I Saw It Before It Happened | Stephen Chandler | Sermon Notes — Hello Pastor

Sermon Notes

I Saw It Before It Happened

Stephen Chandler

Union Church • Aug 14, 2025 • 38 min

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

Summary

In this encouraging message, Pastor Stephen Chandler explores 2 Kings 6 and Mark 8 to remind believers that spiritual vision is far more vital than natural sight. When surrounded by opposition or adversity, our essential prayer is not for God to instantly remove the trial, but for Him to open our spiritual eyes to see His heavenly protection. What feels like your greatest fear or trial is already surrounded by God and will ultimately become the place of your greatest spiritual victory.

Themes

Spiritual Vision vs. Natural SightOvercoming Fear and AdversityGod's Divine ProtectionTrusting God in Delayed VictoriesHoly Spirit Guidance and Discernment

Pastor's Points

1.

Point 1: You are surrounded because you are a threat to the enemy.

2.

Point 2: God will show you in the spirit before it happens in the natural.

3.

Point 3: Your greatest fear will be your greatest victory.

Key Points

1.
Gaining spiritual sight reveals that God's surrounding angelic presence far exceeds any natural problem arrayed against us.
2.
The enemy only surrounds what he is intimidated by; feeling surrounded by adversity often indicates you are a threat to the kingdom of darkness.
3.
The Holy Spirit desires to warn and guide believers before spiritual attacks occur so they can guard vulnerable areas.
4.
Spiritual perception is far more vital than natural vision, as natural sight can sometimes lead to comparison, distraction, and discontentment.
5.
When Jesus healed a blind man in stages in Mark 8, He opened the man's spiritual vision to see people as trees before restoring his physical sight.
6.
Temporary and light afflictions are actively producing an eternal weight of glory that far outweighs current suffering when viewed spiritually.
7.
Dothan means 'the city of two wells,' reminding believers that they must choose whether to view life through natural sight or unseen spiritual realities.

Sermon Moments

“Elisha's prayer when surrounded: 'Lord, open his eyes that he may see.'”

“The core truth that natural sight is a benefit, but spiritual sight is an absolute necessity.”

“The meaning of Dothan as 'the city of two wells,' illustrating the choice between natural vision and spiritual perception.”

“Pastor Stephen's story of playing basketball defense to harass and surround the opposing team's best player, illustrating why the enemy attacks believers who pose a threat.”

“Pastor Stephen worshipping in an empty 90-seat sanctuary while God gave him a vision of thousands of worshippers years before the growth occurred.”

“The spiritual reality that whatever problem is surrounding you has already been surrounded and overcome by God.”

This Week

Pray specifically for God to open your spiritual eyes when you feel overwhelmed, asking Him to reveal His presence in your situation.

Listen carefully to the quiet promptings and warnings of the Holy Spirit rather than ignoring vulnerability in your life.

Guard your eyes against toxic comparison on social media that steals your joy and contentment.

Meditate on 2 Corinthians 4:17–18 when facing hardships, reminding yourself that temporary afflictions are producing eternal glory.

Declare aloud over your struggles that whatever is surrounding you has already been surrounded and overcome by God.

Spend time in prayer visualizing God's promises and breakthrough spiritually before expecting to see them in the natural world.

Refuse to lose heart over delayed answers, trusting that a longer wait indicates a greater victory than you imagined.

Remember This

Spiritual sight is a necessity that reveals God's surrounding presence and power over every natural adversity you face.

A Challenge for You

Even if there is something you have given up hope on because it has taken longer than expected, remember that God has not given up on you, and what He predetermined for your life will come to pass.

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