Sermon Title: The Purposes of Miracles – the fulfillment of Christian Service
14 When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them.
15 As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him.
16 “What are you arguing with them about?” he asked.
17 A man in the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech.
18 Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground.
He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.”
19 “You unbelieving generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you?
How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.”
20 So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth.
21 Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?”
“From childhood,” he answered.
22 “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”
23 “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”
24 Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
25 When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the impure spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” he said, “I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.”
26 The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, “He’s dead.”
27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up.
28 After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”
29 He replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer.” (Mark 9:14-29)
Dearly Beloved,
Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
Recently, we prayed - as a church - and saw God’s miraculous hand upon one of our families. From the boy’s complaint of a headache to the very expedient removal of the 6 cm brain tumor; to the news that the tumor was benign – and everything is between, we were all amazed at how God’s miraculous healing and divine intervention manifested in their lives as they continued to hold firm to their faith in Jesus.
Yes.
Miracles still happen today.
Because Christ is still working in the world today.
Miracles must abound in every Christian’s life – in, and through us - because we serve the God of miracles.
In our ongoing sermon series regarding the End of Times – about what will happen during the end of the world as we know – we understand that we are destined to “appear before the judgment seat of Christ to be judged according to faithfulness in Christian service.”
If we are to be judged according to Christian Service, we must know what Christian Service entails. And a major expression of every aspect of Christian Service is the manifestation of God’s Presence through miracles, miracles and miracles!
Everything that God does through us is divine and supernatural; and every gift of the Holy Spirit - if fully manifested - will result in a miracle.
That is the nature of who we are; and who we must be.
As Christians, who follow Jesus Christ – the Lord of Miracles – we must learn to expect miracles every moment of our lives simply because every moment we encounter our Lord Jesus Christ is an encounter with the divine, supernatural and miraculous.
We serve the God of miracles!
So when we do stand before our Lord Jesus Christ, our Judge, our Saviour and our faithful and loving God, to be judged according to faithfulness in Christian service – we will be essentially judged according to our participation in His miracles while we are alive in the world.
Do you allow for the Holy Spirit to fill your life every moment, or even expect the power of the Holy Spirit to flow and manifest in your life – so that His miracles may happen through you, through your prayers, through your lives; that you may be an authentic, and empowered witness for Jesus Christ?
Understand this well.
If you profess to be a disciple of Jesus Christ, His miracles must abound in Your life; exactly like it was, for His earliest disciples.
Warning:
Be very careful about distancing yourself from the miracles of Christ – by embracing false theologies that God’s miracles have ceased after the age of the Apostles.
They have certainly not stopped, because the Holy Spirit has not stopped working through the church, and through every faithful and willing Spirit-filled believer of Jesus Christ.
The miracles of Jesus still happen today!
Be very careful about distancing yourself from the miracles of Christ – by avoiding his miracles, not to even mention, the wickedness of disregarding or disbelieving of His miracles.
To think yourself unworthy of participation in God’s miracles is to think yourself unworthy of His Salvation. This is not humility at all, but an utter disregard and defiance for the Presence and Power of God in your life and in the world.
However, our knowledge and participation in Christ’s miracles must not be self-serving, frivolous, nor superfluous.
We must be biblically informed regarding the divine purposes of miracles; so that we may be found more willing, more excited, more enabled and equipped to participate in the miracles of Jesus Christ; and come Judgement day - be judged by our Lord Jesus Christ as absolutely faithful for our Christian Service because we lived as vessels of His glory, His love, His Salvation and His miracles!
So.
What are the purposes of miracles?
The miracles of our Lord Jesus are classified into 4 categories - healing, deliverance, resurrection, and control over nature.
The essence of every miracle is Divine Restoration - specifically, in the restoration of Man’s relationship with GOD; which is, encapsulated in one family’s miraculous encounter with our Lord Jesus in Mark 9:17-29 – the key text in understanding the purposes of miracles, and our required, constant participation in His miracles even till today.
Fresh from the Transfiguration where God revealed to Peter, James and John the centrality and divinity of Jesus (Mark 9:4-8), they were met a boy with a severe case of demon affliction that caused a medical condition which closely resembles epilepsy. (Ref: Mark 9:18)
The boy was championed by his astute father – who sought help with Christ, was cognizant that his medical condition was caused by the forces of darkness. The father had earlier reached out to the remaining disciples of Jesus, but they were unable to help them.
The boy was possessed by the spirit of dumbness – a spirit that no doubt continues to oppress many ‘so-called’ Christians; as evidenced by an inability or unwillingness to preach and share the Gospel of Christ. If you are afflicted in this manner, send the demon off from your life – in the Name of Jesus Christ.
Upon hearing the father’s account of his son’s affliction, Christ reveals that a disbelieving heart paralyzes our faith in God and adversely affect our relationship with Him – rendering us catastrophically ineffective in fulfilling our Commission to preach the Gospel. (Ref: Mark 9:19)
When faced with Jesus, the evil spirit recognized our Lord for who He truly is - when no one else did. (Ref: Mark 9:20)
For the benefit of His disciples and the father, Christ asked him, “How long has he been like this?” (Mark 9:21);
From that question, the Lord sets the stage for them to experience His Power to transcend the deathly reality of the boy’s affliction – and in further instruction that spiritual affliction is the cause of both physical and mental conditions, which is, in this case, epilepsy and suicidal tendencies; and that the objective of every demon is to drive us to death in hopelessness and despair; to never, ever know the saving Grace of God through Him.
But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”
“‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” (Mark 9:22-23)
Christ provides us the key to understanding the purposes of miracles – the testament of His identity and character; established in His compassion and willingness to meet the needs of the family - including the ultimate need of every human being in the world; to be rescued from death, which is, the wages of sin.
In desperation, the father exclaims in the very words which expresses the paradox of faith – “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief” (Mark 9:24) – which is, the genuine condition of every human heart.
You have faith in Christ; and hope in His Kingdom – but you know that it is inadequate, or that it is still clouded.
Pay attention here.
The Lord knows our brokenness and inadequacies.
To ask for His help is to embrace the reality of our need, and our need for His reality.
The Lord expects us to ask for help - in both the heart of our matters (afflictions /sicknesses /struggles), and the matter of our heart (the lack of faith).
In this miracle, our Lord chooses to display His power quietly – again, revealing His divine identity and character – minimizing the exposure of His Power to the public; without hiding anything from His own disciples.
And when the father thought that his son was robbed only of his speech – Christ revealed His Omniscience, and Omnipotence - in commanding the deaf and mute spirit to leave and never enter the boy again. (Ref: Mark 9:25)
The epilogue of this event is critical.
“After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”
He replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer.” (Mark 9:28-29)
By Prayer.
Everything in our lives may only be achieved and fulfilled – by prayer.
When Christ mentions prayer; what comes to mind?
The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13); which is, really, our Prayer in Divine Relationship
“Our Father in Heaven (Familial Relationship with God);
Hallowed be Your Name
(Which translates: “may the whole world revere Your Name as Holy” – speaking to the Christian’s Working Relationship of Gospel evangelization with God)
Your Kingdom come; Your Will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.
(An embrace and anticipation of our Eternal Relationship with God in His Kingdom; through a desire for His Will to be done on earth - in our lives; as it is in Heaven.)
The essence of every miracle is the divine restoration of our relationship with God; that with every encounter with Christ, our relationship with Him – familial, working and eternal - becomes deeper and more resolute.
This is key to understanding the purposes of Miracles.
The essence of every miracle is a divine relationship with the miracle worker – Christ Jesus, our Lord and Saviour!
“This kind can come out only by prayer” – which translates, “this miracle is determined; and dependent on your relationship with me.”
Thus, it must follow that the essence of every miracle - every act of Christian service - is your relationship with Christ.
Which brings us to the reality:
The deeper you abide in Jesus, the greater will miracles abound in your life.
The deeper your faith is in Christ; the more will your life bring forth His miracles… miracles that will culminate to the ultimate miracle of salvation; being ‘born-again’ into new and eternal Life in Jesus.
To this, the three chief purposes of miracles and the Christian’s response:
1. A miracle is a TESTIMONY to the identity of our Risen Saviour and Living God who has met our ultimate need for salvation from death due to our sin; and yet, still meets all our needs even today (Ref: Mark 1:41, 1 Peter 5:6-7);
“Ask and it will be given to you” (Matthew 7:7a)
In every affliction, keep asking the Lord for help, and for more faith; to believe in Christ; and begin to live in the reality of God’s Ultimate Kingdom under Christ our King.
With every miracle; your relationship with Christ must deepen and become more resolute.
2. A miracle is a TASTE of the Kingdom of God and the real presence of Jesus Christ;
“Seek and you will find” (Matthew 7:7b)
Keep seeking the Kingdom of God; in the knowledge that you must find the Kingdom of God before you get there.
Every miracle is a taste into what restored life in New Creation looks like; so be encouraged, be equipped, be empowered and be excited to be part of God’s Process of Restoring His Kingdom.
Just when we think that this world, and this life, is all there is – Christ’s miracles give us a taste, and a gateway glimpse, into the reality of His coming, eternal and perfect Kingdom. (ref: Revelation 21-22)
3. A miracle is a TOOL of the Gospel – to build the Christian’s faith to preach the Gospel to the world with Jesus.
“Knock and the door will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7c)
Keep knocking on the doors of lives; in the knowledge that the only kind of witness for Christ is one empowered by the Holy Spirit.
To keep knocking on the doors of lives with our Lord Jesus is precisely the pre-occupation of His earliest disciples.
Mark 16:14-20 reveals the biblical pattern and task of every true disciple of Christ:
“14 Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen.
15 He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.
16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
17 And these signs (Pastor’s Note: “miracles”) will accompany those who believe:
In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”
19 After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God.
20 Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.
To participate in the miracles of Christ today not only prepares us to be judged as faithful in our Christian service; it is also the definitive test that separates true and false disciples.
Our Lord Jesus taught us in Matthew 7:21-23:
“21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’
23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”
To know Christ is fundamentally premised on knowing the Sovereign Will of the Heavenly Father – which is, to be filled with the Holy Spirit (Ref: Ephesians 5:18) in order to participate in His ongoing task “to seek and save the lost” (Luke 19:10) – preaching everywhere in the utter belief that Jesus works with us; and confirming His Word by the miracles that accompany the preaching of His Gospel. (Ref: Mark 16:20)
That is what it takes to know Christ.
There is no way around it.
To be a true Christian – to be judged as ‘faithful’ before God - is to preach His Gospel “everywhere” and avail yourself to the Power of the Holy Spirit to flow in, and through, you – that miracles would abound in your life as testament to the truth of His Gospel.
Know Christ; know His heart of compassion!
In Jesus’ Name, drive out demons!
In Jesus’ Name, speak in new tongues!
In Jesus’ Name, you are divinely protected against the schemes and forces of darkness!
In Jesus’ Name, heal the sick!
In Jesus’ Name, preach the Gospel!
The essence of every miracle is a Divine Encounter with Christ; to intimately commune with our Risen Saviour and Living God - to grow deeper in faith in His Salvation; greater in hope of His Coming Kingdom; and to grow daily in His likeness.
With every miracle, you must begin to mature and understand that our ultimate healing, victory and restoration has been given to us because we have already overcome death by the blood of the Lamb, and live – today and forevermore - in the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
May His miracles abound in, and through, you – as you live for the fulfillment of God’s Sovereign Will, as a divine vessel of the Power of the Holy Spirit – to preach Christ’s Gospel with Him, everywhere.
Shalom.
Let us pray.
Our Father in Heaven,
Hallowed be Your Name.
Your Kingdom come, Your Will be done; on earth, as it is in heaven.
Thank You for Your Call upon my life to enter into covenantal relationship with You.
I acknowledge Your Supremacy and Sovereignty over all that I am, and all that I do.
Holy Spirit, grant me the courage, strength and resolve to embrace Your familial, working and eternal relationship with me; that I would indeed place You – O God – at the front and centre of my life and existence.
I give thanks that miracles abound in my life – and I ask for more, O Lord!
Because I yearn for a deeper and more resolute relationship with You!
Holy Spirit, restore my relationship with God; through Your Presence, Purpose and Power in my life. Remind me – every moment – that at the heart of every miracle is found the deepening and widening of my relationship with Christ my Saviour and Lord.
May my every act of Christian service manifest Your Power through signs, wonders and miracles – that testify to Your identity as Saviour and God; that gives me and all around me a taste of Your Coming and Eternal Kingdom; and that provides me the tool for the preaching of Your Gospel.
May I abide in You deeply, Lord Jesus – that Your miracles will abound more greatly in my life; and may my faith in You increase, that my life will bring forth Your Miracles - Miracles that will culminate to the ultimate miracle of Your salvation in my life and in the lives of all around me.
May Your Presence be my reality; and may Your Power in my life pre-occupy me with the preaching of Your Gospel.
Lord Jesus, I desire to know You – personally and intimately.
Thank You for showing me the Will of the Heavenly Father; which is, to be filled with the Holy Spirit (Ref: Ephesians 5:18) in order to participate in Your ongoing task “to seek and save the lost” (Luke 19:10) – preaching everywhere in the utter belief that You work with us – Your Church; and confirm Your Word by the miracles that accompany us every moment that we are preaching Your Gospel. (Ref: Mark 16:20)
Yes, Lord! May Your miracles abound in my life as testament to the truth of Your Salvation and Love for the world.
And may Your miracles deepen me; and mature me – in order to fully and more resolutely understand that Your ultimate healing, victory and restoration has already been gifted to me because – in my unwavering faith in You – I have already overcome death by Your Blood; and live in Your Resurrection Power – today and forevermore.
Flow in me, Holy Spirit – I live for the fulfillment of God’s Sovereign Will; as divine vessel of Your Power, to preach Christ’s Gospel with Him, everywhere!
I thank You and pray all these in the Name of our King, Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
14 When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them.
15 As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him.
16 “What are you arguing with them about?” he asked.
17 A man in the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech.
18 Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground.
He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.”
19 “You unbelieving generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you?
How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.”
20 So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth.
21 Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?”
“From childhood,” he answered.
22 “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”
23 “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”
24 Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
25 When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the impure spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” he said, “I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.”
26 The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, “He’s dead.”
27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up.
28 After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”
29 He replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer.” (Mark 9:14-29)
Dearly Beloved,
Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
Recently, we prayed - as a church - and saw God’s miraculous hand upon one of our families. From the boy’s complaint of a headache to the very expedient removal of the 6 cm brain tumor; to the news that the tumor was benign – and everything is between, we were all amazed at how God’s miraculous healing and divine intervention manifested in their lives as they continued to hold firm to their faith in Jesus.
Yes.
Miracles still happen today.
Because Christ is still working in the world today.
Miracles must abound in every Christian’s life – in, and through us - because we serve the God of miracles.
In our ongoing sermon series regarding the End of Times – about what will happen during the end of the world as we know – we understand that we are destined to “appear before the judgment seat of Christ to be judged according to faithfulness in Christian service.”
If we are to be judged according to Christian Service, we must know what Christian Service entails. And a major expression of every aspect of Christian Service is the manifestation of God’s Presence through miracles, miracles and miracles!
Everything that God does through us is divine and supernatural; and every gift of the Holy Spirit - if fully manifested - will result in a miracle.
That is the nature of who we are; and who we must be.
As Christians, who follow Jesus Christ – the Lord of Miracles – we must learn to expect miracles every moment of our lives simply because every moment we encounter our Lord Jesus Christ is an encounter with the divine, supernatural and miraculous.
We serve the God of miracles!
So when we do stand before our Lord Jesus Christ, our Judge, our Saviour and our faithful and loving God, to be judged according to faithfulness in Christian service – we will be essentially judged according to our participation in His miracles while we are alive in the world.
Do you allow for the Holy Spirit to fill your life every moment, or even expect the power of the Holy Spirit to flow and manifest in your life – so that His miracles may happen through you, through your prayers, through your lives; that you may be an authentic, and empowered witness for Jesus Christ?
Understand this well.
If you profess to be a disciple of Jesus Christ, His miracles must abound in Your life; exactly like it was, for His earliest disciples.
Warning:
Be very careful about distancing yourself from the miracles of Christ – by embracing false theologies that God’s miracles have ceased after the age of the Apostles.
They have certainly not stopped, because the Holy Spirit has not stopped working through the church, and through every faithful and willing Spirit-filled believer of Jesus Christ.
The miracles of Jesus still happen today!
Be very careful about distancing yourself from the miracles of Christ – by avoiding his miracles, not to even mention, the wickedness of disregarding or disbelieving of His miracles.
To think yourself unworthy of participation in God’s miracles is to think yourself unworthy of His Salvation. This is not humility at all, but an utter disregard and defiance for the Presence and Power of God in your life and in the world.
However, our knowledge and participation in Christ’s miracles must not be self-serving, frivolous, nor superfluous.
We must be biblically informed regarding the divine purposes of miracles; so that we may be found more willing, more excited, more enabled and equipped to participate in the miracles of Jesus Christ; and come Judgement day - be judged by our Lord Jesus Christ as absolutely faithful for our Christian Service because we lived as vessels of His glory, His love, His Salvation and His miracles!
So.
What are the purposes of miracles?
The miracles of our Lord Jesus are classified into 4 categories - healing, deliverance, resurrection, and control over nature.
The essence of every miracle is Divine Restoration - specifically, in the restoration of Man’s relationship with GOD; which is, encapsulated in one family’s miraculous encounter with our Lord Jesus in Mark 9:17-29 – the key text in understanding the purposes of miracles, and our required, constant participation in His miracles even till today.
Fresh from the Transfiguration where God revealed to Peter, James and John the centrality and divinity of Jesus (Mark 9:4-8), they were met a boy with a severe case of demon affliction that caused a medical condition which closely resembles epilepsy. (Ref: Mark 9:18)
The boy was championed by his astute father – who sought help with Christ, was cognizant that his medical condition was caused by the forces of darkness. The father had earlier reached out to the remaining disciples of Jesus, but they were unable to help them.
The boy was possessed by the spirit of dumbness – a spirit that no doubt continues to oppress many ‘so-called’ Christians; as evidenced by an inability or unwillingness to preach and share the Gospel of Christ. If you are afflicted in this manner, send the demon off from your life – in the Name of Jesus Christ.
Upon hearing the father’s account of his son’s affliction, Christ reveals that a disbelieving heart paralyzes our faith in God and adversely affect our relationship with Him – rendering us catastrophically ineffective in fulfilling our Commission to preach the Gospel. (Ref: Mark 9:19)
When faced with Jesus, the evil spirit recognized our Lord for who He truly is - when no one else did. (Ref: Mark 9:20)
For the benefit of His disciples and the father, Christ asked him, “How long has he been like this?” (Mark 9:21);
From that question, the Lord sets the stage for them to experience His Power to transcend the deathly reality of the boy’s affliction – and in further instruction that spiritual affliction is the cause of both physical and mental conditions, which is, in this case, epilepsy and suicidal tendencies; and that the objective of every demon is to drive us to death in hopelessness and despair; to never, ever know the saving Grace of God through Him.
But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”
“‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” (Mark 9:22-23)
Christ provides us the key to understanding the purposes of miracles – the testament of His identity and character; established in His compassion and willingness to meet the needs of the family - including the ultimate need of every human being in the world; to be rescued from death, which is, the wages of sin.
In desperation, the father exclaims in the very words which expresses the paradox of faith – “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief” (Mark 9:24) – which is, the genuine condition of every human heart.
You have faith in Christ; and hope in His Kingdom – but you know that it is inadequate, or that it is still clouded.
Pay attention here.
The Lord knows our brokenness and inadequacies.
To ask for His help is to embrace the reality of our need, and our need for His reality.
The Lord expects us to ask for help - in both the heart of our matters (afflictions /sicknesses /struggles), and the matter of our heart (the lack of faith).
In this miracle, our Lord chooses to display His power quietly – again, revealing His divine identity and character – minimizing the exposure of His Power to the public; without hiding anything from His own disciples.
And when the father thought that his son was robbed only of his speech – Christ revealed His Omniscience, and Omnipotence - in commanding the deaf and mute spirit to leave and never enter the boy again. (Ref: Mark 9:25)
The epilogue of this event is critical.
“After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”
He replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer.” (Mark 9:28-29)
By Prayer.
Everything in our lives may only be achieved and fulfilled – by prayer.
When Christ mentions prayer; what comes to mind?
The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13); which is, really, our Prayer in Divine Relationship
“Our Father in Heaven (Familial Relationship with God);
Hallowed be Your Name
(Which translates: “may the whole world revere Your Name as Holy” – speaking to the Christian’s Working Relationship of Gospel evangelization with God)
Your Kingdom come; Your Will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.
(An embrace and anticipation of our Eternal Relationship with God in His Kingdom; through a desire for His Will to be done on earth - in our lives; as it is in Heaven.)
The essence of every miracle is the divine restoration of our relationship with God; that with every encounter with Christ, our relationship with Him – familial, working and eternal - becomes deeper and more resolute.
This is key to understanding the purposes of Miracles.
The essence of every miracle is a divine relationship with the miracle worker – Christ Jesus, our Lord and Saviour!
“This kind can come out only by prayer” – which translates, “this miracle is determined; and dependent on your relationship with me.”
Thus, it must follow that the essence of every miracle - every act of Christian service - is your relationship with Christ.
Which brings us to the reality:
The deeper you abide in Jesus, the greater will miracles abound in your life.
The deeper your faith is in Christ; the more will your life bring forth His miracles… miracles that will culminate to the ultimate miracle of salvation; being ‘born-again’ into new and eternal Life in Jesus.
To this, the three chief purposes of miracles and the Christian’s response:
1. A miracle is a TESTIMONY to the identity of our Risen Saviour and Living God who has met our ultimate need for salvation from death due to our sin; and yet, still meets all our needs even today (Ref: Mark 1:41, 1 Peter 5:6-7);
“Ask and it will be given to you” (Matthew 7:7a)
In every affliction, keep asking the Lord for help, and for more faith; to believe in Christ; and begin to live in the reality of God’s Ultimate Kingdom under Christ our King.
With every miracle; your relationship with Christ must deepen and become more resolute.
2. A miracle is a TASTE of the Kingdom of God and the real presence of Jesus Christ;
“Seek and you will find” (Matthew 7:7b)
Keep seeking the Kingdom of God; in the knowledge that you must find the Kingdom of God before you get there.
Every miracle is a taste into what restored life in New Creation looks like; so be encouraged, be equipped, be empowered and be excited to be part of God’s Process of Restoring His Kingdom.
Just when we think that this world, and this life, is all there is – Christ’s miracles give us a taste, and a gateway glimpse, into the reality of His coming, eternal and perfect Kingdom. (ref: Revelation 21-22)
3. A miracle is a TOOL of the Gospel – to build the Christian’s faith to preach the Gospel to the world with Jesus.
“Knock and the door will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7c)
Keep knocking on the doors of lives; in the knowledge that the only kind of witness for Christ is one empowered by the Holy Spirit.
To keep knocking on the doors of lives with our Lord Jesus is precisely the pre-occupation of His earliest disciples.
Mark 16:14-20 reveals the biblical pattern and task of every true disciple of Christ:
“14 Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen.
15 He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.
16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
17 And these signs (Pastor’s Note: “miracles”) will accompany those who believe:
In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”
19 After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God.
20 Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.
To participate in the miracles of Christ today not only prepares us to be judged as faithful in our Christian service; it is also the definitive test that separates true and false disciples.
Our Lord Jesus taught us in Matthew 7:21-23:
“21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’
23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”
To know Christ is fundamentally premised on knowing the Sovereign Will of the Heavenly Father – which is, to be filled with the Holy Spirit (Ref: Ephesians 5:18) in order to participate in His ongoing task “to seek and save the lost” (Luke 19:10) – preaching everywhere in the utter belief that Jesus works with us; and confirming His Word by the miracles that accompany the preaching of His Gospel. (Ref: Mark 16:20)
That is what it takes to know Christ.
There is no way around it.
To be a true Christian – to be judged as ‘faithful’ before God - is to preach His Gospel “everywhere” and avail yourself to the Power of the Holy Spirit to flow in, and through, you – that miracles would abound in your life as testament to the truth of His Gospel.
Know Christ; know His heart of compassion!
In Jesus’ Name, drive out demons!
In Jesus’ Name, speak in new tongues!
In Jesus’ Name, you are divinely protected against the schemes and forces of darkness!
In Jesus’ Name, heal the sick!
In Jesus’ Name, preach the Gospel!
The essence of every miracle is a Divine Encounter with Christ; to intimately commune with our Risen Saviour and Living God - to grow deeper in faith in His Salvation; greater in hope of His Coming Kingdom; and to grow daily in His likeness.
With every miracle, you must begin to mature and understand that our ultimate healing, victory and restoration has been given to us because we have already overcome death by the blood of the Lamb, and live – today and forevermore - in the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
May His miracles abound in, and through, you – as you live for the fulfillment of God’s Sovereign Will, as a divine vessel of the Power of the Holy Spirit – to preach Christ’s Gospel with Him, everywhere.
Shalom.
Let us pray.
Our Father in Heaven,
Hallowed be Your Name.
Your Kingdom come, Your Will be done; on earth, as it is in heaven.
Thank You for Your Call upon my life to enter into covenantal relationship with You.
I acknowledge Your Supremacy and Sovereignty over all that I am, and all that I do.
Holy Spirit, grant me the courage, strength and resolve to embrace Your familial, working and eternal relationship with me; that I would indeed place You – O God – at the front and centre of my life and existence.
I give thanks that miracles abound in my life – and I ask for more, O Lord!
Because I yearn for a deeper and more resolute relationship with You!
Holy Spirit, restore my relationship with God; through Your Presence, Purpose and Power in my life. Remind me – every moment – that at the heart of every miracle is found the deepening and widening of my relationship with Christ my Saviour and Lord.
May my every act of Christian service manifest Your Power through signs, wonders and miracles – that testify to Your identity as Saviour and God; that gives me and all around me a taste of Your Coming and Eternal Kingdom; and that provides me the tool for the preaching of Your Gospel.
May I abide in You deeply, Lord Jesus – that Your miracles will abound more greatly in my life; and may my faith in You increase, that my life will bring forth Your Miracles - Miracles that will culminate to the ultimate miracle of Your salvation in my life and in the lives of all around me.
May Your Presence be my reality; and may Your Power in my life pre-occupy me with the preaching of Your Gospel.
Lord Jesus, I desire to know You – personally and intimately.
Thank You for showing me the Will of the Heavenly Father; which is, to be filled with the Holy Spirit (Ref: Ephesians 5:18) in order to participate in Your ongoing task “to seek and save the lost” (Luke 19:10) – preaching everywhere in the utter belief that You work with us – Your Church; and confirm Your Word by the miracles that accompany us every moment that we are preaching Your Gospel. (Ref: Mark 16:20)
Yes, Lord! May Your miracles abound in my life as testament to the truth of Your Salvation and Love for the world.
And may Your miracles deepen me; and mature me – in order to fully and more resolutely understand that Your ultimate healing, victory and restoration has already been gifted to me because – in my unwavering faith in You – I have already overcome death by Your Blood; and live in Your Resurrection Power – today and forevermore.
Flow in me, Holy Spirit – I live for the fulfillment of God’s Sovereign Will; as divine vessel of Your Power, to preach Christ’s Gospel with Him, everywhere!
I thank You and pray all these in the Name of our King, Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.