Times They are a-Changin' - A Case for Miracles

As we continue on with our series about the changing season that is upon us and how we can THRIVE in that season

Today we will be talking about the need for Christians to walk in miracles

Christians are going to have to know how to walk in a miraculous lifestyle

We don’t have to wait until Matthew 24:4-14 starts to really start shaping up around us.

If we want to do the will of God, we will NEED miracles

because

God will always call us to do what is impossible to do without Him - Mark 10:27

What is a miracle?

A miracle by definition is an indicator or sign

A miracle is a suspension of natural law

A miracle is God’s law in action

A miracle is the visible evidence of an invisible God

Sometimes we can understand what something is, more clearly, by understanding what it is not:

A miracle is not a matter of unlikely probability, or statistics

(like winning the lottery 3 times in a row or a very unlikely set of circumstances)

A few reasons why Christians should be living a miraculous lifestyle and bringing that to the world around them:

Miracles are the nature of God & we are made in His image

Genesis 1:1-3

Genesis 1:26

Jesus gave us miracle-working power so we should not waste it by lack of use

Luke 10:19

We are meant to be different from the world - heathens thought Paul and Barnabas were gods because of what they did.

Acts 14:8–16

When was the last time the power flowing from your life caused people to question whether or not you are a god?

Even powerful sorcerers wanted to buy the power of God when they saw what it could do.

Acts 8:14–24

If the only difference between Christians and the rest of the world is a matter of life philosophy - that is a shame on Christians.

We are meant to draw people, and give glory, to Jesus - miracles do that

Matthew 5:14–16

Exodus 8:23

The miracles that God does through our submission to Him are not meant for us to draw people to ourselves but, rather, to point all glory to Him as THE Source.

A few final thoughts:

There are no miracles apart from the miracle-worker

Miracles are not purely sovereign - We have a part to play

Desiring miracles is not selfish, it is necessary to live the life God designed for us to live & to accomplish His Great Commission to us - Some people will never come to Christ without a miracle

Oftentimes, a miracle “settles the issue.”

If you are born again, you have experienced the greatest of miracles and you may not even know it

Just One Thing:

Begin to desperately desire the miracle-working power of God to be present in your life everyday to make a difference in the world.

Discussion Questions:

What’s the silliest thing you’ve seen someone get upset about?

What is one significant thing that you learned, or finally understood, about miracles from this sermon? Please share a bit about that.

Please read Acts 14:8–16 and share how this account of a miracle impacts you. Can you honestly see/imagine your name placed in this passage instead of Paul or Barnabas? Please explain why or why not.

Do you honestly want to be able to work with God to have miracles happen through your hands? Why or why not?