Thank you for joining me today! I feel very strongly that the Lord is giving me what to share with you so that you will be more prepared for the days to come. I believe we all have room for growth in the area of receiving revelation from His Word. I would ask that you pray and unite with the Holy Spirit to receive that revelation today. Don’t give up, don’t be one who turns away, Be willing to give the Lord some of your time to hear what He will say to you. Eric

Do you know anyone who is stubborn? Wait! Let’s add a few more descriptive words to that question. How about obstinate, difficult to lead, headstrong, or stiff-necked? Does that describe a relative, neighbor, co-worker, a leader in you church? What about you? Have you looked in the mirror lately?

In Scripture, the word, ‘stiff-necked’ was used often to describe God’s people. The Greek word, skerotrachelos, and the Hebrew word, qasheh, translated ‘stiff-necked’ mean the same thing: someone who is stubborn, obstinate, headstrong, or difficult to lead. Originally, ‘stiff-necked ‘ was used to describe an ox that refused to be turned or guided by it’s master.

When, with the help of the people, Aaron made a golden calf to worship when Moses was on the mountain receiving the ten commandments, the Lord directed Moses to tell the Israelites that they were stiff-necked and if He would go with them, He would destroy them. (Exodus 33:5). Then in Acts 7:51 we read this charge, “You stiff-necked people with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are always resisting the Holy Spirit. As your ancestors did, you do also.” In both of these scriptures, the word ‘stiff-necked’ means: stubborn, headstrong, and obstinate. In Acts 7: 51, the word ‘uncircumcised’ metaphorically describes one whose soul and senses are closed to divine admonitions. ‘Resisting’ (antipiplo) means: to be adverse, oppose, or strive against.

We, as human beings, tend to want to do things “our way.” We always want to do what ‘we’ want to do; go where ‘we’ want to go; (i.e.be the one who decides which restaurant to go to); always feel our way is best and demand that it is the way it will be done. With some, the attitude exuded is “We’ll do it my way or it’s the highway.” We want to be in control! I wonder, is that the attitude we come to God with?

Man was God’s crowning creation for the purpose of reflecting His glory, as we walk in fellowship and obedience with Him. God created man in His image. He gave man a free will. However, His heart’s desire is that we would choose to follow His will. His desire is that we would obey Him and be one with Him. (John 17:22; Hebrews 5:9). When we make the choice to love and obey him, we will be blessed beyond measure.

Jesus is our greatest example of one who was totally submitted to God’s will. Jesus expressed that He came from heaven to do the will of the Father. (John 6:38).

When Jesus faced going to the cross, He entreated the Father that if it were possible, if there was any other way for salvation to come to His creation, He would like the hour to pass from Him. Then He said, “Not what I will, but what You will.” (Mark 14:36).

When facing the most difficult and horrendous thing, being the perfect sacrifice for our salvation through torturous execution, He was willing to relinquish His own will for the Father’s plan and purpose! Without His death and resurrection, we would be forever separated from God and spend eternity in hell.

Are you willing to relinquish your own will for His plans and purposes when you face difficult and/or painful situations or circumstances?

In John 17:4 Jesus said, I have glorified You on the earth by completing the work you gave me to do. ‘Glorified’ (doxazo) means to cause the dignity and worth of someone to become manifest and acknowledged. ‘Completing’ is to carry through completely.

Jesus completely fulfilled the will, purpose, and plan the Father sent Him to earth to accomplish and it brought glory to the Father.

God created us for a purpose and plan also. When we do His will, we reveal Him to those around us. What does our doing His will accomplish? It causes others to see His worth and dignity.

Look at what Ecclesiastes 12:13 and 14 reveals. “When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is this: fear God and keep his commands, because this is for all humanity. 14 For God will bring every act to judgment, including every hidden thing, whether good or evil.” Please understand, it is God’s will that all of humanity reverence and obey Him. Why? Because He will bring every act into judgment. (litigation before a judge).

You see, He created you! He is the Master of the Universe and whether you choose to acknowledge Him on this earth or not, you will face the day of judgment. The textural notes in the New Spirit Filled Life Bible adds, “Everything else in the world will pass away, but one’s relationship with God will stand at the time when he judges the earth.” I pray you will be in right relationship with God and have that relationship stand at the day of the final judgement.

Everything we do needs to glorify God because it will reveal Him to the world around us.

We are told to do whatever we do, all for the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31b).

We are also to let our ‘light’ shine before others so they see our good works and give glory to our Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:16) ‘Light’ (phos) in this verse means: the divine truth with which you have been filled with or soaked in.) Jesus is Truth and the Light of the world and He lives in us! The light that shines from us is a reflection of His presence.

We are to bear fruit and thus bring glory to the Father. To bear fruit is to accomplish much for the increase of Christianity and its furtherance in the souls of men. (John 15:8 ESV).

Jesus prayed for all those who would become believers that we would be one with the Father and Son and with each other.(John 17:20,21 NLT).

As we read Hebrews 3:7-19 (NLT), you will see that we are exhorted to not be stubborn or harden our hearts as Israel did in the wilderness. Take note that the word ‘harden’ in these verses mean : obstinate and stubborn. They were being stiff-necked! “7 That is why the Holy Spirit says, "Today when you hear his voice, 8 don’t harden your hearts as Israel did when they rebelled, when they tested me in the wilderness. 9 There your ancestors tested and tried my patience, even though they saw my miracles for forty years. 10 So I was angry with them, and I said, 'Their hearts always turn away from me. They refuse to do what I tell them.' 11 So in my anger I took an oath: 'They will never enter my place of rest.'" 12 Be careful then, dear brothers and sisters. Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God. 13 You must warn each other every day, while it is still "today," so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God. 14 For if we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ. 15 Remember what it says: "Today when you hear his voice, don't harden your hearts as Israel did when they rebelled." 16 And who was it who rebelled against God, even though they heard his voice? Wasn't it the people Moses led out of Egypt? 17 And who made God angry for forty years? Wasn't it the people who sinned, whose corpses lay in the wilderness? 18 And to whom was God speaking when he took an oath that they would never enter his rest? Wasn't it the people who disobeyed him? 19 So we see that because of their unbelief they were not able to enter his rest.”

The word ‘unbelief’ in verse 19 (apistia) means unbelief regarding the power and promise of God. I have questions: How often do we doubt or fear that God will not intervene for us? How often do we actually doubt that He desires, and has for us, what is best for us and those we love? (That brings to mind Isaiah 27:11 which states that some die before their time because He is keeping them from evil - and yet we feel He has abandoned us). Do we really trust Him? Even when our circumstances do not line up with our wishes, our desires, or our will?

We are exhorted in Scripture to “not be stiff-necked, to submit (yield ourselves) to the Lord and to serve Him.” (2 Chronicles 30:8 NIV). In fact, we will find it in numerous verses.

We see an added exhortation where we are told to “Circumcise your hearts.” (Deuteronomy 10:16 NIV). An uncircumcised heart is one that is closed to God, lacking committed allegiance to His presence or Word. If they cut away that which hinders open allegiance to God, then the heart will become more pliable to the direction of God. Without a circumcised heart, there can be no true reverence and love of God. (Textural notes in New Spirit Filled Life Bible).

We find wonderful news in that even though people are stiff-necked, don’t listen to His command, and forget His wonders that He is a forgiving God, gracious, compassionate, slow to anger, and abounding in faithful love. He does not abandon us! ( Nehemiah 9:17).

We have seen, especially of late, that the world does not consider God’s ways to be important. That means for us, that we have to intentionally walk away from the way of the world. We are not to walk as unbelievers, who because of the spiritual blindness of their heart have had their understanding darkened and are alienated from the life of God. (Ephesians 4:18 NKJV).

The ‘way of the world’ in us shows itself in these behaviors: lying, being controlled by anger, stealing, being bitter (unforgiveness), using harsh words, and slandering others. (Ephesians 4:25-31) If we continue to display these character traits, we are being stiff-necked and rebellious toward God.

When we enter into relationship with Jesus, Who is Truth, we are to become a new creation. (2 Corinthians 5:17). We are to ‘put off’ our former way of life and not be controlled by our own deceitful desires. We are to ‘put on’ the new self which should manifest or reflect the righteousness and holy nature of God to the world!

Okay, now - why is the subject of being stiff-necked so important? Proverbs 29:1 (NIV) very clearly and adamantly reveals, “Whoever remains stiff-necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed--without remedy.” Jamieson Fausset-Brown Commentary defines ‘stiff-necked’ as obstinately refuses counsel.

Zedekiah, King of Jerusalem was evil in the sight of the Lord. He stiffened his neck and hardened his heart against the Lord. (I see a lot of people in the world doing the same thing today.) After warnings sent by God and the prophets, the King and the people ‘mocked, despised His word, and scoffed at His prophets until the wrath of God rose against His people. until there was no remedy’. This brought about the fall of Jerusalem and the Israelites living for 70 years in captivity! (2 Chronicles 36:11-20).

“The greatest mistake any Christian can make is substitute his own will for the will of God.” (Harry Ironside).

As I stated earlier, in these last days, men are turning more and more away from God. Therefore, we must choose to diligently remain close to God. 2 Timothy 4:3-4 (NIIV) reveals, “For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.”These verses very painfully and accurately describes the ‘way ‘ of the world today.

We are to ‘submit’ (obey, be subject to) to God. ‘Resist’ (set oneself against, oppose and withstand) the devil (the malignant enemy of God, the Messiah, and you). We are to ‘wash’ our hands, which means to free ourselves from the defilement of sin. The double-minded who receives nothing, is one who attempts to hold to God and the world at the same time. (James 4:7-9 (NIV).

You cannot have divided loyalty between God and yourself!

Finally, Joshua 1:7 and 8 (NLT), gives us very crucial and essential counsel, “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. 8 Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.”

To ‘meditate’ is an active recitation, a respeaking of God’s Words.

He has shown us the way to victory!

Stand strong in His way!

Do not continue to be stiff-necked!

Do not put your will above God’s!

Do not put yourself into a situation where you will face a brokenness from which there is no remedy!

Seek first the Kingdom of God!

Unless noted all scriptures used are from the Christian Standard Bible

ESV English Standard Version

NLT New LIving Translation

NKJV New King James Version