When Heaven Invades Earth

Week 7: Chapter 10 and 11

April 6 – April 12, 2008

In this week's material, Chapters 10 and 11 are combined and speak to the Church of the necessity of operating in the gifts and power of the Holy Spirit and the high cost if we do not do so. In Chapter 10, Johnson specifically addresses the dualism that has been set up in most Christian circles that favors character over power and exposes the deception that would lead us to seek either one or the other but not both as the Lord intends. The purpose of God's power manifest among his people is to witness to another world, the Kingdom of God. But instead of hearts abandoned to the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Church has settled for  the appearance of being nice people – a thin veneer which keeps us comfortable but disobedient to our Commander. 

            Obedience develops character and prayer develops power. We cannot develop either on our own and we cannot be “weak in one without undermining the other.” Character comes when we “quit striving and abandon ourselves completely to His will” (111) and power comes through abiding in Christ and our relationship with the Holy Spirit. Intentionally pursuing and keeping my mind and heart set on “the One who is able to keep me from falling” will lead to a “life (that) reflects what I see with my heart” (112). Pursuing God wherever he can be found, abandonment to our own comfort, respectability, agendas and preferences and being specific in requests for anointing and miracles will move us more and more into the realm of the supernatural.

            Johnson also stresses that”Whatever I receive from God, I must give away” for this is the only way I will be able to hang on to what is good. We must also be willing to fail, be vulnerable and look for opportunities to serve through signs and wonders which “gives Him the opportunity to show His extravagant love for people” (115).

            Following is Johnson's list from Chapter 11 of a dozen things signs and wonders do. This list serves as a means to highlight the “high cost of low power” - if miracles are not a part of our lives, “the world suffers, God is grieved and , we are the most to be pitied” (119). Signs and Wonders:

1. Reveal the nature of God – an accurate witness to God includes His power; the supernatural is His natural! (119)
2. Expose sin and bring people to a decision – power exposes hearts. Demonstrations of power removes the middle ground and causes people to decide what they are for or against (120).
3. Bring courage – testifying and remembering the powerful works of God stirs expectation which  leads to more miracles. This gives us courage for the exploits God has in store for us (121).
4. Provide the key to win the “sin cities” of the world to Christ – they are confronted with the need for repentance when the power of God comes into impossible circumstances (123).
5. Reveal His glory – miracles displace darkness and replace it with the light of God's glory; He is present to reign! (124).
6. Direct people to give glory to God – when people see or hear testimonies of the power of God their hearts are moved towards Him, glorifying and praising Him (125).
7. Signs themselves give Him glory - “an act of God has a life of its own and actually gives God glory without the assistance of mankind” (125).
8. Act as a unifying force for the generations -
9. Affirm who Jesus is – “without miracles there can never be a full revelation of Jesus” (126).
10. Help people hear from God – provide a shift in priorities which aids in hearing God (127).
11. Help people obey God – a personal encounter with the miraculous leads us to know God and trust Him more (127).
12. Validate the identity of both the Son of God and His Church - “no one can do these signs unless God is with them” If God is present in His Church, there will be miracles there too (128).