Living In the Present Truth: A Prophetic Message
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Before we ever go on a major trip, we do a whole lot of planning: From purchasing travel & looking at travel times, to obtaining addresses for turn-by-turn directions, to making all the preparations for stops along the way - we really plan our way & sometimes use the assistance of professionals in the industry to make our trip a success.
Having a trustworthy road map to walking with God should be a huge priority in our life!
Today I’m going to start into a 2-3 part mini-series that is gonna deal with what I believe is the next/current move of God in His church & give us some insights on how to move & flow in this season.
This series might be the most pivotal and crucial series of messages that I will preach this year.
Seasons:
Seasons:
You’re familiar with seasons already & you know that though you’re in one season, you might plan for or wish it were another (Kyle & Tiara wish that is was Christmas NOW!)
1 To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven:
There are specific times & seasons in God & they are not all the same!
10 Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; 11 for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 12 For this reason I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things, though you know and are established in the present truth.
Present = Near; At hand
The present truth is not a situationally dependent truth, a morally relativistic truth, or a different truth
The present truth is THE TRUTH that is immediate, apparent & applicable at this time
2 So it was, after three days, that the officers went through the camp; 3 and they commanded the people, saying, “When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the priests, the Levites, bearing it, then you shall set out from your place and go after it. 4 Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure. Do not come near it, that you may know the way by which you must go, for you have not passed this way before.” 5 And Joshua said to the people, “Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.”
The present truth after Moses led the nation of Israel was that God was still leading His people, but in a different presentation through Joshua.
The pillars of Cloud & Fire transitioned to the Ark of the Covenant being carried by the Levites & the priests walking with it.
Same God, same leading, different presentation for a way & season not experienced before by God’s people
A Little About the Prophecy:
A Little About the Prophecy:
The Bible often uses word pictures, symbolism, & types/shadows to describe things in ways we can more easily relate to.
Trumpets & Light are 2 symbols that the Bible uses to give an understanding of the Prophetic Word of God.
15 Blow the trumpet in Zion, Consecrate a fast, Call a sacred assembly;
Trumpets: signaling device for civic, religious, or military purposes
Used to communicate things on the military field of battle
Loud and cut through other loud noises
Announce royalty, etc
Light: The first thing God spoke into the world
Helps you to see things around you and ahead of you (present & future)
Aids in navigation
Helps to give understanding of things that were previously mysterious
Gives warning of danger (lighthouse)
Signaling over long distances
19 And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; 20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, 21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
105 Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.
130 The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple.
All prophecy is bound by scripture & should be able to be clearly & easily supported by no less than 2-3 scriptures in good Biblical context.
As the set man & shepherd of this flock & as an under-shepherd to the Good Shepherd, I am blowing the prophetic trumpet & shining the prophetic light as we transition fully into a new God-season
Seasons change gradually, but then you “all of a sudden” find yourself full-blown in the middle of that season.
Don’t be caught off guard & end up unprepared for the season.
The Present Truth Prophetically Declared:
The Present Truth Prophetically Declared:
Please don’t go away & cancel me & The Ark when you hear what I’m going to declare to you.
I could probably be fairly complete with this message & Biblical support in about 4 hours - but I don’t think you want me to preach for 4 hours straight (which I CAN do BTW) - so you’re gonna have to come back for the next 2-3 messages to get the scope of what I’m about to give us today by the Spirit of the Lord.
I’m going to ask you to open your heart.
I’m going to ask you that no matter how much your feelings & thoughts might fight against what I’m about to say, that you allow God to speak to your Spirit & that you come back and let me finish this series of messages before you judge me & this word.
Remember:
8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. 9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.
I feel a little apprehensive to share this word because I am unsure of the way it will be received even though I am positive that it is the Word of the Lord.
BTW, I’m not the only one that has felt apprehensive (for lack of a better word) to share what is truly in the heart & mind of God for His church. Jesus felt that way too:
61 When Jesus knew in Himself that His disciples complained about this, He said to them, “Does this offend you? 62 What then if you should see the Son of Man ascend where He was before? 63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. 64 But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him. 65 And He said, “Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father.” 66 From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. 67 Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?” 68 But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
We are entering a season of God’s people need to place the Word of God as Lord over their life - A way of living where the Word of God is our ultimate standard for everything!
What this practically looks like can be communicated in a few thoughts:
God said it. I believe it. That settles it.
If it says it clearly in the Bible, I’m gonna become it and live it.
If my experience doesn’t line up with the Bible, then the Bible isn’t wrong - my experience is wrong.
My experience needs to change, the Bible isn’t going to change.
Before anyone gets upset, runs for the hills, or starts calling The Ark a cult & me a cult leader - I want to make clear that I am not personally determining or controlling how you live your life, nor do I want to.
I don’t have that kind of influence over you, & I don’t have that kind of personal motive
I am just a messenger proclaiming the days and times that are upon us like the Bible says to do:
11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
In these days & times:
Christians are going to need to surrender completely to the Word of God & live it if they are going to survive the destruction around them, find success, & live the abundant life.
My friends & brother & sisters, you might be disappointed that this doesn’t sound like an earth-shaking prophecy that is blowing your mind
9 That which has been is what will be, That which is done is what will be done, And there is nothing new under the sun.
This is not a new doctrine but, when we actually live it, it is a completely new way of living!
Doing God’s will, Word, & commands:
Started in the Garden with God giving commands to Adam & Eve.
Continued with the Law & 10 Old Testament Commandments
Jesus distilled the 10 Commandments down to 2 Commandments
Etc.
Throughout the Bible & History, ALL personal & societal problems can be traced to NOT doing things God’s way completely.
15 And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
We simply cannot continue to live “on the fence” regarding God’s commandments and expect to live in blessing, protection, favor & grace.
Just One Thing:
Just One Thing:
It is time to make a choice about how we are going to live.
Let’s choose to live God’s way... completely!
9 For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. In this you have done foolishly; therefore from now on you shall have wars.”
Discussion Questions:
Discussion Questions:
What’s the most annoying noise?
What new thing did you come to understand or get further insight about, regarding prophecy, through this sermon?
Please read 2 Peter 1:19-21 and share what this scripture means to you and how it challenges you to approach what God says.
What area(s) of your life did you feel God speaking to you most loudly about through this sermon. Please share authentically as you are comfortable.