MIRACLES

“Quality of Life Series”

6/08/06

LEADER: Do you believe in miracles?

LEADER: “A Tall Tale”

http://elbourne.org/sermons/index.mv?index+m

"What did you learn in Sunday School this morning?" a father asked his son.

The son explained: "We learned about how Moses went behind enemy lines to rescue the Jews from the Egyptians. Moses ordered the engineers to build a pontoon bridge. Then, after the people crossed, he sent bombers back to blow up the bridge and the Egyptian tanks that were following them. And then..."

The father interrupted: "Did your teacher REALLY tell it like that?"

"No," said his son, "but if I told you what he said you would never BELIEVE it!"

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “A Six Inch Miracle”

http://elbourne.org/sermons/index.mv?illustration+4177

A teacher was doing her best to discredit the miracles of the Bible. She said, "Take, for instance, the crossing of the Red Sea. We know this body of water was only 6 inches deep." Immediately from the back of the room came the remark, "Praise God for the miracle!" Annoyed, the teacher asked, "What miracle?" "Well," explained the boy, "the Lord must have drowned the whole Egyptian army in just 6 inches of water!"

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Webster’s Definition”

"an event in the physical world beyond or out of the ordinary course of things. Deviating from the known laws of nature or transcending our known knowledge of these laws. An extraordinary anomalous or abnormal event brought about by super-human agency."

HAVE SOMEONE READ: QUOTE #1

http://www.cybernation.com/quotationcenter/quoteshow.php?type=subject&id=867

“A miracle is an event which creates faith. That is the purpose and nature of miracles. Frauds deceive. An event which creates faith does not deceive; therefore it is not a fraud, but a miracle.”

George Bernard Shaw 1856-1950 Author

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “True Miracles”

http://www.cfdevotionals.org/devpages/de970823.htm

A true miracle is an act of God. Whatever he does is beyond the realm of man. The “laws of nature” are nothing more than acts of God which are being accomplished in a quiet way. There can be no laws without a lawgiver. The so called “laws of nature” are secondary causes, while God is the primary agent. He causes the sun to shine, the rain to fall, the grass to grow, and both fruit and grain to ripen. He does this to provide food for man and animal. Man can plant, cultivate and water. But God alone gives the increase. Ultimately I look at God as the Master Chef and Gardener. For it is really Him who has given us our daily bread. Man has to cooperate with the Lord's method by planting the seed, watering and cultivating the plant. Psalms fourteen and fifty three set forth that only a fool questions the existence of a Supreme Being. Where one admits the existence of a Supreme Being to be logical, he should also concede the possibility of miracles.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: QUOTE #2

http://www.cybernation.com/quotationcenter/quoteshow.php?type=subject&id=867

“We can see a thousand miracles around us every day. What is more supernatural than an egg yoke turning into a chicken?”

Rutherford Platt- Author

HAVE SOMEONE READ: QUOTE #3

http://www.cybernation.com/quotationcenter/quoteshow.php?type=subject&id=867

“Anyone who does not believe in miracles is not a realist.”

David Ben-Gurion (1886-1973) First Prime Minister of Israel

HAVE SOMEONE READ: QUOTE #4

http://www.cybernation.com/quotationcenter/quoteshow.php?type=subject&id=867

“There are only two ways to live your life. On is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as through everything is a miracle

Thomas A. Edison (1847-1931) - Inventor

HAVE SOMEONE READ: QUOTE #5

http://www.zaadz.com/quotes/topics/miracles/

"I am realistic -- I expect miracles."

Wayne Dyer – Author, Inspirational speaker

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Who Closed The Switch?”

http://elbourne.org/sermons/index.mv?illustration+2102

This most remarkable incident happened many years ago, and was told in a railroad magazine. One summer morning a twelve-car train containing the members of a Sunday school in eastern Missouri was bound for a picnic at a point about fifty miles distant. Although the sky was cloudless when the excursion started, the train had not proceeded more than half way when a thunderstorm broke. The rain fell in torrents. The engineer was worried for fear the terrific downpour might cause a washout or spreading of the rails, and he slowed down to about thirty-five miles an hour. As the train swung around a curve and approached a small station which it was to pass without stopping, the engineer, peering through the broken curtain of rain, saw that the switch ahead was open. It meant a terrible disaster. Instantly he closed the throttle and put on the brakes.

"Better stick to it," he shouted to the fireman, "hundreds of children are on board."

"I mean to," was the answer. "God help us all!"

His last words were drowned by a terrific crash of thunder which came with a flash of lightning that seemed to strike the ground just ahead of the engine. The next thing they knew they were past the station, still riding safely on the main-line rails.

The train came to a stop and the engineer and conductor hurried back to discover what had happened and how the train had passed the open switch. They found the lightning had struck squarely between the switch and the rail and had closed the switch. "It was the act of God," said the engineer. -- J. M. Farrar

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “I Want to Buy A Miracle”

http://www.sermonillustrator.org/illustrator/sermon2a/i_want_to_buy_a_miracle.htm

Sally was only eight years old when she heard Mommy and Daddy talking about her little brother, Georgi. He was very sick and they had done everything they could afford to save his life. Only a very expensive surgery could help him now . . . and that was out of the financial question. She heard Daddy say it with a whispered desperation,

"Only a miracle can save him now."

Sally went to her bedroom and pulled her piggybank from its hiding place in the closet. She shook all the change out on the floor and counted it carefully. Three times. The total had to be exactly perfect. No chance here for mistakes. Tying the coins up in a cold-weather-kerchief, she slipped out of the apartment and made her way to the corner drug store.

She waited patiently for the pharmacist to give her attention . . but he was too busy talking to another man to be bothered by an eight-year-old. Sally twisted her feet to make a scuffing noise.

She cleared her throat. No good. Finally she took a quarter from its hiding place and banged it on the glass counter. That did it!

"And what do you want?" the pharmacist asked in an annoyed tone of voice. "I'm talking to my brother."

"Well, I want to talk to you about my brother," Sally answered back in the same annoyed tone. "He's sick . .. . and I want to buy a miracle."

"I beg your pardon," said the pharmacist.

"My Daddy says only a miracle can save him now . . . so how much does a miracle cost?"

"We don't sell miracles here, little girl. I can't help you."

"Listen, I have the money to pay for it. Just tell me how much it costs."

The well-dressed man stooped down and asked, "What kind of a miracle does you brother need?"

"I don't know," Sally answered. A tear started down her cheek. "I just know he's really sick and Mommy says he needs an operation. But my folks can't pay for it . . . so I have my money.

"How much do you have?" asked the well-dressed man.

"A dollar and eleven cents," Sally answered proudly. "And it's all the money I have in the world."

"Well, what a coincidence," smiled the well-dressed man. A dollar and eleven cents . . . the exact price of a miracle to save a little brother.

He took her money in one hand and with the other hand he grasped her mitten and said "Take me to where you live. I want to see your brother and meet your parents."

That well-dressed man was Dr. Carlton Armstrong, renowned surgeon. . specializing in solving Georgi's malady. The operation was completed without charge and it wasn't long until Georgi was home again and doing well. Mommy and Daddy were happily talking about the chain of events that had led them to this place.

"That surgery," Mommy whispered. "It's like a miracle. I wonder how much it would have cost?

Sally smiled to herself. She knew exactly how much a miracle cost... one dollar and eleven cents... plus the faith of a little child.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: QUOTE #6

http://www.zaadz.com/quotes/topics/miracles/

"When we do the best we can, we never know what miracle is wrought in our life, or in the life of another."

Helen Keller (1880-1968) American writer & lecturer, blind & deaf

HAVE SOMEONE READ: QUOTE #7

http://www.zaadz.com/quotes/topics/miracles/

"My heart is singing for joy this morning! A miracle has happened! The light of understanding has shone upon my little pupil's mind, and behold, all things are changed!"

Anne Sullivan (1866-1936) American educator, Helen Keller's teacher

HAVE SOMEONE READ: QUOTE #8

http://www.zaadz.com/quotes/topics/miracles/

"Sometimes the miracle of moving mountains is God granting you the strength to keep shoveling."

Shane Littlefield - Author

HAVE SOMEONE READ: QUOTE #9

http://www.zaadz.com/quotes/topics/miracles/

"Where there is writing— there is a writer Where there is planning— there is a planner Where there is a building— there is a builder Where there is a miracle— there is a God!"

William Bliss Carman (1861-1929) Canadian poet, essayist & lecturer

HAVE SOMEONE READ: QUOTE #10

http://www.zaadz.com/quotes/topics/miracles/

"If Spring came but once in a century, instead of once a year, or burst forth with the sound of an earthquake, and not in silence, what wonder and expectation there would be in all hearts to behold the miraculous change! But now the silent succession suggests nothing but necessity. To most men only the cessation of the miracle would be miraculous and the perpetual exercise of God's power seems less wonderful than its withdrawal would be."

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882) American poet

HAVE SOMEONE READ: QUOTE #11

http://www.zaadz.com/quotes/topics/miracles/

"Some people think a miracle is only a miracle if it happens instantaneously, but miracles can grow slowly and patience and faith can compel things to happen that otherwise never would have come to pass."

Boyd K. Packer (1924-) American religious leader

HAVE SOMEONE READ: QUOTE #12

http://www.zaadz.com/quotes/topics/miracles/

"To heal the soul is a greater miracle than to heal the body."

David McKay (1873-1970) American religious leader

HAVE SOMEONE READ: QUOTE #13

http://www.zaadz.com/quotes/topics/miracles/

"Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men. Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers. Pray for powers equal to your tasks. Then the doing of your work shall be no miracle, but you shall be the miracle."

Phillips Brooks (1835-1893)

American Episcopal minister, gave sermon at Lincoln's funeral

LEADER: “Mustard Seed Faith in Business”

http://www.sermonillustrator.org/illustrator/sermon3a/mustard_seed_faith_in_business.htm

He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." Matthew 17:20
Does God do miracles in business? Is He concerned about the mountains we face in our work life? Does He want us to bring the everyday problems we face in the workplace to His attention? The answer to every one of these questions is yes. God wants to be involved in every aspect of our lives.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Mustard Seed Faith in Business” CONT:

http://www.sermonillustrator.org/illustrator/sermon3a/mustard_seed_faith_in_business.htm

Gunnar Olson, the Swedish founder of the International Christian Chamber of Commerce, tells a story about God performing a miracle in his own business a few years ago. He owns a plastics company in Sweden. They make huge plastic bags that are used to cover bales of hay in the farmlands across Europe. It was the harvest season and they were getting ready to ship thousands of pallets of these bags to their customers. More than 1,000 pallets were ready to ship when an alarming discovery was made. Every bag on the warehouse floor had sealed shut from top to bottom. Scientists declared the entire stock as worthless trash. Nothing could be done. The company would go out of business.
Gunnar, his wife, and children sought the Lord in prayer about this catastrophe. The Holy Spirit spoke through various family members. The wife said, "If God can turn water into wine, what are plastics?" The daughter said, "I don't believe this is from the Lord. We should stand against it." Gunnar sensed they were to trust God for a miracle in this situation. They began to pray. They took authority over this mountain of a problem based on Matthew 17, which gave them the authority to cast a mountain into the sea if faith only the size of a mustard seed could be exercised. The following Monday they went to the warehouse and laid hands on every pallet asking the Lord to restore the bags to their original condition. It took several hours. Later, the employees began to inspect the bags. As they inspected the bags, they discovered that every single bag had been restored to its original condition! An incredible miracle had taken place. What obstacles have been placed in your life that need a miracle today? Could God be setting the stage in your life for you to trust Him at new levels you've never trusted before? God sets the stage to allow His power to be revealed for those willing to exercise the faith of a mustard seed. All things are possible with God.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Leg Problems” By Wynona Gordon EXERPT

http://www.sermonillustrator.org/illustrator/sermon2b/leg_problems.htm

Back in March I started being bothered by a strange pain in my left groin. Rapidly it spread through the whole thigh and into the knee. Several doctors looked at me and scratched their heads. THEY didn't know what was the problem. I didn't know what the problem was either but I knew God did and so I and many of my friends and family began asking God for my healing.
Now, when we ask God for something, We have to be ready to get our answer in HIS own time. Some times he says wait --- and so it was with me. He could have touched me immediately but he chose to use human vessels as the conduit of his mercy. Due to a string of miracles, I was led to a new doctor in our area and at about the same time I was accepted into a rehab program. The doctor listened to my problems, asked many questions and then gave me a routine of medications.

Within a week I was nearly pain free and by 2 weeks there was no pain at all. I have now been pain free for 5 weeks! Because of the intense and sever pain I had suffered, I didn't move any more than I had too - getting in and out of my car was torture, climbing the stairs in my house was torture. Just walking was torture and I spent much time in prayer, begging God to heal me or at least give me the strength to stand the pain. One day I decided to let God know I really meant business. I chose to spend a whole day in fasting and prayer. My daughter knew I was doing this and so she spent quite a bit of time in prayer, also. Along toward evening I heard a voice - in my mind - "I will heal you but not now"! Wow!!

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “The Mountain”

http://www.sermonillustrator.org/illustrator/sermon1a/mountain.htm

A small congregation in the foothills of the Great Smokies built a new sanctuary on a piece of land willed to them by a church member. Ten days before the new church was to open, the local building inspector informed the pastor that the parking lot was inadequate for the size of the building.
Until the church doubled the size of the parking lot, they would not be able to use the new sanctuary. Unfortunately, the church with its undersized parking lot had used every inch of their land except for the mountain against which it had been built. In order to build more parking spaces, they would have to move the mountain out of the back yard. Undaunted, the pastor announced the next Sunday morning that he would meet that evening with all members who had "mountain moving faith." They would hold a prayer session asking God to remove the mountain from the back yard and to somehow provide enough money to have it paved and painted before the scheduled opening dedication service the following week.
At the appointed time, 24 of the congregation's 300 members assembled for prayer. They prayed for nearly three hours. At ten o'clock the pastor said the final "Amen". "We'll open next Sunday as scheduled," he assured everyone. "God has never let us down before, and I believe He will be faithful this time too." The next morning as he was working in his study there came a loud knock at his door. When he called "come in", a rough looking construction foreman appeared, removing his hard hat as he entered. "Excuse me, Reverend. I'm from Acme Construction Company over in the next county. We're building a huge new shopping mall over there and we need some fill dirt. Would you be willing to sell us a chunk of that mountain behind the church? We'll pay you for the dirt we remove and pave all the exposed area free of charge, if we can have it right away. We can't do anything else until we get the dirt in and allow it to settle properly."
The little church was dedicated the next Sunday as originally planned and there were far more members with "mountain moving faith" on opening Sunday than there had been the previous week!
Would you have shown up for that prayer meeting? Some people say faith comes from miracles. But others know: MIRACLES COME FROM FAITH!

LEADER: “Miracles” By James Phillips

http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=59465&ContributorID=10052

Miracles have been around since the beginning of the world that was a miracle in of its self. Every age has asked for miracles to assure themselves that God is still around. So how do miracles happen, where do they come from? Who can work miracles and are all the miracles in the world done for the uplifting of God?

LEADER: Miracles can come through the power of God:

HAVE SOMEONE READ: John 3:2

This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, "Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him."

HAVE SOMEONE READ: Acts 15:12

All the people kept silent, and they were listening to Barnabas and Paul as they were relating what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: Acts 19:11

God was performing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul,

LEADER: Miracles can come of the Holy Spirit:

HAVE SOMEONE READ: Matthew 12:28

But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you

HAVE SOMEONE READ: Romans 15:18-19

For I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me, resulting in the obedience of the Gentiles by word and deed, in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of the Spirit; so that from Jerusalem and round about as far as Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.

LEADER: Miracles can happen in the name of Christ:

HAVE SOMEONE READ: Mark 16:15-17

And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. "He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned. "These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues;

HAVE SOMEONE READ: Acts 3:16

"And on the basis of faith in His name, it is the name of Jesus which has strengthened this man whom you see and know; and the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect health in the presence of you all.

LEADER: “Miracles” By James Phillips Continued:

http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=59465&ContributorID=10052

We now know where these come from, but what is required to work miracles? Who can work them and why are there certain miracles?

Faith required:

HAVE SOMEONE READ: Matthew 17:20

And He said to them, "Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, "Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: Matthew 21:21-22

And Jesus answered and said to them, "Truly I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, "Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ it will happen. "And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive."

HAVE SOMEONE READ: Acts 6:8

And Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people

LEADER: “Miracles” By James Phillips Continued:

http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=59465&ContributorID=10052

Faith is required in those for whom Miracles were performed Let’s look at the miracle of healing.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: Matthew 9: 28-29

When He entered the house, the blind men came up to Him, and Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" They said to Him, "Yes, Lord." Then He touched their eyes, saying, "It shall be done to you according to your faith."

HAVE SOMEONE READ: Mark 9:22-24

"It has often thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, take pity on us and help us! " And Jesus said to him, ""If You can?’ All things are possible to him who believes." Immediately the boy’s father cried out and said, "I do believe; help my unbelief

HAVE SOMEONE READ: Acts 14:9

This man was listening to Paul as he spoke, who, when he had fixed his gaze on him and had seen that he had faith to be made well,

LEADER: If we are praying for a miracle…how should we pray?

LEADER: “Conditions of Prayer”

http://www.crusade.org/word/word2181.html

1. The prayer must be offered in Christ’s name.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: John 16:23-24

23 And in that day ye shall ask me no question. Verily, verily, I say unto you, if ye shall ask anything of the Father, he will give it you in my name.

24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be made full.

LEADER: 2. The prayer must be for God’s glory.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: James 4:2-3

2 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and covet, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war; ye have not, because ye ask not.

3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may spend it in your pleasures.

LEADER: 3. The prayer must not be for sinful purposes.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: Psalm 66:18

18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear:

LEADER: 4. The prayer must be from a forgiven soul.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: Mark 11:25

25 And whensoever ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have aught against any one; that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.

LEADER: 5. The prayer must be asked by faith.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: Matthew 21:22

22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

LEADER: 6. The prayer must result in doing God’s will

HAVE SOMEONE READ: I John 5:14

“Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.”

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “I’ve Got Time”

http://www.sermonillustrator.org/illustrator/sermon2a/i've_got_time.htm

The will of God will never take you, where the grace of God cannot keep you. Where the arms of God cannot support you, where the riches of God cannot supply your needs, where the power of God cannot endow you. The will of God will never take you, where the spirit of God cannot work through you, where the wisdom of God cannot teach you, where the army of God cannot protect you, where the hands of God cannot mold you.

The will of God will never take you, where the love of God cannot enfold you, where the mercies of God cannot sustain you, where the peace of God cannot calm your fears, where the authority of God cannot overrule for you. The will of God will never take you, where the comfort of God cannot dry your tears, where the Word of God cannot feed you, where the miracles of God cannot be done for you, where the omnipresence of God cannot find you.

Yes, I do love God! He is my source of existence and my savior. He keeps me functioning each and everyday. Without Him, I am nothing, but with Him I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:1

LEADER: Let’s look at the Miracles of Jesus:

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Jesus’ Miracles Supported His Claims”

http://www.rbc.org/10rsn.home/9rsn/9-9.html

Jesus' miracles recorded in the New Testament were more than wonders. They were signs. He did them to encourage men and women to believe in Him for everlasting life. He healed a crippled man to affirm His right to forgive sins. He fed thousands of people with a little boy's lunch, setting the stage for His claim to be the "bread of life." He walked on water, stilled angry seas, healed the sick, restored paralyzed limbs, gave sight to the blind and hearing to the deaf, and even raised from the dead an embalmed man by the name of Lazarus. One reason Jesus performed miracles was to support His claim to be God. The apostle John wrote, "Truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name"

LEADER: The Gospels record 35 miracles of Jesus.

(HAND OUT “THE MIRACLES OF JESUS”

This is a list of “The Miracles of Jesus” for you to keep or place in your Bible.

LEADER: “Introduction to the Miracles of Jesus” By John Hamby EXERPT http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=67596&ContributorID=2134

Not everything that is miraculous is from God. To put it simply, either miracles are based on Christ and the Bible or else they are connected with demons and the world of the occult. Just as Christ’s miracles were intended to lead men and women to Him, Satan wants his miracles to lead multitudes to worship him.
As far as the miracles of Christ are concerned it is particularly notable that the enemies of Christ never sought to deny the powerful works he performed. They attempted to attribute this works to the power of the Devil (Matt 12:22-24) but they did not argue that they had not taken place.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: Matthew 12:22-24

22 Then was brought unto him one possessed with a demon, blind and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the dumb man spake and saw.

23 And all the multitudes were amazed, and said, Can this be the son of David?

24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This man doth not cast out demons, but by Beelzebub the prince of the demons.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: John 3:1-17

1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:

2 the same came unto him by night, and said to him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that thou doest, except God be with him.

3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except one be born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

4 Nicodemus sieth unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter a second time into his mother's womb, and be born?

5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except one be born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God!

6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born anew.

8 The wind bloweth where it will, and thou hearest the voice thereof, but knowest not whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?

10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou the teacher of Israel, and understandest not these things?

11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that which we know, and bear witness of that which we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.

12 If I told you earthly things and ye believe not, how shall ye believe if I tell you heavenly things?

13 And no one hath ascended into heaven, but he that descended out of heaven, even the Son of man, who is in heaven.

14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up;

15 that whosoever believeth may in him have eternal life.

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life.

17 For God sent not the Son into the world to judge the world; but that the world should be saved through him.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Retronyms”

http://www.rbc.org/odb/odb-11-04-04.shtml

What do regular coffee, acoustic guitars, and black-and-white television have in common? All are what journalist Frank Mankiewicz calls "retronyms"—words or phrases created because a familiar word needs to be distinguished from a term that refers to a new development or invention.

Once, all coffee was regular, all guitars were acoustic, and all TVs were black and white. Not so today, thus the need for a growing list of retronyms, including decaf mocha java, electric guitar, and high-def television.

It could be said that Jesus turned the phrase physical birth into a retronym when He told an inquiring man named Nicodemus, "Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3).

Nicodemus was a religious person who didn't grasp the idea of second birth. "How can a man be born when he is old?" he asked Jesus. "Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?" (v.4). Jesus further explained the difference between being born of the flesh and being born of the Spirit, then concluded, "Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again'" (v.7).

Our Christian life begins when we invite Jesus to live within us. It's a miracle! We're born again. —David McCasland

Rejoice, O soul, the debt is paid,
For all our sins on Christ were laid;
We've been redeemed, we're justified—
And all because the Savior died. —D. De Haan

Natural life came by God's breath;

eternal life comes by Christ's death.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: John 20:30-31

30 Many other signs therefore did Jesus in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book:

31 but these are written, that ye may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye may have life in his name.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: Ezekiel 11:19-20

I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. 20 Then they will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. They will be my people, and I will be their God.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: 2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

LEADER: “The Greatest Miracle of All”

http://www.cfdevotionals.org/devpages/de961107.htm EXCERPT

You know, our God, the only Living, True God, can do ANYthing. He can part the Red Sea. He can create from nothing, a universe. He can raise people from the dead. But to me, the most awesome miracle of all is that He can replace our old heart with a new one full of Him.

LEADER: Do you believe in miracles?

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“A Six Inch Miracle”

“Webster’s Definition”

QUOTE #1

“A miracle is an event which creates faith. That is the purpose and nature of miracles. Frauds deceive. An event which creates faith does not deceive; therefore it is not a fraud, but a miracle.” George Bernard Shaw 1856-1950 Author

“True Miracles”

QUOTE #2

“We can see a thousand miracles around us every day. What is more supernatural than an egg yoke turning into a chicken?” Rutherford Platt- Author

QUOTE #3

“Anyone who does not believe in miracles is not a realist.”

David Ben-Gurion (1886-1973) First Prime Minister of Israel

QUOTE #4

“There are only two ways to live your life. On is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as through everything is a miracle

Thomas A. Edison (1847-1931) - Inventor

QUOTE #5

"I am realistic -- I expect miracles." Wayne Dyer – Author, Inspirational speaker

“Who Closed The Switch?”

"Better stick to it," he shouted to the fireman, "hundreds of children are on board."

"I mean to," was the answer. "God help us all!"

QUOTE #6

"When we do the best we can, we never know what miracle is wrought in our life, or in the life of another." Helen Keller (1880-1968) American writer & lecturer, blind & deaf

QUOTE #7

"My heart is singing for joy this morning! A miracle has happened! The light of understanding has shone upon my little pupil's mind, and behold, all things are changed!"

Anne Sullivan (1866-1936) American educator, Helen Keller's teacher

QUOTE #8

"Sometimes the miracle of moving mountains is God granting you the strength to keep shoveling." Shane Littlefield - Author

QUOTE #9

"Where there is writing— there is a writer Where there is planning— there is a planner Where there is a building— there is a builder Where there is a miracle— there is a God!"

William Bliss Carman (1861-1929) Canadian poet, essayist & lecturer

“I Want to Buy A Miracle”

"Only a miracle can save him now."

She waited patiently for the pharmacist to give her attention . . but he was too busy talking to another man to be bothered by an eight-year-old. Sally twisted her feet to make a scuffing noise.

She cleared her throat. No good. Finally she took a quarter from its hiding place and banged it on the glass counter. That did it!

"And what do you want?" the pharmacist asked in an annoyed tone of voice. "I'm talking to my brother."

"Well, I want to talk to you about my brother," Sally answered back in the same annoyed tone. "He's sick . .. . and I want to buy a miracle."

"I beg your pardon," said the pharmacist.

"My Daddy says only a miracle can save him now . . . so how much does a miracle cost?"

"We don't sell miracles here, little girl. I can't help you."

"Listen, I have the money to pay for it. Just tell me how much it costs."

The well-dressed man stooped down and asked, "What kind of a miracle does you brother need?"

"I don't know," Sally answered. A tear started down her cheek. "I just know he's really sick and Mommy says he needs an operation. But my folks can't pay for it . . . so I have my money.

"How much do you have?" asked the well-dressed man.

"A dollar and eleven cents," Sally answered proudly. "And it's all the money I have in the world."

"Well, what a coincidence," smiled the well-dressed man. A dollar and eleven cents . . . the exact price of a miracle to save a little brother.

He took her money in one hand and with the other hand he grasped her mitten and said "Take me to where you live. I want to see your brother and meet your parents."

"That surgery," Mommy whispered. "It's like a miracle. I wonder how much it would have cost?

Sally smiled to herself. She knew exactly how much a miracle cost... one dollar and eleven cents... plus the faith of a little child.

QUOTE #10

QUOTE #11

QUOTE #12

"To heal the soul is a greater miracle than to heal the body."

David McKay (1873-1970) American religious leader

“Mustard Seed Faith in Business” CONT:

QUOTE #13

Phillips Brooks (1835-1893) American Episcopal minister, gave sermon at Lincoln's funeral

“Leg Problems”

John 3:2

Acts 15:12

Acts 19:11

Matthew 12:28

Romans 15:18-19

Mark 16:15-17

Acts 3:16

Matthew 17:20

Matthew 21:21-22

“The Mountain”

Acts 14:9

John 16:23-24

James 4:2-3

Psalm 66:18

Mark 11:25

Matthew 21:22

I John 5:14

“I’ve Got Time”

“Retronyms”

It could be said that Jesus turned the phrase physical birth into a retronym when He told an inquiring man named Nicodemus, "Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3).

Our Christian life begins when we invite Jesus to live within us. It's a miracle! We're born again.

Rejoice, O soul, the debt is paid,
For all our sins on Christ were laid;
We've been redeemed, we're justified—
And all because the Savior died.

Natural life came by God's breath;

eternal life comes by Christ's death.

John 20:30-31

“Jesus’ Miracles Supported His Claims”

Matthew 12:22-24

John 3:1-17

Ezekiel 11:19-20

2 Corinthians 5:17

Acts 6:8

Matthew 9: 28-29

Mark 9:22-24