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11/18/11 JESUS CAME TO HEAL AND PREACH


Luke 4:31-44

Friday, November 18,  2011

Key Verse: 4:43                                                                                     Kevin Jesmer NIU UBF

“But he said, “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.” 44 And he kept on preaching in the synagogues of Judea.”

 

Dear Lord heavenly Father, thank you for your eager forgiveness. I need your grace and your eternal truth. I need your hope and your mission. I need your healing and transforming power. Thank you for providing all things in abundance. Lord, help me to dwell in your presence each and every day. Lord, I pray for the hospital ministry. May it grow and prosper. May disciples of Jesus be raised up. May thekingdomofGodgrow and expand. May the joy of the Lord and the love of Christ permeate every heart. Please grant me one word through this passage. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen!

 

  1. The Power Of Jesus’ Word (31-37).

Verses 31-37, “ 31 Then he went down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and on the Sabbath he taught the people. 32 They were amazed at his teaching, because his words had authority. 33 In the synagogue there was a man possessed by a demon, an impure spirit. He cried out at the top of his voice, 34 “Go away! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”  35 “Be quiet!” Jesus said sternly. “Come out of him!” Then the demon threw the man down before them all and came out without injuring him. 36 All the people were amazed and said to each other, “What words these are! With authority and power he gives orders to impure spirits and they come out!” 37 And the news about him spread throughout the surrounding area.”

 

Jesus’ message had authority. Jesus spoke with the Spirit, power, and truth. He revealed God’s grace and purpose. But a man possessed by an evil spirit defied Jesus loudly and worked to plant doubt. Jesus’ voice was more powerful. Many times we are moved by Jesus’ teaching because it speaks the truth, but then Satan’s challenge comes into our daily life and thinking. We must hear Jesus’ voice. He speaks for us. He restores us and gives peace.

I thank God for the authority of Jesus’ words. They have authority to calm the heart. They have power to change souls. They have authority to be order and meaning to our lives. When we study the Bible, the peace of God permeates our hearts. When we gain strength. When we are faithful to study the word of God with our Bible students then they are transformed and they grow as disciples of Jesus. I thank God for Jesus’ words. The power of Jesus’ words transformed this sinner’s life and heart. I did things that were spawned by evil spirits. I disrupted the work of God, like the demon possessed man. But Jesus came to rescue me and drive evil spirits out of me. This left me more healed and strengthened than before. It is all because of Jesus. I pray that God may open my eyes to the demon possessed state of people in Dekalb and at NIU. I pray that I may offer the only thing that will help them, the word of God and Jesus himself and prayer. Then their lives will be changed.
2. This is why I was sent (38-44).

Verses 38-44 read, “ 38 Jesus left the synagogue and went to the home of Simon. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked Jesus to help her. 39 So he bent over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. She got up at once and began to wait on them. 40 At sunset, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them. 41 Moreover, demons came out of many people, shouting, “You are the Son of God!” But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew he was the Messiah. 42 At daybreak, Jesus went out to a solitary place. The people were looking for him and when they came to where he was, they tried to keep him from leaving them. 43 But he said, “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.” 44 And he kept on preaching in the synagogues of Judea.”

 

Jesus cared for and healed Peter’s mother. She was grateful and served them. Late in the day, people came for healing. They brought many to Jesus. He was not put off, but touched and healed each one. He also rebuked evil spirits. It was a long day for Jesus, but he still rose early to pray. The people’s needs were overwhelming and Jesus needed God’s help. He found the direction and the strength to preach the good news to other towns.

I  need to be like Jesus and have some outreach in my life. I need to reach out to those who are suffering and dying because of their sins and because of demon possession. I must love and serve them with compassion. I repent that my outreach has been very minimal to date. I have largely given up looking for new Bible students. I have been basically maintaining what I have  and that is it. Lord, help to glorify you by reaching out to the hearting the needy.

Jesus was very busy. I can not use my own tight schedule as an excuse to not do the work of the Lord. I can make time. I can overcome the tight schedule. It all comes when I hold onto the word of God and prayer and God’s grace. Then I make the most out of God given opportunities. Thank you Lord Jesus Christ.

I am also impressed with Peter’s mother. She was sick but Jesus healed her and she served Jesus and his disciples. This is a healthy response to the Gospel. I pray that all of our Bible students may respond to God’s grace in their lives by serving Jesus Christ.

Prayer: Lord, help me hear your voice in your word and in prayer in the midst of demands and doubt. Please heal my sicknesses and those of my dear family, friends, community, and nation so that we can serve you, our God.

One Word: Jesus’ voice and mission are stronger




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