Why Unbelievers Understand Supernatural Power Better Than You | Bobby Schuller | Sermon Notes — Hello Pastor

Sermon Notes

Why Unbelievers Understand Supernatural Power Better Than You

Shepherd's Grove • Aug 29, 2026 • 40 min

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

Summary

In this message, Pastor Bobby Schuller addresses the tendency among modern believers to hold back from practicing the spiritual gifts due to social embarrassment or worldly pressure. Scripture shows that all spiritual gifts are supernatural manifestations of the Holy Spirit given for the common good, and their power is promised for every generation of believers. Rather than settling for human systems or empty arguments, believers are invited to welcome the gentle presence of the Holy Spirit and walk boldly in His supernatural power.

Themes

Holy SpiritSpiritual GiftsPower of GodFaithEvangelismChurch History

Key Points

1.
Spiritual gifts are manifestations of the Holy Spirit given to every believer for the common good and the building up of the church.
2.
All spiritual gifts listed in scripture are charismatic and supernatural, whether they are service and leadership or healing and tongues.
3.
The church must overcome the temptation to suppress or feel embarrassed by the supernatural gifts of the Spirit out of fear of social acceptability.
4.
Church history often reflects human attempts to create safe organizational systems that eliminate reliance on the Holy Spirit.
5.
Peter's sermon in Acts 2 reveals that the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and prophecy are specifically promised for the last days, which includes our present time.
6.
Scripture warns that in the last days, many will maintain an appearance of godliness while denying the actual power of God.
7.
Unbelievers are often more attuned to recognizing supernatural power than believers who have grown comfortable or religious.
8.
Jesus promised that miraculous signs, healings, and authority over darkness would accompany all who believe, not just those from the early church era.
9.
True gospel witness depends not on lofty speech or intellectual arguments, but on the practical demonstration of the Holy Spirit's power.

Sermon Moments

“Many Christians care more about what the world thinks than what God thinks, leading them to suppress the gifts of the Spirit.”

“Derek Prince noted that much of church history consists of humans trying to create a system so safe that they do not need to rely on the Holy Spirit.”

“We are part of the same church as the believers in the New Testament; there is no separate 'early church' from which the gifts have ceased.”

“Hiding or being embarrassed by spiritual gifts is like a bride who takes off her engagement ring whenever her fiance is not around.”

“The Holy Spirit is gentle like a dove, desiring to be welcomed rather than forced upon us.”

“Jesus promised supernatural signs to all who believe, not just to a specific historic group of apostles.”

This Week

Repent of any embarrassment regarding the supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit and ask God for boldness to exercise them.

Spend time in prayer this week explicitly welcoming the Holy Spirit into your daily routine, recognizing His gentle and non-invasive nature.

Study 1 Corinthians 12 to better understand how spiritual gifts are distributed by the Spirit for the common good.

Pray for opportunities to demonstrate God's love and power through practical service, encouragement, or praying for healing.

Refuse to settle for a form of religion that denies divine power, actively trusting God for supernatural intervention in difficult situations.

Share the gospel with others relying on the power of the Holy Spirit rather than trusting solely in persuasive words or human wisdom.

Step out in faith when praying for someone in need, believing that miraculous signs accompany those who put their trust in Jesus.

Remember This

Believers are called to welcome and practice the supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit with boldness, relying on God's power rather than human wisdom.

A Challenge for You

Let us get rid of being embarrassed by any of the spiritual gifts today, right now. Let us repent of the times we have felt embarrassed by the gifts of the Spirit, and let us cultivate a real, abiding friendship with the Holy Spirit.

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