Every man is limited by three things:

1. The knowledge in his mind

2. The strength of his character

3. The principle upon which he is building his life

 

1 Corinthians 8:2 - "And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know."

 

The more we know, the more we realise our ignorance.

 

Jesus commenced recruiting his disciples after his wilderness experience with the goal of preparing them for the Great commission He would eventually pass on to them. 

 

1. Knowledge

a. The Beatitudes (Matt 5:1-10). Contrary to world opinion, the one who submits to God's sovereignty is blessed.

 

b. Spiritual identity (Matt 5:13-16) - “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.

 

14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

 

c. Purpose (Matt 5:17-20)

d. Discernment (Matt 7:15-23)

e. Cost/Sacrifice (Matt 8:18-22)

 

 

2. Character

a. Redefinition of credibility (Matt 5:21-48; 6:1-4) -“Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 

 

3 But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.”

 

b. Judging others (Matt 7:1-6)

 

3. Principles

a. Prayer and fasting (Matt 6:5-18)

b. Values (Matt 6:19-34)

c. ASK (Matt 7:7-12)

 

d. Active doers (Matt 7:24-28) -  “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.

 

26 “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: 27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”

 

28 And so it was, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at His teaching, 29 for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.”

 

 

 

4. Modelling

a. Demonstrating the supernatural (Matt 8:1-9:8)

b. The Need (Matt 9:35-38)

 

c. Delegated Authority (Matt 10:1-8) - “And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease…

 

7 And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ 8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.”

 

5. Mindshift

a. Mindset revolution (Matt 10:16-17) -  “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. 17 But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues.”

 

6. Exploits (Luke 10:17-20) -  “Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.”

 

18 And He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. 20 Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”

 

Father, I receive the grace to overcome every spiritual and psychological limitation in my life today. Help me Lord to come to an accurate understanding of my spiritual identity in Christ Jesus in order to live a purposeful life that honours God.