"Who is like God."

What is a Miracle

Today we are going to look at topic that confuses many people… Miracles.

The experts

Science

(Ask group to tell me) What is a miracle?

Throughout history there have been things that cannot be explained by science, nature, or logic and reason. Things that shouldn’t be possible but happen anyway.

Some people deny miracles, while others label every good gift a miracle from God.

Either way, we must examine the evidence and determine if what happened was actually a miracle.

(Ask group to tell me) What is a miracle?

See, a miracle is not easy to define.

Not every good thing is a miracle.

A miracle can be a good thing. A blessing from God that defies logic.

In the Hebrew, a miracle is so much more than just a good result. If we look it up, we see that a miracle was anytime God performs a sign or wonder. Mana falling from heaven, fire falling and igniting a soaking wet alter proving who is God, or the serpent on the Moses's staff that heals all those who look at it… Interesting Fact for you: This is the basis for the symbol of medicine today called the caduceus.

The common factor is

Some argue that a miracle must be separated from nature. They forget that creation and nature itself is a miracle.

Genesis 1:1

English Standard Version Chapter 1

1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.

Or that God used the wind to part the Red Sea for the Israelites to cross and swallow up their pursuers.

Or that the God used the wind to part the Red Sea for the Israelites to cross and swallow up their pursuers.

Exodus 14:21 ESV

Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the Lord drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided.

God can use nature to perform a miracle. It isn’t because something unusual happened, but the character of the event being completely under the control of God that makes it a miracle.

Or that the God used the wind to part the Red Sea for the Israelites to cross and swallow up their pursuers. God can use nature to perform a miracle. It isn’t because something unusual happened, but the character of the event being completely under the control of God.

God can use nature to perform a miracle. It isn’t because something unusual happened, but the character of the event being completely under the control of God.

There can be no doubt as to the origin of these wonderful miracles being solely an act of God.

This is how God proves he is God to the Israelite people. He sets the stage for the Old Testament in Exodus by showing the people that YHWH is the one true God in control of everything and sovereign over the god’s created by man.

God is able to raise up sustenance from the earth and from the heavens where the other God’s fail.

We can see this in when Elijah the prophet

If you guys want to have a real fun read about the power of God over man made gods. Go read about the prophet Elijah defeating the prophets of Baal in .

But the OT is not the only book with miracles.

We typically see most of the miracles happen in three periods in the Bible. The Exodus, the Elijah period of Israel’s unfaithfulness and the ministry of Christ.

In all cases there are two responses and you should take note of them.

God is revealed to his people and praised

The hearts of some are hardened against God.

Pharaoh

Pharisees and Jewish religious leaders

We have covered some of the old testament but what about Jesus?

Through the 4 Gospels, Jesus performs several miracles.

In The Gospel of John we read how Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead.

English Standard Version Chapter 11

38 Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. 39 Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, “Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days.” 40 Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?” 41 So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.” 43 When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.” 44 The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.”

Jesus gives the glory of the miracle to God and ensures that those around know it. He doesn’t claim responsibility for the miracle and in his prayer before the miracle He shows us that it was for our benefit that he emphasized God. The miracle proved His divine nature and that he was truly sent by the Father. It was unexplainable how a man dead 4 days could be brought to life by 3 words… “Lazarus, Come out!”

How about

English Standard Version Chapter 8

23 And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. 24 And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. 25 And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” 26 And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. 27 And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?”

Jesus goes on to perform miracle after miracle through the Gospels.

But like all true miracles, they point to the glory and power of our Sovereign God.

Please open your bibles to and read with me.

so while your getting to it… Back story for you. John the Baptist is in prison. While in Prison he hears of what Christ is doing and sends some of his followers to ask Jesus a question:

English Standard Version Chapter 11

2 Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples 3 and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” 4 And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5 the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. 6 And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”

See all the miracles are pointing to the fulfillment of God’s promises given in the Old Testament. Jesus is showing the fulfillment of prophecy from the book of Isaiah as testimony for him being the Christ.

These miracles point to the divinity of Christ and the glory of God the Father as they fulfill the prophecies.

These miracles point to the divinity of Christ and the glory of God the Father.

There are many more miracles in the gospels. These were all witnessed by people and verified. They speak to power of our God.

Do Miracles still happen?

When I first felt the call to become a Pastor, Riverside Church in Peoria was hosting an event called “The Truth Conference.” This was a day when some of the countries leading apologists would be coming to speak and one was a man named Josh McDowell. Josh is famous for his defense for his gospel, but on this occasion He said something that really spoke to me...

“A man with an argument is at the mercy of a man with an experience.”

See, you can argue all you want about how you theoretically understand how walking on the moon feels, but the ones who have done it know it far more intimately than you or I will probably ever know. They would tell the experience in such detail that you would almost feel yourself become lighter as you can begin to picture yourself there.

Miracles are much the same way. You can argue and try to explain them all you want, but in fact science has never once given an explanation to the miracles performed by God throughout history.

And when a miracle happens, it’s sole purpose is to reveal the wonderful and powerful God that does them to His people. To bring them to worship Him and call more people to Him.

Story of Micah: TESTIMONY!!!!!!

So yes miracles do happen. Probably more frequently than we realize.

This is why our child is named Micah Isaiah Ruona.

Micah translated is the rhetorical question “Who is like God.”

Isaiah translated is “The Lord (YHWH) saves.”

He is a testimony to the awesome power of our God! a boy that was given no chance and should be no longer with us is growing day by day! He defied the doctors when they said “you will miscarry”! When they saw a missing kidney twice, not once twice no kidney. God put one there to be seen this week!

WHO IS LIKE OUR GOD!!!!!!!!

Our God can do anything. he is not constrained by our laws and rules. He doesn’t need a physician to tell him how to operate. Our God is the physician. Our God is the healer. Amen?

But....Miracles are not Normal

By their nature a miracle has to be something out of the ordinary. They are not something you can expect as if God was obligated to act like a genie.

We pray for miracles and we continue to serve faithfully even if they don’t come. Sometimes it is just not God’s will.

I tell you I have seen more spiritual battle

Just because you ask, does not mean God will bring it about. The whole name it and claim it prosperity gospel loses all it’s power when God says one simple word… “No”

Sometimes we have to experience the no to get to the yes. Sometimes that no is shaping us for that next yes. We never give up hope though. The nos often shape a faith more than the yes if we follow through faithfully. But I could do an hour long sermon on that.

If they happened to us all the time there would not be this great need to share them with others. There wouldn’t be this drive to shout it to the whole world.

God gives us all blessings and gifts… But these are not miracles. Miracles are something far beyond our spiritual gifts. And they are beyond those small blessings that we receive.

See when a miracle happens, you cannot help but shout your testimony for all to hear.

But the blessings, you thank God for those alone or with a small intimate group.

Last point

Not everyone hears a miracle and believes.

Look at

English Standard Version Chapter 11

6 And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”

Like those we already discussed, some people hear of a story of miracle and deny it as possible, think that it is being overstated, or an outright lie.

Like those we already discussed, some people hear of a story of miracle and deny it as possible, think that it is being overstated, or an outright lie. They harden their hearts against God and his actions. Many people I have shared this story with have tried to explain it away. But I know my God, and I walked through it. Once again “A man with an argument is at the mercy of a man with an experience.” You will never convince me or those who walked through this with us that Micah was anything but a miracle from God.

They harden their hearts against God and his actions. Many people I have shared this story with have tried to explain it away. But I know my God, and I walked through it.

Once again “A man with an argument is at the mercy of a man with an experience.” You will never convince me or those who walked through this with us that Micah was anything but a miracle from God.

See some people don’t want to admit there is a God no matter what evidence there is for His existence. They would rather look for evidence of a lack of God than even to search for any evidence of God.

Romans reminds us that we have all sinned and fall short of God. We were all God’s enemies once.

But that’s what makes Christ the biggest miracle in the Bible.

He comes, sent by God out of complete love for you and the world to save people and bring them to eternal life with God in Heaven. This is a divine act. Only God can give eternal life.

(Ask) Who knows the story of the thief on the cross?

Jesus is hanging on his cross between two criminals.

English Standard Version Chapter 23

39 One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

look back at that. Remember our sin put Christ on that cross to suffer and die but what does he say?

“Today you will be with me in Paradise”

The Miracle of Salvation

Salvation is one of the greatest miracles there is. It is one every Christian experiences. The moment you die to your old life and become new. Freed from what you were and now able to be more than that.

The moment that the Jesus Calls your name and you turn from what you were to what God says you are. His child.

you are forgiven and set free from sin.

The Bible tells us we are no longer slave to sin… and the best part

We never have to go back because of the gift and miracle that is God’s Grace.

That is why Jesus Christ is the greatest Miracle.

Sent by God and is fully God and fully Man to live, die, and be resurrected so we are set free.

Lets Pray.

Special worship song.