Miracles

An act or event that occurs outside the bounds of the normal or natural order.

MIRACLE (δύναμις, dynamis).

· An event that defies common expectations of behavior and subsequently is attributed to a superhuman agent; an occurrence that demonstrates God’s involvement in the course of human affairs.

John 4:48 NLT

48 Jesus asked, “Will you never believe in me unless you see miraculous signs and wonders?”

Three words in the New Testament refer to miracles:

Miracles are - Signs, wonders, power

extraordinary phenomena

1. power(δύναμις, dynamis)

a. in certain contexts, “miracle” and “mighty deed” are alternate translations;

2. sign(σημεῖον, sēmeion)

a. often refers to a miracle that figuratively represents something else, such as the kingdom of God or the gospel;

3. wonder(τέρας, teras)

a. indicates something extraordinary.[1]

Miracles can be characterized by 3 means:

1. what – form of the miracle

2. who – presence or absence of an intermediate agent

3. result – observers’ responses.

1 – Miracles are FROM God’s POWER – to SHOW you

Demonstrate God’s POWER, Judgement

WHAT

Meet human needs –

· food, water, healing, deliverance, raising the dead, miraculous births, military victory, help in trouble, supernatural strength, salvation

WHEN

During holy -days – Exodus

Times of national religious crisis

Miracles in the Hebrew Bible

demonstrating divine power.

• celestial events (e.g., Josh 10:9–15)

• instantaneous healings (e.g., 2 Kgs 5:14)

• control of nature (e.g., Exod 14:21–22)

• objects and animals acting in unexpected ways (e.g., Num 22:22–35; 2 Kgs 6:5–7).

Miracles in the New Testament

New Testament miracles occupy a central place within narrative texts (the Gospels and Acts) and apocalyptic texts (Revelation and Mark 13),

2 – Miracles flow THROUGH God’s PEOPLE – to USE you

Miracles often occur through human intermediaries.[2]

· OT prophets

· Jesus

· NT church

o GET you blessing, then BE a blessing

o God has MADE you a miracle to BE a Miracle

3 – Miracles are FOR God’s PURPOSE – to DRAW you

Miracles in the Gospels

Matthew – God fulfilled His PROMISE that Jesus is a prophet like Moses

Mark – miracles demonstrate the Kingdom of God

Luke – miracles validate the Gospel

John – miracles are explaining SIGNS (John calls them SIGNS vs “miracles”)

Miracles are PROVISION, COMMUNICATION, RETRIBUTION, VALIDATION

1. PROVISION - Provide – manna

a. Do you need a miracle today?

2. COMMUNICATION

a. Hand writing on the wall

3. RETRIBUTION

a. Plagues, storms

4. VALIDATION

a. Answers by fire – Elijah

b. Moses 9 plagues

c. Jesus’ divine act of salvation

The PURPOSE of miracles – draw you close

Even if it means repent!

What is Your Response to God’s Miracles?

Human responses to miracles depend on the observer’s personal situation,

the same miraculous event can elicit different responses among various observers.

For example, while Belshazzar’s initial response to the mysterious hand’s writing on the wall is fear, Daniel shows no fear (Dan 5:6, 17–28). In addition, a miracle usually affects the reputation of its agent(s).

End Time – false signs by false Christs and prophets = deceivers (Matt 24:24)

[1]Roberts, R. D. (2016). Miracle. In J. D. Barry, D. Bomar, D. R. Brown, R. Klippenstein, D. Mangum, C. Sinclair Wolcott, L. Wentz, E. Ritzema, & W. Widder (Eds.), The Lexham Bible Dictionary. Lexham Press. [2]Roberts, R. D. (2016). Miracle. In J. D. Barry, D. Bomar, D. R. Brown, R. Klippenstein, D. Mangum, C. Sinclair Wolcott, L. Wentz, E. Ritzema, & W. Widder (Eds.), The Lexham Bible Dictionary. Lexham Press.