for pure hearts, and loving, caring thoughts that truly put God and others before ourselves, and yet it seems so far off!
Friends, the one truth about sanctification that is totally scriptural, and totally effective is: "The things which are impossible with men are possible with God." It is only God that can sanctify us! Paul, tells us that God will give us, "according to the riches of His glory." When we consider the riches and glory of God, can you imagine just how much God is offering us through life in Jesus; if it is according to His riches and glory? He is offering the power of an almighty God to fill our lives! He is offering you and me the gift of an indwelling Savior! Can our God offer us anymore than this?
Let me leave you with a passage from "Absolute Surrender" page 68,69
""The things which are impossible with men are possible with God." All around you there is a world of sin and sorrow, and the Devil is there. But remember, Christ is on the throne, Christ is stronger, Christ has conquered, and Christ will conquer. But wait on God. My text cast us down: "The things which are impossible with men"; but it ultimately lifts us up high - "are possible with God." Get linked to God. Adore and trust Him as the omnipotent One, not only for your own life, but for all the souls that are entrusted to you. Never pray without adoring His omnipotence, saying: "Mighty God, I claim Thine almightiness." And the answer to the prayer will come, and like Abraham you will become strong in faith, giving glory to God, because you account Him who hath promised able to preform."
As we absolutely surrender, and if we can truly believe His promise - it is already a don’t deal.
I find myself wondering, can I ever be absolutely surrendered to Jesus as my heart yearns for? Is there really hope for me? That is why I am so thankful, "the things which are impossible with men are possible with God." That is the thing about faith and trust; with God when we can believe it, it is a reality! The other side of that is that if we cannot truly believe it is true for us personally, it is not a reality! Friends, if we can take God at His word and believe Him when He says He will make us men and women of absolute surrender, then it is a done deal! Because our God promises He will not only give us this absolute surrender, but He will keep us there!
If we can believe our Lord is able to raise us up every morning with the assurance that He is in charge, and He is working out our life for us. Then
it is already a reality, even if we cannot see it yet. That is the promise of Philippians 2:13 "for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure."
Some of us are weary of thinking about sanctification. We pray, we long and cry for pure hearts, and loving, caring thoughts that truly put God and others before ourselves, and yet it seems so far off!
Friends, the one truth about sanctification that is totally scriptural, and totally effective is: "The things which are impossible with men are possible with God." It is only God that can sanctify us! Paul, tells us that God will give us, "according to the riches of His glory." When we consider the riches and glory of God, can you imagine just how much God is offering us through life in Jesus; if it is according to His riches and glory? He is offering the power of an almighty God to fill our lives! He is offering you and me the gift of an indwelling Savior! Can our God offer us anymore than this?
Let me leave you with a passage from "Absolute Surrender" page 68,69
""The things which are impossible with men are possible with God." All around you there is a world of sin and sorrow, and the Devil is there. But remember, Christ is on the throne, Christ is stronger, Christ has conquered, and Christ will conquer. But wait on God. My text cast us down: "The things which are impossible with men"; but it ultimately lifts us up high - "are possible with God." Get linked to God. Adore and trust Him as the omnipotent One, not only for your own life, but for all the souls that are entrusted to you. Never pray without adoring His omnipotence, saying: "Mighty God, I claim Thine almightiness." And the answer to the prayer will come, and like Abraham you will become strong in faith, giving glory to God, because you account Him who hath promised able to preform."
As we absolutely surrender, and if we can truly believe His promise - it is already a don’t deal.