Faith, Sacrifice, and the Path to Miracles
Summary
The sermon begins with the pastor reflecting on the concept of sacrifice and obedience as prerequisites for experiencing breakthroughs and miracles. Drawing from biblical stories, the pastor emphasizes the importance of offering something valuable to God, not necessarily in monetary terms, but in its significance to the giver. The pastor encourages the congregation to be willing to give up small things in order to receive true riches from God. He emphasizes the importance of believing in the promises and word of the Lord, stating that the word will only work for those who receive it, believe it, and act upon it.
The pastor then emphasizes the importance of faith in overcoming the challenges of the world. He refers to the Christmas season and how both Mary and Joseph were told by the Lord to "fear not." The pastor highlights that before receiving miracles, individuals first need to hear the words "fear not" because it signifies that their breakthrough is right in front of them. He also discusses the importance of following God's instructions, even when they seem unfair or unchristian, as a test of faith and obedience.
The pastor continues by emphasizing the importance of following the instructions of the Lord, even when they seem simple or related to the word of God. He encourages the congregation not to be discouraged if they don't see immediate results when praying, as breakthroughs may take time. He reminds the congregation that God's word is always true and that they should believe in the promises given in the Bible. He also urges the congregation to keep their prayers and communication with the Lord simple and not to complicate things with strange dreams or visions.
The pastor then focuses on the story of the widow in 1 Kings 17:8-16, highlighting the prophetic word given by Elijah to the widow. He emphasizes that if we obey God's instructions and give sacrificially, there will be no shortage for us. He challenges the congregation, asking if they are serious about their faith and willing to make sacrifices. He encourages the congregation to obey the word of the Lord, even if they feel they don't have enough resources or abilities, assuring them that if they go and do it anyway, there will be enough.
The sermon concludes with the pastor emphasizing the importance of faith and the power of the word of God in bringing about breakthroughs and miracles. He refers to the story of Elijah and the widow in 2 Kings 4, where the size of the miracle was determined by the woman's response and her faith in borrowing vessels. The pastor encourages the congregation to have the word of the Lord in their lives so that they can experience breakthroughs and miracles.
Key Takeaways:
- The value of a sacrifice lies not in its monetary worth, but in its significance to the giver. Offering something valuable to God is a prerequisite for experiencing breakthroughs and miracles. The word of the Lord will only work for those who receive it, believe it, and act upon it ([12:45]).
- Before receiving miracles, individuals first need to hear the words "fear not" because it signifies that their breakthrough is right in front of them. Following God's instructions, even when they seem unfair or unchristian, is a test of faith and obedience ([24:30]).
- Delays in receiving blessings are not caused by the Lord, but may be due to other factors. Keeping prayers and communication with the Lord simple and not complicating things with strange dreams or visions is crucial ([36:15]).
- Obeying God's instructions and giving sacrificially ensures that there will be no shortage for us. Even if we feel we don't have enough resources or abilities, if we obey the word of the Lord, there will be enough ([48:20]).
- The size of the miracle is determined by our response and faith. Having the word of the Lord in our lives enables us to experience breakthroughs and miracles ([59:10]).
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. 1 Kings 17:13-14: "Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the land.’"
2. Matthew 4:4: "Jesus answered, 'It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"
3. John 10:27: "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me."
Observation Questions:
1. In 1 Kings 17:13-14, what does Elijah ask the widow to do before she makes food for herself and her son?
2. What promise does the Lord make to the widow in 1 Kings 17:14?
3. What does Matthew 4:4 suggest about the importance of God's word in our lives?
4. In John 10:27, what does Jesus say about his relationship with his followers?
Interpretation Questions:
1. What might the widow's obedience to Elijah's request in 1 Kings 17:13-14 signify about her faith and trust in God's provision?
2. How does Matthew 4:4 relate to the idea of relying not just on physical sustenance, but also on spiritual nourishment from God's word?
3. How does John 10:27 reflect the importance of recognizing and following God's voice in our lives?
Application Questions:
1. Can you recall a time when you had to trust in God's provision during a period of scarcity, similar to the widow in 1 Kings 17:13-14? How did you respond?
2. How can you make God's word a more integral part of your daily life, as suggested in Matthew 4:4?
3. In what ways can you better listen to and follow God's voice in your life, as mentioned in John 10:27?
4. Can you think of a situation where you felt God was asking you to make a sacrifice or take a step of faith? How did you respond and what was the outcome?
5. What is one specific action you can take this week to demonstrate your faith and obedience to God's word?
Devotional
Day 1: The Significance of Sacrifice
Sacrifice is not about the monetary value of what we give, but its significance to us. It's about offering something valuable to God, not necessarily in monetary terms, but in its significance to the giver. This act of sacrifice is a prerequisite for experiencing breakthroughs and miracles. The word of the Lord will only work for those who receive it, believe it, and act upon it. [12:45]
Luke 21:1-4 - "Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box, and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. And he said, 'Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.'"
Reflection: What is something significant to you that you can offer to God today? How can this act of sacrifice bring you closer to experiencing breakthroughs and miracles?
Day 2: Fear Not, Your Breakthrough is Near
Before receiving miracles, individuals first need to hear the words "fear not" because it signifies that their breakthrough is right in front of them. Following God's instructions, even when they seem unfair or unchristian, is a test of faith and obedience. [24:30]
Isaiah 41:10 - "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Reflection: What fears are holding you back from receiving your breakthrough? How can you demonstrate your faith and obedience to God today?
Day 3: The Power of Simple Prayers
Delays in receiving blessings are not caused by the Lord, but may be due to other factors. Keeping prayers and communication with the Lord simple and not complicating things with strange dreams or visions is crucial. [36:15]
Matthew 6:7 - "And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words."
Reflection: Reflect on your prayer life. Are there areas where you can simplify your prayers and communication with God?
Day 4: The Abundance of Obedience
Obeying God's instructions and giving sacrificially ensures that there will be no shortage for us. Even if we feel we don't have enough resources or abilities, if we obey the word of the Lord, there will be enough. [48:20]
Deuteronomy 28:2 - "All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God."
Reflection: What is one area in your life where you can practice obedience to God's word, even if it feels like you don't have enough resources or abilities?
Day 5: The Size of Your Miracle is Determined by Your Faith
The size of the miracle is determined by our response and faith. Having the word of the Lord in our lives enables us to experience breakthroughs and miracles. [59:10]
Matthew 9:29 - "Then he touched their eyes and said, 'According to your faith let it be done to you.'"
Reflection: What is one area in your life where you need a miracle? How can you demonstrate your faith in God's word in this area today?
Quotes
"For thus says the Lord God of Israel, the bin of flowers shall not be used up nor shall the jar of oil run dry until the day that the Lord sends rain on the earth. This is powerful, this is a prophetic word that he is giving. He says if you give it to me there will be no shortage for you." ([01:36:37])
"I know you don't have enough flour, but if you go and do it anyway, there will be enough. And then the Dutch Christian says, 'No, there will not be enough.' I just tried to explain it, but he is talking on a different level. He is talking about spiritual things. You try to stay in the flesh, he's not even trying to come up to that level." ([01:39:37])
"Fear not because your Miracle is right in front of you, fear not because the Breakthrough is right there, you're gonna be in Victory." [01:32:51]
"He didn't need bread, he needed God. That's the whole difference. That's why God gives an instruction and his words, you need to hear the words because it is the word that brings life, well this is the word that will give you breakthroughs." [01:35:01]
"We determine the size of our Miracle by our response just like the offering... a fear is where the woman decided the size of her Miracle by how many vessels she borrowed." #!!01:49:27!!#
"A miracle is wrapped in a word... faith comes by hearing the Bible saying by the word of God." #!!01:51:44!!#
"I want to make the point is that you need to hear the voice of the Lord, you need to follow instructions, you need to learn to receive. Don't get distracted and disappointed when you don't see something happen right away." #!!01:56:39!!#
"God desires sacrifices and it needs to be valuable to us... what you give to the Lord must be valuable to you... the thing that you don't want to give up... do you want to give up those small things to get the true riches then you better let it burn on the altar." #!!01:45:23!!#
"She obeyed because she believed in the word of the Lord... she went and she did it because she believed in the prophetic word of the Lord... the question is do you believe the promise, do you believe in the word of the Lord?" #!!01:46:51!!#
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