Signs and Wonders… what is wrong with us?
I was blessed so much by Nigerian missionaries Benard and his wife Rawn sharing with us this past Sunday morning(4.8.07) for our service. They are simple, straightforward servants of Jesus who love the gospel and have dedicated their lives to preaching the good news. They have risked their comfort, safety and even their lives to go to the villages of Nigera to teach people about Jesus. They are actual heroes of the faith, and we are honored to have them in our midst. I would encourage anyone who is able to consider assisting them (although they were very low key in their request for help, they actually do have significant needs).
One of the things that really touched me was the straightforward, unadorned manner in which Benard spoke of extraordinary wonders he had witnessed in his ministry. I don’t know if every one caught all the things Benard said during his sharing (he did have a pretty strong accent), but he made some pretty amazing claims. One in particular that I had never heard anyone visiting Lamb of God make - that being that he had witnessed a person being raised from the dead. I’ve heard that claim made before, but I’ve never actually met anyone who claimed to have seen it as an eyewitness. I don’t know about you, but that pretty much tops my list of things that are amazing to the point of being almost beyond belief.
What do we do with a claim like that? First of all Benard didn’t make the claim that he heard about this, he made the claim that he witnessed it. Remember, Benard is part of Campus Crusade for Christ - not Pentacostal Pete’s traveling miracle show. Campus Crusade for Christ is a highly credible ministry, with integrity and a long history of doing good work wherever they go. I personally think the late Bill Bright to be one of the greatest visionaries for Jesus of the last 100 years (He also was a mentor to my beloved pastor Ray Nethary). One thing about Dr. Bright is that he had faith to believe God for great things. In many respects what we heard from Benard regarding authority in Jesus were things I’m certain he learned from Bill Bright’s legacy. Did you notice how Benard grounded everything he said in the word? Did you notice how he quoted scripture freely, and that the way he interpreted it was completely consistent with what orthodox Christianity believes. There was nothing crazy, or “extreme” in what he said about healing, or spiritual authority. However, that leaves me with a problem… What is wrong with us?
In many third world settings Jesus appears to be confirming his truth with signs and wonders. I do not doubt this. I also believe that many people are being won to Jesus as a result of these signs and wonders. This was Benard’s observation. Did you notice in almost every story there was word of many, many converts to Jesus? I also believe that to be the truth. But it makes me sad and slightly ashamed of Christianity in the U.S. Why is God holding back power from us? Are we so self-reliant, so cynical and unbelieving that “Jesus can do no mighty works because of our unbelief?” I am praying for this to change. In fact I think it would not be extreme to say that I have staked my future on the confidence that God will act on behalf of his people for the sake of His Son. But is sure is hard waiting. What are your thoughts?
April 17th, 2007 at 4:03 pm
“In many third world settings Jesus appears to be confirming his truth with signs and wonders. I do not doubt this. I also believe that many people are being won to Jesus as a result of these signs and wonders. This was Benard’s observation. Did you notice in almost every story there was word of many, many converts to Jesus? I also believe that to be the truth. But it makes me sad and slightly ashamed of Christianity in the U.S. Why is God holding back power from us?”
Not to be confrontational but there are plenty ministries in the U.S. that see great signs and wonders. the problem is that most of the church in the US are so religious that they make some mocking name for them.
Carl
http://revivalblog.com
April 17th, 2007 at 9:49 pm
Carl, thanks for your comment. I don’t doubt that God is doing signs and wonders in the US. Its just that the classic power encounter so common in the N.T. (where signs and wonders are part of the gospel presentation) are not common in the U.S. They are in the third world.
In the U.S. the rate of conversion has been flat for nearly 20 years. The most marvelous of all God’s wonders is the conversion of the lost. I long to see it as I’m sure you do as well Carl. But thanks for posting and please feel free to share your thoughts here.
Black Dwarf
April 18th, 2007 at 1:34 pm
I enjoyed his testimony and report. Here are a few thoughts:
I don’t doubt the events that he reported but I see the problem with the American church not in the disbelief of miracles (although some do) but in the lack of effort and evangelism. We in America see money and programs as the answer to challenges in reaching the lost. If I am not mistaken all the miracles Bernard reported came at a confrontation of trust in God vs. fear of the devil or sin. We need to challenge ourselves personally to reach the lost at all costs, not just until we feel uncomfortable. Only then will we see the extraordinary.
April 24th, 2007 at 6:43 pm
I was very amazed of Bernard’s experiences. I do believe that God can accomplish these wonders as told from the past and do happen now and in the future. I feel the problem is our own unbelief. I agree with Dawn. We, within ourselves must have blind faith of God’s miracles and we will also see and experience them. I have been fortunate to experience some small miracles in my own life. It is with great concern that I do not share my experiences with everyone I meet because they may think I’m not in my right mind. I have shared with some other Christians in my family circle and they are surprised of my experiences. See the main point is, I know why God shows me these things and I must believe to act upon them. I will not forget what God has shared with me and I need to learn how to apply it for God’s plan.
Bernard must be very special to God because his work is amazing. I will pray for him and his family.