Miracles

Darryl Starnes is a Bishop for the AME Zion Church. Today on the Matt Friedeman Show he addressed the topic of miracles.

Do we and should we still believe in thing like miracles?

Definitely.

I believe that God has always worked supernaturally according to his guidance and his will.

Do you think Jesus still does the same things today as he did when He was in the flesh?

Yes.

I think there, however, have been season where, because of unbelief in people, there seems to be a scarcity of these manifestations.

A lot of it has to do with our lack of faith or our slackness in sharing the gospel.

I think there's a correlation between sharing out faith and these spiritual manifestation of God's power.

Should we find a balance? Can we focus too much on holiness or too much on miracles?

One of the ways that we have looked at it is that the gospel should be shared in word, in deed, and in fact.

This is the language that the Apostle Paul used in Romans Chapter 15, verses 18 and 19.

Sometimes I believe that the enemy, if he cannot keep us from sharing the gospel, will give us a narrow view of evangelism.

And then others, he gives the view that evangelism is sharing the gospel by sign...by supernatural power.

The word is important, our deeds are important, but trusting God for his power supernaturally to work is important.

Should I get discouraged when miracles don't seem to work out like they did in the life of Jesus?

Sometimes God tests us by following Him even when the things we want to happen don't happen.

God promised Abraham that He would make him the father of a great nation. But there were as many as 25 years between the promise and the fulfillment of that promise.

Sometimes the miracle is delayed, and sometimes God says "Trust me."

It seemed to be that Jesus went to go find the sick. How important is it that we go out and find the sick to perform miracles and healings?

I think it's very important.

That's why I think these manifestations of God's power are tied to the gospel and to outreach.

People are suffering in many ways, and as we meet the needs of people, God will determine how he meets these needs.

I really believe the healings and the miracles are always tied to God trying to reach people.

It seems like more healings are happening in places like China, Africa, or South America than here. Why is that?

In Europe and America, we sometimes take the gospel for granted. We often believe we are true believers because we've heard a lot about Christ or we've heard a lot about God.

In many countries that gospel is fresh. And the good news of Jesus is something people are hearing for the first time.

Sometimes we take for granted the message of Christ in many countries in the West.

Have you ever had to give advice to a church that has taken this emphasis too far or not far enough?

For those that are taking it too far, it's really about being careful about trying to control the move of God as opposed to welcoming the move of God.

And then on those who have closed the door to what God wants to do, it's about letting them know that we cannot minister, lead, or serve on our own power.

As you are pointing out so well, there are dangers on both sides.

I think a lot of it is about control, isn't it Bishop?

That's exactly right.

That's a problem that's still emanating from our sinful nature.

Pastor's Circle - Darryl Starnes

Darryl Starnes, Bishop for the AME Zion Church, joined the show today to address the issue of what the Church can do to combat the moral decay plaguing our nation.

How is it that a nation descends into a moral black hole?

Well, I think history has always proven that countries go through these cycles.

We may have a period of revival and morality...sensitivity to the things of God cause people to live on a higher moral plain. But then as generations come up...we have a tendency to have this happen.

It provides an opportunity for fresh ministry, a fresh opportunity to share Christ.

Are there challenges that we have today that other cultures haven't had?

When we say challenges unique to us, it's just unique for us in recent time. For a while, we've enjoyed what I call homecourt advantage.

Now, in this multicultural society where anything goes, we may not have that homecourt advantage, but we're more like the 1st century.

In one way it's disheartening. In another way it's exciting.

How are churches impacting their culture?

The greatest way I think is the way we live in the day to day walk of live as people interact with us.

Our worship services are very important, but if there's not a connection between Sunday morning and what we are in the week, there's something wrong.

Whose fault is it? Is it the church's fault?

I think that there's room for all of us in terms of fault. But when I look at a situation, I want to know, what am I going to be accountable to God for, what is He going to ask me about?

So I think that again, if we focus on how we can be that salt and that light...that is a good focus, that we look at ourselves.

How many churches are really being Salt and Light?

I'm not certain about how many churches, but I do believe that most churches have some people who truly are hungry and thirsty for righteousness.

The churches that have more of those people are the ones who cannot only make a difference as  individual Christians, but can make a difference as a faith community.

Do you see the small 'platoons' as the means of social change?

I really do.

I believe that when that small group accountability is authentic, it moves us outside of ourselves.

I believe that as we have that quality time with God, it will move us outwards. In the same way, God will move that small group outward.

What would you say to church leaders who want to turn moral decay around?

I would say that the most important thing we must do as pastors and church leaders is first of all to identity in the congregation those lay leaders who really have a heart for God. And really pour himself into those people.

I think we have to identify leaders, pour ourselves into them, then unleash them as change in society and the church.

Pastor's Circle - Bishop Darryl Starnes, AME Zion

Dr. Darryl B. Starnes, Sr. is a bishop with the American Methodist Episcopal Zion church.

What are the qualities of an evangelistic church?

There are many factors, but I think one of the primary factors is a faithfulness to the Great Commission...it becomes one of the core values of that congregation.

But along with that is the pursuit of holiness. To not only proclaim the gospel, but to live it. In the way that we treat each other and in the love that's demonstrated in the congregation.

Leadership plays a major role in something either becoming or continuing to be a core value.

Everything rises or falls on leadership, especially that which is in the heart of the pastor.

Pretty soon, if that pastor stays there long enough, what's in his or her heart will eventually impact the leadership of the church.

How can you tell a holy congregation?

One of the things happens, is that the Holy Spirit gives people a sensitivity to God.

Through this sensitivity, He makes us aware of how our actions and attitudes bring glory or shame to His name.

What are we pursuing if not holiness?

I sometimes think that we look at the evidences of God's blessing and make them the goal rather than God the goal.

So we begin to look at attendance numbers and also finances. The problem is we make those things the end themselves.

Anytime we make anything other than the Lord, His presence, His will our focus we are in trouble.

What should lay people do to make a Great Church?

It's not an easy thing for a church to experience renewal and revival. But one thing seems to be clear in the scriptures and in church history. That is, every movement of God starts with a praying people. A group that prays and calls on God consistently.

It doesn't have to be a large number of people.

There are some factors that could help or hinder authentic revival - division, hate, people holding things against whole groups of people. Until God can bring some healing and reconciliation that's authentic. Some of the national move of God will be hindered, I think.

What are some of the things that stand against revival?

There's a void, an emptiness, in too many. We're just living in an age where there are so many thing that promise to fill that void, which never do and often put us in bondage.

Only Christ can fill that emptiness and only when we share it can others know it.