SEEING THE INVISIBLE based on Romans 4:17

1
SEEING THE INVISIBLE(based on Romans 417)

• What do you see?
• What does God see?
• How do we reconcile the two?

2
Romans 417

• "I have made you a father of many nations") in
  the presence of Him whom he believed God, who
  gives life to the dead and calls those things
  which do not exist as though they did NKJV

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Context

• Paul writing to the church in Rome about the
  difference between law and grace.
• Story of Abraham who was honoured by God for
  believing in Gods promises.
• For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham
  believed God, and it was accounted to him for
  righteousness." Romans 43

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Abrahams Story a man who could see the
invisible

• Gen.12 - called to leave his country and home and
  go to where God told him.
• Gen.13 - Abram becomes very rich.
• God blesses Abram and his family because he is
  willing and obedient

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Helping God out not a good idea!

• Gen.15 16 - God makes covenant with Abram and
  promises him many offspring. Abram and Sarai try
  to help Gods plan and Ismael is the result.
• God blesses Ismael BUT the problems in the
  Middle East today - the conflict between Islam
  and Christianity are the result.

6
The Promise fulfilled!

• Gen.17 - God changes Abrams name to Abraham and
  confirms His covenant and requires Abraham and
  all men to be circumcised. (Abraham is 99 years
  old).
• Gen.18 - God promises a son to AS this is
  impossible in the physical.
• Gen.21 Isaac is born when Abraham is 100 and
  Sarah is 90

7
Obedience required

• Gen.22 God tests Abrahams obedience by asking
  him to sacrifice Isaac and when Abraham and Isaac
  are willing to do this God provides the
  sacrifice.
• How could Abraham be able to sacrifice his son of
  promise?

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Themes

• God calls each one of us to leave the Kingdom of
  our birth (i.e. the world which is under Satans
  control) and enter into His Kingdom.
• God makes covenant with His people.
• Pain (circumcision) and sacrifice are always part
  of the journey.

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Themes cont.

• God calls us to partake in that which the flesh
  (carnal nature) and the world would call
  impossible.
• God requires obedience.
• God honours and responds to our faith (Rom.43)

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What do you see?

• Do you see with the eyes of the flesh or with the
  eyes of the spirit i.e. eyes of faith?
• The eyes you choose to use make a big difference
  when you look the circumstances of your life?
• The difference is between life and death hope
  and despair negative and positive.

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Prophesy life!

• God wants us to choose and speak life over the
  dry bones of our circumstances. The destroyer
  wants us to speak death. You choose! Gods
  prophetic voice brings life to dry bones.
• And He said to me, "Son of man, can these bones
  live? So I answered, "O Lord GOD, You know."
  Again He said to me, "Prophesy to these bones,
  and say to them, 'O dry bones, hear the word of
  the LORD! Ezekiel 373-5

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All may prophesy life (1 Corinthians. 141-40)

• Pursue love and desire spiritual gifts especially
  prophesy - 1 Cor.141 39
• Prophesy builds up and edifies individuals and
  the church. 1 Cor.14.3 4
• For you can all prophesy one by one, that all
  may learn and all may be encouraged.
  1 Cor. 1431

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What does God see?

• Prophesy is speaking out Gods heart over
  situations and circumstances. God calls things
  that are not as if they exist. We are called to
  speak like this over situations and
  circumstances.
• We need to speak ONLY that which God speaks
  either through His Word (Logos) or by His Spirit
  (Rhema). NOT our own good ideas!

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Applications

• Personal circumstances see through the eyes of
  faith!
• Praying for others prophesy life.
• Praying for Oasis seek to see what God sees!
• Praying for the church in Taiwan.
• Praying for Gods purposes in Taiwan and nations
  to the ends of the earth.

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The eyes of faith

• But without faith it is impossible to please
  Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He
  is, and that He is a rewarder of those who
  diligently seek Him. Hebrews 116