Embracing Faith: Miracles, Worship, and Transformation

 

Summary

In his sermon "Things That Please God," Pastor Jason Sharp focuses on the transformative power of faith and the presence of God in the lives of believers. He begins by asserting the possibility of miracles in the present moment, emphasizing that a miracle can happen where believers are gathered. Pastor Sharp connects this to the spiritual transformation that comes from Jesus' death and the forgiveness of sins, encouraging the congregation to testify about God's goodness.

Pastor Sharp then speaks about the indwelling of the Holy Spirit within believers, leading to a life of peace and victory. He stresses the importance of speaking faith into difficult situations and trusting in God's mercy. The congregation is urged to pour out praise and worship, acknowledging God's love and greatness.

The sermon also touches on personal transformation through faith in Jesus, with Pastor Sharp testifying to the erasure of his past and the changing of his name. He proclaims the Lord as his shepherd and defender, filled with anointing, and encourages the congregation to declare victory and walk in God's peace.

Pastor Sharp continues to emphasize the need for Jesus, the ultimate source of hope, redemption, and miracles. He expresses a deep desire for Jesus' presence, acknowledging Him as the treasure and the one to run to in times of need. The congregation is called to praise Jesus for His eternal presence and to long for His power and miracles.

The sermon also highlights the eternal nature of Jesus and the importance of seeking Him above all else. Pastor Sharp encourages worship and desire for Jesus, recognizing Him as the only lasting treasure. He repeats the phrase "You are forever," reinforcing Jesus' everlasting significance.

Pastor Sharp speaks about the act of pouring out praise to Jesus, emphasizing that the ability to praise comes from God. He declares that sickness and generational curses must go in Jesus' name and urges the congregation to pray for one another, allowing the Holy Spirit to flow through them.

The speaker expresses an unwavering commitment to worshiping God, declaring that they will never be silent and will continue to worship as long as they are breathing. They affirm their belief in God's promises, stating that if God said something is done, they believe it and declare it to be true.

Finally, Pastor Sharp emphasizes the power of belief and faith in God's promises, encouraging the congregation to be immovable and to trust in God's word. He concludes with the affirmation that God's faithfulness will lead to the fulfillment of His promises, and the congregation is encouraged to hold onto their faith and trust in God's word.

Key Takeaways:

- The belief in the immediacy of miracles is a powerful aspect of faith, as it underscores the idea that divine intervention is not confined to the past but is accessible in the here and now. Pastor Jason Sharp's emphasis on the phrase "A miracle can happen" serves as a reminder that faith can transform our current circumstances and that we should actively seek and expect miracles in our lives. [05:46]

- The indwelling of the Holy Spirit is a transformative experience that leads to a life characterized by peace and victory. Pastor Sharp's message encourages believers to recognize and declare the presence of the Holy Spirit within them, which empowers them to overcome challenges and speak faith into existence, even in the face of adversity. [24:55]

- Personal testimony is a powerful witness to the life-changing impact of faith in Jesus. Pastor Sharp's own story of transformation, including the erasure of his past and the changing of his name, serves as an example of the redemptive power of faith and the protective guidance of the Lord as a shepherd to His followers. [17:27]

- Worship is an essential expression of our relationship with God, rooted in the recognition of His eternal nature and the gifts He has bestowed upon us. Pastor Sharp's repetition of the phrase "It's your breath in our lungs, so we pour out our praise" highlights the idea that our very ability to praise is a gift from God, and our worship is a response to His worthiness. [47:10]

- Faith in God's promises is a cornerstone of Christian belief, and the declaration "It is done" is a powerful affirmation of trust in God's word. Pastor Sharp's message encourages believers to stand firm in their faith, believing that God can perform miracles and fulfill His promises, regardless of how impossible the circumstances may seem. [01:49:56]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Hebrews 11:1 - "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."
2. Psalm 23:1-4 - "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."
3. Romans 8:11 - "If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you."

#### Observation Questions
1. What does Pastor Jason Sharp emphasize about the possibility of miracles in the present moment? ([05:23])
2. How does Pastor Sharp describe the impact of the Holy Spirit's indwelling in believers' lives? ([21:35])
3. What personal transformation does Pastor Sharp testify about in his sermon? ([15:50])
4. What is the significance of the phrase "It's your breath in our lungs, so we pour out our praise" in the context of worship? ([50:27])

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the belief in the immediacy of miracles influence a believer's faith and actions according to Pastor Sharp? ([05:23])
2. In what ways does the indwelling of the Holy Spirit lead to a life of peace and victory, as described in the sermon? ([21:35])
3. What does Pastor Sharp's personal testimony reveal about the redemptive power of faith in Jesus? ([15:50])
4. How does the act of worship, as described by Pastor Sharp, reflect our relationship with God and acknowledgment of His eternal nature? ([50:27])

#### Application Questions
1. Pastor Sharp emphasizes the possibility of miracles happening now. Have you ever experienced or witnessed a miracle? How did it impact your faith? ([05:23])
2. The sermon speaks about the indwelling of the Holy Spirit leading to peace and victory. How can you cultivate a greater awareness of the Holy Spirit's presence in your daily life? ([21:35])
3. Pastor Sharp shared his personal transformation through faith in Jesus. Can you think of a moment when your faith led to a significant change in your life? How did it shape your relationship with God? ([15:50])
4. Worship is described as an essential expression of our relationship with God. How can you make worship a more integral part of your daily routine? ([50:27])
5. Pastor Sharp encourages believers to speak faith into difficult situations. Is there a challenging situation in your life where you need to declare faith and trust in God's promises? ([21:35])
6. The sermon highlights the importance of praising Jesus for His eternal presence. How can you incorporate more moments of praise and gratitude into your day-to-day activities? ([50:27])
7. Pastor Sharp speaks about the power of belief and faith in God's promises. What is one promise from God that you are holding onto right now, and how can you strengthen your faith in its fulfillment? ([01:49:22])

Devotional

Day 1: Expectancy of Present Miracles
Miracles are not confined to biblical times; they are a present reality for those who believe. Faith is the key that unlocks the door to witnessing the miraculous in everyday life. The anticipation of God's intervention should be as alive today as it was in the days of the apostles. [05:46]

Hebrews 13:8 - "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."
Reflection: Can you identify an area in your life where you need a miracle? How can you cultivate an expectant heart that is open to God's miraculous work?

Day 2: Victory Through the Spirit
The Holy Spirit's indwelling brings peace and victory, transforming believers from the inside out. Acknowledging His presence is crucial in overcoming life's adversities and speaking faith into existence. [24:55]

Romans 15:13 - "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."
Reflection: In what ways have you experienced the peace and victory that comes from the Holy Spirit? How can you more actively acknowledge and rely on His presence in your daily struggles?

Day 3: Redemptive Power of Personal Testimony
Sharing one's personal journey of faith is a testament to the transformative and redemptive power of Jesus. It is through these stories that others can see the reality of God's grace and the erasure of the past. [17:27]

1 Timothy 1:15-16 - "Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life."
Reflection: What is one significant change in your life that has come about because of your faith in Jesus? How can you use your personal testimony to encourage others in their faith journey?

Day 4: Worship as a Response to God's Worthiness
Worship is a natural response to recognizing God's eternal nature and the gifts He has given. It is an expression of gratitude for His breath in our lungs and His presence in our lives. [47:10]

Psalm 95:1-2 - "Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song."
Reflection: How does the understanding that every breath is a gift from God shape your worship? What are some ways you can express your gratitude to God through worship today?

Day 5: Standing Firm in Faith's Assurance
Believing in God's promises is foundational to faith. Declaring "It is done" is an affirmation of trust in God's faithfulness to fulfill His word, even when circumstances suggest otherwise. [01:49:56]

2 Peter 1:4 - "Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires."
Reflection: What promise of God are you holding onto right now? How can you actively demonstrate your trust in His faithfulness to fulfill His word in your life?

Quotes

"Every lie of the enemy that he has been speaking to you, we cast it down in the name of Jesus. We're going to speak faith into your circumstance, speak faith into your problems, speak faith into your family because he is God and he is God alone." [35:44] (Download)

"All the earth will shout your praise, our hearts will cry, these bones will sing, great are you Lord. It's your breath in our lungs, so we pour out our praise, we pour out our praise, it's your breath in our lungs." [41:39] (Download)

"My past erased. My name he changed. Let's testify. In that moment Jesus gets ahold of you." [15:25] (Download)

"The only lasting thing is you. You are forever. You are the one that I run to. You are my treasure." [01:00] (Download)

"And I will not be silent. I will always worship you. As long as I am breathing, I will always worship you." [01:42:16] (Download)

"You said it so it is done if you said it. I believe. You said it is done. And I believe." [01:43:32] (Download)

"Your spirit lives within me. So I will walk in your peace. Your spirit lives within me. My victory." [21:35] (Download)

"Sickness, you have to go in Jesus' name. Generational curses, you have to go in Jesus'. Complacency, we bind you in the name of Jesus." [47:10] (Download)

"Miracles are in this place. A miracle can happen. Why don't you just reach out in faith? Why don't you ask him? Hallelujah. God, I need a miracle." [08:49] (Download)

"He goes before me. Defender behind me. I won't fear. I'm filled with anointing. My cup's overflowing. No weapon can harm me. I won't fear." [17:27] (Download)

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?