God has spoken many things over our lives, even in seed form — dreams and vision and purpose. God is preparing us for that great purpose. The enemy tries to lie to us, saying that because we don’t see or feel something, that God is done with us, or that He’s not working. We need to be aware of how God is preparing us so we don’t prematurely give up or sabotage His plans.
In John 2, Jesus turned water to wine, the first of the signs that revealed his glory. Jesus was prepared for the ministry in advance. He had 30 years of preparation for 3 years of ministry. Let’s look at 3 ways God prepares us for what He calls us to.
3 Ways God Prepares Us:
1. With Kingdom Partners
Vs. 2 — “Jesus and His disciples had been invited.”
God had been creating partners in ministry for Him. It’s more than just friendship; it’s a partnership. We are meant to work together with certain people to build the Kingdom. God has put certain people in our life that need us and we need them. Be aware of them. Go to them and tell them, “God has put you in my life as a Kingdom partner.” These are the people who speak into your life, who pray and build with you. When you go to that person and acknowledge the gift of God that they are to you, you activate the purpose of God. God is realigning things in this season; He is realigning and refitting churches. Each of us are meant to be a puzzle piece, fitted together with others to create a beautiful puzzle together to manifest the beauty of Jesus. God is creating those partnerships. Be on the lookout. Speak to those people and call it out.
2. With Kingdom Patience
Vs. 4 — “My hour has not yet come.”
Jesus was exhibiting patience. He knew He would display the glory of God before His crucifixion but He knew that time hadn’t come yet. “Yes, I know it’s coming but I won’t get ahead of God’s timing. I can wait.” No matter your age, God still has a work for you to do. We need to know His call and be willing to wait on Him to open the door. “I’m good, Lord, just being with You. I’m a person of Your presence.”
“Wait for the Lord and keep His way.” (Psalm 37:34)
It’s not about the doing. Even the joy and happiness that result from seeing great things happening in ministry doesn’t last. Those things are wonderful but they will fade. The only joy and happiness that truly lasts comes from being a branch connected to the Vine. “If I have You, Lord, I have everything.” Patience is freedom. There are times God delays things so he can build Kingdom patience. Divine delay brings about Kingdom patience. Not every delay is the enemy. God wants to know what we are really prioritizing — His love and His presence? or merely some other blessing from Him?
3. With Kingdom Power
Vs. 5-8 — “Do whatever He tells you.”
The authority Jesus spoke with shows the character God had developed in Him. He learned and grew, though He was fully God. Notice Jesus didn’t even pray in that moment. He knew what to do, told them what to do, they did it, and the miracle happened. He was walking in Kingdom power before that moment came. It starts with each of us taking a need to Jesus, standing on His word and taking Him at His word. We are meant to be the water jar. God transforms us from water to wine, there is a transformation to His power.
Vs. 9-10 — The way they normally served “good” wine first and then turned to cheap wine is a picture of the world. At first everything about sin may feel good, but over time sin always leads to degradation and destruction. It may feel good and taste good for a while but it always leads to nothing.
A Kingdom of Increase
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.” (Isaiah 9:6-7 ESV)
Jesus brought a Kingdom of increase into a world of decrease. This is why God is preparing each of us right now. The nation we live in is experiencing decay in the culture, which is why God is preparing each of us for the great work He has for us to do. The work is greater than any one of us. This is why He’s building Kingdom partnerships and Kingdom patience and Kingdom power in us. God’s purpose is not dependent on our perfection.
Revealing God’s Glory
“What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.” (John 2:11)
This wasn’t the first miracle Jesus performed but it was the first sign. Miracles meet an individual’s felt need, while signs happen publicly to point others to Jesus. We are seeing miracles at Hope Church, and we’re believing God for signs as well. A sign is greater than a miracle because a sign publicly reveals God’s glory and His character, and it causes others to have faith. As Jesus’ glory is revealed it causes people to believe in Him! This is what we’re after as a church family — God’s glory on display, leading to the salvation of more people and the growth and expansion of God’s Kingdom. Sometimes, we want God to just “do it all” right now with a snap of His fingers. But God has a greater purpose — He wants to work through His people. In order to use us, He must first equip us and purify us. This is why He is preparing us now with Kingdom partners, Kingdom patience, and Kingdom power.
This post is based on a message from Pastor Todd Cosenza, given at Hope Church on Sunday, December 17, 2023. Click the link below to watch the entire message.
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