Signs and Wonders
We are told not to seek signs and wonders. Yet, many people feel they can’t believe in God fully without having seen signs and wonders. Remember, it is the children of Israel who were unfaithful to God who knew His acts and it was Moses who knew God’s ways.Psalms 103:7
Signs appeal to our understanding. They are attesting miracles.
Wonders appeal to our imagination, that of being done by a supernatural source.
Matt 12:38-45 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered Him, saying, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from You.”But He answered and said to them, “An evil and adulterous generation craves for a sign, and yet no sign shall be given to it but the sign of Jonah the prophet; for just as JONAH WAS THREE DAYS AND THREE NIGHTS IN THE BELLY OF THE SEA MONSTER, so shall the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. Vs 38-40
1 Corinth 1:22-29 For indeed Jews ask for signs, and Greeks search for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block, and to Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Vs 22-24
The gospel of a crucified Christ was a stumbling block to the Jews, because they wanted signs of an outward Messianic kingdom, one of triumph and material greatness for the chosen people.
John 20:17-29 Even Thomas, who was one of the twelve disciples, said he would not believe Jesus had risen unless he could see and touch Him. The other disciples therefore were saying to him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I shall see in His hands the imprint of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.” Vs 25
Philippians 3:10 Paul expresses his heart’s desire is “that I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death;” See also 1 Corin 4:9-13, 2 Corin 4:5-12, 11:23-29
Paul was used more than any person in the New Testament. Miracles followed his ministry, even to the point that handkerchiefs or aprons were carried from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out. Acts 19:11-12
Signs and wonders were following the apostles to the extent that sick people were carried out into the streets, laid on cots and pallets, hoping that Peter’s shadow might fall on them and they be healed. Acts 5:12-16
We will not be used of God fully until we know Him and His ways.
The seven sons of Sceva tried to use Paul’s relationship with Christ to cast an evil spirit out of a man, but because they had no relationship with Christ, the evil spirit subdued and overpowered them causing them to flee naked and wounded. Acts 19:13-16
Are signs and wonders supposed to be done by believers?
If God healed and restored people long ago, He desires to do it today as well. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today, yes and forever. Hebrews 13:8
“And these signs will accompany those who have believed...” Mark 16:14-20 Vs 17-18
Most likely we are not going to raise the dead if we haven’t been used for something less significant. We must be faithful in the little things that God shows us.
When God does use us to do great feats in His name, we are not to get our eyes on the works themselves, but rejoice that our names are recorded in heaven. Luke 10:17-22
We must walk in right relationship. Doing signs and wonders is not a validation of our relationship with Christ.
Matt 7:20-23
Because of great persecution to the Jerusalem church after the stoning of Stephen, the church was scattered. Those who had been scattered went about preaching the word.
Philip proclaimed Christ to the city of Samariaand was confirmed by signs and wonders. Acts 8:4-24
Simon the magician believed and was baptized, but yet tried to buy authority to lay hands on people to receive the Holy Spirit. He was still trying to walk in his old ways.
Signs and wonders accompany the gospel of Christ and are a confirmation of the Lordship of Jesus.
Even John the Baptist once wondered if Jesus was the Messiah, the Expected One. Jesus responds to John’s question by healing and delivering many people. Luke 7:18-28
We should set our heart to seek first the Healer, not the healing. We are to seek the Deliverer, not merely deliverance. When we seek Him, He will give us what we need to sustain our life, whether it is physical or spiritual.Matt 6:33
Our first option should be to seek God. Don’t merely seek to receive. As we seek Him and walk in His ways; signs, wonders, miracles, healings, and all that God has will follow.
Knowing and walking in His ways opens the heavens so that the power of God becomes evident in our lives.