Explore the power of 'if' in prayer and the importance of trusting in God's ability.
Good morning, church family. We’re diving into the depth of God’s Word today and exploring the profound truth embedded in John 11:21. This scripture is a testament to God's miraculous power, the power of 'if', and our need to trust in His unwavering ability.
C.S. Lewis, a renowned Christian author, once said, “I pray because I can't help myself. I pray because I'm helpless. I pray because the need flows out of me all the time, waking and sleeping. It doesn't change God, it changes me.” This profound statement rings true in our journey of faith. Prayer is our tangible link to the divine, a testament of our trust in His ability.
Let's read the scripture together from John 11:21, "Martha said to Jesus, 'Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.'” Martha's statement shows faith mixed with regret, a plea to the Lord coupled with the acknowledgment of His power. It's a moment of vulnerability that offers us insight into the power of 'if' and the need to trust in God's ability.
Let’s bow our heads and open our hearts in prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, we come before You today with open hearts and minds, ready to dive into Your word. We ask You to reveal the depth of Your power, the potency of 'if', and increase our trust in Your ability. May Your Spirit guide our understanding and application of this scripture. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
The first point of our sermon today is the exploration of God's ability to perform miracles. This is a topic that is woven throughout the tapestry of the Bible, from the parting of the Red Sea to the resurrection of Christ. It is an aspect of God's character that we often lean on in times of trouble, a beacon of hope in the stormy seas of life.
A. God's ability to perform miracles is not just a testament to His power, but also to His love for us. Each miracle performed in the Bible was not done for show or to prove a point, but out of compassion and love for His people. When Jesus turned water into wine at the wedding in Cana, it was not to show off His divine power, but to save a family from embarrassment. When He healed the blind and the lame, it was not to prove His divinity, but to alleviate suffering and bring hope to the hopeless.
This ability to perform miracles is not limited to the physical realm.
B. God also performs miracles in our hearts and minds. He transforms us from the inside out, changing our hearts of stone into hearts of flesh. He takes our brokenness and makes us whole, our sinfulness and makes us righteous. This is the greatest miracle of all, the miracle of salvation.
God's ability to perform miracles is also a testament to His sovereignty. He is not bound by the laws of nature or the constraints of time. He is the creator of the universe, the author of life, and the master of all things. He can do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us.
C. However, it's important to note that God's ability to perform miracles does not mean that He will always intervene in the way we expect or desire. Sometimes, His greatest miracles come in the form of unanswered prayers, in the trials and tribulations that shape us and mold us into the image of Christ. His ways are higher than our ways, His thoughts higher than our thoughts.
This understanding of God's ability to perform miracles should not only inspire awe and wonder, but also trust and faith. We can trust in His power, His love, His sovereignty, and His wisdom. We can have faith that He is working all things together for our good, even when we can't see it.
Pastor: share a time when you experienced God's miraculous power in your life.
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