Calling Doctor Jesus
- deadly demons destroy
- divine Deliverer delivers
- changes to “right mind”
- a weary woman who was worn down and worried
- she reached out and touched Jesus and because of her “faith” she was “made whole”
- desperate daddy with a dying daughter
- Dr. Jesus has a cure for sin’s sickness
How to Grow Old and Wise
Introduction: How many of us want to GROW OLD & WISE? Notice: not rich and famous…the world promises us happiness, but leaves us empty! God promises a fulfilled – abundant – life along with eternal life….and keeps those promises. Speaking of “Wisdom” {Greek word sophia, means cautious, discreet, thoughtful- Heb world chokmah}, it is a gift from God ( Prov 1:7; Prov 8; James 3:13-17). Simply put…..”Wisdom” is made to us thru a relationship with Jesus Christ (see 1 Cor 1:30, 31), which includes allowing His Word to “guide us,” and His Spirit to “lead us.” If we’re going to “GROW OLD & WISE,” then we need to learn the (2) ways David mentions in this verse of Scripture.
1. If we are going to GROW OLD & WISE, then we’ve got to turn our TESTS of FAITH into TESTIMONIES of FAITH! (Psa 37:25)
“I have not seen the righteous forsaken”
[The word “Righteous” is Tzad deck, which means one who defends what is right]
• Tests Turned into Turning Points
• Turning Points Turned into Testimonies
Have you gone thru a lot in your lifetime? Has our Lord been faithful? See how our Lord has built CHARACTER thru the tests!
2. If we are going to “GROW OLD & WISE,” then we’ve got to be able to control (handle) a lot of CHANGES in LIFE! (Psa 37:25)
” I have been young, and now I’m old.”
• Some things UNDER our control {like our priorities}
• Some things OUT of our control {like people}
saved us,
is with us,
empowers us,
cleanses us,
restores us,
accepts us,
justifies us,
and who is coming back for us!
Love y’all,
Standing Up in a World That’s Falling Down
2 Chronicles 34:1-33
Introduction: Does it seem like the World is FALLING DOWN more and more with its morals and values? How LOW can you GO? There’s a high cost for low living! Look back 20-30-40 years ago. Things have certainly changed, and not always for the better! But Jesus Christ has not changed, neither has the Bible (Heb 13:8; Psa 119:89).
So how can we as CHRISTian men and women, stay in God’s will and fulfill our calling and purpose in a world that’s pulling on us all the time. Examining the life of king Josiah reveals (2) important decisions that determine our destiny.
1. He SOUGHT the Lord! (2 Chron 34:1-3)
“And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord….while he was yet young he began to seek after the God of David his father.”
• With his HEART (v 31)
“And the king made a covenant before the Lord, to walk after the Lord, and to keep his commandments, and his testimonies, and his statutes, with all his heart, and with all his soul.”
• With HUMILITY (vv 19, 27)
“When the king heard the words of the law, he rent his clothes…….Thus saith the Lord God of Israel….and thou didst humble thyself before God.”
2. He STOOD against Satan! (2 Chron 34:4-7)
“And they brake down the altars of Baalim…and the images, and the groves, and molten images….and cleansed Judah and Jerusalem.”
[Also see 2 Kings 23: 5, 20, 24]
“Moreover the workers with familiar spirits, and the wizards, and idols…did Josiah put away.”
• Josiah took a STAND against the enemy
• Jesus took a STAND against Satan
“For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8).
Conclusion: Do you agree…if you don’t STAND for something, you’ll FALL for anything? It may not be popular, or convenient, but if it brings God’s BLESSINGS it’s worth it! Character Counts!!
“And like unto him was there no king before him, that turned to the Lord with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might, according to the law of Moses; neither after him arose there any like him,” (2 Kings 23:25).
May our Lord keep us strong in these days by the Power of His Spirit to keep STANDING Up in a World that’s FALLING Down.
Your Place of Blessing
Numbers 13:1-33
Introduction: With the Red Sea in the rear view mirror, and while following their leader Moses, God’s people came to a crossroads….the promised land. Are you facing a decision? Does the road fork in front of you and you don’t know which direction to take? As demonstrated by Caleb and Joshua, the right (2) turns will lead to “Your Place of Blessing”!
1. In order to get to “Your Place of Blessing,” make the right turn to OVERCOME the Giants of OPPOSITION! (Num 13:31-34)
” But the men that went up said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we are….And they brought an evil report….all the people that we saw are men of great stature…..and we saw the giants….and we were as grasshoppers in their sight.” [After sending out 12 men to investigate the PROMISED land, 10 came back with grasshopper faith, instead of giant-killing faith.]
• Giants of fear (v 31)
• Giants of failure (v 32)
• Giants of Forgetfulness (v 33)
2. In order to get to “Your Place of Blessing,” make the right turn to OVERCOME the Giants with RESOLUTION!
(Num 13:2,30)
“Send thou men, that they may search the land of Canaan which I give unto the children of Israel…..And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.”
• The Promise (Num 13:1, 2)
• The Problem (Num 13:30)
• The Provision (Num 13:30)
Love y’all,
The Great Exchange – Our Weakness for His Strength
Paul was “caught up” into the third heaven. Because of such an experience, he was tempted to be lifted up with pride. But to prevent that, and to keep him usable, our Lord allowed a “thorn” to be put in his flesh. (“caught up” in v. 4 is in passive form – meaning God did it, not Paul) (” third heaven” is where God abides)
• Be secure in WHOSE we are
• Be aware what WE’VE done
• Be focused rather on what HE has done
• Be thankful for WHERE we’ve been
• Be more grateful for WHERE we’re going
“There was given unto me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me….For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.” (“buffet” means to cuff, to slap with fist)(“besought” – parakaleo – means to beg)
• God’s beyond the scene
• Paul, (we), are in the scene
“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.”
• “Perfect” is teleo, which means to finish
“Therefore, I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I’m weak, then am I strong.”
• His strength for our weaknesses
Rewards with Right Relationships
- Ruth kept a RELATIONSHIP with her family (Naomi)
- Ruth discovered a RELATIONSHIP with their God, which became her God
- Blessed with RIGHT people
- Blessed with RIGHT place
- Blessed with RIGHT price (reward from Boaz)
- Ruth’s FAITH is REWARDED
- Our FAITH in Jesus is REWARDED (Heb. 11:6; 12:1-3)
Mega (GREAT) Faith
“Now when he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum. And a certain centurion’s servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die. And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant. And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this: For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue. Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof: Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed. For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick.”
Introduction: Ever had a “Bad Hair” day? Perhaps we all have. Building strong FAITH in Jesus is a process….one test after another….either pass or fail….and back to the drawing board – or the Potter’s wheel. Right? Dr. Luke shares (5) steps from a crisis of FAITH turned into a cure of FAITH:
If we are going to develop “MEGA FAITH”in Jesus…
1. Don’t lose HOPE! (Luke 7:2)
While in the Galilee area (upper area of Israel – most of His ministry), Jesus goes to a place called Capernaum.
“And a certain centurion’s servant, who was dear unto him, was sick and ready to die.” (A centurion was a Roman soldier, a man of authority who had between 50 -100 men)
• Feelings of hopelessness – You?
• Feelings of loneliness – You?
• Facing hardships – You?
2. If we are going to develop “MEGA FAITH” in Jesus…. (Luke 7:3)
Don’t GIVE UP!
“And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant.”
• “When he heard of Jesus” – FAITH comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God (Rom 10:17)
• Real FAITH spreads! “he sent unto the elders”
3. If we are going to develop “MEGA FAITH” in Jesus…. (Luke 7:4-6)
We’ve got to MOVE forward!
“And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly…..then Jesus went with them.” (“Besought” – means kept on – “instantly” means earnestly)
• It’s one thing to BELIEVE in Jesus and go to heaven
• It’s another thing to BELIEVE in Jesus and let Him have CONTROL
4. If we are going to develop “MEGA FAITH” in Jesus…. (Luke 7:6-10)
We will realize His WORTHINESS!
“The centurion sent friends to him… saying Lord, trouble not thyself; for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof…but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed….For I also am a man under authority.”
• Coming under His Authority
• Is a Priority
• Not for the Superiority (“know it alls” – Lord help us!)
5. If we are going to develop “MEGA FAITH” in Jesus, (Luke 7:9, 10)
It requires a TRUST that He is greater than any situation we face!
“When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him….and said…I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel….returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick.”
Jesus is greater than any Mountain (Mark 11)
- any Valley (Psa 23:4)
- any Storm (Acts 27)
- any Sorrow (Psa 149:5, 6)
- any Hurt or Pain (2 Cor 1:3-5)
- any Trouble (John 14:1)
Conclusion: Jesus responds to “MEGA FAITH”! Keep in mind, the reason He demonstrated His miraculous healing power both THEN and NOW was and is to authenticate He is who He said He was, God; and by showing and proving that, we would TRUST Him, LOVE Him, and SERVE Him.
So don’t lose hope, or give up… but move forward, realizing His worthiness, and because Jesus is greater than any situation we face!
Searching for a City
“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today, and forever…..Jesus…with his own blood, suffered without the gate….Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus.”
• Jesus Christ = Eternal God
• Jesus paid our sin debt
with His own BLOOD
• Jesus resurrected from the dead
“I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee….let us go forth therefore unto him outside the camp bearing his reproach….let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually…giving thanks unto his name…make you perfect in every good work to do his will.”
(5) stops along the way:
• Be content (v. 5)
• Be devoted (v.13)
• Be thankful (v. 15)
• Be surrendered to His will (v. 21)
Let it Float
Exodus 1:15-2:10
“And the king of Egypt…Pharaoh charged all his people, saying, Every son that is born ye shall cast into the river, and every daughter ye shall save alive.”
• Bad decisions by leaders affect others (Prov 29:2)
• Cultural influences affect us more than we realize (1 John 2:15-17)
How do you think Moses mom Jochebed, and dad Amram felt? (Exo 6:20)
• She fought her FEARS
• She fed her FAITH
Imagine the alligators, excuse me crocodiles!
“And the daughter of Pharaoh came down to wash at the river…..she saw the ark…sent her maid to fetch it…..she saw the child and had compassion on him…..And Pharaoh’s daughter said Go. And the maid went and called the child’s mother….nurse it for me and I will give thee wages.”
How about that? Get paid for raising your own child!
• In this case things turned out good, but not always the way we want it
• Learning to TRUST the Lord – His will be done
(Heb 11: 23-29)
Love y’all,
Relationships That Last a Lifetime
1 Peter 3 and 4
• God does not “rub it in”! He “rubs it out” (our shortcomings, sin) with His blood! (1 Pet 3:18)
• Addition (+) adds
• Be right, but be wrong
• Quality time
The word “hindered” is egkoto, which means “cut off”.
• Disconnection in prayer
• With our walk
• Joyful