Messy Miracles Series

Miracles

Pt. 1 - Messy Miracles

I. Introduction

A drought continued for what seemed an eternity, a small

community of farmers was in a quandary as to what to do. Rain was important to keep their crops healthy and sustain the towns people's way of life. As the problem became desperate, a local pastor called a prayer meeting to ask for rain. Many people arrived at the church to pray for the needed rain. The pastor greeted most of them as they filed in. As he walked to the front of the church to officially begin the meeting, he noticed most people were chatting across the aisles and socializing with friends.

When he reached the front, his thoughts were on quieting the attendees and starting the meeting. When he finally got everyone's attention, he abruptly dismissed the service. The farmers protested loudly until finally the preacher stated, "You said you were here to pray for rain, but not one of you brought an umbrella."

Let the implications of that story sink in as I bring Psalm 77:14 to your attention!

Text: Psalm 77:14

“You are the God who does (NIV performs) miracles; you have shown people your power.”

Our text only emphasizes what we find as we read Old to New Testament. We are confronted with the reality of miracles. Every page seems to be filled with supernatural interventions in daily life. Instance after instance where God shows people His power! Where He verifies and validates His own Son on earth through signs and wonders. And now our songs seem to constantly either assert or request a miracle. So, in the book we pattern our life and belief system on and in the songs by which we express our worship, need and feelings we are clear on miracles. Yet, it seems to me that miracles get messy when it comes down to our own situation or circumstance. Often, we gather and it seems like we gather to inform Jesus, but not to involve Him!

I want us to learn to involve Him! In order to do that . . .

1. You need to believe in miracles before you need one.

Waiting to believe in miracles until you need a miracle is like trying to put a roof on your house while it is raining. It doesn't work very well! You are late if you don't believe. You may say I can do life all by myself. Good luck. Those of us who have lived long enough know we need divine intervention. You better learn before you lose!

Too many of us want to be skeptical of miracles until we are in desperate need of one of our own. I remind you it was religious people in Jesus' day that were skeptical of miracles. The Sadducees were known for their skepticism of miracles. Skepticism has crept in and we have become modern day Sadducees. We have become skeptical and suspicious until ... we need a miracle. We better figure out that we believe in miracles before we need one!

You better be convinced! You walk differently when you have already been convinced. You will not question God's provision or power if you are convinced. You won't doubt if you are convinced. You won't back down from the giant if you are convinced. You will approach the situation differently if you are convinced. It is time to believe the proof that has already been provided! In my family I have proof - Tal seizure, heart attack. Do you have proof that you have forgotten? Overlooked? Recategorized? You need to pick the proof back up and believe for miracles before you need a miracle.

2. We need to quit mislabeling miracles.

I think we often conclude that Bible days must have been different than our days because there seems to be miracles on every page. May I submit that perhaps the issue is that we have become so skeptical/rationally minded/suspicious and dismissive that we are daily observing miracles that we simply mislabel? Maybe we mishandle because we mislabel. Just because it didn't look like the parting of the Red Sea. Just because it wasn't as dramatic as multiplying of loaves and fish. Just because it wasn't as show stopping as turning water into wine. Just because it wasn't jaw dropping as raising a dead man from a grave doesn't mean that what is happening in your life isn't a miracle. Still married? That is a miracle. Still sane? That is a miracle. Still healthy? That is a miracle. Still afloat. still alive, still smiling? Miracles!

It isn't luck. It wasn't some coincidence. Too many of us are mislabeling miracles so we miss the miracle. Here is a great example . . . not infected. We mislabel . . . because of staying home. No that's a miracle. You don't know who touched your mail, touched the pump before you got gas, took your card when you paid. MIRACLE!