JESUS’ M.O.
I. HE TOOK HIM ASIDE (v.33)
A. Personal attention--value of the individual
B. Private audience--saved him embarassment
C. Almighty God sees us as individuals, not masses
D. Principle: deep and lasting healing comes from
being alone with God
II. HE PUT HIS FINGERS INTO HIS EARS (v.33)
A. The first need of mankind--to have our ears
unstopped so that we can hear God’s voice.
B. The world’s noise and cares make it difficult
III. HE TOUCHED HIS TONGUE (v.33)
A. After we hear God’s voice, it will produce a
desire to speak for Him
B. Spit: symbol of a giving of Himself to us?
C. He knows just exactly where we need touching
IV. HE SIGHED (v.34)
A. His heart was moved by the sight of suffering;
He knew that in this case, sin was behind it
B. Remember how He wept over Jerusalem> Over the
mourning of His friend Lazarus?
V. HE LOOKED UP TO HEAVEN (v.34)
A. As an example to us of His trust in His Father
B. Also expressed the oneness of Jesus to His Father
VI. HE ISSUED A COMMAND (v.34)
A. "Ephphatha": "Be opened" --voice of authority
B. Applies to the whole man--ears, tongue and
whatever else needs opening (the heart?)
C. Jesus specializes in opening things
1. tombs (Lazarus and His own)
2. way of slavation
3. people’s hearts to the truth
4. eyes of the blind
5. gates of heaven to those who believe
In verese 35 - 37 we can see the RESULTS of beint touched by God
VII. MAN’S EARS WERE OPENED (v.35)
A. Immediately
B. Completely
C. "We believe and therefore we speak" (II Cor.4:13)
VIII. HIS TONGUE WAS RELEASED (v.35)
A. Spoke plainly, with conviction
B. Glorified God
IX. CROWD’S REACTION (v.36,37)
A. Glorified Jesus
B. Miracles are meant to be attention-getters!
X. CONCLUSION
A. Once touched by Jesus, life will never again be
the same. You will hear and say things never
dreamed possible
B. Hear the call of God in terms of guidance,
comfort, conviction, challenge, and service
C. Speak as a witness with boldness in order to
glorify God, edify the saints, making sure that
our speech comes from a pure heart.
