Mid-Week Encouragement August 28th, 2024

Over the years, I have been involved with many other pastors and churches, working to unite them and bring Christ Jesus to the community. One of the discussions we would have is about "reaching out" and showing the "power of God" to bring in new believers. The problem would arise when certain denominations believed and pushed for "signs and wonders," as the power of God, to which I would disagree because signs and wonders can be faked. We have all seen the charlatans on TV with their magic swinging arms, making entire stadiums “pass out” from the so-called power of God. We can even read about signs and wonders being faked in Genesis when Moses spoke to the Pharoah as God told him to do. This is not to say that signs and wonders are not real or cannot happen. The point is that Scripture clearly states that signs and wonders are not how people believe and receive salvation. Jesus Himself says so in John 6:26.

John 6:26-35

"Jesus answered them and said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. 27 Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you, for on Him the Father, God, set His seal.” 28 Therefore they said to Him, “What should we do, so that we may work the works of God?” 29 Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.” 30 So they said to Him, “What then do You do for a sign so that we may see, and believe You? What work do You perform? 31 Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” 32 Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, Moses has not given you the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” 34 Then they said to Him, “Lord, always give us this bread.

35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me will never hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst."

The bread of life is the word of God!

ROMANS 1:16-17

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “But the righteous will live by faith.”

Paul tells us not to be ashamed of the gospel, for IT is the power of God for Salvation! In the gospel, the righteousness of God is revealed, and therein lies the power of God for salvation. And the righteous will live by faith, not by what they see. (2 Corinthians 5:7)

ROMANS 10:17

“…faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.”

So Paul says that our faith comes from hearing the word, not seeing signs and wonders. The word is the power of God unto salvation, and the word should be our focus. It is the gospel that saves, and the word we should preach.

Some become so caught up in seeing signs that they miss the true "power of God unto salvation." Too often, we hear non-believers say, "Just show me a sign! Prove it!" when the proof is in the Word, which reveals the righteousness of God, gives us faith, and brings us to salvation if we believe.

SERMON FROM LAST SUNDAY

Here is the audio if you prefer to listen.

READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR

With Hebrew Scholar Chad Bird from 1517, a nonprofit organization that exists to declare and defend the Good News that you are forgiven and free on account of Christ alone.

https://www.1517.org/oneyear

PRAYER REQUESTS

For Pastor's right eye

House Flipping Mission (Herschelman's)

Praise God for provisions, fellowship

The country

Salvation for children & grandchildren

For Daniel & Hunter in military

THIS MONTH'S BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES

Kari S. - August 1

Violet B. - August 21

If you need anything added, such as an announcement, birthday or anniversary, or prayer request, send it by email to Contact@PS127.org.