FAITH FOR MIRACLES

HEB 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good report. 3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

Faith in the storm is true faith! Faith in a calm may be, or may not be, genuine faith.

An Instructive Truth, Volume 50, Sermon #2893 - Jeremiah 10:23

Charles Spurgeon

Faith is the ingredient necessary for getting God’s attention. God is always looking to work His miraculous wonders. To obtain a good report we must have faith. The substance of faith is unseen. It is not visible to the natural eye. The only way to see God work miracles is to increase our level of faith.

HEB 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

God will reward His servants, but diligence in seeking Him is the first requirement. We need an absolute conviction of God’s integrity to work on our behalf.

DAN 11:32b :but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.

Those who know God or those who spend time with God, will ultimately be strong and in time will do exploits by His Spirit. (Zech 4:6)

ZECH 4:6 Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.

God is looking for an “excellence in personal offerings”.

HEB 11:4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, Cain’s offering was rejected because he was not hearing God’s voice. Cain’s heart was not right with God. Faith that is found acceptable will have the evidence of obedience to the voice of God.

HEB 11:8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

FAITH FOR MIRACLES

The inheritance received was obtained primarily by obedience. When God gave Abram his ministry marching orders, (Gen 12:1) he did not call a meeting with the

board of directors. The fact is he had no idea of his travel itinerary or how long the journey would be. God expected simple obedience. This was the beginning of

Abram’s journey of faith. He was able to expand his boundaries by faith. It has been said that Abram (later Abraham) had more angelic visitations than any other

man in the OT.

HEB 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, Noah had to move with faith on something “not seen as yet”. There had never been a cloud let alone rain. Noah obeyed because he feared God.

Noah’s -- faith's work:

1. Warned of God of things not seen.

2. Moved with fear -- religious fear or reverence toward God, not from fear of losing his life.

3. Prepared an ark to save his house.

4. Condemned the world (Gen. 6:8 -- Gen. 8:19; 1Pet. 3:20).

5. Became heir of the righteousness -- justified by faith (Rom. 3:21-31; 4:1-25).

Dake's Annotated Reference Bible.

HEB 11:11 Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed,

and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.

The Bible uses phrasing to indicate that Sara was as good as dead. The word corpse has been used. For Isaac to be born Sara received “dunamus” super-natural strength to conceive. This was not only a miraculous conception, it was a miraculous birth. There are many other instances in the scriptures where God’s spiritual strength is

noted. (See Ezekiel 1)

EZE 2:2 And the spirit entered into me when he spake unto me, and set me upon my feet, that I heard him that spake unto me.

God not only made the request to stand up, but in the following verse He gave

Ezekiel had the ability to stand in the strength of the spirit. This strength was an anointing sufficient to minister to those living in rebellion. God desires that all believers see signs and wonders. (See Isa 8:18)

ISA 8:18 Behold, I and the children whom the LORD hath given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth in mount Zion.

The prophets had declared that Jesus and His children would work signs and wonders. The children spoken of here are Christ’s twelve disciples. As the children of God, we are also included in this verse. The capability to believe is already in the believer. We must continually activate our faith. Hardness of heart and indifference will kill faith. (Read: Mk 16:14-20)

FAITH FOR MIRACLES

MK 16:14 Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. 15 And he said unto them, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature."

Here we see that the disciples had slumped to a sitting position brought about by hardness of heart. Jesus quickly rebuked, then challenged them to minister beyond the boundaries of Jerusalem. They were given a mandate to “preach the gospel to every creature worldwide”. Jesus had already taught them, hence they were ready for the outworking of signs and wonders in all the earth. (Mk 16:17-20)

MK 16:17 "And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils.

20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

If we work in the harvest fields of the world God will work with us. If we preach the word, we can expect signs and wonders to follow. What an outcome for choosing to work for the Lord!

In heart we become the “signs and wonders” to the lost in this world.

HEB 2:4 God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?

God desires to demonstrate His power in and through His children. These children when full of Holy Spirit power will be used of God to demonstrate God’s power. When unbelievers see for themselves the unusual signs, wonders, healings and miracles they are compelled to receive Christ as Saviour.