September 7th & 11th, 2022
The Art of being Unordinary
Charles Finney
Elisha died and was buried. Now Moabite raiders used to enter the country every spring. Once while some Israelites were burying a man, suddenly they saw a band of raiders; so they threw the man’s body into Elisha’s tomb. When the body touched Elisha’s bones, the man came to life and stood up on his feet.
—2 Kings 13:20, 21 (NIV)
Unordinary people believe God for BIG THINGS.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
—Hebrews 13:8 (NIV)
Prayer and BIG things
Peter and John went to the Temple one afternoon to take part
in the three o’clock prayer service.
—Acts 3:1 (NLT)
Then he returned to the disciples and found them asleep. He said to Peter, “Couldn’t you watch with me even one hour?
—Matthew 26:40 (NLT)
Then Jesus led them to Bethany, and lifting his hands to heaven, he blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up to heaven. So they worshiped him and then returned to Jerusalem filled with great joy. And they spent all of their time in the Temple, praising God.
—Luke 24:50-53 (NLT)
They all joined together constantly in prayer.
—Acts 1:14 (ESV)
They devoted themselves to…prayer.
—Acts 2:42 (ESV)
They raised their voices together in prayer.
—Acts 4:24 (ESV)
[We] will give our attention to prayer and the ministry
of the Word.
—Acts 6:4 (ESV)
About noon…Peter went up on the roof to pray.
—Acts 10:9 (ESV)
Jesus and BIG things
As they approached the Temple, a man lame from birth was being carried in. Each day he was put beside the Temple gate, the one called the Beautiful Gate, so he could beg from the people going into the Temple.
—Acts 3:2 (NLT)
For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old.
—Acts 4:22 (NIV)
When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for some money. Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said, “Look at us!” The lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting some money. But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk.” Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man’s feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened. He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk! Then, walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them.
—Acts 3:3-8 (NLT)
By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see.
—Acts 3:16 (NIV)
I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
—John 14:12-14 (NIV)
When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Fellow Israelites, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?
—Acts 3:12 (NIV)
Souls and BIG things
All the people saw him walking and heard him praising God. When they realized he was the lame beggar they had seen so often at the Beautiful Gate, they were absolutely astounded! They all rushed out in amazement to Solomon’s Colonnade, where the man was holding tightly to Peter and John. Peter saw his opportunity and addressed the crowd.
—Acts 3:9-12a (NLT)
But many of the people who heard their message believed it, so the number of believers now totaled about 5,000 men, not counting women and children.
—Acts 4:4 (NLT)
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Next Steps:
1. Today, I want to accept Jesus in my life for the first time.
2. I am asking God for a desire to pray and trusting that He will give it me.
3. I need God to do something BIG in my life and I am asking!
4. I will be a part of something big in our Miracle Offering on October 2nd.