Embracing the Supernatural: Living Beyond the Natural

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing God's Higher Standards

Living beyond the natural involves aligning your life with God's values, which often contradict our natural instincts. Jesus exemplified this by teaching us to love our enemies, honor our commitments, and prioritize giving over receiving. These principles challenge our fleshly instincts and invite us to live by a higher standard. By embracing these supernatural values, we transcend worldly logic and align ourselves with God's presence. This alignment requires a conscious decision to live differently, to choose love over hate, and to give selflessly, even when it seems illogical. [01:09]

"For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." (Romans 14:17, ESV)

Reflection: In what specific ways can you choose to live by God's higher standards today, even if it contradicts your natural instincts?

Day 2: Our Supernatural Identity

As believers, our true existence is in the supernatural realm with Christ. We are called to be peculiar, standing out by embodying the values of God's kingdom, which are unseen but deeply impactful. This means living with a different set of standards and goals, ones that are not visible to the world but are transformative. Our identity in Christ calls us to live in a way that reflects His kingdom, making us distinct in our actions and attitudes. Embracing this identity requires courage and a willingness to be different, to be a light in a world that often values darkness. [03:11]

"But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ." (Philippians 3:20, ESV)

Reflection: How can you embrace your supernatural identity in Christ today, and what specific actions can you take to stand out as a follower of His kingdom?

Day 3: Faith as the Key to the Unseen

Faith is essential for accessing the supernatural. It allows us to see beyond our immediate circumstances and respond with God's wisdom and love. Trials test and refine our faith, making it genuine. This journey of faith is not just about believing in the unseen but about allowing the Holy Spirit to transform our natural responses into supernatural actions. Through perseverance, especially in trials, our faith becomes mature and complete, reflecting the character of Christ. [11:55]

"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1, ESV)

Reflection: What current trial are you facing that can be an opportunity for your faith to grow and mature? How can you respond with God's wisdom and love?

Day 4: The Holy Spirit's Transformative Power

The Holy Spirit empowers us to live out the supernatural by transforming our natural responses. This requires perseverance and a willingness to step out of our comfort zones. The Holy Spirit guides us to see the truth of the supernatural and empowers us to live it out. By allowing the Holy Spirit to work in us, we can transform our natural instincts into actions that reflect God's kingdom. This transformation is a journey that requires faith, courage, and a willingness to be led by the Spirit. [13:17]

"And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you." (John 14:16-17, ESV)

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to step out of your comfort zone and allow the Holy Spirit to transform your natural responses?

Day 5: Boldness and Purpose in Faith

Genuine faith gives us boldness and purpose, enabling us to speak and act with divine authority. Our faith journey is not about avoiding difficulties but about allowing God to use them to draw us closer to Him. Through trials and perseverance, we gain boldness and purpose, reflecting the character of Christ. This boldness allows us to live with divine authority, speaking and acting in ways that glorify God. Our faith is not just for our benefit but for the glory of God, as we become mature and complete in Him. [45:04]

"For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." (2 Timothy 1:7, ESV)

Reflection: How can you use your current challenges to develop boldness and purpose in your faith journey, and what specific steps can you take to act with divine authority today?

Sermon Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound concept of living a life that transcends the natural and embraces the supernatural. The term "supernatural" often conjures images of the bizarre or mystical, but in reality, it is about aligning our lives with God's presence and values. Jesus exemplified this by living in the natural world without being confined by its limitations. He taught us to love our enemies, honor our commitments, and prioritize giving over receiving. These principles challenge our fleshly instincts and invite us to live by a higher standard.

We are reminded that our true home is not of this world. As followers of Christ, we are called to be peculiar, to stand out by embodying the values of God's kingdom. This means living with a different set of standards and goals, ones that are unseen but deeply impactful. Our faith is the key to accessing these supernatural values. It allows us to see beyond our immediate circumstances and respond with God's wisdom and love.

The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in this journey, guiding us to see the truth of the supernatural and empowering us to live it out. Faith is not just about believing in the unseen; it's about allowing the Holy Spirit to transform our natural responses into supernatural actions. This transformation requires perseverance, especially through trials, which test and refine our faith.

We are encouraged to move beyond inherited or shallow faith and to cultivate a genuine faith that is focused on the supernatural. This involves stepping out of our comfort zones and allowing our faith to be formed through challenges. As we do so, we gain boldness and purpose, enabling us to speak and act with divine authority.

Ultimately, our faith is not just for our benefit but for the glory of God. It is through our trials and perseverance that we become mature and complete, reflecting the character of Christ. Our journey is not about avoiding difficulties but about allowing God to use them to draw us closer to Him and to reveal His power in our lives.

Key Takeaways

1. Living Beyond the Natural: Embrace the supernatural by aligning your life with God's values, which often contradict our natural instincts. Jesus taught us to love, give, and honor in ways that defy worldly logic, inviting us to live by a higher standard. [01:09]
2. Our True Home: As believers, our true existence is in the supernatural realm with Christ. We are called to be peculiar, standing out by embodying the values of God's kingdom, which are unseen but deeply impactful. [03:11]
3. The Role of Faith: Faith is essential for accessing the supernatural. It allows us to see beyond our immediate circumstances and respond with God's wisdom and love. Trials test and refine our faith, making it genuine. [11:55]
4. The Holy Spirit's Guidance: The Holy Spirit empowers us to live out the supernatural by transforming our natural responses. This requires perseverance and a willingness to step out of our comfort zones. [13:17]
5. Boldness and Purpose: Genuine faith gives us boldness and purpose, enabling us to speak and act with divine authority. Our faith journey is not about avoiding difficulties but about allowing God to use them to draw us closer to Him. [45:04]
** [45:04]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:09] - Embracing the Supernatural
[02:21] - Our True Home
[03:11] - Peculiar People
[03:57] - Understanding Peculiarity
[04:56] - Different Values and Standards
[05:55] - Unseen Traits and Worship
[07:15] - The World’s Influence
[08:30] - From Poop to Presence
[09:36] - Moving Beyond the Natural
[10:38] - Accessing the Unseen
[11:55] - The Role of Faith
[13:17] - The Holy Spirit’s Guidance
[16:05] - Living in the Supernatural
[45:04] - Boldness and Purpose

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

According to the sermon, how does Jesus exemplify living in the natural world without being confined by its limitations? [01:09]
What does the term "peculiar people" mean in the context of 1 Peter 2:9, as explained in the sermon? [03:11]
How does the sermon describe the role of the Holy Spirit in helping believers access the supernatural? [13:17]
What examples from the sermon illustrate the difference between natural and supernatural values? [05:55]

Interpretation Questions

How does the concept of being "peculiar" challenge the way believers interact with the world around them? [03:57]
In what ways does the sermon suggest that trials and challenges can refine and strengthen one's faith? [24:40]
How does the sermon interpret Hebrews 11:1 in the context of accessing supernatural values? [11:55]
What does the sermon imply about the relationship between faith and the Holy Spirit's guidance in a believer's life? [14:25]

Application Questions

Reflect on a recent decision you made. How might aligning it with God's values have changed the outcome? [01:09]
In what areas of your life do you feel called to be "peculiar" or different from the world? How can you embrace this calling? [03:11]
Identify a trial you are currently facing. How can you allow this challenge to refine your faith and draw you closer to God? [24:40]
How can you cultivate a deeper relationship with the Holy Spirit to better access the supernatural in your daily life? [13:17]
Think of a situation where you acted out of natural instincts rather than supernatural values. How can you respond differently next time? [05:55]
What steps can you take to move beyond inherited or shallow faith and develop a genuine faith focused on the supernatural? [26:39]
How can you use your faith to speak and act with boldness and purpose in your community or workplace? [45:04]

Sermon Clips

"But is that for so long, this word supernatural has been attached to weirdness. It's been attached to like, ooh, talking in tongues. Now, I'm not debunking any of that. I just wanna get back to what is it that everyone needs to do to be more in God's presence? How many of you would like to walk life with a little bit more godly wisdom, a little bit more godly direction, a little bit more clarity in their mind when I'm making a decision? Maybe I'm not making it because of the pressures of others. I'm making it for the pleasure of the Father. Maybe, am I the only one that would like more of that?" [00:00:04] (40 seconds)

"So Jesus, when he said, I am in this world, but I'm not of this world, he wasn't talking about behibi -jibi things. He was talking about treating your enemies with love. He was talking about honoring your husband and your wife as he would be willing to die for the congregation. He was talking about giving is better than receiving. He was talking about being, being selfless is better than being selfish. Anything that the flesh would say is right is probably wrong." [00:01:09] (31 seconds)

"When we start, thinking that we are the promise of Jesus Christ, we carry the presence of the most high God, what we look at, God looks at, what we do, God does with us, what we see, God sees. When we're looking at that filth on the computer, we've got God on the inside of us and we are presenting the holy God to that unnatural thing, that natural thing." [00:01:58] (23 seconds)

"Where your life really exists is in the supernatural heavens, already risen with Jesus Christ to the right hand of God, with God himself dwelling on the inside of you. That's a whole different planet. That's a whole different way of living. This is not your home. We are not supposed to look like the earth. We're not supposed to fit in. People pleases. You're not supposed to fit in." [00:02:44] (27 seconds)

"You see, we are called to have a different set of values, a different set of standards, a different set of goals. My goal is on earth as it is in heaven. Not on earth as it is in my imagination. Did you get that? Because let me just be real. We can imagine a whole lot of nonsense. We can sit and we can spend days imagining what it'd be like to have a million dollars, but we can't spend days imagining what it's like to already be seated at the right hand of God." [00:05:18] (37 seconds)

"To be able to access the unseen. We're not just talking about, oh, the holy. No, I'm talking about to be able to access sacrifice in my marriage when we are head -to -head in an argument. There's a quality that Hebrews says to be able to access sacrifice, unseen. I'm gonna need this quality. To be able to love on my enemy when they are throwing and hurling abuse on Facebook at me. I'm gonna need this quality to go away and implement Proverbs and answer when mild turns away rage." [00:11:03] (31 seconds)

"You see, Jesus knew that the world wouldn't have faith so that they wouldn't be able to see the supernatural. Have a look, John 14, 16 to 17 puts it like this. This is Jesus speaking. And he will give you another savior, the Holy Spirit of truth, value, quality, truth, who will be to you a friend just like me and he will never leave you. Turn to your friend and say, never leave me." [00:12:21] (33 seconds)

"Faith is everything. To be able to be in a natural circumstance, and see the supernatural response. But you know him, says Jesus. Listen to him now, he's speaking to you because he knows he's on the inside of you. You know him intimately because he remains with you and will live inside you. Where does the Holy Spirit live? Inside you. When you come in here, do you have the Holy Spirit with you? When you leave here, that you have the Holy Spirit with you." [00:13:59] (34 seconds)

"Faith is formed in the uncomfortable. The uncomfortable shift between believing in ourselves and planting our feet firmly on the foundation that is Jesus Christ and the foundation that is Jesus Christ firmly understanding that he died so that our flesh is no longer the formation of our souls. And he gave us the Holy Spirit so that our perseverance and our faith could see what was genuinely forming us into these higher callings of values, higher callings of character, higher callings of boldness, higher callings of character and endearment and purpose." [00:46:18] (42 seconds)

"Faith that is formed gives us boldness and faith that is formed gives us purpose. But how is faith formed? Faith is formed in the uncomfortable. The uncomfortable shift between believing in ourselves and planting our feet firmly on the foundation that is Jesus Christ and the foundation that is Jesus Christ firmly understanding that he died so that our flesh is no longer the formation of our souls." [00:46:18] (37 seconds)

"Faith is the ability to transcend what you can see for what you cannot see. And even though you're going through a trial here, The more you go through this and work through this with the Holy Spirit and faith, the better you get at seeing this, but knowing that. Another story, Simon Peter, you know his story. He was all blustery. Oh, Jesus, I will never betray you. He was like the ultimate point, snap, swish, tapper amongst the disciples. I'm so holy, I am the rock." [00:36:19] (41 seconds)

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