Faith & Miracles

1 Corinthians 12:8-10 New King James Version

1 Corinthians 12:8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit,

1 Corinthians 12:9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit,

1 Corinthians 12:10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.

Faith

The gift of faith is the supernatural ability to believe God by the enablement of the Holy Spirit.

Levels of Faith

1. Saving Faith (Ephesians 2:8-9)

a. Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,

b. Ephesians 2:9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.

A measure of faith (Romans 12:3)

Romans 12:3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.

Faith can grow (2 Thessalonians 1:3; Romans 10:17).

· 2 Thessalonians 1:3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other,

· Romans 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

1. Little faith (Matthew 6:30; 8:26; 14:31; 16:8).

a. Matthew 6:30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

b. Matthew 8:26 But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.

c. Matthew 14:31 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”

d. Matthew 16:8 But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, “O you of little faith, why do you reason among yourselves because you have brought no bread?

2. Great faith (Matthew 8:10; 15:28).

a. Matthew 8:10 When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, “Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!

b. Matthew 15:28 Then Jesus answered and said to her, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.

2. The Spiritual Gift of Faith (1 Corinthians 12:9) – the Spirit imparted ability to believe beyond your natural ability.

a. 1 Corinthians 12:9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit,

b. 1 Corinthians 12:11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.

c. 1 Corinthians 13:2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.

How do I know the difference? When the spiritual gift of faith in being expressed in your life, you will not have doubts.

Naturally, we must fight the good fight of faith (1 Timothy 6:12).

1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

Working of Miracles

1 Corinthians 12:10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.

1 Corinthians 12:28 And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles (miracle workers), then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.

1 Corinthians 12:29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles?

1 Corinthians 12:6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all.

Working of Miracles – Works of Powers (both the words workings and miracles are plural)

The working of miracles is the supernatural ability to overcome natural laws and spiritual conflicts by the enablement of the Holy Spirit.

Examples of the working of miracles are:

1. Walking on water,

2. multiplying food,

3. turning water into wine,

4. healing (c.f. gifts of healings)

5. raising the dead,

6. casting out demons, and

7. divine judgment (Acts 13:6-12).

a. Acts 13:6 Now when they had gone through the island to Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew whose name was Bar-Jesus,

b. Acts 13:7 who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man. This man called for Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God.

c. Acts 13:8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for so his name is translated) withstood them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith.

d. Acts 13:9 Then Saul, who also is called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him

e. Acts 13:10 and said, “O full of all deceit and all fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord?

f. Acts 13:11 And now, indeed, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a time.” And immediately a dark mist fell on him, and he went around seeking someone to lead him by the hand.

g. Acts 13:12 Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had been done, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord.

Contrasts of the Gift of Faith and the Working of Miracles:

1. The gift of faith is passive – it’s the assurance that a miracle will happen.

2. The working of miracles is active – it causes a miracle to happen.

a. Paul in a storm – faith (Acts 27:21-25).

i. Acts 27:21 But after long abstinence from food, then Paul stood in the midst of them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me, and not have sailed from Crete and incurred this disaster and loss.

ii. Acts 27:22 And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship.

iii. Acts 27:23 For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve,

iv. Acts 27:24 saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.’

v. Acts 27:25 Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me.

b. Jesus in a storm – working of miracles (Mark 4:37-39).

i. Mark 4:37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling.

ii. Mark 4:38 But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”

iii. Mark 4:39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.

c. Daniel in the lion’s den – faith (Daniel 6:12).

i. Daniel 6:22 My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you.”

d. Samson killing a lion – working of miracles (Judges 14:6).

i. Judges 14:6 And the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him, and he tore the lion apart as one would have torn apart a young goat, though he had nothing in his hand. But he did not tell his father or his mother what he had done.

Galatians 3:5 Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

Galatians 3:6 just as Abraham “believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”

Acts 2:22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know—