6 January 2013

Topic: The New Year Message of 2013

Today is Vision Sunday. This is the day where God sets the theme for the church this year.

God works through the local church. The theme God has for the church is for everyone in the church.
The theme does not mean that is the only thing that will happen for us this year. God knows we are focused at only one thing at a time. We don't leave Restful Increase just because we have a new theme this year. In fact it is added on. You look back to see that God works in many ways for the past year.

So what does God has for us this year 2013?
Pastor sought the Lord while patting Justin to bed one afternoon and coincidentally flips to the bible passage, Isaiah 22:23-24, which speaks about "The key of David". In this context found in Revelation, there is one church which God does not rebuke. The seven churches existed during the time of John. The sixth and seventh churches should exist concurrently.
Revelation 3:7-8
Verse 7: "... He who is holy". We can look away from all the filth of this world and look to Jesus who is altogether holy. Holy means you stand out, you have charisma. God wants His people holy, separated from the world.
"... He who is true". How great to know He is always true, unlike the world who works in evil ways. Money is a servant, not a master. Believe in what you are doing. In the world full of pretence, you can know you got someone whom you can rest in.
To one church, God appeared with eyes on fire. It is because the church lacked the eyes of discernment.
"... the key of David...". This is the Philadelphia church which God did not rebuke and Pastor wants NCC to be like.
"He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens". God reveals to us that this year, when God shuts the door to evil, no one can open. When God opens doors of favour, no one shuts it.
Go to Isaiah 22:22, God revealed the verse about the key of David to Pastor. The number "22" is very dear to Pastor because 22Media Pte Ltd is his ministry. In the biblical representation, "22" represents "light".

Back to Revelation 3:7-8
Verse 8: God has set before us an open door, and no one can shut it.
In essence, God is telling us this year is going to be a year of many open doors.

In the end times where there will be a rise of anti-Christ, they are not anti-God but anti-Christ.
This year there will  be trials, but at the end of the service, Pastor will pray for the church for promotions, protection and having no trials. There are some things God will protect you from but there are also things He allows you to go through, not just go through, but with victory.
This year He will open doors no one can shut and close doors no one can open. Do not expect a physical door, it's a spiritual door. God will put in the key, open the door to a brand new world for you. It doesn't matter if you lack the certs or smarts, when God opens, no critics can shut it.

Acts 14:27
Verse 27: God had opened the door of faith.

Jesus holds the key with His nail-pierced hands and He will never use it against you.

There was a time where the world is created for men to live in forever. That was God's dream. But Adam and Eve sinned and their sin brought forth sickness, diseases and death. That is why sin became God's greatest enemy. When Jesus came, He went about healing. Satan once had the power of death in Hebrews 2. So who held the power of death now? Look to Revelation 1:16-18. God says He has the keys of Hades and of death in Verse 18. No one can send you to hell. This also means you cannot even lose your salvation. The devil can never call your number anymore. In context, God was telling John this truth.
Pastor then shares about the story of John who was thrown into a pot of boiling oil by the greatest anti-Christ king in the Roman history. He came up of the boiling oil and continued preaching. When the whole city saw that, they all submitted theirs lives to God. It's like God saying to John, "I have the key, I will protect you."
Look at it this way, God has the key to your life. When He opens the door of protection for you, no one can shut it.
This key of Hades is not the key of David. That's a different key and a different message altogether. Jesus is holding the key of David and He will open doors for you. If you lack great faith, ask God to open the door of faith for you.

2 Corinthians 2:12
"... a door was opened to me by the Lord". So who opens the door for you? It is God who opens, not you who opens. We are so dependent on Him. Those who bow their knees to God are the people who stand high above all men with power.

1 Corinthians 16:9
Verse 9: Paul is saying a great and effective door is opened for him. He also mentions about the many adversaries. There are many who are jealous and full of critics. Don't expect yourself not to have any adversary when God opens doors for you this year.

Pastor reveals that he always makes this prayer before he preaches. Look at Colossians 4:3-4.
Verse 3: ".. open onto us a door of utterance..". If our words are anointed with the power of the holy spirit, our words that goes out are blessed. Pastor has prayed this prayer all these years for his ministry to speak life to people. In your career, you can also pray that. God can open the door of utterance to you before an interview or presentation. A few words carry more weight than paragraphs.

God also revealed to Pastor that this year will also be a year of open wombs. Many babies will be born this year.

Genesis 30:22
Verse 22: God remember Rachael, listened to her and opened her womb.
"But Pastor, how can a womb be a door?"
Turn to Job 3:10, "... the doors of my mother's womb." There you have it, it's a spiritual door.

Back to Genesis 30:22, God listened to her. If you want God to use the key, pray and tell God to do it. The fact God listened to her meant that she prayed. Look at Colossians 4:3-4, "Withal praying...". She prayed too.

One of the secret for God to use the key of David is to pray.

Prayer is an expression of grace. It literally means I cannot, only God can. In situations where you are cornered, God will open to you the door of utterance.
If you do not like your children mixing with a bad group of friends, pray to God knowing that you have influence to God. We have influence with God. Don't be surprised there are people who don't pray and only pray when they cannot. When man opens a door, it comes with many conditions. When God opens, it comes with love.

It's a brand new world for you when God opens the door for you.
"But Pastor, you don't understand la, I'm at the age which I can't conceive."
"Hey you don't understand the spirit of Sarah. Sarah became fruitful at the age of 90 and yet a king wanted her".

God does not force His blessings on you. Do you choose to be? If you do, He will open doors for you just by asking.

You will hear more stories about David this year. Today's message is just an introduction of what God will do for us this year.

Let's look at an example of a closed doors in the bible.
Acts 16:6-7
Verse 6: Asia is referring to "Turkey", not present day Asia. "... they were forbidden by the holy spirit to preach the word in Asia". That is a time where God knows it is not time yet.
Verse 7: Holy spirit did not allow them to preach in Mysia too. God know it's not time for the gospel revolution at Mysia yet.

God doesn't guide a parked car. God guides through your desires. If it grows within you, it means it is God's direction for you. If the desire shrinks or faints, it is an indication that it is not for you. Use this gift for major decisions such as which job to take up or which schools to enrol for.

Acts 16:14
Verse 14: "... who worshipped God. The Lord opened her heart...". The governing factor of David's life is worship. Don't put yourself in the place of judge. We do not know God's plans. God will send somebody to spread the gospel to him. God works through mighty ways.

In closing,
Acts 16:23-34
Verse 24: "inner prison" back in those days are the lowest level of the prison where poo comes down from the top. Paul and Silas were in the lowest part of their lives.
Verse 25: "At midnight". Is it a midnight time in your life? Paul and Silas prayed and sang hymns to God at their darkest hour and lowest pit in life.

The second secret to the key of David is praise.

Paul and Silas were singing songs of praise to God and even "the prisoners were listening to them". What do you think will happen if you sing praises to God on your way to work? Surely it will do more good than bad.

Verse 26: "Suddenly". Suddenly your situation turns around. Suddenly you were healed. There was a great earthquake, the doors opened and all chains broke loose. What kind of chains are holding you now? If there is, seek God to open the door of liberty for you.
Verse 27: What man shuts, Jesus can open.
Verse 28: When God's grace is on you, you give love to other people. Just like Paul telling the guard not to kill himself. Isn't that great. This is the grace of God.
Verse 32: People still need to hear the word.
Verse 33: Baptism doesn't just save you. It cause your addictions to die off. If you are a believer for some time, it's good to be baptised. You will be surprised how a changed person you become.
Verse 34: You and your household will rejoice. This is what will happen to you and your household in 2013.

The world says not to raise your hopes. Jesus says raise up all your hopes because all your hopes will come true in 2013.