These are notes on the sermon, Positioned For His Provision, preached by Pastor Joseph Prince on Sunday, 14 April 2019, at The Star Performing Arts Centre, Singapore. We hope these sermon notes will be an encouragement to you!
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A testimony of a lady healed from mitral valve prolapse, a usually-lifelong heart disorder, was shared.
Pastor Prince shared how God is not a respecter of persons, but He is a respecter of faith. Where God finds faith, His power flows. He can heal you, just as He healed the lady.
It’s truly the season for evangelism, as next Sunday is Resurrection Sunday. The Lord loves souls. Just before He returned to heaven after rising from the dead, His Great Commission to the 11 disciples was to “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15)
Pastor shares that there is an evangelistic spirit, grace, and charisma that God has released upon us to invite our friends and loved ones to church this Sunday.
Start praying for the Lord to put just one or two persons on your heart, though more is good too.
Something might have happened to them—they might have had a nightmare, saw something on TV, or even attended a funeral which made them realize the brevity of life—that will make them come this time. Don’t give up even if they turned down your invitation to church before.
The Lord can open their hearts, just as He opened a woman Lydia’s heart to heed what the Apostle Paul was saying (see Acts 16:14).
If the people God puts on your heart to invite ask you tough theological questions, just be humble and tell them, “Honestly, it’s beyond me. Maybe one day we’ll find out in heaven. But let me share with you my testimony, my experience with Jesus.”
And souls will come. People can argue with theology, but they can never disprove your experience. Just like how the blind man whom Jesus healed at the Pool of Siloam told the Pharisees who challenged him about his healing: “...One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see.” (John 9:25)
The week of Passover (likely the greatest of Israel’s 7 feasts) is coming soon, and falls on April 19–27 this year.
Pastor Prince and his wife Wendy were invited by the Ambassador of Israel for a Passover meal at her residence a few days ago, with some other guests. Some things about the Passover hit him hard, which he’s going to share with us.
It doesn’t always happen, but the first day of Passover (Apr 19, Fri) this year coincides with the weekly Jewish Shabbat (observed every Friday to Saturday night). This also happened in the year Jesus died on the cross, where He became the true Passover Lamb. That’s why back then the people hurried to place His body in the tomb, because they were very strict about observing the Shabbat where no work should be done.
Till date, Jesus has also fulfilled some out of Israel’s 7 feasts, which include:
We are waiting for the fulfillment of other feasts such as the Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah), which will happen when Jesus Himself descends from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God (see 1 Thess 4:16). We’ll be raptured with Him not spiritually, but in our best physical state: Young and strong.
The Prophet Daniel speaks about this in his most famous prophecy, the Seventy-Weeks Prophecy (see Daniel 9:24–27)—where a prophetic week is equivalent to 7 years.
Daniel was prophesying that in 70 x 7= 490 years, God will do something wonderful for Israel as seen below:
“Seventy weeks are determined
For your people and for your holy city,
To finish the transgression,
To make an end of sins,
To make reconciliation for iniquity,
To bring in everlasting righteousness,
To seal up vision and prophecy,
And to anoint the Most Holy.”
— Daniel 9:24 NKJV
483 years have passed, and Jesus’ death on the cross stopped the prophetic time clock (see Dan. 9:26). We are now in the dispensation of grace, and the 7 years that are left are the 7 years of tribulation spoken of in the Book of Revelation. But we as believers won’t suffer that, because God “did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thess. 5:9).
Christians all over the world celebrated Palm Sunday today (April 14, 2019). This was when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey in the Bible, on the 10th of Nisan, the Jewish Passover month.
It was very sad that only young children, Greeks and uneducated Galileans who saw Jesus’ miracles welcomed Him—not Jesus’ own people, the Israelites.
When Jesus came to the Mount of Olives, He wept strong, body-shaking sobs when He looked at the temple because He foresaw what the Israelites’ rejection would bring upon them and their descendants: The Romans destroying the Temple at Jerusalem in 70 A.D., and other sufferings (see Luke 19:41–44; Matt. 23:37–39).
How could Jesus cry when so many people were celebrating Him on Palm Sunday? It shows how His heart was truly for Israel. Jesus can’t be moved by flattery, censure, or rebuke.
One mark of a mature person is that he/she is independent of flattery. We now seem to live in a society of mutual admiration. But don’t allow yourself to be flattered into a good opinion of someone, nor criticized into bitterness towards someone.
Jesus then went to cleanse the temple singlehandedly, driving out people who bought and sold in it, and overturning the tables of the moneychangers (see Matt. 21:12–13). This showed He was strong.
After that, Jesus was interrogated in the temple by the Pharisees (see Matt. 21:23–27). This parallels how the Israelites would take a one-year-old male lamb during the Passover, and examine it to ensure it’s without blemish (see Exo. 12:5). The lamb also only stays with them for 4–5 days before it is killed for the Passover.
Do you notice how Jesus conquered death on the cross as a lamb? But the Bible says that all we like sheep, that are more mature, have gone astray (Isa. 53:6). So be careful of thinking that going astray (drifting from God) is beyond you, just because you’ve grown somewhat in your Christian walk. That said, you can never lose your salvation.
The Pharisees’ questioning culminated in Jesus asking them: “What do you think about the Christ? Whose Son is He?” (Matt. 22:42). This is a good question to ask your friends.
Jesus asked them this to correct their perspective of Him—He’s not just the Son of David, because David called Him “my Lord” in Matt. 22:44. Jesus is fully God and fully man.
They also wanted to stone Jesus when He said, “Before Abraham was, I AM.” (see John 8:58–59), indicating His deity because God revealed Himself as “I AM” to Moses in the burning bush.
The 9 plagues that God brought upon Egypt, and the first institution of the Passover in the Bible speaks of our world today; the dark end-times we live in just before Jesus returns.
“Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, darkness which may even be felt.” So Moses stretched out his hand toward heaven, and there was thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days. They did not see one another; nor did anyone rise from his place for three days. But all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings.”
— Exodus 10:21–23 NKJV
“darkness which may even be felt” — Just as it was a supernatural darkness that covered Egypt back then, darkness is covering our world today. There is no more common sense, people have no more respect for authorities. Each person is their own authority, using things like social media as a tool for rebellion. We think we’re progressing, but we’re regressing.
“all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings” — But just as the children of Israel had supernatural light in their homes (the light must’ve been supernatural, if not the Egyptians could’ve access to it too), we as believers have God’s supernatural light today in our family lives.
“Arise, shine;
For your light has come!
And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.
For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth,
And deep darkness the people;
But the Lord will arise over you,
And His glory will be seen upon you.”
— Isaiah 60:1–2 NKJV
The devil wants to attack our family lives and our children’s values. But Pastor Prince encourages parents that their children get their identity from them, not celebrities or social media.
If you’ve got a boy, train him up to have strength that’s under control. Just like Jesus, whose ability to drive out the moneychangers from the temple single-handedly demonstrated His strength. But the Bible does not say that Jesus was angry or bad-tempered—He drove them out calmly but firmly.
That said, anger is not always bad. When you’re angry at injustice, at people getting bullied, that’s holy and from God.
Don’t surrender your children’s spiritual education for natural education. Wisdom from God is the mother of all knowledge. Christians started schools all over the world.
Discipline your children; don’t allow them to get away with murder. If they say, “Everyone is doing it!”, tell them, “Thank God you’re special. Uncommon. Not like people of the world. They want you to be like them; to be like stones which are common. But you’re a diamond.”
Even if they don’t feel like going to church, make them, if they’re young and still under your roof. Don’t be scared that they’ll hate you or hate church.
Don’t wait for them to go into prison and say, “You never stopped me. You never said anything against what I was doing. You never bothered about me.”
Be careful of the way you talk about the authorities and even your own parents to your children—do it with respect, don’t make fun of them or present them as killjoys.
Parents, your children should also be addressing you as a father/mother, not by your first name.
One of King David’s sons Adonijah wanted to usurp his throne, and the Bible says that “his father had not rebuked him at any time” (see 1 Kings 1:5–6).
Grace-based parenting includes discipline (not abuse). You can be Spirit-led in disciplining your children according to their misdeed.
Even God disciplines us (not with sickness or tragedy, though), and we feel loved. So discipline is love.
“And the Lord said to Moses, “I will bring one more plague on Pharaoh and on Egypt. Afterward he will let you go from here. When he lets you go, he will surely drive you out of here altogether. Speak now in the hearing of the people, and let every man ask from his neighbor and every woman from her neighbor, articles of silver and articles of gold.” And the Lord gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh’s servants and in the sight of the people.”
— Exodus 11:1–3 NKJV
“And the Lord gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians” — This speaks of a transfer of provision to the church. The time which the Israelites were in parallels our times (the ending part of Church history).
“Now the children of Israel had done according to the word of Moses, and they had asked from the Egyptians articles of silver, articles of gold, and clothing. And the Lord had given the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they granted them what they requested. Thus they plundered the Egyptians.”
— Exodus 12:35–36 NKJV
The Israelites were simply getting back their salary for 400 years of unpaid labour.
Have you been cheated or robbed by get-rich-quick investments? Restoration is coming.
The Bible says, “He that hasteth to be rich has an evil eye” (Prov. 28:22 KJV), “he that gathereth by labour shall increase” (Prov. 13:11 KJV), “The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, and He adds no sorrow with it.” (Prov. 10:22)
Our Father Abraham also tithed to Melchizedek, who is a representation of Jesus our High Priest at God’s right hand. In fact, the Hebrew word for “rich”, aser, is found in the Hebrew word for “tithe”, maaser.
“Now the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying, “This month shall be your beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year to you. Speak to all the congregation of Israel, saying: ‘On the tenth of this month every man shall take for himself a lamb, according to the house of his father, a lamb for a household. And if the household is too small for the lamb, let him and his neighbor next to his house take it according to the number of the persons; according to each man’s need you shall make your count for the lamb. Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year. You may take it from the sheep or from the goats.”
— Exodus 12:1–5 NKJV
“This month shall be your beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year to you” — Pastor Prince shares prophetically that there shall be a new beginning for us in this Year of the Latter Rain. Previously, he prophesied that it would be the Year of the Latter Rain even when Israel was going through a 5-year drought, and that has come to pass (see slide 16).
We might have made stupid mistakes or foolish decisions, but our new beginning is here.
Just as how God changed the Israelites’ new year (which usually starts with Rosh Hashanah in September) to the month of Nisan (“it shall be the first month of the year to you”), which we’re in now.
In the Jewish calendar, this year is also the year 5779 for Israel. 70 in the Hebrew is the word ayin, which means “eye”, while 9 in Hebrew is the word tet, which means “snake”.
The world will see many evil things by the devil (who can be represented by a snake) and won’t even know he’s behind it.
There aren’t many more Passovers to go; we are truly in the end-times. You are called for such a time as this, called from your mother’s womb (Gal. 1:15).
Ask the Lord, “Why did you make me?”
Do what you love, and the provision will follow. Look deep down into your heart and ask, “What do I really want to do?”
God can put thoughts in your heart, just as He put it in Nehemiah’s heart to “gather the nobles, the rulers, and the people, that they might be registered by genealogy.” (Neh. 7:5)
When you are so intimate with God, and of one Spirit, you can discern His thoughts, which are deeper than the devil’s (more superficial lusts and desires).
“Now the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying, “This month shall be your beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year to you. Speak to all the congregation of Israel, saying: ‘On the tenth of this month every man shall take for himself a lamb, according to the house of his father, a lamb for a household. And if the household is too small for the lamb, let him and his neighbor next to his house take it according to the number of the persons; according to each man’s need you shall make your count for the lamb. Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year. You may take it from the sheep or from the goats.”
— Exodus 12:1–5 NKJV
“a lamb for a household” — God’s heart is for your entire household to be saved. Acts 16:31 says, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” If you’re a believer, there’s a wide open door for God to come in and save the rest of your family.
The best thing you can do is to let Jesus’ light in you shine before your family members. No matter how estranged your family is, when they get saved, they’ll be eternally grateful to you in heaven.
“if the household is too small for the lamb” — The lamb is never too small for the house.
Progression from seeing Jesus as “a lamb” (verse 3), to “the lamb” (verse 4), and finally “Your lamb” (verse 5):
As your estimation of Jesus progresses from being just a lamb, to the (definite article) one and only Lamb slain for our sins, to the Lamb that belongs to us, we’ll see His provision more and more.
At the Passover Seder meal Pastor Prince attended, the Ambassador of Israel talked about the Matzah Tosh, a round white satin pouch with 3 compartments. The Jews (even way back to the early church) would traditionally put a piece of matzah (unleavened bread) into each of the compartments, representing God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
The middle piece of matzah is taken out, broken, wrapped in linen cloth and hidden somewhere in the house. The first child to find and present it to the leader of the family will receive a great gift.
This piece of matzah is known as the Afikoman (Greek for “I have come” in Aorist tense). It’s a picture of our Lord Jesus. He was broken for us at the cross that we might be whole. And His body was wrapped in linen cloth by Joseph of Arimathea (Mark 15:45–46), before He was placed in the tomb and rose from the dead 3 days later.
Also, just as the middle matzah is the last piece the Jews eat, the last Person Israel will feed on in these last days is Jesus.
“Then He said to Abram: “Know certainly that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, and will serve them, and they will afflict them four hundred years. And also the nation whom they serve I will judge; afterward they shall come out with great possessions.”
— Genesis 15:13–14 NKJV
Shortly after Abraham tithed to Melchizedek, God prophesied the Israelites’ slavery under the Egyptians for 400 years, and that they would come out with great possessions too: They’d emerge not poor, but rich. This is our portion too.
“And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold…”
— Acts 4:33–34 NKJV
We don’t preach the health and wealth gospel; we preach the gospel of grace, like the early church did as seen above. And the results were great power—healing miracles, devils being cast out, people freed from depression. And there being not anyone who lacked.
“He also brought them out with silver and gold, and there was none feeble among His tribes.”
— Psalm 105:37 NKJV
“brought them out with silver and gold” — God didn’t bring His people out with stones, or just barely enough clothing on their backs. He brought them out with riches.
Let’s not succumb to the spirit of intimidation on the church, where we don’t dare to preach about health and provision. The above is God’s Word, which is truth! You can stand upon it and trust Him for it. It’s a new beginning.
And God’s provision in our lives is not for us to be selfish, greedy, or for self-aggrandizement. We are blessed to be a blessing. But for us to give, supply has to come in first, and God wants to bless us with that.
“A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children,
But the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous.”
— Proverbs 13:22 NKJV
“the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous” — The people of the world might be working really hard, but they’re storing up provision for God’s children. It’s frustrating for them.
“For God gives wisdom and knowledge and joy to a man who is good in His sight; but to the sinner He gives the work of gathering and collecting, that he may give to him who is good before God. This also is vanity and grasping for the wind.”
— Ecclesiastes 2:26 NKJV
“a man who is good in His sight” — Know that you have favor in God’s sight, because you are in Christ. And the ministry of the people of the world is to gather, that they may give to you.
“One who increases his possessions by usury and extortion
Gathers it for him who will pity the poor.”
— Proverbs 28:8 NKJV
Usury refers to high interest rates. But the Bible says that people who increase their possessions through that only gather it for others who have compassion on the poor.
So don’t envy the flashy lives of rich people you see on social media. Feed on Jesus instead.
The transfer of provision can happen in a few (completely legal) ways:
“Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming upon you! Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have heaped up treasure in the last days. Indeed the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out; and the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. You have lived on the earth in pleasure and luxury; you have fattened your hearts as in a day of slaughter. You have condemned, you have murdered the just; he does not resist you.
Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.”
— James 5:1–8 NKJV
These verses speak of wicked rich people (not believers) who kept back salaries from their workers. But they have heaped up treasure in the last days, and the restoration is coming back to the church in the season of the latter rain.
It has to happen before the Rapture, because there’ll be no need for the transfer in heaven anymore—it’s a place of complete provision.
Our part is to be patient and establish our hearts in Christ. Don’t manipulate or cheat to get back your money.
Also, tithing is closely related to God’s provision, as seen from how God prophesied to Abraham restoration of the Israelites’ possessions shortly after he tithed to Melchizedek.
Tithing also blesses your future generations, as seen in Hebrews 7:9–10.
Finally, rich as Jesus is, we are His inheritance. We are worth so much to Him that He was willing to come to Earth, suffer at the hands of man, and die on the cross for us.
Lift your hands all across this place. This coming week, the Lord bless you and your families with the richest blessings of Father Abraham, with the blessings of Deuteronomy 28 and every blessing that the high priest pronounces over his people in the name of Jesus Christ. The Lord preserve you in your coming in, going out, you and your family members. The Lord protect every one of you from every danger, every infection, every disease, from all the power of the evil one throughout this week. The Lord Jesus Christ cause you to see more and more of Himself: The wonders of His Person, His peerless beauty and the glories of His excellency, more and more this week by the power of the Holy Spirit. And the Lord grant to everyone and their loved ones under the sound of my voice His shalom peace and well-being in Jesus’ name. Amen. God bless you.
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 2019
These sermon notes were taken by volunteers during the service. They are not a verbatim representation of the sermon.
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