Giving God Permission

Intro

Text - Matthew 3.13-17

Matthew 3:13–17 NASB95

13 Then Jesus arrived from Galilee at the Jordan coming to John, to be baptized by him. 14 But John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I have need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?” 15 But Jesus answering said to him, “Permit it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he permitted Him. 16 After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him, 17 and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.”

Revelation 3:20 NASB95

20 ‘Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.

Title - Giving God Permission

Background

When Jesus came to John to be baptized in the river Jordan, he refused to do so at the first.

But Jesus asked John to “permit” this occasion in order to fulfill all righteousness.

Jesus was baptized because John allowed something unusual to transpire: him baptizing the Christ!

Definition: permit; permission

give permission to someone; authorize

allow

make possible

Synonyms - authorize, consent, give leave, grant,

Man is so used to exercising his/her own will, and having his/her own way, that we resist whenever someone crosses that invisible boundary and enters our “space”.

we refuse to speak to strangers

we block anyone who enters our safe zones

we get angry when someone ‘touches” anything that belongs to “us”

We only allow people into our space -

when we have warmed up to them - personal knowledge

when we trust their authority

on the other hand, we unknowingly give permission -

when we go to the doctor for checkups

when security guards check our body and bags

when we get interviewed for license, etc.

While this thing may have its benefits, it can also affect God’s moving in our life, and hinder God from doing what He wants to do in our life.

Main Subject

God cannot do anything in our lives until we give Him permission.

The limits of God working in us is proportional to the extent of our willingness or permission.

Key Points

why our permission is necessary

what our permission entails

Why does God ask for our permission in certain things in life?

God respects the human will

It does not mean that God cannot overrule the human will. If He so desires, he can because He is Sovereign

When we give permission for God to work in our lives -

we do it “consciously” - we know what we are doing

we do it “willingly” - we welcome Him into our space

Example - Jesus knocking at the door Rev 3.20

Revelation 3:20 NASB95

20 ‘Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.

God wants human cooperation

It does not mean that God cannot accomplish anything without man’s help.

But he created man to work for Him and with Him

When we give permission to God, we are cooperating in His grand plan!

Example - Mary Luke 1.34-38

Luke 1:34–38 NASB95

34 Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” 35 The angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God. 36 “And behold, even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age; and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month. 37 “For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 And Mary said, “Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

when we cooperate, we become partakers in the success and rewards

Why do we refuse to give God permission?

Often times, we struggle with giving God permission.

In fact, we unknowingly deny God permission in many areas of our lives.

When we give permission, we make ourselves vulnerable (open to attack or damage)

we are afraid to get hurt by someone

we are afraid to fail

When we give permission, we are surrendering (giving up) a part of our “self”

we are afraid of losing control

These ideas are based on false assumptions -

that the best person to control our life is “us”

that it is possible to experience happiness without getting hurt

that God is Someone just like us - we can turn down His offer and have no consequence

What happens when we give God permission into our lives?

We get to “eat” the good of the land - Isaiah 1.18-20

Isaiah 1:18–20 NASB95

18 “Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord, “Though your sins are as scarlet, They will be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They will be like wool. 19 “If you consent and obey, You will eat the best of the land; 20 “But if you refuse and rebel, You will be devoured by the sword.” Truly, the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

We enjoy fellowship with Christ - Rev 3.20

Revelation 3:20 NASB95

20 ‘Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.

We learn from God - John 7.17

John 7:17 NASB95

17 “If anyone is willing to do His will, he will know of the teaching, whether it is of God or whether I speak from Myself.

Conclusion

Giving God permission into our lives is a double marker -

It marks Jesus as the Son of God!

He came to John to fulfill God’s righteousness

Matthew 3:15–17 NASB95

15 But Jesus answering said to him, “Permit it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he permitted Him. 16 After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him, 17 and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.”

It marked John as a genuine servant of God!

when he allowed Jesus to be baptized, we completed God’s purpose for his life - as the forerunner of the Messiah!

Matthew 11:9–11 NASB95

9 “But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and one who is more than a prophet. 10 “This is the one about whom it is written, ‘Behold, I send My messenger ahead of You, Who will prepare Your way before You.’ 11 “Truly I say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist! Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

God is waiting for the time when He can proudly vindicate His children -

“these are my children!”

God is waiting for the time when He can proudly identify His faithful servants!

Why is God “waiting”?

because that moment needs your PERMISSION!

SONG - The Savior is Waiting