Message 05: The Solution to My Problems

TURN TO JOHN 6:16
The events of the day had been utterly mind-blowing. Right before their very eyes, Jesus has miraculously fed thousands and thousands of people! And a result, when Jesus opened His mouth to speak, the people’s hearts were responsive like never before. The buzz in the crowd was electric! The people were ‘getting it’, so much so that they tried to take matters into their own hands and make Christ King by force.

Jesus, of course would have nothing to do with this, and verse 15 tells us that he ‘withdrew’. At some point in the afternoon, Jesus must have leaned over to one of His disciples and said, “I’m going off to be with my Father, gather the disciples, and get in the boat to go to Capernaum. I’ll catch up later.”

And so we read in verse 16:
“When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, where they got into a boat and set off across the lake for Capernaum. By now it was dark, and Jesus had not yet joined them.” V. 16-17

Can you imagine what the topic of conversation must have been like in the boat?
• Andrew might have said: “When I brought the little boys lunch to Jesus I was just being funny! Never would I have dreamed that He’d take it and do what He did!”
• Philip might have said: “I knew that we didn’t have the money to buy the food, but I never imagined that Jesus could create food!”
• Peter might have said: “Did you see the eyes on the big fat guy under the tree when I told him he could have as much as he wanted! He couldn’t believe it!”
• And John might have said: “Yes! And did you hear the crowd get quieter and quieter in amazement as they realized exactly what Jesus was doing! Awesome!”

Verse 17 tells us that “Jesus had not yet joined them…” Where was He? He was off in some quiet place in the mountains overlooking the Sea of Galilee spending time before His Father in Heaven!

Mark’s account of this event says:
“After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray.” Mark 6:46

The disciple’s weren’t particularly surprised by this, it apparently was common practice for Jesus to break away from the crowds and get alone with His Father. Why did Jesus do this?

Jesus said in John 5:
“I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.” John 5:19

Only as Christ spent intimate time in fellowship with His Father, was He empowered to do His Father’s will! Look back at John 6:5
“When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming towards him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.” John 6:5, 6

How did Jesus know what to do? The Father had already revealed it to Him in a previous time of fellowship!

Remember last week, when Jesus was about to do the miracle – He instructs His disciples to have the crowd “sit down” – and how we talked about how we need to ‘sit down’ before the Lord and cease the constant running, striving, effort and stress that so often controls our lives? Jesus spoke this from personal experience. He came and sat before His Father frequently because in doing so, He found what he needed.

Do you have responsibilities? Do you have things to do? Goals? You need to pull away from task-oriented living and move into the quiet places of communion with God. For it is there, and there alone, that He can speak most clearly to your soul. You won’t enter into the supernatural dimension of Christianity, until you move into the inner places with God.

Now, let’s read on. Verse 18…
“A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough.” V. 18

The disciples are on the boat, in the middle of the sea, when suddenly a large, powerful storm comes up on the lake. The lake is fairly large – some 13 miles by 8 miles. And these men are in the dark and in the midst of a major storm. This encourages me: Even the disciples of Jesus are susceptible to storms. Problems happen even to people who love Jesus, serve Him and worship Him!

Jesus said in Matthew 5:45 that… “He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” Matthew 5:45

One of satan’s tools is to get Christians to believe that just because they’ve embraced Christ, that their lives will be problem free. I want you to understand that I believe that the more dedicated you are to living for the glory of God, the more likely you’ll encounter troubles!

You see, if you are sitting back, living for self and not involved in advancing the Kingdom of God, you don’t need to be attacked by the enemy – your lifestyle of compromise doesn’t make you a threat to satan at all. But, when you rise up, discover who you really are in Christ, and begin to live authentically as a powerhouse of God in the Holy Spirit – you can bet you are going to be attacked!

Some of you are thinking: “Well, when you put it that way, I think I’ll stay compromised and complacent, because I don’t want to be attacked!” But, if you adopt that attitude a number of things will be the result:
1. You’ll miss out on Christ’s remedies to your problems!
2. You’ll miss out on Christ’s calling in your life!

“Playing it safe” is always the wrong response to the call of God! Christ calls us to Himself and He says: “Die to self, and I will give you abundant life!” And that’s what He is doing in millions of people right now. Why not join Him in what He is doing and let’s give the devil what he deserves!

So the storm rages, and we read verse 19:
“When they had rowed three or three and a half miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were terrified.” V. 19

The rowing is important. These guys were trying desperately to solve their problem. This isn’t ‘row, row, row your boat…’ This is the perfect storm. This is an epic battle for survival. This is a fight for life!
Everyone knows that you can’t walk on water. It’s a matter of physics. Heavy things sink. You’ll never see a rock float. It just doesn’t work that way.

But Christ’s authority is greater than physics. His power supercedes natural law. So, He walks across the stormy sea to meet His friends in their moment of trouble.

Walking on water means more than simply walking across the top of the water – it also means that Christ can overcome your problems! Your storms must bow to the Lord of Creation!

Some of you are in this storm right now. And you are rowing. You are doing everything you can to stay afloat. Yet, at the same time, you are growing weary, tired. You are at the edge of desperation, and you don’t know what to do except row.

And Jesus comes and He offers the Solution. He is the Solution. How do I know this? Because Jesus is walking on the problem. He is walking across the storm tossed sea. And He is more than able to walk on your problem. He doesn’t answer to your problem, your problem answers to Him.

There is no problem that Christ cannot overcome.
• Your marriage is a mess – Christ can straighten it out!
• Your kids are off track – Christ can get them headed the right way!
• Your finances are a lacking – Christ can feed 5000 with 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish – He’ll meet your needs!

I absolutely love the response of the disciples: “They were terrified!” Think about this: Were they terrified because of the storm or because of the person they saw walking towards them? Remember, it’s dark. Remember, the wind is blowing. Remember, the waves are coming up over the side of the boat – and in this scene – they look out across the bow and there is someone walking towards them. FREAKY!

• “Peter – what is that?”
• “John – do you see what I see?”
• “It’s a ghost! No, it’s a demon!”

But, of course we know that in fact, it is Jesus – the Solution to their Problems. Even though they don’t yet recognize Him, He is the Solution.

Many times, we are more afraid of the Solution than we are of the Problem. Christ calls us to Himself, and we are afraid of what He might want, so we keep Him at a comfortable distance. We accept Him for “Fire Insurance” but we don’t move in close for “Friendship”. We want a little bit of Jesus. But, we don’t want to go overboard with Him!

And the results – we are afraid on all fronts. Afraid of our problems and afraid of His Solution.

Now, look at verse 20:
“But he said to them, “It is I; don’t be afraid.” V. 20

He sees their terror. And He speaks directly to it.

You and I cannot hide anything from Him. You may say “I’m fine”, but He knows you. He knows how many hairs are on your head, and He knows your heart. You really cannot pull the wool over the eyes of the Son of God. And the great news, you don’t need to.

He says to His followers: “It is I.” He says to you this morning: “It is I.”

No words can bring more instantaneous comfort than these. “I AM with you. I AM here.” There is nothing more important in all of our lives than to be in His Presence. His Presence overcomes all. His Presence brings us to places that are filled with His glory. His Presence changes things. Jesus says: “I’m here now, and everything is about to change!”

The Lord has impressed upon me that I need to do a series of teachings on moving into the Presence of God. That will be coming soon.

Here’s the Miracle: Christ is with you.

And what is the appropriate response to His Presence? “Don’t be afraid.”

His Presence banishes fear. When He is here, there is simply no need for it.

David put it this way:
“Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you. But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.” Psalms 73:25-28

One of the reasons that we fear, is that we often think: “If it is to be, it’s up to me.” We grow up believing that if anything good is going to happen, it will be because we make it happen. But nothing could be further from the truth. The truth is this: “If it is to be, it’s up to HIM!”

Jesus says to you in the midst of your storms – “It is I, don’t be afraid.”

Now, look what happens next:
“Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading.” V. 21

Here’s what happens: Faith happens. The disciples heard His voice, and faith in the midst of the storm arose.

They were willing to take into the boat. Very funny! The boat represents their security and their life. In the midst of the Stormy Sea, it’s all they had. And upon hearing Christ’s voice, they willingly give Him access to their security. They say: “Yes! Yes! Come quickly!” The solution had arrived. The Presence of Christ is far more important than anything else – even than the storms of your life!

What would have happened if they’d of refused Him access to the boat? They would have drowned. Some of you are drowning today because you refuse to let Him into your boat. You reject His Presence, and you just keep rowing – fruitlessly!

Lifeguards teach that if you are swimming in the ocean, and get stuck in a riptide that you are to swim parallel to the shore, until you are out of the riptide. But, the sometimes fatal mistake that people make is to do what seems obvious: To swim directly towards shore! When you are facing storms, you try to swim – or – row – directly towards shore, the obvious thing, but what will save you is you swim towards Christ instead!

It must break the heart of God to stand by and watch as people stubbornly and fearfully seek to maintain control and reject His voice – “It is I; don’t be afraid.”

But, He is still walking on the waters. He is still calling out to with the same message: “It is I, don’t be afraid.” And He still waits for the invitation to come aboard.

The invitation looks like this: “Lord, in the midst of this storm, I will trust You. I will not look left or right, up or down for the Solution to my Problem – YOU are the SOLUTION to my problem! I am counting on YOU to lead me to safe harbor!”

Look what happened when Jesus came aboard. V. 21
“Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading.” V. 21

When did they reach shore? IMMEDIATELY. These guys had been rowing hard – without much success – but as soon as they embrace Christ – their storm is calmed and safety is restored.

CONCLUSION:
The solution is right before you. He is Christ, the Son of the Living God.

The question is also before you: Will you keep rowing seeking to solve your own problems – or – will you be willing to accept Christ’s offer: “It is I, do not be afraid.”

Message 04: Miracles for the Multitude

John’s Gospel is built around seven key miracles of Jesus – of which we are in the fourth one today. Thus far we’ve seen the Supernatural Jesus…
• Change water into wine
• Use the power of His Words to heal across a great distance!
• Heal a man who was lame for 38 years

• Because Jesus can change water into wine – You can be changed as well! Come to Him in faith and He will transform your life!
• Because Jesus’ Word has power – believe Him at His Word and receive what He speaks!
• Because Jesus can heal even someone who has been sick for decades, begin to receive a new anointing and authority – even in your old age!

Today, we look at a different kind of miracle. John 6:1
“Some time after this, Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee (that is, the Sea of Tiberias),
and a great crowd of people followed him because they saw the miraculous signs he had performed on the sick.” v. 1-2

By this time, Jesus wasn’t welcome in the Synagogues of Galilee. He was too much of a threat to the Establishment. So, he goes out to the Sea of Galilee, and a ‘great crowd’ of people follow him.

Why are they following Him? – “because they saw the miraculous signs…” What he had done with the changing of water into wine, the healing of the nobleman’s son and healing of the man at the pool of Bethseda had spread like wildfire throughout Galilee.

That isn’t to say that they had come to fully believe in Him as the Messiah, but one thing was for sure He had a lot more to offer than the Pharisee’s and religious leaders that the people had known all of their lives.

Doesn’t that make sense to you? All of us have a yearning for a connection with God, and this young man comes along and starts doing ‘God-like’ things.

Jesus had foretold that His ministry was going to always be characterized by miraculous works that help people. As we’ve looked at numerous times before – He said in Luke 4:

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”” Luke 4:18, 19

He is all about bringing people like us into true freedom.

Is it any wonder that in the 20th Century, the fastest growing segment of Christianity around the world has been Spirit-filled Pentecostal and Charismatic churches who not only BELIEVE in a Supernatural Jesus, but they DO WHAT Jesus did!

One of my favorite people is Reinhold Bonnke – an evangelist who spends most of his time ministering in Africa. His ministry is accompanied by great waves of healing – literally thousands of people are healed at his crusades, and people are getting saved by tremendous numbers! Listen to what he writes in a letter I received this month: “During one five day crusade, one million, four hundred and sixteen thousand, six hundred and eighty-four souls surrendered their hearts and completed decisions cards.”

Five Days: 1,416,684 human beings embraced Christ!

Why this amazing harvest? Because they are seeing the undeniable power of the Supernatural Jesus to heal!

Will Summit Church grow numerically? YES!
How? As we act in faith in this same Supernatural Jesus and move in the power of the Holy Spirit!

Now, look at verse 3:
“Then Jesus went up on a mountainside and sat down with his disciples. The Jewish Passover Feast was near. When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming towards him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” v. 3-5

Whenever you have a crowd, you have special issues to consider. And a compassionate host does whatever they can do to make sure those needs are met. With this many people, meeting in a remote location (no fast food restaurants or Starbucks!), they are going to need to eat. So Jesus poses the question: “Where shall we buy bread…”

Now look at verse 6:
“He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.” v. 6

Christ knows the solutions to our problems, before we know that we have problems! He knew what He was going to do. He’s God. He’s Supernatural. He’s got it covered.

So, he tests his disciples. He wants to help them to see this problem through His eyes. He’s looking for faith. He is looking for confidence.

I have cancer. If’d you would have asked me in January – “Hey, Doug, are you going to have cancer this year!?” I’d have said: “Are you nuts!” But even the first time that I noticed the growth in my neck, Christ already knew that I had cancer – and He already knew the solution. So, when I cried out to Him early on about this, He continually reassured me and reminded me that this is to His Glory! He spoke to me and said: “This is not unto death, this is to my glory!”

Now, what would satan have me do in this midst of this problem? How about worry? Fret? Stress out? Be filled with insecurity, doubts and fears! – But those things aren’t to the glory of God!

In fact, this week, the Spirit of God spoke to me and said: “Discipline your mind to think my thoughts. Discipline your emotions to feel my feelings. Discipline your tongue to speak my words!”

Christ comes to me and says: “This is to my glory.” And I respond in faith, in confidence, in boldness, in joy, in peace. And as I do so, this response is to His glory!

I believe that the Spirit of God is saying to us right now:
“You have focused on your problems for far too long. Your lives have become filled with fear, doubts, depression and anxiety. You are being called into Christ-like maturity and confidence. Draw near to me and I will draw near to you. Fear not. I love you. Nothing will happen to you that is a surprise to me. I already know what I am going to do about your problem. Stop worrying, instead speak faith.”

Now, in response to Jesus’ testing question, we are about to see a very ADULT-LIKE response and a CHILD-LIKE one.

“Philip answered him, “Eight months’ wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!” Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?”” v. 7-9

Philip is definitely the adult in the group. He’s the realist. He’s the pragmatist. He has already had his calculator out and has figured out the cost per person and he knows that there simply aren’t the resources to feed these folks.

Andrew, on the other hand, has been out amongst the people. He found a young boy who is willing to share his brown bag lunch, but even still, there isn’t enough.

That’s because these people aren’t seeing that Christ is the solution. They don’t need money – they need Christ. They don’t need to share their lunches, they need Christ. Christ is the solution to the problem. He is the Supernatural Jesus, after all.

So, we see in verse 10 what happens next:
“Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and the men sat down, about five thousand of them. Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.” v. 10-11

First thing that Jesus says: “Sit down.” – Many of you need to heed this word of Christ! Sit down! Stop striving, stop trying harder! Stop freaking out, running around like chicken’s with your heads cut off. Have you forgotten that you belong to God!

One of my favorite Christians is this guy I know that has a standard response to the question: “How are you doing?” – You know what he says – every time: “I’m stressed…” let me tell you, if your life is characterized by stress and anxiety, you need to sit down.

Psalms 46:10 reminds us to “Be still and know that I am God.”

I guarantee that half of your problems would be resolved in the next two weeks, if you’d just take one hour a day and enter into the stillness of God. Quiet your soul, stop letting your anxieties rule the house, and instead simply come into a place of stillness, calling upon the Lord to replace your worries with His peace.

It’s time for Christians to sit down.

Then Jesus takes what is before Him – five loaves, two fish. And he does some amazing. In the face of this extraordinary crowd, He gives His Father thanks for what is before Him. Jesus knows that this amount of food will not feed all in the crowd, but He has gratitude because someone will eat! God has demonstrated His provision in a small way and deserves to be thanked! In effect He says, “Father, you have been good to us, you have provided this food. What a wonder you are!”

It’s time for Christians to be grateful. We gripe, we complain, we moan. We say: “why me” – when what we need to be doing is saying: “Oh, how great you are! You provide for all of my needs! You are my strength, You are my hope, You are my provision. How I thank You that my sins have been forgiven, How I thank you that my name is in the book of life! How I thank you that You’ve put Your Holy Spirit within me! Oh, God, how I worship you! How I stand in awe of you!”

It’s time for Christians to be grateful for all that God has done for us, even if we somehow think we are lacking. You see, that isn’t for you to determine. God knows what you need, and He knows when to provide it. Your task is to sit down, be still and be thankful.

Now, here’s the miracle – verse 11: Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.”

Notice how the distribution took place: The disciples didn’t say: “Okay big guy, you can only have a little…” No – They gave them as ‘much as they wanted’. This was like the first ‘all you can eat buffet’.
Have you noticed that when food is free, you tend to take more than you might if you had to pay for it? These Galilean people took as MUCH as they wanted. There weren’t any limits placed upon them!

God has ALL that you need. The Bible says: “The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.” Psalms 34:10

The problem with us is that we get mixed up as to what we are to seek after. We think that we are to seek after ‘good things’ – money, possessions, security – when what God’s Word tells us to do is to “seek the Lord”.

Don’t seek provision – seek the Presence of the Lord!
Don’t seek miracles – seek the Presence of the Lord!

My brother is going through a major season of spiritual growth and change. He is an old dog learning new tricks. Like me, he spent most of his life being taught and believing that God doesn’t still speak, doesn’t do miracles, and doesn’t work in power like He did during Jesus’ day. But, God is changing the Love boys. This week, I received an email from Jeff that says:

This morning I spent a great deal of time seeking our Lord's face. In my meditation He once again revealed a word of knowledge concerning you and your current situation. You have sought after God in His secret place and He has blessed you with with His mighty Spirit, not because of anything you have done except to seek Him. God wants all of His sons and daughters to cross the threshold of a new door and enter into a new room, of seeing the return of the glory of the Lord. It is a new season, a new cycle, a fresh place with the Lord, where the body of Christ is beginning to move past its present experience and self-induced limitations, into new streams of the glory presence of God. Finding yourself in this new room can give you the confidence of the Spirits' great work. There are astounding signs, wonders, miracles, and powerful displays of the supernatural beginning to take place in the lives of those who seek God in a relational way. God has put His stamp of approval on them, as a fresh sign to the body of Christ of seed promised by His Holy Spirit. They will reveal realms of the glory, yet to be seen.
And you my brother are one of those who are in a new season of life, you will witness personally the wonders of God in a miraculous way. There is much work for those who have seen God face to face, for those who God has placed in position of relevance with others, you time of leading by example and experience has yet to come in fullness. Your role has yet to be completed in your journey, there are still many people who have yet to cross the threshold because you have yet to directed them.

When Beth read this, she stopped midway and said to me: “This is from YOUR brother?”

Spiritual growth and revelation happens out of our times of seeking the face of God. Provision happens from seeking the Lord. Miracles happen from seeking the Lord. We will lack no good thing!

Now, look at verse 12 – here’s the test of the miracle:
“When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.” V. 12-13

Christ tells the disciples to gather up the leftovers. Why? To give testimony of the true nature of the miracle! “Let nothing be wasted.” Because the leftovers far outweighs what he began with! This miracle fed 5000 men, who were now sitting back in the afternoon sun, with the great feeling of a full belly! And the proof was in the 12 baskets of leftovers! This was a major miracle.

When Christ does a miracle in your life – when He has come up against your problem with a divine solution – “Let nothing be wasted.” Gather up the story – tell the story! Give God the glory! Let all around you know that you’ve been touched by the Supernatural Jesus! Open wide your mouth and tell all who will listen! Give testimony!

I received notification today of a conference being held next month in Korea. Listen to this:
More than 500 physicians from 20 countries are expected to gather to discuss how spirituality and medicine go together and to present medical data about the works of divine healing at the Third International Christian Medical Conference on June 1-2 at Grand Convention Center in Cebu City, the Philippines. The conference will seek to enhance believers' faith while emphasizing the fact that God is indeed the Healer. International delegates and some of the best in their medical fields will exchange notes on divine healing and present more than ten cases backed by medical data in which patients received healing by prayer.

This is the gathering of baskets. Let the Doctor’s come together and give evidence of the miracles God is doing around the world!

Why? So that more and more people can come to believe in this Supernatural Jesus. Look at verse 14:
“After the people saw the miraculous sign that Jesus did, they began to say, “Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.” Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.” V. 14-15

The eyes are beginning to open. The people are coming to see that Jesus is indeed the Promised Messiah! They are so excited that they are about to stage a revolution and install Christ as King ‘by force’ – and while I’m sure that Jesus appreciated their faith and zeal, it wasn’t the time or the place for such a thing to occur.

Are your eyes beginning to open?

I want to make some affirmations of faith this morning:

Jesus, we believe that…
You have supernatural power over illness and disease!
You have supernatural power over creation!
You have supernatural power over sin and death!

Who needs the healing of the Lord today?

Message 03: Alive and Free!

He has a problem. For 38 years he’s been held captive by a body that just won’t do what it is supposed to do. And it just won’t go away, regardless of what he does about it. The RELIGIOUS SPIRITS of the day tells him what to do – stay at the Bethseda pool and when the waters stir – jump in and maybe, just maybe, you’ll be healed. But even though he does what he is told, the RELIGIOUS SPIRITS aren’t working.

Maybe you’ve felt that way in your life. You’ve faced problems and tried to apply certain principles to overcome them, but without success.

You’ve gone to workshops, conferences, bought the tapes and the t-shirt – but it doesn’t seem to apply when you get home.

You’ve gone to church in hopes of finding the solutions. But all they gave you were rules and regulations, and then the Rule Givers – the RELIGIOUS SPIRITS - made you feel guilty for not being able to uphold them perfectly.

Today, I want you to see that there is another way to experience the miracle that you need.

I want you to see how the Supernatural Jesus can make you alive and free!

LOOK AT JOHN 5:1-5
“Some time later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for a feast of the Jews. Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades. Here a great number of disabled people used to lie--the blind, the lame, the paralyzed – and they waited for the moving of the waters. From time to time an angel of the Lord would come down and stir up that waters. The first one into the pool after each such disturbance would be cured of whatever disease he had. One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years.”

RELIGIOUS SPIRITS had convinced the hurting and lame that if the waters of the Bethesda pool were stirred that they could be healed – if and only if – they were the first one in the water! So, it makes sense that the blind, lame and paralyzed would flock to such a place.

Everyone needs hope. We all do. We all hope that this next thing will be the thing that makes the difference. Tragically, the enemy of your soul loves to play upon your hopes and he brings forth all kinds of false hopes. Why else would people follow the David Koresh’s, Jim Jones or L. Ron Hubbard? Why would people fall prey to religious spirits that place them in bondage?

Satan knows that he cannot stop people from being religious, so he seeks to pervert truth with deceptive spirits – religious spirits!

But Jesus isn’t like the religious spirits. Just the opposite. He made you to love you and to set you free.
Jesus has only one offer to make: LIFE ABUNDANT!

Now, the people at the pool are a desperate bunch. Blind, lame, paralyzed. Broken. Wounded. Hurting. These are Christ’s kind of folks. Why? Because they are His very reason for being here!

Remember what He said in Luke 4:18-19…
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Luke 4:18, 19

Religious spirits don’t have anything to do with these types of people. They run. They shame them – they make them yell out in the streets: “UNCLEAN! UNCLEAN!” – Religious spirits push these people to the back of the bus, or the furthest pews from the pulpit!

But Jesus runs to these folks. Read the Gospels. Who did Jesus spend His time with? Tax collectors, sinners, prostitutes were his frequent companions. And Jesus spent His time with them for one reason: To restore them!

Jesus steps up to this one man and says the most outlandish thing: “Do you want to get well?” The Greek word for ‘get well’ means to be made whole, sound and healthy. Jesus isn’t just offering to heal his body; He is offering to restore him to full working order – body, soul and spirit!

And verse 7 contains his response:
“Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no-one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.”

Remember what the religious spirits have done – they’ve said: “When the water stirs, first one in gets healed!” But, how can this lame man possibly get in the water? How frustrating it must have been for him – “Hey, I’m here! I’m trying to do the right thing! But I need some help!”

That’s how I’ve felt. I have good motives. I want what is best. I’m sure you feel the same way. You are trying hard. Working hard. Doing your very best. But “it” isn’t working.

That’s because “IT” never works. God didn’t make us to follow “IT” – He made us to follow HIM!

Here’s a great test to see if something is a religious spirit: Am I being pointed to JESUS CHRIST or to SELF-EFFORT? Religious spirits are always about self-effort. I call it the “Try-Harder” gospel.

But Christ calls me to Himself and He says:
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

So, Jesus responds to this poor man and he says in verse 8…
“Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked.” 8-9a

I want you to see the Supernatural Jesus in this story.

Jesus is Supernatural in His AUTHORITY!

He says: “Get up!” – That’s authority! Not over the man, but over the disease!

The religious spirits said ‘Try harder!’ – Jesus says: “Get up!” – all that is required of the man is to stand.

The Bible tells us that Jesus has authority over disease and sickness! In an account very similar to this in Matthew 9, we read this:
“But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins....” Then he said to the paralytic, “Get up, take your mat and go home.”” Matthew 9:6

His authority over disease helps us believe His authority to forgive sin!

And, here’s a thought for you to consider – this same authority over disease has been granted to us – His followers…
“He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.” Matthew 10:1

It’s time for us to rise up in His authority and take this supernatural authority and walk in it! Your spiritual authority is in direct proportion to your spiritual intimacy with Christ!

But I also want you to see another aspect of Jesus:
Jesus is Supernatural in His POWER!

“Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked.” 8-9a

The healing in this case wasn’t progressive, it was immediate! He miraculously healed what was wrong with the man, but He also restored the atrophied muscles to fullness!

The authority and power of the Supernatural Jesus is seen clearly here. But, there is something that could have stopped it from happening.

What would have happened if the man had said: “Yeah, right. Whatever.” And continue to lay there on his mat? Would he have been healed? NO!

Christ called the man to respond in faith to His authority and power. Christ called the man to DO SOMETHING to demonstrate the reality of the miracle. Christ called the man to get up, pick up and walk!

Too many of us are missing out on the miracle of the Supernatural Jesus because we will not get up, pick up and walk. Instead we are stuck in our cynical, unbelief!

The problem is that we believe the religious spirits more than we believe Jesus. We are so tied to a performance-oriented religion that we simply cannot believe that Jesus would do for us what He promises.

Even this morning as I teach about the Supernatural Jesus some of you are being assaulted by religious spirits. And, it’s not your fault, but it is your responsibility to do what it takes to get free from them. We are going to do a deliverance ministry in a few minutes so that you can be set free from these lying religious spirits that are holding you back.

But first – I want you to see how the religious spirits attack. Look at verse 9-13
“The day on which this took place was a Sabbath, and so the Jews said to the man who had been healed, “It is the Sabbath; the law forbids you to carry your mat.” But he replied, “The man who made me well said to me, ‘Pick up your mat and walk.’” So they asked him, “Who is this fellow who told you to pick it up and walk?” The man who was healed had no idea who it was, for Jesus had slipped away into the crowd that was there.” V. 9b-13

An amazing miracle had occurred. But the religious spirits are more interested in what day it was. You see, God established the Sabbath day as a day of rest from labor and focused attention upon the Lord. But, religious spirits always miss the purpose of something, and get excited about the rules. So, what do they do? They critizise the man for carrying his bed. You see, that’s a form of labor. Strictly forbidden.

But that’s what religious spirits do. They ignore the meaning and focus on the rules, regulations and the letter of the law. And they are always looking for someone to blame.

“Who is this fellow who told you to pick it up and walk?” is a question designed to point fingers of accusation and blame, not to lift up hands in praise!

And the funny thing is this: The man doesn’t know!

But Christ desires to be known by this man – so we read of another encounter in vs. 14:
“Later Jesus found him at the temple and said to him, “See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you.” The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well.” v. 14-15

Jesus says: “You are well.” – Literally – “You are whole physically!” And then he challenges him to become whole spiritually! “Stop sinning!” – this isn’t a condemnation, it’s a calling to rise up to become who he can really be through Christ! Jesus is saying: “You’ve been restored physically, now be restored spiritually!”

Sin isn’t our friend. Sin ruins our lives. When I walk in sin – it is as if I am paralyzed. Sin holds me back from experiencing who I really am. Christ has set me free from sin in order that I can walk with Him into the supernatural realms of His Holy Spirit.

In the Chronicles of Narnia, there is a scene with Edmund and the White Witch. He asks for the candy “Turkish Delight” and she provides it for him. And it is the best “Turkish Delight” he’s ever eaten. She promises Edmund that at her castle she has ‘rooms full of Turkish Delight’ – but she is a liar. She uses Turkish Delight to suck Edmund into her deadly scheme. And it nearly works.

Satan does the same thing – he tantalizes us with sin. And maybe, just maybe, the first time we taste that particular sin, it is awesome, a delight. Something to enjoy. We get a rush from it, our endorphins flow – but then it turns into what it really is: Death. And by then, without God’s intervention, we are hooked and we are dead.

Jesus says: “Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you.” He’s not threatening the man – He’s warning him. “I’ve healed your body, let me heal your spirit!”

Christ offers the same deal today. He wants you to be FREE. He wants you to be ALIVE. He doesn’t want you to listen to religious spirits. He doesn’t want you to be captive to sin.

And He has the AUTHORITY and the POWER to do what is needed in your life.

Now, look at verse 15-16
“The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well So, because Jesus was doing these things on the Sabbath, the Jews persecuted him.” V. 15-16

• Religious spirits don’t like freedom.
• They don’t like life.
• Wherever life is beginning to emerge – religious spirits go on a hunt and destroy mission.
• Wherever freedom is being experienced – religious spirits come up with a 1001 rules to ruin it!

And they went after Jesus.
And they are going after you.
And today is the day to break off their claims to your life.

How do you know if you’ve been infected by religious spirits?
Here’s some questions to ask yourself - in the wisdom of the Holy Spirit:
1. Am I afraid of not being good enough?
2. Am I afraid of the opinions of others?
3. Am I performance based – instead of grace based?
4. Do I do good works to atone for my guilt?
5. Do I place a large emphasis on external things?
6. Is tradition more important to me than what the Holy Spirit is doing?
7. Am I focused on rituals, rules and regulations?
8. Am I proud of what I’ve done for God?
9. Do I lack mercy?
10. Am I different on Sunday mornings than on the others days of the week?
11. Do I reject the power of the Holy Spirit?
12. Am I envious of other ministers of God?
13. Do I think I’m better than others?
14. Am I blind to what God is doing?
15. Do I find fault in others easily?

Now, let’s be honest, most of us need deliverance from religious spirits. So, let’s get free. Stand up. Pray the prayer that is on the back of your bulletin:

• Personally affirm your faith in Christ:
“Lord Jesus Christ, I believe You are the son of God and the only way to God – that You died on the cross for my sins and rose again so that I would be forgiven and receive eternal life!”

• Humble yourself before Him:
“I renounce all pride and religious self-righteousness and any dignity that does not come from You. I have no claim on Your mercy, except that You died in my place.”

• Confess any known sin:
“I confess all my sins before You and hold nothing back. Holy Spirit reveal the darkest places. I confess to You Lord…”

• Repent of all sins:
“I repent of all my sins. I turn away from them and I turn to You, Lord, for mercy and forgiveness.”

• Forgive all other people.
“By a decision of the will, I freely forgive all who have ever harmed me or wronged me. I lay down all bitterness, all resentment and all hatred. Especially, I forgive…”

• Sever your relationship with religious spirits:
“I sever all contact I’ve had with religious spirits, past and present.”

• Praise Christ for releasing you from every curse over your life:
“Lord Jesus, I thank You that on the cross You were made a curse, that I might be redeemed from every curse and inherit God’s blessing. On that basis I ask You to release me and set me free to receive the deliverance I need.”

• Take your stand with Christ:
“I take my stand with You, Lord, against all satan’s demons. I submit to You, Lord, and I resist the devil. Amen!”

• Expel the demons:
“Now, I speak to any demons or religious spirits that have any level of control over me. I command you to go from me now! In the Name of Jesus, I expel You!”

• Be Filled with the Holy Spirit:
“And now, Lord Jesus Christ, in confidence, I ask for the filling of the Holy Spirit in my life! I receive the Holy Spirit in my spirit, in my mind, in my emotions, in my will and in my body! Praise the Lord, I am free!”


SKIP DOWN TO VERSE 24:
“I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.” V. 24

HAVE YOU HEARD THE WORD OF Christ TODAY?
HAVE YOU BELIEVED IN Christ TODAY?
Then – I have good news for you: YOU have crossed over from death to life! You possess eternal life!
Now live like it!

Message 02: Will I Take Him at His Word and Receive My Miracle?

“I am wealthy beyond my wildest dreams. What I desire, I soon possess.
I have power to do as I please. I speak, and multitudes move into action to fulfill what I’ve spoken. The sound of my voice is like a stone hitting the still waters – upon impact ripples spread in all directions, doing my will.
When I travel, others carry me and my burdens.
Yet, the one that I love – my son – the fruit of my wife and I – stands at death’s door. I’ve bought the best doctors to my home in hopes of cure. The rarest medicines and the newest treatments all have come to no avail.
I’ve offered vast sums of my wealth to the doctor, magician or shaman that can heal my beloved boy, yet without results.
What’s this I hear? The man who turned ordinary water into extraordinary wine is over in Cana? Prepare the camels, pack the supplies – for travel we must, and waste no further time!
Son, I am going to see Jesus. I believe He can help you, I’ll bring him here! Stay alive son! Fight! Help will be here soon! Don’t give up! I will hurry – but I may not see you again on this earth, don’t let go! I am going to see Jesus! I love you, son, hold on! Give him the time he needs to get here. I must go now…
Hurry, faster! WE must see Jesus! My son must be saved! Why must it take so long?! Don’t stop to water the camels, we can get new camels if need be!
Is that Cana? Yes! Now, where is this Jesus? In that house? Yes!
Jesus, I thought that I’d never get here! I need your help… only you can do what needs to be done…”

TODAY, we see what happens when desperate men take Christ at His word. Turn to John 4:46


46“Once more he visited Cana in Galilee, where he had turned the water into wine. And there was a certain royal official whose son lay sick at Capernaum. 47When this man heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea, he went to him and begged him to come and heal his son, who was close to death.
48“Unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders,” Jesus told him, “you will never believe.”
49The royal official said, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” 50Jesus replied, “You may go. Your son will live.” The man took Jesus at his word and departed. 51While he was still on the way, his servants met him with the news that his boy was living. 52When he enquired as to the time when his son got better, they said to him, “The fever left him yesterday at the seventh hour.” 53Then the father realiZed that this was the exact time at which Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” So he and all his household believed. 54This was the second miraculous sign that Jesus performed, having come from Judea to Galilee.” John 4:46-54

In verse 46 – Jesus returns to the town of his first miracle – the changing of the ordinary water into the extraordinary wine! CANA will be the location for his second miracle.

One thing that is true in the realm of the Spirit is that miracles happen much more frequently in places of faith than in places of doubt! Why do some Christians experience a great many miracles and others none – largely because of the issue of faith:
• Do I expect miracles?
• Or am I cynical, jaded and doubtful?

Your level of expectations has a huge impact on results! Do you expect God to show up and work?

For decades I doubted. I was inculcated by the worldly thinking that had invaded the church. God was in a 20th century American box. But, I was wrong. Dead wrong.

My Jesus is a Supernatural Jesus. And the question of miracles, signs and wonders is not IF can do them, it is IF I will open my eyes to be able to see Him at work!

Verse 46 continues by saying:
“And there was a certain royal official whose son lay sick at Capernaum…”

• Royal official refers to a nobleman. Literally one who is a ‘little king’ possessing a large estate, wealth and power.
• He lived in Capernaum – A distance of about 15 miles – or a day’s travel from Cana.
• His son was terribly sick – what was wrong we don’t know, but it was clearly life-threatening.

Now, look at verse 47…
47When this man heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea, he went to him and begged him to come and heal his son, who was close to death.

First of all – this verse tells us that Jesus’ reputation had spread! The water into wine story had permeated the Galilee region! Even to the highest levels of society!

So, the man rapidly travels to Cana – he is a man on a mission! His son was hovering near death, and the nobleman does something he isn’t used to doing: He begs!

There is a hugely important principle here: The greatest people in the world, upon meeting face to face with Christ, must become beggars! His glory is such, that humility and brokenness are the only proper response!

In Luke 18:17 Jesus says…
“I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” Luke 18:17

Empty yourself of pride, arrogance and strength, and come to Christ – come to Him in simple childlike faith! Come with your need! Come with your brokenness, and you’ll be received!

Jesus’ response in verse 48…
48“Unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders,” Jesus told him, “you will never believe.”

It would be great if people would come to faith without the need for the miraculous signs. But they won’t. Why? Because we need to be convinced of the reality of the Kingdom of God! We need to see beyond the material world – we need to have our eyes opened to the realities of the Spirit realm.

That’s one of the reasons that everywhere the Kingdom is preached, it is authenticated by signs and wonders. It’s one of the reasons that we must get into the river of the Holy Spirit and begin to operate in faith dimensions of signs and wonders.

The story continues – look at verse 49:
49The royal official said, “Sir, come down before my child dies.”

Come! Quickly! Before he dies! The nobleman is insistent – there isn’t time to waste! There isn’t time to delay! And from a human perspective, he’s right. We live in space and time – we live in what appears to be a limited universe. What happens today has meaning! But, the Kingdom is not limited to time and space! The Kingdom can make things happen!

Look at verse 50: Seven Words that Change the World:
50Jesus replied, “You may go. Your son will live.”

How simple. How calming. How utterly amazing. Jesus doesn’t need to ‘go’ – what needs to be done will be done. He speaks with authority. He speaks with confidence. He speaks faith and He speaks truth.

“You don’t need to worry. You don’t need to rush. You don’t need to fret. Go home. You boy will be just fine!”

That’s the Word of the Lord. The same voice that spoke Creation into being – speaks to the nobleman.

A lot of people think that the Bible is the Word of God. But it isn’t. The Bible points us to the Word of God – the Word of God is Jesus Christ! Listen to John 1:1…

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.” John 1:1-3

When Christ speaks – He is speaking the Word of the Lord. Just as Creation came as a result of Christ’s Word – you can count on anything that Christ speaks to become reality!

Look again at verse 50…
“The man took Jesus at his word and departed.”

This guy is a better Christian than most of us. He hears the Word. He takes the Word to heart. And he heads home. Do you get this: He believes the Word of the Lord! It is settled in this nobleman’s heart that what Christ has spoken will BE!
• Are you living in this level of faith and confidence?
• Do you take Christ at His Word?
• Do you take the promises spoken to you by Christ to heart?
• Do these promises silence your fears, settle your anxieties, steer your lives?
• Or are you still living like mere men and women – tossed and swayed by every little problem of life?
• It’s time to take Christ at His Word!

Look what happens next – here’s the miracle:
51While he was still on the way, his servants met him with the news that his boy was living.

Something had happened! And the servants of the nobleman knew that he’d want to know! So they left Capernaum and headed towards Cana – and met their master on the road!

“Master – the boy is alive! Master – we don’t know what happened, but suddenly, he got up out of his bed, the color returned to his face! He said: “I’m hungry!” and he is alive and well!”

Overwhelmed with joy – the nobleman asks – “When?” – Look at vs. 52…

"When he inquired as to the time when his son got better, they said to him, “The fever left him yesterday at the seventh hour.” Then the father realized that this was the exact time at which Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” So he and all his household believed.”

Here’s the proof that the Word of the Lord is supernatural and powerful: The boy was healed at the exact moment Jesus told the man he would be!

Christ doesn’t need to be physically present for miracles to happen! For it wasn’t Christ who DID the healing – it was the Spirit of Christ! Whereas Jesus was limited to a physical body, the Holy Spirit isn’t!

Don’t you get this? This is why Jesus would later say…
“But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.” John 16:7

You see – the “Counselor” is the Holy Spirit – and when the Holy Spirit comes, He comes to all people who will receive Him and it doesn’t matter where you are – He is with you! He comes to dwell in you by faith – and then He empowers you to do what needs to be done!

“I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.” John 14:12

Because of the Holy Spirit living inside of us – we are empowered to do ‘even greater things…’ than Jesus did! For we can be in Rancho Cucamonga, or Detroit, or Tijuana – and we can tap into the power of God through the Holy Spirit living in us!

Oh, dear church – rise up! Rise up and live in this wonderful power. There is anointing and power available to each of you – by faith – you can have it! You can walk in this same supernatural power that Christ did – by believing and receiving the Word of the Lord into your lives!

Stop doubting. Stop fearing. Stop limiting yourself.
Come alive. Come into the power. Come into the Presence and you’ll never be the same!

That’s what happened to this nobleman and his family, servants and household. Look at verse 53…

“So he and all his household believed.”

What was the result of Christ’s miracle? FAITH! These people were never the same! These people were touched by the Supernatural Jesus! And their lives were never the same again!

How could they ever be the same again? They’d be touched by the Presence of Almighty God! Here’s the good news: You and I can have this same touch!

Who here needs to be touched by God? Will you receive Him at His Word?

Look at verse 54:
"This was the second miraculous sign that Jesus performed, having come from Judea to Galilee.”

Signs always have a purpose. “FOOTHILL BLVD, 1 mile” – Tells us what is coming. The signs of miracles, healings, tongues, prophecies, words of knowledge – all point of something that is coming: The Kingdom of God!

Oh – dear ones – the Kingdom is coming! The Kingdom of God is coming – rest assured! He is coming. Christ is coming!

The question: Will I believe Him at His Word and receive my miracle – or – will I stay in the flesh and miss out!

The signs of a massive world-wide revival are clear.
Open your eyes, people, see with new eyes. Hear with new ears.
Look at our world – it is ripe for the Kingdom!
Now, look inward – ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth – ‘am I ready?’ – ‘do I believe in the Supernatural Jesus’? Are my hands full of worldly concerns – or have I emptied them, in preparation of the Promises of God being fulfilled? Am I ready?

Fall to your knees, people. Cry out to Christ – Cry out for His Kingdom! Cry out for His power! Put aside your pride. For if you hold on to your pride and dignity you miss out – but if you’ll become a beggar before God – you’ll receive the miracle!

Take Christ at His Word – and receive!