Faith and Obedience: Keys to Miraculous Interventions
Summary
In our journey of faith, we often find ourselves yearning for miracles—those divine interventions where God transcends natural laws to fulfill His will. However, it's crucial to recognize that our own actions and attitudes can obstruct these miracles. Disobedience and lack of faith can hinder God's ability to override the natural order in our lives. Despite this, God remains a miracle-working God, capable of doing the impossible. The scriptures remind us repeatedly that nothing is beyond God's power. Yet, God requires us to place faith before sight. If we insist on seeing before believing, the miracles we seek may remain elusive.
God desires us to trust in His word, even when our physical eyes cannot yet perceive the outcome. This trust is essential if we are to experience the miraculous. To position ourselves for a miracle, we must ask ourselves if we are doing what God has already asked of us. Are we living in obedience to His revealed will? Our actions, not just our words or feelings, demonstrate our readiness for a miracle. It's about moving in faith, acting on what God has shown us, so that we can witness what He has yet to reveal. When we obey His known will, we open ourselves to experiencing His secret will unveiled in our lives.
Key Takeaways:
- Miracles are divine interventions where God transcends natural laws, but our disobedience and lack of faith can block these miracles. It's essential to align our actions with God's will to experience His miraculous power. [00:16]
- God is capable of doing the impossible, but He requires us to place faith before sight. Insisting on seeing before believing can prevent us from experiencing the miracles we desire. [00:46]
- Trusting in God's word, even when we cannot see the outcome, is crucial for experiencing miracles. Our faith must precede our sight, demonstrating our belief in God's promises. [01:01]
- To position ourselves for a miracle, we must act on what God has already revealed to us. Our obedience to His known will is a testament to our readiness for His miraculous intervention. [01:31]
- Our actions, not just our words or feelings, prove our desire for a miracle. By moving in faith and obeying God's revealed will, we open ourselves to witnessing His secret will unveiled. [01:49]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:16] - Blocking Miracles
- [00:30] - God’s Power Over Nature
- [00:46] - Faith Before Sight
- [01:01] - Trusting God’s Word
- [01:19] - Positioning for a Miracle
- [01:31] - Obedience and Readiness
- [01:49] - Actions Speak Louder
- [02:03] - Unveiling God’s Will
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Luke 1:37 - "For nothing will be impossible with God."
2. Hebrews 11:1 - "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."
3. James 2:17 - "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."
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Observation Questions:
1. According to the sermon, what are some ways our actions can block the miracles God wants to perform in our lives? [00:16]
2. How does the sermon describe the relationship between faith and sight when it comes to experiencing miracles? [00:46]
3. What does the sermon suggest is necessary for positioning ourselves to receive a miracle from God? [01:31]
4. In what ways does the sermon emphasize the importance of obedience in relation to witnessing God's secret will? [02:03]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the passage from Luke 1:37 relate to the sermon’s message about God’s ability to perform miracles despite natural laws?
2. In what ways does Hebrews 11:1 challenge the common desire to see before believing, as discussed in the sermon? [00:46]
3. How does James 2:17 support the sermon’s emphasis on the necessity of actions accompanying faith? [01:49]
4. What might the sermon mean by "God's secret will," and how does obedience play a role in unveiling it? [02:03]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt your actions or attitudes might have blocked a miracle in your life. What changes can you make to align more closely with God's will? [00:16]
2. How can you practice placing faith before sight in your current circumstances? Identify one area where you can trust God’s promises without needing immediate evidence. [00:46]
3. Consider a specific command or direction from God that you have been hesitant to follow. What steps can you take this week to act in obedience? [01:31]
4. Think about a situation where you are waiting for a miracle. How can you demonstrate your readiness for God’s intervention through your actions? [01:49]
5. Identify one area in your life where you need to trust in God’s word despite not seeing the outcome. How can you remind yourself of God’s promises daily? [01:01]
6. How can you encourage others in your small group to move in faith and act on what God has revealed to them? What role can you play in supporting their journey? [01:49]
7. What practical steps can you take to ensure your life reflects a desire for God’s miraculous intervention, beyond just words or feelings? [01:49]
Devotional
Day 1: Aligning Actions with Divine Will
Disobedience and lack of faith can obstruct the miracles God desires to perform in our lives. When we fail to align our actions with His will, we create barriers that prevent His divine intervention. God is a miracle-working God, capable of transcending natural laws to fulfill His purposes. However, He requires our cooperation through obedience and faith. By aligning our actions with His revealed will, we open ourselves to experiencing His miraculous power. It is not enough to merely desire a miracle; we must actively participate in God's plan by living in accordance with His commands. [00:16]
"For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him. You have done foolishly in this, for from now on you will have wars." (2 Chronicles 16:9, ESV)
Reflection: In what specific area of your life do you need to align your actions with God's will today to remove barriers to His miraculous work?
Day 2: Faith Before Sight
God's ability to perform the impossible is not limited by natural laws, but by our insistence on seeing before believing. Faith is the foundation upon which miracles are built. When we demand evidence before we trust, we hinder the miraculous from manifesting in our lives. God calls us to place faith before sight, trusting in His promises even when the outcome is not visible. This act of faith is a testament to our belief in His power and willingness to intervene. By choosing to believe before we see, we position ourselves to experience the miracles we desire. [00:46]
"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area in your life where you are waiting to see before you believe? How can you choose to trust God in that area today?
Day 3: Trusting in God's Word
Trusting in God's word, even when the outcome is not visible, is crucial for experiencing miracles. Our faith must precede our sight, demonstrating our belief in God's promises. When we trust in His word, we acknowledge His sovereignty and power to fulfill His will. This trust is not passive but active, requiring us to act on what God has revealed to us. By doing so, we demonstrate our readiness for His miraculous intervention. Trusting in God's word is a journey of faith that leads to the unveiling of His secret will in our lives. [01:01]
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV)
Reflection: How can you actively demonstrate trust in God's word today, even when you cannot see the outcome?
Day 4: Obedience as a Testament to Readiness
To position ourselves for a miracle, we must act on what God has already revealed to us. Our obedience to His known will is a testament to our readiness for His miraculous intervention. It is not enough to merely speak of our desire for a miracle; our actions must reflect our faith and readiness. By moving in faith and obeying God's revealed will, we open ourselves to witnessing His secret will unveiled. Obedience is the key that unlocks the door to experiencing God's miraculous power in our lives. [01:31]
"And Samuel said, 'Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.'" (1 Samuel 15:22, ESV)
Reflection: What specific step of obedience can you take today to demonstrate your readiness for God's miraculous intervention?
Day 5: Actions Speak Louder
Our actions, not just our words or feelings, prove our desire for a miracle. By moving in faith and obeying God's revealed will, we open ourselves to witnessing His secret will unveiled. It is through our actions that we demonstrate our faith and readiness for God's intervention. When we act on what God has shown us, we position ourselves to experience the miraculous. Our actions are a testament to our belief in God's promises and our willingness to participate in His plan. [01:49]
"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." (James 1:22, ESV)
Reflection: What is one action you can take today to demonstrate your faith and readiness for a miracle in your life?
Quotes
A miracle is where God trumps the natural law to accomplish something that is in His will. But we can block our miracles. We can block God overriding what nature says or what circumstances dictate ought to be happening. We can block that by our disobedience and by our faithlessness. [00:00:09]
God is still a miracle-working God. He still can trump the natural order of things. The scripture says over and over again, nothing is impossible with God. But God does also make clear to us that if we refuse to put faith before sight, if we have to see it before we believe it, then the miracle we are asking for, needing, and desiring may just never occur. [00:00:36]
God wants to know that we believe what He says, even though our physical eyes do not yet see it. It is absolutely critical that if you need a miracle, if I need a miracle, we believe in a miracle-working God. But how will you know that you have positioned yourself for your miracle? Very simply, are you doing what He asked you to do that you do know, so you can see what He wants you to see that you don't know but that you need? [00:01:08]
Prove that you really want a miracle by your feet, not just by your feelings, by your movement, not just by your mouth, by your life, not just your lips. Move in faith what He has revealed, because when you obey His revealed will, you'll see His secret will unveiled. [00:01:47]
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