Miracles by Raymond Sloan January 1, 2024 ยท Cornerstone Apostolic Church Kind: sermon Scripture: John 1:6-8, John 1:19-28, John 1:29, John 1:35-41, John 2:1-11 Source: https://acts238.life/repository/sermons/raymond-sloan--miracles Published by Acts 2:38 Life from the sermon transcript on that page. Free to copy and share with attribution. ------------------------------------------------------------ this final day of 2023 We Gather here one more time as we do every week come together to encourage one another We Gather to help one another we sing we lift our hands we pray we seek the face of God Our Lives can so quickly and easily be turned upside down is anybody a testament to that but when you come together though you kind of you can you can see a bit clearer you can actually feel the hope that brightens your day you can feel better when you come to church tell your neighbor you feel better when you get church tell somebody that now here here's the question for this last service of 2023 what did the road look like that got you here over the last 12 months let's use that as a point of reference was the Road Rocky was it shaky was it bumpy was it twisting and turning and then now how do things look that you've arrived at this particular place in your life are they peace are they concerning are they questionable are they wondering are they still kind of just waving in the wind we all know how to live we all know how to grow we're on this journey called life and as the events in our lives shape us push us pull us put us in the places that maybe we're not prepared for the fact Still Remains you mature as you grow aren't you thankful for the m maturing purpose of God you're smarter you're wiser you've got some experience you learn things at least we should right December 31st 2023 here's my question for the day is tomorrow what will be different in your life tomorrow will start 2024 how will the 12 months you came from what will it compare to the 12 months to come where will you be in 365 days is that a fair question notice something here I want to draw our attention to the New Testament I think it pertinent that we bring the Bible in today John chap 1 verse 6 can you read along with me there was a man sent from God whose name was everybody say John the same came for a witness to Bear witness of the light that all men through him might believe listen he was not that light but was sent to Bear witness of that light now here's how the story unfolds John was sent from God we settle that here we go came to the world as a witness a testimony of light he was not light but he was simply a witness to to a world that was in darkness that there is a light John was born and he had one task it was to be a witness to the power and the possibilities of life you with me you look a little deeper into this we find as progression happens in John 1 and9 and this is the record of John this is how John wrote things when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him asking John who art thou verse 20 and he confessed and denied not but confessed I am not the Christ and they asked him what then art thou Elias and he said I am not art thou that prophet he answered no and they said unto him who art thou that we may give an answer to them that sent us what sayest thou of thyself verse 23 he said I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness make straight the way of the Lord as said the prophet Isaiah and they which were sent of the Pharisees and they asked him and said unto him why baptizes thou then if thou be not that Christ or Elias neither that Prophet John verse 26 answered them saying I baptize with water but there standeth one among you whom you know not he it is Who coming after me is preferred before for me whose Sho latchet I am not worthy to unloose verse 28 these things were done in bethar bethabara Beyond Jordan where John was baptizing notice 29 and the next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him and saith Behold the Lamb of God taketh away the sin of the world John makes records here John records this action and activity these Jews the phisical court if you will they came to find out who this John fell was they wanted to who he was and so they began to ask questions and John told them very plainly I am not the light but there's one that's coming after me one that will come now that has already been here but you don't know who he is and and this one that's coming I I can't be I can't even bend down and loosen his shoes John declares Behold the Lamb of God takes away the sin of the world and and things are happening in this progression of events follow me Saints John was approached by the religious folk but lo and behold the Bible says specifically the next day he sees Jesus and he makes the announcement that says this Jesus is the Messiah there's a day it ends and then there's the next day y'all hang on to me for a moment Jesus is what John said Jesus has the ability to take away sins John does not if we continue this story in verse 35 of chapter one again the next day everybody say the next day the next day John stood with two of his disciples and looking Upon Jesus as he walked he saith Behold the Lamb of God two disciples heard him speak they followed Jesus Jesus turned Saul them following saith unto them what seek ye they said unto him Rabbi which is this is parentheses to say being interpreted Master where dwellest thou verse 29 39 excuse me he saith unto them come and see and they came and saw where he dwelt Abode with him that day and it was about the 10th hour one of the two which heard John speak followed him was Andrew Simon Peter's brother he first verse 41 says findeth his own brother Simon saith unto him we have found the Messiah which is being interpreted the Christ now listen carefully to the way this story in John's unfolding Jesus was followed people were looking for answers and these guys that are following after Jesus they make this really bold and Powerful declaration we found the Messiah we found salvation we found found the Christ these guys make this statement and they were first to witness that Jesus is now walking in SHO leather on planet Earth John writes this account John puts this down the Bible says he tells this story so as we see what's transpiring here today in our day the last day of 2023 we can see there's a progression of scriptures and how every day there is a process of time there's something that happened one day and if you'll continue to follow you'll notice the next day the story will continue the next day it will continue it's not complete in just one moment many times but it appears that some things in life take time y'all hang on to me a moment the powerful events that unfold in the lives of every single one of us if we are only looking for the instantaneous move and manifest St ation of God there are so many times that you will leave the house of God discouraged and dismayed because you in and of yourself you're Desiring for God to Simply show up move and back away and so listen to me carefully the oldtimers used to say it this way we need a season of prayer we need to T in the presence of the Lord we don't need to Simply drive by and roll down the window give our order out and roll up the window and drive away and hope everything's right in the back but woe be to the generation that says I'm in too big of a hurry to allow God to move and to work in my life listen neighbor you need to know right now that if God's going to move it's going to take some time and a process of time I'm not saying God cannot move in an instant I know he can but I've come to declare to you in my experience in life more times than not the answer to prayer came after many prayers after many times coming to the Lord I come to him today and I make a declaration Lord this is my petition and this is what it is and the Lord I believe hears my prayer but so many times he won't answer it at that moment so I got to decide Within Myself am I going to get up tomorrow and still believe he's the prayer answering God or am I going to quit praying quit believing and simply go through the motions now friend of mine I've come to declare to somebody in this house 2023 does not have to end on a negative note but you can make up within your mind and your spirit if God don't answer today I know God can't answer tomorrow amen you and I are witnessing the fact that there is a process in which God works now I want you to notice in the story believe it or not we're headed somewhere today John chapter 2 verse number one and the third day third day there was a marriage in can of Galilee the mother of Jesus was there everybody know this story and both Jesus was called and his disciples to the marriage verse three and when they wanted wine the mother of Jesus saith unto him they have no wine Jesus saith unto her woman what have I to do with thee mine hour is not yet come his mother saith unto the servants whatsoever he saith to you ready for it do it and there were set there six water pots of stone after the manner of the purifying of the Jews containing two or three fens of AAS verse 7 Jesus saith unto them fill the water pots with water and they filled them up to the brim and he saith unto them draw out now and bear unto the governor of the feast and they bear it verse n then the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine and knew not whence it was but parenthesis the servants that Drew the water they knew the governor of the feast called the bridegroom saith unto him every man at the beginning do set forth good wine and when men have well drunk even that which is worth but thou Hast kept the good wine unto now this verse 11 says this beginning of miracles did Jesus in canaa of Galilee and manifested forth his glory and his disciples believed on him you got to understand something friend there is a reason there is a purpose there is a purpose in why there is a progression of days you got to notice the transitioning of time one day to the next on the third day listen to it they are gathered at a wedding ceremony a marriage in canaa Jesus is there his mother is there some of his disciples were there with him I don't know about you but I have often wondered in the apostolic circles why is it that Jesus's first miracle was turning water into wine and so many of us have had to try to give explanation to your family and your co-workers of why you choose not to drink alcohol and they revert back to this story anybody ever been faced with it I know I have well they drank wine then Jesus in fact built wine Jesus also built the rock that the stone was made of that held the water that he turned in you know all that stuff with you ain't drinking rocks hang on to me so I begin to look at this a wedding ceremony people gathered to celebrate the bride and the groom in their Union the Bible doesn't tell us the names of those that are there it simply says that Jesus and his disciples were at the feast and the story says listen to this very specifically in the writing of John mother of Jesus was there as the celebration moves from one place to the next one position to the next there is a break in the event something happened as the celebr ation moves forward the planners of the celebration those who were the those who brought made sure all the food and all the stuff was needed something happened and they ran out of wine to serve to the guest now for whatever reason listen to this Mary approaches Jesus and he even declares to her what I'm just here like you are what am I doing receiving this news from you now here's my question probably like many of you would ask what in the world was Jesus supposed to do again we will wax eloquent in this hour and we will say because Jesus can do anything and we settle for that I declare to you today I feel like there was a whole lot more to this progression of situations the celebration had come to a standstill and Jesus is approaching by his mother and and what do I have to do with this what are you expecting me to do in this situation listen to how Jesus responds to his own mother what do I have to do with this my time my time isn't right now it's not yet I'm not at the position that I need to be at for my time pause what in the world was his time I mean we're talking about the word of God made flesh dwelling Among Us and he's standing at this wedding and Mary his mother says they out of wine Jesus simply says my time has not come now I've come today and as I begin to jump into and try to scratch my way through this I I begin to realize something that what Jesus was saying his time I I wonder in myself was there a point was there a point in the story was there a moment was there a a crossing of paths was the the lining of the Stars was something and in moving in the motion Around Jesus to where he could stand there and simply say to his mother in the middle of this marriage supper that you know what I've got a time and this is not it but the mother simp simply says to those servants standing there whatever he says to do you do it now follow me for a moment Jesus has already declared my time has not come his mother looks past that statement and simply looks at the servants around and says when he says to do something you make sure you do it we then jump into the story as John is writing it to say all Jesus did then was say you know what you need to take the water pot and put water in them now hang on to me a moment I I look at this and I wonder God how is it the God of all of creation could stand in the face of humanity and simply say this is not my time but I'm here today to declare there something about the unction of somebody who simply says you might say it's not your time and that might well be true uh but I know one thing uh if it takes today or tomorrow tomorrow or next week uh Jesus if you'll speak a word it'll happen just like you declare it to happen you don't have to wonder friend uh has Jesus lost his ever loving mind uh is he far from me uh is he not listening to me uh but I am declaring today from this sacred desk that if Jesus said it you can stand on it you can build your life on it and he is not going to drop the ball at any Moment In Time listen to me apparently Jesus was certain that there was a time for him now if it was not his time could it be that Mary had touched something out of time you got no way to know when Jesus is going to move in your situation some of y'all gave up on Jesus a long time ago and you have decided you know what I'm too far gone I've messed up too bad and I'm out of time uh but you need to know if Jesus is standing there or a billion miles away he simply has to speak a word and if you'll yield to the unction of what the word is saying H then you can receive from the master then why did Jesus saying to his mother it's not my time she just simply excuse me servants what he says do it hang on to me servants whatever he's telling you to do you need to do it we need to understand something today in this place this last day of our this year of 2023 the mother was simply telling the servers you better trust what Jesus says and we all know that Jesus doesn't waste things we all know that everything under Heaven has a purpose come on somebody we may not understand why there's mosquitoes but I'm sure the bird who eats them loves the fact that there's mosquitoes huh there's always a purpose in what happened in the Life of Christ do not even consider that Jesus was simply wasting his time at a marriage supper no the case is not true but there's a purpose even if we cannot see it there is a process there is a progression of days what I read to you was day one day two and now day three notice what's happening it's already been declared in the first chapter of John in the beginning was the word y'all remember that the word was and was you understand now this is the Declaration of John making a statement about who Jesus was and then he continues John was sent he was sent from God but he was not the light he even makes that day I'm not the light but there's one coming and when that one gets here I'm not even worthy to been down yeah that's the Jesus and then when Jesus shows up on that other day he says that's the one right there he takes away the sin of the world and now come on we are on the third day and there's this marriage this wedding going on and Jesus stands there fellowshipping enjoying the day this process is taking place but I want you to know something the six water pots that were used for ceremonial washing at a wedding uh it does not make sense of why Jesus would make a bold declaration take the water pots of stone fill them with water and draw from that water and take it to the man that's in charge of this ceremony you and I would look at that and we would simply say Jesus was simply doing the miraculous it's even told to us here that this was the beginning of Miracles that Jesus did I stand at this desk today and I simply tell you that water was needed to complete the ceremony of the washing in the New Testament if you're ever going to wash sins away it's going to take the cleansing of the water to wash Away The Sins there's a washing and a renewing uh that will happen water will wash away the sin uh but notice that when Jesus transitions the water from something that's a symbol of washing uh that he does not transition it into something that's obscure but as soon as the labor went into the pot and he picks it up and walks to the man that's in charge there is something transpiring in the water and that is simply this in the Biblical context uh water always represents washing uh but the wine always represents the Spirit uh and what Jesus I feel the Holy Ghost here what he was establishing in this account this is bigger than Mama it's bigger than my disciples but there is water to be turned in the spirit if you're going to be clean it's going to be the coming together of the water and the spirit that's why that Jesus made the Declaration you fill it with water and carry it to the man that was the beginning of Miracles wasn't that the wedding was going on it wasn't that the ceremony was happening it was the fact that Jesus was about to turn the world upside down who knew what happened with the water in the water pot who the servants that obey see I know and I recognize that when you discover the power of water and you discover the purpose of water it is a sign of what is to come washing is the beginning of your connection with Jesus and if you're truly going to be washed it is going to take the Waters of baptism to remit to wash away away your sin but it will not stop there somebody hear the preacher you've got to have that infilling and changing of the work of the spirit the symbolism here reachs through this whole story Jesus begins the Miracles by stating I've come today to change the way everybody sees anything and all things the disciples are standing there gaping with their big eyes Mama's standing there in her heart she's saying I'm knew it I knew it I knew it Jesus simply said take it the water to them and Watch What Happens the one that's in charge of the ceremony said it you know what I ain't never been where somebody brings out the best of last I hear this today it might be that you understand the power of the spirit and the power of the water but I've come to declare in 2024 somebody better be hungry for something that supersedes a simple Patty Cake for Jesus somebody that decides and declares I'm not just going to play Church any longer but I'm going to get under the spout where the glory of the Lord is moving uh and I believe the spirit of the Lord uh will wash me it will fill me uh it will lead me uh and I don't have to live a life full of pain suffering and sorrow but in the process God will work in my life I I am convinced in this hour he has saved the best for last that's the only way that you could ever explain the former and the latter together when Jesus was giving the instructions he was giv the indication and the plan for all of humanity water will become a point of transition in your life and the water will move you in through the spirit it is part of the future I'm looking at this last day of 20123 and I am convinced that time progresses and moves on some of you today you have been through hell this year and all the stuff that's Fallen apart in your life you are wondering where in the world is God you have questioned you have wondered you have scratched you have tried you have scampered around just trying to make sense can I help somebody today let the water do its work in your life and the water that washes you will cleanse you and pull you into the spirit and the spirit will begin to work in your life and things will begin to make sense and you'll notice that all the stuff that you went through was not in vain it was not for not but instead the Lord God knew listen to this preacher in this year that we are facing right now I am fully expect ing manifestation of the miraculous in the hour in which we live I am thoroughly 100% convinced that God Almighty himself uh is going to breathe into the hearts and lives of people like we've never seen before I declare it as a voice of God today in this room the devil's a liar stop listening to the LIE of the enemy but recognize the fact that when the water begins and the spirit begins there is something that that will happen uh in your connection uh with what God is doing uh in the process of time I'm GNA follow the lord for a minute if you'll let me y'all still with me it's 115 I need you to Bow your head right now with all the faith you've got with all the whatever you can muster up Sister Stacy you stand and pray God told me you had the prayer for this hour now you stand right now and you declare the word come on Church she's going to pray you pray with her come on pray sis pray like he's been telling you pray like he's been telling you come on sis pray it Church come on pray it we have come on pray itare right come on pray it declare it yes yes come on Jesus come on pray believe itus believe you come on declare it Jesus Jesus come on yes believe it trust it I trust it I trust it today yes yes hallelujah hallelujah oh come on Church come on Church come on declare it Lord I receive it right now I receive it you know every step I've taken you know every path that I've walked down come on somebody declare it in the Journey of life I Am Lord God in your will Lord I am connected to you Jesus come on come on somebody believe it there's a reason that water was turned to wine and the indication is follow what he says follow what he's telling you to do the revelation will come of his Spirit working in your life come on I believe somebody's hungry today somebody receive it today somebody receive it today the name of Jesus the name of Jesus miracles began with the water turning to Wine y'all still with me listen carefully I declare today that some of you the battles that you've been walking through is simply testing where you are in your fortitude to believe God can do it God is not going to hurt you it is not in him to destroy you but you better recognize and understand that he also is not playing with you he is gone to prepare a place so that where he is you can be that's not a play that's not a roll of the dice that's not a spin of the wheel and a drop of the ball no friend God has a place for you he is not forsaken he has not forsaken stop trying to figure it out he has not forsaken you yield to his right purpose Pastor I've been raped over the coals I've been this and I don't don't matter God's still God he has not forsaken you he has not drop it on you God knows what's going on in your home and he loves you through it all the answers are not there he loves you through it all right now this 31st of December would would you pray there anybody that'll just lay on their face before God for a while and Lord I'm sorry I doubted you but I I want to I want the Miracles to begin come on is there anybody else that'll come and pray Lord I I've already decided I can't do it myself I I got to have you miracles begin mirac miracles happen for those hungry for come on is there anybody else that'll that'll bow the knee come on lay on your face before God for a while Lord I I I want to end this year on a note God that lets me to know that you're still in my life you're still working in my situation I need a move the manifestation of your glory Miracles began by changing the situation come on somebody called I received that prayer sister Stacy prayed God knows exactly where we are church God knows exactly what's going on come on God God's not forsaking you he's not running away from you hey I love you Lord I Need You Jesus come on pray come on call on on the name of the Lord pray speak the name Jesus come on open your mouth speak the name Jesus come on rebuke the fear the doubt the question come on get rid of all of that pray God I I must have you I must have you Lord you know what's going on in our health you know what's going on in our job you know what's happening in our finances you know what's happening in our home you know what's transpiring on the job you know God what's unfolding in our health but God through all of that Miracles still happen oh that's right come on somebody reach for him reach for him reach for him Lord I I've got to have you hey yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah come on that's right call on the name of the Lord come on it's a progress ression things are happening God's moving come on you might be at the last day of this year but Revival is still for you start the next year with a moving manifestation of God in your life Jesus Jesus come on that's right Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus hey yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah come on believe him for it come on if the enemy could destroy you he already would have come on walk into the presence of the Lord declare Victory miracles happen in your presence Jesus the miraculous happens Lord in your house in your kingdom in your plan in your purpose today tomorrow next week the process the progress It's All You Jesus yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah come on let the Lord lead you reach over and pray for somebody around you come on reach out to somebody close by you Lord bless my brother today Lord anoint my sister today let the glory of the Lord work in them Speak Lord into their lives speak into their hearts Lord give them peace and joy in the spirit let them walk Lord after you God come on somebody come on somebody pray for somebody close to you God there's Revival there is moving God there are miraculous things to happen in them oh come on let's right in the name of Jesus the name of Jesus that's right come on come on believe the Lord for it come on Lord God you you know Jesus you're very aware God Jesus the Miracles manifested forth his glory the Miracles manifest in his glory yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah that's right that's right that's right come on let the spirit speak to you right now oh come on let try come on walk into his presence Lord I come today hungry for you I come today thirsty for you I come today Lord looking for you Jesus yes Lord yes Lord yes Jesus yes glorious savior oh come on that's right pray with somebody else God encourage today God move in their life Lord anoint them God for the journey let their faith grow stronger in this hour let their Faith Lord Reach For You In This Moment Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Through the progression of time miracles happen miracles happen holy holy holy I love you Jesus I love you Jesus be in the name of Jesus come on that's right in the name of Jesus yeah come on run into his presence I believe you for it Jesus oh that's right come on in the name of Jesus receive it receive it oh come on somebody that's right the spirit of the Lord works the glory of the Lord moves I'm hungry for you Lord I'm thirsty for you Jesus I Need You Jesus I Need You Jesus come on somebody's hungry for a miracle somebody's hungry for the miraculous come on somebody's ready to be changed by the power of the word of God come on church pray come on let Faith rise right now in the name of Jesus yes yes yes yes yes oh come on Tiffany that's right run into his presence I need you Lord fill me with the Holy Ghost Jesus I believe it's for me Lord I believe it's for me Jesus in the name of Jesus oh come on that's right Jesus come on speak in the name of Jesus let him confirm it right now the name of Jesus holy holy holy holy holy God the name of Jesus the name of Jesus there is power in the name there is power in the name it's 128 could can we pray till 130 come on would you just lift your voice lift your hands right now unto the Lord God I want you in my life I need the miraculous working in me I need to be changed by your spirit by Your Word by Your Word God wash Lord cleanse Lord change me oh God let me become Lord what you would have me to be oh come on that's right come on can you pray to 130 Lord I'm trusting you right now in the name in the name in the name in the name of Jesus Hallelujah cuz some of you ladies come help pray right now would you come on she's hungry for the Holy Ghost come on the Lord wants to F her today the Miracles can happen still come on would you come help pray right now in the name of Jesus in the name of Jesus in the name of Jesus in the name of Jesus miracles happen in the name of Jesus grace mercy and love happen in the name of Jesus oh come on that's right prayer warriors where you at come on make the Declaration I've come to love you I've come to bless your name oh come on that's right yeah open your mouth yeah let the Holy Ghost move right now the name of Jesus holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy God holy God holy God oh come on let's try it in the the name of Jesus in the name of Jesus I declare it right now I receive it right now I believe you for great things Jesus oh come on that's right the beginning of Miracles the beginning of Miracles God you've done so much in my life I believe you Lord for great things come on I trust you for it Lord I trust you for it Jesus my soul says yes to you Jesus in the name of Jesus can we all stand together and just lift our hands to the Lord right now one more time come on lift your voice to the Lord right now all over this room I love you Jesus come on come on somebody pray right now Lord I trust in you for great one Wonder ful things I'm believing you Lord for the miraculous I'm believing you Lord for the moving of your spirit I'm believing you for that Jesus hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah holy holy holy is the Lord God Almighty holy is the Lord Jesus holy is the Lord Jesus Worthy is the name of Jesus Jesus Worthy is the name of Jesus Worthy is the name of Jesus Hallelujah to the name of Jesus I Will Bless The Lord I Will Bless The Lord I will bless the name the beginning of Miracles that point that moment the washing in the spirit began and that's the miraculous God knows what he's doing in life he knows what he's doing in your world he knows what's happening in your circumstance will you trust him through it all come on pray with me right now lift your hand Lord as we leave this place today let your glory abide Let Your Glory abide let your power in presence abide let it work in our lives in our homes and our jobs and our families and our finances in our health in every aspect Lord Jesus come on Tiffany thank the Lord come on thank the Lord Tiffany been seeking the Holy Ghost the Lord filled her with the Holy Ghost today come on will somebody Rejoice come on will somebody Rejoice with her oh come on somebody Rejoice with her angels are shouting around the throne right now one Sinners come home come on somebody we believe you for great things Jesus yes Hallelujah we love you Lord we declare your glory Jesus hallelujah hallelujah oh what a great day to know Jesus are you thankful to know him today man I'm so glad you came to church I'm so thankful you came on this last day of the year listen you you enjoy family and all of that some of you guys are out of work still for the next few days don't forget your jobs I mean I'm just saying you need you need to do that enjoy your family don't forget your prayer time Tuesday night CR Wednesday night bible study next weekend we'll be right back here in the house of the Lord I love all of you and I'm glad you're here so thankful to know you thankful for the glory of the Lord that's working in your life Tim thanks for filling in today hopefully everybody's back in the house next week we need them all don't we I love y'all go and do great things and love Jesus through it all have a great week