A. INTRODUCTION: WHY PEOPLE WANT TO SEE A MIRACLE
1. They want everything God has for them.
2. They are emotionally based: excitable, enthusiastic.
3. Fanaticism, not rationally based.
4. Running on empty and need reassurance.
5. Untaught in the Word.
6. Wrong relationship to Christ, i.e., we know Him by His Word.
B. BIBLICAL TEACHING ON MIRACLES
1. Jesus came doing miracles, “teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom and healing . . .” (Matt. 4:23, NKJV).
2. Jesus did 37 recorded miracles, many others unrecorded.
3. Most popular miracle in all four gospels, i.e., feeding the 5,000, but did not:
a. Produce faith, one purpose for His miracles.
b. Change their idea about Jesus.
4. The following day, “What sign will You perform . . . that we may see it and believe You? What work will You do?” (John 6:30, NKJV).
a. Unbelief. “Jesus answered . . . verily, verily . . .” Introduction to skeptical listeners.
b. Their issue was sight, not their relationship to the Father.
c. Our senses are fallible, we are never sure what we see.
5. What is a miracle?
a. “An interference with the laws of nature for a divine purpose.”- C. S. Lewis.
b. “Setting aside or suspending the laws of nature.”- Charles Finney
c. “An unusual event, accomplishing some useful work, and revealing the presence or power of God.”- Henry Thiessen. Focus on God, not us.
6. God does not do miracles because we ask for them, but for His purpose.
7. The atheist Ingersoll counted time with a watch, “God, I’ll give you one minute to kill me.” Presbyterian minister, answered no railroad time table to squash a bug.
8. Who never did miracles? Adam, Isaac, Joseph, David, Daniel and John the Baptist, “John (the Baptist) did no miracles but all things that John spoke of (Jesus) were true” (John 10:41, ELT).
9. Why no miracles by them? God uses miracles to introduce a new direction in His plan for people. Credibility of messenger that led to belief in His message.
10. The sign was of the apostles (Acts 2:43; 5:12). “God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will” (Heb. 2:47, NKJV).
C. HOW MIRACLES OCCUR
1. God establishes principles and laws for the universe, i.e., Creation.
2. God supersedes or transcends natural laws, i.e., chariot of fire for Elijah.
3. God suspends natural laws, i.e., walking on water.
4. God intensifies natural laws, i.e., turns water to wine.
5. God redirects natural laws, i.e., parting Red Sea.
6. God neutralizes the consequences of sin, i.e., healing.
a. God doesn’t regrow an organ.
b. God doesn’t reverse aging process to earlier age.
D. WHY I DON’T SEE A MIRACLE TODAY
1. God does miracles, i.e., conversion, healing, answers to prayer, etc.
2. God works through providence, i.e., God works through the laws of nature to accomplish His will. “All things work together for good” (Rom. 8:28, NKJV).
3. God reveals Himself to us through Jesus Christ, “God in past times in various ways (including miracles) has spoken to us by the prophets, but in these last days (now) has spoken to us by His Son” (Heb. 1:1-2, ELT).
4. Post miracles to authenticate His message; today He does it through His Word.
5. God reveals Himself to us through His Word. “Search the scriptures . . . these are they which testify of Me” (John 5:39, NKJV).
a. Rather than seeing a miracle, seek His Word.
b. What you want from a miracle is found in His Word.
c. Hymn writer, “Beyond the sacred page, I see Thee Lord.”
6. God’s plan is not sensing miracles, but spiritual insight
a. Not based on miracles, “We walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Cor. 5:7).
b. Miracles don’t guarantee faith, the Word guarantees it.
7. Unbelief refuses to believe in the face of miracles, “If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead” (Luke 16:31).
E. WRAP UP
1. Don’t say “God can’t do miracles,” God can do anything He is able to do.
2. God has chosen not to do certain things according to His purpose.
3. Examine claims of miracles, “Test all things, hold fast to that which is good” (1 Thess. 5:21, ELT).
4. Some will deceive. “Don’t believe everything that claims to be from God, but apply biblical tests to them because there are many false teachers” (1 John 4:1, ELT).
5. Don’t seek a miracle; rather seek Christ and the Word.
6. Pursue Christ, “That I may know Him” (Phil. 3:10).
7. Celebrate the miracle you’ve already experienced.
E. WRAP UP
1. Don’t say “God can’t do miracles,” God can do anything He is able to do.
2. God has chosen not to do certain things according to His purpose.
3. Examine claims of miracles, “Test all things, hold fast to that which is good” (1 Thess. 5:21, ELT).
4. Some will deceive. “Don’t believe everything that claims to be from God, but apply biblical tests to them because there are many false teachers” (1 John 4:1, ELT).
5. Don’t seek a miracle; rather seek Christ and the Word.
6. Pursue Christ, “That I may know Him” (Phil. 3:10).
7. Celebrate the miracle you’ve already experienced.
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.
All PBC lessons are available online at trbc.org/pbc. Go to www.Hopenow.tv for the current program schedule.
www.itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/dr-elmer-towns
Dr. Towns' email is ELTowns@liberty.edu
Dr. Towns’ web address is www.elmertowns.com
