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WILLING, AVAILABLE and ABLE

PROJECT JERUSALEM30 March 2010

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THEREFORE, IF ANY MAN BE IN CHRIST, HE IS A NEW CREATURE: OLD THINGS ARE PASSED; BEHOLD, ALL THINGS ARE BECOME NEW 2 Cor 5:17

FOR IN CHRIST JESUS, NEITHER CIRCUMCISION AVAILETH ANYTHER, NOR UNCIRCUMCISION, BUT A NEW CREATURE 2 Cor 6:15

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AND BE NOT CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD; BUT YE BE TRANSFORMED BY THE RENEWING OF MIND, THAT YE MIGHT PROVE THAT WHICH IS GOOD, AND ACCEPTABLE AND PERFECT WILL OF GOD Romans 12:2

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“WILL” “thelěma” – determination, choice, a purpose, volition, inclination - desire, pleasure, will

1Ch 28:9 And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.

Heb 13:21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

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WILLING . . . . .

TO DO HIS WILL◦His perfect will for your life◦“Not my will but thine O Lord”

HIS PERFECT WILL IS NOT HIS PERMISSIVE OR PERMISSIBLE WILL

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WILLING . . . . .

I SEEK NOT MY OWN WILL, BUT THE WILL OF THE FATHER WHO SENT ME (John 5:30)

NEVERTHELESS NOT MY WILL, BUT THY WILL BE DONE (Matt 26:39, Mat 26:42, Luke 22:42)

The perfect example and our model for subjecting our will to a greater power

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WILLING . . . . .

SUBMISSION – putting one’s self in total surrender and complete obedience to the Lord – as the ONE who sends and you as a worker/SERVANT

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WILLING . . . . .

SUBMISSION & SUBJECTION – to the Lord’s sovereign and complete authority and WILL – time, place and activity

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WILLING . . . . .

SUBMISSION, SUBJECTION & LOGICAL SERVICE – purity before God, holy, being a living sacrifice, acceptable to God (Romans 12:1)

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THE OBEDIENCE OF ABRAHAM – The sacrifice (ALMOST ?!?) of ISAAC Gen 22:2-9

THE HARD HEADED- & DISOBEDIENT KING SAUL 1 Samuel 13, 15

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WILLING . . . . .

THE SACRIFICE OF ABEL CONTRAST TO THE SACRIFICE OF CAIN (By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh, Heb 11:4)

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WILLING . . . . .

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WILLING . . . . . KING SAUL – 1Sam 13:9-13, 1Sam 15:11-22)ISRAELITES – Numbers 14THE SACRIFICE OF ABEL CONTRAST

TO THE SACRIFICE OF CAIN (By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh, Heb 11:4)

DAVID (a man after God’s own heart, 1 Sam 13:14)

Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

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AVAILABLE . . . Isa 6:8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord,

saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.

Mat 9:38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

Mat 10:16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

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Making themselves available. ABRAHAMMOSESELISHA – ELIJAHSAMUEL - ELIKING SAUL – DAVID ISAIAH JEREMIAHTHE APOSTLESSAUL - PAUL

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Rom 4:3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

Heb 11:26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.

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The confirmation of the call of Elisha as the successor of Elijah (2Ki 2:1-2)

Samuel, the priest and prophet, dedicated by his parents – he anointed Saul and then David (1Samuel)

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AVAILABILITY

Did you make yourself available?OR did someone “made you”

available?OR you were you just thrust into

it and “floated” along with it?OR was it just for the “fun” of itOR was it just the “bandwagon”

effect

How did it start for you??

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AVAILABILITYAre you just floating or coasting along? Were you just thrust into this?Pressured into this?

Jas1:5-7 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.

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AVAILABILITYOR are you still unsure?

OR are still doubting you’ve been called

FOR WHAT ?TO DO WHAT ?“FULL-TIME” or “PART-TIME”

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AVAILABILITYFOR WHAT?• a Christian is part of the

body of Christ (CHURCH)• “not I by Christ lives in

me” (Gal 2:20)• “Has left all and followed

Him” (Mk 10:26, Lk 18:28)

FOR WHAT? FOR WHOM ?

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AVAILABILITY

• because thou has forgotten thy first love . . . (Rev 2:4)

• We love him because he first loved us (1 John 4:19)

• And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength, this is the first commandment (Mark 12:30), (Deut 6:4-5)

FOR WHAT?FOR WHOM ?

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AVAILABILITYTO DO WHAT?• Now you are the body of

Christ, and members in particular

• No schism in the body, all members should care for one another, if one member suffers, all suffer

• If one member is honored, all is honored (Romans 12:13-31)

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AVAILABILITYTO DO WHAT?• Go . . . Teach . . . Baptize• Teach them to observe ALL

that I have commanded you (Matthew 28:19-20)

For even when we were with you, this I commanded you, that if any one would not work, neither should he eat

(2 Th 3-10)

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AVAILABILITYTO DO WHAT?• Are all apostles? Are all

prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? (1 Cor 12-29)

• And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

(Eph 4:11)

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AVAILABILITYTO DO WHAT?

• PROPHET foretelling and forth-telling

• PRIEST mediating, tenders of the tabernacle, administer sacrifices• KING administrator, leading and tending the flock, organizers

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AVAILABILITY“PART-TIME” ?

• PAUL was a tent-maker (Acts 18:3)and he did not makehimself a burden to

the brethren or Church

whenit came to his daily

needs(1 Cor 9)

“FULL-TIME” ?

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AVAILABILITY“PART-TIME” ? “FULL-TIME” ?• JOSEPH OF ARIMATHAEA 1 Mat 27:57)• PETER, JAMES and JOHN were

fishermen 1 Mat 27:57) • MATTHEW was a taxcollector• LUKE is called the “Physician”

Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called 1Co 7:20

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AVAILABILITY“PART-TIME” ? “FULL-TIME” ?

• “I have left all and followed YOU” (Mk 10:26, Lk 18:28)

• “not I by Christ lives in me” (Gal 2:20)

• And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me

Luk 9:23

?

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“am I all for JESUS only on sundays” ?“am I all for JESUS only when I am with the Brethren?“am I all for JESUS only when I feel like it?

AVAILABILITY

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AVAILABILITYHow much time do I spend in prayer?How much time do I spend in the word?How much time do I spend in fellowship?

Mt 13Mk 4Lk 8

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ABILITYWE HAVE THE LORD’s ENABLMENT –

(Php 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.)

THE LORD’s PROVISION (Php 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.)

THE LORD’s ENABLING/MERCIFUL/POWERFUL PRESENCE (Mat 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.)

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ABILITYTHE SECURITY FROM THE LORD

(Psalms 27, Psalm 23, John 10:11)THE LOVE AND PROTECTION OF

THE FATHER (John 10:29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.

THE HOLY SPIRIT (John 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;)

THE ANGELS (Heb 1:14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?

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ABILITY1Pet 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

2Pe 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Eph 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

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ABILITYTHE LORD CALLED HIS DISCIPLES – “My

Little Children (John 13:33 Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you. )

PAUL TALKS OF CHRISTIANS AS CHILDREN (Eph 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 1Th 2:7 But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children)

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THE APOSTLE JOHN, in his letter to the faithful (the CHURCH, the elect Lady) describes the stages of growth of believers◦LITTLE CHILDREN◦YOUNG MEN◦FATHERS

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ABILITYLITTLE CHILDREN (1Jn 2:12 I write unto you,

little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake; 1 Jn 2:13 I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father. )

YOUNG MEN (1 Jn 2:13 I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one; 1 Jn 2:14 I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.)

FATHERS (1Jn 2:13 I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning; 1Jn 2:14 I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning.)

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WHEN DAVID MET GOLIATH, HE WAS NOT UNPREPARED – HE HAD THE SKILL WITH HIS SLING – HE HAD SLEW A LION AND A BEAR WHEN HE WAS A SHEPHERD.

1Sa 17:45-47 Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD'S, and he will give you into our hands.

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Act 9:4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? Act 9:15-16 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.Act 22:3 I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.

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According to the Jewish Law, when boys reach the age of 13, and girls 12, they become responsible for their actions before God, and undergo Bar (for boys) and Bat (for girls) Mitzvah. The should be able to read the Torah, participate in the discussions, and obey the 613 laws of the Torah (English Wikipedia)

Luk 2:40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.

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2Ti 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 2Ti 3:16-17 All scripture

is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.Heb 4:12 For the word of God is

quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

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