POSSESSING YOUR POSSESSION

Title: POSSESSING YOUR POSSESSION

Main Text: Obadiah 1:17 - "But upon Mount Zion shall be deliverance, and there shall be holiness; and the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions."

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro 

INTRODUCTION
Possessing your possession is a divine mandate for every believer. God has already provided for us an inheritance in Christ, but it requires us to step out in faith and claim what is rightfully ours. Obadiah 1:17 declares that the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions, which signifies a promise of restoration, deliverance, and taking hold of what God has given.
In this sermon, we will explore the biblical principles and examples of possessing our possessions, understand the challenges that may come our way, and learn how to overcome them through the power of God.

1. UNDERSTANDING YOUR POSSESSION IN CHRIST

What Are Our Possessions?
  As believers, our possessions are the promises of God revealed in His Word. These include spiritual blessings (Ephesians 1:3), healing (Isaiah 53:5), prosperity (Philippians 4:19), victory over sin (Romans 6:14), peace (John 14:27), and eternal life (John 3:16).

The Significance of Mount Zion:
  Obadiah 1:17 refers to Mount Zion as the place where deliverance and holiness lead to the possession of possessions. Mount Zion represents the dwelling place of God, a place of divine encounter, and the manifestation of God's power and presence.

Possessing Through Faith and Obedience
  Hebrews 11:33 speaks of the heroes of faith who, "through faith, subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises." Faith and obedience are critical to taking hold of what God has provided. Just as Joshua and the Israelites had to obey God’s instructions to possess the Promised Land (Joshua 1:3), we must also obey God’s Word to see His promises manifest in our lives.

2. BIBLICAL EXAMPLES OF POSSESSING ONE'S POSSESSION

The Israelites Possessing Canaan (Joshua 6:1-5)
  The story of Jericho is a powerful example of possessing a possession through divine strategy and obedience. God instructed Joshua to march around the city of Jericho for seven days, and on the seventh day, the walls fell, and the Israelites took possession of the city. This teaches us that victory often requires patience, faith, and obedience to divine instructions.

Caleb Possessing Hebron (Joshua 14:6-14)
  At the age of 85, Caleb boldly declared, "Give me this mountain!" (Joshua 14:12). He had a different spirit—one of faith and perseverance. He saw the giants as bread (Numbers 14:9) and relied on God's promise. Caleb's unwavering faith is an example for believers to claim God's promises regardless of the challenges.

David Recovering All at Ziklag (1 Samuel 30:1-8, 18-19)
  When David and his men returned to Ziklag and found it burned, with their families taken captive, David sought God’s guidance. God instructed him to pursue the enemy, and David recovered all. This illustrates the importance of seeking divine direction in reclaiming what the enemy has stolen.

The Daughters of Zelophehad (Numbers 27:1-11)
  These five daughters courageously approached Moses and asked for their father's inheritance in the Promised Land, even though it was unconventional for women to inherit at that time. God honoured their request, setting a precedent. This shows that God is willing to grant us our inheritance when we boldly ask according to His will.

3. STEPS TO POSSESSING YOUR POSSESSION

a)  Know Your Rights in Christ:
  Hosea 4:6 says, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge." To possess your possession, you must first know what belongs to you as a child of God. Meditate on God’s Word and understand His promises (Joshua 1:8).

b)  Engage in Spiritual Warfare:
  Possessing your possession often involves spiritual battles. Ephesians 6:12 reminds us that "we wrestle not against flesh and blood." Prayer, fasting, and declaring God's Word are vital weapons in reclaiming what is ours.

c)  Take Bold Steps of Faith
  Just as Peter stepped out of the boat to walk on water (Matthew 14:28-29), we must be willing to step out in faith to possess our possessions. Faith without works is dead (James 2:26).

d)  Persevere Despite Opposition:
  The children of Israel faced giants in the Promised Land, but they had to confront them to possess their inheritance. Opposition is often a sign that your breakthrough is near. Stand firm and press on, knowing that God is with you (Philippians 3:13-14).

e) Remain Holy and Consecrated:
  Obadiah 1:17 highlights holiness as a prerequisite for deliverance and possessing one’s possession. To walk in holiness is to remain in alignment with God’s will. A life of purity attracts God's presence and power (2 Timothy 2:21).

4. CHALLENGES IN POSSESSING YOUR POSSESSION

Fear and Doubt:
  The ten spies who brought back a bad report from Canaan were filled with fear and doubt, leading to a loss of faith among the Israelites (Numbers 13:31-33). Fear can hinder us from stepping into our God-given inheritance. We must replace fear with faith (2 Timothy 1:7).

Spiritual Laziness:
  Proverbs 24:33-34 warns against laziness. To possess our possession, we must be diligent in prayer, fasting, and studying the Word of God.

Unbelief
  Hebrews 3:19 reveals that the Israelites could not enter the Promised Land due to unbelief. Belief is the gateway to accessing God's promises.

Sin and Disobedience
  Sin separates us from God and His blessings (Isaiah 59:1-2). Repentance and obedience are crucial to reclaiming lost territories.

5. PRINCIPLES FOR RETAINING YOUR POSSESSION

Thanksgiving and Praise:
  Maintain an attitude of gratitude for what God has done. Psalm 100:4 says, "Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise." Praise brings down God's presence and sustains our blessings.

Consistency in Prayer and Study of the Word:
  Constant communion with God through prayer and meditation on His Word keeps us grounded and focused (1 Thessalonians 5:17, Psalm 1:2-3).

Guarding Against the Enemy:
  Be vigilant against the strategies of the enemy to reclaim what God has given you (1 Peter 5:8). Use the full armour of God (Ephesians 6:10-18).

Walking in Humility and Dependence on God
  Recognize that it is not by our power but by the Spirit of God that we possess our possessions (Zechariah 4:6). Stay humble and dependent on Him.

CONCLUSION
God has given us great and precious promises, but it is our responsibility to step out in faith, claim them, and possess our possessions. Remember, the promises of God are yes and amen in Christ (2 Corinthians 1:20). Do not let fear, doubt, or any form of opposition deter you. Be strong, be courageous, and possess your possession!

PRAYER POINTS

1.  Prayer for Divine Understanding:
"Lord, grant me the knowledge and understanding of my inheritance in Christ so that I may possess my possession."
  
2. Prayer Against Fear:
"I rebuke every spirit of fear and doubt that hinders me from stepping into my possession in Jesus' name."
  
3. Prayer for Strength in Spiritual Warfare:
"Father, strengthen me for every spiritual battle I must fight to claim my inheritance."

4. Prayer for Divine Direction: "Lord, lead me by Your Spirit in every step I take to possess my possession."

5. Prayer for Boldness:
"Grant me the boldness to step out in faith like Caleb and possess the mountains You have promised me."

6. Prayer for Holiness:
"Lord, help me to live a life of holiness and consecration that attracts Your presence and power."

7. Prayer Against Spiritual Laziness:
"Father, deliver me from spiritual laziness and grant me the grace to be diligent in prayer and study of Your Word."

8. Prayer for Restoration:
"Lord, restore everything that the enemy has stolen from me. I shall possess my possession in Jesus' name."

9. Prayer for Consistency:
"Help me to remain consistent in my walk with You, so I can retain every possession You have given me."

10.   Prayer for a Grateful Heart:
Give me a heart of thanksgiving and praise to sustain the blessings You have given me."

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS

I declare that I will possess every possession God has ordained for me: I will not be hindered by fear or doubt. I am taking back what is mine in Jesus' name."

I declare supernatural strength for spiritual warfare:  I am equipped with the whole armour of God, and I will emerge victorious.

I declare divine boldness to step into my inheritance:  Just like Caleb, I will say, 'Give me this mountain!' and it shall be mine.