Miracles week 2

First Covenant Church of Willmar

Miracles week 2

September 5, 2021 • Pastor Chris Pappenfus • Luke 17:1–25

We continue in our Miracles series focusing this week on Jesus’ encounter with 10 lepers; contagious outcasts who were desperate for healing. This miracle is recorded only in the book of Luke, chapter 17. By this point in Luke’s account of the gospel, Jesus is well regarded as a healer and a teacher the primary focus of which is the Kingdom of God. Salvation becomes a central focus of this healing miracle as Jesus responds to the one healed man who returns to praise Jesus for the gift.

This Sunday we will be celebrating the Sacrament of Communion. The LORD’s Supper is a reminder of the gift of salvation purchased for us by the blood of Jesus Christ. The gift of salvation and the subsequent new life that believers have in Christ Jesus testifies to a miracle of redemption and reconciliation. This Sunday, pause in gratitude and thanksgiving for the gift of salvation, the freedom from spiritual enslavement, and the hope of Christ’s triumphant return.

Discussion/Reflection Questions:

What stood out to you from this morning’s message?

Pastor Chris suggested in his sermon that while all 10 lepers were healed, only one was saved. What did he mean by that?

Why was it significant that the 10 lepers go and show themselves to the priests?

In Matthew 8 Jesus heals another leper and tells him to show himself to the priest and offer the appropriate sacrifice.

If you would like to explore the sacrifice associated with declaring someone clean, read Leviticus 14:1-7. In what ways does this sacrifice also parallel the sacrifice Jesus made for us?

Read all of Luke 17. What other aspects of Jesus’ teaching and proclamation are given authority through the miracle he performs?

What questions do you have pertaining to faith and miracles?

Miracles week 9

October 24, 2021 • Pastor Dan May • Mark 6:45–56

As we continue to journey through some of the 33 recorded miracles of Jesus we find ourselves this week in a familiar scene, on the Sea of Galilee. In Mark 4:35-41, Jesus and His disciples were in a boat on the Sea of Galilee. A great storm arose and was about to sink the boat until Jesus stopped the wind and the waves. The disciples were terrified... of Jesus! They missed the point of the miracle. This week we find the disciples once again in a boat on the Sea of Galilee (Mark 6:45-56). Will this be the time when the disciples truly understand who Jesus is through the miracle He performs? Or will the truth of another miracle go unnoticed!

Miracles week 8

October 17, 2021 • Pastor Chris Pappenfus • Mark 9

The miracles of Jesus are all carefully recorded in the Gospel Accounts as evidence and testimony to the authority of Jesus’ teaching and proclamation concerning the Kingdom of God. Jesus’ miracles backed up his words with power! Throughout our series we have seen Jesus claim an authority not only over sickness, but over sin as well - forgiving men and women of their sins as only God can do. This past Sunday Becca Gamboa led us through John’s account of raising Lazarus from the dead, demonstrating Jesus' power over death. This Sunday, we will be looking at an example of Jesus’ authority over the powers of darkness and the Devil through the healing of a boy with an evil spirit. This story miracle is recorded in Matthew, Luke and Mark 9:14-29 (which is what we will be studying). Consider reading all of Mark chapter 9 in preparation for this Sunday’s message.

Miracles week 7

October 10, 2021 • Becca Gardner • John 11

As we continue in our "Miracles of Jesus" series, we will encounter a well-known miracle in the Gospel of John chapter 11: the resurrection of Lazarus. Jesus and his disciples have just left a threatening situation, so they are headed to safety, when they get word that Mary and Martha's brother Lazarus was sick. Timing was everything, as the urgency of Lazarus's death seemed imminent. Come this Sunday to hear more, as we learn together about God's perfect timing, all for His glory.