Pivot Series# 5, Which Way?

Pivot Series# 5, Which Way?
By: Bobby Sullivan

What Do you see when you Pivot?

WHICH WAY?

• “God is faithful to His word. All of His promises are Yes and Amen. That means if you will do your part and believe even though it looks impossible, and not let your mind, your emotions, or other people talk you out of it, then God promises in due season and at the right time He will bring it to pass. It may not happen the way you expect it or on your timetable, but God is a faithful God. It will happen.”

Pivot:— fixed point supporting something which turns or balances.
The Unchangeable in relationship to the Changeable.

But I will come to you after I go through Macedonia, for I am going through Macedonia; and perhaps I will stay with you, or even spend the winter, so that you may send me on my way wherever I may go. For I do not wish to see you now {just} in passing; for I hope to remain with you for some time, if the Lord permits. But I will remain in Ephesus until Pentecost. A great door and effectual is open unto me and there are many adversaries.” (1 Cor. 16:5-9) 

1 Corinthians 16:9
“For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.”

Great Door:  in 1 Corinthians 16:9 is “megas-thura”; signifying exceedingly great, greatest; extremely high or the mightiest of doors.
It also signifies literal as well as figurative gates serving as portals, entrances or openings as well as separating closures.
Great Door:  implies a God-given opportunity to enter in a “great and effectual door” God opens for us to be abundantly profitable and extremely useful in and to His Kingdom.

Effectual/Effective:  is the word “energees” which can be used to mean sufficient to be able to produce the desired effect; here it implies much energy and labor must be utilized to press through the challenging trouble adversaries bring to frustrate ministry in fantastic opportunities.

HISTORICAL CONTEXT: Paul said it was important that he remain in Ephesus. For years the goddess Diana had been the chief deity of that city, and shrines to her were the industry of the city. Not only was the Temple of Diana a place of pagan worship and a treasure-house, but it housed a museum of statuary and paintings. The temple brought vast numbers of tourists to the region.

Ephesus was a sanctuary for the criminal, a city of refuge where none could be arrested for any crime when in behind it’s walls. Outside of or around the temple was where thieves, and other criminals resided. The silver craftsmen would oppose anything which they saw as harmful to their revenue. There was not a previous foundation to build upon, and the various ethnic backgrounds represented could be a social barrier. Paul also suffered from a physical handicap.

Paul saw in the Spirit, during a time of prayer that there was a great door and effectual  door open for him! It was given to him by revelation, and as a man of faith and prayer, he knew the voice of God and the realm of the Spirit was a familiar one to him.

Paul knew that Jesus Christ is the only foundation that could be laid by any man. The Lord would enable him to transcend any ethnic or social barriers, through the power of His Spirit. (Zechariah 4) .

Remember I said, “Not every open door is from God. Sometimes it’s an empty elevator shaft.” There are doors for you to walk through and others to stay away from.

How do you know which one is typically from God?  Generally speaking, when you walk through it opposition comes! 

We have come to a crossroads in our country. We have transitioned into a new year but the only thing that has changed in the natural is the date. However, something has shifted in the atmosphere of this church!

I posted on FB: God is more interested in your intimacy than your intellect.

I know scripture says, study to show yourself approved. However, I study because I already am approved. He wants relationship not rituals.

What will you write down or tell your kids about 2020-2021?

Regarding IC Kids Unlimited: Kids don’t get a Jr. Holy Spirit!

What if the kids got ahold of the word before they got ahold of the world?

When God gets ahold of the heart, they become a transformer themselves by virtue of the encounter! The battle belongs to the Lord, but the fight belongs to you! We know its hard! We know it’s a struggle! But what if?……….

What if,  in our covic crackdown, we could raise a generation of kids that will not sin? This is hard for us to comprehend because we are programmed that we still live in our sinful nature. BUT… what if  you didn’t want too?

What If you knew that you didn’t have to mess up?

What if you found in the word that you didn’t have to stumble?

Prov 24:16 The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again. BUT…

2 Peter 1: 1-11 Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ,

To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours:² Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

Confirming One’s Calling and Election

³ His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. ⁴ Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.⁵ For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; ⁶ and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; ⁷ and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. ⁸ For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹ But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.¹⁰ Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, ¹¹ and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

I’m convinced that for many here today, no question you’re saved, signed, sealed and delivered, but for those who truly have adopted and embraced the biblical teaching of grace, it’s like you have been born again…. again. The light has come on and now you can find your way in a world darkened by religion.

The Holy Spirit is essential to unlock your potential! He has been there since your born-again experience BUT!! He is wanting out! HE will show you HOW to live the life and live that life by demonstration.

I’m sorry, but I see way too many church people living a life by

DEMON-stration rather than demonstration.  They are flowing in the works of the flesh rather than the works of the Holy Spirit.

John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

I expect difficulties and I am ready to engage. Satan hates it when you have a heavenly encounter that demands transformation.

Romans 8:31 “If God be for us, who can be against us?”

You have a choice to say, “O NO!” or “O WOW!” All Aboard! Don’t miss this train!

Viktor E. Frankl (Man’s Search for Meaning) HE was in a Nazi concentration camp. “Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.”

We are told we are in lockdown. Our choices and options are limited. But we always have a choice.  You can’t take away my choice to forgive … love!!!

In this crackdown I have asked to be smacked down and possessed with an unquenchable, unfathomable passion for people. God said, love yourself like I love you and you will love people beyond your capacity.

We may not be on a lockdown on the Southshore, but I’m convinced we are  on a mental lockdown.

You can’t force your way through a lockdown. No more than I could get through a sloppy mess of snow on Tuesday. Sometimes the answer is in the waiting.

This is a season like none other. People will examine this season for years to come. What happens when this kind of crisis hammers the global community? Times like these expose your foundations … your base values.

Listen…The God of this world doesn’t have to be the god of your world. Todd White

IF we act like this world we will have a difficult time transforming this world. Our new creation must be different than our old creation. Same body, different spirit!  Whose inscription is on the coin of your heart?
How will you look back at this season? How will you revisit you actions and responses?

Why not choose now to intentionally write a story that you will be glad to revisit. A story that reveals a confidence in God’s faithfulness.

This question will come in later on. “Do you remember when the world was thrown into a global crisis?”
Will your answer be “I had a meltdown! I lost it! I was afraid!  I lashed out in anger!  I said a lot of stupid things I wish I hadn’t.  OR I remember leaning hard into the faithfulness of God and by His grace I was able to advance myself personally and demonstrate His unshakeable Kingdom.

What happens when you throw someone on FIRE into the FIRE?  Nothing!!  Ask the 3 Hebrew Children who were not thrown in but walked in!

You may be knocked down but you’re not knocked out!

Your lockdown will not be knockdown!

1.) DAVID HAD A LOCKDOWN  

David doing some cave time: What do you do when you’re called to be a King but your confined in a cave? 

Psalm 142  Title NKJV
A Contemplation of David. A Prayer when he was in the cave. He was contemplating things in his own life. DEF: look thoughtfully for a long time.
Vs. 7 “Bring my soul out of prison, That I may praise Your name; The righteous shall surround me, For You shall deal bountifully with me.”

David is complaining before the Lord. Obviously praise was not continually on his mouth today! He was looking for help but only found hardship. He was harassed and haunted by his own heart.

Listen, If we can’t complain to God in His presence then we won’t feel confident to even come to Him at all

The Presence of God is not the place to bypass your emotions, it’s where you process them. It’s where you lay them down. The place where you are right now is the key to open the door to His presence.

NOTE: The presence of God is where you get permission to pour yourself out.

NOTE: GO BACK and listen to the message, CAUGHT IN A CAVE

2.) Jonah Had A Lockdown

He was called by God to minister to a group of people that the Israelites didn’t like.  They despised them and wanted nothing to do with them. God told him to go to the people who…..

Jonah 1:3-17
“But Jonah got up and went the other direction to Tarshish, running away from God. Then God assigned a huge fish to swallow Jonah. Jonah was in the fish’s belly three days and nights.”

Note: How many times have you and I both ran away from the calling, the mission, and the mandate of God because it didn’t fit our paradigm.

Is God calling you to something awkward and uncomfortable that is way out of you comfort zone? Jonah was asleep in the storm totally at rest in his disobedience.

Jonah 2:9-10 “But I’m worshiping you, God, calling out in thanksgiving! And I’ll do what I promised I’d do! Salvation belongs to God!” Then God spoke to the fish, and it vomited up Jonah on the seashore.”

Jonah 4:2-3 “I knew you were sheer grace and mercy, not easily angered, rich in love, and ready at the drop of a hat to turn your plans of punishment into a program of forgiveness! ‘So, God, if you won’t kill them, kill me! I’m better off dead!’”

David wrote a song of praise in Cave

Jonah wrote  song of restoration and recovery.

3.)Daniel Had A Lockdown

Daniel 6:16 “So the king gave the command, and they brought Daniel and cast him into the den of lions. But the king spoke, saying to Daniel, ‘Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you.’”

Note: No matter what happens in our shifting ever evolving culture in this country, we shall not be moved. We never pivot to compromise. We remain firm on our foundation. Just because you obey the laws of the land doesn’t mean you compromise your convictions.  When the laws challenge your faith that is when you don’t cave in. When you have the mind and heart of God you won’t have to worry about being hypnotized by the leaders of the land.

Daniel 6:18-22 “Also his sleep went from him. Then the king arose very early in the morning and went in haste to the den of lions. … “O king, live forever!  …

…My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you.”

IT doesn’t matter what is roaring in your face, the hand of God will lead U through

Note: Daniel turned his problem into pillow! Daniel still honored the king 

Daniel 6:26 “Peace to you! Abundant peace! I decree that Daniel’s God shall be worshiped and feared in all parts of my kingdom. He is the living God, world without end. His kingdom never falls.” 

Note: Guard your heart and your mouth during a lockdown and you will see your testimony will rise out of the ashes and the winds of the Holy Ghost will blow on the ashes to usher in a move of God.

4.) Paul Had A Lockdown
Philippians 4:4-9 “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; …

 …whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.” 

 … and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely … whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. ⁹ Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

If you can practice patience God will give you peace.

5.) Caleb Endured the Wilderness:
Numbers 13:30-31 “Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, “Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it.” But the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we.”

Caleb was full of vision yet his men were full of excuses. 

In your mental lockdown, you could be in a spiritual wilderness wondering and worrying how to escape. You are always listening to the (BUTS)

NEGATIVITY ATTRACKS DRAMA!!! 

They said, We are like grasshoppers! The land is going to open up & swallow us. These people took negativity to another level!

Some people have more faith in defeat than victory! There are some people that I would love to go into battle with. Others, would rather read about it but have never engaged therefore I can’t put my life in your hands.

Some people would rather read about history than make it and be apart of it.

Caleb quieted the people! SILENCE!!!

ITS ALL GOOD to those who love God and are called according to his purpose

Caleb stuck walking around the wilderness/in a lockdown for 40 years with the complaining Israelites

Joshua 14:11-12 Caleb said to Joshua: “As yet I am as strong this day as on the day that Moses sent me; just as my strength was then, so now is my strength for war, both for going out and for coming in. Now therefore, give me this mountain of which the Lord spoke in that day;…”

The mountain he is referring to is the Anakites! The Giants.

“Send me to where the giants are! Send me to the difficult situations so I can manifest the glory and power of God in me!!!!!

CONCLUSION

In the midst of Covid, we see a revelation on the Southshore of the goodness of God.

  ^Habbakauk 2: 2-3 And then God answered: “Write this. Write what you see.
Write it out in big block letters so that it can be read on the run. This vision-message is a witness pointing to what’s coming. It aches for the coming—it can hardly wait!
And it doesn’t lie. If it seems slow in coming, wait. It’s on its way. It will come right on time.    

Are you Ready for a transition of a lifetime? If you write things down you have a 50% chance of seeing it happen. If you tell someone its 80%. 

So go tell we are on the run! You may need to give up your seat for visitors!

This is a time of harvest, breakthrough, miracles, growth, extraordinary supernatural angelic visitations

It’s a time of transformation in your body, finances, brain, your job, in the church. This is not the time to hold back and run for the hills. It’s a time when the gates of hell will not be able to withstand our forceful advance.

We are a church on the move not in the mud.

You need a revelation of a preferred future! Jesus doesn’t hate the world! He hurts for the world.

What are you writing about your future?
Some Christians are full of hate not hope! Not here! Not accepted.