- 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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