Dream Again - 4

Subject: Excuses that are Dream Killers

by Rick Welborne

Proverbs 13:12 (NLT)
¹²  Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life. 

Psalm 105:17-21 (NLT)
¹⁷  Then he sent someone to Egypt ahead of them— Joseph, who was sold as a slave.
¹⁸  They bruised his feet with fetters and placed his neck in an iron collar.
¹⁹  Until the time came to fulfill his dreams, the LORD tested Joseph’s character.
²⁰  Then Pharaoh sent for him and set him free; the ruler of the nation opened his prison door.
²¹  Joseph was put in charge of all the king’s household; he became ruler over all the king’s possessions. 

--Last week as we discussed our dreams we talked about these three things:

1. It is not so much about us as it is about “them”.

2. It is about the timing of God.

3. It is about the test.

--Today I want us to concentrate on the test and what the enemy uses the most to derail us from the dreams and destiny God has given us. 

--We cannot use these three excuses…family, false accusations, and being forgotten. Today we will look at family.

1. The enemy can use family as a dream killer in your life.

Genesis 37:1-11 (NIV)
¹  Jacob lived in the land where his father had stayed, the land of Canaan.
²  This is the account of Jacob. Joseph, a young man of seventeen, was tending the flocks with his brothers, the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives, and he brought their father a bad report about them.
³  Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because he had been born to him in his old age; and he made a richly ornamented robe for him.
⁴  When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him.
⁵  Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more.
⁶  He said to them, "Listen to this dream I had:
⁷  We were binding sheaves of grain out in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it."
⁸  His brothers said to him, "Do you intend to reign over us? Will you actually rule us?" And they hated him all the more because of his dream and what he had said.
⁹  Then he had another dream, and he told it to his brothers. "Listen," he said, "I had another dream, and this time the sun and moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me."
¹⁰  When he told his father as well as his brothers, his father rebuked him and said, "What is this dream you had? Will your mother and I and your brothers actually come and bow down to the ground before you?"
¹¹  His brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the matter in mind. 

--How many of you can agree that family, at the least, can be interesting if not just down right difficult. No family is immune from having challenges and problems. Wars and rumors of wars.

--Before you give up on families too quick, any group of people can have problems all because of one common denominator…people! Everyone comes with their thoughts, opinions, biases, preferences…you get the idea.

1 Corinthians 10:13 (NKJV)
¹³  No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. 

--Joseph had family, therefore Joseph had problems. He had multiple brothers and dad had multiple wives (moms and step moms). Joseph could not resist being a tattletale. He gave bad reports about his brothers… 

--Jacob loved Joseph more than the other brothers (trouble)…He was his fav…Dad made him a special coat…a robe with many ornaments…probably very expensive…latest fashion of the day just for the brat.

--Joseph’s brothers saw that their father loved Joseph more than them (trouble) and they hated him so much they could talk to him without being angry and bitter…be careful parents with your favorites.

--I always told my kids their mother was my favorite because one day they would be moving on…gotta take care of momma! I heard a man say to an audience…I have two wonderful kids (clapping) and then the other one

⁵  Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more. My dad and I had a horrible relationship already but when I told him my dream of going in the ministry…He hated me more. 

--Joseph told his dream to his parents and they rebuked him…His family was trying to kill his dreams by how they responded to him and how they hated him. They wanted to kill him. Put him in a pit and sold him.

--For many of us the dream would be over because the rejection of family would be too great of a price to pay to fulfill our dreams…How many families will be held accountable for being dream killers?

--But here is my question…can we really use family members as an excuse for not serving God and following our God given dreams? No matter the hate, no matter the rejection, no matter the pain. Listen to Jesus:

Matthew 10:32-38 (NKJV)
³²  "Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven.
³³  But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.
³⁴  "Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword.
³⁵  For I have come to 'set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law';
³⁶  and 'a man's enemies will be those of his own household.'
³⁷  He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.
³⁸  And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. 

--Joseph didn’t, I didn’t, and you do not have the right or the privilege of forsaking your dreams because of family. Joseph was done wrong and sold into slavery and my father was beating me in the face as I left.

--Before you abandon your God given dreams because of family…you better read the rest of the story. Joseph’s brothers end up coming to him (after he is exalted) for him to save their entire family. And yes, they bow!

--When I decided to follow my dream of going into the ministry God took care of my parents and they gave their hearts to the Lord without me even being there…my witness was there and my testimony was there.

--My calling, my dream was to be obedient to God and not get distracted because family reacted or even overreacted to what God was telling me to do. Stay focused Grasshopper! 

--But, Pastor, my family did not support me financially or even encourage me to fulfill my dreams…oh, I am so sorry, I thought it was Jesus Who called you to your dreams and I thought God was your source.

--When I left for Bible School all I had was a call from God and a dream that God was going to make it happen. I arrived at school with $17 dollars in my wallet…there was a man who said he would support me, he died!

--What now…The Dream Giver is the Dream Maker and My Dream Deliverer! (Thanks P. Mark). What did I do…I prayed to the God of heaven and He made a way…I worked, served, and stayed faithful. 

--Every trial Joseph went thru he could have gone back in his mind to that ridiculous family who treated him wrong and that could have been his ticket to quit but he didn’t quit.

Luke 18:1 (MSG)
¹  Jesus told them a story showing that it was necessary for them to pray consistently and never quit. 

--Have you ever thought how important each decision is? One right decision and we fulfill our destinies and one bad decision (based on influence of family) our lives only become a shadow of what could have been.

Mark Batterson: Every life is defined by decisive moments, and those moments of decision often dictate the course of decades. That shouldn’t make you nervous, not if God is ordering your footsteps. It should fill you with a sense of destiny.

--What if, because of my frustration and because of being treated unfairly by my denominational family, I would have walked away from the AG and said I am done with all this…enough is enough!

--Would I have stayed in the ministry…I think so but maybe I would have been bitter and because of that I would have lost my effectiveness…maybe even lost my dream of pastoring a great mission’s church.

--You see, not every movement was created from their inception to be a mission’s organization like the AG. If I decided to walk away and not trust God could have meant thousands not hearing the gospel.

2. The enemy can use un-forgiveness toward our families as a dream killer.

--The day finally came…the day when Joseph had his brothers right where most of us would be glad to have them. These guys tried to destroy my life and now they are at my mercy. What would you do?

--Another one of those moments in your life that will determine your destiny and the destiny of many generations to come…I could justly kill these guys and then, send for my father. What would that do to dad?

--Again, try to remember our text:

Psalm 105:17-19 (NLT)
¹⁷  Then he sent someone to Egypt ahead of them— Joseph, who was sold as a slave.
¹⁸  They bruised his feet with fetters and placed his neck in an iron collar.
¹⁹  Until the time came to fulfill his dreams, the LORD tested Joseph’s character. 

1. It is not so much about us as it is about “them”.

2. It is about the timing of God.

3. It is about the test.

Genesis 45:1-5 (NKJV)
¹  Then Joseph could not restrain himself before all those who stood by him, and he cried out, "Make everyone go out from me!" So no one stood with him while Joseph made himself known to his brothers.

²  And he wept aloud, and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard it. 

³  Then Joseph said to his brothers, "I am Joseph; does my father still live?" But his brothers could not answer him, for they were dismayed in his presence.
⁴  And Joseph said to his brothers, "Please come near to me." So they came near. Then he said: "I am Joseph your brother, whom you sold into Egypt.
⁵  But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life. 

--I don’t think these brothers were feeling grief or anger as much as they were experiencing unbelievable fear. We are dead! We are going to be repaid what we deserve. This is it!

--At the moment when he was in full control and had the authority to do what he had the right to do…He did something that truly defies all human logic…He forgave them…He chose to see the big picture.

--You see, Joseph was sent before them to preserve life, the time came for his dreams to be fulfilled, and again Joseph’s character was being tested. Forgiveness or revenge?

--I can’t tell you how many times I have seen God orchestrate people’s lives and destinies to come to this place of reconciliation or revenge…those who chose forgiveness found new life and those who didn’t found death.

--I have even seen people come to this place with God where they felt God had been unfair to them, maybe a loved one was hurt or even died, a place of renewed relationship with God…some walk away…so sad. 

--Our forgiveness of them may just be the very thing that leads them to salvation…They get to see you be like Jesus…Father, forgive them because they do not know what they are doing.

Batterson: Yes, decisive moments are few and far between. But the ripple effects of those moments transcend time and space. Our actions and inactions have eternal ramifications. And for the record, inaction is an action. When we fail to take action, we forfeit the future. And just as inaction is an action, indecision is a decision.

3. The enemy cannot use family as dream killers when we decide to work with God for their salvation.

--Joseph saw his life from God’s perspective and saw how God (thru adversity) set him up to be his family’s salvation. What about your family? Have you written them off…God hasn’t! He wants to use you.

Genesis 45:7-8 (NIV)
⁷  But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.
⁸  "So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. 

--Joseph saw himself working with God…are you working with God for your family…have you forgiven them? They shouldn’t have to ask for it. Are you taking every opportunity to share the love of Jesus with them.

--Joseph did not wait for an apology…he simply forgave because their salvation was more important than his pride.

--You know my parents received Jesus and what a glorious story that is but now my siblings, my nieces, nephews, cousins…they are part of my calling and I refuse to let the enemy have them.

--My sister-in-law stays in touch with me and my sister who has not spoken to me since 1997…bingo…my door to her…Tell her I am praying for her every day…Tell her I love her…We must keep the door open.

--One day, I declare there will be salvation and family reconciliation…You see it is about them, it is about the timing of God, and it is a test of my character especially in light of my family and forgiveness!

Dream Again - 3

Subject: Joseph’s Tests

by Rick Welborne

Proverbs 13:12 (NLT)
¹²  Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life. 

Psalm 105:17-21 (NLT)
¹⁷  Then he sent someone to Egypt ahead of them— Joseph, who was sold as a slave.
¹⁸  They bruised his feet with fetters and placed his neck in an iron collar.
¹⁹  Until the time came to fulfill his dreams, the LORD tested Joseph’s character.
²⁰  Then Pharaoh sent for him and set him free; the ruler of the nation opened his prison door.
²¹  Joseph was put in charge of all the king’s household; he became ruler over all the king’s possessions. 

--We really do not know why in God’s economy or in His providence that He has chosen for things to be, let’s say, extremely difficult or just outright impossible.

--I believe Psalms 105 explains to a great degree the answer to this question and this a sermon within the sermon which I am sure I will refer back to at some point.

--Verse 17 God sent someone (Joseph) ahead of them (Israel)…ok, Pastor, that is profound but what are you saying. Thanks for asking…My first point is this…

1. It is not so much about us as it is about “them”.

--Have you ever considered that the dream God has given you is not really all about you…it is about “them”. “Them” in your life may be family, friends, co-workers, classmates…God always thinks bigger than we do.

--Their deliverance is more important to God than your comfort…their deliverance is more important to God than your plans…their deliverance is more important to God than your own personal dreams.

--Matter of fact, God is so consumed with “them” that He did something that most of us would think to be unconceivable:

John 3:16-17 (NKJV)
¹⁶  For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
¹⁷  For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

--I hope you can see the parallel between Jesus and Joseph…God so loved “them” that He sent Jesus and He so loved “them” that He sent Joseph. God really is consumed with reaching “them”. What about us?

--So many times we miss God’s dream for us because we think it is all about us, we think it is for us, and we think God’s goal is to elevate us. That is not how God thinks!

--One of the reasons (my personal opinion) that churches have lost their power and effectiveness is that people have been led to believe it is all about self instead of “them”. Super Wal-Mart mentality!

--God has tried to help your pastor keep before you the “them” who desperately need Jesus…The “them” around the world we reach thru missions or the “them” we reach thru local ministries.

--The “them” we can reach thru La Vida, thru Hallowed King, thru House of Hope, thru our bus ministry, thru each of us sharing Christ with “them”. It is about reasonable service to others.

Romans 12:1-3 (NKJV)
¹  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
²  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
³  For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. 

--Poor Joseph thought he was going to become a living sacrifice for his dreams…Jesus did become a sacrifice for His dreams of saving “them” for saving us. 

--Pastor Mark preached last Sunday night about how David was anointed to lead “them” but it did not seem like it was going to happen…He chose to keep serving as a shepherd, music, and fighting.

--Joseph, once he arrived in his land of bondage, chose to serve whomever he was placed under their authority and, every time, God’s hand was upon him with favor and blessings…he served “them”.

--He served those whom he would eventually rule over and the “them” God would use him to save through his wisdom and compassion. His willingness to serve would be his family’s salvation. My dad and mom.

--As you pursue the God given dreams in your life, recognize God is always thinking about “them” so He will require you present your body as a living sacrifice which is your reasonable service.

--As you minister to “them” do not be conformed to them…Joseph had the opportunity of blowing God’s dream by compromising with Potiphar’s wife…I love his response.

Genesis 39:8-9 (NKJV)
⁸  But he refused and said to his master's wife, "Look, my master does not know what is with me in the house, and he has committed all that he has to my hand.
⁹  There is no one greater in this house than I, nor has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?"

--You see, your ministry to “them” can be derailed by your selfishness to take care of “you”. The devil will always provide opportunities for you to abandon your dreams. It may even feel right.

--Let’s face it…Joseph was a young man (if he was normal - that was trouble), this lady was crazy and persistent and that was trouble). I am sure he was tempted but temptation is not sin…yielding to it is.

--Do you think he just kept believing God has given me great dreams and I do not want to do anything to derail His plan…One mistake and we can spend 40 years in the desert…ask Moses. Killed the Egyptian.

--No end to speaking about this, but do not conform to this world if you want to reach “them”. When it is about us, we are thinking more about ourselves than the lost…instead of the “them”.

2. It is about the timing of God.

Psalm 105:17-21 (NLT)
¹⁷  Then he sent someone to Egypt ahead of them— Joseph, who was sold as a slave.
¹⁸  They bruised his feet with fetters and placed his neck in an iron collar.
¹⁹  Until the time came to fulfill his dreams…

--It is almost inconceivable for us to think (with our American Christian mentality) that God would be willing to allow His children to suffer just so He can reach other people.

--Maybe we should ask Jesus what He thinks about that. Waiting on the timing of God can be, actually it is, one of the most difficult things we believers can go thru.

--Joseph was given dreams as a young teenager about his family and actually the world coming and bowing down before him…because we get him thru all his mess in just a few chapters we miss the process. 

--Just imagine with me Joseph being in a pit looking up into the heavens and asking God…what about my dreams…probably the only comfort he heard from God was “Trust Me!”

--Imagine being sold as a slave into a foreign country, feet bruised with fetters, his neck in an iron collar…I have dreams and God is saying trust me!

--Imagine in Potiphar’s house being in charge of everything and suddenly you are falsely accused of rape…the whole time God is simply saying to trust Me with your dreams…it is not the right time.

--Imagine being put in prison for something you did not do…the years are passing quickly and it seems the dreams are getting more and more dim…did I really hear from God? Was it just me?

--Imagine helping someone in prison who was restored to his position (the butler) with the king and God used you to interpret his dream…the irony…his dream comes true but what about your dreams. You are forgotten. 

--He is restored and is so happy to be living his dream…note here…while you are living God’s dreams for you don’t forget those who are still waiting for their dreams to come to pass. Joseph was forgotten in prison.

Genesis 41:1 (NKJV)
¹  Then it came to pass, at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh had a dream; and behold, he stood by the river. 

--Two full years go by and the Pharaoh has a dream that he cannot interpret…the butler remembers Joseph’s words to him before he left the prison:

Genesis 40:14-15 (NIV)
¹⁴  But when all goes well with you, remember me and show me kindness; mention me to Pharaoh and get me out of this prison.
¹⁵  For I was forcibly carried off from the land of the Hebrews, and even here I have done nothing to deserve being put in a dungeon." 

--Don’t forget the people God has placed in your lives to help you get to your destiny and who have helped you to fulfill God’s dreams. Being forgotten hurts and it opens up other doors.

--Joseph had the potential of getting angry with God and bitter with people…I was forced to leave my family and I did nothing worthy of prison…this is where trusting God must trump difficult circumstances. 

Ephesians 4:26-27 (NKJV)
²⁶  "Be angry, and do not sin": do not let the sun go down on your wrath,
²⁷  nor give place to the devil.

--Five years goes by, ten years goes by, fifteen years goes by, twenty years goes by…one trial after another…I must be faithful…I must not quit…I have to keep dreaming…I have to keep trusting.

Proverbs 3:1-6 (NKJV)
¹  My son, do not forget my law, But let your heart keep my commands;
²  For length of days and long life And peace they will add to you.
³  Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart,
⁴  And so find favor and high esteem In the sight of God and man.
⁵  Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;
⁶  In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. 

Psalm 105:19 (NLT)
¹⁹  Until the time came to fulfill his dreams…

--Whether we believe it or accept it or even like it…God has a timing in what He does and that includes the dreams He has for us.

--Ecclesiastes 1 tells us there is a time and a season for everything under the sun and that God has made everything beautiful in its time. Not sure we believe that the way we act and react.

--When the time is right, God will fulfill His dreams for us and it will be a beautiful thing. Our job (like Joseph) is to remain faithful no matter the length of time or the difficulty until He does it.

3. It is about the test.

Psalm 105:17-21 (NLT)
¹⁷  Then he sent someone to Egypt ahead of them— Joseph, who was sold as a slave.
¹⁸  They bruised his feet with fetters and placed his neck in an iron collar.
¹⁹  Until the time came to fulfill his dreams, the LORD tested Joseph’s character.
²⁰  Then Pharaoh sent for him and set him free; the ruler of the nation opened his prison door.
²¹  Joseph was put in charge of all the king’s household; he became ruler over all the king’s possessions. 

--How are you doing with the test you are in? How are you doing as you wait for your God given dreams? What about your character? Is it in tact with God and His will for your life?

--Are you passing or failing? You will always be given opportunities to cheat on the test. Ask Abraham about God’s dream of raising up a great nation…ended up with an Ishmael and the battle continues today. 

--Most of us, if we were honest, if we had been Joseph would have failed the test at some point. We would have been angry at God and bitter toward our siblings…just not fair.

--God would understand with Potiphar’s wife…I have needs…I am human…It’s my time to have fun…who will know…God knows! None of us get a by because life is unfair or tough. Wed. Night Sermon.

Ephesians 5:3-6 (NLT) 

³  Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people.
⁴  Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God.
⁵  You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.
⁶  Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him.

--So why should we dream, why should we be concerned about “them”, why should we trust God’s timing, and why should we pass the test we encounter:

Genesis 45:7-8 (NIV)
⁷  But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.
⁸  "So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. 

Open the Double Doors – 7

Subject – Close the Door to the Enemy - Continued

by Rick Welborne

Isaiah 45:1-3 (NKJV)
¹  "Thus says the LORD to His anointed, To Cyrus, whose right hand I have held-- To subdue nations before him And loose the armor of kings, To open before him the double doors, So that the gates will not be shut:
²  'I will go before you And make the crooked places straight; I will break in pieces the gates of bronze And cut the bars of iron.
³  I will give you the treasures of darkness And hidden riches of secret places, That you may know that I, the LORD, Who call you by your name, Am the God of Israel.  

1. We can close the door to the enemy by telling the truth to everyone.

Ephesians 4:15 (NLT) 

15 Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. 

2. We can close the door to the enemy by controlling our anger.

Ephesians 4:26 (NIV) 

26 "In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 

3. We can close the door to the enemy by stopping our stealing.

Ephesians 4:28 (NLT) 

28 If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. 

4. We can close the door to the enemy by closing our mouths.

Ephesians 4:29 (NKJV) 

29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. 

5. We can close the door to the enemy by listening to Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 4:30 (NKJV) 

30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 

--Tonight we will look at five more ways to close the door to the enemy so that we can go thru the double doors God has for us.

Ephesians 4:32 (NLT)
³²  Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

Ephesians 5:1-18 (NLT)
¹  Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children.
²  Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God. 

³  Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people.
⁴  Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God.
⁵  You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.
⁶  Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him.
⁷  Don’t participate in the things these people do.
⁸  For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light!
⁹  For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.
¹⁰  Carefully determine what pleases the Lord.
¹¹  Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them.
¹²  It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret.
¹³  But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them,
¹⁴  for the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said, “Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.”
¹⁵  So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise.
¹⁶  Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.
¹⁷  Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.
¹⁸  Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, 

6. We can close the door to the enemy by forgiving one another.

Ephesians 4:32 (NLT)
³²  Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

--I love what Paul says in this verse in reference to forgiving people…be kind to one another, tenderhearted but he starts out with a very powerful word…Instead…instead of what? Look at the previous verse.

Ephesians 4:31 (NLT)
³¹  Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior.

--Instead of being bitter, full of rage, using harsh words, and slander…be kind and tenderhearted forgiving one another. Listen to what Bill Gothard shares about forgiveness:

A. Forgiveness involves a positive attitude toward the offense rather than a negative attitude toward the offender.

B. Forgiveness views or sees the offender as God’s instrument for my life.

Psalms 76:10 (NLT)

10 Human opposition only enhances your glory, for you use it as a sword of judgment.

2 Sam 16:12 (NKJV)

12 "It may be that the LORD will look on my affliction, and that the LORD will repay me with good for his cursing this day."  

C. Forgiveness looks at the wounds of the offense as God’s way of helping us see the offenders needs.

D. Forgiveness recognizes that bitterness is assuming or exercising a right we don’t have.

Gothard:  Only God has the right to punish.  A response of bitterness is an instinctive means of revenge toward the one who has offended us. Most of us are prone to use silence toward the offender as a means of punishing that person.

E. Forgiveness realizes that the offender has already begun receiving the consequences of his offenses.

F. Forgiveness involves working with God in the offender’s life.

Gothard: Forgiveness is having a greater concern for a person after he offends me than I did before he offended me. It is using the hurts of others as the basis of demonstrating Christ’s love back to them.

7. We can close the door to the enemy by imitating or following Christ’s example. 

Ephesians 5:1-2 (NLT)
¹  Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children.
²  Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God. 

--It is pretty obvious that if we follow Christ’s example…if we are imitators of God (God so loved the world that He gave) we have a zero chance of having an open door to Satan. 

--We are so reluctant to encourage people to follow us as we follow Christ but shouldn’t we be able to do that if we are following Christ wholeheartedly?

1 Corinthians 11:1 (NKJV)
¹  Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ. 

--Paul says to us to live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ…He loved us and offered Himself as a sacrifice for our sins. 

--What is this saying…even though we were guilty, Jesus took the blame and the punishment for our sin. Wow! So we sacrifice ourselves, we love others so much that we absorb the sin for their salvation. Deny yourselves!

1 Peter 4:8 (NLT)
⁸  Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.

8. We can close the door to the enemy by avoiding obvious sins.

Ephesians 5:3-8 (NLT) 

³  Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people.
⁴  Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God.
⁵  You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.
⁶  Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him.
⁷  Don’t participate in the things these people do.
⁸  For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! 

--Such sins have no place among God’s people…yet we ignore His Word and commands. Pastor, even if do these sins, God will forgive me. Have you ever heard of reaping and sowing? Of consequences?

--Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins…a couple (unmarried living together) shows up from the community confused…says their pastor told her to mess around with him to help his drug problem. What?

--Being shy I call the pastor to hear the real story and he admits that is what he told them…don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse your sins…immoral, greedy, and impure people will not inherit the Kingdom.

--The sad truth is we know what is right and we know the truth of the Word but our desires rule us instead of our love for God and our obedience to Him.

James 1:13-16 (NIV)
¹³  When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone;
¹⁴  but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.
¹⁵  Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
¹⁶  Don't be deceived, my dear brothers. 

9. We can close the door to the enemy by carefully determining what pleases the Lord. 

Ephesians 5:10-14 (NLT)
¹⁰  Carefully determine what pleases the Lord.
¹¹  Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them.
¹²  It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret.
¹³  But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them,
¹⁴  for the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said, “Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.”

--Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. Take no part…say that…take no part in these evil things…we know what they are and we need to expose it for what it is…sin!

--Shameful to talk about these things…again be careful because people know how to talk about evil in such a way to draw people in…words can be dangerous (talk, text, tweet, email). Prayer request…little detail.

--It is truly time for us to wake up out of our spiritual slumber and let Christ give us His light!

10. We can close the door to the enemy by being filled with Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 5:15-18 (NLT)
¹⁵  So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise.
¹⁶  Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.
¹⁷  Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.
¹⁸  Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, 

Lenard Ravenhill: No man is greater than his prayer life. The pastor who is not praying, is playing; the people who are not praying are straying. We have many organizers but few agonizers; many players and payers, but few prayers; many singers but few clingers; lots of pastors but few wrestlers; many fears but few tears; much fashion but little passion; many who interfere, but few who intercede; many writers but few fighters. Failing here, we fail everywhere. 

--To be filled with Holy Spirit we must be careful how we live, we must not live like fools, we must live with God’s wisdom, we must make the most of the opportunities God gives us. Understand what the Lord wants you to do.

Ephesians 5:17 (NKJV)
¹⁷  Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

--Holy Spirit will lead us to God’s wisdom and will if we will only allow Him.

Romans 8:26-27 (NKJV)
²⁶  Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
²⁷  Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

11. We can close the door to the enemy by giving thanks to God always.

Ephesians 5:18-20 (NKJV)
¹⁸  …but be filled with the Spirit,
¹⁹  speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,
²⁰  giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

--Giving thanks always…always…

Philippians 4:6 (NCV)
⁶  Do not worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-19 (NKJV)
¹⁶  Rejoice always,
¹⁷  pray without ceasing,
¹⁸  in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
¹⁹  Do not quench the Spirit.