(Read Matthew 8 and 15)
This morning we continue our series, “Grace that is Simply Amazing” by continuing our mini-series entitled, “Grace Based Success (Prosperity)”. We have been studying the life of the Apostle Peter and our study brought us to Matthew chapter 15. In this chapter Peter asked Jesus to explain something He said. Jesus explained, “The bad things people say with their mouth come from the way they think… things begin in the mind.” That’s why Paul said, “Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.” (Rom 12:2). For over a week we have been looking at messages centered on changing the way you think. Today’s message flows in that vein.
In Matthew 8 Jesus finished up a session where He taught many parables. Afterward He said to His disciples, “Let’s cross over to the other side of the lake.” The team got into a boat and started their trip. As they sailed across, Jesus settled down for a nap. Jesus had no concerns and He quickly fell into a deep sleep. But soon a fierce storm came down on the lake. The storm was so bad that the boat was taking on water. The Bible says that they were in “real danger.” Several of the disciples were professional fisherman. They knew danger when they saw it. Once the disciples could not take the fear anymore they woke up Jesus shouting, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” When Jesus woke up and did not address the disciples at first. He went out to deal with the storm first. Jesus rebuked the wind and the raging waves with words of faith (words that aligned with heaven), and suddenly the storm stopped. The lake was immediately calm. Jesus then looked at the disciples and said, “Where is your faith?”
So what does this mean to you today? A few things:
1. Jesus fully expected His disciples to perform the supernatural acts He was performing. The problem is, their minds were not yet conditioned to accept or embrace the grace of God to do it. The disciples were okay with Jesus doing it, but they could not see themselves doing it. It is hard to receive what you cannot perceive.
2. Jesus was upset when the disciples did not rebuke the wind and waves. Jesus was noticeably irritated with the disciples for waking Him up to do something He expected them to be able to do. Stop asking God to do what He has already equipped you to do. Whatever God equips you to do, He expects YOU to do; and whatever He expects you to do, He equips you to do. Are you waiting on God to do something He has already empowered you to do? If you, you might find yourself waiting a long time.
3. Jesus was not asking the disciples to operate in their own power. God’s power comes to us by His unearned grace. Jesus was fully God and fully man. But Jesus operated as a man to show us how we can live as men. Jesus relied on the Father for supernatural power and He expects us to do the same.
4. Jesus never told the disciples He was special or that they could not do what He was doing. At no point did Jesus ever say, “Hey guys, don’t try this at home.” Or, “I am able to do this, because I am the Son of God. You guys will never be able to do it.” No, Jesus fully expected His disciples to DO what He was doing. But they would never attempt something they could not see themselves doing. This is why your mind needs to be renewed. You must see yourself JUST LIKE JESUS! As Jesus is, so are you, in this world (1 Jn 4:17).
5. Everything Jesus expected of the disciples, He expects of you. Just like Jesus expected His disciples (back then) to do what He was doing, He expects you (right now) to do what He did.
a) Jesus wants you to take the limits off of your limitless God.
b) Jesus wants you to renew your mind to the point where you expect God’s supernatural power to flow through you daily.
c) Jesus wants you to see yourself becoming the person you were born to be, doing what you are called to do, for the glory of God.
d) Jesus does not want you to take on ANY pressure to perform. You cannot do what God has called you to do in your own power. That’s why God gives you His power by grace. God will do it through you, if you let Him! It’s the Father, living in you, He will give you the words and He will perform the work, if you will simply die to self (see John 14:10&12).
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for teaching me about Your grace and my requirement to live by faith. The more I study Your grace, the more I understand how much limitless power is available to me. But I will never access Your power until I renew my mind. So by faith I declare the following over my life. I am who You say I am. I can do what You have empowered me to do. I see myself the way You see me. I identify myself with the grace You have freely bestowed on me. I am who I am by Your grace and Your grace towards me shall not be in vain! I die to self daily. I yield to Your will. I embrace Your purpose. I flow in my divine assignment. I stop asking You to do what You have already equipped me to do. I start attempting the things You lead me to do, even when I know they are far beyond human ability. As You lead me to see the humanly invisible, I will attempt the humanly impossible, and I will experience the supernatural. My mind is renewed to the point where the supernatural is natural to me! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
