Expecting the Unexpected: God's Transformative Miracles
Summary
In my sermon today, I spoke about the transformative power of God's unexpected miracles, drawing from the biblical account in John chapter 5. I emphasized the story of a man who had been infirm for 38 years, lying by the pool of Bethesda, waiting for someone to help him into the waters for healing. This man's encounter with Jesus was a pivotal moment, as it was not just another ordinary day for him; it was the day his life would change forever. Jesus, the miracle worker, approached him and, despite knowing his needs, asked him what he wanted. This interaction highlights the importance of vocalizing our needs to God, even though He already knows them.
I shared my personal testimony, recounting my journey from a troubled childhood involving drugs and gang affiliation to a life transformed by the power of prayer and the Holy Ghost. I spoke of the power of a praying mother and the impact of intercessory prayer, which can bring about deliverance and salvation even in the most desperate situations. I encouraged the congregation to believe in the possibility of unexpected miracles in their own lives, just as I had experienced.
I also shared the story of a young man named Melvin Valdez, who was on the brink of suicide due to drug abuse and depression. Through persistent prayer and a mother's 40-day fast, a supernatural encounter with the Holy Ghost changed his life, illustrating that hope and transformation are always within reach.
I called upon the congregation to actively seek God's intervention, to lift their voices in prayer, and to believe in the power of God to heal, deliver, and save. I urged them to press through their circumstances, to fight for their loved ones, and to expect the unexpected from God.
As I concluded, I invited those in need of a miracle to come forward, assuring them that the same God who performed miracles in the Bible and in the testimonies shared is present and able to meet their needs today.
Key Takeaways:
- The act of asking God for what we need, despite His omniscience, is a powerful expression of faith and humility. It is not enough to assume God will act; we must engage with Him through prayer, articulating our desires and acknowledging our dependence on His divine intervention. This act of faith can be the catalyst for receiving the miracles we seek. [12:49]
- Personal testimonies are not just stories of the past; they are living proof of God's ongoing work in our lives. They serve as a beacon of hope for others and a reminder that no one is beyond the reach of God's grace. Sharing our testimonies can inspire faith in others and encourage them to seek God for their own breakthroughs. [04:33]
- Intercessory prayer is a powerful tool in the spiritual arsenal of believers. When we intercede for others, especially those who are lost or in bondage, we participate in spiritual warfare on their behalf. Our persistent prayers can pave the way for God to work miracles in the lives of those we love, even when the situation seems hopeless. [18:18]
- Miracles are not relics of the past; they are a present reality for those who believe. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is at work today, healing the sick, delivering the oppressed, and saving the lost. We must approach God with expectancy, ready to receive the miracles He has in store for us. [36:54]
- The enemy's lies cannot withstand the truth of God's promises. When we are faced with doubt and despair, we must cling to the truth that God is still in control and that His plans for us are for good. By standing firm in faith and declaring God's promises over our lives, we can see the enemy's plans thwarted and God's purposes prevail. [20:20]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- John 5:1-9 (NIV)
> "Some time later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish festivals. Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades. Here a great number of disabled people used to lie—the blind, the lame, the paralyzed. One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, 'Do you want to get well?' 'Sir,' the invalid replied, 'I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.' Then Jesus said to him, 'Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.' At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked."
#### Observation Questions
1. What was the condition of the man by the pool of Bethesda, and how long had he been in that state? (John 5:5)
2. How did Jesus initiate the conversation with the man, and what was the man's response? (John 5:6-7)
3. What command did Jesus give to the man, and what was the immediate result? (John 5:8-9)
4. In the sermon, what personal testimony did the pastor share about his own life transformation? ([04:11])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus asked the man if he wanted to get well, even though his condition was obvious? (John 5:6)
2. How does the pastor's testimony of transformation through prayer and the Holy Ghost relate to the story of the man at the pool of Bethesda? ([04:11])
3. What does the pastor's story about Melvin Valdez illustrate about the power of persistent prayer and fasting? ([28:03])
4. How does the concept of "unexpected miracles" challenge our understanding of God's intervention in our lives? ([10:06])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt overlooked or forgotten in your struggles. How can the story of the man at the pool of Bethesda encourage you to keep faith in God's timing? ([14:22])
2. The pastor emphasized the importance of vocalizing our needs to God. What specific needs do you have that you haven't yet brought to God in prayer? ([12:40])
3. How can you incorporate intercessory prayer into your daily routine, especially for loved ones who are struggling or far from God? ([18:18])
4. The pastor shared a powerful testimony of his mother's persistent prayers. How can you support someone in your life who is going through a difficult time through prayer and encouragement? ([05:00])
5. Think about a situation in your life where you need a miracle. How can you approach God with expectancy and faith, believing that He can intervene in unexpected ways? ([10:06])
6. The pastor mentioned the lies of the enemy and the importance of clinging to God's promises. What are some specific promises from Scripture that you can declare over your life to combat doubt and despair? ([20:20])
7. How can you share your personal testimony of God's work in your life to inspire and encourage others in their faith journey? ([04:33])
Devotional
Day 1: Faith Vocalized Invites Miracles
God's omniscience does not negate the need for personal expression of faith through prayer. Vocalizing one's needs is an act of humility and dependence on God, acknowledging His sovereignty and inviting His intervention. It is a demonstration of faith that aligns one's heart with God's will, opening the door for miracles to occur. This act of faith is not a mere formality but a crucial step in the journey of spiritual growth and reliance on divine power. By asking God for what we need, we actively participate in the unfolding of His plan for our lives and bear witness to His glory when He responds to our calls.
"Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart." - Jeremiah 29:12-13
Reflection: How can you more actively express your faith and dependence on God through prayer today, and what specific need will you bring before Him with the expectation of a miracle? [12:49]
Day 2: Testimonies as Beacons of Hope
Personal testimonies are powerful narratives that showcase God's active presence and transformative work in our lives. They serve as tangible evidence that no one is beyond the reach of God's grace and mercy. Sharing these stories of change and redemption can profoundly impact others, providing them with hope and encouragement to seek God for their own breakthroughs. Testimonies remind us that God is not a distant historical figure but a living, active force in the here and now, capable of rewriting the most desperate of narratives into stories of victory and purpose.
"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
Reflection: What is one way your personal testimony of faith could encourage someone today, and how might you share it to inspire hope in others? [04:33]
Day 3: The Power of Intercessory Prayer
Intercessory prayer is a profound act of love and spiritual warfare. When believers intercede for others, they stand in the gap, calling upon God's power to bring healing, deliverance, and salvation. This form of prayer is not passive but an active engagement in the spiritual realm, where battles are fought and won on behalf of those who may not be able to pray for themselves. Persistent intercession can lead to miraculous outcomes, breaking chains of bondage and opening hearts to the transformative love of God.
"Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison—" - Colossians 4:2-3
Reflection: Who in your life needs intercessory prayer, and how can you commit to praying for them with persistence and faith in the coming week? [18:18]
Day 4: Expecting the Present Reality of Miracles
Miracles are not just stories from the past; they are a present reality for those who believe in the power of God. The same divine force that performed wonders throughout history is still at work today, actively engaging in the lives of believers. Expecting miracles requires faith that God is as capable and willing to intervene now as He was in biblical times. This expectancy should not be passive but filled with hope and anticipation, ready to witness the manifestation of God's power in our everyday lives.
"And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover." - Mark 16:17-18
Reflection: What miracle are you trusting God for right now, and how can you prepare your heart to receive and recognize His intervention? [36:54]
Day 5: Standing Firm Against the Enemy's Lies
The enemy's lies are powerless against the truth of God's promises. In times of doubt and despair, believers must hold fast to the knowledge that God is sovereign and His plans are for our good. By standing firm in faith and declaring God's promises over our lives, we can overcome the enemy's deceit. This act of faith is not just defensive but also an offensive strategy that thwarts the enemy's plans and establishes God's purposes. It is a declaration of victory in the face of adversity, rooted in the unshakeable truth of God's word.
"For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ," - 2 Corinthians 10:4-5
Reflection: What specific lie of the enemy have you been battling, and how can you use the truth of God's promises to combat it today? [20:20]
Quotes
"I refuse for somebody to leave this place the same way you walked in in torment in tribulations. No, no, no, but tonight, tonight, you're gonna beat the lip tonight. That's gonna be peace tonight. There's gonna be a breakthrough tonight. That's gonna be healing tonight. There's an unexpected miracle that has walked into this place." [10:21]
"Jesus looks at him and he had been standing there lay in there for 38 years... But there was an unexpected miracle and the man the miracle worker himself shows himself to this man that had been in infirmity for 38 years and he asked a man what he needed... An unexpected thing happened. Now he has this man in front of him asking him. What does he need?" [11:23]
"There's somebody that needs to lift up their voice and say God I'm desperate for a miracle. Jesus son of David have mercy on me. Come on before we move forward. I want you to lift up your hands right there where you had somebody shouting with the depths inside of you." [12:49]
"I refuse to allow them to go to hell, but we're fighting for them. Come on push push. So, come on push a little bit. Come on mama, there's still hope. Yes, yes, yes. If you have a if you're a parent I want you to stay right there." [18:18]
"I was nine years old when I started doing drugs. I was 12 years old when I was gang affiliated. I was 17 years old and my brother was 21 years old when my brother was murdered for living that lifestyle. And instead of drawing me near to the Lord, He sent me down a spiral and I had a price tag on my own and they were looking to kill me. But that was a mother that was an apostolic church that held on to a horse of an altar." [04:33]
"I want you to press your way through because god's about to heal somebody's body right now. We were preaching I say this to build faith in somebody's life right now. I want you to hear me. All the glorious to the lord we were preaching at a place this year in horcru heights." [32:58]
"The devil thought she was dead, but jesus had another plan. The heater that's in harker heights is in this house right now. So if you need a miracle I want you to lift up your hand who needs a miracle." [35:04]
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