2024-01-28

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Today, we begin a series which will lead us to Easter. This series is focused on the Miracles of Jesus. What do they mean for us today? Why are they so important for us to study? These, and many other questions, will be dealt with during our study. This study will be drawn from the Gospels and we will have a book for you next week to help study and take notes during the series. But for today, we are starting this series after the miracles were performed. In fact, we are starting after Jesus had returned to Heaven. We are going to be in Acts 2.

Before we study the miracles of Jesus, we need to talk about the miracle OF Jesus.

Acts 2:22-32 (CSB)

1. The miracles of Jesus were a display of His Godly power

Vs 22b This Jesus of Nazareth was a man attested to you by God with miracles, wonders, and signs that God did among you through him, just as you yourselves know.

• Jesus came to earth to make us right with God
• While fully a man, He never gave up His Deity – 100% God/100% Man
• The miracles He performed were a display of Deity

1. Their purpose was to reveal His presence and provision

Vss 23-24 Though he was delivered up according to God’s determined plan and foreknowledge, you used lawless people to nail him to a cross and kill him. 24 God raised him up, ending the pains of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by death.

• Before Jesus came, His purpose was always to be the sacrifice
• Though man determined to kill Him, this was an impossible task
• His death and resurrection was the final reminder of God coming down to man to allow man to go up to God

1. So we would fully understand He is all we need for our salvation

Vss 25-28 For David says of him: I saw the Lord ever before me; because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. 26 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices. Moreover, my flesh will rest in hope, 27 because you will not abandon me in Hades or allow your holy one to see decay. 28 You have revealed the paths of life to me; you will fill me with gladness in your presence.

• David understood about a thousand years before Christ, Jesus is all we need
• The picture given here by Peter is that Jesus is the answer we need to the problem

1. His work among us continues to this day

Vss 29-32 Brothers and sisters, I can confidently speak to you about the patriarch David: He is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 Since he was a prophet, he knew that God had sworn an oath to him to seat one of his descendants on his throne. 31 Seeing what was to come, he spoke concerning the resurrection of the Messiah: He was not abandoned in Hades, and his flesh did not experience decay., 32 God has raised this Jesus; we are all witnesses of this.

• Peter ends his sermon by reiterating the most important fact of history – Jesus is alive
• And, since this is true, we can be made alive and Jesus will continue to work among us until we are in His presence
• Jesus left the Holy Spirit to be our constant companion and comfort

Acts 5:32 We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.

• God will not allow you to impact the eternal until you’ve allowed God to impact the internal. So, PRAY?