"GOD'S IMAGE OR SELF IMAGE"

MF Blume
August 31, 1998 pm

Matt 13:44-46  Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.

Phil 3:7-9  But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things [but] loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them [but] dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
 

Hebr 11:24-26  By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.


The image of God is man created in such a manner as to adequately allow God's Spirit to fill it and allow Him to then manifest through it.

All three passages speak the same message.  And Jesus said this is the concept of the KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.

"Selling all that we have" can be easily understood in the words of Philippians and Hebrews.

All the man had was sold in order for him to purchase the pearl of great price and the field wherein was hidden the treasure..

In the last days it is going to be KINGDOM AGAINST KINGDOM.
 

As it is necessary that offenses will come to the childlike vessels of God, the perfect vessels through whom He can flow easily, it is obvious that kingdom will be against kingdom.

Paul said the things gain to him were counted as loss for Christ. This all fits together nicely. Moses sought to suffer with God's people rather than enjoy the riches of Egypt's palatial living. Satan cannot stop this kind of attitude.

Paul told us to have as though we have not.

And Satan threw all that he had at Job. Jesus Himself experienced this onslaught before HIs ministry. Let me indicate all that Satan has.
 

Satan's entire ammunitions depot contains three major kinds of weaponry.

  1. Lust of the eyes.
  2. Lust of the flesh.
  3. Pride of Life.
Only those who are put there for self will be moved out of the scene for God's Kingdom's use by these armaments.

Satan hurled each temptation loaded with each armament.

But each attack bounced off Jesus not arming Him one iota.

Jesus Christ was God's image and He knew why. And after Jesus denied the enemy the foothold by not giving up, and not stopping the will of God from being done in Him, Satan could do nothing but walk away in defeat.

Satan started the war.

HOW TO DEFEAT THE DEVIL'S RULE IN A REGION

The entire message God is trying to relay to us is that the manner in which to break the stronghold of the devil in any region, over which devil princes reign, is to face the onslaught.

Eve could have told the devil, "I am not interested in vaunting myself up to be wise.  That is not my purpose.  I am not concerned over self image.  I am concerned over being GOD'S IMAGE."

I must be willing to sell all that "I" have...

What did we say was the reason that people who build on the rock are indestructable when the storm comes?

Can you see the point? I hear people putting the cart before the horse all the time. Praying in order to remain strong is like looking at the little board you are hammering and saying I need to put this nail into this board.

You need to FIRST know the GRAND PICTURE.

Paul spoke about the gifts of the Spirit in 1 Cor 12. Sell all that YOU have, and buy the pearl of great price. The reason its like building a house on a rock that storms cannot destroy is because when you are empty of self for self, then Satan can do NOTHING to stop you. Realize this, then you can proceed and pray and seek God. Satan cannot stop you for you have no concern for self like he wants you to.

In light of a kingdom that cannot be removed, Hebrews speaks of God being a consuming fire.

We have in our Bibles a BOOK OF JOB. God wants you to pray, ...
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