Supernatural (5)

Time of Refreshing

This morning we are going to chat about times of refreshing. Nest week we are going to be talking about times of battle, but there are seasons.

Many Christians know how to deal with times of battle, but we mishandle times of refreshing.

To life a supernatural lifestyle you need to understand how to rest supernaturally as well. You need to pay attention to the voices that you buy into. There are three stages we are going to look at this morning. A time of Redeeming, refreshing, restoring.

Acts 3:19–23 ESV

19 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, 20 that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, 21 whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago. 22 Moses said, ‘The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you. 23 And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people.’

A time of redeeming always proceeds a time of refreshing. In battle we get dirty. When you are thinking and moving on your feet there is always mistakes that are had. I have done and said some stupid things when I’m tired and fighting. You try to be on point, but none of us are perfect. We will ultimately mess up and fall. In every battle we get wounded whether by our own mistakes or the enemies talent in fighting we get wounded and we must first come into a time of Redeeming.

A time of Redeeming

To live in the supernatural means your life has to be as clean as possible. If God has to push through a bunch of junk to flow through you it will ultimately diminish his power running through you. His power doesn’t diminish, but what you allow through you won’t be full force.

That’s why I believe Peter tells us to first repent and turn back. Cleanse yourself. Allow God to redeem you back to your fullness.

Although redemption is the central message of Jesus Christ it is limited in it’s use. But when it is used points to this finished work of the cross which gives us the ability to repent and turn away from sin.

Not all sin is overcome by willpower.

In order to overcome certain sins in our lives we need the supernatural power of Christ. Also known has his redeeming work. The finished work on the cross, which even for just a moment, can make us perfect until we sin again. I believe the more times we walk in Christ’s redeeming work the more we walk in His times of Refreshing.

So we repent, turn from our sins, be cleansed.

Then

Refreshing

Acts 3:20 ESV

20 that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus,

The term refreshing comes from the Greek term

Anapsyxus- Relief, Break or breathing room

What Peter is stating is that when you feel anxious, worried, drowned by the world-Runt o Christ’s redemption- His cleansing work and receive relief.

When we work in deliverance, healing, bringing people into salvaiton-We are through Christ- carriers of relief. I don’t know if you ever had a puss filled sack on your body, but when it grows and stretches it hurts. Suprisingly when you go to the Dr’s and they cut it open you don’t feel a giant surge of pain. Usually it’s a release of pressure and relief.

That moment of relief when you let your breath when everything falls together and works out. That’s what is being talked about here.

Globally in the church it’s time of revival, renewal, and refreshing. When we carry the message of the cross to people through signs and wonders. When we help people who were against the faith align themselves with the word of God we carry this ability to relieve people’s burdens and cares.

Acts 26:18 ESV

18 to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’

Gives a good job description of those who work in the supernatural powers. This is what we should be doing in people’s lives.

Once refreshed-Once the pressure is gone, the sin is gone, behaviors have begun to change. Then we, who are bearers of God’s supernatural power bring in a time

Restoring

Acts 3:21 ESV

21 whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago.

This speaks of the end time restoring of God’s people to a sinless world. The restoration of the new heaven and new earth., but we also see this principle today. I can’t tell you the countless stories of things that were stolen through sin and unforgiveness that had been restored. I’ve seen finances restored to those who lost them. I’ve seen sanity restored to those who were demon possessed. I’ve seen mobility restored. One of the hardest things that I was hit with was when I was praying for someone who had mobility issues I was seeking on their behalf how they could receive healing. God told me—they have unforgiveness in their hearts. The minute I said it they knew what I was talking about, they began the journey to forgiving the person and immediately they mobility was restored to them. Their lameless was directly tied to their unforgiveness.

I feel like many Christians think that in order to bring healing to people they must summon a large portion of Spiritual pixiedust, call it out of heaven, work through the manifest presence of the Holy Spirit and rain down healing—-sometimes this is needed- Minus pixie dust. Most times I have found that people find healing when you go back to the Redeeming process. Allow the Holy Spirit to show you the missing sin that they are holding onto and walk them through the blood of Christ which cleanses them.

Sin stole something from them. Walking through the process of Redemption and refreshing can restore what was lost. Walking the Supernatural doesn’t always have to be the super spiritual grandiose thing, but we have to allow the Holy Spirit to show us the missing link. We have to be sensitive to the working of the Spirit and the voice of the Spirit.

Then people will say what they say in Acts 4:16

Acts 4:16 ESV

16 saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.