Miracles Week 8: Finding Thin Places

In the eighth installment of our "Miracles" series, we delve into the concept of "thin places"—moments where God breaks into our world to reveal His love, power, and glory. These moments, though rare today, were abundant during Jesus' time on Earth, particularly through His miracles.

## **John 1:14** - The Incarnation as a Thin Place

The sermon highlights the incarnation of Jesus as the ultimate "thin place." As described in **John 1:14**, "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us." Jesus' presence on Earth was a continual revelation of God's glory, bridging the gap between heaven and earth.

## Learning from Miracles

The sermon focuses on two miracles that exemplify how we can cooperate with God to create these "thin places":

### **John 2:1-11** - Water into Wine

- **Setting**: A wedding in Cana, where Jesus performed His first miracle by turning water into wine.

- **Key Figures**: The servants, who filled the jars with water at Jesus' instruction, played a crucial role.

- **Lesson**: The servants' obedience and trust in Jesus' instructions allowed them to witness and participate in a miracle. This teaches us the importance of making ourselves available to God, even when the task seems mundane or illogical.

### **Matthew 14:13-21** - Feeding the Five Thousand

- **Setting**: A remote location where a large crowd gathered to hear Jesus.

- **Key Figures**: The disciples, who distributed five loaves and two fish to feed thousands.

- **Lesson**: The disciples' willingness to offer what little they had and follow Jesus' instructions resulted in a miracle. This illustrates that God can multiply our limited resources when we trust Him.

## Four Key Lessons on Creating Thin Places

1. **God's Desire for Our Involvement**: God wants us to participate in His divine work. As seen in these miracles, our involvement strengthens our faith and demonstrates that "we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength" (**Philippians 4:13**).

2. **As You Go Principle**: Miracles often occur in the midst of our daily lives. We must be sensitive to God's voice and embrace the opportunities He presents as we go about our routines.

3. **Offering What We Have**: Whether it's time, energy, or resources, offering what we have to Jesus allows Him to use it for His glory.

4. **Trusting Jesus**: Trust is foundational. Neither the servants nor the disciples knew Jesus' plans, yet their trust led to miraculous outcomes. We must trust Jesus with both our lives and our circumstances.

## Conclusion: Trust and Obedience

The sermon concludes with a call to trust Jesus as the way to experience the ultimate "thin place"—a personal relationship with Him. By trusting in His sacrifice, we receive forgiveness and eternal life. This trust extends beyond salvation to every aspect of our lives, as we follow His lead and participate in His kingdom work.

As we reflect on these lessons, let us strive to be available, obedient, and trusting, so that we may witness and partake in the miracles God desires to perform in and through us.

# Understanding the Second Commandment: Worship in Spirit and Truth

In this Bible study session, we delve deep into the essence of the first two commandments, with a particular focus on the second commandment as outlined in **Exodus 20:4-6**. This commandment not only defines how we should worship but also warns against the dangers of idolatry.

## The First Commandment: Prioritizing God

We begin with a brief overview of the first commandment: "You shall have no other gods before me" (**Exodus 20:3**). This commandment lays the foundation for all others by establishing that God must be our sole priority. While we acknowledge that no other gods truly exist, the concept of other gods can distract us from our Creator, thus the emphasis on prioritizing God above all.

## The Second Commandment: How We Worship

The second commandment, found in **Exodus 20:4-6**, is more nuanced:

- **Exodus 20:4**: "You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below."

- **Exodus 20:5-6**: "You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God..."

This commandment is about the manner of our worship. God warns against creating images as objects of worship, emphasizing that He is a jealous God who desires our exclusive devotion.

## Understanding God's Jealousy

The concept of God’s jealousy might seem unsettling because human jealousy often leads to negative outcomes. However, God's jealousy is rooted in His desire for our hearts and identity. Unlike human jealousy, which is often about possession, God's jealousy is righteous and seeks to protect our relationship with Him.

- **Possession**: God desires our hearts fully devoted to Him.

- **Identity**: God's identity is tied to His redemptive acts, such as leading His people out of Egypt (**Exodus 20:2**).

## Consequences and Blessings

God outlines the consequences of breaking the second commandment and the blessings of keeping it:

- **Punishment**: "Punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me."

- **Blessing**: "Showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments" (**Exodus 20:5-6**).

This warning is not about generational curses but rather about the continuation of sin through generations. Each generation has the choice to either follow or stray from God’s commandments.

## Application: Worship in Spirit and Truth

In applying the second commandment today, it’s crucial to avoid idolizing anything created, whether material possessions or even religious artifacts. Our trust and hope should be firmly placed in God.

- **Worship in Spirit**: Recognize God as spirit, transcending all material forms.

- **Worship in Truth**: Follow the true path established by Jesus Christ, who is "the way, the truth, and the life" (**John 14:6**).

In conclusion, the second commandment guides us to worship God authentically, without the interference of idols or images. By prioritizing God and worshiping in spirit and truth, we align ourselves with His desires and receive His blessings across generations.

Miracles Week 7: Praise in the Midst of the Storm

In our ongoing series on miracles, we have explored the spiritual dimensions of reality and how God occasionally breaks through into our material world. This week, we delve into the power of **praise** during life's storms and how it positions us to witness divine intervention.

## The Context: Acts 16

This week's sermon is anchored in **Acts 16**, a chapter full of miraculous events. Paul and Silas, after being unjustly imprisoned for casting out a spirit from a slave girl, demonstrate the power of praise. Despite their dire circumstances, they choose to sing hymns and pray, creating a "thin place" where God's presence becomes profoundly tangible.

## Key Themes

### 1. **Faith and Praise in Adversity**

- **Courageous Faith**: Just as Joshua prayed boldly for the sun to stand still (**Joshua 10**), Paul and Silas exhibit courageous faith by praising God amidst their suffering.

- **Acts of Praise**: Their hymns and prayers focus on God's mighty acts in nature and history, reflecting a deep trust in His sovereignty. This is echoed in passages like **Psalm 59:16** and **Psalm 71:22**, where praise is given for God's strength and faithfulness.

### 2. **Divine Breakthroughs**

- **Miraculous Deliverance**: An earthquake, a symbol of God's power over nature, shakes the prison, opening doors and loosening chains. This miraculous event is not for Paul and Silas's escape but to reveal God's glory to the jailer and his family.

- **Conversion and Salvation**: The jailer, witnessing the miracle and moved by the apostles' faith, asks how he can be saved. Paul and Silas lead him and his household to faith in Jesus, underscoring the ultimate purpose of miracles: salvation and the expansion of God's kingdom.

### 3. **Purpose Beyond Personal Gain**

- **Selfless Witness**: Paul and Silas's actions illustrate that miracles are not for personal gain but for God's glory and the salvation of others. Their willingness to return to prison after the miracle demonstrates their commitment to God's mission over personal freedom.

- **God's Sovereign Plan**: The sermon emphasizes that while we can create conditions ripe for miracles through faith and praise, the outcome is always in God's hands. Our role is to remain faithful, trusting in His plan and timing.

## Conclusion

The story of Paul and Silas in **Acts 16** teaches us that praise, especially in adversity, can transform our circumstances into "thin places" where God's power is revealed. As believers, we are called to use our trials as platforms to glorify God, trusting that He will work through us to reach others. In doing so, we participate in the divine mission of spreading the good news and witnessing the transformative power of faith.

In closing, the message encourages us to evaluate our motives when seeking God's intervention. Instead of focusing on personal relief, we should aim to glorify God and advance His kingdom. By praising God in all circumstances, we open the door for His presence to transform the world around us.