Supernatural 101 Sermon series pt 4

Introduction:

Jude 1:3 - - “earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered to the saints”

Our faith is a precious gift that we were once delivered from darkness and granted everlasting life. We must earnestly contend for this truth in order to protect it against those who would distort or destroy any part of what they believe because their eternal destination depends on it.

The Holy Spirit said this me to ..... how often are my children obedient to me? And then he followed up with how often are my children obedient to the enemy?

I want you to let that sit with you just for a minute.

So basically Holy Spirit was really saying to me How obedient are we to God?

· The Church began n the Supernatural at Pentecost – must finish with the Power of God also.

· The Western Church live in a culture of unbelief – must push against it.

· Story: What did you learn at Sunday school?  How Moses crossed the Red Sea. “If I told you the way the teacher did, you would never believe it”.

· We have the power of choice – we can choose to believe God or choose Not to believe!

· It is time to extend our faith – 4 choices to make:

i)  Desire the Supernatural:

· 1 Corinthians 12:7  “The manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit without”

· Manifestation = supernatural operation, the Power of God moving through you.

· ‘Given’ => not earned but receive by faith.

· ‘Every man’ => God desires to work supernaturally through every believer.

· 1 Corinthians 12:31 – ‘covet earnestly the best gifts’.

· Covet earnestly = epithumia = deep craving, longing, to lust for, breath hard.

=> passion, intense desire to stretch out and take hold of             something.

· God recognises and respond to the desires of our heart.

· E.g. Mark 10:50-51  “What do you want I should do to you?”

-  Bartimeus pushed through all resistance – cried out strongly!

-  He attracted the attention of Jesus – strong desire.

· Mark 1:24  “Whatsoever things you desire when you pray, believe”.

· Ask God for opportunities …..for His  Power to flow through you.

If you’re desperately looking to God for a miracle, take some time to meditate about the Lord being your provider and shift your heart and mind on to Him. See Him pouring out His blessing upon you and meeting your need. He will not fail you!

Quote: “...focus your full attention on the goodness and greatness of your Father rather than on the size of your need. Your need is tiny compared to His ability to meet it”- Bill Patterson

ii)  Connect with People:

1 Corinthians 12:31 “Covet earnestly the best gifts and yet I’ll show unto you a more excellent way.

· Gifts flow to meet the needs of people.

· The Power of God demonstrates the Love of God – must love and connect with people.

· Galatians 5:6  “faith works by love”.

The love for people motivates us to connect with them and expect God to move.

· Love chooses:  * To become vulnerable.

* To position self in place of uncertainty.

Uncertain if win/loose or breakthrough/setback or excitement/disappointed.

* Not to build walls/hedge around your heart to protect self.

E.g.  Mark 1:41 - Jesus moved with compassion – touched the leper.

He allowed the desperate situation of the man to affect him.

E.g. John 11:35  - Jesus wept => He felt deeply, allowed His heart to  be touched.

E.g.  Mark 3:5  - Jesus looked on them with anger, being grieved.

Jesus was a man of passion – felt deeply.

· Must allow the broken world of people to penetrate your inner world.

· Will see miracles, you will also see losses – affects your emotions!.

· Don’t harden your heart to people! – Don’t built walls around your heart.

Our God is faithful! When His Word is spoken, He will cause it to abound and accomplish the good work. What is impossible with man is possible with God!

iii)  Choose to take risks:

· Matthew 4:29 “and then Peter was come down, out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.”

· RISK = to dare to undertake, to hazard, to expose to injury, loss, death, to put in danger, to “put in harms way”.

· You will never see the supernatural if you stay in the/your comfort zone.

· Miracles are just outside your comfort zone – you must take risks.

· Hudson Taylor – “unless there is the element of risk – there is no need for faith”.

· Aimee S. McPherson – Took risks.

“Is Jesus the great I AM or the great I WAS?”

Will you tell of the wonderful power the He used to have – the power that flowed from I WAS?

· The Holy Spirit wants to give new ideas, new thoughts, strategies – Listen expectantly.

· Be willing to change – leave the familiar behind.

· Kathryn Kuhlman  - Think Big – Talk Big – Act Big – we have a Big God.

· Fill your heart with the vision for God doing new things, step out of the “what if?”

The supply you need today is available for you through the promises of Jesus. Just speak it over your situation. Take some time to see and meditate on the never ending supply being poured out into your situation.

Quote: “How many of us still live by the phrase, “if only...” When God has said, “I already...?”- Brian Logue

SHALL SUPPLY in Greek (STRONGS LEXICON G4137) PLEROO, which means “to cause to abound”, “to fill to the top: so that nothing shall be wanting to full measure”, “fill to the brim”, “to accomplish”

iv)  Get over your disappointments:

· 1 Samuel 30:6-8  “Pursue – you shall surely overtake them and recover all”.

· All who set out to do new things face disappointments and setbacks.

· The more you desire and pursue the supernatural the more surprises and disappointments.

· Must take the risk of being hurt, face reality of disappointments.

· We cannot control God – we must partner with Him and trust Him.

· David:   * Deep disappointment – unexplained setback in his

home and family.

* Encouraged himself into God.

* Pursued = run after, chase.

* Overtake = to reach, stretch out, overcome the

obstacles.

· Must arise beyond disappointments  => Bitter expecting, unbelief.

=> Blaming self.

=> Bitter at God.

· Must let go of the “If only”.

A. You have the power and the Ability to move past disappointments that come in to your world … Praying in the spirit will release a surge in your spirit overcome it

Praying in tongues is indeed powerful! It helps you grow in your spiritual life, it helps you intercede with great burden; it helps you move in the gifts of the Spirit and it helps you defeat the enemy. It’s time we walk in the Spirit and experience the power of God in our lives.

Take time every day to pray in the Holy Spirit. My friend, wherever you go, He goes - because He lives inside of you. Whether you’re walking, driving, riding, playing, or whatever it is, get into the habit of praying in tongues. The more you do that, the more you will see His presence in everything you do.

Quote: “The Christian who neglects the Holy Spirit is like a lamp that’s not plugged in”- Author Unknown

BUILDING UP in Greek (STRONGS LEXICON G2026): EPOIKODOMEO which means “to build up”, “to build upon”.

E.g.  John 11:21  - Martha – if only you had been here – bitter,

disappointed.

John 11:32-38  - Mary – if only you had been here – different spirit

= expectancy.

E.g.  1Chronicles 13:10-11 – “and David was disappointed, became hard . . . . David experienced a humiliating setback, but got over it and moved on.

· Must let go Yesterdays disappointments, unanswered questions.  Except God’s will.  Be filled with a new spirit of pursuing.

· Mark 3:5  “Stretch forth your hand – and he stretches it out and his hand was restored”.