“Many Miraculous Signs and Wonders”
"The apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon’s Colonnade.” Acts 5:12
Intro: “Two Blondes.” (pause) Two blondes were shopping at a children’s retail store when they ran across a big sign that said clearance. On the shelves were just dozens of jigsaw puzzles. They just laughed and laughed. They began to talk big to other people around them about their skill and how easy it was for them to work jigsaw puzzles. They boasted about how that on the box it 2-4 years. But they bragged about how they could work those jigsaw puzzles in just 2-4 weeks.
Have you ever had something turn out in life that just wasn’t what it seemed to be but then turned out to be even worse than you thought? Kind of like the joke preachers try to make.
Sometimes the opposites can be true with the things that God is doing in our life. Things can seem to be going just awful but God pulls out a miracle and things miraculously turn around and all the people are filled with amazement and filled with great belief and courage.
We gather to worship. We unite around prayers. We sing with anticipation of God hearing us. We pray with trust to a merciful God. We are so filled with faith and full of hope believing that in a matter of time God will send an answer. But God does not always come as quickly as we want an answer. And God’s answer doesn’t always come in the form we are looking for.
God gives us miracles. God gives us signs today. God gives us wonders today just like he did to his disciples in the days of the bible. It is just that: 1. We don’t always get the answer or the sign we want. 2. We just don’t recognize that God is doing a miracle and wondrous thing around us at all. 3. There is just no sign or there is just no answer given other than “not now, wait, wait.” As the Gospel of Luke stated: “As the crowds increased, Jesus said, "This is a wicked generation. It asks for a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.” Luke 11:29 People want a sign from God but being swallowed whole by a whale like Jonah is not the sign we are looking for.
The title of today’s sermon is “Many Miraculous Signs and Wonders.” On the east side of the wall of Herod’s Temple in Jerusalem, just inside the walls of the courtyard, there is this row of magnificent covered columns known as Solomon’s (Colonnade) or Solomon’s porch. From this very walkway Jesus, himself had taught the religious leaders the lessons of the prophet Ezekiel said, God, “will set one shepherd over them, even (over) my servant David. He will feed them and be a shepherd to them.” Ezekiel 34:23
What Jesus is really telling them is that Jesus himself is the fulfillment of the prophecy of Ezekiel. He is clearly saying that he (Jesus) is this good shepherd. That the temple will soon no longer be the place of animal sacrifice and forgiveness of sins but he himself will be the sacrifice for eternal life, and those who follow him will not perish. (Jesus is talking about his crucifixion and salvation through his death on the cross.) Again, not the miracle, or the sign or the wonder, that people were looking for. To this crowd of Jews crucifixion on a cross was not the kind of answer to their prayers they had been looking for. Jesus was not giving these Jews the kind of answer to their prayers they had been praying. Second, we know that many people just did not recognize that God was going to do a miracle and wondrous thing by allowing the death of his begotten son. How can allowing the Romans to shed the blood of God and kill the Son of God be a sign or miracle or wondrous answer to thousands of years of waiting and prophecies about the coming of the Messiah and the fulfillment of the Abrahamic Covenant to make a new nation of Israel?
But Jesus taught and performed many miraculous signs and wonders among the people. Of course the Jewish leaders saw and heard this as blasphemy against the laws of Leviticus. They planned, to stone, Jesus.
It was at this same place where these same religious leaders had secretly tried to have Jesus put to death that Peter and the other Apostles came teaching and performing many miraculous signs and wonders among the people also. The early disciples also performed signs and miracles as proof that Jesus was who he said he was. And in spite the crucifixion, regardless of the fear of persecution, crowds of both men and women came from towns and villages near Jerusalem. They brought the sick and the demon possessed to Peter and the Apostles and more and more people believed and were brought to the Lord.
When someone asks you, “Why Jesus? Why should I become a Christian?” Why should I come to this church? What will you tell them?
I. Many people will ask you for some type of proof about faith. What proof of faith will you tell them?
Many people today want to see a sign, a flash of lightning, miracle, or they are at least drawn to a church because of its beautiful building. Or they are drawn to a pastor who is world renowned. Or at least to a church where they know you have good potlucks.
It is easy to draw people to church for a well performed Easter Play, or Christmas program. We have a super nice building and Family Life Center. Aren’t you glad to be in the Lord’s House today? Aren’t you thankful to among the happiest people on earth? Aren’t you glad to be part of growing Faith Community? With new professions of faith, and baptisms and a confirmation class that concluded this week we will graduate a new class of confirmants who affirm their baptism and become members of the church as young adults.
We have outstanding staff and leaders and workers. As members of this church you have the ability to communicate into the community confidence in your leaders. People listen to you and want to hear about your church and all the things you are doing. We tell people about our teachers and believe that they are teaching the living Word of God. We have transparency we have systems in place that people can see that everything we do is above board. For example in the way we take up the offerings and count and distribute the tithes and offerings that are given. We have to be able to communicate both the needs and celebrate hard work that this church is doing. This church has over ninety-one thousand dollars budgeted for mission work each year, that is seventeen hundred and fifty dollars per week, that is systematically managed and distributed for nurture, outreach, witness, for local and global missions around the world. We have wonderful leaders and people here at First Church and also in the District Office and Conference Office and then at the General Board of Global Ministries Office where our mission work is being done on every level of community from here to around the world. We are part of reaching the world. There is this unexpected joy in giving knowing that every dollar is added to billions of more dollars that brings relief and aid and support that none of us can accomplish own our own but together we are making disciples for the transformation of the world.
I know what it takes to draw the unchurched to the temple. I have been doing this for over 28 years. I know what leads the lost to Christ. It is people who are servants and their life has become a witness to the character of Christ living in them. Churches grow when people inside the church are also serving God outside the church.
I’m talking about radical service. The kind of Christian service that goes beyond reading your bible at home. The kind of radical Christian service that goes beyond saying the customary prayer around the table. The kind of radical Christian service that does more than just calls a sick friend on the telephone. Radical means: A departure from the usual a departure from the customary. Radical is miraculous. A wondrous sign, a miracle the proofs that God gives the lost and broken and the sick and the discouraged is people believe in God and the people are so radical in their faith that they stand out in this hurting world as believers. People stand out as devoted to their faith and so that others say there is something truly different, genuinely unique, something authentic about that church, there is something obviously amazing about how these people are like Christ. People go into First Church and their lives are changed. People walk in there and the come out different. People go in there filled with hatred and they come out filled with love. People go in that church filled with bitterness and they come out filled with joy. They go into that church broken and come out healed. There is something about how these people take the time to listen and care when the world is too busy to pause long enough to tell you what time of day it is. You know what is really amazing. Anyone can be a servant of God by listening. You don’t have to have a college degree to listen. You don’t have to know the difference between a noun and verb to listen. All you have to have is a heart full of grace and a soul willing to obey God. Two words you need to know “grace and obey.” You need to have an experience with the grace of God in your life and be willing to obey God in your. These are proofs, signs of your faith. Two words you need to be able to speak about are “grace and obey.” Many people are going to ask for some type of proof about your faith. What will you tell them?
II. Many people will be wanting you to give them something. What will you give them?
Many people who came to the temple wanted to learn more about the law and teachings about the prophets. Many people came bringing their sick friends and wanted the apostles to heal them. Some brought the demon possessed. They brought those who were trapped by evil trappings. They were addicted, the uncontrollable, the crazed by bad habits. They came because they were hoping to receive something that would make their life better.
Learn this lesson: People come to church because they want or need something. What will you give them? Let me see. (I am rummaging through my pockets.) Nothing in that pocket. Nothing in my other pocket. Not much here. Ladies what do you have in your purses? No, wait, stop, I really don’t think we want to know what all you ladies have in your purses, I have heard stories about what you carry in there. (laughter)
One afternoon Peter and John were walking to the Temple to take part in the three o'clock prayer service. As they approached the Temple, a man lame from birth was being carried in. Each day he was put beside the Temple gate, the one called the Beautiful Gate, so he could beg from the people going into the Temple. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for some money. Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said, "Look at us!" The lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting a gift. Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.
There are a lot of people who come to church asking for money. Every day someone calls the office and wants help with a bill, rent payment, or food. We do help with as much as we can. The Ministerial Alliance which we are part of just gave a thousand dollars this week to Eight Street Food Pantry just this week. We are part of that by the community connection we have. This church is generous in its giving to United Methodist Benevolence. This church supports the Methodist Children’s home. When there is a need this church is generous in giving.
When people come to us because they have a want or a need the few dollars we help them with a utility bill or the few cans of groceries we had out or the new clothes we give are just temporary. I’ve got something to give them that is more than temporary. I have had judges tell me they have presided over cases of children; they presided over cases of those children’s parents, and even presided over cases of those same children’s grandparents for the same crimes. We live in a world where it is very difficult to break the generational cycles of behaviors that people get in. It is difficult to break the cycle of generational poverty. I have Good News for you. I know how to break these cycles and generation of addictions and generations of habits. I have something to offer them that will change their life it is Jesus Christ. Christ breaks the power of sin. He sets the captives free. I have something that will bring them to a life changing stage. It is Jesus Christ. Once they understand what Christ can do they can put their shoulders back and stand proudly and say I am just as important as anybody and it restores their dignity. It gives them the realization of true equality. I have a permanent solution, an eternal solution. Jesus Christ is the turn around, life changer that we have to give them.
People will ask God to solve their small problem. God, I want you to just help me get to the next pay check. I want you to help me to just pay this one bill. I want you to help me get through this one problem. Sometimes that seems like something really big but that is just a small problem for God. You see when you ask God for something you want, don’t be surprised when God gives you what you really need! When you are praying to God for the rent money you are also praying to God to just help me. So don’t be surprised if the Holy Spirit falls on you. When people are asking God for silver and gold sometimes God says I don’t have silver and gold for you right now but I do have something even better. Don’t be surprised if what God gives you is forgiveness. It wasn’t the sign you were looking for but it is a miracle that is even better. People may ask you for silver and gold. What will you give them when you don’t have any silver and gold?
There is an old saying: He who gives money gives much. He who gives time gives more. But He who gives Christ gives all for Christ has given us Eternal Life. Can you give the message of Jesus Christ? Will you share with others what Jesus is doing in your life?
There is a funny story about a Christian who prayed every morning: "Lord, if you want me to witness to someone today, please give me a sign to show me who it is." One day he found himself on a bus when a big, burly man sat down right next to him. The bus was completely empty but this guy sat down right next to our Christian praying friend. The Christian just sat there nervous anxiously waiting for the next stop so he could exit the bus. But before he could get away. The big guy just burst out into tears and began to weep. He cried with a loud voice, "I need to be saved. I’m a lost sinner and I need the Lord. Can somebody tell me how to be saved?" He turned to the Christian and asked, "Can you show me how to be saved?" The Christian immediately bowed his head and began to pray, "Lord, is this a sign you have sent me?" Many people will ask you for some type of proof about faith. What will you give them? Many people will be waiting you to give them something. What will you give them?
III. Many people will be looking to join something. Will you make it easy for them to join us?
“Meanwhile, the apostles were performing many miraculous signs and wonders among the people. And the believers were meeting regularly at the Temple in the area known as Solomon's Colonnade. No one else dared to join them, though everyone had high regard for them.” Acts 5:13
Although many people greatly respected the apostles they did not dare join them in the temple or work along beside them. Why do people find it so difficult to join the church?
The membership of this church is growing. That is good news. We are growing so we have to ask ourselves what do we do as a growing church that wins the most lost people to Christ?
I love it that we have outreach to people who live in the apartments and low income housing. Our VBS runs a bus to bring kids to Summer School. That is awesome.
What I have discovered about church development by interviewing other pastors and listening to church development speakers and church growth leaders is that the most overlooked social class of people is the middle class and the people who are wealthy. Let me say this again because it is so important because you will not get this from a workshop on church growth or continuing education training on church development, because they are still using twenty year old models and ten year old data. Take note that you heard this here because the future of church development the next shift in church growth will be start when leaders buy into this discovery that I have made. “The most overlooked social class by the church in America are people in the middle class and the people who are wealthy” by Rev. Bruce N. Lee. They need to hear the message of the Gospel too. How do we reach out to the people who are living in the nice brick houses? How do we internationally reach out to those people who are driving new cars? Taking their kids to soccer games and sports events. How do we share the gospel and reach out to the middle class and the upper class? How do we reach out to the retired people who have worked their entire life and now they just want a place to serve God and worship and occasionally volunteer in service? You know the bible actually teaches us that it is more difficult to reach the wealthy for Christ than it is to reach the poor for Christ. “Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God." Matthew 19:24
How many places in the bible does it talk about Jesus talking to the “rich and wealthy?” The prophets shared the plan of salvation with Generals of the army and Kings in the Palaces. The disciples preached and witness the death, burial and resurrection to the Governors and Herods and Caesars and Hosts of great wealth. Do not misquote me here, “I am not saying that we should stop reaching out to the least, the last, the lost. We need to keep doing everything we are doing for the poor. But what I am saying is that we need to do a better job and be just as intentional in our efforts to reach out and share the gospel to the chiefs, the C.E.O’s, the lawyers, the educators in our schools, the politicians in our community. We want to change the world? If we really want to transform the world let’s focus more on sharing the love of Christ with school teachers and college professors. If we really want to transform the world let’s focus more on sharing the love of Christ with politicians and lawmakers and people who are in positions authority and power to really make changes. The most difficult people to reach for Christ are people with P.H.D.’s. They are just like everyone else they are looking for a miracle, a sign, a wonder. But they are looking for a different kind of miracle, sign or wonder! One that is not wrapped up in as much emotion. (that comes later with the anointing of the Holy Spirit) But they are looking for where is God in their life just like everyone else.
See I believe that God is using everything that happens to answer my prayers. If I had my way every time I called to Heaven God would just send down a miracle or a sign. Could it be God is doing a different kind of miracle? Could it be He is using all the things in my life to teach me about Him? Could it be that the prayer I've been praying is not quite what He's after? I find He's doing a different kind of miracle in my life. One that is unexpected. One that I have overlooked? One that is still to come?
It is so hard to wait. But I believe while I am waiting God is still working all along! He hears each prayer I pray. God works different than I sometimes think. He uses “Many Miraculous Signs and Wonders.” "The apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon’s Colonnade.” Acts 5:12 The Word of God for the people of God, Thanks be to God.
