Text: Isa.37:31
Definitions – Depth
1. The Oxford and Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English:
– Distance from top to bottom or from front to back
– The strength or seriousness of a situation
– The strength and power of a thing
– The quality in a work that makes it unique.
2. The Hebrew word used in describing the word Depth is: –
“Tehom” and in scripture can be used to stand for about 7 different things viz:-
a. Psm.63:9 – The lowest point, a place of lowliness or humility. e.g Joseph from colours to prison.
For a divine appointment, the way up is down – James 4:6-7; 1Pet.5:5-6.
b. Psm.139:15 – A place of hiding or hidden place e.g the womb.
For different reasons, God may keep your in a place of inconvenience or out of circulation to fulfill His purpose
– Abraham -out of His kindred- for covenant/blessing.
– Isaac – Gerrar – for Establishment
– Jacob – Laban- for multiplication
c. Prov.18:4 – The right use of the mouth or tongue.
– Object and personal experience and lessons on handling your life by the right use of the tongue.
– For self control- James 3:1-12(NLT)
d. Prov.20:5 Ecc.7:24:25 – Counsel/ Understanding.
– Mary/Martha – Lu.10:42 -for stamina and progress under pressure.
e. Isa.44:23 -An interior or secluded place.
« Remember -the fetus does not get assembled or grow in the open.
« An incubation place of the new e.g.
– Exo. 3-Moses – Retraining/Launching
– Lu.1:80- John the Baptist -Preparation.
– Lu.4:1 – The LORD Jesus -empowerment.
– Lu.24:49- The Apostles -Empowerment.
– Gal.1:17 -Paul -Revelation
f. Eze.26:20 – The Valley
– For a revelation and release of power
– Another walk with God -Eze.37.
g. Rom.10:7 -The place of the death or the dead.
– The Destiny place for increase and God taking over
– Paul stoned to death
– Nothing matters anymore, willingness to sacrifice and be sacrificed.
Please note: The place of death is the place of:
« Absolute surrender
– Life comes to a drowning man at the point of surrender – Jonah 2:6-8.
« Cash in on an opportunity for a new life that guarantees fruitfulness, fulfillment and accomplishment of purposes. – John 12:24
« When it falls down to die -3things happen.
* It identifies with the ground- (fall into the ground)
* It Submits to the ground – (dies)-Gal.2:20
* It gets anchored to the ground (…abides with the ground)
John 6:66-69- Captures all the above.
« When we surrender to God, we identify with all that is God’s as Jesus becomes Lord indeed in our lives. This then have the following effect in us:-
1. According to Gen.15:12 -18
a. This gives us information on
God’s mind about us i.e.
– Our Past
– Our present
– The future.
i. Please note the depth is always about the future.
i.e. Despite/ignoring the past, standing on the present to peep into tomorrow!
ii. It gives you an experience with God -Dan.11:32; Heb.11:6
e.g. Moses – The burning bush -Exo.3
3 Hebrew children and Daniel- Dan.2:17,24-end
Dan. 3- Fire encounter
Dan.6 -Lion encounter
Peter – Walking on water -Matth.14:26-28
As a result, faith and confidence are released as you are no longer moved by what you feel or see but by what you hold i.e the promise
What about it?
i. Heb.6:15-20,
Heb.10:34-37
ii. The presence of the Holy Spirit – A deposit that the promise you have can never fail.
– Acts.2:31
b. You get to know God i.e
– The fear of God – Gen. 22
– Humility
– Receive grace for service and
– The power to sacrifice – Gen. 22:3-4
c. You now have an expectation – Prov.23:18, Jer.29:11
d. Grace for dependence (prayer and obedience) is received. – Gen.22:8
2. When we get anchored in Him we are securing our position in Him by the development of a root system in Him for:-
– A solid foundation
– Our nutritional requirements
– Our stability
– Growth, maturity and subsequent fruitfulness.
Please note:-
a. Our growth is dependent on our diet which quality in turn depends on our depth.
b. You cannot grow to God’s intended position and level of influence on a starvation diet.
c. What guarantees you fruitfulness especially in times of inclement weather is where you are rooted. – Psm.37:19
d. Your foundation determines how you fair in rough and good weather – Lu.6:48-49
· Winds
– Changes in life circumstances
– It is a test of depth
– Gen.12:10-20; Gen.26
· Flood – satanic invasion
– Evil days
– Test of foundation’s resilience
e.g. Gen.19:26; Job 2:9.
– Isa.59:19
· Rain – Blessing and abundance
– Refreshing
– Opportunity for new things
– Test of foundation quality (magnifier)
– e.g Children of Israel during the time of the Judges
e. The root system can also be exposed by erosion.
– Most erosions are gradual, persistent and targeted.
– Common eroding agents include but not limited to: Peer- Rehoboan -Ikings 12:13-14
· Pressure others – Aaron -Exo.32:1
· Praise of others -John 12:42-43; Gal.2:11-14; Acts 12:21-23
· Modernism and liberalism -Rev.2:6-15
· Neglect – 1Chor.13:3-4 (NLT)
– Whenever there is erosion, there is distraction or loss of focus, depletion and exposure to seemingly untimely pressure. These are satanic assaults aimed at:
i. Planting seeds of doubt (towards God brethren and self) and despair in order to rob one of the joy and assurance of eternal life and fellowship.
ii. Leading one astray in order to keep one from growing in knowledge of the truth.
iii. Keeping you from sharing your faith in Christ with others.
f. Developing And Protecting A Strong Root System -Eph.3.
– 3 things are required for this according to Apostle Paul’s counsel to the church in Ephesus; Viz:-
· Knowledge of the truth i.e what do you believe.
· Spiritual Routines
· Fellowship
a. Knowledge of the truth
i. Accurate knowledge causes us to see that we have a part in God’s plan -V1-9; 1Tim.1:4
– Raise sons (salvation)
– Release Potential (Assist to come to maturity and a faithful stand)
Accurate knowledge focuses us on this; inaccurate knowledge distracts and substitutes form for substance.
ii. Empower us V8-13.
– A release of grace to help us be true followers of Jesus Christ and encourage us to as love other people into this.
– This empowerment comes in through our spirit man to our hearts by His spirit -Rom.5:2-5
– The spirit continually cleanses or leads us into continued heart cleansing to meet His purpose – ITim.1:5
b. Spiritual Routines – Acts 2:41-47
– Faithful performance of those duties that are part of our Christian Heritage .e.g Regular church attendance, daily reading and studying of God’s word, regular time of prayer and fasting; financial faithfulness and service in the house of God.
c. Fellowship -Acts 2:41-47, 16:30-34; 20:20-21
i. Particularly small groups.
a. Benefits of TFCC
b. Ensures a covering
ii. Major part of our Christian routines
« With The Father, Son and Holy Spirit
– 1John 1:3-7
« With the Brethren – Heb.10-24-25.
« With your self i.e in Mk.6:31, Matth.14:13
– Rest
– Silence
– Solitude
– stillness
- What To Do While Waiting For Breakthrough - September 26, 2010
- Breakthrough By The Holy Spirit Sermon - September 19, 2010
- Work – Made Productivity - September 12, 2010