CONVINCED: The Book Of Luke

Luke 9:10–17 (ESV) On their return the apostles told him all that they had done. And he took them and withdrew apart to a town called Bethsaida. When the crowds learned it, they followed him, and he welcomed them and spoke to them of the kingdom of God and cured those who had need of healing. Now the day began to wear away, and the twelve came and said to him, “Send the crowd away to go into the surrounding villages and countryside to find lodging and get provisions, for we are here in a desolate place.” But he said to them, “You give them something to eat.” They said, “We have no more than five loaves and two fish—unless we are to go and buy food for all these people.” For there were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” And they did so, and had them all sit down. And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing over them. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd. And they all ate and were satisfied. And whatwas left over was picked up, twelve baskets of broken pieces.

Unlock Natural Provision

• Learn These Principless To Unlock Throughout Your Lifetime Unlock Supernatural Provision

• Glorifies God

• Will Far Exceed The Natural Provision

• Provides A Powerful Testimony

• Draws Others To Him

• Powerful Gift To The Next Generation

Luke 9:11 (ESV) When the crowds learned it, they followed him, and he welcomed them and spoke to them of the kingdom of God and cured those who had need of healing.

• Kingdom & Kingdom Principles

• He’s about to demonstrate one of them

• This story has a part two, smaller crowd, more leftovers

• God rarely does the same thing twice That would to trusting a formula, not Kingdom principles - FAITH

VISION FOR A GOOD THING -

Luke 9:12 (ESV) Now the day began to wear away, and the twelve came and said to him, “Send the crowd away to go into the surrounding villages and countryside to find lodging and get provisions, for we are here in a desolate place.”

A GOOD THING BECOMES A GOD THING

Luke 9:13 (ESV) But he said to them, “You give them something to eat.”

• Not all good things are God things

• The Kingdom currency faith, but it can’t be faith unless God speaks

• You can’t walk on water unless he invites or you or you function at a gift of faith leve

• Sometimes we act on:

  • Emotions

  • Personal commitments

  • Peer pressure

  • We were convinced to buy something

• Wrong: evangelist asking for your last dollar to unlock your miracle

• Right: god asking for your last meal to unlock your abundant provision

• God is not obligated to act on a good thing

• Learn to hear God speak about a good thing and turn it into a God thing

ESTABLISH THE NATURAL GAP

Luke 9:13 (ESV) They said, “We have no more than five loaves and two fish—unless we are to go and buy food for all these people.”

• Make no efforts to solve the issue in the flesh

ENGAGE OBEDIENCE & SACRIFICE

Luke 9:14–16 (ESV) For there were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” And they did so, and had them all sit down. And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing over them. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd.

• Sit down in groups

• He took what they had

• He blessed them

• He broke the loaves

• When you have a GOD need, and you’re believing for a

• SUPERNATURAL OUTCOME, sacrificial giving to GOD unlocks

• His FLOW of provision

2 Corinthians 9:6–8 (ESV) The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.

ENJOY SUPERNATURAL PROVISION

Luke 9:17 (ESV) And they all ate and were satisfied. And what was left over was picked up, twelve baskets of broken pieces.

Luke 9:1–6 (ESV) And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases,  and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal.  And he said to them, “Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not have two tunics.  And whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart.  And wherever they do not receive you, when you leave that town shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them.”  And they departed and went through the villages, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.

Wrong Emphasis - CALLED TO DO

• Specific Followers

• Specific Gifting

• Specific Place

• Specific Outcome

Biblical Emphasis - CALLED “TO BE”

Every Follower

• ‭‭Luke‬ ‭10‬:‭1‬ ‭ESV‬‬ After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go.

• How did the 12 disciples feel when the 72 were sent?

• How did the 72 feel when the crowds were sent?

• YOU are called - there is no caste system.

Biblical Emphasis - CALLED “TO BE”

Every Action

• 1 Corinthians 10:31 (ESV) So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
  Yes, gifting, but it doesn’t make you more important, just unique!

Biblical Emphasis - CALLED “TO BE”

Every Place 

• Not just church

• Mark 16:15 (ESV) And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.  

• Moments with specific destinations - Acts 16:6–10 (ESV) And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia.  And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them.  So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas.  And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”  And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

• Home, work, friends, hobbies, community, politics

Biblical Emphasis - CALLED “TO BE”

Every Outcome - Kingdom!

• “to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal”

• Matthew 6:9–10 (ESV) Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.  Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Luke 8:22–25 (NLT) One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and started out.  As they sailed across, Jesus settled down for a nap. But soon a fierce storm came down on the lake. The boat was filling with water, and they were in real danger.  The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and the raging waves. Suddenly the storm stopped and all was calm.  Then he asked them, “Where is your faith?” The disciples were terrified and amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “When he gives a command, even the wind and waves obey him!”

Following:

• Is Surrender, Not Addition - Matthew 16:24–25 (ESV) Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.  For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

• Must Be Active - 2 Corinthians 13:5 (ESV) Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!

• Beware of Entropy

• Beware of Distractions

• Beware of Bitterness

• Beware of Momentum 

• Leads To MORE - John 10:10 (ESV) The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy (less than). I came that they may have life and have it abundantly (more than).

• perisson - extraordinary, more than usual, more than sufficient, surplus, additional, to excess, exaggerated,  super abundance, 

• He doesn’t take you half way

Storms:

• Are A Reality - John 16:33 (ESV) I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

• Completely Random

• Focused Opposition

• Not a sign of favor/no favor

• Not judgement for sin

• Are The Work Of The Enemy

• 2 Corinthians 4:3–4 (ESV) And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.  In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

• Ephesians 2:1–4 (ESV) And you were dead in the trespasses and sins  in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—  among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.  But God, being rich in mercy…

Stop Asking, Start Telling

• They were talking to God - “WHERE IS YOUR FAITH?

• Matthew 17:19–20 (ESV) Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?”  He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”

• Identify/Deal With Them Early

• The storm will last as long as you let it

• Judgement/deserved is a distraction

• Get them early

• You’re Not Paul - Thorn In Flesh

• Stay Prayed Up, Spirit Stirred

• Ephesians 6:16–18 (ESV) In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;  and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,  praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

• Romans 8:26 (ESV) Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.

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

Luke 8:4–8 (ESV) And when a great crowd was gathering and people from town after town came to him, he said in a parable,  “A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell along the path and was trampled underfoot, and the birds of the air devoured it.  And some fell on the rock, and as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture.  And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up with it and choked it.  And some fell into good soil and grew and yielded a hundredfold.” As he said these things, he called out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

Luke 8:9–11 (ESV) And when his disciples asked him what this parable meant,  he said, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God, but for others they are in parables, so that ‘seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.’  Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.

Kingdom of God (Heaven)

• Intended Kingdom vs Kingdom of this World

• God Is King vs Satan Is King

• God’s Citizens Abundant Life vs Steal Kill & Destroy

• God’s Word/Truth Is Law vs Lies and Deception Thriving

• God’s Economy Of More vs Steal Kill and Destroy

• Trumps The Kingdom Of This World

God’s Word Unlocks These Realities.

YOU ARE SOIL.

CIRCUMSTANCES ATTACK, ATTEMPTING TO LESSEN SOIL CONDITIONS.

GOD’S SEED IS SENT TO PURIFY SOIL FOR ABUNDANCE.

• LOGOS: written Word, rightly interpreted and applied

• RHEMA: right now Word, Spirit empowered

SOIL’S RESPONSE TO GOD’S WORD DETERMINES FUTURE FRUIT.

Hard Soil - ‭‭Luke‬ ‭8‬:‭12‬ ‭ESV‬‬ “The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved.”  

• SOIL, hardened by frequent weight, impact

• Hardened by life experience

• Exodus 7:13 Yet Pharaoh’s heart became hard and he would not listen to them, just as the Lord had said.”

• Sun on clay vs. wax

• Hardened by decision

• Psalm 95:8 - "Do not harden your hearts, as you did at Meribah, as you did that day at Massah in the wilderness."

• Especially true of Christians who are bombarded with God’s Word but do not treasure it. They almost become inoculated.

Ezekiel 11:19. “I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh.”

Rocky Soil - ‭‭Luke‬ ‭8‬:‭13‬ ‭ESV‬‬ “And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away.”

• Things allowed into the soil that should not be there - Proverbs 25:26 (ESV) Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.

• Sometimes there is an immediate growth, excitement, but testing comes and it withers.

• Specific seed sent by God to deal with specific rock - refusal to embrace truth

Congested Soil - ‭‭Luke‬ ‭8‬:‭14‬ ‭ESV‬‬ “And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature.”

• The WORD is one of many things valued, like a book in the library that completes the collection,  but not the primary source.

• 1 John 2:15–17 (NLT) Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you.  For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.  And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.

GOOD SOIL - Luke‬ ‭8‬:‭15‬ ‭ESV ‬‬“As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience.”

• ‭‭Hold Fast - Sailors - “Hold Fast” is a nautical term that refers to securing a rope or a line tightly to prevent it from slipping. In a broader sense, it conveys the idea of holding on firmly in the face of adversity. For sailors, this phrase served as both a practical reminder and a moral encouragement to remain steadfast, especially during difficult times at sea.

• Prioritizing God’s Word above all else, securing it in one’s soil of life.

• Patience = Fruit

Luke 7:36–50 (ESV) One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house and reclined at table.  And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment,  and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment.  Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.”  And Jesus answering said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he answered, “Say it, Teacher.”  “A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty.  When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?”  Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.” And he said to him, “You have judged rightly.”  Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair.  You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet.  You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment.  Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.”  And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”  Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?”  And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

Illus: In 1987, Jessica McClure, better known as "Baby Jessica." fell into a abandoned well in Midland, Texas, while playing in her aunt's backyard. The rescue effort was televised across the nation and people were riveted by the heroism of the rescuers. After Jessica fell into the well, rescuers worked tirelessly for 58 hours to extricate her. The operation was complicated and required careful planning to ensure her safety while attempting to pull her out. Many firefighters, medical personnel, and volunteers were involved in the rescue, demonstrating remarkable bravery and determination. When she was finally rescued, Jessica was pulled from the well and rushed to the hospital, where she made a full recovery. The story of her rescue was broadcast on national television, and Jessica quickly became a symbol of hope and resilience. In the years that followed, Jessica often spoke about the incident and expressed her profound gratitude for the efforts of the rescuers who saved her life. As she grew older, she became an advocate for children's safety and awareness, sharing her story to help inform and educate others about the importance of safety measures. The tale of Baby Jessica's rescue touched millions and brought a sense of unity to those who followed her story, reinforcing the idea of community, heroism, and the impact of saving a life.

This is a story that riveted a nation, even the world, but did not include a miracle. Understand that the miracles Jesus did were captivating, on an even higher level due to their miraculous nature.

Jesus greatest miracle…

What Makes SIN a SIN?

• GOD’S COMMAND - His Written Word, Properly Interpreted

• Deuteronomy 11:26–28 (ESV) “See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse:  the blessing, if you obey the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you today,  and the curse, if you do not obey the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside from the way that I am commanding you today, to go after other gods that you have not known.

• PERSONAL CONVICTION - His Spoken Word, To An Individual

• Romans 14:5–6 (NIV) One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind.  Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord. Whoever eats meat does so to the Lord, for they give thanks to God; and whoever abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God.

• FAMILY STANDARD - His Spoken Word, For A Family

• Jeremiah 35:6 (NIV) But they (Rekabites)  replied, “We do not drink wine, because our forefather Jehonadab son of Rekab gave us this command: ‘Neither you nor your descendants must ever drink wine.

These are for your wellbeing and life

Example:  “Thou shall not lie”

• Deception

• Contrary to Gods nature

• Contrary to the world he created 

• Contrary to your nature

• Damages your relationship with God

• Damages your relationship with self

• Damages the hearer, steals from them, known or not

• Creates a wrong

• Creates fear of being caught

• Requires additional lies

• Gets found out

• Damages the relationship 

• Damages your situation

God doesn’t want that injected into the world he has created

And yet we have, over and over

Sin against self, others, surroundings and God

Psalm 51:3–4 (ESV) For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.  Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.

Consider All Who Are Present - Which One Are You?

• Sinless Jesus

• “Righteous” Pharisees

• Religious 

• Rule Followers

• Didn’t Do Sinful Things

• “God’s People”

• Levels of righteousness based on achievement

• Sinful Woman 

• Came to a gathering she would be rejected in

• Weeping on his feet, wiped with her hair

• Kissed his feet

• Brought and poured perfume on his feet

• REVELATION: I am a sinner, and Jesus can forgive sin.

• Luke 7:50 (ESV) And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

• Undecided Crowd

The greatest miracle - forgiveness

Most other miracles are temporary 

Forgiveness is active, all encompassing, impacts eternity

It requires faith

It requires revelation of your sin

Luke 7:1–10 (ESV) After he had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. Now a centurion had a servant who was sick and at the point of death, who was highly valued by him. When the centurion heard about Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and heal his servant. And when they came to Jesus, they pleaded with him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy to have you do this for him, for he loves our nation, and he is the one who built us our synagogue.” And Jesus went with them. When he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends, saying to him, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof. Therefore I did not presume to come to you. But say the word, and let my servant be healed. For I too am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me: and I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” And when those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the servant well.

Miracles Require 3 Things:

• Declared Need

  • People are to proud to ask or reveal weakness

• Relationships

  • Relationship with God

  • Relationship with people

• Effective Faith

  • James 5:16 (NASB) The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.

Live “People Before _______________ ”

Luke 7:2 (ESV) Now a centurion had a servant who was sick and at the point of death, who was highly valued by him.

See yourself on MISSION in all things.

• There has always been and will always be sticky times, sticky politics, sticky social situations

• Jews, Centurions, Servants…

• Democrats, Republicans, Democrats, Liberals

• Refuse titles

See People “Worthy Of His Help” - Luke 7:3–5 (ESV) When the centurion heard about Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and heal his servant. And when they came to Jesus, they pleaded with him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy to have you do this for him, for he loves our nation, and he is the one who built us our synagogue.”

Recognize The “I Need Your Jesus” Moment

Luke 7:2 (ESV) Now a centurion had a servant who was sick and at the point of death, who was highly valued by him.

• This may require discernment

• This may require reading the hints

• This may require seeing people in spite of task.

• But it will come.

  • 1 Peter 3:15 (ESV) but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,

Grow Your Faith

Luke 7:9–10 (ESV) When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” And when those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the servant well.

• Grow In Faith

• Put yourself in situations to grow your faith

• Lean into authority

  • Hebrews 11:1 (ESV) Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

  • Hebrews 11:6 (ESV) And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

Pentecost EVERYday

Acts 2:1–13 (ESV) When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.”

Acts 2:41–47 (ESV) So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

God’s Presence, Inside Us

A constant theme is “God With Us”

Deuteronomy 31:8 (ESV) It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.

Emmanuel, yet He’s leaving….

John 14:18 (ESV) “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.

John 14:16–17 (ESV) And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for HE DWELLS WITH YOU AND WILL BE IN YOU.

God’s Power, In Us

God’s power, observed in Jesus

God’s promise, you will function in similar fashion

John 14:12–14 (ESV)“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.

But how?

Acts 1:8 (ESV) But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

This is available to all.

Acts 2:16–19 (ESV) But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel: “ ‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy. And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke;

Acts 2:43 (ESV) And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles.

God’s Transformation, Through Us

So often we feel like we have to convince people of the reality of Jesus.

Peter was previously ineffective in convincing others because he was all over the map in his own convincing.

Acts 2:41 (ESV) So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

The Spirit came upon him… and he simply shared the truth, but that truth is empowered by the Spirit within him.

John 12:32 (ESV) And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”

2 Corinthians 3:17–18 (ESV) Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

Numbers 13:2 (ESV) “Send men to spy out the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the people of Israel. From each tribe of their fathers you shall send a man, every one a chief among them.”

Moses/12 Spies

• Moses killed men

• Moses Fled

• Burning Bush

• Moses Returns

• Plagues

• Night of Death - Flee

• Pursuit to the Sea

• Miraculous Deliverance

• 2 Years of Desert Prepping

• Seemingly Surviving

See The Shift From Now To Next

Ecclesiastes 3:1–8 (ESV) For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:  a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;  a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;  a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;  a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;  a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;  a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;  a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.

None of these seasons is a forever season

Realizing it is not forever is critical

Sensing the shift is critical

* Shifting seasons

* A Change In Circumstances

* Defined By A Finish

* Change In Fruitfulness

* Sometimes Planned

* Often Unexpected - Unexpected has a tendency to land us in survival mode. That’s OK for a short time, but it can turn into a posture, which is absolutely unacceptable.

1 Corinthians 2:14 (ESV) The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.

Ephesians 5:10 (ESV) and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.

Win The Now 

Numbers 13:2 (ESV) “Send men to spy out the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the people of Israel. From each tribe of their fathers you shall send a man, every one a chief among them.”

Numbers 13:17–20 (ESV) Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan and said to them, “Go up into the Negeb and go up into the hill country,  and see what the land is, and whether the people who dwell in it are strong or weak, whether they are few or many,  and whether the land that they dwell in is good or bad, and whether the cities that they dwell in are camps or strongholds,  and whether the land is rich or poor, and whether there are trees in it or not. Be of good courage and bring some of the fruit of the land.” Now the time was the season of the first ripe grapes.

Galatians 6:7 (ESV) Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.

The NOW determines the NEXT

You are not just serving the seasons, you are planting for the next.

The Now Is Not Always Pretty

• The grind of a thing

• The disappointment of a thing - outcomes vs. faithfulness

• The the failing of a thing

• The victory of a thing

• The end of a you thing 

What you do now matters.

NOW Sets The Tone For NEXT

Luke 6:20 (ESV) And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said: “Blessed are you…

Skipping Over…

• Luke 5:27-31 - Calling of Levi

• Luke 5:33-39 - Discussion on Fasting

• Luke 6:1-5 - Discussion on Sabbath Rules

• Luke 6:6-11 - Healing of Withered Hand

• Luke 6:12-16 - Selection of Apostles from Disciples

• Greek word that describes representatives in Roman culture who stayed in a conquered territory to establish Roman culture.

Looking Ahead…

• Luke 6:17-19 - Jesus Speaks To A Large Crowd

• Luke 6:20-49- Sermon on Mount

• Luke 6:20-23 - The Beatitudes

• Not a term in the Bible

• English origin around the 15th century, and added to titling of this portion of scripture, most often 20-23

• State of supreme blessedness and happiness

This portion of scripture is often spoken on with a 70’s beatnic, love not war, poetic, passive blend of christianity that welcomes any/all pushbacks that life can bring, because living a life under a mountain of struggle will be rewarded in heaven after we die. That is not the intention of this portion of scripture.

 Luke 6:20 (ESV) And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said: “Blessed are you 

• He lifted up his eyes on his disciples

• It is a gesture of prayer

• It is a gesture of blessing

• It connects heaven and earth in view and in words

• View - it sees above and beyond the natural

• Words - it resources the earth with the bounty of heaven

• Illus: vacuum transfer at the bank as a kid

• Jesus is not teaching, He is prophesying to his disciples

• It’s more than information, it is a deposit with an invitation to access

BLESS(ED): The deposit of tangible deposits from heaven that add increasing value into one’s life until they reach full maturity in heaven.

The deposit of tangible deposits from heaven that add increasing value into one’s life until they reach full maturity in heaven.

As disciples we become citizens of Heaven. We have stepped into the Kingdom of God/Heaven as though we still live lives in this world. To be BLESSED, or walking in BLESSING, is the process of accessing heaven's value while living within earth’s limitations. Blessing someone else is the process of access and depositing heaven’s value into their life.

The believer/follower/disciple/citizen who fails to see, access or transfer heaven’s value is to needlessly go without those things that have been freely provided.

Ephesians 1:3–10 (ESV) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,  even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love  he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,  to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.  In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,  which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight  making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ  as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

Philippians 3:12 (NIV) Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.

Luke 6:20–23 (ESV) And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.  “Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied. “Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh.  “Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man!  Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets.

• The poor (those lacking anything) can access supply

• The hungry (those lacking anything) can access food 

• Those who weep can access consolation and joy

• Those who experience hatred, smile, it will be rewarded.

Luke 5:17 (ESV) On one of those days, as he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there, who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was with him to heal.

• This is not “Jesus Power”

• This is the “Lord’s Power”

• Acts 1:8 (ESV) But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.

Luke 5:18 (ESV) And behold, some men were bringing on a bed a man who was paralyzed, and they were seeking to bring him in and lay him before Jesus,

• Paralyzed - what happened?

• What was the accident/trauma?

  We all have experienced accident/trauma

• PARALYSIS is the state of being stuck

• Physical

• Emotional

• Spiritual

• BED is symbolic of where you are stuck.

• Some beds are visible

• Some beds are invisible

• All beds have an impact.

• FRIENDS who were “seeking to bring him in and lay him before Jesus,”

Luke 5:19 (ESV) but finding no way to bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down with his bed through the tiles into the midst before Jesus.

• Solutions take work

• Ministry will cost you something - this was Jesus’ house.

• Mark 2:1–2 (ESV) And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home.  And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them.

• Illus: sacrifice for being in ministry

• “God is not limited by my sacrifice, or my circumstance.”

Luke 5:20 (ESV) And when he saw their faith, he said, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.”

• Your miracle is not contingent upon just your faith!

• Why does he need to be forgiven… what about the people who caused his paralysis

• The greatest paralysis is not what was inflicted upon us, but our reaction too often becomes our sin.

• The man did not ask for forgiveness.

• Jesus/We can offer forgiveness without people asking

• John 20:23 (ESV) If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”

• The greatest form of paralysis is our own sense of unforgiveness.

• Declare forgiveness over people

Luke 5:23–25 (ESV) Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’?  But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the man who was paralyzed—“I say to you, rise, pick up your bed and go home.”  And immediately he rose up before them and picked up what he had been lying on and went home, glorifying God.

• We get excited about supernatural answers to prayer

• Forgiveness is something we really grapple with to believe

• Pick up your mat

• You will always carry with you the memory, but it doesn’t have to debilitate you.

• Isaiah 1:18 (ESV) “Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.