Hold Nothing Back

The Sunday school lesson was over and it was time for questions and answers. Up shot little Tony’s hand.

“According to the Bible the children of Israel crossed the Red Sea. Right?”

“Right.”

“An’ the children of Israel clobbered the Philistines, right?”

“That’s right, Tony.”

“An’ the children of Israel built the Temple, right?”

“Right, again.”

“An’ the children of Israel fought the ’gyptians, an’ the children of Israel fought the Romans, an’ the children of Israel wuz always doin’ somethin’ important, right?”

“All that’s right, too,” ... “So what’s your question?”

“What I wanna know is this,” said Tony. “What wuz all the grown-ups doin’?”

Today we are starting a new sermon series that I hope will inspire you to Hold Nothing back. We are going to talk about God’s plan for us, our motives, how to fight our person battles, developing meaningful encounters with Christ, and how to live a victorious life each and every day.

Sounds like a lot? Well, it kind of is! There are two verses that we will visit each week for the next few weeks because it is going to be our anchor as we explore the topic of holding nothing back.

Isaiah 54:1–3 NLT

1 “Sing, O childless woman, you who have never given birth! Break into loud and joyful song, O Jerusalem, you who have never been in labor. For the desolate woman now has more children than the woman who lives with her husband,” says the Lord. 2 “Enlarge your house; build an addition. Spread out your home, and spare no expense! 3 For you will soon be bursting at the seams. Your descendants will occupy other nations and resettle the ruined cities.

In this scripture we read a prophecy written by Isaiah from God to the people of Israel.

In ancient Israel, the barren woman carried an enormous load of shame and disgrace. Here, the LORD compares captive Israel to a barren woman who can now sing.

Israel was like a woman who had no children and because of that she was in constant mourning. God was telling them that despite being in exile and without a nation of people that He was going to change things. His promise to Abraham was still going to happen.

When Isaiah recorded these words Israel was being held captive in the foreign land of Babylon. The Babylonian exile and captivity meant more than oppression for Israel; it meant shame, disgrace, and humiliation.

God promises a glorious release from not only the exile and captivity, but also from the shame, disgrace, and humiliation. God was going to free them not only from captivity, but He is also giving a glimpse of what was going to come through Jesus who would free them from the burden of the law.

God tells them to enlarge their tent. The curse and shame of barrenness would be so completely broken, and Israel would be so fruitful, that they would have to expand their living space. This would be of particular comfort to the returning Babylonian exiles, who felt themselves small in number and weak. This promise would strengthen them.

Personally, I love the words of Isaiah because we can look at the promises of God and see that they have been fulfilled. Everything that God promised the people in exile who were broken and without hope actually happened. History records that they did return to the promised land and we know that the descendants to this day do occupy other nations all over the world.

It’s incredible.

What does this prophecy have to do with us today? How does this scripture remind us to hold nothing back when it comes to our personal walk and journey in this world?

Well, these promises are for us today.

The expansion of God’s chosen people has never stopped. From Israel to Followers of Christ, His desire is for us to expand.

We do that by Sparing No Expense - Holding Nothing Back. We stand in faith that God is able to do the impossible.

God promised Abraham that all the nations would be blessed through his descendants. That blessing was made real through Christ.

Paul pulls us in on these promises in Galatians 4:27-28

Galatians 4:27–28 NLT

27 As Isaiah said, “Rejoice, O childless woman, you who have never given birth! Break into a joyful shout, you who have never been in labor! For the desolate woman now has more children than the woman who lives with her husband!” 28 And you, dear brothers and sisters, are children of the promise, just like Isaac.

This phrase in verse 28 expresses the great reversal brought about by Christ:

Gentiles (non-Jewish people) are part of God’s family, like Jews.

Isaac was Abraham’s biological son, the child God had promised to him. The Galatians—including many Gentiles—are now considered children of the promise.

When we read the words of Isaiah we see God’s plan for US.

He says, things may feel dark, but it’s time for you to worship, start planning for something big, clean up the house - get it ready, because people are coming home.

This gets me real excited. The world needs what we have, and I am standing on the promise that God is going to bring them to Him. We have to get ready.

In our own lives and in the church as a whole we can’t hold anything back in our preparation. It’s time to step up and do our part. Lives hang in the balance.

The theme of the next few weeks will be focused on our Commitment.

When we talk about holding nothing back what we are really saying is that we are fully committed to God. We believe that He is with us, and we trust that His promise for expansion was not only for Israel, but for us today. We can see God move when we are fully committed to Him.

In order to Hold nothing back we need to talk about our Past, Present, and Future.

The Past

You who have never...

Remember riding your bike as a kid? Wasn’t that the greatest ever? It was the first taste of freedom for most of us…We weren’t holding mom or dad’s hand. We were flying down the road. It was glorious. And remember how effortless it was riding for hours and hours? It’s not exactly like that now, right? If we get on a bike as an adult we have to have a special padded seat or even a pad built right into our shorts! As a kid, we just hopped on and rode.

One thing that we all have in common, if we are bike riders, is that we had to learn to ride. We can all remember what it was like to have a parent hold the back of our seat while we learned to balance and pedal. It wasn’t easy, but with practice we learned something that could never be unlearned.

Before we learned to ride it was VERY intimidating wasn’t it? Actually, it seemed impossible.

I have successfully taught two of my girls to ride a bike. Katie was motivated…it was easy. Lanie was not motivated. It was not easy. At one point she laid on the ground in the middle of the street crying. Kristen came outside and reminded me that all our neighbors were watching and that I needed to keep my cool...

Well, something finally clicked and she now rides her bike like an old pro.

We all have a bike riding story and we all have a life story. There are things that God wants us to accomplish in our life that might seem scary, hard, and even impossible. We can make the mistake of relying on our own past strength or abilities when God wants us to try something new.

We shouldn’t allow our PAST control our FUTURE.

I think that’s the first part of what God was telling Israel and what He wants to tell us in this church today.

Isaiah 54:1 reminds Israel that in the past they had never...

As a church we are going to remember the past, but not allow it to be an indicator of our future. It might seem foolish to remodel our building when we only have a handful in service each week and when we are living in a time where people are encouraged to stay home and not gather in groups.

I want to remind you of something that Corinthian church was told..

1 Corinthians 1:27 NLT

27 Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful.

I say, let the world say we are foolish. That’s part of His plan to show His glory, power, and authority.

If that scripture is true then we don’t have to have insecurity about our past. Too many times I see insecurity stop people from walking in faith. We should stand on the promise that God chose the foolish things to accomplish His great plan.

To me that means that we can wear our past as a badge of God’s great grace that if He can reach someone like us…then He can reach anyone.

I’m telling you that now is the time to stoping allowing your past to hold you back. Even if you haven’t had success in the past…don’t give up. Keep trying, keep standing on the promise that God is going to use you to do something great.

Don’t forget that God has made His dwelling in you. You can be set free from things that might have held you captive before.

Remember and stand on the promise of 1 John 4:4

1 John 4:4 NLT

4 But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.

Now, that should be an amen moment. Can I get one today?

Our past experience is NOT an indicator of our future. Let’s be encouraged by the word written by Isaiah...

Just because it hasn’t happened in the past doesn’t mean it isn’t going to happen in the future. He says we should break into loud and joyful singing.

You ever been so excited that you can’t help but dance or sing? I’m tell you, that if you understand what God can do then you will start to get a little wiggle in your feet and a little tickle in your throat because you know that God can take what was meant for evil and turn it for good.

What are you believing for in your life? Are you allowing the past to hold you back?

We must be determined to stop looking at the bicycles we have never ridden…don’t allow them to taunt you anymore, it’s time to hop on, and hold nothing back.

Now let’s talk about...

The Present

Spare no expense...

Imagine you are going to build a house and money was no object. What would that house look like?

Here are some ideas from a few billionaires:

Steven Cohen - bought a 14’ preserved shark to hang in his house: $93,000

Mukesh Ambani - According to Forbes, Ambani's residence is a 27-story, 400,000-square-foot skyscraper that boasts three helicopter pads and six underground parking levels. Named after the mythical island of Antilla, its amenities reportedly include a ballroom, a 50-seat theater and nine elevators in the lobby alone. About 600 staff members are required to maintain Ambani's mega-mansion.

Sulton of Brunei - In his garage he has between 5,000 and 7,000 of the world's rarest, finest, best performing and most expensive cars, which Top Speed values at a combined $5 billion -- at least. Among the finest gems are 21 Lamborghinis, 452 Ferraris and 604 Rolls Royces, including the "Star of India," a $14 million Rolls convertible that has the distinction of being the world's most expensive car.

Our scripture today reminds us to start planning, to start building, and to spare no expense.

In other words that we should Hold Nothing Back. Once we understand that with God our past does not define our future we can then live in the present and start working with anticipation of what God can and will do.

The great wall builder Nehemiah heard about the broken walls of Jerusalem. He wept over the desecration. He had a burden to go and do something about those broken down walls. But he had a problem.

He couldn’t just quit his job as the kings cupbearer. It was an important position. It was a coveted position. But Nehemiah had a dream of leaving to do the work God for him.

He didn’t run into the kings court and ask to leave. Months of prayer and planning happened before Nehemiah had the chance to make a request.

In Nehemiah 2 we see he got his chance…the king asked what he could do to assist Nehemiah in his great task.

What did Nehemiah do when he was asked?

He gave a list!

Let me go rebuild

I need this amount of time

Give me your authority in writing

Let me have all the material I need

This guy had a plan to get some stuff done!

I bring this up because sometimes we look at the success of other people and we can become envious. Why does it always happen for other people and not us? How to do they get do something that we really want to do?

Well, I would say, yes some people just luck into certain things, but most have to work hard, make a plan, and walk it out in their lives.

God loves order. He likes plans.

Now, He can change our plans, but I think overall He has a grand plan. When our plans line up to His something miraculous can take place.

Remember Luke 14:28

Luke 14:28 NLT

28 “But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it?

We have some planning to do right now. There might be things that need to be set in order before you can walk into the moments God has ordained.

Too many times we limit God’s plan in our life by not doing anything to prepare.

What would have happened if Nehemiah didn’t have his list ready when the King was ready to grant him help? He wouldn’t have gone and rebuilt the walls!

We need to live right NOW like there is a tomorrow and that we have work to do in that tomorrow!

As we are planning, preparing, and hoping let’s not think too small. Remember the words of Isaiah 54:2

Isaiah 54:2 NLT

2 “Enlarge your house; build an addition. Spread out your home, and spare no expense!

SPARE NO EXPENSE = HOLD NOTHING BACK

Let’s swing for the fences in every area of our lives and see what God can do!

Just remember in all that we do we aren’t just working for a bigger home or nicer car…no, we are working to do our part for the kingdom of God.

Jesus reminds of what we are to be working for in the present:

John 6:27 NLT

27 But don’t be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you. For God the Father has given me the seal of his approval.”

Jesus must come first if we are going to accomplish anything worth while. With Jesus ALL THINGS are POSSIBLE.

We must prepare and we must dream so much bigger than we do right now. Take your dream and multiply it by 10…now pray, fast, worship, seek, love, and have faith that God can do so must more than we could hope or imagine.

We cannot allow our past to hold us back, we must prepare in the present, because…The Future is coming...

The Future

You will soon be...

Isaiah 54:3 NLT

3 For you will soon be bursting at the seams. Your descendants will occupy other nations and resettle the ruined cities.

This promise we know has come to pass for the children of Israel in the time that Isaiah was living, but I can tell you that as long as we have breath in our lungs we can live and hope that God’s future for us is coming and it’s going to be so much greater than we thought it could be.

I was chatting with Pastor Ron yesterday after a funeral we both attended. We talked about the future. He reminded me of a great truth that I want to share with you today.

Your future starts now…and now....and now…and now!

It’s always starting over until the day we die and even then we have a future that lasts for eternity. We can have HOPE because we are born again in Christ.

1 Peter 1:3–4 NLT

3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, 4 and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay.

Are you living in expectation? Or are you just trying to make in one more day?

Not me! I am reading the words of Isaiah and I am saying, Yes Lord! That’s a verse for my life!

In this town I want us to be bursting at the seams with people coming to Christ for the first time, or coming back to Christ for the 100th time. Either way, I want to see people delivered from the hand of the enemy!

Just because it hasn’t happened before doesn’t mean it won’t happen in the future.

We get to take part in our own futures and it starts each and every day!

God has a good future for you.

Not a problem free future, but one that He promises to be faithful to you. I have yet to find a faith filled believer who looks back at the history of their life and can’t see the faithfulness of a Loving Father guiding, and correcting their path.

Our church is on a collision course with the miraculous. We are on the path to victory. Nothing is going to stop what God wants to do through us.

Why? Because we choose to have faith. It’s the only way we can truly make God happy.

Hebrews 11:6 NLT

6 And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.

We have faith in our Future. That God is holding us in His hand as we seek His face.

You need to know that with God you have a future and a hope. Don’t allow anyone to tell you any different.

Too many times we listen to the words of people who don’t believe. People who don’t have faith in us or God.

Why do we listen to people? They don’t can’t predict anything. I’d much rather trust the God of the universe and what He says over some person!

What God did for the nation of Israel He will do for us at this church and for us individually if we line up with His will.

Mark 11:24 NLT

24 I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours.

God will grant you what you ask for in prayer once you will believe he will. If we ask God for souls in this city do you really think He is doing to deny that request? No way! The key is to ask for God’s will, believe it can be done, and then be willing to do what He wants done to accomplish His will.

Friends t

Today is the day we CHOSE to Hold Nothing Back

Your past - Your Present - Your Future

Give is ALL to God and just watch…Something will break free. It’s a promise that we on stand on in His word.