(Read Daniel 3:26-27)
This morning we continue our series, “Grace that is Simply Amazing” by continuing our mini-series entitled, “Grace Based Success (Prosperity)”. Let’s pick up the story where we left off yesterday and get right into it.
The Bible says, “Then Nebuchadnezzar went to the opening of the hot furnace. He shouted, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, come out! Servants of the Most High God, come here!” So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out of the fire. When they came out, the satraps, prefects, governors, and royal advisors crowded around them. They could see that the fire had not burned Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Their bodies were not burned at all. Their hair was not burned, and their robes were not burned. They didn’t even smell as if they had been near fire.”
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
1. We serve a living God who is not opposed to providing proof of His existence.
a) Christianity is the only world religion with a living Savior. Because our God is alive people put pressure on us to provide proof of His existence. The good news is that God is not opposed to providing that proof.
b) When King Nebuchadnezzar and his satraps, prefects, governors, and royal advisors all SAW, with their own eyes, what God did for the Hebrew boys, it ended all debates about the true God.
c) The same man who had just said, “Bow down before my idol or burn. No god can save you from my power.” Turned around and said, “Oh servants of the Most High God, come here!”
d) The miracle caused Nebuchadnezzar to have a quick change of heart.
e) People who know me, and who may not completely agree with my beliefs, quickly look past that when they need prayer. They call me when they are sick or in a bad situation, because they know my God is a God who still answers prayers and who is still in the miracle-working business.
2. Miracles, signs and wonders quickly end all religious debates.
a) Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were thrown into the fire over a religious debate. The king wanted them to worship a statue and they refused. The king’s answer was fire. God’s answer was power over the fire! That ended the debate really quick.
b) When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego walked out of the fire without their bodies, hair, or clothes burned, Nebuchadnezzar no longer had a question about who the real God is.
c) People come to me all the time and say, “Come on Rick, do you mean to tell me that you really Bible everything in the Bible? Do you really believe Jesus is the only way? How do you know you are right?” My answer is simple. I say, “Listen, I have seen too much and experienced too much to question my God. I have seen deaf ears opened, lame limbs healed, people walk out of wheelchairs, throw away walkers, get rid of their glasses, and many other signs. I have seen cancer destroyed, tumors disappear, broken marriages healed, wayward children restored, debt cancelled, doors opened, and the list can go on and on.”
d) I tell people, “Bring the sick and line me up alongside anyone from any other religion and let’s see whose God will be God!”
e) We serve a living Savior – Jesus is His name! Muhammad is dead. Buddha is dead. They can’t heal. They can’t change lives today. Jesus is alive and His power available in the earth today.
3. Jesus quickly brought debates to an end with supernatural power.
a) When presented with a paralyzed man, and surrounded with the religious rulers of the time, Jesus said, “It’s easy to say, your sins are forgiven.” The religious leaders did that all the time. But Jesus said, “There’s no proof it really happened. But what if I say to the man, ‘Stand up. Take your mat and walk’? Then you will be able to see if I really have this power or not.” So Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “Stand up. Take your mat and go home.” Immediately the paralyzed man stood up. Everyone was amazed.
b) Whenever Jesus performed a miracle the religious rulers become very angry. Do you know why? Because they were good at arguments, but their arguments ended when supernatural power was manifested. There was nothing left to say when people SAW a sign, wonder or miracle.
4. Preaching is good, but God also graces us to provide proof of the preaching through the power of the Holy Spirit.
a) As a believer you should not be afraid of releasing your faith for the supernatural. The supernatural is supposed to be natural to you.
b) The Apostle Paul said, “My teaching and preaching were not with wise words that persuade people. But the proof of my teaching was the power that the Spirit gives.” (1 Cor 2:4).
c) Paul was not opposed to demonstration and power and neither should we.
d) Don’t be afraid to ask God to use you to perform miracles, signs and wonders in the earth. It’s His power, not yours; and He freely makes His supernatural power available to you by grace.
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for teaching me about Your grace and my requirement to live by faith. I have not because I ask not. But I will start asking. I am a believer and not a doubter. I am a follower of Jesus and people know it. I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus the Christ, for I know it is the power of God unto salvation for everyone who believes. Father, people know I am Your child. I have taken my relationship with You public. But now, as of today, I declare that our relationship shall go to another level. People have heard me talk about You, but many still question Your existence and Your power. So Father, I give myself over to You. I don’t have the power, but You do. I don’t have healing, but You do. You have the supernatural power to answer every need in the earth, and from this day forward, I will release my faith to access Your grace for Supernatural power to flow through me. I am not afraid of praying for the sick. I am not afraid of walking into a hospital room. I am not afraid of meeting with a couple whose marriage is at the brink of divorce. I am not afraid of answering the phone when someone desperately needs to hear from heaven. I am not afraid of being the conduit of Your glory in the earth. I am a believer and signs, wonders and miracles flow through me. I will be Your legs to walk, mouth to talk and hands to touch in the earth. I decrease that You may increase in me, and as You do, the world will see Jesus IN me! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
