“WITHERED”
Luke 6:6-12
INTRO: 1.Three of the four gospels make mention of this miracle and all three use the same word to describe this man’s condition - “Withered Hand”. (Ugly word)
2. “Withered” describes:
a) That which once held life, but now the life is gone. (Like flower)
b) That which was once strong is now fragile and weak.
c) That which was once beautiful is now twisted and deformed.
3. Not only was this man’s hand withered - His right hand was withered.
a) That designed to be functional, effective - but rendered powerless.
b) That meant to be a blessing - but now it has become a burden. (handicap)
4.But he made the Greatest Discovery of his life - Jesus is in the business of restoring withered things.
a) This miracle makes Jesus more than just a healer, it makes him a restorer.
b) Restoring means to reverse the affects of years of damage. (Joel’s promise)
Joel 2:25 And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, ...
c) Restoring means to resurrect that which was too far gone.
d) Restoring means to make as good as it’s ever been. (Not just improve)
e) Restoring means to completly renew. (No 98% restoration)
“...his hand was restored whole as the other.”
5. Jesus has more than proved his place as the restorer.
a) Lazarus - reversed the process of decay, restored him not just alive, but well.
b)Gadarene Demoniac - not just cast out the legions, but clothed and restored to his right mind (as if they’d never been there)
c)Deaf with a speech impediment - not only oped his ears, but loosed his tongue and he spoke plainly without a therapist to teach him how.
6. There are many ways that this man’s hand could have been made to wither.
a) As a result of Battle Wound. (hurt)
b) As a result of atrophy. (lack of use)
c) As a result of disease. (beyond his control)
d) But Jesus never asked what had caused it, he just restored it.
7. Today, let’s rediscover the restorer in our lives – Jesus Christ.
I. HE FIRST DEALT WITH A WITHERED CONGREGATION.
a.Like this man’s hand, this synagogue was designed to be a blessing, but instead it had become a burden. (Nothing heavier than lifeless religion)
b. Designed to reveal Jehovah God, but it failed to recognize Him.
c.Designed to minister to the needs of the people – yet this man had sat for years with no help.
d. The condition of this congregation made Jesus angry
Mark 3:5And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other.
A. WITHERED BECAUSE THEY’D BECOME DISTRACTED FROM THEIR REAL PURPOSE.
1.Too busy defending their place in the synagogue. (afraid Jesus might have more say than they do)
2. Too busy arguing trivial doctrinal points. (Ill. Asking the wrong questions)
3. Too busy accusing others. (spiritual private investigators)
B.WITHERED BECAUSE THEY’D BECOME SEPERATED FROM THEIR LIFE SOURCE.
1. They had stopped helping God and starting working against God.
2.When we loose touch with our life-source, history has proven that the church invariably works against God.
3. We lose touch when we let the hands of prayer wither.
4. We lose touch when we let the hands of compassion wither.
5. We lose touch when we let the hands of anointing wither.
6. It’s time we invite the life back to church.
C. THE SOLUTION: LET JESUS DO WHAT HE’S COME TO DO.
1. But everything changed in that place because Jesus did what he came to do.
2. Our programs are not enough.
(music, talent, commitment, beautiful sanctuaries not enough)
3. It’s time to move over and let Jesus be Jesus.
4. ILL. Mary at the wedding in Cana - “Get out of his way”
4. ILL. Mourner’s at Jarius’ house - move over. “Get out of his way”
II. HE DEALT WITH A WITHERED STANCE.
a. Notice how he found this man sitting down.
(Positon of despair, defeat, inferiority, weakness)
b. Before he’d do anything else, he had change this man’s posture.
c. It’s time to get up and get where he wants us to be.
d. He desires to change our stance from defeat to victory.
A. STIRRED HIM FROM HIS COMFORTABLE PLACE.
1. It’s too easy for us to stop short of all God has for our lives.
2. It’s too easy to get comfortable with our condition.
3. It’s time we hear the words of the master and “Rise Up”.
4. Stir our faith to recieve.
5. Stir ourselves to respond to his tugging.
B. MOVED HIM INTO A PLACE OF HONESTY.
1.Sitting, he could hide his handicap and go unnoticed, but Jesus wanted him to not just not just to rise up, but to “stand forth in the midst”
2. For too long, we’ve been skilled at disguising our need. (ILL. David and Nathan)
3. We’ve gotten skilled at justifying our need.
4. It’s time to get honest with God - let him know there’s withered things in our lives.
C. MOVED HIM INTO A PLACE OF GRACE.
1. This man had lived in an atmosphere of condemnation.
2.The theology of the day laid the blame on this man and dubbed him a “sinner” not worthy of being whole.
3. Jesus moved him to a place where worthiness had nothing to do with it - under His covering of Grace.
4. Our salvation, healing, and restoration are covered by his grace.
5. ILL. My insurance policy covers my wife and my babies - they ‘re covered because of me – You’re covered because of Calvary and what Jesus did there.
III. HE DEALT WITH A WITHERED HAND.
a. God had placed him in the place to receive, but there was one more simple step.
b. Jesus commanded him “Stretch forth thy hand”
c. Are you willing to do what it takes to let God deal with the withered things in your life?
A. HE HAD TO HAND OVER HIS HANDICAP.
1. We’ve held that thing close to our bosom long enough.
2. Jesus won’t take your need from you, you’ve got to hand it over.
3. ILL. The woman with an issue of blood handed her need over with a simple touch.
4. The key is to surrendar that need - lay no more claim to it.
B. HE HAD TO DO WHAT WAS OTHERWISE IMPOSSIBLE TO DO.
1. Jesus didn’t say “Stretch forth thy arm”, but “Stretch forth thy hand”.
2. This man couldn’t possibly do in his own strength what Jesus was telling him to do.
3. Simply obey and watch the Jesus factor at work.
4.To some he says - Try what you failed at before, but this time I’ll be in it. (Ministry, Marraige)
5. ILL. Peter fished all night, but this time Jesus was on board.
C. HE WITNESSED THE RESTORING POWER OF JESUS CHRIST.
1. As he stretched forth his hand obediently, he felt what he hadn’t felt in that hand in a long time - life and strength.
2.He watched in awe as the hand began to fill out until it was restored “whole as the other”.
3.If you will let him, and obey his word tonight, I beleive Jesus will restore that withered thing in your life right before your eyes.
CONCLUSION: Your restoration begins right now. Will you be honest before God and hand over that withered area of your life?
