Welcome back to part 3 of our series How to see His miracles of power, release through you !
Before we start let’s recap on the first two parts so we can lay down a foundation for today’s message.
In both parts we looked at two remarkable miracles Jesus preformed. The first turning water into wine and the second delivering and healing a young boy.
I raised a thought, that I believe, both of these miracles were simply Jesus hearing the Father’s directions and obeying them. With the water turning into wine, Jesus passed on the directions to the servers. While with the boy being healed. He cast out a Mute spirit, even tho the father of the boy, told Him, that his son had a deaf and dumb spirit. We ended with a question
So how did Jesus learn to hear His Father’s voice so clearly. Especially at a busy wedding ?, Also with all the noise of the crowds present, while the boy was being tormented and having seizers on the ground. On top of this an even larger crowd heading his way ? Now that’s pressure right ??
This is what we will explore today !
To find this out, we will start with the next part, of scripture, after Jesus had delivered and healed the boy.
Mark 9:28
And when He had come into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?”
So the disciples realised that although they had been anointed by Jesus to do incredible miracles. There was still a lot they needed to know about, how miracles happen. For on this occasion all they had or knew, simply was not enough and so no miracle happened. So they approach Jesus and asked why ?
Now before we continue, with Jesus’s answer !
I believe we need to stop and take account of just what the disciples are doing in this scripture.
They had seen an area of their ministry that was not working. Then they had seen a person in this case ‘Jesus’ who did something they could not do. So rather than try to solve the problem themself or be hurt by the experience. They went straight to the person, who was able to do what the could not. They asked them why it did not work for them.
This is a big lesson for us today. I wonder if you were the disciples what you would do in this situation ?
Many years ago, I was in a small church gathering of leaders. As the worship time started, I had a young man come up to me crying, got on his knees and asked for my forgiveness. I told him I forgave him,but was not sure what he wanted forgiveness for.
At the end of the gathering, we were paired up with someone to pray with . Guess what ! yes the Lord paired me with this young man.
I said to him, I totally forgive you. But would you mind explaining what for ?
He explain that he saw that I had an incredible gift of prophecy and had become very jealous of it. My first thought and words to him were, Do you want it ? (The gift of prophecy ).
He was shocked, but said “yes”.
So I laid hands on him, prayed and imparted to the best I knew how too.
Guess what ??
Instantly he started prophesying. I think we were honestly both surprise how quick it happened. But both learnt something incredible that day.
That although coveting or craving, what someone else has, is not something we should ever do. As this will lead to jealousy, bitterness, resentment etc. Which are not characteristics of God. Area’s we should definitely avoid and pray, if we are tempted by, we will overcome.
But if we see something someone else is carrying of the Lord, that we do not have. A gift of miracles or supernatural provision etc I believe it is totally ok, to honour the Lord and the person, for what they are carrying. Then ask if they will pray for that area of your ministry and life. Remember the scripture, He who gives honour to a prophet, in the name of a prophet, will be given a prophet’s reward; and he who gives honour to an upright man, in the name of an upright man, will be given an upright man’s reward.(Matthew 10:41). Here Jesus is saying to His disciples, what I have given to you. Is to be given and those who honour my gift on your life, will receive it. Some versions of this scripture use ‘welcome’, which is a heart felt expression, of honour.
As it is with all the gift’s Paul talks about in 1 Corinthians 12 received. They are to be given and will be received if honour is present.
Paul proposes a interesting question in 1 Corinthians 12:30
Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?
I believe all can, But only when they are willing to do what the disciples did. Earnestly desire the best gifts (1 Corinthians 12:31), by first the honour Lord, then honouring the one who is carrying the gift they desire.
For this way, each one who has been given a gift and talent. Have ones to give, what they have been given. This is why we are called the body of Christ ! I believe that the Lord intentionally did it this way. Planting and distributing the gifts and talents into different people. With different levels, through His Spirit .
1 Corinthians 12:11
But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.
This way each person has something to give and ones to receive from.
1 Corinthians 12:7
But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:
Although all gifts are free, But as the bible says in
James 4:2-3 (NIV)
You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.
Gifts can only be received through God’s grace and when we ask with the right heart and motives.
So back to our main scripture today.
Mark 9:28
And when He had come into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?”
Notice, the disciples asked in private, not in public. Because the entry point or how to Honour in the kingdom, is in private, in front of God with the person.
Let’s leave it there for today ! Next time we will look at Jesus’s interesting answer. ‘So He said to them, “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.”
Challenge Time
- I want you to spend sometime with the Lord in worship.
- Next write down with His help, area’s you are not seeing breakthrough in ?
- Next ask the Lord to reveal, the ones who have the gifts and talents you so desire. When, He reveals these people to you, write their names down.
- Now ask the Lord, for forgiveness for any areas you have on your list, that have cause jealousy, resentment and bitterness in your life.
- Give thanks for His goodness !
- Now organise a meeting or a time to meet the ones. He has revealed carry the gifts and talents, you earnestly desire.
- When you meet these people, first honour the Lord for the gift or talent they have. Next honour the person, for what they are carrying of and from the Lord.
- Ask them if they will pray and impart on you, the gift or talent they are carrying of the Lord.
- Take some time now to give thanks to the Lord.
- Now it’s your turn to use the gifts and talents you have received. Also to give the gifts and talents you have received away to equip others for service in their ministries.
Father I pray for those earnestly desiring to have the fullness, of the expression of Jesus in their life’s and ministries. I ask Lord, would you please grant them, their desire. Send them to those, who You have distributed the gifts, they desire. So through honouring You first Lord, next honour the person for gifts they are carrying. They may receive the reward, awaiting them as promised by Your word for them,. AMEN
For those your would like to place a seed at the alter or plant a seed finically to the Lord to 2024. Or maybe contribute towards His House, we are currently building. To equip the saints for ministry and release His word in a variety of ways from.
Below is a link so you can do this online.
https://give.tithe.ly/?formId=87bf3759-ef4a-4ae2-ac5d-902b82587e44
Or our bank account details for New Zealand memebers,
Encounter Centre – 03-0481-0007448-000
If you require a receipt for tax purposes please email to info@ecounterministries.org.nz
Craig Patten
Founding Pastor/Prophet
Encounter Centre and Ministries