Notes on
The Path of Purpose-6
Power and Prosperity Tests
The first great purpose is to recognize that we are loved by God and receive Jesus in our life.
The second great purpose is to recognize that God wants us to love Him back.
Our third great purpose: that we are made to be part of a family.
Our fourth great purpose is to be like Jesus.
The fifth great purpose is to serve God by serving others.
The sixth great purpose is that we have a mission to share the good news to the world around us. We call that evangelism.
The seven mountains are business, government, family, religion, media, education, arts/entertainment.
Psalm 75:6 For promotion and power come from nowhere on earth, but only from God. He promotes one and deposes another.
The Power Test is how you respond when you are given power, authority, responsibility, success or influence.
Matthew 25:28-29 take the talent away from him, and give it to the one who has the ten talents.’
“For to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away.
The first thing God looks at is “Will you be faithful?”
Genesis 39:6 So he left Joseph in charge of everything that he owned; and with him there he did not concern himself with anything except the food which he ate.
Genesis 39:5 the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house on account of Joseph; so the Lord’s blessing was upon all that he owned, in the house and in the field.
Job 1:21-22 The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away.
Blessed be the name of the Lord.” Despite all this, Job did not sin, nor did he blame God.
Genesis 39:22-23 And the warden of the prison put Joseph in charge of all the prisoners who were in the prison; so that whatever was done there, he was responsible for it. The warden of the prison did not supervise anything under Joseph’s authority
Genesis 39:3-4 Now his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord made all that he did prosper in his hand. So Joseph found favor in his sight
Genesis 39:21 the Lord was with Joseph and extended kindness to him, and gave him favor in the sight of the warden of the prison.
Genesis 41:38 So Pharaoh asked them, “Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?”
The second thing God looks for is “Will you let promotion and power go to your head?”
Genesis 41:42-43 He dressed him in robes of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck. He had him ride in a chariot as his second-in-command, and people shouted before him, “Make way!”
The Millionaire Next Door: “Being frugal is the cornerstone of wealth-building. Many Americans know how to deal with increases in their realized income. They spend them! Their need for immediate gratification is great.”
The average millionaire:
-Never spent more than $400 on a suit.
-Never spent more than $140 on a pair of shoes.
-Never spent more than $235 on a watch.
-Millionaires don’t buy new cars, they usually buy cars that are 1-2 years old-they cost $10,000 less and drive the same!
Too many people want to look wealthy instead of being wealthy.
Genesis 50:20 God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to keep many people alive.
Jeremiah 22:21 “I spoke to you in your prosperity; But you said, ‘I will not listen!’ This has been your practice from your youth, That you have not obeyed My voice.
The Prosperity Test is seen by what you do with the first tenth that leaves your checkbook-who you honor with the first of your finances.
Matthew 6:21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Luke 16:11 So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?
Psalm 62:11 Once God has spoken; twice I have heard this: that power belongs to God
John 19:10-11 “Do you refuse to speak to me?” Pilate said. “Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?” Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above.
I Corinthians 6:19-20 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
Challenge #1: I want to challenge you today to recognize that all your power and success is given to you by God.
Mark 10:42-45 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
The kingdom of God is counterintuitive: if you want authority, you have to serve.
James 4:10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
I Peter 5:5-6 In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud
but shows favor to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.
Challenge #2: Walk in humility by putting others first and giving others credit.
Esther 4:14 Amplified And who knows but that you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this and for this very occasion?
Acts 10:38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.
Genesis 12:2 I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.
Luke 16:10 “He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much.
Challenge #3: Use whatever I have to help people.
1Peter 4:10 “Each of us should use whatever gift he’s received to serve others.
