As we continue to study the gifts the Holy Spirit gives to the church, we have come to the gift of miracles. Paul says in I Corinthians chapter 12, "But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for one is given...by the same Spirit...the working of miracles." I Corinthians 12:7-10.

In saying that, what is a miracle? A miracle is a supernatural event for which there is no human explanation for. And the gift of miracles is a supernatural, God-given ability to perform special signs and wonders that testify of God. Humanly impossible, yes. Divinely impossible, not at all!

"Miracles" in the Greek is DUNAMIS, and we can translate this gift as "the operation of powers". And we can, and we will look at both Old Testament and New Testament examples of this gift in operation. But first I want you to understand that this gift is in operation today. Many commentators, to my surprise, beat around the bush or flatly come out and state that this gift was only used in the first century church and then it passed off the scene.

One journal stated "...New Testament evidence indicates that healing has ceased by the end of the first century. Even though God still works supernaturally in the lives of His people, He doesn’t work miraculously through faith healers as He did in Acts...Indeed, miracles were a seemingly ‘normal’ happening before Paul’s first Roman imprisonment. In fact, there was a pattern of miraculous healing recorded or implied in the books of James and Acts and letters written to the Galatians, Thessalonians, Corinthians, and Romans before Paul’s imprisonment. However, after the imprisonment there was silence in the rest of the epistles as well as in Peter’s, John’s and Jude’s writings..."

"Another indication that miracles were waning after Paul’s imprisonment is that Paul was apparently unable to heal Epaphroditus, Timothy, and Trophimus, three men whose help Paul needed badly. It seems that prayer and medicinal counsel were Paul’s only recourse in healing his friends since he evidently didn’t have the power to heal them."

"...Thus, evidence indicates that once Paul and his message were communicated throughout the Roman empire, there was no longer a need for the miracle-making ability - nor is there today." (Gary Derickson, Bibliotheca Sacra, The Cessation of Healing Miracles in Paul’s Ministry, July - Sep. 1998. Pages 298-315).

It sounds logical. It sounds right. But it is not. It is wrong. How we love to deny the power of God and what the Scriptures teach so that we can justify our own pre-conceived ideas. Listen carefully to what Jesus said in John 14:12. We read "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father."

Jesus is not speaking to His disciples alone, but all who believe in Him. If you do then God can work through you miracles as He wills. This was not just for the first century church, it is for us today. And we badly need this gift today. You see, miracles do two things. They meet the needs of the saints and they point people to God. Why in the world would we want to negate or dismiss this gift is beyond me. And if you think about it, there were many miracles done even in the Old Testament through men of God, it was not only a first century gift!

I truly believe we need to have a balance in our life. And this idea is spoken of in the New Testament. Remember when John the baptist was in prison, he became discouraged and began to doubt Jesus. He was expecting the kingdom age and he got imprisonment. So he sent out his disciples to ask Jesus if He is the one or if they should look for another. And Jesus said to them "...‘Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.’" Matthew 11:4-6.

Jesus wanted the disciples of John to go back and tell John the things they heard and they things they had seen. You see, not only the teachings of Jesus, but the miracles that He had done!

In Acts chapter 4 Peter and John are imprisoned for healing a lame man and testifying of Jesus. And finally, when the religious leaders couldn’t hold them any more, they warned them not to speak or teach of Jesus any more. Peter and John responded by saying "...‘Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.’" Acts 4:19-20. Again, they are going to testify of not only what they heard, but what they have seen!

Remember in Acts chapter 8, Philip heads down to Samaria and a revival breaks out. We read of what happened beginning in verse 5 of Acts chapter 8. "Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. And there was great joy in that city." Acts 8:5-8. Notice, not only did Philip speak the words of God, but signs and wonders followed after him and people saw the power of God, and there was great joy. Not only did Paul have this gift, but Philip, as well as a few others in the New Testament also had this gift.

Now I want to spend some time showing you examples in both the Old Testament and the New Testament of this gift in operation. But before I do, I want you to understand this basic principle. If you do, you will have no problem with anything the Bible has to say, even miracles. The reason many people have trouble believing in miracles and the other things the Bible says is they don’t believe this basic principle.

In Genesis 1:1 we read "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." The word "created" is BARA in the Hebrew and it means that God created the heavens and the earth out of nothing. That was a miracle to us, but easy for God. Now if you understand that, the rest of the Bible is easy. The problem comes when we try to negate this, and when we do we also make it hard to accept the rest of the Scriptures. But, if we accept the miracle of creation, the rest of the Bible is easy to accept!

GIFT OF MIRACLES IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

1. CROSSING OF THE RED SEA - EXODUS 14

Remember as the children of Israel left the bondage they were in by the hands of the Egyptians, and as the were on the move God had them rest in Pi Hahiroth. Now from a safety point of view, this was a bad idea. You see, there were mountains on either side, and the Red Sea in front of you. The only way out was the way you came in, but now that was going to be blocked off by the Egyptian army who was called to action by pharaoh after he changed his mind about letting the children of Israel go free. He wanted his slaves back!

Now as the Egyptian army drew close, the children of Israel saw what was happening, and like men and women of faith, they said "...‘Because there were no graves in Egypt, have you taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you so dealt with us, to bring us up out of Egypt? Is this not the word that we told you in Egypt, saying, ‘Let us alone that we may serve the Egyptians?’ For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than that we should die in the wilderness.’" Exodus 14:11-12. From a human perspective they were right, there was no way out, they were dead!

And as Moses begins to pray God tells him "Son, now is not the time to pray, now is the time to move!" Now that was a big problem, for where were they going to go? How can over 2 million Jews make it across the Red Sea? Well God had a plan. As Moses lifted up his rod and stretched out his hands over the Red Sea, the waters were divided and the children of Israel were able to cross on dry ground. And to hold off the Egyptians until they were able to cross, God sent a pillar of cloud to hamper their movement.

And finally, as the Egyptians came after them, as they too were passing through the Red Sea on dry ground, God took off the bolts that held their chariot wheels on, and they fell off. And at this point the Egyptians realized they were no match for God and they tried to high tail it out of there, but the waters came back upon them, destroying them all.

Now that was a miracle to say the least. But there are those out there that try to discredit this miracle and say that the children of Israel didn’t cross at the Red Sea, but at the Sea of Reeds, which is very shallow. And if the wind is right, and it is strong enough, it could push that water away, all 6 inches or so of it, allowing the children of Israel to pass through. If you believe that then you also believe in miracles, for the entire Egyptian army drowned in 6 inches of water. I guess they forgot their water wings! I believe what God has said in Genesis 1:1 and thus, I have no problem with what God has done here, He is God!

2. RAINING HAILSTONES AND THE SUN STANDING STILL - JOSHUA 10

In Joshua chapter 10 we see the five Amorite kings come against Gibeon, who had made a peace deal with Joshua and the children of Israel. And God tells Joshua "...‘Do not fear them, for I have delivered them into your hand; not a man of them shall stand before you.’" Joshua 10:8.

And the first miracle we see is God rained hailstones down upon the Amorites, killing them with these hailstones, more than Joshua and the children of Israel did with the sword. God was a good shot! And don’t forget, none of the children of Israel were hit with these hailstones, this was a miracle, not just a hailstorm!

And as the day was passing by, Joshua had not completely wiped them out, so he prayed that the sun would stand still, that it would not go down until they had completed their mission. Now if there is a long day on this side of the earth, then there must be a long night on the opposite side of the earth. Is there any historical evidence for this? Yes there is!

Immanuel Velikovsky in his book Worlds In Collision records that they Mayans have a record of a long night on the opposite side of the earth, just as you might expect. And this is not only seen in the Mayans historical record, but with other people around the world. God did a miracle with the hailstones and the sun standing still for almost a whole day!

3. ELIJAH AND THE PROPHETS OF BAAL - I KINGS 18

In I Kings chapter 18 we read of the story of Elijah and the prophets of Baal. King Ahab was a wicked king, and along with his wife, they led the people in Baal worship. And Elijah comes on the scene and confronts Ahab, telling him to gather the prophets of Baal together on Mount Carmel, and when the day was over the real God will be seen!

The deal went like this. Each group was to offer a sacrifice to their God and whoever’s was accepted by fire consuming it, would win. The prophets of Baal went first. They chose a bull, cut it in pieces and placed it upon their altar. And for several hours they cried out to Baal. They even jumped up and down, trying to get Baal to see them, but nothing happened.

By noon Elijah was getting tired and bored of all they were doing, and he begins to mock their efforts, saying "...‘Cry aloud, for he is a god; either he is meditating, or he is busy, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is sleeping and must be awakened.’" I Kings 18:27. That drove them nuts and they began to cry out loud, cut themselves until the time of the evening sacrifice, and still nothing. And by this time they were a bloody and beaten mess!

Now it was Elijah’s turn. He gathers the people around, prepares the altar and the sacrifice. Then he made a huge trench around the altar. He also had 4 water pots filled with water and poured them on the sacrifice, doing this three times. There was so much water that was poured that it filled the trench around the altar. And Elijah prays to God and "Then the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood and the stones and the dust, and it licked up the water that was in the trench. Now when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces; and they said, ‘The LORD, He is God! The LORD, He is God!’" I Kings 18:38-39.

This miracle pointed the children of Israel back to God, for they were wavering between the two, the true and living God and Baal. But this miracle showed them who was God!

4. THE FLOATING AX HEAD - II KINGS 6

In II Kings chapter 6 we see the number of prophets growing and they needed a larger place to dwell in. So they decided to build and asked Elisha to help them in this work.

As they were cutting down the trees one of the ax heads fell into the water, and this man had borrowed it. Big deal, right? It was a big deal! Ax heads were expensive and hard to come by. You could not run to Fleet Farm and buy another one. And we read beginning in verse 6 of II Kings chapter 6, "So the man of God said, ‘Where did it fall?’ And he showed him the place. So he cut off a stick, and threw it in there; and he made the iron float. Therefore he said, ‘Pick it up for yourself.’ So he reached out his hand and took it." II Kings 6:6-7.

You may be thinking that this was not such a big deal, not such a big miracle, but it was if you lost that ax head you borrowed. And this just tells me that God is concerned about even the little things in our life, He even numbers the hairs of our head, which change all the time!

Those are just a few of the many miracles that occurred in the Old Testament and I think you should be able to see that the gift of miracles was in operation even in the Old Testament, it wasn’t just a New Testament work!

GIFT OF MIRACLES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

1. FEEDING THE 5,000 - JOHN 6

In John chapter 6 we see a great multitude follow Jesus to the Sea of Galilee, and He had compassion on them, knowing they did not bring enough food to eat. And Philip, when questioned by Jesus on what they could do told Jesus basically "Where in the world could we get the money to buy that amount of food?"

We then read beginning in verse 8 of John chapter 6, "One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to Him, ‘There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many?’" John 6:8-9. And Jesus took these two tiny fish and 5 crackers and having the people sit down He distributed them to all the people. We read beginning in verse 11, "And Jesus took the loaves, and when He had given thanks He distributed them to the disciples, and the disciples to those sitting down; and likewise of the fish, as much as they wanted. So when they were filled, He said to His disciples, ‘Gather up the fragments that remain, so that nothing is lost.’ Therefore they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves which were left over by those who had eaten. Then those men, when they had seen the sign that Jesus did, said, ‘This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world.’" John 6:11-14.

That truly was a miracle. God multiplied the food and the people were filled and they even had leftovers! Awesome and yet some try to discredit this and they say that the miracle really was getting greedy people to share their food!

You see, when they saw this young boy share his food, they all became guilty and they took out the food they had and shared it. That is the silliest explanation I have heard. If they all brought food why did they need to share and if only a few brought food, there would not have been enough to fill all of them and have left overs! And the reality of those that feel this way is they don’t believe in Genesis 1:1, "In the beginning God..." If they did they would see no problem with God multiplying the food here in John chapter 6.

2. SALVATION - MATTHEW 19

If we saw no other miracles than that of salvation, we should be satisfied. To me that is the greatest miracle! In Matthew chapter 19 we read of the story of the rich young ruler who was so close to heaven and yet he refused to give his life to Christ. His possessions hindered him.

And it is out of that we see Jesus respond by saying "...‘Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.’ When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, ‘Who then can be saved?’ But Jesus looked at them and said to them, ‘With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’" Matthew 19:23 -26.

Salvation is impossible from a human perspective. We can do nothing to merit God’s favor, to climb our way into heaven. And yet, with God all things are possible, we can be saved, not by our works, but by the completed work of Christ on Calvary.

I think Paul, in Ephesians chapter 2, gives us the best look at where we were outside of Christ, and what Christ has done for us, and what we are now in Christ. He said beginning in verse 1 of Ephesians chapter 2 "And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:1-10.

If I had to pick out the greatest miracle in the Bible, this would be it, our salvation. For without it we would still be dead in our trespasses and sins! But God has made us alive in Christ!

3. PETER RELEASED FROM PRISON - ACTS 12

In Acts chapter 12 we see Herod coming against the Christians. He has James the brother of John killed by the sword and Peter is locked in prison, waiting for his turn. And Peter was guarded by four squads of soldiers who were to bring him out the next morning. He was not going to escape!

As Peter slept chained between two Roman soldiers with guards at the door, which tells me there is rest in Christ even during the most intense trials that may come our way, we read beginning in verse 7 of Acts chapter 12 "Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, ‘Arise quickly!’ And his chains fell off his hands. Then the angel said to him, ‘Gird yourself and tie on your sandals’; and so he did. And he said to him, ‘Put on your garment and follow me.’ So he went out and followed him, and did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. When they were past the first and the second guard posts, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened to them of its own accord; and they went out and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him. And when Peter had come to himself, he said, ‘Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel, and has delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jewish people.’" Acts 12:7-11.

God causes these chains to fall off and the guards to go to sleep as Peter walked by as if he were a free man, and I guess he was, God freed him! An awesome miracle.

Now as we look at miracles we see two types. There are those that defy the laws of nature, like Jesus walking on water, Jesus turning water into wine, Jesus multiplying the food. Those defy the laws of nature.

Then there are those that work within the laws of nature. We see this with Jesus calming the storm. God used the natural in a supernatural way. We also see this with Elijah the prophet when he prophesied that it was not going to rain for 3 years and then after that time that it would rain again. Drought is common in that part of the world, but God told Elijah when it was going to stop raining and when it was going to start up again. He used the natural in a supernatural way!

Now why don’t we see more miracles today? It seems like the Scriptures are full of miracles and yet today God doesn’t seem to be working miracles like He did back then. Lets look at a few reasons why this is so.

WHY WE DON’T SEE MORE MIRACLES

1. WE AREN’T WATCHING

I think many times we miss out on what God is doing because we aren’t looking for what is happening around us and in our lives. God does the supernatural at times in a very natural way. The main one that I can think of, and the greatest miracle is our salvation! Also, I think when we get to heaven we will be blown away by the many miracles that occurred in our life. The things that God spared us from by His mighty hand. Just keep watching and I think you will see God work the miraculous in your life.

2. WE SEEK IT FOR OUR OWN BENEFIT

Obviously when we seek to glorify self or use the gifts that God has given us for our own personal profit, that is wrong. Truly the greatest work that is done happens when those who love the Lord and are traveling down a path to tell others of Him, and God does a work through them. Signs and wonders will follow after those who believe!

3. UNBELIEF

Unbelief is a hindrance for God to work. The tiniest faith opens the door for God to work. And the key is simple, "Is anything to hard for God?" Of course not! He can do anything and all He asks us to do is trust in Him.

4. WE SUBSTITUTE IT FOR NEGATING OUR OWN PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY

Too often we live recklessly and then ask God to act miraculously to get us out of the trouble we are in. God calls for us to walk worthy of the high calling by which we have been called. You can’t spend all your rent money on satisfying your flesh and then call on God to bail you out. You are responsible for your walk.

This gift of miracles or operations of works of power is in operation today. And understand this, if it is truly a miracle, then there is no earthly explanation for it, it is a miracle! And as I have said, a miracle is something that is humanly impossible but the Holy Spirit works supernaturally in us and through us and as He does it meets the needs of the saints and points people to God!

In John chapter 11 the religious leaders are planning to kill Jesus. You see, this raising Lazarus from the dead drew many people to Jesus and they were very upset about that. And beginning in verse 45 of John chapter 11 we read "Then many of the Jews who had come to Mary, and had seen the things Jesus did, believed in Him. But some of them went away to the Pharisees and told them the things Jesus did. Then the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered a council and said, ‘What shall we do? For this Man works many signs. If we let Him alone like this, everyone will believe in Him...’" John 11:45-48.

That is what it is all about. Not drawing attention to ourselves but to Jesus. As Jesus commissioned us in Mark chapter 16, may we go out and do. He said "And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.’ So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen." Mark 16:15-20.

God is still alive and well and He is working through His people using the gifts of miracles to meet the needs of the saints and to point people to God!