This is the final part of Andrew Shearman’s teaching on The 42nd Generation. It’s about a generation that changes the world. With Andrew and a tribe that is forming, I’ve committed my life to arousing and serving that generation.
The condition of the world does not mean that Christ cannot conquer it. We can cross the Jordan if we have Christ formed in us. Where are the men and women who say we are here to change the world and we will enlarge our world? The valley of dry bones in Ezekiel turned into a vast army.It’s time for purity. The private character of Jesus led to his public commendation by God. At 30 years of age, suddenly his life changed. He declared, “I am the Christ.” The Bible says as a man thinks in his heart, so he is. He who rules his own spirit is stronger than he who takes a city. Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. We need a pure heart.
We limp because we are dealing with things that we have never dealt with before. We are talking about motives, about integrity and righteousness. My awareness of my own death gives life to my hearers. The qualification for God to use you is weakness. For example, God brought Gideon’s army down to 300. God can use my strengths as long as I renounce my confidence in it.
Don’t deal with my heart – deal with your own. Deut. 11, says that obedience leads to rain. Disobedience leads to no rain. Fight your enemy! Every weapon Satan uses against us is a pretend weapon. The Bible calls them pretensions. Take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ.
It’s time for maturity. Which part of “grow up” don’t you understand? To grow means to increase or develop. II Peter 1 calls us to put away childish things. We are called to endure, to make contributions, to be givers not takers, to be producers not consumers. You aren’t going to expect somebody to do it for you. Let’s grow up. You say, “I don’t like the way he spoke to me.” Well at least he spoke to you!
It’s time to risk coming out of obscurity in the home, in the office, in your everyday affairs. Put your anointing on the line. What do they know you for at work? That is maturity.
Mathew 11:12 says, “The kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it.” We are called to go and take dominion, go and rule the land. In their inheritance there were giants and milk and honey. They had to fight to get it. Sanctification prepares us for our inheritance.
Those of us who reach maturity are going to be warriors. The battle is the Lord’s – Jesus is the commander of the army. We join him. Have you joined in him as a member of the 42nd generation? Come to faith in the Christ in you and what he is doing on the earth and you will!
