Curtis Petrey: Supernatural Legacy of Faith
Hey everyone, Conrad here from ConradRocks.Net! It's with a mix of sadness and immense gratitude that I'm writing this post today. We recently lost a truly remarkable man, Curtis Petrey, who went to be with Jesus on April 7th. Curtis wasn't just a preacher; he was a force of nature, a powerful voice for the Gospel, and a dear friend. I've had the privilege of knowing him, and it was an absolute honor to be part of his extended family. His passion for the supernatural power of God and his unwavering faith in Jesus have left an indelible mark on my life, and I know, on countless others. Today, I want to share a little about Curtis' legacy and one of his powerful sermons, "No Such Thing as a Hopeless Case." It’s a message that speaks to the very heart of faith and the transformative power of spiritual encounters with the divine.
The Legacy of Curtis Petrey
Curtis was a man who understood the prophetic call of God on his life. He wasn’t just relaying scripture; he was living it. Susan has been working tirelessly to convert his massive collection of audio cassette sermons into MP3 format. I’ve been helping her with the process, and we now have over 300 of his sermons available for download at Words of Wisdom. I urge you to check them out; you can find the link wherever you hear this podcast. They are an incredible resource of faith, packed with wisdom and the anointing of the Holy Spirit. To honor Curtis, I want to dive into one of my favorites: “No Such Thing as a Hopeless Case.”
"No Such Thing as a Hopeless Case": Exploring Mark 5
Let's open our Bibles together, friends, to Mark chapter 5. This powerful story is the foundation of Curtis’s message, and it truly encapsulates the supernatural power of Jesus. We begin with verse 1: “Then they came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gadarenes. And when He had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him a man out of the tombs with an unclean spirit..." (Mark 5:1-2)
This is where Curtis begins to paint a vivid picture of a man totally out of control. The man in this story was demon-possessed, dwelling among the tombs, and so strong that chains couldn’t restrain him. Curtis emphasizes the man's utter hopelessness, "totally completely out of his mind...demon possessed." He points out, “Nobody went near that mountain when that guy was out ranting and raving and hollering and carrying on.” The man's situation was bleak. Yet, in the midst of his brokenness, something remarkable happens.
The Power of Encountering Jesus
Here’s a key point Curtis makes that stuck with me: "When he saw Jesus from a distance, he didn't have to wait for Jesus to get that of where he was." Even in his chaotic state, something within him recognized Jesus. The demonic forces, with all their strength, couldn’t stop the man from running to Jesus. This is such a powerful picture of the drawing power of Jesus. As Curtis eloquently puts it, "There's nothing in this universe powerful enough to keep anybody from Jesus."
What does the man do when he gets to Jesus? He falls on his knees and worships. Curtis highlights that the "spirit in him knew the spirit of Jesus, and the spirit in him connected with the spirit in Jesus." There’s an instant recognition, a deep spiritual connection. It’s an incredible reminder that no matter how far someone might stray, that deep part of them, their spirit, still recognizes its Creator. It’s in that moment that we witness the transformative power of Jesus, an encounter that is not just religious but profoundly supernatural.
Jesus Meets the Need
Curtis often said, “When Jesus shows up, He shows up to meet the need.” And that is exactly what happens here. Jesus doesn’t hesitate; He meets the man right where he is. The man's most obvious need is for deliverance, but Curtis points out that "the people came out, and they found the man who had been demon-possessed, clothed and in his right mind." Jesus met the immediate and long-term needs of the demoniac, providing both deliverance and restoration.
Curtis then says “Every time Jesus showed up, miracles happened, and needs were met.” He emphasizes, "Never once in the Bible will you show me a verse where Jesus went to any situation and to any person and said, ‘I can't handle this.’" This statement is so important for us to grasp; Jesus never fails, and there is nothing impossible for him to handle. It’s a message of hope that transcends circumstances.
Reaction to the Supernatural
Curtis does not shy away from reactions of those who witnessed the miracle. Instead of celebrating the man’s healing, they became fearful and asked Jesus to leave! Curtis remarks, "If you ever really have an encounter with Jesus, you've got two choices: you can get excited or get upset, but you're going to do one or the other.” It’s a very insightful comment and it reminds us that sometimes people will reject the work of God because they don’t understand it or fear the change.
The Power of Testimony
Despite being asked to leave, Jesus commissioned the healed man to stay and share his testimony, “Go home to your friends, and tell them the great things the Lord has done for you, and how He had compassion on you." (Mark 5:19) This is a powerful model for us as Christians. It wasn’t a fancy sermon, or a complex theological debate; it was a genuine account of what Jesus had done for him.
Curtis beautifully explains, "I want you to go to this whole area, and tell everyone. Don’t preach, don’t teach, just tell them what I did for you. Go and give your testimony to my power to change a life." And the Bible tells us the man did it. He went to the ten cities and shared what Jesus had done, and "everywhere he went, it said men marvelled." Curtis highlights, "who would have picked the gadarene demoniac to be the evangelist for the ten cities? Only Jesus!" It highlights the point that God uses anyone. The message is clear: God can use anybody.
Personal Reflections and Modern Miracles
What resonated with me when listening to this was the simplicity of faith and the power of a genuine encounter with God. Curtis lived this. He shared real-life stories of incredible transformations, such as the Muslim man who was radically converted. He gave his testimony, and then he became a pastor. He also recounted the story of a man who was healed of a severely broken foot after prayer, a situation that doctors said had no hope of recovery. Both are incredible displays of God's supernatural power at work.
These weren’t just Bible stories; these were real-life examples of the spiritual power of God in our world today. And Curtis himself is proof that miracles happen. He shared a very personal story about being given only a couple of months to live by doctors. He said, "in February two of the best cardiologists in this state gave me two months to live...I went back to my doctor in May, and when walking in his office, he said, you're not supposed to be doing as good as you are... I said, 'one word answer, Jesus.'" He then stated that, “God is still in the human business, and God is still Lord."
The Testimony of George Marsh
Curtis went on to share the story of George Marsh, who had a profound impact on his life. George’s father was an atheist doctor who abandoned his family. However, a new preacher in town made it his mission to reach Mr. Marsh. After countless rejections, Mr. Marsh eventually experienced a life-altering encounter with Jesus. He walked into church one day, and “walked down to the altar,” Curtis explained. George was not only converted but later became a powerful pastor, who had a huge impact on Curtis.
Curtis' sharing of George Marsh’s story emphasizes that you should “never give up on anybody...greater is He! Don’t give up on them, you pray... God’s amazing grace is not stopped! God help us! It's not just be a hymn we sing but a life we live." Curtis’ testimony reinforces that with God, there's always hope, no matter how dire the situation might seem. It’s a lesson I hold dear to my heart, and something I always want to remember to tell others. It reiterates the prophetic truth that God’s power is boundless.
Biblical Basis: The Same Yesterday, Today, and Forever
Curtis frequently referred to Hebrews 13:8, reminding us that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. This foundational verse emphasizes that the supernatural power of God displayed in the Bible is still available to us today. It is not history, but present reality. Curtis wasn't just talking about religious concepts; he was talking about lived experiences. He stressed that when two or more are gathered, Jesus is there in the midst, emphasizing “I mean Jesus is here, and he's got a miracle for you right here." This is a beautiful reminder of the very real presence of God in our lives.
The passing of Curtis Petrey has left a hole in the hearts of many, me included. However, his sermons continue to be a source of encouragement and faith. His powerful messages on spiritual transformation, the supernatural, and the transformative power of Jesus remain timeless. His life was a testament to the truth that there is no hopeless case, and that God can use any of us, no matter our past.
I want to encourage you to explore Curtis’s sermons. Visit Words of Wisdom , where you can find over 300 of his messages available for download. Please, take some time and listen; it’s an investment that will change your life. It’s a beautiful way to honor his memory and his amazing contribution to the Kingdom of God. As Curtis would often say, "dig deeper and go higher!" Keep pressing into the things of the spiritual, friend.
Thank you for joining me today as we celebrate the life and ministry of Curtis Petrey. Your comments are always appreciated. Please consider subscribing to the newsletter for more content, follow me on social media, and feel free to leave a comment below. Let’s continue this journey of faith together! God Bless!
No comments:
Post a Comment