II. WORKING OF MIRACLES

1Cor.12:7-10
7  But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
8  For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom;  to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
9  To another faith by the same Spirit;  to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
10  To another the working of miracles ;

 A. WHAT IT IS NOT

1. NOT SO-CALLED MIRACLES OF SCIENCE 
The gift of the working of miracles is not what some call "miracles of science." Natural science is not a supernatural miracle. It is a natural man using natural intellect to deal with natural laws. Natural wisdom is foolishness when compared to God's wisdom.  Some preachers stand in their pulpit attempting to explain 1Cor.12:10 and refer to the "marvelous miracle age" in which we are now living. But the modern medical science and machine age are produced by natural brains and it has nothing to do with manifestation of the Spirit of God which is known as "the working of miracles."

2. NOT SIMPLY A WONDER OF NATURE
This gift must not be reduced to a surprise or wonder. Many people look at the wonders of nature and say, "Oh, that is a miracle."  Some who are unlearned in the things of God attempt to reduce "the working of miracles" to a time in the distant past when God created this magnificent world in which we live.  However, "the working of miracles" is a manifestation of the Spirit of God in our day.  In 1Cor 1:7 the Apostle Paul prays under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit that the church would not lose any spiritual gifts until the Lord Jesus returns.  Thus, the gift of "working of miracles" has not been relegated to the distant past.  It is a current gift which will remain in operation for at least until Jesus returns.

3. NOT SIMPLY A SURPRISE
Often, when modern church buildings, college buildings, hospital buildings, school buildings, etc. are completed, someone will say, "It's a miracle of God."  However, a building in and of itself is not a miracle.  It may be surprising that it was ever completed.  It may be surprising that it turned is decent and usable. But, such things can also be produced by natural sinners who fight against God's miracle working power.

4. NOT MODERN SURGICAL SKILLS
This gift cannot be our modern surgical skills, though such skills are very valuable. Our modern surgeons can take man apart but they cannot put him together again. They sew him together with surgical sutures but they must wait for the wound to heal.  There is nothing supernatural about that. Doctors who do not even know God can possess modern surgical skills.

1. DEFINITION
The Spiritual gift of working of miracles is a supernatural manifestation of the Spirit of God doing a supernatural act that none of the other eight spiritual gifts do.

2. IT IS SIGNS AND WONDERS
The working of miracles is signs and wonders.

Mk. 16:17-20
17  And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18  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.
19  So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
20  And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

It is always supernatural and contrary to nature. It is used to confirm the Word of God preached by God's servants. God works miracles to build faith in His Word.

John 5:36 (NASV)
36  “But the witness which I have is greater than that of John; for the works which the Father has given Me to accomplish, the very works that I do, bear witness of Me, that the Father has sent Me

John 10:25
25  Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me.

The absence of miracles will often cause people to doubt God's Word.  For instance, when God called Gideon, Gideon asked God, "If I am a mighty man of valor where are all the miracles?" This was why Moses asked God to be with him to perform miracles.  This is why Elisha asked, "Where is the Lord God of Elijah?" This is why God told Joshua, "As I was with Moses so I will be with thee."  This is why we are required to do the same things Jesus did and take up the work He left off.

John 14:12
12  Verily, 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.

3. MIRACLES ACCOMPLISH GOD'S DIVINE WILL
Miracles are performed to deliver people in danger, to perform judgments upon those who interfere with His work, to calm storms, to cast out devils, to bind up broken hearts, to deliver the captives, and to deliver people from natural stubbornness and rebellion so they may receive the Holy Ghost. Miracles cause people to be saved. Denying miracles does not!
 

1. FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT
God raised the dead for Elijah and Elisha (IKings 17:21). Elijah had power over rain. The bears ate the children who mocked Elisha. The men who came to arrest Elijah were struck dead. Naaman's leprosy possessed Gehazi. God gave Moses temporary power over rain, hail, and frogs. God rolled the waters back, made the sun stand still, caused the axe to swim, took the burn out of the fire, won the battle for Gideon, protected the children of Israel from disease, rot, and ruin while they were in the wilderness.  God protected their clothes 40 years, and fixed Moses where his eyes did not grow dim.

2. FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT
Through the gift of working of miracles, Jesus turned the water into wine (John 2). Through this gift, Jesus commanded Lazarus to come forth from the dead after he had already been embalmed (John 11).  Through a miracle Jesus fed 5000 with five loaves and two fishes.  Nine lepers were healed; but one of them was made whole as he later worshipped Jesus (Luke 17). The nine that were healed did not have their missing organs restored. The man who returned found that he had a whole nose, whole ear, whole hand, etc. It was more than just a healing, it was a miracle!   When Peter went into a room and found the people weeping over a corpse he first knelt and prayed; then he arose and commanded the woman to arise. She was restored to life. This miracle resulted in many turning to God (Acts 9:39-43). Through the gift of the working of miracles, Paul raised a man to life after the man fell out of a window and was killed (Acts 20:6-12).   Through this gift Paul wrought special miracles through handkerchiefs and aprons (Acts 19:1-6).  Through this gift, two deacons, Philip and Stephen, had signs and wonders follow their ministry confirming the Word of God which they preached (Acts 6-8). Through this gift, Ananias, who held no known office in the church, laid hands on Paul for Paul to be healed and to receive the Holy Ghost.  Through this gift, Paul struck a man blind (Acts 13:11).  Most of these are instances where God trusted men with miracles. The Bible is a book of miracles and God is a God of miracles.