<\/p>\n
God has always been interested in man\u2019s welfare.\u00a0 Hence at the conclusion of creation, He handed over the entire ecreation to man and delegated to him authority (power) over creation, commanding him to have dominion over the earth and to subdue and replenish it, Genesis 1:26-28.<\/p>\n
When man sinned and lost that authority, GOD put in place an arrangement whereby the lost authority will be restored to man.\u00a0 Through the birth, death, resurrection and ascension of the LORD JESUS, man\u2019s redemption was accomplished.\u00a0 Anyone therefore who believes in the LORD JESUS experiences salvation from sin and its consequences and they are restored into fellowship with GOD who delegates His authority (power) to him again as His representative on earth.<\/p>\n
GOD\u2019s plan therefore is to manifest His power through the believer in many ways for the erring world to see and repent.\u00a0 GOD\u2019S power can be manifested by the believer through signs and wonders.\u00a0 His power can also be manifested in the expression of love and unity by believers towards each other.\u00a0 GOD\u2019s power can also be expressed or manifested by the believer in holy living.<\/p>\n
This first part of this series of lessons on \u201cManifestation of GOD\u2019s power\u201d (drawn from Acts chapters 3 to 5) focuses on manifesting His power in signs, wonders and miracles.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Power as used in the context of this lesson refers to supernatural power, that is the power that comes from GOD.\u00a0 We read in Matthew 10:1, \u201cAnd when He had called unto Him His twelve disciples, He gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.\u201d\u00a0 Also it is recorded in Luke 10:19, \u201cBehold I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy and nothing shall by any means hurt you.\u201d\u00a0 Mark 16:17-18 declares expressly, \u201cAnd these signs shall follow them that believe, In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover.\u201d\u00a0 The LORD JESUS while on earth demonstrated GOD\u2019s power for all to see, He healed the sick, cast out devils, raised the dead, fed the hungry, opened the eyes of the blind, the ears of the deaf, etc.\u00a0 He also empowered His followers to exercise the same power and authority from GOD as revealed in the Scriptures above.\u00a0 Thus GOD has delegated to the believer power, authority, and dominion over nature.\u00a0 By that power, the believer can change the course of nature and by that God-given authority, ha can bring out supernatural intervention in the affairs of men.\u00a0 This has always been God\u2019s desire for His children.<\/p>\n
It is to be emphasized that we are talking about God\u2019s power and only believers (His children) can exercise this power on His behalf.\u00a0 God\u2019s children are those who have had conversion experience; those who are \u201cborn-again\u201d.\u00a0 Such persons have left the old sinful life and are living as new creatures in Christ.\u00a0 You cannot manifest God\u2019s power unless you are His child.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Signs, wonders and miracles collectively constitute\/represent supernatural manifestations revealing GOD\u2019s power over nature and the affairs of men in general.\u00a0 Such signs, wonders and miracles usually will bring changes in human situations and the course of nature.\u00a0 GOD uses these manifestations (signs, wonders and miracles) and the gifts of the HOLY SPIRIT to attract men to Himself and to confirm the truth of His Word.<\/p>\n
There are several examples of the manifestations of GOD\u2019s power revealed in signs, wonders and miracles in both Testaments of the Bible.\u00a0 GOD used Moses to demonstrate HIS power before Pharaoh and in the wilderness.\u00a0 Joshua, also using GOD\u2019s power, command the sun and the moon to \u201cstand still\u201d and both obeyed, Joshua 10:12-14.\u00a0 Elijah and Elisha manifested GOD\u2019s power in many notable miracles, 1 Kings 17:8-16; 2 Kings 4:1-7.<\/p>\n
In the New Testament, the LORD JESUS demonstrated the power of GOD in \u201csigns, wonders and miracles\u201d, when He was physically on the earth.\u00a0 This is certainly not surprising because He is GOD indeed.\u00a0 He delegated this authority of manifesting GOD\u2019s power to His followers when He was leaving the world.\u00a0 It is written in John 14:12, \u201cVerily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father\u201d, see also Acts 1:8; Mark 16:15-18.\u00a0 There are several instances in the New Testament when GOD used believers to perform signs, wonders and miracles.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
In Acts 3, we read the story of a man who was \u201clame from his mother\u2019s womb\u201d, he was born a cripple.\u00a0 He was carried and laid daily at the gate of the temple to ask alms of those that entered the temple, Acts 3:2. \u00a0The day of visitation came for him.\u00a0 Peter and John came to the temple \u201cat the hour of prayer\u201d and the man in his usual custom asked them for alms.\u00a0 These two disciples knew that what the man need was more than money.\u00a0 The man needed healing, deliverance.\u00a0 Peter and John knew that only through the Name of the LORD JESUS will the power of GOD be released upon the lame man to bring healing to his body.\u00a0 In the Name of JESUS they commanded him to rise and walk; and he did, Acts 3:1-9.<\/p>\n
As believers, some of the lessons we can learn from this incidence include:<\/p>\n
-Peter and John had a steady prayer life.<\/span><\/p>\n They attended prayer meetings in the temple.\u00a0 (The Jews had three hours of prayer a day: at 9:00 am morning; 12:00 at noon and 3:00 pm.\u00a0 Dake\u2019s commentary.)\u00a0 The ninth hour referred to 3:00 pm (afternoon).\u00a0 These two disciples came to the Temple at the ninth hour.<\/p>\n Apart from going to the Temple to pray, they must also have maintained private prayer lives.\u00a0 It was at such a private time of prayers that GOD revealed to Peter the journey to Cornelius house for the purpose of preaching to him, Acts 10:9-17.<\/p>\n The early disciples and indeed the early church believed strongly in communion with GOD and no wonder GOD\u2019s power was manifested through them.<\/p>\n -They were not distracted.<\/span><\/p>\n Unlike many church leaders and believers today, silver and gold was not their pursuit.\u00a0 They served GOD with \u201csingleness of heart\u201d, Acts 3:6, 2:46, 4:32.\u00a0 Although they didn\u2019t have silver and gold, they had the Name of JESUS.\u00a0 It is interesting to note that through that Name, the lame man was healed, Acts 3:6-9, and through the Name the disciples never lacked anything, Acts 4:34a.<\/p>\n -They had faith in the Name of the LORD JESUS.\u00a0 Acts 3:6-7, 4:10-12<\/span><\/p>\n They walked by faith and not by sight.\u00a0 Therefore Peter spoke and took the man by the right hand and lifted him up.<\/p>\n -Their desire was to glorify GOD and not self, Acts 3:12-16, 4:23-30.<\/span><\/p>\n Their singular aim was to lift up the Name of the LORD JESUS CHRIST.\u00a0 They had no banners, bill boards or fliers carrying their names and photographs.\u00a0 They lifted up high the Name of the LORD JESUS; and our GOD, who said, \u201c\u2026If I be lifted up, I will draw all men unto Myself\u201d honored His Name and His Word.<\/p>\n -They understood the manifestation of GOD\u2019s power as opportunity to preach CHRIST.\u00a0 Acts 3:17-26<\/span><\/p>\n When the people saw what happened and beheld the man clinging to Peter and John, they gathered around them.\u00a0 For many preachers today, it would have been an opportunity to \u201cmarket\u201d themselves and their denominations to the people; but it was certainly not so with Peter and John.\u00a0 They immediately drew the people\u2019s attention away from themselves and pointed them to CHRIST.\u00a0 They preached CHRIST to the people and many of them (five thousand men) believed, Acts 4:4.<\/p>\n -They were consecrated deeply to the LORD JESUS and His cause on earth. Acts 4:13-20<\/span><\/p>\n Although this miracle brought them persecution from the Jewish religious leaders, Acts 4:1-3, they did not yield to their threats.\u00a0 Their consecration meant total obedience to CHRIST and not man, Acts 4:19-20.<\/p>\n -They were bold, Acts 4:13.<\/span><\/p>\n Boldness was revealed in the word of command to the lame man, the message to the people and their response to the Jewish leaders, Acts 3:4-7, 12-26, Acts 5:12-16, 19:11-12.<\/p>\n It is to be noted again that believers today are expected to manifest GOD\u2019s power in signs, wonders and miracles as the early believers did.\u00a0 We need to meditate on the lessons enumerated above.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The enemy uses many devices to hinder the believer from manifesting GOD\u2019s power.\u00a0 Some of them are:<\/p>\n -Absence of constant communion with GOD.<\/span><\/p>\n It does not appear that the believer in contemporary times chokes his heart with so many things and is involved in so many pursuits.\u00a0 Some believers spend hours \u201cgisting\u201d; complaining\/grumbling about leaders, government, etc.\u00a0 A lot of time is dissipated by many in talking and arguing rather than praying about them.<\/p>\n The implication of the absence of constant communion with GOD is that the believer will not hear from GOD.\u00a0 Such persons may neither experience GOD\u2019s leading nor the manifestation of HIS power in their lives.<\/p>\n -Paying lip service to the Name of JESUS.<\/span><\/p>\n Many have believed the LORD JESUS for salvation but how many genuinely believe that the Name of JESUS can wrought signs, wonders and miracles.\u00a0 We can only use the Name of JESUS if we sincerely believe in His Name.\u00a0 The seven sons of Sceva attempted using the Name of Jesus without genuinely believing in that Name; but they had to run for their lives when the demon-possessed man pounced on them, Acts 19:13-17.<\/p>\n -Worldly pursuit.<\/span><\/p>\n The denominations today are so enmeshed in worldly pursuits of materialism.\u00a0 The result is that they have become so rich in silver and gold but devoid of GOD\u2019s power.\u00a0 The Laodicean church typifies today\u2019s average denomination, Revelation 3:14-22.\u00a0 If we are to manifest GOD\u2019s power in signs, wonders and miracles, our emphasis and focus must be the Lord Jesus and His ways.<\/p>\n -Timidity and fear.<\/span><\/p>\n The enemy often uses fear and timidity to stop us from manifesting GOD\u2019s power.\u00a0 Sometimes believers are afraid to pray when confronted with dome \u201cdifficult\u201d situations.\u00a0 Let us follow the example of Peter and John who were not afraid to pray for a man born cripple but rather believed that the Name of JESUS will bring healing to him.<\/p>\n -Self glorification.<\/span><\/p>\n This is a big problem today.\u00a0 Some persons build ministries around themselves and their families.\u00a0 Let us remember that GOD will not give HIS glory to another. Read Isaiah 48:11, 42:8 Jeremiah 9:23<\/p>\n -Lack of HOLY SPIRIT baptism.<\/span><\/p>\n The experience of the baptism of the HOLY SPIRIT by every believer is vital in the manifestation of GOD\u2019s power.\u00a0 The early believers waited for the promise of the HOLY SPIRIT, Acts 1:8.\u00a0 They did not rush into ministry; they waited to be empowered.\u00a0 Everyone that shared in that experience manifested GOD\u2019s power in one way or the other.<\/p>\n -Absence of consecration.<\/span><\/p>\n When consecration is absent or minimal, the believer easily compromises.\u00a0 This hinders manifestation of GOD\u2019s power.<\/p>\n The way to overcome these hindrances is for us to return to the Biblical pattern of doing things.\u00a0 When we do GOD\u2019s work GOD\u2019s own way, GOD-ordained results will be achieved.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n There are several benefits when the power of GOD is manifested through the believer in signs, wonders and miracles.\u00a0 The believer, the family, the church and the society benefit.\u00a0 The one being used of GOD experiences deep satisfaction for being and instrument in GOD\u2019s Hands.\u00a0 The recipient of the miracle experiences permanent deliverance which brings them joy, Acts 3:8.\u00a0 Souls are save, Acts 4:4.\u00a0 The believer is promised eternal rewards, Luke 10:20.\u00a0 GOD\u2019s Name is glorified, Acts 3:8-16.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The world today is full of problems (insurgency, terrorism, piracy, kidnapping, diseases, wars, famines, etc.)\u00a0 \u00a0The only hope for today\u2019s world is CHRIST JESUS.\u00a0 The church (that is, the Body of CHRIST) remains the means through which the LORD reached the world today.\u00a0 Therefore, we must be willing and ready to be used of HIM to manifest HIS power in signs, wonders and miracles for the world to see, believe, repent and glorify GOD, Romans 8:19-22.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Mark 16:17-18 \u2013 \u201cAnd these signs shall follow them that believe; in my Name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink and deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The Manifestation of God\u2019s Power \u2013 Part 1, Signs and Wonders Central Thought:\u00a0 God\u2019s will is that believers in Him will manifest His power to bring glory to His Name. Text: \u00a0Acts 3:1-16; Mark 16:15-18; Luke 10:19 God has always been interested in man\u2019s welfare.\u00a0 Hence at the conclusion of creation, He handed over […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":826,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-825","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sundayschool"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/roll_the_rock.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/825","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=825"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/825\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":827,"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/825\/revisions\/827"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/826"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=825"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=825"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=825"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}\n
What are some of the things that hinder us from manifesting God\u2019s power?<\/h5>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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Benefits of manifesting God\u2019s power in signs, wonders and miracles.<\/h5>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
Daily Living Application<\/h3>\n
Memory Verse:<\/h3>\n