Matthew 12:1-21 "Finding Rest"
We live in a stressful world and lead stressful lives. So where do we find rest? Jesus sends a divine invitation to us in Matthew 11:28.
In the book of Genesis, man was created on the 6th day, so by design man’s next day was for him to rest in the presence of God.
Laws upon Gods laws were created by the Pharisees to condemn the guiltless. For the Son of Man is the Lord even of the Sabbath. Mark’s Gospel reads that Jesus has fire in his eyes as He addresses the Pharisees and their hypocrisies.
How do we find rest? The assurance that we are accepted before God? Come to Jesus. Prayer is simply coming to Jesus. Our soul needs to catch up with our body. We need to slow down and engage in the moment.
Bible References for context:
Matthew 11:28, Deuteronomy 23, Genesis 1 and 2, Mark 2:27, Isaiah 42, 1 Corinthians 10:13
Today is the day of salvation.
Matthew 11:1-19 "Expectations"
Expectations – are things that we look forward to. Something is going to happen exactly the way we want it to. But when we experience expectations that don’t come to pass, how do we respond?
John the Baptist is a prophesy fulfilling forerunner for Jesus, currently in prison and wondering why he is still in prison. What is the disconnect? We pray, we believe, we have faith, we ask, we seek, we knock, yet, we experience unmet expectations which leads to doubt and questions. Find comfort knowing that our faith is big enough for our doubts because our God is big enough for our questions. What are your questions for Jesus?
3 Key points:
1. Bring your questions to Jesus.
2. We need to take our expectations back to the word to read what it says.
3. God is not bound to our expectations He is bound to His word.
By our faith, we stand here today, forgiven, not because of what Jesus is going to do, but by what He has already done. Let God be God.
Bible Study References:
Mark 6, Isaiah 61, Romans 8:28, Matthew 11:6
‘Wisdom is known by her children.’
Matthew 9:35-10:4 "God of Compassion"
Jesus came to reveal God to us. Jesus is the visible image of the invisible God. “It has never been seen like this in all of Israel,” said the people as they observed Jesus doing Messiah like things, which made the multitudes ready to receive. But, the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit by the Pharisees was unwavering to Jesus as He stayed the course of his mission, teaching, preaching and healing. Jesus is the first mover. Everything is in motion except the first mover because He does not have to be in motion, because He, is the first mover.
Moved to compassion, Jesus sees people who are weary, scattered and lost sheep without a shepherd. What do we see when we look into a crowd of faces? Do we sort them by hygiene, income, race, politics? Or do we sort them by Heaven or Hell? The destiny of their souls? Everyone we see has been fearfully and wonderfully made in the image of God. Jesus came and did not send anyone else, because it was personal to Him. We all need the forgiveness and grace of God.
How do we get the compassion of Jesus? How do we keep it?
Stop listening to all the nay sayers, the critics of the Gospel.
See the harvest for what it really is, a decision for eternity.
We need to pray to the Lord of the Harvest.
It is time for the people of God to have the compassion of God. To be salt and light. Seeking and saving the lost.
Scripture References:
Matthew 13:30, Revelation 14:15, John 4:35
Matthew 9:14-34 "Stuck in the Middle"
This is the continuation of the 10 miracles that show the heart of God.
There are 4 different types of people here who are at a point of indecision in their hearts of who Jesus really is. However, Jesus has no interest in keeping the traditions of men. Jesus came to bring a new covenant. The old covenant of law versus the new covenant of what Jesus has done. Extending grace to us on the basis of faith not on the basis of doing. It is easier for us to follow a man-made religion than to walk in faith as a disciple of Jesus. Faith will be rewarded. This is God’s heart.
In this season, we may feel like we are stuck in something, so here are applications for spiritual growth:
Be willing to let Jesus do something new and fresh in your life.
We need to stop being afraid and just keep on believing. Faith.
No matter the cost, no matter the crowd, we are going to reach out with all we have and touch Jesus.
Learn two words; “Yes, Lord.'“
Scripture References:
Mark 5
Leviticus 26:12
Malachi 4:2
Number 15:38
Matthew 8:18-34 "Be a Disciple (a follower, not a fan)"
What is a disciple? It is defined as a devoted disciplined learner. How Jesus reveals God’s heart is that on His heart is the desire to make disciples. 269 times the word disciple is used in the Bible. The word Christian is used only 3 times. The New Testament is written by disciples for disciples.
Key points in this Study:
It is knowing Jesus and knowing who He is.
We need to prioritize Him first, not our will be done but His.
We have God’s word. It is the anchor to our soul as we build on this rock.
Who do we cry out to in a storm? What wakes Him up is the cry of His disciples.
We will suffer rejection. Live in hopeful anticipation that one life you touch will be changed.
Here Jesus makes clear the cost of discipleship. This is a ‘me first’ culture we live in. As disciples we need to remember that this earth is not our home, we are citizens of Heaven. This is the heart of a disciple. This is our abundant life.
Accept today God’s free gift of salvation. Call upon the name of the Lord and be saved. Seek Him while He can still be found. His evidence is all around us. How is your heart? If you have questions, need someone to talk to or would just like to say hi, contact us.
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May God increase your faith and may the peace that surpasses all understanding overwhelm your soul.
God bless your journey.
