04/18/2025
Today is Good Friday, and as we approach Easter Sunday let’s look at what God called Jesus to do and ask ourselves if we could answer that same call to suffering. In fact, this is a very important question today because we have in fact been called to Calvary with Christ. Have we ever considered this during Holy week before? Perhaps we haven’t because we feel that we are too weak to accomplish such a task, but like Jesus we receive help when asked to do the hard things. Let’s consider this today.
“Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?”
Matthew 16:24-26 ESV
“And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.”
Luke 22:43-44 ESV
When God calls us to perform a challenging task for Him, how do we go about determining if we will accept it? Do we look at our own skills and determine if it is possible for us, and then reject those things that are beyond our ability? Or do we look at Jesus and say to ourselves "He can do all things because He is the Son of God" and thus justify our own silence when God calls our miserable name?
“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
Philippians 4:13 KJV
In reality, the man Jesus doesn't have any advantage over you or me. He was doing those things we read about because He exercised the same promises and power that God has promised to us. The only difference is that He believes them fully and gives the Holy Spirit free rein to accomplish them through Him.
“For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.”
2 Corinthians 1:20 ESV
What a wonderfully revealing scripture! It doesn't say that Jesus brought glory to God by His own efforts, but rather because God's promises found fertile ground in Him. These are the same promises we have... and the same Holy Spirit we have been offered!
I was reading Pastor Oswald Chambers this morning and he wrote these words after referring to the parable of the talents:
"We must not measure our spiritual capacity by education or intellect; our capacity in spiritual things is measured by the promises of God.... When it is a question of God's Almighty Spirit, never say "I can't." Never let the limitation of natural ability come in. If we have received the Holy Spirit, God expects the work of the Holy Spirit to be manifested in us." - Oswald Chambers
If we truly believe this then we must also believe that we don't work for God nearly as much as He works in and through us. So when we fail to achieve what He has asked of us what really happened? Is it our lack of our exercising God's promises, a shortcoming in the ability of God's promises themselves, or are we misunderstanding what His will actually was? In business I consult someone who has had great success at something for advice when I am preparing to do the same thing, so in the case of spiritual success for the kingdom, let's consult Jesus, listen to what He says…
“But Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."”
Matthew 19:26 ESV
Hmmmm... Perhaps I have thus far failed because it is impossible for me. So how does God expect me to do this thing that is so far beyond my ability? Well let's look at what is said about Jesus' success…
“And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and a report about him went out through all the surrounding country. And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all.”
Luke 4:14-15 ESV
There it is... the ingredient that is missing in my failure; "the power of the Spirit!" But, this is Jesus we are talking about... does that pertain to me? Well, what does Paul say about his success; after all he is 100% a man...
“by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God—so that from Jerusalem and all the way around to Illyricum I have fulfilled the ministry of the gospel of Christ;”
Romans 15:19 ESV
Ok, I am convinced. The secret to performing the things that God calls me to do has less to do with my own skills and intellect, and much more to do with the promises of God and the Holy Spirit manifesting himself within me. So how do I begin?
Well the first thing I need to do is pray for the Holy Spirit to enter into me, or I can go to a Spirit filled saint in the church and have them pray with me and lay their hands on me, just as Peter and John did for the people in Jerusalem...
“Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.”
Acts 8:17 ESV
This, like all things of God requires faith, and receiving the Holy Spirit is a gift of faith... not a right. So once our faith is in line with God's will and is sufficient for God's purpose, the Spirit will be given, and from that moment forward, our answer of "Here I Am" to God's call will be coupled with certain success and victory... we will achieve things well beyond our own abilities. This is where our help comes from… it comes from God who made heaven and earth, and who gives us the Holy Spirit.
In this way, through the Holy Spirit, we will receive understanding, so that if we feel we are falling short of achieving the Lord’s will, His Spirit will show us differently by revealing the good that most certainly lies ahead.
“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.”
Psalm 121;1-2 KJV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for your Son Jesus, and for the Holy Spirit that allows us to perform your callings just as He did. You sent your Spirit to us by breathing Him upon the disciples, and now, today, you do the same for those of us who you call as well. Holy Father, let the power and miracles that we need to achieve those things you have asked of us be granted as we perform your will. Let your presence be felt by those who witness this power and see the miracles you perform through us; and in this way may your kingdom be advanced, and your name be glorified. Lord. In you all things are possible, and by your power flowing through us your will is manifest. Give us the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit to lead us as we perform the things you have asked of us, and in all things great and small, may you be glorified, and your name be praised throughout creation and beyond. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you, and you never fail in any endeavor you set out to accomplish. Open our eyes Lord so that we can see that those things we perceive to be our failures are by your design and embedded in your perfect will. Show us that they are meant to be… because in them you are working all things together for good. Help us to see and understand through your Holy Spirit that by being nailed to our cross we are being perfected in your image and thus becoming the reflection of Jesus. Praised be your name Father, and may all glory and honor be yours throughout eternity.
Amen, Amen, Amen!!
“Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”
Matthew 5:48 KJV
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
Romans 8:28 ESV
““And now I am about to go the way of all the earth, and you know in your hearts and souls, all of you, that not one word has failed of all the good things that the Lord your God promised concerning you. All have come to pass for you; not one of them has failed.””
Joshua 23:14 ESV
Rich Forbes