Extraordinary Provision:

Unveiling God's Power Within

Introduction:

- Share a persona story about a time when you witnessed or experienced extraordinary provision in your life. Visa USA we didn’t have money for that and God used 3 teenagers

- Highlight the importance of recognizing God's extraordinary provision and His power working within us.

2 Corinthians 4:7 (NIV)

7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.

This verse beautifully encapsulates the essence of our discussion today.

We, as human beings, are like fragile jars of clay, seemingly ordinary and insignificant. However, within each of us lies a precious treasure – the power of God's Spirit.

Illustration:

Imagine holding a priceless gem in a simple clay pot.

The pot may seem unremarkable, but its true value lies in the extraordinary provision it carries.

Similarly, God has chosen to entrust His power and provision to us, imperfect and frail vessels, to demonstrate His greatness.

I. The Treasure Within

2 Corinthians 4:7 (NIV)

7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.

A. Fragile Vessels:

- Explain the context of 2 Corinthians 4:7, where Paul speaks of being "jars of clay."

Just like fragile jars of clay, we are frail and susceptible to the challenges of life.

We face trials, temptations, and limitations that often overwhelm us.

However, God's plan for us involves an extraordinary provision, even in the midst of our weaknesses.

Despite our vulnerabilities, God has placed a precious treasure within us.

This treasure represents His grace, love, and power, enabling us to experience His extraordinary provision in our lives.

- Emphasize the frailty and limitations of human vessels.

Charles H. Spurgeon: "We are but instruments, liable to be broken, yet chosen to contain the divine treasure."

- Illustration: Share the story of the widow from 2 Kings 4, who experienced God's provision through the multiplication of oil.

B. The Treasure of God's Power:

- the extraordinary provision comes from God's power dwelling within us.

We, as human beings, are like fragile jars of clay, seemingly ordinary and insignificant.

However, within each of us lies a precious treasure – the power of God's Spirit.

- Reflect on the meaning of the phrase "surpassing power belongs to God and not to us" (2 Corinthians 4:7).

- Quote A.W. Tozer: "God is looking for people through whom He can do the impossible."

- Illustration:

Share the story of Abraham from Genesis 22, where God provided a ram as a substitute for Isaac.

Transition:

Having established the treasure of God's power within us, let's explore how it manifests in our lives.

II. Extraordinary Provision in Ministry

Luke 5:1-11 Mark 6:30-44

A. Stepping Out in Faith:

- Read Luke 5:1-11, the account of Jesus calling Peter to launch into the deep.

Luke 5:4–6 (NIV)

4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”

5 Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”

6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break.

- Emphasize Peter's obedience and trust in Jesus' extraordinary provision.

- Quote C.H. Spurgeon: "You must be ready to leap into the miraculous."

- Illustration: Share a story of someone who stepped out in faith and witnessed God's extraordinary provision in their ministry.

B. God Multiplies Our Efforts:

- Read Mark 6:30-44, the story of Jesus feeding the multitude with five loaves and two fish.

Mark 6:36–38 (NIV)

36 Send the people away so that they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.”

37 But he answered, “You give them something to eat.” They said to him, “That would take more than half a year’s wages! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?”

38 “How many loaves do you have?” he asked. “Go and see.” When they found out, they said, “Five—and two fish.”

- Highlight the insufficiency of the disciples' resources and their reliance on God's provision.

- Quote John Wesley: "God does nothing but in answer to prayer."

- Illustration: Share a testimony of how a small act of giving or service multiplied into something extraordinary.

Picture the scene as Jesus looked upon the multitude gathered to hear Him teach.

The disciples were concerned about how to feed such a large crowd in a desolate place.

Extraordinary Provision:

With only five loaves and two fish, Jesus blessed the meager provision, multiplying it to satisfy the hunger of the multitude.

This miracle reminds us that God can take our small offerings and multiply them beyond measure, providing for our needs in extraordinary ways.

Transition:

As we recognize God's extraordinary provision, let's consider how it impacts our lives beyond ministry.

III. Extraordinary Provision in Daily Life

2 Kings 4:1-7

A. The Widow's Oil:

- Read 2 Kings 4:1-7, the story of the widow's miraculous provision through Elisha.

Elisha encounters a widow who has nothing but a jar of oil.

Through the prophet's guidance, she pours out the little oil she has, and miraculously it keeps flowing until she can sell enough to pay off her debts and provide for her family's future.

Illustration: Imagine witnessing the widow's astonishment as the oil keeps pouring from the jar, meeting her needs beyond measure. This account reveals that when we surrender what little we have to God, He can multiply it abundantly to meet our needs and bring about extraordinary provision.

- Discuss the widow's faith and obedience in following Elisha's instructions.

- Quote Charles Spurgeon: "Faith is the victory that overcomes impossibilities."

- Illustration: Share a real-life example of someone who experienced God's extraordinary provision in their daily life.

Illustration: In times of desperation, a widow approached the prophet Elisha, burdened with debts and the possibility of her children being taken as slaves. She had nothing left except a jar of oil.

Extraordinary Provision: Through the prophet's instruction, the widow experienced a miracle of provision as her small jar of oil multiplied abundantly.

It not only paid off her debts but also sustained her family's livelihood.

B. God Supplies Abundantly:

- Reflect on how God's provision is not just enough but abundant.

God can transform our limited resources into supernatural provision, meeting our needs beyond our imagination.

- Encourage the congregation to trust God in their finances, relationships, and all areas of life.

- Quote John Piper: "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him."

- Illustration : Share a story of someone who surrendered their needs to God and witnessed His extraordinary provision.

Conclusion:

- Recap the main points: the treasure within us, extraordinary provision in ministry, and extraordinary provision in daily life.

- Encourage the congregation to embrace their role as vessels of God's power.

- Offer a closing prayer, inviting individuals to seek God's extraordinary provision in their lives.

Remember to personalize the sermon with your own experiences, illustrations, and examples. May God's extraordinary provision be revealed in the lives of all who hear this message.