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Seizing Your Divine Moment
by Erwin McManus
Text: 1 Samuel 14:1-14
Topic: The characteristics of people who seize the divine moment
Big Idea: Those who seize the divine moment embrace uncertainty, die to themselves, and take initiative to act for God until he stops them.
Keywords: Abundant Life; Boldness; Church, mission of; Death, fear of; Death, to sin; Dependence on God; Dying to Self; Evangelism, lifestyle; Motivation; Risk; Victorious Living
Introduction:
- Illustration: A detailed story of how McManus's ministry was threatened when he began to fear the loss of God's blessings.
- Jonathan was the kind of man that seized the divine moment.
-1 Samuel 14:1-14
Those who seize the divine moment know that they don't know.
- Most people know what God wants them to do but pray for God to change the consequences of their obedience.
- Many Christians believe that God's will always leads to safety and success.
-Illustration: After September 11th, McManus teaches his children they have no control over how they die, but they do have control over how they live.
- Big Idea: People who seize the divine moment embrace the danger and uncertainty of obeying God.
-2 Corinthians 11:26
-Illustration: McManus responds to his son's request to be kept safe from demons and the devil.
Those who seize the divine moment know they won't live until they die.
- Christians must die to themselves in order to fear nothing but God.
-Illustration: In the first week of a dangerous urban ministry, McManus is forced to bring his fears to God.
- Big Idea: Christians can die to themselves by taking a step of faith that forces them past the point of no return.
-Illustration: An accountant is willing to give up his business and go to seminary, but not willing to personally evangelize his clients.
Those who seize the divine moment will go until they get a no.
- Many Christians believe they shouldn't attempt something for God unless he specifically calls them.
-Illustration: Even with a poor military position, Jonathan decided to attack the Philistines until God stopped him (1 Samuel 14:8-10).
-Illustration: McManus seized a divine moment while waiting in line for The Price Is Right.
- Big Idea: Christians must realize that God is with us and move forward to do his work until he stops or redirects us.
Those who seize the divine moment take initiative.
- Too many Christians are doing nothing.
-Illustration: A gifted seminary student fails to produce fruit for God because he is afraid of violating God's sovereignty.
-Illustration: McManus's son takes action to help a crippled man, and is successful, even though he is too small to lift the man on his own.
Conclusion:
- Divine moments are right in front of us all, and we can live a full life for God by seizing them and doing what Jesus would do.
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