Expecting Miracles: Faith in God's Love and Power

We are entering a season of expectation, focusing on the reality that God is still in the business of doing miracles. Life often brings us to places where our own strength and resources are not enough, and it’s in those moments that we need God to intervene in ways only He can. Miracles are not just ancient stories or rare occurrences; they are God’s supernatural interruptions in the natural flow of our lives—moments when He steps in, turns things around, and leaves us marveling at His power and love.

Throughout Scripture, we see God performing miracles of healing, provision, protection, and deliverance. From the Israelites crossing the Red Sea, to Jesus healing the sick and raising the dead, to the provision of manna and water in the wilderness, God’s wonders are woven into the fabric of His relationship with His people. These miracles are not just for the pages of the Bible; they are for us today. God desires for each of us to be first-hand witnesses of His miraculous power, not just hearers of what He’s done for others.

Miracles serve several purposes: they confirm God’s Word, demonstrate His ability, and most importantly, reveal His love for us. God’s motivation for doing miracles is rooted in His perfect love—a love that is not based on our performance, but on His choice to set His affection on us. When Jesus healed the crowds, it was out of compassion. When God provides or delivers, it’s because He cares deeply for us.

Yet, many of us struggle to see miracles in our lives. Sometimes it’s due to a lack of faith, bad doctrine, past disappointments, or simply a lack of knowledge about who God is and what He wants to do. Jesus Himself was limited in His hometown because of unbelief. We are challenged to move beyond “seeing is believing” to a faith that believes before it sees, trusting God’s character and promises even when circumstances seem unchanged.

Personal testimonies remind us that miracles are not just theory—they are real and present. Whether it’s healing from asthma or the birth of a child against all odds, these stories encourage us to keep believing, even when we don’t understand everything. The key to experiencing miracles is faith—believing that God is able and willing to move in our lives. As we open our hearts and expect God to work, we position ourselves to witness His wonders firsthand.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Miracles are God’s supernatural interventions, not limited to the past but available for us today. They are moments when God steps into our circumstances, does what we cannot, and leaves us in awe of His power and goodness. Expecting God to move is a vital part of living a life of faith. [02:06]
• 2. God’s motivation for miracles is His love for us, not our worthiness or performance. His compassion moves Him to heal, provide, protect, and deliver, simply because He has chosen to set His love upon us. Our understanding of His love deepens our trust and expectation for the miraculous. [17:08]
• 3. Faith is the key that unlocks the miraculous. Jesus repeatedly affirmed that miracles happened “according to your faith.” We are called to believe before we see, trusting God’s promises and character even when circumstances haven’t changed yet. [33:35]
• 4. Past disappointments and unanswered prayers can hinder our faith, but we are encouraged to leave the “secret things” to God and continue trusting Him for new miracles. Our faith should not be anchored in past outcomes but in God’s unchanging nature and His ongoing desire to work in our lives. [25:35]
• 5. A lack of knowledge about God’s character, His promises, and His willingness to act can keep us from experiencing all He has for us. The more we know Him, the more we can receive from Him. Growing in understanding through His Word and testimonies builds the faith needed to witness His wonders. [28:29]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:10] - Introducing the Series: “I’ve Witnessed It”
• [02:06] - What is a Miracle? Definitions and Expectations
• [04:25] - God’s Unchanging Nature and Miracles
• [06:46] - Becoming First-Hand Witnesses
• [08:39] - Miracles of Healing and Provision
• [10:32] - Miracles of Protection and Deliverance
• [12:12] - Why God Does Miracles
• [15:12] - Miracles Confirm God’s Word and Demonstrate His Ability
• [17:08] - The Motivation: God’s Love
• [18:31] - Barriers to Miracles: Lack of Faith
• [23:14] - Bad Doctrine and Disappointment
• [25:35] - Trusting God Despite Unanswered Prayers
• [28:29] - The Importance of Knowledge
• [33:35] - Faith: The Key to Miracles
• [34:43] - Personal Testimony: Healing from Asthma
• [37:12] - Personal Testimony: The Miracle of Jonathan
• [44:14] - Invitation for Prayer and Closing

Bible Reading

Joshua 3:5 (ESV) — > Then Joshua said to the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.”

2. Psalm 77:14 (ESV)
> You are the God who works wonders; you have made known your might among the peoples.

3. Mark 6:4-6 (ESV)
> And Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household.” And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. And he marveled because of their unbelief.

Observation Questions

1. In Joshua 3:5, what does Joshua tell the people to do in preparation for God’s wonders? What does this reveal about their attitude or expectation?
2. According to Psalm 77:14, how does God make His power known among people?
3. In Mark 6:4-6, what was the reason Jesus could not do many miracles in His hometown? How did Jesus respond to this situation?
4. The sermon described miracles as “God’s supernatural interruptions in the natural flow of our lives.” What are some examples from the Bible or the sermon that fit this description? [[02:06]]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Joshua told the people to “consecrate” or “purify” themselves before God did wonders among them? What does this say about our posture before God when we are seeking a miracle?
2. The sermon says that God’s motivation for miracles is His love, not our performance or worthiness. How does this understanding change the way someone might approach God with their needs? [[17:08]]
3. In Mark 6, Jesus was “amazed at their lack of faith.” What does this teach us about the relationship between faith and experiencing God’s power? [[18:31]]
4. The sermon mentioned that past disappointments or unanswered prayers can hinder our faith. How should believers respond when they don’t see the miracle they hoped for? [[25:35]]

Application Questions

1. The sermon challenges us to move from just believing in miracles to expecting God to do miracles in our own lives. Is there an area in your life right now where you need to raise your expectation for God to move? What would it look like to do that this week? [[02:06]]
2. God’s love is the motivation behind His miracles, not our performance. Are there ways you have felt unworthy to ask God for help? How can you remind yourself of His love and compassion when you pray? [[17:08]]
3. The sermon gave examples of different types of miracles: healing, provision, protection, and deliverance. Which of these do you most relate to right now, and how can the group pray with you for God’s intervention? [[08:39]]
4. Have you ever let past disappointments or unanswered prayers keep you from believing for new miracles? What “secret things” do you need to leave with God so you can trust Him afresh? [[25:35]]
5. The sermon said that a lack of knowledge about God’s character and promises can keep us from experiencing all He has for us. What is one step you can take this week to grow in your knowledge of God—through reading, listening, or sharing testimonies? [[28:29]]
6. Faith is the key that unlocks the miraculous. What is one practical way you can exercise faith this week, even if your circumstances haven’t changed yet? [[33:35]]
7. The pastor shared personal testimonies of healing and provision. Do you have a story—big or small—where you’ve seen God work in your life? How can sharing this encourage someone else in the group? [[37:12]]