The Purpose of Miracles
Notes
Transcript
What is the purpose of Miracles? We see and hear the Miracles in the Bible, we still see Miracles today. The question though is what is their purpose? Over the next couple of months we will explore Jesus’ Miracles and we will find ways to live those miracles out with purpose in our lives. Breathing life into Biblical Miracles to display the same love and desire that Jesus had for those around Him. How can we live out these miracles?
So this man was pulled over at the customs.
They had a look in his car and found a big plastic can in the backseat.
\- What have we here?, asked the officer.
\- That? The man replayed, that's miracle water from Canada.
The office loosened the lid and put his nose to the can.
\- It's liquor, he proclaimed.
\- Oh dear, said the man, the miracle must have happened already
A healing pastor is in the process of a miracle
Pastor: Stand up!
(The man slowly stands up)
Pastor: Now walk my child walk!!!
(The man slowly started walking and the crowd was shocked)
The pastor then gave the microphone to the man.
Pastor: Now what can you say upon this miracle of God!!??
Man: I still can’t see
If this is how you are feeling like things will go if I ask you to leave here and start performing miracles, don’t worry. I am not asking you to perform any miracles unless God tells you to. It is the goal of this series to teach us how to live out the purpose behind each one of the miracles that Jesus performed. Turn in your Bible to John 20. Today we will lay the groundwork for how we will explore each one of Jesus miracles. We will first see the profound proof in the Miracle, we will the see the conviction that each miracle cultivates, and lastly we will see how each miracle declares destiny. This week we will take each one of those steps and look at each from a Biblical perspective and how we will utilize each step moving forward in our study. In John 20 this morning we will be in verses 30-31. Please stand with me as we read the scripture. John 20:30-31
30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
In all we have 37 miracles that Jesus performed recorded in the Gospels. What we know is that Jesus performed many more miracles but the Gospels highlight the miracles that bring us to the understanding of who Jesus was.
1. Profoundly Powerful Proofs
1. Profoundly Powerful Proofs
30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book;
You could focus on the amazing signs Jesus performed, emphasizing how they reveal His divine nature and authority. John specifically selected these signs to lead us to faith. This makes the Gospel a relational tool rather than just a historical document. By engaging with these signs, we are encouraged to trust in Jesus' power in our lives today and share this faith experience with others, transforming doubt into genuine belief. The purpose is to provide a profoud proof that Jesus was who he said he was. At the time that Jesus was performing His miracles the Pharasees and Saducees were going around telling people that Jesus was deamon posessed and that he was casting out deamons in the name of Beelzebul.
24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons.”
They were telling everyone that Jesus was trying to trick them and to lead them astray. There was no desire on the part of the Pharasees and Saducees to see Jesus as the Messiah. They did everything in their power to turn people away from Jesus.
14 But the Pharisees went out and conspired against him, how to destroy him.
What was Jesus response to this?
15 Jesus, aware of this, withdrew from there. And many followed him, and he healed them all 16 and ordered them not to make him known.
The renowned artist Paul Gustave Dore (1821-1883) lost his passport while traveling in Europe. When he came to a border crossing, he explained his predicament to one of the guards. Giving his name to the official, Dore hoped he would be recognized and allowed to pass. The guard, however, said that many people attempted to cross the border by claiming to be persons they were not.
Dore insisted that he was the man he claimed to be. "All right," said the official, "we'll give you a test, and if you pass it we'll allow you to go through." Handing him a pencil and a sheet of paper, he told the artist to sketch several peasants standing nearby. Dore did it so quickly and skillfully that the guard was convinced he was indeed who he claimed to be. His work confirmed his word!
Jesus went right on healing, He did not stop to make proof, or argue with the religous leaders. Jesus continued to perform miracles and heal people. The reason that Jesus did this was because He was going to provide profound proof of who He was. Jesus was not simply ok with talking the talk, He was going to walk the walk.
17 This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah:
18 “Behold, my servant whom I have chosen,
my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased.
I will put my Spirit upon him,
and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles.
19 He will not quarrel or cry aloud,
nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets;
20 a bruised reed he will not break,
and a smoldering wick he will not quench,
until he brings justice to victory;
21 and in his name the Gentiles will hope.”
What way will you take the next couple of months and start providing profound proof to others of Jesus being real in your life and thiers? The purpose of living the Miracles is not so that we can believe but so that others can see the proof of Jesus and believe in Him. The purpose is to glorify the Father and elevate the Son. Our lives are the proof of Jesus actions.
3 how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, 4 while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.
6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.
15 But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, 16 was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone;
The proof of Jesus is not argued inside of college dorm rooms or lecture halls. It is not debated on the debate stage. It is proven in the lives of every believer. We are not called to yell and scream from the streets, but to humbly live and love in the life of Christ. Living miracels calls us to be the profound proof of Jesus. This profound proof of Jesus leads to confident conviction.
2. Confidently Cultivate Conviction
2. Confidently Cultivate Conviction
31 a but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God,
The miracles that Jesus perfomed were not simply so people could stand and marvel at Him, they were perfomed to bring people to the knowledge of God the Father. Jesus did everything to point us to the Father.
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
The prorpose of Jesus miracles was to provide proof that lead to conviction. One area that the church is struggling in today is leading to true conviction. We are seeing pastors cave in to society and the desire for all the be accepted and the problem with this is that the proof of Jesus is not to lead us to acceptance but to repentance. Jesus performed His miracles and lead others to see his proof but called them to repentance
17 From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Jesus was not performing miracles so that others could know His power and surround Him. He did this to lead people to a real repentance conversation. The church aside from the story of Salvation and repentance is nothing more than a humanitarian effort. The church is not called to be a humanitarian effort but to be a beacon of light shining in the darkness, providing proof of Jesus in our lives and leading to real repentance converstaions. You know the problem with repentance conversations and why so many pastors are falling victim to the devil’s schemes? Because repentance is an awkward conversation. First we do not want to be hypocrites but second it is tough to have confrontational conversations. Here is the problem I have with both of those issues.
First, if you took part in something that was bad for you, something that would kill you. Would you simply throw your hands up when your kids started doing the same thing and say, oh well, I do it so they can too. No you would not and if you say you would then you are either a liar or someone who does not care about their child. I have bad habits in my life that I pray my kids never pick up and when they exhibit those behaviors I stop them becuase I do not want them to struggle in ways that I do. Second, If someone was about to walk off of a cliff, would you not engage in some type of conversation to stop them? We have people who are about to walk off cliffs and we literally have churches and pastors saying well let me help you get to the edge! We are called to have difficult conversations. Jesus had difficult conversations.
How can we have these conversations and ensure that we are not simply a humanitarian group?
First, trust the Spirit-
19 When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour.
Second, speak in love-
15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,
Lastly, offer hope-
14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility
Living out the miracles of Jesus in our lives should help us lead to conversations because others are lead to conviction due to seeing our lives reflecting Jesus.
An open mind, in questions that are not ultimate, is useful. But an open mind about ultimate foundations either of Theoretical or Practical reason is idiocy. If a man's mind is open on these things, let his mouth at least be shut.
C.S. Lewis quoted in Credenda Agenda, Vol. 4, No. 5, p. 16.
Merely having an open mind is nothing; the object of opening the mind, as of opening the mouth, is to shut it again on something solid.
G.K. Chesterton.
What are C.S Lewis and Chesterton saying? They are saying that having an open mind and allowing people to walk towards eternal damnation because you want them to feel comfortable is idiocy. These pastors who will not have difficult conversations but will blantantly lead others towards the gates of hell need to simply shut their mouths and leave room for those who will. I am not saying that we are to be abrasive and harsh. We are to live in such a way that our lives lead others to conviction and we are to stand on our convictions. Jesus stood on his convictions and did not sway in the light of making others feel comfortable.
16 And behold, a man came up to him, saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” 17 And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.” 18 He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, 19 Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 20 The young man said to him, “All these I have kept. What do I still lack?” 21 Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 22 When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
Jesus life lead to conviction for this young man, when it came time to understand the truth Jesus did not hold back because it was awkward. Jesus had the conversation because it was necessary. As we live out miracles in our lives others will be led to conviction, will you stand ready to lead them towards God? It is time for the church in America to lead towards Heaven and less towards perserving feelings. Living miracles brings us to show profound proof, leads to confident convictions, but results in declared destiny.
3. Decisively Declare Destiny
3. Decisively Declare Destiny
31 b and that by believing you may have life in his name.
The result of profound proof, and confident conviction is a decisive and declared destiny. For those who will believe in Jesus and live their lives to honor Him, they will have eternal life in Jesus name. The ultimate purpose of miracles per John was to lead to eternal life in the name of Jesus. John is telling us that the proof of Jeuss should lead us to beliefe in Jesus that will lead us to eternal life. This is our motivation. The churches motivation is not miracles, it is not living lives that look good, it is not doing humanitarian work. It is to lead others away from the gates of Hell and to the eternal salvation in Jesus Christ. Living in Christ leads us to a declared destiny of eternal life. Can I tell you that I am afraid far too many churches want miracles so that they can increase their numbers, so that they can experience a more emotional church service, so that they can have what they want or need. Too few churches are living miracles and showing the proof of Jesus for what others can get out of it. We need to be the ones living miracles so that others can find their way to an eternal destiny in the name of Jesus. I don’t know about you but I am so excited to start walking through these miracles and to see how I can live these miracles in my life and lead others to Christ. Over the next couple of months we will be given the opportunity to live out the miracles of Jesus in our lives to lead others to the proof of Jesus, the conviction of our fallen state, and the wonderful destiny that we can have in Jesus. Are you ready to be a part of that? Are you ready to affectively live for the kingdom in your life? We will unlock the door to an effective life in Christ through living out the miracles of Jesus.
A certain courthouse in Ohio stands in a unique location. Raindrops that fall on the north side of the building go into Lake Ontario and the Gulf of St. Lawrence, while those falling on the south side go into the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico. At precisely the point of the peak of the roof, just a gentle puff of wind can determine the destiny of many raindrops. It will make a difference of more than 2,000 miles as to their final destination. The spiritual application is clear. By the smallest deed or choice of words we might set in motion influences that could change the course of others' lives here and now and could also affect their eternal destiny.
Our Daily Bread, June 12, 1994.
The choices we make in living out the proof of Jesus and leading to the conviction in others lives can be pivotal.
11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
For this series our memory scripture will be one that I don’t believe I have ever seen on a calendar. It is a scripture that will remind us of why we are living the way we are and what is so important about what we do every day.
3 For still the vision awaits its appointed time;
it hastens to the end—it will not lie.
If it seems slow, wait for it;
it will surely come; it will not delay.
We know the end of the story folks and we know where others are headed. Let us live the miracles of Jesus so that we can be vessels of truth and conviction in others lives, and be used by the Sprit of God to lead them to a knowledge of Him.
