CHANGE THE ATMOSPHERE - II
CHANGE THE ATMOSPHERE - II
clay nesmith | july 31
Lots of people like to ask questions. In Jesus’ day, questions were how rabbis, Jewish teachers, would learn information. Jesus would ask questions because it would help others discover things about themselves. And scientists have learned that exploring stories make for healthier families. Asking children questions about their family’s past allows them to find meaning and a larger sense of story. Jesus often used questions to set the atmosphere for a miracle: Luke 18:35-43
As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind beggar was sitting beside the road. When he heard the noise of a crowd going past, he asked what was happening. They told him that Jesus the Nazarene was going by. So he began shouting, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” “Be quiet!” the people in front yelled at him. But he only shouted louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” When Jesus heard him, he stopped and ordered that the man be brought to him. As the man came near, Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” “Lord,” he said, “I want to see!” And Jesus said, “All right, receive your sight! Your faith has healed you.” Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus, praising God. And all who saw it praised God, too.
In this culture, “Son of David” meant “Messiah,” so this man knew who he was talking to. His faith was the key to beginning the process of the miracle. How many times have we tried to bargain with God to get the miracle we want? God doesn’t have to do miracles to prove that He is God or to make Himself more powerful. But He can choose to do miracles to advance His story.
Page 1
CHANGE THE ATMOSPHERE - II
clay nesmith | july 31
To set the atmosphere for a miracle in your life, learn these principles:
•
Demanding a miracle doesn’t make God, God.
God brought Israel out of 400 years of bondage in Egypt; He parted the Red Sea so they could cross and escape the Egyptians. But just a few days after that huge miracle, Israel wanted to go back into the slavery they came from, because they didn’t believe God could bring them out of the wilderness. Big miracles don’t automatically or permanently increase our faith in God. When He does a miracle, it’s not just so that we can know He’s God, but to advance our purpose in His story. We fit into that story, and we’re on the journey with God, but the story is about Him, not us.
•
Know what you really want.
God will do what He says He’ll do, but we need to know what we really want when we ask Him for a miracle. How many of us underestimate God and lack faith in Him? Or how many of us ask for miracles for the wrong reasons—to feel better or live a nicer life, instead of to fulfill our purpose? God is looking for a person with faith to ask for the big things. When we let Him, God will control us and write His story through our lives. A truly faithful heart expects to have an impact on the Earth. God will finish what He started, so we need to have big ask faith and believe Him for bigger things—eternal things.
Page 2
clay nesmith | july 31
Lots of people like to ask questions. In Jesus’ day, questions were how rabbis, Jewish teachers, would learn information. Jesus would ask questions because it would help others discover things about themselves. And scientists have learned that exploring stories make for healthier families. Asking children questions about their family’s past allows them to find meaning and a larger sense of story. Jesus often used questions to set the atmosphere for a miracle: Luke 18:35-43
As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind beggar was sitting beside the road. When he heard the noise of a crowd going past, he asked what was happening. They told him that Jesus the Nazarene was going by. So he began shouting, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” “Be quiet!” the people in front yelled at him. But he only shouted louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” When Jesus heard him, he stopped and ordered that the man be brought to him. As the man came near, Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” “Lord,” he said, “I want to see!” And Jesus said, “All right, receive your sight! Your faith has healed you.” Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus, praising God. And all who saw it praised God, too.
In this culture, “Son of David” meant “Messiah,” so this man knew who he was talking to. His faith was the key to beginning the process of the miracle. How many times have we tried to bargain with God to get the miracle we want? God doesn’t have to do miracles to prove that He is God or to make Himself more powerful. But He can choose to do miracles to advance His story.
Page 1
CHANGE THE ATMOSPHERE - II
clay nesmith | july 31
To set the atmosphere for a miracle in your life, learn these principles:
•
Demanding a miracle doesn’t make God, God.
God brought Israel out of 400 years of bondage in Egypt; He parted the Red Sea so they could cross and escape the Egyptians. But just a few days after that huge miracle, Israel wanted to go back into the slavery they came from, because they didn’t believe God could bring them out of the wilderness. Big miracles don’t automatically or permanently increase our faith in God. When He does a miracle, it’s not just so that we can know He’s God, but to advance our purpose in His story. We fit into that story, and we’re on the journey with God, but the story is about Him, not us.
•
Know what you really want.
God will do what He says He’ll do, but we need to know what we really want when we ask Him for a miracle. How many of us underestimate God and lack faith in Him? Or how many of us ask for miracles for the wrong reasons—to feel better or live a nicer life, instead of to fulfill our purpose? God is looking for a person with faith to ask for the big things. When we let Him, God will control us and write His story through our lives. A truly faithful heart expects to have an impact on the Earth. God will finish what He started, so we need to have big ask faith and believe Him for bigger things—eternal things.
Page 2
