Embracing God's Presence: Miracles, Testimonies, and Obedience
Summary
In today's gathering, we focused on the profound presence of God in our lives and the miracles He continues to perform. We began by acknowledging our deep desire for more of Him, recognizing that His presence is the air we breathe. We are grateful for the incredible work He is doing in our community, drawing people closer to Him and preparing us for what we believe could be the last great awakening. We are expectant of miracles, signs, and wonders, and we declare our space as a house of miracles, having witnessed countless acts of divine intervention.
Today, we shared testimonies from different generations, emphasizing the power of personal stories in building faith. Testimonies remind us that even the most faith-filled individuals can experience doubt, often sown by the enemy. Our role is to counteract these seeds of doubt with the truth of God's work in our lives. Sharing our stories is a powerful tool for evangelism, as it demonstrates the reality of Jesus' transformative power.
We also discussed the importance of giving, not just as an act of obedience, but as a means to advance God's kingdom in our region. With a significant portion of our local population not knowing Jesus, our mission is to reach as many as possible, starting with a goal of impacting 1,000 lives. Our giving supports this mission, enabling us to continue sharing the gospel and expanding God's work.
In addition to testimonies, we highlighted upcoming events, including a Night of Regional Prayer, a baptism service, and a Passover Seder meal. These gatherings are opportunities for us to unite in prayer, celebrate new life in Christ, and learn more about our faith traditions. We encourage everyone to participate and invite others, especially those who need to hear the message of redemption and freedom in Jesus.
As we concluded, we were reminded of the power of obedience and the impact of a simple "yes" to God's call. Whether through prayer, sharing our stories, or serving in the community, our actions can change lives and bring glory to God. We returned to worship, celebrating the testimonies shared and the ongoing work of God in our midst.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Power of Testimonies: Sharing personal stories of God's work in our lives strengthens faith and counters doubt. Testimonies are a powerful tool for evangelism, demonstrating the reality of Jesus' transformative power. [52:39]
2. Obedience in Giving: Giving is not just an act of obedience but a means to advance God's kingdom. Our contributions support the mission to reach those who do not know Jesus, impacting lives and expanding God's work. [58:22]
3. The Importance of Prayer: Praying together, especially as spouses, holds immense power. It invites God's presence into our relationships and circumstances, creating life and countering negativity. [01:12:04]
4. The Impact of a Simple Yes: A simple "yes" to God's call can change the trajectory of our lives and those around us. Obedience opens doors for God's work and brings about transformation. [01:28:57]
5. Community and Worship: Engaging in community events and worship strengthens our faith and unites us in purpose. These gatherings are opportunities to grow, learn, and invite others to experience God's love. [01:28:57]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:05] - The Air We Breathe
[00:15] - House of Miracles Declaration
[00:30] - Power of Testimonies
[00:45] - Importance of Giving
[00:55] - Upcoming Events and Announcements
[01:10] - Testimony: Willie Niren
[01:12:04] - Testimony: Shelby Thomas
[01:20:00] - Testimony: Mark Cox
[01:28:57] - The Power of Obedience
[01:30:00] - Return to Worship
[01:35:00] - Closing Remarks and Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Acts 1:8 - "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
2. Matthew 28:19-20 - "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
3. 2 Corinthians 9:7 - "Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."
Observation Questions:
1. What are some of the miracles and signs that the sermon mentioned God is performing in the community? [00:30]
2. How does the sermon describe the role of testimonies in building faith and countering doubt? [52:39]
3. What specific events were highlighted in the sermon as opportunities for community engagement and spiritual growth? [58:22]
4. According to the sermon, what is the significance of giving in advancing God's kingdom? [58:22]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of a "house of miracles" relate to the idea of being witnesses for Christ as described in Acts 1:8? [00:30]
2. In what ways do personal testimonies serve as a tool for evangelism, and how might they impact those who hear them? [52:39]
3. How does the sermon suggest that obedience in giving can lead to the expansion of God's work in the community? [58:22]
4. What does the sermon imply about the power of prayer, especially when done collectively or as a couple? [01:12:04]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a personal testimony of God's work in your life. How can you share this story with someone who might need encouragement or faith-building this week? [52:39]
2. Consider your current approach to giving. How can you align it more closely with the idea of cheerful and purposeful giving as described in 2 Corinthians 9:7? [58:22]
3. Identify a specific event or gathering mentioned in the sermon that you can participate in. How can you invite someone who might benefit from the experience? [58:22]
4. Think about a time when you said "yes" to God's call. How did it change your life or the lives of those around you? What is God calling you to say "yes" to now? [01:28:57]
5. How can you incorporate more prayer into your daily routine, especially with your spouse or family, to invite God's presence into your relationships? [01:12:04]
6. What steps can you take to counteract doubt in your life and strengthen your faith through the power of testimonies and community support? [52:39]
7. How can you actively contribute to the mission of reaching 1,000 lives in your community, as mentioned in the sermon? What practical steps can you take this week? [58:22]
Devotional
Day 1: The Transformative Power of Testimonies
Sharing personal stories of God's work in our lives is a profound way to strengthen faith and counteract doubt. Testimonies serve as living proof of Jesus' transformative power, reminding us that even the most faith-filled individuals can experience moments of uncertainty. By sharing our stories, we not only reinforce our own faith but also provide a powerful tool for evangelism, demonstrating the reality of Jesus' impact on our lives. This act of sharing is a testament to the ongoing work of God and His presence in our community. [52:39]
"And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death." (Revelation 12:11, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a personal story where you witnessed God's work in your life. How can you share this testimony with someone who might be struggling with doubt today?
Day 2: Giving as a Catalyst for Kingdom Growth
Giving is more than an act of obedience; it is a means to advance God's kingdom. Our contributions support the mission to reach those who do not know Jesus, impacting lives and expanding God's work. In a region where many are yet to experience the love of Christ, our giving becomes a vital tool in spreading the gospel and enabling the church to fulfill its mission. By giving, we participate in God's work, helping to bring about transformation in our community. [58:22]
"Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." (2 Corinthians 9:7, ESV)
Reflection: Consider your current approach to giving. How can you align your financial contributions with the mission to reach those who do not know Jesus in your community?
Day 3: The Power of United Prayer
Praying together, especially as spouses, holds immense power. It invites God's presence into our relationships and circumstances, creating life and countering negativity. When we unite in prayer, we open ourselves to God's guidance and strength, allowing His presence to transform our lives and relationships. This practice not only strengthens our faith but also fosters a deeper connection with God and each other, creating a foundation for a life filled with His peace and love. [01:12:04]
"Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven." (Matthew 18:19, ESV)
Reflection: Identify a specific area in your life or relationship where you need God's intervention. How can you invite someone to join you in prayer for this need today?
Day 4: The Impact of Saying Yes to God
A simple "yes" to God's call can change the trajectory of our lives and those around us. Obedience opens doors for God's work and brings about transformation. By responding to His call, we allow God to use us as instruments of His will, impacting not only our lives but also the lives of those we encounter. This act of obedience is a powerful testament to our faith and trust in God's plan, leading to a life of purpose and fulfillment. [01:28:57]
"And Samuel said, 'Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.'" (1 Samuel 15:22, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a recent moment when you felt God calling you to act. What would saying "yes" to His call look like in your life today?
Day 5: Strengthening Faith Through Community and Worship
Engaging in community events and worship strengthens our faith and unites us in purpose. These gatherings provide opportunities to grow, learn, and invite others to experience God's love. By participating in communal worship and events, we not only deepen our own faith but also create a welcoming environment for others to encounter the transformative power of God's presence. This unity in worship and purpose is a powerful expression of our shared faith and commitment to God's work. [01:28:57]
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)
Reflection: Think about your involvement in community worship and events. How can you actively participate and encourage others to join in experiencing God's love this week?
Quotes
"This is the air I breathe. All of you want more of him in your life. We want him to show up more real than he ever has before, more powerful than he ever has before. And he'll get all the praise and he'll get all the attention and he'll get all the glory because he is worthy of it." [00:48:32] (17 seconds)
"So thank you, Lord, for being here with us today. Thank you for calling us to do this. Thank you for the people that are coming, that you're pulling the hungry generation to you because you want to do something here in this territory, in this region, on this earth today. You want to do something. The last great awakening. We're believing for that. We're contending for that, God. And we expect to begin to see miracle signs and wonders because we know you never stopped." [00:49:02] (28 seconds)
"And I think it's going to be really impactful because testimonies build faith. And you know what? You can be the most faith-filled person. You can have seen miracles. And you can have seen amazing things. But there are times where your faith is tested. And it causes you to doubt. And it is the enemy that causes you to doubt. It is the enemy that plants those seeds and tries to water them. Our job is to put poison on the water of the enemy. Right? So we want to share testimonies." [00:50:14] (29 seconds)
"From time to time throughout the year, we're going to have different people share what the Lord has done in their life. It's not their entire story because we don't probably have time for all of that. But the highlights of some things the Lord has done in your life. And if you don't know Jesus, I'm telling you after today, you're going to want to. Because He's real. He walked the earth. He became sin so that our relationship with the Lord, God in heaven, our Father, could be repaired. He became sin for us. Took all of it off of us and onto Him. That is an incredible thing. There's no other Savior of the world that's ever done that. And there will not be another one." [00:50:43] (37 seconds)
"Maybe we can reach 1,000, right? That would be incredible if we could just reach 1,000 and advance the kingdom in this place, and you're giving your obedience to the Lord's directive to give into his kingdom. That's what those things go for. They go to make sure we're continuing to advance the kingdom, which includes all of you. That's why we've spent a month talking about talking to people about Jesus, and you're going to hear people's stories today because one of the best ways to bring people to the Lord is just share your story with them." [00:52:09] (30 seconds)
"So thank you, Lord, for the tithes that have been given into your storehouse today, into your house today, God. We are going to honor you with it. We give you all the praise and all the glory, and I just pray blessings upon blessings upon blessings that you pour out abundantly more than what anybody in this room could ask, think, or imagine because of their obedience to giving to your kingdom. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Now let's take a minute, about two minutes. We'll do some meeting and greeting. I'll share some announcements, and then we'll get started." [00:52:39] (31 seconds)
"And praying together, especially as a husband and wife, there is power in that. There's nothing greater in that, because God is with you, right?" [01:12:04] (10 seconds)
"God often leads you down a journey when you don't really know, like he's leading you down this journey. And so he, I think I like to say God has a sense of humor because he knew what he was doing when he came, when Mark came out here with friends to go fishing and to hang out and see the property. God knew what he was doing. Mark didn't know what he was doing, but God knew I'm calling this man. Back to church because he's going to be a man of God and he's going to serve God and he, his life is going to be radically changed because of Jesus. It's because he said, yes." [01:26:38] (32 seconds)
"So our obedience makes a difference, not just in our life, but the lives of our family, people we work with in our communities. So I would encourage you to remember today, to remember what Willie said about words and praying with your spouse." [01:27:08] (17 seconds)
"that's right because what the enemy meant for evil god turns around uses for his glory so let's bet head back to the throne room right now we have another testimony come testimony sunday coming up at the end of august" [01:30:17] (16 seconds)
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