Anticipating Miracles
Copyright: South Bay Community Church
Sermon Reflections: Anticipating Miracles
Date: 29th October 2023
Speaker: Lead Pastor: Tammy Long
Sermon Texts: John 2:1-11
Sermon Reflections: Anticipating Miracles
Date: 29th October 2023
Speaker: Lead Pastor: Tammy Long
Sermon Texts: John 2:1-11
Sermon Preamble
This message begins a mini-series titled “Anticipating Miracles.” Do you believe in miracles? This was the question yelled by sports broadcaster Al Michaels at the 1980 Olympics when the underdog American hockey team defeated the previously undefeated Soviets reminiscent of the David and Goliath event. Even as scientific as our society is now, 80% of Americans believe in supernatural elements of life that go beyond reason. This belief in miracles spans a variety of religious affiliations, spiritual belief systems, and generations. Miracles are part of God’s signature from the beginning of time through today. A biblical miracle typically refers to a supernatural event that transcends ordinary happenings it is viewed as a direct result of God’s power and engagement. Miracles also may be defined as our personal experience that shows us the ways God is a miracle worker in our day-to-day lives. The ongoing activity of God sustains life, upholds the universe, and works things out for our good and the glory of God. We may call this a God movement or a God moment. Believers in Jesus Christ would say that God is the source of miracles because we serve a God of the impossible. We anticipate, recognize, and celebrate the many miracles God does every day, desires to do, and will do.
Definition of miracles – a supernatural event and a God movement or moment in our day to day lives
What is meant by the term miracle? As we can conclude from the Olympic hockey story, miracle is often used loosely and may have nothing to do with God whatsoever. What some consider a miracle, others may consider a coincidence. In biblical terms, a miracle typically refers to a supernatural event that so transcends ordinary happenings that it is viewed as a direct result of God’s power and engagement. For example, we think miraculous healings without doctors or other completely unexplainable phenomena have no other explanation except God.
This definition of miracle does not adequately address what many of us know to be true from personal experience that God is a miracle worker in our day to day lives. Often, when we speak about miracles, we are including a broader definition than supernatural events. We perceive our circumstances or the orchestration of events have come together in such a way that we recognize God’s hand. We notice how God was somehow at work in details as to produce a remarkable event or outcome. We may call it a God thing or a God moment. In the strictest definition these may not be supernatural miracles. However, these events affirm and recognize the providence of God as the ongoing activity of God in sustaining life, upholding the universe, and working things out for our good and God’s glory.
Whenever we recognize answered prayer, God’s movement, intervention, orchestration, or resolution, these are miracles. The power of God is at work in our lives. This can come in large supernatural ways or in small ways, like helping us find our keys. God is a God of miracles whether God works through the supernatural or the natural. For the purest among us who want to stay with the strict supernatural definition of miracles, then the title for this series can be expanded to “Anticipating Miracles, Movements, and God Moments.”
God is a God of miracles. We can anticipate, recognize, and celebrate those miracles God does, desires to do, and will do every day. God is at work. God desires to do even more as we learn to trust God.
Jesus’ first miracle helps us learn to trust in God and to anticipate miracles in our lives
Let’s unpack the biblical account in John 2:1-1. Consider what we can learn about anticipating miracles. First, let’s explore the background and context to help us enter into this story.
Cana was a short distance about nine miles north of Jesus’ hometown of Nazareth. It was the custom of the day to invite the whole community to a wedding. “The next day there was a wedding celebration in the village of Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the celebration” (John 2:1-2). Jesus going to a wedding tells us that Jesus was engaged with the community and that He enjoyed parties! Wedding feasts could last as long as seven days, and inviting as many people as possible brought honor to the family.
The culture of that day placed a high emphasis on hospitality. Not to have enough wine would bring great shame to the family. “The wine supply ran out during the festivities, so Jesus’ mother told him, ‘They have no more wine’” (John 2:3). To run out of wine was to break the unwritten law of hospitality. It just was not done. (Our past series on “What in the World is God Doing,” explains this honor/shame culture.) The family was truly facing a social crisis, and Mary was trying to help.
Application - Make your request known and leave it in the Lord’s hands
The first thing we see is that Mary brought her problem to Jesus. Since Joseph was not present, it would have been natural for Mary to come to Jesus as the eldest son. Some scholars believe Mary was not assuming Jesus would do a miracle, but she was simply asking Jesus, as the eldest, to help with the problem. Either way, we don’t know what Mary expected Jesus to do, but it is clear that she expected Jesus to do something. “But his mother told the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you.’” (John 2:5). She obviously believed that Jesus can and will do something. She did not give specific instructions, but she did bring her concern to Jesus and then left it in Jesus’ hands. Similarly, we can bring our concerns to God and anticipate miracles.
When Mary simply told the servants to do whatever Jesus tells you to do, she is reflecting her confidence and trust in Jesus. We learn from Mary that whatever Jesus does, however Jesus addresses the issue, is fine because we trust Jesus. There is no indication that Mary kept coming back every few minutes to check on what Jesus was doing. For in Mary’s mind, heart, and soul, it was handled. She was at peace. Mary knew what the Apostle Peter declared when he wrote “Cast you cares on him, because he cares for you” (1 Peter 4:7).
The first nugget we learn about anticipating miracles is: Make our request known, and then leave it in the Lord’s hands in faith, with confidence, and with the peace of Christ.
Application - God’s will is always the priority
Let’s consider what we can learn through the character of Jesus. “Dear woman, that’s not our problem,’ Jesus replied, ‘my time has not yet come.’” (John 2:4). In the original biblical Greek, the phrase in other contexts implies tension between the speaker and the one being addressed. It is difficult to access the degree of tension, but there does seem to be a little push back from Jesus. Jesus may be gently reminding his mother that his priorities are different from her priorities. What Jesus says in verse 4 is referring to His ultimate mission, His ultimate hour, and the time of His death and resurrection. Jesus is here for a greater purpose that would be for all people.
Whatever Jesus had in mind, it did not prevent Jesus from addressing the immediate need. This tells us that we can bring to Jesus any concern from the ridiculously practical to what may seem superfluous and unimportant to others. Jesus will hear all our prayers and is aware of our deepest needs. Even as we bring our requests, we have to remember that Jesus will always respond with the full mission of God in mind.
Jesus is not a genie or cosmic slot machine operator granting or dispensing wishes. God always has a larger purpose and plan that we cannot see and do not know. God’s ways are not our ways (Isaiah 55:8).
Jesus filling to the brim ceremonial jars with new wine is a beautiful symbolism. “Standing nearby were six stone water jars, used for Jewish ceremonial washing. Each could hold twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus told the servants ‘Fill the jars with water.’ When the jars had been filled, he said, ‘now dip some out, and take to the master of ceremonies.’ So the servants followed his instructions” (John 2:6-8). Filling the jars portrays the abundance of Jesus’ mission and work. It reflects the emptiness of Jewish rituals and the ceremonial cleansing. It points to the new wine of the Messianic Age.
God is unfolding God’s plan, and we are part of that plan. God’s plan is bigger than our plan. God is always doing so much more than we can imagine. As we anticipate miracles, we must remember there is a bigger picture that God is painting, and there is a bigger story unfolding. As we anticipate miracles, Jesus’ prayer in the Garden should also be our prayer to God: “Not my will, but your will be done.”
The second nugget we learn about anticipating miracles is: God has the master plan, so the will of the Father is always the priority. Our prayer is “not my will but yours be done.”
Application - God’s timing is not our timing, but worth the wait
The Master of Ceremonies (MC) tasted the wine and then calls over the bridegroom and commends him for saving the best wine for last. “When the master of ceremonies tasted the water that was now wine, not knowing where it had come from, (though of course the servants knew), he called the bridegroom over. ‘A host always serves the best wine first,’ he said. ‘Then when everyone has had a lot to drink, he brings out the less expensive wine. But you have kept the best until now!’” (John 2:9-10). This reminds us that our plans and efforts may be good, but if we wait on Jesus, whatever Jesus does is the best!
We know that God’s ways are not our ways, and God’s timing is often not our timing either. We may not like it, but we know that it is true. So we can join in with the chorus of all the old timers and the cloud of witnesses who taught us, He may not come when we want Him, but He is always right on time!
The third nugget we learn about anticipating miracles is - God’s timing is not our timing, but it is well worth the wait no matter how long it is. That is why the Holy Spirit helps us with patience and perseverance.
Application - Tell the story of God’s miracles and give God all the praise
The Master of Ceremonies (MC) enjoyed the wine and did not keep the news to himself. The MC did not know where the praise belonged. However, he knew praise was due to someone, so he called to commend the host. When Jesus does a miracle, moves, orchestrates, coordinates, intervenes, and saves the day, there is a story to tell others and praise is due.
The MC was not the only one with a testimony. Back to verse 9, “When the master of ceremonies tasted the water that was now wine, not knowing where it had come from, (though of course the servants knew)…” The servants knew and were eye-witnesses. Those servants had a testimony to tell in praising God.
The fourth nugget we learn about anticipating miracles through the eyes of the Master of Ceremonies and the servants is – when God does a miracle, we have got to tell somebody. We must celebrate and tell the story of what God has done and give God all the praise.
Application - Allow miracles to strengthen and deepen our faith to trust God
Through the eyes of the disciples, the miracle (miraculous sign) revealed the glory of Jesus for faithful belief. “This miraculous sign at Cana in Galilee was the first time Jesus revealed his glory. And his disciples believed in him” (John 2:11). The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke all use the word miracles. John adds the word “sign.” Sign and miracle have the same meaning. John intentionally added “sign” because John’s focus in writing about Jesus was to affirm the divinity of Jesus and that Jesus is the Son of God. John used language pointing out that Jesus’ miracles were signs that reveal the glory of Jesus. As the Son of God, Jesus has the power of God. Jesus has power over nature, power over sickness, disease, and physical maladies, power over demons, and power over death.
When Jesus performed the miracle at Cana, the disciples believed in him. This was Jesus’ first miracle. Jesus’ disciples had not been traveling with him very long. They were still getting to know him. This sign and miracle got their attention. It confirmed things for them, and they believed in Jesus. Witnessing this miracle took their faith in Jesus to a new level.
Every time we see God move or act on our behalf or someone else’s behalf, it should strengthen our faith. It affirms that God is true to God’s Word. It also affirms God does what God says that God will do. So we say with confidence, “In God will I trust.”
Another nugget we learn about anticipating miracles through the eyes of the disciples is to allow miracles to strengthen and deepen our faith because God can be trusted.
Where we are going in the mini-series on Anticipating Miracles
Is there something God wants to do? God is inviting us to pray deeper. God is waiting on us to deepen our faith and ask. Perhaps there is a mindset and attitude God is forming in us for anticipating miracles. Perhaps a friend of ours has some amazing things happening, but we may feel sorry for ourselves that God did not do that amazing thing for us. We can make a commitment before God to change our attitude and be open to whatever God wants to do.
Sometimes we are afraid; we don’t want to be disappointed; we don’t want to make God look bad. But when we trust God, we don’t have to worry about those things, even when we don’t understand what God is doing. These are a framework for our sermon mini-series on anticipating miracles of provision, miracles of physical and mental health, and miracles in relationships.
This is heavy stuff, but we want to approach this theme correctly. As we anticipate miracles, it is not about name it and claim it, or getting everything we always wanted. It is not about whether you have enough faith to make God do what we want God to do. God does not work in these ways.
Rather, it is about taking bold faith steps, trusting God according to God’s will, way, and word. It is about anticipating miracles that may stretch us because God delights in meeting the needs and even the dreams and wants of God’s children according to God’s will. It is about bringing glory to God’s name. It is about celebrating the goodness of God. It is about being open to what God may want to do when we are bold enough to ask and be open for God’s answer. We serve a big God who is indeed a miracle worker. God invites us to anticipate God’s movement in our lives. We can anticipate miracles.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS INCLUDING FOR USE IN FAMILY GROUPS
Sermon Preamble
-Do you believe in miracles? Why or why not?
Definition of miracles – a supernatural event and a God movement or moment in our day to day lives
-How do you define a miracle? Do you include only supernatural events? Do you include circumstances and events that God as sustainer of the universe brings into our view that impact our lives as a God movement or moment? Or do you attribute the impact on your day to day life as merely coincidence? Why?
Jesus’ first miracle helps us learn to trust in God and to anticipate miracles in our lives
-Why is it important to understand the honor/shame culture of biblical culture in understanding the first miracle of Jesus in Cana? For the family hosting a wedding, what resulted in honor, and what resulted in shame?
Application - Make your request known and leave it in the Lord’s hands
-Metaphorically, enter into the biblical scripture through the eyes of Mary. What can we learn and apply to our lives from what Mary said and did? In what ways can we adjust our action and attitudes based on learning from Mary?
Application - God’s will is always the priority
-Metaphorically, enter into the biblical scripture through the eyes of Jesus. What can we learn and apply to our lives from what Jesus said and did? In what ways can we adjust our action and attitudes based on learning from Jesus?
-Jesus transformed water into wine. What other transformation in the soul and spirit is taking place based on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus?
Application - God’s timing is not our timing, but worth the wait
-Metaphorically, enter into the biblical scripture through the eyes of the Master of Ceremonies. Why is it important for the Holy Spirit to help us with patience and perseverance?
Application - Tell the story of God’s miracles and give God all the praise
-When we observe a miracle, why is it important to tell others about the miracle? What value is there in praising the positive results even if you do not know that God performed and orchestrated the good results?
-What miracles have occurred in your life, and you need to tell the story to others?
Application - Allow miracles to strengthen and deepen our faith to trust God
-When you see miracles either in supernatural or natural ways, in what ways does this increase belief and faith in trusting God?
Where we are going in the mini-series on Anticipating Miracles
-What are the differences between anticipating miracles vs. naming and claiming?
-What are the differences between anticipating miracles vs. praying for what we want based on our own will, not God’s will?
- What are the differences between anticipating miracles vs. blaming ourselves for not having enough faith?
This message begins a mini-series titled “Anticipating Miracles.” Do you believe in miracles? This was the question yelled by sports broadcaster Al Michaels at the 1980 Olympics when the underdog American hockey team defeated the previously undefeated Soviets reminiscent of the David and Goliath event. Even as scientific as our society is now, 80% of Americans believe in supernatural elements of life that go beyond reason. This belief in miracles spans a variety of religious affiliations, spiritual belief systems, and generations. Miracles are part of God’s signature from the beginning of time through today. A biblical miracle typically refers to a supernatural event that transcends ordinary happenings it is viewed as a direct result of God’s power and engagement. Miracles also may be defined as our personal experience that shows us the ways God is a miracle worker in our day-to-day lives. The ongoing activity of God sustains life, upholds the universe, and works things out for our good and the glory of God. We may call this a God movement or a God moment. Believers in Jesus Christ would say that God is the source of miracles because we serve a God of the impossible. We anticipate, recognize, and celebrate the many miracles God does every day, desires to do, and will do.
Definition of miracles – a supernatural event and a God movement or moment in our day to day lives
What is meant by the term miracle? As we can conclude from the Olympic hockey story, miracle is often used loosely and may have nothing to do with God whatsoever. What some consider a miracle, others may consider a coincidence. In biblical terms, a miracle typically refers to a supernatural event that so transcends ordinary happenings that it is viewed as a direct result of God’s power and engagement. For example, we think miraculous healings without doctors or other completely unexplainable phenomena have no other explanation except God.
This definition of miracle does not adequately address what many of us know to be true from personal experience that God is a miracle worker in our day to day lives. Often, when we speak about miracles, we are including a broader definition than supernatural events. We perceive our circumstances or the orchestration of events have come together in such a way that we recognize God’s hand. We notice how God was somehow at work in details as to produce a remarkable event or outcome. We may call it a God thing or a God moment. In the strictest definition these may not be supernatural miracles. However, these events affirm and recognize the providence of God as the ongoing activity of God in sustaining life, upholding the universe, and working things out for our good and God’s glory.
Whenever we recognize answered prayer, God’s movement, intervention, orchestration, or resolution, these are miracles. The power of God is at work in our lives. This can come in large supernatural ways or in small ways, like helping us find our keys. God is a God of miracles whether God works through the supernatural or the natural. For the purest among us who want to stay with the strict supernatural definition of miracles, then the title for this series can be expanded to “Anticipating Miracles, Movements, and God Moments.”
God is a God of miracles. We can anticipate, recognize, and celebrate those miracles God does, desires to do, and will do every day. God is at work. God desires to do even more as we learn to trust God.
Jesus’ first miracle helps us learn to trust in God and to anticipate miracles in our lives
Let’s unpack the biblical account in John 2:1-1. Consider what we can learn about anticipating miracles. First, let’s explore the background and context to help us enter into this story.
Cana was a short distance about nine miles north of Jesus’ hometown of Nazareth. It was the custom of the day to invite the whole community to a wedding. “The next day there was a wedding celebration in the village of Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the celebration” (John 2:1-2). Jesus going to a wedding tells us that Jesus was engaged with the community and that He enjoyed parties! Wedding feasts could last as long as seven days, and inviting as many people as possible brought honor to the family.
The culture of that day placed a high emphasis on hospitality. Not to have enough wine would bring great shame to the family. “The wine supply ran out during the festivities, so Jesus’ mother told him, ‘They have no more wine’” (John 2:3). To run out of wine was to break the unwritten law of hospitality. It just was not done. (Our past series on “What in the World is God Doing,” explains this honor/shame culture.) The family was truly facing a social crisis, and Mary was trying to help.
Application - Make your request known and leave it in the Lord’s hands
The first thing we see is that Mary brought her problem to Jesus. Since Joseph was not present, it would have been natural for Mary to come to Jesus as the eldest son. Some scholars believe Mary was not assuming Jesus would do a miracle, but she was simply asking Jesus, as the eldest, to help with the problem. Either way, we don’t know what Mary expected Jesus to do, but it is clear that she expected Jesus to do something. “But his mother told the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you.’” (John 2:5). She obviously believed that Jesus can and will do something. She did not give specific instructions, but she did bring her concern to Jesus and then left it in Jesus’ hands. Similarly, we can bring our concerns to God and anticipate miracles.
When Mary simply told the servants to do whatever Jesus tells you to do, she is reflecting her confidence and trust in Jesus. We learn from Mary that whatever Jesus does, however Jesus addresses the issue, is fine because we trust Jesus. There is no indication that Mary kept coming back every few minutes to check on what Jesus was doing. For in Mary’s mind, heart, and soul, it was handled. She was at peace. Mary knew what the Apostle Peter declared when he wrote “Cast you cares on him, because he cares for you” (1 Peter 4:7).
The first nugget we learn about anticipating miracles is: Make our request known, and then leave it in the Lord’s hands in faith, with confidence, and with the peace of Christ.
Application - God’s will is always the priority
Let’s consider what we can learn through the character of Jesus. “Dear woman, that’s not our problem,’ Jesus replied, ‘my time has not yet come.’” (John 2:4). In the original biblical Greek, the phrase in other contexts implies tension between the speaker and the one being addressed. It is difficult to access the degree of tension, but there does seem to be a little push back from Jesus. Jesus may be gently reminding his mother that his priorities are different from her priorities. What Jesus says in verse 4 is referring to His ultimate mission, His ultimate hour, and the time of His death and resurrection. Jesus is here for a greater purpose that would be for all people.
Whatever Jesus had in mind, it did not prevent Jesus from addressing the immediate need. This tells us that we can bring to Jesus any concern from the ridiculously practical to what may seem superfluous and unimportant to others. Jesus will hear all our prayers and is aware of our deepest needs. Even as we bring our requests, we have to remember that Jesus will always respond with the full mission of God in mind.
Jesus is not a genie or cosmic slot machine operator granting or dispensing wishes. God always has a larger purpose and plan that we cannot see and do not know. God’s ways are not our ways (Isaiah 55:8).
Jesus filling to the brim ceremonial jars with new wine is a beautiful symbolism. “Standing nearby were six stone water jars, used for Jewish ceremonial washing. Each could hold twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus told the servants ‘Fill the jars with water.’ When the jars had been filled, he said, ‘now dip some out, and take to the master of ceremonies.’ So the servants followed his instructions” (John 2:6-8). Filling the jars portrays the abundance of Jesus’ mission and work. It reflects the emptiness of Jewish rituals and the ceremonial cleansing. It points to the new wine of the Messianic Age.
God is unfolding God’s plan, and we are part of that plan. God’s plan is bigger than our plan. God is always doing so much more than we can imagine. As we anticipate miracles, we must remember there is a bigger picture that God is painting, and there is a bigger story unfolding. As we anticipate miracles, Jesus’ prayer in the Garden should also be our prayer to God: “Not my will, but your will be done.”
The second nugget we learn about anticipating miracles is: God has the master plan, so the will of the Father is always the priority. Our prayer is “not my will but yours be done.”
Application - God’s timing is not our timing, but worth the wait
The Master of Ceremonies (MC) tasted the wine and then calls over the bridegroom and commends him for saving the best wine for last. “When the master of ceremonies tasted the water that was now wine, not knowing where it had come from, (though of course the servants knew), he called the bridegroom over. ‘A host always serves the best wine first,’ he said. ‘Then when everyone has had a lot to drink, he brings out the less expensive wine. But you have kept the best until now!’” (John 2:9-10). This reminds us that our plans and efforts may be good, but if we wait on Jesus, whatever Jesus does is the best!
We know that God’s ways are not our ways, and God’s timing is often not our timing either. We may not like it, but we know that it is true. So we can join in with the chorus of all the old timers and the cloud of witnesses who taught us, He may not come when we want Him, but He is always right on time!
The third nugget we learn about anticipating miracles is - God’s timing is not our timing, but it is well worth the wait no matter how long it is. That is why the Holy Spirit helps us with patience and perseverance.
Application - Tell the story of God’s miracles and give God all the praise
The Master of Ceremonies (MC) enjoyed the wine and did not keep the news to himself. The MC did not know where the praise belonged. However, he knew praise was due to someone, so he called to commend the host. When Jesus does a miracle, moves, orchestrates, coordinates, intervenes, and saves the day, there is a story to tell others and praise is due.
The MC was not the only one with a testimony. Back to verse 9, “When the master of ceremonies tasted the water that was now wine, not knowing where it had come from, (though of course the servants knew)…” The servants knew and were eye-witnesses. Those servants had a testimony to tell in praising God.
The fourth nugget we learn about anticipating miracles through the eyes of the Master of Ceremonies and the servants is – when God does a miracle, we have got to tell somebody. We must celebrate and tell the story of what God has done and give God all the praise.
Application - Allow miracles to strengthen and deepen our faith to trust God
Through the eyes of the disciples, the miracle (miraculous sign) revealed the glory of Jesus for faithful belief. “This miraculous sign at Cana in Galilee was the first time Jesus revealed his glory. And his disciples believed in him” (John 2:11). The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke all use the word miracles. John adds the word “sign.” Sign and miracle have the same meaning. John intentionally added “sign” because John’s focus in writing about Jesus was to affirm the divinity of Jesus and that Jesus is the Son of God. John used language pointing out that Jesus’ miracles were signs that reveal the glory of Jesus. As the Son of God, Jesus has the power of God. Jesus has power over nature, power over sickness, disease, and physical maladies, power over demons, and power over death.
When Jesus performed the miracle at Cana, the disciples believed in him. This was Jesus’ first miracle. Jesus’ disciples had not been traveling with him very long. They were still getting to know him. This sign and miracle got their attention. It confirmed things for them, and they believed in Jesus. Witnessing this miracle took their faith in Jesus to a new level.
Every time we see God move or act on our behalf or someone else’s behalf, it should strengthen our faith. It affirms that God is true to God’s Word. It also affirms God does what God says that God will do. So we say with confidence, “In God will I trust.”
Another nugget we learn about anticipating miracles through the eyes of the disciples is to allow miracles to strengthen and deepen our faith because God can be trusted.
Where we are going in the mini-series on Anticipating Miracles
Is there something God wants to do? God is inviting us to pray deeper. God is waiting on us to deepen our faith and ask. Perhaps there is a mindset and attitude God is forming in us for anticipating miracles. Perhaps a friend of ours has some amazing things happening, but we may feel sorry for ourselves that God did not do that amazing thing for us. We can make a commitment before God to change our attitude and be open to whatever God wants to do.
Sometimes we are afraid; we don’t want to be disappointed; we don’t want to make God look bad. But when we trust God, we don’t have to worry about those things, even when we don’t understand what God is doing. These are a framework for our sermon mini-series on anticipating miracles of provision, miracles of physical and mental health, and miracles in relationships.
This is heavy stuff, but we want to approach this theme correctly. As we anticipate miracles, it is not about name it and claim it, or getting everything we always wanted. It is not about whether you have enough faith to make God do what we want God to do. God does not work in these ways.
Rather, it is about taking bold faith steps, trusting God according to God’s will, way, and word. It is about anticipating miracles that may stretch us because God delights in meeting the needs and even the dreams and wants of God’s children according to God’s will. It is about bringing glory to God’s name. It is about celebrating the goodness of God. It is about being open to what God may want to do when we are bold enough to ask and be open for God’s answer. We serve a big God who is indeed a miracle worker. God invites us to anticipate God’s movement in our lives. We can anticipate miracles.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS INCLUDING FOR USE IN FAMILY GROUPS
Sermon Preamble
-Do you believe in miracles? Why or why not?
Definition of miracles – a supernatural event and a God movement or moment in our day to day lives
-How do you define a miracle? Do you include only supernatural events? Do you include circumstances and events that God as sustainer of the universe brings into our view that impact our lives as a God movement or moment? Or do you attribute the impact on your day to day life as merely coincidence? Why?
Jesus’ first miracle helps us learn to trust in God and to anticipate miracles in our lives
-Why is it important to understand the honor/shame culture of biblical culture in understanding the first miracle of Jesus in Cana? For the family hosting a wedding, what resulted in honor, and what resulted in shame?
Application - Make your request known and leave it in the Lord’s hands
-Metaphorically, enter into the biblical scripture through the eyes of Mary. What can we learn and apply to our lives from what Mary said and did? In what ways can we adjust our action and attitudes based on learning from Mary?
Application - God’s will is always the priority
-Metaphorically, enter into the biblical scripture through the eyes of Jesus. What can we learn and apply to our lives from what Jesus said and did? In what ways can we adjust our action and attitudes based on learning from Jesus?
-Jesus transformed water into wine. What other transformation in the soul and spirit is taking place based on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus?
Application - God’s timing is not our timing, but worth the wait
-Metaphorically, enter into the biblical scripture through the eyes of the Master of Ceremonies. Why is it important for the Holy Spirit to help us with patience and perseverance?
Application - Tell the story of God’s miracles and give God all the praise
-When we observe a miracle, why is it important to tell others about the miracle? What value is there in praising the positive results even if you do not know that God performed and orchestrated the good results?
-What miracles have occurred in your life, and you need to tell the story to others?
Application - Allow miracles to strengthen and deepen our faith to trust God
-When you see miracles either in supernatural or natural ways, in what ways does this increase belief and faith in trusting God?
Where we are going in the mini-series on Anticipating Miracles
-What are the differences between anticipating miracles vs. naming and claiming?
-What are the differences between anticipating miracles vs. praying for what we want based on our own will, not God’s will?
- What are the differences between anticipating miracles vs. blaming ourselves for not having enough faith?
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