God is calling His church ...

...again to a deeper place of prayer. The church needs reviving and our land needs healing. Today we are talking about what constant prayer will do. Acts 12:5 (NKJV) “Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church.” This story brings out or highlights in our lives what God can do when we participate in constant prayer. Quote - Anything God can do; prayer can do. Why? Because prayer is our link to God. The prayer of faith is the link to God’s power. Nothing is impossible with God…nothing is impossible when we pray. What happens when people pray?

1. When people pray something from heaven shows up. There was an angel…a light showed up in the prison. When we pray here, God responds from heaven. We have not because we ask not. We need something supernatural from God. 

2. When people pray God wakes people up. When the angel came to Peter, what did he do? He smote him in the side and woke him up. When God’s people pray…God wakes up those who are sleeping. Ephesians 5:14 (NIV) "Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." 

3. When people pray chains fall off. Chains are restrictive. If you have chains on your legs, you can’t run. When we pray personally we find a freedom we did not have before. A new ability or freedom to witness…no longer restricted. When we pray God sets people free. Listen, your prodigal can’t be worse off than Peter, he was going to die. I know with the opioid crisis we wonder if they can be free. They can! Pray! I was there before it was popular. The church prayed and God set me free. 

4. When people pray doors are opened. Pastor, the door is not opening…pray! There’s a battle! Pray! 1 Corinthians 16:9 (NKJV) “For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.” When God’s people pray…doors are opened just like for Peter. God opened the door and set him free. We don’t need a battering ram…we do not need to force it…God will open the door. Pray!

Pray until the normal becomes supernatural. Pray until our land is healed. Pray constantly until your prodigals come home. Pray until revival comes! 

Peter is before church leadership giving an account...

... for preaching to and eating with Gentiles. He tells them how remembering God’s Word about Holy Spirit baptism helped him. Last week we talked about how salvation came to Cornelius (to Gentiles) and how, as Peter preached God’s Word to them, Holy Spirit fell upon them. Oh, how I would like to see that here. How did Peter help Cornelius and his household? He remembered!                                                                                                                           Acts 11:16 (NKJV) “Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said, 'John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

1. To go from normal to supernatural we must remember the Word of the Lord. Peter’s struggle with preaching to Gentiles and seeing them saved and baptized with Holy Spirit power was done away with when he remembered the Word of the Lord. 2 Timothy 2:15 (NKJV) “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth.” Peter remembered Jesus said He would baptize us with Holy Spirit and fire. Studying, memorizing, and remembering His Word will help take you from normal to supernatural.

2. Peter remembered the Promise of the Father, Holy Spirit. Some of you think I over-emphasize Holy Spirit and I don’t think the church gives Him the honor due to Him. He is God, the Holy Spirit. Peter knew the door had been opened to the Gentiles because, “God gave them the same gift (Holy Spirit) as He gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God?" 

3. The District glorified God because Peter remembered. Think about this…you and I are here today because Peter remembered the Word of God and because there was the witness of Holy Spirit to the Jew and to the Gentile. God has had the answer to racism for a long time. The problem is not with Him but with His church. If the churches of America would go after a Holy Spirit revival, things would change. We need the full gospel. We need the gospel that doesn’t leave out Holy Spirit and His power. The gospel can change the Jew, the Gentile, the black, the white, the brown…all people of all nations.

Today we will see how God...

...can take a hungry man and his entire family from normal to supernatural. As I continue reading through the Book of Acts I see this theme over and over where God is taking someone or a group of people from the normal to the supernatural. This was true of Cornelius. He was evidently an incredible person. He was a leader (a centurion), he was a family man, he was devout and God fearing, he was generous, and he was a man of prayer. Let’s see he and his family’s transformation. 

1. For Cornelius to go from normal to supernatural he must be born again. Let me ask all of us here today, was Cornelius born again according to God’s Standard, the Word of God? Look again at our text: Acts 10:2 (NIV) “He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly.” Many people pray (I did before I got saved) but are not right with God. Many people acknowledge there is a God (so do demons and they tremble), and many people are generous but they are not saved. Cornelius had so much going for him and he even had a desire to know this God in a more intimate way. This is why God thru an angel had him to send for Peter. No other Name but Jesus for salvation. Cornelius needed Jesus just like we needed Jesus to be saved. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life!

2. For Cornelius to go from normal to supernatural he needed a Gentile Pentecost. God is always looking for people who are hungry and thirsty for Him and who are desiring more of Him and His presence! Cornelius wanted all God had for him. He received more than he could even imagine. He found out Jesus was to be Lord and Savior. He also, was baptized in Holy Spirit power! Can you imagine the witness he became?

3. Cornelius wanted even more. After salvation and Holy Spirit baptism Cornelius followed the Lord in water baptism. He wanted to identify with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection. And they wanted even more…They asked Peter to stay a few days! So hungry for more! They wanted to go from normal to supernatural! More, Lord!

 

Today we continue the series “Normal or Supernatural”...

... and we will see this transformation taking Saul to Paul. Acts 9:3-6 (NKJV) “As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?" And he said, "Who are You, Lord?" Then the Lord said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads." So he, trembling and astonished, said, "Lord, what do You want me to do?" Saul, later to become Paul, was on a mission to destroy any who were of the Way (Christians). It seemed to be personal with him. I wonder where his deep hurt came from. How did Saul change to Paul?

1. Stephen helped Saul go from normal to supernatural. Stephen is arrested and brought before the Council. The glory of God was on him. His face was like an angel. He testified to all of them about Jesus. They were furious with him when he challenged their heart’s condition. So how does Stephen have influence on Saul? Saul was there watching. Watching Stephen preach. Hearing Stephen say I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing. Saul heard him forgive the people. Please do not try to tell me that Stephen’s soul print was not imbedded into Saul spirit. Stephen was filled with power so he was a witness to a young man named Saul. 

2. Jesus and Holy Spirit have to do the work. What we often see in the church is not people being used of Holy Spirit but we see people trying to be Holy Spirit. He comes to convict people of sin and we feel He needs our help. Nope! Notice Saul is going from his normal to God’s supernatural by Holy Spirit and Jesus. Lord, what do you want me to do? This is evidence of the transformation from normal to supernatural. This should be our first step. Lordship means, not my will but Yours be done. 

3. Be filled with Holy Spirit. Acts 9:17 (NKJV) “And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit." Poor Ananias was given a job none of us would have ever wanted…go talk to Saul for Me! If we will go from normal to supernatural, it will never happen because we learn more, study harder, or any other spiritual exercise, it will only happen as we are filled with Holy Spirit.

Even though we have been on vacation...

... I still can’t get out of my heart how I want Life Church not to return to normal but to move to supernatural. Thus, we continue the series “Normal or Supernatural”. Peter and John, after they have been filled with supernatural power are on their way to the temple and they encounter a man who was born cripple. Look what happens. Acts 3:6-8 (NKJV) “Then Peter said, "Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk." And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them--walking, leaping, and praising God. Today we are continuing through the book of Acts (if you want to learn more about Holy Spirit, read this book over and over) and we will again see how God wants to take us from normal to supernatural. 

In Acts 2 we see the disciples (120) have been filled with power (You shall receive power) and God is using them to be witnesses in Jerusalem and eventually all over. Lives are about to be transformed because someone’s body is about to be healed. This man is over 40 years old. Church people passed him every day but no one had anything that could help him until now. Holy Spirit had not been poured out, but now, supernatural power has been given to the disciples. Don’t ever miss this, behind every cry from the lost in our communities and in our world, what they are asking for is not all they need. They need Jesus and they need the power of Holy Spirit which is in you. When I meet these people I have to examine myself.

1. What I do have! What did Peter have? What do we have? When we are confronted with situations where supernatural power is needed, can we say like Peter, “What I do have.”

2. I give you! Acts 3:6 (NKJV) Then Peter said, "Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk." 

3. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk! Holy Spirit is on you, Holy Spirit is in you, Holy Spirit power is available to you, but hear this, it is never nor should it ever be about you. It is about Jesus! Make sure you minister in His Name!

Today we continue talking...

... about “Do Not be Afraid” but today we are discussing the importance of having a godly fear of the Lord. Isaiah 33:5‑6 (NIV) “The LORD is exalted, for he dwells on high; he will fill Zion with justice and righteousness. He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure.” How powerful is this?  Holy fear is the key to God’s sure foundation, unlocking the treasures of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. Place the fear of God alongside the love of God and the two compose the very foundation of life and godly living.

1. Jesus needed to live by the fear of the Lord and we should too. Isaiah 11:2 (NLT) “And the Spirit of the LORD will rest on him— the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD. This verse in Isaiah is obviously a prophecy about Jesus. The Spirit will rest on Him...Holy Spirit...the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD. If Jesus needed Holy Spirit...how much more will you and I need Him. Maybe one of the reasons we have lost our fear of the Lord is because we are not filled with Holy Spirit. 

2. We must approach Him with reverence and awe. Isaiah 29:13 (NKJV) “Therefore the LORD said: "Inasmuch as these people draw near with their mouths And honor Me with their lips, But have removed their hearts far from Me, And their fear toward Me is taught by the commandment of men.” Ever since I have been a Christian I have often been very troubled by how people treat God so disrespectfully ...no fear or reverence.

3. We should have the fear of the Lord because no one else compares to Him. Psalm 89:6‑8 (NKJV) “For who in the heavens can be compared to the LORD? Who among the sons of the mighty can be likened to the LORD? God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, And to be held in reverence by all those around Him. O LORD God of hosts, Who is mighty like You, O LORD? Your faithfulness also surrounds You.” We must honor Him, fear Him, revere Him because there is no one else like Him. Pastor Rick, I am a believer but I am hurting...go to the One that no one else can compare to: Isaiah 40:29‑31 (NKJV) “He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall, But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.”  Do not be afraid!

Today we continue speaking...

... about “Do Not be Afraid” and God has much to say to encourage us. Psalm 34:1‑5 (NKJV) “I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make its boast in the LORD; The humble shall hear of it and be glad. Oh, magnify the LORD with me, And let us exalt His name together. I sought the LORD, and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears. They looked to Him and were radiant, And their faces were not ashamed. 

The foundation work in dealing with fear based on Psalm 34: I will be a worshiper of God at all times no matter what is going in my life. My boasting or lifting up will be in the Lord...not my fear or circumstances.  

My lifting up of the Lord will be open and it will be a testimony to God. I will connect with others who are struggling and we will exalt Him together. When I am fearful and hurting I will seek the Lord and find Him. 

I will seek Him, find Him, and not be ashamed in my situation.  

1. We should not fear poverty. Psalm 34:6 (NKJV) “This poor man cried out, and the LORD heard him, And saved him out of all his troubles.”

2. We should not fear troubles. Psalm 34:6 (NKJV) “This poor man cried out, and the LORD heard him, And saved him out of all his troubles.” 

3. We should not fear lack of substance. Psalm 34:9 (NKJV) “Oh, fear the LORD, you His saints! There is no want to those who fear Him.” 

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4. We should not fear not having a good life. John 10:10 (NKJV) “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”      

5. We should not fear abandonment by God. Psalm 34:18 (NKJV) “The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit.” Nothing...nothing has helped me more than knowing that Jesus was only a whisper away, even in times when words were not easily forth coming...He understood and was there. Do not be afraid!