Shake It Off – Pastor Christine Caine – Transformation Church

Snippet from Mike Todd’s Introduction

• Next week, we start a series about the power of the Holy Spirit called, “The Upgrade”, for the next 9-10 weeks
• Today, we get to hear from Pastor Christine Caine

Message Title: Shake It Off

Pastor Christine Caine

On behalf of A21, we know that your heart is already with us, as TC has been so generous with A21 to help abolish slavery everywhere.

During a global pandemic when it should have been impossible to see people rescued, set free, or for traffickers set free – they have seen more than they have before. Last week alone, 8 traffickers have been put in jail in Greece. Your giving has helped that to happen.

Our pastors, Mike and Natalie are very prayerful. They are very prayerful about where they sow the seed from this house. People are being delivered and rescued. What’s impossible with man is possible with God.

The story of A21 is very personal to Christine. Often, your greatest ministry can come from your greatest brokenness.

Christine grew up the daughter of immigrants in Greece and in poverty. She was very marginalized because of her ethnicity and gender. Most weeks of her life from when she was very young up to her teenage years, she was sexually abused by four men.

She was filled with so much grief, guilt, anger, bitterness, pain, heartache and shame. Often, women like this don’t end up doing what she’s doing, but end up drug dependent or alcohol dependent, or 2 or 3 different kids to 2 or 3 different fathers, or confused about gender identity.

Your history does not need to define your destiny. 30 years ago Christine came into relationship with Jesus Christ and He has given her a life beyond her past.

When she was 33 years old, she got a call from her brother who said that found out he was adopted from a letter he received from the government. She got defensive and said, “no you’re not. They made a mistake. Call them and tell them that.” Her sister in law and brother called back, this time with his wife sobbing saying that they received confirmation that they had a file on George and that it was true. This wasn’t the phone call Christine was expecting so she was freaking out.

George decided he would go and see their mum. Christine was thinking anything could happen so she drove there too. She arrived right when her brother gave her mom the piece of paper from the government and her mom started crying. She felt like she was watching a movie.

Her mom said that when it happened, all of the adoption laws in Australia were all closed adoptions and they never thought he would find out. The last thing she promised their father is that she would never tell him so she tore up all the paperwork and threw it all away and never thought he’d find out.

Everyone was crying. Christine didn’t know what to do, so she thought she would go to the kitchen and make some food. While she’s in there, her mother walked up behind her and said, “Christina, since we’re telling the truth, do you want to know the whole truth?”  

Christine didn’t see that coming. She turned to her mother and said, “I’ve been adopted too?” Tears streamed from her mothers face and she just nodded her head and starts saying, “yes.” Christine was stunned. She just stood there and didn’t say anything. Then she said, “Am I still Greek?”, then, “Oh well mum, before I was formed in my mother’s womb, whoever’s womb that was, He knew me. He knitted together my most innermost parts. He fashioned all of my days. I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”  

That day, every fact that she thought to be true about her life changed – what her name was, what her past was, she still doesn’t know the facts about her conception. She doesn’t know if it was a one-night stand, an ongoing adulterous affair, or even a rape.

Although she doesn’t know the facts, there is a force on this planet much higher than the facts and it’s called the truth of the word of God.

Ephesians 2:10 does not say that she is the workmanship of a rape or an adulterous affair.

Ephesians 2:10 New King James Version (NKJV)

10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

We are His workmanship.

You are not what happened to you. You are not what they did to you or said about you. You are created in the image of God, filled with God given destiny, purpose and God has a plan and a purpose for you.

Wouldn’t it be just like God to take an unnamed, unwanted, abused, adopted chick from the back of Sydney Australia, and not only save, deliver, redeem, and set her free but to use her to open up the prison doors and set prisoners free? Every single time they put a trafficker in jail, every time a young child is rescued out of sex slavery, she thinks, “devil you can put that in your pipe and smoke it.”

She feels like Joseph every time when he looks at his brothers and says, you meant this for evil against me, but God meant it for this very purpose to save many, many people. God can take what the enemy meant for evil, turn it around, and work all things together for your good and for his glory.

God has a plan, a purpose, and a destiny for your life – that’s not even the sermon – that’s just for free.

Thank you for your generosity to A21, this is an overflow of Christine’s life and what Jesus has done for her. God can do miracles. You’re looking at one. No demon in hell can thwart the plan and the purpose of God for your life.

If God said it, God will do it; it will come to pass.

This is a moment for us to arise and step into what God has for us.

Acts 27:1 New King James Version (NKJV)

The Voyage to Rome Begins

27 And when it was decided that we should sail to Italy, they delivered Paul and some other prisoners to one named Julius, a centurion of the Augustan Regiment.

Paul received an offering and wanted to take the offering himself to Jerusalem, despite warnings that they would kill him. They tried to kill him. He only didn’t die because the Roman soldiers took him and imprisoned him. He knew that it was part of his purpose to want to go to Rome for the gospel to spread into the world. It was the will of God for him to go to Rome. He didn’t imagine he would go there as a prisoner.

How God is going to take you somewhere may not be how you imagined.

Acts 27:2-8 New King James Version (NKJV)

2 So, entering a ship of Adramyttium, we put to sea, meaning to sail along the coasts of Asia. Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, was with us. 3 And the next day we landed at Sidon. And Julius treated Paul kindly and gave him liberty to go to his friends and receive care. 4 When we had put to sea from there, we sailed under the shelter of Cyprus, because the winds were contrary. 5 And when we had sailed over the sea which is off Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia. 6 There the centurion found an Alexandrian ship sailing to Italy, and he put us on board.

7 When we had sailed slowly many days, and arrived with difficulty off Cnidus, the wind not permitting us to proceed, we sailed under the shelter of Crete off Salmone. 8 Passing it with difficulty, we came to a place called Fair Havens, near the city of Lasea.

Acts 27:9-12 New King James Version (NKJV)

Paul’s Warning Ignored

9 Now when much time had been spent, and sailing was now dangerous because [a]the Fast was already over, Paul advised them, 10 saying, “Men, I perceive that this voyage will end with disaster and much loss, not only of the cargo and ship, but also our lives.” 11 Nevertheless the centurion was more persuaded by the helmsman and the owner of the ship than by the things spoken by Paul. 12 And because the harbor was not suitable to winter in, the majority advised to set sail from there also, if by any means they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete opening toward the southwest and northwest, and winter there.

Acts 27:13-14 New King James Version (NKJV)

In the Tempest

13 When the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their desire, putting out to sea, they sailed close by Crete. 14 But not long after, a tempestuous head wind arose, called Euroclydon.

Acts 27:15-17 New King James Version (NKJV)

15 So when the ship was caught, and could not head into the wind, we let her [a]drive. 16 And running under the shelter of an island called Clauda, we secured the skiff with difficulty. 17 When they had taken it on board, they used cables to undergird the ship; and fearing lest they should run aground on the Syrtis Sands, they struck sail and so were driven.

Anyone just feel driven along?

Acts 27:18-19 New King James Version (NKJV)

18 And because we were exceedingly tempest-tossed, the next day they lightened the ship. 19 On the third day we threw the ship’s tackle overboard with our own hands.

Some of us feel violently storm-tossed too. It’s been a brutal year.

At this point, they had to throw overboard all of their economic resources.

Acts 27:20 New King James Version (NKJV)

20 Now when neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest beat on us, all hope that we would be saved was finally given up.

It was pitch black for them. The GPS was the sun/moon/stars for them. They had no direction, no compass. Has anyone wondered where God went this year? Does anyone feel like there’s no compass? Financially, emotionally, relationally, and spiritually?

You may have not had a big back slide but you’re feeling like you can’t see, hear, or feel God. You may have no planned to drift and you’re looking for God.

Paul is in the midst of this dark moment.

Acts 27:21 New King James Version (NKJV)

21 But after long abstinence from food, then Paul stood in the midst of them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me, and not have sailed from Crete and incurred this disaster and loss.

Some of us feel like we’re here because of our own disobedience. God is with you, regardless of if you brought yourself or if the enemy brought you.

Acts 27:22 New King James Version (NKJV)

22 And now I urge you to take [a]heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship.

Paul’s giving two sides of the same coin. You won’t die. We’ll get to our purpose, but the ship has to go.

For some of us, our trust has been put in some ships. The ship has to run aground. He never promised the ship, He promised us our purpose.

Many of us trusted the ship more than the savior. You have been thrown over the ship to recognize that it’s Jesus – the same Jesus. A system, structure, or purpose does not take us to our destiny. He is the author and finisher of our faith.

Acts 27:23 New King James Version (NKJV)

23 For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve,

Can you still talk about the God that you serve, the God that you worship?

Acts 27:23-24 New King James Version (NKJV)

23 For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, 24 saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.’

What we’ve been feeling has been fear, not sickness. Fear has been unleashed across the Earth and manifested in so many different spheres.

In the midst of the storm, hang onto the word of God, the promise of God, the same God who has prophesized over you is the same God. Regardless of what’s happening in the news you know what you must do.

Some of you have forgotten the word of God spoken over your life, the promise of God over your marriage, your finances – if God said it, no pandemic can stop it.

There is still a lot of must over your life – still a lot of prophetic words that have to come to pass.

Hang on to the promise of God. Hang on to the purpose of God.

Acts 27:25-26 New King James Version (NKJV)

25 Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me. 26 However, we must run aground on a certain island.”

It will be exactly as we have been told, but we must run aground on a certain island. What if God gives you a detour you weren’t planning for? Can we trust God to interrupt our plan with His purpose? Can we trust God even when we can’t trace Him in the middle of a storm? Can you trust Him? Even if it doesn’t make sense, some of us must run aground.

Acts 27:27-32 New King James Version (NKJV)

27 Now when the fourteenth night had come, as we were driven up and down in the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors sensed that they were drawing near some land. 28 And they took soundings and found it to be twenty fathoms; and when they had gone a little farther, they took soundings again and found it to be fifteen fathoms. 29 Then, fearing lest we should run aground on the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern, and prayed for day to come. 30 And as the sailors were seeking to escape from the ship, when they had let down the skiff into the sea, under pretense of putting out anchors from the prow, 31 Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.” 32 Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the skiff and let it fall off.

Some of you have been so violently storm-tossed that you just want to jump ship – jump ship on your marriage. The word of the Lord for you today is to don’t jump ship. Stay on the ship. Stay in your marriage. Stay in your church – whatever it may be.

God is telling you to stay on the ship and to cut the rope of what is taking you off the ship.

Acts 27:33-38 New King James Version (NKJV)

33 And as day was about to dawn, Paul implored them all to take food, saying, “Today is the fourteenth day you have waited and continued without food, and eaten nothing. 34 Therefore I urge you to take nourishment, for this is for your survival, since not a hair will fall from the head of any of you.” 35 And when he had said these things, he took bread and gave thanks to God in the presence of them all; and when he had broken it he began to eat. 36 Then they were all encouraged, and also took food themselves. 37 And in all we were two hundred and seventy-six persons on the ship. 38 So when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship and threw out the wheat into the sea.

In the midst of it all, he just takes it and breaks bread. Remember that Jesus is in the midst of it. That peace that surpasses all understanding. He’s with you in the midst, not just on the other side.

Centering Jesus in the midst of your storm says, I’m trusting you. I can’t trace you, but I’m trusting you.

Anyone got through the storm but now feel shipwrecked?

Acts 27:39-44 New King James Version (NKJV)

Shipwrecked on Malta

39 When it was day, they did not recognize the land; but they observed a bay with a beach, onto which they planned to run the ship if possible. 40 And they [a]let go the anchors and left them in the sea, meanwhile loosing the rudder ropes; and they hoisted the mainsail to the wind and made for shore. 41 But striking [b]a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the prow stuck fast and remained immovable, but the stern was being broken up by the violence of the waves.

42 And the soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim away and escape. 43 But the centurion, wanting to save Paul, kept them from their purpose, and commanded that those who could swim should jump overboard first and get to land, 44 and the rest, some on boards and some on parts of the ship. And so it was that they all escaped safely to land.

Some of us feel like we just got here on a plank. Like you’re just hanging on.

They were all brought safely to land. He has just described a horrific, tremendous, traumatic shipwreck storm, and in the very last verse, he doesn’t rehash everything that happened in the last year, all of the pain, suffering, bitterness, hurt, and offense – we get our focus off of all that happened and declare that God brought us safely to land.

The narrative for 2020 is not COVID, but that God brought us safely through that year.

Now look at how he starts the next chapter:

Acts 28:1 English Standard Version (ESV)

Paul on Malta

28 After we were brought safely through, we then learned that the island was called Malta.

Some of us didn’t realize there was a place called here, a Malta. We’re in this place we never planned to be. Malta is beautiful, but it’s not Rome.

Some of you are carrying offense because you’re not in Rome, but in Malta. There was a revival waiting to happen in Malta. Too many of us are missing out on what God has for us in Malta because we’re lamenting over not being in Rome.

Acts 28:2-3 English Standard Version (ESV)

2 The native people showed us unusual kindness, for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all, because it had begun to rain and was cold. 3 When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand.

Was Paul complaining? No – he got to work. He started to collect sticks. You have to build a big fire for 276 people.

When you get on fire for God, don’t be surprised if they start coming out. The storm didn’t take them out, the shipwreck didn’t take them out, make no mistake that he will send a snake to get venom into your heart – bitterness, offense, anger, disillusionment, lust, greed, jealousy, and envy – toxins into you.

He tried to get you from the outside in, but maybe try to get you from the inside out – he tries to get it into your heart.

Acts 28:4-6 English Standard Version (ESV)

4 When the native people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer. Though he has escaped from the sea, Justice[a] has not allowed him to live.” 5 He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. 6 They were waiting for him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw no misfortune come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.

The crowd is very quick to judge.

There are people waiting for you to swell up.

Look at how fickle people are. The same people who say you were like a devil last week think you’re a God next week. Be careful where you get your affirmation and courage from. Be careful about what you listen to from the crowd.

The scripture shows that he shook it off into the fire. He didn’t shake it off on social media – some of us need to step into the next season and we need to shake some things off in our lives – discouragement, offense, anger, and greed – shake it off into the fire.

The enemy tried to divide us and take us out and it didn’t work, so he has latched a viper to try to take you out from the inside out. Our job is to bring heaven to Earth. You are not representing God when you have vipers hanging on. Shake it off.

We are on the verge of the greatest revival we have ever seen in the history of the church.

Acts 28:7-9 English Standard Version (ESV)

7 Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received us and entertained us hospitably for three days. 8 It happened that the father of Publius lay sick with fever and dysentery. And Paul visited him and prayed, and putting his hands on him, healed him. 9 And when this had taken place, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases also came and were cured.

It’s going to take us to stop despising Malta for us to heal everyone in our sphere of influence. This is the plan and purpose of the will of God. This is a divine detour. God knew we would have a pandemic. He knew they would be in Malta.

Maybe you’re missing the revival in Malta because you’re despising the fact that you’re not in Rome.

Acts 28:10 English Standard Version (ESV)

10 They also honored us greatly, and when we were about to sail, they put on board whatever we needed.

Whatever you think was lost, when God is done with the revival in Malta, you will get everything you need. God will restore it to you double. Stop lamenting all the loss, missed opportunities, God will get the ship to you with the supplies. Do not resent Malta on the way to Rome, there’s a revival waiting right where you are in Jesus name.

Prayer: It’s been hard. The storm was brutal. The ship was wrecked. The snake tried to take you out. Your God has been faithful. There’s a revival waiting right where you are on the way to where you’re going. Our God has brought us safely through. Father, thank you for this phenomenal global church. It’s been tough, and you know that. We pray that you will be going into homes and that your peace and manifest presence will be with everyone on the other side of the screen. We will reframe this last year knowing that you never left or forsook us. Father, I pray that you encourage us in this moment. Father, let those freaking out about the future, let them know in their heart of hearts that you have a ship waiting, with supplies, and the destination ready. Your word and your promise hasn’t changed. Let it be a divine lifting of our eyes up to you as our source, peace, joy, hope, everything. We have you. You’re the one who brought us here and will take us there. You promised to never leave us or forsake us. Lord, let your people sense your presence, the witness of God, whether in the middle of a storm, shipwreck, with a snake, or a revival, let them know the witness of God. Your power is made perfect in our weakness. Our hope is in You. We thank you for plans and strategies but our hope is in the leading of the Holy Spirit of God. After this storm of this last year, we say Holy Spirit, we need you. We want revival. We can’t orchestrate a revival. We’re going to go with the wind. The wind was against them from the beginning, so wind of God, have your way with us and our house. Do with us what you will. We want to be agents of revival. Use us Lord, let your wind blow us where you will and then use us. In Jesus name, Amen.

Altar Call: In an attitude of prayer. There are so many moments we can relate to. You may find yourself in a moment of disappointment where nothing seems recognizable. You may feel like you went through it alone. Jesus was right with Paul every single moment. He knew that regardless of what tried to get him of track, he knew the savior of the universe was right there with him. You may be watching alone but God is with you, cares about you, and loves you deeply. God, in His love for humanity sent His only son Jesus, who lived a sinless and perfect life, and at the age of 33 laid his life down. Sin separated us from God, and in the Old Testament, there needed to be a perfect sacrifice. God sent the perfect sacrifice to have relationship with you. He gave Him for this moment. Bow your head for a moment of focus to focus on your relationship with God. Regardless of what you’re going through right now, He’s stepping into your moment – your relationship, your addiction, every moment. This is an invitation to make a decision to accept Jesus. You don’t have to be perfect, you don’t have to wear certain types of clothes, go to church a certain amount of times, etc. All you need to do is surrender. Take a moment to say, I need help. If that’s you, repeat this prayer with us.

Let’s Pray Together: Dear God, thank you for loving me. Dear Jesus, I admit I’ve made mistakes. Save me, change me, heal me, transform me. In your name I pray. Amen.

• Text ‘Saved’ to 828282 for resources and content to send you to help you along this journey – this is not an arrival, it’s a journey and it’s about progression, not perfection. This is the beginning of your life continually being transformed.
• Write this date down. This is the day the creator of the universe steps in.

You can still get “Relationship Goals” the book and study guide today for additional support:

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