Lesson:  WAITING ON A MIRACLE

 

Author:  Mark Stusek

Date:  04/05/08

 

            Last week we learned “how to listen to God” and how to act upon it.  We observed that Joshua not only heard God but he had to obediently follow God’s directives however unlikely and difficult the direction was.

 

            So what we learned was that God transformed Joshua to do a greater work with a greater purpose.  The outcome:

 

           1.  Transformed him from a warrior to a spiritual leader.

 

           2.  Joshua was God’s vessel to ignite miraculous outcomes to current problems:

 

            -  God anointed a new leader when Moses died (Joshua)

 

            -  God ensured Hebrews crossed the flooding Jordan River on dry land.

 

            -  Ushered them into the Promised Land without one fatality, bow, arrow,

                spear or shield needed.  Miracles get our attention because we desire

                to see miracles in our lives.

 

            Question:  Could you use a miracle or two today in your life?  Why then, doesn’t

            He go ahead and do the miraculous?

 

   I.  Miracles

 

            II Cor. 9:8

 

            1.  God loves for us to see that “He is able” to part the Red Sea, part the Jordan

                 River, feed thousands with 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish, raise people from

                 the dead (if that’s what we need).

 

            2.  God wants us to know “His grace” sustains us throughout life.  He gives us

                 the food we need, the air our lungs need, and the ability to make a living. 

                 God “wants” us to live an abundant life.

 

            3.  God is not a vending machine, a body builder, bottle of aspirin/oxycotin to

                 disseminate miracles, shock and awe or relief for our aches and pain. 

 

            4.  He does the supernatural/miraculous when He knows it’s appropriate.

 

            Question:  So when are miracles appropriate?  When the answer/miracle meets

            a “specific purpose” and the “plan” is greater than the request.

 

            5.  The apostle John told of these miracles:

 

                 John 2:1-11            Changing water to wine

                 John 4:46-53            Healing the noble man’s son

                 John 5:1-9                   Healing the man at the pool of Bethesda

                 John 6:4-13            Feed the 5000

                 John 6:16-21            Walking on water

                 John 9:1-12            Healing the blind man

 

                 John said Jesus Christ performed these and many more miracles in the  

                 presence of the disciples which are not documented, but he has written these:

 

            -   Jesus Christ is the Son of God – stir up that belief

 

            -  Believing we may have the abundant life in His name (John 20:30-31)

 

            -  Each miracle had a specific purpose-a deeper agenda _____________

                the Supernatural.

 

 II. Miracles and Me

 

            1.  Many of us could use the gift of a miracle today in the form of a:

                 better job, more money, an affectionate husband, supportive wife,

                 cure for our health issues.

 

                 What we must realize is that pain, suffering and disappointments are

                 just symptoms of much deeper problems: lack of faith, self-sufficiency,

                 pride, stubbornness, etc.

 

            2.  The miracle God wants to do in your life and mine is bigger than a check,

                 pill, better mate, etc.

 

                 Isaiah 55:1    He wants us to focus on His Word and promises

                 I Sam 17:47  Stop fighting and let Him handle the crisis

 

            3.  So yes, God allows difficulty and trials in our lives whether it is because of

                 sin or testing. the good news is God can do something about our hard

                 times and He intends to  if....

 

III. Miracles Do Happen....But

 

            John 11:30-44

 

            1.  Mary and Martha expected Jesus Christ to show up and heal their brother,

                 Lazarus before He died, but Jesus did not heal him.  Instead, He raised Him

                 from the dead.

 

            2.  Jesus had a different purpose for His miracle than Mary and Martha had....

                 a greater purpose.

 

            3.  They suffered through their brother’s sickness and four days of grieving his

                death before Jesus stepped in.

 

            4.  They had to submit/surrender to Jesus’ purpose; before they received the

                 miracle.

 

            5.  A miracle waits for you and I, though it may not look like what you or I

                 were expecting.

 

            Are you begging for a check, a pill, a new home, or a job, when God wants to

            do surgery?

 

            6.  Charles Steinmetz – G. E., pg. 44

                 John Hagee – The Seven Secrets

 

SUMMARY

 

            -  Before we get disappointed to how God answers our prayers, we need to

                understand His character and purposes.

 

            -  God’s purpose for you and I is to be completely whole.

 

            -  He wants to heal, fix and restore us from the inside out.

 

            -  God-sized miracles don’t just treat the symptoms.  They completely

                transform our thoughts, behaviors, and trust in God.