April 1, 2012

 Enter Into His Gate....With Thanksgiving 

 Luke 5: 27 - 32

Luke

Later, as Jesus left the town, he saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at his tax-collection booth.  "Come, be my disciple!" Jesus said to him.  So Levi got up, left everything, and followed him.

Soon Levi held a banquet in his home with Jesus as the guest of honor.  Many of Levi's fellow tax collectors and other guests were there.  But the Pharisees and their teachers of religious law complained bitterly to Jesus' disciples, "Why do you eat and drink with such scum?"

Jesus answered them, "Healthy people don't need a doctor - sick people do.  I have come to call sinners to turn from their sins, not to spend my time with those who think they are already good enough."   

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Thoughts.....

Some fairly potent thoughts today.  In reading the first paragraph, we see that Jesus is leaving the town in which he had just told a man his sins were forgiven.....who instantly was healed of having been paralyzed.  On his way out of town, he saw Levi, a tax collector sitting at his booth and told him to "Come, be my disciple!"  In response, Levi got up, left everything and followed him. 

Think about this.  How many tax collectors do you know that would leave everything concrete....numbers is a concrete business in my mind (partially foreign there I might add), to follow something not quite tangible at that moment?  He didn't just leave his booth, he left everything.  We surmise, he left his books with everyone's information in it, his livelihood, table, possessions, family.  What did he know?  He may have heard the story about the man who was just healed.  Or other stories.  Did he only respond to Jesus' words or was Jesus charismatic?  Did he see God in him?  Was he defying the Pharisees or the government by his actions?  Why would you want to follow Jesus?  Have you decided to follow Jesus?  If not, why not?  If not, will you consider it? 

Then Levi held a banquet in Jesus' honor.  Many of Levi's fellow tax collectors and other guests were there.   So maybe he didn't leave his livelihood, his books, his table....so what was everything that he left?  Or did he leave everything and this was his way of offering an opportunity for all the others to do the same...leave everything behind and be Jesus' disciple?

The Pharisees and their teachers of religious law complained bitterly to Jesus' disciples stating, "Why do you eat and drink with such scum?"  Apparently we are to understand that the Pharisees and other teachers felt tax collectors and their affiliates were 'beneath them'.  But Jesus, always ready with a comment or retort, said this, "Healthy people don't need a doctor - sick people do.  I have come to call sinners to turn from their sins, not to spend my time with those who think they are already good enough."  Hmmmmm.  So there....take that!  Jesus, never one to mince words, gave as good as he got.  Jesus broached them in their own territory, if you will, that of spirituality.  He has answered God's call....to the ministry.  He has risen above that of his education as a Physician to heal at the core of the being.  He goes beyond the cellular structure, to the spiritual.  What he causes to occur as a result of God in him and his actions thereof transcends  the complexities of cellular communication.   

Darwin's theory of evolution starts after the origin of man.  Atheists have no answer as to how we started...originated.  'Whatever it was, brought them together.'  'Them' being hydrogen/oxygen/carbon/nitrogen/energy and the 250 proteins for the simplest of life form to function.  Energy?  Maybe God's energy?!?!  'Whatever IT was'.....hmmmmm.  Do ya think....Jesus knew?  Do ya think just maybe God was the 'IT'?!  Do ya think that maybe that is why spiritual healing through forgiveness of sins transcends the complexities of cellular communication in the human body? 

Jesus was a physician, a doctor.  This is documented through Jewish history.  And somewhere along the line, he realized God was the missing link to life everlasting.  I know.....he was taught this in his studies in the Temple.  And he embraced it fully according again to history.....according to all historical documents discovered to date.  But somewhere in the recesses of his mind, with all his education spiritually and medically, I think something clicked.  He finally 'got' God and his call on his life.  He finally understood the enormity about that which he was called.  He understood that medicine is only about diagnosing illnesses, potions to treat symptoms.  Then there is another faction and that is food to nourish the body. 

But  forgiveness of sins....THAT heals at the essence of the being.

Eliminating sin....Satan....from one's life, allows God to enter the body and do the miraculous.  Jesus' mere touch, or only his words, with this understanding....the removal of sin by forgiveness, was all that was needed to effect change in another's body.  'Come follow me.'  'Your sins are forgiven'.  

In the final paragraph today, Jesus implies that healthy people are those who have accepted God into their lives.  Those that have not are the sick ones.  He clearly states he has come to call sinners to turn from their sins.  To gain health by accepting God.  He chooses not to spend his time with those who 'think' they are already good enough'.  Arrogance is not a substitute for godliness, in other words.  People who put others down, imply they are important, etc. is not the definition, nor the expression of those of God or of those acting in his name.  Surely you've met them.  They seem to believe they enhance many pews in many churches.  Perhaps you are one of them. 

It's not the lofty who strut their hats, their minks, their jewelry or credentials as regalia of the manor born, but the seeking hearts, the troubled souls, those in pain and sorrow and injury who God seeks to console and to whom he says 'enter into his gates'.  And yet, aren't those I mentioned first perhaps the most in need of God?  God utilizes equal opportunity.  Paul said in Galatians 3:24-29, all who have been united with Christ in baptism have been made like him.  There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male of female....all are Christians....one in Christ.  There are two points to this.  One, you can do as Christ does in bringing others to God, and in healing others.  Two, no one is better than you in Christ.  Don't give any negatives another thought.....negative statements are of Satan.  Whether in your mind or from another....rebuke them.  Do not assume, also, that because people inhabit pews in the churches that they are saved.....have accepted Jesus into their hearts, that their sins have been forgiven.  As a Minister, I can clearly state that there are many in churches who need Jesus in the fullness of their hearts and for their sins to be forgiven.  Yes, it's that obvious.  And sad.

Today in many churches, Palm Sunday is celebrated in memory of that moment when Jesus entered the gates of the city of Jerusalem.  Here is the prophecy:  Zechariah 9:9  "Rejoice greatly, O people of Zion!  Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem!  Look, your king is coming to you.  He is righteous and victorious, yet he is humble, riding on a donkey - even on a donkey's colt.  10b:  Your king will bring peace to the nations.  His realm will stretch from sea to sea and from the Euphrates River to the ends of the earth.  11:  Because of the covenant I made with you, sealed with blood, I will free your prisoners from death in a waterless dungeon.  [A body without baptism????]  It goes on to read of triumph and victory.  Yes, even in the Old Testament, because it is prophecy of what will occur.  That prophecy was fulfilled with Jesus and it is fulfilled and then documented in the New Testament.    

In the New Testament John 12:12-19 we learn that a huge crowd of Passover visitors took palm branches and went down the road to meet Jesus shouting, "Praise God!  Bless the one who comes in the name of the Lord!  Hail to the King of Israel!  Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, fulfilling the prophecy we have just read.  The crowds had heard of the miracle of the raising of the dead Lazarus back to life....the mighty miracle.  And the Pharisees said to each other, "We've lost.  Look, the whole world has gone after him!"  How sad, indeed they did lose.  What they lost was their glory.  But God reigned with his.

Today, God is calling you to enter his gate....with thanksgiving.  Will you follow him NOW?  So that you, too, may be triumphal and victorious, ask God and Jesus into your heart today.  Then do as he has done.  Call others to follow Jesus.  Leave your old life behind.  Reach out to those who are sick.  Heal them just the way Jesus did.  Tell them their sins are forgiven.  Offer them the path of triumph and victory...show them that they are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus and that by being united by baptism in Jesus they have been made like him and can journey with the Lord.  And teach them.....that there is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female....all are Christians....who have accepted God and Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.Then enter into his gate...his heart...with thanksgiving!

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Let Us Pray

God, Jesus, Holy Spirit please forgive me of my sins that I may be healed.  Thank you for showing me what I need to do to help myself and others....believe in you by faith, be baptised with water, have sins forgiven.  I've learned today that having you in my life is not the same as just going to church.  I've learned that those who go to church or say they have you who are hurtful or judgemental may not really be a Christian....certainly not healed, if that is measured by forgiveness of sins, for you say to go and sin no more.  Understandably, I am human, as are others, and therefore subject to imperfection, and many fall.  Those of us who strive, will be more easily recognizable.  Those of us who emphatically act in your name, a little more so.  There may be people following Jesus IN them/us.  Those are the folks who will NEED to be sure to be giving GOD the glory.  Surely it has nothing to do with me, if someone follows Jesus in me, but Jesus who shines through me.  Oh, that you, Jesus, would shine so bright.  That I would be less and you would be more.  Lord, thank you for the lessons today that clarify healing is spiritual....to the core....not just within or on the surface.  It's a remarkable opportunity to sit at your feet and learn from THE Master....YOU, God!  Thank you so much.  May my journey be triumphant and victorious because I have you in me.  May I, and others, continue to bring many to you....and help to make people physically and spiritually healthy through forgiveness of sins.  "Praise God!  Bless the one who comes in the name of the Lord!  Hail to the King of Israel"...Jesus!  Alleluia!  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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