The New Era: Miracles

Miracle (def.) - a surprising and welcome event that is not explicable by natural or scientific laws

Miracles are not coincidence.

Miracles don’t just happen.

Miracles are a tool of Heaven dispensed for a reason.

Miracles bring an invisible God into the realm of the visible!

For example, we might know that there is air all around us, but it takes the movement of air like wind to move the trees before we can “see the air.”

Or like your brain…I believe you have one, but….how do I really know???😂

Why We Need Miracles:

Because miracles bring an invisible God into the realm of the visible:

1) Miracles are a tool for reaching those who do not know or believe in the God of the Bible

Exodus 7:1 NKJV

1 So the Lord said to Moses: “See, I have made you as God to Pharaoh, and Aaron your brother shall be your prophet.

Exodus 7:4–5 NKJV

4 But Pharaoh will not heed you, so that I may lay My hand on Egypt and bring My armies and My people, the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great judgments. 5 And the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I stretch out My hand on Egypt and bring out the children of Israel from among them.”

John 3:1–2 NKJV

1 There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.”

2) We need miracles to effectively minister the gospel of Christ!

If we can intellectually convince someone into the Kingdom of God, someone else can intellectually convince them out of the Kingdom of God just as easily.

1 Corinthians 2:4–5 NKJV

4 And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

We are meant to experience God and be supernaturally born again into His Kingdom.

Someone with an experience is never at a loss to someone with an opinion.

Being born again is not just a decision, it is a miracle!

Miracles & the Non-Believer & the UnBeliever:

Non-believer: Someone who does not believe in Jesus Christ or Jehovah largely because they have not seen enough evidence or proof to believe.

We are meant to be proof providers (Acts 1:8)

Unbeliever: Someone who knows about & believes in God, but makes a decision to not-believe, or to disagree with, what the Bible (the Word of God = Jesus) says.

An unbeliever refuses to accept any evidence no matter how well-substantiated and how certain.

For the non-believer:

When God provides a miracle, it is proof of His existence & His goodness. Then, we can tell them about, & lead them to, the God who made it happen.

(prayed for Justin & his daughter Ella - with Make a Wish - Lord, let them know it’s a miracle that only YOU can do through the name of Jesus)

There is rarely a question about who provided the miracle when we have prayed and believed through the Name of Jesus!

“A miracle settles the issue.” - Mike Francen

For the unbeliever:

A miracle might be something interesting to experience, but it will not change them or their relationship to God.

Matthew 12:38–39 NKJV

38 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered, saying, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from You.” 39 But He answered and said to them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.

The sign of Jonah was his “death, burial & resurrection” with the fish & the word and warning of the Lord to Ninevah to repent.

Jesus would not give the Pharisees a sign, because they knew what God said, but chose not to believe. They were unbelievers.

Acts 3:19–20 NKJV

19 Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, 20 and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before,

When we will not agree with God, His presence is not refreshing - it is offensive and abrasive because He is not going to change

Turn around & change your mind to think like God does so that times of refreshing can come in the presence of the Lord.

If anyone is going to change, it is going to need to be us.

“If the cat doesn’t like the direction he is being pet, let the cat turn around” - Dr. Rodney Howard-Browne

Miracles & the Believer:

In some ways, miracles are not for the believer, but for the non-believer

Believers don’t need miracles in order to believe in a God of miracles

- they ALREADY believe in a God of miracles

If we are a follower of Christ, but don’t yet believe in a God of miracles, God is willing to help us to believe.

Mark 9:23–24 NKJV

23 Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” 24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!”

John 20:26–29 NKJV

26 And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!” 27 Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” 28 And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Actually:

Miracles in the life of a believer are for a different purpose - because:

Believers personally NEED miracles to be able to fulfill the Great Commission & to preach the gospel.

John 8:58–59 NKJV

58 Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.” 59 Then they took up stones to throw at Him; but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.

The Jews were trying to kill Jesus, but He walked right through the middle of them.

Jesus needed a miracle because He had not finished His purpose on the Earth yet.

2 Chronicles 16:9a NKJV

9 For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. In this you have done foolishly; therefore from now on you shall have wars.”

If we want to see more miracles, we need to be around those who need the miracle working power of God in order to believe and/or we need to follow God into a position where we need a miracle.

Jesus did this all the time.

Following Jesus is not always “safe” and comfortable.

Hebrews 10:38–39 NKJV

38 Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.” 39 But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.

We are not called to live a life of comfort or man-made safety.

We are called to live a big, bold life of faith in response to a big, bold God of miracles!

Just One Thing:

Let’s decide to live a life filled with faith & miracles as we make a living God known & visible to those who need to know and believe Him.

Discussion Questions:

Who in your life has the best / worst luck?

What stood out to you most from this sermon about miracles? Share a little.

Please read Hebrews 10:38-39 & 1 Corinthians 2:4-5 and share how these scriptures challenge you to live your life with Jesus Christ.

Please share what you know God is encouraging and challenging you to do in your life, regarding living supernaturally, that is really uncomfortable. Are you going to do it?