September 7, 2003
HOLY SPIRIT BLESS US
The Compassionate Jesus.
Matthew 9: 35-38 (NKJV)
Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.
But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.
Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few.
Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest."
Admittedly, we as Christians are very blessed because we acknowledged the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Meaning He is in control-He is the Boss of our life.
The uniqueness of Christ while He was here on earth physically just like you and me was very remarkable. He did wonderful things that made Him known as God.
In fact, Jesus Christ’s ministry was focused on Preaching, Teaching & Healing.
v.35 “Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.
Jesus ministry is for everybody and anybody regardless your status in life- who you are, where you are is not an issue.
Apostle Peter admitted that in Acts 10: 34 “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality.”
Every opportunity for Jesus is vital and important because He knew that He has only three years in His earthly ministry.
Jesus engaged in teaching inside the church or synagogue. He taught many things about life, finances, marriage, law, forgiveness & salvation.
And then He preached the Gospel (good news) about the kingdom. God’s kingdom belongs to the people who accepted Him as Lord and Savior of their life.
Never ever presume that the member of your household, your relatives and friends will enter the Kingdom God without repentance and without making Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
Good works will not save us but faith in Jesus Christ and by His grace alone.
Ephesians 2: 8, 9 “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.
Jesus Christ preached about the Kingdom and it’s very easy to be part of His Kingdom but I tell you, it is very hard to live as one living in the Kingdom of God but I would also like to tell that it is the most rewarding and the greatest experience a person could ever have in life. Living for Jesus!
And also, Jesus engaged Himself in healing every sickness and every disease among the people.
Jesus Christ healed every sickness and disease in His earthly ministry and even today, Jesus Christ can still heal people regardless of disease but according to His will.
We believe everything that are happening and the things that will happen to each individual, God has a purpose and a wonderful plan.
JoniEricson Tada is a Gospel singer, a radio host, author and a servant of God, but until now she’s in her wheel chair.
In her book she wrote that she believed that God will heal her paralysis from neck down due to a swimming accident, but God He didn’t heal her. Simply because God wanted to use her condition to become a living witness for Christ.
She can testify to others who are suffering, in pain and in distress that even though they are in a painful condition, still there is joy and hope and that can be found in Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ is able to heal somebody and someone who has faith in Him.
Jesus knew exactly what are the pains in our physical bodies. Jesus knew that we are suffering too much and He wants to liberate us. He wanted us to be free from the bondage of negative thoughts and sickness. Jesus Christ can do miracles out of our life.
(ill) In his diary John Wesley believed that God could heal in response to prayer. May 10 1741 (Sunday) pain in back & head, with fever, had to lie down most of the day; only easy in one position. At night tried to preach; pain, and seized with cough, etc. There came to mind strongly, “These signs shall follow them that believe.” Prayed; called on Jesus aloud to increase my faith and to confirm the Word of His grace. While I was speaking my pain vanished away, and fever left me, my bodily strength returned, and for many weeks I felt neither sickness nor pain. Unto Thee, O Lord, do I give my thanks!
Interestingly, “But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.”v.36
Isn’t it wonderful that despite the fact that people keep on disobeying God and dishonor Jesus Christ, still His heart is open & big enough that contain the word, compassion.
“He was moved with compassion for them.” Why? because they were weary
(exhausted and tired) and scattered.
My friends, try to examine what is happening now in the planet earth we are living.
We observe people that are anxious, depressed, full of anxiety, always worrying and restless.
Why, because time flies very fast and the tendency is that people cannot catch up to the present trend …
Despite the introduction of modern technology and the advancement of science , people are suffering from a lot of chronic diseases and other related infirmities.
(Ill) One lady observed that many of her co workers are really working hard just to survive.
My Bro.Orson mentioned that one of his co worker who is 72 yrs. od is still working just to live and cope up with the demands of life for survival.
Jesus is moved with compassion especially for those people who are killing themselves for work and forgetting the most special day to worship the Lord in Spirit and Truth even for just an hour.
I believe that abundance is God’s gift to His children. I have never known a person who became faithful that our dearest Lord Jesus had forsake them.
The secret of prosperity is faith in Jesus and hard work with purpose.
We can be the best hardworking person but if it is not done with faith and trust in the Lord, everything is in vain.
Do you think this country deserves Jesus’ compassion? Yes indeed because a lot of people are forgetting the role of God, Son (Jesus Christ) and the Holy Spirit in every affairs and aspect of their lives.
A couple that I talked mentioned that, truly, what is happening in this country is too much liberalism, too much freedom and people are blinded and do not appreciate the abundance and vastness of God’s blessings in this country.
Jesus is moved with compassion to these people whose eyes can not see the source of the overflowing blessings we enjoy.
We need Jesus’ compassion so that we can lead individuals into the path of righteousness.
How can we forget September 11, 2001 that envelops peoples lives with terror, chaos & fears. Thousands of people died and still this country has an on going fight with the terrorists.
We believed that what had happened is a wake up call and each individual must realize the value of faith and service to Jesus Christ.
Sad to say many Americans are still un-churched or they don’t attend Sunday worship services.
Here in Brevard county alone, according to 2000 census there are 289,714 people who have no religious affiliations.
“Some people think a 30 minute sermon is too long, so they substitute a 300 column Sunday paper.”
And also, A man proudly said: “I go to church only 2 times in my life-the first time they sprinkle water (baptism) on me the second time they sprinkle rice (marriage).”
A hearer added: “And the third time, they sprinkle dirt (patay).”
- Book of Illustrations
Aside from Jesus compassion we also need laborers.
“The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few.
Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest." V. 37-38
Laborers are not just the pastors but lay people as well. We need committed lay people who will serve as laborers because the harvest truly is plentiful.
We need to start now my friends and do not allow others to just count one of the members of our family as one of the harvest. We urgently need laborers!
Evangelism is communicating the gospel of Jesus Christ with the immediate intent of converting the hearer to faith in Christ, and with the ultimate intent of instructing the convert in the Word of God so that he can become a mature believer. Evangelism, A Biblical Approach, M. Cocoris, Moody, 1984
How then should evangelism be defined? The N.T. answer is very simple. According to the N.T., evangelism is just preaching the gospel, the evangel.
Evangelizing, therefore is not simply a matter of teaching, and instructing, and imparting information to the mind. There is more to it than that. Evangelism includes the endeavor to elicit a response to the truth taught.
It is communication with a view to conversion. It is a matter, not merely of informing, but also of inviting.
J.I. Packer, Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God, pp. 41, 50.
I repeat, “Evangelism includes the endeavor to obtain a response to the truth taught. It is communication with a view to conversion. It is a matter, not merely of informing, but also of inviting.”
If you believe this Fellowship preach and teach the evangel (good news about Jesus Christ) and your life has changed because of what you have heard, then don’t hesitate to inform others and invite them as well.
Sis. Carrie related to me her dream about our fellowship. She had a dream that we will grow in number. Thank God! We have members and supporters who are dreaming for the growth of this fellowship for the Glory of God!
You and me are ambassadors for Christ! Are you willing to go forth and become a witness for Christ? Amen.
