Disruptive Faith: Transforming Lives Through God's Power
Summary
The sermon focuses on the transformative power of faith and the disruptive nature of the Gospel, using the story of a woman who, despite being an outcast due to a bleeding condition, sought healing from Jesus. The pastor emphasizes the importance of God's opinion and power over societal norms and expectations. The woman's faith and determination led her to break religious laws and touch Jesus' cloak, believing that even a simple touch would bring healing. This act of faith disrupted the religious norms of the time and brought her into a close and personal relationship with Christ.
The pastor also discusses the concept of time, drawing wisdom from Solomon in Ecclesiastes and Psalm 90:12. Time is seen as a gift from God rather than a curse. The woman's story is used to illustrate this, as after 12 years of suffering, she experienced complete healing and transformation. The pastor encourages the congregation to consider their beliefs about time and to embrace a disruptive faith that challenges the status quo.
The sermon addresses the common belief that our situations are beyond change. The pastor emphasizes that nothing is beyond God's reach and power. The congregation is encouraged not to isolate themselves during challenging times and reminded that they can overcome through the word of God and the power of their testimonies. The pastor shares his own journey of growth and change, highlighting the importance of seeking support and guidance from others.
The pastor discusses the issue of limiting beliefs and perspectives that hinder personal growth and transformation. The sermon highlights the importance of disrupting these limiting beliefs and perspectives, encouraging individuals to challenge their own thinking and not allow their past to dictate what God is doing in their lives. The pastor reminds the congregation that there is no problem too big for God to handle and no situation too great for His intervention.
Finally, the pastor emphasizes the importance of having a Kingdom focus in our lives. The congregation is encouraged to prioritize their relationship with God and to align their thoughts, actions, and desires with His Kingdom purposes. The pastor concludes by urging the listeners to watch a specific video that further explores the topic of Kingdom focus.
Key Takeaways:
- The story of the woman who touched Jesus' cloak demonstrates the transformative power of faith and the disruptive nature of the Gospel. Despite societal norms and expectations, her faith led her to seek healing from Jesus, disrupting religious norms and bringing her into a close relationship with Christ. [12:45]
- Time is a gift from God, not a curse. The pastor encourages the congregation to consider their beliefs about time and to embrace a disruptive faith that challenges the status quo. This perspective can lead to healing and transformation, as seen in the story of the woman who was healed after 12 years of suffering. [22:30]
- Nothing is beyond God's reach and power. The pastor emphasizes that we can overcome our challenges through the word of God and the power of our testimonies. This message is a reminder not to isolate ourselves during challenging times and to seek support and guidance from others. [32:15]
- The sermon highlights the importance of disrupting limiting beliefs and perspectives that hinder personal growth and transformation. We are encouraged to challenge our own thinking and not allow our past to dictate what God is doing in our lives. There is no problem too big for God to handle and no situation too great for His intervention. [42:00]
- Having a Kingdom focus in our lives is crucial. We are encouraged to prioritize our relationship with God and align our thoughts, actions, and desires with His Kingdom purposes. This focus can help us navigate through life's challenges and maintain our faith in God's power and promises. [52:30]
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 #!!49:53!!#
2. Psalm 90:12 #!!49:53!!#
3. John 5 (upcoming study) #!!51:26!!#
Observation Questions:
1. What does Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 tell us about the nature of time and change?
2. How does Psalm 90:12 relate to the concept of time as a gift from God?
3. What can we learn from the woman's disruptive faith in the story mentioned?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of time as a gift from God challenge our usual understanding of time?
2. What does it mean to have a disruptive faith like the woman in the story?
3. How does the story of the woman relate to the teachings in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 and Psalm 90:12?
Application Questions:
1. How can you disrupt the status quo in your own life, like the woman in the story, to draw closer to God?
2. In what ways can you apply the understanding of time as a gift from God in your daily life?
3. Can you identify a situation in your life where you need to exercise disruptive faith? What would that look like?
4. How can you apply the wisdom from Psalm 90:12 to number your days effectively?
5. How can you demonstrate a faith that disrupts the norm to others around you?
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing the Gift of Time
Time is not a curse, but a gift from God. We are not running out of time, but rather, God makes everything beautiful in its own time and season. This understanding can transform our perspective on our circumstances and empower us to patiently endure and persist in faith ([49:53]).
Ecclesiastes 3:1 - "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens."
Reflection: Reflect on a situation in your life where you felt impatient or rushed. How can embracing the understanding of time as a gift from God change your perspective on this situation?
Day 2: The Power of Disruptive Faith
Disruptive faith is the means of our own healing. It is the faith that refuses to accept the status quo and dares to believe in the transformative power of God. This kind of faith can deliver us from our circumstances and bring us into a place of peace and security ([44:14]).
Mark 5:34 - "He said to her, 'Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.'"
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to exercise disruptive faith? How can you step out in faith and disrupt the status quo?
Day 3: The Importance of Community in Spiritual Growth
We are not meant to walk our spiritual journey alone. Being part of a community of believers who are also desiring to move forward can provide the support and encouragement we need to grow and evolve in our faith ([46:26]).
Hebrews 10:24-25 - "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
Reflection: How can you actively seek and engage in a community that supports your spiritual growth?
Day 4: The Power of Immediate Healing
God's miracle-working power can operate immediately in our lives. When we change our perspective and remove the limitations we have placed on our minds about our situation, we can experience immediate healing and transformation ([39:29]).
Mark 5:29 - "Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering."
Reflection: What limitations have you placed on your mind about your situation? How can you change your perspective to allow for God's immediate healing?
Day 5: The Power of Honesty with God
God desires honesty from us. When we are honest with God about what happened, why it happened, and what we're doing, we can experience a divine response that brings healing and transformation ([43:30]).
Psalm 51:6 - "Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being, And in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom."
Reflection: What truths do you need to share with God? How can being honest with God bring healing and transformation in your life?
Quotes
"She went from being just a woman to being called a daughter." [50:43]
"In a disruptive gospel, none of that matters. The only thing that matters is God's opinion, God's power, and God's purpose in my life." [40:47]
"Nothing is beyond God's reach and nothing is beyond God's power. It wasn't just her problem, but it was her perspective. It wasn't just about her problem, it was about her mindset." #!!31:36!!#
"Her disruptive Faith saved her, her disruptive Faith Delivered her, her disruptive Faith was the means of her own healing." #!!44:14!!#
"Her healing was immediate, complete, and lasting. Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering." #!!49:33!!#