Episode Summary

Podcast: River Valley Church
Episode: Message | Miracles Still Happen
Speaker: Pastor Rob Ketterling
Date: November 9, 2025

Main Theme / Purpose

This episode centers on the belief that miracles still happen today. Pastor Rob Ketterling encourages the congregation to recognize, expect, and pray for miracles, both individually and collectively. The talk aims to build faith, confront skepticism, and demonstrate that miracles—large and small—are still part of the believer’s journey and God’s plan for His people.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Framing the Series: Miracles for Me, We, and Thee (00:00–02:00)

• This is week two in a three-part series:
  • Week 1: "Miracles for Me"
  • Week 2: "Miracles for We" (today—miracles in community)
  • Week 3 upcoming: "Miracles for Thee" (others/mission).
• Pastor Rob light-heartedly references his son Connor's humor regarding the series' naming.

2. Scripture Foundation: We’re Living in Miraculous Times (02:00–04:16)

• Acts 2:17-19 cited as prophecy that God’s Spirit and miracles would continue in the "last days."
• Emphasis that miracles weren’t just for Bible times; we are still "living in a miraculous time."
• Prayer for faith: “Lord, open our eyes that we could see more miracles.” (04:00)

3. The Spectrum of Belief in Miracles (05:00–07:25)

• People are at different places with miracles:
  • Some are “all in;” some are okay if they can “verify;” some are skeptical or in denial.
• Evidence for miracles isn’t one-size-fits-all—each person has personal starting assumptions.
  • Quote from Craig Keener:
    “Biblical faith provides the glasses that enable our eyes to see God’s work all around us.” (07:10)

4. Everyday Miracles and Gratitude for Creation (08:00–10:30)

• Example: Being alive each day, a heartbeat, breath, sunrise, gravity—these are miracles.
• Reference to the resurrection of Jesus as the ultimate miracle.
  • “Why do we find it so hard to believe in miracles? Our Lord and Savior came back from the dead.” (09:45)

5. Miracles and Science: Not Opposites (11:00–16:15)

• Pastor Rob affirms the validity of science, but warns against the belief that “only science is real.”
  • “Science is real. But I will not say only science is real.” (14:50)
• Points to scientific phenomena (subatomic particles, homeostasis, the water cycle, laws of gravity) as evidence of God’s miraculous sustaining power.
  • References Einstein’s awe that laws of nature exist at all.
• “God’s like, I have laws going on, the laws of heaven that are regulating everything right now.” (15:15)

6. Cultural Attitudes and Global Perspective on Miracles (17:00–21:00)

• Miracles are not exclusive to Christians; sometimes non-believers come to faith through experiencing or witnessing miracles.
• Recent statistics: 79% of Americans believe in miracles (Pew Research, 2024).
  • 57% say they’ve experienced something they’d call a miracle. (20:00)
  • 75% of doctors surveyed (2004) have witnessed things they consider miraculous.

7. Modern-Day Testimonies of Miracles (21:00–27:00)

• Healing Testimony (Francia, a church member):
  “She just got back from the doctor. You know what they said? No cancer. No cancer. Living miracle right here.” (22:30–23:00)

• Personal account: Pastor Rob’s own son, Connor, healed from autism.

• Survival miracles (danger, accidents, attempted killings), protection, timely events (e.g., escape from Sudan during conflict due to an unexpected rainstorm).

• Quote:
  “God brought a rainstorm, and that was a miracle.” (27:00)

8. Definitions and Diversity of Miracles (10:31–12:30)

• Cites definition from Richard Purtill:
  “A miracle is an event brought about by the power of God that is a temporary exception to the ordinary course of nature for the purpose of showing that God has acted in history.”
• Miracles include healing, survival, supernatural protection, provision, mechanical fixes, dreams, and visions.

9. Miracles in the Bible and Today (27:00–31:00)

• Significant portions of the Gospels and Acts deal with miracles (up to 40% in Mark).
• John 20:30–31 notes that not all miracles of Jesus were recorded—there were far more.
• Pastor Rob suggests American culture is more skeptical and “anti-supernatural” than other regions—which can suppress faith and awareness.

10. Why Fewer Miracles in the Modern West? (31:00–36:00)

• Possible reasons include:

  • America-focus (“We’re only 5% of the world’s population!”)
  • Anti-supernatural and selectively skeptical attitudes.
  • Fear of being mocked or ridiculed for sharing miracle stories.
  • Embarrassment or the tension of “Why me, not others?”
  • Less necessity (due to medical access, insurance, etc.)

• Quote:
  “Sometimes you get a miracle... you’re embarrassed. I didn't deserve it. Why me, God?” (34:40)

11. Miracles as Communication and Evangelism (36:00–39:00)

• Miracles are especially prevalent where there's illiteracy, limited medical care, or a culture attuned to the spiritual realm.

• Miracles communicate God’s presence “in a way that no language, no data stream could ever do.” (38:15)

• Quote:
  “Every miracle is a message. God’s saying, ‘I’m here. I’m working… been here the whole time.’” (38:45)

12. Why We Should Pray and Prepare for Miracles (39:00–45:00)

• Encouragement for those who haven’t seen miracles—there’s “nothing wrong with you.”

• Guidance:

  1. Relinquish control—trust God’s will.
  2. Focus on knowing Jesus—the ultimate goal.
  3. Keep praying and having faith—miracles and faith reinforce each other.
  4. Prepare for miracles (“Miracles follow the plow” – A.W. Tozer).
  5. Pray boldly and expectantly—Jesus said, “Ask anything in my name...” (John 14).

• Quote:
  “Miracles strengthen faith, and faith strengthens miracles.” (42:45)
  “May miracles follow the plow. That follows your faithfulness.” (44:00)

13. Closing Prayer and Challenge (45:00–end)

• Pastor prays for boldness and expectation of miracles in the life of individuals, the congregation, and the church’s mission.
• Repeats that miracles are for the benefit of the “we”—the whole body of Christ and to fulfill God’s purposes.
• “God, help our faith to rise up and believe you for more. You are not limited.” (45:40)
• Urges the church to rise above the average, to lean into believing and expecting miracles.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “We serve a God of miracles. Let me say that again: We serve a God of miracles.” (01:05)
• “Biblical faith is like putting on the glasses, and you can see it now.” (07:12)
• “I don’t even know how somebody could be a scientist and not become a believer eventually. Cause of all the miracles that they would see over and over again.” (12:20)
• “Science is real. But I will not say only science is real.” (14:50)
• “She just got back from the doctor. You know what they said? No cancer. No cancer. Living miracle right here, right now.” (23:00, testifying about Francia)
• “God brought a rainstorm, and that was a miracle.” (27:00, story of escape from Sudan)
• “Every miracle is a message. God’s saying, ‘I’m here. I’m working… been here the whole time.’” (38:45)
• “There is nothing wrong with you if you don’t see miracles... but we’re going to lean into this.” (39:15)
• “Miracles are hard to believe, as they should be. That’s why we call them miracles. But they still happen. Don’t miss them.” (43:50)

Important Timestamps

• 00:00–02:00 – Series framing: "Miracles for Me, We, Thee"
• 02:00–04:16 – Acts 2:17–19: Miracles for today
• 07:10 – Craig Keener on faith as “glasses”
• 09:45 – Resurrection: why believe in miracles?
• 14:50 – Science and miracles
• 20:00 – Survey stats on miracles
• 22:30–23:00 – Francia’s healing testimony
• 27:00 – Sudan rainstorm
• 34:40 – Embarrassment after receiving a miracle
• 38:15–38:45 – Miracles as divine communication
• 39:15 – Encouragement for those who haven’t seen miracles
• 42:45 – Faith and miracles
• 44:00 – “Miracles follow the plow”
• 45:40–end – Final prayer and challenge

Conclusion

Pastor Rob Ketterling’s message is an invocation to rediscover faith in the miraculous, both as an everyday reality and as extraordinary interventions. Through scripture, statistics, personal testimony, philosophical reflection, and humor, he offers a compelling argument that miracles are not only possible but present, awaiting our faith, prayer, and expectation. The episode closes with prayer, a call to bold faith, and a reminder that God is still at work—miracles still happen.