Expecting a Miracle | Doug Wekenman | Sermon Notes — Hello Pastor

Sermon Notes

Expecting a Miracle

Red Rocks Church • Jan 21, 2025 • 42 min

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Take this message with you through a journey of Scripture, reflection, and prayer.

Summary

God invites believers into a season of expectancy, where genuine faith naturally leads to active preparation and lifestyle changes. Rather than remaining passive spectators watching from a distance, we are called to step into the very obstacles standing between us and God's promises, trusting that He gives ground as we move forward. By taking bold, practical steps of faith and engaging in spiritual disciplines like prayer and fasting, we position ourselves to experience God's miraculous power and purpose.

Themes

Spiritual Expectation & FaithActive Readiness vs. Passive ReligionStepping into God's PromisesGod's Presence and the ChurchSpiritual Discipline of Fasting & PrayerGod's Power Through Imperfect People

Key Points

1.
True spiritual expectation naturally leads to personal preparation and lifestyle changes, carrying visible evidence of faith in daily life.
2.
Jesus asks "What do you want?" because experiencing genuine healing and freedom requires a willingness for personal transformation rather than merely wanting circumstances to change.
3.
Believing is the essential prerequisite to experiencing the glory of God, moving beyond passive religious waiting to active spiritual readiness.
4.
God promises to give ground as you step into it, requiring action before feeling or seeing the full outcome.
5.
Believers are called to actively carry the presence of God into the world rather than remaining passive spectators watching from a distance.
6.
Moving into a new season often demands greater faith than past seasons, calling believers to step directly into the obstacles standing between present circumstances and God's promises.
7.
Fasting and prayer weaken the flesh and strengthen the spirit, positioning believers to discover what God can do rather than relying on human strength.
8.
God accomplishes extraordinary things through ordinary, imperfect people who pray earnestly and step forward in faith.

Sermon Moments

“When you are expecting a miracle, you get ready for it; real expectation naturally produces preparation and visible lifestyle evidence.”

“Active readiness takes agency back from circumstances, whereas passive religion waits around expecting God to move without taking any steps of faith.”

“God does not give ground so you can step into it; He gives ground as you step into it. He goes with you and before you, but He cannot step for you.”

“Be part of the church that is actively carrying what God is doing, not just a spectator sitting up in the stands cheering from a distance.”

“Crossing into new promises requires greater faith than past victories; God does not call us to stand on the river's edge, but to get our feet wet.”

“You cannot mess up God's sovereign plans for your life, but you can certainly miss them if you are not awake and ready.”

“Forgiveness through Jesus Christ is the epic starting line of the Christian journey, not the finish line—we are meant to walk in present victory.”

This Week

Reorder your daily habits, speech, and priorities to actively reflect expectation for the breakthrough or calling you are praying for.

Identify and take one practical step of faith this week—such as scheduling counseling, seeking addiction support, confessing a sin, or having a difficult conversation.

Transition from being a passive spectator in church to an active participant by attending regularly, joining a small group, and serving others.

Extend forgiveness and release bitterness toward those who have hurt you so that you can walk in spiritual freedom and victory.

Engage in prayer and fasting to weaken the flesh, strengthen your spirit, and invite God's supernatural power into your circumstances.

Establish a consistent scripture reading habit using a daily Bible plan or app to align your life with God's direction.

Boldly share your faith and personal testimony of God's grace to help make heaven more crowded and impact those around you.

Remember This

True spiritual expectation requires active preparation and stepping directly into obstacles, trusting God to move and give ground as we put our faith into action.

A Challenge for You

Let's make Heaven more crowded by helping people to know God and live on purpose so that together we can go change this world.

These are personal sermon notes shared to help you remember the message — not a replacement for Scripture, your church, or your pastors.