Next in our series on the miracles of Jesus, let’s consider the healing. The healings of Jesus are almost an afterthought because we find that even in His hometown where He could do very little, He still managed some healing.
Where in your life do you have room for miracles of healing? If they are such a small drain on the power of Jesus, shouldn’t we be looking for them frequently?
When my wife and I were first saved, we were in a very much faith based church who believed in healing through belief. Period.
We didn’t get our children vaccinated, no drugs in the house, doctors visits for repairs of broken limbs and cuts, etc.
We saw some awesome, miraculous things in ourselves and the lives of our children. It wasn’t because we had more faith, it was because we had placed the burden on Jesus. Eventually, we have backed off of a strict set of beliefs only but, sometimes I think it has been to our detriment.
God will move with us as we mature and gain wisdom, but never move beyond believing in all God has for us. It is a must for God’s ability to move in us.
Pastor Brent
July 17th “The Miracles of Jesus”
The next set of miracles we look at are those who were possessed of the devil.
Say what you will about those who believe in the power of the Holy Spirit, but demons are still active today and we need answers as to what to do.
Jesus confronted the demons and they begged Him to not curse them at this time. They knew who He was and what He was capable of doing to them. It’s a trait we need to cultivate in our own lives and live knowing that we confront them everyday in various forms.
Demons run rampant in our society for the very fact that we don’t believe they do. Haven’t you wondered why people are doing more and more violent acts and depraved behavior?
We need to fast and pray that God would show Himself bold on our behalf and that we might have the wisdom to deal with them on Jesus’ terms not theirs.
The demons asked permission of our Lord and He granted them their wish, only to have the herd of swine plunge in to the sea.
Don’t believe the movies! The demons are not more powerful than those that God will send to deal with them. Believe it or not, you have confronted demons when you quote scripture to those who need comforting. Many in our institutions are plagued by demons and our psychologists simply put a different diagnosis to it.
We, as a believing group of Christians should be engaged in warfare on a spiritual level if there is someone who God has revealed is being tormented. Listen to what the encouragement from the one who put them in their places says, “This kind only goes out by prayer and fasting.” He didn’t pray and fast right then! He was prayed up, He was fasted up, and He was fed up with the devil oppressing those who are weak.
The question is, are we?
Pastor Brent
July 10th "Miracles of Jesus"
As we look at an overall view of who Jesus did the miracles for, I hope we never exclude ourselves for who we are or what we have done.
We are going to see people from all walks of life and social strata. They range from beggars to those of the ruling and religious classes.
They also range from the very poor to the very rich.
Anyone who needed a touch from Jesus was included in His sphere of ministry and didn’t have to qualify in some way to receive His touch.
Anyone who needed a touch from Jesus was included in His sphere of ministry and didn’t have to qualify in some way to receive His touch.
Are we hesitant to pray or come to Jesus because of our supposed standing in Christ? Then we need to reevaluate our thoughts.
Where does our war rage? In our minds. Where do the thoughts come from that would discourage us from wanting to come near to Jesus. Short answer, the enemy.
Don’t let the one who regrets his decision rise up against God to keep you from reaching out to the only one who can bring your miracle.
Pastor Brent
July 3rd "The Miracles of Jesus"
There are 37 listed miracles Jesus performed during
His ministry on earth. As John was finishing up his Gospel on
the life of Jesus he wrote that he supposed if all the works of
Jesus were written down, all the books in the world not be
able to contain them.
So, let’s take a look at the miracles of Jesus. Let’s see
what they were, who received those miracles and what it
changed about their life, if we can find it.
Most believers I know have had a miracle from Jesus.
Whether it is a healing, a deliverance from a destructive
lifestyle, or a change of heart from bitter and hard to sweet
and soft.
We need to see what Jesus means by, “You’ll never
thirst again!” “Walk in the light as I am in the light!” “Rivers of
water will pour out of your inner being!”
Are you waiting for these things, asking for these
things, or living these things?
Jesus has invited us to be one with Him and the
Father. That is an invitation that begs an answer. One that
will begin a true miracle in your life.
How will you respond to His invite?
Pastor Brent
June 26th “Freedom—Right or Privilege?”
The Lord stood up in the synagogue and proclaimed, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.”
When He made that statement He was quoting Is. 61:1 and He was the embodiment of one who would be given that authority.
But, until then Jesus had only been teaching, but He was becoming more and more well-known. And when he finished reading from Isaiah, He sat down and said, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
Could anything ever be so bold? Will all captives be set free? Will all the prisoners come out of darkness? Will all the brokenhearted be comforted and good news be given to the poor?
The short answer is no.
But the power and authority is here to make it happen. It’s just that those who need it don’t reach for the right remedy.
We turn to alcohol, or drugs, or sex, or power, or fame, or money as if those inanimate objects could ever fill the God shaped hole in you.
Many times Jesus has asked us what we want and too many times we answer with, “To be like other nations.”
He wants to make us separate so all the things He came to do can apply.
Won’t you accept the responsibility?
Pastor Brent
June 19th “Father's Day”
It’s always tough on Father’s Day to have a service honoring fathers. I never thought it was until I heard from people whose experiences differed greatly from mine.
Fathers are meant to be protectors, providers, leaders, mentors, and give us the example for boys, to learn how to love; and for girls, how to be loved and appreciated.
But not all fathers are. Some fathers are really abhorrent. When Jesus came people had a very different view about who God, the Father, was. They pictured him as the religious leaders needed, a firm-handed tyrant who is just waiting to punish you for your sins. But, when Jesus came, He did His best to show people who the Father really is. Every act, every parable, every teaching, and every miracle was in order to show the people God’s true heart. When mankind was formed what did God desire to do? Walk with them in the cool of the day, to be a companion and friend. One who could be counted on and who was in tune with your needs. You know, a father. My personal father was faithful and funny, friendly and always had time for his grandkids. I was fortunate to have the example. But, even if you didn’t, listen and read of Jesus, because as He says, “When you have seen me, you have seen the Father.” See Jesus today.
Pastor Brent
June 12th Response
Prov. 15:1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
This is a very simple saying but one which we hardly ever embrace as people.
We have all kinds of answers to people’s questions but how many of them are inspired by the Holy Spirit?
I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that Jesus was a man full of answers and wisdom, and yet, over and over He chose to say, He only spoke the things He heard the Father saying!
We often give ourselves free reign to speak whatever comes to mind, or to repeat words that someone else has said without even really knowing the truth, if it can even be known.
Jesus only asked questions that would save people from themselves. An example was when the Pharisees asked Him under whose authority He did the things He did. Jesus came right back with a question about John’s baptism. It was a simple quid-pro-quo situation, but because they had evil intent and were not seeking the true and living God, they could not answer for fear of being exposed.
We need to know our own motives for answering, or asking questions. God doesn’t need us to grill people on His behalf—simply ask the questions He wants asked.
But, can we do that? Are we humble enough to let God have the glory and get great benefit from our obedience? Or, do we also turn away and have to say we don’t know if God said that or not.
Pastor Brent
June 5th *David — Fulfillment*
2 Sam 5:4 David was 30 years old when he became king, and he reigned 40 years.
From the time he was anointed till the time he was crowned could have been as many as 18 years since he hadn’t even been brought in with Jessie’s other sons.
He probably hadn’t been counted in with the men, which happens at the age 13. Is there someone else who had an event at age 12 that was astonishing to people?
That’s correct if you said Jesus. He amazed the scholars in the temple with his knowledge of the scripture and its interpretation.
Did David rule and obey God completely now that he was crowned king? No! That’s where one similarity with Jesus ends. Jesus did all the Father asked. David went out on his own a few times and cost, not only himself, but all of Israel some significant losses of life as well as unity.
But David and Jesus both knew who they were for quite a significant time and allowed God to bring about their revealing at the proper time and setting. In fact, it was said about Jesus that He grew in favor with God and man; and the same can be said about David as more and more people got on board to accept him as king.
This whole study of David has been to tell us about ourselves. Will we allow God to bring about His plan for us? And will we, along the way, forgive and bless our enemies in order to allow God to also change our heart?
Being a Christian is not about where you start; but where you let God take you.
Pastor Brent
May 29th *David The Tender*
David took up this lament concerning Saul and his son Jonathan. 2 Samuel 1:17
David was so moved he wrote a song to commemorate the death of God’s chosen and his best friend.
He blessed the men of Jabesh Gilead who had taken care of Saul and Jonathan’s bodies.
David even took time to mourn his enemies if they died unjustly as Abner did at the hands of Joab.
David made sure that people knew where he stood and what he stood for. And the really, truly, incredible thing was that he was sincere. It was not for show. To the best of his ability he genuinely desired God’s will above his own.
David even avenged the death of Ish-bosheth, the king set up to oppose him in Israel. The men who thought they were doing David a favor were killed and hung on display to show what happens to those who murder innocent people.
Next week, Lord willing, we will talk about David actually taking the throne and what we should do when we receive the sovereignty that God has promised us, but for now, it is enough that we remember those who gave their lives in battle to save the world from tyranny. Remember those who have gone on before and enjoy the fruit of their labor and sacrifice. There may be a time coming soon when some of us may be called on to make a sacrifice of our own.
Pastor Brent
May 22 *David—The Patient*
From the time David killed Goliath, he stayed with Saul and did not go back to his family's home.
He became best friends with Jonathan and they went forward as brothers and leaders of Saul’s armies.
David was so successful that as they returned from one battle the women began to sing, “Saul has slain his thousands, and David has slain his ten thousands”.
It was the perfect time to overthrow Saul and make God’s anointing become real—with just a little help from David.
We will see in today’s lesson that there are many more opportunities for David to take the throne for himself, seemingly at the instigation of God himself as Saul walks right into what could have been the perfect opportunity.
But David waits.
And as we will see; even when Saul is killed in battle the man who thinks he will be rewarded for killing Saul and bringing David the news, is instead, chastised and killed.
When we learn of the things that make David a man after God’s own heart, we must learn patience and trusting God’s timing.
Will you begin to learn and embrace that with me this morning? It will be to our great benefit.
Pastor Brent