Biblical Miracles Part 1 Description and Purposes Introduction

Biblical Miracles – Part 1 Description and Purposes

Introduction • There are many who believe that people can work miracles today. • There are many questions about miracles. • So, I want to try to answer some of these questions. – What are biblical miracles? – What are the purposes of biblical miracles?

What Are Miracles?

Miracles Defined • Miracles: “extraordinary events manifesting a supernatural work of God” – The Merriam. Webster Dictionary • Supernatural: “of or relating to an event beyond or outside of nature…attributed to divinity – Ibid. • Biblical miracles are events of the Bible that are the product of divine power, that go beyond nature, and that cannot be explained by science or the laws of nature.

Biblical Miracles: Power Over the Natural World • Jesus calmed the winds and the seas – Mark 4: 37 -41 • Jesus and Peter walked on the surface of water – Matt. 14: 25 -29

Biblical Miracles: Power Over the Natural Processes • Jesus turned water into wine – John 2: 7 -9 • Jesus fed 5000+ with five loaves of bread and two fish – Matt. 14: 15 -20

Biblical Miracles: Power Over Conditions of the Body • Peter “spoke” the healing of a man lame from birth – Acts 3: 1 -8 • Jesus “spoke” the healing of the ravenous disease of leprosy – Luke 17: 12 -14 • Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, who had been dead for four days, by a command – John 11: 38 -44 • These miracles were performed before large crowds and were obvious to all.

Misconceptions About Miracles

Misconceptions About Miracles • “Birth is a miracle. ” – God made procreation a natural part of our lives – Gen. 1: 21 -22, 26 -28 – Pattern for us: Male + Female = Human Offspring • The virgin birth was a miracle – Matt. 1: 18 -23 – Jesus’ birth: God + Virgin = God/Man Offspring – This was prophesied – Isa. 7: 14

Misconceptions About Miracles • People describe recovery from a doctor diagnosed “incurable” disease as a miracle. – The body is an amazing machine – Psa. 139: 14 – Amazing recoveries should not surprise, but cause us to glorify God. • Miracles should not be determined by a doctor’s diagnosis. – Terminally Ill + Recovery = Miracle – Physically Fit + Sudden Death = Miracle

The Purposes of Biblical Miracles

Purpose: To Produce Faith and Action • Water to wine was a “sign” to show Christ’s glory and produce belief – Jn. 2: 11 • Feeding the 5000 was a “sign” to produce belief that Jesus is the Messiah – Jn. 6: 26 -27 • Raising Lazarus produced faith – Jn. 11: 45 • Jesus’ miracles were to produce faith and repentance – Matt. 11: 21 -22

Purpose: To Connect People With the Truth • Jesus healed a paralytic to prove He had power to forgive sins – Matt. 9: 1 -8 • Miracles produced opportunities to teach. – The healing of the lame man afforded an opportunity to teach about Jesus – Acts 3: 11 -16 – People heeded Philip’s teaching after seeing his miracles – Acts 8: 5 -7 • Miracles confirmed the message of the apostles and prophets – Heb. 2: 3 -4

Purpose: Are Miracles Needed Today? • Many claim miracles are needed today to produce faith in the unbelieving. • This is false because… – Many who saw miracles did not believe – Jn. 11: 46 – The Holy Spirit states that recorded miracles will produce faith – Jn. 20: 30 -31 – Jesus said that those who will not believe what is written will not believe if they see a miracle – Luke 16: 27 -31

Conclusion • Biblical miracles are events beyond the limitations of natural law that show God’s power over… – The natural world – The normal processes of nature – The diseases and conditions of the human body, including death itself. • The purposes of miracles were: – To produce faith and action – To prove Jesus’ authority and power – To provide an opportunity to teach – To confirm the gospel message