Center for Biblical Theology and Eschatology

The Miracle Within

by Reverend Ron Paschke

    One night a wife found her husband standing over their infants crib. As she watched him looking down at their very first child, she saw on his face a mixture of emotions: disbelief, delight, amazement, skepticism, enchantment. Touched by this unusual display and the deep emotions it aroused, with eyes glistening she slipped her arm around her husband. “A penny for your thoughts,” she said. “It’s amazing!” he replied. It’s just amazing. “I just can’t see how anybody can make a crib like that for only $66.95.” Now Ladies does that sound like something a man would say? Here lay one of the greatest miracles in Gods creation… and all this father saw was a crib. He did not see what lay within. But he wasn’t unique. Many times people look upon God’s handiwork and only see the outside manifestations… never the miracle that lays within. Whether it is the miracle of the birth of a new baby or the miracle of the birth of a new Christian; There are many who see only the outside framework and miss the miracle that lays within. God’s word tells us that something very exceptional lies within each Christian. When we obey Jesus by repenting of our sins and being buried in Christian Baptism we have the promise that we shall receive the “Gift of the Holy Spirit.” Dr Luke informs us in Acts “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” The Gift of that Miracle that lays within our very being. Christ clearly states the importance of the Holy Spirit to each believer: Hear our Lord’s words to us “It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor (the Holy Spirit) will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin.” Jesus is saying that when He left, He would send His Spirit in His place. His power within us. The Holy Spirit, The Miracle that lays Within, does many things: He helps us to understand the deep things of God’s Word, helps us in our prayers, guides us teaches us and empowers us for ministry with spiritual, supernatural gifts But perhaps the most intriguing thing the Holy Spirit was sent to do is in Acts “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Notice the text says First that they would receive the Holy Spirit and then they would be his witnesses. The Holy Spirit came First – then witnessing. Have you ever felt frustrated in witnessing? People don’t seem to want to listen. They politely put us off. They have other things to do. I am convinced that part of our frustration in witnessing can come from not understanding the pivotal role that the Holy Spirit, The Miracle Within, can play when sharing our faith. Jesus said: “It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. When he comes, He will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin, and righteousness, and judgment”

One of the primary responsibilities of God’s Spirit is Convicting people of their sin, of their need for righteousness and the reality of the impending judgment. Convicting People of their sins ….. of the need of righteousness and the closeness of judgment is the Holy Spirit’s job. Not Ours….. Not Ours…….-Praise God! But that does not mean our testimony isn’t important. Without our testimony, without our witness the world will not know the Good News. As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of them who bring … Good News”

Notice the implication here. ……Unless someone witnesses, ….. people cannot hear the Gospel. If they do not hear, they cannot believe,…….if they do not believe …… they will not be saved. The salvation of the people we care about hinges on our faithfulness in witnessing. Our witness is part of the Good News. This is of such value to God that He regards even the feet of those who witness as beautiful. Paul realized how much he needed God’s Spirit to be successful: “I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.”

The Holy Spirit can help guide us to people we should meet with …. and talk with. The Holy Spirit can give us the opportunity to witness by word or by action. Are you willing to be that arm of comfort? Are you ready to be the light in the darkness? We need to die to self and be open to the leading of the Holy Spirit. If you do, you will be a blessing and in turn be blessed. The Holy Spirit gives us boldness when we need to stand fast for the faith. In Acts 4 we are told that Peter and John were arrested, beaten and released severely warned to never preach about Jesus publicly again. They returned to meet with the church and they prayed: After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.”

Likewise, (if we let Him) the Holy Spirit will not only give us boldness, but He can help give us creative ways to witness. A Sunday school teacher had taught her class to recite the Apostles Creed by giving each child one phrase to learn. At the Sunday school presentation the class was asked to give their recitation. They began beautifully. “I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth,” said Sarah. “I believe in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord,” chimed in Rachael. Everything went perfect one after the other and then there was a long pause. Finally a little girl spoke up and said, “Uh, the little boy who believes in the Holy Spirit is absent today!” Has the presence and the power of the Holy Spirit been absent in your life? Do you need to be refreshed? Are you ready to be refreshed? If you allow the Holy Spirit to guide you, you will be filled with power, filled with boldness and be over comers. Empty yourselves….. be filled and refreshed a new with the Holy Spirit ….. the Miracle Within. Friends you are blessed and called to be a blessing. Let us move together in the power of the Holy Spirit, to be the light of the world. And together, together, be taken from Glory to Glory. It is time for our light to shine. Let us pray; Father help me, to yield all of who I am, all of me; Body, Soul and Spirit to your transforming love. Break me when I need to be broken and strengthen me when I need strength. You are the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, the great I am. Father I empty myself, that you may refresh me with the Holy Spirit and fill me to the Brim with the Miracle that lays Within.

Amen and Amen!