Refresh Church

(NKJV) 14 And the Lord said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him: “Lift your eyes now and look from the place where you are—northward, southward, eastward, and westward;

15 for all the land which you see I give to you and your descendants forever. 16 And I will make your descendants as the dust of the earth; so that if a man could number the dust of the earth, then your descendants also could be numbered. 17 Arise, walk in the land through its length and its width, for I give it to you.”

From Where You Are-

Abram had to get to where he was to be able to look from where he was.

Abraham Arrived In the Land

Abraham had arrived in the land of promise but that was just the beginning of the future god had for him. We reach places on the journey but we are not meant to stay there. Sometimes we can get so caught up with where we are and the things happening around us we fail to look up.

There is always more in with God.

Moves of God Stop Because People Staying Where They Are

From Where You Are-

Abram had to get to where he was to be able to look from where he was.

If he had of stayed in the land of UR he would not have been in the position to look east,west, north & south.

You have to take step one before you get step 2.

Illustration- Coming To Australia

Yarrawonga - Didn't Know It Existed

Uganda-Gwere- Didn’t know It Existed

The Quest- Go There Then.........

Not Knowing Where your Going

In the Zone- Begins with Obedience Obedience means His will not Yours

Not Knowing Where your Going

We Need To Be Here-

I need to be here, You need to be here

Not Knowing Where your Going

Entering and Walking but unsure of Where your going

(NKJV) 8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.

Illustration- The details come with each step

He tells me what I need to know when I need to know

Cash Up Front

Wide open Spaces & That’s Not All

Entering Through Faith

Believing For Things You Have Not Seen

Are Not Yet In Existance

(The Message) 1–2 5 By entering through faith into what God has always wanted to do for us—set us right with him, make us fit for him—we have it all together with God because of our Master Jesus. And that’s not all: We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open his door to us. We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand—out in the wide open spaces of God’s grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise.

3–5 There’s more to come: ...............we can’t round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!

And That's Not All-

Christianity is more than conversion and being right with God.

Its a life of doors opening and a life of wide open spaces.

“Theres More To Come” But wait there's more.

But wait there's more.

Theres no I've arrived. There is always more of God.

Challenges- Yes there are challenges and difficulties.

(NKJV) 14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

(The Message) And I’ll stride freely through wide open spaces

As I look for your truth and your wisdom;

Then I’ll tell the world what I find,

speak out boldly in public, unembarrassed.

Wide Open Spaces

Wide Open Spaces v Confinement- Trapped by Boundaries

Christianity Leads To Wide Open Spaces

Gods Consistent Message

The Survivors Message

(NIV) 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

.11Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

A Letter to the Exiles

Addressed To The Survivors

29 This is the text of the letter that the prophet Jeremiah sent from Jerusalem to the surviving elders among the exiles and to the priests, the prophets and all the other people Nebuchadnezzar had carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon.

(NIV) This is the text of the letter that the prophet Jeremiah sent from Jerusalem to the surviving elders among the exiles and to the priests, the prophets and all the other people Nebuchadnezzar had carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon.

Confinement- Trapped by Boundaries

Sin Leads To Confinement

Narrowness and Imprisonment

(NIV) 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me,

because he has anointed me

to proclaim good news to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners

and recovery of sight for the blind,

to set the oppressed free,

Confinement- Limited Choices, Hemed in, Trapped

Wide Open Spaces-Options & Possibilities

Your Future Should be Full Of Options & Possibilities

Passed Your Use By Date- To old. A lie from the pit. The bible does not teach passed your use by date Example Abraham & Sarah.

Doors- Prisons or Confined spaces have doors that lead to freedom

“.... We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open his door to us.

Jesus Stands Outside Our Door

(NKJV) 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 dine with him, and he with Me.

Paul To The Corinthians

Illustration- Paremarema Prison Ministry- High Security- Travel the world- go back to prison and inmates are still there trapped by the prison doors. Just like some Christians I know. Still trapped and imprisoned.

36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

(NKJV) 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

Options & Possibilities-

Your Future Should be Full Of Options & Possibilities

(The Message) 11–13 Dear, dear Corinthians, I can’t tell you how much I long for you to enter this wide-open, spacious life. We didn’t fence you in. The smallness you feel comes from within you. Your lives aren’t small, but you’re living them in a small way. I’m speaking as plainly as I can and with great affection. Open up your lives. Live openly and expansively!

Fear

Many People Are Confined By Fear

Money-

I Don’t Have Enough

Giving

(NASB95) 38 “Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.”

Faith and Entering

Illustration- Paremorema Prison Ministry- High Security- Travel the world- go back to prison and inmates are still there trapped by the prison doors. Just like some Christians I know. Still trapped and imprisoned.

.1 By entering through faith........

Faith Leads To Wide Open Spaces

Faith Comes From Hearing Gods Word

Gods Word Is His Plan

Obedience leads to more choices not less

Doors- control access

Security---They can let in somebody or be used to shut somebody else out.

Jesus could smash your door down.

God Always Respects Our Free Choice

The God of creation knocks at our door

Thieves Break In

Friends Knock

(NKJV) 20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,

(The Message) 11–13 Dear, dear Corinthians, I can’t tell you how much I long for you to enter this wide-open, spacious life. We didn’t fence you in. The smallness you feel comes from within you. Your lives aren’t small, but you’re living them in a small way. I’m speaking as plainly as I can and with great affection. Open up your lives. Live openly and expansively!