DO YOU BELIEVE IN MIRACLES?

"This, the first of His miraculous signs, Jesus performed in Cana of Galilee. He thus revealed His glory, and His disciples put their faith in Him." John 2:11

Do you believe in miracles? Most people will talk flippantly about it "taking a miracle" in order for something significant to take place or for a person to change their normal behavior. The expression “Do you believe in miracles?” became an American cultural icon when Al Michaels of ABC Sports shouted those words at the end of the medal round in men's ice hockey game during the 1980 Winter Olympics. It was there in Lake Placid, New York, that a team of young American college skaters beat the veteran Russian powerhouse in what is remembered as the “Miracle on Ice".

When the Bible talks about miracles, it is speaking about an act of God that suspends the laws of nature as He created them to be. We're most familiar with Jesus' miracles, such as His first one, changing water into wine at the Wedding in Cana described in John 2, yet there were many miracles of God as well throughout the Old Testament. John clearly defines the intent and substance of miracles when he call them "miraculous signs." They are events God uses to provide in a special way for His people and to reveal His glory and majesty, as John also notes in John 2:11. While miracles reveal God's glory and majesty, His power and His love, they are only meant for His people - Jesus' miracles never led anyone to believe in Him, only to confirm their faith in Him.

So, let me ask you, do you need a miracle? Do you need God to suspend the laws of nature and accomplish something for you that goes against the norm? Do you believe in miracles, trusting that God can do anything and can make good things happen despite all evidence and circumstances to the contrary?

Just believing that God can stop or accelerate the basic laws of the universe to accomplish His will and purpose for our lives isn't the point of God's miracles. Rather, believing in God's miracles is to believe that He accomplishes extraordinary things in our lives to encourage us and strengthen our faith. That's the kind of miracle God's forgiveness, grace, mercy and love in Jesus is all about, for in Christ, God suspends His Law and declares us to be made right with Him because Jesus paid the full price for our sins on the cross. Now that is a miracle from heaven that happens by faith in our lives every day.

Tonight as a part of 98.5 The TRUTH’s Free Friday Family Flicks series we will be screening 2016’s, PG rated, “Miracles from Heaven”. According to the film’s producers, “It is based on the incredible true story of Christy Beam (Jennifer Garner) who when she discovers her 10-year-old daughter Anna has a rare, incurable disease, becomes a ferocious advocate for her daughter’s healing as she searches for a solution. After Anna has a freak accident, an extraordinary miracle unfolds in the wake of her dramatic rescue that leaves medical specialists mystified, her family restored and their community inspired.”

Come tonight (Friday) to Celebration Community Church at 7:05 pm and experience on the big screen in C3’s gym a “Miracle from Heaven” and celebrate the salvation that you are experiencing through your faith in Jesus Christ as the greatest miracle of all. Refreshments provided.

Your pastor and partner in ministry,

Kyle