Permission Granted

Magic Trick…

32002

Rebecca Heishman

Give someone my sealed envelope labeled prediction

First deal out 5 cards - Don’t look at them - Seal them in an envelope

Call someone up with an iphone start getting random numbers

Hit equals and have that person with the phone write down that number (quickly) announce it have that person hang on to that piece of paper.

ILLUSTRATION- Playing baseball as a kid hoping that the coach would give me the don’t swing sign or the bunt sign.

(NLT) — 38 One day some teachers of religious law and Pharisees came to Jesus and said, “Teacher, we want you to show us a miraculous sign to prove your authority.” 39 But Jesus replied, “Only an evil, adulterous generation would demand a miraculous sign; but the only sign I will give them is the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40 For as Jonah was in the belly of the great fish for three days and three nights, so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights. 41 “The people of Nineveh will stand up against this generation on judgment day and condemn it, for they repented of their sins at the preaching of Jonah. Now someone greater than Jonah is here—but you refuse to repent. 42 The queen of Sheba will also stand up against this generation on judgment day and condemn it, for she came from a distant land to hear the wisdom of Solomon. Now someone greater than Solomon is here—but you refuse to listen.

I want to talk to someone here this afternoon who has been waiting for a sign to live your life for Jesus… You have been waiting for a sign to walk out your purpose… You have been waiting for a sign to go to the next level…

I’ve titled this message; Permission Granted.

POINT- You have been created with purpose and meaning in you, its up to you to activate it.

KEY- A lot of people believe that it is the power of God that will activate your purpose, but it is not, it’s your choice.

ILLUSTRATION- Matthew in the corvette

POINT- God has given us all choice.

(NLT) — 17 Anyone who wants to do the will of God will know whether my teaching is from God or is merely my own.

POINT- Stop waiting for something miraculous to happen before you choose to follow Jesus.

MAIN POINT- Obedience does not follow miracles, miracles follow obedience.

I showed up this afternoon to wake up some sleeping passion… Listen I could come up here just do some magic tricks share a broad basic message with you and call it a day, but what a waste of time that would be!

I want to wake up those with the passion to slay giants, those with the passion to light up their school, their town, those with the passion to see deaf people hear, blind people see, paralyzed people walk, the dead rise…

You might think yo Zach thats cool but those people aren’t in this room… They are, they are just asleep waiting for a sign.

But the truth is he has already given you a sign and it indicates, “Permission Granted”

KEY- Notice how Jesus changes it up on the Pharisees… They ask him for a sign and he gives them a history lesson.

QUESTION- Why was Jonah such a relevant response???

1. Jonah Was A Sign Of Passion (Love)

Why is this so important???

(NLT) — 18 Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.

2. Jonah Was A Sign Of Power

Imagine spending all that time inside a fish…

I have had people ask me, do you actually believe the story of Jonah actually happened… Do you think it was a metaphor or maybe just some tale…

KEY- The greatest miracle of all time as far as power and authority goes is creation. God took nothing and made everything, if he can do that what can he not do?

(NLT) — 55 O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” 56 For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. 57 But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.

(NLT) — 11 The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.

POINT- I don’t preach because I think I can, I do it because he said I could, I don’t pray and expect miracles because I think I can I do it because he said I could.

3. Jonah Was A Sign Of Purpose

God created you with a purpose and some of you are running from it just like Jonah did…

ILLUSTRATION- Puzzle… You have been given your piece and you are trying to bring about your own fulfillment in life doing things the way you want to…

You have to go to the one who knows what the picture looks like.

Conclusion…

Jesus is your sign. He himself indicates, permission granted.

Why would Jesus look at people wanting a sign and tell them you are evil and adulterous???

If you are here demanding a sign after the revelation of Jesus it’s because you are looking for a reasons to stay the same.

And you are saying Jesus you are not enough (unfaithful)