Embracing Miracles: Crying Out for Divine Intervention
Summary
In this evening's message, I focused on the profound need for miracles in our lives, emphasizing that there are situations where only divine intervention can bring about the change we desperately seek. We explored the story of the blind man in Luke 18:35-43, who, despite his physical blindness, recognized Jesus as the Son of David and cried out for mercy. This man's faith and persistence serve as a powerful reminder that Jesus hears our cries, even when others try to silence us or when we feel lost in the noise of the world.
I encouraged everyone to consider what they truly need from God, urging them not to settle for superficial requests when they can ask for a transformative miracle. The blind man's story illustrates that Jesus is willing to stop and listen to our deepest needs, offering us not just temporary relief but a complete transformation. This transformation is not just about physical healing but also about spiritual renewal, where Jesus offers us a new life, a new vision, and a new hope for the future.
We also reflected on the importance of recognizing our true needs. Sometimes, what seems obvious to others may not be clear to us, and we might ask for things that don't address the root of our problems. Like Solomon, who asked for wisdom but needed a heart to follow it, we must seek God's guidance to understand our true needs and desires.
Ultimately, the greatest miracle is the salvation that Jesus offers. It's a miracle that no human effort or program can achieve. Jesus came to give us life abundantly, to forgive our sins, and to open the doors to a relationship with God. I invited everyone to cry out to Jesus, to not be ashamed or silenced, and to embrace the new life He offers. This is the gospel of Jesus Christ, the power of God, and the mercy that is available to all who call upon His name.
Key Takeaways:
- The Need for Divine Intervention: There are moments in life when only a miracle from God can bring about the change we need. Human efforts fall short, but God is willing to intervene through Jesus Christ, offering victory and transformation. [01:15]
- Persistence in Faith: The blind man's persistent cries for mercy, despite being told to be quiet, highlight the importance of unwavering faith. Jesus hears our cries and responds to our deepest needs, even when others overlook us. [05:11]
- Understanding True Needs: Like Solomon, who asked for wisdom but needed a heart to follow it, we must seek God's guidance to understand our true needs. Sometimes, what seems obvious to others may not be clear to us, and we might ask for things that don't address the root of our problems. [09:54]
- The Miracle of Salvation: The greatest miracle is the salvation that Jesus offers. It's a miracle that no human effort or program can achieve. Jesus came to give us life abundantly, to forgive our sins, and to open the doors to a relationship with God. [17:49]
- Crying Out to Jesus: We are encouraged to cry out to Jesus, to not be ashamed or silenced, and to embrace the new life He offers. This is the gospel of Jesus Christ, the power of God, and the mercy that is available to all who call upon His name. [18:34]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:10] - Introduction to the Message
- [00:37] - The Need for a Miracle
- [01:15] - God’s Willingness to Give Victory
- [02:14] - Reaching the Marginalized
- [03:03] - The Blind Man’s Cry
- [04:12] - The Crowd’s Agenda
- [05:11] - Jesus Hears Our Cries
- [06:05] - The Journey Begins with a Cry
- [07:20] - Recognizing Jesus’ Authority
- [08:02] - What Do You Want Me to Do?
- [09:30] - Solomon’s Request for Wisdom
- [10:45] - The Danger of Religious Darkness
- [12:46] - Specific but Wrong Requests
- [14:46] - The Miracle of Sight
- [17:49] - The Greatest Miracle: Salvation
- [20:35] - Call Out to Jesus
- [22:08] - Prayer for Salvation
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Luke 18:35-43
- John 10:10
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Observation Questions:
1. In the story of the blind man in Luke 18:35-43, what was the reaction of the crowd when the blind man cried out to Jesus? How did Jesus respond to the blind man's persistence? [04:12]
2. What specific request did the blind man make to Jesus, and how did Jesus fulfill this request? [14:46]
3. According to the sermon, what are some of the superficial requests people might make instead of asking for a true miracle? [12:46]
4. How does the sermon describe the greatest miracle that Jesus offers, and why is it considered the greatest? [17:49]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. Why do you think the blind man in Luke 18 was able to recognize Jesus as the "Son of David" when others did not? What does this say about spiritual insight versus physical sight? [03:57]
2. The sermon mentions Solomon's request for wisdom but notes that he needed a heart to follow it. How does this relate to understanding our true needs versus our perceived needs? [09:54]
3. How does the sermon illustrate the concept of divine intervention being necessary in situations where human efforts fall short? Can you think of a personal or biblical example where this is evident? [01:15]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the importance of crying out to Jesus and not being silenced by others? How does this relate to the persistence in faith? [18:34]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt like the blind man, needing a miracle in your life. What did you cry out to God for, and how did you see His response? [16:59]
2. The sermon encourages us to ask for transformative miracles rather than superficial requests. What is one area in your life where you need a transformative miracle, and how can you begin to pray for it? [12:46]
3. Consider the concept of understanding true needs. How can you seek God's guidance to discern between what you want and what you truly need? [09:54]
4. The sermon emphasizes the miracle of salvation as the greatest miracle. How has the understanding of this miracle impacted your relationship with God, and how can you share this with others? [17:49]
5. Persistence in faith is highlighted in the sermon. How can you cultivate a persistent faith in your daily life, especially when faced with challenges or when others try to silence you? [05:11]
6. The sermon mentions the danger of religious darkness. How can you ensure that your knowledge of truth is accompanied by a heart to follow it? What steps can you take to prevent spiritual complacency? [10:45]
7. Identify a specific distraction in your life that prevents you from focusing on Jesus. What practical steps can you take this week to minimize that distraction and deepen your relationship with Him? [19:32]
Devotional
Day 1: Divine Intervention in Our Lives
In life, there are moments when human efforts fall short, and only a miracle from God can bring about the change we need. These are times when divine intervention becomes essential, as it was for the blind man in Luke 18:35-43. Despite his physical blindness, he recognized Jesus as the Son of David and cried out for mercy. His story reminds us that Jesus is willing to stop and listen to our deepest needs, offering not just temporary relief but a complete transformation. This transformation is not limited to physical healing but extends to spiritual renewal, where Jesus offers us a new life, a new vision, and a new hope for the future. [01:15]
Isaiah 41:10 (ESV): "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Reflection: Identify a situation in your life where you feel powerless and in need of divine intervention. How can you invite God into this situation today?
Day 2: The Power of Persistent Faith
The blind man's persistent cries for mercy, despite being told to be quiet, highlight the importance of unwavering faith. His determination to reach Jesus, even when others tried to silence him, serves as a powerful reminder that Jesus hears our cries and responds to our deepest needs. This story encourages us to remain steadfast in our faith, trusting that God is attentive to our pleas and will respond in His perfect timing. [05:11]
James 1:6 (ESV): "But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind."
Reflection: Think of a prayer request you have been hesitant to bring before God. What steps can you take to persist in faith and trust that He hears you?
Day 3: Understanding Our True Needs
Sometimes, what seems obvious to others may not be clear to us, and we might ask for things that don't address the root of our problems. Like Solomon, who asked for wisdom but needed a heart to follow it, we must seek God's guidance to understand our true needs and desires. This requires introspection and a willingness to let God reveal what is truly necessary for our growth and transformation. [09:54]
Proverbs 2:6-7 (ESV): "For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity."
Reflection: Reflect on a current desire or request you have. Ask God to reveal whether this aligns with your true needs and His will for your life.
Day 4: The Miracle of Salvation
The greatest miracle is the salvation that Jesus offers. It's a miracle that no human effort or program can achieve. Jesus came to give us life abundantly, to forgive our sins, and to open the doors to a relationship with God. This gift of salvation is available to all who call upon His name, offering a new beginning and eternal hope. [17:49]
Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV): "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."
Reflection: Consider your understanding of salvation. How can you embrace this gift more fully in your daily life and share it with others?
Day 5: Crying Out to Jesus
We are encouraged to cry out to Jesus, to not be ashamed or silenced, and to embrace the new life He offers. This is the gospel of Jesus Christ, the power of God, and the mercy that is available to all who call upon His name. By reaching out to Jesus, we open ourselves to His transformative power and the abundant life He promises. [18:34]
Psalm 34:17 (ESV): "When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles."
Reflection: Identify an area of your life where you have been hesitant to cry out to Jesus. What would it look like to bring this to Him today with boldness and trust?
Quotes
"i want to speak a message this evening that I've I've spoken on this passage of scripture just a few weeks ago but it it bears repeating because no matter how often we could preach on a particular passage I don't think we could ever fully understand the depths of it or reach the bottom of any passage of scripture i believe I could preach on John 3:16 for the rest of my life and still add another depth to the treasure of God so loved the world he gave his only begotten son i I do believe that I could uh add to that but this message I've entitled tonight and it's for those that are here with us and you need a miracle i'm just going to say it straight out you need a miracle you need something in your life that only God can do uh human beings can't do it for you your natural strength can't do it for you you can't get up you can't get out you can't get in whatever your situation is you know that you're stuck where you are and it's only a miracle of God that will make a difference in your life" [00:00:10]
"now the good news is that God is willing to give you the victory through his son Jesus Christ and I'm not bringing something to you that is not a truth it's not something that many of us haven't experienced in this room we have experienced the victory of God and the power of God so Father tonight I ask you to put an unusual anointing on your word tonight i ask you to put something deeper than God maybe I've spoken in years i'm asking you Lord to go in to prisons tonight i'm asking you to go into places where people can't see a way forward where their hearts are so wounded they don't think they're ever going to be healed i ask you tonight to go to the addicted the oppressed the afflicted the marginalized god those that everyone else has given up on except you lord Jesus Christ would you grant me the privilege of going there with you i ask you for the privilege to visit some darkened rooms tonight the lights might be on but the room is dark i pray Lord Jesus Christ that freedom would come to people's lives" [00:01:15]
"so Jesus stood still and commanded him to be brought to him you see Jesus hears jesus hears thank God in all the noise and all the voices and everybody that's pushing him towards their agenda it was the cry of one man on the side of the road he heard him tonight for those that are online and you're part of this prayer meeting or maybe it will be in your time zone tomorrow or the day after could be a year from now from this very date that you listen to this i want to tell you something nobody else may hear you but Jesus hears you everyone else may pass by and keep going on their agendas but he'll stop because he hears your cry because he cares because he loves you because he died for you you were created in his image you are the desire of his heart you are the reason he came into this world and took on human form and walked among us for 33 years and then went to a cross and suffered a brutal death and a rejection of of religious humanity may I put it that way so that he could get you and bring you home don't think for a moment he's going to pass you" [00:05:11]
"and when he had come near he asked him "What do you want me to do for you?" Now it's interesting that this man was his journey began with a cry while he was sitting in a place where walls in Jericho had once come down but now he's in a wall of darkness himself it's like the the type of person that might be listening tonight and you kind of know the history you know that Jesus Christ can walk on water and you actually you believe it you know that he's he brought the children of Israel out of Egypt and parted the Red Sea and you you actually believe it you even believe in Noah that Noah built a boat and two by two animals of all species came in and humanity as well as other created things survived you actually believe it but you're living in darkness yourself and there's this is where his journey began and it began with a cry jesus son of David have mercy on me we sang it tonight bring back the king he recognized the kingship in this man he recognized his authority he recognized his power and he knew that Jesus had done things for other people in the past and could do things for him as well" [00:06:05]
"and so God please have mercy on me you've set other people free i've heard the testimonies i've read the books maybe in some cases I've heard the stories in church if you're a casual or maybe a frequent church goer you you've heard the stories but you say "God I know you brought the walls of Jericho down at one time i I know you were faithful to the people i know you're a God of the miraculous but here I am history has has gone and I'm living now in the present and I have to go into a darkened tomorrow have mercy on me and Jesus stood still and the scripture said now this is where it gets interesting for me because he said to the blind man "What do you want me to do for you?" Now I don't know about you but if I was in the crowd I would say "Wasn't it fairly obvious?" Like the man's blind he's been begging here for years on the side of the road and and you ask him you ask him you see God will come to you tonight and he will ask you the same question what do you want to do because sometimes what is obvious to others we are blind to ourselves sometimes Jesus will come and say what do you want me to do and we'll we'll we'll shift to some subsidiary thing some secondary thing or something three or four things down the line things that maybe we think we need and sometimes what's obvious to others is not obvious to us" [00:09:54]
"you know some of some of us know people like that i include myself in that tonight we know people that it's pretty obvious what you need but maybe you don't see it yourself and if Jesus came to you tonight and said "What do you want me to do for you?" We we'd be the first one to stand up and say you know he needs to be set free from drugs or this this man's got a lying tongue he needs to learn how to tell truth and and we we could point out what the problem is but the person that Jesus is speaking to might not be aware of what the problem is now I suppose at this moment he could have gotten anything he asked for remember when the Lord appeared to Solomon by night and said "Ask me whatever you want and I'll give it to you." Remember Solomon said "I need wisdom because I don't know how to come in and go out among all these people i I need to be able to judge between right and wrong etc etc." And God gave him wisdom and all God also gave him riches and honor and things like that but the sad thing is what Solomon really needed beyond wisdom is he needed a heart to follow the wisdom and he never asked for it we look back in retrospect and say Solomon all your wisdom just led you into folly and foolishness it caused you to build heathen temples at the end of your life it led you into depravity if only you would have asked God for a heart if only Solomon would have said "God I need wisdom to to govern the people but also would you give me the heart of my father David." He you called him a man after your own heart i I want to be a man after your own heart so I don't want to just learn i'm talking now to people in Bible school it's it's not good enough just to learn if you don't have the heart to obey it if you don't have the heart to follow it jesus himself said if the light in you become darkness how great is that darkness if if we know truth but don't have a heart to follow it or to obey it it can actually it can actually bring about a darkness eventuality into our lives that is a deeper darkness than people who live in sin you you can reason with somebody who lives in sin it's very hard to reason with a religious person who has gone dark spiritually i've been there it's scary you can't reason with these people they've known truth and it's turned to darkness within them how great Jesus said is that darkness" [00:10:45]
"what do you want me to do for you i suppose he could have had anything he'd asked for what if he'd asked for a better begging spot you know I'm blind i can't find my Lord you know where the best begging spots are like I mean this place has gone dry the people have been seeing me here for years they're getting tired of putting money into my cup and so I need a better begging spot do you recommend a better begging spot do you have any ideas you can see I can't and and I think if he would have asked for it he might have gotten it sometimes God wants to give us sight and we settled for a better begging spot what if there was another beggar just down the road he he couldn't see him but he could hear the money hitting his cup and saying "Look at that guy is is is he's honing in on my business here and uh could could you move him out of the way?" Because you know he's taking half of my income that I should be getting it's going to him could you move him farther away what if he'd asked for a new coat this coat stinks and it's it's it's getting a little bit ratty now we get very specific in our wrong requests sometimes he could have said to the Lord "I need a new coat but don't let it be too new looking it's got to be a little bit oldlook it's got to be an old-looking new coat because it's like buying a pair of I I can never get over it people buy jeans with with tears in them like when I when I was a kid we either put a patch on that or we got a new pair we we didn't go to the store and pay a hundred bucks for jeans that are torn it doesn't it doesn't make any sense to me what's whatever but he could have asked for a new coat but we get very specific in our wrong requests it's not what we need but we get we get really really specific it's got to look like this it's got to be like you know I we get very very specific i need a I need a wife and she's got to look like this or I need a husband and he's got to look like this not too rich not too poor and then we take our scriptures no not too rich so we forget you're not too poor so we have to beg just moderately wealthy preferably a doctor or a lawyer and we become very specific and that's not what you need it's a request but it's not what you need he could have asked for a new cup this one this this cup of mine's getting kind of rotten on the bottom and I think the coins might be falling through it sometime throughout the day could I have a new cup he could have asked for shoes for his feet or maybe a cushion to sit on i'm starting to get sores from sitting in the same spot all I could really use a cushion maybe he could have asked for power to forgive those who had just told him to be quiet god don't let me get bitter don't let me hold grudges and these people are religious but they're so uncaring and uncompassionate to me in my situation he could have asked for a new friend i've worn out all my friends they're tired of my saying the same thing every day day in and day out same how's it going and it's to say "Oh well I only have a few coins and I'm stuck in this spot and they're just tired of tired of me i I could use a new friend." The point is that's not what he needed anyone there could have helped him and given him those other things anyone there any any of the secular people there could have given him a better begging spot they could have given him a new coat a cup shoes healing a cushion to sit on power to forgive they could have encouraged him to forgive they could have been a new friend to him and that's the point is he needed a miracle that only Jesus could give him there was something he needed a miracle that would cause others to praise God because it goes on to say Lord I want to receive my sight then Jesus said to him "Receive your sight your faith has made you well." And immediately he received his sight and followed him glorifying God and all the people when they saw it gave praise to God i don't know about you but I want God to do things in my life that will cause me to glorify him that will cause my mouth to be open say I have to tell you what God has done in my life i used to be blind now I can see i used to be bound now I am free i used to have a heart so wounded and so broken I thought I'd never recover now my heart is open again to love and to be loved and to trust and to be trusted i used to be a liar now I'm speaking the truth god has done a miracle in my life that's what I want in my life and that's what every true believer in Christ when Jesus stops and says "What can I do for what do you want me to do?" Go right to the source and if you don't know what the source is stop and ask God what it is stop and ask God if he wasn't sure he could have said "What do you think I need?" And Jesus immediately I'm sure would have said "You need to receive your sight you need something that the others here can't give you only God can give it to you listen to me online tonight you need a touch from heaven you've had you've had all the counseling you've had more counsel you've got enough counseling to choke a camel that's an odd illustration but that's that's what came to me there's nothing more than anybody can say to you everyone has tried you're like the man in the graveyard everyone tried to help him but nobody could help him he kept breaking the chains and cutting himself you need a miracle you need a touch from God i challenge you tonight to cry out to God jesus son of David have mercy on me god look upon my affliction set me free from these chains set me free from this prison god Almighty I'm tired of just reading about miracles you've done in other people's lives i want my own miracle i want something done in my life that will open my mouth to praise you and not only that the scripture says "And when the people saw it they gave praise to God." The people couldn't see who Jesus was but they saw the miracle he did on the blind man in one sense their eyes were opened in a small measure as well and they saw the power and the mercy of God when he touched this man only Jesus can give you salvation only Jesus can save you your friends can't save you there's not a program on the earth that can save you there's no amount of changing trying to change your own behavior that can save you only Jesus can save you that's the biggest miracle of all he said in John 10:10 "The thief comes to steal and kill and destroy but I've come that you might have life and that you might have it more abundantly." Only Jesus can save you only Jesus can forgive you only Jesus can destroy the penalty and power of sin that's over your life only Jesus can open your prison door only Jesus can give sight to your blinded eyes only Jesus can heal your wounded heart only Jesus can give you the treasure of heaven that you need to go into the future only Jesus can give you what you need tonight and so I don't care who tells you to be quiet i'm telling you to cry out i'm telling you to cry out in the night time cry out when everyone else is gone jesus son of God have mercy on me you watch it might look like your street is empty it might look like nobody cares your apartment might be empty your room might be empty but Jesus is there and he's not willing to pass you by and the moment he hears that cry coming from your heart he will stop and he will do what only Jesus can do he will save you if you just simply open your heart and say "God I can't save myself i can't." The blind man couldn't he couldn't there's no He could He could do all kinds of stuff but he he would never be able to restore sight to his eyes something was broken there and only God could fix it he could put ointment on his eyes he could run a tap run them under a tap he could bang his head on a wall but nothing is going to give him vision except the touch of God and nothing will help you to see a way into the future until the touch of God comes on your life it comes through opening your heart and saying "Jesus Christ son of God you not only came to the earth to get me you came to the earth and you died for me so that I could be forgiven I could be restored into a relationship with the living God so that healing could come into my life." And as the scripture says not just to give you life but give it to you more abundantly this new life which includes healing from past conditions and eyes to see a way into the future oh God it's so wonderful to be saved and to have the spirit of God come upon your life and give you hope for the future and give you the power to change give you a vision for what your life should be in the days to come today the scripture says if you can hear his voice if you know he's passing by call out to him and don't be ashamed and don't let anybody tell you to be quiet you call out to him and he'll touch you we're going to pray a prayer in just a moment and you're going to have an opportunity to invite Jesus Christ into your life to be your Lord and to be your savior this is the greatest miracle of all we're a multitude gathered here tonight and we're telling you Jesus is passing you by and if you cry out to him he'll stand still and he'll call you to himself and he'll ask you "What do you want me to do?" Tell him "Don't settle for plan B C D E or F go right to plan A whatever the deepest need of your heart is in your life is don't ask for a new coat when you can have a new life don't ask for a new cup when you can have new sight don't ask him to save some material thing in your life when he's willing to save you and to forgive you and to bring you into eternity with him forever this is the gospel of Jesus Christ this is the power of God through Jesus Christ and the mercy of God is so known through him if you will pray this prayer with me and make it your own tonight you can know that you're forgiven you can know that heaven will be your home when you die and God will come and take up residence by his Holy Spirit inside of your physical life and you will become the Bible says a new a new creation you'll be born again by the spirit of God it's like starting all over again a new birth you were born once naturally but now you'll be born spiritually by the power of God and just as he did for this man you'll suddenly have vision for the future jesus said "I came to give sight to the blind i came to show you a way out not just of your condition but a way into what I have for your life oh God it's an amazing life that Jesus Christ offers you and I pray this prayer with me right now let's all pray it together lord Jesus Christ thank you for loving me thank you for dying for me and paying the price for all the wrong that I have done thank you for hearing my cry tonight not turning away from me but turning towards me you ask me what I need tonight i need you Jesus i need your love your forgiveness the salvation you offer the life you promise me i want to see i want to see thank you for hearing me thank you for touching me thank you for giving me my sight and for doing something in me that will cause other people to give praise to you jesus I love you thank you for loving me in your precious name amen" [00:17:49]
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