What do the Scriptures teach about miracles (Acts 5:12), part 4

 

1.    We have spent 3 weeks looking at distinctions between New Testament miracles and modern claims.

2.    Tonight we turn to a different but related subject.

3.    Why did Jesus and the apostles perform the kinds of acts described in the New Testament?

4.    The answer to this question is found in the words that describe Bible miracles.

5.    When we think of a miracle we usually use the word miracle.

6.    The language of the New Testament is more flexible than English.

7.    In the scripture that was read, we heard 2 descriptions for New Testament miracles.

8.    One word is signs.

9.    The other term is wonders.

10.  These 2 words are found in Acts 5:12.

    

THIS EVENING WE WANT TO LOOK AT BOTH OF THESE WORDS; WE WILL BEGIN WITH THE WORDS SIGNS.

 

A.   Most translations use this word because it does a good job of expressing the thought.

B.    Outside the New Testament this term described a “signal.”

C.    It was sometimes used to describe boundaries or limits.

D.   There are examples of it being used to describe birthmarks.

 

2.     This term points to something besides itself. 

3.     It has been compared to a street sign.

4.     A street sign is not the street but it helps people find the street.

5.     The word signs means that New Testament miracles pointed people to God.

6.     They were designed to direct men and women to certain conclusions.

A.   Do we remember a comment about Nicodemus in Jn. 3:2?

B.    According to Jn. 3:1, Nicodemus was a ruler of the Jews.  He came to see Jesus by night.

C.    When he came to visit the Lord he had something to say.

D.   This ruler had drawn a conclusion that is recorded in Jn. 3:2 – READ. 

 

7.     Nicodemus knew about the signs Jesus did.

8.     He said these signs pointed him to the conclusion that Jesus was from God.

9.     Another place which helps us understand this term is found in 2 Thess. 3:17.

A.   When Paul sent letters to congregations his correspondence had a sign.

B.    Just as a birthmark can help identify a person, so there was something special about Paul’s letters.

C.    This may have helped Christians determine whether or not letters were really from Paul.

D.   It seems there were people who claimed letters were from Paul when this was not the case.

E.    To guard against this problem Paul devised a plan.

F.     Here is what he said at the end of 2 Thess 3 – verse 17 – READ. 

 

10. Your Bible will probably have the word “token.”

11. This is the same word that is elsewhere translated “sign.”

12. Whatever this was, it pointed to the fact that Paul wrote a document or a letter had his approval.

13. This term we are looking at is found at the end of Mark’s gospel.

14. The apostles had their preaching confirmed by miraculous “signs.”

15. These signs led people like Nicodemus to God.

16. These signs were also designed to help us.

17. Two other familiar passage are Jn. 20:30 and 21:25.

A.   Both of these verses need to be read – READ.  

B.    John said Jesus did many signs (20:30, same word) which are not recorded.

C.    The signs that are recorded are designed to help us believe.

D.   John said a few “signs” have been written down, but most of what Jesus did is not recorded.

 

18. How many signs might Jesus have given?

19. How many things did He do to point others to God?

20. Most agree the Lord’s ministry lasted about 3 ½ years.

21. This period of time leaves us with 1,277 days.

22. If Jesus averaged only one sign a day, He offered close to 1300 signs.

23. We know from the gospels there were times when sick people flocked to Him.

24. The number of people He helped could have easily resulted in 10 signs per day.

25. This figure would mean He offered nearly 13,000 signs.

26. If He averaged 50 miracles a day, the number increases to almost 64,000 different signs.

27. If we enlarge the number to 100 a day, the figure is close to 128,000 different signs.

28. Unless John was greatly overstating things in Jn. 20:30, more than 100,000 signs is a definite possibility.

29. Jesus may have offered 100,000 proofs to point people to Himself, the Father, and the NT era.

30. In spite of all this proof (numerous signs), there were unbelievers.

A.   I want to read Jn. 12:37.

B.    This verse is important for two reasons.

C.    First, it contains the word we are looking at.

D.   Second, it refers to “many” signs.

E.    Here is what John said – READ.

 

31. Jesus performed many signs.

32. Proof upon proof was given. 

33. If you want to see how powerful this proof was, skip back to Jn. 11:46-48.

34. This term occurs again in the 47th verse of Jn. 11 but we will read the verse before and after it.

35. READ.  11:46-48.

36. Verse 28 shows what “signs” (miracles) were designed to do:  create faith in Christ & the gospel.

 

37. THIS WORD TELLS US THAT BOTH IN THE FIRST CENTURY AND AT THE PRESENT TIME GOD HAD PROVIDED OVERWHELMING PROOF TO ESTABLISH THAT CHRISTIANITY IS TRUE.

 

A.   If all we had were the proofs described as signs, this would be enough.

B.    The New Testament does not stop with this proof.

C.    Acts 5:12 we also have the word wonder.

D.   This word is not used to describe Jesus in Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John.

E.    It is however, applied to Jesus in Acts 2:22.

F.     Peter said Jesus was approved by many “wonders.”

G.   This term describes miracles which were so extraordinary people remembered them.

 

38. There are events in life that are so unnatural and unusual, we remember them.

39. This is how the miracles of Jesus are described.

40. This term is also applied to others.

41. In Acts 7:36 the word wonders is applied to Moses.

42. The text says he performed “signs and wonders” in the Red Sea and in Egypt.

43. Moses has been dead but the wonders he performed are still told again and again.

44. Jesus performed these kinds of miracles and did even greater things.

45. He engaged in these acts so there would be signs (Acts 5:12).

A.   At the present time we are exposed to a popular message in the religious world.

B.    Evangelists say, “I can perform miracles; listen to me.  Send me and my ministry money.”

C.    This type of claim needs to be considered in light of two different passages.

D.   I would like for us to turn to Mt. 24:24 and 2 Thess. 2:9.

E.    I am citing these references for two reasons.

1)      Both of these verses have the two words that have been described (sign and wonder).

F.     We are using Mt. 24:24 because it describes a time prior to 70 A.D.

G.   2 Thess. 2:9 is being used because it may still have future application.

 

46. If you have found Mt. 24:24 let’s look at it together – READ

47. Jesus predicated that “false Christ’s would arise.
Would these people produce any proof?  Yes.

A.   Jesus foretold they would offer “great signs and wonders.”

B.    People would be convinced.

C.    Even some Christians would be inclined to listen and follow the apostates.

D.   Paul spoke of a similar matter in 2 Thess. 2:9.

E.    The Thessalonians were listening to the wrong people.

F.     They needed to be warned so God sent them at least two letters.

G.   Here is what Paul said towards the end of the second letter – READ.  2 Thess. 2:9.

 

48. It is not enough for a person to say, “I have power or I can do supernatural things.”

49. For those who know the Bible this kind of claim carries no weight.

50. God has warned us about “lying wonders” and signs from deceivers.

51. There are people who make claims that can lead God’s people astray.

 

52. THE FACT THAT WE HAVE IN THE NEW TESTAMENT TWO DIFFERENT WORDS FOR MIRACLES AND BOTH OF THESE TERMS ARE APPLIED TO THE WORK OF GOD AND THE WORK OF SATAN WOULD SEEM TO LEAVE US WITH A DILEMMA.

 

A.   How do we know who is telling the truth?

B.    How do we determine who is a deceiver and who is not?

C.    We need to see who and what the signs point to.

 

53. We know what the miracles of the New Testament point us to:

54. Christ, the apostles, the gospel they preached, and the way the early church functioned.

55. Today supernatural claims are still being made.

56. We must ask what the modern claims point us to.

A.   What is done in modern times points people to:

B.    A Jesus who is often different from the one described in the New Testament.

C.    What is done points listeners to miracle workers and their ministries, not the apostles.

D.   People are pointed to churches built by men, not the church built by Christ.

E.    Those who listen are often turned to entertainment instead of New Testament Christianity.

 

57. Signs were given to provide undeniable proof that Jesus is from God and the gospel is true.

58. Signs like the New Testament describes are no longer being offered.

59. We need to reject modern signs but accept the signs and wonders in the New Testament.

60. These were written so we can know we have the truth.

61. Nothing is more important than knowing and obeying the truth.

62. If we have found the right way, have we been obedient?