Embracing the Supernatural: The Power of Faith

 

Summary

In this message, I emphasize the necessity of embracing the supernatural aspects of the Christian faith. The world today, much like in the past, is in a state where only the supernatural can bring about true change and hope. The Bible is replete with accounts of supernatural events, from the appearance of angels to miraculous acts of God, which are essential to understanding the Christian message. These events are not mere fantasies but are foundational truths that demonstrate God's power and presence in the world.

The supernatural is not just a relic of the past but is central to the Christian experience today. The miracles of the Old Testament, such as the parting of the Red Sea and the burning bush, are echoed in the New Testament through the life and works of Jesus Christ. His virgin birth, miracles, and resurrection are all supernatural events that affirm His divine nature and mission. These miracles are not just historical events but are signs of God's ongoing work in the world.

The essence of the Christian gospel is not about moral reformation or ethical living but about regeneration and new life through the Spirit. This is a miraculous transformation that only God can accomplish. The message of salvation is about being born again, a new creation, which is a supernatural act of God. It offers us a new beginning, a new power to live, and the promise of eternal life.

The challenge for us is to respond to this supernatural message with humility and faith, rather than skepticism and self-reliance. Like Moses at the burning bush, we must recognize our limitations and approach God with reverence and awe. The modern tendency to dilute the gospel by removing its supernatural elements only leads to spiritual emptiness. Instead, we must embrace the miraculous and divine nature of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation.

Key Takeaways:

- The supernatural is essential to the Christian faith, as it demonstrates God's power and presence in the world. Without it, the gospel loses its transformative power and hope for humanity. [21:40]

- The miracles of the Bible, from the Old Testament to the New Testament, are not just historical events but are signs of God's ongoing work and intervention in the world. They affirm the divine nature of Jesus Christ and His mission. [25:16]

- Salvation is not about moral improvement but about a miraculous transformation through the Spirit. Being born again is a supernatural act of God that offers a new beginning and eternal life. [35:27]

- Our response to the supernatural message of the gospel should be one of humility and faith, recognizing our limitations and approaching God with reverence. Skepticism and self-reliance lead to spiritual emptiness. [40:04]

- Diluting the gospel by removing its supernatural elements only leads to spiritual emptiness. Embracing the miraculous and divine nature of the gospel is essential for experiencing the power of God for salvation. [37:50]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [21:40] - The Necessity of the Supernatural
- [22:19] - Belief in Angels and Miracles
- [23:06] - The Role of Angels in the Bible
- [23:41] - The Supernatural Nature of God
- [24:31] - Miracles in the Old Testament
- [25:16] - The Miraculous Works of God
- [26:19] - Miracles in Salvation History
- [28:49] - Angels in the New Testament
- [30:09] - The Virgin Birth of Christ
- [31:24] - The Miracles of Jesus
- [32:46] - The Resurrection: The Greatest Miracle
- [33:31] - The Power of the Holy Spirit
- [34:58] - The Supernatural Way of Salvation
- [37:07] - Our Response to the Supernatural Message

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Exodus 3:1-6 (The Burning Bush)
2. John 3:1-8 (Jesus and Nicodemus)
3. Acts 2:1-4 (The Day of Pentecost)

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Observation Questions:

1. What supernatural event did Moses encounter in Exodus 3:1-6, and how did it demonstrate God's presence? [25:01]

2. In John 3:1-8, what does Jesus tell Nicodemus about being "born again," and how is this concept described as a supernatural act? [35:27]

3. According to Acts 2:1-4, what miraculous event occurred on the Day of Pentecost, and how did it signify the power of the Holy Spirit? [33:31]

4. How does the sermon describe the role of angels in the biblical narrative, and what is their significance in the Christian faith? [23:06]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the burning bush in Exodus 3:1-6 symbolize the supernatural nature of God's call to Moses, and what does this tell us about God's interaction with humanity? [25:01]

2. In the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus, what does being "born again" imply about the nature of salvation and transformation in the Christian life? [35:27]

3. How does the event of Pentecost in Acts 2:1-4 illustrate the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in the world, and what does this mean for believers today? [33:31]

4. The sermon emphasizes the necessity of embracing the supernatural aspects of the gospel. How does this perspective challenge modern skepticism and self-reliance? [40:04]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you experienced something extraordinary that you couldn't explain. How did you respond, and what can you learn from Moses' reaction to the burning bush? [40:24]

2. Jesus tells Nicodemus that he must be "born again." Have you experienced a moment of spiritual rebirth or transformation? How did it change your life, and what steps can you take to nurture this new life? [35:27]

3. The sermon suggests that skepticism and self-reliance lead to spiritual emptiness. In what areas of your life do you rely too much on your own understanding, and how can you practice humility and faith instead? [40:04]

4. Consider the role of the Holy Spirit in your daily life. How can you be more open to the Spirit's guidance and power, as demonstrated on the Day of Pentecost? [33:31]

5. The sermon warns against diluting the gospel by removing its supernatural elements. How can you ensure that your understanding and sharing of the gospel remain true to its miraculous nature? [37:50]

6. Think about a situation where you were tempted to explain away a miraculous event. How can you cultivate a mindset that embraces the supernatural work of God in your life and the world? [38:24]

7. Identify one area in your life where you need a miraculous transformation. What steps can you take to invite God's supernatural intervention in that area? [36:47]

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing the Supernatural as Central to Faith
The supernatural is not an optional aspect of the Christian faith; it is essential. The Bible is filled with supernatural events that reveal God's power and presence, from the parting of the Red Sea to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. These events are not just historical accounts but are foundational truths that demonstrate God's ongoing work in the world. Without the supernatural, the gospel loses its transformative power and hope for humanity. Embracing the supernatural means acknowledging that God's power is at work in ways beyond our understanding, offering hope and change in a world that desperately needs it. [21:40]

"For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power." (1 Corinthians 4:20, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to invite God's supernatural power to bring about change and hope today?


Day 2: Recognizing Miracles as Signs of God's Work
The miracles recorded in the Bible, from the Old Testament to the New Testament, are not merely historical events but are signs of God's ongoing work and intervention in the world. These miracles affirm the divine nature of Jesus Christ and His mission. They serve as reminders that God is actively involved in His creation, working in ways that transcend natural laws. By recognizing these miracles as signs of God's work, we are invited to see His hand in our lives and the world around us, encouraging us to trust in His divine plan and purpose. [25:16]

"And God was doing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, so that even handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his skin were carried away to the sick, and their diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them." (Acts 19:11-12, ESV)

Reflection: How can you become more aware of God's miraculous work in your daily life, and how might this awareness change your perspective on challenges you face?


Day 3: Salvation as a Supernatural Transformation
Salvation is not about moral improvement or ethical living; it is about a miraculous transformation through the Spirit. Being born again is a supernatural act of God that offers a new beginning and eternal life. This transformation is not something we can achieve on our own; it is a gift from God that changes us from the inside out. By embracing this supernatural transformation, we are invited into a new life empowered by the Spirit, with the promise of eternal life and a new identity in Christ. [35:27]

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." (2 Corinthians 5:17, ESV)

Reflection: What areas of your life need to be transformed by the Spirit, and how can you open yourself to this supernatural work today?


Day 4: Responding to the Supernatural with Humility and Faith
Our response to the supernatural message of the gospel should be one of humility and faith. Recognizing our limitations and approaching God with reverence allows us to experience His power and presence. Skepticism and self-reliance lead to spiritual emptiness, while humility and faith open the door to a deeper relationship with God. Like Moses at the burning bush, we are called to approach God with awe and wonder, trusting in His ability to work in and through us in miraculous ways. [40:04]

"But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'" (James 4:6, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you practice humility and faith in your relationship with God today, and how might this change your experience of His presence?


Day 5: The Danger of Diluting the Gospel's Supernatural Elements
Diluting the gospel by removing its supernatural elements leads to spiritual emptiness. The miraculous and divine nature of the gospel is essential for experiencing the power of God for salvation. By embracing the supernatural aspects of the gospel, we are invited into a vibrant and dynamic faith that is alive with God's presence and power. This requires a willingness to believe in the miraculous and to trust in God's ability to work beyond our understanding, offering us hope and transformation in a world that often feels hopeless. [37:50]

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek." (Romans 1:16, ESV)

Reflection: How can you ensure that your understanding and sharing of the gospel fully embraces its supernatural elements, and what impact might this have on your faith and witness?

Quotes

"Supernatural my dear friend I wouldn't be in the pit but for the supernatural I'd be in a political or a social meeting it's because it's supernatural I'm here that's what makes it what it is that's why it's the only hope for the world tonight the condition of mankind is such that nothing less than the Supernatural is going to make the slightest difference to it everything else has failed Supernatural but let me be yet more vile and let me show you what you are asked to believe as you listen to this gospel in other words if you want to go out of this building a new man or a new woman this is it this is the supernatural message an angel appeared Angels do you believe in angels is it possible for the modern sophisticated scientific men to believe in angels" [00:21:40]

"the Bible is full of angels angels appearing Angels bringing messages the author of The epistle to the Hebrew says that the angels are the ministering Servants of God and that he uses them to speak to people to bring messages even as he did here in the case of Moses no no this is a frankly Supernatural message it tells us you see of the Everlasting and eternal God existing in three persons father son Holy Spirit it tells us that no man has seen God at any time and that yet God is and has made everything and that the Universe would collapse without him God Spirit God is Spirit no man have seen God at any time here it is Supernatural and not only the three persons in the Blessed Holy Trinity myriads of angels under AR Angels seraphim cherubim all that unseen realm is peopled by these August beings this is essential to the biblical message that we are surrounded by an unseen spiritual world and that occasionally these others visit this world in visible form and do their work you can't begin to understand the message of the Bible unless you believe this" [00:23:41]

"and then of course on top of that is this whole element of miracle miracle again the modern sophisticated M as you surely don't believe in miracles not now surely not now in this scientific age Miracles a bush burning on fire and yet not consumed there it is Flaming and yet it goes on flaming it doesn't suddenly disappear the flame doesn't go out no no it's blazing in Fire and yet it goes on existing it's a miracle and then a voice speaks out to the bush and addresses Moses now this is an essential part of this message and as I say it's essential in the sense that if this aspect of it isn't true we've got no gospel at all and there is no hope for anybody this gospel is frankly miraculous and Supernatural what is this well it is a message of God's Mighty Acts and their Supernatural acts as Peter put it and as the people put it indeed on the day of Pentecost these men they say speaking to us in our own tongues the wonderful works of God and they are wonderful they're amazing we are told here that when Moses saw it he wonderand at the sight it is it's miraculous it is Supernatural and this is the characteristic of all the works of God as they're recorded in the Bible" [00:24:31]

"this is the first thing youve got to stop you said the god I want this is the god you need the only God who can save you what is what do we told about him well yeah I could keep you for hours because this is the whole message you see of the Bible take the Old Testament in the beginning God created that's a miracle God said let there be light and there was light there was nothing there God produces it that's Miracle that's Supernatural action on you go the flood the destruction destruction of Sodom and gomorra all these are Miracles Jacob running away from his brother puts himself down to sleep that night at a place called bethl as a vision God Appears it's miraculous Supernatural he wakes up and he says this is the house of God this is the Gateway of Heaven God is in this place and I didn't know it and he feared God appearing almost Supernatural same thing exactly as he went back later years later and had to meet his brother Esau that event at penel this person who came and struggled with him and who lamed him but oh it was the biggest thing that ever happened to him another had appeared to him and had dealt with him and had done something to him and that made a new man of him Jacob becomes Israel what is it God and on it goes here it is in the case of Moses and as we go on with this story of Moses bringing the children of Israel out of the Captivity of Egypt what are you confronted by you're confronted by a whole series of Miracles 10 of them happened before they even left Egypt then they come out of Egypt in a marvelous Manner and they go on and suddenly there's a dead stop Red Sea Mountain here Mountain there hosts of pharaoh behind an impossibility the sea divides now this is history this is salvation history this is God facts of History if this isn't true I have no message for you this is the god of Salvation the Red Sea divides it's a miracle then the giving of the law on the mountain quaking on fire then the crossing of Jordan in a miraculous manner the destruction of Jericho in a miraculous manner the Miracles of Elijah the Miracles of Elisha at all the crucial moments in the history of these people miraculous intervention Supernatural interferences this is the essence of the story you can't understand the history of the Jews except in terms of this miraculous Supernatural and divine action" [00:26:19]

"and of course when you come to the New Testament the thing is still more plain and obvious go back and read the introductions to the gospels according to Matthew and Luke and you know what you'll find you'll find Angels a man called Zacharias went into to do his turn of Duty one day as he'd been doing it for so many years he was an old man now in the point of retirement suddenly an angel appears to him that's how the gospel is introduced in the into the Gospel of Luke an angel appears and speaks to this men and be struck Dum and then he's given his speech back an angel same thing you can't you take Angels out of the Bible what have you got left you haven't got the gospel you've got no real message and then you remember in the case of Mary the Mother of Our Lord suddenly an archangel appears to her and speaks to her saying blessed are th Mary above all women and he gives the message an angel an archangel this is Essence the very essence of this message it is all together Supernatural and miraculous and likewise the Virgin birth of Christ now my dear friends you've got to be clear about these things Jesus of Nazareth had no human father Mary S stumbled at this the Archangel said to her the power of the highest shall overshadow thee Mary says how can I of being a virgin bear a son she says the things impossible I've never known a man those were her exact words and the Archangel replied the power of the highest shall overshadow Thee the holy thing that's to be born of thee is to be conceived of the Holy Ghost with God nothing shall be impossible the very birth of our Lord was a miracle this is not just a man you know thrown out suddenly and unexpectedly by a race no no it's God the Eternal son coming into the world out of the eternal glory and being born as a bab in a miraculous manner it's a sheer Miracle this is the essence of the New Testament message they all preached this made of a woman made of the law born of the seed of David according to the flesh but declared to be the son of power according to the spirit of Holiness by the resurrection from the dead the Virgin birth and then you go on read his history what you find well you find that he worked miracles he was only a carpenter he hadn't been trained in the schools of the Pharisees he wouldn't have been a member of the Sanhedrin he hadn't got the qualifications and yet you see here he is dominating the whole scene Gathering the people after him what was his secret well he did speak amazing words they were astounded at the gracious words that came over his lips we are told but you see the thing that rarely arrested the people was his miracles this was the thing that shook them do you remember how Nicodemus put it to him we know that th art a servant come from God a teacher come from God for no man can do these Miracles that thou doest except God be with him what was it you think that made people listen to this Carpenter this unknown person this man who was learning never Having learned what was it about oh it was the Miracles this this was the attestation of his power and on one occasion he remonstrated with the Jews and he said even if you don't believe me and my words believe me for the very work sick look at the facts the Miracles you take the Miracles out of the Life of Christ what have you got left John says that there are signs that the word he uses for them this sign did Jesus these are the attestations of his person it's all miraculous and Supernatural and then I hurry on to the greatest Miracle of all the resurrection he is the first to rise from the dead bursts us under the bends of death not a resuscitation as in the case of Lazarus or the case of the son of the Widow of name no no here is a resurrection the first born from amongst the Dead the great miracle of the conquest of death here it is it's a part of the preaching there would have been no Christian church but for this Steven would not be on trial were it not for the fact that he was asserting this this thing and on top of it all that great fact of the coming of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost and then once these men are filled with this power they begin to work miracles you remember the story you read these early chapters of the book of The Acts of the Apostles the apostles had already been thrown into prison more than once before Steven was ever arrested why were they in trouble well it was because Peter and John were going up into the temple one afternoon at The Hour of Prayer to say their prayers they were confronted by a poor fellow sitting on the pavement outside the beautiful gate of the temple he'd never walked in his life he was over 40 years of age nobody could do anything for him and he expected to receive a gift to receive arms from Peter and John as he had received from so many others but Peter and John fastened their eyes upon him and said look on us and they and he looked and Peter said Silver and Gold Have I None but such as I have give I Thee in the name of Jesus Christ of Naz Nazareth rise up and walk and he rose up immediately and there he is in a minute walking and leaping and praising God in the temple there would have been no church but for this there would have been no Christianity we wouldn't be here tonight this is the essence of the of the message an angel appeared the Flaming Bush which isn't consumed Miracle Supernatural and this is equally true of the way of salvation that is offered us what is it what does Christianity offer us is it an exaltation to you to live a better life is the business of preaching for me and others to tell you stop drinking stop committing adultery don't do this and that try and pull yourself together read good books get your little moral uplift gradually make yourself a better man a thousand times no because that's no message we can't do it what is it then well as you saw there our Lord puts it so plainly to Nicodemus you must be born again this is the message and it's a miracle we can't be improved we need the miracle of a rebirth a new generation a new nature a New Creation The God Who created all at the beginning is going to create us a new make new minous and here's the hope and the only hope it isn't moral Reformation it is re generation and life in the spirit it offers us a new start a new beginning it offers us a new power which is the power of God himself and to Salvation it offers us power to live the remainder of our lives in this world and at the end it promises us a light Conquest over death a glorious resurrection and an eternity in the presence of God but it's all Miracle it's not an educational scheme it's not a moral ethical scheme it's not a political scheme it's nothing but the recreating work of the almighty God it is Miracle it is Supernatural it is divine action from beginning to end this is the message of the Christian Gospel of Salvation" [00:28:49]

"well now then here's the next vital question isn't it what is our attitude and reaction to this here's the question the son hedin rejects it they rejected the Son of God and his preaching and they're rejecting his Apostles they're rejecting his deacons of whom Steven was one oh here's the great question what's our reaction to this what's our attitude to it this is where the world goes so wrong today and earless as I say where the church to her Eternal shame goes so wrong these men who think that they're going to appeal to the people who are outside by diluting this gospel by taking out the miraculous taking out the supernatural taking out the Divine and reducing it to a mere moral ethical social political system if they think they're going to win people they're driving them from the churches because they're denying the essence of the Gospel the gospel is a miracle it's the ction of God With God nothing shall be impossible don't Marvel says our Lord to Nicodemus this is it I'm announcing it to you now then what is this wrong action well Moses unfortunately but he was only human you see Moses wasn't Divine Moses was human like us and Moses at first himself went wrong when Moses saw this phenomenon he said I will turn aside and uh I will see this great sight typical modern scientific men you see a phenomenon well investigation what is this so I bring all my ability to it he has a desire he's moved by curiosity so he has a desire to investigate he has a desire to understand he wants to explain this thing what is this exactly like Nicodemus when our Lord says to him you must be born again Nicodemus says how can a man be born when he's old he he's trying to understand he's using his own critical apparatus how can this happen how can these things be so Nicodemus you see comes with the typical human confidence as Moses did when confronted by the burning bush filled with the confidence in men's ability and men's understanding men's attitude which says the God I want you investigate God you begin to examine God you say I don't want this I don't want that infantile fantasy and I don't want the this is the god I want and I'm not accepting any God unless he conforms to my dictates and my demands now that's typical of the modern attitude man decides what is this man is the final judge and arbiter in all medals man has the capacity to pronounce judgments even on God oh my dear friend learn the lesson that Moses had to learn he was shown how completely wrong he was here he is he's about to advance and to investigate suddenly a voice comes to him out of the Bush and says Moses Moses he stands back what's he being told well he being told that his whole attitude is wrong he should have seen this we are told that he wondered at the sight it was a Marvel you could translate that he marveled at the site shouldn't that in itself cause us to be humble whenever you see anything extraordinary you don't rush forward in self-confidence you stand back in amazement and in astonishment that's what Moses should have done confronted by something so extraordinary and unusual he should have held back and when you go on to consider further reasons why this should be our attitude who still more plainly what are we concerned about here well we are concerned about the nature of the Everlasting and eternal God God is can you conceive of God no man have seen God at any time can you measure God can you think of absolute qualities can you think of omniscience omnipotence omnipresence of course you can't our minds body great is the mystery of godliness and yet Modern Men in his folly comes to investigate God the god Alli want puts his little take measure tries to put his little take measure on God what a fool man is here he is confronted by the infinite the absolute the Eternal God and he wants to understand F the very word god should show him the utter impossibility if I could measure and understand God he wouldn't be God he'd be smaller than my mind there's the first reason but then consider the second which is men himself the utter inadequacy of men what is what do I mean well I mean that man is finite very finite very small oh but you say look at all we've learned and discovered in this 20th century you think of what you don't now think of the appalling ignorance especially in the matter of your knowledge of yourself and how to live and so on all the finite character of men how small he is what's the use of bursting about sending people up into outer space and talking about millions and millions and millions of miles and of years if it doesn't make you see your own finite condition and your smallness and your insignificance how contradictory we are in our proud boastings and vaporing the finite condition of man but he's not only finite he's sinful in other words he can't think straightly we've seen that on previous Sunday evenings there is that about us that vitiates all our best efforts we are biased we are prejudiced we are not cleared our minds are not open they're not free there's no such thing as free thought all our thinking is blinded by prejudices preconceived notions and ideas we are sinful Li us we are even perverted we are liars will twist and turn we'll do anything to wriggle out of things there is no Health in us and yet you see in spite of that man like Moses goes on to investigate and it's because he is foolish enough to do that he ever goes away rejected and rejecting and he goes on in his misery and his failure and his shame that's the wrong way of reacting to God's Supernatural intervention what is the true way thank God we are told this here quite clearly but you notice this don't you we are in such a terrible case and condition as human" [00:37:07]

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Transcript
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