AuthorTerry R Baughman is Lead Pastor for LifeChurch in Gilbert, AZ. See his complete bio at trbaughman.com Archives
October 2024
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Accompanying Signs10/27/2019  Accompanying Signs
MIRACLES IN THE MAKING Terry R. Baughman “The apostles went out announcing the good news everywhere, as the Lord himself consistently worked with them, validating the message they preached with miracle-signs that accompanied them!” (Mark 16:20 The Passion Translation). The signs following salvation are an incredible authentication of the power in the Gospel message. Undeniable miracles, the gift of the Spirit speaking in other tongues, physical healings, spiritual deliverance, and conflict resolution may all be witness to the presence and power of God working in the lives of believers. Prayers are answered and faith grows exponentially. When miracles happen it is natural to share the good news with everyone in our circle of friends. The word spreads, others with curiosity come to see and hear what incredible things are happening. It is been said that we do not seek after signs, but we do seek the powerful witness of God’s Spirit and power working within. When God performs miracles we understand that is His work and His alone. It is beyond human ability to manufacture or manipulate. When the sign is undeniably supernatural there is a tremendous witness of God’s presence working in our midst. Miracles, signs, and wonders lead others to believe, causing many more to experience the salvation message. Faith is the essential ingredient in our relationship with God. The writer of Hebrews said that, “He who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6). We know that, “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). When the Word is preached and the accompanying signs are seen, faith arises in the hearts of those who have heard it and witnessed the miracle. Faith produces more faith and others are filled with His Holy Spirit. The Spirit working in us and through us is God’s way of affirming our testimony and spreading His message. We should expect the accompanying signs and miracles as we obediently share the story of Jesus. We are not working alone. We are not responsible to produce faith or save anyone. It is God who works with us and it is His power that is mighty to save, transform, heal, and deliver. Paul said, “We are God’s fellow workers” (1 Corinthians 3:9), and, “If God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31). We are not working on our own strength or dependent on our own abilities. God is with us and with Him, “All things are possible” (Matthew 19:26). Followers of Jesus have seen incredible miracles take place from biblical days in the Book of Acts to the local Pentecostal churches in our cities. We pray in faith knowing that Jesus is able to do anything we ask. We trust in Him to do what only He can and we simply speak His Word. It is as though Jesus was right there waiting for us to ask and ready to do amazing things in response to our requests. Jesus said, “If you ask anything in My name, I will do it” (John 14:14). We have an assurance that Jesus is with us and His supernatural signs will accompany us. Whatever the challenge or obstacle, those who come believing in Christ and expressing faith in Him will receive what He has promised. It’s time to trust Him! Theme passage: “How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord …, God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit?” (Hebrews 2:3–4).
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Appointed Miracles10/20/2019  Appointed Miracles
MIRACLES IN THE MAKING Terry R. Baughman “Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues” (1 Corinthians 12:27-28). Few would disagree with the appointment of ministers in the church, like teachers and preachers. Not all embrace the contemporary positions of apostles or prophets, but all should recognize their importance to the foundation of the church. Paul saw all these offices as contributing individuals that comprise the body of Christ presently. This is what the church looks like in all generations. Continuing in that list of members of the body there are miracles, gifts of healings, helping members, administrators, and the spiritual gift of tongues. While some select individual members at will, the evident intention is that all members are required to present a unified body and fulfill God’s purpose for the church in this world. A body is completed by all members working together. If any part is missing there is dysfunction and the inability to properly perform its duties. In cohesive unity there is fluidity, utility, and purpose. It should be obvious that all ministries are essential in the church. It should likewise be evident that miracles healing and spiritual gifts are necessary components in the Church of Jesus Christ. While we want to value every facet of the body of Christ, our emphasis here are the spiritual elements. These are things that have been sorely lacking in the church for many centuries. Apostolic doctrine has been restored within the last two centuries. The baptism of the Holy Spirit has been broadly proclaimed and embraced since the time of the Azusa Street revival at the beginning of the 20th Century. Water Baptism in the name of Jesus Christ has been restored in the church for over 100 years. Now it is time to see the restoration of other spiritual elements: miracles, signs, and wonders! These all belong in the church! The work of the Spirit is a normal demonstration of Christ working among us. He is the miracle worker. Paul explained that, “The manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: … to one is given the word of wisdom …, to another the word of knowledge …, to another faith …, to another gifts of healings …, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues” (1 Corinthians 12:7–10). Each is gifted and enabled by the Spirit. It’s all by given by Divine appointment and is operated by the work of the Spirit. Every part supplies something that is needed. If anything is missing, everything is affected. Some of our past challenges and the lack of our success in previous decades can no doubt be contributed to the absence of the spiritual gifts working in our midst. It is now time for undeniable miracles. It is time for God-given prophecies. It is time for supernatural healings. It is time for the operation of the gifts of the Spirit in our prayer sessions and public gatherings. It is time to recognize our appointed destiny and embrace the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit! God has appointed it. It’s time to embrace it. Miracles are in the making! Theme passage: “How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord …, God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit?” (Hebrews 2:3–4).
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Signs of Salvation10/13/2019  Signs of Salvation
MIRACLES IN THE MAKING Terry R. Baughman “While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God” (Acts 10:44-46). The Day of Pentecost in Acts 2 was just the beginning of a worldwide movement and spiritual outpouring of epic proportions. Everywhere believers went there were more conversions and more new birth experiences. The Good News spread throughout the region and then to other nations. This was the result Jesus expected when He said, “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8). Peter, who was vested with with spiritual authority holding the keys of the kingdom, was instrumental in opening the door of salvation both on the Day of Pentecost, and in Samaria, and to the Gentiles in Cornelius’ household. When asked by new believers on the day of Pentecost, “What shall we do?” He responded, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:37–38). Philip preached the same message in Samaria (Acts 8) and they responded in faith and were baptized. The Scripture noted that they had not yet received the Spirit. When Peter and John arrived from Jerusalem they begin to pray for them that they might receive the Holy Ghost. The disciples laid hands on them in prayer and they begin to speak in tongues as the Spirit was poured out in their lives. When Peter was called to preach to the Gentiles gathered at Cornelius’ house he preached the same message that he had preached at the beginning. They should have expected the same results, but they were astonished when they begin to hear these Gentiles speak in tongues. The sign and evidence of this New Birth experience of salvation is found in this statement, “The gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God” (Acts 10:45-46). The miraculous and significant sign of speaking with the other tongues is central and essential to the experience. In time to come Paul and Barnabas went on missionary travels proclaiming the wonderful works of God, Jesus Christ and his resurrection, and the promise of his Holy Spirit. They did not seem to garner much response in the synagogues and among the Jews, but it seemed everywhere they preached to the Gentiles there was a ready response to their message. Not all of the Jewish believers embraced the idea of Gentiles receiving the Holy Spirit and sharing in this wonderful new relationship with God like they had. Cultural prejudice and ethnic bias caused many to oppose the ministry of Paul and Barnabas among the Gentiles. They traveled to Jerusalem to give account for their ministry and share the good news of what had happened as they preached to the Gentiles (Acts 15). Paul reported that Gentiles were being saved! He said, “We believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they.” (Acts 15:11). They could have debated doctrine and shared their personal views all day long, but Paul begin sharing some of the miraculous things they had witnessed as they fulfilled God's call, “The multitude kept silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul declaring how many miracles and wonders God had worked through them among the Gentiles” (Acts 15:12). The miracle of salvation never becomes old. There is excitement and rejoicing whenever a sinner comes home in the new birth is experienced. Jew or Gentile, all receive salvation that Jesus Christ has provided. This is a miracle in the making! Theme passage: “How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord …, God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit?” (Hebrews 2:3–4).
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Signs Following Faith10/5/2019  Signs Following Faith
MIRACLES IN THE MAKING Terry R. Baughman “And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover” (Mark 16:17–18). Preaching the Word of God inspires faith! It is life-giving and transformative. Not only does the Word inspire our hearts and illuminate our understanding, it also renews our spirit and ignites faith in God for miracles, signs, and wonders. Mark recorded a simple conjunction between faith and what will be a natural response to it, “And these signs will follow those who believe.” He declared deliverance from demonic oppression, gifts of the Spirit, power over personal danger, and miracles of healing would begin to happen when believers experience salvation. When people respond to the Gospel message miracles begin to occur in their lives. As Paul said, “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). When the Word goes forth with the Spirit’s anointing the response is powerful and the results are phenomenal. Salvation is the greatest miracle and most notable result. Mark declared, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved” (Mark 16:16). Our greatest admiration should be in response to the witness of a soul being saved and a life transformed. When Philip preached the message of Jesus Christ in Samaria there were amazing miracles of healing and deliverance, “For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed” (Acts 8:7). Their response of faith caused many to be baptized and prepared to receive the Holy Spirit when Peter and John came from Jerusalem. That is when Simon, the sorcerer, was more amazed with the visible demonstration of miracles and tongues than with the transformation of the Spirit. He was rebuffed for his desire to purchase the power rather than to receive the New Birth experience by faith. These miracles were not intended to be sensational results just to provoke admiration or to bring attention to the recipient, but to lead them to full salvation along with the others who witnessed these events. The demonstration of signs alone do not necessarily cause people to believe. They may be impressed, awed, or even curious to know more, but still unbelieving. Jesus performed many signs and miracles, yet there were many people who saw the signs who remained skeptical and unconvinced of His Deity. John observed, “Although He had done so many signs before them, they did not believe in Him, that the word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke: ‘Lord, who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?’” (John 12:37–38 and quoting Isaiah 53:1). There must be more than signs. Faith must be born in the heart of the hearer to turn from sin and seek the Savior. The power of the Spirit will be revealed in the New Birth experience. As Peter explained, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). As believers we can confidently expect miraculous signs of the Spirit’s work and engage the supernatural in our witness. Pray expectantly. Speak confidently. Live purposefully. Anything is possible and everything is available, “These signs will follow those who believe!” Theme passage: “How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord …, God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit?” (Hebrews 2:3–4). |
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