The power and workings of God

Posted on December 12, 2013 by howtobesaved@abiblecommentary.com

THE HAND OF GOD

Psa. 111:2; Rom. 11:33; Psa. 19:1-2

 NOTE:

  • The singular purpose of miracles was to bear witness to God Himself (e.g. on Mt Sinai), a prophet or an apostle. (Heb. 2:3-4).
  • The definition of a miracle is a work that no man could possibly do—above natural ability (John 3:1-2).
  • God foretold future events through the prophet to bear witness that the prophet was from God (Eccl. 8:7; 10:14; James 4:13-14).
  • In opposition to a miracle we have God’s work, where His hand is not seen (Luke 23:44; 1 Chron. 14:15; Psa. 108:10-13; Matt. 10:29 and Acts 5:1-11).

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In this study, we want to distinguish between the miracles (witness of God) and His ordinary work in the world (John 15:23-24).  Study each of the following scriptural accounts very carefully (making notes as you go).  Then consider the questions to discern God’s ‘unseen’ work.

  1. What did the people actually see?  Was a prophet or an apostle seen doing some miracle?  Did the participants see a prophet or apostle do a “miracle,” which was and action beyond man’s natural ability to do?
  2. Did God foretell (through a prophet or an apostle) that certain events would take place which appeared to be from “natural causes?”
  3. Keep in mind:
  4. Take each event in scripture separately and try not to confuse two accounts.
  5. These are plain statements by God about how He works and yet man does not see anything with his naked (physical) eye.  The events may appear to be from natural causes to those looking on, but God shows in these accounts that He does them.
    1. God’s definition of His witness (miracle—John 15:24)
    2. What He has said was the purpose of His witness to his apostles and prophets messengers (Heb. 2:1-4).

 

GOD’S WORK IN BRINGING US TO SALVATION

  1. IT IS ONLY THROUGH JESUS AND HEARING THE WORD OF GOD THAT WE COME TO SALVATION.
    1. Jesus says, “I am the way” (John 14:6).
    2. Faith comes by hearing the Word of God (Rom. 10:13-17).
    3. The WORD is the power of God unto salvation (Rom. 1:16).
    4. GOD IS THE ONE WHO ACTIVELY BRINGS THIS ABOUT.
      1. We are called by God through the gospel (2 Thess. 2:13-14)
      2. No man can come to the Father except through the Son (John 6:44)
    5. GOD ALSO BRINGS US TO SALVATION BY PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES TO HEAR THE GOSPEL BY OPENING DOORS.
      1. Paul asked that a door of utterance be opened to him (Col. 4:2-4).
      2. A door of faith was opened to the Gentiles (Acts 14:27-28).
      3. A door was opened to Paul (2 Cor. 2:12).
    6. GOD OPENS THE DOOR, AND NO MAN CAN SHUT IT (Rev. 3:7).
    7. GOD NOT ONLY OPENS THE DOOR, BUT HE GIVES UTTERANCE TO THOSE WHO CARRY THE GOSPEL.
      1. Inspired utterance was given to Paul (Eph. 6:18-19).
      2. Today we have utterance through His word.
      3. Paul and the other apostles preached the word of God and were given utterance by inspiration (Acts 2:4), but Timothy and we preach the word through what we have heard (or read) from Paul (2 Tim. 2:2) or another inspired prophet or apostle (2 Pet. 3:15-16).
    8. PAUL ALSO TOLD THE BRETHREN TO ASK GOD TO GIVE FREE COURSE TO THE WORD (A WORK OF GOD THAT IS NOT RECOGNIZED AS A MIRACLE).
      1. “Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you” (2 Thess. 3:1).
      2. Definition of “course” = to run or walk hastily
    9. GOD ALSO BRINGS US TO SALVATION BY REWARDING THOSE WHO ARE SEEKING WITH CERTAIN PROMISES
      1. Ask, seek, knock (Matt. 7:7-8)
      2. Submit, draw nigh, become humble (James 4:6-10)
    10. NOTE SOME EXAMPLES OF THOSE WHO WERE SEEKING
      1. Cornelius in Acts 10:1-4—WHO ARRANGED FOR CORNELIUS TO HEAR THE GOSPEL?
      2. The Ethopian Eunuch in Acts 8:26-29—WHO PROVIDED THE WAY FOR THE EUNUCH TO UNDERSTAND THE GOSPEL?  Was this a miracle that men could see that bore witness to a prophet or God’s work in which no man could see his hand?
      3. Acts 9:3-6—SAUL—Who BROUGHT SAUL TOGETHER WITH ANANIAS?  Was this a miracle that bore witness to an apostle, or the unseen work of God?
    11. IS GOD STILL SEEING THAT HIS PROMISES (IF WE SEEK WE WILL FIND, ETC.) ARE BEING FULFILLED (MATTHEW chapter 7)?
    12. GOD IS THE ONE WHO GIVES REPENTANCE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE TRUTH (2 Tim 2:24-26), and gives understanding to his word in THE HEARTS of men (Pro. 2:5-6; 2 Tim. 2:7).
    13. IF GOD DOES NOT OPEN THE HEART AND GIVE UNDERSTANDING (Matt. 16:18) AND REPENTANCE, HOW CAN, ONE ACKNOWLEDGE THE TRUTH (2 Tim. 2:24-26)?
      1. Acts 16:14—LYDIA IS AN EXAMPLE OF HOW GOD OPENED A HEART SO THAT SHE ACKNOWLEDGE HIS WORD IN PAUL’S MOUTH.
      2. WITHOUT GOD’S HELP, MEN WILL BE EVER LEARNING, but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth (2 Tim. 3:1-7).
    14. WHY DO SO MANY PEOPLE THAT STUDY THE SAME BOOK HAVE SO MANY DIFFERENT BELIEFS?
      1. 2 Thess. 2:10-11 ANSWERS THAT QUESTION.  GOD IS AT WORK IN THOSE WHO DON’T LOVE THE TRUTH AND SENDS A STRONG DELUSION SO THAT THEY BELIEVE A LIE.
      2. WE MUST HAVE A LOVE OF THE TRUTH.  QUOTING SCRIPTURE IS NOT ENOUGH, FOR EVEN SATAN QUOTED SCRIPTURE (Matt. 4:6)!
    15. GOD NOT ONLY GIVES THE UNDERSTANDING, BUT HE ALSO GIVES THE REPENTENCE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE TRUTH.
      1. 2 Timothy 2:24-26—And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.”
      2. GOD IS THE ONE WHO BRINGS US TO SALVATION, NOT ANY MAN.
    16. GOD IS THE ONE WHO GIVES:
      1. Opportunities to hear the gospel (Mark 6:14-16, Matt. 28:19)
      2. Promises to those who are seeking (Matt. 7:9-11)
      3. Understanding to His Word (2 Tim. 2:7)
      4. God gives the increase (1 Cor. 3:5-7) and rewards all those who diligently seek Him (Heb. 11:6).
    17. CONCLUSION: One last thought here: God forgives our sin (present continuous)—under both covenants IF we ask him!
      1. Proverbs 28:13—He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
      2. 1 John 1:9—If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
      3. “Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you” (2 Thess. 3:1).

      –Beth Johnson

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