SMBS 1/14/2017- Study Guide, Lesson Title: Dare to Stand Out For God

Hello Queens! I pray that everyone is well, and that your week has been a great one. I want to welcome you to this week’s Saturday Morning Bible Study. The title of our lesson today is “Dare to Stand Out For God.”

Now when you head stand out, what is the first thing that you think of? Well the term “Stand Out” can be defined as- separate, noticeably different. Having or consisting of specific or individual traits. Specially purposed or created.”

So as we think about what “Standing out” means, and as we really begin to meditate on the definition of the term, we see that to stand out to be separate, or more noticed. And when you hear it broken down, it almost sounds as if “standing out” is in fact a desired action or state of being. You see in the definition that to stand out is referenced as being purposefully separate or individual. And to bring it on home for you, in essence what it means is “to be special, set aside or apart.”

Now, I’m giving you this elaborate breakdown of the term because I want you to understand that “standing out” is not a bad thing. So many times when we think of what it means to stand out, we think of the term “to stick out like a sore thumb” and we associate standing out with embarrassment or even oddness. We think that standing out is some sort of damnation of loneliness. But the truth of the matter is this…It’s ok to stand out! It’s ok to be different. And that’s something that we do not often hear. We hear people talk about individuality but then we associate individuality with persecution. We associate standing out with not being like everyone else, or with loneliness. But the truth is that standing out is not only a good thing, but it is ENCOURGED! As we get into The Word, you’re going to see that God actually ENCOURAGES us to stand out. To be separate from those in darkness, and to be set apart, as we were made by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

Point 1: If we look at Matthew 5:14-16: , we see that Jesus tells us “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” The problem is that most people don’t know this. They have absolutely no idea that it is not only ok, but encouraged to live a life that is separate, that boldly stands out, that set’s us apart. They hear that, and they think “Well how is it ok to stand out when we are talked about for being different.” But Hebrews 10:10 says “we have been sanctified and made holy, set apart through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once and for all.” (Through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we have been made Holy and set apart.) John 17:16-18, “For they are in the world, but not OF the world, even as I am not of the world” (Jesus is talking). So we see here that Jesus is saying to us listen, you might be in the world, and you might be surrounded of the world, but you are not OF the world. Meaning you were not created to live as they live, and to remain in darkness as they do. You were created to stand out, to shine and proclaim boldly the True Gospel of Christ. You have been set apart, and you have been made Holy, so live like it! We were never meant to live as everyone else. Philippians 2:14 to “Do all things without grumbling or disputing that you may be blameless and innocent in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you should shine as lights in the world, holding fast to The Word of life.” And what the scripture meant by this was basically stand out and do so without complaining. Be bold and be brave, and live for God without shame or fear of being ridiculed by a society and a generation that in itself is crooked and twisted. Don’t be so worried about what people think of you that you let it stop you from living an upright life and living for God. You see you bring glory to God, and shine a light on His truth when you choose to boldly stand out despite criticism and naysayers. And that is what God wants. For us to be able to stand up unashamed and unapologetic for what is the gospel and the truth and the light. 2 Corinthians 6:17 says “Therefore, Come out from them and be ye separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you." God is saying come out from the wicked, disconnect yourself with their way of life, with their sins and their darkness, and I will accept you and receive you.

2nd Point: And we hear that, we heard Jesus saying to us that we’ve been called SPECIFICALLY TO WALK A DIFFERENT PATH, but then as soon as we decide that we no longer want to do what everyone else is doing, and live like they are living, and they look at us and talk about us, we fold. As soon as people decide that they want to walk away from us, or no longer be a part of our lives because we are choosing to live a Christ-like life, we shrink back in fear and shame. But 1 Peter 2:4 says "As you come to Him, you will be a living stone rejected by men, but in the sight of God chosen and precious. Scripture tells us that we will be rejected, and abandoned for what we’ve been called to do but that we will be favored in God’s sight for daring to be different. 1 Peter 2:9-10 says “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellences of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people.” And what that means is that we have got to stop being afraid to be different for God. We have to stop being afraid to stand up for the Kingdom. We want so badly to be used in the kingdom, but as soon as the moment comes to take a risk and stand out and be uncomfortable for God, we give up and we go back to living like everyone else, and being like everyone else. God has not called us to live and be as everyone else. We have been called to be a mighty and royal people. Strong and standing in authority. He has purposed us ESPECIALLY for this. We have been blessed with Gifts and abilities, power and authority through the death of Jesus in order to accomplish this every person. So what if you have to be uncomfortable and look different. So what if people talk about you and lie on you. Listen, Jesus tells us in John 15:18-19 “If the world hates you, know that it is because they hated me first. For if you were like them, surely they would love you. But because you are not of the world, but have been chosen and set apart, they hate you.” And that’s the thing we hear that we have been set apart, but we never believe it because of the opposition of the world. To know that I have been chosen and set apart, honestly gives me the confidence TO boldly stand out. To know that God looked at me and said “She’s special, I have a plan for her” gives me all the courage in the world to be different. But as Jesus said in Matthew 22:14 “For many are called, but few are chosen.” And it’s so true! So many of us want to be used, but we don’t want to be uncomfortable or seen as an outcast by the world. We want to be used by God, but won’t answer the call He’s put on our lives because we don’t want to be seen as the Jesus freak, or the Bible thumpers of the world.

3rd Point: And so many of us are afraid to stand out, afraid to declare the truth and the Gospel because we live in a generation that has been deceived by the lies of the enemy. They have been twisted in their thinking so that they believe wrong to be right and vice versa. They have been taken in by false profits, and false teachings, and led to believe the lies of the enemy. 1 John 4:1 says “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” And this is something that we do not do. We let people who are cloaked in filth and darkness tell us what is right, and what we should do, and how we should think. We have been lured in by false promises of the enemy. We have been tricked and deceived into believing that what the Bible says is wrong is acceptable, and that what is immoral is normal. We see it in television shows, we see it in movies, and we see it walking down the street and in stores and restaurants. And because we see it so freely and openly in the world, we have been deceived by the enemy into thinking that sin and darkness is normal, and acceptable. Romans 16:28 says “They do not serve God but their own appetites. They deceive the unsuspecting with smooth talk and flattering words.” And this is so true. We get caught sleeping and we become the unsuspecting. The bible tells us in 1 Peter 5:8 to “Be vigilant and sober minded, for your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” And it’s true! See, when you’re not ready for an attack you don’t see it coming right? So if you have not been in your Word, and abiding in the truth and knowledge of the Word, then you will believe the world when it tells you that to be like those in the world is normal and acceptable. And living in a generation where sin is normal, where it's acceptable. Not only is it normal and even acceptable, but it is encouraged and sought after. Sex outside of marriage is considered the new normal. We gravitate towards abusive relationships because it MUST mean they love us if they're abusing us and being over possessive then they must love us because they treat us like a possession instead of a person. We’ve been told and taught that being half dressed, and called outside of our name is normal and even accepted. We’ve been told that being lusted over and talked to explicitly is sexy or desired. We've been told that to be treated like a piece of meat is the role of a woman. That compromising our value in exchange for love and attention is what gives us identity and makes us whole, that it's where our confidence comes from. Where people can pick what gender they want to be and children can be created outside of normal means. We live in a day and age where the truth is a lie and the lie is the truth.

4th Point: We've been made to believe that speaking out against the evil that runs ramped in the world is wrong. We have been made and told to muffle our voices and the Truth that we were called forth to bring, and to be silent about The Lord. Where people who are in position to speak the truth of the word of God compromise their delivery and sugar coat in order to keep from being of offense to others, or in fear of persecution. Where our lights are dimmed and our speech is silenced because the Truth of the Word, makes the world uncomfortable because it shines a light on their darkness. But Jesus says to us in Matthew 10:16-17 “Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves. But beware! For you will be handed over to the courts and will be flogged with whips in the synagogues.” And isn’t this EXACTLY what happens? We speak up in the name of The Lord, and we speak the Truth of the Word, and we are chastised, persecuted, silenced, cast out, looked down on and shunned. We are ridiculed and judged by society, and we are made public spectacles. And Jesus was telling us right there that we are being sent out into the world to be as sheep among wolves. He said to be as sharp as snakes, having keen and sharp powers of judgment, but as gentle and kind as doves. He said to be ware and to get ready, because the very thing we’ve been sent and called to do, is the very reason that we wear a target on our backs. He said beware, for you will be handed over to the courts, and flogged in the synagogues. And what He was saying was listen, yes I’ve called you to go out and share the gospel, but get ready because it won’t be easy. The world will not graciously and easily embrace you and accept the truth that you have been called to share. They will mock you, they will hate you, and they will talk about you and make an example of you. They will look down on and oppose you. Yes you’ve been called to do this, but it will not be easy. You’ve been called to be set apart, to stand out and to be bold about it, but it will not come without cost.

Because the world hates anything that brings light to its darkness. Anything that seeks to expose the perversion, and the sickness of sin in the world they will oppose. And that’s EXACTLY what we’ve been called to do. Ephesians 5:11 says “Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.” Anything that seeks to clean up what the world has defiled it will come against. And that is why we have to be bold in our calling to be different. We have to understand that it is not possible for us to be as everyone else, because we have been called to do and be greater. We have been called by God The Father to be ministers, royal priests, salt and light. And we cannot very well stand out and be set apart if we are too afraid to not fit in.

5th Point: We live in a time where talking about Jesus is taboo or uncomfortable, but sex on television is acceptable. They allow cursing on day time television but The Lord’s name has been removed from the United States Pledge. Standing out is discouraged because the world doesn't want to hear the truth. They don't want to be called out of darkness. Why do you think people get so upset when truth is preached!? Truth offends anyone who does not want to live in it. 1 Peter 2:6-8 tells us “For it stands in scripture: Behold I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in Him will not be put to shame. So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, the stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone and a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense. They stumble because they disobey they Word, as they were destined to do.” What that means is that Christ came to be the cornerstone, chosen to save us. And those who believe are honored because they know the truth. While those who do not believe stumble on and are offended by the truth because they want to live in darkness, and they want to be in sin.

And when you are not doing as the world, they are offended by you. They are offended by your choice to stand out in the crowd, to choose to live for Christ when everything around you is sin and filth. How dare you choose to live a righteous life in a hellish world? That’s why when you begin to grown in Christ, and you begin to change, people begin to walk out on you, and they begin to talk about you and dislike you. You find that suddenly people who were your friends have started to despise you and turn on you. When you were down together, and living in darkness together they were fine, but as soon as you began to rise above that, and to shine, you began to shine a light on their darkness and expose them and they did not like that. And scripture talks about that. 1 Peter 4:1-4 tells us “Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. For you’ve spend enough time doing what pagans and sinners choose to do--living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you.” And what Christ is saying is basically that once you have suffered and you have lived in sin and dealt with the consequences of your sin, you learn from it. You grow and you learn from the mistakes and the sins of your past. And so you no longer wish to dwell in that mess. And so when you begin to walk out your life with Christ and make changes, people don’t like it. When you decide that you’re done sleeping around, when you decide you’re done drinking and partying, when you decide that you’re done engaging in reckless behavior, people are surprised and get upset because now you’re no longer giving them an excuse to do what they’re doing. Now you’re choosing to stand out and do better, and live an upright life. And the truth is, people begin to feel inferior and insecure around other people who have decided that they want more, that they want to do and be better. You make them feel insecure about themselves because now they are looking at how God has healed you and is elevating you, and they become jealous and angry at themselves for not having the courage to do better. But 2 Timothy 2:22 tells us to “Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith love, and peace along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” Basically, don’t feel like you have to be like everyone else. Don’t seek to be like everyone else. But flee from the lusts and the sins of the world, and seek the things of God. Seek to abide in those things, and to surround yourselves with other’s who are doing the same.

It’s so important that we get this and that we understand it and walk in it. It doesn’t matter that you aren’t doing what everyone else is doing. It does not matter that you are not living how the world is living. Let them talk about you. I have news for you, the world will talk and judge and ridicule you no matter what you do. So if you’re going to be bold enough to stand out and endure that, it might as well be for God. Don’t let this world overtake you, and make you think that you are wrong or defective because you have chosen to stand out and not live as they live. Be bold for the Kingdom, be unashamed to love and live for God. You are a royal people, you walk in authority and in power, and in favor and in grace and mercy! Don’t let a fallen world make you feel inferior for being chosen! Dare to Stand out for God!

God bless you all, and I pray that this message both enlightened and blessed you!

-Amanda Hill, Founder of Queendom Peak