Experiencing God's Transformative Hand in Our Lives
Summary
In my sermon, I began by exploring the profound nature of God's name as revealed in the ancient Hebrew language, where each letter carries a significant meaning. I delved into the letters YHWH, the name of God, and how they represent the right hand of power, revelation, and the nail revealed. This led us to the understanding that even in the Old Testament, the nature of Christ's sacrifice was foreshadowed.
I then transitioned to the New Testament, focusing on the story of Thomas and his encounter with the risen Christ. I emphasized the importance of believing in the supernatural aspects of Jesus' life and ministry, and how Thomas' faith was restored upon seeing the nail-scarred hands of Jesus. This story served as a reminder that we, too, need to see and believe in the supernatural hand of Jesus in our lives.
I shared personal testimonies of God's guiding hand, recounting how my family and I experienced His provision and direction when we were led to move from our home near Franklin Park to a new property in Hilliard. I spoke of the miraculous way our house was sold and how God moved the hearts of people to assist us financially, demonstrating His care and involvement in our lives.
I then spoke of God's hand in creation and the incarnation, marveling at the power of Jesus to calm storms, heal the sick, and restore sight to the blind. I drew parallels between these biblical accounts and the transformative work of Jesus in the lives of individuals today, including those in prison ministries and those among us who have been changed by His touch.
I continued by addressing the dual nature of God's hand, which is both merciful and just. I recounted the story of Jonah and Nineveh, highlighting God's hand of judgment and mercy. I stressed that while we are all heading for judgment, God's mercy is available to us, as it was to Mary Magdalene and the Ninevites who repented at Jonah's preaching.
I concluded by inviting those who feel lost in sin to reach out to Jesus, who is always reaching down to us with His saving hand. I assured them that by confessing and repenting, they can experience the touch of Jesus and live victorious lives through His Spirit.
Key Takeaways:
1. The name of God in Hebrew, YHWH, reveals the essence of Christ's redemptive work through its individual letters, which signify the right hand of power, revelation, and the nail revealed. This ancient understanding enriches our faith and underscores the continuity of God's salvation plan from the Old Testament to the New. [19:57]
2. The encounter between Thomas and the risen Christ teaches us that faith is often solidified through personal experience with the divine. Just as Thomas' doubts were dispelled by touching Jesus' wounds, our faith is strengthened when we encounter the tangible evidence of God's work in our lives. [28:06]
3. God's guiding hand is not a concept of the past but a present reality. My family's story of moving and the miraculous provision for our new home is a testament to God's active involvement and guidance in the lives of those who trust Him. [42:29]
4. The supernatural hand of Jesus, which performed miracles during His earthly ministry, continues to operate powerfully today. It is this hand that touches and transforms lives, bringing healing, restoration, and salvation to those who reach out to Him in faith. [33:43]
5. While God's hand offers mercy and grace, it also administers justice. The story of Jonah and Nineveh serves as a reminder that repentance can turn God's hand of judgment into one of mercy, offering hope and salvation to all who call upon His name. [46:13]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. John 20:26-27 - "And after eight days, again, his disciples were within, and Thomas was with them. Then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands, and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side, and be not faithless, but believing."
2. Isaiah 49:15-16 - "Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does each letter in the Hebrew name of God, YHWH, signify according to the sermon? ([19:57])
2. How did Thomas' encounter with the risen Christ change his faith? ([22:40])
3. What personal testimony did the pastor share about God's guiding hand in his family's move? ([42:29])
4. How does the story of Jonah and Nineveh illustrate both God's judgment and mercy? ([46:13])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the meaning of YHWH in Hebrew deepen our understanding of God's nature and His plan for salvation? ([19:57])
2. In what ways does Thomas' need to see and touch Jesus' wounds reflect common struggles with faith today? ([22:40])
3. What does the pastor's testimony about moving to Hilliard teach us about recognizing and following God's guidance in our own lives? ([42:29])
4. How can the story of Jonah and Nineveh serve as a warning and a hope for us in our spiritual journey? ([46:13])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on the meaning of YHWH and its significance. How does this understanding impact your view of God's presence and power in your life? ([19:57])
2. Thomas needed to see Jesus' wounds to believe. Are there areas in your life where you struggle with doubt? How can you seek tangible experiences of God's presence to strengthen your faith? ([22:40])
3. The pastor shared a personal story of God's provision and guidance. Can you recall a time when you experienced God's guiding hand in your life? How did it shape your faith? ([42:29])
4. The story of Jonah and Nineveh shows God's mercy in response to repentance. Is there an area in your life where you need to repent and seek God's mercy? How can you take steps towards that repentance this week? ([46:13])
5. The pastor mentioned the transformative power of Jesus' touch in various lives, including those in prison ministries. How can you be an instrument of God's transformative power in your community? ([33:43])
6. The sermon emphasized the dual nature of God's hand—both merciful and just. How can you balance understanding God's mercy with His justice in your daily walk with Him? ([44:29])
7. Jesus' saving hand is always reaching out to us. If you feel lost or burdened by sin, what steps can you take today to reach out to Jesus and experience His saving grace? ([48:16])
Devotional
Day 1: Unveiling the Redemptive Name
The name of God, YHWH, is not just a collection of characters; it is a tapestry woven with the essence of salvation's story. Each letter in the Hebrew name of God is a testament to the character and work of Christ. The right hand signifies power, the revelation is the unveiling of divine truth, and the nail is a poignant reminder of the sacrifice that was to come. This ancient name, understood through its Hebrew roots, enriches the faith of believers by connecting the Old Testament prophecies to the fulfillment found in Christ. It is a name that carries the weight of redemption and the promise of restoration for all who believe.
"Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land." (Jeremiah 23:5)
Reflection: How does understanding the depth of God's name in Hebrew enhance your personal worship and appreciation of Christ's sacrifice? [07:40]
Day 2: Faith Forged in Divine Encounter
The story of Thomas and his encounter with the risen Christ is a powerful illustration of faith being solidified through a personal experience with the divine. Doubts and uncertainties can plague the strongest of believers, but it is in the moments of tangible interaction with God's work that faith is often deepened. Just as Thomas' skepticism was replaced with belief upon touching the wounds of Jesus, so too can the modern believer's faith be strengthened by witnessing God's hand at work in the world today. This encounter invites believers to seek and recognize the supernatural hand of Jesus in their own lives, transforming doubt into conviction.
"But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed." (Isaiah 53:5)
Reflection: When have you experienced a moment that solidified your faith, similar to Thomas' encounter with Jesus? [28:06]
Day 3: Witnessing God's Guiding Hand
The belief in God's guiding hand is not relegated to biblical times; it is a present and active reality in the lives of believers. The testimony of God's provision and direction in the sale of a home and the financial support received is a modern-day testament to His faithfulness. These experiences serve as a reminder that God is intimately involved in the details of His children's lives, guiding them through transitions and providing for their needs in miraculous ways. Trusting in God's hand leads to witnessing His provision and guidance firsthand.
"And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail." (Isaiah 58:11)
Reflection: Can you recall a time when you experienced God's guidance in a significant decision or transition in your life? [42:29]
Day 4: The Transformative Touch of Jesus
Jesus' hand, which performed miracles during His earthly ministry, continues to reach out and transform lives today. The same power that calmed storms, healed the sick, and restored sight to the blind is at work in the world, touching and changing the hearts of individuals. This transformative touch is evident in the lives of those in prison ministries, those who have been healed, and those who have been changed by His love. The supernatural hand of Jesus is not a historical footnote but a present and active force that brings healing, restoration, and salvation to all who reach out in faith.
"And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, 'I will; be clean.' And immediately his leprosy was cleansed." (Matthew 8:3)
Reflection: How have you witnessed or experienced the transformative touch of Jesus in your life or in the lives of others? [33:43]
Day 5: The Dual Nature of God's Hand
God's hand is a symbol of both mercy and justice. The story of Jonah and Nineveh illustrates this dual nature, where God's hand of judgment was poised over the city, yet His mercy prevailed when the people repented. This narrative serves as a reminder that while judgment is a reality, God's mercy is available and abundant for those who turn to Him. It is a call to recognize the gravity of sin but also the hope and salvation that repentance brings, as seen in the lives of Mary Magdalene, the Ninevites, and countless others throughout history.
"Who knows? God may turn and relent and turn from his fierce anger, so that we may not perish." (Jonah 3:9)
Reflection: How does the story of Jonah and Nineveh challenge you to understand and embrace both God's justice and His mercy in your life? [46:13]
Quotes
"The hand of the Lord brings people together who need to be together. He prepares them ahead of time. It's his guiding hand. About an hour or so later, she calls, and she says, I met with the friend of my boss, and I'd like to come back and talk with you. So she comes back, and she says, I went to my boss's friend. He's a lawyer. And I told him your story, and I told him about the property in Hilliard." [42:29]
"Today, Jesus still has a building hand. He is building lives. He is building homes. He is building human beings into what they were really meant to be, finding real purpose and meaning for their lives. As we look at the hand of God, we see that it is merciful and kind. Long-suffering. It helps. But God also has a hand that when a man hardens his heart and stiffens his neck, that same hand allows sudden destruction too." [44:29]
"I believe that the hand. The supernatural hand of Jesus. Is the one. Who has touched your life. I don't see the hand slip out. And touch the individuals. But by faith. We come into his presence. We pray. And through the power of his Holy Spirit. Who is the minister to make Christ real today. Through the power of his Spirit. He has touched. And made whole. I've seen the results." [35:23]
"We're all heading for judgment, every one of us, but we can have the mercy of the Lord. Mary Magdalene had seven devils, but when Jesus touched her, they came out and he forgave her all her sin. The hand of salvation that reaches down and picks us up is available right now. I wonder how many here or those watching online are lost on the sea of sin and going down, down, down, eternally lost." [48:16]
"Jesus wants to save each and every one of us. He has a saving hand. It's a powerful hand. It's so powerful that when we confess our sins and repent of them, he blots them all out and remembers them no more. He gives us his spirit so that we can live victorious lives. If you're lost this morning, reach out to Jesus. He's already reaching down to you. He will touch you. He will save you." [51:04]
"I believe in the hand of God in creation. Look how God then manifested Himself in the flesh through the person of Jesus. Look at the hand that Thomas saw. The powerful hand. That hand that when Jesus walked on the deck of the boat and lifted His hand and said, Peace be still. Caused the winds and the waves to subside. The hand that touched the leper." [31:56]
"God's word is so powerful, and God so awesome in the way he has revealed himself and continues to reveal himself. Jesus is the word, and we even get the right hand of revelation. Revelation, nail, reveal. Awesome. Yahweh is given to us in the Old Testament, and yet each one of those letters, standing for a word, you put it all together, the right hand of revelation is the nail revealed." [19:57]
"Jesus appeared where the doors were closed. He lifted up His hand and He said, Here's my hand, Thomas. And Thomas believed. I believe that the world today needs to see the supernatural hand of Jesus. Behold His hand. His hand is an invisible hand. It's not a hand that we can see like we see our own hands. And someone quickly says, well then I don't believe." [28:06]
"See, I have inscribed your names on the palms of my hands. Your name is inscribed on the palms of Jesus' nail-scarred hands. Every time he reaches out, his nail-scarred hands, he is reaching out. Father, have your way. Thank you for your nail-scarred hands, Jesus. Thank you that you are still reaching out to each one of us for your presence here." [51:04]
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained only on this specific sermon. Do you have any questions about it?