Brief Summary
The sermon "Covered" emphasizes the importance of divine and human covering for spiritual growth and success. It highlights that blessings and desired outcomes require submission to God's guidance and alignment with the right people. The speaker shares personal experiences of rebelling against covering and the consequences, as well as the transformative power of embracing it. The sermon encourages self-reflection on one's comfort with covering, seeking divine and angelic protection, and recognizing the season to shift from being covered to covering others.
- Obedience to covering demonstrates a level of commitment that talent alone cannot.
- Divine covering provides direction, presence, and guidance, while human covering offers loyalty, advocacy, and support.
- There are times when you need to be covered, and there are times when you need to be the covering for others.
Introduction: The Essence of Covering
Many seek God's blessings and desired outcomes but resist the necessary process of being covered by Him and guided by those He places in their lives. Some are comfortable with God's protection but not His guidance, wanting to control how they use His blessings. True progress requires allowing God to send the right people to cover you, as obedience to this covering reveals a level of commitment that talent alone cannot. The speaker acknowledges that they have reached a certain point in their life not because of perfection, but because they were covered.
Early Rebellion Against Covering
The speaker shares a personal story of rebuking covering at a young age, emphasizing the need to be careful about character development alongside spiritual growth. At eight years old, attending a religious camp brought them closer to God, but their character lagged behind. Despite developing a heart for God, they grew distant from their mother, leading to rebellious behavior like running away from home. This pattern continued from age 12 to 16, driven by anger and a hardened heart, unaware that they were running from their covenant and covering.
The Consequences of Leaving Covering
Leaving home at 16 led to unproductive and difficult years, marked by homelessness and a lack of covering. The speaker emphasizes that God cares less about personal feelings towards those raising you and more about honoring the role they play in your life. Despite external appearances, the speaker harbored resentment towards their mother and envied those with both biological parents, leading them to reject God's plan and leave their covering. The speaker identifies those years as the worst of their life, not just because of homelessness, but because of the absence of covering.
The Biblical Meaning of Covering
The speaker defines covering as God's protective alignment, both divine (celestial) and human (relational). It's essential to have both, not just one or the other. Many people are uncomfortable with covering, resisting guidance from those who try to help them. The speaker urges listeners to honestly assess their comfort level with being covered and to recognize that certain professional and relational heights are unattainable without it. God sometimes brings a different type of covering to elevate you beyond what those currently in your life can provide.
Examples of Covering: Les Brown and Bob Proctor
The speaker shares personal experiences of being covered by influential figures like Les Brown and Bob Proctor, highlighting how their mentorship propelled them to new levels. Les Brown affirmed the speaker's talent and anointing, while Bob Proctor emphasized that certain achievements require the right person covering you. Obedience to covering demonstrates a level of commitment that talent alone cannot. God is not impressed with your gift, but covering requires transformation, showing God something about your development.
The Shift from Being Covered to Covering
The speaker emphasizes that some people are in a season where they need to be covered, while others need to shift from receiving covering to providing it. Staying in a perpetual state of receiving prevents one from reaching their next level. Just as Ruth covered Naomi in her time of loss, some are called to cover those who have previously blessed them. God rewards those who recognize when the season of being covered is over and step into the role of covering others.
The Protective Nature of Covering
Covering, both divine and human, shields, sustains, and secures your assignment. The speaker references Psalm 91, emphasizing God's protection and refuge. They share personal experiences of being protected from negative influences and dangerous situations due to the people who covered them. Even during homelessness at 16, a friend named Bob provided covering by steering them away from drugs and violence, guiding them towards church and education.
Divine Covering: God's Guidance and Presence
The speaker highlights the importance of divine covering, referencing God's cloud by day and fire by night in the Old Testament. This covering provides direction, presence, and guidance. Social media, money, and degrees cannot replace the covering of God. The speaker urges listeners to receive God's covering, acknowledging that while God is always present, one must actively receive His protection and guidance. God acts as both a shield and a guide, providing complete sustenance when you are covered.
Angelic Covering: Intervention and Protection
Beyond divine covering, God also provides angelic covering, intervening and protecting individuals. The speaker references the story of Lot, who was rescued from Sodom by angels. Even when in places we shouldn't be, God's angels can protect and guide us out of those situations. The speaker encourages listeners to pray for angelic covering, especially when in environments that could be spiritually harmful. This covering involves being pulled out of dangerous situations, even when one is hesitant to leave.
Relational Covering: Loyalty and Advocacy
The speaker transitions to relational covering, highlighting the example of Jonathan and David. Jonathan demonstrated loyalty, advocacy, and defense for David, even to the point of risking his relationship with his father, King Saul. The speaker encourages listeners to pray for friends who will advocate for them in rooms they cannot access themselves, ensuring that everything discussed is to their advantage. This type of covering involves integrity and a willingness to speak up for what is right, even when it means going against authority.
Spiritual Leadership: Strength and Support
The speaker discusses the importance of spiritual leadership as a form of covering, referencing Aaron and Hur supporting Moses during the battle against the Amalekites. As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but when he lowered them, they began to lose. The speaker emphasizes that when God anoints someone and you are winning, you must help them continue to win. This means supporting your mentors and spiritual leaders, even when they are not as strong as they used to be.
Covenant Covering: Honor and Divine Protection
The final type of covering discussed is covenant covering, exemplified by Rahab and the spies in Joshua 2:1-24. Rahab, a prostitute, demonstrated honor, faith, and provided divine protection to the spies, even lying to the king to protect them. The speaker emphasizes that God can use anyone, regardless of their background, if they are willing to align themselves with His mission. Rahab's actions not only saved the spies but also secured protection for her and her family when Jericho was destroyed.
The Call to Action: Embracing Covering
The speaker reiterates the importance of identifying whether you are in a season to be covered or to provide covering. They share a personal anecdote about their wife, Dee, offering covering to someone who missed the opportunity to receive it. The speaker emphasizes that covering God's mission and His people brings blessings and protection. They conclude by urging listeners to examine their hearts, seek alignment with God's plan, and embrace the covering He provides, whether it's divine, angelic, relational, or through spiritual leadership.
