Introduction
• Why do we learn as Christians?
It is great for growing in wise discernment. Learning as a Christian can be a form of strengthening our armor, but it is not our salvation as a human/soldier. It prepares you to battle the enemy. It prepares you to help your brothers and sisters. It welds away parts of you that are perhaps a stumbling block to others. It sharpens your sword and equips you to have many victories in this life!
We can never learn everything about God and His word as an individual, but God is sure to ground His people on the main thing: Christ crucified.
1 Corinthians 2:1-2; 4-5 “And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony [mystery] of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.”
“And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.”
Paul is the primary person to edify and give insight about God’s will in the New Testement. He is not without wisdom, rather his trust and teaching rests in the area of God’s gospel, powerful to save, that no amount of human debate or worldly intellect is able to bring about. Paul focuses on the supernatural things of God, knowing without God’s grace we have nothing to stand on. God has grounded His grace and finished His work of mercy through the person, His Son, born by the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus.
A person who knows Jesus died for them, and has a new heart living for Him, will hunger to learn. Jesus is the bread of life, and He produces fruit in our Spirit. Fruit includes love. Love should be your main motivator in learning!
Our neighbors and area of life will likely dictate how much we learn. God begins a work He’s promised to finish in those who hear the Gospel and put their faith in Christ, all across the world, and based on God’s specific plans for each believer in a culture, He gives different gifts and insight for His people’s benefit.
Then, we as His people steward, love and learn as much as suites God’s purposes around us, to spread the gospel and edify His people! We learn within limits to love in our life, not carrying every detail about the world around us, or about the unknown intercession and prayers, guidance, and ways of God, the Holy Spirit in us does and knows about our life and Savior Jesus who’s been since the beginning. How much we know is not a dictator on our usefulness, though learning is useful, it all depends on God’s limits and our area of love.
Example: You probably won’t think to find anyone who can translate tongues, if no one around you speaks in them. You probably don’t learn about demonic activity in the world if you haven’t been around people who have encountered demonic activity. People likely aren’t sitting around talking about Jesus if they’re not either a Christian who’s for Him or people troubled by His message. We have our sphere inside of God’s sphere, and our realm of expertise and purpose inside of God’s grand purpose.
In the age of technology we’re introduced to so many spheres, and what’s important as Christians not to do is to downplay people experiences because they aren’t ours. I think God only shows us things that will become relevant in our lives later, or He could be teaching us patience and the art of tending to our business/ self-control, love, humility with what He shows us.
1 Thessalonians 5:19-21 “Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies. Test all things; hold fast what is good.”
Discerning Signs and Wonders
Jonah 2:2 “And he said: “I cried out to the Lord because of my affliction, And He answered me. “Out of the belly of Sheol I cried, And You heard my voice.”
This verse above is from Jonah, a man of God who was supernaturally swallowed and preserved in a whale after disobedience to God’s command, and spit out after repentance.
I too would encounter a sort of pit of my own, of the reality of life’s unfortunate hardship, and supernaturally need God to hear me. It was only by His miraculous light, that I would be delivered from the sudden storm, and set free. God’s intervention would appear many more times (and continues) over my life, with miraculous light and revelation of His living presence, in ways I won’t detail on this post, but bring up to say His hand follows the name of Jesus, and responds to genuine cries for Him. When we come to the ends of ourselves, with need, from weakness, for His strength or wisdom He is faithful to show a sign that can help restore us in His purpose to show He is present, faith is not vain, and there is help and power in Him.
If a sign or wonder is able to build up our faith in God, He is gracious and faithful to provide it.
Another Old Testament prime example is in the life of Moses. From following the Israelites by a pillar of cloud and fire to the post plagues and famines on Pharoah’s home and splitting the Red Sea on Moses behalf for His Israelite people He led out of captivity through the calling and work He led Moses to achieve. God will supernaturally move through signs and wonders to rebuke His enemies and establish His people. But even amidst the work of God, the enemy was there, creating counterfeits of the good things of God (as he always does). Satan used false signs and wonders in the records of Moses’ history through the sorcerers.
Exodus 7:8-13
8 Then the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, 9 “When Pharaoh speaks to you, saying, ‘Show a miracle for yourselves,’ then you shall say to Aaron, ‘Take your rod and cast it before Pharaoh, and let it become a serpent.’ ” 10 So Moses and Aaron went in to Pharaoh, and they did so, just as the Lord commanded. And Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh and before his servants, and it became a serpent.
11 But Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers; so the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments. 12 For every man threw down his rod, and they became serpents. But Aaron’s rod swallowed up their rods. 13 And Pharaoh’s heart grew hard, and he did not heed them, as the Lord had said.
NOTE: Serpents/snakes because of the devil’s work through that image in the Garden of Eden, tend to have a negative connotation, and can mistakenly be grouped entirely into a category of “the devil’s work.’
With that being pointed out, there are now three takeaways we can have from these Old Testament illustrations:
- God uses signs and wonders to supernaturally help and build His children’s faith in a time when a miracle is needed for them! Amazing grace!
- Whether or not a sign or wonder is good or evil, from God or Satan is not dependant on the appearance, rather the heart behind it. Satan uses signs and wonders to belittle the work of God and to negate faith and make mankind continue to rule as their own “gods” like Pharaoh, Satan gives false power for his decieving purpose.
- God’s signs and wonders triumph over any ability of man’s magic or devices. God cannot be overcome by the enemy when He takes His stand. Any sign or wonder that fails, is not from the unfailing God.
New Testament
Most people know God used supernatural signs and wonders in the Old Testament, but God’s character is consistent throughout the New Testament.
The prophet Daniel was given visions by God and the disciple Peter after Christ’s death and resurrection was given visions.
While Christ was alive in Peter’s life God also gave the sign to him of the crows crowing because of of Peter’s foretold denial.
When Jesus died on the cross many (believers and unbelievers) also witnessed the earthquake, darkening of the skies, and torn curtains in the temple.
God gives both the world and His people warnings through signs and wonders, so that we know to take note that the word was indeed from Him/God.
God had His former prophets to tell about upcoming war and famines (Jeremiah is one example), and Jesus Himself told we can watch for sign and wonders in the End Times, to take note of His near coming.
These signs and wonders then are not bound to the past but are promised for the future (which could be our present). — This is well remembered by many as well, but it’s often forgotten what God has promised He will do in His people in the last days:
Acts 2:17 ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams.”
So having visions, and gifts of the Spirit (see 1Cor.12) that allow us to heal others (if that’s our gift [everyone has different gifts: tongues, prophesy] [and if in a time of God’s will]), is not bound to the prophets, apostles, and old disciples, but also our generation that is always to be on alert, ready, and actively stewarding supernatural/spiritual gifts in what is always a possible time for Christ second-coming.
Salvation itself is an ongoing sign and wonder, miraculously done in a person’s life through the power of God. Never take your salvation lightly! It is a work of God that He does not always do, and that He has predestined as a part of His will in the world and eternity!
Salvation and the fruit it begins to bear in a person’s life is actually what Jesus would consider the main sign and wonder we should give attention and credit to God for. It’s the one sign the enemy cannot imitate as nothing good comes from the enemy. God promises and gives life and love, whereas the enemy only lies and leads to destruction and death.
1Corinthians 13:1-3
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.
Jesus is in unity with God, so He is not against signs and wonders altogether… He Himself actually did give many signs and wonders (miraculously feeding 5,000, stopping the storm, raising Lazarus from the dead, opening the eyes of the blind, casting out demons, and healing the sick), yet it softened the heart of no one who was already set and hardened in their ways and mind. Jesus even faced people thinking He was using demonic power for His signs and wondrous works:
22 Then one was brought to Him who was demon-possessed, blind and mute; and He healed him, so that the blind and mute man both spoke and saw. 23 And all the multitudes were amazed and said, “Could this be the Son of David?”
24 Now when the Pharisees heard it they said, “This fellow does not cast out demons except by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons.”
25 But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand. 26 If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand?
Matthew 16:26 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?
4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ”
5 Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written:
‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’
and,
‘In their hands they shall bear you up,
Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’ ”
7 Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’ ”
8 Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.”
10 Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ”
11 Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.
Romans 14:17 “for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.’
All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God! All have gone astray! (Romans 3) No matter what the world is doing, all are under the judgement of God for denying who our lives and breath are in and through and causing wickedness in the world. We all must repent, and because of the sacrifice of Jesus our repentance brings forgiveness. God doesn’t sweep away and shrug at the damage done, but rather Christ’s pain and sacrifice paid the fine we were to pay! Whoever has faith in Jesus is justified by Him! This is the gospel!
It is the gospel that Saul (who would later be named Paul by God’s grace and redemption in Paul’s life) rejected at first. Paul use to kill Christians and believe He was doing a service for God. It was not until God supernaturally interrupted his folly with a vision of Christ’s rebuke did he stop, give his life to Christ, and go on to live on God’s mission of making disciples of Christ and praying for God’s truth and kingdom to come, and writing messages (most of our New Testament now) to teach the churches.
Acts 9:1-7
“Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one.”
God would also continue to do supernatural things in Paul’s life, like leading him out of prison by the guidance of an angel, and keeping a snake bites poison from killing him.
Paul is not the only one who has saw or will see angels in this life! Mary was told by an angel about the Christ to be born through her, shepherd’s were told of the arrival of Yeshua’s life by angels, and Paul tells us and warns us:
Hebrews 13:2 “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.”
Galatians 1:8 “But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.”
We are to know that supernatural things do happen, that God is able to protect us by angels moving on our behalf, seen or unseen, and yet also to know of anti-christ spirits and not listen to even angels if they speak against God’s Son Jesus Christ!
A final point that can be made about signs and wonders then is this:
*. Satan seeks to secure us in the Anti-Christ through signs and wonders. God seeks to secure us in Christ through signs and wonders.
In summary: Signs and Wonders should lead us to God who leads us to Jesus, the only sacrifice justified and perfect before God to pay for our sins.
There truly is no limit on what kind of Sign and Wonder God may want to use in your life. He can provide food, clothing, and shelter for you supernaturally, or He may not, His grace and promise of salvation remains with the poor. He can use Spiritual gifts for you to speak in tongues, discern the language and translate tongues, allow you to heal others through prayer, allow you to cast out demons, allow you to know spiritual wisdom and/or discernment in an unnatural gifted and eyes opened by Him way. Our prayers can move mountains by faith! God can keep you from being poisoned if He still has purposes for you to live out, He can protect your life from natural disaster if He still has purposes for you to live out. Whatever is His will, He can supernaturally do in your life!
The enemy seeks to drag us away, from the simple peace and faithfulness to and from God. There are certain things scripture specifically tells us is always of the enemy and not from Him, like: fortunetelling, the mark of the beast, and other things. These activities will never honor Jesus as the one and only fulfilling savior, and that is how we can know to walk away from it, no matter the promises it says it will deliver: peace, family, safety, or love is only in Jesus the Son of the Living God! The enemy wants to give us vices to cope with life, or excite us in life, but we are to surrender to God’s will, and trust that He is able to work good out of any negative situation we may encounter for a time. Never sell your soul. Live holy with integrity!
God’s people don’t need signs to follow Him. They know His character as the holy Savior and Father and simply follow in faith. Christians hear Him and follow (the Shepherds flock)! Humble before Him and ready to submit. The hard-hearted unbelievers need to be impressed by God, and have Him prove Himself. — Our God however, is often times still merciful and humbles Himself to look pass our stubbornness and give a sign like He did for Thomas in His doubt (see verse). God is able to recognize when it’s not stubbornness but genuine humanity in need of pity and encouragement.
Mark 9:24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!”
Mark 16:15-18 “And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”” (this is always granted spiritually, and sometimes also physically! Depends on what the Lord will have you explore and fulfill for His glory, not mans!)
Praise God for His promises!