Glimpses of Glory
His grace as we see a day in the life of the ministry of Jesus Christ. It starts out with a private moment, it starts out with a private moment. As I mentioned earlier, Jesus and his new followers had just left the synagogue where he taught with authority, and he delivered a demonic man demonic possessed, man. And we can just imagine then that the Disciples of Jesus were no doubt on cloud. Nine, I mean they probably just floated from the synagogue to Peter's house. They were up here after all the things that they had witnessed and seen that day, now, just as it was on on our Sunday, it was customary for them to take the main Sabbath meal immediately after synagogue at the sixth hour at noon. We're told that they are on their way to Peter's house. Looks very interesting about Simon's house is that archaeologist found this home in 1968 found the ruins of the home. As a matter of fact, Barbara and Linda Foster had been there at this home. Several years ago when they visited their Israel back and say, hey, I know this place I've I've been there but it was a remarkable thing here. Verse 29 tells us Now, as soon as they had come out of the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John. But Simon's wife's mother, lay sick with a fever and they told him about her at once. And so instead of a delicious and hot Sabbath feast. Instead, they found a sick cook. And this is not the way to return home from church, right? Especially if you're the preacher.
And honestly Peter probably had no idea that his mother-in-law was even sick. But she is sick and she is sick with a fever. and she is most likely not Gravely ill But she is incapacitated, she is very weak. She's unable to do anything. I Fever made her feel so sick to made her feel too sick to do anything and you know, you've been sick. You had fever, it makes you feel awful. What verse 31 recounts would happen? Verse 31 says, so he came Jesus came and took her by the hand and lifted her up and immediately the fever left her. And she served them. I noticed here that the manner in which Jesus healed Peter's mother-in-law. Luke says, in the parallel account and Luke chapter 4 that Jesus stood over her, and rebuked the fever in Matthews account. It states that Jesus touched her. Here and Mark, will you read that? He took her by the hand. And so, we have these through these three eyewitnesses. We had this composite picture of Christ standing close to her bed, taking her by the hand, rebuking her fever, and gently raising her up before Peter, and all that was in Peter's home. Listen to point is Jesus healed, her and Jesus could have used any way too pleased to heal her. As a matter of fact, the gospel out reveal that it many times. He did Miracles with just a simple word, right? Or with something as complicated as clay, made with spittle and then the instructions, then that they were to wash in the pool of Siloam. He could have done Miracles. Anyway, he wished But I want what I want you to focus on this morning is Jesus reaching down and Jesus. Taking a dear Woman by the hand and, and, and doing this was a simple natural reaction of love. Jesus had four people. He cared for individuals, he cared for people. This was a natural instinctive action that just sprung from the life of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Later, Jesus did virtually the same thing in verse 41 with a leper. Which was something absolutely unheard of in his time. So Jesus, Jesus extended his hand, was simply an expression of his genuine Love and Desire to tenderly meet the woman's need. And what's so interesting about this Is that this is done in private. This is done within the home of Peter and only Peter and his family are in this home. This is not done for the multitude to see. This is done just for Jesus and those within that house to see
I think there's something for us here that we can glean from and that is sometimes I think we do good. Deeds or attempted to do. Good. Deeds.
Not so much in private. but in public, So that anybody and everybody can see what we have done. And if that is our motive than we have done them in the wrong way. Jesus, did this because he loved Jesus did this because he has compassion on those until we see Jesus touch her and heal her. We also see the woman's heart response. And that she immediately, she gets up and she served them. She waited on them. Her response is The Telltale sign of everyone who has truly received the healing touch of Christ in Salvation.
And our response to him should be like that of the talkative woman who received Christ, under Charles spurgeon's Ministry and said, oh mr. Spurgeon crisis, change my life. And he shall never hear the end of it, a man.
Going back to Peter's house. Think about this, that must have been a great meal, right? That must have been a fantastic meal. I believe it was great because she did her best with whatever she had. But it was also great because of the way it was served. It was great because of all the excitement here. She was sick, she couldn't do anything. She was in bed, she had a fever And I can just imagine Peter's mother-in-law saying to her daughter and saying to Peter her son-in-law and James and John. Hey still my head, it's cool. Now he was on fire, I was burning slap up but listen now I feel so much better. The Lord be praised. You've been there. You ever had a fever when you go to bed with a fever, you feel awful. But you wake up the next day. The fever is gone. You feel crate. And you say, praise the Lord, praise God, that's what this lady does. But it's much more than just her going to bed and waking up 8 hours later. This is something more tangible than that. This is a lady who was at one moment sick, but the next moment, she's healed. So you just imagine the excitement on her face and in her mood, as you serve. That meal in that private moment. That takes us to a public moment.
As evening approaches. An unmistakable air of anticipation settled over compared to him. For, with the conclusion of the Sabbath, it is, then that the sick and the deranged, the demon-possessed to be carried to Jesus. The law said that the Sabbath ended when three stars came out in the night sky. and so when the sun had said in those stars were out, the people came all verses 32 and 33 toy houses, that gives a picture of this. At evening, when the sun has said, they brought to him all who were sick and those who are demon-possessed, and the whole city was gathered together at the door, it's very interesting that the tenses of these, words indicate that case, after case came unto him, man, after man, woman after woman arrived at the door. So that finally, there was a mess of crippled disease. People. There was a mass of demon possessed people who came at this door. And no doubt the crowds of people must have been very overwhelming for Peter and all those in his household. But we see Jesus hard here. It just naturally responded, and healing power verse. 34 says, then he healed, many, who were sick with various diseases and cast out many demons. And he did not allow the demons to speak because they knew him there. What we're talkin about here is what the Illusions called the Messianic Secret. That this is Jesus is concealing his messiahship at this time and he doesn't want it. Spread abroad at this time, nor does he want it spread a bar spread abroad by demon.
But my again, what a wonderful evening? This what I mean, the demons fled from his presents every crippled person and Averett. Every lane person who came in hobbling on a crutch left their crushes there. And no doubt all who were in Peter's house that evening. Just imagine how ecstatic they were how joyful they were to see such things.
But marvelous, as it was, we should not be naive about what is going on here because most of the people who came simply wanted something from Jesus. Okay? I mean, listen, there is a reasonable sense in which we cannot blame blame them, right? I mean, certainly anyone who has an ongoing disability can sympathize with them? Yet, at the same time, they tragically foreshadowed. Millions of people across the centuries who have only wanted Christ for what they hope to receive from him. As matter fact, Jesus himself address this. Just after the feeding of the 5000 Jesus said, I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the Lowe's and you were filled In other words they cared little about the spiritual implications of Jesus miracles and teaching but they care much more about the material and the temporal things that Jesus could do for them. And that was the way it was in capernium. Hey, listen. How nice it would be to have a Jesus to heal us every time we're sick. How nice it would be for Jesus to make us all wealthy and make us all prestigious, right? Listen, it is natural for us. To want a Jesus who is more like a Genie in a Bottle. We just kind of rub every time we want something good from him. But we must always remember that. God is not, he is not someone who can be used. No. The Lord Jesus Christ. Is to be loved. PS3 worship. He is to be served regardless of what comes to us in this world.
Going back to our text. No doubt, hundreds of people were healed on this occasion that night.
But I say to you remember, this is just one night in the life of the Lord Jesus Christ, just one night. Jesus would continue to display this type of divine power throughout history your ministry. And you're worried about what happened here on this night. You see why, John the Apostle wrote In The Gospel of John? We we did not have all the books. The world would not be able to contain all the books to write about everything that Christ did.
In fact, there are some 90 gospel text that feature, the healings of Jesus Christ. One commentator said this. During Jesus ministry, there was an unparalleled healing explosion that virtually banish disease from Israel. It's amazing. Now, why did Jesus perform miracles? Why did Jesus heal? And raise the dead? Will he did these things not to provide free healthcare. No, but to affirm the true gospel and to validate his playing as he being the Messianic King, the Son of God, the savior of the world. It so his miracles, leave no Reasonable Doubt about his authority over demons and his authority over disease. He is truly the Son of God and therefore he must be worshipped. That was a purpose. It's so many people miss the purpose to only see the present, the present healings and all they wanted was the temporal life to be freed from anguish. Not caring about the Eternal things that were to come. Can we see this private moment in Simon Peter's home, we see this public moment when multitude, a multitude of disease than those who are sick, came to him, but then verse 35 to tell us of a precious moment.
A precious moment now in the morning.
Having risen a long while before daylight. He went out and departed to a solitary place and there he prayed. Now we have discussed how the Sabbath was a very brutal day in the life of the Lord Jesus Christ. After preaching in the synagogue, Jesus was confronted by a demon-possessed, man. Jesus cast out that demon. Elisa synagogue to go to Peter's house for lunch, and when he arrives there, Jesus finds at Peter's mother-in-law is sick. And so he heals her when Sundown comes All the people in capernium, bring the sick and those who are possessed with demons for Jesus to heal them and he does this way into the night. Way into the night. But even though he had been up late, Jesus, still rises very early in the morning to pray. We're told that Jesus rose up a long while before the day. And went to a secluded location to pray. Now we don't know exactly what time that Jesus went to pray but we can gas. It was somewhere between 4 a.m. and 6 a.m. in the morning. It was a long while before the sunrise very early. And by the way, this is not the only time we find Jesus praying to the father,
Now listen, there are no less than 25 times in the gospels. We have Jesus praying to his father.
but the fact that Jesus prayed, Really racist. Some interesting questions. For instance. What did Jesus pray about? What did Jesus pray about? Well, we don't know what Jesus prayed about most of our praying can be described by the acrostic acts. A c. T s, adoration confession, Thanksgiving supplication. That's how we are to pray. So that with praise confession of our sins, then we're to give Thanksgiving and supplication, that is praying for others. But not Jesus. Because there was never anything for him to confess. He was a sinless son of God. But we can be sure that he spent much of his time in prayer, giving it adoration to his father, and giving it thanks into his father and praying for other people. I'm sure that he took time to thank the father for His blessings for his presents before his power. I believe he prayed for his disciples that they would become men of God. There must have been many items on that prayer list that morning, but we know he prayed This leads us to another question. Why did Jesus need to pray?
Think about that. Why did Jesus need to pray mean after all. He's a Son of God, right? He was God In the Flesh. But we need to remember that Jesus. Yes, was God in human flesh, but his deity was vale, it was concealed. So, therefore, Jesus prayed because he lived his wife and total dependence upon his father, Jesus prayed because he wanted a totally unhindered fellowship with the father Jesus. Wanted the Holy Spirit to be able to flow through his wife, in absolute freedom, in the absolute power, This is why Jesus made every effort to stay in close communion with his father. And then, why did Jesus?
Find a secluded place. He want his prayer time to be uninterrupted. He warned his prayer time to be unhindered. Jesus knew that his prayer time was with precious and he wanted nothing to be able to come between him and his time spent in the father's presence.
There are Lords early morning, prayer meeting. At them things that we ought to learn from. Some Bible lessons to teach his first of all. If Jesus. If Jesus who is God in human flesh, felt the need of prayer in his life. How much more do we need to pray? Think about that. If Jesus who is God in human flesh, felt the need of prayer for his wife. How much more do we need to make time and make prayer? A priority in our life? He was such a priority in Jesus life that he got up way early before the sunrise.
Beloved prayer is essential for a holy empowered. Spiritual life. If we want to lie that can be used for God's glory than we must pray. If we want the power of God Upon Our Lives, then we must pray. If we want to live holy lives then we must pray. Prayer is the great necessity. Necessity of our spiritual.
We need to find times to get a loan. Wake up early in the morning and pray. If you have a long drive to work, use that time to pray. Precious time. Notice lastly. In verses 36 through 38. We see a profitable moment.
Simon. And those who were with him, search for him.
When they found him, they said to him, everyone is looking for you. But he said to them, let us go to the next towns that I may preach. They're also. Because for this purpose, I have come forth. So I guess Jesus is praying. Remember, he's trying to find a A place where you can be in solitude? Lo and behold who finds him? Peter and Andrew James and John is like kids, you know, you try to find somewhere be by yourself. They're going. can I come in, you know, if you have little children, But they come to tell him 8. They're looking for him to finally find him become to tell him that the people of capernum. Are looking for him and the disciples. Absolutely excited. They're beside themselves early in the morning, no doubt. And already there's a mass of people at Peter's house, a great crowd of people. All those people who Jesus healed or back and they'll probably have their friends with them. And the disciples must think that Jesus is on the verge of being a star. Now, Right? And remember the disciples stop at Jesus was going to be the Earthly Messiah. And as he gains his Fame as a gains popularity very soon, he was going to, he's going to create a army and that Army is going to throw off the Yoke of the Roman government. That is a pain is real and everything's going to be alright and great that's what the disciples were thinking.
So they come to Jesus to encourage him then to capitalize on his enormous popularity. They want him to come back to town and do some more miracles. So that the people will cling to him even more But that is not what happens. Is it? Jesus refuses to allow his disciples or the people of comparing them to dictate the direction of his ministry. Kid being in communion with his father. And so he knows what the father wants him to do.
But we seeing burst 39 that Jesus reminds the disciples. Got the message. The preaching is more important than the Miracles. 39 tells us he was preaching in their synagogues Throughout all your bodily and casting out demons. Jesus tells me I'm at, he's going to go to towns. For he has not yet preached so that they so that he can share the gospel with them too. You see the crowds at Peter's house came from Miracles. They came for momentary Miracles, that would at some point pass away. And now, they apparently have come back for more. So did the crowds come to Peter's house so that they could repent and believe the gospel? No.
That was nowhere near their spiritual radar. They came back for the Miracles. And listen like so many today. They wanted a Jesus of their liking a Jesus who would perform Miracles and a Jesus to whom they could fit into their agenda.
You think about it not much has changed in two thousand years, right? it seems that any Ministry that focuses on the emotionalism that focuses on the the the the big things in the ministry, they're going to have a huge following 1 Ministries that major on the message of the Bible will not do as well. Now that is generally generally speaking. Why is that? Because people love the Miracles. More than they do the message. That's why generally speaking. That's why that's not always the case, thankfully, One of the fastest-growing, churches. In Conway. Is Grace Bible Church, Pastor Jeffrey Johnson who's been here a couple of times preaching for us. The other Sunday, they had 450 people there. 2 years ago, they have less than a hundred. Fastest growing Church on the fastest-growing churches in Conway and listen the method of their growth. Is the exact opposite. Of what church growth gurus. Tell you how you should grow your church. He said, brother white how they grow the church by preaching singing and praying. Preaching singing praying. It's remarkable in it.
But what we see here, Is the principle that Jesus is putting forth. And that is this. The kingdom of God. Advances the kingdom of God, expands. Not by pragmatic means. It grows and expands by prayer and preaching. Prayer and preaching. Prayer and preaching. The preaching of the Gospel. Is the method that God has chosen. To save the Lost. And are praying. Is a means that God has called us to do. It is a maze and which we ask the father. Power from on high. And if the Holy Spirit, Withdrawal, the Lost unto his son, Jesus unto the father son, the Lord, Jesus Christ.
And so prayer and preaching. Is a one-two punch that cannot be defeated. It would never be defeated.
I love. This is how the kingdom Marches On. This is how the kingdom advances. This is how the kingdom of God, spread, no matter the times in which we live. Prayer and preaching. So, I asked you this. Morning. Would you pray as the Apostle Paul asked the Believers at? Tesla knocked at The Fray and they're in 2nd Thessalonians, chapter 3, verse 1. Paul said fine finally brethren Pray that the word of the Lord may run swiftly. Rapidly. And spread and be glorified. I'll pray that. For God's glory. It's a message of the Gospel here in Vilonia would be sprained, swiftly. Pray for our conference, that is coming up this Friday night. Pray for our speakers. Pray for Harold and Allen and Rick as a come and preach. Pray that God would remove any or all the hindrances that the devil throws in our way. That tries to keep us from what God is doing in this conference. Let's pray together.