Introduction

Every Nation

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Introduction

The Purpose of Miracles

Matthew 28:16–20, Jeremiah 32:27, Luke 18:27

“‘[. . . ] John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.’ So when they had come together, they asked him, ‘Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?’ He said to them, ‘It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.’” — Acts 1:5–8

Acts 1:6–11 is often referred to as the thesis statement of Acts, setting the stage for the rest of the book. The themes found in this passage continue throughout the rest of Acts—the Holy Spirit will empower, lead, and guide God’s people as they advance his kingdom. In Matthew 28, Jesus gives his disciples the Great Commission to “go make disciples of all nations,” but in Acts 1:8 he gives them the power necessary to fulfill such a mission.

Throughout the Old Testament, the Spirit of God would come upon people for a specific time to do miraculous things and then depart from them. But after the miracle of Christ’s resurrection in the New Testament, the Spirit was given to remain with God’s people. He was sent to stay with us.

Through the gift of the Holy Spirit, Jesus gives his disciples the supernatural power to be his witnesses and live a life that honors God.

The stories we see throughout Acts are marked by the miraculous. Merriam-Webster’s dictionary defines a miracle as a “divine intervention in human affairs.” God is still intervening, even today. He still loves to cause a miracle to testify to the truthfulness of the gospel. He demonstrates his power to show his love to his people, through his people, and for the world.

The miraculous is always tied to the mission in Acts 1—that we would be witnesses of God, his goodness, and his power. God performs miracles so that we can know God and let him be known.

Reflect:
1. Has there been a time when God divinely intervened in your life?

2. Set aside time to pray and thank God for his power and goodness.

Faith Step:
Write down some practical ways that you can be a witness in your everyday life.

Pray:
Heavenly Father, thank you for stepping into our broken world to change our circumstances for good. Your Word is full of miracles that display your love, power, and goodness. I pray that you would open my heart to truly believe you can do all things. You are the Almighty, kind and worthy of praise, and I am ready to see you at work in my life and through my life this week. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

Why Miracles

We believe that God works miracles today by the power of the Holy Spirit to bless people and advance his kingdom. In 2023, we are believing God for miracles that will testify to his power and create new opportunities for the gospel to advance. The sermon series will focus on the 7 miracles John recounts as signs pointing people to faith in Jesus as the Son of God.

Day 1

Isaiah 52:7, Romans 10:14–17, Acts 2:9–41, Exodus 4:10–12

“When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. And they were amazed and astonished, saying, ‘Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language?’ But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: ‘Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words.’” — Acts 2:1–8, 14 In Jewish tradition, the Feast of Pentecost was a time to thank God for the firstfruits of the wheat harvest. In Acts 2, the disciples celebrate a different kind of harvest at Pentecost: a harvest of people who respond to the gospel. Jesus tells the disciples in Acts 1 that they will be his witnesses to the ends of the earth, and then in Acts 2, he gives them the power of the Holy Spirit, a gift necessary to fulfill that calling. The Holy Spirit is the gift of God himself, dwelling within believers and empowering us not only to live a Christian life but also to be conduits for miracles. Each sign and wonder that the Holy Spirit does through believers points us back to the miracle of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. But let’s rewind to the Great Commission. Jesus gives his followers the command to go and make disciples of all nations. That may sound impossible, but here’s where we rely on God’s power with faith and obedience. The Holy Spirit empowers us to do what we cannot. On the day of Pentecost, the disciples receive this incredible gift. What we see at the beginning of Acts 2 is a miracle. The Holy Spirit falls on the disciples and they begin speaking in new tongues—new languages—in such a way that everyone hears the gospel. The crowds are amazed as each person hears “the mighty works of God” (Acts 2:11) spoken in their native tongue. More people begin to gather and, even as some skeptics doubt what’s happening, God gives Peter the ability to preach effectively, and through preaching, 3,000 people repent and accept the gospel! This same gift—the indwelling and empowering of the Spirit—is available for us today. But this gift isn’t just for us. It’s so the world would know the one true God. He gives us the ability to share his gospel with accuracy and boldness. The call of the Great Commission may make us feel ill-equipped or unqualified, but God doesn’t give us his mission without the Helper, the Holy Spirit. Through this gift, God can use us in miraculous ways to advance his kingdom. Reflect: 1. Have you ever had a personal encounter with the Holy Spirit? When was the last time God filled you afresh with his Spirit? 2. How does depending on the gift of the Holy Spirit change the way you think about sharing the gospel? Faith Step: Have an intentional gospel conversation with someone and trust the Holy Spirit to help you speak with boldness and clarity. Pray: God, thank you for the gift of your Holy Spirit. I welcome him into my life by faith and with expectation. Thank you for the power to live a fruitful Christian life with boldness and sincerity. I receive your call to take the gospel to my neighbors and the nations. I know that you are with me. Show me how to live a missional life so others would know the grace and goodness of your gospel. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

Day 2

Luke 5:17–26, James 5:14–15, Jeremiah 17:14

“Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple. Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, ‘Look at us.’ And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, ‘I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!’ And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God, and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.” — Acts 3:1–10 When we read passages like this in scripture, it’s easy to identify with the disciples, but how does the story change if we read it from the perspective of the beggar? For years, he had been carried by other people to the temple gate to ask for money. Since he couldn’t work, that was his only way of sustaining himself. The law at the time forbade anyone who was “unclean” from fully entering into the temple. He couldn’t go beyond the gate. Imagine what your view of God might be if that was your reality. Does God really exist? Does he see me? Does he care about me? Could he even change my circumstance if he wanted to? For the lame man, each day was the same as the day before. But in one encounter, everything changed. “Look at us,” the beggar hears as Peter and John engage him in conversation. He likely assumes that they are about to give him some money, but little does he know, he’s about to get something so much better. Peter tells him, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” (Acts 3:6) Through God’s intervention, he is healed! But this moment of the miraculous does far more than just heal his body. His physical healing gives him the ability to leap and praise and go further into the temple than he could before. More than that, it reveals to him and to others that God is not only powerful, but he’s also good. He doesn’t forget about his children. He steps into our reality to bring heaven to earth. Those who recognize the beggar and see the miracle are filled with wonder and amazement, and that’s just the beginning. This encounter opens the door for Peter to preach to a much larger audience, and through that ministry, Acts 4:4 tells us that over 5,000 people come to believe. As we see in this story, the outcome of the miraculous is always God’s revelation of himself so that the world might know who he is. Reflect: 1. Recall a time in your life when you or someone you know was miraculously healed. 2. What reservations could be keeping you from praying for someone’s physical healing? Faith Step: Write the names of people you know that are in need of physical healing and pray for them. If God leads you, call them and pray with them over the phone. Pray: Lord, I trust you as my healer. You are good and able to heal my sickness, pain, brokenness, and hurt. Open my eyes to see the people around me who need you. I ask that you would give me faith to pray boldly for their healing. I pray that you would be glorified and that the world might see your goodness and power. In Jesus’ name, amen.