Replicating Redemption: No Substitutions Allowed
Jesus and the Samaritan Woman
Full Passage John 4:4-42
He had to go through Samaria on the way. 5 Eventually he came to the Samaritan village of Sychar, near the field that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob’s well was there; and Jesus, tired from the long walk, sat wearily beside the well about noontime. 7 Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Please give me a drink.” 8 He was alone at the time because his disciples had gone into the village to buy some food.
9 The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans. She said to Jesus, “You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?”
10 Jesus replied, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.”
11 “But sir, you don’t have a rope or a bucket,” she said, “and this well is very deep. Where would you get this living water?12 And besides, do you think you’re greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us this well? How can you offer better water than he and his sons and his animals enjoyed?”
13 Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. 14 But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.”
15 “Please, sir,” the woman said, “give me this water! Then I’ll never be thirsty again, and I won’t have to come here to get water.”
16 “Go and get your husband,” Jesus told her.
17 “I don’t have a husband,” the woman replied.
Jesus said, “You’re right! You don’t have a husband— 18 for you have had five husbands, and you aren’t even married to the man you’re living with now. You certainly spoke the truth!”
19 “Sir,” the woman said, “you must be a prophet. 20 So tell me, why is it that you Jews insist that Jerusalem is the only place of worship, while we Samaritans claim it is here at Mount Gerizim, where our ancestors worshiped?”
21 Jesus replied, “Believe me, dear woman, the time is coming when it will no longer matter whether you worship the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans know very little about the one you worship, while we Jews know all about him, for salvation comes through the Jews. 23 But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. 24 For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.”
25 The woman said, “I know the Messiah is coming—the one who is called Christ. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”
26 Then Jesus told her, “I am the Messiah!”
27 Just then his disciples came back. They were shocked to find him talking to a woman, but none of them had the nerve to ask, “What do you want with her?” or “Why are you talking to her?” 28 The woman left her water jar beside the well and ran back to the village, telling everyone, 29 “Come and see a man who told me everything I ever did! Could he possibly be the Messiah?” 30 So the people came streaming from the village to see him.
Wells, Cisterns, and Our Need for (Living) Water:
Wells:
Flowing water - stays fresh
Naturally occurring - are revealed by search or discovery
A continual source
Cisterns:
Stagnant - can become stale and unsafe
Manmade - Must be created and maintained
Temporary without being refilled
Wells, Cisterns, and Our Need for (Living) Water
Aside from some extreme exceptions, the human body can generally survive about three days without water. In an arid climate like the Middle East at the time of Jesus a well accessing fresh ground water or a natural spring would have been critical for survival. The only alternative to a well was a cistern. These were effectively large holes in the ground, dug into the clay or hewn into the rock that would serve as storage tanks for water. Cisterns, however, have a couple of downsides when compared to wells.
W: Flowing - Water in underground aquifers or from springs is constantly moving, keeping it fresh.
C: Stagnant - No water movement allows bacteria, viruses, and parasites to grow, making it no longer safe to drink (and just gross).
W: Revealed - Naturally occurring. Only access must be maintained.
C: Manufactured - Must be created and regularly maintained.
W: Continual - So long as the water table is high enough or the well deep enough, it’s a continual source.
C: Temporary - Left to its own water will eventually evaporate or in many cases simply leak out.
While the Samaritan woman understood the importance of having access to the well to meet her physical needs, her spirit had remained disconnected from the source of spiritual life that Jesus was offering.
Just like every human is designed to be physically sustained with fresh water, spiritually every human is designed to interact with our creator; to receive the living water that only he can offer. Our spirit thirsts for this (Ps 42:1-2 ESV). But this world offers, and sometimes we create, our own alternatives that prevent our spirit from engaging in with the Spirit of God. We carve out spiritual cisterns and attempt to sustain ourselves, seek fulfillment, quench that spiritual thirst with things that are less than best less than God has for us less than Himself.
Jer 2:13 (ESV) for my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water.
Ultimately, every cistern leaks out, evaporates away, or becomes stagnant. Every attempt to satisfy spiritual longing with something other than a direct and active relationship with Jesus will eventually end with us finding ourselves standing in the mud at the bottom of a pit.
Cisterns Become Dungeons:
Joseph (The one with the coat) - Gen. 37:24
The Prophet Jeremiah - Jer. 38:6
King David - Ps. 40:2
The Nation of Israel - Zech. 9:11
Cisterns as Prisons or Traps
Joseph - Gen. 37:24
Jeremiah - Jer. 38:6
David - Ps. 40:2
Nation of Israel - Zech 9:11
For the woman at the well, from what we know of her, she had been married 5 times before and was currently living with a guy that wasn’t her husband. She was chasing fulfillment outside of her creator and had found herself at the bottom of a pit. We don’t know the details or the history but it’s clear this isn’t the only cistern she’s trapped in.
Social Structure - Woman - Ref: Jewish morning blessing
Ethnic Bigotry - Samaritan - Worse than gentiles - Ref: Intermarige, corrupted the faith (700-900 remaining)
Religious Regulation - Specific requirements and rituals - Ref: Torah (Pentateuch) only, Mt. Gerizim vs. Jerusalem
These were all systems she found herself impacted by, though they were man-made substitutes for God’s divine order, values, and purposes.
The miracle here is not that Jesus supernaturally knew her relational situation and her history. It’s that through the revelation of who he was. This woman who would have been considered socially and religiously unredeemable, declares her faith in the Promises of God and responds to the revelation that Jesus is the Messiah.
This was possible because Jesus refused to climb down into the cisterns she was trapped in but instead called her to rise above the pits she’d dug or been forced into. He did this simply by introducing her to who He was and inviting her to function exactly how He’d designed her… as one who would worship in spirit and in truth.
Relying on Spiritual Cisterns:
In Our Own Lives
Leans on our own values and judgement in pursuit of our personal desires.
Leaves us looking for the “next” replacement when the current one inevitably drys up.
Offered to Others
Presents our own opinions, ideals, expectations, or solutions branded as God’s.
Misrepresents the gospel and inhibits the powerful work of God through our lives to expand His kingdom
Relying on Spiritual Cisterns:
One of the biggest inhibitors to experiencing the powerful move of God in our lives is when we replace him knowingly or otherwise with systems, experiences, or pursuits that appear to meet our needs but ultimately become traps.
Relies on our own values and judgement in pursuit of our personal desires.
Leaves us looking for the “next” replacement when the current one inevitably drys up.
Attempting to interact with others on the Lord’s behalf in a manner that isn’t aligned with His character or mission.
Presents our own opinions, ideals, expectations, or solutions branded as God’s.
Misrepresents the gospel and inhibits the powerful work of God through our lives to expand His kingdom.
Offering Living Water From the Source:
Action not Anticipation - John 4:35
Jesus is intentionally proactive in reaching out.
Identity over Ideology - John 14:6
Jesus presents Himself, not a platform.
Sincerity without Ceremony - Isa 58:2-8
Jesus wants our worship, not our performance.
Decisions before Discipleship - 2 Cor. 5:18-20a
Jesus invites us to follow before He tells us where to go.
__________________________________________________________
Offering Living Water From the Source:
John 7:38 (ESV) Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’”
Christians have been given the gift of the Holy Spirit who is with us at all times, but if we are to effectively lead others to discover the source of life that’s available to them, we must submit to His way. Not simply a set of actions that miraculously reveals the truth to those we engage with but an all encompassing way of life.
Action not Anticipation - Jesus went intentionality out of his way into this town, sacrificed his personal needs (he was hungry and tired), and made a point of engaging with this woman
There’s a time and place to let your life bear witness but we can’t just stand back and wait for God to do our part for us. He has empowered us with His Holy Spirit and commissioned us to make disciples.
John 4:35
Relationship over Ideology - Jesus didn’t lead by addressing the sinful social, cultural, or religious pollution that had led this woman to where she was. He functions outside of these missional distractions, to meet her where she was at and give her the opportunity to respond to Him directly.
Some things appear to be life-giving, problem answering, or even Godly or at least “God-adjacent” but can end up becoming barriers to the miracles God wants to do if either they don’t align with scripture or they eclipse our efforts toward the great commission.
Cultural warfare
Political, social, or religious engagement
Good works
John 14:6
Sincerity without Ceremony - Jesus rejected the complex symbolism of where to worship and what rules to follow in favor of a clear simple truth… “I AM the Messiah.” True worship will draw all eyes to Him as His kingdom expands through our actions.
Jesus explains that the Father is seeking true worshipers; those who worship in spirit and truth. True worship is defined by God as honoring Him with actions and attitudes that reflect His character.
Is 58:2-8
Decisions before Discipleship - Jesus didn’t shy away from acknowledging some aspects of the woman’s life that were misaligned with Heaven but he didn’t prioritize aligning anything except her understanding of who He was and the choice she had to believe.
Jesus begins his good work of sanctification in us after we acknowledge him as our Savior-King. Our message is first and foremost the good news of redemption by grace with the call for repentance as the response.
2 Cor. 5:18-20a
Genesis 39:11–20 (ESV) But one day, when he went into the house to do his work and none of the men of the house was there in the house, she caught him by his garment, saying, “Lie with me.” But he left his garment in her hand and fled and got out of the house. And as soon as she saw that he had left his garment in her hand and had fled out of the house, she called to the men of her household and said to them, “See, he has brought among us a Hebrew to laugh at us. He came in to me to lie with me, and I cried out with a loud voice. And as soon as he heard that I lifted up my voice and cried out, he left his garment beside me and fled and got out of the house.” Then she laid up his garment by her until his master came home, and she told him the same story, saying, “The Hebrew servant, whom you have brought among us, came in to me to laugh at me. But as soon as I lifted up my voice and cried, he left his garment beside me and fled out of the house.” As soon as his master heard the words that his wife spoke to him, “This is the way your servant treated me,” his anger was kindled. And Joseph’s master took him and put him into the prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined, and he was there in prison.
The Ninth Commandment - Exodus 20:16 (ESV) “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
This Is The Core Of Who The Devil Is - Revelation 12:10 (ESV) …for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God.
He Lied About God In The Garden - Genesis 3:4–5 (ESV) But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
He Lied About Jesus Repeatedly
Accused of casting out demons by the power of Satan (Beelzebub/prince of demons): Pharisees and scribes falsely claimed Jesus’ exorcisms were empowered by demonic forces rather than the Holy Spirit (a lie that Jesus called the unforgivable blasphemy against the Holy Spirit). Matthew 9:34; Matthew 12:24; Mark 3:22; Luke 11:15.
Accused of blasphemy for forgiving sins: Scribes and Pharisees charged Jesus with blasphemy when He declared a paralytic’s sins forgiven, saying only God can do that (ignoring His divine authority). Matthew 9:2-3; Mark 2:6-7; Luke 5:20-21.
Accused of being a glutton, drunkard, and friend of sinners: Critics lied that Jesus was indulgent and immoral because He ate and drank with tax collectors and outcasts (contrasting Him with John the Baptist). Matthew 11:19; Luke 7:34.
Accused of having a demon or being insane/mad: Many Jews claimed Jesus was demon-possessed or delusional, dismissing His teachings. John 7:20; John 8:48-52; John 10:20-21.
Accused of deceiving or misleading the people: Some in the crowd falsely labeled Jesus a deceiver who was stirring up trouble or leading people astray. John 7:12; also echoed in broader charges like John 7:47.
Accused of breaking the Sabbath (and related blasphemy): Pharisees repeatedly accused Jesus (and His disciples) of unlawful Sabbath work (e.g., healing or plucking grain), plotting to accuse Him formally; this escalated to claims of making Himself equal with God. Matthew 12:1-14 (disciples’ grain and withered hand healing); John 5:16-18 (healing at Bethesda pool).
False testimony at the Sanhedrin trial about destroying the temple: Multiple false witnesses lied that Jesus claimed He would destroy the temple made with hands and rebuild it in three days (a distortion of John 2:19, where He spoke of His body). Their testimonies didn’t even agree. Matthew 26:59-61; Mark 14:55-59.
Accused of blasphemy for claiming to be the Christ/Son of God: After Jesus affirmed He was the Messiah (and referenced Daniel 7/Psalm 110), the high priest tore his robes and declared it blasphemy, leading the council to condemn Him to death. Matthew 26:63-66; Mark 14:61-64; Luke 22:66-71.
Accused before Pilate and Roman authorities of perverting the nation, opposing taxes to Caesar, and claiming kingship (treason/sedition): Jewish leaders twisted Jesus’ teachings into political crimes (e.g., He actually taught “render to Caesar what is Caesar’s” in Matthew 22:21); they also called Him an evildoer/malefactor and stirred up the people. Pilate found no guilt, but the false charges led to crucifixion (with the inscription “King of the Jews”). Luke 23:1-5 (main charges); John 18:30 (“malefactor”); John 19:12; Mark 15:2-3; Matthew 27:11-14.
He Will Lie About You (Through Others)
WHEN FALSELY ACCUSED…
Give It To God, Let Him Handle It - FOLLOW Jesus!
Proverbs 19:5 (ESV) A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will not escape.
Isaiah 54:17 (ESV) no weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD and their vindication from me, declares the LORD.”
Release Through Forgiveness… To The Lord’s Justice
Romans 12:19–21 (ESV) Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Your reactions will complicate the picture
Your wrong actions will have their own consequences
Luke 23:34 (ESV) And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.
Suffer Well, _______________________ Is Watching.
The Devil And His Demons
Your Enemy - Proverbs 25:21–22 (ESV) If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.
Unbelievers You Are Trying to Win - Matthew 5:16 (ESV) In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Your Friends
Your Family, Your Children
The Host Of Heaven - Hebrews 12:1–5 (ESV) Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him.
Closing
Galatians 6:9 (ESV) And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
Hebrews 10:36 (ESV) For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.
(Genesis 39:1-21) Genesis 39:6–8 (ESV) So he left all that he had in Joseph’s charge, and because of him he had no concern about anything but the food he ate. Now Joseph was handsome in form and appearance. And after a time his master’s wife cast her eyes on Joseph and said, “Lie with me.” But he refused.
Joseph Was Distinctive: The Favor/Purpose Of The Father Was Tangible
His Coat (Favor): Genesis 37:3–4 (ESV) Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his sons, because he was the son of his old age. And he made him a robe of many colors. But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peacefully to him.
His Dream (Purpose): Genesis 37:10–11 (ESV) But when he told it to his father and to his brothers, his father rebuked him and said to him, “What is this dream that you have dreamed? Shall I and your mother and your brothers indeed come to bow ourselves to the ground before you?” And his brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the saying in mind.
Joseph is in prison because of his coat and his dream
Joseph is in prison because of the touch of the father, and the calling of the father.
They were jealous - the same touch/favor were available to them as well.
His brothers destroyed the coat to remove the father’s touch and sold him to remove the father’s calling
Genesis 37:10–11 (ESV) But when he told it to his father and to his brothers, his father rebuked him and said to him, “What is this dream that you have dreamed? Shall I and your mother and your brothers indeed come to bow ourselves to the ground before you?” And his brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the saying in mind.
The Father’s Favor And Purpose Remained - Genesis 39:2–5 (ESV) The LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, and he was in the house of his Egyptian master. His master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD caused all that he did to succeed in his hands. So Joseph found favor in his sight and attended him, and he made him overseer of his house and put him in charge of all that he had. From the time that he made him overseer in his house and over all that he had, the LORD blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; the blessing of the LORD was on all that he had, in house and field.
Favor Attacked By A SUBSTITUTE For God’s Gift Of SEX
Genesis 39:7–8 (ESV) And after a time his master’s wife cast her eyes on Joseph and said, “Lie with me.” But he refused and said to his master’s wife,
This is an iconic crossroads in life, desiring to pull you out of alignment with God’s favor.
At first glance, it’s just sex.
Physical
Natural desires
Companionship - I’m all alone (hard to marry-slave)
Physical escape from difficulty circumstances
Emotional
Being wanted by someone attractive/powerful
Reward for the unfair trial
Entitlement - deserved for accomplishments
Gateway to life goals.
For all these reasons, the average person gives in.
He’s already a physical slave, but an emotional/spiritual slavery is attempting to take over.
From 30,000 ft up, this is a bigger attack on favor/calling than his brothers.
No issue will ever challenge favor like your sexuality.
Sexuality is the #1 test you will every face
Unavoidable experiences in childhood
Poor decisions during youth
Unknown doors opened in the spiritual realm
1 Corinthians 6:15–19 (ESV) Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! Or do you not know that he who is joined to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, “The two will become one flesh.” But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,
It’s why so many children are attacked at a young age.
Pollute a person’s sexuality, and the impact is massive.
No Issue Will Challenge Favor Like Your Sexuality
It will take an and pollute a mile.
Adultery (Sexual relations with a married person)
Exodus 20:14; Leviticus 20:10; Matthew 5:27–28; Proverbs 6:32.
Fornication / Sexual Immorality (A broad term—Greek porneia—covering sex outside of marriage)
1 Corinthians 6:18; 1 Thessalonians 4:3; Galatians 5:19; Hebrews 13:4.
Incest (Sexual relations with close relatives)
Leviticus 18:6–18; Leviticus 20:11–12, 14, 17, 19–21; 1 Corinthians 5:1.
Homosexual Acts (Same-sex sexual activity)
Leviticus 18:22; Leviticus 20:13; Romans 1:26–27; 1 Corinthians 6:9; 1 Timothy 1:10.
Bestiality (Sexual relations with animals)
Exodus 22:19; Leviticus 18:23; Leviticus 20:15–16; Deuteronomy 27:21.
Prostitution (Engaging in or soliciting sexual services for hire)
Leviticus 19:29; Deuteronomy 23:17–18; 1 Corinthians 6:15–16.
Rape / Sexual Assault
Deuteronomy 22:25–27; Genesis 34:1–7.
Effeminacy / Cross-Dressing (Cultural expressions of gender subversion in a sexual/moral context)
Deuteronomy 22:5; 1 Corinthians 6:9 (specifically the term malakoi in some translations).
Lust (Cultivating sexual desire for someone not one's spouse)
Matthew 5:28; Job 31:1; 1 John 2:16.
Sensuality / Lasciviousness (Lack of restraint; promoting lewdness)
Galatians 5:19; Ephesians 4:19; Jude 1:4.
Impurity / Uncleanness (Moral or ritual defilement related to sexual conduct)
Colossians 3:5; Ephesians 5:3; Romans 1:24.
Seduction of a Virgin (Sex with an unbetrothed woman)
Exodus 22:16–17; Deuteronomy 22:28–29.
Cult Prostitution (Sexual acts as part of pagan worship)
1 Kings 14:24; 2 Kings 23:7; Hosea 4:14.
The Beauty Of Sex - (8) We believe that Christian marriage was established by God, confirmed by Jesus, and is between a man and a woman. We believe that sex is a gift from God designed for intimacy and procreation within marriage.
Created by God - Matthew 19:4–6 (ESV) He answered, “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.”
For Companionship/Unity/Intamacy
Genesis 2:24: "Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh."
Matthew 19:5–6: "...and the two shall become one flesh? So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate."
For Pleasure/Protection
1 Corinthians 7:5: "Do not deprive one another... so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control."
1 Corinthians 7:2: "But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband."
For Pro-Creation (no more reflective of God than when you have kids)
Genesis 1:28: "And God blessed them. And God said to them, 'Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it...'"
Psalm 127:3–5 (ESV) Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.
Between
Recapture Your Sexuality. Recapture Your Alignment For Favor/Purpose
Ephesians 5:3 (NIV) But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.
1 John 1:9 (ESV) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
CONFESS - homologeō
Homos - same
Logos - word or speak
To speak the same thing. To agree with Scripture/GOD
CLEANSE - katharos
To be made pure, clean, or unstained
Scripture: Genesis 37:28, 36 ESV Then Midianite traders passed by. And they drew Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. They took Joseph to Egypt… sold him in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guard.
How did this happen to Joseph? Why do bad things happen?
If God is all powerful and loving, why would he allow this?
Why The Will Of God Does Not Happen:
Free Will: Adam Genesis 3:17–19 (ESV) And to Adam he said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, ‘You shall not eat of it,’ cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life; thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”
Free Will: Mankind - Genesis 4:8 (ESV) Cain spoke to Abel his brother. And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him.
Free Will: YOU
Deuteronomy 30:19–20 (ESV) I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the LORD your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.”
Joshua 24:14–15 (ESV) “Now therefore fear the LORD and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond 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.”
1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV) No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
Free Will: Enemy King That Goes Unrestrained
Ephesians 2:1–2 (ESV) And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—
2 Corinthians 4:4 (ESV) In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
Luke 22:31–32 (ESV) “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”
1 Peter 5:8–9 (ESV) Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.
Not everything that happens is the will of God.
God doesn’t want anyone to sin, but they do
God didn’t want Adam to die, but he did
Jesus wanted to heal everyone in his hometown, but he couldn’t because of their unbelief
Jesus didn’t want you to go through the things you did, but you did.
You were outside the perfect will of God…
Navigating The “Outside The Will Of God”
Function In Your Authority In The Spirit - Ephesians 6:10–13 (ESV) Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.
Fellowship With Him While Suffering - Philippians 3:10-11 (ESV) that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.
Suffer Well To Experience Transformation
Romans 5:3–5 (ESV) Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
James 1:2–4 (ESV) Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
1 Peter 5:10 (ESV) And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.
“Truly I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do. And he will do even greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.” John 14:12-14 CSB
Jesus is speaking to his disciples after the Passover Feast - the last supper - and he’s telling them he’s leaving but they can’t follow him yet.
Thomas says, “We don’t know where you are going? How can we know the way?” John 14:5
Jesus, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. If you know me, you will also know my father. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” John 14:6
Jesus, “The words I speak to you I do not speak on my own. The Father who lives in me does His works. Believe me that I am in the father and the father is in me. Otherwise, believe because of the works themselves.” John 14:10-11
“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”Philippians 2:5-8(ESV)
All that Jesus did, God did through him. Jesus is telling us that we have access to the Father through Him, and in Him we can do greater works than even Jesus did.
Do you feel qualified?
God Qualifies the Called
“God does not call the qualified. He qualifies the called.” Mark Batterson, The Circle Maker: Praying Circles Around Your Biggest Dreams and Greatest Fears
We see this throughout scripture. Here are just a few examples:
Joseph - A despised younger brother sold into slavery then imprisoned. Genesis 37, 39
God helps him interpret dreams - saves his family and Egypt from a famine. Gen. 39, 41
Moses - Not eloquent, slow of speech and tongue - killed someone Exodus 4:10-12 2:1-12
God calls him to lead the people out of Egypt. Exodus 3:10-12
David - A shepherd boy and the youngest son. 1 Samuel 16:11
God gives him strength and courage to kill a giant - becomes King 1 Samuel 17:45-47
The First Disciples - Fishermen, a tax collector, other unspecified jobs - Matt. 3:18-21
Jesus calls them to be fishers of men. Matthew 4:19
Jesus commissions them to make disciples of all nations. Matt. 28:16-20
Jesus sends them to preach, to have authority to cast out demons. Mark 3:14-15
Saul/Paul - Persecuted early Christians and tried to destroy the church Gal. 1:13
Preaches that Jesus is the Son of God and spreads the gospel to gentiles Acts 9:20
Romans 3:23 NIV “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
God Qualified Peter to do the Miraculous
Fisherman turned disciple - Matt. 4:18-20
Walked on water - Matt. 14:28-31
Renamed Peter (Rock) from Simon - John 1:42 Matt. 16:18
Confesses Jesus is the Messiah - Matt. 16:18
Rebuked Jesus and was corrected - Matt. 16:21-23
Saw Jesus Transfigured - Matt. 17:1-5
Cut off the servant’s ear - John 18:10
Denied knowing Jesus 3 times - Matt. 26:69–75, Mark 14:66–72, Luke 22:55–62, and John 18:15-27
Restored by Jesus (Feed my sheep) - John 21:15-19
--------------------------------
Preached at Pentecost- first sermon - 3,000 people come to believe - Acts 2
Healed a lame man - Acts 3:1-10
Preached in Solomon’s Colonnade - second sermon - 5,000 believe - Acts 3:11- Acts 4:4
Arrested and testified about Jesus before the Sanhedrin - Acts 4:1-22
Judgment resulting in death of Ananias and Sapphira - Acts 5:1-10
Healed the sick and those with “unclean spirits” - Acts 5:12-16
Arrested, put on trial and flogged - Acts 5:17-42
Healed a paralyzed man, Aeneas - Acts 9:32-35
Raised Tabitha (Dorcas) from the dead - Acts 9:36-43
Received a vision, then defended the gospel being for Gentiles too- Acts 10 - Acts 11:18
Imprisoned again then rescued by an angel - Acts 12:1-18
Writes 1 & 2 Peter
Crucified around 66 yrs. Old
Notes From Time Before Jesus Ascended:
During his time as a disciple of Jesus, Peter saw many miracles and experienced some directly - walking on water - coin in the fish’s mouth - mother-in-law healed.
Disciples were given authority to heal and cast out demons. Matt. 10, Luke 9
Reasonable to think Peter had done miracles while Jesus was alive too.
The specific miracles Peter does begin in Acts, after the resurrection and the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.
Notes About Peter’s Specific Miracles
First sermon: after the Holy Spirit descended upon them and they started speaking in different tongues. Some sneered and tried to say they were drunk.
Peter spoke up and and rebuke them and gave his first sermon.
Takes a lot to speak in front of a large group. Jerry Sinfield joke: people would rather be the one in the coffin than giving the eulogy.
3,000 people were baptized after his message!
Healed a lame man: A man who couldn’t walk since birth was carried to the temple so he could beg as people came by. Peter and John walked by and he asked them for money.
Peter said, “I don’t have silver or gold but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk! Then, taking him by the right hand he raised him up, and at once his feet and ankles became strong.” Acts 3:6-7
Peter was doing as Jesus did!
BY FAITH: Acts 3:16 Peter tells the people, “By faith in his name, his name has made this man strong…”
Judgment resulting in death of Ananias and Sapphira: Acts 5:1-10
Ananias and his wife Sapphira sold some property but decided to keep some for themselves.
Shows Peter had supernatural knowledge of the actual amount Ananias and Sapphira sold their property for.
When Ananias came in and lied to the Holy Spirit he died. After Sapphira came in and lied about the amount too, Peter prophesied she would die too.
Healed the sick and those with “unclean spirits”: Acts 5:12-16
Many signs and wonders were being done among the people through the hands of the apostles. They were all together in Solomon’s Colonnade. 13 No one else dared to join them, but the people spoke well of them. 14 Believers were added to the Lord in increasing numbers—multitudes of both men and women. 15 As a result, they would carry the sick out into the streets and lay them on cots and mats so that when Peter came by, at least his shadow might fall on some of them. 16 In addition, a multitude came together from the towns surrounding Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.
Healing Aeneas a paralyzed and bedridden man of 8 years.
Acts 9:34 “Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and make your bed, and immediately he got up.”
Raised Tabitha (Dorcas) from the dead!
Dorcas was a disciple - a follower of Jesus
She became sick and died
Two other disciples went and got Peter who was in a nearby town.
He sent everyone out of the room. He knelt, prayed and told her to get up!
Peter went from being a fisherman to a fisher of men! Jesus called Peter and Peter followed him until the day Peter died around 66 years old.
God Calls Us to Follow Him
And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Matthew 4:19
"If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me" Luke 9:23, Matthew 16:24
"Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life" John 8:12
"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me" John 10:27
"If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also" John 12:26
Notes:
Peter started off as a fisherman. He was called to follow Jesus and he did.
Through walking and talking with Jesus and watching and listening, Peter learned who Jesus was.
After 3 years, it didn’t stop him from making mistakes. Called out many times
He kept believing and learning and growing. He kept following
After Jesus ascended into Heaven and the disciples were in the upper room, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and then Peter started to lead.
Do as Jesus did!
Matthew 28:19-20 “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the father and of the son and of the holy spirit teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember I am with you always to the end of the age.”
We’ve been commissioned to go out into the world to do miraculous things. Leading people into the fullness of forgiveness and redemption and who they are called to be in Christ is no less than miraculous! Jesus dying, defeating death, and redeeming us from our sins is a miracle! The fullness of that miracle won’t fully be realized until we die but there is nothing more miraculous than being made clean and living with our creator.
God Equips Us
With different gifts Romans 12:6-8
Prophesying, Serving, Teaching, Encouraging, Giving, Leading, Showing Mercy
“We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully”
Through the Holy Spirit 1 Corinthians 12:7-11
A message of wisdom, a message of knowledge, faith, gifts of healing, miraculous powers, prophecy, distinguishing between spirits, speaking in tongues, interpreting tongues
“Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.”
Through the grace given to us through Jesus 2 Timothy 1:9-10
“…not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace….”
“He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, 10 but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.”
With qualities that keep us from being unfruitful 2 Peter 1:3-8
Faith, Goodness, Self-Control, Endurance, Godliness, Brotherly Affection, Love
“His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 By these he has given us very great and precious promises, so that through them you may share in the divine nature, escaping the corruption that is in the world because of evil desire. 5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with goodness, goodness with knowledge, 6 knowledge with self-control, self-control with endurance, endurance with godliness, 7 godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being useless or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
John 15:1-8 Jesus is the vine and we are the branches. Those who remain in him will produce much fruit, because we can do nothing without him.
Romans 8:11 “And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, then he who raised Christ from the dead will also bring your mortal bodies to life through his Spirit who lives in you.”
If the Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you - (Romans 8:11) then you don’t have to do this in your own strength. You have the strength of God with you. No matter how strong you are on your own, you are not strong enough without the power of God living inside you. He’s given us everything we need to live for Him!
God is calling you to follow Him! As you step out in faith and obedience, he equips you with what you need and qualifies you for what he calls you to do.
Acts 4:13 NIV - When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.
Overcoming Family Dysfunction
Scripture: Genesis 37:20 ESV “Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits. Then we will say that a fierce animal has devoured him, and we will see what will become of his dreams.””
Family Dysfunction In This Chapter
Genesis 37:4 (ESV) But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peacefully to him.
Genesis 37:5 ESV “Now Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers they hated him even more.”
Genesis 37:8 ESV “His brothers said to him, “Are you indeed to reign over us? Or are you indeed to rule over us?” So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words.”
Genesis 37:11 “And his brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the saying in mind.”
Genesis 37:18 ESV “They saw him from afar, and before he came near to them they conspired against him to kill him.”
Genesis 37:20 ESV “Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits. Then we will say that a fierce animal has devoured him, and we will see what will become of his dreams.””
Genesis 37:23-24 ESV “So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe, the robe of many colors that he wore. And they took him and threw him into a pit. The pit was empty; there was no water in it.”
Genesis 37:26-27 ESV “Then Judah said to his brothers, “What profit is it if we kill our brother and conceal his blood? Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him, for he is our brother, our own flesh.” And his brothers listened to him.”
Genesis 37:31-33 ESV “Then they took Joseph’s robe and slaughtered a goat and dipped the robe in the blood. And they sent the robe of many colors and brought it to their father and said, “This we have found; please identify whether it is your son’s robe or not.” And he identified it and said, “It is my son’s robe. A fierce animal has devoured him. Joseph is without doubt torn to pieces.””
Generational Dysfunction Before This Chapter
1. Abraham’s Generation
Deception/Lying: Abraham twice claimed his wife, Sarah, was only his sister out of fear for his own life, putting Sarah in danger (Genesis 12:10–20; Genesis 20:1–18).
Sexual Sin/Lack of Faith: Sarah encouraged Abraham to sleep with her maidservant, Hagar, to produce an heir, an act outside of God's original plan for marriage, leading to significant strife (Genesis 16).
2. Isaac’s Generation
Favoritism: Both Isaac and Rebekah practiced favoritism toward their sons, which laid the foundation for future division and conflict in the family.
Isaac loved Esau because he enjoyed his wild game, while Rebekah loved Jacob (Genesis 25:28).
3. Jacob’s Generation
Deception/Lying: Rebekah and Jacob conspired to deceive Isaac, who was old and blind, so that Jacob could steal the spiritual and material blessing intended for his older brother, Esau (Genesis 27).
Sibling Rivalry/Malice: The deception led to intense hatred, causing Esau to vow to kill Jacob, forcing Jacob to flee the land (Genesis 27:41).
4. Jacob (Israel)’s Sons’ Generation
Violence and Malice: Simeon and Levi committed a treacherous act of murder against the entire male population of Shechem in revenge for the rape of their sister, Dinah (Genesis 34). Jacob later condemned their anger and violence on his deathbed (Genesis 49:5–7).
Sexual Sin/Violation of Authority: Reuben, Jacob’s firstborn, slept with his father’s concubine, Bilhah. This gross violation of patriarchal authority and sexual purity resulted in him losing his preeminence and birthright (Genesis 35:22; Genesis 49:3–4).
Favoritism, Hatred, and Violence:
Jacob repeated the sin of his parents by practicing blatant favoritism, loving Joseph more than his other sons and giving him the famous "robe of many colors" (Genesis 37:3).
The brothers' jealousy and hatred grew, leading them to plot to kill Joseph and ultimately selling him into slavery to passing traders (Genesis 37:4, 18–28).
Deception/Lying: To conceal their crime, the brothers dipped Joseph's robe in goat’s blood and lied to their father, causing him prolonged grief (Genesis 37:31–35).
Deception and Sexual Sin (Judah): Judah, one of the brothers, had his own history of sexual sin when he mistakenly slept with his widowed daughter-in-law, Tamar, who disguised herself as a prostitute after he had refused to give her his third son in marriage (Genesis 38).
DYSFUNCTION: Misalignment With God’s Word
We All Unknowingly Grow Up In A Level Of Dysfunction
We Recognize It When It “Gets On Us”
We Struggle To Recognize When It “Gets In Us”
Part Of Discipleship Is The Transformation Of Our Dysfunction
Overcoming Family Dysfunction: Live In The Word
The Word Brings Spiritual Life - Matthew 4:3–4 (ESV) And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But he answered, “It is written, “ ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ”
Manna - Exodus 16:19–21 (ESV) And Moses said to them, “Let no one leave any of it over till the morning.” But they did not listen to Moses. Some left part of it till the morning, and it bred worms and stank. And Moses was angry with them. Morning by morning they gathered it, each as much as he could eat; but when the sun grew hot, it melted.
The Word Reveals Dysfunction Within You - James 1:23–25 (ESV) For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.
Following Jesus, some of it will just fall off
The Word will reveal a manageable load at a time that is still attacjed
Daily reading is like the finest of sandpaper - it hurts less
Being in a Bible preaching/teaching church will expose chunks
Podcasts/Books will help to fine tune
The Word Reveals Dysfunction Around You - Hebrews 4:12–13 (ESV) For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
Lies believed will influence behavior
We are being lied to on a level that is shocking
It is more effective now because of SM proximity
Double Speak - The phrase "double speak" is a general term often associated with, and influenced by, George Orwell's famous dystopian novel, Nineteen Eighty-Four (1984).
In modern usage, "doublespeak" is an unofficial, umbrella term used to describe language that deliberately obscures, disguises, distorts, or reverses the meaning of words. It is commonly used as a way to make the bad seem good, the negative appear positive, or to avoid taking responsibility for actions.
Pro-Choice - a forced choice to embrace the death of a child
Inclusivity - the exclusion of Biblical principles, and the celebration of things disallowed
Gender affirming care - Gender Rejection
Affirmative Action - Opposition Action
Undocumented Individuals
Overcoming Family Dysfunction: Live In The Holy Spirit
Four Types Of Followers: Positional, Cerebral, Emotional or Spiritual
Positional - admission of Jesus’ Lordship
Cerebral - arguing Jesus’ Lordship
Emotional - feeling Jesus’ Lordship
Spiritual - engaging Jesus’ Lordship
The Holy Spirit will reveal, guide, and empower you.
Spiritual Revelation: 1 Corinthians 2:10 (NIV) - "These are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God."
Guidance and Truth: John 16:13 (NIV) - "But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come."
Teaching and Remembering: John 14:26 (NIV) - "But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you."
Prayer Directed At The ISSUE (Intercession): Romans 8:26 (NIV) - "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans."
Freedom/Transformation 2 Corinthians 3:17-18 ESV “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.”
Scripture: Genesis 37:4 (ESV) But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peacefully to him.
DYSFUNCTION: Misalignment With God’s Word
We All Unknowingly Grow Up In A Level Of Dysfunction
We Begin To Recognize It As It “Gets On Us”
We Struggle To Recognize When It’s Gotten Inside Of Us
God Wants To Remove It With Our Participation
Family Dysfunction In This Chapter
Genesis 37:5 ESV “Now Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers they hated him even more.”
Genesis 37:8 ESV “His brothers said to him, “Are you indeed to reign over us? Or are you indeed to rule over us?” So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words.”
Genesis 37:11 “And his brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the saying in mind.”
Genesis 37:18 ESV “They saw him from afar, and before he came near to them they conspired against him to kill him.”
Genesis 37:20 ESV “Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits. Then we will say that a fierce animal has devoured him, and we will see what will become of his dreams.””
Genesis 37:23-24 ESV “So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe, the robe of many colors that he wore. And they took him and threw him into a pit. The pit was empty; there was no water in it.”
Genesis 37:26-27 ESV “Then Judah said to his brothers, “What profit is it if we kill our brother and conceal his blood? Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him, for he is our brother, our own flesh.” And his brothers listened to him.”
Genesis 37:31-33 ESV “Then they took Joseph’s robe and slaughtered a goat and dipped the robe in the blood. And they sent the robe of many colors and brought it to their father and said, “This we have found; please identify whether it is your son’s robe or not.” And he identified it and said, “It is my son’s robe. A fierce animal has devoured him. Joseph is without doubt torn to pieces.””
Generational Dysfunction Before This Chapter
1. Abraham’s Generation
Deception/Lying: Abraham twice claimed his wife, Sarah, was only his sister out of fear for his own life, putting Sarah in danger (Genesis 12:10–20; Genesis 20:1–18).
Sexual Sin/Lack of Faith: Sarah encouraged Abraham to sleep with her maidservant, Hagar, to produce an heir, an act outside of God's original plan for marriage, leading to significant strife (Genesis 16).
2. Isaac’s Generation
Favoritism: Both Isaac and Rebekah practiced favoritism toward their sons, which laid the foundation for future division and conflict in the family.
Isaac loved Esau because he enjoyed his wild game, while Rebekah loved Jacob (Genesis 25:28).
3. Jacob’s Generation
Deception/Lying: Rebekah and Jacob conspired to deceive Isaac, who was old and blind, so that Jacob could steal the spiritual and material blessing intended for his older brother, Esau (Genesis 27).
Sibling Rivalry/Malice: The deception led to intense hatred, causing Esau to vow to kill Jacob, forcing Jacob to flee the land (Genesis 27:41).
4. Jacob (Israel)’s Sons’ Generation
Violence and Malice: Simeon and Levi committed a treacherous act of murder against the entire male population of Shechem in revenge for the rape of their sister, Dinah (Genesis 34). Jacob later condemned their anger and violence on his deathbed (Genesis 49:5–7).
Sexual Sin/Violation of Authority: Reuben, Jacob’s firstborn, slept with his father’s concubine, Bilhah. This gross violation of patriarchal authority and sexual purity resulted in him losing his preeminence and birthright (Genesis 35:22; Genesis 49:3–4).
Favoritism, Hatred, and Violence:
Jacob repeated the sin of his parents by practicing blatant favoritism, loving Joseph more than his other sons and giving him the famous "robe of many colors" (Genesis 37:3).
The brothers' jealousy and hatred grew, leading them to plot to kill Joseph and ultimately selling him into slavery to passing traders (Genesis 37:4, 18–28).
Deception/Lying: To conceal their crime, the brothers dipped Joseph's robe in goat’s blood and lied to their father, causing him prolonged grief (Genesis 37:31–35).
Deception and Sexual Sin (Judah): Judah, one of the brothers, had his own history of sexual sin when he mistakenly slept with his widowed daughter-in-law, Tamar, who disguised herself as a prostitute after he had refused to give her his third son in marriage (Genesis 38).
Can You Identify Family Dysfunction On/In HYou?
Affectionless Relationships
Demeaning Comments
Parents Who Undermine One Another
Poor Financial Decisions
Addictions That Rob The Family
Violence
Helicopter Parents
"Hard times create strong men. Strong men create good times. Good times create weak men. Weak men create hard times."
Identity via Child - manipulate children, outcomes are “theirs”
Virtue via Child - manipulate children, valuations are theirs
Stockholm syndrome
Crossdressing syndrome
Why Is It There Family Dysfunction?
Lack Of Knowledge
Entrenched Dysfunction (not mental health)
External Influence (relational, cultural or spiritual)
A Failure To Lead
Overcoming Family Dysfunction
Follow Jesus Engaged With The Holy Spirit
Following Jesus gives you and your family to best chance of abundant life
Four Types Of Followers: Positional, Cerebral, Emotional or Spiritual
The Holy Spirit will reveal, guide, and empower you.
Spiritual Revelation: 1 Corinthians 2:10 (NIV) - "These are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God."
Guidance and Truth: John 16:13 (NIV) - "But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come."
Teaching and Remembering: John 14:26 (NIV) - "But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you."
Prayer Directed At The ISSUE (Intercession): Romans 8:26 (NIV) - "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans."
Freedom/Transformation 2 Corinthians 3:17-18 ESV “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.”
Daniel 3:24-25 (ESV)
24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished and rose up in haste. He declared to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?” They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.” 25 He answered and said, “But I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.”
Today, I will be taking my story out of the book of Daniel. We will be looking at the specific posture of faith these men took that positioned them for God’s intervention.
Summarizing the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego:
Jerusalem was taken captive by Babylon
King Nebuchadnezzar wanted to educate their best youth in the literature and language of the Chaldeans (highly educated class of men who serve the king)
Three of the youths we know as Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego; who were later appointed over affairs of the province
King Nebuchadnezzar decided to make a statue of gold for all in Babylon to worship
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refused to obey the king’s command
The Chaldeans maliciously accused the Jews of being insubordanate to the king’s order
The king was furious at this and threatened them
Nebuchadnezzar had the three Hebrews thrown into the fiery furnace
He looked and saw four men walking around, unharmed
Nebuchadnezzar declared the God of Shadrrach, Meshach and Abednego delivered his servants who trusted in Him
3 Faith Postures In My “Fiery Furnace” Experience
1. Faith Obeys God Even Under Pressure
Daniel 3:16-18
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow to the golden image, even though disobedience meant death in the fiery furnace.
Key truth: Biblical faith chooses obedience to God over cultural pressure, fear, or consequences.
Acts 5:29 (ESV)
“But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.”
Romans 12:2 (ESV)
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Cliche -”WWJD?” - But I find myself asking that often.
2. Faith Trusts God’s Power—But Submits to His Will
Daniel 3:17-18
“Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us… but if not, we will not serve your gods”
Key truth: Faith believes God can act but also trusts Him even if He doesn’t act the way we hope.
Hebrews 11:1 (ESV)
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”
Matthew 26:39 (ESV)
“And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, ‘My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.’”
2 Corinthians 5:7 (ESV)
“For we walk by faith, not by sight.”
3. Faith Experiences God’s Presence in the Fire
Daniel 3:24-25
God didn’t keep them out of the fire—He met them in it. A fourth figure appeared with them, and they were unharmed.
Key truth:
Faith does not promise the absence of trials, but the presence of God in them.
Isaiah 43:2 (ESV)
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.”
Psalm 66:10–12 (ESV)
“For you, O God, have tested us; you have tried us as silver is tried.11 You brought us into the net; you laid a crushing burden on our backs; 12 you let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water; yet you have brought us out to a place of abundance.”
Matthew 28:20 (ESV)
“And behold, I am with you always…”
Hebrews 11:11-12 (ESV)
11 By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.
The Fight For Family First
Genesis 37:4 (ESV) But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peacefully to him.
Today’s Goals:
Recognize where family falls in God’s list of priorities
Review your priorities
Put family back where it belongs, second only to Jesus
Family Is God’s Primary Focus
After Creating Man, God Established Family With/For Him
Genesis 2:18, 24 (ESV) Then the LORD God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.
Genesis 1:28 (ESV) And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
The Priority of Family is seen in Biblical Lineages/Tribes
The Priority of Family is seen in the New Testament Language
Matthew 6:9 (ESV) Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
Galatians 6:10 (NIV) Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
1 Corinthians 4:14–15 (ESV) I do not write these things to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children. For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
We tend as young adults to:
Take good family experience for granted and long to go off to the bigger and better
It is a checkmark in the list of things to do and starting our family becomes a checkmark of things to do.
Take a bad family experience and want to escape it
We separate from our families - God is a god of reconciliation
In trying to be nothing like them we end up carrying our trauma into our families
We often become the very thing we said we would never become
Creating Family is the first thing God did
Calling us to create our families is the second.
Everything else in life is for the sake of the first and second thing.
Everything Works To The Demise Of Family
The Enemy’s Subtle Attack On Her Husband - Genesis 3:1 (ESV) Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?”
Genesis 2:15–17 (ESV) The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it. And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”
Genesis 3:12 (ESV) The man said, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate.”
The Impact: Genesis 3:23–24 (ESV) therefore the LORD God sent him out from the garden of Eden to work the ground from which he was taken. He drove out the man, and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life.
Joseph’s Family
Dad was tricked when he Got married Leah/Rachel
Promised children, but barren Rachel suggested concubines
Mom died giving birth to his brother
Dad favored him to the detriment of his family relationships
Genesis 37:3–4 (ESV) Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his sons, because he was the son of his old age. And he made him a robe of many colors. But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peacefully to him.
Genesis 37:23–24 (ESV) So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe, the robe of many colors that he wore. And they took him and threw him into a pit. The pit was empty; there was no water in it.
Genesis 37:28 (ESV) Then Midianite traders passed by. And they drew Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. They took Joseph to Egypt.
Genesis 37:31–32 (ESV) Then they took Joseph’s robe and slaughtered a goat and dipped the robe in the blood. And they sent the robe of many colors and brought it to their father and said, “This we have found; please identify whether it is your son’s robe or not.”
Genesis 37:36 (ESV) Meanwhile the Midianites had sold him in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guard.
Do you understand that it’s more than good/bad people and good/bad decisions, THE ENEMY IS ATTACKING THE FAMILY IN CONCEPT AND IN EXPERIENCE?
One man, one woman, for a lifetime… children?
Cultural thoughts to the contrary are an evil agenda
Dangerous food, party culture, abortions, DINK Culture, Same sex marriage, Bill Maher
Evil actions that impact your experience, view and pursuit
Food For Though
People Who Make Bad Decisions Are Influenced By More Than You Realize - Luke 23:34 (ESV) And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
A Bad Experience Does Not Negate The Value Of ____.
Family/Church/Relationships
Concept of Family/Church/Relationship
You Are God’s Agent For Restoration/Redemption
Malachi 4:5–6 (ESV) “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes. And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction.”
Boundaries not walls
Genesis 45:7–8 (ESV) And God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. So it was not you who sent me here, but God. He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt.
Injuries become strengths
Genesis 30:22–24 (ESV) Then God remembered Rachel, and God listened to her and opened her womb. She conceived and bore a son and said, “God has taken away my reproach.” And she called his name Joseph, saying, “May the LORD add to me another son!”
Today’s Goals:
See your story in proper context
Understand the Universal Plot Twist
Respond so that the Author’s storyline can be realized
Your Story Is Being Written/Recorded
Joseph’s story is one of many stories in the Bible
Every story is being recorded, yours included
Revelation 20:11–15 (ESV) Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
What’s written so far?
How will it turn out?
Is it a good story? Is it guaranteed? Will destiny be fulfilled?
What will it take to be fulfilled - get aligned with the author
Acts 3:15 (ESV) and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses.
Your Story Has A Larger Context
Personal/circumstantial/context - we live life at this very granular level
Illus: consider the ant, in the grass on a football field - zoom out to the people watching the game in the stands and then to the climber on top of a nearby hill, and then to the passenger in a passing airplane, and then to the astronaut on the moon
Family/circumstantial context
Regional/circumstantial context
Global/circumstantial context
Embedded into your story is the spiritual context for each:
Personal Spiritual Context - Psalm 51:5 (ESV) Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.
Family Spiritual Context
Deuteronomy 7:13 (ESV) He will love you, bless you, and multiply you. He will also bless the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your ground, your grain and your wine and your oil, the increase of your herds and the young of your flock, in the land that he swore to your fathers to give you.
Deuteronomy 5:9 (ESV) You shall not bow down to them or serve them; for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me,
Regional Spiritual Context
Daniel 10:12–13 (ESV) Then he said to me, “Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words. The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days, but Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I was left there with the kings of Persia,
Ephesians 6:12 (ESV) For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
Global Spiritual Context
2 Corinthians 4:4 (ESV) In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
Luke 11:20–22 (ESV) But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are safe; but when one stronger than he attacks him and overcomes him, he takes away his armor in which he trusted and divides his spoil.
A Universal Plot Twist Is Planned For Every Story
The Revelation: Acts 9:1–6 (ESV) But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.”
The Response: Acts 9:17–20 (ESV) So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; and taking food, he was strengthened. For some days he was with the disciples at Damascus. And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.”
The Universal Impact: 1 Corinthians 6:9–11 (ESV) Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
Joseph’s life fulfilled maximum impact
The plot twist was introduced
He responded
It’s impact was recorded
What about you?
Psalm 139:14–17 (ESV) I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!
2 Kings 4:14–20 (ESV) And he said, “What then is to be done for her?” Gehazi answered, “Well, she has no son, and her husband is old.” He said, “Call her.” And when he had called her, she stood in the doorway. And he said, “At this season, about this time next year, you shall embrace a son.” And she said, “No, my lord, O man of God; do not lie to your servant.” But the woman conceived, and she bore a son about that time the following spring, as Elisha had said to her. When the child had grown, he went out one day to his father among the reapers. And he said to his father, “Oh, my head, my head!” The father said to his servant, “Carry him to his mother.” And when he had lifted him and brought him to his mother, the child sat on her lap till noon, and then he died.
Exceptional Promises Are The Norm For Kingdom Participants.
Belief in God is good
Following Jesus is the starting point
That will take you into a Journey of Kingdom Participation
We still live in the world
We have a new King
We have a new law
We have a new way of living
We have a new family
We have a new mission
We have a new economy
While the decision to follow Jesus unlocks salvation but participation in Kingdom, and taking Kingdom ground unlocks a next level experience in all arenas of life.
2 Kings 4:8–10 (ESV) One day Elisha went on to Shunem, where a wealthy woman lived, who urged him to eat some food. So whenever he passed that way, he would turn in there to eat food. And she said to her husband, “Behold now, I know that this is a holy man of God who is continually passing our way. Let us make a small room on the roof with walls and put there for him a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp, so that whenever he comes to us, he can go in there.”
Matthew 16:16–19 (ESV) Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
Promises Received Are Promises At Risk.
2 Kings 4:20 (ESV) And when he had lifted him and brought him to his mother, the child sat on her lap till noon, and then he died.
“God… I thought you were giving me this amazing promise and now you are taking it away???” Your promise is always at risk and you must protect it.
The Attacks You Will Face:
Pushback Of This World
Sin & Stupidity
Attack By Worldly Haters
Attacks On Kingdom Players
The Same Kingdom Participation It Took To Receive The Promise Is The Same Kingdom Participation It Will Take To Maintain The Promise
She could have given up, appreciative for what was done, surrendering the full promise for a full life.
She should have become an emotional disaster and added to the problem
She could have called for natural help
2 Kings 4:22–25 (ESV) Then she called to her husband and said, “Send me one of the servants and one of the donkeys, that I may quickly go to the man of God and come back again.” And he said, “Why will you go to him today? It is neither new moon nor Sabbath.” She said, “All is well.” Then she saddled the donkey, and she said to her servant, “Urge the animal on; do not slacken the pace for me unless I tell you.” So she set out and came to the man of God at Mount Carmel. When the man of God saw her coming, he said to Gehazi his servant, “Look, there is the Shunammite.
She could have leaned on her own spiritual strength
Instead she tapped into the flow of what brought the promise in the first place.
Hebrews 10:39 (ESV) But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.
Philippians 3:16 (ESV) Only let us hold true to what we have attained.
Elisha’s ability to deliver results required him to be a Kingdom participant
NOVEMBERFAST: Call On The Lord
Genesis 4:25-26 (ESV) And Adam knew his wife again, and she bore a son and called his name Seth, for she said, “God has appointed for me another offspring instead of Abel, for Cain killed him.” To Seth also a son was born, and he called his name Enosh. At that time people began to call upon the name of the Lord.
Why Fast? Why NovemberFast? Why Call On The LORD?
The first family had been through some stuff
Experienced perfection
Clarity of vision of all things
Deception brought imperfection
Personally
Collectively
Relationally
Blindness
Removed from Garden of Eden
Cain killed Abel
Seth was born “replacing” Abel
Adam: First generations experienced perfection
Seth: Second generation lived in the residue
Enoshe: Third generation only hears stories.
ENOSH - אֱנוֹשׁ means "man" or "human" often emphasizing human frailty or mortality.
“At That Time…”
Call - qara - spoken, proclamation, declaration, cry, invitation, summon. A formal intentional collective public seeking of God
There should come a moment when we look around and say, “Enough is enough. We want something different. We want something better. We want the best and this isn’t it. We want WHO they had so that We can enjoy what they had. Enosh recognized:
God / Heaven = Good
James 1:16–18 (ESV) Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
Me / Earth ≠ Good
Isaiah 64:6–7 (ESV) We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away. There is no one who calls upon your name, who rouses himself to take hold of you; for you have hidden your face from us, and have made us melt in the hand of our iniquities
On Earth As In Heaven
Matthew 6:9–10 (ESV) Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Novemberfast: I Am Seeking Him
Jeremiah 29:10–14 (ESV) “For thus says the Lord: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.
To See Him, He Must Become Brighter, Everything Else Dim
commit to a personally defined level of fasting
Turn off Social Media/TV
Stops the projects
Pause the hobbies
Attend weekend gatherings
Attend mid-week corporate prayer.
To See Him, Looks Where He Is
Prayer/Presence
Word
listen to daily NovemberFast podcast each day - comment
read assigned Bible passages each day.
To See Him, Put Yourself In A Position To Need Him
Adjust food
Adjust pleasures
In the burn, in that need, invite Him to meet that need.
Novemberfast: I Am Seeking What Is MisAligned
Mark 8:23–26 (ESV) And he took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village, and when he had spit on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, “Do you see anything?” And he looked up and said, “I see people, but they look like trees, walking.” Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again; and he opened his eyes, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. And he sent him to his home, saying, “Do not even enter the village.”
Personally
Friends/Family
Career
Finances
Health
Future
Ministry
Church
Community
State/Nation
The discovery of misalignment is the start
Discovered in the word
Discovered in prayer
Discovered by revelation
Discovered by discomfort
That creates a prayer list
Thematic prayer lists give you general topics
21 Days will give you specifics
spend time in topical prayer each day building a Prayer List For 2026
Novemberfast: I Am Seeking A Shift
Ezekiel 37:3–7 (ESV) And he said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” And I answered, “O Lord God, you know.” Then he said to me, “Prophesy over these bones, and say to them, O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. Thus says the Lord God to these bones: Behold, I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. And I will lay sinews upon you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live, and you shall know that I am the Lord.” So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I prophesied, there was a sound, and behold, a rattling…
Discovering something is out of alignment is the start. Realignment is the goal. The shift comes:
Asking
Telling: Authority
Taking Action: Personal Responsibility
Psalm 27:8 (ESV) You have said, “Seek my face.” My heart says to you, “Your face, Lord, do I seek.”
Deuteronomy 4:29 (ESV) But from there you will seek the Lord your God and you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul.
Psalm 34:4 (ESV) I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.
