I really love this passage of Scripture. It talks about a man coming to Jesus as he is worried about his sick daughter. He is so concerned she might die, that he comes to Jesus and asks Him to pray for her. He wants Jesus to go with him to his house. Sadly while he is with Jesus, some friends come and say your daughter has died. As I dwelt upon it four things came to mind.
1. Bring your problem to Jesus
Jairus had a problem. His young daughter was not well and he feared for her life. He knew Jesus could heal her so he brought his request to Him. Bringing our problem to Jesus should be our first response. Often we try to sort things out ourselves, but Jesus has all power and authority and bringing our problems to Jesus makes sense.
2. Do not be afraid, just have faith
In the passage we see that Jairus’ friends came to tell him his daughter had died. We see that Jesus did not listen to them. He just said, “Do not be afraid, just have faith” in verse 36. Then they set out for his house where the daughter was. I can imagine what the journey would have been like. His mind would have been racing. My daughter is dead, but Jesus said to have faith. In bad situations it is important to trust Jesus and His power, not what we see or hear.
3. Do not listen to the doubters
In this passage we see that Jesus did not listen to the friends who said the daughter had died (v35) and He put out the people who laughed at Him on His arrival (v40). Jesus said she is not dead, just asleep. Jesus only took the Mother and Father in to the room along with the three disciples Peter, James and John – three people of faith. When we are going through things it is important to listen to the words of Jesus in the Bible, not the negative voices around us.
4. Allow Jesus to intervene
We see that Jesus took the girl by the hand and told her to arise in Aramaic. The girl who was dead, rose to life. Jesus then gave the girl back to her parents alive and well. Jesus intervened and performed an amazing miracle. The dead girl was now alive! When facing problems in this world we just have to ask Jesus to intervene in faith and allow Him to do what only He can do. Our part is to bring it to Jesus and trust Him for the outcome.
Closing reflection
For us today it is so easy to get discouraged when bad things come our way. We can become downcast and listen to all the negative people around us. They key, I believe, for the Christian is to look to Jesus. Bring your problem to Jesus, invite Him in to your situation in faith and allow Him to intervene. You can trust Jesus because He is the King of all kings and Lord of all lords. He has all power and nothing is impossible to Him. Do not be afraid, just have faith.
Bible readings: Deuteronomy 5:6–21, 2 Corinthians 4:5–12, Mark 2:23–28
The Sabbath is an important topic for Christians. The Bible tells us that it is a day of rest where we stop our usual work to rest and focus in on God.
Depending on what stream of christianity we follow it may be on a Saturday to line up with Jewish tradition or Sunday to line up with the day we remember the resurrection of Jesus.
In this message I want to look at our readings for this week and look at why we need a Sabbath day each week.
1. We need a Sabbath because it is in the 10 Commandments
In our first reading we see the Sabbath is mentioned in the 10 Commandments. Deuteronomy 5:12-14 NLT says, “Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy, as the LORD your God has commanded you. [13] You have six days each week for your ordinary work, [14] but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the LORD your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work…”
The idea of a sabbath day was so important to God that He included it in His 10 Commandments. While many today will say that is part of the Old Testament, there is still an important principle in it. We need rest, we need to recover from our work, and we need to spend time each week focussing on God.
Many Jewish people down the centuries stop from sundown on Friday night and go in to Sabbath mode until they wake on Sunday. Some people I know in the Seventh Day Adventist church follow this pattern too. Regardless if you practice it on Saturday or Sunday, this time of Sabbath rest is important to our spiritual and physical well being.
2. We need a Sabbath as we are constantly under pressure
In our second reading we see that Paul and the early Christians were under pressure sharing the Gospel. Paul described Christians as being hard pressed, perplexed, hunted down, knocked down, suffering. He even uses the analogy of being like fragile clay pots containing a treasure.
Anyone who has been in full time ministry, been involved in church outreach, or working as a front line pastoral care worker knows that we are constantly under pressure. The pressures of peoples constant needs, spiritual attack from the enemy, financial or health issues have a way of burning us out. This is why we need a Sabbath.
We need to stop each week and take a breather. We need to get off the treadmill. Take the time to relax and just be still. We need to recreate and be with God. I know in my own life that when I do not do this burnout is just waiting around the corner for me. It is both a hard learned lesson and one I am still learning!
3. We need a Sabbath because it was made for people
In our final reading we see that in verses 27-28 Jesus says, “The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of people, and not people to meet the requirements of the Sabbath. 28 So the Son of Man is Lord, even over the Sabbath!”
I love the way Jesus puts it. The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of people. Not people to keep the law of the Sabbath as some people do. They take it so far that they have lists of things they can and cannot do. They have made the Sabbath a legal requirement, rather than a time to stop rest and focus on God.
I believe the original idea behind the Sabbath was to rest and seek God. God knew we would get busy and caught up in our work, so He built in this cycle of work and rest. Each week He built in a time where we could just “Be still and know that He is God” (Psalm 46:10).
Closing summary
A time of Sabbath rest was so important to God that He built it in to the 10 Commandments, He knew we would be constantly under pressure, so He build in a pressure relief valve so we could be still and rest.
My final thought I want to leave you with is. We see that God rested on the seventh day after He created the world. If God rested, how much more do we need to too!
The title of this message is the ALL Consuming Call of Jesus. I want to look at Jesus’ last words before He returned to heaven. This is known as the Great Commission. As we work through the passage from Matthew 28, I want to take special notice of the word ALL.
1. ALL authority belonged to Jesus
Matthew 28:18 – Jesus came and told His disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.”
Jesus has all authority on heaven and earth. That is a big statement. It means no-one has more authority than Jesus. But as we look at the Scriptures we see this is true and undeniable.
In Matthew chapters 8&9 we see that Jesus had authority on earth. He had authority over sickness and disease, demonic forces and demons, the forces of nature, life and death.
Not only did Jesus say He had all authority, but He clearly demonstrated in the way He lived and ministered to the people He came in contact with. No demon, sickness, storm or death could disobey His command and authority.
2. Jesus said to go to ALL the world and make disciples
Matthew 28:19a – Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations…
In the last point we see Jesus has all authority. With this authority and His final words to His followers He said, “Go into all the world and make disciples”. It is a compelling command. It is an all-consuming call that can’t be ignored.
All of us here all called to the mission field too. Though not all of us are called to go abroad. We have a mission right outside this church. One church I went to once had the sign over the exit, “Mission starts here”. People would often reach up and touch as they left church.
People here is our region need to hear about God’s love for them, how Jesus came to show us what God is like, that Jesus died to pay the price for our sin and He rose again to life. And by putting our faith and trust in Him we have abundant life now, and live for eternity with Him when we die.
3. Jesus told us to teach them to obey ALL His teachings
Matthew 28:20a – Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.
I have been a Christian for 35 of my 57 years on earth. The first 15 years of being a Christian I was really good at going into the world and preaching the good news. I was able to talk to people, share my faith, give them tracts and people would come to Christ. So, I was being obedient to the first part of the Great Commission.
However, I found that while people were getting saved, I would lose track of people and not know if they were growing or not. One day I felt God speak to me and say, “I told you to make disciples, not just Christian converts”.
This got me thinking what sort of things did Jesus teach? If we look at the sermon of the mount in Matthew 5-7, we see that Jesus talked about being salt and light, loving one another, giving to the needy, loving our enemies, not talking revenge, praying and fasting, money and possessions, the golden rule, being true disciples and producing good fruit.
Matthew 7:24 says, “Anyone who listens to My teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock”. We need to help people build their house on the solid rock of Jesus’ teachings.
4. Jesus promises to be ALL-ways with us
Matthew 28:20b – And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.
Jesus promises to be with us always. He says, “Be sure of this!” So, He really wants is to get it.
Jesus’ presence is with you by the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. He is with you when you are alone. He is always with us when we meet together. He is our God and we are His people.
Knowing that Jesus is always with me by the presence of His Indwelling Spirit gives me courage and strength. Courage when I am afraid to share my faith or step out and pray for someone. And strength to know His power is with me to enable to share my faith, disciple others and allow God power to flow through me.
The key thought here is Jesus promises to never leave us until He calls us home individually or He comes back for us all. He does not expect us to fulfil the Great Commission alone.
Closing summary
Today we have looked at the passage known as the Great Commission of Jesus. His last words on earth to His followers before returning to heaven. In the message we saw.
Jesus has ALL Authority in heaven and on earth
Jesus told us to go into ALL the world and make disciples
Jesus told us to teach them to obey ALL His teachings
Jesus promises to be ALL-ways with us
In these passages Jesus bookend His commands. He says all authority is with Him and He promises to be all-ways with us. In the middle He says to go and make disciples and teach them to obey all His teachings.
Today is Pentecost Sunday on the Church calendar. It is when we remember the coming of the Holy Spirit to the first followers of Jesus.
As we saw in our first reading the disciples were meeting in the upper room when the Holy Spirit came. It made so much a commotion that people came from all around.
Bible scholars tell us this was the beginning of the church age. The age when the Holy Spirit would fill and empower Christians to love one another and fulfil the Great Commission. The last words of Jesus in Matthew 28:18-20.
Today I want to look at five reasons why we needed Pentecost to happen. Five reasons why we need the Holy Spirit today.
1. We need the Holy Spirit because Jesus promised to send another one like Him
In John chapters 15 and 16 we see that Jesus told the disciples that after He returned to the Father He would send another Counsellor (John 15:26, John 16:5-7).
When Jesus said that He would send ‘another counsellor’, the word ‘another’ here means ‘another of the same kind’. Jesus was saying that all that He had been to them the Spirit would continue to be once he had returned to the Father. I believe it is important for us as Christians to understand this role of the Holy Spirit.
While we trust Jesus for our salvation, it is the Holy Spirit who is our ever present help, comfort and counsellor today in the same way Jesus was to the disciples two thousand years ago.
2. We need the Holy Spirit because He teaches us and illuminates Scripture
The Bible tells us that the Holy Spirit teaches us and reveals the truth of Scripture (John 14:26, 1 Corinthians 2:10-14). This teaching and revealing work of the Holy Spirit is often described as Illumination.
Bible scholars tell us that Illumination does not concern the impartation of new knowledge, but a clarification of the text as it stands revealed and inspired by God. I believe that it is especially important for the Christian to understand this teaching and illumination role of the Holy Spirit.
The Bible makes it clear to understand the “deep things of God” we need the wisdom, teaching and illumination of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:6-16).
3. We need the Holy Spirit because He assures us we belong to God
The Bible tells us that as soon as we put our faith and trust in Jesus Christ we are sealed by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13).
A seal is a symbol of a finished transaction, of ownership and of security. Because we are sealed by the Holy Spirit, we can be assured of our salvation. In Romans 8:16 we see that the Holy Spirit also testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children and Ephesians 4:30 assures us that we are sealed until the day of redemption.
Understanding that we are sealed by the Holy Spirit and assured of our salvation is very important for the Christian, especially the new Christian, as they are often prone to doubts and uncertainty about the decision they have made.
4. We need the Holy Spirit because He makes us more Christ-like
The Bible tells us that as Christians we are being transformed into likeness of Christ by the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:18).
When a person becomes born again, he is sanctified or set apart for God. This happens only once, but sanctification is also a daily process for the rest of one’s life. To achieve this work the Holy Spirit indwells the believer (Romans 8:11) and works in their life to produce the fruit of the Spirit as we saw in our second reading (Galatians 5:22-23).
I believe as Christians it important to realise that as we submit every area of our lives to the indwelling Holy Spirit, we allow Him to work in us to progressively reflect the character of Christ. This is what God intended for humankind when He originally created us.
5. We need the Holy Spirit because He equips us for service
The Bible tells us that the Holy Spirit equips us for service with gifts and empowers us to be Christ’s witnesses (1 Corinthians 12:4-11, Acts 1:8). The Holy Spirit equips us to serve God by imparting His gifts, directing our ministry and anointing us with His power.
For the Christian it is vital to understand that while we have been called to serve God and be Christ’s witnesses, we have not been called to do this alone. We have been equipped by the Holy Spirit with gifts to undertake God’s work and we are empowered with the Holy Spirit’s power to be Christ’s witnesses.
Closing summary
Today we looked at five reasons why we needed the Holy Spirit to come at Pentecost. We saw…
1. We need the Holy Spirit because Jesus promised to send another one like Him
2. We need the Holy Spirit because He teaches us and illuminates Scripture
3. We need the Holy Spirit because He assures us we belong to God
4. We need the Holy Spirit because He makes us more Christ-like
5. We need the Holy Spirit because He equips us for service
The title of this message is “The prayer that Jesus prayed”. Some have called this the greatest prayer of all time. Why would they call it this? Because of who prayed it – Jesus. And because what He prayed.
In the preceding chapter before Jesus prayed, He was telling the disciples about how He would be leaving them soon, the work of the Holy Spirit, and how He had overcome the world. He was preparing them for a time when they would scatter and they would not see Him any more. Jesus prayed for Himself, He prayed for the disciples and He prayed for all His future followers…including us.
Bible Reading: John 17:1-26
Point 1 – Jesus prayed for Himself (V1-5)
John 17:1 – After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed:
I used to think that praying for yourself was a selfish thing. As a new Christian, when I listened to people pray in a group I used to critique their prayers and I would judge if they were others centred or self-centred. I would give them a score out of 10 and judge them. You will be pleased to know I don’t do that anymore!
Praying for yourself is not selfish, we all need God’s help. One of my most prayed prayers is “Help me Lord”. Jesus as the Son of God, the Alpha and the Omega, the King of kings, the Lord of lords, the one who performed many miracles including raising people to life… And He prayed for Himself. If Jesus did this, we need to too!
So, what did Jesus pray for Himself?
V1 – Jesus prayed that the Father would glorify the Son that the Son may glorify the Father
V5 – Jesus prayed that the Father would glorify the Son with the glory He had in eternity.
These two things were the bookends to Jesus’ prayer. In verse 2, 3 and 4 He reminded the Father of the authority He gave Jesus to bring people eternal life, that eternal life is found in knowing the Father and the Son, and that Jesus finished His work that the Father gave Him.
So, while Jesus prayed for Himself, it was all about bringing glory to the Father and asking that He would be restored to His former glory He had in heaven. In many ways it was about finishing all He had to do on earth.
Point 2 – Jesus prayed for His disciples (v6-19)
John 17:6-7 – “I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. 7 Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you.
In the next section of today’s text Jesus switches His focus to the disciples or followers. Jesus said that He revealed truths from the Father to His followers. He describes them as the ones who belonged to the Father but were given to the Son (v6-8).
In verse 9 Jesus says that He prays specifically for His disciples. He is not praying for the world now, but the ones who belong to the Father and the Son. He is interceding for them because He is concerned for them. Why is He concerned? Because He is going away. Verse 11 says He is going back to the Father and they will still be in the world.
So, what did Jesus pray for His disciples?
a. V11 – To keep them in unity.
Jesus is concerned for the disciples for when He goes. He is worried that they will not stick together. Sometimes when a leader leaves, or hard times come, or when persecution happen, the people scatter and go their own way or divisions take place. Sometimes they get off track. We only have to look at Moses and the people of Israel when Moses went up the mountain to be with God. They were electing new leaders and making golden calves. Jesus wanted them to be strong and stick together. It was vital for them in their new faith and vital for their mission.
b. V15 – To keep them safe from the devil.
Jesus prayed that the Father would not take them out of the world. They were required to stay behind and continue Jesus’ mission of seeking and saving the lost (Luke 19:10), so Jesus prayed for protection. He knew the devil would come knocking and try to get them off course. We know that 1 Peter 5:8 says the devil prowls around like a lion looking for someone to devour. They would be an easy target without Jesus, so He lifted them up to the Father.
c. V17 – To sanctify them.
In verse 17 Jesus prays “Sanctify them, sanctify them by Your Word, Your Word is truth”. To sanctify means to set apart for Holy use. Jesus wanted His followers to be sanctified by the Father, so they could be used mightily in Kingdom work. As we see after the resurrection and ascension, they did some pretty amazing things. I find it interesting that Jesus said to sanctify them by Your Word. For us today the Word of God or the Bible is the key way we are sanctified. The Word and Spirit work together to make us more like Christ.
Jesus prayed out His concern for the disciples. He prayed that God would keep them unified, protect them from the devil and sanctify for them Holy use.
Point 3 – Jesus prayed for His future disciples (20-26)
John 17:20 – “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message.
Jesus now focuses His attention to the future believers. The ones who came to faith through the Apostles, right down through the ages, to us and those who come to faith after us.
Again, what did Jesus pray in this last part of His prayer? What did He think was important for us today?
a. That we would be one like the Father and the Son are one.
Jesus wanted us to be unified and one with the Father and Son. In verse 23a Jesus says, “I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” Why did Jesus want us to be completely unified with each other and with the Father? So, the world may believe. There is something about being unified and loving one another that grabs people’s attention. They generally don’t see it in politics, they don’t see it in the workplace or sporting club. Church is the place where people should see true unity and love in action. When they do see true love and unity that is not of this world, Christ is revealed.
b. That we may know Jesus’ eternal glory
Verse 24 says, “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.” Jesus wanted the Father to reveal His true glory to us. He wanted us to see Him as the Alpha and the Omega, the King of kings and the Lord of lords. He wanted us to see Him and the Creator who is eternal. All the things we looked at several weeks ago when we focused in on Jesus. We saw the difference seeing Jesus in His glory did to Peter who said he did not know Jesus prior to the crucifixion and then post resurrection gave his life for Jesus and His kingdom. We all need that Peter type of revelation of Jesus’ glory.
c. That we may know the love of the Father for the Son
In verse 26 it says, “I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.” If we get a glimpse of the love the Father has for the Son, there will be no doubt of Jesus’ true identity and we will love Jesus the same way too. The Pharisees and the religious leaders of the day accused Jesus of blasphemy because He called Himself the Son of God. They needed a revelation that Peter had in John 11:27, “”I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.” We all need this revelation.
Jesus prayed for us and all believers down the ages. He wanted us to stay strong. He prayed that we truly understand and believe that He and the Father are one, that we would see His glory and know the love of the Father and the Son.
Closing summary
Today we looked at one of the greatest prayers of all time. We saw that Jesus prayed for three main things in John 17.
Jesus prayed for Himself – He prayed that He would bring glory to the Father and the Father would restore the glory Jesus had in eternity.
Jesus prayed for His disciples – He prayed that they would be unified, protected and that the Father would sanctify them.
Jesus prayed for all believers – He prayed that we would be with the Father and Son, that we would know Jesus glory and we would know the love the Father has for the son.
PASSIONAustralia.blog 