Does God ACT Today? HOW? Where is God? Does He care? Is He listening?

YES, God Acts! Ex. 3:14; Jn 8:56; Rev. 1:8 He is the Great “I AM”

 God spoke universe into existence!  With God all things are possible (Mt. 19:26)  Can do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think (Eph. 3:20)  There is a spiritual world we can’t even begin to fathom (Eph. 6:12)

 We must be careful when we speak about God (2 Tim. 4:1)  Must not say more than God says and misrepresent God (Jer. 23:31-32)  Must not say less than God says and limit God (Psa. 78:41)  Curse placed on those who add to or take away! (Rev. 22:18-19) Proceed with Caution

The question is not: “Can God do miracles today?” But the question is: “Does God CHOOSE to do miracles today?” What is a Miracle?

 Often used in 2 different meanings:  As a word to describe anything amazing ▪“The sunrise is a miracle!” ▪“The birth of a baby is a miracle!” ▪“The Titan’s won the football game – it was a miracle comeback!” ▪“My daughter cleaned her room – it’s a miracle!”  As a divine supernatural act Misuse of term Miracle

 Miracle “A sign by which the divine power in majesty is made known, a supernatural event or act, a token, wonder, or miracle by which the power and presence of God is manifested, either directly or through the agency of those whom He sends” (Wordstudy) Definition of Miracles

 SUPERNATURAL, Being beyond or exceeding the powers or laws of nature; miraculous. A supernatural event is one which is not produced according to the ordinary or established laws of natural things. Thus if iron has more specific gravity than water, it will sink in that fluid; and the floating of iron on water must be a supernatural event. Now no human being can alter a law of nature; the floating of iron on water therefore must be caused by divine power specially exerted to suspend, in this instance, a law of nature. Hence supernatural events or miracles can be produced only by the immediate agency of divine power. (Webster) Definition of Miracles

2 Dif. Ways God Acts Laws of NATURE “ordinances of heaven and earth” (Jer. 33:25) SUPERNATURAL“Impossiblewith men”(Lk 18:27) A Miracle is Supernatural Either way, God is still Acting!

 That you may believe (Jn. 20:30-31)  Confirm word (Mk. 16:20)  Bear witness/confirm (Heb. 2:3-4)  Verify apostleship (2 Cor. 12:12) Purpose of Miracles

 God is not a magic genie who grants our every wish  NT Christians not always granted every request in miraculous way  Paul’s thorn was not removed (2 Cor. 12:7)  Stephen not raised from dead (Ax 7)  James not saved from sword (Ax 12:2)  Ephaproditus was sick almost unto death (Phil. 2:25f) Purpose of Miracles

 Time of Spiritual Gifts to Cease (1 Cor. 13:8-13)  In part refers to something that is not complete  Perfect refers to something that is complete  Context is dealing with revelation  When revelation is complete, then the need for miraculous spiritual gifts (to confirm) would cease Duration of Miracles

 ALL sick were healed (Mt. 4:23f; 8:16; Lk 4:40; Ax 5:15-16)  Immediate (Ax 3:1-10)  Undeniable even by enemies (Ax 4:13f; Ex 8:19)  Visible to everyone (Ax 5:12-16)  Faith not required to witness  Impossible by laws of nature – raising dead, immediate, parting Red Sea, walking on water, drinking poison, speaking foreign language w/o learning it, etc. (Mk 16:17-18) Characteristics of True Biblical Miracles

Laws of NATURE “ordinances of heaven and earth” (Jer. 33:25) SUPERNATURAL“Impossiblewith men”(Lk 18:27) Cessation of supernatural miracles does not mean God is not acting Either way, God is still Acting!

 God Prov. acts w/in laws of nature  Evangelism: open doors (Col. 4:3)  Physical Provision: All these things shall be added (Mt. 6:33)  Health: (James 5:14-15)  Weather: Sends rain (Mt. 5:45)  Guidance: Direct your path (Pr.3:5f)  The effective fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much! (Ja.5:16) God Providentially Acts

 Claiming God is doing something He is not  Failing to believe that God still is acting today  How can we know the difference?  Word: God will always act in harmony with His word  Faith: in God, His will, His Purpose, His Love, His Power Beware of 2 Extremes

“Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Heb. 11:6)

 God is ever present  “I will never leave you” (Heb. 13:5)  God is ever listening  “ears are open to their prayers” (1Pt. 3:12; Ja. 5:16)  God is ever watching  “eyes…on the righteous” (1 Pet. 3:12)  God is ever sustaining the Creation  “upholding all things” (Heb. 1:3)  God is ever ruling in Kingdoms of men  “Removes..& raises up kings” (Da. 2:21; 4:25) Yes, God Acts Today

 God spoke universe into existence!  With God all things are possible (Mt. 19:26)  Can do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think (Eph. 3:20)  There is a spiritual world we can’t even begin to fathom (Eph. 6:12)

“Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Heb. 11:6)