Sermon # 331 – “AWAY FROM THE CROWD”
Three stories that teach us to be alone with God:
Mark 7:32-35 -- There some people brought to him a man who was deaf and could hardly talk, and they begged him to place his hand on the man. [33] After he took him aside, away from the crowd, Jesus put his fingers into the man’s ears. Then he spit and touched the man’s tongue. [34] He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said to him, "Ephphatha!" (which means, "Be opened!"). [35] At this, the man’s ears were opened, his tongue was loosened and he began to speak plainly.
Problem:
• Man could not hear or speak.
Solution began with:
• Removing the man from the crowd.
• Jesus spit to heal.
Lesson 1:
We cannot hear from God, or speak for God, until we separate ourselves from the crowd and get alone with Him.
Mark 8:22-26 -- They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. [23] He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man’s eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, "Do you see anything?" [24] He looked up and said, "I see people; they look like trees walking around." [25] Once more Jesus put his hands on the man’s eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. [26] Jesus sent him home, saying, "Don’t go into the village."
Note: The man did not receive clear vision the first time (not because Jesus lacked in power), but b/c the man still had his eyes on man and not God. Jesus removed the man from the crowd… then Jesus asked, “Do you see anything?” The man replied, “I see men like trees.” This is our problem… as long as we are looking at men… we will never see clearly.
Problem:
• Man could not see.
Solution began with:
• Removing the man from the crowd.
• Jesus spit to heal.
Lesson 2:
When God touches you… keep your eyes on Jesus… not man.
Some time after the healing of the blind man… Jesus asked His disciples…
Matthew 16:13-17 -- When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" [14] They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets." [15] "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" [16] Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." [17] Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.
Lesson 3:
God’s gives revelations (divinely speaks) to those who are not dependant upon the crowd’s opinions, but fixed on Him.
Lessons learned:
1. We cannot hear from God, or speak for God, until we separate ourselves from the crowd and get alone with Him.
2. When God touches you… keep your eyes on Jesus… not man.
3. God’s gives revelations (divinely speaks) to those who are not dependant upon the crowd’s opinions, but fixed on Him.
Conclude: Jesus also got “away from the crowd” to be alone with the Father… to pray in the mountain. We must go to the mountain; separate ourselves from the crowd… in order to hear, speak, and see the Father’s will.
