faith in the king

Mark 4 v 34- 5 v 20
Intro- Cigars- little fires
- Question for today is what does it mean to have faith in Jesus the bringer of the kingdom of God
- Answer Martin Luther, 3 parts “Notitia” (evidence/knowledge), “assensus” (inclination/attraction) and “Fiducia” (fidelity/commitment)
- You see these all in this text
Did all this really happen?- small details, time, cushion, exact location, other boats, accurate and unnecessary
- Not hero-God myths, either sophisticated lies or historical acc
- Unflattering picture of the disciples, slow, weak, fearful.
- Gospels are strong evidence acc are of real historical events
- We can trust in the bible, faith in Christ is based on solid facts
Calming the storm- Person of Jesus, quite human and divine, tired, words of command
- Important, not human cant be our rep, divine can’t reveal God
- First set of miracles show he is all powerful, over nature, demonic, even death
- Jesus brings hope when all seems lost
- Trusting in Jesus 1)faith is all about content and information
- When Jesus says “do you still have no faith?” he is saying he has already given them plenty
- Faith is not simply belief, it requires trust
- Faith is built up by examining all evidence and trusting what you see (Notitia)
- 2) Faith includes action “still”, he is assuming they should be doing something
- Faith is not just a gift “oh you poor lads”, he is shouting! Angry not because they shouted for help, but that they doubted his love, after all he has shown them, faith is an exercise
- Supplements Eph 2 v 8-10
- Given faith, but we must exercise it, it is a muscle, don’t use it lose it! NIAGARA ANCHOR DO YOU KNOW HOW TO USE IT
- We can’t complain we don’t have faith we need to act upon it!
- Fiducia we have to be committed to the truth, despite our fears
- We need to “consider the lilies” Matt 6, think through your fears, doubt is an absence of thinking!
- 3) Faith is a matter of being attracted to Jesus, and what he has done for us
- doubt is questioning his love and power
- “Still” that is the key word! He has done enough!
- Faith is thinking, committing but also resting in the love and work of Jesus
- Biggest failure of disciples is the thought that Jesus doesn’t care, but it is the cross that confirms the love and how far he will go for us.
- Similarities to Jonah, the fear, Jesus is the true Jonah, Matt 12, consumed by the storm of God’s wrath, so we can have peace and be calm and be saved
- Jesus has calmed the only storm that can really harm us, God’s wrath, if we recognise that, we can trust him in the smaller storms.
- This is the proof that we can trust him.
Legion ch 5 v 1-20
- demonic in society, sceptics, psychological, social structures
- Jesus has the authority to rescue, he is liberator and healer
- There is an alternative to having Jesus as master
- As you submit to him as King, he brings you into the kingdom and kingdom into you!
a) Person of Jesus, ch1 showed the power of Jesus no hocus pocus, just a command, same here, simply gives permission, he is the higher power
b) Trusting Jesus 1) demons know who Jesus is, James 2 v 19, good theology, faith is more than good theology, live in trust and building life upon the truth of Jesus
2) Townspeople see how they respond! They are petrified at his power, because it meant loss of control!
- Faith is to accept losing control, to let the power of Jesus in, a good and unpredictable irresistible force
3) Cured man, begs to be a disciple, Jesus refuses and he obeys, he is called to go home and be a witness, he gladly does it with his whole heart - this is true faith, as opposed to the demons and the townspeople
- unlike the demons he bases his life on the truth of Jesus
- unlike the townspeople, he gives Jesus control of his life
- Jesus gives him a different agenda from what he wants & he accepts
- He experiences “unanswered prayer” but responds in obedience
- THAT IS FAITH!
4)Application a) Jesus wants you to go to your loved ones and tell them what Jesus has done b)Story shows us no matter the storm, how much we have messed up, how deeply enslaved, how bad our problems, JESUS SETS US FREE! THAT TAKES FAITH, daddy I can’t see you!
MAY YOU……tell others, persist in the storm, trust in your Father

The community of the king

Mark ch 3 v 7-35
RIOTS
Intro
- each section of Mark reveals something about Jesus, power, purpose, plan
- ch1- authority, ch2- conflict, ch3- new community
- community!! Built through serving, teaching, preaching, training, counselling, healing and liberating
- as we read Gospel we are confronted with 1) HOW can Jesus carry this out in my life 2) How can I carry it out in the lives of others
They want to kill Jesus
- Pharisees and Herodians
- Jesus brings new community not through who you are or what you do, but by accepting what he brings!
- Tells us who his family truly is, he chooses the leaders of the community
Contrasts
- Leaders reject but the people do not, leaders don’t see it demons do
- One of the main themes of mark “the upside down kingdom”!
- Mention main players
- First will be last and last shall be first
The 12 disciples
- disciples are called to be “sent out” to preach and do miracles
- 12 significant? Formation of Israel= formation of Church
- NEW EXODUS! Mountain, 12 tribes, OUT OF SLAVERY
- Death of first born = death of Jesus is the liberation of the people
- Inclusive!
We as disciples
- Disciple is a serious follower, not just believe but follow. What does this mean?
- CHOSEN BY GRACE! Called by God!
- Against religion, the disciples slow, hard hearted, cowardly
- We are chosen; we are not the choice cut though! Humbling, gives security
- Not about performance but relationship
- This is what makes Christians different
- WE NEED TO DO WHAT JESUS DID
- Called and sent out, preach and do deeds, all priests!
- HOW? Tell the truth, show love, uses the gifts, lead people to meet the king
- Disciple and apostle, a follower who is sent, Jesus not just meeting our needs/ to serve him in the world
- MINISTER OUT OF TIME SPENT WITH HIM
- Intimacy, drives us, not academic, disciples trained by living with him
- CALLED INTO COMMUNIITY, zealot/tax collector
- Not in community not a disciple!
Rejection of family
- Family reject him, leaders reject him, relationship is spiritual
- Unforgivable sin? V 28&29
- Only way is to reject grace and not repent and reject Jesus
- Not what is expected, but proud need to beware!
Practical implications
- family? Who is family? Community of Jesus, the family of Jesus are those who follow and do his will
- Prodigal son Luke 15
- Jesus is the true elder brother, we become part of God’s family at his expense, the true big brother

Mark: The meaning of free grace ch 1 v 35- 2:17

Intro: Jesus a man of authority, to heal and forgive, which was for God alone, he ate with sinners, which was forbidden, he needed no other authority
1.ch1 v 35-39 Popularity
I. v 28, news of Jesus spread like wildfire, overwhelming crowds
A. Gets up to pray in solitary place for hours (not cut like we do)
B. After Peter tells him, he says “lets leave”
II. Why? He was for everyone
A. preacher not just a miracle worker
III. Jesus’ priorities
A. Prayer (leans on the father)
B. Balance of word and deed in ministry
C. Popularity is not a priority (quality rather than quantity is the key to Jesus’ ministry
2. ch 1 v 40-45 Leper
I. Leprosy was a term for variety of skin diseases and disorders
A. Quarantine
B. Ceremonially unclean, even when you came near (tree)
II. Leper approaches Jesus, heals not only with pronouncement but with touch
A. Surprising as not needed for physical healing (cf 2 v 10-11)
B. Surprising because Jesus opens himself to be branded unclean
III. Risky, but touch is significant
A. Not needed for the physical healing, but for the emotional suffering
B. Jesus can’t become unclean
3. ch2 v 1-5 Paralytic
I. Back to Capernaum, preaching this time, not healing
A. Doing good is not the whole of Christianity, if it was Christianity would be just like any other religion
B. It would be a matter of following examples and fulfilling ethical standards
C. But we are saved by faith in what he has done
II. We need to hear the message to believe it! Surprises persistent friends
A. Jesus forgives his sins!
B. Something more radical and basic than physical health, being right with God
C. The only thing that can really kill you is sin
D. The only cure is forgiveness
III. Jesus surprises us the readers
A. How can you forgive someone who isn’t repentant?
B. Jesus reads the motives of the heart
C. We don’t have to say things the right way, or follow a set of rules
D. Have a heart of dependence and desire to get near him
4. ch2 v 6-12 authority to forgive sins
I. third group of people surprised by Jesus
A. Religious leaders, enormous claim about Jesus, blasphemy!
B. Jesus claiming he is God
II. someone sins against you
A. costs you something
B. to forgive means you don’t expect to be reimbursed, you pay for it yourself
C. you can only forgive if a debt is against you or if you are willing to pay for someone else’s debt
III. If Jesus forgives sins, he is claiming all their sins are against him
A. every sin breaks his rules (he is rulemaker)
B. Jesus is claiming he can pay for these sins
C. Religious leaders never expected this!
5. ch 2 v :9 what is the answer to Jesus’ question?
I. Which is easier?
A. Anyone could say “you are forgiven”, need power and authority
B. Jesus says the first does the second, he heals the man
C. Jesus is saying “ I HAVE THE AUTHORITY”
6. Ch 2 v 13-17 Sinners and the righteous
I. Do the righteous not need him? This is a warning to the self righteous
A. When do you go to a doctor? When it is beyond your control
B. You don’t go just for advice, you want intervention
II. Jesus calls the sinners and the righteous
A. Sinners know they are in need of the great physician
B. Righteous think they can do it on their own! (Work hard, live a good life etc) Jesus an example not a saviour
III. Jesus can and will only help those who know they are moral failures, unable to save themselves
A. Self righteousness is in some ways the only fatal sin
B. The moral and righteous are turned off (when Christianity is explained)
C. The big “sinners” are turned on (when Christianity is explained)
7. ch2 v 13-17 Levi
I. Peter, Andrew, James and John, working class, Levi wealthy!
A. No religious type! Jesus’ call is to all!
B. Only the religiously proud exclude themselves
II. Jesus can reach and transform anyone
A. Levi’s call is not merited, it is grace!
B. Jesus’ call over all, to everyone and for everything
8. What is the theme that binds?
COMPASSION, SURPRISING, GRACE!!!!! COLOURS OUTSIDE THE LINES, MOULD BREAKER! HARD CASES, NO PREJUDICE, ONLY MORAL FAILURES NEED APLY, NOT ONLY A TEACHER, REAL POWER! FORGIVENESS CHANGES

“When God Increases the Uncertainty”

Series: Race of Faith
Hebrews 11:32 Gideon
INTRO
-one of the great sights is Michelangelo’s David—this massive sculpture regarded as one of the great artistic achievements of all time
-what I did not know was the story behind the materials
-in the late 15th century, the Florentine sculpture Agostino d’Antonio began work on a huge block of marble
-but after several futile attempts—he gave it up as worthless
-and the block of stone—badly disfigured—lay idle for 40 years
-until a young artist by the name of Michelangelo came along and saw what it could become
-and receiving his commission—he spent the next several years sculpting his masterpiece
Those listed in Hebrews 11 represent stories of men and women who God sculpted into masterpieces of faith
-who stepped into vast unknowns
-accomplished great acts of courage
-because they took God at His word
One of those listed is Gideon—11:32
-whose life has been captured in Judges chapters 6-8
In order to understand Gideon—we must understand his world
-and here is what stands out—Gideon’s world was a mess
-no leadership, no moral compass
-everyone doing what was right in their own sight
There was this unending cycle of rebellion—retribution—repentance—and ultimately restoration
-chapter 6 describes the retribution moment (read 1-6)
-Israel’s spiritual neglect invited the Midianites
-a semi nomadic tribe of camel driving warriors from the south
-who took their formidable beasts and wasted the land, pillaged and plundered the people of Israel
-like locusts, they swept in on an annual basis and devoured anything that lived
-and seven years of terrorist campaigns had a devastating effect
-it left Israel “impoverished” (verse 6) (lit reduced to something tiny)
So they cried to God for help
-and God—as He always does—heard and spoke
-but more—He raised a deliverer (read verses 7-12)
-we’re not immediately impressed
-but then—most of those God calls are not necessarily imposing, remarkable, inspiring—Moses, Samson, Jonah, Peter
-Gideon was a simple farmer--improvising-beating out grain in a winepress—so as to not arouse the attention of the Midianites
-but God saw something in this clump of clay, mass of marble
-He saw a mighty warrior, a powerful hero, a man’s man
-who would change his world
-just as He sees something in you—something in me
-and though it may seem so contrary to what we can see
-for all we see is the clump of clay
-He nonetheless occasionally speaks into us what He intends us to be
-speaks His future into us
-calls us to what He intends us to be
-even if it sounds rather absurd at the moment
-for He sees far beyond who we are—out into what we can be when we submit to His refining work
-come to grips with His call
-as McManus puts it—“If everything else remains uncertain—be clear on
this point—there is a calling on your life”
And if we have lost faith that God continues to do this—then maybe we are not listening
And how did Gideon respond?
-the same way many of us do
-with enthusiasm, assurance, passion
-no--with skepticism, doubt, fear, and maybe even a bit of cynicism (read vs 15)
-do you know the meaning of my name Gideon—it means “hacker”, hewer?
-are you aware of my standing?
-I am in the “thinnest” clan, I am the runt of the litter (Peterson)
-I think God you have the wrong number
-and my guess—a lot of us do the same thing with this call of God
-who am I God?
-I’m just this civil servant, this teacher at King’s park, this IT guy trying to survive
-this full time mum trying to maintain a home
But God is not put off by our lack of faith
-He didn’t agree with Gideon—He doesn’t agree with us
-He keeps sculpting, shaping, forming
-Speaking His hope into us- (read vs 16)
Gideon would need some assurance—some sign from God
-Some indication this was of Him (read vs 17)
So God showed Gideon He was in this (read vss 20-21)
But Gideon needed more assurance—facing the enemy, he needed a guarantee
-something that would underscore God’s power to save (read 36-39)
-but before we shake our heads over Gideon’s lack of faith
-let’s remember that God never rebuked Gideon for this
-He quietly accommodated
-proved Himself to Gideon
-and we should remember we do the same thing
-we look for some tangible sign God is in this
-we put God to our own tests
Why?
1. WE PUT GOD TO THE TEST—IN ORDER TO FIND CERTAINTY
-we want to know God is in this
-in the fog—we need an occasional glimpse of light from the shore
-we need God to assure us He has called us
-that He is working out His will in our lives
Illustration—
Illustration—
And sometimes God speaks, acts
-the fleece is wet
But before we go too far down this road
-we must realize God is often doing something as well
2. GOD PUTS US TO THE TEST—TO CREATE UNCERTAINTY
A. Sometimes He takes us out of our experience
-out of the safety and into the dangerous (read 6:25-26)
-He will call us to tear down our altars, destroy our idols
-the things that claim allegiance over us
-things we have built to give us security—money, possessions, careers
-He will call us to tear down anything that comes before Him
-and build a proper kind of altar
B. Sometimes He will demand we remove those things we rely on that make us self-sufficient (read 7:1-8)
-God knows our tendency to build our armies, accumulate our resources—such that we will not have to rely on Him so much
-so that we can take some of the credit
Sometimes God hears our prayers
-gives us reassurance—certainty
-and sometimes He strips us bare of sureness
-leverages the odds against us
-does things that make no sense from a human perspective
-require we travel in dark places
-PUSH US INTO UNCERTAINTY
Why?
-because if we come to a place where it all is certain—-then faith is unnecessary
-and if faith is unnecessary—God is unnecessary
It’s when Gideon came to grips with this tension
-embraced certainty and uncertainty
-the story tells us he worshipped (7:15)
But more—something of the future entered the present (read 7:17-18)
-a doubter became a believer
-a coward—a hero
-a hider—a leader
-a farmer—a warrior
-a slab of marble—a David
CONC
Here are the questions Gideon poses—
Have you come to peace with this ongoing tension of certainty and uncertainty
-that both are necessary in this journey of faith?
-that uncertainty is where God does His greatest work?
But here’s a bigger question—
Are you convinced that slab of marble you see in the mirror is a mighty warrior in the making?
-to fight the good fight with weapons of faith, hope, love
-face our Midianites
-follow our Warrior King Jesus?

The meaning of the Kingdom

Mark 1 v 16-34
Introduction
I. Kingdom of God is near
A. Who is this king? Peter Faulk, Colombo, Jesus identified, but slowly revealed by Mark
B. Nature of the kingdom what is it, how do we enter it?
In v 16-20, what do we learn about the kingdom?
I. It means coming under Jesus’ authority
A. v 16-17, authority extends to work life
B. v 19-20, authority extends to family life
II. It means drawing others into the kingdom too
A. Fishers of men v 17, metaphor for Christian discipleship
III. it means decision
A. at once they left v 18, without delay they left v 20
B. world torn open, ruptures status quo
C. Makes people choose
D. Kingdom requires a decisive act of commitment
What do vs 21-22 teach about the Kingdom of God?
I. Jesus exercises his intellectual authority
A. We must submit our ideas, philosophies, ideologies and opinions to him
B. Beliefs shape practice
II. Mark explicitly uses the term authority v 22
A. “out of the original stuff” He was brand new!
B. Teachers “thus saith the Lord” Jesus “but I say to you”
C. Amen, Amen, usually afterwards, Jesus uses to start
D. No one else ever did this, not kings, priests, prophets
What do vs 23-28 teach us about the kingdom of God? Despite modern prejudices against the idea of demon possession how does the existence of evil spirits help us explain what goes on in the world?
I. Jesus exhibits authority over demons
A. not simply a claim to authority, this is proof
B. This is exhibition of power and authority never seen before
C. No incantation, just “shut up and get out”
D. No call on higher power, he is higher power
II. Our sceptical culture
A. Fair enough for an atheist, but not consistent for a believer to believe in a good God and refuse to believe there is evil supernatural beings
B. Demonic forces explain complexity of psychological problems, many causes, moral, physiological, psychological, demonic
C. Demonic forces can explain systematic social evil. Apartheid, Rwanda

III. Misery and evil not simply because of sinful choices
C. But Jesus can heal
D. His exorcism shows how the kingdom works, not simply rule giver, but liberator and healer, he brings in the new realm of the kingdom
IV. There is an alternative to having Jesus as master
E. Not everyone possessed like this man v 23, 24
F. Ephesians 6- principalities
G. Anything we make an ultimate value becomes a master and exercises enslaving power over us (career idolatry)
H. Jesus comes in as Saviour and therefore King, as we submit, priorities change, kingdom comes in, you become new
Over what areas of life do v 29-34 show his authority? What do we lean about the kingdom here?
I. Jesus is king over the physical world
A. Teaches and heals, word and deed
B. Christians to do likewise, fishers of men from injustice
People today struggle with the idea that we must absolutely submit all of our thinking and practice to the Lordship of Christ. How can we answer a person who struggles like that?
I. we need a king, even though democratic human rights say different
A. We want someone to help us, love us, not rule over us
B. Reason for democracy not because of goodness, but reverse, no power in the hands of one
C. We no longer honour the monarchy, we honour others
D. Wear equality with others, but undress before God, C.S. Lewis
II. If Jesus is not your king, something else will be, it is how we are built
Summary, what have we learned?
I. The kingdom is comprehensive, extending over every part of life and reality
II. The kingdom of God brings healing and wholeness to any area that comes under the king’s authority
Remembering the big picture
I. Who Jesus is
A. he is the king, Christ and the Son of God, B. he is as powerful as John the Baptist said (v7), C. he has supernatural authority
II. Why Jesus came
A. To establish a new kingdom B)He holds the power over the spiritual and physical world
III. How should I respond?
A. Apathy? B. Everyone who meets him is amazed. C. The demons were violently opposed to him

“Faith in Spite of Failure”

Series: Race of Faith
Hebrews 11:32
Many have been captured by the current movie, Amazing Grace, the story of William Wilberforce-a man whose heart was changed by God -and then changed his view of man—giving everything he had to end the slave trade—but according to the author Eric Metaxas—this wasn’t his greatest accomplishment--
“To fathom the magnitude of what Wilberforce did we have to see that the “disease” he vanquished forever was actually neither the slave trade nor slavery.
Slavery still exists around the world today, in such measure as we can hardly fathom. What Wilberforce vanquished was something even worse than slavery: he destroyed an entire way of seeing the world, one that held sway from the beginning of history, and he replaced it with another way of seeing the world.
Even though slavery continues to exist here and there, the idea that it is good is now dead. That is why it’s nearly impossible to do justice to the enormity of his accomplishment: it was nothing less than a fundamental and important shift in human consciousness.”
Wilberforce had to be a man of faith—who believed God for everything—even when it appeared hopeless—even when he couldn’t see how
Were the writer of Hebrews 11 still writing his chapter—Wilberforce would surely be there—alongside Enoch and Noah and Abraham and Isaac -men and women who stepped outside of their experiences
-beyond their comfort zones
-did not limit their sight to what was flesh and blood…
-to perceived certainty
-trusting God with the their lives—their futures—their possessions
-lives of risk intended to INCREASE OUR FAITH
This evening we look at the next illustration …found in Hebrews 11:32 (read)
-there is a quickening of pace
-sharp staccato beats
-no longer stories—he merely mentions names
-no longer writing—he is preaching
-what shall I say?
-preach it brother—tell it all!
-time would fail me to tell it all
-go for it brother—say it—preach it!
-I’d have to talk about Gideon and Barak, and Samson
And then—the congregation gasps
-wait a minute—have you lost your mind? Samson?
This is like arguing for Rob Bell as Calvinist of the year
- Ally McCoist to be given an oscar for his role in “shot at glory”
-my dog Skip invited to participate in crufts
-how can Samson be included in God’s Hall of Faith?
His story starts well enough in Judges 13
-verse 1 establishes the setting—Israel was in desperate shape (read verse 1)
-it was a situation of their own making
-their only hope was a deliverer—an act of God
-and there was—to a barren woman came this angelic announcement (read vss 4-5)
-there was something unusual, special about this man—like a Wilberforce in the making
-he was to be a Nazarite—a name whose very root implied separation
-set apart for God’s purposes
-marked by both diet and appearance
-and the chapter ends, telling his he became great and the blessing of God was on his life
-and the Spirit of God began to stir, disturb—shake things up inside him
Like a comedian who warms up the audience, that works to create anticipation—we’re ready for the curtain to open
-we expect something of greatness to descend on this world—as it did when
Hannah gave birth to Samuel, Elizabeth gave birth to John, Elizabeth Wilberforce gave birth to William
-we are ready for someone larger than life to excel in a religious vocation
-someone of heroic proportion, spiritual stature to come and shift the human conscience
-but from the outset, it is as if a wire got crossed
-and what transpires causes us to wonder if chap 13 and chap 14 are speaking of the same person
-we wonder if Samson’s parents picked up the right baby at the hospital
-or if they did—did they forget to inform their son of his marvelous destiny?
-for what follows is not heroic narrative—but a tragic-comedy
-and we wonder—how did he make it into the Hall of Faith in Hebrews 11?
-for here’s what we find—
1. Samson from the start is a MAN OF IMPULSE (read 14:1)
-like some drunk driver—Samson runs his life with more speed than direction
-in almost every situation—he lives on the reckless edge
-in places he has no business being in-like Timnah
-the place on the other side—the land of the Philistines
-where Samson appears to be on the pull—checking out foreign women
-here is a man who knows what he wants—and he wants it now-(read 14:2-3)
-it does not matter what social protocol or Jewish law requires
-Samson is like Woody Allen—who when confronted about a controversial affair, explained—“The heart wants what it wants”
-we anticipate a man full of the Spirit—but Samson is introduced as a man full of self
-that will lead to a series of self-defeating choices
-as well as a betrayal of vows that had set him apart at birth
2. We discover a man NOT TO BE MESSED WITH
-there is a fierceness in the heart of Samson
-that intimidated his parents-manhandled lions
-in every story-Samson is the clear alpha male, the wild stallion
-the OT bad boy whose favorite movie is bad boys 2 or point break
-who spends his days letting people how tough he really is
-and with each assertion of his will- he lets people know!
Samson is the antitype of the tame, domestic, tidy, dutiful, expressive— and above all—nice man
-every episode reveals this in Samson
-look what happens at his wedding (read 14:12-19)
-this guy is a mess
-in chapter 15-Samson’s wife was given to his friend
-and Samson again will get his revenge (read verses 15-16)
-there he is—in all of his pompousness declaring—
-I have made idiots of my enemies!!
-but you can’t help but wonder—who is the real idiot?
-in chapter 16-Samson seems to be in full descent
-ruled by his passions—he seeks to satisfy his lusts (read verses 1-3)
—Samson seemed to look for intimacy in self destructive ways
The tension between Hebrews 11:32 and the narrative grows with each story
-for this thing is reading less like a spiritual biography
-and more like something in News of the world
-less like a devotional—more like a expose of Ryan Giggs
3. Samson is a man who will have the FINAL SAY
-still driven by his sexual addictions
-he finally meets up with his undoing
-her name is Delilah—whose name should have tipped him off—“flirt”
-she is a woman who is less enamored with Samson—more interested in
money (read verses 4-5)
-and in the end—she gets her way
-in the end—what goes around comes around
-whatever we invest in—we tend to get back with interest (read verses 20- 21)
-this bad boy of Israel becomes the Philistine’s trophy
-by day—a grinder in a prison
-by night—a lewd form of entertainment in the temple of Dagon
-but Samson isn’t finished—he will have the final say (read verses 25-30)
So what do we do with this?
-how do we reconcile this tragedy with Heb 11:32?
-where is the stuff of Abraham, Wilberforce?
-WHERE IS THE STUFF OF FAITH?
-even in his final, mighty act—it is as self serving as all the others
“Remember me O Lord…so that I might with one blow get my revenge”
1. Maybe it is this—that Samson had the faith to lay hold of the power God had given him
-that came upon Him time and again to do what otherwise could not have happened
-three times we read-“The Spirit of the Lord came upon him in power”
-and one can only imagine what would have been if he had not abused the power God gave him
-and there’s something to this
-because some of us lack the sort of faith that lays hold of what we have in
Christ
-lays hold of this—that we have also been set apart like Samson
-citizens of a different realm
-empowered by the same Spirit—such that when we seek God
-He is able to do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine— according to the power working in us
-all too many people of faith do not step out and believe this is so
-and live weak lives—that evidence little of God’s might
2. But maybe the writer of Hebrews had something else in mind
-something less obvious—yet there for sure
-that Samson’s faith was this
-that though he made a string of bad choices
-that though his usefulness was nearly over
-his manliness bankrupt
-his spirituality stamped with the words—“lost potential”
-his life marked as “squandered opportunity”
-who could have resigned himself to be some circus freak
-someone destined to spend the rest of his life grinding stones
-he nonetheless stepped out in faith and believed that God can yet use him to accomplish His purposes
And that requires great faith
-because there is something of Samson in all of us
-most of us are a mixture of spiritual promise and sinful choices
-who might be here—barely—and certainly convinced God has no use for
If God would still come upon a Samson
-how much more will He come upon us
-use us to accomplish His will through us
CONC
Ask for the gift of faith, pray for more faith, step out in faith, and though you feel that life has passed you by, see how God will come upon you and accomplish his will through you.

Your gospel is too small

Series The gospel of Mark
Dentist £60

What Gospel not
I. Instruction
II. Biography
III. History
IV. Legend or myth
What the gospels were
I. Not teaching or record but news
II. Angel was a messenger
III. Gk Evangels- victory or new King etc
IV. Inscription- beginning of the gospel of Caesar Augustus
V. Heralds of good news
VI. Important? Other religions spoke of illumination, knowledge, instruction, teaching, wisdom, Gospel is chosen
VII. Because gospel is news of what God has done for you, not instruction or advice.
VIII. Gospel is about historical events, if Jesus came it means something for everyone
1. Isaiah 40 v 3-5 compared with Mark 1 v 1-4, What is Mark telling us about Jesus?
I. Christ, anointed one, messiah anointed one
II. Son of God, divinity, angelic being?
III. John B, Isaiah 40, the Lord, Yahweh, no higher claim possible for Jesus
IV. Mark roots Christianity in Israel, fulfilment of Judaism, Gen 3 v 15
2. How does John pave the way for the Lord? What do verses 4-8 tell us about the Messiah? How is the King to be received?
A. Repentance seen in call to be baptised and newness, not just for gentiles, everyone
B. v7 Baptism with the Spirit is the way to meet the King
I. Shows you have met with the King
II. Water baptism is only a symbol
III. Baptism of the Spirit is when you receive and join with Jesus; you become part of the body.
C. v 7-8 attitude of submission and recognition of Messiah
I. John and sandals
II. Our obligation of service must be as radical, he is our absolute Lord and we must acknowledge him as such
3. What do verses 9-13 tell us about what “baptism of the Spirit” means and brings to us?
A. it is a spirit of sonship
I. Power yes, but more! Jesus knew he was loved by and pleasing to the Father
II. Same for us Rom 8 v 15-16, Spirit witnesses to us, we are children of God
III. We need that desperate assurance, the Spirit gives it, floods us!
B. Makes the wilderness a place of growth
I. Spirit sends Jesus into the desert to be tried and tested
II. Not an accident, not a devastation, or weakening, it is empowering
III. We can expect suffering as children of God, but we rejoice in our sufferings, for it brings hope (romans)
IV. Jesus with the wild animals
4. v 14-15 tell us the essential message of the King
A. essential message
I. Something has happened in history
II. The King has entered into history
III. The way to relate to the king is not great deeds or worthiness, but by admitting your sin and believing in the King
B. Mystery
I. Who is the King? We know but will be revealed
II. Why only near? Something has to happen
5. Mark’s narrative is breathless, abrupt, what is he trying to do?
I. World has been torn open by God, his style conveys this
II. Jesus’ coming requires decisive action
III. You need to act, repent and believe, neutral not an option!
6.Remembering the big picture
A. Who Jesus is!
I. Christ, the good news God has promised
II. Good news of victory
III. Gospel is all about Jesus
B. Why Jesus came
I. Solve the problem of sin from the fall, v 4, v 13, v 15
C. How should I respond?
I. Not opposition v 14
II. Repentance and faith v 15
III. Mark’s gospel demands commitment and change, that is God’s eternal call
7. What is the gospel?
I. We are saved by his work, not ours
II. We can through faith and repentance be sons and daughters of God
III. The Kingdom of God, the freeing, liberating power of God has come!

God wants to heal pt4

A measure of faith

My sceptism. a ‘word of knowledge’ (1 Corinthians 12:8) a supernatural revelation of facts concerning a person or a situation, which is not learned by the efforts of the natural mind, but is made known by the Spirit of God. This may be in the form of a picture, a word seen or heard in the mind, or a feeling experienced physically


My attitude reflects the fear and scepticism many of us in the twenty-first century bring to the subject of healing. I decided to reread the Bible to try to understand what it said about healing. Of course, God heals with the co-operation of doctors, nurses and the whole medical profession. But the more I have looked, the more convinced I am that we should also expect God to heal miraculously today.


Healing in the Bible

In the Old Testament we find God’s promises to bring healing and health to his people if they obey him (eg, Exodus 23:25-26; Deuteronomy 28; Psalm 41). Indeed, it is in his character to heal, for he says, ‘I am the Lord who heals you’ (Exodus 15:26). We also find several examples of miraculous healing (eg, 1 Kings 13:6; 2 Kings 4:8-37; Isaiah 38).

Naaman, We see, first, from this story that healing can have a remarkable effect on a person’s life – not just physically, but also in their relationship with God. Healing and faith can go hand in hand. Secondly, if God acted in this way in the Old Testament, even more, now that Jesus has inaugurated the kingdom of God and the age of the Spirit.

The first recorded words of Jesus in Mark’s Gospel are, ‘The time has come . . . The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!’ (Mark 1:15). The theme of the kingdom of God is central to the ministry of Jesus.

Greek basileia, Aramaic malkuth,. It means not only ‘kingdom’ in the sense of a political or geographical realm, but also carries the notion of activity – the activity of ruling or reigning. Thus ‘the kingdom of God’ means ‘the rule and reign of God’.

In the teaching of Jesus, the kingdom of God has a future aspect which will only be fulfilled with a decisive event at ‘the end of the age’ (Matthew 13:49). a coming harvest at the end of the age when ‘the Son of Man . . . will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil . . . Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father’ (Matthew 13:24-43). The end of the age will come when Jesus returns. When he came the first time, he came in weakness; when he returns, he will come ‘with power and great glory’ (Matthew 24:30).

History is moving towards this climax with the glorious coming of Jesus Christ (Matthew 25:31). In all, there are over 300 references in the New Testament to the second coming of Christ. There will be a universal resurrection and a Day of Judgement. For some (those who reject Christ), it will be a day of destruction (2 Thessalonians 1:8-9); for others, it will be a day of receiving their inheritance in the kingdom of God (Matthew 25:34). There will be a new heaven and a new earth (2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:1). Jesus himself will be there (Revelation 21:22-23) and so will all who love and obey him. It will be a place of intense happiness which goes on for ever (1 Corinthians 2:9). We shall have new bodies which are imperishable and glorious (1Corinthians 15:42-43). There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain (Revelation 21:4). All who believe will be totally healed on that day.

On the other hand, there is a present aspect to the kingdom of God in the teaching and activity of Jesus. We see the signs, the dawning, the budding of the approaching kingdom. Jesus told the Pharisees, ‘The kingdom of God is among you’ (Luke 17:20-21). In his parable of the hidden treasure and the pearl (Matthew 13:44-46), Jesus suggests that the kingdom is something which can be discovered and experienced in this age. Throughout the Gospels it is clear that Jesus saw his ministry as the fulfilment of the Old Testament promises in history. In the synagogue at Nazareth, Jesus read the prophecy from Isaiah 61:1-2 and asserted, ‘Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing’ (Luke 4:21). He went on to demonstrate this present reality of the kingdom by all that he did during his ministry, in the forgiveness of sins, the suppression of evil and the healing of the sick.

The kingdom is both ‘now’ and ‘not yet’. The Jewish expectation was that the Messiah would immediately inaugurate a completed kingdom,


We live between the times, when the age to come has broken into history. The old age goes on, but the powers of the new age have erupted into this age. The future kingdom has broken into history. Jesus preached the kingdom of God. He also demonstrated its breaking into history by healing the sick, raising the dead and driving out demons.

A quarter of the Gospels is concerned with healing. Although Jesus did not heal all in Judea who were sick, we often read of him healing either individuals or groups of people (eg, Matthew 4:23; 9:35; Mark 6:56; Luke 4:40; 6:19; 9:11). It was part of the normal activity of the kingdom.

Not only did he do this himself, but he commissioned his disciples to do the same. Having shown what Jesus himself did, Matthew tells us that Jesus then sent the twelve out to do the same. He told them to go out and preach the same message: ‘“The kingdom of heaven is near.’’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons . . .’ (Matthew 10:8).

Nor was it only the twelve to whom he gave this commission. There was also a further group of seventy-two whom he appointed. He told them to go out and ‘heal the sick . . . and tell them, “The kingdom of God is near you”’ (Luke 10:9). They returned with joy and said, ‘Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name’ (v. 17).

Nor were his commissions confined to the twelve and the seventy-two. Jesus expected all his disciples to do the same. He told his disciples to ‘go and make disciples of all nations . . . teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you’ (Matthew 28:18-20, italics mine). He did not say, ‘Everything except, of course, the healing bit.’

We find the same in the longer ending of Mark’s Gospel (which is, at least, very good evidence of what the early church understood Jesus’ commission to be). Jesus said, ‘“Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation . . . and these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons . . . they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well” . . . Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it’ (Mark 16:15-20, italics mine). Jesus says, ‘These signs will accompany those who believe’ – that is to say those ‘who believe’ in Jesus Christ, which means all Christians.

We find the same in John’s Gospel. Jesus said, in the context of miracles, ‘Anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father’ (John 14:12). Clearly no one has performed miracles of greater quality than Jesus, but there has been a greater quantity since Jesus returned to the Father. He has not ceased to perform miracles, but he now uses weak and imperfect human beings. Again it is ‘anyone who has faith in me’. That is you and me. These commands and promises are not restricted anywhere to a special category of Christians.

Jesus healed; he told his disciples to do the same and they did so. In the Book of Acts we see the working out of this commission. The disciples continued to preach and teach, but also to heal the sick, raise the dead and cast out demons (Acts 3:1-10; 4:12; 5:12-16; 8:5-13; 9:32-43; 14:3, 8-10; 19:11-12; 20:9-12; 28:8-9). It is clear from 1 Corinthians 12–14 that Paul did not believe that such abilities were confined to the apostles. Likewise, the writer to the Hebrews says that God testified to his message by ‘signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit’ (Hebrews 2:4).

Nowhere in the Bible does it say that healing was confined to any particular period of history. On the contrary, healing is one of the signs of the kingdom which was inaugurated by Jesus Christ and continues to this day. We should expect God to continue to heal miraculously today as part of his kingdom activity.

Healing in church history

In her book Christian Healing Evelyn Frost examined in detail passages of early church writers, such as Quadratus, Justin Martyr, Theophilus of Antioch, Irenaeus, Tertullian and Origen, and concluded that healing formed a normal part of the activity of the early church.

Augustine of Hippo (AD 354-430), whom many regard as the greatest theologian of the first four centuries, says in his book The City of God that ‘even now miracles are wrought in the name of Christ’. He cites the example of a blind man’s sight restored in Milan, when he was there. He then describes the cure of a man he was staying with, called Innocentius.

Next he described the healing of Innocentia – a devout woman of the highest rank in the state – who was healed of what the doctors described as incurable breast cancer.

All the way through church history God has continued to heal people directly. There has never been a time when healing has died out – right up to the present day.

Edward Gibbon, , ‘The Christian Church, from the time of the apostles and their first disciples has claimed an uninterrupted succession of miraculous powers, the gift of tongues, of vision and of prophecy, the power of expelling demons, of healing the sick and of raising the dead.’ Gibbon goes on to point out the inconsistency of his own day The same could be said even more so of our own day.



Healing today

God is still healing people today. There are so many wonderful stories of God healing that it is difficult to know which to give as an example.
God is a God who heals. The Greek word which means ‘I save’ also means ‘I heal’. God is concerned not just about our spiritual salvation, but also about our whole being. One day we shall have a new perfect body but in this life we will never reach perfection. When God heals someone miraculously today we get a glimpse of the future when the final redemption of our bodies will take place (Romans 8:23). Of course not everyone we pray for will necessarily be healed and no human being can ultimately avoid death. Our bodies are decaying. At some point it may even be right to prepare a person for death rather than praying for their healing. Indeed, the love and concern shown to people who are dying, for example, by the hospice movement, gives dignity to the terminally ill and is another outworking of Jesus’ commission to care for the sick. So we need to be sensitive to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

This should not discourage us from praying for people to be healed. The more people we pray for, the more we shall see healed. Those who are not healed usually speak of the blessing of being prayed for – provided they are prayed for with love and sensitivity

special gift of healing (1 Corinthians 12:9) The commission to heal is for all of us. We are all called to pray for the sick

How in practice do we go about praying for the sick? It is vital to remember that it is God who heals, not us. There is no technique involved. We pray with love and simplicity. The motivation of Jesus was his compassion for people (Mark 1:41; Matthew 9:36). If we love people we will always treat them with respect and dignity. If we believe it is Jesus who heals we will pray with simplicity, because it is not our prayer but the power of God that brings healing.





Here is a simple pattern:

Where does it hurt?
We ask the person who wants prayer for healing what is wrong and what they would like us to pray for.

Why does the person have this condition?
Of course, a leg broken in a car accident will be obvious, but at other times we may need to ask God to show us if there is a root cause to the problem.

How do I pray?
There are various models in the New Testament which we follow. They are all simple. Sometimes we pray for God to heal in the name of Jesus and we ask the Holy Spirit to come on the person. Prayer may be accompanied by anointing with oil (James 5:14). More often it is accompanied by the laying on of hands (Luke 4:40).

How are they feeling?
After we have prayed we usually ask the person what they are experiencing. Sometimes they feel nothing – in which case we continue to pray. At other times they feel that they are healed, although time alone will tell. On other occasions they feel better but are not totally healed, in which case we continue as Jesus did with the blind man (Mark 8:22-25). We continue praying until we feel it is right to stop.

What next?
After praying for healing it is important to reassure people of God’s love for them regardless of whether they are healed or not, and to give them the liberty to come back and be prayed for again. We must avoid putting burdens on people, such as suggesting that it is their lack of faith that has prevented healing from taking place. We always encourage people to go on praying and to ensure that their lives are rooted in the healing community of the church – which is the place where long-term healing so often occurs.

Finally, it is important to persist in praying for people to be healed. It is easy to get discouraged, especially if we do not see immediate dramatic results. We continue because of our obedience to the calling and commission from Jesus Christ to preach the kingdom and to demonstrate its coming by, among other things, healing the sick. If we persist over the years we will see God healing people.

testimony