The Supernatural Dimension: A Supernatural Sound
The Supernatural Dimension • Sermon • Submitted
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Intro:
1 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Today, we will continue our series entitled [The Supernatural Dimension]. The subject of today’s message is, [A Supernatural Sound].
I come from a family that has a hard time hearing, especially on the Tidmore side. My great-grandma, grandpa, and dad are all hard of hearing.
My friend always wondered why I yelled at my dad. It wasn’t called yelling in our house, it was called communicating! When I was three or four, my mom grew concerned about my hearing.
They took me to various doctors, only to discover I needed tubes in my ears. I still remember going to the hospital for the procedure. I had on a little hospital gown. And I got a lot of attention.
I suppose that is where my love for compassion on the sick began. Nothing is better than someone coming along side and agreeing that your sickness is worse than ANYONE else!
Not long after the tubes were in my ears, I remember being in the kitchen. The windows were open and I heard a sound coming from the tops of the trees.
I asked my mom about the sound. She looked around and told me to point. I pointed to the trees and there were a bunch of birds chirping. It was the first time I ever heard a sound like that.
Since then, I have pretty good hearing. People will go to great lengths and spend a lot of money to hear. There are cochlear implants, hearing aids, and doctors that help people with their hearing.
Jesus healed those who couldn’t hear. People still pray for the deaf to hear.
It reminds me of a man who went to an evangelist. The evangelist asked, HOW CAN I PRAY FOR YOU? The man answered, my hearing. Before the man could continue, the evangelist asked people to stretch their hands and faith.
The evangelist placed his fingers in the man’s ears and began to pray! After some time he asked, how is your hearing? He answered, I do not know it is not until next Tuesday!
Maybe it was the evangelist who wasn’t listening...
In order for people to hear, there has to be some sort of sound, not silence. Two weeks ago, we looked at the ten days from the ascension to the Day of Pentecost.
The followers of Christ waited in the Upper Room, only to be met with silence. However, the silence was supernatural in origin.
Remember, just because it seems God has not answered, does not mean He ignores us. There are many times God sends the answer, but the enemy tries to stop it from arriving.
If only we could see in the supernatural dimension, we could observe how hard God fights on our behalf.
For Daniel, it was God sent an angel with the answer. However, Satan’s armies fought with God’s army of angels. Finally, after three weeks, the angels prevailed and come to Daniel with the answer.
Finally, after three weeks, the angels prevailed and come to Daniel with the answer.
Likewise, the New Testament church waited for ten days. It was not that God ignored them during this time. Instead, when the timing was right, He sent the answer!
What then do we do in the times of life where it seems God is silent?
What is our responsibility? We discussed, we have to wait and trust the Lord. For there will come a time when SUDDENLY a sound from heaven will come like a rushing mighty wind.
What I want us to see today is what precedes the supernatural sound.
We’ve established there are times we have to wait, but what do we do in the waiting time?
What actions on our part allow us to hear the supernatural sound of God’s answer?
My plan in this series is to take what happened on the Day of Pentecost and connect it with an Old Testament example. Therefore, I want to look to a story in the life of David.
Let’s turn to . We will see what David did in battle and notice two points, [The Sound OF Heaven] and [The Sound FROM Heaven].
Let’s begin
1. The Sound of Heaven
1. The Sound of Heaven
17 Now when the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to search for David. And David heard of it and went down to the stronghold. 18 The Philistines also went and deployed themselves in the Valley of Rephaim. 19 So David inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand?” And the Lord said to David, “Go up, for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into your hand.”
By this point in David’s life, he is king over all Israel. He lived in Jerusalem and once again the pesky Philistines came to attack God’s people.
David led the army to fight against them. From the outside looking in, the Philistines were skilled warriors and they had the upper hand over the Israelites.
David knew what to do. We read that he INQUIRED of the Lord. Why would David ask God, who is WAY up in heaven, what to do about a battle WAY down on earth?
He understood something that will help us. People have a bad habit of viewing everything from an earthly perspective. We often see what is right in front of, both good and bad.
But there is power in believing there is a supernatural dimension. When something comes to us, positive or negative, we can trust God sees the next step we should take.
What then does God want? He wants us inquire of Him. Inquire is defined, ask for information from someone.
God wants to be the SOMEONE we go to when we need help. Many problems have come because people go to other people FIRST. instead of going to God FIRST.
I have heard it over and over, people will try to fix their problems through their own intuition or from other people, only to finally say, WELL ALL I CAN DO IS PRAY.
The Lord wants us to seek Him first, which is what David did. He didn’t go to the captains or officials and ask, what is the best route to attack the Philistines.
No, he inquired of the Lord. God longs for His people to look to Him through their prayer and praise. Imagine how it sounds to God.
He wants to advise and help us, but He waits for us to ask. Therefore, He is in heaven, and then he hears a sound. David begins to call on Him and there is a sound in heaven.
Heaven is not a silent place. It is full of the prayers of people and praise to God. David learned this over time. Somehow, God gave him insight into the supernatural dimension.
4 One thing I have desired of the Lord, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the Lord, And to inquire in His temple. 5 For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; In the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock. 6 And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me; Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord.
When David describe the throne room, the house of the Lord, the heavenly tabernacle, he discussed the SOUND OF HEAVEN. Heaven is overflowing with praises and sacrifices of joy.
David established a lifestyle in Israel of people who would call on God. When they needed direction or help, they would inquire of the Lord, praising and praying for direction and help.
1 How lovely is Your tabernacle, O Lord of hosts! 2 My soul longs, yes, even faints For the courts of the Lord; My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.
8 O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer; Give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah 9 O God, behold our shield, And look upon the face of Your anointed. 10 For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God Than dwell in the tents of wickedness. 11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold From those who walk uprightly. 12 O Lord of hosts, Blessed is the man who trusts in You!
Before we hear the sound FROM heaven, God wants us to remember the supernatural activity taking place in heaven. When we pray and praise God, we enter into the sounds of heaven.
The sound of heaven is not:
griping
complaining
grumbling
bickering
No, it is full of the requests and worship of God’s people. David was close with the Lord. Therefore, when the battle was intense, how did David know to pray and praise God?
Because he spent consistent time with God in HIs presence. He was not alone in understanding this supernatural sounds of heaven.
1 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. 2 Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 3 And one cried to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory!” 4 And the posts of the door were shaken by the voice of him who cried out, and the house was filled with smoke.
2 And behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east. His voice was like the sound of many waters; and the earth shone with His glory.
1 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple.
3 Opposite the inner court of twenty cubits, and opposite the pavement of the outer court, was gallery against gallery in three stories.
Can we see what happens when we call on God. We join in with the SOUNDS OF HEAVEN. Our prayer and praise reaches God’s ears and eventually He will send...
2. The Sound from Heaven
2. The Sound from Heaven
22 Then the Philistines went up once again and deployed themselves in the Valley of Rephaim. 23 Therefore David inquired of the Lord, and He said, “You shall not go up; circle around behind them, and come upon them in front of the mulberry trees.
22 Then the Philistines went up once again and deployed themselves in the Valley of Rephaim. 23 Therefore David inquired of the Lord, and He said, “You shall not go up; circle around behind them, and come upon them in front of the mulberry trees.
The first time David inquired of the Lord, God gave him direction in the battle. The Lord told him to go and fight. He pushed back the Philistines only to have them return.
This is the second time David inquired of the Lord in this battle. David’s decision teaches us a powerful principle. God’s answer to this problem may not be the answer for the next problem.
David had a similar dilemma, but God had a different solution. As we develop our relationship with the Lord, we will learn to depend on God in ALL circumstances.
We cannot say, well I prayed last time and it this problem seems similar, so I will do it the same way this time. Had David did that, he would have jeopardized the safety of Israel.
The first time, God told David, GO AND FIGHT the Philistines. This time God had a different plan. He was to lead the army and circle behind them.
What would happen when they did that?
24 And it shall be, when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, then you shall advance quickly. For then the Lord will go out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines.” 25 And David did so, as the Lord commanded him; and he drove back the Philistines from Geba as far as Gezer.
They were to wait until they heard the SOUND of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees. David’s inquiry, the sound OF heaven, led to God’s assistance, the sound FROM heaven.
The sound was more than wind. I believe it was the sound of angels marching in the tops of the trees. For when they heard this sound, they were to go forward because the Lord planned to go out before the army and strike their enemies.
David exemplifies what happens when we do our part. God ALWAYS responds to the prayers and praise of His people. His answer may not come when we expect, but He will answer.
David was not the first to experience this type of supernatural help. Let’s look at a few others:
25 And He took off their chariot wheels, so that they drove them with difficulty; and the Egyptians said, “Let us flee from the face of Israel, for the Lord fights for them against the Egyptians.”
21 Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea into dry land, and the waters were divided.
After inquiring of the Lord for direction, God told Moses to lift his rod. When he did, he heard the SOUND FROM HEAVEN that blew the waters back, helping the Israelites.
20 So the people shouted when the priests blew the trumpets. And it happened when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat. Then the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city.
After seven days of marching, they lifted up the sound OF heaven, their praise, then they heard the Sound FROM heaven as the walls of Jericho fell down flat.
11 Then it happened, as they continued on and talked, that suddenly a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and separated the two of them; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.
After walking for miles, the prophet Elijah who lived a life of prayer and praise, Elijah and Elisha heard a sound FROM heaven, bringing supernatural help.
Can we see God’s habit of responding with supernatural help FROm heaven! God ALWAYS responds to our prayer and praise.
Close:
How does this connect to the Day of Pentecost?
8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” 9 Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, 11 who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”
After Jesus promised to give them power from heaven, He ascended out of sight. Think about what the follower of Jesus had stacked against them.
Jesus was gone
The Jewish leaders hated them
Persecution was inevitable
Death was likely
What was their response? Did they complain and gripe about Jesus leaving them? No, because that is not the sound of heaven.
13 And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying: Peter, James, John, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot; and Judas the son of James. 14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.
They went to the Upper Room and they continued in PRAYER and SUPPLICATION. They joined all of heaven and began to pray and praise the Lord.
And God did not answer the first day they prayed and praised. But they kept on sending a pleasant sound to heaven!
They joined together, lifting up a supernatural sound, and then SUDDENLY, they heard a supernatural sound FROM heaven
1 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.
SUDDENLY there was a sound from heaven. But was it sudden? It might have sounded sudden? They heard something they never heard before.
From an earthly perspective it was sudden. But from a heavenly perspective, God responded to their prayer and praise.
It is like a rainstorm. Do they happen suddenly? Sometimes it feels like they do, but there is something scientists call the water cycle. It starts with:
Evaporation- water rises from lakes, rivers, streams, or oceans
Condensation- clouds begin to form
THEN COMES, Precipitation- the lighting flashes, the thunder roars, and the rain falls.
When it happens, it feels sudden, but it happened as result of a process.
As it is in the natural, so it is in the spiritual. The more we lift up the sound of heaven. The more we pray. The more we praise God. The longer we wait in worship.
Eventually heaven will get so full and SUDDENLY God starts to pour out His Spirit. The sound FROM heaven comes because we lifted the sound OF heaven.
From the outside looking in, people will start to think, all of a sudden, so and so looks blessed. All of a sudden Vulcan Assembly is having really good services. All of a sudden, they are getting answers to their prayers.
But we will now it didn’t happen all of a sudden. For we have inquired of the Lord. We have pressed in through praise and worship. We have prayed and fasted.
So in the time of supernatural silence, let’s lift up a supernatural sound. For the more we pray and praise God, eventually we will hear the Sound FROM heaven.
It may blow back the sea
It may knock down the walls
It may carry us away
It may sound like angels marching in the tops of trees
It may sound like a rushing might wind
However it sounds, it will repeat the cycle where we send up our prayer and praise, it will form in the heavens and God will pout out His Spirit once again!
Let’s lift up a SUPERNATURAL SOUND to the Lord!
Lets sing
clap
sing
rejoice
shout
dance
lift our hands
For I believe we are really close to receive what God has promised for us!