Finding Miracles Through Faith in Challenges
Summary
The sermon explores the theme of finding miracles in the midst of challenges and the importance of faith and action in experiencing God's power. The speaker begins by discussing the story of Jesus healing a blind man with mud, highlighting that God sometimes uses difficult situations to develop us. The congregation is encouraged to pray for transformation and not to complain when faced with challenges, as there is a miracle in those challenges. The speaker shares a personal story about their basketball training, where they learned that running, initially seen as punishment, was necessary for improvement.
The speaker then shares a personal experience of receiving a message from the Lord during worship, explaining that lifting hands is a sign of surrender and worship. They describe how they were prompted to lift more than just their hands, but also their toes, symbolizing a desire to give all of themselves to God. The speaker transitions to the story of Jesus healing a man born blind, emphasizing the importance of working the works of God while there is still time.
The consequences of the fall in the Garden of Eden are discussed, focusing on the punishments given by God to Adam, Eve, and the serpent. The speaker introduces the idea of putting the devil on a diet by starving him of the flesh of men and women and living by the spirit instead. The importance of recognizing and seizing opportunities for healing and transformation is highlighted.
The speaker emphasizes the importance of faith and calling out to Jesus for healing, suggesting practical actions like consecrating water in Jesus' name. They mention that Jesus sees us even when we can't see Him and that He stopped for a blind man out of compassion and love.
The sermon also touches on the expectation that God reveals Himself in dramatic ways, but emphasizes that He can also be found in a still small voice. The speaker reflects on the creation story, where humans were born from the mud, suggesting that we are asking God to deliver us from something He wants us to walk in.
The importance of going through difficult situations is emphasized, using the example of the three Hebrew children who asked God to walk through the fiery furnace with them. The speaker encourages the audience to embrace challenges and trust that God will bring them through. They reference Psalm 41 and Genesis, reminding the audience that God can raise people up and restore their health even in the midst of sickness and struggles.
The speaker reflects on their experience with a challenging basketball exercise, realizing that it was meant to develop endurance. They discuss the significance of physical touch and tangible actions in experiencing the power of Jesus, using the story of Jesus healing the blind man by putting mud on his eyes. The speaker emphasizes that Jesus wanted to teach his disciples that they have the power to heal and perform miracles.
Finally, the speaker discusses the four types of miracles required for someone to be recognized as the Messiah, which Jesus fulfilled. They address accusations and criticism, emphasizing the importance of submitting to authority and having supportive friends who help through difficult times.
Key Takeaways:
- Difficulties and challenges can be the very circumstances through which God performs miracles and develops our character. Just as Jesus used mud to heal a blind man, God can use our "mud" – our trials and tribulations – to bring about transformation and growth in our lives. [08:27]
- True worship involves surrendering every part of ourselves to God. Lifting hands in worship is a symbolic act of surrender, but the speaker's experience of lifting their toes as well suggests that full surrender requires offering every aspect of our being to God. [05:46]
- The story of the fall in the Garden of Eden teaches us that the consequences of sin are pervasive, but through living by the Spirit, we can starve the devil of his influence. By choosing to live in the Spirit, we deny the enemy the sustenance of our fleshly desires. [25:49]
- Faith is an active, participatory force that requires us to create space for miracles. Just as Jesus instructed the blind man to wash in the pool of Siloam, we too must take tangible steps of faith in anticipation of God's healing power. [29:09]
- Jesus' use of mud to heal the blind man demonstrates that physical elements and actions can be conduits for divine power. This teaches us that faith is not only about believing in words but also about engaging in actions that manifest our faith in the physical realm. [17:12]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. John 9:1-7 (ESV)
> As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” Having said these things, he spit on the ground and made mud with the saliva. Then he anointed the man's eyes with the mud and said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). So he went and washed and came back seeing.
2. Genesis 2:5-7 (ESV)
> When no bush of the field was yet in the land and no small plant of the field had yet sprung up—for the Lord God had not caused it to rain on the land, and there was no man to work the ground, and a mist was going up from the land and was watering the whole face of the ground—then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.
3. Psalm 41:3 (ESV)
> The Lord sustains him on his sickbed; in his illness you restore him to full health.
#### Observation Questions
1. What did Jesus use to heal the blind man in John 9, and what was the man's response to Jesus' instruction? ([08:27])
2. According to Genesis 2:5-7, what materials did God use to create man, and what was the state of the ground at that time?
3. In Psalm 41:3, what does the Lord do for someone on their sickbed?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus chose to use mud to heal the blind man instead of just speaking a word? ([16:31])
2. How does the creation of man from mud in Genesis 2 relate to the idea of God using our challenges (mud) for our development? ([22:06])
3. What does the act of lifting hands and toes in worship symbolize about our relationship with God? ([05:46])
4. How can the story of the three Hebrew children in the fiery furnace help us understand the importance of going through difficult situations with God? ([22:43])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent challenge you faced. How might God be using this "mud" to develop your character or faith? ([09:54])
2. In what ways can you practice full surrender to God in your daily life, beyond just lifting your hands in worship? ([05:46])
3. How can you actively starve the devil of his influence by living according to the Spirit rather than the flesh? ([27:01])
4. What tangible steps of faith can you take this week to create space for a miracle in your life, similar to the blind man washing in the pool of Siloam? ([17:54])
5. Think of a difficult situation you are currently facing. How can you invite God to walk through it with you, rather than asking Him to remove it? ([22:43])
6. Identify a friend or family member who is going through a tough time. How can you be a supportive "4x4 friend" to help them through their "mud"? ([33:28])
7. How can you be more attentive to the still small voice of God in your life, rather than always expecting dramatic revelations? ([20:22])
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Humility in Service
True service requires a humble heart, one that serves without seeking recognition or reward. Humility is the cornerstone of service, as it aligns one's actions with the selfless example set by Christ. It is in the quiet acts of service, often unseen, that one's character is truly revealed and shaped. [12:25]
James 4:10 - "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up."
Reflection: How can you serve someone today without expecting anything in return, and what might this humble act of service look like?
Day 2: Trusting God's Timing
Patience is a reflection of trust in God's timing. It is easy to become impatient and try to force outcomes, but true faith involves waiting for God's plan to unfold, even when it doesn't align with personal expectations or timelines. Patience is not passive waiting; it is an active trust in God's perfect timing. [21:37]
Ecclesiastes 3:11 - "He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end."
Reflection: Can you identify an area in your life where you are struggling with impatience? How can you actively trust in God's timing in this situation?
Day 3: The Power of Godly Wisdom
Wisdom is more than knowledge; it is the application of God's truth to everyday life. Godly wisdom provides guidance and discernment, helping one navigate life's complexities and challenges. It is through seeking God's wisdom that one can make decisions that honor Him and reflect His character. [33:02]
Proverbs 2:6-7 - "For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He holds success in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless."
Reflection: What decision are you currently facing, and how can you seek God's wisdom to guide you in making a choice that honors Him?
Day 4: Cultivating a Heart of Worship
Worship is an expression of love and adoration for God that transcends circumstances. It is not confined to music or church services but is a lifestyle of recognizing God's sovereignty and goodness. A heart of worship is cultivated through daily practices that honor God and reflect gratitude for His presence in all aspects of life. [45:16]
Romans 12:1 - "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship."
Reflection: What are some ways you can incorporate worship into your daily routine, beyond singing or attending church services?
Day 5: Living Out Authentic Faith
Authentic faith is not just professed; it is demonstrated through actions. It is a faith that is lived out in the day-to-day, in the way one treats others, makes decisions, and faces challenges. Authentic faith is visible to those around us and serves as a testimony to the transformative power of Christ in our lives. [58:04]
James 2:17-18 - "In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, 'You have faith; I have deeds.' Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds."
Reflection: What is one way you can demonstrate your faith through your actions this week, and how can this serve as a witness to others?
Quotes
"The miracle is in the mud. Too many of us are asking the Lord to Deliver Us from something he meant to develop us." [09:14]
"Lord, I need the rain on my finances, I need the reign of God on my health, I need the rain. And the Lord said okay, get ready for mud. Don't complain when you get it, 'cuz there's a miracle in it." [09:54]
"Having said these things, he spit on the ground and made mud with the saliva, then He anointed the man's eyes with the mud. This is Jesus showing us that sometimes the miracle comes in a form we don't expect." [07:11]
"Don't mistake the mud as a bad thing. It's John chapter nine... it's more than just an encounter, an invitation, an instruction. It's an opportunity for transformation that goes beyond the immediate healing." [13:27]
"For so long we've been teaching Jesus has to be right here with you to get you, and Jesus said I got to teach you something because I won't always be with you." [19:08]
"Jesus is saying I need the mud, I need something tangible, something they can see, something unpredictable because if I always do it with my word, they will always expect the word, they won't look." [19:50]
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