March 20, 2011

Matthew 4: 23 - 25

The Next Step

Matthew

Jesus traveled throughout Galilee teaching in the synagogues, preaching everywhere the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed people who had every kind of sickness and disease. News about him spread far beyond the borders of Galilee so that the sick were soon coming to be healed from as far away as Syria. And whatever their illness and pain, or if they were possessed by demons, or were epileptics, or were paralyzed - he healed them all. Large crowds followed him wherever he went - people from Galilee, the Ten Towns, Jerusalem, from all over Judea, and from east of the Jordan River.

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Thoughts.....

Good morning. As we begin today, let us remember and pray for those in the world who continue to suffer as a result of the earthquake and tsunami. Lord, we ask that you would be with all those in the world who suffer from the horrific effects of the recent earthquake and tsunami. For those trapped, we pray they will hold on until help comes, and, for those nearing their end, we beg your mercy will be swift, so that they not suffer immeasurably any longer. We pray for solace for loved ones left behind. We pray for the world who can help, that they will help. Lord, embrace and heal everyone in all the ways that only you can: mind, body, spirit and soul. In the name of Jesus we pray and say thank you. Amen.

The month before we learned about who Jesus was and why to consider receiving Jesus as your Lord and Savior, and what to share with others as you answer his call to share the Gospel. Last week we learned the salvation message in a simpler format: that Jesus can save you and how to fish....to share the message with others, calling them to come to Jesus and join the journey of many. This week we will look at what his next step was, answering a few other questions along the way: Why did he call others out, and how did he enact this? What were the greatest needs of the people after salvation? What did he do about it? What do you suppose his emotions were through all this? Lots to consider today as we continue along with Matthew.

Why did Jesus call others out? Because God sent him here and called him to tell others the Kingdom of Heaven is near.

Why was this important? Because his Father in Heaven, namely GOD, sent him here to do this (just like us), so that others would understand that they can have forgiveness of sins, and eternal life. So that God could have restored what was his intent to begin with....a oneness of spirit with him and peace on earth.

How did he enact this? By calling out to people. He 'merely' walked along and said, "Come, be my disciples, and I will show you how to fish for people!" Note the exclamation point.

Would he have been strong in spirit? Jesus had just been led into the desert by the Holy Spirit to be tempted by the devil. A test from God perhaps. He was probably drained in the fight for righteousness. We learn in the beginning of chapter 4 of Matthew that he ate nothing and became very hungry, so we know he fasted, presumably to be able to cleanse himself and be an empty vessel by which to better hear God and receive him fully. This would either exhaust him physically or build him up so strongly spiritually that he didn't notice the physical effects. And he was able to cast the devil away. It must have been terribly exhausting to fight the devil. He appears strong of spirit as he rebukes the devil. But then it says 'the angels came and cared for Jesus'. My understanding of this originally was that the fight wore him out. But, they may also have come to minister to him with thanksgiving, blessing him for all he had done.

How do you suppose he might have felt? Would he feel like he was now invincible or could he have been unsure still, and insecure? Does it matter? God called him and he had a job to do. His insecurities could not enter in, he just needed to obey his Father, God. Have you considered approaching life this way? Not that we are to not feel, but what we need to feel is repect for God. In enacting respect through obeying him, we will find many moments to rejoice for the love he has shown us. Our emotions will overflow in the positive sense. I believe Jesus, like we are to do, embodied God to such an extent that he was invincible, able to set his choices and feeling aside for all that his Father had instilled in him. Let's face it, were he to sound like the donkey from Winnie the Pooh as he called people to come, he might not have been very successful. According to the exclamation point in the text, we learn that he emphatically told them to come. He didn't say, 'will you?' He made an emphatic statement, 'Come!" With anger? Hardly. Would you follow an angry person? He had to have known the joy of his Father, and, Holy Spirit in him had to be compelling, causing him to be charismatic in drawing others to him. Are you willing to receive God and Holy Spirit in such a way as to go forward for and with them to achieve what God wants you to achieve in your life? Is Jesus calling you to come? How will you respond?

Gosh, when I was first called, I hadn't a clue how to respond except with love. I was a 'puppy' of about 4 or 5 when I first heard his voice. As the years progressed, I learned the depth of his love and salvation. When I invited Holy Spirit into my life....well....(hear that as Lucille Ball used to say it, but with a smile)...a mighty whirlwind was unleashed. I became a blabber mouth for the Lord. Not long after, I was subdued by Satan the devil. I never left my Lord and prayed earnestly he would never leave me. Then I found my strength...looked up at God, Jesus, Holy Spirit....more than looked out....and have carried on in HIS strength ever since. My strength has been at times a weakened strength, at others a mighty force. The difference is when I look at me versus when I realize HE is in me. When I get out of my way and get out of his way, and reach out for him, embracing him fully, together we are a powerhouse. Satan knows this about God and me, and he knows this about God and you. The more you attempt to be one with the Lord and do for him, the stronger and greater the fight from Satan. Jesus learned this in the desert. I have learned that the deserts of life can make you very spiritually hungry. Have you learned this, too? Are you willing to receive God so fully, and be fed by the Word of God so completely so to be strengthened and make the fights his and not yours?

Then, according to Matthew, Jesus went about "teaching in the synagogues, preaching everywhere the Good News about the Kingdom". Teaching...that's the foundational part of sharing about the Kingdom of God. It's about teaching why to bother to listen to the message. It's encompassing and embracing the truths, historical information documented in the Old and New Testaments given throughout the Bible, and in other documents found in history through archeological finds, and reading/seeing things now received, but once held by others. It's about learning how to live this new life rightly. The best paths to take to honor God. The best paths to have a victorious life that will be an example and a light to others in this hurting world.

Sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the salvation message, that's part of the preaching. Telling others the basics of who he is, that he is, and how wonderful he is. It's the 'come follow me' part when you call others to join you on the journey of the cross with Jesus. It's sharing the excitement, the profound joy of knowing the Savior, calling him Lord and living your life in a way that others can see he is indeed Lord over your life. You teach to help others learn about their new found love and why to keep loving God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit...getting to know them better You preach to draw others to them, creating desire, so they may want them in their lives, too.

A lot of what I have just shared has been review. Then what? Jesus healed them.

Wow.........

Why?

Because they needed to be a cleansed vessel, with nothing in the way, to fully embrace and receive all that God had to give them. Remember, once Jesus was baptized, he was led into the desert to be emptied and strengthened, filled up with God, to be able to go forth and be victorious in his fight against the devil. He needed God to be so fully in him to keep him safe while he was in the world, so he would not become one of the world. It is the same for us. In two ways. One, we need to be a fully cleansed vessel to be open to receive all that God, Jesus and Holy Spirit has to give us. Two, Jesus always led by example: we are to go forth healing others, also.

I can hear you now: "WHAT?!"

God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit NEVER ask anything of us that they have: one, not done, and two, that they have not given us the gifts for and the ability to do. So....

1. we know that we are to follow Jesus' footsteps. And

2. we are to do as he has done.

3. we must ask to be filled to overflowing with everything they have to give us to be able to do all they have called us to do.

4. We must go forth doing just as he has done, healing others so they may fully receive the Trinity.

5. it is required of us.

6. stop arguing, you may not say no, if you are going to truly serve the Lord and his people.

7. Go. Now.

The greatest needs of the people after salvation were that they needed to be healed. Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? Are you REALLY willing to go forth in his name? Is your life perfect? IF not, then you need to be healed. YOU. Not everyone around you right now....YOU. This will NOT make you perfect. It will make you an open vessel for God, Jesus and Holy Spirit to be fully embraced and to be heard. Are you ready to be healed? IF so,

"Take heart. Your sins are forgiven. You are healed!" Matthew 9: 2b, 6b.

Now, thank God, Jesus and Holy Spirit. And go forth as you are called to do. We are all called to do the same. And here's another thought: Jesus said, "Healthy people don't need a doctor - sick people do. Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: 'I want you to be merciful; I don't want your sacrifices.' For I have come to call sinners, not those who think they are already good enough." Matthew 9: 12-13.

May you enjoy the blessings of your healings. You might want to read from Jesus' sermon on the mount when he taught the Beattitudes in Matthew 5: 1-12. I am thrilled you've taken this next step with the Lord and will accompany him on the journey of life everlasting that he has offered you. Stay close to him. You are in for a whirlwind of a ride. The Kingdom of Heaven is near you now."Worship God. For the essence of prophecy is to give a clear witness for Jesus." Rev 19: 10b

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Let Us Pray

God, Lord Jesus, Holy Spirit, THANK YOU for healing me and giving me this opportunity to walk the path of everlasting life with you. Help me, please, to be obedient to you, and live my life in such a way as to be a testimony of who you are, that you are, and how wonderful you are, so that others may want to know you as I do. I'm a little in awe right now of what you have done for me and what you are asking of me. But I am grateful, and I will honor your request to go forth healing others in your name. I know that you are the author of miracles, God, and that regardless of my prayers and commands for others to be healed, you still have the last say in life. But I will go forth believing and enacting in your name, praising you with all that is in me for healing me, forgiving my sins, and giving me this new life. I am excited to share you with the world and your healing power. As many as come, may they also go forth saved, and healed, ready to take the torch onward. All glory and honor is yours dear God, Jesus and Holy Spirit. I cannot by my own strength do this, but with your mighty strength within me, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I just praise you and thank you and heartily say, AMEN!

NOTE: There is a gremlin in the system this morning...I will forgive the formatting in advance and pray the message will be complete as intended. The 'system' is being modified and it is currently causing havoc. Sorry.....

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More love....

Benediction...Blessing

Let us hear from Paul as he prays:

When I think of the wisdom and scope of God's plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit. And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love. And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it. Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Now glory be to God! By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope. May he be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages. Amen. Ephesians 3:14-21 NLT

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Scroll down to read Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving...'The Unforced Rythms of Grace'.

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Definition of a Christian: Anyone who believes in God, Jesus and Holy Spirit, and accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior. Regardless of church name or religious affiliation.

It is not how we worship, but that we worship....the Trinity!

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If you feel that the Church of the Holy Spirit has inspired or helped you, we'd like you to prayerfully consider tithing regularly to us or gifting us, so that we can further the work and carry out the will of the Father as proclaimed in Matthew 28:19-20 NLT

to

"Go and make disciples out of all the nations

baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this:

I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

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Our Current Cause

It is time to reach into the community and the world around you to see wherein lies the greatest need. As you choose to focus on these areas, do so with a servant's heart. Whether the need is for children, adults, or animals, or any cause in between that will help those in need, ask God how you can best serve his needs, what path you must take, and how long you should persevere. Sometimes we are to be in the lives of others merely as stepping stones. Sometimes we are to touch those lives forever. Whatever journey you are called to take, whatever team you will be a member, know this: God is with you always...even til the end of time. He loves you, is grateful for you, and will help you along life's way, especially if you are helping others along theirs, persevering with a servant's heart.

Please accept my sincerest thanks....and God's....and may God richly bless you!

Consider donating to Campus Crusade for Christ, Inc. today. Google it!

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