Faith, Miracles, and God's Transformative Power
Summary
The sermon begins with the pastor sharing a story about a cowboy and his wife, who believes that God can speak to anyone, even through a cowboy hat, just as He spoke through a donkey to Balaam. The pastor then discusses the concept of miracles in the Old Testament, emphasizing that they were gifts from God. He also addresses the recent events in Israel, urging the congregation to pray for peace and endurance for both sides involved. The pastor then delves into the Gospel of Mark, highlighting the miracles of Jesus, both destructive and restorative. He emphasizes the importance of faith and prayer, as demonstrated in the story of a boy tormented by evil spirits, who was healed by Jesus.
The pastor then shares the story of a non-believing cowboy in South Texas, who, despite his wife's prayers over their 50-year marriage, never embraced faith. However, when his favorite Brahma Bull falls ill, he decides to anoint it with oil and pray for its healing, just as his wife would do for their children. Miraculously, the bull is healed, leading the cowboy to declare his belief in God and decide to be baptized. The pastor emphasizes that miracles happen every day when we pray to Jesus.
The pastor also shares the story of Barbara Kamsky, a woman diagnosed with aggressive multiple sclerosis. Despite her deteriorating health, Barbara maintains a strong faith and is surrounded by people who pray for her daily. One day, she hears a voice telling her to get up and walk, and she insists that it was the voice of God. Despite the skepticism of her friends and doctors, Barbara regains her strength and mobility, which is attributed to a miracle from God.
The pastor then reflects on the concept of miracles and their significance in the Bible. He recounts various miracles from both the Old and New Testaments, and explores different definitions of miracles. He concludes by emphasizing that what may be miraculous to us is everyday for God. The pastor also distinguishes between the "little s spirits" and the "big S Spirit," describing the former as destructive and the latter as the Holy Spirit, which brings only good.
Key Takeaways:
- The story of the cowboy and his wife illustrates that God can speak to anyone, in any situation. The cowboy's eventual acceptance of faith after witnessing a miracle demonstrates the transformative power of God's intervention ([12:45]).
- The healing of the boy tormented by evil spirits underscores the importance of faith and prayer in seeking God's intervention. It also highlights the power of Jesus to heal and deliver from evil ([24:30]).
- Barbara Kamsky's miraculous recovery from multiple sclerosis serves as a testament to the power of faith and prayer. Despite her dire condition, her unwavering faith and the prayers of those around her led to a miraculous healing ([36:50]).
- The pastor's exploration of miracles in the Bible emphasizes that what may seem miraculous to us is everyday for God. This perspective encourages believers to see God's hand in all aspects of life, not just in extraordinary events ([48:20]).
- The distinction between the "little s spirits" and the "big S Spirit" provides insight into the nature of good and evil. It underscores the belief that the Holy Spirit brings only good, while the destructive spirits are the antithesis of God's free will ([52:10]).
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1) Psalm 77: 11-14 [04:15]
2) Mark 10: 46-52 [29:29]
3) Genesis 1 [11:35]
Observation Questions:
1) In Psalm 77, what are the deeds and miracles of the Lord that the psalmist is remembering?
2) In Mark 10, what does Bartimaeus do to get Jesus' attention and what does he ask of Jesus?
3) In Genesis 1, what are some of the miracles of creation that God performs?
Interpretation Questions:
1) How does the psalmist's remembrance of God's deeds and miracles in Psalm 77 relate to our faith today?
2) What does Bartimaeus' interaction with Jesus in Mark 10 teach us about faith and healing?
3) How does the creation story in Genesis 1 demonstrate God's miraculous power and what implications does this have for our understanding of miracles today?
Application Questions:
1) Can you recall a time when you remembered God's deeds and miracles in your life during a difficult situation, similar to the psalmist in Psalm 77?
2) Like Bartimaeus in Mark 10, have you ever felt desperate for Jesus' attention and healing in your life? How did you express this desperation and what was the outcome?
3) Considering the miracles of creation in Genesis 1, how can you better acknowledge and appreciate the everyday miracles in your life?
4) How can you actively pray for miracles in your life and in the lives of others, as suggested in the sermon?
5) In what ways can you demonstrate your faith in God's miraculous power to those around you?
Devotional
Day 1: God's Voice in Unexpected Places
God can communicate with anyone, regardless of their circumstances or beliefs. This is illustrated in the story of a cowboy who, despite his lack of faith, experiences a divine intervention when his beloved bull falls ill. After anointing the bull with oil and praying for its recovery, the cowboy witnesses a miracle that leads him to declare his belief in God ([12:45](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jve3tvdHCpg&t=750s)).
Numbers 22:28 - "Then the LORD opened the donkey's mouth, and it said to Balaam, 'What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times?'"
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you experienced God's voice in an unexpected way. How did this experience impact your faith?
Day 2: The Power of Faith and Prayer
The healing of a boy tormented by evil spirits underscores the importance of faith and prayer in seeking God's intervention. It also highlights the power of Jesus to heal and deliver from evil ([24:30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jve3tvdHCpg&t=1455s)).
Mark 9:29 - "He replied, 'This kind can come out only by prayer.'"
Reflection: Think about a situation in your life that needs healing or deliverance. How can you apply faith and prayer to this situation?
Day 3: Miraculous Healing Through Faith
Despite a dire diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, Barbara Kamsky's unwavering faith and the prayers of those around her led to a miraculous healing ([36:50](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jve3tvdHCpg&t=2195s)).
James 5:15 - "And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven."
Reflection: How can you strengthen your faith in God's healing power, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges?
Day 4: Everyday Miracles
What may seem miraculous to us is everyday for God. This perspective encourages believers to see God's hand in all aspects of life, not just in extraordinary events ([48:20](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jve3tvdHCpg&t=2885s)).
Job 5:9 - "He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted."
Reflection: Reflect on the everyday miracles in your life. How can you cultivate a mindset of gratitude and awe for these daily blessings?
Day 5: The Nature of Good and Evil
The distinction between the "little s spirits" and the "big S Spirit" provides insight into the nature of good and evil. It underscores the belief that the Holy Spirit brings only good, while the destructive spirits are the antithesis of God's free will ([52:10](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jve3tvdHCpg&t=3115s)).
1 John 4:1 - "Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world."
Reflection: How can you discern between the Holy Spirit and destructive spirits in your life? What steps can you take to align more closely with the Holy Spirit?
Quotes
"Surely if God could speak through that donkey, don't you think God could speak to this old one in a cowboy hat too?" [10:20]
"What are miracles? Do miracles still happen today, and how do we pray for a miracle? And what if we don't see or experience anything?" [10:58]
"All of this was a miraculous gift given to us by God. What about the Exodus story? What about when Aaron's Rod was thrown down and it turned into a snake? What about the plagues that swept through Egypt or the Passover that protected the Israelites?" [12:27]
"A miracle is an interference with nature by a supernatural power." - CS Lewis [14:36]
"She had strength, she had power, she could move again. Her body expanded into a normal way of being. Her hands uncurled, her feet were flat on the floor for the first time in a decade." [34:21]
"The only way they could explain it was that it was a miracle from God." [35:12]
"Miracles do happen, they still happen today, and whether you see it or not, God is at work. Never give up on God because he never gives up on you." [36:55]
"You won't believe it, but I've heard the voice of God. God, and he said, 'Get up and walk.'" [33:31]
"He remembered that when her kids were sick she'd anoint them with oil and pray for them whether it was an ingrown toenail or tonsilitis she would pray for a miracle to happen." [06:40]
"Little s Spirits are destructive... they are the antithesis of God's free will. Big S spirit is God... only good comes from the Holy Spirit, no negative." [20:05]
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