Supernatural: "Between Two Worlds"

Here are the notes from the message at New Life Community Church for Sunday, September 2, 2012.  I began a new series entitled SUPERNATURAL.  The title of this message is "Between Two Worlds".  You can listen to the messag by going to our website at www.newlifesite.com.

Supernatural, Part 1                                            Sunday, September 2, 2012

 “Between Two Worlds”

Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant:  I Corinthians 12:1 (NKJV)

“spiritual gifts” is Greek word pneumatikone which is not just “gifts” but all things spiritual.  The actual words for  

Phillips:  “spiritual matters”

Paul is talking not just about spiritual gifts but about spiritual matter, the spiritual realm, the supernatural realm.

As Christians, we believe that there is another realm beyond the visible world around us.  It is the realm of the supernatural.

For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world.  II Corinthians 10:3-4 (NIV)

¹⁶ So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. ¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!  II Corinthians 5:16-17 (NIV)

When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. "Oh, my lord, what shall we do?" the servant asked.  "Don't be afraid," the prophet answered. "Those who are with us are more than those who are with them."  And Elisha prayed, "O LORD, open his eyes so he may see." Then the LORD opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 2 Kings 6:15-17 (NIV)

¹⁷ I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. ¹⁸ I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, ¹⁹ and his incomparably great power for us who believe.  Ephesians 1:17-19 (NIV)

Why we need to understand the spiritual realm because...

1.     It’s where our BLESSINGS are.

³ Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.  Ephesians 1:3 (NIV)

All spiritual blessings.  Tense of verb.

Contend for healing because it is already there in the realm of heaven. 

“on earth as it is in heaven”

2.     It’s where our BATTLES lie.

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  Ephesians 6:10-12 (NIV)

3.     The natural world is a REFLECTION of the spiritual world.

Illustration: 

The Book of Revelation – John the Revelator sees things happening on earth and he see things happening in the heavens.  They are tied together, but the natural eye can’t see it. 

Daniel 10.  Daniel is praying and he sees a vision of warfare in the heavens.  That warfare has taken 21 days as Michael the archangel fought against something called the spirit prince over the kingdom of Persia. 

Responses people can have to the topic of the spiritual realm. 

1.     INDIFFERENCE

2.     FEAR or DISTRUST

3.     CURIOSITY

4.     HUNGER

Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts.  I Corinthians 14:1 (NKJV)

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.  Matthew 5:6 (NKJV)