Untitled Sermon (4)

Miracles confirmed the word of God.

A. What is a miracle?

1. . David Humes defines it as "a violation, "a transgression of a law of nature...

2. Norman L. Geisler commented on Semeion, which is the most common term used in the New T. for miracles.

3. Nevertheless, our best clue of what it is depends on the events that the Bible nominates as miraculous

B. Miracles in the Old Testament

1. God allowed in Moses time ()

a. Miracle of the buring bush

b. Miracles signs before Pharoah in egypt

c. Miracles in the red sea and in the wilderness

Through them God validate his presence, power and promise.

2. God allowed in Elijah’s time

a. He proved to the nation of Israel that Yahweh is the true God

b. Elijah is his prophet, spokesman (-ff)

C. Miracles use in the New Testament

1. Jesus performed different types of signs to demonstrate the kingdom and power of God ()

2. He authenticated his claims with them: (; )

a. Jesus claimed to be the Son of God, making himself equal with God ();

b. He claimed authority to forgive sins ((), most troubling, he said

c. He claimed to be "The Messiah of the world (, ; ). Many described him as nothing but a lunatic for those allegations (). ().

d. Nevertheless, Jesus defended his case by providing evidence for his assertions (,).

e. Thereby, He turned Doubts into belief :

1. Nicodemus expressed his faith in him for what he had seen ()

2. Disciples saw his glory and believe ()

3. A Roman soldier believed ()

4. Many rulers also believed but failed to admit it for fear ().

II. Second, miracles accompanied the biblical Revelation.

A. Jesus promised to guide his Apostles into all truth ().

1. He did so miraculously (, )

2. He commissioned them to preach and confirm the gospel with miraculous signs (, ).

B. Jesus guided them to record the truth by his Spirit (, , , ). Next they received all of the facts Jesus had promised ().

C. The Apostles received all of the truth in the first century. (For example,)

1. Paul preached the full counsel of God in the first century ().

2. God revealed all of the scriptures by inspiration ()

3.The faith was delivered once unto the Saints in the first century ()

4. Every word is written and confirmed for future use (; , , , ). Therefore, Paul Predicted the end of miracles in the future of the first century age.

III. Third, Miracles end predicted in first Century.

A. Paul had a Preview of the ceasing of work of the miracles (-13)

1. He argued against the misconception of the miraculous operation ()

2. He Indicated the time frame of its expiration. When the perfect comes, the complete (love) revelation, the truth ().

3. Paul Explained their limited function. They provided limited insights into the will of God, primarily, they confirmed, certified, new revelations. However, those activities would cease to exist one day when the perfect came. Paul; wrote 2000 years ago ()

4. He described their nature "childish things." ().

5. He urged the believers to embrace the superior and permanent gift (!cor 13:13). That was crucial because he knew that miraculous work would eventually cease.

IV. Conclusion:

A. Now, no new revelation is pending for the Christian faith because no new savior needs confirming. The gospel is final, and no further verification required (,). No additional confirmation either needed for the new covenant of God, (), no other foundation to lay for Christianity ().

B. We can rest assured that miracles have ceased because they have accomplished their God-given purposes in scripture. That is, certify God's message; authenticate who Jesus is and aid the canon of scripture. God completed all revelations in the first century.

C. Therefore, these signs stopped when the last writer laid down his pen, and the last person on whom the apostle had laid hands upon to impart the gift of the Holy Spirit died (). That sealed the era of certification and authentication in Christianity. Now, salvation on obedient faith in the certified message of the gospel