Monday, October 29, 2012

Bible Study - God’s Glory for All Eternity


Hi Everyone

Get the audio here. Notes follow. Be blessed!

1. When Did Your Eternity Begin?
John 17:3 And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. (NKJV)
It began when you came to know Him.  It is fully manifested when we return to Jesus.

2. We’re Not Qualified for the Glory in Ourselves
Treasures in earthen vessels
2 Corinthians 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. (NKJV)

3. Glory was Given to Us Because of the Cross
John 17:22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: (NKJV)

4. The Glory is in the Kingdom
We ARE the Kingdom.  
Matthew 13:24 Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; 25 but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way. 26 But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared. 27 So the servants of the owner came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?’ 28 He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The servants said to him, ‘Do you want us then to go and gather them up?’ 29 But he said, ‘No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn.” ’ ” (NKJV)

Matthew 13:37 He answered and said to them: “He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. 38 The field is the world, the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, but the tares are the sons of the wicked one. (NKJV)

Glory is manifested when there is unity in the brethren.  Glory was never meant for individuals.  The Holy Spirit is in us, but He will never work in anyone alone by himself.
5. Glory Changes Us to be more like Him
We’re becoming more glorious
John 17:17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. (NKJV)

to make others like Him through us
John 17:18 As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth. (NKJV)

John 20:21 So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” (NKJV)

Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, (NKJV)

To do what He did
Colossians 1:27 To them [the saints] God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. (NKJV)
As long as Christians have trouble understanding that 
Christ IS in us and that
He IS the hope of our glory
Preferring instead to talk about how sinful we are and trying to conquer sin, we will have trouble making known the glory of this mystery among the gentiles.
If we don't understand this mystery, how will anyone else?  This is the Gospel of the Kingdom, how God made Himself man and died for us that He might be one with us, living in and through us.
6. Seek to See the Glory
Colossians 3:4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. (NKJV)
One day we will see the whole glory that is in us. But that Glory is already in us and was not supposed to be dormant.
Seek to know the Glory in you.
2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. (NKJV)

Matthew 13:44 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. (NKJV)
Great treasure awaits those who seek.  This is why the devil seeks to use the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches to choke the Word.
Mark 4:18 Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word, 19 and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. 20 But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.” (NKJV)

More verses:
Romans 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. (NKJV)
Creation is waiting to see this!
2 Corinthians 4:16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. (NKJV)

7. Dying: More Rewarding Than Living!
Allow the glory to manifest – we need to step out of the way.  The un-renewed mind is the single biggest hindrance to the manifestation of the Glory.
Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 25 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. (NKJV)

This is the living sacrifice Paul talks of – when we are willing to take God on His Word and follow what He says, not what we think or want to accept.
Romans 12:1 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. (NKJV)
Every area in scriptures as you learn them, for example:
Spend time with Me, meditate on My Word
Trust My love, My promises above your feelings and circumstances
Keep your mind on things eternal, things above
Don’t forsake the fellowship
Watch your tongue, your self and other talk
He takes care of you – give and it will be given

8. Remember - All Because of the Cross
Glory – it is all because of the Cross-and the Cross only.
1 Corinthians 1:23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, (NKJV)

1 Corinthians 2:2 For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. (NKJV)

Galatians 6:14 But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. (NKJV)

9. The Take Away
  • Jesus came on earth to die and rise from the dead to bring the glory to us
  • The glory came to us the day we came to know Jesus
  • As we behold this glory through the Word, we become more like Him
  • Seek to see this glory, His goodness, and be transformed
  • Let go of yourself to believe, area by area
  • Know that all this was only because of Jesus’ finished work!


Monday, October 22, 2012

Bible Study - God Looks After Us


Hi Everyone

Get the audio here. Notes follow. Be blessed!

1. Belief in the System
The System as we know it is not the Truth
How many people in the history of man actually ever enjoyed working 30-35 years, retiring to a healthy pension with savings, stocks and mutual funds, a house and 2 cars to live out their retirement years in?
Yet, we see this as the norm, as something that we aspire to and will one day enjoy, almost like a right.  If this is our hope, if we place our trust in this and are working towards it, we may find ourselves very disappointed.
The chance of something that would severely jar our lives between now and “then” is extremely high – consider the spectre of:
  • Economic collapse
  • War
  • Social collapse
  • Natural disasters
  • Sickness and disease
  • Accidents
  • Death


2. The Word is (the only) Truth
Other catastrophes
We have to come to the point where He is all we need, where the promises in His Word are enough for us.

Romans 3:1 What advantage then has the Jew, or what is the profit of circumcision? 2 Much in every way! Chiefly because to them were committed the oracles of God. 3 For what if some did not believe? Will their unbelief make the faithfulness of God without effect? 4 Certainly not! Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar. As it is written: “That You may be justified in Your words, And may overcome when You are judged.” (NKJV)

We must never bring the Word down to our level of experience.  If it didn't work for someone you know, you don’t know what the person really believed in.  Even if it didn't work for us, there might be something more we need to learn.  We must always hold the Word in first place, above our experiences.
All His promises are Yes and Amen.

2 Corinthians 1:19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us—by me, Silvanus, and Timothy—was not Yes and No, but in Him was Yes. 20 For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us. 21 Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, 22 who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee. (NKJV)

Our experience does not dictate the truth of God’s Word.  God’s Word is the plumb line.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. (NKJV)

3. God looks after me/keeps me safe
Truth and understanding of the goodness of God comes to those who seek Him.
Psalm 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. (NKJV)
We often don’t walk in God’s will.  Yet He is merciful.  But we must ASPIRE to walk in His will (Rom 12:2).

4. God takes my worries and cares
Who walked through the shadow of the valley of death?  I walked!  God didn't lead me there!
Matthew 10:29 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. 30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. (KJV)
God cares for me in great detail.  The knowledge of our value is the most important.  We ARE worthy of His Son’s blood, not by anything we did, but simply because He deems it so.  Once we let the devil convince us that we have little or no value, we are in dangerous territory.

1 Peter 5:6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. (NKJV)
Here is the key – to trust in Him, not yourself.  To say that HE is the one who takes my cares, not me. (Gal 2:20)

Psalm 55:22 Cast your burden on the Lord, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved. (NKJV)

5. God takes care of my needs
We are the righteousness of God in Christ – if we don't accept this, then we won’t accept this promise for ourselves, thinking that there must be something that we must do to achieve this.
A lot of worries and cares are in the realm of money.
Money has a very different perspective in the Kingdom!
Philippians 4:19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (NKJV)

Luke 11:13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” (NKJV)

Matthew 7:11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! (NKJV)
Once you have the Holy Spirit in you (on receiving Jesus) you have everything! Know that we have the greatest in us.

Luke 12:32 “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (NKJV)

God takes great joy in giving us the Kingdom.  We need to be Kingdom-minded!

Matthew 6:31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. (NKJV)

6. The Needs Paradox
Seek to know His purposes, what He is doing on earth, what matters to His heart.
2 Corinthians 9:7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. (NKJV)
Give out of a cheerful heart, knowing that He loves us.  Know that we will never lack for the good work we are doing (Kingdom-mindedness)

Luke 16:10 He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much. 11 Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? (NKJV)

7. It’s Not Working…
Money is NOT the true riches.  It is least.  If we want to be trusted with TRUE RICHES we must be faithful with money!
James 1: 2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. (NKJV)

Ask for wisdom – be prepared to humble yourself.  Sometimes you don’t get the answer because He knows where your heart is.  Not that He is angry, but when your heart is in the wrong place, the blessing will destroy you.

8. The Self-Preservation Paradox
What doesn't break us will make us stronger.  He’s bringing us to the next level.
Revelation 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. (NKJV)

John 12:25 He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. (NKJV)

God loves you, but having known God’s love, it’s really all about you relating to God (love God) and you relating to everyone in the church (love your brethren), and those outside (love your neighbour).  Yes, God loves you, but as you realize more and more of this, it should increasingly be less about about you.
I am thankful that He loves me and cares for me, but as I grow in the Lord, more and more I want to die to myself, that more and more I might be a reflection of His love, first to the church, then to those outside.

9. The Take-Away

  • This is the Kingdom of Heaven.
  • In this world, we WILL have tribulation
  • Jesus has promised that He has overcome them
  • Our part is to seek the Kingdom of Heaven
  • He will readily supply all that we need. We.
  • When it appears not to be so, God’s Word is true.  Seek Him.
  • It’s all about you to God, but seek for it to be about His Kingdom to you!


Monday, October 15, 2012

Bible Study: God Answers Our Prayers


Hi Everyone

Here are the notes for the latest Bible Study.  You can access the audio here.  You can access any of the other files from the same folder.

Blessings!

Chris

1 Talk to Your Father
It is all based on love.  A relationship.
Adam had a sweet communion with God in the Garden before the Fall.  This was broken as a result of sin.  We see how through the Old Testament, sin brought Man further and further from God.
Genesis 4:9 Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?” (NKJV)
Cain was familiar enough with God! But it went downhill from there and God’s voice became less and less heard, except for a few people and less and less directly.

Luke 1:28 And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!” 29 But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. 30 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. (NKJV)
By Mary’s time, even an angel frightened here.

Luke 19:10 for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (NKJV)
Jesus came as the second Adam and put right what Adam’s sin had made wrong.  He came to save us from our sin, restore us to a right relationship with God.
Today, like Jesus, we have a right to talk to God as our Father. More importantly, we have the ability to hear Him.
Because of this, we can strip away any religiosity around prayer and making it just us talking to God.
KNOW THAT SIN IS NO LONGER IN THE WAY.  God is not angry with you!
The devil seeks to steal this knowledge of your righteousness, because from this relational standpoint, he can rob you of the rest.
1 Thessalonians 5:17 pray without ceasing, (NKJV)
As you talk to God throughout the day, you pray without ceasing. Keep a spirit of intimacy – that’s why it is important to know that you are righteous in Him and that He loves you always.

2 Pray According to the Word
What has already been promised in the Word is yours.
2 Corinthians 1:20 For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us. (NKJV)

Things that contradict the Word, don’t even bother asking e.g. want a new spouse, 
Other things neutral in the Word – whether to change jobs, buy a certain house, specific directions – go ahead and talk to Him about it, but seek to know His will.
Also, don’t thank Him FOR suffering, thank Him IN suffering.  God gives good things, the devil gives bad, so don’t believe for the wrong things!
Romans 5:3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. (NKJV)

3 Give Thanks and Praise Him
The more we know His promises, the more we just want to thank Him.  Stay in the Word.  You have heard so much about His goodness in our Bible studies, so meditate on these and keep a spirit of thanksgiving and praise.
1 Thessalonians 5:16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (NKJV)

Psalm 100:4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. 5 For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations. (NKJV)

Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (NKJV)
Prayer, supplication and thanksgiving without worry guards our hearts with a peace that surpasses all understanding.

Last-day people are just the opposite:
Romans 1:21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. (NKJV)
The attitude doesn't just glorify God – it helps you!

4 Pray Knowing Who You Are
You are not a whipped puppy.  Pray knowing who you are:
  • Son/daughter of the Most High God
  • Deemed worthy of His Son’s blood
  • Joint Heir with Christ
  • One having the Glory, His Spirit, within
  • King and Priest
  • Ambassador
  • More than a Conqueror
  • BELOVED of the Lord!

That's why Paul said:
Ephesians 1:15 Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16 do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, 18 the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power 20 which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. (NKJV)

5 Speak to the Mountain
Speak to the mountain about God, not to God about the mountain.
Mark 11:22 So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. 23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. 24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. (NKJV)
Understand that the day you received the Lord, you have the Holy Spirit in you. The same God that spoke the world into existence dwells in you willingly and is one with you.
You now possess immense power to speak over situations, to bless, to call forth.  It works from a relationship, like a prince decreeing.  If you don’t know that you are a prince, you will not behave like one.
Again, a love relationship with Him is the key.

6 Come to Know God
The more you know Him, the more you are in sync with Him.  The more we are in sync with Him, the more we know His thoughts, His will for us.  
Psalm 37:4 Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. (NKJV)

He wants to share His thoughts with you.
Psalm 25:14 The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him, And He will show them His covenant. (NKJV)

He speaks and we hear
John 10:4 And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” (NKJV)

Romans 12: 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. (NKJV)
Throw yourself at Him.  You will be transformed as you read the Word and you will know His good, well-pleasing and complete will.

7 The Take Away
  • The way to God has been opened – take full advantage of it
  • Get to know Him and His love
  • Give thanks for His goodness, praise Him!
  • Talk to Him all the time
  • Know who you are in Him
  • Speak to the Mountain
  • Know Him to know His will


Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Bible Study - For a Bowl of Stew…

You can download the audio here. If you want to access all the recent audio files, click here.

Enjoy the Bible Study and be blessed!

Chris


1. The Kingdom of God
God sent Jesus to come to earth 2000 years ago to die on the Cross on our behalf, and to rise again on our behalf.
Not to forgive us of our sins that we might go to heaven, but that the way might be open for heaven to come into us:
Matthew 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (NKJV)

Luke 17:21b …For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.” (NKJV)
God was already in their midst – the Kingdom is manifested in the presence of God.  
John 17:3 And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. (NKJV)
Heaven is knowing the Lord, because it is in knowing Him that we have eternal life!

Heaven came down to earth and with Jesus and after His resurrection at Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came down into the hearts of men.  The Kingdom of God IS here!
John 17:22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: (NKJV)
And He gave His glory to us – His Spirit, His goodness.
If you believe in Jesus, today God is in you, Heaven is in us.  The glory is already in us!
2 Corinthians 13:5 …Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? (NKJV)

It must hurt the heart of God so much to see His children lost.  It must also hurt His heart when we His children fail to grow up to the potential He has given us.

2. Despising the Rights
Birthrights and blessings were BIG BUSINESS in those days.
Genesis 25:29 Now Jacob cooked a stew; and Esau came in from the field, and he was weary. 30 And Esau said to Jacob, “Please feed me with that same red stew, for I am weary.” Therefore his name was called Edom. 31 But Jacob said, “Sell me your birthright as of this day.” 32 And Esau said, “Look, I am about to die; so what is this birthright to me?” 33 Then Jacob said, “Swear to me as of this day.” So he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob. 34 And Jacob gave Esau bread and stew of lentils; then he ate and drank, arose, and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright. (NKJV)

What is your birthright today? Today, He is in us. The glory is in you and many among us despise this birthright also.
Must not be deceived from our birthright – God is sad to see the fallen nature of His creation, even after the work was finished.
A few of these rights:
2 Peter 1:2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, 3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. (NKJV)

Romans 8:31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? (NKJV)

3. It’s a Right Because of the Covenant 
God blessed Abraham because of the covenant He cut with him:
Genesis 17:7 And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and your descendants after you. (NKJV)

God blessed Isaac because of Abraham.
Genesis 26:24 And the Lord appeared to him the same night and said, “I am the God of your father Abraham; do not fear, for I am with you. I will bless you and multiply your descendants for My servant Abraham’s sake.” (NKJV)
And this is was after God had already blessed him so greatly in the midst of a famine!
1 Samuel 17:45 Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. (NKJV)
David understood well his covenant position. Not his ability but his God.

4. We have a FAR Better Covenant
God blesses us because of a much better covenant cut not with the blood of bulls and goats, but with the blood of His own Son!
Hebrews 7:22 by so much more Jesus has become a surety of a better covenant. (NKJV)

2 Corinthians 3: 7 But if the ministry of death, written and engraved on stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of the glory of his countenance, which glory was passing away, 8 how will the ministry of the Spirit not be more glorious? 9 For if the ministry of condemnation had glory, the ministry of righteousness exceeds much more in glory. (NKJV)

5. So What’s Your Stew?
Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 25 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. 26 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? (NKJV)
What do we give in exchange? In what way are we like Esau selling his birthright?
Asked another way – what do you THINK (Prov 23:7) you need to make you happy:
  • Perceived standing with God (religion?)
  • Social standing (religion?)
  • Relationships
  • Wealth
  • Pleasure
  • Career/business “success”
  • Affirmation/approval of loved ones, society, community 
  • Power
  • Control of life
  • Image
  • Etc.

Not that all of these are wrong in themselves, but if we serve them, like Esau, we give up something that God meant for us when we THINK we need something to make us happy (or will die without it). We use this to fill a hole that God meant to fill. We don’t need these to make us whole.
Outside of the Word of God, all is death.
We become who we worship. We are controlled by what we desire.

6. It’s By Realising, By Being
I AM NOT TELLING YOU TO DO SOMETHING. I am telling you to realise something. If we don’t do it from love, it PROFITS NOTHING.
1 Corinthians 13:2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. (NKJV)

Realise that finished work of Christ in you. Love came to you.  Realise the glory that dwells in you. Realise that Heaven has come to you already and that eternal life began the moment you came to know the Lord.
2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. (NKJV)

Identify yourself only with God’s word. You are who He says you are. Righteous, holy, loved.

Only one thing is needed
Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. (NKJV)

7. Like Paul Said…
Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. (NKJV)

By love, we have faith to die to ourselves.  The more we realise His love for us, the more we can have the faith to step out of the boat.
We are not here to take up space, help the plants with CO2 while here and become fertilizer when we go to heaven.  We have a God who loves us and wants the very best for us.  Just like our own children, He doesn't want us living below potential.
Ephesians 3:20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, (NKJV)

God plans for you are good, not evil.  Plans as a part of His Kingdom, that through you He might reach out to a lost and dying world that His Son died for.

8. Only One Thing…
We need to do the one thing that is needful,
Luke 10:41 And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. 42 But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” (NKJV)

Be sold out to Him - we live out our lives increasingly actualizing who we were meant to be. Ironically it is when you do that you see true happiness in life.