Jesus stands as the resurrected, reigning King, so his people do not traffic in bare religion but in power. The claim of Christianity cannot be stripped of the miraculous, because where there is Christ, there is power, and where power manifests there are signs and wonders. The language of Scripture calls these events “signs and wonders” because a sign shows and a wonder tells, but neither is the destination. They serve the kingdom. Daniel 4 puts a pagan emperor on record: Nebuchadnezzar declares the Most High’s miraculous signs and mighty wonders and concludes that his kingdom is an eternal kingdom and his dominion endures from generation to generation. A king presumes a kingdom, and a kingdom is the king’s domain, the place where his authority holds. If Jesus is King of the world, then his dominion is everywhere. In his kingdom sickness and death do not exist, so healing and resurrection are normal there. The reason the world feels abnormal and full of heartbreak is that humanity chose self-rule and carved tiny kingdoms where people try to be their own god. People are not very good at being god.
Jesus came announcing the kingdom and inviting all to the Father’s table, promising its full future arrival when tears, death, and heartbreak vanish. Until then, signs and wonders serve three purposes. First, signs provoke curiosity. Legitimate signs unsettle people with awe that is close to terror and force the questions: what is happening, who is God, and why would he care for someone like this. Such moments often fall like a queer interruption in ordinary life and push the heart toward God. Second, signs always point to Christ. They never center a brand, a person, or a ministry. Like road signs, they share the name of the destination but are not the destination. Peter argues this in Acts 2: Jesus of Nazareth was accredited by God with miracles, handed over by God’s plan, crucified, and raised. Death cannot hold him. Third, signs are proof of concept. The Lord himself confirms his own word by accompanying signs. The church is not a country club but spiritual A and E, and most signs in the New Testament happen outside the gathering as disciples speak up. When the church speaks up about Jesus with courage and love, the Spirit shows up and validates the message.
So what do signs and wonders finally show and tell? Jesus knows people, Jesus loves people, and Jesus calls people into purpose. Those who come with an empty cup find that the King invites them to bring a bucket. Leaning into the Spirit empowers an ordinary life to be naturally supernatural because the King is present and his kingdom is at hand.
Key Takeaways
- 1. Christianity cannot be de-powered The confession that Jesus lives and reigns binds the faith to real power. To detach the faith from the miraculous hollows it into moralism. Where Christ is present, power is present, and signs and wonders follow as kingdom spillover. [06:10]
- 2. The kingdom makes miracles normal In the King’s domain sickness and death have no standing, so healing and resurrection are not oddities but home turf realities. What shocks the modern mind is simply ordinary in God’s economy. The friction comes from people choosing self-rule and discovering they lack the strength to be their own god. [12:44]
- 3. Signs lead seekers to Jesus A sign shows and a wonder tells, but Jesus is the point. Authentic signs never orbit a personality or brand; they direct attention to the crucified and risen Lord who is accredited by God. Like road signs, they share the name of the destination to send the traveler on. [24:21]
- 4. Speak up and the Spirit shows up God confirms God’s word, not human hype. When disciples risk love-fueled boldness outside church walls, the Lord marks the message with his seal. Silence seeks safety, but testimony gives the Spirit a target. [36:53]
Youtube Chapters
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:21] - Naturally Supernatural recap and aim
- [02:39] - What are signs and wonders
- [04:44] - Christianity cannot be separated from power
- [09:32] - King and kingdom with Nebuchadnezzar
- [12:44] - The kingdom makes the supernatural normal
- [13:51] - Why self-rule breaks everything
- [16:10] - Purpose 1 Signs provoke curiosity
- [22:03] - Awe, terror, and a surprising vision
- [24:21] - Purpose 2 Signs point to Christ
- [26:39] - Peter proclaims the accredited Christ
- [34:46] - Purpose 3 Signs confirm the word
- [36:53] - Speak up and the Spirit shows up
- [41:33] - Come with a bucket faith