Moving in the Miraculous

The Church that Jesus is building is a church filled with miracles. The absence of miracles, bonafide miracles, is a sign that we’ve gotten off track. God expects His Church to be filled with power. Jesus Christ made it clear to His Apostles and disciples: “He commanded them: ‘Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift the Father promised, which you have heard Me discuss.’” Acts 1:4, Berean Standard Bible. Why did Jesus command them to stay in Jerusalem? “I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” Luke 24:49, NIV. Jesus wanted them to have power BEFORE they preached the gospel EVERYWHERE.

The Holy Spirit was poured out from on high, as Jesus said, on the day of Pentecost. Yet oftentimes, we forget why the Holy Spirit was sent. The Holy Spirit was sent to the Church to cloth the Church in power. That power, of necessity, was to manifest in miracles. Not merely the claimed miracles of today, but the actual bonafide miracles of the Bible. The miracles that cause this to happen: “Jesus returned to Galilee, filled with the Holy Spirit’s power. Reports about him spread quickly through the whole region.” Luke 4:14, NLT. Notice, news spreads quickly when God’s power is manifested.

The same is true today. Recently, a revival spread at Asbury University. Thousands were drawn by news of God’s Spirit moving. “Media outlets arrived en masse to cover the spiritual awakening among students with countless reports of healing, salvation, and re-dedications to Christ flooding the news.” Local businesses worked with the University to serve attendees to the revival. God’s power still draws people’s attention.

People will line up to experience God’s power, even if it offends or upends their lives. Why? Because people needs miracles. Moving in the miraculous isn’t optional for the Church. No, it’s mandatory. Today’s Church must dedicate itself to receiving and walking in God’s power, as commanded by Christ, to witness of the good news of His death, burial, and resurrection. How? Miracles, signs, and wonders. The Church is called to be a reservoir of God’s miraculous power. And we are called to share God’s power with the world through bonafide miracles. Yes, the Church needs to move in the miraculous.

What do we lack? Why are there so few miracles? So many believers sick and dying? That shouldn’t be the rule. Rather, it should be the exception. There are multiple reasons we don’t move in the miraculous. One, unbelief. Two, lack of power. Three, lack of know-how (training).

UNBELIEF: We must deal with the issue of our own unbelief. Choosing to live by God’s Word doesn’t come naturally to most of us. We learn how to do God’s Word. How? Practice. We must practice what we preach. We must do what we say we believe. It takes faith to do what God said. It takes faith to do what God’s saying. Faith may come by hearing, but faith doesn’t come alive until we start doing what we say we believe. Not just speaking, not just declaring, not just praying. Doing.

LACK OF POWER: Before Jesus did any miracles, He was clothed with power. Lk. 4:18. The presence of the Lord was with Him to heal. Before His ascension, Jesus commanded His disciples to go to Jerusalem to be clothed with God’s power from on high in the person of the Holy Spirit. Yet, often, we see being endued with power from on high as a one-time experience, rather than one that’s continuous. We must continuously be filled with God’s power from on high. Having power is essential. God works in us in proportion to His power in our lives. Ephesians 3:20.

LACK OF TRAINING: What we can do in God is based on the teaching and training we receive. Not one of the Apostles was ordained before they were trained. Not one. Even the Apostle Paul was trained before He was ordained. By who? Barnabus. Apostle Barnabus took the Apostle Paul under his apostolic wing to train the future Apostle to the Gentiles. When the Holy Spirit sent them out He said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Acts 13:2, ESV. It’s clear the Holy Spirit picked the Apostle Barnabas as the leader, although that changed later in their relationship. Barnabas trained the Apostle Paul, as did Gamaliel trained the Apostle Paul in theology prior to his conversion. Similarly, our ability to move in the miraculous requires training.

Yes, the miracle ministry is for today. It has never ceased. Nor have miracles never not been needed by believers. That we believe doesn’t stop our need for miracles. Rather, it’s our faith in God that gives us access to miracles. The miracle power of God is in the Church today. We need faith, active power, and training to access it.

Let’s begin to believe God for miracles to happen in the Church again. Expect a miracle! Watch what God will do for you. He’ll give you more than you can ask or imagine. Our God is a God of miracles!

Let us pray!

— Scott Wallis

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