CROSSROADS CHURCH Christopher “Brett” Cooper eBook & Sermon Series Notes Series: Oct. 18 - Nov. 8, 2015

Move beyond the norm…

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When you live the supernatural life you are empowered by the Holy Spirit to do things that are greater than your personal dreams. You live a life that makes it clear to you and others around you that you are a hard worker who sees the results of your labor. Many see you as a champion. You understand on the inside that you are a soldier who wins the internal wars over temptation. You are a believer in Jesus Christ who views life from a supernatural perspective.

1 You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 3 Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier. 5 Also if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules. 6 The hard-working farmer ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops. 7 Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.

II Timothy 2:1-7

Living the supernatural life is about being internally driven by the the Holy Spirit. Appearing as a champion to those who are important (Hint: your family, others looking up to you) matter big time. To them you're the greatest athlete of all time. You’re a rock star! You’re an academy award winner! They see you that way because you choose to win multiple battles in your mind and heart as you keep your focus on Jesus Christ! You’re a sailor who can navigate the winds, the waves and the things that come against you. You're a pilot who wins dog fights and hits your target. You're a ground troop who runs through resistance and wins the fight. People see you as a hard worker who does not give up and sees success. That is the supernatural life.

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I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.

- C. S. Lewis

THE HOLY SPIRIT

A great man of faith who gave up everything he accomplished and obtained to become a follower of someone he once passionately worked against wrote the words you are about to read. He was someone who traveled the Roman Empire, under extreme adversity, with a consistent message. He wrote 1/3 of the New Testament. As part of that writing he wrote these words to the church in the Roman stronghold city of Ephesus:

14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:14-19

This prayer extends to believers today. We are to be given inner strength from the Holy Spirit to be filled up to the point of overflowing.

We are given inner strength from the Holy Spirit (John 14:15-17 “and will be in you…” I Corinthians 12:13 “…all were made to drink of the same spirit.”). It is the intention of God for us to draw our emotional stability, mental processing and spiritual ability from the Holy Spirit as He dwells within us. The Holy Spirit is our comforter. He gives us the strength to overcome every challenge (Philippians 4:10-13 “I have learned the secret…”). When the Holy Spirit dwells in you, you are able to overcome fears and win every challenge from the inside. You are able to think clearly (Romans 12:1, 2 “transformed by the renewing of your mind…”). This internal strength comes from the Holy One. You are not chasing some false God by trying to be good enough in pleasing a man made god. You are filled up with the true God Almighty and empowered by the Holy Spirit to do the will of God. There is a huge difference between Christianity and other religions. This is not about your work, it’s about His work! Draw all of your strength from the Holy Spirit!

The Holy Spirit fills believers (Ephesians 5:18 “but be filled with the Holy Spirit…” ). We all understand that when someone is filled with strong drink they act differently. They take on greater levels of boldness. The problem is that they embarrass themselves and more often than not they hurt others. It’s the exact opposite when it comes to being filled with the Holy Spirit. When you are filled with the Holy Spirit, you speak the word of God with great boldness and you edify yourself as you make those around you better. The infilling of the Holy Spirit makes you better on the inside.

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We are filled with the Holy Spirit to the point of overflowing (Acts 2:1-4 “and they were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak…”; Acts 4:31 “they were filled filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak…”). When you are filled with the Holy Spirit you are able to speak the word of God with boldness. When Peter and Paul spoke things were transformed. Peter spoke and people would repent of their sins, be healed and even rose from the dead. Paul spoke and cities were transformed. Paul wrote and nationalities were influenced. When you speak out of the boldness that is given through the infilling of the Holy Spirit, you will see things around you transformed!

The words of this section are not intended to be put on a shelf for safe keeping. These words are intended to be placed in your heart, mind and soul for the purpose of overflowing onto all those who surround you! It’s time to seek the face of God, hear what the Holy Spirit is telling you and act on what He has been placed in you. The indwelling power is intended to move through you to those who surround you.

Take time now to seek God and then do what He tells you to do (John 2:5 “…do it.”).

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THE HARD WORKER One thing is for sure about people who are true followers of Jesus Christ, hard work is in full display. Just think about a hard working farmer. Anyone can see the dirt on His hands and the sweat on his brow as they hear the determination in his voice and see the fruits of his labor. That’s what people can see in a follower of Jesus Christ. They can see someone who works hard. They come to see someone who enjoys great fruit.

6 The one who is taught the word is to share all good things with the one who teaches him. 7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9 Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. 10 So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.

Galatians 6:6-10

Living the supernatural life is not summed up in a life of instantaneous miracles. If that’s what you are looking for then I would suggest you search for another eBook. People learn to trust you when you live the life of a hard working farmer. God gives you tasks that are hard to accomplish, yet, when you choose to embrace the hard work of planting and watering then people around you will see the harvest.

Planting is hard work but it is worth it when you reap the harvest. There are two applications to this supernatural understanding. The first is the direct application of understanding your eternal reward. We are saved by grace through faith (Eph. 2:1-10) and it does not stop there; because, we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to live the life of a hard worker (Col. 1:9-12). The Holy Spirit’s work on the inside of you should be shown clearly by the hard work that comes through you. People will see your hands hard at work, you sweat pouring down and you determination as you are moving forward. Realize that when this happens, people will have a great respect for you. They will know that you are serious about what you are doing and will see your life as a great witness to God’s glory.

Your seeds are planted by the way you treat your family, your friends, your co-workers and the individuals that surround your life. They are planted by your actions when you think no one is looking. They are planted as you live the life God called you to live. God called you to and is calling you to live a supernatural life. Planting seeds is a huge part of that supernatural life. Keep planting and do not lose heart.

Watering is what you do after you've finished planting seeds. Think about it this way: your actions are the seeds you plant and your words are the water you pour on the seeds. When you do great things and you follow up with great words, you enter into a life of greatness. It’s actions first and words second. When you follow this pattern you

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will find that your words have a much greater impact. You can tell me that the food you cooked tastes great, but if I find out that you refuse to eat it, I will question whether I desire to consume it myself. You can work really hard at building me a house, but if your words express how much you resent it, I will not want to live there. That’s the way it is with most people. People want your great actions to be followed up with great words. Your words are life-giving water over the seeds you plant.

I really like that Christian fast food establishment where they give their all six days a week and they're closed on Sundays. The place where my wife and I love to enjoy the food and our kids love their well kept play ground. You know the place: Chick-fil-a. As a believer in Jesus Christ, I almost consider it my responsibility to check in every now and then. They have really good food and spectacular service. When they do something great for you and you say “thank you” they always follow up with the words “my pleasure.” They use their words like icing on a cake. They cook a great meal and work hard to ensure that you know it is their joy to serve it to you. I guess that’s why they’re always packed. Great food followed up with great service and great words (“my pleasure”).

Ok, go get a meal and come back and read the rest of this eBook. Just kidding!

Planting seeds with your actions and watering them with your words will bring a great harvest. Living the Supernatural Life is living a life that leads to a great harvest. Although I just used a fast food establishment as an example, we all know that the supernatural life is not like fast food it is like farming. It takes a lot of work, time, and it comes in due season, but, the result is so much more than a small bag of food that makes for one meal. The harvest leads to enough for many to feed on for a limitless amount of time.

So, embrace more than just the joys of miracles, signs and wonders that come along with a supernatural life. Do the thing that people most admire: living a hard working life as you keep a great attitude, work hard and speak great words.

Are you happy with the work you are doing? Are you happy with the attitude of your heart? Are you happy with the words coming out of your mouth? Do you know that God will help you right now to improve? No matter what level you are on the Holy Spirit will empower you to do greater things. Ask God to give you the strength to do great work and speak great words.

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THE CHAMPION Do you realize that when you are reaching for your God given potential that there are people in your life who see you as a champion? To the kids looking up to you you are seen as a “super action hero.” To your friends you are seen as someone of true greatness. You might not see it in yourself, but when your reach for what God has for you, you are a champion to those around you.

24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. 25 Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; 27 but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.I Corinthians 9:24-27

If you're going to run, you may as well win. In order to win you have to display self-control in your heart, mind, body and soul. Live for the clear purpose of doing the will of God. If you are going to run with God, know that you are going to win.

There is a famous football coach that many have nick-named “the old ball coach.” When he played football in college he won a trophy for being recognized as the best player in college football that year (the Heisman Trophy). He coached a national championship team (that team will remain unnamed by choice of the one writing this eBook). His name is Steve Spurrier and he has won games for years. When he was a child his team was confronted with this question: “How many of you believe that it’s not whether you win or lose but it’s how you play the game?” Everyone on the team raised their hand except for Steve. When they asked him why he did not raise his hand he asked a question of his own: “If I'm not going to win, why would I want to play?”

You know, it’s possible to compete in life correctly and still win. It’s possible to play by the rules and still come out victorious. Think about that for a second. The truth of the matter is that you have to know what you are competing to accomplish. When you are competing to accomplish the will of God, you will have success. The key is to know God’s will and seek His will for what you do not know. With that in mind COMPETE TO WIN!

In order to win you are going to have to have self-control. You are empowered by the Holy Spirit to win when you are striving to do God’s will. God has a set plan for your life. In order to win you have to choose to not beat yourself. Choose to cut out anything that will hinder you from accomplishing God’s will. Do not compare yourself to the people in your life that are not as far along as you. They are the ones who see you as a champion. So, live the example and not only will your life thrive for it but theirs will as well.

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THE SOLDIER

When it comes to taking a step, you just do it. When it comes to winning a war on the inside, you have to win battles over and over again. When you see a believer flourishing in their life as a Christian, you are looking at someone who is winning the war on the inside. You don't just do one time by hearing a great song, throwing up your hands and spending some time in worship. You don’t just do it one time by hearing a great message and going around quoting it. You do it hour by hour on the inside of your mind, heart and soul.

The Lord is my light and my salvation;    whom should I fear?

The Lord is my life’s refuge;    of whom should I be afraid?

Psalm 27:1

In order to win the battle, you must understand the battle plan (I Samuel 30, II Chron. 20:20-30). God’s word is where you will find the battle plan to win in life. You will discover how to obey God (James 4:7). You choose to go on a sub-mission. God is on a mission. When you put yourself in the mission under His mission that is submission. God is going to win. So obey Him. Continue to be transformed into the person God is making you (Romans 12:1-2). A good friend of mine, Obi Agomoh, says “the army will take mom’s boy and turn him into a man.” You grow more mature when you choose to obey God. The strongholds of your mind are brought down as you focus on and choose the words of God (II Corinthians 10:3-6). Feed on the words of God and grow as a soldier because of it.

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In the movie “Chasing Mavericks” a young surfer named “Jay” asks an experienced surfer named “Frosty” to take him to surf waves that break at over 30 feet. Frosty replies to Jay “you don't just do it”. The rest of the move is the story of a teenage boy learning what it takes to become a man mentally, spiritually, emotionally and physically so that he can drop off of the 30+ foot face of a wave. Steps are simple, significance takes winning the war on the inside. You don't “just do it.”

The Lord gives you the strength to win on the inside by giving you words to feed your brain, change your heart and make your soul strong so that you are able to live the supernatural life. The words of the Bible are intended for the purpose of thinking deeply. Don’t just pass them by because they will change the way you think. God will work inside of you and give you the emotional strength to win. The Holy Spirit will minister to your soul and give you the conference to understand your true identity as a child of God.

God lives and works on the inside of you (Ezekiel 36:27, John 14:17, Romans 8:9 & 11, I Corinthians 3:16, II Timothy 1:14) and gives you the emotional stability to overcome the challenges that confront you. When the Lord lives in you, you are empowered to win the emotional battle within you. There are things that happen that hinder people from moving forward because they fear what could go wrong. People who are empowered from within by the Holy Spirit are encouraged by what could go right. So, focus on what God in doing inside of you and you will see the opportunity that stands in front of you.

When the Holy Spirit works in you, you are able to know your true identity. Great confidence comes from knowing that you are a child of God. If you were the child of a multimillionaire, you could walk into a hotel with great confidence. You could expect to be able to get whatever you needed. As a child of God, you can become a receiver and a giver of great confidence. You can know that you are growing up to look like Jesus Christ as you teach others to do the same.

Living the supernatural life is about winning the war inside of you, being a champion for those who look up to you, choosing to work hard at the task that stand in front of you and being empowered by the Holy Spirit to do it all. So, win the war within by lining up your heart, soul and mind with the work of the Holy Spirit. Be a great example to those who look up to you by preaching what you practice. Work hard at everyday life. Receive your strength from the Holy Spirit. LIVE THE SUPERNATURAL LIFE!!!

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