February 18 - why don't we see miracles

You’re listening to OKY. The place where we discuss what we believe and why we believe it to be true! Today I want to quickly touch on a question from a listener who asks “Why don’t we see miracles anymore like in the Bible? Are they real? 

 

This is a great question that I will need to take you on a bit of a journey to unfold the answer. First off, let me read a verse you all have probably heard before, but it is important to this conversation.  

 

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the power of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:12

 

What does this verse mean to you? 

 

Let’s parse it out for a second. What are rulers? 

 

What about authorities?

 

Or the powers of this dark world? 

 

How about spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realm? 

 

Listen to this verse and tell me what you think of it. . . 2 Corinthians 4:4

“The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”

 

Who is the god of this age? 

 

And why does Paul call him a god? 

 

Ok, check out this verse - 

Psalm 82:1

“God presides in the great assembly; 

He renders judgment among the “gods”:

 

Now this verse has been often dismissed as simply talking about the rulers of Israel, yet the Hebrew word here is Elohim - meaning god, or godlike one. 

 

Exodus 15:11 says this, 

“Who among the gods is like you, Lord? Who is like you-majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?”

 

Who among the gods is like you? ?  What gods? ? 

 

Listen to what Jethro says to Moses when he hears of all the great things God has been doing for them. This is exodus 18:11

“Now I know that the LORD is greater than all other gods, for he did this to those who had treated Israel arrogantly.”

 

What does he mean greater than ll other gods? 

 

In 1 Kings 9, God told David that he would bless him and the generations to follow if he would keep all of the commands God gave him. But then he gives him a warning about turning their heart from the Lord. List to what he warns him about. Starting in vs. 6, 

 

“But if you or your descendants turn away from me and do not observe the commands and decrees I have give you and go off to serve other gods and worship them, then I will cut off Israel form the land I have given them and will reject this temple I have consecrated for my Name.”

 

Go off and serve other gods? God almighty is saying this. Why does he address these other gods as if they were real? 

 

Ok, let’s change this up a bit. . . 

 

When Jesus traveled across the lake to the region of the Gadarenes, two men who were demon-possessed came out from the tombs and approached Jesus. Listen to what they said to him in Matthew 8:29 

“What do you want with us, Son of God?” They shouted “Have you come ere to torture us before the appointed time?”

 

How did they know to call him Son of God? 

 

And what is the appointed time they talked about? 

 

Listen to an incident int he synagogue that Mark tells us about in the 23rd verse of chapter 1. 

 

“They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an impure spirit cried out, “What do you at with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are-the Holy One of God!”

 

Wait, the demon once again recognized Jesus as the Holy One of God, and wondered if he had come to destroy them. . . . Why? 

 

Listen to what happened in Ephesus in Acts 19:13 as some of the people tried to cast out demonic presence in the name of Jesus. . 

 

“Some of the Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, “int he name of the Jesus whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.”Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. One day the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?” Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding.”

 

What in the world is going on? 

 

Ok, last question? 

 

Do you confess to have a biblical worldview? 

 

If yes. What does that mean? 

 

If yes, what does that mean about the demonic, rulers and principalities? 

 

See, most American Christians who say they have a biblical worldview, only have a westernized version of a biblical worldview. 

 

Do you know that in other countries, they actually believe that there are rulers and authorities of the dark world that are in constant conflict with God’s plan? They are at battle with him, and anyone who would align with the LORD. 

 

Which, by the way, is the biblical worldview, as well as what we saw with Jesus. 

 

All throughout the Bible, there is an understanding that false gods, demons, spiritually dark forces of all sorts, continually fight against God and his people. 

And because of this, they believe the spiritual to be intertwined with the physical. The biblical worldview is that there are dark forces against God and his people. So they also know what is warned throughout scripture - don’t turn to these other gods. . . . 

You might be saying right now, but we don’t turn to other gods. . . why are you telling us this? 

 

I am blown away at how much demonic presence is in modern music. I remember a few years ago turning the award show off after the second performance in a row had people dressed in all red while dancing around the stage like devils. Not only in music, every October Netflix is flooded with demonic movies that specialize in supernatural experiences. Or how about the fact that people are willing to do whatever it takes to get followers on social media. We have so many influencers, and all they want is to be elevated to a place of higher power and authority over others as they build a name for themselves. . . do you know what all of this is? It’s bowing down to gods that actually have the power to destroy life.

 

See, the verses I read to start with about gods, the verse in the New Testament about the demons recognizing Jesus, and the verses with Paul and the other early church followers, all of these show the biblical world view. And this is a view that understands, there is a spiritual battle. And this battle is against the dark forces of this world that try to destroy, simply because they are against Yahweh. They recognize him because they know they can’t win. 

 

See, I think the biblical account is full of so many miraculous things, because they were alert and aware of the spiritual battle that was going on around them. They didn’t put their guard down, and they were making sure to keep themselves from the gods, demons, spiritual forces, and everything else that was in opposition of the Lord.  

 

I started with this verse

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the power of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:12

 

See, I think we don’t see miraculous things happen as often anymore, because we don’t really understand this verse. We think this verse is about some cute devil that people dress up as for halloween, and that is the extent of it all. But READ YOUR BIBLE FRIENDS!!! There is demonic, rulers, authorities, and spiritual forces all around us. The gods of the Old Testament, these weren’t just fake idols they worshiped. These were demonic forces that they bowed to. This is why God was so adamant that they didn’t intermingle with other nations. These demonic powers were bent on trying to invade God’s people. 

 

We have a real battle! And the more we let demonic things into our lives, the less likely we will be at seeing the power of God move in us. We are bending our knee to evil powers. 

 

But yes. . . . I do believe miracles are for today!!!!

 

Kristi hurt her achilles a few months ago. She couldn’t even walk. It happened all at once. I immediately freaked out because we didn’t have insurance at them time. So she said, “Well pray over it.” So we did. As soon as we said Amen, she stood up and it was completely fine! Again, a couple of nights ago her elbow started hurting. It was like it was popped out of socket or something - which I looked and can’t really happen to an elbow. Every time she tried to bend it, it would pop, and you could see it move to the side. . .it was weird. And it hurt her so bad, that she was scared to bend it. So again, she asked me to pray. I did. . . As soon as I said Amen, she bent it, and it didn’t pop. God healed it. . . 

 

See, God is wanting to do miracles. But we have to understand the spiritual forces around us are real. And if we are going to let them into our lives, we will limit the work we see God do in and through us. We have to understand that all these forces are trying to prevent us from knowing God. They don’t want us to see his glory and his power. So if we give them the chance, they will destroy our opportunity to see miraculous. 

 

But if we keep ourselves free from these things. The power of God will work around us. See, in the end God wins. Remember what the demons said to Jesus? They know he eventually gets rid of them and finishes this battle. In the mean time, God is looking for a people who would purify themselves, and keep away from the things of this world that oppose God’s plan. If we can do this, we will see miracles! I believe that for you! In fact, I pray that over you today! Let the miraculous power of God flow in and through you today!