Text: Mark 2:1-12; Acts 8:9–11

1 And again he entered into Capernaum after some days;  and it was noised that he was in the house.  2 And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door:  and he preached the word unto them. 3 And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four.   4 And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was:  and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay.   5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.   6 But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, 7 Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies?  who can forgive sins but God only?  8 And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts?  9 Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee;  or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk?  10 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,) 11 I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house. 12 And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all;  insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.

9 But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:  10 To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.   11 And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.  

Monday, 4^th November 2024

MIRACLES AND MAGIC difference

Text: Mark 2:1-12; Acts 8:9–11

Memory verse: Mark 2:12 And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, we never saw it on this fashion.

A major difference between magic and miracles is that magic draws upon power that is not directly from God, and miracles are the result of God’s power intervening in the world. Magic is an attempt to circumvent God in the acquisition of knowledge or power. The city of Ephesus was a battleground between magic and miracles. The pagan population of Ephesus was steeped in idolatry and involved in magic, but then Paul brought the gospel to that city, and with the gospel came true power through the apostle: “God did extraordinary miracles through Paul” Acts 19:11. Seeing what Paul did, some exorcists, the seven sons of Sceva attempted to duplicate his miracles, but they failed miserably and publicly Acts 19:13-16. When a large number of Ephesians were saved through the preaching of Paul and Silas, the new believers destroyed their books of witchcraft: “A number of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted the value of them and found that it was fifty thousand pieces of silver” Acts 19:19. In Ephesus, there was a clear contrast between the miracles of God and the magic of the devil, which is sorcery.

Another difference between magic and miracles is that magic does not glorify God, but miracles do. A good example of a magician’s self-promotion is found in Samaria. “A man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great, and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, ‘This man is rightly called the Great Power of God.’ They followed him because he had amazed them for a long time with his sorcery”.

Note that Simon was boastful about his “power” and went by a blasphemous title. Simon had the ability to amaze the crowds with his magic, but it was not the power of God. Simon’s performances were all about himself and enriching his own life. Later, Simon the magician sees a true miracle performed by Peter and John, and he offers to buy from them the “secret” to add to their tricks Acts 8:18–19. Peter immediately rebuked Simon: in Simon’s sinful heart, he had equated the power of the Holy Spirit with his own sorcery Acts 18:20–23.

Another difference between magic and miracles is that magic involves manipulation and opposition to the truth but miracles reveal the truth. The magician attempts to manipulate people for personal gain. The worker of miracles simply showcases the power and glory of God.  Miracles on all occasions has a moral or doctrinal message for man. Apart from revealing God and bringing Him glory, no magical event stirs up people to moral uprightness.

CGDS HYMN 3; SS&S 203 

ALL HAIL THE POWER OF JESUS' NAME!

1. All hail the power of Jesus' name!

Let angels prostrate fall;

Bring forth the royal diadem,

And crown Him Lord of all.

2. Crown Him, ye martyrs of our God,

Who from His alter call;

Extol the stem of Jesse's rod,

And crown Him Lord of all.

3. Ye seed of Israel's chosen race,

A remnant weak and small,

Hail Him who saves you by His grace,

And crown Him Lord of all.

4. Ye Gentile sinners, ne'er forget

The wormwood and the gall;

Go, spread your trophies at His feet,

And crown Him Lord of all.

5. Let every kindred, every tribe,

On this terrestrial ball,

To Him all majesty ascribe,

And crown Him Lord of all.

6. Oh, that with yonder sacred throng

We at His feet may fall,

Join in the everlasting song,

And crown Him Lord of all.

  Prayers 

1.  Lord Jesus, I want to identify with power that is backed with your blood.

2.  LORD God Almighty, I declare Your superiority over every work of darkness in Jesus’ name. Amen.    

3.  Pray for others in this regard.