How can we recognize God's "signs and wonders" in our lives today? Grounding Text: Acts 2:22 “Men of Israel, listen to this message: Jesus the Nazarene was a Man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs, which God did among you through Him, as you yourselves know.” Unpacking the Verse • “Accredited by God” – Signs and wonders are divine credentials verifying the message and the Messenger. • “Among you” – God’s works were public, observable, and intended to be recognized. • “As you yourselves know” – The people were accountable for noticing and responding to what God had shown. Recognizing God’s Signs and Wonders Today • The transformed life – 2 Corinthians 5:17: “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.” – Ongoing repentance, freedom from bondage, and growing Christlikeness are modern miracles the Spirit performs openly in believers. • Timely provision – Philippians 4:19: “My God will supply all your needs.” – Unexpected resources, strategic relationships, or doors opened at the precise moment reveal His hand. • Confirming Scripture through daily events – Psalm 119:105: “Your word is a lamp to my feet.” – Passages read in the morning come alive in afternoon circumstances, showing God’s present guidance. • Physical healing and protection – James 5:14–16 ties prayer to healing; countless testimonies echo Acts 3:6. – Every unexplainable recovery or spared life points back to the Healer. • Gospel advance despite opposition – Acts 4:29–31 records bold witness accompanied by fresh signs. – Whenever the gospel penetrates hardened hearts or closed cultures, God is still “stretching out His hand.” • Inner witness of the Spirit – Romans 8:16: “The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.” – Peace that surpasses understanding (Philippians 4:7) in crisis situations bears supernatural fingerprints. Testing the Signs • Measure everything by Scripture (Isaiah 8:20; 2 Timothy 3:16). • Examine the fruit—does it exalt Jesus and produce holiness? (Matthew 7:16; Galatians 5:22-23). • Seek corroboration in the believing community (1 Corinthians 14:29). • Guard against counterfeit wonders (2 Thessalonians 2:9-10; 1 John 4:1). Practicing Alertness 1. Begin each day in the Word, tuning your heart to notice God’s activity. 2. Keep a journal of providences—big and small—so memory fuels worship. 3. Share testimonies; hearing others’ stories sharpens your own sight (Psalm 145:4-6). 4. Maintain a posture of obedience; signs often accompany steps of faith (Mark 16:20). 5. Give God public credit; gratitude multiplies awareness (Luke 17:15-19). Encouragement for Faithful Watching Hebrews 2:4 assures that God still “testifies to it by signs, wonders, various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to His will.” Stay expectant. The same God who validated Jesus in Acts 2 delights to display His power in you today, so that a watching world will “know” and respond to Him. |
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