John K. Jenkins Sr - Sifting

I’m in a series on purpose, and today is part four. We 're going to take today to discuss this topic. Please turn your Bibles to Luke chapter 22. In part one, we talked about your purpose and how to recognize that you have a destiny; that God created you for a reason. You 're not just an accident; you’re not merely the result of an encounter between your mother and father. God had a divine purpose for creating you, and ultimately, that purpose is to put you on display. God wants to showcase you; He wants to make your life shine. Is «lit» the right word, young people? I think I’m saying that right, but you know what I mean- lit! He wants to elevate you so that you can give Him glory.

Then we discussed how to identify your purpose, how to know when God has called you, and what it is that God has created you to do. We also talked about the fact that the devil wants to destroy you. We spent considerable time last week discussing how the enemy’s ultimate desire is to keep you from reaching your destiny. The devil knows more about the threat you represent to his kingdom than you might realize. In the end, the battle is about whether you will be advancing God’s kingdom or the devil’s kingdom. You are advancing one or the other; the question is, whose kingdom will you advance? The devil wants you to advance his kingdom, which is why he wants to destroy you.

In fact, I mentioned last week that you represent such a threat to the enemy’s kingdom that he has called you out by name. He’s put your name on blast; he has declared that he wants to see you defeated and frustrated, and he aims to destroy you. However, someone needs to know that the devil cannot do you any harm. I should have gotten more " amens» than that. Perhaps I need to elaborate for just a moment, because although the devil may aim his attacks at you, he cannot destroy you. The devil cannot destroy you! Tell your neighbor, «The devil cannot destroy you.» Now tell the neighbor on the other side, «He can try; he can do everything in his power, but he cannot destroy you.»

How many of you recognize today-let me touch on this briefly- that before the devil can bring any drama into your life, he must get permission from God? I wish you all knew the scriptures as well as I do; the devil must obtain permission. I am persuaded, convinced, and know that the devil can’t do anything until he gets permission. And guess what? I know that God will not allow him to do more than what you have the capacity to handle. You need to tell yourself that if it comes into your life, God already knows you can handle it. I can handle whatever I’m going through right now! I can manage the drama, the pain, the frustration-whatever is troubling me today, I can handle it. Tell your neighbor, «You can handle it!» Say it boldly, fervently, passionately, and with fire: «You can handle it!»

In Luke chapter 22, verses 31 and 32, it says this: «And the Lord said, 'Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat; but I have prayed for you that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren .'» I love this passage! I want to focus on one thing today. In fact, I don’t have any points today. Look at your neighbor: «Ain 't no points!» This is a narrative message, so whatever God says to you while I’m preaching, write it down. Don 't wait for a point to come up on the screen; there are no points coming. I mean, I will make several points, but they’re not delineated.

I have one thing I want to address today, and that is from this verse, where it states that the devil has asked for you-Satan has asked for you-that he may sift you as wheat. I want to center this whole message around the sifting process. Some of you need to understand that sifting is a part of the journey. Sifting. Sifting. Sifting. You have to go through some sifting. I know you don’t like it; I know you don’t want it. If we had the choice or the opportunity, we would avoid challenges; we would escape or figure out a way to avoid certain experiences. However, I have learned throughout my life that in order for you to reach where God is taking you, you have to go through some sifting. You have to endure something; you have to go through the sifting process.