Suddenly

Suddenly...quickly

Unexpected but expected...

Pentecost

Prison (Paul and Silas)

Acts 2:1-4 “When the day of Pentecost had arrived, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like that of a violent rushing wind came from heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were staying. They saw tongues like flames of fire that separated and rested on each one of them. Then they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them.”

Acts 16:25-27 “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the jail were shaken, and immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s chains came loose. When the jailer woke up and saw the doors of the prison standing open, he drew his sword and was going to kill himself, since he thought the prisoners had escaped.”

Hope=positive expectation.

Faith is the key factor.

Hebrews 11:1-3 “Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen. For by this our ancestors were approved. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.”

Substance of things hoped for

Evidence of things not seen.

We can’t be moved by what we see.

Something/someone is working behind the scenes.

These moments don’t just happen. We must build a capacity for them.

The heirloom Irises - keep the shovel in the truck. Go again...

Elijah prayed and prayed again

James 5:13-18 “Is anyone among you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone cheerful? He should sing praises. Is anyone among you sick? He should call for the elders of the church, and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up; if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is very powerful in its effect. Elijah was a human being as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the land. Then he prayed again, and the sky gave rain and the land produced its fruit.”

1 Kings 18

Delay does not mean denial...

Postponed doesn’t mean canceled...

What are we waiting for? What to expect...

Sudden miraculous intervention in our lives

Sudden outpouring of the Spirit

Sudden destruction (life choices)*

Sudden destruction(End time events)**

Sudden return of Jesus***

*Proverbs 6:12-15 “A worthless person, a wicked man goes around speaking dishonestly, winking his eyes, signaling with his feet, and gesturing with his fingers. He always plots evil with perversity in his heart; he stirs up trouble. Therefore calamity will strike him suddenly; he will be shattered instantly, beyond recovery.”

Liars, trouble makers, that stir up stifle etc

Proverbs 24:21-22 “My son, fear the Lord, as well as the king, and don’t associate with rebels, for destruction will come suddenly from them; who knows what distress these two can bring?”

Given to change, wishy washy, flighty, in and out...

Proverbs 29:1 “One who becomes stiff-necked, after many reprimands will be shattered instantly— beyond recovery.”

Hard headed and often reproved...

**1 Thessalonians 5:3 “When they say, “Peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.”

End times destruction.

***Mark 13:35-36 “Therefore be alert, since you don’t know when the master of the house is coming—whether in the evening or at midnight or at the crowing of the rooster or early in the morning. Otherwise, when he comes suddenly he might find you sleeping.”

Suddenly the master returns.

We must be:

Prepared-prayed up, praised up, postured, and positive.

Processed-adjustments and tuning throughout our journey. Why are we in jail? Obedience or disobedience…Attitudes and actions that must be addressed or we will never be ready for a suddenly event.

Positioned-the where and there are of the utmost importance. It may not always be where we think or figure. We have to obey God’s leading and be where He determines not where we determine. Sometimes it might be in a place we don’t really desire but our obedience has placed us there. We may need to examine the reason we are where we are. Change you position.

Positive-faith is always a positive force. There is no room for negativity. Face reality but always positive in the final outcome.

Patient-waiting is always the hardest part. God’s timing is not always our timing...

And suddenly:

Breakthrough

Breakout

Fire from above

Water from a rock

Miracles

Undeniable God intervention