Jesus The Healer

Mark 1:21-34

The ministry of Jesus is summarized in what He did for humanity. He served, sacrificed, and suffered for others that they all may have the opportunity to be saved from sorrow, sadness, and sin.
Sickness is brought upon man by diseases that attack the body. The effects of sin in the world, is to bring death to that which lives. When sickness came upon people it was assumed that the person had committed sin, therefore sickness was the punishment. Christ cleared up this misconception when he said, “Neither did this man sin or his parents…” We often don’t understand why sickness falls to a person, but we can trust God that such events are fulfilling a divine purpose.
Jesus came to heal the broken in body and spirit. He came to make life whole. His healing power goes beyond making the body well, but reaches to the depth of the soul where sickness is rebuked and the healing power of God’s forgiveness is administered. Have you experience the healing power of Christ in your life?

Capernaum is open (went into Capernaum)
• Nazareth rejects Christ
• The harvest was ready for reaping in Capernaum
• Do we have an open heart to the works of Christ?
Church gathering (into the synagogue)
• The Christian Sabbath- Day of worship
• A place to be feed by His Word
• Open to all classes of people
Christ Authority (as one that has authority)
• He was the Word- The author of truth
• He did not explain the law- he proclaimed it
Casting out of sin (come out of him)
• Sinners in the Church- Are they welcomed?
• The rebuking of Satan- evil spirits cast doubt and fear
• Showing forth the power of Christ- The power of the Church
Caring for believers (he took her hand)
• Especially to the household of faith
• Peter witness- Casting, all your cares upon Him, for…
• Is Christ the master of your home?
Compassion for all (he healed many)
• Sharing the Grace of God
• Love them into the Kingdom- I have no other choice.
• His healing power is for whosoever will
• All need healing, for all come short of the Glory of God.

Jacob's Name Change

Genesis: 32:9-12, 24-30

When full salvation is obtained, God does a work in the human heart that changes the old nature of sin and self to a new nature of love and forgiveness. Jacob’s name change is symbolic to what Christ desires to do in the heart of all who come to Him. As Jacob wrestler with the Angel of the Lord to obtain his new name, he struggled with his old nature of deception. For Jacob to be all that God wanted him to be, he needed to realize and then confess this sinful nature to God. It was not until he was broken that God blessed him with a new name. May God help us to seek Him with perseverance until we are broken of pride and self-will. It is only then can we realize the fullness of God’s power and grace.

Following God- (return to thy kindred)
• In prayer we find God’s direction
• We often must face the past
• Unworthy of God’s faithfulness
Future unknown- (pass over this Jordan)
• We must depend on God for the outcome
• Leave all we have to God
• The unknown bundle
Fear of Esau (for I fear him)
• Human anxieties are to be expected
• We must overcome our fears of rejection and failures
Forgetting not His promises (and thou said…)
• God’s promises are always in the present
• We can stand on His Word
Forsaking of self (what is thy name)
• The struggle with the carnal nature
• The “death route”
Fortitude of spirit (I will not let thee go)
• Persevere in prayer
• “I will not be denied”
Fitness to receive (thy name shall be…Israel)
• Yielding will bring the victory
• Having power with God only comes by surrendering
Face to face with God (the place Peniel)
• It is real- I have seen God
• Experience of heart holiness is a definite work of Grace
• Have we experience God face to face?

Esau Sells His Birthright

Genesis 25:27-34

The birthright that was handed down was to be given to the firstborn male in the family. Esau, by right of birth was to be given this privilege. He regarded his birthright with contempt. Such are those who are willing to sell their soul to fulfill the appetites of the flesh. “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” The words of Jesus, teach us that we should value our soul as our greatest treasure.
The cunningness of Jacob teaches us that it is never right to accomplish God’s purposes in a wrong way. Instead of being still and waiting on God, Jacob acted with deceitful human intervention. God’s will, should never be enacted in a way that is contrary to His Word.

Personalities of Esau and Jacob (cunning hunter…plain man)
• Contrast between the two boys
• We are made in His image with unique personal traits
• The person of Christ is united with our personality
• We our made to glorify God
Preferring behavior (loved Esau…loved Jacob)
• All are made equal in the eyes of God
• Love should be measured out in equal portions
• Showing equal respect to all person –James 2:9
Preparation in the Human (Jacob sod pottage)
• Circumvent and manipulation
• Getting ahead of God
• Forcing the will of God, instead of waiting
Pottage exchanged (he sold his birthright)
• The traps of the enemy- Beware, Satan is cunning
• Keeping our bodies under subjection
• What shall a man give in exchange for his soul
Profaning of the Birthright (Esau despised...)
• Walked away from his birthright (rejection of Christ)
• Regard his soul with little worth
• Ignored his most valuable treasure
• Neglecting the condition of the soul
• May we guard our hearts with all diligence

The Test of Abraham's Faith

Gen.22: 1-14

The account given to us here in Genesis 22 has been a matter of great controversy. The offering Abraham was required to make is not consistent with the teaching of the Bible. The sacrificing of humans is a known practice among the heathen religions throughout history. There seems to be various explanations to this event, but it is not the nature of this study to explore for possible answers. It is sufficient to say that the final decree of God to Abraham was, “Lay not thine hand upon the lad” The more important aspect of this Biblical account is the spiritual application that is implied. Test and trails will come to every believer in Christ. God does require of us our most precious treasure. All those who walk with God will come to a crossroads in their lives. Are we willing to give it all to Him? A complete and full consecration, letting go, and let God have His way.

Talking with God- “God said unto him”
• Abraham knew the voice of God
• Do we pray enough to comprehend His voice?
Testing of Abraham- “God did “tempt” Abraham”
• God does not tempt with the intent to see us fall
• To show forth God’s glory
• Will our character remain steadfast? Proving the heart.
Total Obedience- “Take now thy son”
• Taking what we love and giving it all to God
• Trust and obey there is no other way
Traveling the Road -“rose up and went”
• Our spiritual journey often takes us to a “place”
• Getting there is half the battle- We must not be detoured
Top of the Mount -”I and the lad will go yonder”
• Isaac’s wiliness to be sacrificed
• Pointing to “The Lamb of God” - God Provided
Temptation and Deliverance “The angel of the Lord called”
• No temptation given to man- He will provide a way of escape
• Obedience is better than sacrifice
• His purpose is accomplished
Trial of our Faith-“I know that thou fearest God”
• Those who live Godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution
• Faith is shown by works- Not enough to say “I believe”
Testimony of the Lord – “It shall be seen”
• He is our provider-Jehovah-jireh
• He is all we need

Destruction of Sodom

Genesis 19: 15-26

The account of historic events has shown that God will not tolerate sin. For every cause, there is an effect. For the wages of sin is death, and whosoever willfully disregards God’s call to righteousness will suffer the consequences. The destruction of Sodom was not done without the warnings of God for them to repent and forsake their wicked ways. Likewise, God calls out His warning to all men and women today to repent and give their hearts to Christ. Those who reject the call will suffer the fate of Sodom. Their souls will be cast into the lake of fire where they will suffer for eternity. God is merciful, but He also is a God of judgment. He has sent His messengers to us, interceding and pleading, to accept His divine forgiveness and mercy. The choice is ours to stay, or to flee and escape. What will your choice be?

Hastening of God- (the angels hastened Lot)
• Abram interceded for Lot
• The urgency of the hour- His return is imminent
Hesitation of Lot (he Lingered)
• Procrastination
• Indifference to truth
• Let me sleep- leave me alone
Hauled off by angels ((they brought him forth…)
• The Lord often uses drastic means
• Leaving loved ones behind
Higher ground (escape the mountains)
• Symbolic- out of sin
• Symbolic- go on to holiness
Harboring near- (this city is near to flee)
• The fear of the unknown
• Not willing to go all the way- staying close to the world
Horrifying consequences (rained…brimstone and fire)
• Judgment is sure
• God’s promises are not always pleasant
• The consequences of sin is death
Hindrances from escaping (but his wife looked back)
• Always looking back with longing
• Burning the bridges
• Complete obedience is imperative for full salvation

God's Promise to Abram

Genesis 15:5-18

God has committed Himself to keep His Word. He has declared and assured those that put their trust in Him that He will do what He says He will do. Abram, a man who believed that God had called him to leave the land of his fathers, now entreats his God to give him some assurance that God’s promises are still true. God is not slack concerning His promises as some men count slackness. He rewards them that diligently seek Him. God had promised Abram that his seed would be as the stars in the heavens. The fulfillment of such a promise, in the eyes of Abram began to grow deem as his life began to set in the western skies. But, God keeps His promises, once again makes Himself real to Abram and assures him that He has not been forgotten.

Renewing of the Promise-(look now toward the heavens)
• The Faithfulness of God
• When God speaks, so shall it be
• Heaven and earth shall pass away, but God’s Word …
Righteousness of Abram (counted it to him for righteousness)
• He Believed in the Lord
• He knew whom he served
• He was considered righteous because his faith was steadfast
Request by Abram (whereby shall I know)
• The human element to faith
• Discouraged, but not defeated
• A sign from God often will help seal a promise
Required Worship (he took unto him all these..)
• Gathering of the sacrifice
• Go to the place of worship- truth is often reveal in worship
• Divine-appointment, simple- ritual and sacrificial-substance
• Believing-spirit, patient-waiting, and expectant-attitude
Revelation of the Promise (know of surety..)
• Horror of darkness- feeling of uncertainty- The unknown
• The enemies intimation- The hindrances to see God
• The prophecies of a great nation
• The promise of return
Reassurance Given (unto thy seed have I given..)
• The promise of God giving Abram’s seed
• The promise of the land
• It is God that makes this promise
• God said it, I believe it, that settles it for me.

Lot's Choice

Genesis 13:1-13

The historical accounts in God’s Word are always given with a purpose. It appears evident that the examples given to us by Abram and Lot, was to demonstrate to all who would read that the choices we make will have their consequences. We are constantly faced with choices that shape our character and determine our destiny. It would appear that Lot made a choice that was wise from the prospective of financial gain, but he failed to consider the righteousness of God. His choice was not to seek first the kingdom of God, but to seek first the treasures and pleasures of this world. Lot’s selfish choice was not that he chose the well water plains of Jordan. He suffered a major defeat in his life because he did not inquire of God how to proceed.

Return to God’s will (went up out of Egypt)
• Abram made a wrong choice going to Egypt
• Abram return to where he left the will of God
Rebuild his altars- (the place of the altar)
• God desires that we build “altars” places to meet God
• We must entreat God’s presence
Resolving problems (land was not able to bear them)
• Problems in life are natural occurrences
• Strife-conflict between viewpoints.
• Choices made in conflict
Resigning yourself (then I will go to the right)
• Preferring one another in the spirit of meekness
• Trusting God to take care of the outcome
Relishing the temporal (he lifted up his eyes and beheld…)
• Lot let the desire of the flesh to rule his choices.
• His heart was not set on treasure above, but on earthly treasures
• He did the stop to think how this would affect his family
Resisting temptation (…Lot pitched his tent…)
• In making choices, we must flee the very appearance of evil
• We must be careful how our influence will affect others
Repercussions of self-centered choices
• Lot lost all his possessions
• Lot lost his family
• Lot’s left a legacy that is tainted with warning