Paralyzed No More

In Luke 5:17-26 we have the account of the healing of the paralytic man. This man, so desperately in need, was unable in his physical body to come to Christ. His need, though great, was met by the aid of those who obviously loved him. Four faithful friends carried him to Jesus. The overcame the obstacles preventing them from getting the man to Jesus by faith: the crowds, the house, the roof were overcome. Now in the presence of the Lord the Bible says, “And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.” It is interesting to notice that Jesus tied this man's physical condition to his spiritual condition. You may not realize this, but, apart from the work of Christ, you are just as paralyzed as this man. Let's investigate this together.

This man was paralyzed and could do nothing to change it. We are not told what sin this man committed that cause his paralysis. Yet, it was the disease of sin that Jesus confronted first – not the paralysis itself. That was secondary. This applies to you, because you are paralyzed by sin and you can do nothing to reverse its effects on your life. All the grunting, crying, and striving will never move you one inch closer to the cure for your disease. And all the self-help books are useless to you, because you, just like this paralyzed man, are helpless to help yourself. By the way, the Bible does not teach that God helps those that help themselves, because they can't help themselves. And you cannot help yourself. Your case – in and by yourself – is hopeless.

This man was totally dependent on others. All of his care and feeding required the aid of others. Just staying alive required that others intervene to help him. He could not even help them to help him in the slightest way. And he was probably embarrassed to be so dependent on others. Your condition is similar. You are absolutely dependent on others to care for your spiritual needs. You desperately need those that are willing bring you to Christ. The preacher, the Sunday school teacher, the mother's prayers, the witness of believers – all of these are there because you are helpless to help yourself. It may embarrass you, but they are necessary to your cure. You may hate what they do, say, and pray, but they are the means to get you to Christ. And ultimately, you must come to Jesus by their aid. The paralytic had four friends that overcame every obstacle to get him to Jesus. May you have such friends. And may their faith inspire yours in Christ.

What happened to the paralytic man when he finally came to Jesus? He was radically changed. First, he had his sins forgiven, and then his life completely changed. He came in borne by four in his bed and left carrying his bed. This radical change in his life is proof that Christ was able to forgive his sins. “Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Rise up and walk? But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house (Luke 5:23-24).” Every time that a sinner is transformed into a saint it tells the world that Jesus the Son of God is able to forgive sin. Is that your experience? Has Jesus radically changed your life?

Has Christ changed your life in such a way that your family and friends notice it? If not, it would be a good thing to do what Paul says in 2 Corinthians 13:5, “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” Even now Christ is willing to forgive and change you if you will repent and put your faith in Him as Lord and Savior of your life. Why not trust Jesus now?

The Blind Side

In the movie “The Blind Side” Sandra Bullock who played the adoptive mother of Michael Ohr explained the danger to quarterbacks of the blind side – that side in which he cannot see the defensive tackle coming. There is a sense in which all of us, like football quarterbacks, have a blind side. It is interesting to note that a person can be very rational and clearly see things in one area of life and still have a blind side in other areas. People are have a blind side in a variety of ways. In Matthew 9:27-34 we see two literally blind men that end up seeing, a demon possessed mute man that ends up speaking, and the Pharisees that end up blaspheming. Of the three, the Pharisees are in a worse condition. The old proverb says, “There is none so blind as those who will not see.” Are you blind?

There are some that are blind, but see very clearly. That is the case of these two blind men. “And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou Son of David, have mercy on us (Matthew 9:27).” These men could not see, but they had heard that Jesus could heal. Though they could not see, they recognized Jesus as the long awaited Messiah. Though they could not see, they believed. Faith sees even when the physical eyes are blind. And so it is with we who believe in Christ. “Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls (1 Peter 1:8-9).” Their blind side – their physical blindness – was not a hindrance to the eyes of faith. “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17).” In their blindness they came to Jesus in faith and went away seeing. They did not allow their blind side (physical blindness) from seeing Jesus, the Messiah.

In Matthew 9:32 we are introduced to another man in need of Christ. “As they went out, behold, they brought to him a dumb man possessed with a devil (Matthew 9:32).” He was a mute (dumb in the old English), but he was not a mute by any physical limitation. He was mute because he was possessed by a demon. We are not told how this man was demonized. But we are told that there were some that cared for him enough that they brought him to Jesus. Although there were many that knew this man that were blind to him and his need, these that brought him to Jesus were not. They came to Jesus in faith on behalf of the man. In the presence of Christ this man was set free from the demon that possessed and silenced him. Silent no longer the mute spoke and the multitude glorified God for Jesus. “It was never so seen in Israel (Matthew 9:33).”

We come now to the Pharisees. “But the Pharisees said, He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils (Matthew 9:34).” If you were physically blind it would be a foolish thing for you to get behind the wheel of a car. Yet, the Pharisees are blind and didn't know it. They were blind and did something much more dangerous that getting behind the steering wheel of a car. They, in their blindness, blasphemed the Holy Spirit. This is the real unpardonable sin – attributing to Satan the works that the Holy Spirit performed by Jesus. “Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men (Matthew 12:31).” They had a blind side toward the Savior and accused Jesus of working for the Devil. They were condemned to remain in their blindness and die in their sins.

Of the three, the ones to be most pitied are the Pharisees. In their blindness these particular Pharisees lost their opportunity to repent and believe Christ Jesus. But you have the opportunity to repent and believe the gospel of Christ. I plead with you to repent and believe the good news. I pray God that He will open your eyes that you might truly see and your ears that you might really hear the gospel of Christ. And then, that Christ might dwell in your heart by faith. Repent and believe today.

A Lesson from a Father's Love

Let's take a walk with a man whose love for his daughter drove him to Jesus. The man's name is Jairus. He was a leader of the local synagogue in his village. We are not told much about this man or his family other than he had a daughter that was deathly sick. We are not told how he knew that Jesus had just arrived at the shoreline of the Sea of Galilee near his village. What we do know is the this man immediately sought for Jesus' help. “My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live (Mark 5:23).” The Bible tells us that, even though he was a “ruler” of the synagogue, Jairus fell at Jesus feet. His love for his daughter and his desperation drove him. He sought out Jesus. We are given a lesson in a father's love for his daughter and the faith that drove that love to Jesus.

How many never venture in faith, because they feel unworthy. They never know the joy of answered prayer, because they are not willing to take the chance that the Lord may say no. The believer can be confident that we can approach the Savior in faith and expect Jesus to respond with compassion. “And Jesus went with him... (Mark 5:24).” We teach our children to sing “Jesus loves me this I know...”, but somehow forget that we are born again into His family and the Lord cares for us. Always “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you (1 Peter 5:7).” Child go to Him in faith, because He cares for you.

During those times of our greatest need we may be used to put others in Jesus way. This happened in the case of the woman with the issue of blood. The crowd followed Jesus and Jairus to see what would happen. She was just one in the crowd, but she was the one with faith to reach out and touch Jesus in faith. Would she have been able to get to Jesus if it had not been for Jairus leading the Master to his house? We may never know, but forever the healing of this woman is join to the raising of Jairus' daughter

The joy of this woman's healing was short lived, because the delay on account of the woman's need brought the report that Jairus' daughter had died. “Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further?” What agony must have entered into the mind and heart of Jairus. Nothing is recorded of his reaction to such horrible news. The agony of the soul is often times closed off to the outside world. Although we do not have Jairus' reaction, what we do have is the Master's comforting words, “Be not afraid, only believe (Mark 5:35).” It is so hard sometimes to believe, but it is Jesus Who speaks to this broken heart. The Lord still speaks to us. “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths (Proverbs 3:5-6).”

At this point, Jesus takes charge. He makes the crowds stay behind and takes Jairus and three disciples with Him to the home. At the home the Lord deals with the mourners. “Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth (Mark 5:39).” Their response to Jesus was less than supportive, so He puts everyone out of the house. He enters the death room with Jairus and his wife, and Peter, James, and John. Lying in her bed is this father and mother's little girl. I can imagine that viewing this little one loss to them seemingly forever grips their hearts. But Jesus takes her by the hand and says, “Damsel, I say unto thee, arise.” At the word of Jesus the dead rises and the Lord returns to them their dear little girl. What they hoped beyond hope was granted to them by the grace of Christ.

The person that puts his faith in the Lord need never fear that He does not hear our cries for help. As the Lord helps us He helps other and His name is glorified. And in faith's darkest hour the Lord Jesus Himself takes charge of the saints faith – nurturing, leading, protecting, and proving it. The saint that trusts in the Lord will find that Jesus is there every step of the way. Our faith does not need to be strong. It just needs to focus on Christ.

With Christ in the Marketplace

As Christians we sometimes say that we pattern our lives after Jesus by asking the question, “WWJD – What would Jesus do?” In reality we don't need to ask that question, but we need to ask, “WDJD – What did Jesus do?” We are to pattern our lives after what Jesus did. So before we continue examining Christ's miracles, I would like to take this opportunity to consider Christ in the marketplace. A quick review of the gospels will reveal that, although Jesus ministered in the synagogues, temple, and in private personal work, Christ's main ministry was in public. He minister in the marketplace of activity and ideas. At some other time we will look examine the other areas of Christ's work, but for now lets go with Jesus into the marketplace. Let's use Mark 5:21-24 as our text.

“And when Jesus was passed over again by ship unto the other side, much people gathered unto him: and he was nigh unto the sea (Mark 5:21).” At this point in Jesus ministry He was becoming famous. His miracles and message were coming up more and more often in conversation. Human nature being consistent, people are drawn to celebrity. Most of the people that met Jesus at the boat that day were just curious about this man that had become so famous in recent days. Yet, Jesus rarely avoided the crowds. Why? First, because it was mankind that Jesus came to save. Jesus came to save sinners and these rarely went to the synagogue in His time or the church in ours. Also, Jesus was about the business of discipling His disciples – training them how to do the work of the ministry. Their work was patterned after the example of Jesus and His ministry. So much of Jesus' training of His disciples was by His example. Even when Jesus was instructing them it was more often than not in public with a crowd of people eaves dropping in on the lesson. If we'll think about it we will learn a good lesson from Christ's example.


The next two verses in our text tell of a brokenhearted father. “And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet, And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live (Mark 5:22-23).” How often do we find Jesus confronted by a person in crisis. “Come, my son is dying...” Come, my daughter is dying...” “If you will you can make me whole...” All people in crisis. The pastor may get this call, but seldom from total strangers. Jesus was constantly face with people in need. The need was real, it was critical, and they needed help now! In every case Jesus met the need – though not always as the one in crisis expected. People have always been needy. Even those that appear to have no earthly need need the Savior and Jesus was there for them (John 3). Every met need promoted the spread of the gospel and the salvation of souls.


“And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him.” There seemed to be crowds of people that followed Jesus to see what would happen next. Curiosity seekers are everywhere – witness the gawkers at nearly every car accident. When Jairus asked for help, others, curious about what Jesus would do, followed. How many come to faith in Christ seemingly by accident instead of intent? These were not truth seekers. They were just curious, but having seen what Jesus did, they believed to the saving of their souls. How many in the crowd of curious followers later became dedicated disciples of Christ?


Every follower of Christ must ask the question, “What did Jesus do?” Once asked and answered by scripture, we have one duty to perform: Do what Jesus did. Don't reject the crowds in the marketplace. Embrace and bring the gospel to them. Don't invite them to church. Invite them to follow Christ. Meet them in the crisis of their need and do everything that we can to wisely meet that need. Make the crowds curious and use that curiosity to lead them to Christ. What did Jesus do? You know what He did, now follow Jesus by doing the same in the marketplace.

Free Indeed

If you have any acquaintance with the gospel you know about the Gadarene demoniac. This poor man was possessed of a legion of demons and was instantly set free by the Lord Jesus. In fact, his change was so complete that this maniac man was found by the villagers with Jesus “...sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind (Mark 5:15).” This poor man that was once enslaved and tortured by the devils, was now free and in his right mind. In fact he was more than free. He was free indeed, but his freedom is no less than that which we possess that have been saved from Satan, death, and hell by our Lord Jesus Christ. We, like the former Gadarene demoniac, are free indeed.

Notice the change in his desires. “...he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him (Mark 5:18).” Like him we all were enslaved to sin, but now we are free to follow Christ. If you are a Christian, consider what you once were. Were you addicted to drugs? All you wanted to do was to pursue that addiction. You served your master, which was the drugs to which you were addicted, but now Christ has set you free. And it is the same with all sin. Even those that we call minor sins. You are either enslaved to the devil and sin, or, you are a slave of Christ and righteousness. “But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life (Romans 6:22).” You cannot serve two masters, but once Jesus has set you free you are free to follow Him.


Notice, also, the response of his Savior. “Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee (Mark 5:19).” If we are free to follow, then we are also free to be led. We cannot call Jesus Lord and tell Him what we will do. It was good for the man that he wanted to stay with Jesus, but it was better for him and the gospel for him to return home. So it is with most of us. Few are called to follow Jesus in ministry, but each of us have our own ministry to family and friends. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven (Matthew 5:16).” Do not think less of the Lord because He sends you home to proclaim and be a witness of His good news. The Lord knows how best to put His servants to good use. Live free to be led by Christ your Lord.


Finally, notice the faithful obedience of the man. “And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel (Mark 5:20).” Every follower of Christ is free to show grateful obedience. As you have put your trust in Christ to save you put your trust in Him to obey Him. He knows best and you will find joy in showing your gratitude toward Him by obeying the Lord's every command. Tell everyone what great things God has done for you in Christ. Tell of the forgiveness you have experienced. Tell them of the change that has taken place in your life. Show them the blessedness of being freed by Jesus. Live before them as a faithful servant of Christ Who set you free.


“Once like a bird in prison I dwelt, no freedom from my sorrow I felt, but Jesus came and listened to me and glory to God, He set me free (He Set Me Free, Albert E. Brumley).” Jesus came to set the captive free. I am one of Jesus' freedmen. I plead with you to come to the Savior in repentance and faith and He will set you free. Then you will know what it is like to be free indeed.

Where is Your Faith?

Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as “...the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” When trials of life come our way, then our faith is tested. Each of us must endure the storms of life. In Luke 8:22-25 we are told that Jesus and His disciples entered into a boat to go to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. As they journeyed Jesus fell asleep. Suddenly, a storm blew in with such force that the seasoned fishermen feared for their lives. They woke Jesus up, “Master, Master, we're all about to drown!” Jesus got up and rebuked the wind, and everything became calm. The Jesus asked His disciples, “Where is your faith?” That is a good question for each of us to ask ourselves, so let me ask you, “Where is your faith?”

Within the question is an important point about faith. Faith must be properly directed. It is not enough to just have faith. In fact, it is foolish to make faith its own object. You can't just have faith in faith. Jesus asked, “Where is your faith?” Where is the focus of your faith? Surely you can see that faith that is focused on itself is a useless faith. Faith, to be effectual, must focus on that which is sure and trustworthy. Otherwise we are really just trusting in ourselves. But we know that in the real storms of life we must look beyond ourselves to find help. Drowning men must look beyond themselves and focus their faith on another to rescue them.


So, where are we to focus our faith? We cannot, as was said before, focus our faith on faith. Looking at the disciples in the boat, where do you think they were putting their faith? Initially, I think that they put their trust in their ability as fishermen. This was not their first storm. They had had many experiences with storms, but this one was beyond their abilities and experience to endure. We all seem to do this. We rely on our own abilities up to that point where it becomes evident that we cannot help ourselves. We are stuck with what we can do and are in danger of drowning, until we see the end of ourselves and look to another. Some frustrated with their lack of ability to face the storms look to drugs, alcohol, entertainment, pornography, or other ways to escape reality. The problem is that the boat is sinking. Where are we to look to find our help? In other words, “Where should we direct our faith?”


Jesus asked the question, “Where is your faith?” The question is asked after Jesus had stilled the storm and implied in the question was the answer. Focus your faith on the One Who commands the winds and the storms. Look to Jesus. And we should always be looking to Jesus. We notice that the disciples looked to Jesus in fear of dying after they had done all they could. But Jesus wanted them to look to Him first and always. Our salvation is not in Christ after all that we can do, but our salvation is in Christ alone. Salvation is to them that “...believeth in him... (John 3:16).” Each and every person is a sinner that is drowning in their sins. The sinner is drowning all the while striving to help himself. The sinner's help is to be found in the same place that the disciples found help – in Jesus alone. Where is your faith?


After Jesus calmed the storm, the disciples said this of Jesus: “What manner of man is this!” We have all had people that have disappointed us. A “trusted friend” that wasn't so trustworthy. Parents, teachers, and pastors may disappoint us, but in Jesus we find One that is worthy of our trust. He is worthy of your trust, because Jesus is the Son of God. He is the promised Savior that God has sent to save you. That was Christ's purpose in coming. That is His job. “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost (Luke 19:10).” Where is your faith? I hope that you will put your faith fully in Jesus.

The King and the Untouchables

“And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean (Mark 1:40).” Leprosy was the AIDS of the first century. A person with leprosy was driven from society and became an outcast. Strict rules were given to them to live by (Leviticus 13:45-46) and anyone that touched them was made ceremonially unclean (Leviticus 15). No one had anything to do with lepers.

No one, that is, but Jesus. “And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him... (Mark 1:41a).” The touch of Jesus was not a touch of revulsion, but one of compassion. The priests had no ability to cleanse a leper, but our great High Priest and King is moved with compassion cleansed him. Leprosy has always been associated with sin and corruption, so the scripture says that leprosy must be cleansed. Though the sinner is corrupted by sin, Jesus is willing and able to make the sinner clean by the His gracious touch.

The leper's prayer was: “If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.” The prayer of faith is at heart submissive prayer: “If thou wilt...” Once the petitioner comes in humble submission to Jesus he can be confident that the answer to his petition will be“I will... (Mark 1:41b).” So many that have lived a life of sin feel that they are untouchables. They have believed the devil's lie that they are forever abandoned by the Lord. That is not the teaching of scripture (Isaiah 55:7), nor the experience of we who have come to Christ. We have found that Jesus is willing to receive all who come by faith to Him.

Hear the wonderful words of release to both the leper and sinner alike: “...be thou clean (Mark 1:41c). Are you corrupted by sin? Kneel before the Savior by faith, humbly make known your petition, and you will experience the touch of Jesus that makes you whole. None can come to Jesus but those that have the great burden of their sin. All those that come to Jesus have had their burden lifted and the stain of their sin cleansed. Paul said, after listing those excluded from the kingdom of God, “And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God (1 Corinthians 6:11).”

Notice how quickly and completely the leper is cleansed. “And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed (Mark 1:42).” The same is true of every sinner that comes to Jesus. They kneel down as sinners bound for hell and rise up a saint made fit for heaven through faith in Jesus Christ. Just like the leper, the sinner did nothing but come to Jesus in faith. So it is “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us... (Titus 3:5).”

After the leper was cleansed, Jesus commanded him, “...See thou say nothing to any man: but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing those things which Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them (Mark 1:43-44).” Few of the priests had ever seen leprosy cleansed. What a blessing Christ wanted to bestow on them. What a testimony every saint of God has that can bless others. Someone has said that witnessing is just one beggar telling another beggar where to find bread. So those saved by Jesus should bless others with the good news.

It is both a blessing and distressing what the former leper did: “But he went out, and began to publish it much, and to blaze abroad the matter, insomuch that Jesus could no more openly enter into the city, but was without in desert places: and they came to him from every quarter (Mark 1:45).” The former leper was forbidden by Christ to tell anyone and he told everyone he met. We are commanded to proclaim the gospel to every creature (Mark 16:15), and remain silent. Get to a private place and meditate on what Jesus has done for you. Repent and open your mouth to proclaim Jesus Christ. Go now and serve your King.

The King's Ministry

As Jesus prepared to leave Capernaum to continue His ministry elsewhere, He was confronted by those that wanted Him to remain there. “And when it was day, he departed and went into a desert place: and the people sought him, and came unto him, and stayed him, that he should not depart from them. And he said unto them, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent. And he preached in the synagogues of Galilee (Luke 4:42-44).” The itinerant ministry of Christ on earth was not confined to one location. Jesus was always on the move, because He had a limited time of three years to complete His mission. Jesus ministry on earth seemed to follow certain patterns. We can learn from these and pattern ourselves after Jesus' example. There are three things that were characteristic of Jesus ministry on earth. “And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people (Matthew 4:23).”

The first of these is teaching. Jesus was in the synagogue every sabbath day teaching those that attended those services. When Jesus returned to the Father He handed off that teaching ministry to His disciples. If you are a Christian then you are a disciple and you have this commission as well. “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations... (Matthew 28:19).” For every person that has a Christian background and understand the fundamentals of the gospel there are scores more that have never heard. Others think they know what it means to be a Christian need it to be explained step by step. Each Christians should follow Christ in teaching others His gospel of the kingdom.

The next thing that characterized the King's ministry is preaching. Preaching is simply proclamation. This differs from teaching in that it is not interactive. Some people need to be told what they need and challenged to commit to Christ. Others need to be warned that “...the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 6:23).” For the individual Christian it is telling your story – witnessing to what Jesus has done for you. There are some that God has specifically called to proclaim the gospel: evangelists and missionaries. But you don't have to be called to preach in order to proclaim the good news of Christ. You can simply tell those that need to hear the gospel the good news of Jesus. “And (Jesus) said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature (Mark 16:15).”

The third characteristic of the ministry of Jesus that we observe is His ministry of healing. Everywhere that Jesus went He met people in need. One of the most critical needs of people is caused by physical infirmity. Jesus saw the needs of those that approached Him and, in every case recorded in the gospels, He healed them. In the early church the Holy Spirit equipped men with the gifts of healing (1 Corinthians 12:28). Some believe that there are some that have this gift today. I do not believe in faith healers, but I do believe that God answers the prayers of His people by healing those that have been bound by disease or illness (James 5:14-16). Throughout the history of Christianity believers have taken the responsibility to build hospitals, leper colonies, and medical missions. These are still needed today. If you are a Christian in the medical field use your training as a means of reaching both the physical and spiritual needs of people. As for the rest of us, we should support those that serve through medical missions.

If you are a Christian you must yield your life to Christ to be used by Him to spread the gospel of His kingdom. Your King would have you follow His example by teaching and preaching the gospel, and by aiding others in expanding the gospel around the world through the use of medical missions. Go serve your King.

The King's Authority, Part Two

The authority of our King extends to all of creation, but the one that is more common to us than demon possession is that of disease. It is the common malady of man to get sick and some sickness is unto death. “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned... (Romans 5:12).” Yet, when we find our King ministering on earth in the presence of disease He heals them all. Such is the case with Jesus at Peter's house.


“And he arose out of the synagogue, and entered into Simon's house. And Simon's wife's mother was taken with a great fever... (Luke 4:38).” Have you ever noticed that sickness comes at the most inconvenient times. Here the master has come home to Peter's house, obviously for a Sabbath day meal and rest. But there is trouble in Peter's house: his mother-in-law was in bed sick “with a great fever”.


But Peter, and they that were with him, was more concerned with his mother-in-law. Having witnessed what Jesus did the Bible says, “...and they besought him for her (Luke 4:38).” Notice how simple intercessory prayer is “they besought him for her.” They looked to Christ Who had said that He came, “...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, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord (Luke 4:18-19).” If the King is so willing shouldn't we “...come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:16).”


You will notice the readiness of Christ to answer their request. “And he stood over her, and rebuked the fever; and it left her... (Luke 4:39).” Notice that “he stood over her”. We can be assured that Christ stands over us, looking to the need, and ready to hear our prayers, and heal the sick. Our Lord is able to “rebuked the fever” or any other disease. He that created everything with just His word (Genesis 1; John 1:1-3,10; Colossians 1:16). With just a word the fever is rebuked and Peter's mother-in-law healed.


You will you notice the proper response of all those that benefit from Christ: “...and immediately she arose and ministered unto them (Luke 4:39).” She was not saved to sit, but to serve. Neither are we saved from the sickness of our sin just to occupy a pew. We are saved to serve both Christ our King and others in His name. If you have benefited from Christ's grace, rise up and serve your King. “For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's (1 Corinthians 6:20).”


Good news is hard to keep secret. “Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them (Luke 4:40).” I understand from missionaries in the field that when a doctor comes to a remote region that people will travel for days to seek help for their children. Here, with the Sabbath ending, the residents of Capernaum come to seek the Master's healing hand. So should we always proclaim the good news of Christ so that those afflicted by sin, for all sickness is a result of sin, might come to Christ and be healed. We are told that “...devils also came out of many, crying out, and saying, Thou art Christ the Son of God. And he rebuking them suffered them not to speak: for they knew that he was Christ (Luke 4:41).”


The King has authority over His kingdom and His kingdom encompasses all of creation. Although not everyone will be healed of disease in this life, the root cause of all disease can. The root cause is sin. Repent and trust the Savior. “Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed (1 Peter 2:24).”

The King's Authority

Jesus as King of the kingdom of God rules above all of creation. Whatever Jesus did He did with the authority of God. For example, if Jesus was preaching or teaching He did it with authority, with power. He did not rely upon the “authorities” of that time. Those that observed Jesus knew that He was radically different from all those that came before Him. “And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power (Luke 4:32).” In fact those that were sent once by the priests and the Pharisees to arrest Jesus returned dumbfounded and said of Him, “Never man spake like this man (John 7:46).” But Jesus also had power to deal in the spiritual realm – to exercise authority over the devil and his angels. “And in the synagogue there was a man, which had a spirit of an unclean devil... (Luke 4:33).”


With this incident in the synagogue we're faced with the sad reality of demonic possession. Many would try to deny that possibility. Surely no one who believes the Bible would doubt the reality of Satan and his minions. For instance the gospels contain many instances of those that were possessed (Matthew 9:32-33; 12:22; 17:18; Mark 5:1-20; 7:26-30; and here in Luke 4). In the Old Testament idolatry was identified with the demonic. “And they shall no more offer their sacrifices unto devils, after whom they have gone a whoring (Leviticus 17:7).” King Saul was troubled by an “evil spirit” sent to him by God. It is a scary thing to think about, but demons and demon possession is clearly presented in scripture. Thankfully, there is no scriptural evidence that a true believer can be demon-possessed. “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? (1 Corinthians 6:19).” And, “Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty (2 Corinthians 3:17).”


You and I ought to know the means by which someone is so possessed. No one becomes possessed by accident, like catching a cold. We are warned in scripture that “For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry (1 Samuel 15:23a).” It is rebellion and resistance toward God that caused Saul to be rejected by God and to be tormented by an evil spirit. This rebellion against God can be blatant as with pagans, anti-theists, and atheists; or it can be subtle as giving oneself to greed and covetousness as was the case of Judas (John 12:6;13:27). Demon possession is not common in our land, but it is in the lands where paganism, false religion, and idolatry are common. India, where millions of gods (demons) are worshiped, is plagued with demon possession. Where demonic activity is the strongest seems to be as a result of God giving them up to do as they desire (Romans 1:18-32). The closer one gets to Satan, even unknowingly, the more likely that person is to end up possessed. But the devil does not have to possess you in order to destroy you. All he has to do is keep your from repentance and faith so that you will go to hell.


The only way that one possessed of a demon can be truly freed is by Jesus Himself. Demons sometimes leave on their own, but that does not free that soul. Jesus warned that when an unclean spirit leaves it may return with more demons with him (Matthew 12:43-45). “...and the last state of that man is worse than the first.” No, as with everyone, the only real solution is in Jesus. When Jesus saw this man in the synagogue He silence the demon and cast the demon out. There was no ceremony or torture of the possessed man. Just the simple words of Jesus' authority: “Hold thy peace, and come out of him (Luke 4:35).” Just as it says in the final verse of “O Little Town of Bethlehem”, each of us must cry out to Jesus, “Cast out our sin and enter in. Be born to us today.”


You may not be demon possessed, but your need is no less than that man. And your help is no farther from you. Come to Christ Who came to set you free for the bondage of the devil. “For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8).” Repent and put your faith in Jesus Christ.

Followers of the King

The calling of Christ's first followers is a perfect picture of grace (Mark 1:16-20). Jesus did not go to the rabbinical schools to find those qualified to be His followers. No, Jesus went to the shores of the Sea of Galilee and found fishermen in the midst of their labors. But Jesus didn't call these men in a vacuum. If you have read the first chapter of John you know that Peter, Andrew, James, and John have already met the Savior and put their faith in Him. This is not a call to salvation. This call is to service. Why did Jesus call these men and not others? I think the answer is found in 1 Corinthians where Paul says: “For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence (1 Corinthians 1:26-29).” In the same way that we are called to salvation, we are called to serve our King. Every Christian is called to serve Christ our King.


For instance, Jesus calls you to His service by His grace. We cannot be called into the King's service, but by His grace. There's none of us that are qualified to serve our Lord. Not only are we worthy of rejection, we are worthy of execution. But, just as “...by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God... (Ephesian 2:8)”, it is by God's grace that we are called to serve our Lord and King. Christ has chosen the ordinary to do extraordinary things.  Although some, like Paul, were called with multiple abilities, most are like Peter who was basically an uneducated fisherman. Nothing much is expected of ordinary people by those around them, but Christ expects and demands much from them. We should expect much from ourselves in our service to our Lord and King.


Another thing that you need to know is that Jesus calls you to His service to be a demonstration of His grace. “That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:7).” Early Christians were for the most part poor, uneducated, and even slaves, but by the grace of God they spiritually conquered the Roman world in three hundred years. And they did this without riots, rebellion, or war. In fact, the spread of Christianity took place as the result of almost constant persecution. The first great expansion of Christianity occurred as a result of the persecution by the hand of Saul of Tarsus. “Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word (Acts 8:4).” These were ordinary people, because the apostles remained in Jerusalem. Such is the amazing grace of God in calling us to service.


The most important reason that Jesus calls you to His service is to glorify God. “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31).” You may wait on tables like the first deacons. Or, you may serve God by being a stay at home mother who by example and instruction lead her children to the knowledge of Christ. For each of us the ultimate goal is that God should be glorified in the proclamation of the gospel to this generation. “And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:11).”


Each and every believer is a disciple that is called and ordained to serve. “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them (Ephesians 2:10).” Lets follow the example of Paul: “But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me (1 Corinthians 15:10).”

The Kingdom of Heaven, Part Two

 “From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand (Matthew 4:17).”

Jesus called all people to repent so that they would be able to enter into the kingdom of heaven. And He preached to them the gospel of the kingdom. “Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God... (Mark 1:14).” We face a problem in the proclamation of the gospel of the kingdom. That is the presence of another kingdom that resists the kingdom of heaven. These two kingdoms can't live together without conflict. One must supplant the other. And so it is that the kingdom of heaven is in conflict with the kingdom of our age – the kingdom of this earth.


The kingdom of earth is the prominent kingdom of our present evil age. Everyone of us were born into this kingdom and most people will never know any other kingdom. This kingdom also has a king, the prince of the power of the air, Satan. His kingdom began with the fall of man in the garden and will continue until the end of the age. Just as Satan fooled Adam and Eve, he has fooled his followers in believing the lie. We can have a hard time understanding what this kingdom is liked as Christians, because we still live in it. The most clear examples of what this kingdom is like is found in the world just before the flood and in the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah found in Genesis. Of that generation before the flood, the Bible says, “The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence (Genesis 6:11).” And of Sodom it says, “...the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly (Genesis 13:13).” And so it is today. This kingdom of the earth is corrupt, sin-filled, and violent. And, just as He judged Sodom and Gomorrah, God has judged and condemned this present evil age.

But there is another kingdom, and that is the kingdom of heaven. It is the kingdom of God's rule from heaven in the affairs of men. The purest form of the kingdom of heaven is the eternal reign of Christ, but there is a sense in which the kingdom already exists. Jesus said of this kingdom that, “The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it (Luke 16:16).” The kingdom exists with those that are called the children of the kingdom (Matthew 13:38). These are the saints – those that have put their faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord. These have come out of the kingdom of this world and have entered by faith into the kingdom of heaven. They were once “children of disobedience” just like everyone else (Ephesians 2:2; 5:6; Colossians 3:6). Each of them have turned from Satan to follow Christ and have left the kingdom of this earth for the kingdom of heaven. This all takes place through God and His grace “Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son... (Colossians 1:13).”


The children of the kingdom of heaven are engaged in battle against the kingdom of earth. This is a holy war fought, not with carnal weapons such as guns and swords, but with spiritual weapons as is described in Ephesians chapter six. And the reason for this is that “...we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places (Ephesians 6:12).” And because it is a spiritual battle we do not take up arms to promote. Our Lord and King has determined that we fight the enemy with the proclamation of the gospel. “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come (Matthew 24:14).” As Christians we must always remember that, although we fight in this war, the outcome is not ours. The battle is the Lord's and He has already won. We fight on, not to redeem this world, but to redeem souls from Satan's dark kingdom. “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them (2 Corinthians 4:4).”


Each of us are either in the kingdom of this earth or the kingdom of heaven. Once you have heard the gospel of the kingdom of heaven you have a choice. Choose Christ by repenting of your sins and putting your trust in Jesus alone to save you. Then your citizenship will change from the kingdom of this earth into the kingdom of heaven.

The Kingdom of Heaven, Part One

Listen to the message of Jesus: “Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand (Matthew 4:17).” From the mouth of John we heard the same words (Matthew 3:2). Now, in the mouth of Jesus, the King of the kingdom, we hear it again and again. In Matthew we hear the phrase “the kingdom of heaven” thirty-two times. In all but one time it is Jesus Himself that makes the announcement. There is no kingdom without a king. With Jesus' presence on earth we have the coming of the kingdom of heaven. The same is true with the kingdom of heaven. Who is the king? The King is the Son of God, for God has so promised the Son. “I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession (Psalms 2:7-8).” If we are going to understand the kingdom of heaven then we must first understand the entrance requirement to enter into the kingdom. So then, the first thing that we should do is look at the word “Repent...”. “Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”


What does it mean to repent? The strict meaning of the Greek word metanoeo (met-an-o-eh'-o) is that we are to reconsider or change our minds, but the Bible goes beyond that strict definition. Yes, when we repent we have a change of mind, but we it its a change of mind that results in change of action, direction, and desire. I once followed the leanings of my flesh and the world, but now I have so changed my mind that I now follow Christ my Lord which results in wanting to please Him in every way. The only way to describe this is the way Jesus did. We are born again. Jesus said to Nicodemus, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God (John 3:3).” “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: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God (John 1:12-13).”


Some of you may say, “I thought that we are saved by faith.” We are saved by faith and we are born again by faith, but faith is intimately tied to repentance. In fact, faith and repentance are so united that there's no true faith without repentance. Neither is there true repentance without faith. Both are together in the one that is born again. We have turned from idols to serve the living God (1 Thessalonians 1:9). Our faith is no longer in the world, religion, or our own self-righteousness. We are no longer working to get to heaven, but, because we have put our trust in Jesus Christ, we are working on our way to heaven. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them (Ephesians 2:8-10).”


Repentance is the prerequisite for entrance into the kingdom of Christ. No one is a part of the kingdom of heaven by merit. All have entered into the kingdom of Christ by repentance and faith in Christ. None can say that they deserve to be a part of the kingdom, for all who are in the kingdom have fled from the wrath of God and entered in by faith in Christ Jesus. By repentance we have turned from our madness and foolish rebellion against God. We have turned from the way of death and entered in to the way of life. We have turned from sin, death, and hell through Christ Jesus to righteousness, life, and heaven. And we look for the coming of our Lord and Savior from Heaven to establish His kingdom on this earth.


I encourage you to repent. Let go of all that holds you back from Christ. Cast your sins in repentance behind your back and run to the Savior. “Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon (Isaiah 55:6-7).”

Ray Comfort's On the Block

Jesus on Race Relations: “Go and Do Likewise”

The following is from Larry Page, executive director of the Arkansas Faith and Ethics Council:

I am compelled to say something about the state of race relations in our nation. As a white father of two black teenage boys and a grandfather of three biracial children, I am frustrated that we aren't progressing at a faster pace in this matter.

The heated rhetoric and histrionics, drenched in irrationality as they were, that preceded, attended, and followed the Florida second degree murder trial of George Zimmerman reveal the depth of the problem. The way that the “race hustlers” on both sides of that dispute have attempted, and succeeded in some instances, to exploit the entire Zimmerman affair and ramp up hostility and resentment among their particular “constituencies” is despicable and unconscionable. It’s obvious that racial tensions in this country lie just below the surface and can erupt easily.

I will not comment on the particulars of the Zimmerman trial itself (even though as a former prosecutor I have a strong and informed opinion that the verdict was correct); there has been enough said and written about those aspects. My desire is to offer something – modest as it may be – that might contribute to the way that we believers can help lead Americans out of this racial quandary.

In the tenth chapter of Luke, Jesus tells the touching and beautiful story we’ve come to know as the Parable of the Good Samaritan. Jesus recounted it in response to a question. A lawyer associated with the Jews’ religious leaders asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” The context for the question was the command to “love your neighbor as yourself.”

Jesus drew a word picture to capture the essence of selfless, sacrificial love for others. The timeless story showed how one person had an apparently unlimited capacity to love and serve a severely beaten and dying man – a man who was a total stranger.

However, the story doesn’t end there. There is an equally moving and profound lesson Jesus teaches. It is a simple proposition – one about race – about how we should relate to others irrespective of race, ethnicity, and heritage.

The man beaten, robbed, and perishing in a ditch was a Jew. The servant, the central character in the parable, was a Samaritan. Typically, the Samaritan would have despised the Jew. In a similar vein, the Jew would have routinely shown antipathy toward the Samaritan. Members of those two groups had great animus for each other; hatred is not too strong to describe their passions.

Interestingly, two countrymen of the beaten man, a priest and a Levite, “religious leaders” among the Jews, had seen the plight of the poor man. Surely, they would stop and help him, right? Not on your life. With wanton disregard for his life, they each went on their ways, “passing by on the other side.”

The priest and Levite saw what would be, if they chose to get involved, an imposition on their time, an inconvenience, a hindrance, an expense, and an interruption of their very important (in their estimations) lives. Each thought that he was way too busy to get involved and couldn’t be deterred from what they were about. In short, they saw through human lens.

The Samaritan, in contrast, saw through Godly lens. He saw a human being in need – nothing more and nothing less. And race and ethnicity didn't matter to him. Americans would do well to emulate the compassion and selfless service displayed by the Samaritan. We believers must lead out vigorously in modeling those attitudes and actions. It is our mandate, and I pray it will be our legacy.

After finishing the Parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus asked the lawyer who among the priest, Levite, and Samaritan had proved to be a neighbor to the beaten man. The lawyer said correctly, “The one who had mercy on him.”

And Jesus said approvingly to the lawyer -- and just as surely He is saying to me, to you, and to every other believer – “GO AND DO LIKEWISE.”

I think we can agree that this should be a priority for us all. It is surely of paramount importance to me. Not unlike what another father expressed fifty years ago, I desperately want my children and grandchildren to “live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” It was then and it is now a standard worth aspiring to.

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Preparing for Prayer Meeting

As essential as in the word that precedes the great prayer-promise in Mark xi. 24, "Have faith in God," is this one that follows it, "Have love to men." The right relations to the living God above me, and the living men around me, are the conditions of effectual prayer. 

Andrew Murray, With Christ in the School of Prayer 

John 3:16

John 3:16 is the gospel in a nutshell. When Jesus held His private interview with Nicodemus He spoke to him about the sinfulness of man, the need to be born again, the need for faith, and sums the gospel up this way: “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 (John 3:16).” That is the good news.

John 3:16 begins with, “For God so loved the world...” God loves the world even though He hates sin and His judgment is revealed from heaven against wickedness (Romans 1:18). God loves you, but hates your sin. He is just and must punish you with your sins. It is amazing that God loves you and me – in spite of the fact that, outside of Christ, we are in active rebellion against Him and hate God. God is light, but the sinner loves darkness. “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved (John 3:19-20).” Regardless of how sinful, rebellious, and hateful you are toward God, He loves you and is “...not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).”

God loves the sinner and proves it, in that He “...gave his only begotten Son...” No one can say, “No one loves me,” because God loves you and sent His Son. He has demonstrated His love for you and me “...in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).” Jesus took the punishment that we deserved, dying in our place. Jesus died for our sins (1 Corinthians 15:3). When someone rejects Jesus they reject the love of God and can only expect His wrath.

The love demonstrated by God and the grace that is available to you is by faith in Jesus. “...that whosoever believeth in him...” This is the good news. What shall I do to be saved? The answer is believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved. How am I to believe? Jesus gave this example of the type of faith that saves: “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life (John 3:14-15).” The reference is to an event in the wanderings of Israel to the Promised Land. They sinned and God judged them by sending poisonous serpents into the camp and many of the people were bitten. God instructed Moses to make a brazen serpent and put it up on a pole. Everyone that was bitten by serpents would be healed simply by looking upon the serpent on the pole. They simply believed in the promise and were saved. Jesus was crucified on the cross. “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him (2 Corinthians 5:21).” Simply look to Jesus in faith that He will save you from your sins and you will be saved.

There are certain results of putting your faith in Jesus Christ. One of the benefits of trusting Jesus is that you “...will not perish...” This perishing is what makes the good news so good. All the world is under the condemnation of God, because of sin. You are perishing under God's judgment of your sins. On the cross Jesus took the punishment you deserved by dying in your place. All the wrath of God that you deserved Jesus carried to the cross.

Another result of putting our faith in Jesus is that we have “...everlasting life.” Jesus told Nicodemus that he “must be born again.” When you put your trust in Christ you have a new life. You are born again of the Spirit of God. “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:

Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God (John 1:12-13).” You become a child of God and a possessor of everlasting life. “And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness (Romans 8:10).”

How will you respond to the love of God revealed in John 3:16? God demonstrated His love to you when He gave His Son to die in your place. Jesus has taken your punishment. The only proper response is to repent of your sin and put your trust in Jesus Christ.