THE EFFECT OF SIGNS AND WONDERS
Rom.15:18,19 – TPT – And I will not be presumptuous to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me. For many non-Jewish people are coming into faith’s obedience by the power of the Spirit of God, which is displayed through mighty signs and amazing wonders, both in word and deed. Starting from Jerusalem I went from place to place as far as the distant Roman province of Illyricum, fully preaching the wonderful message of Christ.
What attracted you to Jesus? I think of two things right off that drew me to the Lord. First, it was His unthinkable acceptance and love for me. As the saying goes, “Ain’t nobody that loves me like the Lord”. Second, it was the supernatural nature of my conversion and this new life I found in Christ. I sensed I had come in touch with the supernatural nature of Jesus, only His power and love can change our world. Here is a comment from Brian Simmons on the supernatural nature of our message.
“The apostle Paul thoroughly preached the good news with much evidence that God was working through him. This resulted in many non-Jewish people coming to faith in Jesus Christ. The signs and wonders were a part of the message, validating Paul’s apostolic mandate to evangelize and plant churches.”
Did you hear that, “signs and wonders were part of the message”. Signs and wonders were entrenched in the preaching of Jesus and the early church. This is what changes the world. The world doesn’t need a slick message coming from a church that resembles a club or a sport’s bar, we need the word filled with the supernatural power of God. Here is a comment from Matthew Henry on this passage.
“It was the power of the Spirit in the hearts of those who saw the miracles. Paul himself could not make one soul obedient further than the power of the Spirit of God made it by accompanying his labors. This is an encouragement to faithful ministers, who labor under a sense of great weakness. The same almighty Spirit who worked with Paul often makes strength perfect in weakness.”
There is power in our preaching that is filled with the miracles of Jesus. This is what our hearts long for, this is what our world longs for, this is what changes our lives. Let’s make room for the Holy Spirit to work among us. Lay hands on the sick, cast out demons, speak in the heavenly language; its time for the supernatural to take over the church.
