Daily Bread - 05/26/07
Matthew 8:10 - When Jesus heard him he was amazed and said to those who followed truly I tell you I have not found so great of faith in Israel.
The first definition of faith was provided by Jesus in Matthew 8:10. It was defined by the attitude and confidence of a Roman Centurion. The centurion was in such awe of Jesus that even though Jesus was willing to come to his house he did not feel worthy. Perhaps one of the advantages that this man had was his ability to recognize authority. Recognizing the authority that Jesus had, His word was all he needed.
The authority of the word and our willingness to accept it and act on it is a theme that runs throughout the scripture. To move in such faith we must be struck with the awesomeness of God who has the authority to do anything He chooses. We must hear His word telling us that He cares for us and that He will do whatever we ask. Then we must call it done (Mark 11:24; Acts 10:43; Galatians 3:2; Romans 4:17, 20-21: 2 Corinthians 1:20). The centurion was not of the household of faith and had no rights to the covenant and promises. He was a man of a pagan race who did not know God and Jesus was sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Yet, because of the centurion's faith, he had access into the realms of the Kingdom and his petition was immediately granted.
One of the advantages that this man had over many in Israel was that he was not confused with all of the doctrinal questions as to whether or not Jesus was the Messiah. He being a man who was exposed to great commanders and leaders was able to recognize authority and greatness. Out of concern for his servant, he probably made up his mind that he would go and investigate this man of whom he had heard so many rumors. When he had arrived and saw the multitudes gather together as Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount he was struck by the words which Jesus spoke (Matthew 5-7). Then as he witnessed the man with Leprosy cured instantaneously by the command of Jesus, he knew that this was a man who had authority. He stepped forward overwhelmed by the awesome display of the power of God in the life of Jesus and by a simple request revealed what faith truly is.
Be blessed!
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Friday, May 25, 2007
Daily Bread - 05/25/07
John 9:35 - Jesus heard that they threw him out and finding him, He said to him, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?"
Here is yet another example of a person being healed where it had nothing to do with the individual's faith. In fact, this time Jesus did not even ask the person if they wanted to be healed. Just as the crippled man who laid at the pool of Bethesda in John 5, this man had no idea who Jesus was. When Jesus asked him if He believed in the Son of man he said, "who is he sir that I may believe in Him?"
John does not use the Greek noun for faith (pistin) in his Gospel. Instead he uses the word for believe (pisteuw). In fact, of the 248 occurrences of this word in the New Testament it is found 96 times in the Gospel of John. We learn in the Gospel of John that all one has to do is simply believe and they are given authority to be sons of God (John 1:12). Therefore, by believing, every dimension of grace is supplied to the believer to function in the benefits and blessings of the Kingdom of God (John 1:16; John 17:22).
In the Bible, to believe means to be convinced of something that is told you (John 2:11; Matthew 27:42). It carries the meaning of obeying what was spoken (Matthew 21:32; Acts 8:12; 1 John 4:1). It also means to entrust yourself to the care of God (Luke 16:11; John 2:24; Mark 16:13; Acts 27:25). It conveys the meaning of confidence in God wherein we are convinced that God will do what He has said He will do (John 14:1; Mark 5:36; Luke 8:50; 2 Corinthians 4:13).
The blind man shows us how easy it is to believe. He simply responded to Jesus by saying, "I believe" and then fell down and worshipped Jesus. Salvation comes to us in the same way. It is by the faith of Jesus at work in our life because we were simply willing to believe what God said in His word. As we obey His word (no matter how difficult things become) and do whatever God asks us to do, our faith matures and becomes strong insomuch that whatever we ask God He will do (John 15:16, 14:13-14, 16:23). The disciples show us an amazing example of this. Although they believed and were obeying the word of the Lord, they found a limitation to their faith. They were unable to cast a demon out of a young boy. When they asked Jesus why they were unable to cast out the demon, He told them because of their unbelief (Matthew 17:20). Thus, we are able to witness how that God's saints can believe in some areas but find themselves in unbelief in other areas. Therefore, the cry of this boy's father must also be the cry of our hearts, "Lord I believe; help thou my unbelief" (Mark 9:24).
Be blessed!
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
John 9:35 - Jesus heard that they threw him out and finding him, He said to him, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?"
Here is yet another example of a person being healed where it had nothing to do with the individual's faith. In fact, this time Jesus did not even ask the person if they wanted to be healed. Just as the crippled man who laid at the pool of Bethesda in John 5, this man had no idea who Jesus was. When Jesus asked him if He believed in the Son of man he said, "who is he sir that I may believe in Him?"
John does not use the Greek noun for faith (pistin) in his Gospel. Instead he uses the word for believe (pisteuw). In fact, of the 248 occurrences of this word in the New Testament it is found 96 times in the Gospel of John. We learn in the Gospel of John that all one has to do is simply believe and they are given authority to be sons of God (John 1:12). Therefore, by believing, every dimension of grace is supplied to the believer to function in the benefits and blessings of the Kingdom of God (John 1:16; John 17:22).
In the Bible, to believe means to be convinced of something that is told you (John 2:11; Matthew 27:42). It carries the meaning of obeying what was spoken (Matthew 21:32; Acts 8:12; 1 John 4:1). It also means to entrust yourself to the care of God (Luke 16:11; John 2:24; Mark 16:13; Acts 27:25). It conveys the meaning of confidence in God wherein we are convinced that God will do what He has said He will do (John 14:1; Mark 5:36; Luke 8:50; 2 Corinthians 4:13).
The blind man shows us how easy it is to believe. He simply responded to Jesus by saying, "I believe" and then fell down and worshipped Jesus. Salvation comes to us in the same way. It is by the faith of Jesus at work in our life because we were simply willing to believe what God said in His word. As we obey His word (no matter how difficult things become) and do whatever God asks us to do, our faith matures and becomes strong insomuch that whatever we ask God He will do (John 15:16, 14:13-14, 16:23). The disciples show us an amazing example of this. Although they believed and were obeying the word of the Lord, they found a limitation to their faith. They were unable to cast a demon out of a young boy. When they asked Jesus why they were unable to cast out the demon, He told them because of their unbelief (Matthew 17:20). Thus, we are able to witness how that God's saints can believe in some areas but find themselves in unbelief in other areas. Therefore, the cry of this boy's father must also be the cry of our hearts, "Lord I believe; help thou my unbelief" (Mark 9:24).
Be blessed!
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Daily Bread - 05/24/07
John 5:8 - Jesus said to him, Rise up and take up your cot and walk.
Jesus commands the man who has been a cripple to do something that he was totally unable to do. This miracle did not take place because of the faith that this crippled man had in Jesus because he did not even know who Jesus was. The miracle happened first and foremost by the faith of Jesus and the power and authority that He had in His words. The crippled man simply had to be willing to obey the command that was given to him. The nature of this man was very pathetic. When he was asked by Jesus if he wanted to be healed he responded by telling Jesus of his helpless situation. It would have been easy for this man to sink down into despair when he was commanded by Jesus to do something that was absolutely impossible for him to do but instead he obeyed the word of the stranger and was immediately cured!
It was not unlike Jesus to ask someone to do something that was impossible for them to do in order to participate in the miracle that God had for them. He commanded the paralytic to do the exact same thing in Mark 2:1-12. He told the man with the withered hand to do that which was impossible for him to do (Matthew 12:13). When the multitudes were hungry, he told the disciples to feed them (Matthew 14:16). As we interact with Jesus and fellowship with the Holy Spirit a confidence and boldness will take over and we will learn to do the impossible. We will find ourselves overwhelmed with an assurance that the things written in the Word of God are the directions given to us by God and we will find the strength to do what we thought was impossible (Mark 9:23; 2 Chronicles 20:20; Matthew 19:26).
There is a very small step between the ordinary and the miraculous and that is the step of faith (Mark 11:22, 9:23; Matthew 17:20, 21:21-22; John 11:40). Faith is not a hope but a direction given to us by the Word of God (Romans 10:17, 10:8; Hebrews 4:2; Romans 4:17-18). We must move from the realm of the impersonal to a personal interaction with God as we read and hear His word being spoken. As we do, the faith that has been given to us will grow and increase and we will find ourselves participating with God in all the realms of His glorious salvation. Jesus our Savior wants you to hear Him speak directly to the needs that you have in your life right now. Hear His voice telling you to do what you could not do before.
Be blessed!
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
John 5:8 - Jesus said to him, Rise up and take up your cot and walk.
Jesus commands the man who has been a cripple to do something that he was totally unable to do. This miracle did not take place because of the faith that this crippled man had in Jesus because he did not even know who Jesus was. The miracle happened first and foremost by the faith of Jesus and the power and authority that He had in His words. The crippled man simply had to be willing to obey the command that was given to him. The nature of this man was very pathetic. When he was asked by Jesus if he wanted to be healed he responded by telling Jesus of his helpless situation. It would have been easy for this man to sink down into despair when he was commanded by Jesus to do something that was absolutely impossible for him to do but instead he obeyed the word of the stranger and was immediately cured!
It was not unlike Jesus to ask someone to do something that was impossible for them to do in order to participate in the miracle that God had for them. He commanded the paralytic to do the exact same thing in Mark 2:1-12. He told the man with the withered hand to do that which was impossible for him to do (Matthew 12:13). When the multitudes were hungry, he told the disciples to feed them (Matthew 14:16). As we interact with Jesus and fellowship with the Holy Spirit a confidence and boldness will take over and we will learn to do the impossible. We will find ourselves overwhelmed with an assurance that the things written in the Word of God are the directions given to us by God and we will find the strength to do what we thought was impossible (Mark 9:23; 2 Chronicles 20:20; Matthew 19:26).
There is a very small step between the ordinary and the miraculous and that is the step of faith (Mark 11:22, 9:23; Matthew 17:20, 21:21-22; John 11:40). Faith is not a hope but a direction given to us by the Word of God (Romans 10:17, 10:8; Hebrews 4:2; Romans 4:17-18). We must move from the realm of the impersonal to a personal interaction with God as we read and hear His word being spoken. As we do, the faith that has been given to us will grow and increase and we will find ourselves participating with God in all the realms of His glorious salvation. Jesus our Savior wants you to hear Him speak directly to the needs that you have in your life right now. Hear His voice telling you to do what you could not do before.
Be blessed!
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Daily Bread - 05/23/07
Mark 7:27 - Jesus said to her, "Let the children be filled first: for it is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs."
One of the most radical statements of Jesus produced one of the most radical displays of faith in the New Testament. One thing is for certain: this Gentile woman of Syropheonicia had nothing in her theology that dissuaded her from believing in miracles. Her daughter was demon possessed, she was desperate, and Jesus was the man of miracles.
Jesus made a radical statement about who the miracles belong to when He said, "Let the children be fed first; for it is not right to take the children's food and throw it to the dogs" (Matthew 15:26). Although this comment at first glance was very insulting, it reveals to us that miracles are first and foremost something very sacred and that they belong to the children of the Kingdom (Matthew 7:6). Miracles are as necessary as bread for us to fulfill the will of the Father, and they are supplied to us by God with the same abundance.
Bread was the common and essential food of the east. In the Bible, bread represents food in general as being foremost in human needs (Matthew 6:11; Psalms 105:16; Genesis 31:54; 2 Thessalonians 3:12; Mark 3:20). It was something that no father would refuse to give to his children (Matthew 7:9; Luke 11:11). The miracle supply of daily bread to the children of Israel was called the bread of heaven (Exodus 16:4; Psalms 77:24; 104:14-15; Neh 9:15). Bread always played a central role in worship through the Mencha Offering (Leviticus 7:13; Exodus 29:2; Leviticus 23:15-20). In the scripture, to eat someone's bread meant that you were supported by them (2 Samuel 9:7, 10). In the Old Testament, there were 12 loaves of bread called the Bread of His Presence (Exodus 25:30; Leviticus 24:5-9). These loaves represented the fellowship that existed between God and Israel and, more specifically, His daily provision of life that was granted to them by His presence (Genesis 14:18; Exodus 12:17).
Bread also represents the divine spiritual nourishment that men receive from heaven through Christ Jesus (John 6:31-58). Jesus is the one who is represented as both the bread of heaven and the bread of life (John 6:31, 35, 41; Mark 14:22). Jesus relates the breaking of His body to the breaking of bread which will provide healing and life to the spirit, soul, and body of all who will believe (Matthew 26:26; 1 Peter 2:24). A common theological understanding of bread in both the Old And New Testament is that it is a gift from God (Isaiah 30:23). What Jesus was expressing as the children's bread may also be understood as the daily bread of Matthew 6:11. Although one may view the statement "the children's bread" as symbolical and "daily bread" as literal, they may both be rightly understood as the essential and daily provision from God given to provide for the needs of His children. Today, Jesus sits as the head of the household; He has taken the bread of His body and broken it to distribute to all who will receive of the miracles of salvation. Therefore, expect a miracle as God's daily provision provided to you in Christ Jesus.
Expect a Miracle!
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
Mark 7:27 - Jesus said to her, "Let the children be filled first: for it is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs."
One of the most radical statements of Jesus produced one of the most radical displays of faith in the New Testament. One thing is for certain: this Gentile woman of Syropheonicia had nothing in her theology that dissuaded her from believing in miracles. Her daughter was demon possessed, she was desperate, and Jesus was the man of miracles.
Jesus made a radical statement about who the miracles belong to when He said, "Let the children be fed first; for it is not right to take the children's food and throw it to the dogs" (Matthew 15:26). Although this comment at first glance was very insulting, it reveals to us that miracles are first and foremost something very sacred and that they belong to the children of the Kingdom (Matthew 7:6). Miracles are as necessary as bread for us to fulfill the will of the Father, and they are supplied to us by God with the same abundance.
Bread was the common and essential food of the east. In the Bible, bread represents food in general as being foremost in human needs (Matthew 6:11; Psalms 105:16; Genesis 31:54; 2 Thessalonians 3:12; Mark 3:20). It was something that no father would refuse to give to his children (Matthew 7:9; Luke 11:11). The miracle supply of daily bread to the children of Israel was called the bread of heaven (Exodus 16:4; Psalms 77:24; 104:14-15; Neh 9:15). Bread always played a central role in worship through the Mencha Offering (Leviticus 7:13; Exodus 29:2; Leviticus 23:15-20). In the scripture, to eat someone's bread meant that you were supported by them (2 Samuel 9:7, 10). In the Old Testament, there were 12 loaves of bread called the Bread of His Presence (Exodus 25:30; Leviticus 24:5-9). These loaves represented the fellowship that existed between God and Israel and, more specifically, His daily provision of life that was granted to them by His presence (Genesis 14:18; Exodus 12:17).
Bread also represents the divine spiritual nourishment that men receive from heaven through Christ Jesus (John 6:31-58). Jesus is the one who is represented as both the bread of heaven and the bread of life (John 6:31, 35, 41; Mark 14:22). Jesus relates the breaking of His body to the breaking of bread which will provide healing and life to the spirit, soul, and body of all who will believe (Matthew 26:26; 1 Peter 2:24). A common theological understanding of bread in both the Old And New Testament is that it is a gift from God (Isaiah 30:23). What Jesus was expressing as the children's bread may also be understood as the daily bread of Matthew 6:11. Although one may view the statement "the children's bread" as symbolical and "daily bread" as literal, they may both be rightly understood as the essential and daily provision from God given to provide for the needs of His children. Today, Jesus sits as the head of the household; He has taken the bread of His body and broken it to distribute to all who will receive of the miracles of salvation. Therefore, expect a miracle as God's daily provision provided to you in Christ Jesus.
Expect a Miracle!
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Daily Bread - 05/22/07
John 15:16 - You have not chosen me but I have chosen you. And I appointed you that you should go and bring forth fruit and that your fruit should remain; so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, He will give it to you.
One of the many wonderful statements of the relationship that God has called us into is made in this passage. Jesus revealed to us that we are appointed unto a place in God that whatever we ask the Father in His name it will be given to us (John 14:13, 14; 15:7; 16:23, 24; Matthew 18:19; 21:22; Mark 11:24; Luke 11:10; James 1:6; 1 John 3:22; 5:14, 15). In saying this, Jesus opened the door to all of us to live every day in the miracle realm of God.
What kinds of things should we ask for? We should ask for everything that will glorify God. Every promise made to us by God in the scripture should be asked for (2 Corinthians 1:20; Psalms 103:2-4). We should take hold of the relationship that He has given to us as His friends and know with certainty that the things that we have asked Him for are ours. God is not glorified if we are living in sin, sickness, disease, and poverty. In the Old Testament God's people were called to live in the blessings of the Kingdom of God, and in the New Testament we are called to live in an even greater blessing of the Kingdom (Hebrews 8:6; 2 Corinthians 3:8,11; 2 Corinthians 1:20; Ephesians 1:2; Deuteronomy 15:6).
We should ask for the lost for our inheritance and the uttermost parts of the earth for our possession (Psalms 2:8). We should ask Father to send laborers into the harvest (Luke 10:2). We should ask God to show us great and mighty things that we have not known (Jeremiah 33:3). We should ask for the Holy Spirit and all of His gifts to be fully manifested in our lives so that the world around us will encounter the power of God (Luke 11:13; 1 Corinthians 14:1; Colossians 1:9; 2 Thessalonians 1:11; Acts 8:6). We should ask that our businesses prosper so that He will be glorified through the success of them (Deuteronomy 15:10; 28:12; 29:9; 2 Corinthians 9:8; Proverbs 13:22; Joshua 1:7; 1 Kings 2:3; Psalms 1:3; 3 John 1:2). We should ask Him to give us power to make wealth so that we can have a greater influence among men socially and politically (1 Chronicles 4:10; Deuteronomy 8:18; Proverbs 31:23).
Once we have asked we must be willing to step out and move in faith realizing that God is working with us to establish His covenant (Deuteronomy 8:18; 2 Chronicles 1:12; Psalms 112:3). Every promise of God will come to us by a miracle work of God. Miracles are simply God at work. A miracle takes place when God reaches in with His hand to do those impossible things that we have asked Him to do. When miracles take place, we stand back and watch as God intervenes to bless us and make impossible things work. However, we must realize that the miracle of the Red Sea would have never taken place if Israel had not been willing to step out in faith and walk into that difficult situation. The impossible place became the opportunity for God to show forth His mighty power and love for His people. Just as it was for Israel, it will also take the intervention of God if we are to have the things that God has appointed us to. Will you begin to ask God for His promises to be fully realized in your life? Will you allow Him to take you to the places of impossibility so that you can come to know that your Friend will not let you down? (Romans 4:13-14; Matthew 17:20; 19:16; 10:27; Luke 1:37) God wants to teach us that we can trust Him and that not one of His promises will fail us.
Expect a Miracle!
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
John 15:16 - You have not chosen me but I have chosen you. And I appointed you that you should go and bring forth fruit and that your fruit should remain; so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, He will give it to you.
One of the many wonderful statements of the relationship that God has called us into is made in this passage. Jesus revealed to us that we are appointed unto a place in God that whatever we ask the Father in His name it will be given to us (John 14:13, 14; 15:7; 16:23, 24; Matthew 18:19; 21:22; Mark 11:24; Luke 11:10; James 1:6; 1 John 3:22; 5:14, 15). In saying this, Jesus opened the door to all of us to live every day in the miracle realm of God.
What kinds of things should we ask for? We should ask for everything that will glorify God. Every promise made to us by God in the scripture should be asked for (2 Corinthians 1:20; Psalms 103:2-4). We should take hold of the relationship that He has given to us as His friends and know with certainty that the things that we have asked Him for are ours. God is not glorified if we are living in sin, sickness, disease, and poverty. In the Old Testament God's people were called to live in the blessings of the Kingdom of God, and in the New Testament we are called to live in an even greater blessing of the Kingdom (Hebrews 8:6; 2 Corinthians 3:8,11; 2 Corinthians 1:20; Ephesians 1:2; Deuteronomy 15:6).
We should ask for the lost for our inheritance and the uttermost parts of the earth for our possession (Psalms 2:8). We should ask Father to send laborers into the harvest (Luke 10:2). We should ask God to show us great and mighty things that we have not known (Jeremiah 33:3). We should ask for the Holy Spirit and all of His gifts to be fully manifested in our lives so that the world around us will encounter the power of God (Luke 11:13; 1 Corinthians 14:1; Colossians 1:9; 2 Thessalonians 1:11; Acts 8:6). We should ask that our businesses prosper so that He will be glorified through the success of them (Deuteronomy 15:10; 28:12; 29:9; 2 Corinthians 9:8; Proverbs 13:22; Joshua 1:7; 1 Kings 2:3; Psalms 1:3; 3 John 1:2). We should ask Him to give us power to make wealth so that we can have a greater influence among men socially and politically (1 Chronicles 4:10; Deuteronomy 8:18; Proverbs 31:23).
Once we have asked we must be willing to step out and move in faith realizing that God is working with us to establish His covenant (Deuteronomy 8:18; 2 Chronicles 1:12; Psalms 112:3). Every promise of God will come to us by a miracle work of God. Miracles are simply God at work. A miracle takes place when God reaches in with His hand to do those impossible things that we have asked Him to do. When miracles take place, we stand back and watch as God intervenes to bless us and make impossible things work. However, we must realize that the miracle of the Red Sea would have never taken place if Israel had not been willing to step out in faith and walk into that difficult situation. The impossible place became the opportunity for God to show forth His mighty power and love for His people. Just as it was for Israel, it will also take the intervention of God if we are to have the things that God has appointed us to. Will you begin to ask God for His promises to be fully realized in your life? Will you allow Him to take you to the places of impossibility so that you can come to know that your Friend will not let you down? (Romans 4:13-14; Matthew 17:20; 19:16; 10:27; Luke 1:37) God wants to teach us that we can trust Him and that not one of His promises will fail us.
Expect a Miracle!
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
Monday, May 21, 2007
Daily Bread - 05/21/07
John 2:11 - This Jesus did as the beginning of his signs in Cana of Galilee and manifested His glory, and His disciples believed on Him.
John's favorite word for the works of Jesus was signs (semeion), rather than wonders (teras) or powers (dunamus), which primarily convey the same message. In Acts 2:22 the ministry of Jesus was describes as one of mighty works (dunamis), wonders (teras), and signs (semeion). Signs are something that should regularly be seen among the people of God; for as one theologian commented, "signs are the fingerprints of God." Signs (semeion) are commonly translated miracles and these miracles are a revelation that the Kingdom of God has come (Matthew 12:28). They are a part of the gospel because the gospel is the good news of deliverance.
The only way that people can be delivered from sin, sickness, disease, and sufferings is through a miracle (John 6:2; 12:17-18; Mark 16:17; Matthew 12:28; Matthew 4:23-24; 8:16; 9:35; 12:15; 14:14; 15:30; 19:2; John 20:30). Signs are done to reveal the glory of Jesus (John 2:11; 3:2; John 5:20). Through the ministry of signs, many are enabled to believe the gospel (John 2:11,23; 4:48,53; 6:2,14; 7:31; 9:16,35; 12:18; Acts 8:6; 9:35, 42). Yet signs were not done (and should not be done) for the skeptics and for those who attempted to manipulate Jesus (Luke 23:8; Matthew 4:1-11; Mark 8:11-12; Matthew 16:1-4, 12:39; Luke 11:16; John 6:30). Signs are an important part of the ministry of the church and the testimony of the believers (Mark 16:17,20; Luke 10:17-19; 1 Corinthians 12:4,28; Acts 2:43; 5:12; 6:8; 8:6,13; 14:3; 15:12; John 14:12). Signs were also an important dimension of the revelation of God in the Old Testament as well (Exodus 4:8,9,17,28,30; 7:3; 10:1,2; 14:11; 16:15; 17:6; Deuteronomy 4:34; 6:22; 7:19; 8:15; 26:8; Psalms 78:24, 43). Moses was so involved in the miracles of God that he stood before a rock wall and commanded water come out. Joshua, who was privileged to live in the company of those who were in expectation of miracles, commanded the sun and the moon to stand still and they obeyed him. Let us say that we are in expectation of a miracle every day and then engage in the miracles by stepping out with the actions of faith.
Expect a Miracle Today!
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
John 2:11 - This Jesus did as the beginning of his signs in Cana of Galilee and manifested His glory, and His disciples believed on Him.
John's favorite word for the works of Jesus was signs (semeion), rather than wonders (teras) or powers (dunamus), which primarily convey the same message. In Acts 2:22 the ministry of Jesus was describes as one of mighty works (dunamis), wonders (teras), and signs (semeion). Signs are something that should regularly be seen among the people of God; for as one theologian commented, "signs are the fingerprints of God." Signs (semeion) are commonly translated miracles and these miracles are a revelation that the Kingdom of God has come (Matthew 12:28). They are a part of the gospel because the gospel is the good news of deliverance.
The only way that people can be delivered from sin, sickness, disease, and sufferings is through a miracle (John 6:2; 12:17-18; Mark 16:17; Matthew 12:28; Matthew 4:23-24; 8:16; 9:35; 12:15; 14:14; 15:30; 19:2; John 20:30). Signs are done to reveal the glory of Jesus (John 2:11; 3:2; John 5:20). Through the ministry of signs, many are enabled to believe the gospel (John 2:11,23; 4:48,53; 6:2,14; 7:31; 9:16,35; 12:18; Acts 8:6; 9:35, 42). Yet signs were not done (and should not be done) for the skeptics and for those who attempted to manipulate Jesus (Luke 23:8; Matthew 4:1-11; Mark 8:11-12; Matthew 16:1-4, 12:39; Luke 11:16; John 6:30). Signs are an important part of the ministry of the church and the testimony of the believers (Mark 16:17,20; Luke 10:17-19; 1 Corinthians 12:4,28; Acts 2:43; 5:12; 6:8; 8:6,13; 14:3; 15:12; John 14:12). Signs were also an important dimension of the revelation of God in the Old Testament as well (Exodus 4:8,9,17,28,30; 7:3; 10:1,2; 14:11; 16:15; 17:6; Deuteronomy 4:34; 6:22; 7:19; 8:15; 26:8; Psalms 78:24, 43). Moses was so involved in the miracles of God that he stood before a rock wall and commanded water come out. Joshua, who was privileged to live in the company of those who were in expectation of miracles, commanded the sun and the moon to stand still and they obeyed him. Let us say that we are in expectation of a miracle every day and then engage in the miracles by stepping out with the actions of faith.
Expect a Miracle Today!
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
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