Curry Blake - Diversity of Tongues - Seminar Session 6

Understanding Groaning and Troubling in the Spirit

The Concept of Groaning

• The discussion begins with an exploration of spiritual manifestations such as groaning, travailing, and weeping, which are expressions of the Spirit within us.

• These manifestations often relate to speaking in tongues or other forms of spiritual expression that emerge from deep within.

Connection to Healing

• A reference is made to John 5:1-4, where Jesus encounters a pool called Bethesda, known for its healing properties when the water is troubled by an angel. This serves as a metaphor for spiritual agitation leading to healing.

• The term "troubled" (Greek: terrazzo) signifies stirring or agitating water, paralleling how Jesus groaned in spirit before performing miracles. This connection emphasizes that healing is not solely dependent on the sick person's condition but rather on divine intervention.

Misconceptions About Illness

• The speaker critiques common church beliefs that focus excessively on the individual's sin or faith as determinants of healing outcomes. Instead, they argue that these factors should not overshadow God's power to heal regardless of circumstances.

• It’s noted that illness can reveal character flaws; however, this does not define one's worth or potential for healing through faith and divine action.

Spiritual Agitation and Its Role

• The Greek word used for "troubled" in both contexts (the pool and Jesus' groaning) highlights a consistent theme: agitation leads to miraculous outcomes—whether it be physical healing or raising someone from the dead. This underscores a deeper understanding of spiritual dynamics at play during such events.

Jesus’ Authority Over Death

• As Jesus approaches Lazarus' tomb, he expresses confidence in God’s ability to hear him without needing visible proof (e.g., Lazarus rising immediately). His prayer serves more as a public declaration than a plea for help, reinforcing his authority and connection with God.

• When calling Lazarus forth from death, Jesus commands rather than requests intervention from God—demonstrating his direct authority over life and death without intermediary supplication. This act illustrates profound faith and assurance in God's omnipotence.

The Intercession of Jesus and the Spirit

The Resurrection of Lazarus

• Discussion on Lazarus's resurrection, emphasizing his state when he emerged from the tomb, bound in grave clothes.

• Speculation about how Lazarus was able to move despite being wrapped tightly like a mummy, indicating a miraculous event that is not fully explained in scripture.

Jesus as Our Intercessor

• Reference to Romans 8:34, highlighting that Jesus intercedes for believers at the right hand of God.

• Explanation of the harmony between Jesus and the Holy Spirit in making intercessions for us; both are present within believers.

• Clarification that while Christ and the Spirit are one, it is primarily through the Spirit that our prayers reach Jesus.

Assurance in Prayer

• Emphasis on having faith in Jesus' intercession even if one doubts their own prayers; He communicates our requests to God effectively.

• Mention of Hebrews 7:25, reinforcing that Jesus saves those who come to God through Him by continually interceding.

The Importance of Prayer Meetings

• Introduction to Psalm 55:16, which discusses calling upon God with assurance that He will hear our cries.

• Distinction between different types of church meetings (teaching, evangelistic, prayer), stressing the need for appropriate focus based on attendees' beliefs.

Challenges in Church Growth

• Critique on treating all meetings as evangelistic when they should cater specifically to believers; this approach can hinder church growth.

• Personal anecdote from South Africa where a healing service focused on teaching rather than evangelism led to significant healings among attendees.

Teaching Believers About Their Identity

• Description of preaching from Colossians about believers’ connection with God and living out their faith authentically.

• Assertion that understanding one's identity in Christ leads to spiritual empowerment and healing during services.

This structured summary captures key insights from the transcript while providing timestamps for easy reference.

Healing and Salvation: A Transformative Experience

The Power of Prayer and Healing

• A family brought their child for prayer, resulting in the child's healing. During this process, the parents expressed a desire for salvation, leading to their conversion while listening to the message about Jesus.

• The speaker emphasizes that the focus was not on avoiding hell or punishment but rather on the life Jesus offers, which resonated with the family and led to their collective salvation.

Church Service Structure for Growth

• The speaker discusses plans to hold two church services: an early morning service aimed at believers and a later service designed to attract non-believers. This structure aims to deepen believers' understanding while also reaching out evangelistically.

• The early service will focus on "meat" teachings for believers, allowing them to grow spiritually before engaging with newcomers during the later service.

• Believers attending the early service will assist in ministering during the later service, creating a supportive environment where they can practice what they've learned.

Practical Application of Faith

• There is a call for meetings among believers that go beyond mere preaching; practical application of faith is essential. This includes actively practicing what is taught within church gatherings.

• In Divine Healing Technician training sessions, participants pray for others as part of their learning experience. This hands-on approach allows them to witness healing firsthand and reinforces their belief.

Overcoming Mental Barriers in Prayer

• The speaker notes that respectability can hinder spiritual practices; prioritizing human approval over divine connection leads to stagnation in faith activities.

• He highlights how distractions from daily life can impede focused prayer. It’s crucial to discipline oneself mentally when approaching spiritual practices like praying in tongues.

Developing Spiritual Discipline

• Establishing a routine is necessary for effective prayer; initial discipline eventually transforms into habit and then into an addiction to spiritual engagement as described in Acts.

• The speaker shares personal experiences illustrating this journey towards becoming 'addicted' to reading scripture, emphasizing how consistent practice fosters deeper spiritual commitment.

Discipline and Routine in Spiritual Practices

The Journey from Discipline to Addiction

• The speaker reflects on the struggle of maintaining discipline in spiritual practices, noting that it can evolve from a mere discipline into a beneficial addiction that draws one closer to God.

Importance of Prayer and Setting Intentions

• Emphasizes the significance of prayer, particularly praying in tongues, where the mind may be unfruitful but the spirit remains engaged. It requires intentionality to overcome distractions.

Managing Life's Hectic Nature

• Discusses the challenges of maintaining routine amidst a hectic lifestyle filled with travel and varying schedules, highlighting the need for self-discipline to engage in spiritual practices regardless of circumstances.

Finding Time for Spiritual Growth

• Shares personal strategies for incorporating physical activity and spiritual practices while traveling, such as walking when possible, emphasizing adaptability in non-routine situations.

Control Over Mind and Body

• Stresses the importance of taking control over one's body and soul to fulfill spiritual commitments. This includes setting specific times for prayer even when feeling unmotivated or tired.

Living Prepared for Opportunities

• Urges listeners to remain spiritually prepared at all times since opportunities to help others may arise unexpectedly. Building up one's spirit is crucial for responding effectively when needed.

Developing Morning Routines

• Reflects on personal experiences transitioning from being a night person to establishing morning routines that include prayer. Highlights the necessity of adapting habits based on life changes.

Strategies for Staying Awake During Prayer

• Describes practical methods used to stay awake during early morning prayers, including standing on the edge of a bathtub as an unconventional yet effective strategy against falling asleep.

Commitment Beyond Self

• Concludes with a call to action: individuals must commit themselves not just for personal growth but also for serving others who are waiting on their miracles through disciplined spiritual practice.

Prayer and Faith in Christianity

The Importance of Prayer

• The speaker emphasizes the significance of praying three times a day, referencing Psalm 55:17, which mentions praying in the evening, morning, and at noon.

• Acknowledges that God hears prayers and delivers peace from battles faced by believers, highlighting the presence of many adversaries.

Spiritual Growth and Faith

• Discusses the concept of faith as rejoicing before receiving blessings, akin to calling things into existence as if they were already true.

• Encourages believers to act on their faith by preparing for growth (e.g., enlarging their tents), even when circumstances seem barren or unpromising.

Fasting and Its Purpose

• Introduces Isaiah 58:1, where God instructs His people to cry aloud about their transgressions rather than merely seeking help through prayer.

• Explains that fasting should not be about afflicting the body but rather addressing issues within the soul; it’s a spiritual exercise aimed at deeper connection with God.

Misconceptions About Fasting

• Critiques common misconceptions regarding fasting—believers often fast to gain God's attention instead of understanding its true purpose.

• Highlights that fasting should lead to actions like breaking chains of wickedness and freeing the oppressed rather than being a mere ritualistic practice.

True Intentions Behind Fasting

• Warns against using fasting as a means to manipulate God’s response; compares it to throwing a temper tantrum for attention.

• Concludes that genuine fasting is meant for liberation from burdens rather than just seeking personal favor or acknowledgment from God.

Fasting: A Spiritual Discipline

Purpose of Fasting

• Fasting is intended to afflict the soul, enabling individuals to become effective in liberating the oppressed. It serves as a means for personal transformation rather than an attempt to manipulate God.

• The act of fasting should lead one to die to self, allowing Christ's presence within them to manifest, rather than trying to "twist God's arm" for favors.

Practical Aspects of Fasting

• True fasting involves preparing food for the hungry instead of merely abstaining from eating; it emphasizes action over avoidance.

• The virtue in fasting lies in actively choosing not to eat so that one can provide for those in need, demonstrating control over one's body and desires.

Engaging with Others During Fasting

• When sharing meals with the hungry, the act becomes an opportunity for communication and witness; while they eat, one can share messages and teachings effectively.

Spiritual Outcomes of Genuine Fasting

• After engaging in true fasting practices, spiritual benefits include enlightenment ("your light shall break forth") and divine guidance ("the Lord shall guide thee continually").

• This guidance is continuous and essential for living out one's faith daily, contrasting with sporadic or special leadings.

The Role of Commandments

Understanding Divine Guidance

• Obedience to commandments does not require specific leading; following God's commands is inherent in being a believer. Commandments are directives meant to be followed without needing additional confirmation.

Promises Associated with Obedience

• Following God's commandments leads to blessings such as health and prosperity ("like a watered garden"), emphasizing that obedience brings tangible rewards.

Restoration Through Faith

Prophetic Insights on Restoration

• The speaker references prophecies about restoring foundational aspects of faith that have been neglected due to modern influences. This restoration aims at returning believers back to core principles.

Observing Sacred Times

• Honoring sacred times like the Sabbath by refraining from personal pleasures allows individuals to delight themselves in God’s presence, promising elevated spiritual experiences ("ride upon the high places").

Travailing Prayer

The Power of Travail

• Travailing prayer is highlighted as crucial for spiritual birth; it signifies deep intercession before significant outcomes occur (e.g., bringing forth children).

Expectation from God

• God awaits His people’s travailing prayers before fulfilling promises; this indicates a partnership between divine will and human effort in spiritual matters.

Understanding Delays in Spiritual Answers

The Nature of Delays in Prayer

• The example of Daniel illustrates that prayer can be heard immediately, but answers may take time due to spiritual obstacles rather than a lack of divine will or faith.

• Many Christians tend to blame God for delays in answers, forgetting that sometimes the answer is simply on its way. This impatience reflects a modern desire for instant gratification.

Spiritual Travail and Intercession

• Jeremiah 30:5 describes men experiencing spiritual travail akin to childbirth, indicating deep emotional and spiritual cries for help.

• This travail is not just physical; it represents an inward struggle and a profound yearning for God's intervention.

Wisdom Beyond Human Understanding

• In 1 Corinthians 2:1-5, Paul emphasizes that his message was not based on human wisdom but on the demonstration of God's Spirit and power.

• There are two types of wisdom: earthly (devilish) and divine (godly). Paul speaks about wisdom that transcends worldly understanding.

God's Plan and Timing

• The hidden wisdom ordained by God before creation includes believers in His grand plan, which is not surprising to Him as He has always known our paths.

• God’s timing differs from human urgency; what seems like a crisis to us is not perceived as such by Him. Miracles are only miraculous from our perspective.

The Impact of the Crucifixion

• The crucifixion was pivotal because it allowed the Holy Spirit to be sent back, empowering all believers rather than just one man (Jesus).

• Had the devil understood the implications of Jesus' death, he would have prevented it. Instead, this act led to widespread empowerment among believers through the Holy Spirit.

Understanding God's Revelation and Our Spiritual Maturity

The Devil's Misunderstanding of Jesus' Death

• The devil, unaware of the implications of his actions, orchestrated Jesus' death, which ultimately led to the spread of God's message.

• A reference is made to a biblical quote stating that no one has seen or heard what God has prepared for those who love Him.

New Revelations Through the Spirit

• The speaker emphasizes that while the Old Testament held truths about God's plans, new revelations have been made through the Holy Spirit.

• It is explained that God reveals His deep truths through His Spirit, allowing believers to understand divine matters beyond human comprehension.

Knowing What God Has Given Us

• Believers receive not the spirit of the world but the Spirit from God to know what He has freely given them.

• The importance of praying in tongues is highlighted as a means for believers to access and understand God's will.

Interpreting Spiritual Insights

• By interpreting prayers spoken in tongues, believers can gain understanding and insight into God's will for their lives.

• This process connects spiritual growth with practical application in daily life.

Grace and Spiritual Readiness

• Everything received from God is based on grace—what Jesus accomplished—not on personal merit or effort.

• An analogy is drawn comparing receiving a high-powered sports car as a gift versus being mature enough to handle it responsibly.

Maturity in Receiving God's Gifts

• Just as a child may not be ready for certain gifts due to immaturity, believers must also be spiritually mature to partake in all that God offers.

• Emphasis is placed on understanding that blessings are not earned but given freely by grace; thus, striving for worthiness undermines true grace.

This structured summary captures key insights from the transcript while providing timestamps for easy navigation.

Understanding the Process of Spiritual Growth

The Importance of Preparation

• The speaker compares unprepared individuals to "couch potatoes," emphasizing that without proper preparation, one cannot succeed and may appear foolish.

• Fasting is discussed as a means to shed personal layers, allowing individuals to operate effectively in their God-given gifts rather than expecting rewards for fasting.

Recognizing Our Completeness in Christ

• Being born again signifies completeness in Christ; however, functioning fully requires renewing one's mind and engaging in spiritual disciplines.

• Individuals must actively purge themselves to become vessels of honor, highlighting that God provides the tools but expects personal effort for growth.

Understanding Gifts and Their Purpose

• The speaker stresses that God's gifts are not rewards but pre-existing endowments requiring individuals to mature and prepare themselves for effective use.

• An analogy is made about owning a high-performance car; possessing it does not equate to knowing how or where to utilize its capabilities.

Shedding Self for Divine Functionality

• God has already given believers everything they need; the focus should be on shedding self-limiting layers rather than waiting for new gifts.

• The speaker emphasizes that understanding spiritual truths comes from the Holy Spirit's guidance rather than human wisdom.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

• Reference is made to praying in tongues as a method through which believers can access deeper spiritual insights and discernment.

• The mind of Christ is accessible through the Holy Spirit, who helps translate divine thoughts into human understanding via prayer and scripture renewal.

Collective Spiritual Growth

• Engaging with others in prayer fosters community support, encouraging collective growth rather than selfish prayers.

• Travailing in spirit can be done individually or collectively within a fellowship, promoting unity and shared purpose among believers.