Creating Spiritual Spaces that Work, Part II

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world. You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them. We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

Creating Spiritual Spaces that Work, Part II

Presented by OrLando Yarborough III

Purpose of This Presentation:

· Continue a dialogue on how you shift an atmosphere in your favor

· Empower you to shift an atmosphere towards God's will

There are times in my (Christian) walk with God when I have felt less than capable, not powerful, defeated, or close to defeat.

I would hear and read scripture verses, such as Isaiah 54:17, and it became clearer to me that I had enemies as well as comrades.

· Isaiah 54:17 (NKJV)

Isaiah 54:17 (NKJV)

Isaiah 54:17 NKJV

No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, And their righteousness is from Me,” Says the Lord.

A Bigger Work

· Moreover, I came to recognize that this whole scenario of life, while it includes me, is bigger than me. I am a member of much bigger work and the work has eternal consequences.

The "sides" Of Following Jesus Christ

· Jesus shared with His disciples the reality--pitfalls and benefits--of affiliation. One downside of following Jesus:

· John 15:18 (NKJV)

John 15:18 NKJV

“If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.

The "upside" Of Following Jesus Christ

· 1 John 4:4 (NKJV)

1 John 4:4 NKJV

You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

On What "side" Of Your Experience In Following Jesus Christ Do You Find Yourself Most?

· Do you feel the greatness of God within you?

· Do you see and experience your victory over the things that are against you?

· How do we walk victoriously?

· How do we claim our spaces for Christ, creating a(n) (spiritual) environment that works for the things of God?

Reminder: Better And Brighter

· Matthew 5:13–16 (NKJV)

Matthew 5:13–16 NKJV

“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

On Being Better...

· Do you. Be better at being yourself than trying to be someone else. Succeed in being you.

· 1 Corinthians 12:4–11 (NKJV)

1 Corinthians 12:4–11 NKJV

There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.

On Being Brighter...

· You shine your best when you walk in the fullness of who God called you to be.

· 2 Timothy 1:6–7 (NKJV)

2 Timothy 1:6–7 NKJV

Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

· Romans 1:16 (NKJV)

Romans 1:16 NKJV

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.

Jesus encounters His adversary

· Matthew 4:1–11 (NKJV)

Matthew 4:1–11 NKJV

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ” Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’ and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’ ” Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’ ” Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ” Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.

Notice: God Is Never Out Of Control

· Matthew 4:1 (NKJV)

Matthew 4:1 NKJV

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.

· Psalm 34:19

Psalm 34:19 NKJV

Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the Lord delivers him out of them all.

Notice: Jesus Is Fully Human In His Experiences

· Matthew 4:2 (NKJV)

Matthew 4:2 NKJV

And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry.

Notice: The Enemy Is Advantageous

· Satan meets Jesus when Jesus is weak in the flesh (hungry)...and tries to exploit Jesus' condition with a food-related temptation, even though the opportunity is not at all about food. (In this case, it is about dependence and trusting God.)

· Matthew 4:3 (NKJV)

Matthew 4:3 NKJV

Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”

Notice: Jesus Confronts His Enemy

· Jesus, rather than convince Himself the enemy doesn't exist, confronts His enemy.

· Matthew 4:4

Matthew 4:4 NKJV

But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ”

To Respond Like Jesus: Speak God's Word

· Resist the temptation to gratify your flesh.

· Matthew 4:1–4 (NKJV)

Matthew 4:1–4 NKJV

To Respond Like Jesus: Remain Humble And Remember Who You Represent

· Be secure in your identity in Christ. Lift not up your heart, less God remind you of who you are and Who He is.

· Matthew 4:5–7 (NKJV)

Matthew 4:5–7 NKJV

Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’ and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’ ” Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’ ”

To Respond Like Jesus: Remain Loyal

· We can only serve one Master.

· Matthew 4:8–10 (NKJV)

Matthew 4:8–10 NKJV

Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ”

To Respond Like Jesus: Remove The Hindrance

· Create distance between yourself and what is trying to distract (and subtract) from God's work.

· Matthew 4:10–11 (NKJV)

Matthew 4:10–11 NKJV

Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ” Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.

· Matthew 9:23–26 (NKJV)

Matthew 9:23–26 NKJV

When Jesus came into the ruler’s house, and saw the flute players and the noisy crowd wailing, He said to them, “Make room, for the girl is not dead, but sleeping.” And they ridiculed Him. But when the crowd was put outside, He went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose. And the report of this went out into all that land.

What You Speak

· Prayers and Praises. Declarations. Intensions.

· Invitation. Welcome into the place. Lord Prepare me.

· You are awesome in this place, Mighty God.

· I'm yours, Lord, everything I am, not, got. I'm completely yours.

· Hebrews 13:15–16 (NKJV)

Hebrews 13:15–16 NKJV

Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

· PSALM 150

Psalm 150 NKJV

Praise the Lord! Praise God in His sanctuary; Praise Him in His mighty firmament! Praise Him for His mighty acts; Praise Him according to His excellent greatness! Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; Praise Him with the lute and harp! Praise Him with the timbrel and dance; Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes! Praise Him with loud cymbals; Praise Him with clashing cymbals! Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!

· 2 Chronicles 7:1–3 (NKJV)

2 Chronicles 7:1–3 NKJV

When Solomon had finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the Lord filled the temple. And the priests could not enter the house of the Lord, because the glory of the Lord had filled the Lord’s house. When all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the Lord on the temple, they bowed their faces to the ground on the pavement, and worshiped and praised the Lord, saying: “For He is good, For His mercy endures forever.”

· Psalm 34:title–10 (NKJV)

Psalm 34:1–10 NKJV

I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make its boast in the Lord; The humble shall hear of it and be glad. Oh, magnify the Lord with me, And let us exalt His name together. I sought the Lord, and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears. They looked to Him and were radiant, And their faces were not ashamed. This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him, And saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, And delivers them. Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him! Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints! There is no want to those who fear Him. The young lions lack and suffer hunger; But those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing.

What Does Your Holy Spirit's Gifting Prompt You To Do?

· Mark 6:5–6 (NKJV)

Mark 6:5–6 NKJV

Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. And He marveled because of their unbelief. Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching.

· 1 Samuel 16:14–23 (NKJV)

1 Samuel 16:14–23 NKJV

But the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and a distressing spirit from the Lord troubled him. And Saul’s servants said to him, “Surely, a distressing spirit from God is troubling you. Let our master now command your servants, who are before you, to seek out a man who is a skillful player on the harp. And it shall be that he will play it with his hand when the distressing spirit from God is upon you, and you shall be well.” So Saul said to his servants, “Provide me now a man who can play well, and bring him to me.” Then one of the servants answered and said, “Look, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, who is skillful in playing, a mighty man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a handsome person; and the Lord is with him.” Therefore Saul sent messengers to Jesse, and said, “Send me your son David, who is with the sheep.” And Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a skin of wine, and a young goat, and sent them by his son David to Saul. So David came to Saul and stood before him. And he loved him greatly, and he became his armorbearer. Then Saul sent to Jesse, saying, “Please let David stand before me, for he has found favor in my sight.” And so it was, whenever the spirit from God was upon Saul, that David would take a harp and play it with his hand. Then Saul would become refreshed and well, and the distressing spirit would depart from him.

· A Distressing Spirit Troubles Saul

· 14 But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and a distressing spirit from the LORD troubled him. 15 And Saul’s servants said to him, “Surely, a distressing spirit from God is troubling you. 16 Let our master now command your servants, who are before you, to seek out a man who is a skillful player on the harp. And it shall be that he will play it with his hand when the distressing spirit from God is upon you, and you shall be well.”

· 17 So Saul said to his servants, “Provide me now a man who can play well, and bring him to me.”

· 18 Then one of the servants answered and said, “Look, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, who is skillful in playing, a mighty man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a handsome person; and the LORD is with him.”

· 19 Therefore Saul sent messengers to Jesse, and said, “Send me your son David, who is with the sheep.” 20 And Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a skin of wine, and a young goat, and sent them by his son David to Saul. 21 So David came to Saul and stood before him. And he loved him greatly, and he became his armorbearer. 22 Then Saul sent to Jesse, saying, “Please let David stand before me, for he has found favor in my sight.” 23 And so it was, whenever the spirit from God was upon Saul, that David would take a harp and play it with his hand. Then Saul would become refreshed and well, and the distressing spirit would depart from him.

What You Fast

· Your pride...or whatever has you thinking more highly of yourself than you ought to--edge it out through fasting and prayer.

· Esther 4:15–17 (NKJV)

Esther 4:15–17 NKJV

Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai: “Go, gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me; neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will fast likewise. And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!” So Mordecai went his way and did according to all that Esther commanded him.

What You Move

· Distractions and unbelief. Oneself.

· 2 Chronicles 14:1–6 (NKJV)

2 Chronicles 14:1–6 NKJV

So Abijah rested with his fathers, and they buried him in the City of David. Then Asa his son reigned in his place. In his days the land was quiet for ten years. Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of the Lord his God, for he removed the altars of the foreign gods and the high places, and broke down the sacred pillars and cut down the wooden images. He commanded Judah to seek the Lord God of their fathers, and to observe the law and the commandment. He also removed the high places and the incense altars from all the cities of Judah, and the kingdom was quiet under him. And he built fortified cities in Judah, for the land had rest; he had no war in those years, because the Lord had given him rest.

· Oneself

· 1 Corinthians 10:12–13 (NKJV)

1 Corinthians 10:12–13 NKJV

Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

Pitfalls And Caveats

· You can only pray the scriptures you know.

· You can only sing the songs you know.

· You can only speak God's promises that you know.

God's Promises For You

· John 7:37–39 (NKJV)

John 7:37–39 NKJV

On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

· Psalm 34:15 (NKJV)

Psalm 34:15 NKJV

The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their cry.

· Isaiah 55:10–11 (NKJV)

Isaiah 55:10–11 NKJV

“For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, And do not return there, But water the earth, And make it bring forth and bud, That it may give seed to the sower And bread to the eater, So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.

Opportunities

· Trust God. Hope in God.

· Jeremiah 17:7–8 (NKJV)

Jeremiah 17:7–8 NKJV

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, And whose hope is the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, Which spreads out its roots by the river, And will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, And will not be anxious in the year of drought, Nor will cease from yielding fruit.

Nourishment Centers For Your Life

Philippians 4:8 (NKJV)

Philippians 4:8 NKJV

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

1. Music--what songs lift me?

2. Thoughts--what thoughts speak to me? Place quotes in the notes section of your phone. Take 5min every day in reading them. Pray Scripture.

3. Experiences--what experiences rejuvenate me?

4. Friends--who encourages me?

5. Recreation--what recreation re-creates me...is like therapy to me?

6. Home--what family members care for me?

7. Spirit--what spiritual exercises strengthen me and my faith?

8. Hopes--what are my hopes, dreams? Go to my hopes and drink deeply.

9. Books--What books change me? Keep these visually before me.

10. Memories--what memories make me smile?

11. Giftedness--what gifts activate me, challenge and nourish me?

Additional Information and Resources:

· Nourishment centers Handout

http://bcay.church/nourishmentcenters

Final Thoughts:

· You have a role to play in creating spaces that work.

· Prepare and practice creating an atmosphere of worship.

· Welcome God in all your spaces.

· Help create life-giving spaces for others.

Next Steps:

· Complete the nourishment centers handout. Fill your Spiritual tool belt.

· Think ahead. What's one space that can use a Holy Spirit-filled, life-giving atmosphere? What will you do to help build it?