March 25, 2012

Forgiveness Healing & Other Lessons 

 Luke 5: 17 - 26

Luke

One day while Jesus was teaching, some Pharisees and teachers of religious law were sitting nearby.  (It seemed that these men showed up from every village in all Galilee and Judea, as well as from Jerusalem.)  And the Lord's healing power was strongly with Jesus.  Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a sleeping mat.  They tried to push through the crowd to Jesus, but they couldn't reach him.  So they went up to the roof, took off some tiles, and lowered the sick man down into the crowd, still on his mat, right in front of Jesus.  Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the man, "Son, your sins are forgiven."

"Who does this man think he is?" the Pharisees and teachers of religious law said to each other.  "This is blasphemy!  Who but God can forgive sins?"

Jesus knew what they were thinking, so he asked them, "Why do you think this is blasphemy?  Is it easier to say, 'Your sins are forgiven' or 'Get up and walk'?  I will prove that I, the Son of Man, have the authority on earth to forgive sins."  Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, "Stand up, take your mat, and go on home, because you are healed!"

And immediately, as everyone watched, the man jumped to his feet, picked up his mat, and went home praising God.  Everyone was gripped with great wonder and awe.  And they praised God, saying over and over again, "we have seen amazing things today."   

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Thoughts.....

This is a detailed multi-faceted short few paragraphs.  In the first sentence, we learn Jesus was teaching. Everyone should teach the Gospel once they accept Jesus.

We next learn that some Pharisees and teachers of religious law were sitting nearby.  Why were they sitting nearby?  Were they there to hear and observe Jesus?  Were they there to honor him, discredit him, or set a trap? 

The Pharisees were members of an ancient Jewish sect that emphasized strict interpretation and observance of Mosaic laws, rites, and ceremonies.  Jesus hardly fit this category.  At least not to their standards.  The Pharisees would not have gone outside the law of Moses.  They would not have proclaimed to act on the voice of the Lord God to the extent that Jesus did...which included on behalf of God.  So, we don't actually know why they were there....they could have been enjoying a nice day, having lunch, or having a seminar.  But they heard Jesus and saw what he did.  And there were many of them from every village in all Galilee and Judea, as well as from Jerusalem.

Then the next sentence states, 'And the Lord's [God] healing power was strongly with Jesus.  In my mind, I hear the 'ta-dum' of an old movie.....enter the villain.  But Jesus was far from being the villain as Messiah, Savior.  This sentence should stand alone for the change in atmosphere surrounding what was about to happen. 

Next, some guys showed up with a paralyzed man on a mat.  They couldn't get through the crowds to get to Jesus, so they  removed roof tiles and lowered the man down into the crowd, still on his mat, right in front of Jesus.  I don't know about you, but I've seen roof tiles.  HOW could they have just removed roof tiles?  Obviously construction today is not the same as yesteryear.  Anyway, 'Seeing their faith, [say faith], Jesus said to the man, "Son, your sins are forgiven."  Interesting to note that he sees 'their' faith, not just the faith of the man who wishes to be healed....we presume he wishes to be healed and has faith.  Sometimes healing occurs as a result of another persons faith and not necessarily that of the one needing to be healed.  Like in the case of the dead person I've quoted before.  And he 'sees' it.  How can he see it....were they zealous, tearful, compassionate, loving, nurturing?  Or was it just by their actions? 

Well......this event sets of a series of shock waves amongst the Pharisees and the teachers of religious law.  They had a downright hissy fit yelling, "This is blasphemy!  Who but God can forgive sins?"  Oh my goodness!

Jesus, able to look into their brains, knew what they were thinking.  Can you read minds?  Sometimes I'm freaked out by what I know......mostly by what I don't know.....but have you been with folks whose sentences you could finish or think you know their next thoughts.......and wish you didn't?  The discernment, knowledge, wisdom, gifts from God that Jesus had was incredible.  Oh, ya....it's JESUS I'm talking about here. 

Anyway, Jesus asks the local lead guys why they think forgiving sins is blasphemy.  And asked them if it is easier to say, 'Your sins are forgiven' or 'Get up and walk'?  Makes sense to me.  From a medical perspective, people want something done before they can believe they are healed.  So to just tell someone they are healed wouldn't have worked.  Also, sins bind us.  They take us away from Heavenly Father and all he intended for us.  They get in the way of having a cleansed vessel by which God can best work, live, breathe and have his being.  So in this instance, Jesus took away that which was blocking God from doing all that, and, the moment the sin was gone, God could enter, embrace, heal, lift up.  Satan was in the way.  Jesus got rid of Satan and his assigns, etc.  Poof.....the man was healed. 

He goes on to say that he will prove that he, the Son of Man, had the authority on earth to forgive sins.  Then he told the paralyzed man to "Stand up, take your mat, and go on home, because you are healed!"  'And immediately, as everyone watched, the man jumped to his feet, picked up his mat, and went home praising God.'  THAT was the proof.  Something new for the Pharisees and the teachers of religious law to ponder.

'Everyone was gripped with great wonder and awe.  And they praised God, saying over and over again, "We have seen amazing things today."  I'd say so.  And I'm glad to see they were giving God the glory.     

Have you ever been to a healing conference, service, seminar?  It's remarkable to watch God work.  Do you need to be healed?  Do you know someone who does?   You now know what to do to help them.  Be sure not to steal God's glory though. 

Before you go, let me say that if someone, once they are healed, chooses to sin again and gets sick again, they'll need to go through the same steps as before for healing.  And remember, God said to go and sin no more.  As seemingly impossible as this is for we humans on earth, it is surely something to which we must strive.

Let me emphasize that not all illness is as a result of that person's sins.  I don't mean to thoroughly confuse you, let me explain.  When people bind themselves to another, they become one....as in marriage....but not always legal marriage these days.  The partner can receive the illness for the other person's sins.  That's right.  In an effort to protect another, someone can receive the illness, pain, sorrow, punishment, etc. for another, consciously and unconsciously.  It may or may not be possible to have the other person in front of you to tell them they are forgiven, but to say so is imperative, to cut the tie that binds....and open both vessels for God and his healing touch. 

Recapping....we must teach.  We must utilize the healing power given us by God.  We must have faith.  If you have accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, are you not sinning to not do as God has intended?  God has already called.  You answered the call if you've accepted Jesus.  Do you really want to continue to sin by not going forth to teach, heal and show your faith?  Hmmmmmm?   The world awaits to see God's glory at work in you.

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Let Us Pray

God, Jesus, Holy Spirit.....mighty task you've set before me.  Please forgive me of my sins.  Please help me to know which door to go through and when....who to help, when to help.  Let me not be like the bull in the china closet that just barrels out and presumes all people wish to be healed.  Although I may want it for them, there are those who refuse to believe in you, refuse to believe or accept your healing.  Surely I do not know why....well in some cases I do.  But how sad for them.  I am so grateful you have been in my life and I can walk in the glory of you and your Holy Name.  I've always believed that total and perfect healing only exists in your arms in heaven.  I've learned today it can happen here on earth.  Lots of muck and mire to work through....for everyone.  But you are the Lord God, you are the Messiah, you are the Holy Spirit.  You can do all things.  And I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  Lead me on.  Thank you.  I love you.  Amen.       

Lord,LordJesJeJeJJjEJJJ     JJThe LORD is king!  Let the nations tremble!  T***

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 Rhythms 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!   

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    One last thing....

 Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving

'The Unforced Rhythms of Grace'

"Abruptly Jesus broke into prayer:  "Thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth.  You've concealed your ways from sophisticates and know-it-alls, but spelled them out clearly to ordinary people.  Yes, Father, that's the way you like to work."

Jesus resumed talking to the people, but now tenderly.  "The Father has given me all these things to do and say.  This is a unique Father - Son operation, coming out of Father and Son intimacies and knowledge.  No one knows the Son the way the Father does, nor the Father the way the Son does.  But I'm not keeping it to myself; I'm ready to go over it line by line with anyone willing to listen."

"Are you tired?  Worn out?  Burned out on religion?  Come to me.  Get away with me and you'll recover your life.  I'll show you how to take a real rest.  Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it.  Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.  I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn how to live freely and lightly.

   Matthew 11:  25-30

  The Message

And the people said,

"Amen."

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I now write most prayers in the position of ' I ' (first person) because most people are sitting at their computer alone, not in groups, and it allows those reading and praying to personalize the prayer as coming from them going to God.  Variations may appear on holidays when families may wish to use the prayer provided. 

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  Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996.  Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189.  All rights reserved.

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