21 Nov 08 (Week 6 on the theme "Surrender")

This evening, we considered God's dealings in the lives of Joseph and Moses, and reflected on God's 'common pattern' or principles in preparing His people for their destinies. Indeed, the pattern is the same for each one of us, as He works in us to mould our character and prepare us for His work. We also reflected on the ultimate symbol of sacrifice and surrender - the Lamb that was slain from the foundations of the earth.

In connection with our examination of some verses from Revelation, we also began to talk about the vision/purpose that God has for our fellowship group for such a time as this (Rev 5:8).

A. Joseph
B. Moses
C. The Lamb
D. Vision for Our Fellowship
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(A) JOSEPH

1. Joseph as a young, possibly spoilt, child sees life as revolving around him.

Genesis 37:2 - "This is the account of Jacob. Joseph, a young man of seventeen, was tending the flocks with his brothers, the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives, and he brought their father a bad report about them." (+ the way he recounts his dreams to his brothers, etc.)

2. Joseph has gone thru' a tough lesson (sold to slavery) but is still full of self -the outer man still prevails.

Genesis 39:8-9 - But he refused. "With me in charge," he told her, "my master does not concern himself with anything in the house; everything he owns he has entrusted to my care. No one is greater in this house than I am. My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?

3. Thru' a series of hardships, he finally came to the end of himself. God comes first & he is now ready for His work.

Genesis 41:16 - "I cannot do it," Joseph replied to Pharaoh, "but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires."

4. Joseph puts God first, & Pharaoh puts Joseph in charge of his kingdom.

Genesis 41:40 - You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.


(B) MOSES

1. Moses was great in his own strength.

Acts 7:22 - Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in speech and action.

2. Moses took things into his own hands. He killed an Egyptian.

Exodus 2:11-12 - One day, after Moses had grown up, he went out to where his own people were and watched them at their hard labor. He saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his own people. Glancing this way and that and seeing no one, he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand.

3. Thru' a long period of God's dealings & hardships, he came to the end of himself. God comes first & he is now ready for His work (notice the similarity in voice btw Ex 3:11 & Gen 41:16).

Exodus 3:11 - But Moses said to God, "Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?"


(C) THE LAMB

The Lamb of God represents God's ultimate victory which stems from an attitude of unreserved sacrifice and surrender.

Revelation 5:6
Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.

Revelation 5:8
And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.

Revelation 13:8
All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written in the book of life belonging to the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world.


(D) Vision for Our Fellowship

As we continue to seek God for His vision/purpose for our fellowship group, the twin themes of 'revival' and 'intercession' were recently impressed upon my heart. We are called to be purposeful in praying and interceding for revival, first in Singapore, then across the nations.

From a practical standpoint, we need to equip ourselves to pray with power and to learn how to join hands with the Chief Intercessor, the Lord Christ, in the Office & Duty of Intercession. Christ ever lives to make intercession for us at the right hand of the Father.

God takes exceptional delight in 'collective prayers'. Revival often starts from very small beginnings and small faithful pockets of praying saints. I have a strong sense that the call upon our fellowship is nothing less than this. Rev 5:8 appears to be the anchor verse for us - "...golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints". Indeed, we are called to fill these bowls!

You would remember I shared from a sermon by C.H.Spurgeon "Golden Bowls Full of Incense". I have placed a link to this elegant message and another titled "Intercessory Prayer" in our Resource column (right-hand side of blog).

With all these, we shall progress from our initial theme of "Surrender/ Abandonment", which was a great, foundation-setting topic, to "Prayer & Intercession". The following weeks/months will be a season of equipping thru' an intentional study of God's Word on this subject and whatever resources and teachers the Lord will bring to us. This Saturday, Susan will share with us on intercession & speaking God's Word into being.