…
PULPIT TODAY SERMONS
BIBLICAL SUPPORT FOR “SIGNS AND WONDERS”
by Robert D. Pace
Opening Remarks
There are many ways God manifests his glory to us and through us. But the way I want to mention today is how he manifests “signs and wonders” to fulfill his purposes. First, let’s define what is meant by the phrase “signs and wonders.”
The Definition of Signs and Wonders
(Definition) “Signs and wonders” are dramatic occurrences, caused by God, to convey a message of supreme importance. That’s what “signs and wonders” are meant to do — convey a message of utmost importance in a dramatic way. There is a slight distinction between a sign and a wonder, so here’s an explanation of the difference:
Simply stated, “Signs dispense indispensable information.” This is illustrated by the signage appearing along roadways. As you travel America’s roadways, you see signs that read 70 MPH, Caution, Curve Ahead, Yield, Merge, School Zone, etc. Such signage is doing something; it’s disclosing crucial information, even life-saving information, for those navigating the roads and, at times, for pedestrians.
On the other hand, wonders are “awe-striking acts of God that create amazement in the observers.” Have you ever witnessed a wonder — something that stirred you with utter astonishment?
Moreover, when you combine “signs and wonders,” you discover that God uses them to ‘dispense valuable information in an awestriking manner.’ Throughout the Bible—the Old and New Testaments—you read how “signs and wonders” operate to shock onlookers into accepting a message or purpose from God.
Among those purposes, several emerge supreme: They testify that God is sovereign over creation, that the God of Israel is the One, true God, and they affirm that the Bible is the Word of God! These purposes stand steadfast today, and they are undying reasons that Christians should pray for them today.
(Transition) Now I want to discuss the major ways God employs signs and wonders:
Major Ways that God Uses “Signs and Wonders”
1. Signs and wonders testify to Christ’s Messianic claims (John 9:1—3).
Also, notice what John 20:30–31 says. These are the last words of the Gospel of John, and he was wrapping up a biography of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. Here’s what he says:
“Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. (31) But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”
The book of Acts records twenty-one miracles. Seventeen of the twenty-one miracles appear within the context of converting souls to Jesus Christ. I’ll quickly list ten Scriptures:
The apostles did “Many wonders and signs” (2:43; 5:12).
God used Simon Peter’s shadow to heal countless people (5:15–16).
Acts 6:8 shows that Stephen did great wonders and signs.
Philip worked miracles (8:6).
Barnabas and Saul worked miracles (15:12).
Paul’s shipwreck and snakebite at Malta (27).
Stephen, the deacon, “did great signs and wonders among the people” (6:8).
Jesus commissioned the 70 disciples to work miracles (Luke 10:9).
Ordinary believers in the Galatian church worked miracles (Galatians 3:5).
1 Corinthians 12:9–10 lists gifts of healing and miracles given to Christians.
2. The Lord used “signs and wonders” repeatedly to certify that the Gentiles were part of the Kingdom of God with the Jewish people. Turn to Romans 15:15—19 as Paul explains this:
Yet I have written you quite boldly on some points to remind you of them again, because of the grace God gave me (16) to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles. He gave me the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. (17) Therefore I glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God. (18) I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done — (19) by the power of signs and wonders, through the power of the Spirit of God. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ.” [NIV]
3. Thirdly, in the First Century, God used “Signs and wonders” to convince people that (a) his Word, (b) his ways, and (c) salvation through Jesus Christ are true. Consequently, “signs and wonders” bolster the faith of Believers (Mark 16:20).
Hebrews 2:3—4 says: “How shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. (4) God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.”
Mark 16:19—20 shows that God uses “signs and wonders” to convince sinners that salvation through Jesus Christ is true. Mark writes: “After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. (20) Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.”
(Transition) Now, I want to mention several people in the Bible whom God used to perform “signs and wonders.”
Biblical Examples of Men Who Worked “Signs and Wonders”
1. God empowered Moses with “signs and wonders” to deliver the Israelites from Egypt and to bring them into the Promised Land.
2. Elijah’s Fire at Mount Carmel against prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18).
3. Jesus used the ‘Sign of Jonah’ (His resurrection from the dead three days after his crucifixion) to convince people that he is the Son of God and Lord over life and death.
(Transition) Now, let’s investigate how God has certified “signs and wonders” for today, and especially the “Last Days.”
The Bible has Certified that “Signs and Wonders” are for Today, especially the “Last Days”
1. We know God authorized “signs and wonders” for today because Jesus instructed Believers of all generations to expect them as they went forth preaching the Gospel and discipling all people. Mark 16:20 states, “These signs shall follow them that believe.” It’s important for “Cessationists” to accept that this passage, which affirms miracles, does not have a termination date until the conclusion of the Battle of Armageddon.
2. The Prophets and Apostles testified that God will use many “signs and wonders” during the “Last Days.”
Luke 21:25—27 says: “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. (26) People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. (27) At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.”
In Joel 2:30—31, the Prophet said: “I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and billows of smoke. (31) The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.
In Acts 2:19—20, the Apostle Peter said this: “I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. (20) The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.”
During the Apocalypse, “signs and wonders” appear throughout its seven-year process (Revelation 1—22).
3. In Psalm 88:17, David sought for a sign that would signify God’s favor was upon him. Did you know that Jesus quoted more from the Psalms than any other book of the Old Testament? Thus, today’s Believers can also claim its promises and precepts. Yes, you can ask the Lord to use “signs and wonders” today, and it’s because God uses them for the advancement of his kingdom.
Objections to “Signs and Wonders”
The most frequent argument against seeking “signs and wonders” goes something like this: Seeking signs and wonders diminishes the preaching of the Cross. Further, Jesus said, “a wicked and adulterous generation seeks after signs” (Matthew 12:39; 16:4). Therefore, Christians should not seek or even pray for “signs and wonders.”
How can we reconcile this injunction of Scripture that warns against seeking signs? It’s noteworthy to consider the exact words Jesus used in response to his adversaries. He said: “a wicked and adulterous generation” seeks signs. The Bible describes “wicked and adulterous” people as having stubborn, unrepentant hearts. They are individuals who have no desire to accept Christ’s claims, no matter how many “signs and wonders” he performed for them. Therefore, Christ has no obligation to provide “signs and wonders” to those without any intention of believing in him.
Conversely, Christians should pray for “signs and wonders” when circumstances warrant them. You may recall the occasion when John the Baptist was incarcerated at the end of his life; he asked Jesus for confirmation as to whether he was the Messiah. Knowing the sincerity of John the Baptist’s heart, Jesus responded by working a host of miraculous “signs and wonders” as proof that he was the Messiah.
In Acts 4, the Apostles, along with numerous Christians, gathered for perhaps the greatest prayer meeting of the New Testament. Their chief supplication was to pray earnestly for “signs and wonders” to occur at the hands of the Apostles! Then, for the remainder of the book of Acts, Luke disclosed how “signs and wonders” had indeed turned the hearts of sinners to Christ.
Today, as the world stumbles its way into the Apocalypse, “signs and wonders” will be more needed than they were during the First Century. This is one reason I encourage you to pray for “signs and wonders” to occur through God’s choice servants.
Conclusion
Deuteronomy 4:32—35, Moses writes: “Ask now about the former days, long before your time, from the day God created human beings on the earth; ask from one end of the heavens to the other. Has anything so great as this ever happened, or has anything like it ever been heard of? (33) Has any other people heard the voice of God a speaking out of fire, as you have, and lived? (34) Has any god ever tried to take for himself one nation out of another nation, by testings, by signs and wonders, by war, by a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, or by great and awesome deeds, like all the things the Lord your God did for you in Egypt before your very eyes? [The next verse shows why God supplies “signs and wonders.”] (35) You were shown these things so that you might know that the Lord is God; besides him there is no other.” [NIV]
Daniel 4:2—3, King Nebuchadnezzar said this: “It is my pleasure to tell you about the miraculous signs and wonders that the Most High God has performed for me. (3) How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders! His kingdom is an eternal kingdom; his dominion endures from generation to generation.”
When you put together the passages of Scripture that reference “signs and wonders,” you find there is but one God, the God of Israel, who is self-empowered to perform mighty acts!
PulpitToday.org