COME CLOSER, THE INVITATION.
By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com (YouTube: Wade Hughes) Two parts
Fodder for this lesson comes from Dick Van Huss, Winchester, Ky.
THERE IS A PROMISE IF WE WILL --- GOD WILL. WILL WE HEAR THE EXHORTATION THAT GOD DESIRES US TO COME CLOSER TO HIM? We must make a conscious effort to actively pursue God. We must study his word, pray and worship then God will respond and he will come near us. Jesus, Pass me not.
TEXT:
James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
James 4:7 (NLT2) So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.
STANDING CLOSER?
I was teaching the 6th grade at Elk Knob in Wood Way, Virginia. The 3rd grade teacher sent Joe to the office to receive a “Paddling.” (This was a norm 50+ years ago.) I was the assistant principal and the principal was not there. So I was paged into the office. My paddle’s name was Hot Tea. An old teacher had given me. I discussed with Joe the err of his ways and lined him up to take his medicine. I place Joe and the next thing I knew Joe was standing close to me. I moved him back. Before I could do anything, Joe was standing back close to me. This happened several times. Finally, I asked Joe: WHAT ARE YOU DOING? Joe made a statement I will never forget. Joe said: THE CLOSER I STAND TO YOU, THE LESS IT HURTS! I did not paddle Joe. I ask Joe, could he keep a secret? I took Hot Tea and slapped the sole of my shoe 3 times.
Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
REMEMBER THE SHOW: “LOST IN SPACE” THE ROBOT WOULD WARN: DANGER, DANGER WILL SMITH.”
*WATCHMAN, WHAT OF THE NIGHT? BEWARE! DANGER, DANGER.
*An estimated 15,000 churches will close in 2025. 38% of pastors are thinking about leaving the ministry. 51% of minister are thinking about leaving in the mainline denominations. In the past 70% of people believed the church was important.
*Today only 46% of people feel like church is important. Only 10% attend church weekly. Yet 50% say they are members of a church. The recent polls reveal 3,300 people a day are leaving present day churches. If we take 3,300 a day times 365 days that will equal 8,431,500. Today we have 56,640 fulltime pastors for 253,347 churches.
THE BEST TIME TO PLANT APPLE SEEDS WOULD BE YESTERDAY. WHAT DO YOU WANT? BE QUIET? SHUT UP.
Jesus is walking near Jericho. The people did not want to interrupt Jesus’ plans. The blind brother knew he needed to find Jesus. Someone told Bartimaeus about Jesus. In his darkness, Bartimaeus developed trust and faith in a man named Jesus. BARTIMAEUS STARTED HEARING A NOISE IN THE DISTANCE. The noise got louder and louder. The crowd was getting near. Bartimaeus heard Jesus was in the crowd. Bartimaeus knew JESUS WAS GOD’S SON EVEN IN THE DARKNESS OF BLINDNESS. Bartimaeus knew if he could get near enough to Jesus his faith would release a miracle.
Bartimaus WAS TIRED OF BEING BLIND. He did not care for what PEOPLE THOUGHT AND DEMANDED. In their cruel, mean words the people demanded: BE QUIET. Bartimaeus would PERSIST IN THE MIDST OF OPPOSITION. If Bartimaeus stayed silent he would stay blind. Don’t make a scene. You are embarrassing us. The blind man knew to approach Jesus boldly. JESUS SAID, COME HERE. THE BLIND MAN STUMBLED HIS WAY TO BE NEAR THE SON OF GOD.
COME CLOSER!!! WE HAVE TO KNOW BLINDNESS IS NOT AN OBSTACLE IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY. JESUS HEARS YOUR CRY --- YOU HAVE TO REACH OUT FOR YOUR MIRACLE… BUT THE BLIND BARTIMAEUS HAS TO COME CLOSER --- the blind man had to come closer.
Mark 10:49 And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee.
NOW, I CAN SEE CLEARLY. BARTIMAEUS GOES AFTER HIS HEALER. Bartimaeus knew he would follow Jesus and share his testimony.
Mark 10:52 And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.
WILL YOU BE MADE WHOLE? GET CLOSE! WHY WOULD YOU ASK EFFORT FROM A CRIPPLE MAN DO YOU WANT TO MADE WHOLE? 38 YEARS OF BEING TRAPPED IN SELF-PITY WITH NO ONE TO HELP --- GET UP --- NO EXCUSES JESUS IS NEAR… PASS ME NOT, O GENTLE SAVIOR.
John 5:5 And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me. 8 Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. 9 And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.
LET US TEAM TOGETHER AND FIND JESUS --- WHEN WE GET CLOSE TO JESUS HE MIGHT HEAL US.
Matthew 9:27 And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou Son of David, have mercy on us. 28 And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord. 29 Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.
THE MAN AND HIS SON ARE HOPELESS UNTIL THEY CAME NEAR JESUS. THE MAN BROUGHT HIS SON WITH A NEED TO JESUS… IF YOU CAN BELIEVE --- COME CLOSE --- THIS IS POSSIBLE. THE BOY GETS CLOSE THEY JOIN HANDS WITH JESUS
Mark 9:20 And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming. 21 And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child. 22 And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us. 23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. 24 And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. 25 When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him. 26 And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead. 27 But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose.
THIS WOMAN WAS 12 YEARS SICK AND WEAK. SHE GETS UP ONE DAY AND DECIDES IF I CAN GET CLOSE ENOUGH TO TOUCH JESUS I WILL BE HEALED.
Matthew 9:21 For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.
Matthew 9:22 But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.
THERE WAS A MAN SO SICK HE COULD NOT GET NEAR JESUS. THIS MAN HAD 4 FRIENDS. BY FAITH 4 MEN CARRY THE HOPELESS, HELPLESS MAN… WE HAVE TO GET CLOSER THAN THIS CROWD… THE OBSTACLES WERE GREAT TO KEEP THEM FROM GETTING CLOSE TO JESUS. IF WE CAN GET CLOSE ENOUGH JESUS WILL DRAW CLOSE.
Mark 2:3 And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four. 4 And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.
THESE 4 MEN REFUSED TO ALLOW JESUS TO PASS BY… THEY GOT CLOSE ENOUGH, THAT JESUS SAW THEIR FAITH.
PASS ME NOT. THE BLIND MAN TOUCHES JESUS. JESUS GETS CLOSE ENOUGH TO JOIN HANDS WITH A BLIND MAN
Mark 8:22 And he cometh to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto him, and besought him to touch him.
23 And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought. 24 And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking. 25 After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly.
JESUS, DON’T PASS BY THIS FUNERAL. JESUS COMES NEAR A FUNERAL PROCESSION GOING THROUGH TOWN. A MOM’S ONLY SON IS DEAD. SHE IS HOPELESS. THE MOURNERS ARE WAILING… BY FAITH COME NEAR, QUIT CRYING…
This woman’s husband is dead. Now she is headed to the grave yard to bury her son. Her son was her provider and protector. WHAT WILL SHE DO? Don’t pass us Jesus.
Luke 7:12 Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her. 13 And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not. 14 And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. 15 And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother. Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her.
GET DOWN: GET CLOSER. JESUS KNOWS YOU. ZACCHAEUS, JESUS KNOWS YOUR NAME. ZACCHAEUS WAS NOT BLIND, HE COULD NOT SEE JESUS. ZACCHAEUS WANTED TO “SEE JESUS.” THE CROWD WAS PRESSING AND THIS LITTLE MAN COULD NOT SEE. SO ZACCHAEUS STRETCH HIS LITTLE LEGS AND RAN DOWN THE PATH.
Luke 19:1 And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. 3 And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. 4 And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. 5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. 6 And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.
Zacchaeus has to get out of the tree and come closer to Jesus. As a matter of fact he takes Jesus home with him. Zacchaeus is forever changed because he crawl out the tree branches and got close to Jesus.
CONCLUSION: Let us draw near the son of God. When we draw near the Father, he will not pass his sons and daughters by. God’s plan is draw near him and he will draw near us.
John 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
MY FRIEND, JESUS KNOWS YOUR NAME. Jesus will never leave us or forsake us. Jesus will never pass by us. Jesus can heal us! Jesus can if we draw nigh him.
PASS ME NOT, O GENTLE SAVIOR
PASS ME NOT, O GENTLE SAVIOR, HEAR MY HUMBLE CRY
WHILE ON OTHERS THOU ARE CALLING, DO NOT PASS ME BY.
SAVIOR, SAVIOR HEAR MY HUMBLE CRY
WHILE ON OTHERS THOU ART CALLING, DO NOT PASS ME BY.
LET ME AT THY THRONE OF MERCY FIND SWEET RELIEF
KNEELING THERE IN DEEP CONTRITION HELP MY UNBELIEF.
THOU THE SPRING OF ALL MY COMFORT MORE THAN LIFE TO ME
WHOM ON EARTH HAVE I BESIDES THEE? WHOM IN HEAVEN BUT THEE?
Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls
His servant, Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com (YouTube: Wade Hughes)
(Two in two parts)
