Faith Over Fear: Embracing God's Power in Storms

 

Summary

In this sermon, I was reminded of the importance of not giving power to the storms in our lives. I was encouraged to stop focusing on the destruction that the storm could cause, but instead to focus on the power of God to overcome it. I was reminded that the power is not in the storm, but in my faith and what I believe. I was also reminded that God is greater than any storm, test, trial, sickness, or disease that I may face.

In addition, I was reminded of the importance of being connected to God and the church. I was encouraged to give my life to Jesus, rededicate my life to God, be filled with the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and connect with the church. I was reminded that God is intentional and purposeful, and that nothing happens by happenstance or coincidence. I was also reminded that God can work in any amount of time, whether it's an hour or 20 minutes.

Key Takeaways:
- The power is not in the storm, but in our faith and what we believe. ([54:38])
- We should stop giving power to the storms in our lives and start focusing on the power of God to overcome them. ([55:31])
- God is greater than any storm, test, trial, sickness, or disease that we may face. ([56:57])
- It's important to be connected to God and the church. ([01:09:35])
- God is intentional and purposeful, and nothing happens by happenstance or coincidence. ([01:11:19])

Study Guide

Main Points from the Sermon:

1. The speaker emphasizes the importance of giving your life to Jesus and rededicating yourself to God. He encourages the audience to reconnect with God and realign their lives with Him. [01:08:32] [01:09:06]

2. The speaker highlights the importance of being filled with the baptism of the Holy Spirit and the need to desire every gift that God has for us. He also encourages the audience to connect with the church, regardless of their geographical location. [01:09:35] [01:10:09]

3. The speaker discusses the importance of reading the book of Proverbs, which is filled with wisdom and knowledge. He suggests that reading Proverbs daily can lead to revelation and growth in one's spiritual life. [27:29] [27:57]

4. The speaker warns against self-preservation, suggesting that when we try to preserve ourselves without allowing God to do it, we end up relinquishing things that God has given us. He uses the story of Jacob and Esau as an example. [28:31] [29:12]

5. The speaker concludes by emphasizing the importance of knowing when to stop speaking and let God take over. He prays for the audience, declaring that they retain the birthright they possess in Jesus' name. [01:00:30] [01:01:16]

Bible Chapters for the Group to Read:

1. Genesis 25
2. Proverbs (any chapter)
3. Luke 7

Discussion Guide:

Observation Questions:
1. What are the key points made in Genesis 25 about Jacob and Esau?
2. How does the book of Proverbs provide wisdom and knowledge?
3. What does Luke 7 teach us about Jesus' ministry?

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the story of Jacob and Esau relate to the concept of self-preservation?
2. What does it mean to be filled with the baptism of the Holy Spirit?
3. How can the wisdom and knowledge found in Proverbs be applied to our daily lives?

Application Questions:
1. How can we apply the lessons from the story of Jacob and Esau to avoid self-preservation and trust in God's provision?
2. How can we seek to be filled with the baptism of the Holy Spirit in our daily lives?
3. How can we incorporate the wisdom and knowledge from Proverbs into our decision-making processes?

Devotional

Day 1: Accepting Jesus as Personal Savior

Accepting Jesus as our personal Savior is the most significant decision we can make in our lives. It is a commitment to follow Him, to live according to His teachings, and to trust in His saving grace. This decision transforms us, giving us a new identity in Christ and a new purpose in life.

John 3:16 - "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

Reflection: Reflect on the moment you accepted Jesus as your personal Savior. How has this decision transformed your life? If you haven't made this decision yet, what is holding you back?

Day 2: Reconnecting with God

There are times in our lives when we may feel disconnected from God. This could be due to sin, busyness, or a season of spiritual dryness. However, God is always ready to welcome us back into His presence.

James 4:8 - "Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."

Reflection: Can you identify a time when you felt disconnected from God? What steps did you take or could you take to reconnect with Him?

Day 3: Seeking the Baptism of the Holy Spirit

The baptism of the Holy Spirit is a powerful experience that deepens our relationship with God. It empowers us to live a victorious Christian life and equips us for service in God's kingdom.

Acts 1:8 - "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

Reflection: Have you sought the baptism of the Holy Spirit? If so, how has this experience deepened your relationship with God? If not, what steps could you take to seek this baptism?

Day 4: Connecting with the Church

The church is not just a building or an organization. It is a community of believers, united in Christ, who support and encourage one another in their faith journey.

Hebrews 10:24-25 - "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

Reflection: How connected do you feel to your church community? What steps could you take to deepen your connection and involvement with your church?

Day 5: The Power of Speaking God's Word

God's Word is powerful and effective. When we speak it into our situations, it brings light, truth, and transformation.

Hebrews 4:12 - "For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."

Reflection: Can you recall a time when you spoke God's word into a challenging situation? What was the outcome? If not, how could you start incorporating this practice into your life?

Quotes

1. "Listen, it's not a bad thing if you walk into a room and you've accidentally unplugged a light and you can't see and you've fallen over and tripping over stuff. What is the cure to getting yourself back up and being able to see? Plug the light back in. All you got to do is reconnect back to God and get yourself back in alignment with him." - 01:09:06

2. "Whatever storms look out of places should not be taking place in your life is it whether it's a financial storm, whether it's a health storm, a relational storm. Listen, it can and it will obey your voice if you would get the same power of Jesus on the inside of you and begin to speak and to declare it's got to happen." - 01:15:49

3. "God knows what he's doing. I came in here and I was not in a good head space, the enemy was just attacking. But I knew that God had a word. I knew that there was something that God wanted to say. I know it was all that though. I can tell you that. I didn't know I had a totally different message that I was going to teach today, but God has something else in store and I'm glad that he did." - 01:06:38

4. "It is not by happenstance or by coincidence that you are here. There's nothing in particular that I'm looking for you to get out of it. It's just what I know God said to me. But I will tell you, I initially heard this years ago. I was in church and it was mentioned and the person was saying that a guy read that for two years straight he did that and he was a millionaire. I can't say You're Gonna Be A Millionaire but something's gonna happen by you reading Proverbs every day." - 27:57

5. "When it comes to self-preservation and you doing things to preserve yourself and not allowing God to do it, you end up relinquishing some things that God gave to you and that God said belong to you all because you're trying to do it in and of your own self." - 28:31

Chatbot