Faith, Persistence, and Miracles: A Journey of Worship
Summary
In today's gathering, we celebrated the presence of God and the power of His word, drawing inspiration from Luke 18:40-41. We began by honoring the families and individuals who support our ministry, acknowledging their sacrifices and contributions. As we delved into the scripture, we focused on the story of the blind man who called out to Jesus, demonstrating unwavering faith despite his physical limitations. This narrative serves as a powerful reminder that faith is not dependent on sight but on hearing and believing the word of God.
The blind man's persistence in calling out to Jesus, despite being told to be quiet by the crowd, highlights the importance of authentic worship and relentless faith. His cries for mercy were not just expressions of desperation but acts of faith that caught Jesus' attention. This teaches us that our worship and cries to God should be genuine and persistent, as they have the power to move the heart of God and bring about miracles in our lives.
We also explored the metaphor of vision correction, likening our spiritual journey to an eye exam where clarity comes progressively. Just as the eye doctor adjusts the lenses to bring clarity, God is continually working in our lives to bring us into clearer understanding and vision. As we transition into a new season, we are reminded that we have not yet seen the fullness of what God has in store for us. This is a season of miracles, and we are encouraged to expect great things from God.
In conclusion, the story of the blind man is a testament to the power of faith and the importance of not allowing obstacles or the opinions of others to deter us from seeking Jesus. As we continue to worship and cry out to Him, we can trust that He hears us and is ready to respond with miracles and blessings beyond our imagination.
Key Takeaways:
1. Faith Beyond Sight: The blind man's story teaches us that faith is not about what we can see but about trusting in what we hear from God. Even when circumstances seem unclear, our faith should be anchored in the promises of God, knowing that He is faithful to fulfill them. [12:04]
2. Persistent Worship: Authentic worship is about recognizing who God is and not being deterred by external voices. The blind man's persistent cries for mercy demonstrate that true worship can capture God's attention and bring about divine intervention. [13:57]
3. Vision and Clarity: Just as an eye exam brings clarity over time, our spiritual journey involves progressive revelation. God is continually working to bring us into clearer understanding and vision, preparing us for the miracles He has planned. [07:43]
4. Miracles in the Making: This is a season of miracles, and we are encouraged to expect great things from God. As we transition into new seasons, we should hold onto the promise that we have not yet seen the fullness of what God has in store for us. [08:23]
5. Overcoming Obstacles: The blind man's determination to reach Jesus despite the crowd's discouragement teaches us to persevere in our faith. We should not allow obstacles or the opinions of others to deter us from seeking Jesus and receiving our miracles. [16:26]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[02:05] - Honoring Families and Supporters
[03:13] - Prayer and Declaration
[04:06] - Scripture Reading: Luke 18
[05:05] - You Haven't Seen Nothing Yet
[06:18] - Season of Miracles
[07:10] - Vision and Clarity
[08:23] - Entering a New Season
[09:33] - The Blind Man's Faith
[11:23] - Jesus is Passing By
[12:43] - Activating Faith
[13:57] - Authentic Worship
[15:14] - Crying Out to God
[16:26] - Overcoming Obstacles
[16:56] - Keep Worshiping God
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Luke 18:40-41
Observation Questions:
1. What was the reaction of the crowd when the blind man called out to Jesus, and how did the blind man respond to them? [13:22]
2. How did Jesus respond to the blind man's cries, and what does this tell us about His character? [16:10]
3. What metaphor was used in the sermon to describe our spiritual journey, and how does it relate to the concept of vision? [07:43]
Interpretation Questions:
1. What does the blind man's persistence in calling out to Jesus, despite the crowd's discouragement, teach us about the nature of authentic worship? [13:57]
2. How does the metaphor of an eye exam help us understand the process of gaining spiritual clarity and vision in our lives? [07:43]
3. In what ways does the story of the blind man illustrate the concept of faith beyond sight, and how can this be applied to our own spiritual journeys? [12:04]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt discouraged by others in your pursuit of faith. How did you respond, and what might you do differently in the future to maintain your focus on Jesus? [13:22]
2. Consider the metaphor of vision correction. What areas of your spiritual life feel blurry or unclear, and what steps can you take to seek greater clarity from God? [07:43]
3. The sermon mentioned a "season of miracles." What specific miracle or breakthrough are you currently praying for, and how can you remain expectant and faithful in this season? [06:18]
4. How can you cultivate a habit of persistent and authentic worship in your daily life, even when faced with obstacles or discouragement? [13:57]
5. Identify a situation in your life where you need to exercise faith beyond what you can see. What promises from God can you hold onto to strengthen your faith in this area? [12:04]
6. The blind man's cries for mercy were acts of faith that caught Jesus' attention. How can you incorporate more genuine cries for mercy and help into your prayer life? [15:14]
7. Reflect on the idea that we have not yet seen the fullness of what God has in store for us. How can this perspective change the way you approach challenges and opportunities in your life? [08:23]
Devotional
Day 1: Faith Anchored in God's Promises
Faith is not about what we can see but about trusting in what we hear from God. The story of the blind man in Luke 18:40-41 illustrates that faith transcends physical sight. Despite his blindness, the man called out to Jesus, demonstrating a profound trust in what he had heard about Jesus' power and mercy. This narrative reminds us that our faith should be anchored in the promises of God, even when our circumstances seem unclear. We are encouraged to listen to God's word and trust in His faithfulness to fulfill His promises. [12:04]
"For we walk by faith, not by sight." (2 Corinthians 5:7, ESV)
Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to trust God's promises more deeply, even when you can't see the outcome?
Day 2: The Power of Persistent Worship
Authentic worship is about recognizing who God is and not being deterred by external voices. The blind man's persistent cries for mercy in the face of discouragement from the crowd demonstrate that true worship can capture God's attention and bring about divine intervention. His unwavering faith and determination to reach Jesus, despite the obstacles, teach us the importance of persistent worship. When we worship God genuinely and persistently, we open ourselves to His presence and the miracles He can perform in our lives. [13:57]
"Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews 4:16, ESV)
Reflection: How can you make your worship more persistent and genuine, even when faced with distractions or discouragement?
Day 3: Clarity Through Spiritual Vision
Just as an eye exam brings clarity over time, our spiritual journey involves progressive revelation. God is continually working to bring us into clearer understanding and vision, preparing us for the miracles He has planned. This metaphor of vision correction reminds us that spiritual clarity comes gradually as we grow in our relationship with God. As we seek Him, He adjusts our spiritual lenses, allowing us to see His plans and purposes more clearly. [07:43]
"The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple." (Psalm 119:130, ESV)
Reflection: What steps can you take to seek greater spiritual clarity and understanding in your life today?
Day 4: Expecting Miracles in a New Season
This is a season of miracles, and we are encouraged to expect great things from God. As we transition into new seasons, we should hold onto the promise that we have not yet seen the fullness of what God has in store for us. The story of the blind man serves as a testament to the power of faith and the miracles that can occur when we trust in God's timing and provision. We are reminded to remain hopeful and expectant, knowing that God is capable of doing immeasurably more than we can imagine. [08:23]
"Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." (Isaiah 43:19, ESV)
Reflection: What miracle are you expecting from God in this new season, and how can you prepare your heart to receive it?
Day 5: Persevering Through Obstacles
The blind man's determination to reach Jesus despite the crowd's discouragement teaches us to persevere in our faith. We should not allow obstacles or the opinions of others to deter us from seeking Jesus and receiving our miracles. His story encourages us to remain steadfast in our pursuit of God, trusting that He hears our cries and is ready to respond with blessings beyond our imagination. [16:26]
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance." (James 1:2-3, ESV)
Reflection: What obstacles are currently hindering your pursuit of Jesus, and how can you overcome them to strengthen your faith?
Quotes
I have come here today to declare over my friend and my brother and the mount cly Holy Church of Winston Salem that this is a season of Miracles this is this house shall be a House of Miracles somebody shout Miracles mirac why don't you point at your pastor and say Miracles mirac are coming your way oh if you believe it put those hands together and give God praise. [00:05:57]
Well for some of us 2020 we were completely blind we didn't know what was going on 2021 life became a little bit blurry 2022 life has been able to see a little bit yet but I've come decree and to decree and declare in this house as we exit 2022 and enter into 2023 you haven't seen nothing yet God is getting ready to do a thing in this house he is getting ready to do a thing in your pastor and I'm decreeing and declaring that the best is still yet to come that you're going to see better. [00:07:52]
I believe the Bible is right that many are the afflictions of the righteous but the Lord will deliver them out of them all I'm looking to the heels from which cometh my help because my Help Cometh From The Lord and we serve a God who has the power to turn our situations around and so I'm believe believing that as I enter into 2023 that God I have not seen nothing yet because Miracles are happening look at somebody do you say Miracles are happening hallelujah hallelujah if you believe it give God a praise. [00:08:36]
And when he heard the noise of the crowd crowd Mak some noise Make some noise Make some noise uh uh he he he he asked what is happening and they told him that Jesus the Nazarene was going by it is right here in this part of the text where I got excited uh because he hears that Jesus is coming by He Is Blind he can't see nothing but he hears that Jesus is coming by I'm going to say it again he's blind but he hears that Jesus is coming by well let me help you class Faith come by hearing and hearing by the word of God. [00:11:21]
I might not be able to see it but if I get one word from God I can move forward that's why you ought to thank God for your pastor because how can he hear without a preacher you ought to thank God that every time you come in this building there's a word from God for you come on put those hands together and give God praise and so they told him that Jesus was coming by in verse number 38 it says so he began shouting it is here where his faith is activated look at somebody near say activate your faith activate your faith activate your faith. [00:12:00]
There are times in our life where we can't get anything out but Jesus Son of David have mercy on me Jesus Son of David have mercy on me and he keeps shouting he keeps shouting and the crowd said be quiet say be quiet crowd Qui they yelled in front of him but here is what I got blessed at he began to shout louder jesuses have mercy on me Jesus and he kept yelling and so here is the point don't let anybody stop you from what you need to get from the Lord. [00:13:05]
He did it is here where he begins to have authentic worship look at your neighbor say authentic worship and we worship God for who he is he is the God of All Flesh and there's nothing too hard for him he is Jehovah Gyra my provider we worship God because He Is A Healer we worship God because he's a way maker we worship him look at your neighbor say worship Him worship Him worship Him worship Him and so he does not allow anybody he keeps saying Jesus have mercy on me he keeps saying Jesus have mercy the crowd is telling him to be quiet but he's saying Jesus have mercy on me. [00:13:57]
And when I thought about this text I realized as a father when Celeste was a young baby she would begin to cry she would begin to cry and when I would take her to school and pick her up she would just cry and it got on my nerves that she just kept crying and so then I started to listen to her cries and I begin to determine whether she needed milk whether she needed a diaper change or whether she was tired of being in that car seat Well I've come by here to tell you if I can do that for Celeste what will God do for you if you cry out to him why don't you lift up your and say Jesus have mercy on me. [00:14:44]
And it was interesting here because when he shouted it got God's attention it got Jesus's attention that lets me know the more that I worship Him the more that I can get his attention look at your neighbor say don't lose your worship and he gets Jesus's attention and here's what blessed me uh Pastor Nate come here hallelujah y'all give a hand for pastor Nate and here is what blessed me in the text it says when he heard him he stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him well here is the thing the same people that were telling him to be quiet are the same people that had to bring him to Jesus. [00:15:48]
This man had they had to bring him to Jesus look at your neighbor say don't hate on me don't hate on me don't hate on me because you going to help me get my Miracle you going to help me all them people that been talking about you all them people that been lying on you all them people who' been turning their back on you they're the ones that going to help you get your Miracle so I stopped by here today to tell you don't worry about them just keep worshiping God because sooner or later God's going to show. [00:16:24]
Lord Lord I Thank you for your word I thank you for your word your word your word is a lamp unto my feet a lampto my feet and a light unto my pathway light my paway Lord help me Lord help me to hear your word hear your word and do what your word says do do what your word says Lord now Lord now anoint the preacher aresh the preacher aresh to preach your word to pre your word and Lord I Thank You Lord I Thank for what I shall receive what I shall receive from your word from your word in Jesus name in Jesus name amen come on put those hands together if you ready to receive from the word of God. [00:03:13]
And the Bible says the Bible says in verse number 35 in Luke chapter 18 as Jesus approached Winston Salem a as Jesus approached Jericho there was a blind beggar sitting beside the road uh who wants to be my blind man today uh uh who wants I I want you to put these on for me put put these on these are real comfortable go ahead and put that on this is my blind man come on give me a hand give him a hand and it said as Jesus approached Jericho you Jesus you Jesus go ahead step right here Jesus uh as Jesus approached Jericho a blind beggar was sitting beside the road now Luke is a doctor he's a doctor so he does not release the name of this patient uh but that lets us know that we can put ourselves in the place of this blind man and so that lets us know that there is a thing called afflictions all of us in here throughout this year have gone through something we've lost loved ones we've had financial troubles all of us in here have had an Affliction why don't you look at somebody and say you going through something you going through something you going through something uh uh and so but the good thing is that Jesus was stopping by and I believe today that Jesus is stopping by this house be to come and see about you and me. [00:09:38]
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Aug 09, 2024. Do you have any questions about it?