Dying to Self
Until a seed dies, it cannot produce. The process of dying is not easy, but very good to the seed.
John 12:24
Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.
If we are to be a people with a difference and see increase, something(s) in our lives have to die. We have to deny ourselves and die to self, if we are to live and produce. Dying ensures that it is not about you, your reputation, name etc. When you are dead, the grain then becomes of use to many. Jesus gave Himself completely for us, which is why there are many believers today.
We have to come to a point where we are not seen, but rather God is seen through us. We have to be totally sold out to Christ, and cease to be our own, cease to have our thoughts, our lives etc. We have to cease being our own.
If you have decided to serve God, prepare yourself. All powerful ministers of the gospel we see today started on their knees. Anything that is started on the knees will be sustained on the knees. We may not understand what we are doing on our knees, but the fruit will be inconspicuous.
How do we die?
Matthew 4:1-11
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. 3 Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”
4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’”
5 Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written:‘He shall give His angels charge over you,' and,‘In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.’”
7 Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’” 8 Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.”
10 Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’” 11 Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.
If we overcome the 3 levels of temptations, then the ministries that will be born in us have never been seen or heard of by any eye or ear.
After temptation, Satan left him. In some ministries, Satan is still there as Christians have not overcome these three levels and are still struggling with and in in ministry. They are still seeking recognition, out for self-interest and idolizing things/ people.
We have gone through much, and after we have gone through, God establishes us.
1 Peter 5:10
But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you
In dying, God strengthens, perfects and settles you, as a seed. If there is anything we should desire, it is to die. Dying leaves you at a position where you say that Jesus is the only one you have.
There are times when God humbles you so much that we have nothing to brag about and that is real death. Until we reach that level, we will have no life to give to the dying world. May we desire to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and partake in His suffering (1 Peter 4:13).
Amen.
-- Pastor Mary Mugo.
10/01/14 Joska kesha service sermon.
Pastor Mary Mugo is the Senior Pastor at Teaching Transformation Ministry. We are located along the Thika-Ruai Flyover Junction (at the Thika Rd./ Bypass intersection), Next to Eastgate Restaurant.
John 12:24
Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.
If we are to be a people with a difference and see increase, something(s) in our lives have to die. We have to deny ourselves and die to self, if we are to live and produce. Dying ensures that it is not about you, your reputation, name etc. When you are dead, the grain then becomes of use to many. Jesus gave Himself completely for us, which is why there are many believers today.
We have to come to a point where we are not seen, but rather God is seen through us. We have to be totally sold out to Christ, and cease to be our own, cease to have our thoughts, our lives etc. We have to cease being our own.
If you have decided to serve God, prepare yourself. All powerful ministers of the gospel we see today started on their knees. Anything that is started on the knees will be sustained on the knees. We may not understand what we are doing on our knees, but the fruit will be inconspicuous.
How do we die?
Matthew 4:1-11
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. 3 Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”
4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’”
5 Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written:‘He shall give His angels charge over you,' and,‘In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.’”
7 Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’” 8 Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.”
10 Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’” 11 Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.
If we overcome the 3 levels of temptations, then the ministries that will be born in us have never been seen or heard of by any eye or ear.
- Overcome fulfilling the desires of the flesh. If we overcome in this area, we will overcome in ministry. Jesus overcame self by loving the word of God. We will overcome self by loving the word, too. The human nature in Jesus was being tested to produce self-centerdness, but He overcame. Whatever we do, we must do it for the glory of God (1 Cor. 10:31). Man is not living by gratifying the desires of the flesh, but by obedience to God's word. if you want to go furthest in ministry and relationship with God, die to self interest, that we may bring glory and praise to our God. If we qualify everything we do by God's word, we have set off for ministry.
- Overcome the need to prove yourself. Jesus overcame the desire to be noticed or seen, and we need to do so too. Jesus did not have to prove Himself, as He knew Who He was. The enemy tried to get Him to prove that He was the Son of God, by throwing Himself to see if God will send angels to rescue Him. Whatever you are doing for the Lord, do it as the Lord has led you, not trying to prove who you are or are not. Do not try to prove you are a man, a woman, you can sing, preach etc. All over, people want to be seen; we have to be different, and make a choice to be. the Bible does not tell us to seek honor, rather it commands the world and people to give honor.
- Overcome idolatry. Overcome the desire to worship things, people, property, status, money and the things God has given us. When we do this, we will overcome and have breakthrough in ministry.
After temptation, Satan left him. In some ministries, Satan is still there as Christians have not overcome these three levels and are still struggling with and in in ministry. They are still seeking recognition, out for self-interest and idolizing things/ people.
We have gone through much, and after we have gone through, God establishes us.
1 Peter 5:10
But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you
In dying, God strengthens, perfects and settles you, as a seed. If there is anything we should desire, it is to die. Dying leaves you at a position where you say that Jesus is the only one you have.
There are times when God humbles you so much that we have nothing to brag about and that is real death. Until we reach that level, we will have no life to give to the dying world. May we desire to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and partake in His suffering (1 Peter 4:13).
Amen.
-- Pastor Mary Mugo.
10/01/14 Joska kesha service sermon.
Pastor Mary Mugo is the Senior Pastor at Teaching Transformation Ministry. We are located along the Thika-Ruai Flyover Junction (at the Thika Rd./ Bypass intersection), Next to Eastgate Restaurant.
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Blessings.