Remembering God's Mighty Acts: Faith and Expectation

 

Summary

In reflecting on the mighty acts of God throughout history, we are reminded of the power and faithfulness of God as recounted in Psalm 44:1. The stories of God's wondrous deeds, passed down through generations, serve as a testament to His enduring presence and action in the world. From the miraculous parting of the Red Sea to the spread of the Gospel in the early Christian era, these narratives are not mere tales of the past but are living testimonies of God's ability to intervene powerfully and suddenly in human affairs.

The early Christians and believers of old shared these stories with their children, ensuring that the legacy of God's mighty works was preserved. These accounts were not just historical records but were meant to inspire faith and expectation in the hearts of the listeners. The psalmist, having heard these stories from his father, passed them on to his children, creating a chain of faith that spanned generations.

Today, we are called to remember these mighty acts and to seek God's intervention in our own time. The suddenness with which God has acted in the past, whether through the conversion of thousands on the day of Pentecost or the sweeping revivals led by figures like Martin Luther and George Whitefield, reminds us that God can and does work in unexpected and powerful ways. These stories challenge us to have great faith and to pray earnestly for a revival in our midst.

Moreover, the instruments God has used to accomplish His purposes have often been the most unlikely—humble fishermen, a monk, a pot boy—demonstrating that God's power is made perfect in weakness. This should encourage us to believe that God can use anyone, regardless of their status or ability, to do great things for His kingdom.

As we reflect on these stories, let us be moved to gratitude and praise for what God has done, and let us be stirred to pray for a fresh outpouring of His Spirit in our time. Let us not be content with the status quo but expect great things from God, knowing that He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Power of Storytelling in Faith: The stories of God's mighty acts, passed down through generations, serve as a powerful reminder of His enduring presence and action. These narratives are not just historical records but living testimonies meant to inspire faith and expectation in our hearts. By sharing these stories, we create a chain of faith that spans generations, encouraging us to seek God's intervention in our own time. [02:53]

2. God's Sudden Interventions: Throughout history, God has often acted suddenly and powerfully, whether through the conversion of thousands on the day of Pentecost or the sweeping revivals led by figures like Martin Luther and George Whitefield. These sudden interventions remind us that God can and does work in unexpected ways, challenging us to have great faith and to pray earnestly for a revival in our midst. [13:12]

3. The Use of Unlikely Instruments: God has often used the most unlikely instruments to accomplish His purposes—humble fishermen, a monk, a pot boy—demonstrating that His power is made perfect in weakness. This should encourage us to believe that God can use anyone, regardless of their status or ability, to do great things for His kingdom. [21:12]

4. The Role of Faith and Prayer: Great faith and earnest prayer have always accompanied God's mighty works. The stories of past revivals and conversions remind us that when we pray with faith and expectation, God is pleased to act. Let us be moved to gratitude and praise for what God has done, and let us be stirred to pray for a fresh outpouring of His Spirit in our time. [25:02]

5. Expecting Great Things from God: The stories of God's mighty acts challenge us not to be content with the status quo but to expect great things from God. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and what He has done in the past, He can do again. Let us have the faith to believe that God can and will work powerfully in our midst. [29:07]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:10] - Introduction to God's Mighty Acts
- [00:28] - The Power of Childhood Stories
- [01:32] - Stories of Early Christians
- [02:11] - The Desire for Christ-Centered Tales
- [03:08] - Recalling God's Wondrous Works
- [04:01] - Marvelous Stories of Old
- [06:35] - Wonders of the Christian Era
- [08:23] - The Spread of the Gospel
- [09:59] - Reformation and Revival
- [13:12] - Suddenness of God's Works
- [16:22] - Modern Revivals
- [20:30] - Insignificant Instruments
- [25:02] - Faith and Prayer in God's Works
- [29:07] - Expecting Great Things from God

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Psalm 44:1
- Acts 2:41
- 2 Corinthians 12:9

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Observation Questions:

1. What does Psalm 44:1 remind us about the stories of God's mighty acts? How were these stories passed down through generations? [00:10]

2. In the sermon, what examples are given of God's sudden interventions in history? How do these examples illustrate God's power? [13:12]

3. How does the sermon describe the role of unlikely instruments in God's work? Can you identify specific individuals mentioned who were used by God despite their humble beginnings? [21:12]

4. What role did faith and prayer play in the historical revivals mentioned in the sermon? How were these elements crucial to the outcomes? [25:02]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the psalmist's recounting of God's mighty acts in Psalm 44:1 serve as a foundation for faith and expectation in the present? What does this suggest about the importance of remembering God's past works?

2. The sermon highlights God's sudden interventions, such as the conversion of thousands on the day of Pentecost. What does this suggest about God's ability to work in unexpected ways in our lives today? [13:12]

3. The use of unlikely instruments, like humble fishermen and a pot boy, is a recurring theme in the sermon. What does this reveal about God's criteria for choosing individuals to accomplish His purposes? [21:12]

4. Reflecting on the role of faith and prayer in past revivals, how might these elements be applied to seek a fresh outpouring of God's Spirit in our current context? [25:02]

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Application Questions:

1. The sermon encourages us to share stories of God's mighty acts to inspire faith. How can you incorporate storytelling into your daily life to encourage others in their faith journey? [02:53]

2. Considering God's sudden interventions in history, are there areas in your life where you need to trust God to act unexpectedly? How can you prepare your heart for such moments? [13:12]

3. Reflect on a time when you felt inadequate for a task. How does the sermon’s message about God using unlikely instruments encourage you to step out in faith despite your perceived limitations? [21:12]

4. The sermon emphasizes the power of faith and prayer in bringing about change. What specific steps can you take to deepen your prayer life and increase your faith in God's ability to work in your community? [25:02]

5. The sermon challenges us to expect great things from God. What is one specific area in your life or community where you can begin to pray and expect God to move powerfully? [29:07]

6. How can you actively participate in creating a "chain of faith" by passing down stories of God's work in your life to the next generation? What practical steps can you take to ensure these stories are shared?

7. The sermon calls us to not be content with the status quo. What is one area in your spiritual life where you feel complacent, and how can you seek God's intervention to bring about growth and change? [29:07]

Devotional

Day 1: The Legacy of Faith Through Storytelling
The stories of God's mighty acts, passed down through generations, serve as a powerful reminder of His enduring presence and action. These narratives are not just historical records but living testimonies meant to inspire faith and expectation in our hearts. By sharing these stories, we create a chain of faith that spans generations, encouraging us to seek God's intervention in our own time. [02:53]

"We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done." (Psalm 78:4, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a story of God's faithfulness in your life. How can you share this story with someone in your family or community today to inspire their faith?


Day 2: Embracing God's Sudden Interventions
Throughout history, God has often acted suddenly and powerfully, whether through the conversion of thousands on the day of Pentecost or the sweeping revivals led by figures like Martin Luther and George Whitefield. These sudden interventions remind us that God can and does work in unexpected ways, challenging us to have great faith and to pray earnestly for a revival in our midst. [13:12]

"For the Lord of hosts has purposed, and who will annul it? His hand is stretched out, and who will turn it back?" (Isaiah 14:27, ESV)

Reflection: Consider a situation in your life where you need God's sudden intervention. How can you pray with faith and expectation for His powerful work in this area today?


Day 3: The Power of Unlikely Instruments
God has often used the most unlikely instruments to accomplish His purposes—humble fishermen, a monk, a pot boy—demonstrating that His power is made perfect in weakness. This should encourage us to believe that God can use anyone, regardless of their status or ability, to do great things for His kingdom. [21:12]

"But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong." (1 Corinthians 1:27, ESV)

Reflection: Identify a talent or ability you have overlooked because it seems insignificant. How can you offer this to God today, trusting that He can use it for His purposes?


Day 4: The Role of Faith and Prayer in God's Works
Great faith and earnest prayer have always accompanied God's mighty works. The stories of past revivals and conversions remind us that when we pray with faith and expectation, God is pleased to act. Let us be moved to gratitude and praise for what God has done, and let us be stirred to pray for a fresh outpouring of His Spirit in our time. [25:02]

"Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." (Mark 11:24, ESV)

Reflection: What is one specific area in your life where you need to see God's work? How can you commit to praying with faith and expectation for His intervention in this area?


Day 5: Expecting Great Things from God
The stories of God's mighty acts challenge us not to be content with the status quo but to expect great things from God. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and what He has done in the past, He can do again. Let us have the faith to believe that God can and will work powerfully in our midst. [29:07]

"Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us." (Ephesians 3:20, ESV)

Reflection: What is one great thing you are expecting from God in your life or community? How can you actively prepare your heart and actions to receive this from Him?

Quotes


Perhaps there are no stories that stick by so long as those which we hear in our childhood, those tales which are told us by our fathers and in our nurseries. It is a sad reflection that too many of these stories are idle and vain, so that our minds in early infancy are tinctured with fables and inoculated with strange and lying narratives. [00:00:26]

Now among the early Christians, and the old believers in the far-off times, nursery tales were far different from what they are now, and the stories with which their children were amused were of a far different class from those which fascinated us in the days of our babyhood. [00:00:51]

The ancient Israelites when they dwelt in their own land would all of them tell their children about the Red Sea and the plagues which God wrought in Egypt when he brought his people out of the house of bondage. Among the early Christians we know that it was the custom of parents to recount to their children everything concerning the life of Christ, the acts of the apostles, and the like interesting narratives. [00:01:19]

We have heard that God has at times done very mighty acts. The plain everyday course of the world has been disturbed with wonders at which men have been exceedingly amazed. God has not always permitted his church to go on climbing by slow degrees to victory, but he hath been pleased at times to smite one terrible blow and lay his enemies down upon the earth. [00:04:12]

Have you never read how God won to himself great renown on the day of Pentecost? Turn you to this book of the record of the wonders of the Lord and read. Peter the fisherman stood up and preached in the name of the Lord his God, a multitude assembled and the spirit of God fell upon them and it came to pass that three thousand in one day were pricked in their heart by the hand of God and believed on the Lord Jesus Christ. [00:06:42]

The first spread of the gospel is a miracle never to be eclipsed. Whatever God may have done at the Red Sea, he hath done still more within a hundred years after the time when Christ first came into the world. It seemed as if a fire from heaven ran along the ground, nothing could resist its force, the lightning shaft of truth shivered every pinnacle of the idol temple, and Jesus was worshiped from the rising of the sun to the going down of the same. [00:08:15]

When God would slay Sisera it was a woman that must do it with a hammer and a nail. God has done his mightiest works by the meanest instruments. That is a fact most true of all God's works. Peter the fisherman at Pentecost, Luther the humble monk at the Reformation, Whitfield the pot boy of the old bell inn at Gloucester in the time of the last century's revival, and so it must be to the end. [00:21:00]

Moreover, we have noticed in all these stories of God's mighty works in the olden time that whenever he has done any great thing it has been by someone who has had very great faith. I do verily believe at this moment that if God willed it every soul in this hall would be converted now, if God chose to put on the operations of his own mighty spirit, not the most obdurate heart would be able to stand against it. [00:22:00]

All the mighty works of God have been attended with great prayer as well as with great faith. Have you never heard of the commencement of the great American revival? A man unknown and obscure laid it up in his heart to pray that God would bless his country. After praying and wrestling and making the soul stirring inquiry, Lord what will thou have me to do, he hired a room and put up an announcement that there would be a prayer meeting held there at such and such an hour of the day. [00:25:07]

When people hear about what God used to do one of the things they say is oh that was a very long while ago. They imagine that times have altered since then. Says one I can believe anything about the Reformation the largest accounts that can possibly be given, I can take in, and so could I concerning Whitfield and Wesley says another all that is quite true they did labor vigorously and successfully but that was many years ago. [00:28:10]

Does not that furnish an argument to prove that what God has done at one time he can do it another? Now I think I may push it a little further, and say what he has done once is a prophecy of what he intends to do again, that the mighty works which have been accomplished in the olden time shall all be repeated and the Lord's song shall be sung again in Zion and he shall again be greatly glorified. [00:28:54]

I beseech you my friends absorb that idea put it out of your mind whatever God has done in the way of converting sinners is to be looked upon as a precedent, for his arm is not shortened that he cannot save, nor is his ear heavy that he cannot hear, if we are straightened at all we are not straightened in him, we are straightened in our own bowels, let us take the blame of it ourselves. [00:30:06]

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?