Keys To Distinction – Part One

                      

Introduction: Is. 22:22 “And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; so he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open.”

Key is used as the ensign of power and authority; It’s the mark of office, either sacred or civil. It shows that one is fully in charge. This series is aimed at equipping God’s people to take charge of issues of life.

Every individual must discover his place in destiny. Until he discovers his place, he cannot make an impact on his generation. Discover your uniqueness and you will be distinguished. Discover your area of maximal advantage and you’ll excel. Find out what you can do better than others in the same profession. Find out what you can do better in the ministry. That is what will mark you for distinction and that is what will make you a celebrity.

Distinction means a role model – a point of reference, a benchmark etc. If you are a man or woman of distinction, your colleagues will see a difference in you. To be distinguished, you’ll have to be ahead of others in a particular niche.

Have you ever wondered why Coka Cola is on top of other soft drinks? There’s a smile or laughter only you can give. Everybody has something unique in him. Discover yours and excel by it.

Acts 10:38 “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.”

Jesus was distinct. While others were busy complaining of sickness and demons and the difficulty in the Roman system, Jesus went about doing good and solving problems – healing the sick, raising the dead and delivering possessed people from the grip of the devil.

I don’t know what you are passing through in your life today. This same Jesus is able to deliver you from it. All you need to do is to believe in him and surrender your life to him. Now is the time, tomorrow might be too late.

In the days of Jesus’ earthly ministry, there were exorcists (demon casters). Jesus was different because he was anointed with the Holy Ghost and with power – that’s what distinguished him from others.

We need to get more of God into ourselves if we must excel like Jesus. How do we get more of God into ourselves – by studying his word and given heed to it. The more of God’s word we have in us, the more victorious we’ll emerge and the more success we’ll have. The word of God is a carrier of virtues. It is able to make you a man or a woman of distinction.

Youth - The best time to serve God

Eccl. 12:1 “Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, before the difficult days come, and the years draw near when you say, I have no pleasure in them…”

This scripture is an exhortation to remember God in one’s youth when he is full of strength and not to wait till old age and its challenges.  

 Now - means that you are most able to do it at present and it will be most acceptable to God, and most comfortable to you.

Evil days- means the time of old age, which is at times burdensome, full of aging problems and far more grievous especially when it is loaded with the sad remembrance of youthful follies and failures.

No pleasure- The pressures of old age could be bitter and burdensome. It’s a time of loss of interest in certain things that could make one to say “I have no pleasure in them”

Youth is the time of life when one is young. It is a time when an individual is full of strength and vigor. No wonder King Solomon advised us to serve God in our youth.

It is not true that the youth cannot live holy and pure life. The youth can live a holy and pure life if he chooses to do so. It is a matter of choice and decision. Bible characters like Timothy, Titus and John Mark to mention a few were in the ministry in their youth. Mary became the mother of Jesus in her youth. She was a virgin and was described as highly favored among women because she kept herself pure. Therefore she was qualified to be the mother of the Son of God.

Today, one expects our youth to emulate those Bible characters instead of indulging in illicit activities that do not promote the Kingdom of God. We are in the world but not of the world.

Jesus said “… if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.”  John 12:26

Five Keys to Victory

Introduction: Ex 14:14 “The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.” The original plan of God was to fight our battles for us. He knows that every man at one time or the other will have a battle to fight. The battle could be an open enemy, a health challenge, a demonic attack etc. The following keys will help you win the battle of life as long as you are on the Lord’s side. 

1. The key of acknowledgement. Pr 3:6 “In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Acknowledgement means to recognize the power and authority of God over your circumstances. Because you recognize him – he will help you. No demon or situation can withstand Jehovah. Job said “I know that my redeemer liveth…” The three Hebrew children said “…our God whom we serve is able to deliver us…” 

2. The key of remembrance. 1Chr 16:12 “Remember his marvelous works that he hath done…” You must call to remembrance God’s work in your life – your testimonies. If he did it yesterday, he will do it today. Always remember his promises and pray them to him. 

3. The key of obedience. Ex 23:22 “But if thou shalt indeed obey his voice, and do all that I speak; then I will be an enemy unto thine enemies, and an adversary unto thine adversaries.” In this covenant, your obedience commands his intervention. In any situation of life, cry to him based on the covenant. God is not a respecter of person; he is a respecter of covenant. Practically, while looking up can you at the same time look down? You cannot depend on God and at the same time depend on man. When it appears like there is no way – fear not. Trust in the ability of God to do it. 

4. The key of humility. 2Chr. 20:12b “…for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee.” Jehoshaphat humbled himself. When you begin to claim power and might, God cannot help you because heaven helps those who cannot help themselves. Always pray “…that which I do not know teach me, that which I do not see, show me.” David prayed in Ps 61:2b “…when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”

5. The key of service. Jn 12:26 “If any man serve me…him will my Father honour.” God has no emergency. He knows what is coming ahead of his servant. He knows how to set up machinery to save him. He stopped Baalam from cursing his people – even though his people were not aware of what was happening. Mordecai did not know of the gallows – but engineer Haman was hanged on it. David refused to kill Saul – God killed him in battle. God has promised to fight for you. Trust him, he will give you victory.

The Bible

 A young Christian packing his bag for a journey said to a friend, "I have nearly finished packing. All I have to put in are a guidebook, a lamp, a mirror, a microscope, a telescope, a volume of fine poetry, a few biographies, a package of old letters, a book of songs, a sword, a hammer, and a set of tools." "But you cannot put all that into your bag," objected the friend. "Oh, yes," said the Christian. "Here it is." And he placed his Bible in the corner of the suitcase and closed the lid.

Men As Workers Together With Him - Their Faithfulness.

Text: 1 Cor. 4:2 “… it is required of a servant to be faithful.”

The Purpose for which God made man was to have co-workers. God made man in his image and after his likeness so that man will continue the work of creation.

1) Adam - dressed the garden of God       2) Noah - built an ark - 120 years.

3) Abram - began a new family for God. 4). Joseph - preserved posterity

5) Moses - led the Jews out of Egypt       6) Joshua - divided the land among them.

Acronym of faithful

F - Faithfulness.

A - Availability.

I  - Initiative.

T - Teachability.

H - Honesty.

F - Fervency.

U - Uncompromising.

L - Loving.

1. Faithfulness; Loyalty, able to be trusted. Can God trust you? Gen. 18:19.  Can God vouch for you? Job 1:8. Can your pastor vouch for you? What of your pledges and tithes? How many pledges are you owing?  Do you keep your appointment with God and the brethren?

2. Availability; Heb. 10:25, Acts. 2:1They were gathered in one place on the day of Pentecost.

3. Initiative; An attempt to resolve a difficulty. 2 Sam. 6:1-5, David brought the Ark to Jerusalem.

4. Teachability; Ps.16:7, “…Lord who has given me counsel: my reins instruct me…” God cannot be predicted. You learn him every day till death. He has no special formula.

5. Honesty; 1 Sam. 12:1-5, Samuel’s declaration of honesty. Dishonesty brings defeat - Achan stole the accursed thing. He brought death and defeat to the people of God.

6. Fervency in spirit; Acts 18:24-25, Apollos was fervent in Spirit - He taught the word of God.

7. Uncompromising; 1 Sam. 17”…and taketh away the reproach from Israel..” Dan. 3:16-18,”…we are not careful in this matter”.

8. Loving; Moses said in Deut.6:5 “…thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might”. Jesus said in Mt.22:37 “thou shall love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul and with all thy mind. Love for God is setting aside your will to uphold His will. Love for God is walking in obedience to Him.

9. Conclusion - Men should show love to their wives and children by doing their best to be alive. Men should check their bodies and obtain adequate medical treatment in time.

The purpose of leadership

                                      

Discipline. Rom. 13:1-5 “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.  Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.”

No organization or family will succeed without  discipline. The offender should be punished and the obedient praised. A leader should not be partial in judgment. 

Leadership is there to care for the welfare of God’s people. God is looking for people who care.

Ez. 34:5-6 “…scattered because there is no shepherd.”

1Pet.5:2-3 “Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.”

a)      You have to feed them – with the word of God. As much as possible a leader should create jobs for his followers

b)      Taking oversight – to be mentally sensitive to their needs. People should have good families, good jobs, good businesses etc.

c)      By being examples of good Christians to their followers.

For guidance and decision making. A vote or crowd does not equal decision. After all suggestions, somebody has to stand and articulate the decision. Note that the majority is not always right.

Look at the level of the followers – don’t compromise when their opinion is wrong – stand for the right decision. Sometimes you have to stand alone. There is time of rejection .

Jn. 6:68 “From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.  Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.

Even when they reject you, stand for the truth. Those that love the truth will definitely abide.

Acts 15:19 “Wherefore my sentence is…” Every successful leader is a commander. Having heard all their opinion, you have to stick out your neck and take the right decision. Indecision is dangerous. You cannot become a leader until you become yourself. You are a leader when you can articulate your views.

Remember that posterity will forgive you if you make a decision and fail than that you did not make a decision at all.

Orderliness – there must be a way for doing things and everybody is expected to comply.

Modeling. Jesus used most of his ministry teaching his followers - thus reproducing himself in them.  He had the first 3, the 12, the 70, 120 and the multitude.

Leadership is graduated – that means you move from one level to another. Don’t let people into leadership without training and proving them. A person that is not trained cannot be trusted.

Don’t appoint people who love leadership into position – it is destructive. Put people who feel empty – they are ready to learn – they are humble and meek.

LEADERSHIP IN THE HOME

                                           

Eph. 6:8 “Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.”  Some people spoil an issue when it does not favor them. When it comes to their turn heaven will open the book of records for reference. Vs. 10, Addressing the family he said, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might”

Angels existed before man. Michael was in charge of warring angels, Gabriel was in charge of messenger angels while Lucifer was in charge of singing angels. In Is. 14:11–15, When he (Lucifer) was cast out into the earth there was a lamentation “...Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you…”  Rev. 12:12b

Gen. 3:1-5 Satan went to the family to turn it against God. Satan from the onset has been targeting the family. Every family should put on the whole amour of God because if Satan can get the family, he has gotten the whole nation – the armor is for every member of the family.

Our weapons are; the Name of Jesus, the Blood of Jesus and the Word of God..Eph. 6:12, It is not physical wrestling – it is spiritual and requires spiritual weapons..vs 13, “Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day” There is an evil day so Satanic attack is not everyday..vs 14, ‘truth’ with truth you can overcome the Satan. Every truth you receive constitutes a weapon against the enemy – make sure you are operating in the truth. 

Righteousness is a gift. It means right standing with God – without sense of guilt  or inferiority. Never allow wickedness into your home. Grow in righteousness, don’t carry sin consciousness and don’t depend on confession of sins.  Receive grace to live in the consciousness of your  righteousness in Christ.

Rom. 8:1-2 “…law of the Spirit” is the law of righteousness. Sin is a nature. When you are born again God kills that nature – you begin to abhor the bad things you used to do before.

Rom. 1:16-17 “… the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth…” Equip your home with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Don’t welcome bad news to your home. Your home should be a garden of love. Don’t do casting prayer in your home. The demons you cast out keep lurking around the home – that is the reason you see funny things in children of prayer contractors.

Eph. 6:16, “Shield of faith” No matter what is going on, stand by faith and defend your home. As long as it persists, resist it – don’t give up remember “ the just shall live by his faith.” Hab. 2:4b.  If you don’t like the way your child is developing, begin to declare the Word of God on him. Hold hands with your spouse and pray in agreement. Mt. 18:19. “Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.” Don’t look down on yourself - remember daddy Noah -  every man is a pastor in his home.

Vs. 17a, “Helmet of salvation” Ensure that every member of your family is saved. If you are not saved, you are not safe.

Vs. 17:b, “Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God” Every believer should know the Word of God – it is the one you know that you will release – and when you do, the Holy Spirit has raw materials for the work.

 I pray that the power that is in the Word of God works in your life. Amen. Praise God.