TEXT:  Heb. 2:1-4

INTRODUCTION:

A.      OUR TEXT TEACHES THAT GOD BORE WITNESS TO THE APOSTLE'S

          PREACHING WITH MIRACLES.

B.      THE PURPOSE OF MIRACLES WASN'T FLESHLY GRATIFICATION.  IT WAS FOR

          THE CHURCH'S BENEFIT( 1 Cor. 12:4-7 ).

C.      HOW LONG WERE MIRACLES TO LAST AND WHAT IS A MIRACLE?

I.      WHAT IS A MIRACLE?

A.      NOT JUST SOMETHING WONDERFUL THAT WE DON'T UNDERSTAND.

          1.  Not natural phenomena - Birth, life, healing.

          2.  Not beating the odds - plane crashes, Dodgers, etc.

          3.  Not the exercise of unusual talents, Autistic Savants.

B.      MIRACLE, dunamis, "power, inherent ability, is used of works of a supernatural

          origin & character, such as could not be produced by natural agents or means"  ( Vine ).

          "An event or  action that apparently contradicts known scientific laws and is hence thought

          to be due  to supernatural causes, esp. to an act of God" ( Webster ).

II.     WHO IN THE CHURCH HAD THESE POWERS?

A.      THOSE WHO RECEIVED HOLY SPIRIT BAPTISM.

          1.  The apostles( Acts 2:1-4 ).

          2.  Cornelius( Acts 10:44-48 )before he was saved.

          3.  Both cases a new teaching came to light( 11:13-18 ).

B.      THEY UPON WHOM THE APOSTLES LAID HANDS( 8:14-19; 19:6 ).

C.      NOT ALL HAD THESE POWERS( 1 Cor. 12:28-29; Acts 8:14-16 ).

III.    WAS THERE A TIME LIMIT?  HOW LONG?

A.      1 Cor. 13.  CONTEXT FIRST!

          1.  The result of inspiration( 2:16 )

          2.  ch. 12.  A troubled church.

                   a.       Competition between tongues and prophets.

                   b.       Same Spirit, different gifts, to profit the church.

                   c.       We must pursue greater gifts than these( vs. 31 ).

B.      3 ARGUMENTS TO SHOW LOVE AS A MORE DESIRABLE GIFT.

          1.       Love is more basic( vs. 1-3 ).  It can stand without miracles. 

                   Miracles can't stand without love.

          2.       Love profoundly effects our lives( vs. 4-7 ). 

                   They had miracles but none of the benefits named here.

          3.       Love is greater because of duration( vs. 8-13 ).

                   a.       Love never fails, but miracles do. When? When that which is perfect

                             is come( contrast with partial knowledge )( 2 Tim. 3:16-17 ).

                   b.       vs 11.  What are the childish things?  Context!

                   c.       vs. 12. Our vision unclear...need for confirmation.

                             Now: 1 Cor. one of the first.  They saw in a mirror darkly, they knew in part.

                             Then: When that which is perfect is come( 2 Tim.3 ), face to face, fully know

                              as we are known( 2:16 ).

                   d.       vs. 13.  3 greatest gifts - duration.

Faith doesn't last forever, but outlasts miracles.

Hope doesn't either( Rom. 8:24 ), yet...

Love lasts forever, therefore it is the greatest.

C.      Zechariah 13.  THE CONTEXT TELLS US WHEN.

          1.       ch. 12:10.  "They shall look unto me whom they have pierced"

                   a.       Rev. 1:7.  The right language but no fulfillment claim.

                   b.       John 19:37.  Fulfillment claimed, the death of Jesus.

          2.       ch. 13:1.  "A fountain opened...for sin and for uncleanness."

                   a.       Heb. 9:13-15;  Rom. 3:23-26.  Only one fountain, for all on both

                             sides of the cross.

                   b.       "In that day" when they look unto him whom they have pierced.

          3.       ch. 13:7.  "The sheep shall be scattered." 

                   ( Mat. 26:31 ). Fulfilled "this night."

D.      ch. 13:2-6.  THE END OF PROPHECY.

          1.  "In that day"( vs. 2 ).  What day?

          2.  The prophets and the unclean spirit to pass out of the land ( vs. 2b ).

          3.  The death penalty for the prophet( vs. 3;  Deut. 18:20-22 ).

          4.  Ashamed of his vision.

          5.  The hairy mantle( 2 Kings 2:8-15 ).

          6.  vs. 5.  Those who would be prophets will find other work.

E.      SOME OBSERVATIONS ABOUT Zech. 13:

          1.  In that day is used not to point out an hour on the clock, or a specific day.  It is

                    used to describe a time-frame.  "In my day..."

          2.  The time-frame is the period surrounding Jesus' death.

          3.  After this those claiming to be prophets are called liars.

          4.  Neither is there time or place for exorcists.

CONCLUSION:  MIRACLES ARE NOT FOR TODAY.