The Place Nov 1 2022

Miracles

What are some of your favorite miracles in the Bible?

What might those miracles teach us about God?

Do you think God still performs miracles today?

If you heard or experienced a miracle what would your reaction be?

What should your reaction be?

CONTEXT:

Israel saved, preserved, conquered Lands…

JOSHUA 24:14-18 “14 “Now therefore fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. 15 And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” 16 Then the people answered, “Far be it from us that we should forsake the Lord to serve other gods, 17 for it is the Lord our God who brought us and our fathers up from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, and who did those great signs in our sight and preserved us in all the way that we went, and among all the peoples through whom we passed. 18 And the Lord drove out before us all the peoples, the Amorites who lived in the land. Therefore we also will serve the Lord, for he is our God.””

Why did the people commit to follow God?

What actions did they need to take based upon their commitment to God? (Josh 24.14)

• MIRACLES COMPEL PEOPLE TO FOLLOW GOD

LUKE 7:11-17 “11 Soon afterward he went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a great crowd went with him. 12 As he drew near to the gate of the town, behold, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow, and a considerable crowd from the town was with her. 13 And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.” 14 Then he came up and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.” 15 And the dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. 16 Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has arisen among us!” and “God has visited his people!” 17 And this report about him spread through the whole of Judea and all the surrounding country.”

What moved Jesus to raise this woman's son from the dead? (Lk 7.12)

How did the people respond to this miracle? (Lk 7.16-17)

• MIRACLES BRING GOD GLORY

MARK 16:1-8 “1 When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. 2 And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. 3 And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” 4 And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back—it was very large. 5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. 6 And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.” 8 And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.”

How does the resurrection prove Jesus’ words are true? (Mark 6.7)

How should or does the truth of Jesus’ words give us hope, peace, and joy?

• MIRACLES VINDICATE GOD’S WORDS

God’s miracles demonstrate His glory, power, and love for people. Of all of the miracles recorded in Scripture, the greatest is the resurrection of Jesus. Because Jesus rose from the dead, all who trust in Him are forgiven and likewise are raised to walk in new life.

DO YOU BELIEVE IN THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS? WHY OR WHY NOT?

HOW IS THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS DIFFERENT FROM THE RESURRECTION OF THE WIDOW’S SON OR OTHER RESURRECTIONS IN THE BIBLE?

HOW SHOULD (HAVE YOU ALREADY) WE WORK(ED) THROUGH DOUBTS AND QUESTIONS WE HAVE ABOUT JESUS AND THE RESURRECTION?

HOW CAN WE IMITATE JESUS’S COMPASSION TOWARD OTHER PEOPLE? AT SCHOOL? AT HOME? AT CHURCH?

WHAT CAN WE DO TO SHARE THE GOOD NEWS OF JESUS WITH PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY?