If I was to ask you this morning, do you believe in miracles, what would your response be? When we tend to think on miracles, we seem to venture into the realm of mystery, mystifying, unforeseen or unknown realisms that are just beyond our measure capacity to both comprehend or explain. What makes a miracle a miracle? The dictionary calls a miracle “that which causes wonder and astonishment, being extraordinary in itself and amazing or inexplicable by normal standards.” Scripture tells us what makes a miracle a miracle is God and in God alone!
But what if I was to tell you this morning, a miracle is not something that happens every so often, once in a while, or even every blue moon, would you believe it? In accordance with Gods Holy word, and life experiences from each of us, miracles happen every single day. Now, when we think on a miracle, I am not talking about how you found an empty parking space near the entrance to Nordstrom department, or when you purchased two grocery items and not knowing there was a buy one get one free sale that day. A miracle is like when a child says no to drugs and yes to an education. A single parent raising two children while finding time supporting them at their sporting events while helping to keep their grades up in school and providing food on the table. Our health that miraculous returns to us in full. Then how about the creation of the world that God done in a mere 6 days. A world wide flood to not only destroy everything, but to start over again. 10 plaques of Egypt which ultimately led to the freedom of Israel of over 400 years in bondage. During Joshua march around Jericho, the earth stood still for an entire day. Then, we look into the Gospels account of the virgin mary gave birth by way of the Holy Spirit, then the same Jesus, whom was crucified, dead and then was buried, on the third day rose from the grave which saved us all. These are just a few of the millions of examples that is is Nothing short of a miracle.
In his book, Every Deep-Drawn Breath, Critical Care Doctor Wes Ely explores the ordinary miracle of taking a breath.
We take for granted our ability to breathe. We do it again and again, one breath after another, without thinking. Yet the lungs are incredibly complex, the respiratory system made up of so many different actors, structures, and functions. Cells with hair like projections called cilia move fluid, goblet cells secrete mucus, and column-like cells line and protect. Our lungs have cells that are integral parts of our nervous system, lymphatic system … and immune system. They contain cartilage, elastic tissue, connective tissue, muscle, and glands, and all of this gives rise to a system of airways that is 1500 miles long, from New York City to Dallas, and filters every ounce of air entering the body.
Dr. Ely feels so much admiration for the simple process of taking a breath that he compares it to how “an artist admires a Rembrandt [painting], the way the light, the colors, the brushstrokes all work together to create something more.”
Starting our journey today, we are going to look further into what is this as we will be reading two verses of scripture found in the Gospel of Matthew chapter 13. It is in this part of scripture; Jesus speaks to the people the mysterious parables about the Kingdom of Heaven that is so vitally important for each of us, and yet, Jesus portrayed this great mystery with one of the smallest seed known to the western world.
He [Jesus] presented another parable to them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a person took and sowed in his field; 32 and this is smaller than all the other seeds
When Jesus taught, people thought they knew what the Kingdom of Heaven meant. I really believe they was rather surprised when Jesus compared it to lost sheep that are found, or when treasure is found in a field and even better yet, how a simple, small growing seed could reference the kingdom of heaven. The mustard seed was so small that it would take almost twenty thousand seeds to make one ounce. It seemed rather insignificant or unworthy of value or measurement. However, Jesus tells us how this small seed represents something far more than we could expect. “…but when it is fully grown, it is larger than the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the sky come and nest in its branches.”
Its quite literally true that Jesus was bringing to our attention as to the people of His day, something new out of what was old or insignificant, which it alone is nothing short of a miracle. Does it not sound like God to make something out of nothing? Hence the word creation. Throughout scripture God uses the ordinary to do extraordinary—God performs great miracles from the most undesirable to most insignificant, which is nothing short of a miracle. But you see friends, What Jesus is proclaiming is, He works and sees things in the smallest forms as well as the largest, leaving NOTHING untouched or uncovered. Nothing is too wonderful for the Lord. Amen. We may think we are small, minute and substandard people in number and faith, but we learn that we are the biggest part of His kingdom. Jesus parables about the Kingdom of Heaven gives us a glimpse into who God is, how He thinks and what He is proposing to us, who call Him Lord and Savior. The greatest miracle friends God gave us is His only son, to came and save us from our own demise, our own sins.
Think on this—how delicate is the touch of a surgeons hand? Who needs surgery under a dull knife? When we seek medicine to help aid our infirmities, but what we really need is miracles. Amen.
We seem to sometimes carry heavy loads that we claim is difficult, but when we really look at it, we tend to become weaker and lose focus on what we are striving for and whom we are to depend on. I think about the composer Bach whom inspired and even done his part in the making of many of the Lord’s songs that people even today created for Gods glory. Even though it may seem insignificant how not many people may listen religiously to Bach, his, like many other composers, have led the way for hymns that we sing today to be sung and a part of our worship today. Godly work period, no matter how old or how new, is nothing short of a miracle. Gods hands is in everything. Amen.
You see friends, God gave people gifts of all kinds, but if everyone else does it too, then we downgrade it from miraculous to ordinary—meaning we downgrade God and His majestic works of life. We try to find a replacement, something else to depend on besides the God of miracles. A simple example that Rev. T.D. Jakes mentioned is if there is something minor wrong with your car, we would take it almost anywhere to be fixed. But if there is serious trouble with it, whom do you trust? The manufacturer knows the product better than average. God is not a practicing God, he is an accomplishing God. Amen. Fully dependable, fully reliable, fully sustainable, all which shines brightly to the very awesome word called compassion. Compassion is the mother of all miracles.
In my study, I have a painting of the event in the Gospel of Mark, that we read about the stormy sea the disciples was in which peter thought for sure they would die that day. Peter didn’t challenge Christ’s power; he challenged His compassion. “Teacher, do you no care that we are perishing?” Peter understood that if there is no real compassion, then there can be no miracle. This is something we each need to exercise, genuine compassion, which Christ exemplifies. What happened to the storm? Jesus said “Peace be still!” The waters and seas calmed completely. It all is nothing short of a miracle.
Gospel of Matthew chapter 9, tells us “But when He saw the multiites, He was move with compassion for them because they were weary and scattered like sheep having no shepherd. Chapter 14, “Jesus went forth and saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion toward them and He healed the sick.” Chapter 18, “The master of the servant was moved with compassion, released him and forgave him the debt.”
Gospel of Mark chapter 1, “Jesus moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him and said, to him, I am willing, be cleansed.” Just a few examples that is nothing short of a miracle. God who is the father of miracles. Amen. Then however, we must come to God and believe on Him by faith. This is hard for some people.
Rev. Billy Graham remarked once at one of his crusades, “You have heard the story about Jonah swallowed by a fish? Well if Scripture said Jonah swallowed the fish I would believe it! It’s not difficult to believe if you believe in a God of miracles.” God of miracles! IF you look into a microscope at our blood, tree leaf, insects or organism, what do you see? You see life that is nothing short of a miracle. When you witness a new born baby or animal being born, you witness the new birth of a everlasting miracle that only God can give, down to the molecule of its creation. When you simply look at the moon, stars, the sky, who placed them there? The God of miracles.
If we think a little more into our small world, how can we ever consider God is not with us when we work day after day, take care of our friends or family member, got to carve out sometime in the busy schedule to make room to eat, get some sleep, not to mention taking care of own health, let alone others. How can mankind keep doing things to survive without actually having a physical and mental breakdown? A lost sinner, who never knew God, was awakened by the hands of God, to then become saved—their names written in the lambs book of life! How can we really depend on a God who moves mountains and cures ailments to even consider little owe me? Or how about His church of Memorial UMC? God is a God of miracles. Do you believe it?
Nothing is ordinary when God is concerned. The parable of the mustard seed friends shines light into the realm of Godly miracles. In planting one of the small seeds, it will grow beyond our understanding, which Jesus tells us is miraculous. The branches are used for the birds, to make their home, to nest comfortably with full assurance that God has provided for them. Amen. This simply means what God provides will prosper. What God entrusts us with, while we hold fast to Him, He will flourish, make crooked paths straight, give miracles to heal, to give strength, to sustain all that we have. IF WE SEEK HIM. IF WE BELIEVE IN HIM. IF WE LOVE HIM
While serving in a college ministry, the professor took a group of students camping. His wife also came along. The man had selected a rather difficult hiking location which was about 10 miles long and almost straight up in the sky, which for some would be the closest to heaven one could imagine. While on the hike, the professors wife had a really difficult time as the long hike progressed further and further. She was hot, she was tired, she wasn’t having any fun, and she was sharing her feelings intimately with her husband. Eventually one of the students said to her seeing her backpack looked rather heavy, “Here, let me take the heavy things out of your pack; that’ll make it easier for you to hike.” But when the student opened up her pack his face snickered and grinned, because there wasn’t anything in their except some Kleenex, some toothpaste, and that was about it. But he still wanted to be polite, so he said, “Oh, I guess the problem is there are just so many little things.” Little things that add up!
What we do as Gods people, we must think of with humble hearts. We think big but we start small. How many churches in todays world think they are too small to do Gods work? Not enough people? Not enough children? Not enough money? We live in a world where bigger is better—fortunately, God doesn’t see it that way! Jesus started out with 12 disciples, yet millions followed thereafter. The world teaches IT is mainly our product, our lives are what WE make it to be. OUR actions are the only actions. No where in this attitude is God given acknowledgement. God is in everything, nothing short of a miracle. Do you believe today, God is a God of miracles? I pray you do!
I would like for you to take away from this message the sole purpose knowing that even if we each think we are nothing, we are highly valued to God. He can and will provide for His people who call Him Lord and savior. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” The God of miracles provides, sustains, nurtures and is FULL of compassion. Amen.
Let me leave you with two final things to take with you today. The mustard seed should encourage us - The kingdom of heaven is destined for great things, though its beginning was small. The kingdom of heaven starts here, with us, now! We are useful to the Master in this ever growing kingdom. Secondly, The seed of God will always become a tree! Its nothing short of a miracle who God is. This tree, is the church that God grew. At Memorial, we each have a part to play in serving God in all it entails. God entrusted us as we fully entrust in Him. Are we broken? YES, Are we broken? YES. When we see or experience people who live in sin, listen to what Pauls first letter to Corinthians tells us. Do not be deceived; neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor those habitually drunk, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God. God desires and wants ALL of us to be healed, NOT HATED! AMEN. God loves, even when we don’t love. God cures, even when we cannot cure. God forgives, even when we cannot forgive. God is the GOD OF MIRACLES. God of great compassion.
I’m only one, but I am one. I can’t do everything, but I can do something. What I can do, I ought to do. And what I ought to do, by the grace of God I will do. God does Miracles, and I am of God. God is the God of miracles.
Do not pray for easy lives; pray to be stronger people. Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers; pray for powers equal to your tasks. Then the doing of your work shall be no miracle, but you shall be a miracle. Amen.