Pastor Joachim started the sermon by sharing about the different countries that RiverLife Church has established mission projects in. These are: The Philippines, Indonesia, Myanmar and many more.
He recalled in his previous sermon about the Nazarite vow and how a Nazarite would set himself apart to live a holy life so that God’s glory will be made known to everyone around.
He also shared that Ps Lionel believed that this is the season that God will begin to move so that RiverLife Church will experience a breakthrough. God will mightily empower RiverLife Church in the process and that lives will be changed. However, we need to consciously set ourselves apart and spend much time on our knees to pray and even fast constantly to lead a godly life.
Pastor Joachim then shared about the Church in the Book of Acts in the following sequence:
a. In Acts 1 and 2, the disciples received the infilling and empowerment of the Holy Spirit.
b. From chapters 2 to 7, the believers' activities and conversions mainly took place in Jerusalem
c. Then in Acts 8 to 11, the Acts Church became “unintentional” missionaries because of persecution.
d. Acts 13: First missionaries sent out from Antioch Church. In Acts 13:2, it was Barnabas and Saul.
He also observed that from Acts chapter 9 to 12 after Saul was converted, he was preaching and ministering to others but there were no significant events. However, after being set apart and prayed for in chapter 13, his ministry began to experience power and miracles. See Acts 13:9-12 and Acts 14:8-11 on examples demonstrating God’s power in healing of the sick and the bold proclamation of God’s Word through Paul.
We need to understand that in order for our ministry to be effective and powerful, we must get down on our knees to pray. We must set ourselves apart, like how Barnabas and Saul were, to be purified and spend much time with God in prayer and fasting as well.
How do we reveal His glory? The only way is to experience His glory. Before we want to reveal the glory of God to those around us, we must first experience it ourselves. Pastor Joachim shared how God had convicted him to spend time with Him to pray. He started with a 15-minute night prayer walk at 11 pm and very soon, his nightly prayer walk stretched to more than two hours into the early morning of the next day! Through this, he finds that his ministry has become more anointed. This was how he overcame his personal struggles for impartation and healing to be present in his ministry. He also learnt that instead of being fixated on spiritual gifts and anointing, we must hunger for the greatest gift, that is, the Holy Spirit. It is through the Holy Spirit that we can receive every other spiritual gift as well.
If we want to experience breakthrough and power in our ministry, we need to consciously set ourselves apart for God. Setting ourselves apart involves spending a lot of time on our knees in His presence. This includes, praying and fasting. In order to reveal the glory of God to those around us and thereby be witnesses for God, we need to experience and understand what it means to be in His glory and presence first. There is no other way except to prioritise and intentionally plan to spend time with God and coming into His presence constantly and consistently.
Discussion Questions
1. In the OT, what must a Nazarite not do when called upon to fulfil his vow to God? What was the purpose of the Nazirite’s vow (Numbers 6:8)? [5 min]
2. Read Romans 12:1-2 and how is this similar to the Nazarite vow? [5 min]
3. Saul who became known as Paul had a breakthrough through Ananias (Acts 9:10-19). Relate briefly how by setting ‘apart’ your time or your choices for God has helped you to experience a recent breakthrough in your faith journey or someone else’s. [15 min]
4. What do you think is preventing you from being God-conscious and to spend more time with God? Suggest ways on how to practise walking in His presence at your workplace, in your household or even in the streets on your way to work or school. [15 min]
