Breakthrough
Have as Much as You Want
Zach Neese
INTRO: This morning, we spoke about worship as the perfume of Heaven.
Psalm 22:3 - Praise is powerful because it enthrones the KING.
You can have as much of Jesus as you want!
But most modern churches, and most people, don’t want very much of Jesus.
COMPLACENY is the opposite of REVIVAL.
PRAYER-
- Chapter 2 – Jesus dictates 7 letters to John for the 7 churches of Asia Minor.
What do these represent? 3 Theories:
- 7 literal historic churches? - Asia Minor – Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea –
- 7 types of churches? – backsliding church, persecuted church, carnal church, cultish church, ritualistic church, evangelistic church, and finally Laodicea – the last church.
- 7 ages of the church?
What if we are in the age of the 7th church?
“To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.”
Revelation 3:14-16 (NIV)
- What’s this church’s problem? They have a Passion Problem.
Historic Laodicea (Lah – DEE’ – kahyah) –
- Center of banking and textiles – wealth and wardrobe – riches and robes
Satisfied Complacent Content
- Aqueduct – NO SOURCE – Hierapolis [higher-ah-polis] (North) had famous hot springs, Colossae [Cuh-lahs-eye] (South) had cold springs
- PASSION problems always signal PRESENCE problems
- A PASSION problem leads to a PRAYER problem!
“You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched (afflicted, turmoil), pitiful (miserable), poor (beggard – ‘PO’), blind (ignorant) and naked (REALITY CHECK). I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire (ETERNAL RICHES), so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear (RIGHTEOUSNESS), so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see (REVELATION of TRUTH).”
Revelation 3:17-18 (NIV)
- A PASSION Problem causes a PRESENCE Problem.
“Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”
Revelation 3:19-20 (NIV)
What is the problem? Everyone attends this church EXCEPT JESUS!
One of the most shocking passages in scripture! - Jesus is not valued, hosted, or welcomed in His own house! They didn’t reject Him; they just didn’t see their need for Him!
This church has figured out how to do ministry without Jesus – what can you accomplish without Christ?
QUESTION: Is that all that you want? Are you SATISFIED?!
- I CANNOT DO this without Jesus – I need Jesus.
- Lion of the Tribe of Judah – Yada – upraised hand! - throw handfuls of praise!
- The tribe of Power.
- Is the Tribe of the King.
- Is the Tribe of Praise.
Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel.
Psalm 22:3 (ESV)
POWER - Where Jesus is, anything can happen!
- The Day Jesus Visited the Church – i.e., little chair.
- You can have as much Jesus as you want!
- God’s Power always accompanies His Presence –
When we think we have all we need, we never ask for enough.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Ephesians 3:20-21 (NIV)
Play the imagination game! – What can you imagine? What does He WANT to do? Pray crazy prayers.
Begin to ask for the impossible.
Story Time – North Fort Worth – Maddy Mendenhall – Miracle
How much Jesus do you need?
CLOSING:
We can have as much of Jesus as we want.
Good NEWS! He is very close! And He is ready to come in!
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock.”
Revelation 3:20a (ESV)
“Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
Revelation 3:22 (NIV)