Date:      22nd August 2007                                                                  (Wednesday PM)                                                                                Ref: A0329

Place:     Kambah P.S.

Title: Natural to God

Text:        & Acts 5:12-16

Illust:     We used to think that the basic building blocks for all matter were atoms. As time has passed the building blocks we have discovered are getting smaller. Now we have String theory. String theory is a model of fundamental physics whose building blocks are one-dimensional extended objects called strings, rather than the zero-dimensional point particles that form the basis for the standard model of particle physics. The phrase is often used as shorthand for Superstring theory, as well as related theories such as M-theory. By replacing the point-like particles with strings, an apparently consistent quantum theory of gravity emerges. – I certainly don’t understand any of that – We discover it gets more & more complex

I.                   Creation

A.               The Heavens Declare

i.                 Thinking about the Supernatural and God. Look at creation. We call the creation the natural world. A lot of the issues that the Answers in Genesis people face is on the question of science only being able to deal with the natural world.

         Psalm 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork. (NKJV)

ii.               Think, about the complexity of the creation, we don’t even come close to understanding the solar system, let alone the universe – The whole thing is supernatural. Yet to God it is the natural – Reveals who God is, His power & glory

         Romans 1:20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, (NKJV)

B.               Natural to God

i.                 Think about this, from God’s perspective nothing is supernatural, it is the natural way that God works.  ~ This is what God was saying to Job.   ~ & Job 38:1-12

ii.               Only a skimming read of the Bible, it is God moving over & over & over again in the so called supernatural,

       the Flood, Isaac’s birth, Joseph in Egypt, Plagues, the Exodus, battles, Elijah, Elisha, Daniel, Jonah, miracles of Jesus, of Paul & the early church.

iii.             Why? Because that’s who God is, it is the natural to Him.

II.                 God’s Involvement

A.               Needed Today

i.                 If this is how God has always been involved then surely that’s what we need today – We need God to move naturally. In fact when we don’t see God moving that is the unnatural.

ii.               This was the experience of men like Paul. This is not to be some special thing, some unusual surprising thing, no it is to be the norm, It is part & parcel of the preaching of the whole Gospel.

         Romans 15:18-19 18 For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ has not accomplished through me, in word and deed, to make the Gentiles obedient— 19 in mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem and round about to Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. (NKJV)

         1 Corinthians 2:4 And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, (NKJV)

iii.             God is looking for a people who will believe this & seek this:

         2 Chronicles 16:9 For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. In this you have done foolishly; therefore from now on you shall have wars.” (NKJV)

B.               Manifested

i.                 How is this manifested? What should we not only expect to see, what should we be believing to see and speaking to see.

ii.               The gifts of the Spirit. & 1 Cor 12:1-11 – These gifts of the Holy Spirit, the demonstration of the Spirit and power: - Word’s of Knowledge, prophecy, tongues & interpretation, healings, miracles.

iii.             This is what Paul saw, what Peter saw. This typified the early church

         Acts 2:43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. (NKJV)

         Acts 4:33 And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. (NKJV)

         Acts 6:8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. (NKJV)

         & Acts 5:12

         & Acts 5:15-16

         Acts 19:11-12 11 Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them. (NKJV)

iv.             The outflow, the result of this is found in our text: & vs. 14

III.              Contend

A.               Desire

i.                 Tracey Caldwell is an Astronaut on the latest shuttle to fly; in an interview she was asked about how she might serve as an inspiration to those who may think it is too hard to study hard and maybe become an astronaut or get a chemistry degree. – She responded saying that the number 1 thing is that they have to want it. Then it is just hard work and persistence.

      Clay Anderson is an Astronaut on the Space Station – Applied I think it was 15 times to become an Astronaut before finally being accepted – He wanted to be an Astronaut!

ii.               You have to want it!!!  ~ If you are going to achieve anything in life you have to want to do it. It has to be your passion, your desire above all else. You have to want to see God move, it has to be my burning passion, it has to be yours – Do you want to see the gifts of the Spirit, do you want them. Then you have to really want them. You have to contend.

         1 Corinthians 12:31 But earnestly desire the best gifts. (NKJV)

         1 Corinthians 14:1 Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. (NKJV)

iii.             It is something we need to pray for, to ask God to move, to do what He wants to do.

         Acts 4:29-30 29 Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, 30 by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.” (NKJV)

B.               A Time of Contending

i.                 Want to do that now. ~  Deliberately preached short, want to spend some time just at this altar repenting of our half heartedness, our lack of zeal and desire for the things of God

ii.               Make it a time of contending – We need the same spirit that Jacob had. & Gen 32:24-28