Yesterday, I noted that miracles can never be the foundation on which faith builds. Our faith and worship must always be to the person
But Jesus performed miracles. He healed the sick and raised the dead. He fed thousands. he transformed water into wine. He taught and counseled. He laid down His life. His motivations were compassion for the hurt and suffering and as signs pointing to the Father through Him.
And He said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father. Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it. (John 14:12-14)
“So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?” (Galatians 3:5) So the church is to be a place of miracles by the Holy Spirit through faith.
Miracles are for the church in the same way as miracles are for Jesus—care for the hurting and signs pointing to the Son through us.
I read passages like those above and I think, “There should be more.” And to that I have these thoughts:
In Jesus Name: We use the phrase “In Jesus Name” to tag the end of prayers—mostly, I think, because He said “If you ask me anything in my name.” So we add this incantation at the end to give our prayers that extra little help. But what Jesus meant is, “As you go about doing my work on earth and have a need concerning my work, ask me about it and I will supply" We labor on His behalf and point to Him as we do it. Praying in Jesus name and doing His works begins with the prayer, “What would You have me doing today?” Signs will follow as they point to the Sender of the worker.
Faith: Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1,2) Faith and miracles go together-and it is easy to blame the lack of miracles on a lack of faith. But I go back to point #1—are we going about doing the things Jesus wants us to do? If we are, then we will have a growing faith from Him to accomplish His work. Miracles under His direction will follow.
Gifting: Not all are healers or workers of miracles. I am a teacher. Before each study and before each of these writing sessions, I ask the Holy Spirit for understanding and insight. For these writing sessions, I ask for the topic to cover. And my prayers are answered. I might call the understanding I get a miracle—not in a grand sense, but I receive what I need to do the work for which Jesus has called me.
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. (1 Corinthians 12:5-7) We all have a part and we have all been given a manifestation of the Spirit to perform the ministries of the Son to produce the effects of the Father on earth.