Monday, April 2, 2012

Heaven Touches Earth - Living a Supernatural Life

Introduction
  • Because Jesus modelled it as the normal Christian life. Whenever you see Jesus in the gospels he's either coming from a supernatural act (healing.miracle, word of knowledge etc) or heading towards one. He told us that we should expect the same (John 4:12)
  • Because Jesus commanded that the gospel we preach should be accompanied with signs and wonders - we owe the world a full demonstration of the truth of Christ and the power of Christ in which to put their faith (Matthew 10:8)
  • Because Jesus and the early church preached a simple message of the Kingdom of God and evidenced it's truth with signs and wonders as their primary apologetic (Acts 4:30)
  • Because this planet is filled with sick and broken people who need physical, spiritual and emotional healing and freedom and Jesus loves to bring it through us (Mark 1:41) So let's bring it!

1. Pursue His presence above all else
  • Principles are important but you cannot get where you want to go without His presence (Moses -Exodus 33:12 - 23)
  • Soaking/Pickling is our call (Acts 1:5 baptizo - dip/marinade/pickle - Nicanor's 200BC pickle recipe)
  • Live in love and you live in God. Choose to be a river not a swamp (1 John 4:20)

2. Study the Kingdom and your identity as a son/daughter of God
  • What to expect when the Kingdom comes (from Isaiah:deliverance, justice, peace, joy, God's presence, healing, comfort etc)
  • Our job is to contend for the Kingdom 'on earth as it is in heaven'
  • Kingdom now but not yet (but don't let the 'not yet' be an excuse!)
  • Knowing our identity is critical (in Christ, heavenly citizens, recreated, royalty, heirs, ambassadors.)

3. Grow in increasing faith and boldness
  • Levels of faith - "I can grow" (little, weak, strong, great)
  • Break the mentality that 'great faith is for superstars'
  • Become a story magnet. record and remind yourself often of what God has done. (Revelation 19:10 & Joshua 4:21 - 24)
  • Learn how to celebrate - Be faithful with the little and he will give you more.
  • Go after words of knowledge as they are often the key to unbelievers breakthrough (1 Corinthians 14:24 'surely God is among you')
  • Regularly pray for the sick in church meetings - faith on the streets comes often from 'what we've seen'
  • Look to the areas of breakthrough and go after them (e.g.miracles, deaf)

4. Battle and overcome obstacles of faith
  • Unbelief/cynicism/mockery (revelation releases power - unbelief attacks the source of power Ephesians 1:18 - 20)
  • Previous poor teaching or advice (Not healed because of lack of faith etc)
  • Familiarity ('Just another leg growing')
  • Hype
  • Lack of perseverance (Luke 18:1 - 'not to lose heart')

5. Develop a robust theology to overcome disappointment
  • Offence is a breeding ground for unbelief and toxic to a faith filled community (John the Baptist - Matthew 11:6)
  • Work through your own pain and disappointments (Paul - 2 Corinthians 11:25)
  • Focus not on what God hasn't done but on what He has, not on what He isn't doing but on what He is,
  • Simple theology 'God is good, devil is bad. God can use bad for good but he doesn't want bad' (thief comes to kill, steal and destroy - John 10:10)
  • 'I don't know' is sometimes the best and most truthful answer
  • Celebrate others' breakthroughs while waiting for your own
  • Care for the individual - at least leave 5 of them feeling loved by God and you!

6. How to pray for breakthrough
  • Ask the person what's wrong and if they have pain
  • Tell stories to build faith
  • Ask if you can lay hands 
  • Heal the sick - don't pray for heal! Matthew 10:8 'heal the sick', Luke 9:2, Luke 10:9. Command sickness to leave, pain to go
  • Command spiritual oppression to leave (Mark 1:34)
  • Ask the person to start moving the part that is injured
  • If they are not healed don't blame God! Blame yourself! "I know that Jesus loves to heal but I'm not seeing as much as I'd like"

Summarised Handout

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