7 minutes reading time (1323 words)

God's Original Plan for Man - Part 1 - Sermon

What God has put on my heart that we shall be discussing in the next few months is God’s original purpose to His creation. Did he create us for religion or relationship? These days people love their religions, they can even die for it. When asked where they got the religion from they respond that from my mother or father. I believe many of us are going to be delivered from religion and stop condemning ourselves from not fulfilling certain religious acts.

For instance some of us feel that we are not worthy to be God’s children when we miss Sunday service.However we can relate with God on any day from anywhere. That is why Jesus said that days are coming when true worshipers will worship God in truth and in Spirit. Jesus came promoting relationship and not religion. What is religion; ref Galatians 1:13-15. Religion is an outward expression of belief. In Galatians 1: 13, Paul felt zealous for God and destroyed everyone that was not following their religion of Judaism. Religion involves a lot of effort to be accepted by God and to please Him. Paul worked too hard to please God. That is why many religions have if you don’t do this, if you do that…Some born-again people also believe being born again is a religion but Jesus brought relationship and not religion. Paul thought his zeal was pleasing to God; he had become better than many of his fellows in Judaism. That is what religion does; it requires you to use a lot of effort.

But that is not what God wants. We are all children of God by His grace. I prophesy not because I am worthy but by God’s grace as His child. Some people have prophesied and created pride in people. Many who are working in miracles attach the name Elijah to their ministries. The bible shows us that he that was greater than all was Jesus. We should focus on Jesus and not try too hard to be like Elijah. Even on the mountain, at the transfiguration, Moses and Elijah appeared but the voice of God said this is my beloved son, listen to him. This is what religion does; it involves a lot of work. It will tell you that for God to use you, you have to first fulfill certain things. Those of you that want to be used in the prophetic, religion will tell you that you need to first fast for 40 days to receive a word. But by the time you get the dreams, your platform to prophecy will not be there because we shall have left you behind. We shall heal the sick, prophesied not because we have been fasting for 100 days but by the grace of God. Religious people have religious prayers like the Pharisee that prayed Lord I give tithe, I help the poor. Or some says Lord, if you can help that one whose life is not straight, and for me I am righteous, surely you can help me too please God be realistic. God will not answer the prayers full of self righteousness. But the Bible tells us that even when we were still sinners he died for us, somewhere else he tells us it is not you who called me. He loved us even before we loved him.

 

That is how we should look at it then we shall see His move in our lives. There is a man in the west, that changed from given 10% tithe to 50% tithe because he saw that 10% works. Even to this day his descendants are still enjoying the fruits of his giving. It is your personal revelation with God that matters; your personal relationship. Some people find Easter Sunday so important but forget the other days. God’s purpose was not for us to start a religion but a relationship with Him. In Colosians 2:33 we are told of self imposed religion. Some people when you see them, they are so humble. You see the humility as they walk on the street. But if one made a mistake and stepped on their shoes, the humility disappears. Now that is what religion does, it creates a fake humility. That is why the Prophet Joel says come to me with your heart. But God did not bring religion. Paul was in religion and he thought he was serving God until she saw the Light and saw Christ and then his life was change.

 

Religion demands action and works but a relationship demands simple faith in Jesus Christ and believe in him. It does not matter your background, poor or witchcraft or thief or bad, once you have faith in him, he will heal you and use you and give you an anointing. Jesus also always asked “do you believe I can heal you?” Some people come to us for prophecy and expect to see a long bearded 70 year old man, wearing a long robe. That is an expectation of a religious mind. They expect to hear statement like my son, you are healed go into your wealth. But we need to go back to the bible truth in the name of Jesus. Jesus did not bring religion but relationship. Be liberated in the name of Jesus. In the story of creation, God’s perfect will for man was to have a relationship with Him.

 

Genesis 1:26-27 shows us that we were created in God’s image and likeness. This was so that we could relate with him. Image is a visual representation of an object or person. When one sees us, they should see God. He created Adam so that through the person of Adam he could reveal himself to the entire earth. Likeness means similarity in appearance of character or nature between persons. This means we have the character and nature of God. Your Spirit-man is from God; though we are of this world yet we are not of this world. When God looks at you He sees Jesus because we too are spirits though we are in the body. Jesus Christ was the true image of God and he had a secret relationship with God – Colosians 1:15-16. All things were created through him and for him; since we are co-heirs with Christ there by all things were created for us too. You can have all that you desire because of this. Now many of you are out of debt because of this, in the name of Jesus. There is a gathering that had been taken from you that is being returned to you. Friends that you had lost shall come back to you – All things were created for you; that is the will of God! God’s intention was relationship not religion.

 

When you read John 17:5 Jesus says now father God as I have finished your work, glorify me. That is the relationship with God. In Genesis, Adam heard the voice of God as he was walking – that is the relationship. Cane had killed his brother and God asked him where his brother is, and Cane responded asking Am I his keeper? That is relationship, a fellowship with God; to be able to speak to God freely. Let us too begin to hear God and listen to him. Moses also wished that all God’s people could be prophets; that they can hear God. In Joel 2, Moses wish came to pass where he said that all, sons and daughters shall prophecy. John 1:18- no one has seen God but his begotten son who is in his bosom. That is how we should relate with the father, to be in his bosom, in his presence. So that everywhere we go, people will know that indeed this one is in the presence of God. Be in His presence in whatever way, whether in prayer or in singing and avoid religion and build the relationship.

 

Week 16
Rest in God
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