Embracing a Life of Supernatural Faith

 

Summary

In embarking on the new series, "Simply Supernatural," the focus is on understanding what it truly means to live a supernatural life as described in Scripture. This isn't about the sensational or mystical aspects often associated with the supernatural, but rather about embracing a life that transcends the natural inclinations of the world. Living supernaturally means aligning our lives with God's presence and promises, which calls us to be different from the world. It involves loving our enemies, sacrificing for others, and living with humility and faith.

The essence of living supernaturally is to live in the presence of God, which is not confined to specific moments or places but is a constant state of being. This presence empowers us to overcome the natural tendencies of selfishness, fear, and sin. It challenges us to deny the influence of the world and to embrace a life of faith, where believing is seeing, rather than the other way around.

The presence of God is not something to be sought after in specific experiences or places; it is ever-present and calls us to be His presence in the world. This means living out our faith in practical ways, showing forth the praises of God in our daily lives. It requires a shift from being consumers of spiritual experiences to being contributors to God's kingdom.

The supernatural life is marked by a constant awareness of God's presence, which transforms our natural responses to life's challenges. It is about living by faith, not by sight, and allowing God's power to work through us to bring about His purposes. This series invites us to explore how we can live every aspect of our lives—our marriages, parenting, work, and personal struggles—in the presence of God, thereby experiencing the supernatural in the everyday.

Key Takeaways:

1. Living Supernaturally in the Everyday: Embracing a supernatural life means aligning our daily actions and thoughts with God's presence, transcending the natural inclinations of the world. This involves loving our enemies and sacrificing for others, which are supernatural acts in themselves. [01:30]

2. The Constant Presence of God: God's presence is not confined to specific moments or places; it is a constant state of being. Living in this presence empowers us to overcome natural tendencies of selfishness, fear, and sin, and calls us to be different from the world. [04:03]

3. Faith Over Sight: Living supernaturally requires a shift from living by what we can see to living by faith. This means trusting in God's promises and allowing His power to work through us, even when circumstances seem overwhelming. [11:35]

4. Being God's Presence: We are called not just to be in God's presence but to be His presence in the world. This involves living out our faith in practical ways and showing forth the praises of God in our daily lives, rather than seeking spiritual experiences for personal gratification. [35:04]

5. Transformation Through God's Presence: The presence of God transforms our natural responses to life's challenges, enabling us to live with passion, determination, and purpose. It calls us to deny the influence of the world and embrace a life of faith, where God's power is evident in every aspect of our lives. [56:56]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:30] - Understanding Supernatural Living
- [02:44] - Living in God's Presence
- [04:03] - Denying Worldly Influence
- [05:11] - Embracing Our Difference
- [07:30] - The Power of the Supernatural
- [08:22] - A Chosen Generation
- [09:09] - Purpose of Our Difference
- [10:10] - Showing God's Presence
- [11:35] - Faith Over Sight
- [15:09] - Meeting the Supernatural
- [16:12] - Spiritual Laziness
- [17:27] - Running Life's Marathon
- [21:02] - Finding Supernatural in Scripture
- [22:12] - Jesus' Example
- [23:41] - Passion and Determination
- [24:30] - Seeing Beyond the Natural
- [25:20] - Community and Generosity
- [26:56] - Choosing Supernatural Over Natural
- [27:57] - Wrestling with the Natural
- [28:49] - God's Presence and Promises
- [29:35] - Responding Like Christ
- [32:48] - Catching the Wind
- [33:41] - Defaulting to God's Presence
- [35:04] - Being God's Presence
- [36:09] - Scriptural Examples
- [37:45] - The Ever-Present God
- [39:21] - God's Understanding
- [42:27] - Redefining God
- [46:27] - God's Purpose
- [53:29] - Light Overcoming Darkness
- [56:56] - Remaining in the Supernatural
- [57:36] - Holding Our Sight on God

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide: Simply Supernatural

#### Bible Reading
1. Genesis 3:8 - "When the cool of the evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the Lord God walking about in the garden."
2. 1 Peter 2:9 - "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light."
3. Hebrews 11:1 - "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

#### Observation Questions
1. What does Genesis 3:8 suggest about the relationship between Adam, Eve, and God's presence? How does this relate to the concept of living in the supernatural? [29:35]
2. According to 1 Peter 2:9, what are the characteristics of those who are called to live supernaturally? How does this passage define our identity in Christ? [08:22]
3. How does Hebrews 11:1 define faith, and why is this definition important for understanding supernatural living? [11:35]
4. In the sermon, what examples were given of living supernaturally in everyday life, such as in marriage or overcoming addictions? [02:44]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of living in the "cool of the evening" in Genesis 3:8 illustrate the idea of being constantly in God's presence? What does this mean for our daily lives? [32:48]
2. 1 Peter 2:9 describes believers as a "royal priesthood" and a "holy nation." How does this identity challenge us to live differently from the world? [09:09]
3. The sermon emphasizes faith over sight. How does Hebrews 11:1 encourage believers to trust in God's promises even when circumstances seem overwhelming? [11:35]
4. What does it mean to be God's presence in the world, as discussed in the sermon? How can this understanding transform our approach to faith and community? [35:04]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent situation where you acted according to your natural inclinations. How might living in the supernatural have changed your response? [05:11]
2. Identify an area in your life where you struggle to live by faith rather than sight. What steps can you take to trust in God's promises more fully? [11:35]
3. Consider your daily routine. How can you incorporate an awareness of God's constant presence into your everyday activities, such as work or family interactions? [04:03]
4. Think of a relationship where you find it difficult to love or forgive. How can embracing a supernatural perspective help you to love your enemies or sacrifice for others? [01:30]
5. What practical steps can you take to shift from being a consumer of spiritual experiences to a contributor to God's kingdom? [35:04]
6. Choose one aspect of your life, such as marriage or parenting, and discuss how you can intentionally live in God's presence in that area. [02:44]
7. Reflect on a time when you felt distant from God. How can the understanding that God's presence is constant help you overcome feelings of separation or isolation? [36:09]

Devotional

Day 1: Living Supernaturally in Daily Life
Living a supernatural life involves aligning our daily actions and thoughts with God's presence, transcending the natural inclinations of the world. This means choosing to love our enemies and sacrificing for others, which are acts that go beyond our natural tendencies. By living supernaturally, we are called to be different from the world, embodying humility, faith, and selflessness. This way of living is not about seeking extraordinary experiences but about integrating God's presence into every aspect of our lives, allowing His power to transform our natural responses to life's challenges. [01:30]

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." (Romans 12:2, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a situation where you can choose to act with love and sacrifice today. How can you align your response with God's presence rather than your natural inclinations?


Day 2: Embracing God's Constant Presence
God's presence is not limited to specific moments or places; it is a constant state of being that empowers us to overcome natural tendencies of selfishness, fear, and sin. Living in this presence calls us to be different from the world, embracing a life of faith and humility. By acknowledging God's ever-present nature, we are invited to live out our faith in practical ways, showing forth His praises in our daily lives. This shift from being consumers of spiritual experiences to contributors to God's kingdom is essential for living supernaturally. [04:03]

"Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!" (Psalm 139:7-8, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you remind yourself of God's constant presence throughout your day? How might this awareness change your interactions with others?


Day 3: Faith Over Sight
Living supernaturally requires a shift from living by what we can see to living by faith. This means trusting in God's promises and allowing His power to work through us, even when circumstances seem overwhelming. By choosing faith over sight, we are invited to see beyond the natural and embrace the supernatural, where God's power is evident in every aspect of our lives. This perspective challenges us to deny the influence of the world and to live with passion, determination, and purpose. [11:35]

"For we walk by faith, not by sight." (2 Corinthians 5:7, ESV)

Reflection: Identify a situation in your life where you are relying on what you can see. How can you choose to trust in God's promises and walk by faith instead?


Day 4: Being God's Presence in the World
We are called not just to be in God's presence but to be His presence in the world. This involves living out our faith in practical ways and showing forth the praises of God in our daily lives, rather than seeking spiritual experiences for personal gratification. By being God's presence, we contribute to His kingdom and demonstrate His love and grace to those around us. This calling challenges us to live with integrity and purpose, reflecting God's character in all that we do. [35:04]

"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house." (Matthew 5:14-15, ESV)

Reflection: How can you be a light in your community today? What practical steps can you take to show God's love and grace to those around you?


Day 5: Transformation Through God's Presence
The presence of God transforms our natural responses to life's challenges, enabling us to live with passion, determination, and purpose. It calls us to deny the influence of the world and embrace a life of faith, where God's power is evident in every aspect of our lives. By remaining in the supernatural, we are empowered to overcome darkness and live as vessels of God's light and love. This transformation invites us to explore how we can live every aspect of our lives—our marriages, parenting, work, and personal struggles—in the presence of God. [56:56]

"And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." (2 Corinthians 3:18, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where you need transformation. How can you invite God's presence into this area and allow His power to bring about change?

Quotes



Because there's more promises in the Scripture that speak about a supernatural way of thinking, a supernatural way of having your marriage, a supernatural way of understanding your relationships with others, a supernatural way of overcoming obstacles, addictions, hurts, and those kinds of things. But we don't need to jump to the super supernatural if we haven't got the supernatural right. [00:00:34]

How many of you know that if you just live by how you feel and what you think and what you want to say, whenever you want to say it, do whatever you want to do, whenever you want to do it, you're acting in the natural? Lean forward. I want to tell you a secret. You're better than that. We are called to be better than that. [00:01:07]

We're going to have a look at how do I do my marriage in the presence of God? How do I discipline my children in the presence of God? How do I get over that addiction in the presence of God? How do I manage my finances in the presence of God? How do I go to work in the presence of God? Because you see, if I just go to work, I'm going to work in the natural. I do it in the presence of God and I'm operating in the supernatural. [00:03:23]

You see, because to live in the supernatural, to live in the presence of God, we have to get to the place of denying the influence of the world and our selfish thoughts. Not entertaining them to a degree, denying them. The world will have you believe that life starts in the presence of God. It starts in the presence of God. [00:04:03]

The way we speak is going to be different. The way we think is going to be different. The way we behave is going to be different. When I get to realize the power of what God is inside of me, and I get to carry the very presence of God, I'm going to be different. I think it will be different for me. And the way I live and I'm going to go, and I will continue to live and move with the Father. [00:05:39]

We are different from the world, but we are also hyper different from each other. We believe in the same thing, but Jesus is in this unique process. In 1 Peter 2 verse nine, it says it's like this. You are a chosen generation, amen. Kids, you are a chosen generation. Adults, we are a chosen generation. Are we the same generation? No, but we've both been chosen. [00:08:02]

Why have we been made different? Have a look. That you should show forth the praises of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. There's a purpose for your difference. The purpose for your difference is to show off, not just be in, but show off the presence of God. [00:09:59]

We need to read scripture about what that is, and we'll get into that later. But what we need to understand is that we're not called to be different, to be supernatural, just to feel, to feel his presence. We are called to be supernatural, to be his presence, to show off his presence. Church, we've got to quit being selfish with the presence of God. [00:10:41]

That you should show forth the praises of God. Show forth the praises of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous life. Because you see, we are so different. We don't, we don't, seeing is not believing. Believing is seeing in our world. We live by what we cannot see. That's how different we are. [00:11:20]

The presence of God presses back the darkness and it clears out defeat, guilt, bitterness, selfishness and lies and the light never fails to shine through the darkness, light that darkness could not overcome. John 1 verse five, Adam and Eve lost sight of the power of the supernatural and as a result, lost sight of the presence of God. [00:53:56]

We cannot be the supernatural powerhouse of a church, capital C church. We cannot be the supernatural powerhouse of ministries, of marriages, of families, of generations to come. If we cannot be the supernatural powerhouse of a church, in our own natural fear I hope you're getting this today because I'm preaching long but there's a point sin and failure don't reveal the presence of God oh I did a piece of stupid but God immediately corrected me no God was there trying to prevent you doing the piece of stupid why didn't you know then wisdom is understanding the presence of God before the piece of stupid guilt is worrying about the presence of God after the piece of stupid don't be stupid [00:54:46]

You're in a covenant now where you die to yourself and there'll be life and life in abundance, but carry on acting like yourself and watch death, darkness, and everything else happen to you. Catch a wake up, says the Holy Spirit. Through sin and rebellion, they realized, Adam and Eve, and we do too, that there's a natural flesh -based world that governs us. [00:56:32]

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Transcript
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