Teach Me To Pray

The Certainty Of Christ's Prayer

Book of Luke 11


Some people just do not understand that prayer is our means of having a conversation with God!

It was by the cross and the veil was rent into that we have direct access to the throne of God!

We waste our breath in prayer if we do not first believe, in faith, that God is who He says He is and can do what we read about in the Word of God.

If we do not believe that God will answer prayer, then why pray at all?

Our prayers must be sincere!

Heb 10:22  Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

The disciples of Jesus asked Him to teach them how to pray because prayer was a daily thing for our Lord and it can be said that Jesus truly prayed without ceasing.

It is an absolute fact, the more we pray the closer we will get to God.

Jesus said if we pray in His name, God will answer every prayer that reaches into His throne room.

Joh 15:16  Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

So let's let Jesus teach us how to pray.

*****Luk 11:1  And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.

The Lord Jesus Christ spent much time in prayer. Prayer was not unknown to these disciples.

They had witnessed prayers at the Temple and in their own synagogues.

They had heard the long winded prayers of the Scribes and the Pharisees.

They had known the prayers of John the Baptist, who had taught his own disciples how to pray.

There was something about the way that Jesus prayed that got their attention!

**Christ Jesus prayed often and He emphasized that prayer was one of the greatest needs of each believer. Jesus insisted that His prayers were the source of His strength.

**Jesus prayed as a Son to His Father in a close and very personal relationship with Him. Jesus taught that we that believe are to have the same close and personal relationship with our Father who is in Heaven.

To be saved is to be adopted into the family of God.

**John the Baptist had taught his own disciples to pray and all these that followed the Lord Jesus knew that He was the Master teacher and could teach them also, it was a reasonable request.

Even in prayer the Lord Jesus is our example!

*****Luk 11:2  And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.

The Lord Jesus Christ will teach anyone to pray, anyone who is sincere and anyone who wants to begin a successful prayer life.

**Jesus begins with "When we pray".

We must accept that Jesus is teaching us a "model prayer" and not a prayer that should be repeated over and over again, even though nothing is wrong with praying this prayer as it is written.

As we all have different needs and are going through different trials, so then every prayer will be different.

This model prayer is also meant for use of all the children of God no matter their age group.

This prayer is a guide for all of us who need to have a personal relationship with our Creator and our God!

**Thank God for being "Our Father"

We are to have a close personal relationship with our God!

This relationship is to be a family relationship, the relationship of of a child to his parent.

This is the relationship we have after we have been "Born Again" into the family of God!

Joh 1:12  But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
Joh 1:13  Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

We must always thank God for being our Father!

We must always thank God that we are part of His family!

This is our assurance that we will spend eternity with not only all other believers but even our own earthly family if they will also trust in the Lord Jesus.

It is this model prayer that will open our eyes to the right way of looking at things.

Remember just a few lessons back, God was teaching us to have the right attitude.

Thank God we have a Father who cares about each and everyone of us!

Once God is our Father, that can never change!

Joh 10:27  My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
Joh 10:28  And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
Joh 10:29  My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.
Joh 10:30  I and my Father are one.

**Thank God for "In Heaven"

Heaven is a real place!

Heaven is the eternal real world, while this place we live now is only a temporary place.

Heaven is incorruptible and undefiled and it will never fade away!

Heaven is where God our Father resides and we will one day be with Him there in that place called Heaven.

Jesus said:

Joh 14:1  Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
Joh 14:2  In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

And God's truth is:

1Co 2:9  But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

We truly do not have a clue just how wonderful Heaven is going to be!

**We need to praise God for "His name is Hallowed".

God's name is to set apart from all other names.

Our God is holy, and righteous, and pure, and loving, and kind, and merciful, and gracious.

God is to be praised for who He is!

We do not hallow God, if we speak of Him in an irreverent fashion.

We do not hallow God when we take His name in vain.

In fact we do not hallow God unless we worship Him in spirit and in truth!

Joh 4:23  But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
Joh 4:24  God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

We do not hallow God unless we honor God in our own households!

If we do not have sense of God's majesty and God's holiness we will never hallow God's name!

AND, We do not hallow the Almighty God if we do not have a devout response of "faith" in Him!

Heb 11:6  But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

God's attributes are "His Name"

God has made Himself known to us by His Word but also by His Created Works!

We do not hallow the name of God if we do not trust in His power to direct and overrule all things, good and evil!

Holy is the name of God!

Isa 57:15  For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

Only after we have praised God in our prayer are we to make request of Him!

**We need to pray for God's Kingdom to come.

In this sense we are praying for the spreading of the "Gospel" of Jesus Christ throughout this world.

We are praying for God's spiritual kingdom to come into all our lives and the "Gospel" has been spread throughout this world.

This is a prayer to personally receive the "Gospel"!

This is a prayer to personally promote the spread of the "Gospel"!

This is a prayer to persevere in prayer for the success of the "Gospel"!

God says to pray for Him to come but we must remember, when Christ returns to this earth, He will set upon His throne. He will rule and reign upon this earth for 1000 years.

This is the Kingdom that will ultimately be established in fulfillment of the covenant with the Jews.

Before that happens. His will needs to be done in all our lives just as it will be in Heaven.

There is the Spiritual Kingdom, which is God's authority over all the souls of believers.

There is the Visible Kingdom, the Church, which is visible to all mankind.

There is the Heavenly Kingdom which comes after the rapture of the Church!

**Thy will be done as in Heaven

It should be very obvious to us all that God's will is not done on earth as it is in Heaven.

We are all unworthy to receive the "Grace of God"!

God's will for us all is faith and holiness.

We cannot please God without faith.

We are to live holy because our God is a Holy God.

The Lord's Prayer indicates the right way of looking at things!

The Lord's Prayer is a prayer that this world we now live in would be filled with the knowledge of God!

The Lord's Prayer is a prayer that the "Grace" of God will rule in every heart!

The Lord's Prayer is a prayer that God, by His Grace, will remove all spiritual blindness and cause us all to know His will for each of us!

It is God's will that all the world be saved.

2Pe 3:9  The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

*****Luk 11:3  Give us day by day our daily bread.

We are certainly to pray for the necessities of life and we are to do that on a daily basis.

This is food for within and without. We need to fed spiritually and physically.

The Lord's Prayer is a prayer to be filled as much spiritually as physically!

We must learn that we are dependant on the Lord for both these things.

The needs of the body while on this earth are great, but the truth is, the needs of the soul are far more important!

God will supply our daily needs.

God will supply those needs that are necessary for us to spread the "Gospel".

God may even sometime supply some our wants, but our needs will always supersede our wants.

There are some rewards for those who serve the Lord but the greater rewards are in Heaven.

*****Luk 11:4  And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.

We need to spend some time discussing the forgiveness of our sins with our Father!

Our sins are a debt that we owe!

Rom 6:23  For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Our sins are the very reason God had to send His Son to pay that great debt!

Notice we are to pray specifically for the forgiveness of our own sins.

We have a debt to God that we had no means to repay.

But we are also to pray for the forgiveness of the sins of our family, our neighbors, our community, our state, our nation, and our world!

Sin is the most serious matter and the most tragic matter to ever occur in our world!

We need to pray this daily because we are still in the flesh and without a doubt, we sin daily!

Our old sins are already under the blood and it is unnecessary to continue to ask for the forgiveness of those sins!

God does not remember those sins anymore!

Jer 31:34  And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.

God does not want us to remember those old sins anymore!

Heb 10:17  And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.
Heb 10:18  Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.

Jesus said that part was finished when He was on the cross!

Until we meet Jesus, we will still come up short of His glory and Jesus is teaching us to pray for this reason!

As God has forgiven our sins then we are to be forgiving of all others.

This is a condition of our own forgiveness!

Mat 6:14  For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
Mat 6:15  But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Eph 4:32  And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

We should realize that every confession of sin is always fulfilled with a pardon!

**Lead us not into temptation.

First, God will never tempt us!

Jas 1:13  Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
Jas 1:14  But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

We are to have a sincere belief in the providence of God!

It is when we trust in ourselves when temptation can overcome us!

We must have the faith that God is able to deliver us from all evil.

**"Deliver us from evil"

Satan the Devil is real!

We are to avoid all occasions of evil.

We are to give no place to the devil.

We should understand that "evil" is anything and everything that goes against the Word of God!

The Devil is above all, the evil one and the great opposition to the goodness of God!

Worldly afflictions come and go and are indeed grievous so long as they last and they require our prayers.

Sin is evil in it's nature and high treason against Heaven!

Sin will enslave us!

Sin is a painful thing. Sin is its own punishment to our bodies and sin will destroy the soul!

Sin is worse than death, though death might kill us, but it could not curse us!

The sin of God's people are even greater than the sins of the world because we sin against the "Mercy" and the "Grace" of God that He has already shown to us!

We should pray for God's deliverance from evil because God has more "Grace" than He does "wrath"!

Rom 5:20  Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
Rom 5:21  That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

And Jesus says we must be sincere and persistent in our prayers, we may have to make many request to fulfill the will of God.

*****Luk 11:5  And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves;
Luk 11:6  For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him?
Luk 11:7  And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee.
Luk 11:8  I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.

What the truth of our prayers?

When we get into the throne room of God through our prayer, then we must refuse to leave until we get an answer.

How is this possible?

We must be sincere in our need, fervent in our request, constant, persistent, persevering and enduring when we are in contact with our Lord!

Micky Mouse prayers will not move the hand of God!

We need to ask until we get what we need, or that God says no.

Sometimes the greatest blessing we can get is when God says no to something we think we need!

And, Sometimes we have to be somewhat like a pest to move the hand of God!

Jesus gives us the answer to our problems in prayer.

*****Luk 11:9  And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
Luk 11:10  For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

"Ask and it shall be given" We should continue to ask until we receive, but if asking is not enough, Then

"Seek, and ye shall find", But in seeking and we do not find what we need, Then

"Knock, and it shall be open unto us"

The words "ask, seek, and knock" are verbs which means these are things we must do in a continuous action.

We are to keep on with these things until we know for sure we have God's answer.

God must know we are sincere!

God knows: Jas 1:8  A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

The one thing we must consider is, "That God is always willing to give us the things that will fulfill the will and the purpose He has for us!

No matter the circumstances of our life, God will meet our needs!

No matter what we think sometimes, if our prayer can reach the throne room of God, we will get an answer even when it may be a "no" answer.

Deu 4:29  But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.

**There are other reasons that God does not answer our prayer immediately.

1) Prayer teaches us to have a close personal relationship with the Lord our God!

God loves to hear from us and He may hold back to keep us talking and sharing our needs with Him.

1Co 1:9  God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

2) Prayer teaches to have patience and hope in God and His promises.

1Jn 5:14  And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
1Jn 5:15  And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

3) Prayer demonstrates how deeply we trust God and how much we depend upon Him.

Joh 15:5  I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

4) Prayer teaches us to love God as our Father.

*****Luk 11:11  If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?
Luk 11:12  Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?
Luk 11:13  If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

Prayer teaches us that God is not evil, God is like a loving Father.

Not one man upon this earth is a righteous man.

Rom 3:23  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

But most men who are also fathers will give to their children when asked.

If all men are evil and God is "Good", it is impossible for God not to give as our Heavenly Father.

Mar 10:18  And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.

The greatest gift that our Father in Heaven gives us is the "Gift" of the Holy Spirit!

We have the presence of God living within our hearts and bodies.

When God dwells within those that have called on Him for salvation, then everything that is good is assured!

God is always with us and never far away and He knows us by our fruit!

Gal 5:22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23  Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Gal 5:24  And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
Gal 5:25  If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

And we can be sure that God will answer our prayers!

Jer 33:2  Thus saith the LORD the maker thereof, the LORD that formed it, to establish it; the LORD is his name;
Jer 33:3  Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

Prayer is the greatest tool in the arsenal of the Christian, yet in most cases we all lack in a proper prayer life!

The truth is our Father in Heaven is not a dead beat dad who cares very little for his children, God is a true Father who cares for His children.

1Pe 5:6  Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
1Pe 5:7  Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Questions?

Let's Pray!

The Glory Of God Is Certain In Christ

The Certainty Of Christ's Future Glory

Book of Luke 9


Since His days as a babe in the arms of His mother Mary, Jesus Christ knew exactly what He would go through. Jesus knew everything that lied ahead of Him in the days He would spend on this earth.

Luk 9:22  Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day.

Jesus did not say He "would" suffer, He said He "must" suffer!

The suffering of Jesus Christ was a necessary to be obedient to His Father in Heaven!

The Father's will was the Son's law!

The entire nation of Israel had looked for the Messiah and having rejected Jesus the Messiah, many of them are still looking for the Messiah to come.

These people had not grasped the full meaning of the Messiah as written in the Old Testament Scriptures.

The work that the Lord Jesus Christ was sent to accomplish demanded the cross!

Messiah came first to redeem His people!

These Jews could only see His sovereignty, His power, and His glory!

They could only see His ruling and His reigning on this earth which will come later.

We can see that Jesus accepted the things that were about to happen to Him!

His willing acceptance of all these things were required. It was love that would be nailed to that cross along with all our sin!

There were 3 Jewish groups who would take the lead in killing Jesus.

The elders, the respected men of the community. Israel had no government of it's own at this time.

The chief priests, the religious system that was in place.

The scribes, who made copies of the Scriptures but taught the oral law.

Men from these 3 groups made up the Sanhedrin, the Supreme Court of Jewish justice.

We can see why we must have men on our own Supreme Court who are not politically motivated even today!

Jesus Christ was to bear His cross for all mankind!

BUT, there was another cross, a cross man was to bear for the Messiah!

To be a disciple of Jesus would bring it's own suffering!

*****Luk 9:23  And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

The truth is that following the Lord Jesus Christ entails a "daily" willingness to die for Him!

We all have the tendency to indulge ourselves in our own desires.

The Lord Jesus, in His own words says that "we are to deny ourselves daily", in order to become His disciple!

Taking up our own cross refers to a condemned man hauling his own cross to the place of execution.

Jesus Christ did this very thing and He is our example even in this thing!

Each of us must follow Jesus and not someone else of this earth!

Joh 10:27  My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
Joh 10:28  And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
Joh 10:29  My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.
Joh 10:30  I and my Father are one.

The modern day Church has forgotten that we are to be like Christ.

Jesus Christ is to be our example in everything that we face!

No doubt these Jews knew exactly what the cross stood for. They had seen many criminals bearing their cross to the place of execution!

Part of the execution by the cross was the public display in places where it was easily seen by all people.

We should understand the our own cross does not mean we are to bear life's hardships.

It does not mean we are to bear poor health, or abuse by the government, or the abuse of our parents, or our spouse or even a wayward child!

The cross is an instrument of death! We are to die to ourselves!

We are to die mentally and actively to the things of this world and we are to do this daily!

We are to have the mind of Christ!

Php 2:5  Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Php 2:6  Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
Php 2:7  But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
Php 2:8  And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

This is not a negative behavior because it is a positive behavior!

Rom 13:14  But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

When we die to ourselves we become alive to God!

Rom 6:13  Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

This is when God can make a use of us!

Mat 10:38  And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.

We need to understand what life really means.

*****Luk 9:24  For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.

Life as we know it on this earth quickly passes away!

We are born as babes and then the aging process begins and we fade and decay until there is only a lifeless corpse buried in some grave.

This in itself defeats all the laws of evolution. We never evolve we only decay just as all the things in our universe are doing the same!

When we work only to please ourselves we will lose our life eternally!

Life is not something that we possess!

1Ti 5:6  But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.

Life is given by the Lord Jesus Christ!

Col 3:2  Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
Col 3:3  For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

God gave us this life we have now in order that we may have fellowship with Him.

1Jn 1:3  That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

God gave us this life in order that we might fellowship with one another.

Psa 119:63  I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts.
Psa 119:64  The earth, O LORD, is full of thy mercy: teach me thy statutes.

God gave us this life in order that we be able to help save this world that is lost in sin!

Mat 20:28  Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

Joh 20:21  Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.
Joh 20:22  And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: 
We should be able to see that life is only real when we release ourselves to serve the Triune God!

There are no advantages to a life without Christ Jesus!

*****Luk 9:25  For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?

If we sit down and think about these words of Jesus we can come to only one conclusion.

There are no eternal advantages of materialism!

There are actually some men who devote their time in pursuit of gaining all the riches this world, though that be impossible.

The truth of all those that reject Jesus Christ is that they will truly be cast into the Burning Lake of Fire.

Mat 25:29  For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.
Mat 25:30  And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Those that live only for themselves are actually wasting their lives on themselves.

Those that deny themselves and pick up their own cross and follow Jesus make their lives count for something that is truly important!

To be castaway is to suffer loss of, or to forfeit, To Lose What Is Of A Greater Value!

*****Luk 9:26  For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels.
Luk 9:27  But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God.

The truth is no man on the same level of man in their moral nature could ever be a Savior!

The judgment on the materialist of this world will be tragic.

Most of mankind are ashamed when they come face to face with the Word of God!

Most of mankind actually find comfort in their acceptance in a society of unbelievers.

Most of mankind find comfort in the sinful pleasures of this world.

The truth is Jesus will return to judge this world!

**Jesus will return in His own glory:

Php 2:9  Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
Php 2:10  That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
Php 2:11  And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

**Jesus will return in the glory of God:

1Ti 6:16  Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.

**Jesus will return in the glory of the Angels:

Luk 12:8  Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God:
Luk 12:9  But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God.

When Jesus Christ returns in His glory He will be ashamed of all those that have rejected Him and who showed their shame in Him!

Mat 7:23  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Here on earth the greatest reward is salvation!

BUT, the reward to those who are saved is God's Kingdom!

Each believer has his place reserved in the Kingdom of God as soon as he believes!

Standing before Jesus this day were some who would be eyewitness of His death and resurrection.

Standing before Jesus that day were some who would witness the coming of the Holy Spirit.

And standing before Jesus that day would be some who would be eyewitnesses to His glory!

And now we see the the certainty of Christ's future glory.

*****Luk 9:28  And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray.

Peter, James, and John could be said to be the inner circle of the 12 disciples.

They were all partners in the fishing business before coming to Christ and they would become fishers of men.

What we know is the Jesus had just announced His death on the cross it seems that God knew He needed a very special strength to face the pressure of the cross.

That added strength would come in His transfiguration and in the Garden of Gethsemane.

The disciples also would need some added strength and these three of the inner circle would witness the transfiguration, the prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, and the resurrection of Jairus' daughter.

God gave them a glimpse of the glory of His Son!

Heb 1:3  Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
Heb 1:4  Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.

And then Jesus began to pray.

We should know that the weight of the sin of the world, including our own sin already weighed heavy on Jesus at this time.

We should also know that the time was short before Jesus would give these disciples the keys to the Church.

*****Luk 9:29  And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering.

Luke says His countenance was altered and His raiment was white and glistering.

Matthew said His face did shine as the Sun.

Mark wrote His raiment became shining exceeding whits as snow as no fuller could white them.

On this day was Jesus seen in all His glory and in just a few days He would be unrecognizable!

Isa 52:14  As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men:

But God had a purpose for all these things.

God was showing these men that Jesus was not only the Master teacher, not only the Miracle worker, not only a great Prophet, but that Christ Jesus was indeed a third part of the Triune God!

Jesus allowed His Godly nature to shine through Him.

Even on this day these disciples had no excuse for doubting the Savior!

The needs of these disciples were met but there was also a need of Jesus Himself.

We should understand that when our needs are desperate God will meet those needs in a special way!

We have recently learned that before major decisions are made it takes intense prayer.

We see here that when there are special needs it takes intense prayer!

These things can change our own countenance!

Dan 12:3  And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

Peace and blessedness comes to those who know the Lord!

But God was not through yet.

*****Luk 9:30  And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias:
Luk 9:31  Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.

Moses the great Lawgiver appeared to Jesus and they discussed how Jesus would accomplish the fulfillment of the law on the cross in Jerusalem, which is God's great love for us..

Heb 9:15  And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.
Heb 9:16  For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.
Heb 9:17  For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.
Heb 9:18  Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood.

Elijah the great Prophet appeared to Jesus and they discussed how Jesus would accomplish the fulfillment of all the prophets in Jerusalem with His life, His burial, His resurrection and His return a second time.

Luk 18:31  Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished.

These two great men of the Old testament were giving strength to the only One who could fulfill the New Testament.

Jesus represented the New Covenant, Moses represents the Old Covenant, Elijah represents the prophesy that would be fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

Peter, James, and John represented the Jews to whom the Covenants of Abraham and of David would be fulfilled.

Mat 5:18  For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

Peter, James and John also represented the Apostles who would have the keys to building the Church!

Joh 6:44  No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
Joh 6:45  It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.

Mat 16:16  And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Mat 16:17  And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
Mat 16:18  And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Mat 16:19  And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Peter was not that rock but Christ the Son of the Living God is that solid rock foundation of the Church of the Living God!

We should notice that Jesus was going to Jerusalem to accomplish the wishes of His Father in Heaven.

Jesus, the man. clearly understood the details of the great work which He and His Father were soon to accomplish in Jerusalem!

Both Moses and Elijah had trusted, and believed and hoped in this day when God would provide the means of salvation for all people, of all generations!

The truth is all our faith, and all our hope are realized and fulfilled in Christ Jesus!

That's why it is called "Grace"!

Gal 1:3  Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ,
Gal 1:4  Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:

Today we truly think of death as a bad thing but in reality to the Christian, death is a good thing and we should discuss our death with other Christians.

Php 1:20  According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.
Php 1:21  For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Sharing the knowledge of our home going can be an encouragement to others!

But Peter "with the foot shaped mouth" needed to learn another lesson along with James and John.

*****Luk 9:32  But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him.
Luk 9:33  And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias: not knowing what he said.

The Lord Jesus had brought had brought these three chosen disciples to be witness of this event.

Luk 9:27  But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God.

They all had fallen asleep again while Jesus was praying but they were suddenly awaken by the "Shekinah Glory" of God.

They were in the very presence of God Himself and they knew they were on hallowed ground!

These disciples at once saw the source of the Lord Jesus' strength.

The throne of God is in Heaven but at this time the throne of Jesus Christ would be the cross.

It was good for them to be there on the Mount of Transfiguration!

Transfiguration is a change in form!

It is during the Church Age that we all stand on the Mount of Transfiguration and see the Glory of the Cross!

But we cannot spend the rest of our lives on the Mountain Top!

We cannot build shelter and homes and stay on the mountain top.

God calls us all down into the valley to spread the "Gospel of Jesus Christ"!

When God has revealed in us the glory of His Son then we are to consecrate our lives to the work the Lord has given us to do just as He gave to all His disciples.

Mat 28:19  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Mat 28:20  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Just like Peter, we may not know what to say to these things but God will give us the answers!

*****Luk 9:34  While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud.
Luk 9:35  And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.

Most of the time God will speak to us in His still voice but but Peter, James, and John heard something else on this day.

When you are in the presence of God you will realize just how puny we human are compared to the awesomeness of the Almighty God!

**This was a bright cloud.

This cloud was bright because it contained the Shekinah Glory of God.

This was the same cloud that had guided Israel in their 40 years in the wilderness.

This was the same cloud that rested on the Tabernacle that Moses built.

This was the same cloud that rested on the Mercy Seat in the Holy of Holies.

This was the same cloud where God dwells.

1Ti 6:16  Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.

Peter never forgot this day!

2Pe 1:16  For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
2Pe 1:17  For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
2Pe 1:18  And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.

**This was a bright cloud that overshadowed the Lord Jesus Christ.

When God gave Moses the laws of the Old Covenant, God came in a dark and overshadowing cloud:

Exo 20:21  And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was.

The point being that the Old Covenant was dark and threatening:

Gal 3:10  For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.

The New Covenant in the Lord Jesus Christ is bright because it is given to save and to bless and not to threaten and condemn.

Heb 12:18  For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest,
Heb 12:19  And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more:
Heb 12:20  (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart:
Heb 12:21  And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:)

Add to this:

Heb 8:6  But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.
Heb 8:7  For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.
Heb 8:8  For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:
Heb 8:9  Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.
Heb 8:10  For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:
Heb 8:11  And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.
Heb 8:12  For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.
Heb 8:13  In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.

**And maybe the most important of all, the voice that came out of the cloud spoke and said "This Is My Beloved SON"!

God has given us the only means of salvation!

God has given us the only chance we will have to get to Heaven!

Joh 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Rom 8:32  He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

**God's message was very clear when He said "HEAR HIM"!

Those soon to be Apostles were to hear what Jesus had to say!

We are to listen to what Jesus has to say!

God warns and commands every living man, woman, and child to listen to Christ Jesus!

Why?

1Jn 5:9  If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.

Faith is the key that unlocks the Glory of God!

1Jn 5:10  He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.
1Jn 5:11  And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
1Jn 5:12  He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

After God speaks He will give us some time to think about His words.

*****Luk 9:36  And when the voice was past, Jesus was found alone. And they kept it close, and told no man in those days any of those things which they had seen.

Quietness, Jesus was standing alone, No one said spoke the remainder of that night.

These disciples did not speak of these things until after the resurrection and the ascension of Christ back to Heaven.

Once we hear the Word of God, the things that Jesus spoke, there should be a time for silence, a time for being still, and a time for meditating on what Jesus says.

Psa 46:10  Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

Psa 83:16  Fill their faces with shame; that they may seek thy name, O LORD.
Psa 83:17  Let them be confounded and troubled for ever; yea, let them be put to shame, and perish:
Psa 83:18  That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth.

Solomon wrote that there is a time for all things and now is the time for "Grace"!

Now is the time for all the servants of God to spread the "Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ"!

2Ti 1:9  Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
2Ti 1:10  But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:

Just as we see that these Apostles saw the glory of Christ, we can be certain of Christ future glory!

Questions?

Let's Pray!

The Teaching Ministry Of Christ

The Certainty Of Christ's Teaching

Book of Luke 8


What is preaching in the Word of God?

Preaching is the act of proclaiming the "Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ" in a public setting.

God chose preaching as the means of reaching the lost with the "Gospel"!

Rom 10:14  How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

To be a preacher, you must be called of God and then sent:

Rom 10:15  And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

Whom God sends to preach, He first converts, He will then kindle in him beyond the average man, a love for lost souls.

Jesus Christ is the "visible representation" of the Triune God and surely we make narrow God, unless we think of Him as Triune!

Surely we slander God, unless we make "atonement" as much the work of the Father and the Holy Spirit, as of the Son, Jesus.

Joh 14:26  But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

AND, Jesus Christ was a preacher!

Jesus, by this time, only had about 18 months before He would face the passion of His cross.

Jesus Christ had a preaching ministry!

Jesus Christ was sent to preach!

Luk 4:18  The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
Luk 4:19  To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

The Book of Leviticus teaches us of the Jubilee Year when all the slaves were set free and the land returned to the owners and all debts paid.

The truth is, it is Christianity that has abolished slavery!

Jesus Christ preached the equality of all men as the children of God!

Jesus Christ preached of the eternal and everlasting Jubilee Year for all believers!

*****Luk 8:1  And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him,
Luk 8:2  And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils,
Luk 8:3  And Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance.

From this time forward Jesus left Capernaum to preach village to village and city to city.

Jesus preached in Judea, Samaria; Jerusalem and Sychar but Jesus spent most of His time in the towns and villages of Galilee.

This province was despised by most Jews.

This was the training that the 12 disciples needed in order to begin the Church after Jesus' departure back to Heaven.

This is when these disciples would certainly learn what is later referred to as, the "Apostles Doctrine".

Act 2:42  And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
Act 2:43  And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.

The Church of today needs to return to the "Apostles Doctrine"!

The Apostles Doctrine is the doctrine of Christ Jesus!

Jesus Christ was faithful and consistent in preaching and proclaiming the "Gospel"!

The truth is, every true minister, and ministry of the "Gospel" needs some help.

Luke mentions some women who devoted themselves to supporting the ministry of Christ Jesus.

We can understand this Mary, as the Mary from Magdala to distinguish her from the other Marys. It is a mistake to think of this woman as a person of bad character. She had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities and as we all are. She was just a sinner saved by the "Grace of God".

Herod Antipas had a steward named Chuza. Chuza had a wife named Joanna who along with Mary Magdalene ministered to the Lord Jesus Christ during this time and remained a follower of Him even after His death and resurrection.

There was another precious sister named Susanna who along with these other two Mary Magdalene and Joanna ministered to Christ Jesus with their own substance.

We can also see that there were many others and it is those many other unnamed people in the background who have moved the preaching of the "Gospel" throughout this world.

In most cases, it is those many unnamed Christians behind the scenes that carry the burden of the work in every  church.

We also see that the message of Christ Jesus had reached into the political structure but it had also been received by some that were rich by the standards of that day.

They supported this ministry as it reached out, for God has compassion on all and is not willing that any should perish.

2Pe 3:9  The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

The truth is, that those that find the pathway to Hell will have to stumble over Jesus Christ to get there, so that His ministry can never be blamed.

These precious ladies supported a ministry of the truth!

This financial help allowed the disciples to follow the Lord Jesus Christ full time.

The "Gospel" is the truth and it is "good news"!

Jesus touched on many things but He did not preach religion and ritual, Jesus did not preach ceremony and ordinance, Jesus did not preach laws and rules, nor works and deeds.

Jesus preached the "good news" of the Word of God.

Jesus preached the message that His Father in Heaven sent Him to preach!

Joh 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Joh 3:17  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
Joh 3:18  He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Jesus preached the "glad tidings" of His Father's Kingdom, because He had no message of His own.

Joh 5:43  I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.
Joh 5:44  How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?

We can see that discipleship and stewardship are the keys to moving the "Gospel" throughout this world.

The supporters of the ministry must do so out of devotion to Christ and we see that there is always a place for everyone to serve!

It not so important to have your named written down in the Word of God, as it is to have your name written down in the "Lamb's Book Of Life"!

AND, Jesus Christ taught in a specific way.

*****Luk 8:4  And when much people were gathered together, and were come to him out of every city, he spake by a parable:

We should realize that the nation of Israel was in a state of revival even though it was an occupied nation at that time.

This revival had begun with John the Baptist and now continued through the Lord Jesus Christ.

Multitudes of people were flocking to hear the preaching of the Lord Jesus Christ.

We should be able to judge the size of these multitudes by the feeding of the 5000 which only counted the men and not women and children.

Remember Jesus spoke with an authority that no one else possessed!

Jesus did things that they had only read about in the Scriptures!

BUT, Jesus also knew that most of these that came to Him were not sincere.

Joh 2:25  And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.

It is because of this that Jesus taught with parables!

This is what the parable of the seed is all about!

This parable has a message for everyone who hears it!

The main message of this parable, is that just hearing the Word of God is not enough for salvation!

*****Luk 8:5  A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it.
Luk 8:6  And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture.
Luk 8:7  And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it.
Luk 8:8  And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

This seed of course represents the "Gospel Seed" the Word of God!

Notice this parable was taken from everyday happenings. Most all people are familiar with some of the things of the farmer because we all eat.

**The first thing we see is that there must be a sowing of the seed!

Not everyone will be like the farmer. Many will never sow the "Gospel Seed".

We should also see that God does not establish things that are fully formed, like a seed they must grow into usable things.

SO, we can see that the seed is alive. "The Gospel Seed" is the "Living Word Of God"!

Jesus said:

Joh 6:63  It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

**We next see that we must be careful where we sow the seed.

*Some will always fall on the wayside!

The wayside is the pathway that passes by along side the field.

Here the soil is hard, the seed will be trodden down and the fowls of the air will devour it.

These are the hard hearts that have been trampled by years of sin and the seed cannot grow there.

*Some seed will fall on shallow soil over rock!

This seed grew quickly but having no depth of soil it soon just withered away.

These are the people who hear the Word of God but also the ones who have a form of godliness but they forsake the old paths for some modern excitement, They mistake feelings for religion and noisy display for real conviction.

*Some seed will always fall among the thorns.

It is here where the seed will grow but those thorny weeds will choke the life out of the growth making it useless.

*Seed needs to be planted in well prepared ground!

Good ground is the only place seed will grow and produce fruit.

We cannot always produce the same amount of  fruit or even the the same kind of fruit but they are still God's fields prepared for the harvest.

Notice what else Jesus says: "He that has ears to hear, let him hear".

We should clearly understand that nothing on this earth determines the true worth of man more clearly than the way he acts in regard to the Word of God!

The Word of God must be sown in the heart and not on the heart.

Head knowledge is not the same has heart felt saving knowledge!

For the Word of God to have the proper effect it must be mixed with faith in the hearts of those who hear it.

Heb 4:2  For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.

We must understand that a parable is an earthly story with a Heavenly meaning.

The stories are true and the heavenly meaning is true!

*****Luk 8:9  And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be?
Luk 8:10  And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.

Before Jesus explained this parable to His chosen disciples, He first explained to them why He was teaching with parables.

Up unto this point, Jesus had been preaching and teaching with direct statements with clear illustrations.

Jesus had seen that most people were repelled by this teaching because it destroyed the Oral Laws that the Scribes and Pharisees insisted on.

Now Jesus would preach and teach using a lot of parables.

1) Jesus wanted to open the hearts of those who were truly seeking God!

To every farmer, the soil preparation is the key to a fruitful harvest!

Parables required those who heard them to think about the words that had been said.

A person who was truly seeking God would search until they could find the meaning of the words that Jesus spoke.

All those that knew farming techniques would understand about the seed and the soil.

Jesus wanted those who heard to think about the "Gospel Seed" and the condition of the "Heart"!

All those who clung to their sin would not see, nor would they understand the teaching of Jesus because it required a change to take place in their heart!

The mystery for us all to learn hear is, "how so many people who have the opportunity to enter the Kingdom of God fail to do so because of the condition of their heart"!

The Word of God leads to salvation, salvation leads to eternal life. Parables provide a vision of life!

The seed of the farmer then represents the "Gospel Seed", the Living Word of God!

*****Luk 8:11  Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.

**We should understand that the Sower of the "Gospel Seed" was on this day Jesus Christ.

Today all those who have been called to be ministers of the Word of God sow the "Gospel Seed"!

1Co 3:9  For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.
1Co 3:10  According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
1Co 3:11  For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

**The Seed then is the "Word of God" or the "Word of the Kingdom of God"!

The "incorruptible seed".

1Pe 1:23  Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

The "Gospel Truth".

Col 1:5  For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;
Col 1:6  Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth:

**The ground where the seed is sown is the "heart".

Just as there is all types of ground there are all types of hearts.

Just like the ground can be prepared for the seed, the heart can be prepared for the "Gospel Seed".

Just like this farmer sowed on all types of ground, the "Gospel Seed" is to be sown throughout the world.

Just as it is the condition of the ground that can cause it to bear fruit, it is also the condition of the heart that can cause it to bear fruit.

*****Luk 8:12  Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.

We see this person by the wayside has heard the Word of God.

This is a person that is off to the side out of the way and does not get involved.

This is a person who sees Christ as a Prophet and a Preacher and may not even miss a Church service but doubts the promises of God.

Before this person accepts Jesus Christ as his Savior, the Devil comes and snatches the Word away!

Before this person can apply the Word of God to his life, salvation has already eluded him.

Act 28:27  For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

We should be clear, the success or the failure of the Word of God to bring salvation, is not due to Satan but the hardness of our own heart. Satan can only bring temptation!

*****Luk 8:13  They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.

This is a person who hears the Word of God and becomes excited over it. He may even profess a belief in Christ Jesus and make a profession of faith before the world.

He does not count the cost!

He does not become rooted and grounded in the Word of God!

He does not apply a commitment to learn of Jesus Christ!

SO, when trials and temptations come he falls away.

His profession of faith is burned up in the heat of trials and temptations.

Luk 6:49  But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.

Luk 9:62  And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

*****Luk 8:14  And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.

This is a person who receives the Word of God and honestly tries to live for Christ!

He may actually profess Christ as his Savior.

He still has a problem of separating himself from the world.

He tries to live a double life. He has one foot in the church and the other foot in the world.

He may even bear some fruit but it never ripens and is never able to be plucked.

The thorns of life will soon choke the message of the "Gospel" out of him!

2Co 6:17  Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
2Co 6:18  And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

*****Luk 8:15  But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

These are those who have an honest and a good heart.

They have been plowed with the "Gospel Plow".

They keep the Word of God and apply it to there lives!

**Their hearts are honest!

Act 17:11  These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

1Th 2:13  For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

**Their hearts are good!

They were devoted and and committed to the truth.

Rom 6:17  But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.

**They hold on tightly to the Word of God refusing to allow Satan snatch it away!

Joh 14:23  Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

**They bear fruit with patience!

They endure and grow in the Lord.

They constantly weed themselves so the fruit is not choked out.

They continue steadfastly in the Word of God.

They no longer even resemble who they were before Christ came into their heart.

2Co 5:17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Psa 92:13  Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God.
Psa 92:14  They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing;

For what is the purpose of a life in Christ?

*****Luk 8:16  No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light.

A life in Christ is for the purpose of giving that life to others!

This candle is then a gift of God.

Eph 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9  Not of works, lest any man should boast.

This candle or the life in Christ cannot be purchased nor can it be earned!

This candle or the life in Christ must be used to be of any benefit!

This candle or the life in Christ must be lit, it is not fulfilling until reaches it's primary function!

***The primary function of the candle, or the life in Christ is to glow!

Mat 5:16  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

A candle can also decorate and beautify. A life in Christ is a beautiful thing.

The wax of a candle can plug holes and fill gaps. A life in Christ will fill the gaps in any society.

A candle can be an ornament to attract attention. A life in Christ will attract the attention of sinners.

A candle is just a piece of wax with a cord in it's center until it is lit.

Each Christian must show enough initiative to light up their life in the ways of Jesus!

Joh 8:12  Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

***A life for Christ cannot be hidden!

A life in Christ that is hidden serves no purpose at all.

Mar 8:38  Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.

***A candle should be placed high on a candle stick. A life in Christ Jesus must burn as bright as physically possible.

Php 1:20  According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.
Php 1:21  For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

***A candle must be seen by all those that enter into the house.

Psa 66:16  Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.

We must remember, we are not that light for that light is Jesus!

Joh 8:12  Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

We must also remember that no secret can be kept from our Lord!

*****Luk 8:17  For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad.

It is a fact that we all have some things in our past that we would rather not let the world know but nothing can be hidden from God.

We will always try to hide our sin and shame.

Much sin is done in the dark and behind closed doors.

Much sin is done when we are out and away from friends and family.

Many try to hide things in diaries and some even have secret bank accounts.

Many even try to hide abilities and talents.

And the secret Christian will even try to hide the Light and the Truth of Jesus Christ

Secrets have a tendency to make us feel safe!

Secrets have a tendency to make us feel that we have escaped punishment!

But what did Jesus say? "For nothing is secret"

There may be some things that others will not find out about us, but nothing can be hidden from God and He will make known the things that need to be made known!

Ecc 12:14  For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

The truth will always be the truth and no lie is of the truth!

*****Luk 8:18  Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.

Jesus has already said "he that hath ears, let him hear".

Now Jesus warns us all how to hear.

The truth is, we must hear the Word of God and then we must use what we hear and apply it to our lives!

If we do not use what we hear to our own benefit and the benefit of the lost, then that that we have can be taken away from us!

1) We must take heed on how we hear.

We sometimes hear wrongly. We can think, we can guess, and we can suppose we understand what we hear but God says to take heed and to discern everything we hear concerning the Word of God.

We must always make sure we hear the truth.

Joh 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Jesus Christ is the truth!

2) We need to watch how we hear!

It is only by knowing the truth and then doing the truth can we be rewarded.

Some will say rewards are not important as long as we have salvation.

But when the Lord Jesus calls your name, not many want to be sitting in the corner twiddling their thumbs while all the others are casting their crowns at the feet of Jesus.

Mat 7:7  Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
Mat 7:8  For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

3) It is the law of God!

We must alway be moving forward trying to get even closer to God.

Standing still is always going backwards!

Heb 6:11  And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:
Heb 6:12  That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
When we are not certain of the teachings of Jesus Christ then we are failing the Lord who has brought such a great salvation to all who will believe.

Joh 17:14  I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
Joh 17:15  I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
Joh 17:16  They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
Joh 17:17  Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

Questions?

Let's Pray!

The Power Of Jesus Christ

The Certainty Of Christ's Power

Book of Luke 7


What is the truth of the Lord Jesus Christ?

The answer to every question is Jesus Christ!

The answer to every need is also Jesus Christ!

Jesus Christ bridges the gaps and the differences between all of mankind!

We have only one thing to do on our part and that is we must have "Faith"!

Heb 11:6  But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

In order to see the power of God the one requirement is faith!

Heb 4:2  For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.

Faith begins with hearing and then believing the Word of God!

*****Luk 7:1  Now when he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum.

Jesus had just finished teaching about having the right attitude.

The right attitude when attached to faith in the Lord gives God something to work with!

We know that Jesus was called a Nazarene because He was raised in Nazareth.

We know that Jesus had been rejected by His hometown of Nazareth and He had made His headquarters in Capernaum.

It can be understood that Jesus did not have a house in Capernaum but it was a place He could take shelter.

Mat 8:20  And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.

Just as He and the disciples were returning to Capernaum, Jesus was approached by the elders of the city.

*****Luk 7:2  And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die.
Luk 7:3  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.

The first thing we see is that having great faith and the right attitude leads to those who have great care!

A Roman Centurion would be in command of at least 100 men.

A servant to a Roman Centurion would have certainly have been his slave.

What we see in this Scripture is a Roman Centurion who had a slave that he honored and considered him to be a precious human being.

This was in all probability a Jew!

In the society of that day, a slave was not much more than a tool to be used until it was worthless and they had absolutely no rights as a human beings.

A slave could be mistreated or even killed without repercussions.

This Roman commander had a slave that he cared very much about.

Most owners of slaves would have just gotten rid of that slave and just replaced him with another but this soldier seemed to care for people.

We also see that Jesus was well known by the government officials and the elders of the synagogue.

BUT, This soldier had something that was missing from the Jewish people, it's called "faith".

This soldier had heard of the things that Jesus had done and he simply believed!

Jesus the "Miracle Worker", Jesus the "Great Physician", Jesus the "Master Teacher" was coming to town.

It does not say that these Jewish elders had any faith at all. They only thought of this Centurion as someone who did not cause harm to the Jewish people.

**A lesson we can see as Christians, is that those of "great faith" will feel unworthy to approach the Lord.

Another lesson we can see is that the government always has it's eyes on Christians.

But we must also understand that there are even some in the government that can be reached with the "Gospel" and it will change their relationship with the people for the better.

In contrast when a man that has been trained to take lives meets the Savior who is the giver of life, it is the Lord. our Savior, who always wins.

Most soldiers truly develope a brotherhood with those who fight by their side.

AND, The Lord Jesus Christ has a message of love and brotherhood!

This soldier knew he was a terrible sinner.

This soldier knew he was unworthy.

BUT, this soldier was not too proud to ask for help!

This soldier found someone to intercede on his part!

As Christians we simply must not ever allow our unworthiness and the fear of rejection to come between us and the Lord!

The truth is:

Rom 3:23  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Our world today is filled with people who do not even want to hear the 'Gospel" because they know it exposes them of the truth.

AND, The truth is we must humble ourselves before the Lord if we  wish the blessings of God!

Isa 57:15  For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

**Next we will see that great "faith" will seek out God!

*****Luk 7:4  And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this:
Luk 7:5  For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue.

A Roman soldier would have knowledge of all the pagan gods of Rome and if he sought them, which he probably did, he had found that nothing comes from false religion and hope is not a word that is used by false religion.

No doubt he had heard many times of the God of Israel and had heard of the great things He had already done and he had since heard many of the Jews speak of the Messiah who had authority over all God's creation.

Hope will always draw us to our God!

Jer 32:27  Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?

There are several times we see the Centurion soldiers in the New Testament and every time they are seen as favorable.

The one most remembered is Cornelius who reached out to Peter.

A Centurion at the cross who was convinced that Jesus was the true Son of God.

A Centurion to took the Apostle Paul to Rome.

It can be said that the God of Israel had made a great impression upon them all.

This Centurion had actually built s synagogue for the Jews of Capernaum to worship God and may have even worshiped with them there.

We see in this man a "man of faith" who "loved God".

What is the truth of God?

1Co 8:3  But if any man love God, the same is known of him.

Those that see "typology" in the Scriptures can see this man who loved the Jewish people even though he is hated and despised by most all of them.

We see a "Gentile" who did what he could to aid in the worship of Jehovah God!

Even his Jewish enemies felt the need to intercede for him with the Lord Jesus Christ.

This Gentile, Roman Commander exhibited more faith in Christ Jesus than all those in Capernaum!

*****Luk 7:6  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:
Luk 7:7  Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed.
Luk 7:8  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.

We must understand that "faith" is the key that unlocks all the doors of Christianity and everlasting life!

Heb 11:6  But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Faith comes from a belief in the truth and confidence in the Word of God and it's truths.

If we cannot believe that there is a God, we have nothing to base our "faith" upon!

If we cannot believe in a Supreme Being, then we have to admit that everything we see happened by accident, which in itself is impossible!

Jesus Christ is the sovereign Lord of all creation and "ALL" power is subject to Him!

Jesus Christ is the "Rewarder" to "all" those seek Him and He will use His power in behalf of those that seek Him!

This Centurion had diligently sought our Lord.

This Centurion had believed in the power and the authority of our Lord.

This Centurion had "great faith" because he believed that Christ Jesus could just speak and things would happen!

This Centurion understood the Genesis record of creation!

Col 1:14  In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
Col 1:15  Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
Col 1:16  For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
Col 1:17  And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

This Centurion understood the truth because he believed that the Word of Christ was all that was needed!

The Lord Jesus Christ does not have to be present for our needs to be met!

This is why our prayers are so important!

This is the reason we should ask in the name of Jesus!

Joh 14:13  And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
Joh 14:14  If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

This Centurion understood what the word authority really meant!

Authority is the right to command!

This Centurion could issue an order and it would be carried out, whether he was there or not was not important.

He understood that Jesus need only to speak and whatever He said would be done.

This is the "faith" that is lacking in our prayer life today!

This is the "faith" that is lacking in our churches today!

Psa 37:5  Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

What could Jesus do but only do as He said He would do, by the Word of God.

*****Luk 7:9  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.
Luk 7:10  And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick.

This Gentile Roman Centurion had exhibited greater "faith"in the Word of Jesus Christ, than most all the Israelites to whom He had first come.

This Gentile Roman Centurion had caused the hand of God to be moved, a great example for us all!

Notice Jesus did not embrace this man for who hew was or what he had done in his past. Jesus embraced him for His "faith"!

Even today it is hard to find the same "faith" this soldier exhibited, even in the Church.

The Lord Jesus healed this servant because He could!

The Lord Jesus is truly the Messiah!

The power of the Lord Jesus Christ has not diminished in all these years. It is our lack of "faith" that has made the church weak in this day and time!

For Jesus to meet our needs, we must believe that He can meet our needs, after all why pray if we do not believe that God is who He says He is!

AND, The power of God is in His Son Jesus!

Mar 9:23  Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.

There are still many doubters in the world so Jesus decided to help a mother.

*****Luk 7:11  And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called Nain; and many of his disciples went with him, and much people.

Nain is 6 miles from Nazareth and a day's journey from Capernaum.

Nain is also the same area where Elisha had raised the son of a Shunammite woman.

2Ki 4:34  And he went up, and lay upon the child, and put his mouth upon his mouth, and his eyes upon his eyes, and his hands upon his hands: and he stretched himself upon the child; and the flesh of the child waxed warm.
2Ki 4:35  Then he returned, and walked in the house to and fro; and went up, and stretched himself upon him: and the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes.

We know that the most phenomenal event in history is the resurrection of the dead.

Every believer shares this promise of God!

1Th 4:13  But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
1Th 4:14  For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
1Th 4:15  For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
1Th 4:16  For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
1Th 4:17  Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
1Th 4:18  Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

Many people just have a hard time believing this thing so God, by the Holy Ghost, included this resurrection in the Word of God.

In this incident in Nain there were many eyewitnesses this day and this miracle could not be denied!

We must first understand that a widow left entirely on her own had very little chance of survival at that day and time.

The loss of this son would probably be a loss this widow would never overcome!

In the middle east today, it is only Israel that gives women the freedoms they deserve so they can in fact survive in this world.

As Jesus entered into Nain, He came upon a funeral procession.

*****Luk 7:12  Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her.
Luk 7:13  And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not.

Aren't you glad we serve a God with compassion?

Compassion is the suffering of one for another and a sensation of sorrow for some one else's sorrows.

Aren't you glad we serve a God who can be touched with our own sorrows?

Jehovah God will get close and personal with those He loves!

The Lord Jesus Christ was touched by the broken heart of this mother.

She was already a widow with only one son and she had outlived her son which we all expect not to happen.

None of us want to bury our own children!

She was a woman alone in a world that was already harsh and rough on women!

The family name would die out with the death of her son but the Lord Jesus had compassion of her.

The size of the crowd told Jesus how much this mother had been loved in the community.

We can see that she had loved and cared for many of them throughout her years.

Throughout the Word of God we see our Lord who is always touched and moved to help all those who have helped others!

Psa 103:13  Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.
Psa 103:14  For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.

We also notice that in this case no one asked Jesus for His help.

We have a God who will at all times act on His own compassion!

After all God sent His Son to save us while we were all yet sinners!

Normally Luke used the name Jesus but on this occasion, by the Holy Ghost, Luke writes that it was the Lord who saw this woman who was so loved by this community.

It is the Lord who holds the sovereign power of the universe!

It was the Lord of compassion who had seen this woman!

It was the Lord of all power who could do something about it!

We have a God who can have compassion on a single individual, located in an unknown place, totally out of touch to the rest of the world!

Rom 8:35  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

Rom 8:38  For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Rom 8:39  Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

It was the Lord who spoke to this woman and gave her assurance.

Thank goodness we have a God who is not way off but a God that is near enough to see the troubles we have!

Jer 23:23  Am I a God at hand, saith the LORD, and not a God afar off?
Jer 23:24  Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD.

Thank goodness we serve a God of mercy!

Lam 3:21  This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.
Lam 3:22  It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
Lam 3:23  They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
Lam 3:24  The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.

Our Lord is also our example of the compassion we are to have for one another!

It is only this same compassionate, loving God, who holds the power of resurrection!

*****Luk 7:14  And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise.
Luk 7:15  And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother.

**We must clearly understand that the Lord Jesus Christ has the power to by-pass all religious beliefs without compromising on the Word of God!

Jesus has the sole power over life and death!

**We must clearly understand that Jesus has the power to stop a death processional without speaking a Word.

Jesus simply walked over and touched the bier.

Our lesson is that we to must be obedient if we wished to be raised from the dead!

Php 3:10  That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
Php 3:11  If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
Php 3:12  Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.

**We must clearly understand that Jesus has the power to raise the dead just by saying "Arise".

Joh 11:25  Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
Joh 11:26  And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
Joh 11:27  She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.

This mother, who could already see death in her own future because of cruel world now saw life because of Christ Jesus.

*****Luk 7:16  And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people.
Luk 7:17  And this rumour of him went forth throughout all Judaea, and throughout all the region round about.

What is it to fear God? The truth is we should have absolute fear of the power of God but to those that know Him, our fear is coupled with love and hope.

We truly serve an awesome God!

If we have a reverent fear of the Lord it will keep us from being so careless with the Word of God but also be an incentive to live as Jesus and as an example to all others in the righteousness of Jesus.

Php 2:11  And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Php 2:12  Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
Php 2:13  For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

When this young man sat up, who was dead, the city of Nain saw something they had never witnessed but had only been talked about since the days of Elisha.

What is the truth? God is the giver of all life and it is only God who can restore life!

Our lesson should also be that we serve a God who is always ready to show His compassion.

Jesus was only glorified as a great prophet because Elisha had done a similar thing many years before Jesus.

BUT, more important these people realized that after more than 400 years God had again visited His people!

This is the thing that was broadcast throughout the region!

Israel might not know who Jesus is but they certainly know they have a compassionate God!

Heb 13:15  By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
Heb 13:16  But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased

What these people missed was the "Grace" of God.

What the world of today misses is the power in the Word of God!

AND, more important when will people realize that the Lord Jesus Christ will return just as He promised!

Joh 14:1  Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
Joh 14:2  In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
Joh 14:3  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
Joh 14:4  And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.

We can be certain of the power of Christ Jesus!

Most of our world today question the Messiahship of Jesus Christ.

John the Baptist was locked up in prison by this time and He did not so much doubt the Lord Jesus as He wanted proof that he had not wasted his time as a preacher of the Word of God.

We will all suffer doubts from time to time.

*****Luk 7:18  And the disciples of John shewed him of all these things.
Luk 7:19  And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?
Luk 7:20  When the men were come unto him, they said, John Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?

None of us will ever go through this life, even after salvation, without an occasional period of doubt.

John the Baptist was experiencing such a time.

The one thing we should always remember, when it comes to the Word of God, honest questions never disappoint God.

God only judges rebellion against His Word!

God will meet and answer every honest question from those who trust Him in "faith"!

It seems that while John was in prison some of his followers began to follow Jesus and they had returned to tell John what they had seen.

John was truly enthused about what he had heard but we must remember John was still expecting the King of Kings to restore Israel to her glory as the prophets had said.

What John heard was that when people tried to encourage Jesus to be king that He would withdraw and discourage their actions.

Luk 5:15  But so much the more went there a fame abroad of him: and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by him of their infirmities.
Luk 5:16  And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed.

John needed assurance that Jesus was much more than some prophet or some healer but truly the Messiah.

John sent two of his disciples just to ask Jesus if He was the Messiah.

Just as in the temptations of Satan, Jesus answered them with the Word of God.

*****Luk 7:21  And in that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight.
Luk 7:22  Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached.
Luk 7:23  And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.

When we look back on the "Gospels" of the Lord Jesus Christ in faith we can see that the ministry and the message of Jesus Christ proved that He was the Messiah!

One thing should be very clear to us in the end, it is sin to question the methods God uses to accomplish His will on this earth or in this universe.

**Jesus first demonstrated His powers. Jesus cured many and restored sight to man who were blind.

Jesus was saying, "if you want to judge Me, judge Me on what I do".

Jesus confessed to be the Messiah.

Jesus proved He was the Messiah with His actions.

Jesus demonstrated to the world that "there is a God".

A God that is above all the natural world.

A God that could heal any and all disease.

A God that truly loves His creation and had compassion for sinful man.

A God who had the perfect plan of salvation for all those that would believe.

**Only Jesus and not some prophet could fulfill the prophesies of the Old Testament.

Jesus was saying to the disciples of John, that God's idea of the Messiah is far different from what man had made it out to be!

Jesus said to the disciples of John, there are far greater things than the things of this earth.

Act 26:18  To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

**Jesus said to John's disciples, there far more people than just the people of Israel.

**Jesus said, before the wrath of God comes, must come the blessings of God.

Isa 61:1  The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
Isa 61:2  To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;
Isa 61:3  To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.

**Jesus told the disciples of John to tell him to be patient!

The personal ministry of Jesus the Savior must be complete before the political ministry of King Jesus can begin!

And Jesus ends by saying blessings comes to those that are patient waiting on the Lord to complete His ministry of salvation.

Before the Kingdom Jesus can be established, those who will live there must be established!

1Pe 2:7  Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,
1Pe 2:8  And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
1Pe 2:9  But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
1Pe 2:10  Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

The power of God is certain through the testimony of Jesus Christ!

Questions?

Let's Pray!