Abraham was called out of his family to a land unknown to him at the time of his call. He was called out of from his people and kindred. His people did not know God. God was calling him out to make a new nation of people. God was preparing himself a people that would be His and they would be in the line of our Savior Jesus Christ. They would be a nation who would be set aside for God. God needed a man who would come out from his familiar place and people and obey God.
Elisha was called out from his people as a prophet of God, I Kings 19:19, 20. He first would come along side the Prophet Elijah and serve him for some 18 yrs. He left father and mother to cleave to his mentor and to be prepared to walk in his call as a prophet of the Lord. He served in the first stage along side of Elijah then the second stage was walking in the fullness of his call before God.
John was separated unto God in the desert, Luke 1:80. He did not walk the familiar path of his father. He would walk out an unusual call before God as the Prophet of the most high who would prepare the way of the Lord. He was the forerunner for Jesus, Luke 1:76.
Jesus grew up with his mother and father brothers and sisters. There came a time he left from among his family to serve his heavenly Father in his life's mission. He is our Lord, Savior, Master, Redeemer, good Shepard and more. He was the Word made flesh. He was a prophet sent by God His Father with the message of the Kingdom of God. He labored in love calling men to repent. As a Prophet he preached, prophesied, he moved in the demonstrations of Gods power. And he interceded and later he wept over Jerusalem. He too had to leave familiar places, and from familiar people to walk out His call. To complete His mission in the earth He went to the places and people that His Father would show Him.
Even when Jesus would travel and minister with 12 close students, known as disciples He pulled away from the familiarity of the group. He would go and be alone with His Father.
Jesus' ministry was powerful every place He went people were healed, delivered and the dead were raised. When Jesus went back to His own hometown, the word tells us that He could do few or little miracles.
Surely after being out on the road for a while you would expect a warm welcome from His hometown. More then likely the word had spread of all the miracles and works of powers that Jesus had done. He went from one city to the next. Didn't the word reach His home of all the things He had done?
In Mark 6:1-6 Jesus came back to His home town of Nazareth a 2nd time. The word calls it, "His own country." He began to teach on the Sabbath in the synagogue with authority. Is this not the carpenter the son of Mary etc? They named his brothers and sisters. Showing they knew Him. They were offended at Him.
I imagine some of them said, who does He think He is? They were being familiar with Jesus. They entered a great sin that would rob them of Gods best. V4 "But Jesus said to them, a prophet is not without honor except in His own country, among His own relatives, and in His own House." Jesus marveled because of their unbelief.
The sin of familiarity is dangerous and destructive. It breeds disrespect and contempt. It devalues, and it nurtures offense. The root of it is pride. They were belittling Jesus. They were offended at who He was shown to be. Jesus was not taken off guard. They could not see Him because they thought they knew Him, and wanted to keep Him on their level and they considered Him to be their peer. They did not receive Him as Messiah or Prophet so they could not fully receive His saving grace or the power in Him as Prophet. They forfeited the prophets' reward. They were void of prophetic insight or revelation and perception. They were left somewhat blind.
Being family, rather natural spiritual or both should have honor not dishonor. The sin of familiarity releases destruction if it is not checked. It works against Gods purpose.
In the Body of Christ this sin breaks down churches, ministries it undermines leaders.
When God brought forth a new people He first called out a leader that would not have to fight off the attitudes of the familiar.
There are spirits that link up and move through people. We yield to this spirit. The enemy does not want to see the people of God move in grace and power. He wants us in the murky waters of "issues." He uses offense, rejection, pride and jealousy. The enemy's goal is to cut off moves of God. To disqualify people from moving in the fullness of God and he doesn't care how he does it. If the enemy can cause division, strife, hurts and offense then he can undermine more then a leader or two. He can undermine a move of God or cut off revival and rob people of Gods fullness. God comes where there are hungry people, surrendered people and people who are willing to surrender and unite to exalt God and to receive all that God has for His people.
The sin of familiarity is something that hinders the full flow of God. It tares down, belittles, usurps authority and promotes unbelief. It can also foster rebellion.
Be sure to break any agreement with that spirit. Don't let it work through you or against you. Repentance is key.
Keys of Conduct
1.) Everyone needs proper boundaries in their life with others.
a. Physical
b. Spiritual
c. Mental/emotional
2) Know your limit, and your scope
3) Understand your role in the life of others. Don't overstep
4) Don't be casual in speech or posture toward others.
5) Know Gods timing
6) Stay free of false burdens or false responsibility. Be careful not to overstep, or become presumptuous
7) Communicate in all respect toward others.
8) Respect Gods value towards others.
9) Watch critical comments.
10) Don't harbor offense or wounds.
11) Stay free of bitterness, strife, jealousy and division
12) Know those who are your peers and who aren't. Always respect God given authority.
God is at work in His people perfecting them daily. He knows what He has in store for each and every one. But it is God who has set order, structure, and godly leadership to help His people. He called out Abraham, and made a nation. He called out Elijah and made schools of prophets. He called out Samuel and raised up Kings. He called out 12 disciples and made a church world. He called out Jesus from His people and country and He birthed out eternal life for all who would call on His name. He saved a world from destruction.
Satan was familiar with Jesus he thought he knew Him. He remembered him in their time in the heavenly realm before the garden with man. He thought being close to God in heaven meant he would know Jesus and find his flaws and weak points. He showed up in the wilderness to tempt Jesus but it didn't work. He showed up through Judas. Judas knew the places where the Lord would go. Where the disciples ate and gathered. He somehow underestimated Jesus and he betrayed him for 30 pieces of silver. He operated as if he knew Jesus. He walked with jealousy and a hidden grudge concerning money. Judas had not been freed from the love of money. So Satan influenced Judas and he betrayed our Lord. To his own destruction he fell.
Satan thought he knew Jesus and that he could handle him and even destroy him. No matter who Satan used to come at Jesus, Jesus overcame all of the enemy's plan.
The crowds gathered around Jesus seeing him as small in their eyes. They watched him take his last breathe. At least they thought it was the last breath. Three days later the one who they called, "the carpenters son" rose up and walked out of the grave as King of Kings, Son of God, Messiah, Holy God, Conquer and Savior. Jesus walked out a path of submission and obedience. He was obedient even unto death. Following death was resurrection power. Not only was He freed he freed others.
When we serve under authority we will move in authority like Jesus. The schemes of Satan are rendered powerless.
We will move pass the things that hinder. May God break off the familiar spirit that hinders His purpose in the lives of His people.
This is the hour for the manifestation of the sons of God. This is the hour when God is releasing His glory into the earth through His people. This is the hour when the fear of the Lord is returning to the earth.
This is the hour to forsake all and follow the Lord and serve Him with all your might and love Him with all your heart and Soul. This is the hour to know His love for you that is steadfast.
The sin of familiarity has been a pet sin in the lives of some Christians. It was seen not only in Jesus' day but it was seen in Absalom, korah (rebellion) Saul and others.
With this message is a anointing that will go out and destroy the yoke of this sin off of those who repent. The anointing will break the attack off of those who have been tied and bound and under the attack of familiarity.
God says, those who see and forsake the practice will be turned around and many will see an increase in the anointing in their life and ministry.
For others, the attack that has cycled against you shall be broken. And from this day forward your eyes shall be opened and your ears shall hear the Lord in a greater measure. The attack will no longer ensnare you, nor shall it diminish the moving of power and authority that was appointed to you by God. Churches, Ministries, households and relationship are called to order and there shall be a flourishing of grace, power, and the demonstration of the power and presence of God.
May the Lord add a blessing to the hearing of this message?
Written by: Willicia Rucker