Sermon Notes - Grace Church - Moses and the Miracles 1

All scripture King James Version. These notes are what I got from sermon, not necessarily what was preached. Sermons are available to view/listen to at Grace Church website for approximately 1 month from time sermon preached.

Grace Church

03/07/2007

Pastor Bob Yandian

Moses and the Miracles 1

Each of the miracles of God in the book of Exodus took on one by one, ten of the Egyptian gods.

Heb 11:23 KJV

(23) By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment.

Proper here means he was a child of a city.

Heb 11:24-25 KJV

(24) By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;

(25) Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;

Abraham showed his life was a pilgrimage. He was looking for a city. This child Moses was a child of that city. God had His hand on him.

Moses had a call from God and blew it. But that call never was removed.

Gen 15:12-16 KJV

(12) And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him.

(13) And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years;

(14) And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance.

(15) And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age.

(16) But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.

What does this have to do with Moses? God is telling Abraham here that there will come a time when Abraham's descendants will get the land but it will be 400 years later. Moses when out in his own power when God said that Moses would deliver the Hebrews, but the 400 years were not up yet. When God has a call on your life, do not rush out the door till you know all the deal. The Amorites had 400 years of grace. They never accepted it, so the time had come now, not 40 years earlier.

Moses then lived in the wilderness for 40 years. It took that long to get Egypt taken out of him. He was now able to be lead people who needed the same. He has gone from self-sufficiency to being a timid person.

Gen 15:18 KJV

(18) In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:

Exo 3:1-2 KJV

(1) Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb.

(2) And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed.

The angel of the Lord means Jesus. The bush is a type of our human flesh. Our bodies should burn up when we receive Jesus but we do not.

Exo 3:3-5 KJV

(3) And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt.

(4) And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I.

(5) And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.

The place was holy because God was there, not because Moses was there.

Exo 3:6 KJV

(6) Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God.

He was their God and He would be theirs as well.

Exo 3:7-8 KJV

(7) And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows;

(8) And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites.

The place was not in what is now know as Israel. It was not the ground that made it holy, it was the presence of God that did it.

What does the current church do with the term Holy Ground?

Act 6:13 KJV

(13) And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law:

They try to make the temple or the city holy. It is not so. There is no one place that is holy.

Act 7:30-33 KJV

(30) And when forty years were expired, there appeared to him in the wilderness of mount Sina an angel of the Lord in a flame of fire in a bush.

(31) When Moses saw it, he wondered at the sight: and as he drew near to behold it, the voice of the Lord came unto him,

(32) Saying, I am the God of thy fathers, the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. Then Moses trembled, and durst not behold.

(33) Then said the Lord to him, Put off thy shoes from thy feet: for the place where thou standest is holy ground.

Stephen was trying to say that the presense of God is what makes it holy, not the building or the ground. When Jesus died God left the temple and it was no longer holy.

Gal 4:25 KJV

(25) For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.

Jerusalem is now in bondage so it is no longer holy because of the temple. Moses saw God in Sinai, in Arabia, not holy to the Hebrew people, but God says it is holy ground.

Exo 2:18-19 KJV

(18) And when they came to Reuel their father, he said, How is it that ye are come so soon to day?

(19) And they said, An Egyptian delivered us out of the hand of the shepherds, and also drew water enough for us, and watered the flock.

Moses acted like an Egyptian so all thought he was. He may have even thought he was.

Forty years later Moses heard the voice of God again. Why now. He has no more confidence in himself. God puts on a show and speaks to him, but now Moses says he cannot do it.

Five arguments of Moses:

1. Who am I Lord? He does not have any power or authority to lead them out.

Exo 3:9-12 KJV

(9) Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel is come unto me: and I have also seen the oppression wherewith the Egyptians oppress them.

(10) Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt.

(11) And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?

12. And he said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be a token unto thee, that I have sent thee: When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain.

2. Who are you? Who will I tell them who sent me.

Exo 3:13-22 KJV

(13) And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them?

(14) And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.

(15) And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.

(16) Go, and gather the elders of Israel together, and say unto them, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, appeared unto me, saying, I have surely visited you, and seen that which is done to you in Egypt:

(17) And I have said, I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt unto the land of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, unto a land flowing with milk and honey.

(18) And they shall hearken to thy voice: and thou shalt come, thou and the elders of Israel, unto the king of Egypt, and ye shall say unto him, The LORD God of the Hebrews hath met with us: and now let us go, we beseech thee, three days' journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God.

(19) And I am sure that the king of Egypt will not let you go, no, not by a mighty hand.

(20) And I will stretch out my hand, and smite Egypt with all my wonders which I will do in the midst thereof: and after that he will let you go.

(21) And I will give this people favour in the sight of the Egyptians: and it shall come to pass, that, when ye go, ye shall not go empty:

22. But every woman shall borrow of her neighbour, and of her that sojourneth in her house, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: and ye shall put them upon your sons, and upon your daughters; and ye shall spoil the Egyptians.
    
    
    

    3. What will I tell the courts of Pharaoh? God replies what do you have?

    4. I can not speak. OK, Arron will speak for you.

    5. I do not want to go!

If you are still alive, God can use you. God can pick up where you, like Moses , messed up. Become weak in yourself and strong in the Lord.

Sermon Notes - Grace Church - Healing Hindrances

All scripture King James Version. These notes are what I got from sermon, not necessarily what was preached. Sermons are available to view/listen to at Grace Church website for approximately 1 month from time sermon preached.

Grace Church

Bob Yandian

Healing Hindrances

Feb. 14, 2007

God has given the healing power. We have the problem if we are not getting healed. It is no different than salvation, all are supposed to receive it.

Unbelief

Mat 13:58 KJV

(58) And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.

Mat 17:20 KJV

(20) And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

Unbelief is the opposite of faith. Faith comes from hearing and hearing the word of God. Unbelief is listening to the reports of the world. We cannot escape them, but we have to decide which report to believe, God or the worlds. Faith is the gas pedal and unbelief is the break.

Unforgiveness

Mar 11:23-25 KJV

(23) For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.

(24) Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

(25) And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have aught against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.

Jam 5:16 KJV

(16) Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Unforgiveness will block so many areas of your life. It can rob the reward that you can have in your giving. Like that, it can also hinder your healing blessings. Job got his healing, at the end of the book, when he forgave his friends.

Harboring Sin

Psa 66:18 KJV

(18) If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:

God can not hear you if you have sin in your life. You cannot justify sin to God. If you are in sin, God will not hear your prayers for healing. This is unconfessed sin.

Jam 4:3 KJV

(3) Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

If what you are asking for is something that you will use for your own lust. God does not care what you have as long as it does not have you. You need to be sold out to God.

You do not have fervency in your life

Heb 11:6 KJV

(6) But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

God wants us to ask Him diligently. It is not something that we just flippantly ask for something. You need to be that way to stand up against what the devil fervenantly is throwing at you. God was diligent in seeking you, you need to do the same with Him. The people cried out to Jesus for healing, and He heard them over the crowds. That was not some quiet prayer.

People preoccupied with watching their symptoms

2Co 4:18 KJV

(18) While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Do not look at the circumstances but look upon God. If you focus on the temporary, you cannot receive the eternal. This does not mean to not look at the symptoms, but you thank God that they are changing.

Discouragement while waiting, cast away confidence

Heb 10:35 KJV

(35) Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward.

You will have a great payday (recompense) coming from your heavenly boss. Why do you have confidence in your earthly boss and not the Godly one?

Heb 3:14 KJV

(14) For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end;

All the things we trust God for after salvation is the time of our confidence. Keep eye on word of God. Confess it every day.

Many believe they are healed when they see it and that is not the way it works

Mar 11:24 KJV

(24) Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

You believe when you pray, not when the symptoms disappear.

Failure to make the word of God personal

The word is as much for us as it was for the people that it was written to at the time. Mark 11:24 points to you.

Sermon Notes - Shake It Off

Shake it off
Rick Renner
01/31/07

All scripture King James Version. These notes are what I got from sermon, not necessarily what was preached. Sermons are available to view/listen to at Grace Church website for approximately 1 month from time sermon preached.

I Thess. 2

17 But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavored the more abundantly to see your face with great desire.

18 Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.

Paul had a great many times to get to these people. Pall tried multiple times but was hindered. He had reached and impasse. Satan had hindered, stopped by any way that he could to block Paul's way. Not just once time, but many times.

What should we do when we hit an impasse? We all hit impasses in our lives. It is even worse when you hit it when you are doing right.

In a chain of events that lead up to this point, Paul is on his way to Rome to be put on trial. He was appealing to Cesar because he thought he had a better chance with the government than he did with religious people. He is on a boat to go to Rome to see Cesar.

Acts 27

18 And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the ship;

19 And the third day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship.

20 And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.

They had lost all hope at this point. There is no rescue they think.

21 But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss.

22 And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship.

23 For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,

24 Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar:

God said that he would go to Rome. So he is going to go. His destiny is to go to Cesar.

and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.

25 Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.

26 Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island.

27 But when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven up and down in Adria, about midnight the shipmen deemed that they drew near to some country;

They were out there 14 days.

28 And sounded, and found it twenty fathoms: and when they had gone a little further, they sounded again, and found it fifteen fathoms.

29 Then fearing lest we should have fallen upon rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day.

30 And as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship, when they had let down the boat into the sea, under color as though they would have cast anchors out of theforeship,

31 Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved.

32 Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off.

33 And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take meat, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried and continued fasting, having taken nothing.

34 Wherefore I pray you to take some meat: for this is for your health: for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you.

35 And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat.

36 Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took some meat.

37 And we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen souls.

38 And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, and cast out the wheat into the sea.

39 And when it was day, they knew not the land: but they discovered a certain creek with a shore, into the which they were minded, if it were possible, to thrust in the ship.

They did not know what the land mass was that they had found at daybreak, but it looked like, when they were able to see something, that it appeared to be a good place for them to set the ship into. They all of a sudden saw it. They had not seen land for 14 days. They had not even eaten for that time. Here was their escape. They were not sure that they would be able to make it. They had to make a corporate decision.

40 And when they had taken up the anchors, they committed themselves unto the sea, and loosed the rudder bands, and hoisted up the mainsail to the wind, and made toward shore.

They had no time to bring the anchors up so they cut them. They went to the sea, they had no choice now to do it. The rest of the verse shows that they are going forward as fast as they could.

41 And falling into a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the forepart stuck fast, and remained unmovable, but the hinder part was broken with the violence of the waves.

They are now moving at top speed with full sail. They rammmed into an underwater reef and it falls apart as they sail full speed. The boat is now falling apart, the sail was sending the front of the boat forward, the back was breaking under the waves.

42 And the soldiers' counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, and escape.

43 But the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose; and commanded that they which could swim should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land:

44 And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land.

The centurion says for them to get to shore any way possible.

Acts 28

1 And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita.

Paul could have had a big pity party about now. Paul has not lost everything. His luggage, his passport are now all gone.

2 And the barbarous people showed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold.

They went from bad to worse. The island is full with uncivilised people. So Paul gets up and does something. He does not give up, he had a destiny to fulfill. He changed his environment.

3 And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand.

A viper is a very dangerous beast. It is more dangerous than a snake. This was a serious bite. It was bite so deep the viper was stuck on his hand and it would be pushing the poison into him.

4 And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live.

It was there long enough for a crowd to form. They were basically saying that he got what was coming to him. But Paul knows better.

5 And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.

This is a violent shake. It was an opportunity to give up, but he knew he had a destiny. You will have a viper attack some time. What happens when they bite is it paralyzes you. When someone you know bites you, Satan will try to use it to paralyze you in the walk of faith you are having.

6 Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.

When you declare something in faith you are in the public. No one pay attention to you, but declare it in faith and everyone looks to see you fail. Keep going, people will keep watching and they will see the success. Your success will be a testimony to those watching to you.

7 In the same quarters were possessions of the chief man of the island, whose name was Publius; who received us, and lodged us three days courteously.

Courteously is a luxury environment. Faith rewarded him from a shipwreck to a palace.

8 And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him.

9 So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed:

He starts a revival in this chaos he was in. There is opportunity in the middle of catastrophe.

10 Who also honored us with many honors; and when we departed, they laded us with such things as were necessary.

11 And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the isle, whose sign was Castor and Pollux.

They gave them a huge amount of money. They gave him all the clothes and the luggage he needed. That and what he needed for the journey. The ship they left on was one of the elegant, fastest ships. This was high class. He now goes to Rome dressed to the nines and in style.

And when Paul should have come in on a dull drab ship. This was a wealthy ship. Castor and Pollux were the gods to protect the rich people. What a testimony he had to the believers that were there to meet him. Remember Romans 8:28

Rom 8:28
(28) And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Sermon Notes

A Community of Faith
Grace Church
Bob Yandian
1/24/2007

There is a a community of faith but there can also be a community of unbelief. A community is the environment or the influence that you hang around.

Mat 13:54
(54) And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works?

Why where they astonished? They knew Jesus and they could not understand how He had grown up to be what He was. They had a disdain for Him.

Mat 13:55-58
(55) Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?
(56) And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?
(57) And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honor, save in his own country, and in his own house.
(58) And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.

They were surrounded by a community of unbelief. They were so familiar with Him that Jesus could do no mighty miracles there. There were times when Jesus healed that they were told not to tell what had been done, others they were told to. Why? How strong is their faith? Those who needed time to let it sink in would be told to not to because others could talk them out of their healing.

It is possible to overcome a community of unbelief but it is hard. Unbelief will not keep you from receiving but makes it harder for you to make your way through it. Unbelief comes from listening to the community instead of listening to God. The power to heal is always there, unbelief makes it harder to receive it.

Mar 7:13
(13) Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.

Religious traditions can often keep you from believing in the things of God. Traditions are not on the same level of the Word of God. Some traditions:

• Healings died with the last apostle
• Jesus only healed when he willed it to happen, if it is not His will, you will not be healed
• Sickness is God's will to teach you a lesson... would you do that you your own kid, be a child abuser

Jam 5:14-16
(14) Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:
(15) And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.
(16) Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Is any sick? Not just some, any! Not just some specific disease, any! Call the elders and they can pray. The prayer of faith will heal them. There can be a community of belief as well. This is instruction on healing for the Church age. Go to church and expect to be healed. Church is a community of faith. You are out in the unbelief every day, this should be a time to live in belief. Listening to sermons and CDs are not the same as being in the corporate anointing that is present when it is live.


Psa 133:1-2
(1) A Song of degrees of David. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
(2) It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;

Oil represents power of the Holy Spirit. There is Holy Spirit power when believers gather together in a corporate gathering. You cannot replace being in a meeting. If being alone is what God wants for you, why is there a heaven? Books, CDs and the like are supplements. Would you take vitamins but not real food?

Mar 16:17-18, 20
(17) And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
(18) They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

(20) And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

The signs follow them, a group, that believe. Jesus heals one at a time, but the greatest healings came in group settings.

Act 2:1-2
(1) And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
(2) And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

Act 4:31-32 KJVR
(31) And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.
(32) And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that aught of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.

Persecution should draw you to a community of faith, not away from it.

Unless otherwise noted, all scriptures are King James version.

Another Tragity for a NASCAR family

FOX Sports - NASCAR - Gibbs praying for his grandson:

"On this Saturday, he wasn't Coach Gibbs, the man who led the Washington Redskins to three Super Bowl titles. He wasn't the NASCAR owner who celebrated Cup championships with Bobby Labonte and Tony Stewart. He was simply Pat's husband, J.D.'s dad and grandfather to Jackson, Miller, Jason and Taylor.

And on this Saturday, on the eve before the biggest game in football, the Super Bowl couldn't be farther from his mind. Gibbs and his family are facing a different kind of battle. Four weeks ago, his grandson Taylor, 2, was diagnosed with leukemia. Taylor, who recently started a three-year treatment plan, is the youngest son of Melissa and J.D., Gibbs' oldest son, who oversees Joe Gibbs Racing."

NASCAR has lost Benny Parsons and Bobby Hamilton Sr. to cancer in the last month. Now this from the owner of the cars that Tony Stewart and Denny Hamilton drive. Take time to pray for this young child. The link has some specific prayers for him.

Podcast Sermon Notes

Snapshots of the Savior - The Miracle Worker
River Church of the Mall of America
Podcast from April 30, 2006

This series is a series of snapshots of Jesus like from a photo album so that we can get to know Him better.
First Snapshot of Jesus the Miracle Worker
The spiritual high that the Apostles must have been on when they served all those people they fed on the mountain when Jesus told them to feed the people with 3 loves of bread and 2 fishes. Can you imagine it? Then Jesus tells them to go across to the other side of the lake. He wants them to stop the high-five type of worship. And Jesus goes back and dismisses the people. He goes and prays to God, doing a debriefing of what went on. Most likely going over the day that started with John the Baptist being beheaded. Asking God why? So he tries to get away and the crowd follows Him and He ministers to them and then feeds them all. While spiritual talk with God is going on, Jesus does not see the weather. The apostles trying to survive for 9 hours on the water while Jesus gets his strength back from God and they have to ask themselves, "where is God?" Do we ask ourselves the same questions, where is God in the problems that we are going through? Are we in the boat with them?

And they look and see a ghostly figure but with a familiar voice. And the fear leaves them. When God is in the midst of things with us we seem to be OK. Jesus said to them I AM, the personal name of God. He puts Himself on an equal status with God. Peter tries to focus in on this and walks over to Him, even in the problem he is facing. He focuses on the miracle worker but then he focuses on the problem. And Jesus walks with Peter through the problem.

So what can we learn from this portrait. Burn this portrait of Jesus into ourselves. The God of the Bible wants to walk with us through the problems we are going through. It will change our depression and relational loneliness.

2nd Snapshot of Jesus the Miracle Worker
Big shot in the church comes to Jesus and asks Jesus to come heal his daughter. Jesus is like a rock star in the crowds that he draws. And He says let's go, and the disciples act as His body guards to get Him through the crowds. And there is this woman, poor, hungry, and sick. She hears the stories about this Jesus going though her town. She says if I can just touch his garments I can be healed. She was risking making that crowd unclean and unholy. She was desperate for God. Have you even been desperate for God? Needing a miracle. Asking God for a miracle. She wants to touch something so He will not notice. She reaches for and touches just a piece of the fringe of a tassel. And she experiences power and knows she is healed. Jesus puts the breaks on this entourage and asked who touched me? She says she was. He goes to her and she tells Him her whole story. She delays the big shot in the churches with his daughter's problems. She not only got a physical healing but an emotional healing as well. God was there and listening to her.