Proximity to Jesus: The Key to Miraculous Multiplication

Devotional

Day 1: Proximity to Jesus Cultivates Miracles

Drawing near to Jesus is the catalyst for supernatural occurrences in our lives. As we seek closeness with Christ, we become conduits for His miraculous works, not only witnessing His power but also learning to manage the blessings He bestows upon us. This proximity prepares us for the responsibilities that accompany divine multiplication. [01:38:15]

James 4:8 - "Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."
Reflection: In what ways can you intentionally draw closer to Jesus this week, and how might this change your expectations for experiencing God's work in your life?

Day 2: Embracing Desolation for Divine Encounters

Desolate places, whether physical or spiritual, are often where God's presence is most profoundly experienced. In these moments of solitude and apparent scarcity, faith is refined, and reliance on God's provision becomes paramount. These settings can become the stage for God's miraculous interventions in our lives. [01:38:52]

Hosea 2:14 - "Therefore I am now going to allure her; I will lead her into the wilderness and speak tenderly to her."
Reflection: Can you identify a 'desolate place' in your life right now? How can you open yourself up to God's work in this space?

Day 3: Faithful Participation in God's Miracles

Active faith invites us to participate in the unfolding of God's miracles. Like the disciples who distributed the loaves and fish, our involvement in God's work allows us to witness His power firsthand. This participation requires a step of faith, trusting that God will do the impossible through our willing hands. [01:40:01]

2 Kings 4:5 - "So she went from him and shut the door behind her and her sons. They brought the jars to her and she kept pouring."
Reflection: What is one step of faith you can take today to become an active participant in God's miraculous work around you?

Day 4: Stewardship of God's Abundant Blessings

God's provision is abundant, and with it comes the responsibility of stewardship. The collection of leftovers in the feeding of the 5,000 teaches us that God's blessings are to be managed wisely and shared generously. As stewards, we are called to extend the goodness we receive to others, multiplying the impact of God's grace. [01:45:53]

1 Peter 4:10 - "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms."
Reflection: Reflect on the blessings you've received recently. How can you steward these gifts to serve others in your community?

Day 5: Anticipatory Gratitude Opens Doors to Miracles

Gratitude is a powerful expression of faith, acknowledging God's role as our provider even before we see the outcome. Thanking God in advance aligns our hearts with His will and prepares us to receive His blessings. This anticipatory thankfulness is a testament to our trust in His faithfulness. [01:42:52]

Colossians 4:2 - "Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful."
Reflection: What miracle or provision are you waiting for? How can you express gratitude to God today, even before it comes to pass?

Sermon Summary

In the message delivered by Tirsha Thornbury, the focus is on the theme of abundance and the importance of being near to the source of that abundance. The narrative begins with a recounting of the biblical story of Jesus feeding the 5,000, as told in the Passion Translation. The crowd followed Jesus because of the miracles and healings they witnessed, but the emphasis is placed on their desire to be near him. This nearness is highlighted as essential for the supernatural multiplication of blessings in one's life, whether it be influence, career, or other areas. The proximity to Jesus is vital because without it, the weight of multiplication could become crushing.

The message further explores the concept of desolate places, suggesting that sometimes individuals are led into isolated or disconnected situations as a precursor to experiencing a miracle. These moments of feeling far from comforts and securities are presented as opportunities to trust in the divine rather than scrambling for human-made solutions. The story of Jesus asking Philip where to buy food for the crowd is used to illustrate the idea that Jesus often includes individuals in his plans to stretch their faith, even though he already knows the outcome.

The narrative continues with the account of a young person offering five barley loaves and two small fish, which Jesus uses to feed the multitude. This act serves as a reminder to remember who one's partner is in life, especially in moments of perceived lack. The divine is portrayed as the one who thrives in making the impossible possible, and the message encourages gratitude and stewardship for the abundance given by God. The act of giving thanks before the miracle is emphasized, as is the importance of not wasting what is provided but rather sharing it with others.

The concept of healthy growth is also discussed, with the assertion that healthy things grow. This growth is not just in numbers but in depth, leading to a more profound impact and influence. The message touches on the structure of the church and the implementation of a model where all members are equipped for ministry, rather than a few leaders at the front. This structure is designed to prevent people from feeling disconnected as the community grows.

The message also addresses the issue of comparison, which is described as a killer of satisfaction. The idea that there is more than enough for everyone is stressed, and the only thing that can prevent one from being satisfied is ceasing to partake in what is good. The message concludes with a call to be good stewards of what is given and to trust in the divine for miracles, while also being open to building structure in life to facilitate the workings of the Holy Spirit.

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Sermon Clips

1) "Nearness is necessary for multiplication if you want him to supernaturally multiply anything in your life, your influence, your career, whatever it is, nearness to him is vital or else the multiplication can actually crush you." [01:38:15]

2) "Sometimes God actually allows us into remote, desolate, separated, sometimes empty feeling, far away, disconnected places in order for the miracle to come." [01:39:27]

3) "Most of the time Jesus already knows the plans, he just wants to include you. So say yes, and allow your faith... it's actually your faith that they could have stepped on the outside and gone 'you do your thing,' okay, but instead they step in." [01:40:01]

4) "Remember who your business partner is, amen. Remember who the one is that you've chosen to connect your life with... He's the one who can make the impossible possible, in fact, he thrives in those situations." [01:41:10]

5) "Give thanks before the miracle. Don't wait. Many of us want to go 'God please, please, please, please,' and we're so upset, and we don't know why he's not doing it... but we need to go 'Thank you, God, that you are a god of miracles.'" [01:42:52]

6) "Comparison is a killer. If you sit back going 'yeah but look what God's done for that person and what about me,' there is more than enough for everyone... the only thing that could have stopped anyone in that crowd from walking away unsatisfied is if they stopped eating." [01:44:38]

7) "Don't ever waste an opportunity to share God's goodness, to share what he's doing in your life. Be a good steward of what he's given you and also step in with where he's calling you, trust him for the miracle." [01:45:53]

8) "We're getting ready for multiplication as a church and not only multiplication in numbers but multiplication in depth, to actually be and step out as the people that God has called us to be." [01:32:31]

9) "Healthy things grow, and that's why it's so important that we work on as a church and as individuals, are we healthy? Because if we're healthy, if we're healed, if we're allowing our hearts and our souls and our minds to be sanctified by him, we will grow." [01:28:26]

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?