Sunday, April 14, 2013

Undeniable


from Luke 4:31-44. Jesus rebukes an unclean spirit, Jesus rebukes a fever, Jesus teaches and heals, Jesus goes to other towns.

• Today’s scripture, today’s interaction with Jesus,
Four vignettes @ undeniable power of God in Jesus.

• Last week we talked about the importance of being plugged in. This week plugged in continues. Some results of Jesus’ being plugged in: 
1) J’s teaching is authoritative. Ppl are amazed. Ppl follow at all hours. 
2) Spirits recognize Jesus (James 2:19: Even demons believe there is one God – and they shudder!); Jesus exorcises. 
3) Jesus heals. 
4) Jesus goes. 

Undeniable that Jesus is Son of God, Messiah.

Worth noting that the healings and exorcisms are connected to Jesus’ teaching: the power of Jesus’ words is affirmed and demonstrated in his works.

• Also worth noting how Jesus’ healings and exorcisms restore people to dignity. Uncleanness to cleanness sans injury. Fevered and unable to host to ability to host.
Ppl are transformed through his teaching.

• 1988 movie Stand and Deliver Edward James Olmos plays Bolivian math teacher Jaime Escalante in late 70s Los Angeles. Escalante took risks and got involved in students' lives, pouring himself into his students… he believed in them and taught algebra and eventually calculus to poorly performing students, raising some to heights never considered. He taught with authority, and people were transformed.

• A take-home from this scripture, today’s interaction with Messiah, is, while remaining plugged in, to take risks, to be involved in lives and teach, to be involved in restoration of dignity and transformation of lives, and to carry that gospel into world.

We need teachers, and we need witnesses

                                   
“The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians who acknowledge Jesus with their lips and walk out the door and deny Him by their lifestyle,” Brennan Manning has said. “That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable.”

“I am not afraid that the people called Methodists should ever cease to exist either in Europe or America. But I am afraid lest they should only exist as a dead sect, having the form of religion without the power. And this undoubtedly will be the case unless they hold fast both the doctrine, spirit, and discipline with which they first set out.” - John Wesley


• Hymn 473 Victory in Jesus

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