Transition Video: Jesus heals and delivers people – the 7 scenes are from The Chosen! 11:15 minutes (Power point 1)
• Mary Magdalene Called and delivered from 7 demons - Luke 8:2
• The Leper Healed and cleansed - Mark 1:40-45
• The Lame man healed and forgiven lowered thru roof- Matthew 9:1-8
• Peter’s Mother-in-law healed - Matthew 8:14-15
• Crippled man at the Pool of Bethsaida healed – John 5:1-15
• Healing withered hand in synagogue on Sabbath – Matthew 12:9-14
• Women with issue of blood touches Jesus’ garment and healed – Matthew 9:20-22; Mark 5:25-34; Luke 8:43-48
The Miracles of Jesus (Power point 2)
Thesis: Jesus performed miracles for all types of people – including the outlaw, the outcast and the outsiders. He had no respect of a person’s background, ethnicity, finances, work position, or social class – He did these miracles to show God accepts all people at His table! He loves all people and He is willing to perform miracles for everyone! He also did miracles to show that the Kingdom of Heaven had come to earth and that He had power over the consequences of the Fall.
Jesus performed miracles—such as healing the sick, multiplying food, and raising the dead—to demonstrate His authority, His divinity, His compassion, His love and the arrival of God's Kingdom for all people.
Introduction to the Miracles of Jesus: (Power point 3)
Today we will be exploring the extraordinary acts of Jesus and their spiritual significance in the Gospels!
There are about 40 recorded miracles in the Gospels! See handout!
Challenge: Over the next few weeks during Easter Season we will be exploring the miracles of Jesus each service and at the end of service praying for people to receive a miracle – please consider inviting people out who need a miracle – we are praying for miracles to happen!
Miracles of Jesus and Their Significance – the cultural context of the day!
Purpose:
• Miracles were not just wonders, but "signs" intended to validate Jesus as the promised Messiah and to reveal his glory. To reveal his divine identity. To fulfill prophecy of Scripture. To reveal Jesus as God in the flesh!
Compassion and Authority:
• Jesus performed miracles to alleviate human suffering and to demonstrate authority over sickness, nature, and death (e.g., raising Lazarus, calming the storm, Healing the women with the issue of blood all pointed to His identity).
The Greatest Miracle:
• Some theological perspectives highlight that the "greatest miracle" is regeneration of people’s hearts — yes softening hard hearts to see and accept the truth—these transformations signify Jesus’ power to forgive sins and set people free. What do you think of Jesus?
Key Perspectives
Divine vs. Human Power: The Bible promotes that while people seek miracles, it is essential to remember that Jesus is the worker of miracles, performing them through his Word rather than thru human efforts. For example, I don’t have the power to heal people its Jesus’ power released through the Holy Spirit that people are healed! It’s a divine act not a human endeavor! I know many claim they have the power to heal but that power comes from the Holy Spirit. We need to give credit to the One who actually does the miracles!
Emphasizing Transformation: Jesus did miracles to draw people to Him to open their eyes of how they needed to be transformed – saved – Nicodemus was a prime example of this methodology of Jesus working!
T.S. - We are fast approaching Holy Week – Easter week – Passion week and I believe Jesus still wants to heal people today and, in this time, to show who He is! I believe we need to ask people if they want to get healed and then invite them out to church this season to be prayed for!
Why should we asl people to come ---Illustration:
MC510, Class – called "Signs, Wonders, and Church Growth", was a controversial, highly popular 1980s Fuller Theological Seminary course taught by John Wimber. It focused on the theology and practice of healing, exorcism, and supernatural signs as vital to Christian ministry. The course featured "clinic times" for hands-on, practical application – in these times of practice many people got healed, delivered and introduced to the resurrected Jesus.
Key Aspects of MC510 and Healing:
Focus: The course taught that healing was not just historical, but a present-day mandate for believers, integral to "power evangelism".
Controversy: It gained notoriety for focusing on miraculous healing and exorcism within an academic setting, leading to faculty debate over its place in the curriculum.
Teacher: John Wimber, a founder of the Vineyard movement, brought practical experience in healing ministry to the seminary classroom. He was invited to share as he too was a part of the “Jesus Movement” in the late 60’s and 70’s!
Content: Topics included Kingdom of God theology, world view, and the practical application of spiritual gifts for bringing spiritual, emotional, and physical wholeness. They actually taught and modeled how to use the gifts of the Holy Spirit!
Share your experience of a class like this from John Wimber at a mainline Lutheran church in MPLS.
Impact: Considered one of the most popular classes in the school's history, it spawned a popular teaching series and heavily influenced the "Third Wave" of the Pentecostal/Charismatic movement.
The course was later known as "Healing Ministry and Church Growth" and remains influential through recorded lectures. You can still get a video session of this class!
The time after the class brought 1,000’s of people to the school to be prayed for after class ended and God did many miracles thru this time of prayer and hands on experience.
Our Challenge: I feel we need to follow the example of Jesus and this class and have a time of praying for people at the end of each Easter service – we need to ask people to come to church who want to be healed, delivered and or set free. So, I am inviting you to invite people out to our services who want to be healed – need healing, deliverance or salvation – I am serious by the way – I am asking the Lord to show up with His Holy Spirit as we are obedient to pray for people for miracles.
The primary miracle celebrated at Easter is the Resurrection of Jesus, which is considered the most significant event in the Christian faith. However, the days leading up to and following the first Easter are filled with several other miraculous events which we will look at over the next few weeks.
Let me be clear: The next few services I will be focusing on the miracles of Jesus which are revealing Jesus to the world around Him and reveal His identity as the Messiah – We will next week on Palm Sunday look at the miracles leading up to this Triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem and to the start of Holy Week!
Reference Hands on Illustration: Handout of the 40 miracles of Jesus and the Events of Passion Week handout- plus 25 references to Jesus casting out demons in the Gospels!
Let’s review the miracles within the Gospels: The Historical and Religious Context of Jesus’ Ministry and miracles: (Power Point 4)
a. Political and Religious Setting:
i. Jesus’ ministry occurred amid Roman occupation and Jewish anticipation of a Messiah in 1st century Judea
b. Messianic Expectations:
i. Jewish people expected a spiritual and political deliverer, shaping the reception of Jesus’ teachings and actions.
c. Religious Challenges and Authority:
i. Jesus’ miracles and teachings challenged religious norms, demonstrating His divine authority over the Sabbath, over nature, over disease, over demons and new interpretations of who God is!
2. Definition of miracles and their significance (Power Point 5)
a. Nature of Miracles
i. Miracles are extraordinary events that defy natural laws and are considered acts of divine intervention – they are not manmade but divine miracles of God thru His Holy Spirit – The Lord wants to still show who He is today.
b. Confirmation of Jesus’ Identity
i. Miracles confirm Jesus as the Son of God/God in the flesh and reveal God's power over nature, illness, and evil. They reveal who He was – Who He is and What He is going to do in the future!
c. Spiritual Symbolism
i. Miracles serve as signs of God’s compassion, love and symbolize spiritual truths of the kingdom of God. Miracles are put in motion by the Lord to open our eyes to spiritual truths and to who Jesus is!
3. Overview of the Gospels’ Accounts (Power Point 6)
a. Matthew’s Emphasis on Miracles
i. Matthew highlights Jesus’ miracles as fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, connecting to Jewish traditions. He was showing that Jesus is the promised Messiah of the OT and miracles point to His identity!
b. Mark’s Perspective on Miracle’s
i. Mark portrays miracles as demonstrations of Jesus’ divine power and authority over nature and illness. He highlights these miracles to show that Jesus was the Son of Man connecting him to power beyond this realm.
c. Luke’s Focus on Miracle’s
i. Luke emphasizes compassion and humanitarian concern in Jesus’ miracles, highlighting care for the marginalized. Luke wanted people to see Jesus was no respecter of person and loved everyone the outlaws, outcast, and outsiders and did miracles for all who asked or seeked healing.
d. John’s Significance of the Miracle’s
i. John presents miracles as signs revealing Jesus’ divine nature and reveal spiritual truth. John used the miracles of Jesus to Jesus was God’s Word in the flesh!
4. Types of Miracles Performed by Jesus (Power Point 7)
a. These miracles are generally grouped into four main categories:
i. Healing Miracles (Power Point 8)
1. The largest group of miracles involves curing physical ailments, often through a simple word or touch.
a. Blindness: Jesus restored sight to numerous individuals, including the blind man at Bethsaida and Bartimaeus in Jericho.
b. Leprosy: He famously cleansed a lone leper and later a group of ten lepers simultaneously.
c. Paralysis: Notable instances include healing the paralytic lowered through a roof and the invalid at the Pool of Bethesda who had been ill for 38 years.
d. Chronic Illness: He healed Peter’s mother-in-law of a fever and a woman who had suffered from internal bleeding for 12 years.
ii. Nature Miracles (Power Point 9)
1. These acts demonstrated Jesus' absolute authority over the physical world and its elements.
a. Water to Wine: His first recorded miracle took place at a wedding in Cana, where he transformed water into high-quality wine.
i. Power Point 10 – John 2:1-11
ii. John labeled this a miraculous sign of Jesus to show His deity and His true identity – He also wanted the Disciples to see who they were following and who they were hanging out with!
iii. Note His mother knew the power Jesus had – makes me wonder what he had already done in private?
b. Calming the Storm: During a violent storm on the Sea of Galilee, Jesus rebuked the wind and waves, bringing immediate calm.
i. Matthew 8; Mark 4; Luke 8:22-25
c. Walking on Water: Jesus walked across the sea to reach his disciples' boat during a storm.
i. Matthew 14; John 6
d. Feeding the Multitudes: He multiplied a few loaves and fish to feed 5,000 people on one occasion and 4,000 on another.
i. Power Point 11- Matthew 14:19-21; John 5:31-47; John 6:1-21
ii. Note the parallel to Moses in Numbers 11:21-22 and John 6:7
iii. He did these miracles to fulfill OT prophetic Scripture!
e. Miraculous Catches: He twice enabled his disciples to catch an overwhelming number of fish after they had caught nothing to show He was their provider and supplier.
i. Luke 5:1-11 – 1st time
ii. John 21 – 2nd time after the Resurrection
iii. Exorcisms (Power Point 12)
1. Jesus performed many exorcisms, casting out demons to restore people to mental and spiritual health.
a. The Gerasene Demoniac: Jesus cast out a "Legion" of demons from a violent man, sending them into a herd of swine.
b. The Syrophoenician Woman's Daughter: He healed a young girl from a distance after her mother showed great faith.
c. Mute and Blind Spirits: Several accounts describe Jesus’ healing individuals who were unable to speak or see due to demonic possession.
d. In the Gospels there are 25 references to Jesus casting out demonic spirits.
iv. Resurrection Miracles (Power Point 13)
1. The most profound miracles involved raising people from the dead, showing power over life and death itself.
a. Lazarus 3rd person raised: After being dead for four days, Lazarus was called out of his tomb by Jesus in Bethany. This miracle prepared the way for Jesus to enter Jerusalem with a great parade and praise from the crowds. (John 11)
b. Jairus' Daughter 2nd person raised: Jesus raised the 12-year-old daughter of a synagogue leader, telling her to "arise". (Luke 8:40-56)
c. The Widow's Son at Nain 1st person raised: Jesus stopped a funeral procession to restore a young man to life for his grieving mother who has also lost her husband. (Luke 7:11-12)
d. Note: At Jesus death on Good Friday many people rose from the dead and appeared on the streets of Jerusalem or to family members. (Matthew 27:50-53)
b. Beyond these acts performed by Jesus, the Bible also highlights miracles where he was the subject, such as the Virgin Birth, Jesus Transfiguration, and his own Resurrection and Ascension. See Mark 16:1-8 resurrection of Jesus!
c. See handout Miracles of Jesus (Power Point 14)
5. Significance of Jesus Miracles today and in the past! (Power Point 15)
a. Role of Miracles
i. Miracles attracted followers and confirmed the messianic identity of Jesus in early Christian communities. They still do today! I struggle with people who draw the attention to themselves as healers and not put the focus on Jesus as the healer!
b. Missionary Efforts
i. Miracle accounts were vital in spreading the gospel and establishing credibility among skeptical audiences. See the book of Acts and read through Church History
ii. Examples – Great Welsh Revival – The 3 Great awakening of the United States, the Azusa street revival and the story of the Jesus Revolution of the 70’s!
1. Highlights from the Welsh revival 1904-1905 over 100,000 people in Wales came to Jesus – Bars were nearly empty, swearing stopped, Jails were empty – drunkenness declined 60%- Crime disappeared – churches were packed- people would be walking to work and drop to their knees and start repenting – some opposed would come to meeting to disrupt the meeting and get saved as they touched by the power of God.
2. See Sam Storms Article!
c. Faith Community being Energized
i. Miracles energize faith communities, they also energized early Christian faith communities, strengthening their beliefs and commitment to preach and teach about Jesus.
ii. Miracles help the faith community to see through the hopelessness of this fallen world. They affirm through proof that Jesus is the Savior of the world and the Word of God in the flesh!
Here is a glimpse into what we will be exploring in the Gospels over the next few weeks!
6. Key Miracles of Holy Week (See Passion Week events handout)
a. Withered Fig Tree (Holy Monday): Jesus cursed a fruitless fig tree, which withered by the next day, symbolizing judgment on the Jewish religions fruitless faith.
b. Healing the Servant’s Ear (Holy Thursday): In Gethsemane, Jesus healed the ear of Malchus, a servant of the high priest, after Peter cut it off [Luke 22:51].
c. Miracles Surrounding the Death of Jesus (Good Friday)
i. According to the Gospels, several miraculous signs occurred at the exact moment Jesus died on the cross:
ii. The Temple Curtain Torn: The massive curtain in the Temple, which separated the Holy of Holies from the rest of the building, was torn in two from top to bottom.
iii. Earthquakes and Splitting Rocks: A violent earthquake shook the land, causing rocks to split apart.
iv. Unnatural Darkness: From noon until three in the afternoon, darkness fell over the entire land.
v. Opened Graves: Many tombs broke open, and several holy people who had died were raised to life, later appearing to many in Jerusalem after the resurrection. Matthew 27:50-53
d. Miracles on Easter Morning
i. The events of the third day are characterized by supernatural interventions:
ii. Rolling of the Stone: An angel of the Lord descended from heaven with a great earthquake and rolled back the heavy stone covering the tomb entrance.
iii. The Resurrection: Jesus' spirit was reunited with His body, and He rose from the dead, leaving the tomb empty.
iv. Angelic Appearances: Angels appeared to Mary Magdalene and other women to announce that Jesus had risen.
e. Post-Resurrection Miracles
i. Following His resurrection, Jesus performed further signs during the 40 days before His ascension:
ii. The Road to Emmaus: Jesus walked and talked with two followers who did not recognize Him until He broke bread with them.
iii. Appearing in Locked Rooms: Jesus appeared twice to His disciples in a room where the doors were locked, demonstrating His new, glorified body.
iv. Miraculous Catch of Fish: After His resurrection, Jesus helped His disciples catch 153 large fish after they had caught nothing all night.
v. The Ascension: Jesus was taken up into heaven in the sight of His disciples.
vi. Would you like to know more about the specific appearances of Jesus to His disciples after the resurrection?
vii. Jesus appears to Paul on the Damascus Road
Impact of His followers and Early Christianity because of Miracles – Power Point 16
Conclusion: Power Point 17
The miracles of Jesus, as recorded in the New Testament Gospels, are extraordinary acts that demonstrate his divine authority, compassion, and identity as the Messiah. Jesus’ miracle paved the way for Holy Week revealing the true identity of Jesus.
Biblical scholars and historical traditions typically identify between 37 and 40 specific miraculous events performed by Jesus during his ministry. Yet Scripture makes it clear he did many more than are recorded.
As we talk about pulling up a chair to the table of the Lord we see who Jesus is and who is really sitting with us at the table – Jesus is – The Son of God – The Messiah – The Word of God in the Flesh – His miracles remind us to encourage others to come pull up a chair to His table this Easter season and ask for a miracle – Jesus always responded and invited the outcast, the outlaws and the outsiders to come to Him to be freed!
Miracles by Jesus were not for spectacle but for introduction to who He said He was – God in the Flesh and what he represented “The Kingdom of Heaven” and the power he carried with him on this earth. Power over death, power over nature, power over sickness and brokenness and lifelong illness, power over demonic forces – These miracles ushered the way for salvation to sweep into the hearts of all people!
Handout: Reference and affirmation of my statement about Jesus casting out demons in the Gospels 25x.
Matthew 4:10: Then Jesus said to him, “Go, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.’”
Luke 11:14: And He was casting out a demon, and it was mute; when the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke; and the crowds were amazed.
Matthew 8:16: When evening came, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed; and He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were ill.
Mark 1:34: And He healed many who were ill with various diseases and cast out many demons; and He was not permitting the demons to speak, because they knew who He was.
Luke 4:41: Demons also were coming out of many, shouting, “You are the Son of God!” But rebuking them, He would not allow them to speak, because they knew Him to be the Christ.
Mark 1:39: And He went into their synagogues throughout all Galilee, preaching and casting out the demons.
Luke 13:32: And He said to them, “Go and tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I reach My goal.’
Luke 4:35: But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet and come out of him!” And when the demon had thrown him down in the midst of the people, he came out of him without doing him any harm.
Matthew 8:32: And He said to them, “Go!” And they came out and went into the swine, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and perished in the waters.
Mark 5:8: For He had been saying to him, “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!”
Luke 8:29: For He had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For it had seized him many times; and he was bound with chains and shackles and kept under guard, and yet he would break his bonds and be driven by the demon into the desert.
Mark 9:25: When Jesus saw that a crowd was rapidly gathering, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “You deaf and mute spirit, I command you, come out of him and do not enter him again.”
Mark 7:26: Now the woman was a Gentile, of the Syrophoenician race. And she kept asking Him to cast the demon out of her daughter.
Matthew 8:31: The demons began to entreat Him, saying, “If You are going to cast us out, send us into the herd of swine.”
Matthew 9:33: After the demon was cast out, the mute man spoke; and the crowds were amazed, and were saying, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.”
Mark 16:9: [Now after He had risen early on the first day of the week, He first appeared to Mary Magdalene, from whom He had cast out seven demons.
Matthew 9:34: But the Pharisees were saying, “He casts out the demons by the ruler of the demons.”
Matthew 12:24: But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “This man casts out demons only by Beelzebul the ruler of the demons.”
Matthew 12:27: If I by Beelzebul cast out demons, by whom do your sons cast them out? For this reason they will be your judges.
Mark 3:22: The scribes who came down from Jerusalem were saying, “He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and “He casts out the demons by the ruler of the demons.”
Luke 11:15: But some of them said, “He casts out demons by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons.”
Luke 11:18-19: If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that I cast out demons by Beelzebul. And if I by Beelzebul cast out demons, by whom do your sons cast them out? So they will be your judges.
Matthew 12:26: If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then will his kingdom stand?
Luke 11:20: But if I cast out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.
Matthew 12:28: But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.
Source: https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Jesus-Casting-Out-Demons
The Story of Passion Week!
Passion Week –The events and teachings of Jesus’ last week!
Saturday:
Mary anointed Jesus for Burial (Matthew 26:6-12, John 12:3)
Sunday: Palm Sunday
Today is when Jesus enters the city of Jerusalem in triumph (Mark 11:1-11 Matthew 21:1-11 Luke 19:29-38).
Monday:
1. Jesus Curses the fig tree (Mark 11:12-14).
2. Jesus clears the temple – the second time (Mark 11:15-19, Luke 19:45-48).
3. Jesus predicts his death (John 12:20-36).
Tuesday:
1. Disciples see the withered fig tree (Mark 11:20-25).
2. Jesus questioned, “By what authority do you do this?” (Mark 11:27-33, Matthew 21:23-27, Luke 20:1-8).
3. Three parables are told- Two Sons (Matthew 21:28-32), Tenants (Matthew 21:31-46; Mark 12:1-12), The Marriage feast (Matthew 22:1-14)
4. The seven woes (Matthew 23).
5. The story of the widow’s mite (Luke 21:1-4).
6. The Olivet Discourse, “The little Apocalypse” (Matthew 24, Mark 13:1-37, Luke 21:5-36)
7. Tax of Caesar (Mark 12:13-17, Matthew 22:15-22, Luke 20:20-26).
8. Marriage at the resurrection “seven brother’s wife” (Mark 12:18-27, Matthew 22:23-33).
9. Two most important commandments (Mark 12:28-34, Matthew 22:34-40).
10. Three more parables – Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13, Talents (Matthew 25:14-30), The sheep and the goats (Matthew 25:31-46).
Wednesday: (Silent)
Thursday: “Maundy Thursday” means to command
1. Preparation for Passover meal (Matthew 26:18,19).
2. Passover meal (Luke 22:14-22; Mark 14:18-21).
3. Jesus washed his disciple’s feet (John 13:1-17).
4. Prophecies his betrayal (John 13:18-30)
5. Predicts Peter’s denial (John 13:31-38)
6. Lord’s Supper (Luke 22:19-22)
7. Farewell discourse (John 14, 15)
8. Jesus prays for us (John 17:6-25)
9. Jesus prays in Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-46, Mark 14:32-42, Luke 22:40-46).
10. Betrayal by Judas (Matthew 26:47-56, Mark 14:43-50, Luke 22:47-53)
11. Trial (Matthew 26:57-68, Mark 14:53-65, John 18:12-24)
Friday: “Good Friday”
1. End of trial (Luke 23:18-25, Matthew 27:11-26)
2. The cross 3am – 3pm
3. Crucifixion (Matthew27:33-44, Mark 15:22-32, Luke 23:33-43) – Three hours of darkness 3pm-6pm, the earthquake.
4. The death of Jesus at 3pm (Matthew 27:45-56, Mark 15:33-41, Luke 23:44-49).
Saturday: (Silent)
(Resurrection) Sunday!
