"The Working Of Miracles" Part 2

A true miracle is a divine intervention in the ordinary course of nature that can't be explained in the natural, and God may choose to work one through you!

Last week we started this informative series on the gifts of the Spirit—more specifically, “The Working of Miracles!”   I took my text from 1 Corinthians 12: 1, 7-11.  Go ahead and read this scripture text privately, then come back to this teaching on the interesting subject.

I concluded the initial lesson just briefly talking about “The Power Gifts!”  They are the Gift of Faith, the Working of Miracles and the Gifts of Healing. These are the gifts that do something.

Now it is time to go a little further.  Before we can define the Working of Miracles, let’s look at the word “Miracle.”  Sometimes the word “Miracle” is used as just a figure of speech.  We talk about miracle fabrics, miracle drugs, and miracle detergents.  Someone will even see a beautiful sunrise or sun set and describe it as a miracle of nature.  But none of these are actually miracles.

So what is a miracle?  Specifically speaking, a miracle is an intervention in the ordinary course of nature. For instance, after Elijah ascended into Heaven in a fiery chariot, Elisha received Elijah’s mantle and struck the River Jordan with it, dividing the waters (2 Kings 2:14).  That was the Working of a Miracle.  It was a supernatural intervention in the ordinary course of nature as we know it, operated by the force of the Spirit.

So let’s look at some scriptural uses for the Working of Miracles in the Bible.  You’ll find this gift appears to be more prominent in the Old Testament, but we also have record of its operation in the New Testament.

First, the Working of Miracles was used for the miraculous deliverance of God’s people.  In fact, a number of miracles were wrought when God delivered the children of Israel from Egyptian bondage in the Book of Exodus.

For instance, when Aaron threw the rod to the ground and it turned into a serpent, that was the Working of a Miracle (Exodus 7:10).  And in chapter 7 through 9, the dust of the air was turned into insects, water was turned into blood, and hail mixed with fire was brought down from Heaven by the Lord’s command – those were all miracles.

Then remember when Israel came up against the Red Sea as Pharaoh and his host were trying to overtake them?  Moses stretched forth his hands, and the sea was divided (Exodus 14:21).  That was the Working of a Miracle – a divine intervention in the ordinary course of nature.

So in the Old Testament example, the Working of Miracles was manifested for the deliverance of God’s people.  But we also see it was used to carry out divine judgment and discipline.  For example, when Moses stretched forth his hand again, the waters crashed down upon Pharaoh and his army, drowning them in the depths of the sea (vv. 26-28).

Next week we will look at other examples of how the Working of Miracles was manifested for the purpose of divine judgment and other wonderful reasons. Until then, I exhort you to desire the gifts of the Spirit to be in manifestation in your life.                   

Your Pastor

Word for Today:  "Know Your Mission" 

The term “Mission Statement” is a familiar part of our modern vocabulary.  2,000 years ago, Jesus modeled this key to successful leadership. He knew His mission and never deviated from it. During a test in the wilderness, Jesus was presented with three opportunities that would have diverted Him from His mission — opportunities that seemed to promise a shortcut to gratification.  He wisely refused them.  So let me ask you this question, “Do you have a clear articulated mission?  Are you willing to say “no” to appealing distractions on the way to fulfilling it?”