These are notes on the sermon, He Confirms His Word With Miracles, preached by Pastor Joseph Prince on Sunday, 11 October 2020, at The Star Performing Arts Centre, Singapore. We hope these sermon notes will be an encouragement to you!
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Pastor Prince begins the service by giving thanks to the Lord for the many testimonies that have been coming in week after week.
If you are believing the Lord for a breakthrough today, know that He has your miracle in store for you. He lives in the realm of the miraculous. We are called to live a supernatural life where we depend on Him for our miraculous provision.
We can be like Jesus, who gave thanks and looked to heaven for the miraculous multiplication of the five loaves and two fish for the feeding of the five thousand (Matt. 14:13–21). Jesus knew that God would surely supply Him with the miracle and provide for His people.
There are many things we do to keep ourselves fit, like regular exercise and watching our diet, which is what the world depends on. While it is good to eat well and take care of our physical bodies, as believers, our health ultimately comes from the Lord.
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Today’s message is a continuation of last week’s sermon, The Secret To Health And Healing Revealed.
Today, God’s Word in season for us is for us to be reestablished in His righteousness.
“In righteousness you shall be established;
You shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear;
And from terror, for it shall not come near you.”
— Isaiah 54:14 NKJV
“In righteousness you shall be established” — It’s not just about knowing your righteousness in Christ, but about being established in it.
The word “established” is the Hebrew word “kuwn,” which means “fixed” or “firm.”
The same Hebrew word “kuwn,” was used to describe how the priests’ feet were fixed on the ground while they carried the ark across the Jordan River:
“And the priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lᴏʀᴅ stood firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan while all Israel crossed on dry ground, until all the nation had finished crossing the Jordan.”
— Joshua 3:17 NASB
“stood firm” — The phrase “stood firm” is also the Hebrew word “kuwn,” which means “established.”
Backstory: This occurred while the Israelites were crossing the Jordan River into the promised land. The priests were told to carry the ark of the covenant and step into the overflowing Jordan River because once their feet touched the waters, the waters would roll back all the way to a city called Adam and the people would be able to cross on dry land. The ark of the covenant represents Jesus, who stood firm in death so that God could roll back the waters of judgment all the way back to Adam, the first man who sinned. This is a picture of how Jesus’ death caused all of God’s judgment to roll back for us.
That is why today we can stand firm—be established—in the righteousness that our Lord Jesus has imparted to us.
When you are established in Christ’s righteousness, you will be far from oppression and from terror, for it will not come near you (Isa. 54:14). Also,
“No weapon formed against you shall prosper,
And every tongue which rises against you in judgment
You shall condemn.
This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord,
And their righteousness is from Me,”
Says the Lord.”
— Isaiah 54:17 NKJV
“their righteousness is from Me” — This refers to our righteousness in Christ, not our own righteousness.
God wants us to not just know about it, study it, or give it lip service, but to be firmly established in it and not let the enemy steal this truth from our hearts.
This is what the true gospel, the gospel of grace, is all about.
In this passage, the apostle Paul preaches the gospel of Christ:
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, ‘The just shall live by faith.’”
— Romans 1:16–17 NKJV
“salvation for everyone who believes” — The word “salvation” in Greek is “sōtēria,” which encompasses every area of our lives—spirit, soul, and body (it refers not only to salvation from hell, but also deliverance and wholeness in every area of your life). And the power of the gospel is for everyone who believes, no exceptions.
There are those who believe that after people get saved, they no longer need to hear the gospel preached. But that is not true. Every day, we live by the gospel. Day by day, in every area of our lives—in marriage, in parenting, in relationships, in health—it is the gospel of grace that causes us to prosper and experience wholeness.
If the gospel you’re hearing does not result in salvation (prosperity, wholeness, saving, and deliverance in every area), then it’s not the true gospel you’re hearing.
The word “salvation” in Greek is “sōtēria,” and in Hebrew, it is “Yeshua,” which is the name of Jesus. The salvation that Jesus brings through His finished work is not only for eternal life, but also for our daily lives.
When you live life under grace, the power of God that brings salvation, wholeness for your body, health for your mind, and peace in your relationships is released in your life.
“the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith” — God’s righteousness is revealed from faith to faith, not from faith to works. When the gospel of grace is preached, the result in people’s lives is heart transformation that affects their behavior, lifestyle, and conduct.
Pastor Prince shares a personal story from his youth of how he read a book that took away his assurance of salvation, which affected his relationship with the Lord. Not being established in the truth of God’s righteousness, he struggled to “get right” with God, which resulted in depressive thoughts and sleepless nights. Only when he realized that he had already been made righteous because of Jesus’ finished work was he set free. Once he was conscious of the Lord’s love and beauty, there came a conviction to share the good news—the gospel—with others wherever he went.
The more conscious you are of your own sins (brought about by the consciousness of the law), the longer you will dwell in a painful, depressive state. This is not how God intended for you to live. The secret to joy is being delivered from self and becoming Christ-conscious instead of self-conscious. By beholding His glory, you will be transformed into His image from glory to glory.
When you are unsure if the preaching or teaching you are hearing is the gospel of grace, see if it points you to Jesus and His finished work. If it does, then it is the true gospel. The Holy Spirit Himself will reveal it to you (John 16:14 KJV).
When you believe the gospel, you will receive the gift of eternal life.
“in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.”
— Romans 2:16 NKJV
“my gospel” — This is written by the apostle Paul, through whom God revealed the fullness of the gospel of grace to the world. The gospel refers to the person of Jesus, who is grace Himself.
One day, God will judge the world based on whether they believe in Jesus or not (John 3:36). If they stubbornly refuse to believe, God will have them thrown into the lake of fire. Though it is not His heart to do so, God has to exercise justice for He is holy and righteous.
“Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began.”
— Romans 16:25 NKJV
“according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ” — When we preach Jesus Christ and His finished work, people will be saved. It was God’s plan since the beginning to save all mankind through the revelation of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Paul called the gospel of grace “my gospel” because it was through him that the Lord revealed the fullness of the true gospel to the world. In the same way, the law is also referred to as “the law of Moses” (because God gave the law to Israel through Moses).
While Paul never saw Jesus in the flesh, the Lord chose him to receive the revelation of the gospel and share it with everyone.
“Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time.”
—1 Corinthians 15:8 NKJV
“one born out of due time” — When Paul received the revelation to write the gospel, Jesus had already died for our sins, resurrected, and ascended. All the disciples had seen Jesus, but Paul never saw Jesus in the flesh. Jesus, in His glorified body, later revealed Himself to Paul.
Before Paul was saved, he was a religious terrorist who would travel to different places just to persecute believers. In fact, he was the one who sanctioned the stoning of the church’s first martyr, Stephen.
How did God deal with him? He shone His light on Paul.
When Paul was on his way to Damascus one day, the Lord revealed Himself to him:
“As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven.”
— Acts 9:3 NKJV
“a light shone around him from heaven” — This was the light of grace, which was so bright that it temporarily blinded Paul.
“And he said, ‘Who are You Lord?’
Then the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus, who you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”
— Acts 9:5 NKJV
Instead of sending His judgment, Jesus showed Paul grace. Though Paul deserved judgment, Jesus did not deal with him that way. Instead, He shone the light of His grace on him. Paul was blinded for a few days, but God sent a man called Ananias to open his eyes. The name “Ananias” in Hebrew is the name “Hananiah,” which means “the grace of Yahweh.” The first thing that Paul saw was God’s grace, and grace became his ministry.
The ministry of Paul is different from the ministry of Peter:
While Paul calls the gospel “my gospel,” he didn’t write it from his imagination or opinion. It was the Lord who came to him in grace and revealed the gospel—”the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began”—to him (Rom. 16:25).
Salvation starts from the inside out. It starts from your spirit (when you receive eternal life), then it translates to your soul (your thoughts and emotional well-being), then it translates to bodily health. The gospel is always accompanied by signs—especially healings. During Jesus’ earthly ministry, His preaching was often accompanied by healing the sick.
There’s a lost world that is waiting for us to preach the true gospel to them. It’s only the true gospel believed upon that will bring wholeness in our lives.
Paul started preaching the gospel in Antioch, which is in present-day Turkey:
“But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day and sat down. And after the reading of the Law and of the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent to them, saying, ‘Men and brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.’ Then Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said, ‘Men of Israel, and you who fear God, listen.’”
— Acts 13:14–16 NKJV
This chapter gives us a full documentation of Paul preaching the gospel.
While there are other records of Paul preaching the gospel, we don’t get a full documentation of it for various reasons, e.g. his sermon got cut short in Athens (Acts 17).
Although Paul’s sermon was cut short in Athens, we can learn from the way he started preaching the gospel to unbelievers:
“for as I was passing through and considering the objects of your worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you:”
— Acts 17:23 NKJV
When Paul went around preaching the gospel, he found common ground for people to agree on and didn’t condemn them for their beliefs and sin. Though he was mocked in Athens, there were also many who believed what he preached. That’s what is most important—that souls are saved.
Back to Acts 13, the full record of Paul preaching the gospel:
“Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins; and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.”
— Acts 13:38–39 NKJV
“through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins” — The gospel is the proclamation of God’s offer of forgiveness of sins to all man through His Son Jesus Christ.
“by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things” — Because Jesus has paid for the forgiveness of all our sins at the cross, we can be justified by faith (believing). This is what the gospel is all about. God’s focus is no more on the sinner, but on Jesus and what He went through for us at the cross—His death, burial, and resurrection. Now, God offers the free gift of forgiveness of sins (in other words, righteousness or justification), which is received by faith.
You cannot save yourself. Only Jesus can save you. When you believe and receive the forgiveness of all your sins through Him—that’s believing the true gospel that Paul preached.
The Young’s Literal Translation articulates Acts 13:39 this way:
“and from all things from which ye were not able in the law of Moses to be declared righteous, in this one every one who is believing is declared righteous.”
— Acts 13:39 YLT
“declared righteous” — The gospel openly declares that everyone who believes in the gospel of Jesus Christ is righteous.
When Paul preached the gospel, he didn’t tell people they had to do anything to deserve to hear the gospel. He preached to them so that they would believe.
Living “right” comes as a result of the fruit of the Spirit in our lives and knowing we are forgiven. You cannot tell sinners to repent before they come to Jesus. The law cannot save or change them. The more the law is preached, the more people will reject it. It is only when grace is preached that people are conscious of God’s grace and forgiveness and their lives are transformed.
Paul knew beforehand that many law-conscious people would come against the gospel of grace, and he addressed them:
“and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses. Beware therefore, lest what has been spoken in the prophets come upon you:
‘Behold, you despisers,
Marvel and perish!
For I work a work in your days,
A work which you will by no means believe,
Though one were to declare it to you.’”
— Acts 13:39–41 NKJV
“you despisers, marvel and perish!” — Paul was speaking to the Jews who did not believe the gospel of grace. In today’s context, these are people who call the unqualified gospel of grace “cheap grace” or “easy believism.”
The Gentiles were the ones who responded to the gospel first because they had no knowledge or consciousness of the law:
“So when the Jews went out of the synagogue, the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath.”
— Acts 13:42 NKJV
Pastor Prince shares how the Lord asked him once, “Would you like to know the secret to great faith? Study the two instances in the gospels where I affirmed someone for having great faith.” These two instances are:
“Now when Jesus heard this, He marveled and said to those who were following, ‘Truly I say to you, I have not found such great faith with anyone in Israel.”
— Matthew 8:10 NASB
“I have not found such great faith” — The Centurion soldier believed Jesus’ word of healing for his servant by faith, even when he had not seen the miracle happen yet.
“Then Jesus answered and said to her, ‘O woman, great is your faith . . .”
— Matthew 15:28 NKJV
“great is your faith” — This Canaanite woman had a daughter who was demon-possessed and believed that Jesus would heal her daughter even though she was not a Jew.
The common denominator between these two people is that they were both Gentiles, and so they were not conscious of the law (the Ten Commandments) that disqualified them from receiving from Jesus.
“. . . for ‘The righteous shall live by faith.’ But the law is not of faith, rather ‘The one who does them shall live by them.’”
— Galatians 3:11–12 ESV
“the law is not of faith” — If you want to possess great faith, don't be law-conscious.
“For if those who are of the law are heirs, faith is made void . . .”
— Romans 4:14 NKJV
“faith is made void” — Even sinners can have faith to believe Jesus, like the woman with a hemorrhage condition (Matt. 9:20–22). But the law voids faith. When you are Jesus-conscious, your faith is built up.
When Paul preached the gospel, there were people who believed and those who opposed it:
“So when the Jews went out of the synagogue, the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath. Now when the congregation had broken up, many of the Jews and devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God. On the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God. But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy; and contradicting and blaspheming, they opposed the things spoken by Paul.”
— Acts 13:42–45 NKJV
“to continue in the grace of God” — Don't start from faith then go to works, for the gospel is revealed from faith to faith. When you continue in faith, you will produce good works in your life.
“almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God” — This was a large city, and when people heard about grace, they got excited and brought more people to hear it. While not everyone might respond to the gospel, there will be those who hear the truth and believe it and even bring others along to hear it too.
Whenever something happens at a global scale, God is always working behind the scenes. While God is not the One who sends disease, pain, or destruction of any kind, He is always working behind the scenes of these events for the benefit of:
One example is the COVID-19 global pandemic, which has seen the gospel go forth like never before. We also see how the Lord has opened the door of social media and new media technology for such a time as this.
Another example in history is World War I, where God used the war to position Israel. Had the Jews willingly gone back to Israel then, they would not have suffered from the Holocaust. In World War II, God was preparing Israel’s return to their land. 50 years after WWI, God redeemed the land for Israel in the Six-Day War, unprecedented in history other than Israel’s victory over Jericho (Jos. 6).
While God did not bring about the COVID-19 pandemic or any of these wars, His heart is always for redeeming and saving Israel and for the preaching of the gospel of grace.
Today, don’t expect the gospel to be welcomed everywhere. There are people who attempt to keep the law in order to be holy, but that is a negation of the gospel of Christ. The law stirs up sin-consciousness in our flesh, and instead of doing the good we try to do, we end up failing, which brings condemnation—and is not how God destined us to live (Rom. 7:18, John 6:63).
When we live under grace, we have the power to live above the dominion of sin (Rom. 6:14). Grace doesn’t compromise God’s holy standards and condone sin; it is the answer that gives people power to live glorious lives and even exceed the standards of the law (Titus 2:11–15).
Paul emphasized the crucial importance of preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ here:
“I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.”
— Galatians 1:6–9 NKJV
“in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel” — The true gospel is the gospel of grace.
“the gospel of Christ” — Today, people say the gospel of grace is a perversion of the gospel, but during Paul’s time, anything else aside from the gospel of grace was a perversion.
“let him be accursed . . . so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed” — Paul pronounced a double curse on any minister of Christ who would preach another gospel, and God allowed it because God loves people and doesn’t want them to hear a different gospel. When someone hears a different gospel from the gospel of grace, they come under the curse, and that means supply isn't coming their way, their influence and words fall to the ground (Deut. 28:15–68). God wants to reconcile the world to the gospel of grace, and He will stop any perversion of the gospel from being preached. This is New Testament judgment. On the flip side, when you preach the gospel of grace, you will be doubly blessed (Deut. 28:1–14).
When someone tries to hinder the gospel of grace, there is judgment. That is what happened to the sorcerer Elymas, who tried to withhold the proconsul (governor) from receiving the gospel:
“And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season . . .”
— Acts 13:11 KJV
“for a season” — When the Lord pronounced blindness upon Elymas, He was still merciful in allowing Elymas’ blindness to only last a season and not be permanent.
“Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had been done, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord.”
— Acts 13:12 NKJV
“the proconsul believed” — The proconsul was a man of great authority in this city, and when he saw with his own eyes how real the gospel was, he believed. God’s heart is not for judgment but He will oppose those who oppose the gospel of Jesus Christ.
—
This is what Jesus declared over the cities who rejected His grace:
“Then He began to rebuke the cities in which most of His mighty works had been done, because they did not repent: ‘Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you. And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades; for if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.”
— Matthew 11:20–23 NKJV
Backstory: Tyre, Sidon, and Sodom were cities known for their sinfulness and never got the chance to experience the miracles of grace. On the other hand, Chorazin, Bethsaida, and especially Capernaum saw the love and grace of God demonstrated through the numerous miracles that Jesus did for them. Yet they rejected Him and His grace and refused to turn their hearts toward God. In the Lord’s opinion, rejecting grace is a worse sin than the sins of Tyre, Sidon, and Sodom.
“if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day” — When grace is preached, mighty works, healing deliverance, restoration, and breakthroughs happen. When people receive these things, they see the goodness of God that leads them to repentance. This is how we should reach out to sinners—not to judge them, but to dispense God’s grace.
Paul told the Church of Ephesus, which was known to be very spiritual:
“How I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house, testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward (‘eis’) God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me.”
— Acts 20:20–23 NKJV
“repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ” — The word “toward” is the Greek word “eis.” In this context, “repentance toward (‘eis’)” means to change your mind. Repentance toward God is us changing our minds, our opinions, of God. Instead of thinking He is out to get us, we realize He is a God who loves us. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
“But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. ‘And indeed, now I know that you all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, will see my face no more. There I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.”
— Acts 20:24–27 NKJV
“the gospel of the grace of God . . . preaching the kingdom of God” — Preaching the gospel of the grace of God is the same as preaching the kingdom of God. You establish the kingdom of God in people’s lives when the gospel of grace is preached.
“the whole counsel of God” — The gospel of grace is the whole counsel of God. The law might be the “ABC’s,” but God planned for the gospel of grace to come in through Jesus and be the whole counsel of God that saves souls.
“Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears. ‘So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.”
— Acts 20:28–32 NKJV
“overseers, to shepherd the church of God” — As leaders and ministers of grace, let us see people as sheep. Jesus saw how the people were like sheep without a shepherd and had compassion for them (Matt. 9:36). What sheep need most is food, and people are hungry for the truth of God’s Word. We are to tend, feed, and lead them to green pastures where God will restore their souls and their bodies.
“to the word of His grace” — The whole counsel of God is the word of His grace.
“build you up . . . give you an inheritance” — Before people can receive their inheritance (healing, blessings, miracles), they need to be built up by hearing the word of grace (forgiveness of sins and being declared righteous before God). They must first be built up, then the inheritance will be theirs.
“All you children shall be taught by the Lᴏʀᴅ,
And great shall be the peace of your children.
In righteousness you shall be established;
You shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear;
And from terror, for it shall not come near you.”
— Isaiah 54:13–14 NKJV
“In righteousness you shall be established” — This righteousness that God wants us to be established in has nothing to do with our own works. It is Christ’s righteousness alone. When you are established in His righteousness that has been imputed to you, you will be free from terror, anxieties, and worries; far from fear and oppression.
“Indeed they shall surely assemble, but not because of Me.
Whoever assembles against you
shall fall for your sake.”
— Isaiah 54:15 NKJV
“fall for your sake” — Everything that is against you will fall away.
“No weapon formed against you shall prosper,
And every tongue which rises against you in judgment
You shall condemn.
This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord,
And their righteousness is from Me,”
Says the Lord.”
— Isaiah 54:17 NKJV
“No weapon formed against you shall prosper . . . their righteousness is from Me” — No weapon formed against you will prosper because your righteousness is from Him.
Keep on believing and declaring that you are the righteousness of God in Christ, and see miracles and promised breakthroughs happen!
Pastor Prince closes the service by praying for people with these conditions:
Every healing can stand the test of medical science. Pastor Prince encourages those he prayed over to go back to their doctors to verify their healings. Only stop taking your medicine when your healing has been confirmed by medical reports. Then please write in to share your testimony!
“The Lord bless you, and the Lord keep you. The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord keep you, preserve you from the COVID-19 virus, from every harm, danger, accident, sickness, and all the powers of darkness, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. You have been declared righteous. You are far from oppression for you will not fear. And you are far from terror for it will not come near you. And no weapon formed against you shall prosper throughout this week because your righteousness is from Him. The Lord grant you shalom peace and well-being for you and your family throughout this week. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
We hope these sermon notes blessed you! If they did, we encourage you to get the sermon and allow the Lord to speak to you personally as you watch or listen to it.
© Copyright JosephPrince.com 2020
These sermon notes were taken by volunteers during the service. They are not a verbatim representation of the sermon.
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