The Rugged Journey to a Beautiful Place - Shaken and Awakened

In a word . . .

“Not by might” Zechariah 4:6

God wants to make you stronger than you’ve ever been. So He makes you weak.

Genesis 32:25, 31 II Corinthians 12:7-10

There are three decisive issues on the journey to a new power and freedom in our lives.

THE STRUGGLE OF SELF-RELIANCE

Simon Peter – the poster boy for the struggle

Peter’s great strength Luke 5:5

If Jesus says it, Peter does it.

Peter’s great weakness

Mark 8:31-33 John 18:4-11

Peter’s will keeps getting in the way of God’s will.

A “make it happen” person has to come to a place where they can’t.

God brings us into “out of control” places to liberate us from the bondage of self-reliance. And to strip us of our confidence in the

flesh.

The battle rages until we reach the point where we can truly realize it is “not by might, not by power.”

Zechariah 4:6

It is our “white flag” moment!

God’s goal is to get me out of the way to make room for Him.

God can’t fill our hands with His “new thing” until our hands are empty.

THE SOVEREIGNTY OF THE MOST HIGH GOD

Those who lived most powerfully and most peacefully are those who live with the conscious awareness their God is totally in control.

Lamentations 5:19; Psalm 11:3, 4;

Proverbs 19:21

A lesson learned by a powerful king – through a very rough journey.

Daniel 4:25; 26b; 30-31; 34, 37

An Old Testament example of a turbulent life lived victoriously – because he could see the mighty hand of God behind every trial.

Genesis 45: 5, 8, 9; 50:20

You can never discover the miraculous “He can” until you’re face to face with your “I can’t!”

THE SURRENDER OF THE STRONG

The starting point for Peter moving to Jesus’ “new thing” in his life – four little words . . .

John 18:11

“Put your sword away!”

“Your sword” — the symbol of our issues of control

Where the new Peter begins . . .

Luke 22:62—Totally broken

The breaking of a child of God is the making of that child of God!

God rocks Peter to the core to make him the rock He promised.

From chicken to tiger . . . from combative to caring . . . from star to shepherd . . . from bigot to bridge . . . from a sword to a cross.

Challenging questions on God’s “New Thing Quiz” . . .

Will I run ahead and make plans or will I await orders?

Will I “flesh it” because God’s taking too long?

Will I get out of God’s way and stay out?

He has shaken us to awaken us to a fresh surrender.