APRIL 4th 2022
Scripture References:
2 Timothy 2:3-4 | Exodus 28:31 | 1 Cor. 13 | Galatians 5:4 |
Colossians 1:27 | James 1:2 | Genesis 1:12 | Genesis 30:37-39 |
Ecclesiastes 11:3 | Galatians 4:19 | Ephesians 5:1-5 | Ps. 104:4 |
THEMES:
Currency & Gold
Testing (fiery trials)
Currencies and character of the Kingdom
Complaining
Bearing fruit and becoming like Jesus
SUMMARY OF TEACHING:
Gold is a precious metal that never really loses its shine. Refining it by fire brings back its luster, purifies and softens the gold. Pure gold is expensive. This metal also has the capacity to hold its shape, is rare and one of the most notable things of value that backs up our currency.
In scripture, when speaking about His people, the Lord constantly refers to gold. We are the gold, the thing of value. The way the Lord purifies us, is by allowing us to go through testing (fiery trails). This is how the Lord gets us from being children to being mature, manifested sons of God.
If we want God to notice what we do and for us to see Kingdom results, we need to use the proper currencies together with the proper character (the character of Jesus). Currencies of the Kingdom are: Obedience, Faith, Worship and Intercession. Complaining, on the other hand, is a sign of unbelief and the worst things we can do during a test. We need to throw the Word of God on the inside of us so that it can make those bitter waters sweet.
God setting a table before us in the presence of our enemies refers to testing. Can we be intimate with Him and stay single focused (like a soldier on a mission) in the midst of chaos, darkness and our enemies?
The end goal is bearing fruit and becoming like Jesus. The pomegranates and bells attached to the hem of the priestly garment represent the gifts of the Spirit working in sync with the fruit of the Spirit. The little cups on the branches of the golden lamp stands in the Tabernacle of Moses were shaped like fruits. Paul often speaks about bearing fruit. Jesus cursed the fig tree, because it didn’t bear any fruit. All these are reminders of God’s desire for us to bear fruit. He is concerned about character. The fruit of the Spirit is the character of Christ being formed in us and coming out of us as a sweet fragrance. As we behold Jesus, we become like Him and are to make disciples (after our own kind). Through fiery trails, God makes us (=His messengers) flames of fire (like Jesus). Encountering us becomes encountering Jesus.
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