Podcast Summary: Lakepointe Church with Josh Howerton

Episode: Small Obedience Leads to Big Miracles | I Need A Miracle
Speaker: Pastor Josh Howerton
Date: April 8, 2024

Episode Overview

This episode kicks off the "I Need a Miracle" teaching series at Lakepointe Church, focusing on Jesus’s first miracle at the wedding in Cana—turning water into wine (John 2). Pastor Josh Howerton explores the connection between small, faithful acts of obedience and the emergence of big miracles in our lives. Using humor, contemporary examples, and deep biblical context, he illustrates how obedience to God’s promptings and the application of biblical truths can lead to spiritual transformation and miraculous outcomes.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Celebrating Easter Success

• [00:00] Pastor Josh opens by celebrating "nearly 40,000 people in person at Easter" and "over 2,000 people surrendering their lives to the lordship of Jesus Christ in one week."
  “That’s awakening stuff right there.” — Josh Howerton [00:17]

2. Addressing Recent Controversy

• [01:20] Josh addresses a viral joke that was taken out of context online. He thanks the congregation for defending him and apologizes to anyone in the church who was hurt:
  • "Careless words can stab like a sword, but that wise words lead to healing.” — Proverbs, paraphrased by Josh [02:45]
  • He expresses love, apologizes for carelessness, and thanks the church for grace.

3. Introduction to the Miracle at Cana

• [06:30] Begins teaching from John 2, Jesus’s first miracle (water to wine).
• Emphasizes Jesus’s social nature—He was invited to parties not because of His status, but because “He’s full of joy. He likes people who don’t think like him, or act like him.” [08:40]
  • Raises the question as a self-check: “Do lost people want to invite me to parties?” [09:14]
• Details two errors Christians make in relating to the world:
  1. Pharisees: "Not of the world, but also not in the world."
  2. Sadducees: "In the world, but not different."

4. Christian Life and Alcohol: Four Biblical Principles

• [16:40] Addresses audience curiosity: “Can Christians drink alcohol?”
  Outlines four biblical principles:
  1. Never Get Drunk — “No spirit but the Holy Spirit.” [18:00]
     • “So is hell—he’s always wrong. Literally always wrong.” (on making exceptions for drunkenness) [18:50]
  2. Don’t Forbid What God Permits
     • Jesus drank alcohol; wine is sometimes associated with joy in scripture.
     • Warns against self-righteousness and legalism. [20:45]
     • “If that’s you... bro, like relax, you need to drink more than anybody.” (a joke) [21:40]
  3. Don’t Be Enslaved by Anything
     • Warns of subtle enslavement: needing alcohol to relax, have fun, or be confident [23:55].
     • “If you start realizing … I gotta have a drink to relax … you’re not in control of it anymore, it’s in control of you.” [24:20]
     • Encourages seeking help ("Get in Regen!") if struggling.
  4. Submit to Authorities
     • Obey the law and family rules regarding alcohol.
     • “You will harm your relationship with God’s authority by rebelling against those authorities.” [27:47]

5. On Jokes, Cultural Sensitivity, and Hyperbole

• [29:50] Explains the purpose of humor and hyperbolic language in church and scripture.
  • “I want us not to take ourselves seriously at all, but to take Jesus real seriously.” [33:34]
  • “If a little joking around every now and then is going to bother you, going to offend you, we’re probably not your church. But if the Gospel offends you … we are definitely your church.” [36:23]

6. Obedience: The Key to Miracles

• [37:20] Highlights Mary’s instruction: “Do whatever he tells you.” (John 2:5)
  • Asserts: “We’ve got too many fact knowers and not enough thing doers.” [38:50]
  • Rebukes shallow calls for “deeper” teaching—real maturity is obedience to God’s commands.
  • “The vast majority of Christians are educated past their level of obedience. If you would just do what you already knew, your life would start to change.” [41:00]

7. Practical Obediences Leading to Big Miracles

• [44:25] Unpacks how the servants followed small steps (filling jars, drawing water, serving) that led to the miracle.
  • “It makes me wonder how many miracles in the room are stored up in water jars waiting for some disciples to do whatever he told them.” [45:21]
• Shares examples from church volunteers (seatback team, parking help) whose unseen, faithful acts contributed to the “big miracle” of 2,000 people coming to faith on Easter.

8. The Significance of Jesus Using Ceremonial Jars

• [48:40] Explains deeper symbolism:
  • Jesus replaces ceremonial washings (Old Testament ritual cleansing) with the wine of celebration, pointing to the soon-to-come permanent cleansing through His blood.
  • Narrative builds on scriptural thread: Passover lamb, hyssop, the “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world,” and the cross.
  • “The purpose of a miracle is not for you to get a miracle; the purpose of a miracle is to point you towards the miracle worker.” [51:25]
• Jesus fulfills and replaces the old cycle of self-cleansing with complete forgiveness through His sacrifice.
  • “When you put your faith in me, all your sins are forgiven: past, present, and future, because the blood of Jesus Christ has cleansed you from your sins.” [54:31]

9. Call to Obedience: Baptism

• [57:25] Direct invitation to follow through in obedience (especially baptism):
  • “You have been washed by Jesus by your faith in him... Baptism Sunday’s coming up — why haven’t you signed up for that yet?” [58:12]
  • Encourages practical response, providing logistics for next steps.

Notable Quotes

• “Careless words can stab like a sword, but wise words lead to healing.” — Pastor Josh [02:45]
• “Jesus was the type of dude who got invited to parties.” [08:40]
• “Do lost people want to invite me to parties?” [09:14]
• “No spirit but the Holy Spirit.” [18:00]
• “The purpose of a miracle is not for you to get a miracle; the purpose of a miracle is to point you towards the miracle worker.” [51:25]
• “Sin had left a crimson stain, but He has washed it white as snow.” [56:30]
• “The vast majority of Christians are educated past their level of obedience. If you would just do what you already knew, your life would start to change.” [41:00]
• “Small obediences lead to big miracles.” [45:21]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:00 – Easter recap and opening remarks
• 01:20 – Addressing viral joke controversy and apology
• 06:30 – Introduction to John 2, Jesus at the wedding
• 16:40 – Four biblical principles regarding alcohol
• 29:50 – On humor, cultural offense, and hyperbole in preaching
• 37:20 – Importance of obedience over mere knowledge
• 44:25 – How small obediences add up to big miracles
• 48:40 – Deep dive into the symbolism of stone jars and Jesus’s sacrifice
• 57:25 – Call to baptism and concrete next steps

Summary

Pastor Josh Howerton’s message intertwines biblical teaching, wit, and relevant application. He challenges listeners to assess not just their knowledge, but their active obedience to Christ, asserting that miracles are found on the other side of everyday faithfulness. Through the lens of Jesus’s first miracle, the episode urges believers to bring their needs to Jesus, take their next step (especially in public ways like baptism), and remember that every miracle is ultimately about Jesus, the true Miracle Worker.

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For more info or to take next steps, visit: https://lakepointe.church/digital