Contend for the Supernatural #4

“Building an Atmosphere for Miracles”

1. Introduction:

Jude 1:3 - - “it was needful to me to write unto you and exhort you that you should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered to the saints”

· “Earnestly Contend” = 1864 = epagonizomai = to struggle, compete for a prize,

· Faith => (i)  Doctrine – Teachings of the Word of God.

                   (ii)  Power     -  Manifest of supernatural  power of God.

a)  Miracles are part of God’s provision for our life to have impact.

· Miracles – provision – healing – deliverance – finance – breakthrough – prayers answered.

· Don’t settle for a powerless life:

        -  Form without power.  ( 2 Tim 3:5 – form of godliness)

        -  Talk without power.  ( 2 Cor 4:20 – not in word – in power)

        -  Character without power.(Mark 3:14 – send – to have power)

b)  Miracles flourish where there is a strong atmosphere of desire and expectation.

Mark 6:5-6  “He could do no mighty work there….”

· Unbelief and dishonour create an atmosphere resistant to miracles. 

Mark 6:55-56  “… as many as touched him were made whole”

· Hunger and expecting an atmosphere where miracles abound.

· The people’s attitude, actions and words released the supernatural power of God.

· The more you expect God to work – the more He works.

· When the Holy Spirit is expected and welcomed with expectancy => MIRACLES.   

2.  Keys to Building an Atmosphere for Miracles:

#1.  Hunger for the Presence of God:

Mark 6:55  “… they ran through the whole region.”

· If you want miracles then pursue the miracle worker – Jesus Christ the source.

· Religious spirit resists this hunger – focuses on empty form.

· Hunger for God is an appetite that can be stirred up.

· Too much junk food destroys your appetite.

· Psalm 27:4  “One thing than I desired of the Lord and that will I seek after.”

· Continue to hunger for encounters with God and respond to His presence.

· They ran => urgency, longing, hunger to encounter Christ.

· Daily time with God.

· Weekly corporate gathering.

#2.  Expectation of Miracles:

Mark 6:55  “…. Began to carry about in beds those that were sick.”

· Expectation creates an atmosphere filled with excitement e.g. Christmas.

· Expectation = to anticipate, look forward to something good.

· Passivity = spirit that quenches our expectation – makes people childish, unrespectable.

· Expectation => God can – God has done it – God will do it again.

· Acts 3:5 – “He gave head to them expecting to receive -> Healed.

· Miracles flourish in an atmosphere of expectation.

#3.  Talking about Miracles:

Mark 6:55 “…. Where they heard that he was”.

· Miracles flourish in an atmosphere where people talk about the Power of God.

· What ever is in your heart will come out your mouth.

· Negativity = focussing and speaking out failure,

                            disappointment.

                        =  a spirit that affects people with unbelief.

· Filling heart and mouth with the Word of God takes effort – time.

· Numbers 13:30 “Let us go up at once and possess it – we are well able”.

· Matthew 9:21  “For she said within herself – ‘if I may touch his garment I shall be whole”.

What are you saying within yourself?  What is your focus of heart?  Of words?

#4.  Unity:

Mark 6:55-56  “that whole region”, whenever he entered into the  villages and cities …”

· Miracle flourish in an atmosphere where people are united – one heart.

· Psalm 133:3  “…for there the Lord commanded the blessing”.

· Discord – one of the greatest hinderness to an atmosphere filled with miracles.    

· Unity => Working to remove unresolved offences.

               => Agreeing to yield to direction and leadership of the Holy Spirit.

· Acts 2:1 “One accord in one place … suddenly there came a noise from heaven”.

· 2 Chronicles 5:13-14  “… as one, to make one sound … the house was filled with a cloud”.

#5.  Boldness:

Proverbs 28:1

· Miracles flourish in an atmosphere were people speak and act boldly.

· Mark 6:56  “…they laid the sick out in the streets”.

· Timidity is a spirit that fills the atmosphere with fear and quenches the Holy Spirit.

· God loves boldness – Go outside your comfort zone, ask for miracles.

· Mark 10:48-49  “.. he cried out all the more - - and Jesus stood still….”

The leper refused to be intimidated or silenced – he cried out boldly.

· Mark 2:5  “…he saw their faith”.

The men refused to be stopped – they tore a hole in the roof – boldly.

#6.  Passionate Prayer:

Mark 6:50  “.. they besought him”.

· Passionate prayer coupled with fasting build an atmosphere for miracles.

· God honours prayer and fasting - with miracles.

· Apathy – a spirit that quenches miracles, can’t be bothered, too much effort.

· Matthew 17:21 – This kind only goes out by prayer and fasting.

#7.  Believe for Miracles:

Mark 6:50  “…. Besought him that might touch him”.

· Miracles flourish in an atmosphere where people believe the Word of God.

· Unbelief is a spirit that quenches supernatural power of God. Mark 6:5

· Galatians 3:5  Miracles occur through the learning of faith.