Progressive Miracles
David Wilkerson explores the concept of progressive miracles, emphasizing God's quiet, ongoing work in our lives compared to instantaneous miracles.
David Wilkerson emphasizes the distinction between instantaneous miracles and progressive miracles in his sermon 'Progressive Miracles.' He illustrates that while the Old Testament showcases dramatic, immediate miracles, many of God's works today unfold gradually and quietly, often unnoticed. Wilkerson points out that both types of miracles were evident in Christ's ministry, particularly in the feedings of the multitudes, where the miracle of provision occurred progressively. He encourages believers to recognize and trust in the subtle, ongoing work of God in their lives, even when it is not immediately visible. Ultimately, the sermon calls for faith in God's ability to perform miracles in ways that may not align with our expectations.
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The Old Testament is filled with God's miracle-working power, from the opening of the Red Sea, to God speaking to Moses from the burning bush, to Elijah calling down fire from heaven. All these were instantaneous miracles. The people involved could see them happening, feel them and thrill to them. And they are the kinds of miracles we want to see today, causing awe and wonder. We want God to rend the heavens, come down to our situation and fix things in a burst of heavenly power.
But much of God's wonder-working power in his people's lives comes in what are called "progressive miracles." These are miracles that are hardly discernable to the eye. They're not accompanied by thunder, lightning or any visible movement or change. Rather, progressive miracles start quietly, without fanfare, and unfold slowly but surely, one step at a time.
Both kinds of miracles--instantaneous and progressive--were witnessed at Christ's two feedings of the multitudes. The healings he performed were immediate, visible, easily discerned by those present on those days. I think of the crippled man with a gnarled body, who suddenly had an outward, physical change so that he could run and leap. Here was a miracle that had to astonish and move all who saw it.
Yet the feedings that Christ did were progressive miracles. Jesus offered up a simple prayer of blessing, with no fire, thunder or earthquake. He merely broke the bread and the dried fish, never giving a sign or sound that a miracle was taking place. Yet, to feed that many people, there had to be thousands of breakings of that bread and those fish, all through the day. And every single piece of bread and fish was a part of the miracle.
This is how Jesus performs many of his miracles in his people's lives today. We pray for instantaneous, visible wonders, but often our Lord is quietly at work, forming a miracle for us piece by piece, bit by bit. We may not be able to hear it or touch it, but he is at work, shaping our deliverance beyond what we can see.
Sermon Outline
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I
- Introduction to God's miracle-working power
- Examples of instantaneous miracles in the Old Testament
- Desire for visible miracles today
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II
- Definition of progressive miracles
- Characteristics of progressive miracles
- Contrast with instantaneous miracles
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III
- Examples of miracles in Christ's ministry
- The significance of the feedings of the multitudes
- Understanding the nature of progressive miracles
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IV
- The role of prayer in miracles
- God's quiet work in our lives
- Trusting in God's timing and methods
Key Quotes
“Yet, to feed that many people, there had to be thousands of breakings of that bread and those fish, all through the day.” — David Wilkerson
“We may not be able to hear it or touch it, but he is at work, shaping our deliverance beyond what we can see.” — David Wilkerson
Application Points
- Recognize that not all miracles are instantaneous; some require patience and faith.
- Trust in God's process, even when His work is not immediately visible.
- Engage in prayer, knowing that God is actively shaping your circumstances over time.