Bill Johnson - The Supernatural Power of God's Love
He said, «Go learn what this means: I desire compassion above sacrifice.» So he is actually explaining the whole reconciliation concept, but he takes it a step further because it’s not just about being in conflict; it’s actually about offering a sacrifice to the Lord. Again, whether it’s time, money, or the praise we give, the context is compassion. It’s the fact that I have affection and value for the people of God, a genuine desire to serve, love, care for, and touch somebody else’s life. He says he values that above sacrifice. If I were to illustrate it in a natural sense, you might think of a diamond ring, where the diamond represents the praise we give to God. However, it must have context; it must have something that holds it in place, something that keeps it secure and maintains its value, and that context is compassion. It’s the actual value we have for people.
He pushes this a little further: in Matthew 25, he says, «If you give a cup of cold water"—now, a cup of cold water is the cheapest gift you can give— so Jesus is coming in at the lowest point. He says, «If you give a cup of cold water to someone in my name, you have given it to me.» He takes it personally; he is intentionally connected with every individual. When we serve, care for, or love another person, he actually takes it personally and celebrates that moment we are taking. It’s not a great sacrificial gift or a noble act; it’s a cup of water, and he takes it personally.
John emphasized this concept in 1 John: he states that if you say you love God but hate your brother, then you do not love God. What he is essentially saying is that if you claim an invisible reality—in other words, if you have a relationship with God and this gift, this anointing to heal the sick or preach—whatever you claim as an unseen reality in your life must be measurable by visible means. Your love for God must be evident through your love for people. It has to be measurable in a visible reality; every part of our life must be susceptible to testing. Generally speaking, it has to endure examination to see if it can be found in practical terms. The relationship we celebrate weekly, which we come together to acknowledge throughout the week, must be measurable.
It’s not anti-spiritual to say that this is the way I look a person in the eye; I don’t just try to fix them, I try to listen. Sometimes, it’s measurable in the fact that I’ve given time. Sometimes we rush to provide answers so we can exit the conversation, or we present answers because we want to fix the situation, when what they really need is not an answer but rather a friend—someone who listens. Community illustrates this need. We just took communion, which is the testimony of community. Hebrews 13:15 states, «Therefore by him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices, God is well pleased.»
That word «share» is actually interpreted as fellowship; it’s similar to what we did at communion. The communion of the broken body of Jesus and the shed blood of Jesus is meant to testify not only to what Jesus has done but also to our commitment to the point where we become grafted and intertwined together as members of one another. The Bible says that every joint supplies. The point is that as we have one member connected to another through a joint, the life flows at that connection. The illustration is that it’s our connection with people that keeps us healthy and alive; this applies to spirit, soul, and body. What’s interesting is that it says «sacrifice» for «such sacrifices"—praise, good works, and fellowship. For many of us, fellowship is something we do when it’s convenient.
As I heard someone recently say, «Fellowship is what we do when it’s convenient.» Jesus teaches here through the writer of Hebrews that fellowship should transcend convenience and enter the realm of sacrifice, and God delights in that sacrifice. After my late wife graduated to heaven, I remember being at home, looking forward to being with the people of God and feeling so hungry to connect with them. Yet, once I got there, I wanted to go home. I would stay around, talking with people, but I was anxious inside. I remember Brian and Jen hosting gatherings for the worship team at their home—goodness, I think it’s every month, and there are over 100 people who come. They even built part of their house for these gatherings. I remember they would invite me to hang out with that cool crowd, doing whatever I could to boost my self-esteem.
I would go and hang out with them, but for months, I would walk into the room, see all these people I loved so much, and feel so uncomfortable that I would turn to Brian and say, «I’m sorry, I have to go.» I would be there for about five minutes before going home, ending up alone. It was rewarding in a way since I had this ache to be around people, yet I ended up stuck with myself. I remember sometimes sitting at home afterward, thinking, «Man, that was stupid.» But we need to get a handle on this situation because whatever it is—grief, pain, or something else—might be pulling us away from what we genuinely need.
It’s not a sacrifice until it costs us. Sometimes I would go home, sit there, and think about going back. Sure, it might seem silly to leave and come back, but who cares? Being in an environment with healthy people matters. Sometimes, when we’re hurting, we don’t want all the attention on ourselves, and I get that. Sometimes we don’t want to be ignored, but none of it makes sense. It’s that feeling of wanting to leave the room when, in fact, the very thing we need most is to stay in it.
I don’t have to be noble; I don’t have to prophesy or preach; I just need to be there. He said, «For with such sacrifices, time and fellowship yield the greatest benefits to us when it costs us the most.» It’s often not a noble act. Usually, I don’t think of it that way. It’s not about writing a check for a large sum or something noble like that; it’s simply the intentionality of recognizing the value of another human being, looking them in the eye, and listening. Actually, most people don’t need a lot of input. Many of us know too much to be dangerous anyway. What they really need is someone willing to listen.
Some of you will rush out of here as quickly as you can once the meeting ends. Others of you—well, that was a joke. I’m just trying to tease as many people as I can, and all of you online, sorry, you don’t get the benefit of that one. Some will stay and talk with someone, looking them in the eye and showing curiosity about their week, learning whether it was rough or perhaps the best week of their lives. You may only be spending five minutes, but you can change the trajectory of somebody’s life with those five minutes.
Yes, five minutes well spent—eye to eye, listening. I remember in Weaverville, there was an older couple—now I’m the older couple—but back then, Paul and Gwen were wonderful people. They lived on a dirt road in a little A-frame home, and I think they had 10 or 15 acres, a small farm. We loved those guys. I hadn’t seen them in a while, so Benny and I loaded up the kids and went to visit them. I remember pulling up to their gate and finding it locked. They lived far back, so we simply parked the car—noticing it was snowing—and got the kids out to play snowball fights while we walked to their house.
They were, of course, shocked to see us. We hung out for a couple of hours; they were classic and inviting people. I remember dinner at their house—Gwen was an amazing cook—she’d serve us pie first, which was simply heaven on earth. She insisted the kids had to finish their dessert before getting any dinner, and I remember my kids looking at me as if to say, «Is this legal?» I told them the rules of the house—the kids had to finish their dessert or they wouldn’t get any dinner. We drove all the way back after a couple of hours spent just having fun, and only later discovered the gate hadn’t actually been locked; it just looked that way.
I’m glad we thought it was locked; it added to the sacrifice. Sometimes it’s just giving attention or time. I can’t touch everyone, but I can touch somebody. I can’t give to everything, but I can give to something. I can’t listen to every problem, but I can listen to this one. Sometimes, it’s just that intentionality. That’s really what community does. This finger is not connected to every need in my body, but it is affected by them. However, it’s not able to care for all the needs. We are connected with one another. That’s why he says to remember the prisoner because what they experience affects us. We understand that we are members of one another, that someone’s blessings or burdens impact our lives collectively.
Our cities deserve to see the body with the head, under the lordship of Jesus, functioning together. The privilege we have to lay down individualism in celebration of the whole is a huge aspect of God’s design for our lives. It’s a core element of who he made us to be. Strangely, or perhaps not so strangely, it seems to be part of God’s formula for divine health—proper connection to people. Reports indicate that heart patients exhibit significantly higher recovery rates when they are in fellowship and connection with others. There’s something about community as it brings people into greater health and strength.
This thing called communion, this fellowship—listen to this—it brings healing. The absence of it brings affliction. The absence of communion increases the opportunity for affliction and difficulty. He designed us to live in unity with one another. Remember when the Lord addressed the murderer by saying, «Am I my brother’s keeper?» The answer is yes. That’s a privilege we have in being together.
Sometimes we wake up in the middle of the night, and I get up to pray for one or two hours when I can’t get back to sleep. I get alone with the Lord, and eventually hear a verse or something, and peace comes to my soul. I then think to myself, «Man, this person is causing me so many problems, » not realizing perhaps that the whole point might be for me to grasp what’s inconvenient as a son—to invest sacrificially in truly crying out and seeking a kingdom response. Consequently, that yoke which was once so painful becomes eased.
Why is that? I don’t know, but I believe it will be okay. Then three days later, it happens again. Why? Because none of us are perfect yet; we are all on a journey together, choosing and preferring one another. There are times I have to sacrifice my personal dreams and agendas. Now, I hope you receive this in the right spirit when I say I’m a powerful person. I can strive to fulfill all my dreams, but that’s not why I’m here.
I’m not here for that reason; I’m here to catch and support the dreams of those around me. I want to see people burn with passion for something. We have tasks to perform, but ultimately, I want to witness people blossom into who God created them to be. We create an environment where this is possible, but it also creates friction and challenges because that’s the nature of the game. I need people who don’t think like me and handle things differently.
I love to travel; my favorite place on this planet is right here—thank you, Jesus! Is anyone else grateful for the firefighters this week? I am! I’m delighted to be here. This is my favorite place. One of the joys of travel is experiencing churches worldwide that are vastly different from us yet incredibly anointed and blessed by God. It’s crucial to realize that I need those diverse perspectives and people who think differently, and I need their voices and examples.
Whenever I visit a congregation, I’m always conscious that I’m there to support the leader who invited me, to support their dream and vision. I enjoy simply sitting and observing what they’ve accomplished; it’s beautiful. It’s easy to get wrapped up in our little world and think we’re all that matters when, in fact, we’re just one part of a larger picture. Randy Clark says, «Every stream thinks it’s the river.» Sadly, that’s often true, but at least we’re a stream, and I’m thankful we can contribute to God’s work.
Here’s something to consider: I fly a lot, and my airline appreciates me, granting certain privileges. When I land at certain airports, someone is right outside the plane with a sign that reads «Mr. Johnson.» I walk with them on the tarmac—away from the crowded airport, into a Mercedes that drives me to my next gate. Occasionally, I’ll deplane and find a person waiting to whisk me through the crowd to catch a connection. They will tell me, «We’re holding the plane.»
What do you think happens when I’m treated that way and find no one waiting for me? This feeling of not being recognized and understood manifests during stressful moments, as I scramble to reach my next connection in a short amount of time. The question on my mind is, «What organization would allow this?»
Now, take your biggest problem—the most aggravating issue in your life—right now, put that in front of you, and listen: there are millions of people who would gladly take your biggest problem if they could also have your greatest privilege. In a good nation, your income will always be greater than your income tax. I won’t discuss further, but seriously, God places us in situations that bear extreme benefit alongside pain. There’s a «tax» to pay. If I focus solely on the tax, I’ll become disgruntled and complain, distancing myself from people causing pain, unaware that I’m in a developmental process.
This is income tax. There are millions who would gladly take your biggest issue if they could only share in your greatest privilege. The truth resonates: we are blessed beyond reason, favored by the Lord. Because I’m favored, I have to use that favor for the welfare of others or risk misusing it. If I ever use favoritism as a means of self-promotion or attempting to isolate myself from pain, I misuse the favor. This favor should strengthen others and further the Gospel.
Alternatively, if I insulate myself from the people God has placed across my path, I delay my own journey of development and my Christ-like transformation. What feels like a shortcut may actually lead to a longer route. What seems to promise greater faith, devotion, or focus in other circumstances isn’t necessarily true. God’s design wraps itself around a journey that walks with Him, making us more like Him, which can only happen in yoking ourselves together with others.
Entitlement is a scary thing, and such blessings sometimes blind us to our need for one another. I pray that over everyone in this room: I pray for an unusual grace with clarity of sight, so we can genuinely celebrate our gifts. I’ve been pondering challenging situations, spending time in prayer to reflect on the strengths and gifts in your lives, and I give thanks for specific things rather than seeking to change or fix them. Often, I realize that it’s more about what needs to be changed within me.
I celebrate the good in others, even when it’s very tempting to consider conflict and the issues at hand. I’m not ignoring that some people truly seek to harm us, and I’m not pretending that everything’s okay. But most conflict occurs with genuinely good people, which is so confusing. How can they be so good yet cause me so much pain? Ultimately, it’s about getting up in the middle of the night, praying until there’s a breakthrough, and recognizing that the true change lies within me.
Father, I ask that there’d be abundant grace for everyone here—a real grace to celebrate, honor, and value the incredible privilege we have as family, to grow together. Ultimately, we strive to honor you above all, where your glory is revealed as we become more like you and truly care for one another where it counts most.
1 John 4:19 states, «We love him because he first loved us.» We can only love him to the extent we have received love from him. Receiving God’s love expands our capacity to love. We were designed to be lovers of God, loving him fully with every part of our being. The scripture tells us to love him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Every part of our spirit is prepared and eager to love God completely.
I’ve heard the saying, «So heavenly-minded you’re of no earthly good.» That phrase is impossible. The only way to be effective here on earth is to be heavenly-minded; otherwise, we’re merely shadow-boxing. I’m meant to love God with all that I am—my heart, my soul—allowing my emotional capacity to express itself in relationship with Him. This is a life-long journey of progress; I don’t stop moving forward. I’m to love him with full engagement of my intellect; the mind is at its finest when it contemplates God’s wonder and beauty.
The fool has said in their heart, «There is no God.» There is a level of brilliance for those who start with God and build from there. It is possible to spend time in the glorious presence of God, where your being becomes recalibrated to yearn for what you were born for. Every person in this room, every person watching on Bethel TV, was designed by God so that every part of us—our mind, emotions, will, physical body, gifts, and talents—can operate at its best when we encounter love from God.
There’s something exquisite in the perfect design that comes when I love God well; everything in me is ignited to love Him fully. I can’t summon that love on my own, yet I cannot experience it until that is my only logical response. The scripture says in Ephesians 3:19 that we are to «know the love of Christ, which surpasses knowledge.» Essentially, we are to know by experience what was previously beyond comprehension.
Busyness creates an artificial sense of significance, insulating us from stillness long enough to experience love. I’m not saying He doesn’t love you in your busyness, but you won’t fully grasp the profound depth of His love until you invest time in stillness. It’s not impossible to learn while in the midst of chaos; we all know that. However, being still allows us to remember, «Be still and know that I am God.»
Stillness brings awareness of His presence, which explains why so many receive insightful moments and inspirations while sleeping or waking up—you’re at your most unguarded state. Our anxieties and agendas haven’t kicked in yet; sometimes, our agendas for God become our most substantial obstruction to experiencing Him fully.
This is a journey of personal discovery: to experience, to taste, and to know what transcends comprehension. Taste and see that the Lord is good. Experience shapes perception. We’re not convincing people of a philosophical notion; we are introducing them to love—the perfect love exemplified in Christ.
There’s an all-consuming desire within me to express all that I am in my love for God, while simultaneously pouring forth that love to others. Paul, in Ephesians 5, spoke about husbands loving their wives as Christ loved the church. He draws a connection between nourishing and cherishing one’s own body, saying, «For we are members of His body.» This illustrates the concept of family and community among believers.
When one member rejoices, we all rejoice. That’s the essence of family. It saddens me to see those living outside that experience, under the illusion that all is well when it’s not. You cannot fulfill God’s design by yourself. There’s an African proverb I love: «If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.»
What a powerful statement! I feel the Bethel family embodies this well. I’m not preaching to solve a problem; I think there’s more to explore. It’s «Our Father.» Something profound happens when you intentionally bring someone to the communal table, welcoming them despite their struggles. In the context of fellowship, their issues are set aside—covered—by the communion and fellowship we share.
As a church body, we are to cherish one another, encouraging one another. I remember Charlie and Julie, Chris and Kathy, and all those who were a significant part of our lives for nearly 40 years. We learned to live life together, raising our kids as a collective offering unto the Lord.
Somewhere in that journey, we forged bonds that became exportable, transferable truths. What you experience now stems from the commitment of those who went before us to acknowledge it’s not about individualism; it’s about community. The power of connection shifts our focus from merely what I desire to how can we—we as a family—encourage our collective growth and health.
Some of us may be single, while others may be weary; God unites solitary members into families. Sometimes we overlook how powerful serving coalitions can be. It troubles me to see powerful people treat less powerful individuals with indifference.
So often, those who seem to lack privilege get sidelined, labeled by the world. In my observations, powerful people at times resort to indifference. I’m thankful I don’t witness that here often, but when I do, it really hits me hard. It’s a misuse of authority.
We are called to represent God as priests—to bring people before Him and communicate His love by bringing His word and presence to them. When we misuse our position to cast judgment or make accusations, we treat others improperly. When we accuse rather than speak life, God will not attend to our concerns but defend those against whom we’ve misused our authority.
Proverbs 31:8 urges us to advocate for the mute and defend the rights of the unfortunate. Amos 5:24 encourages justice to flow like waters. It’s important to listen, lead, and work together to uplift, fixing the things that are broken—dealing with those who have been marginalized, abused, or rejected. Justice helps us rise from the red, while righteousness establishes a foundation for thriving communities.
God says, «I will betroth you to me in righteousness and justice, » indicating that even in our deep connection to God, the themes of justice and righteousness are interwoven. Those in this room who seek breakthrough might not find it until they stand up for someone who is hurting. It’s in using our authority to protect that we can help others.
Sometimes, when we observe a colleague being targeted or bullied, we hesitate to defend them. We need to step in, offer friendship, and affirm their worth. Each of us has the authority to break cycles and to speak encouragement that impacts lives.
I have witnessed that when I take time to connect with another person, something miraculous often happens. A simple lunch with someone can lead to prayer for breakthroughs that lead them to new opportunities. I know this sounds a bit outlandish, but God steps into those moments, and with grace added to our words, we can help people shift into a more abundant life.
We don’t need to offer quick solutions; we must listen. There are certain moments when you can speak life into a person that might alter their whole trajectory. We step into another’s life for a mere moment, and it could change everything. Everyone possesses the ability to bring forth that transformative impact.
I acknowledge that certain things require spiritual authority in the body of Christ, but many of our challenges can be addressed simply as supportive friends who listen and love without hastily responding. Rather than unloading burdens onto others, we should lend an ear, help each other remain healthy and connected, and support shifts in perspectives.
Remember, the disciples belonged before they believed. They were part of a community before they even fully understood Jesus. He didn’t interrogate them to know if they believed; he simply called them to follow.
This simple invitation allowed them to walk alongside him, exploring faith together—a practical community sense. They were simply brought in to discover who he was, that they belonged before they recognized who He was.
In this way, we too must welcome others into our community, ensuring that they know they belong. That also means providing an environment that does not condone sin but transforms lives.
Fathers and mothers in our community must impart identity, purpose, destiny, and consciousness of unlimited resources. This is part of our Heavenly calling—to operate in the consciousness of a world far beyond what we see.
When we are conscious of God’s loving authority, we can wield his favor for the benefit of everyone we reach. Remember the favor Solomon had, which was given to him specifically for the benefit of his people. God’s expression of divine favor has always been aimed at empowering and equipping us to assist those around us.
When we are misled by pride and use authority for self-serving purposes, we restrict our capacity to effectively minister and develop. When we invest our positions for others, we release collective strength and blessings flowing through us.
We can deliberately speak life-giving words to others. Speak those life-giving affirmations, no matter how small or brief, recognizing how dramatically they may change lives. Everyone in this room has the capacity to support and transform lives around them.