Are you hungry this morning? I hope you’re hungry, because I’m going to cook something nice for you today. As I was worshiping, I was thinking about the journey I’ve had with this church. Some of you may have been here from the very beginning, while others are still quite young. I remember when I first came to this church and saw Pastor Polinto, who was a Muslim at the time. I thought to myself, “One day, I’ll come back to ICA.” And look at us now – it’s been an amazing journey with God.
Today, we’ll be talking about the miracles of God. So, shall we start with a prayer?
Father, we praise and thank you for being our God. We continue to look to you, and today, we pray that you prepare our hearts to receive your word. Help us to put aside our troubles and be ready to listen and learn. May we not just be hearers of your word, but doers as well. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Before I came to Macau, I was serving at a church in our main church that had just set up a new township, about 10 years ago. I was serving as an elder with a few pastors, and one day, a new visitor came to our church.
As church members, we’re always excited when we have new visitors, so we greeted her and talked to her. We found out that she had just moved to the township and was looking for a church.
During our conversation, she asked a very unusual question: “Are there signs and wonders in this church?” My pastors and I were quite surprised, because that’s not usually the first thing people ask when they’re looking for a new church. Typically, people look for a vibrant, worshipful community where the Word of God is preached, and where there’s good fellowship.
Seeking God, Not Just His Miracles
If I were in my pastor’s shoes, I might have said something like, “Well, if you look around, you’ll see all kinds of signs – like the signs on the doors, the exit signs, and so on. And of course, we believe in the miracles of God as presented in the Bible.” But the point is, this woman was specifically looking for signs and wonders, which is a bit unusual.
You see, as Christians, we need to have the right perspective when it comes to God and His miracles. God is not a magician who performs tricks to impress or entertain us. His miracles have deeper spiritual purposes and objectives.
In this month’s series, we’re going to be talking about the miracles of Jesus. My hope is that by the end of this series, you’ll understand the distinction between seeking God and seeking His miracles. As it says in John 4:23, “God seeks those who worship Him in spirit and in truth, not in signs and wonders.”
John 4:23 – “Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.”
Miracles are Not for Our Entertainment
When a magician performs, it’s often for the purpose of entertainment and personal gain. But when God performs miracles, it’s for a much deeper purpose. His miracles point to His character, His power, and His love for us. They’re not just tricks to impress us.
The Israelites in the Old Testament saw some of the greatest miracles in human history – the parting of the Red Sea, water flowing from a rock, and more. But even with all those miracles, their faith was still weak, and they constantly complained along the way.
This tells us that our faith is not sustained by miracles alone. Our faith must be rooted in the Word of God, not just in the wonders He performs. As it says in Hebrews 1:3, “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.”
Hebrews 1:3 – “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.”
Seeking God’s Purpose, Not Just His Miracles
In the story we read from John 4, a royal official came to Jesus, desperate for his son to be healed. Jesus responded by saying, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will never believe.”
Now, this may seem a bit harsh, but Jesus was speaking to the people around them, not just the official. He was pointing out that some people are more focused on seeing miracles than on truly knowing and trusting God.
The official, however, didn’t get caught up in that. He simply believed what Jesus said and went on his way. And sure enough, his son was healed. The Bible says that the official and his whole household believed in Jesus as a result.
You see, God’s purpose often supersedes our personal needs and desires. Sometimes, we pray for healing or other miracles, but they don’t happen. It’s not because God doesn’t care or isn’t powerful enough. It’s because His eternal, redemptive plan is greater than our immediate physical needs.
Matthew 6:10 – “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”
God’s ultimate purpose is to redeem humanity and restore us to the original Garden of Eden, where there is no more sin, sickness, or suffering. That’s the big picture that we need to keep in mind, even when we’re going through our own personal struggles.
Surrender to God’s Purpose, Not Just His Miracles
I know it can be so easy to get frustrated with God when our prayers for healing or other miracles go unanswered. But we have to remember that God’s plan is infinitely greater than our own. His ultimate goal is to bring us into eternal fellowship with Him, free from the bondage of sin and decay.
So, instead of seeking miracles, let’s seek God himself with all our heart, soul, and strength. Let’s surrender our lives to His purpose, not just our needs. When we do that, we’ll find that true peace and joy, even in the midst of our struggles.
Challenge: This week, take some time to reflect on your relationship with God. Are you more focused on His miracles than on Him? Ask Him to help you shift your perspective, to seek His face rather than just His hands. Trust that His purpose is greater than your immediate circumstances, and find peace in surrendering to His will.
Proverbs 3:5-6 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
My friends, may we be a people who worship God in spirit and in truth, not just in signs and wonders. Let’s keep our eyes fixed on His eternal purpose, knowing that the future glory far outweighs our present sufferings. God bless you all.