BE INTENTIONAL!

Philippians 2:12–16 (KJV 1900)

Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

Problem-A Gallup survey was taken that said 90 percent of Americans confessed that they believe in God.

Yet when social sciences did empirical research /observation of the practices, homelife, habits they found very little difference between the life of believers and non-believers.

They still, lie, cheat, steal, adultery, divorce, drugs, problem, broken, in prison yet we claim God to be their savior.

Tell the story about a woman getting robbed in Bahama- man had a mask - woman recognized his voice-Dave is that you from Mt Zion Holiness, I am Mary we both tarry at the altar and receive the Holy Ghost. The man said, while still holding the gun; Praise the Lord Mary; he said why are you doing this? Child I just need the money, I am still saved though, I still go to church as he took the money and left.

Why are our lives not reflecting God’s principles?

The problem is a form of godliness but not walking in the POWER of the Holy Ghost.

People are getting converted without becoming a disciple of Christ

People have one experience without having a long-term committed relationship.

Solution ( Discipleship)

God does want a one night stand ; he wants a committed mutual beneficial relationship Where He is 100% and we are giving 100%.

God wants his children to have an abundant life full of His purpose and passion.

Last week Pastor Henderson preached about the foundation of the church

A few months ago Dr. Donaldson shared don’t tell everyone your Dream

The foundation is the most important part of building a building and life is the plan ( dream, vision) and the foundation ( which are the things you do behind the scenes.

When a builder put a building together he is intentional, thoughtful, discrete, and has a strategy in place. ( Count the cost)

Luke 14:26–33 KJV 1900

If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

God wants us to renounce all things that keep us from doing His will and purpose

God wants us to be intentional about doing God’s will.

In other words, God wants us to make it out purpose. passion, and mission to fulfill his will and destiny in every area of our lives.

Let’s take a look at a King in the Old Testament that for an example of intentional living

King Josiah INTENTIONALLY did what was right in God’s eyes

introduces Josiah by saying, “And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD and walked in all the way of David his father, and he did not turn aside to the right or to the left.” In the eighteenth year of his reign, he raised money to repair the temple, and during the repairs the high priest Hilkiah found the Book of the Law. When Hilkiah read it to Josiah, the king tore his clothes, a sign of mourning and repentance (verse 11).

King Josiah INTENTIONALLY choose not to be a victim of his past generation

Josiah was the king of Judah from approximately 640 to 609 B.C. His reign in Jerusalem is discussed in 2 Kings 22–23 and 2 Chronicles 34–35. Josiah was the son of King Amon and the grandson of King M anasseh—both of them wicked kings of Judah. Yet Josiah was a godly king and known as one of the world’s youngest kings; he began his reign at age 8 after his father was assassinated. A highlight of Josiah’s reign was his rediscovery of the Law of the Lord.

King Josiah was intentional about calling his nation to repentance and reformation. (discipleship)

King Josiah called for a time of national repentance. The Law was read to the people of the land, and a covenant made between the people and the Lord: “The king stood by the pillar and made a covenant before the LORD, to walk after the LORD and to keep his commandments and his testimonies and his statutes with all his heart and all his soul, to perform the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people joined in the covenant” (2 Kings 23:3). Many reforms followed. The temple was cleansed from all objects of pagan worship, and the idolatrous high places in the land were demolished. Josiah restored the observance of the Passover (2 Kings 23:2–23) and removed mediums and witches from the land. Second Kings 23:25 records, “Before him there was no king like him, who turned to the LORD with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his might, according to all the Law of Moses, nor did any like him arise after him.” God’s wrath would later come upon Judah due to the evil King Manasseh had done (2 Kings 23:25), but the judgment was delayed because of Josiah’s godly life and leadership (2 Kings 22:20).

My wife Tess shares about the importance of looking at the man in the mirror We need to be intentional about looking at the man in the mirror-

We need to intentional followers, students, of Chirst

Intentional life gives vision, meaning, and joy Proverbs 29:18

Proverbs 29:18 KJV 1900

Where there is no vision, the people perish: But he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

We perish, separated, have no restrain without intentionally seeking God’s vision for our life.

Christ was intentional about His purpose -

Hebrews 12:2 KJV 1900

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Let intentionally give our life to Him!