Welcome back to Part Two of -What Testimonies are you carrying, which could contain the breakthrough for others?
Let’s recap as last time we covered a lot of ground.
We began with this questions:
What Testimonies of Jesus, what He’s done for you are you carrying ?
Now could these very encounters carry breakthrough or invitations to salvation for others?
We looked at Revelation 19:10, started with this question was John in a vision of heaven or could John actually be in heaven here ?. Then we looked at what the angels spoke to him. Before looking at the last part of this verse ………. The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
Which led us to these two questions and interesting answers.
If we see the Lord provide supernatural provision in our lives then we give Him thanks?
However have we done all that we are called to do?
I shared, I believe the answer is yes and no
Yes as the most precious thing we can give the Lord is Thanks, praise and worship. No because I believe there’s more we are called to do. Think of each blessing or testimony, He has given you, as a piece of fruit, containing two things; one for you and one for others. Every fruit He gives is good and nutritious, and also has a seed in order to replicate or reproduce.
I finished with this thought, which is what we going to explore today?
Could it be within each testimony, there’s a test, for the Lord to see how faithful we are with what He has given us? This is where will pick up Part 2 of the message.
Could there be a scripture that gives an answer to the above question? I think so and it’s found in Matthew 25:14-30, a very familiar parable Jesus shares called the Parable of the Talents. Let;s read
Matthew 25:14-15
“For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey”
Firstly I love the line ‘to each according to his own ability’ which shows the Father’s heart to set us up for success, not failure.
Secondly after giving the talents the master immediately went on a journey, which shows He trusts in His word coming to pass, and also in us, doing what needs to be done.
(Note, we have a comprehensive series on the parable of the talents called ‘ Outworking Your Faith’ If you would like to study further here is the link to part one of the series http://www.encounterministries.org.nz/uncategorized/2095/)
Let’s continue on with this story to see what each servant did with what they received.
Matthew 25:16-18
“Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his Lord’s money”.
The first two servants did what they were meant to with the Talents, given to them. They saw 100% gain on the master’s investment.
I believe this reveals the Fathers nature. What Paul talks about in
Romans 8:28
So we are convinced that every detail of our lives is continually woven together to fit into God’s perfect plan of bringing good into our lives, for we are his lovers who have been called to fulfill his designed purpose.
But without the servants doing their part, as seen in this story, it would not have happened. Which shows the importance, of relationship to God. His longing to co labour with us !
This point is confirmed, in the story through the servant who was afraid, who went and hid his talent in the ground. He made the choice to do nothing and no increase came for his efforts, alone.
So here is a thought to meditate on.
If we were to replace ‘talents’ for ‘testimonies you have’, and replace ‘the master’ with ‘Jesus’ from this story.
1. What will ‘Jesus’ find when He returns?
2. What will you have to give Him ?
3. What will He see from the testimonies He left with you?
These are very important questions, for I believe our riches, both sides of eternity will be determined by what we do with the Testimonies of Jesus which He has entrusted to us.
I’ll leave it there for today, Next time we will look at the masters return and these two questions.
Could it be, that this parable Jesus is sharing, is playing out right now in our own life’s ? And we are actually one of the servants ?
Your Challenge this week is a simple one.
1. Write these questions down in your journal or on your phone/tablet.
2. Carefully examine your heart and life on each question.
3. Ask the Lord “Am I being selfish with Your testimonies by not sharing and prophesying them over others ? If need be repent.
4. Lastly ask the Father to help you reveal Him through His testimonies and how to prophesy them, so others can see breakthroughs too.
Father this is an area we all fall short in. We ask for your forgiveness in this, and that You’ll help us to be more effective with what You have given us. In Jesus name. Amen
For those your would like to place a seed at the alter or plant a seed finically to the Lord to 2024. Or maybe contribute towards His House, we are currently building. To equip the saints for ministry and release His word in a variety of ways from.
Below is a link so you can do this online.
https://give.tithe.ly/?formId=87bf3759-ef4a-4ae2-ac5d-902b82587e44
Or our bank account details for New Zealand memebers,
Encounter Centre – 03-0481-0007448-000
If you require a receipt for tax purposes please email to info@ecounterministries.org.nz
Craig Patten
Founding Pastor/Prophet
Encounter Centre and Ministries