Miracles Week 8: Finding Thin Places

In the eighth installment of our "Miracles" series, we delve into the concept of "thin places"—moments where God breaks into our world to reveal His love, power, and glory. These moments, though rare today, were abundant during Jesus' time on Earth, particularly through His miracles.

## **John 1:14** - The Incarnation as a Thin Place

The sermon highlights the incarnation of Jesus as the ultimate "thin place." As described in **John 1:14**, "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us." Jesus' presence on Earth was a continual revelation of God's glory, bridging the gap between heaven and earth.

## Learning from Miracles

The sermon focuses on two miracles that exemplify how we can cooperate with God to create these "thin places":

### **John 2:1-11** - Water into Wine

- **Setting**: A wedding in Cana, where Jesus performed His first miracle by turning water into wine.

- **Key Figures**: The servants, who filled the jars with water at Jesus' instruction, played a crucial role.

- **Lesson**: The servants' obedience and trust in Jesus' instructions allowed them to witness and participate in a miracle. This teaches us the importance of making ourselves available to God, even when the task seems mundane or illogical.

### **Matthew 14:13-21** - Feeding the Five Thousand

- **Setting**: A remote location where a large crowd gathered to hear Jesus.

- **Key Figures**: The disciples, who distributed five loaves and two fish to feed thousands.

- **Lesson**: The disciples' willingness to offer what little they had and follow Jesus' instructions resulted in a miracle. This illustrates that God can multiply our limited resources when we trust Him.

## Four Key Lessons on Creating Thin Places

1. **God's Desire for Our Involvement**: God wants us to participate in His divine work. As seen in these miracles, our involvement strengthens our faith and demonstrates that "we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength" (**Philippians 4:13**).

2. **As You Go Principle**: Miracles often occur in the midst of our daily lives. We must be sensitive to God's voice and embrace the opportunities He presents as we go about our routines.

3. **Offering What We Have**: Whether it's time, energy, or resources, offering what we have to Jesus allows Him to use it for His glory.

4. **Trusting Jesus**: Trust is foundational. Neither the servants nor the disciples knew Jesus' plans, yet their trust led to miraculous outcomes. We must trust Jesus with both our lives and our circumstances.

## Conclusion: Trust and Obedience

The sermon concludes with a call to trust Jesus as the way to experience the ultimate "thin place"—a personal relationship with Him. By trusting in His sacrifice, we receive forgiveness and eternal life. This trust extends beyond salvation to every aspect of our lives, as we follow His lead and participate in His kingdom work.

As we reflect on these lessons, let us strive to be available, obedient, and trusting, so that we may witness and partake in the miracles God desires to perform in and through us.

# Understanding the Second Commandment: Worship in Spirit and Truth

In this Bible study session, we delve deep into the essence of the first two commandments, with a particular focus on the second commandment as outlined in **Exodus 20:4-6**. This commandment not only defines how we should worship but also warns against the dangers of idolatry.

## The First Commandment: Prioritizing God

We begin with a brief overview of the first commandment: "You shall have no other gods before me" (**Exodus 20:3**). This commandment lays the foundation for all others by establishing that God must be our sole priority. While we acknowledge that no other gods truly exist, the concept of other gods can distract us from our Creator, thus the emphasis on prioritizing God above all.

## The Second Commandment: How We Worship

The second commandment, found in **Exodus 20:4-6**, is more nuanced:

- **Exodus 20:4**: "You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below."

- **Exodus 20:5-6**: "You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God..."

This commandment is about the manner of our worship. God warns against creating images as objects of worship, emphasizing that He is a jealous God who desires our exclusive devotion.

## Understanding God's Jealousy

The concept of God’s jealousy might seem unsettling because human jealousy often leads to negative outcomes. However, God's jealousy is rooted in His desire for our hearts and identity. Unlike human jealousy, which is often about possession, God's jealousy is righteous and seeks to protect our relationship with Him.

- **Possession**: God desires our hearts fully devoted to Him.

- **Identity**: God's identity is tied to His redemptive acts, such as leading His people out of Egypt (**Exodus 20:2**).

## Consequences and Blessings

God outlines the consequences of breaking the second commandment and the blessings of keeping it:

- **Punishment**: "Punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me."

- **Blessing**: "Showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments" (**Exodus 20:5-6**).

This warning is not about generational curses but rather about the continuation of sin through generations. Each generation has the choice to either follow or stray from God’s commandments.

## Application: Worship in Spirit and Truth

In applying the second commandment today, it’s crucial to avoid idolizing anything created, whether material possessions or even religious artifacts. Our trust and hope should be firmly placed in God.

- **Worship in Spirit**: Recognize God as spirit, transcending all material forms.

- **Worship in Truth**: Follow the true path established by Jesus Christ, who is "the way, the truth, and the life" (**John 14:6**).

In conclusion, the second commandment guides us to worship God authentically, without the interference of idols or images. By prioritizing God and worshiping in spirit and truth, we align ourselves with His desires and receive His blessings across generations.

Miracles Week 7: Praise in the Midst of the Storm

In our ongoing series on miracles, we have explored the spiritual dimensions of reality and how God occasionally breaks through into our material world. This week, we delve into the power of **praise** during life's storms and how it positions us to witness divine intervention.

## The Context: Acts 16

This week's sermon is anchored in **Acts 16**, a chapter full of miraculous events. Paul and Silas, after being unjustly imprisoned for casting out a spirit from a slave girl, demonstrate the power of praise. Despite their dire circumstances, they choose to sing hymns and pray, creating a "thin place" where God's presence becomes profoundly tangible.

## Key Themes

### 1. **Faith and Praise in Adversity**

- **Courageous Faith**: Just as Joshua prayed boldly for the sun to stand still (**Joshua 10**), Paul and Silas exhibit courageous faith by praising God amidst their suffering.

- **Acts of Praise**: Their hymns and prayers focus on God's mighty acts in nature and history, reflecting a deep trust in His sovereignty. This is echoed in passages like **Psalm 59:16** and **Psalm 71:22**, where praise is given for God's strength and faithfulness.

### 2. **Divine Breakthroughs**

- **Miraculous Deliverance**: An earthquake, a symbol of God's power over nature, shakes the prison, opening doors and loosening chains. This miraculous event is not for Paul and Silas's escape but to reveal God's glory to the jailer and his family.

- **Conversion and Salvation**: The jailer, witnessing the miracle and moved by the apostles' faith, asks how he can be saved. Paul and Silas lead him and his household to faith in Jesus, underscoring the ultimate purpose of miracles: salvation and the expansion of God's kingdom.

### 3. **Purpose Beyond Personal Gain**

- **Selfless Witness**: Paul and Silas's actions illustrate that miracles are not for personal gain but for God's glory and the salvation of others. Their willingness to return to prison after the miracle demonstrates their commitment to God's mission over personal freedom.

- **God's Sovereign Plan**: The sermon emphasizes that while we can create conditions ripe for miracles through faith and praise, the outcome is always in God's hands. Our role is to remain faithful, trusting in His plan and timing.

## Conclusion

The story of Paul and Silas in **Acts 16** teaches us that praise, especially in adversity, can transform our circumstances into "thin places" where God's power is revealed. As believers, we are called to use our trials as platforms to glorify God, trusting that He will work through us to reach others. In doing so, we participate in the divine mission of spreading the good news and witnessing the transformative power of faith.

In closing, the message encourages us to evaluate our motives when seeking God's intervention. Instead of focusing on personal relief, we should aim to glorify God and advance His kingdom. By praising God in all circumstances, we open the door for His presence to transform the world around us.

# Miracles Week 6: Embracing Faith and Bold Prayer

In this week's sermon, we delve into the profound themes of faith and prayer, exploring how these elements are essential in experiencing God's miracles. The sermon draws heavily from the story found in **Mark 11**, where Jesus curses a fig tree and teaches his disciples about the power of faith-driven prayer.

## Key Scripture: **Mark 11:20-24**

Jesus's interaction with the fig tree serves as a powerful illustration of faith and prayer. When Peter remarks on the withered tree, Jesus responds with, "Have faith in God." He emphasizes that faith, coupled with prayer, can move mountains, encouraging His followers to pray boldly and without doubt.

## The Power of Thin Places

The sermon introduces the concept of "thin places," where the spiritual and material worlds meet, allowing us to experience God's power and grace. These are moments where the divine becomes tangible, and miracles occur. Understanding when and why God acts is crucial for believers who seek to witness His divine action consistently.

## **Faith and Prayer: The Keys to Divine Action**

- **Faith in God**: Jesus teaches that unwavering faith is the foundation for experiencing miracles. It is not merely intellectual assent but an active, sometimes risky, trust in God's promises. Faith expresses itself through obedience, regardless of the circumstances.

- **Bold Prayer**: The sermon challenges us to evaluate our prayer lives. Are our prayers safe and predictable, or do they reflect a boldness that trusts in God's ability to do the impossible? Jesus calls us to pray with the confidence that God hears and responds.

## Lessons from Joshua

The sermon also references **Joshua 10**, where Joshua's bold prayer for the sun to stand still results in a miraculous victory for Israel. This story serves as an example of how faith and bold prayer can lead to divine intervention.

### Three Lessons from Joshua:

1. **Take God at His Word**: Joshua's faith was rooted in God's promise. Believers are encouraged to trust God's word and act upon it, knowing that He is faithful to fulfill His promises.

2. **Ask Boldly**: Joshua's public prayer demonstrated his confidence in God. We are encouraged to pray boldly, trusting that God will act according to His will.

3. **Confidence in Relationship with God**: Despite past failures, Joshua's relationship with God gave him the confidence to pray for the impossible. This underscores the importance of a right relationship with God, which is made possible through Jesus.

## Living Out Faith and Prayer

The sermon concludes by urging believers to live out their faith actively and to pray with boldness. It challenges us to consider what bold prayers we need to pray and what risks we need to take in our faith journey.

In closing, the message is clear: through faith and prayer, we can experience the miraculous power of God. As we step into "thin places," we witness His grace and are empowered to live for His glory.

# Miracles and Messages: Understanding Divine Communication

In the fifth week of our "Miracles" series, we delve into the profound spiritual dimensions that challenge the materialistic view of the world. We explore the concept of "thin places," where God's divine presence breaks through, affirming the reality of a spiritual realm governed by His sovereignty. However, these encounters come with a caveat: God's actions may not always align with our desires, yet they are always for our good and His glory.

## **Daniel 5: The Handwriting on the Wall**

The sermon centers around the story from **Daniel 5**, where King Belshazzar witnesses a miraculous event—a divine hand writing on the wall. This event serves as a confirmation of God's previous warning through Nebuchadnezzar, emphasizing that God's messages are consistent and align with His revealed truth.

### Key Themes

- **Spiritual Reality vs. Materialism:**

- In a world that often prioritizes the material, the sermon reminds us that our faith calls us to recognize and seek the spiritual dimensions where God operates.

- **God's Consistency:**

- The miracles we read about in Scripture, like the handwriting on the wall, consistently reinforce God's truth and character.

- **Isaiah 55:8-9** reminds us that God's ways and thoughts are higher than ours, urging us to trust Him even when His actions seem contrary to our desires.

- **Testing the Spirits:**

- When seeking divine guidance, not every message we encounter comes from God. The sermon advises testing these messages against Scripture to discern their origin.

- **1 John 4:1** instructs believers to "test the spirits" to ensure they align with God's revealed truth.

- **The Role of Faith:**

- Faith is pivotal, especially when God's guidance leads us into discomfort or sacrifice. The story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace exemplifies unwavering faith—they trusted God regardless of the outcome.

### Lessons from Belshazzar's Downfall

- **Arrogance and Disrespect:**

- Belshazzar's downfall was precipitated by his arrogance and disrespect for God's holiness, as he desecrated sacred temple artifacts.

- **Consequences of Ignoring God's Warnings:**

- Despite knowing Nebuchadnezzar's story, Belshazzar failed to heed the warnings, resulting in his kingdom's downfall.

- The sermon underscores the importance of learning from past divine messages and aligning our actions with God's will.

### Practical Application

- **Be a Student of the Word:**

- To discern God's messages, immerse yourself in Scripture. Knowing God's Word is essential to understanding His guidance and resisting deceptive messages.

- **Seek Godly Counsel:**

- Like Daniel, seek wisdom from those who walk closely with God, as they can provide clarity and insight into God's messages.

### Conclusion

Ultimately, the sermon calls us to trust in God's consistent character and His plans, which may not always align with our own but are always for our ultimate good. By living in alignment with His Word and seeking His presence in the thin places, we can navigate the challenges of life with faith and confidence in His divine purpose.

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For further reflection, consider reading **Daniel 5** and **1 John 4:1** to deepen your understanding of the themes discussed in this sermon.

TWL Summer Break Announcement

Good afternoon and welcome to Truth Worth Living, where we seek to understand God’s word so we can live in God’s will.

Last week, we finished up our series on the parables, and this week, we begin our summer study break. If you’re new to the podcast, let me encourage you to go back through our feed and get caught up. We have a great series of books on James and Hebrews and studies on the Beatitudes, the Twelve Disciples, and others.

We return with new episodes on Tuesday, September 9th, as we begin study in Ecclesiastes, an ancient book that seems to have been written for our Secular Age. Until then, stay in the word. It is God’s truth worth living!

🚨 Truth Worth Living Update 🚨

We’re taking a short summer break from our Truth Worth Living Tuesday Facebook Live Bible Study at 12:12 PM.

☀️ Take time to rest, recharge, and stay in God’s Word—we’ll be back live on Tuesday, September 9th at 12:12 PM with new episodes!

🎙️We’re kicking off a brand-new study in Ecclesiastes—an ancient book that feels like it was written for our Secular Age. You don’t want to miss it.

Until then, catch up on past Truth Worth Living episodes and other Skycrest messages right here:
🎧 https://www.skycrestfamily.org/sermon-series/truth-worth-living

Stay sharp. Stay faithful.
See you in September! 🙌

#TruthWorthLiving #SkycrestChurch #Ecclesiastes #BibleStudyBreak #StayRooted

# Miracles Week 4: Exploring the Spiritual Realm

In this week's sermon, we delve into the mysterious and often misunderstood realm of miracles and spirituality as depicted in the Bible. The discussion is centered around **1 Samuel 28:3-25**, which recounts the story of Saul and the Witch of Endor. This passage provides a vivid illustration of the spiritual battles and the reality of the unseen world.

## Key Themes

### The Yearning for the Spiritual

- Throughout human history, there has been a persistent yearning for the spiritual dimension, a longing for something beyond the material world. This desire is rooted in the belief that God has placed eternity in our hearts, as mentioned in **Ecclesiastes 3:11**.

- This spiritual yearning is universal, transcending religious boundaries, and is evident even in secular societies where materialism often dominates.

### Different Approaches to Spirituality

- People can be categorized into four groups based on their approach to spirituality:

1. **Monotheists**: Those who seek spiritual direction within the framework of classical monotheism, including Jews, Muslims, and Christians.

2. **Atheists**: Individuals who reject the spiritual realm altogether, viewing it as a product of imagination.

3. **New Age Spiritualists**: Those who embrace spirituality but reject monotheism, often engaging in practices like mysticism and the occult.

4. **Syncretists**: People who blend traditional monotheism with New Age beliefs, despite their inherent contradictions.

### The Reality of the Spiritual Realm

- The sermon emphasizes the reality of both divine and demonic forces. **Ephesians 6:12** reminds us that our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces of evil.

- The story of Saul seeking the Witch of Endor highlights the dangers of turning to forbidden spiritual practices. Saul's desperation led him to consult a medium, defying God's commands as outlined in **Leviticus 19:31**.

### Lessons from Saul's Experience

- Saul's story serves as a warning against disobedience and the consequences of seeking guidance outside of God's will. His failure to listen to God resulted in God withdrawing His guidance, as noted in **Proverbs 1:28-33**.

- The Bible teaches that when we stop listening to God, He stops speaking to us. Saul's tragic end underscores the importance of faithfulness and obedience to God's revealed word.

### The Victory in Christ

- Despite the reality of spiritual warfare, believers are assured of victory through Jesus Christ. **1 Peter 5:8** urges us to be alert and of sober mind, recognizing the enemy's schemes.

- The ultimate victory was secured through Jesus' death and resurrection, offering believers abundant life and the promise of eternal peace.

## Conclusion

This sermon challenges us to acknowledge the reality of the spiritual realm and to remain vigilant in our faith. By aligning ourselves with God's word and being alert to the enemy's tactics, we can walk in the victory that Jesus has already won for us. Let us be encouraged to seek God earnestly, trusting in His guidance and protection as we navigate the spiritual battles of life.

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For those seeking more information or needing prayer, the church offers support and guidance to help navigate these spiritual truths. Join us in worship and fellowship as we continue to explore the wonders of God's word.