Nailing Your Colors to the Mast: What We Believe and Who We Are
In a world filled with uncertainty and spiritual battles, it's crucial for believers to clearly declare who they are and what they stand for. This message challenges us to boldly proclaim our identity as Christians and understand the supernatural life God has called us to live.
What Does It Mean to Be Born Again?
The foundation of our faith begins with a simple yet profound truth: you must be born again. This isn't a suggestion or an option—it's a requirement. John 3 makes it clear that unless someone is born again of the Spirit, they cannot be saved and cannot enter heaven.
We cannot earn our way to heaven through good works. Salvation comes only through receiving Jesus as our Savior and Lord, surrendering our lives to Him completely. This new birth is the only way to be right with God and experience eternal life.
What Does New Life Look Like?
Once we become born again, that life is meant to continually grow. Think about the characteristics of physical life—they mirror our spiritual journey:
Breathing
Without breath, we're dead. Spiritually, this represents the Holy Spirit. We need to be filled with the Spirit, speaking to ourselves in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, making melody in our hearts to the Lord.
Feeding
Just as a hungry baby cries for food, we must hunger for God's Word. Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. If you're not feeding on the Word, you're not truly living spiritually.
Getting Rid of Waste
Life requires eliminating what's harmful. As Christians, we must get rid of spiritual rubbish—unforgiveness, bitterness, sin—rather than holding onto it and becoming spiritually "constipated."
Growing
Life is characterized by continuous growth. We feed, breathe, eliminate waste, and keep growing, eventually teaching others how to grow as well.
Why Is Joy Essential in the Christian Life?
Joy is a crucial part of the new life in Christ. There's a powerful truth to remember: grumbling is to the devil what praise is to God. When we grumble, we're essentially giving the enemy praise. Instead, our rejoicing should give God praise.
Here's something remarkable: there's joy in the midst of battle. When you find joy in the middle of life's biggest battles, you discover something precious that makes you invincible. This isn't about denying difficulties but finding God's strength and presence even in the storm.
What Is the True Purpose of the Gospel?
Many people incorrectly present the gospel as a way to fix all your problems. While Jesus does help us through difficulties, the real goal of the gospel is to make us right with God. Without being born again, we remain enemies of God—not a good place to be.
When we receive Jesus, He makes us right with God, bringing us into peace with Him. This transforms our thinking, our living, and our entire value system to align with God's kingdom values, where every person is significant and important.
What Does It Mean to Be a Church?
A biblical church is a united body of people in a local congregation—worshipping people, praying people who meet together regularly. Scripture tells us not to neglect meeting together, especially as the day of Christ's return approaches.
We gather to seek His presence and encounter Him. You cannot perform any kind of ministry successfully unless it comes from a place of encounter with God. This requires passion—passion for prayer, worship, and breakthrough. Passive and complacent people cannot expect to receive anything from the Lord.
Why Is Spiritual Warfare Necessary?
There is a spiritual war taking place in heavenly places, and it won't go away. You must learn to be a warrior and understand the face of war. The Bible gives us armor and weapons—but these are only useful if we engage in the battle.
Warfare involves making proclamations and declarations in the spiritual realm. We declare the victory of the cross and the blood of Jesus over our communities. We declare that no weapon formed against us will prosper and that by His stripes we are healed.
Remember this truth: warfare surrounds the birth of a miracle. If you're experiencing spiritual warfare in any area—health, finances, relationships—it may be because you're on the verge of a breakthrough.
What About Tithing and Financial Stewardship?
The Bible clearly states to "bring all the tithes into the storehouse"—which is your local church. This isn't about paying for prayer or miracles; it's a matter of the heart. Where your treasure is, there your heart is also.
God blesses His people to be a blessing. The principle of tithing opens the windows of heaven to pour out blessing—not just financial, but anointing, breakthrough, and supernatural provision. The key is simply doing what the Bible says with faith, joy, and cheerfulness.
What Does Supernatural Living Include?
As believers, we're called to live as royalty—sons and daughters of the King. We are among the most powerful people on the planet because of who lives within us. This supernatural life includes:
- Believing in divine healing and the gifts of the Holy Spirit
- Living in purity and holiness
- Depending on miracles rather than our own ability
- Understanding that nothing is impossible with God
- Believing that the best is yet to come
Life Application
This week, examine your spiritual life honestly. Are you living as a John the Baptist Christian—focused only on repentance and salvation—or are you pressing into the supernatural kingdom life Jesus demonstrated? Challenge yourself to move beyond passive Christianity into passionate pursuit of God.
Consider these questions as you reflect on this message:
- Am I truly experiencing the new life that comes from being born again, or am I just going through religious motions?
- Where have I allowed passivity to replace passion in my relationship with God?
- What spiritual battles am I facing that might be surrounding the birth of a miracle in my life?
- How can I more actively engage in spiritual warfare through prayer and declaration?
- Am I living as royalty—a son or daughter of the King—or am I settling for less than God's best?
The call is clear: nail your colors to the mast. Declare who you are in Christ, what you believe, and what you're contending for. Don't settle for ordinary when God has called you to supernatural living. The best is yet to come, but it requires passionate pursuit, not passive waiting.