God’s Power Through Spiritual Gifts (part 7):

The Gift of Working of Miracles

9.28.2022

1 Corinthians 12:31 (AMPC)

But earnestly desire and zealously cultivate the greatest and best gifts and graces (the higher gifts and the choicest graces). And yet I will show you a still more excellent way [one that is better by far and the highest of them all—love].

1 Corinthians 14:1 (AMPC)

EAGERLY PURSUE and seek to acquire [this] love [make it your aim, your great quest]; and earnestly desire and cultivate the spiritual endowments (gifts), especially that you may prophesy (interpret the divine will and purpose in inspired preaching and teaching).

Review

1 Corinthians 12:4-11 (NKJV)

There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: 8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.

There are three major classifications of spiritual gifts…

Revelation Gifts – Reveal Something

Word of Wisdom

Word of Knowledge

Discerning of Spirits

Power Gifts – Do Something

Gift of Faith

Working of Miracles

Gifts of Healings

Utterance Gifts – Say something

Gift of Prophecy

Different Kinds of Tongues

Interpretation of Tongues

We have covered:

*Spiritual Gifts are as a result of the Baptism with the Holy Spirit.

*Jesus was used in the gifts of the Holy Spirit during His ministry.

*Jesus wants us to be used by the Holy Spirit the way He was used by Him!

John 14:12-14 (NKJV)

Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. (13) And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. (14) Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!

We have covered the Revelation Gifts.

Last week, we covered the Gift of Faith.

Tonight:

The Gift of Working of Miracles

The word miracle is used loosely today…the miracle of a sunset, a budding tree, a miracle of grace speaking of the change in a person who is born again.

A miracle is a supernatural intervention in the ordinary course of nature; a temporary suspension of the accustomed order; an interruption of the system of nature as we know it.

The working of miracles is where God sets aside the natural laws set in motion to govern the earth, and does something out of the ordinary course of events.

The Greek word for ‘working of miracles’ is powers which means – explosions of almightiness; wonders; impelling staggering astonishment.

The gift of faith is more active than passive than active. The working of miracles is more active than passive.

The working of miracles is a specific act, such as when Elisha smote the Jordan River with the mantle from Elijah. This was an intervention into the ordinary course of nature.

2 Kings 2:13 (NLT)

Elisha picked up Elijah’s cloak, which had fallen when he was taken up. Then Elisha returned to the bank of the Jordan River.

Understand that in healings, there are miracles, but these are not from the working of miracles, but from the gifts of healings.

The working of miracles produces works of power.

In 1 Corinthians 12:28 – Miracles and Gifts of healings are separate.

1 Corinthians 12:28 (NKJV)

And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.

The working of miracles in manifestation only includes those miracles which concern the laws of inanimate nature or the miraculous manipulation of objects – turning water into wine, bringing fire from heaven, opening the sea, stilling the storm, etc.

Old Testament Examples of Working of Miracles

The working of miracles was more prominent in the Old Testament than in the New Testament.

In the Old Testament, working of miracles was a sign of the power and presence of Jehovah.

In the New Testament, healing was predominant because God revealed Himself in Christ as the God of love and compassion.

Miracles demonstrate the power of God. Healing demonstrates His love and compassion.

Exodus 7-14 – Miracles were used in the ten plagues to convince Pharaoh to let the Israelites go.

 

Aaron threw down his rod and it became a serpent.

Exodus 7:8-10 (NKJV)

Then the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, 9 “When Pharaoh speaks to you, saying, Show a miracle for yourselves,’ then you shall say to Aaron, Take your rod and cast it before Pharaoh, and let it become a serpent.’ ” 10 So Moses and Aaron went in to Pharaoh, and they did so, just as the LORD commanded. And Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh and before his servants, and it became a serpent.

Dust turned into insects.

Exodus 8:16-17 (NKJV)

So the LORD said to Moses, “Say to Aaron, ‘Stretch out your rod, and strike the dust of the land, so that it may become lice throughout all the land of Egypt.’ ” 17 And they did so. For Aaron stretched out his hand with his rod and struck the dust of the earth, and it became lice on man and beast. All the dust of the land became lice throughout all the land of Egypt.

The Nile River turned into blood.

Exodus 7:19-21 (NKJV)

Then the LORD spoke to Moses, “Say to Aaron, ‘Take your rod and stretch out your hand over the waters of Egypt, over their streams, over their rivers, over their ponds, and over all their pools of water, that they may become blood. And there shall be blood throughout all the land of Egypt, both in buckets of wood and pitchers of stone.’ ” 20 And Moses and Aaron did so, just as the LORD commanded. So he lifted up the rod and struck the waters that were in the river, in the sight of Pharaoh and in the sight of his servants. And all the waters that were in the river were turned to blood. 21 The fish that were in the river died, the river stank, and the Egyptians could not drink the water of the river. So there was blood throughout all the land of Egypt.

Exodus 14:13-31 – Moses stretched his rod over the Red Sea, and it parted.

Working of miracles was in operation when the widow’s pot of oil and barrel of meal didn’t give out.

1 Kings 17:12-16 (NLT)

But she said, “I swear by the LORD your God that I don’t have a single piece of bread in the house. And I have only a handful of flour left in the jar and a little cooking oil in the bottom of the jug. I was just gathering a few sticks to cook this last meal, and then my son and I will die.” 13 But Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid! Go ahead and do just what you’ve said, but tmake a little bread for me first. Then use what’s left to prepare a meal for yourself and your son. 14 For this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: “There will always be flour and olive oil left in your containers until the time when the LORD sends rain and the crops grow again!”

15 So she did as Elijah said, and she and Elijah and her family continued to eat for many days. 16 There was always enough flour and olive oil left in the containers, just as the LORD had promised through Elijah.

Moses smote the rock, and water flowed out.

Exodus 17:5-7 (NLT)

The LORD said to Moses, “Walk out in front of the people. Take your staff, the one you used when you struck the water of the Nile, and call some of the elders of Israel to join you. 6 I will stand before you on the rock at Mount Sinai. Strike the rock, and water will come gushing out. Then the people will be able to drink.” So Moses struck the rock as he was told, and water gushed out as the elders looked on.

7 Moses named the place Massah (which means “test”) and Meribah (which means “arguing”) because the people of Israel argued with Moses and tested the LORD by saying, “Is the LORD here with us or not?”

Elijah calls fire from heaven to consume the altar.

1 Kings 18:37-40 (NLT)

O LORD, answer me! Answer me so these people will know that you, O LORD, are God and that you have brought them back to yourself.” 38 Immediately the fire of the LORD flashed down from heaven and burned up the young bull, the wood, the stones, and the dust. It even licked up all the water in the trench! 39 And when all the people saw it, they fell face down on the ground and cried out, “The LORD—he is God! Yes, the LORD is God!” 40 Then Elijah commanded, “Seize all the prophets of Baal. Don’t let a single one escape!” So the people seized them all, and Elijah took them down to the Kishon Valley and killed them there.

Isaiah gave Hezekiah a sign that he would be healed. The sun dial would go backwards.

2 Kings 20:8-11 (NLT)

Meanwhile, Hezekiah had said to Isaiah, “What sign will the LORD give to prove that he will heal me and that I will go to the Temple of the LORD three days from now?”9 Isaiah replied, “This is the sign from the LORD to prove that he will do as he promised. Would you like the shadow on the sundial to go forward ten steps or backward ten steps?”

10 “The shadow always moves forward,” Hezekiah replied, “so that would be easy. Make it go ten steps backward instead.” 11 So Isaiah the prophet asked the LORD to do this, and he caused the shadow to move ten steps backward on the sundial of Ahaz!

The Working of Miracles in the New Testament

The feeding of the 5,000 with a little boy’s lunch, with twelve baskets remaining.

John 6:5-15 (NLT)

Jesus soon saw a huge crowd of people coming to look for him. Turning to Philip, he asked, “Where can we buy bread to feed all these people?” 6 He was testing Philip, for he already knew what he was going to do. 7 Philip replied, “Even if we worked for months, we wouldn’t have enough money to feed them!” 8 Then Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up. 9 “There’s a young boy here with five barley loaves and two fish. But what good is that with this huge crowd?” 10 “Tell everyone to sit down,” Jesus said. So they all sat down on the grassy slopes. (The men alone numbered about 5,000.) 11 Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks to God, and distributed them to the people. Afterward he did the same with the fish. And they all ate as much as they wanted. 12 After everyone was full, Jesus told his disciples, “Now gather the leftovers, so that nothing is wasted.” 13 So they picked up the pieces and filled twelve baskets with scraps left by the people who had eaten from the five barley loaves.

14 When the people saw him do this miraculous sign, they exclaimed, “Surely, he is the Prophet we have been expecting!” 15 When Jesus saw that they were ready to force him to be their king, he slipped away into the hills by himself.

Jesus walks on water

John 6:16-21 (NLT)

That evening Jesus’ disciples went down to the shore to wait for him. 17 But as darkness fell and Jesus still hadn’t come back, they got into the boat and headed across the lake toward Capernaum. 18 Soon a gale swept down upon them, and the sea grew very rough. 19 They had rowed three or four miles when suddenly they saw Jesus walking on the water toward the boat. They were terrified, 20 but he called out to them, “Don’t be afraid. I am here!” 21 Then they were eager to let him in the boat, and immediately they arrived at their destination!

Divine Judgment was carried out with the Working of Miracles.

Acts 5:1-5 (NLT)

But there was a certain man named Ananias who, with his wife, Sapphira, sold some property. 2 He brought part of the money to the apostles, claiming it was the full amount. With his wife’s consent, he kept the rest. 3 Then Peter said, “Ananias, why have you let Satan fill your heart? You lied to the Holy Spirit, and you kept some of the money for yourself. 4 The property was yours to sell or not sell, as you wished. And after selling it, the money was also yours to give away. How could you do a thing like this? You weren’t lying to us but to God!”

5 As soon as Ananias heard these words, he fell to the floor and died. Everyone who heard about it was terrified.

Elymus the Sorcerer was struck blind by the working of miracles. The Word was confirmed by Working of Miracles.

Acts 13:4-12 (NLT)

So Barnabas and Saul were sent out by the Holy Spirit. They went down to the seaport of Seleucia and then sailed for the island of Cyprus. 5 There, in the town of Salamis, they went to the Jewish synagogues and preached the word of God. John Mark went with them as their assistant. 6 Afterward they traveled from town to town across the entire island until finally they reached Paphos, where they met a Jewish sorcerer, a false prophet named Bar-Jesus. 7 He had attached himself to the governor, Sergius Paulus, who was an intelligent man. The governor invited Barnabas and Saul to visit him, for he wanted to hear the word of God. 8 But Elymas, the sorcerer (as his name means in Greek), interfered and urged the governor to pay no attention to what Barnabas and Saul said. He was trying to keep the governor from believing. 9 Saul, also known as Paul, was filled with the Holy Spirit, and he looked the sorcerer in the eye. 10 Then he said, “You son of the devil, full of every sort of deceit and fraud, and enemy of all that is good! Will you never stop perverting the true ways of the Lord? 11 Watch now, for the Lord has laid his hand of punishment upon you, and you will be struck blind. You will not see the sunlight for some time.” Instantly mist and darkness came over the man’s eyes, and he began groping around begging for someone to take his hand and lead him.

12 When the governor saw what had happened, he became a believer, for he was astonished at the teaching about the Lord.

Jesus calmed the storm with the words “Peace be still.” This was the Working of Miracles.

Mark 4:35-41 (NLT)

As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” 36 So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed). 37 But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water. 38 Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?” 39 When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. 40 Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” 41 The disciples were absolutely terrified. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “Even the wind and waves obey him!”

The Working of Miracles is a mighty gift: glorifying God in the display of His power, stimulating the faith of His people, and astonishing and confounding the unbelief of the wicked.