TRANSFORMATION INTO HIGHER LIFE
POWER FOR TRANSFORMATION INTO HIGHER LIFE.
Eph 3:1-9 KJV 1 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, 2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: 3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, 4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) 5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; 6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: 7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. 8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; 9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:
Here Paul gave his reason for preaching the gospel or the mystery of the gospel. The mystery was that the gentiles will be equal partners with Jews in salvation without the necessity of becoming a proselyte or fulfilling the law of Moses.
It is also his testimony. God made him a minister.
Eph 3:7 KJV Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.
The word used for “made there” is ” ginomai” and it means to become, to come into existence.
2Co 3:6 KJV Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.
The Greek word is “hikano”. It means to make sufficient, render fit, to equip one with adequate power to perform duties of one and to qualify
When God makes somebody to become, He also gives them the necessary ability to function in that capacity.
He was not a minister before then but he was made one. Who was Paul then?
1Ti 1:13 KJV Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
Act 8:3 KJV As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.
Act 22:4 KJV And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women.
These were few things that Paul was doing before he encountered Jesus in Act 9 on his way to Damascus. God not only gave him a new life, he also gave him a new occupation.
Act 9:15-16 KJV 15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: 16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.
God can make something good from any person, it does not matter the present state of that person.
The Bible is full of records of how God transformed people’s lives by changing their status.
Moses
Exo 7:1 KJV And the LORD said unto Moses, See, I have made thee a god to Pharaoh: and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet.
Moses who was a fugitive, a man taking care of animals
After this encounter you will rule in the midst of your enemies. have made thee a god—”made,” that is, set, appointed; “a god”; that is, he was to act in this business as God’s representative, to act and speak in His name and to perform things beyond the ordinary course of nature.
David
2Sa 7:8 KJV Now therefore so shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, to be ruler over my people, over Israel:
This is said, not to upbraid him with his former meanness, but to observe the goodness of God unto him, and what reason he had for thankfulness, and to look upon himself as a favourite of God, who of a keeper of sheep was made a shepherd of men, to rule and feed them
Amos
Amo 7:14-15 KJV 14 Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet’s son; but I was an herdman, and a gatherer of sycomore fruit: 15 And the LORD took me as I followed the flock, and the LORD said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel.
He promises humbly what he had been, what he had been made, not by merits, but by grace, that he had not assumed the prophetic office by hereditary right, nor had he began to prophesy out of his own mind, but, being under the necessity of obeying, he had fulfilled the grace and the command of God who inspired and sent Him.” Twice he repeats, “The Lord took me; the Lord said unto me.
Apostles
Mar 1:16-17 KJV 16 Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. 17 And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.
He has the ability, power and all it takes to change people’s status in life. I will make you become. May that power locate us. May that power change our status. May we become what He planned for us.
Mathew or Levi
Mar 2:14 KJV And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him.
From a tax collector to an apostle.
Jeremiah
Jer 1:5 KJV Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.
Phillip
He was among the seven deacons chosen to serve tables while apostles pray and preach.
Act 6:5 KJV And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:
His lot was to serve, but God saw in him much more than that. When he went to Samaria, something happened.
Act 8:5-6 KJV 5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. 6 And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.
The same Philip serving table in Jerusalem became an evangelist and worker of miracles in Samaria. When Paul was on his way to Jerusalem, they stayed in Philip’s house.
Act 21:8 KJV And the next day we that were of Paul’s company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him.
The good news is that when we come to Jesus, He changed our status in life
We become new creation 2Cor 5:17
We become righteousness of God 2 Cor 5:21
We receive the life of God 1Jn 5:11-12; Jn 10:10
We became dweller if new location Col 1:12-13
Our sins are forgiven us
We are made alive Eph 2;1
We are brought into higher life Eph 2 :6
We have been raised together with Him into higher life Ephesians 2:6
Eph 2:6 KJV And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
His birth gave us hope, his death and burial separated us from our sin and old man, his resurrection made us have a new life but accession gives us a higher life. Dominion life. His accession gives us dominion.
WHAT YOU CAN DO – Secrets to higher life.
Sometimes many of us don’t like our present status or where we are now, but I discovered that God might place us in such a position for higher life.
(1) Be at your duty post
Est 2:19 KJV And when the virgins were gathered together the second time, then Mordecai sat in the king’s gate.
Mordecai was a gatekeeper or a portal. While he was there he got information that they wanted to do a virgin contest, he quickly submitted his niece’s name.
It was while he was there he got information that some guys were unhappy and wanted to kill the king, he intimated Esther about it and it was documented in his name.
Est 2:21-23 KJV 21 In those days, while Mordecai sat in the king’s gate, two of the king’s chamberlains, Bigthan and Teresh, of those which kept the door, were wroth, and sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus. 22 And the thing was known to Mordecai, who told it unto Esther the queen; and Esther certified the king thereof in Mordecai’s name. 23 And when inquisition was made of the matter, it was found out; therefore they were both hanged on a tree: and it was written in the book of the chronicles before the king.
He was not rewarded then but one day when the enemy wanted to eliminate him, he was raised from that position to overnight celebrity.
Est 6:11 KJV Then took Haman the apparel and the horse, and arrayed Mordecai, and brought him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaimed before him, Thus shall it be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour.
Be at your duty post, be faithful and committed to duty, serve with enthusiasm, not eye service , serve, gather information, gather data, acquire more skills, learn how to do it much better than what you are paid for, do much more, appreciate God for where you are now. Your time of elevation is coming, your time of change of status is coming.
Be at your duty post. Peter was there, Philip was there, Mordecai was there, Levi was there, Amos was there. But from where they were God made them to what He had destined them to be.
(2) be faithful in the little He has committed into your hands.
1Co 4:2 KJV Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
Most people want bigger responsibilities. They say how can they give such a little task to them. Prove your ability in that then see how grace would lift you up.
Jesus said if you have not been faithful in another man’s who will give you your own?
Luk 16:12 KJV And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man’s, who shall give you that which is your own?
Mat 25:21 KJV His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
(3) Humble yourself:
Jas 4:6 KJV But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
1Pe 5:6 KJV Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
pride is not only self abasement but low self esteem too. True humility is seeing ourselves in the light of the gospel. There were many young ladies in the days of Mary, but how did God or why did God choose to be the mother of the Messiah? Hear her own testimony
Luk 1:48 KJV For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
The Lord humbled himself. God raised Him up.
Phi 2:8-9 KJV 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
(4) Love righteousness: Don’t say we are no longer under the law but under grace and then use grace as license for evil. Look at the example of the Lord Jesus.
Heb 1:9 KJV Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
(5) pay the price: before promotion is examination. They write promotional exams to move from one level to another, a student has to pass exams before going to the next class. In life each obstacle you successfully climbed is an exam to higher life. Self denial, self discipline, self control are parts of the price. Jesus paid the price before He became the saviour. Find out what others who are successful are doing and emulate them. Read their biography, listen to them, and study successful people.
What are you doing with the present grace?
Hear Apostle Paul
1Co 15:10 KJV But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
HOW DO WE RECEIVE SUCH CHANGES?
It is by grace. Let’s look at what Paul said again.
Eph 3:7 KJV Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.
He said it according to God’s grace. It was grace that made him a minister and it was grace that made him do the work.
Gal 1:15 KJV But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace,
1Ti 1:12 KJV And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;
It is the same grace that saves people not by work.
Eph 2:8-9 KJV 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
There are powers that can make a man to become what he is not interested in
Son 1:6 KJV Look not upon me, because I am black, because the sun hath looked upon me: my mother’s children were angry with me; they made me the keeper of the vineyards; but mine own vineyard have I not kept.
His own mother’s children made him the keeper of the vineyards.
The children of Israel came to Egypt joyfully in the time of Joseph in Gen 50 and Ex 1: 1 but ended up as servants and slaves to the Egyptians.
Exo 1:13-14 KJV 13 And the Egyptians made the children of Israel to serve with rigour: 14 And they made their lives bitter with hard bondage, in morter, and in brick, and in all manner of service in the field: all their service, wherein they made them serve, was with rigour.
The Gibeonites
The children of Israel made them hewers of woods and fetchers of waters because of the treachery and deceptive acts.
Jos 9:23 KJV Now therefore ye are cursed, and there shall none of you be freed from being bondmen, and hewers of wood and drawers of water for the house of my God.
PRAYER
Psa 113:9 KJV He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the LORD.
Whatever power that is resisting my higher life, frustrating my high life, will be shattered by fire.
Let’s make a declaration: I have a higher life in Christ, I shall not be a pauper, I shall not be defeated in Jesus name.