Signs of the Times (Part 5)

Preached by Ps Jude Blayney

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John 6:15-21

The book of John = "Nothing compares to the Glory of the Lord". The whole of John’s gospel is about declaring the glory of the Lord Jesus. Within the gospel there are seven signs all pointing to some aspect of the glory of God.

So what’s so important about this sign?

1. Miracles happen in everyday life.

The disciples were used to rowing across the Sea of Galilee. They had probably done tonnes of times. They were fishermen and knew all about the lake. They knew that great winds blow up all the time and as quickly as they come they will leave.

Our lives are full of opportunities for the miraculous. God wants to intervene on our behalf in every day situations. Ones we already know about and already can overcome.

The disciples knew that if they kept rowing the weather would eventually change. They had grown up on the lake and were fully aware of the nature of the lake. Jesus came in an every day situation. He came at a time when they least expected it. Miracles come sometimes when we least expect God to move on our behalf and help us out.

No situation is beyond the power of God, no event transcends the authority of God, no moment is so far removed from God that he misses the right time, no problem is too big, no happening is too far out for God to handle. No matter what you are facing or in what area of your life God is still able to perform miracles.

2. His presence seems to speed up the miracles.

When Jesus came to the boat, things changed so suddenly.

Verse 21 "hey willingly received Him not the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land where they were going."

Let me just share something with you. The gospel of Mark is all about 'suddenly' or 'immediately' or 'straightway'. Mark, because we were sharing with the gentiles who wanted action straight away, wrote his gospel to get their attention. He used these words 40 times compared with John’s 7 occasions. John wasn’t interested in wanting to grab your attention because of the speed; it was all about the Glory. So when John uses the word we should sit up and take notice, God is trying to get our attention about something.

With Jesus, when His presence hits situations, things turn so quickly it’s note worthy. When miracles happen the car changes up a gear and you go faster. Whenever the glory of God is around, things happen very quickly. It has so much power that it changes the natural laws as they become superseded by the spiritual laws.

The Glory of God alters our perception of events.

What was big now becomes small. What was almost overpowering now becomes the catalyst of change. What was overwhelming is transformed into avenue for the supernatural.

3. Our willingness determines our perception.

How willing are you to see the Glory of God manifest itself in your life in the form of the miraculous?

Willingness is a decision of the will. It can be measured. It is usually an attitude that comes out under pressure. It’s the inner attitude that is expressed through your language.

If you are willing you will eat the good of fate land. Do you want miracles? If yes then they will come. That’s a certainty. Miracles come not by our will but by God’s will. Our will just determines whether we see them or not. They are there. The question is do you see them?

If you are willing then you will see them. Willingness sharpens the focus of your spirit to the supernatural. The more you see the more you will see. It’s like a habit. The more you see the miraculous the more you will see it. It becomes easier. It’s like getting up in the morning. At first it becomes hard then as you exercise that will, it becomes easier. It’s the same with the miraculous.

4. God loves to interrupt our lives

Everyday we get interrupted when are doing things. Interruptions are part of our lives.

Miracles happen. It’s the year of the miracle. 2005 the year of the miracle.