People's Church

Own Your Opportunity Open the Door

Acts 12:5-18 (NIV) 5 So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him. 6 The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance.7 Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists. 8 Then the angel said to him, “Put on your clothes and sandals.” And Peter did so. “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me,” the angel told him. 9 Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision.

 10 They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him.

11 Then Peter came to himself and said, “Now I know without a doubt that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from Herod’s clutches and from everything the Jewish people were hoping would happen.” 12 When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying.

13 Peter knocked at the outer entrance, and a servant named Rhoda came to answer the door.

14 When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, “Peter is at the door!” 15 “You’re out of your mind,” they told her. When she kept insisting that it was so, they said, “It must be his angel.”

16 But Peter kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. 17 Peter motioned with his hand for them to be quiet and described how the Lord had brought him out of prison. “Tell James and the other brothers and sisters about this,” he said, and then he left for another place. 18 In the morning, there was no small commotion among the soldiers as to what had become of Peter.

1. You open a door when you pray it open.

2. You open a door when you take your next step.

3. You open a door when you invest and invite.

Proverbs 19:3 People ruin their lives by their own foolishness and then are angry at the Lord. (NLT)

Philippians 4:19 And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. (NIV)

Luke 12:31 But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. (NIV)

Malachi 3:10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test! (NLT)

2 Kings 4:1 The wife of a man from the company of the prophets cried out to Elisha, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that he revered the Lord. But now his creditor is coming to take my two boys as his slaves.” (NIV)

3 Mindset Shifts You Have To Make To Own Your Finances 

1. Own the overwhelmed mindset

2. Own the poverty mindset 

2 Kings 4:2  Elisha replied to her, “How can I help you? Tell me, what do you have in your house?” “Your servant has nothing there at all,” she said, “except a small jar of olive oil.” (NIV)

3. Own the “This is too much work” mindset

2 Kings 4:3–7 3 Elisha said, “Go around and ask all your neighbors for empty jars. Don’t ask for just a few. 4 Then go inside and shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour oil into all the jars, and as each is filled, put it to one side.”5 She left him and shut the door behind her and her sons. They brought the jars to her and she kept pouring. 6 When all the jars were full, she said to her son, “Bring me another one.” But he replied, “There is not a jar left.” Then the oil stopped flowing. 7 She went and told the man of God, and he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debts. You and your sons can live on what is left.” (NIV)

Work The Biblical Plan 1. Track your income and your spending 2. Save $1,000 in an emergency fund 3. Pay off your consumer debt from smallest to largest 4. Save 3 to 6 months in an emergency fund 5. Start tithing now 6. Live with margin

John 8:36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. (NIV)

ACKNOWLEDGE THE PAIN

Romans 8:28  And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. (NLT)

Jeremiah 6:14 You can’t heal a wound by saying it’s not there! (TLB)

SHED THE SHAME

2 Corinthians‬ 12‬:9‬ My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. (NIV)

PSALMS 34:4-5 I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears. 5Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy: no shadow of shame will darken their faces. (NLT)

BREAK THE CYCLE

ROMANS 12:2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. (NLT)

1 CORINTHIANS 6:12 I have the right to do anything,' you say--but not everything is beneficial. 'I have the right to do anything'--but I will not be mastered by anything. (NIV)

DO THE WORK

ROMANS 11:29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. (ESV)

GENESIS 50:20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. (NLT)

Own Your Mistakes

1. Own admitting your mistakes 

Luke 15:18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. (NIV)

2. Own knowing where you are and how you got there

Luke 15:17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! (NIV)

3. Own seeing how your life can be different 

4. Own taking the steps to change your life

Luke 15:20 So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. (NIV)

Proverbs 24:16 The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again. But one disaster is enough to overthrow the wicked. (NLT)

5. Own receiving the grace and forgiveness of God

Luke 15:20-23 So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. 21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate (NIV)

Luke 15:28 “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. (NIV)

Luke 15:30  But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’ (NIV)

People's Church of OKC is a multi-cultural church designed with you in mind. Senior Pastor, Herbert Cooper.

1 Kings 19:1-4 Now Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. 2 So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, “May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them.” 3 Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beershebain Judah, he left his servant there, 4 while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” (NIV)

6 Habits To Owning Your Health

1. Own recognizing the warning signs of being emotionally unhealthy

2. Own evaluating how you got where you are 3. Own listening to spiritual guidance  1 Kings 19:7 The angel of the LORD came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” (NIV)  4. Own doing the practical things

1 Kings 19:5-7 Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep. All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” 6 He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again. 7 The angel of the LORD came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” (NIV)

5. Own pursuing the presence of God 1 Kings 19:9-13 There he went into a cave and spent the night. And the word of the LORD came to him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 10 He replied, “I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.” 11 The LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” (NIV) 6. Own pursuing God’s purpose for your life

1 Kings 19:15-16 The LORD said to him, “Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram. 16 Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet. (NIV) Philippians 2:12 So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; (NASB)

Own Your Relationships

Genesis 2:18 The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” (NIV)

3 Things That Keep You From Owning The Building and Maintaining Of Your Relationships

1. Pain

2. Problems

3. People
 4 Lessons You Learn From Ruth On How To Own Your Friendships

1. Press through pain

Ruth 1:8–10 Then Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go back, each of you, to your mother’s home. May the Lord show you kindness, as you have shown kindness to your dead husbands and to me. 9 May the Lord grant that each of you will find rest in the home of another husband.” Then she kissed them goodbye and they wept aloud 10 and said to her, “We will go back with you to your people.” (NIV)

2. Be committed

Ruth 1:11–18 But Naomi said, “Return home, my daughters. Why would you come with me? Am I going to have any more sons, who could become your husbands? 12 Return home, my daughters; I am too old to have another husband. Even if I thought there was still hope for me—even if I had a husband tonight and then gave birth to sons - 13 Would you wait until they grew up? Would you remain unmarried for them? No, my daughters. It is more bitter for me than for you, because the Lord’s hand has turned against me!” 114 At this they wept aloud again. Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law goodbye, but Ruth clung to her. “15 Look,” said Naomi, “your sister-in-law is going back to her people and her gods. Go back with her.” 16 But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. 17 Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.” 18 When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her. (NIV) 

Ephesians 4:2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. (NIV)

Colossians 3:13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. (NIV)

3. Have realistic expectations

4. God’s plan for your life is connected to people

Own your Relationship with God

Philippians 2:12–13 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. (NIV)

6 Ways To Own Your Relationship With God

1. You have to own your sin

Psalms 51:3-4 Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.  For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. 4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge. (NIV)

Psalms 51:9 Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. (NIV)

Psalms 32:5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin. (NIV)

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (NIV)

2. You have to own repenting before God

Psalms 51:2 Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. (NIV)

Psalms 51:7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. (NIV)

3. You have to own prayer

4. You have to own your desperation for the presence of God

Psalms 51:11 Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. (NIV)

5. You have to own worshiping God

Psalms 51:14-15 Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, you who are God my Savior, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness 15 Open my lips, Lord, and my mouth will declare your praise. (NIV)

Psalm 34:1 I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. (NKJV)

6. You have to own your spiritual growth

Psalms 51:10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. (NIV)

Psalms 51:12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. (NIV)

For One Year Run The Spiritual Play 1. Faithfully pray and read God’s word 2. Worship in God’s house faithfully 3. Give your life away by serving others faithfully 4. Grow closer to God and others by attending a small group faithfully

Psalms 51:13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways so that sinners will turn back to you. (NIV)

Own It: I Will Own My Life

Genesis 3:11–13 “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?” 12 The man said, “The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.”13 Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” (NIV) 

Matthew 11:12 from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. (NKJV)

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (NKJV)

Philippians 2:12 So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; (NASB)

3 Common Excuses That Will Keep From Owning it

1. Complaining 

Philippians 2:14 Do everything without complaining and arguing, (NLT)

2. Arguing  

Philippians 2:14 Do everything without complaining and arguing, (NLT)

3. Blaming 

Philippians 2:15 so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.”  Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky (NIV)

Mark 9:28-29 - 28 After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” 29 He replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer.” NIV

Top 10 Reasons to make prayer a priority in 2024

1. It’s the basis of our relationship with God.

Romans 10:9-10, 13 - 9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved…13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” NIV

2. It brings forgiveness of sin.

1 John 1:9 - 9 But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.  NLT

3. It helps you discern God’s will.

Acts 13:2 - While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." NIV

4. It strengthens you.

Psalm 105:4 - Look to the Lord and His strength, seek His face always. NIV

5. It gives you peace.

Psalm 34:4-5 - I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears. 5 Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; NLT

Philippians 4:6-7 - 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. NIV

6. It gives you victory over temptation.

Matthew 26:41 - Jesus told his disciples, “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.” NIV

7. Makes you wiser.

James 1:5 - 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. NIV

8. Brings God’s healing.

James 5:13-15 - 13 Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. NIV

9. It brings spiritual Intervention

Daniel 9:23 - 23 As soon as you began to pray, a word went out, which I have come to tell you NIV

10. God rewards those who diligently seek Him.

Hebrews 11:6 - 6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. NIV

Why don’t we prioritize prayer?

1. We don’t know what to say.

2. We don’t think God will answer.

3. We get busy.

1 Thess. 5:17 - Pray continually.

John 3:19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. (NIV)

John 8:12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (NIV)

1. Light invades darkness

John 8:10-11 Jesus straightened up and asked her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" 11 "No one, sir," she said. "Then neither do I condemn you," (NIV)

John 3:17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. (NIV)

2. Light pushes back the darkness

John 8:11-12 "No one, sir," she said. "Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin." 12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (NIV)

3. Light brings life

John 8:12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (NIV)

John 14:6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (NIV)

1 John 5:12 He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. (NIV)

John 3:19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. (NIV)

1. People love darkness

4 Things You Need To Understand About Darkness

1a. Darkness can be fun

1b. Darkness can be deceptive

James 1:14-16 but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. 16 Don't be deceived, my dear brothers. (NIV)

1c. Darkness can create fear

John 3:20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. (NIV)

2. Run to the the light

John 3:21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God." (NIV)

John 3:17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. (NIV)

1. The principle of the heart

2 Corinthians 8:1–3 And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2 In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, (NIV)

Luke 12:15–21 Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” 16 And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. 17 He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ 18 Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. 19 And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.” “20 But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ ”21 This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.” (NIV)

2. The principle of eternity

Philippians 3:18–19 For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. (NIV)

Mark 10:21–22 Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 22 At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. (NIV)

Luke 12:33 “Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it. (NLT)

3. The principle of life change

Matthew 6:19–20 “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. (NLT) Edmond testimony video: 4. The principle of tithe and offering

Malachi 3:8–10 8 “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’ “In tithes and offerings. 9You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. (NIV)

5. The principle of the seed

1. You reap what you sow 2. You reap after you sow 3. You reap more than you sow 4. You reap in proportion to what you sow

2 Corinthians 9:6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. (NIV)

2 Corinthians 9:7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. (NIV)

2 Corinthians 9:10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. (NIV)

2 Corinthians 9:11 You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. (NIV)

You Are Stuck In A Season You Shouldn’t Be In

Ecclesiastes 3:1 For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. (NLT)

Exodus 3:17 And I have promised to bring you up out of your misery in Egypt into the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites—a land flowing with milk and honey.’ (NIV)

1. They did not believe God’s word and God’s promises

Numbers 14:11 The Lord said to Moses, “How long will these people treat me with contempt? (Despise, reject me) How long will they refuse to believe in me, in spite of all the signs I have performed among them? (NIV)

2. They grumbled and complained against the Lord

Numbers 14:26-29 The Lord said to Moses and Aaron: 27 “How long will this wicked community grumble against me? I have heard the complaints of these grumbling Israelites. 28 So tell them, ‘As surely as I live, declares the Lord, I will do to you the very thing I heard you say: 29 In this wilderness your bodies will fall—every one of you twenty years old or more who was counted in the census and who has grumbled against me. (NIV)

Joshua 5:12 The manna stopped the day after they ate this food from the land; there was no longer any manna for the Israelites, but that year they ate the produce of Canaan. (NIV)

1. From manna to maturity 

2 Peter 3:18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen. (NIV)

Ephesians 4:15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— (NKJV)

2. From manna to management

Deuteronomy 8:4 Your clothes did not wear out and your feet did not swell during these forty years. (NIV)

3. From manna to movement 

Deuteronomy 1:8 See, I have given you this land. Go in and take possession of the land the Lord swore he would give to your fathers—to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob—and to their descendants after them.” (NIV)

4 Moves To Make So You Can Live In The Promised Land

1. You have to remove some things from your life

Joshua 5:6-8 The Israelites had moved about in the wilderness forty years until all the men who were of military age when they left Egypt had died, since they had not obeyed the Lord. For the Lord had sworn to them that they would not see the land he had solemnly promised their ancestors to give us, a land flowing with milk and honey. 7So he raised up their sons in their place, and these were the ones Joshua circumcised. They were still uncircumcised because they had not been circumcised on the way. 8 And after the whole nation had been circumcised, they remained where they were in camp until they were healed. (NIV)

2. You have to march around some walls

3. You have to fight some battles

Joshua 6:5 When you hear them sound a long blast on the trumpets, have the whole army give a loud shout; then the wall of the city will collapse and the army will go up, everyone straight in.” (NIV)

4. You have to give to God what belongs to him

Joshua 6:16–19 The seventh time around, when the priests sounded the trumpet blast, Joshua commanded the army, “Shout! For the Lord has given you the city! 17 The city and all that is in it are to be devoted to the Lord. Only Rahab the prostitute and all who are with her in her house shall be spared, because she hid the spies we sent. 18 But keep away from the devoted things, so that you will not bring about your own destruction by taking any of them. Otherwise you will make the camp of Israel liable to destruction and bring trouble on it. 19 All the silver and gold and the articles of bronze and iron are sacred to the Lord and must go into his treasury.” (NIV)

People's Church of OKC is a multi-cultural church designed with you in mind. Senior Pastor, Herbert Cooper.

Your Miracle Requires Movement

Mark 5:24–29 So Jesus went with him. A large crowd followed and pressed around him. 25 And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. 26 She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. 27 When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, 28 because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” 29 Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering. (NIV)

1. Press past pain

2. Press past disappointment

3. Press past religion

4. Press past people

1. Press past negative influences

2. Press past doubters

3. Press past haters

4. Press past yourself

1. Worship is a COMMAND

2 Chronicles 20:18 Then King Jehoshaphat bowed low with his face to the ground. And all the people of Judah and Jerusalem did the same, worshiping the LORD. (NLT)

Psalms 95:6 Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker; (NIV)

Psalms 99:9 Exalt the LORD our God and worship at his holy mountain, for the LORD our God is holy. (NIV)

Psalms 100:2 Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. (NIV)

2 Chronicles 20:21 After consulting the people, the king appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, singing to the LORD and praising him for his holy splendor. This is what they sang: “Give thanks to the LORD; his faithful love endures forever!” (NLT) 

2. Worship CREATES an atmosphere for the miraculous

2A. Worship creates an atmosphere where God shows up 

2 Chronicles 20:22 At the very moment they began to sing and give praise, the LORD caused the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir to start fighting among themselves... (NLT)

2B. Worship creates an atmosphere where God shows off

2 Chronicles 20:22 At the very moment they began to sing and give praise, the LORD caused the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir to start fighting among themselves. (NLT)

2C. Worship creates an atmosphere where the enemy is shut down  

2 Chronicles 20:23-24 The armies of Moab and Ammon turned against their allies from Mount Seir and killed every one of them. After they had destroyed the army of Seir, they began attacking each other. 24 So when the army of Judah arrived at the lookout point in the wilderness, all they saw were dead bodies lying on the ground as far as they could see. Not a single one of the enemy had escaped. (NLT)

Psalm 8:2 Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger. (NIV)

2D. Worship creates an atmosphere for freedom

2 Corinthians 3:17 For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. (NLT)

2E. Worship creates an atmosphere for provision

2 Chronicles 20:25-26 King Jehoshaphat and his men went out to gather the plunder. They found vast amounts of equipment, clothing, and other valuables—more than they could carry. There was so much plunder that it took them three days just to collect it all! 16 On the fourth day they gathered in the Valley of Blessing, which got its name that day because the people praised and thanked the LORD there. It is still called the Valley of Blessing today. (NLT)

3. Worship Must Be Continuous

2 Chronicles 20:27-28 Then all the men returned to Jerusalem, with Jehoshaphat leading them, overjoyed that the LORD had given them victory over their enemies. 28 They marched into Jerusalem to the music of harps, lyres, and trumpets, and they proceeded to the Temple of the LORD. (NLT)  

Hebrews 13:15 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. (NIV)

Psalms 34:1 I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. (NKJV)

Psalms 71:8 My mouth is filled with your praise, declaring your splendor all day long. (NIV)

3a. Don’t let the battle steal your worship

3b. Don’t let people steal your worship

3c.  Don’t let pride steal your worship

3d. Don’t let feelings steal your worship

3e.  Don’t let success steal your worship

2 Corinthians 12:8 - 8 Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. (NLT)

2 Corinthians 12:9 - 9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.”  (NLT)

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 - So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 10 That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (NLT)

1. Trust Him

Prov. 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. (NIV)

2 Corinthians 5:6-8 - 6 So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. (ESV)

Romans 10:17 - Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ. (NIV)

2. Don’t miss all of the little miracles while waiting on your big one.

3. Keep praying and praising while He’s working.

Romans 8:28 - 28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[i] have been called according to his purpose. (NIV)

MIRACLE IN MOTION

MARK 2:1-6 When Jesus returned to Capernaum several days later, the news spread quickly that he was back home. 2 Soon the house where he was staying was so packed with visitors that there was no more room, even outside the door. While he was preaching God’s word to them, 3 four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. 4 They couldn’t bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above his head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus. 5 Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “My child, your sins are forgiven.” (NLT)

MARK 2:10 Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, 11 “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!” (NLT)

MIRACLES CREATE KINGDOM MOMENTUM THAT CANNOT BE CONTAINED

MARK 2:1-2 When Jesus returned to Capernaum several days later, the news spread quickly that he was back home. 2 Soon the house where he was staying was so packed with visitors that there was no more room, even outside the door. (NLT)

MATTHEW 4:24-25 From there He went all over Galilee. He used synagogues for meeting places and taught people the truth of God. God’s kingdom was His theme – that beginning right now they were under God’s government, a good government. He also healed people of their diseases and of the bad effects of their bad lives. Word got out around the entire province of Syria. People brought anybody with a sickness, whether mental, emotional, or physical. Jesus healed them one and all, More and more people cam, the momentum gathering. (MSG)

MIRACLES HAPPEN WHEN THE HEALER FINDS A HELPER

MARK 2:3 …four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. (NLT)

JOHN 14:12-14“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. 13 You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. 14 Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!

MIRACLES WILL REQUIRE YOU TO RAISE THE ROOF

MARK 2:4 And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying. (NKJV)

MIRACLES ARE PROOF THAT GOD CAN TURN PAIN INTO PURPOSE

MARK 2:5 Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “My child, your sins are forgiven.” (NLT) MARK 2:10 Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, 11 “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!” (NLT) GENESIS 50:20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. (NLT)

1. Pray for healing

1A. Pray to the Father in Jesus name

John 16:23 In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. (NIV) (There is power and authority in the name of Jesus)

John 14:12-14 Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. (NIV)

1B. Pray specifically

Matthew 20:32-34 Jesus stopped and called them. “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked. 33 “Lord,” they answered, “we want our sight.”34 Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him. (NIV)

1C. Pray with faith 

Mark 11:22-24 “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. 23 “Truly  I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. 24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. (NIV) 

1D. Pray with other Christ Followers

Matthew 18:19-20 “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” (NIV)

2. The gift of healing

1 Corinthians 12:9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, (NIV)

3. Command Healing 

Luke 18:42-43 Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.” 43 Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God. (NIV)

Acts 9:33-34 There he found a man named Aeneas, who was paralyzed and had been bedridden for eight years. 34 “Aeneas,” Peter said to him, “Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and roll up your mat.” Immediately Aeneas got up. (NIV)

4. Instruct with an act of faith

Matthew 12:13 Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” So he stretched it out and it was completely restored, just as sound as the other. (NIV)

Luke 17:12-14 As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance 13 and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” 14 When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed. (NIV)

John 9:6-7 After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. 7 “Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing. (NIV)

5. Rebuke any demons causing sickness

5A. Sin and sickness entered our world because of the fall of Adam and Eve

5B. Some sickness is because of sin

John 9:2 His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” (NIV)

5C. Some sickness is so the glory of God can be revealed

John 9:3 “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. (NIV)

5D. Some sickness is because of demonic influence

Luke 11:14 Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute. When the demon left, the man who had been mute spoke, and the crowd was amazed. (NIV) 

Matthew 17:14–15 When they came to the crowd, a man approached Jesus and knelt before him. 15 “Lord, have mercy on my son,” he said. “He has seizures and is suffering greatly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. (NIV)

Matthew 17:18 Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed at that moment. (NIV)

6. Laying hands on the sick

Deuteronomy 34:9 Now Joshua son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him. So the Israelites listened to him and did what the LORD had commanded Moses. (NIV)

Matthew 8:3 Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. (NIV)

Mark 1:41-42 Moved with compassion, Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.” 42 Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed. (NASB1995)

Mark 7:33 After he took him aside, away from the crowd, Jesus put his fingers into the man’s ears. Then he spit and touched the man’s tongue. (NIV)

Luke 22:51 But Jesus answered and said, “Stop! No more of this.” And He touched his ear and healed him. (NASB)

Luke 4:40 When the sun was setting, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them. (NIV 1984)

Acts 28:8 His father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him and, after prayer, placed his hands on him and healed him. (NIV)

7. Anoint with oil

James 5:14-15 Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. (NIV)

8. Pray again

Mark 8:23-25 He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man’s eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, “Do you see anything?” 24 He looked up and said, “I see people; they look like trees walking around.” 25 Once more Jesus put his hands on the man’s eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. (NIV)