Squeaky Wheels and the Gospel.

Luke 4:38-44 “38 And he arose and left the synagogue and entered Simon’s house. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was ill with a high fever, and they appealed to him on her behalf. 39 And he stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her, and immediately she rose and began to serve them.

He likely already knew Simon Peter and the others. Mark tells us he already called four disciples , Peter, Andrew, James, John

Capernaum images

Do Miracles like healing still happen?

ME- Healing of cancer vs. Jeff Denton at Pastor Connect.

First- why do we suffer?

To be able to explain suffering is the clearest indication of never having suffered.

Oswald Chambers

Point people to Jesus

In Healing

No word in the bible for miracle, only signs and wonders. Signs and wonders create a draw to Jesus.

John 9:2-3 “2 And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.”

My Depression

Now it has become a good ministry. I use this connection with many people. I know what it is like to have someone say, “just get over it.”

I know what it is like to think that God doesn’t like you.

I have an empathy I could not have gotten otherwise.

In Suffering

2 Corinthians 12:8–10 (ESV) Concerning his “thorn in the flesh” 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Suffering teaches us unknowable Lessons.

You have to go through it.

Paul learned to boast in his weakness because it gave Christ glory

Definitely. Could have possibly been done in less than 23 years.

Identify with Jesus.

We don’t like this one

1 Peter 4:12-13 “12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.”

Suffering isn’t a surprise, it’s the plan.

Suffering isn’t outside God’s will, it is in God’s will.

You rarely hear a man who has been through the real agony of suffering who says he disbelieves in God; it is the one who watches others going through suffering who says he disbelieves in God. Oswald Chambers

We are willing to endure with hope. Not because we are strong, but because He is. It is miserable and hard.

Do miracles still happen?

NO AND YES

I believe the nature of miracles has changed.

Then: Authoritative: Jesus (Authoritative, imperatives. (Stand up, walk, etc) He never prays for hours.

Jesus used miracles as signs to his authority. Vs. 39- Rebuke Fever.

He also gave his disciples the authority to do the same.

Jesus empowers his disciples to heal. Luke 9:1 “1 And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases,” .

Peter’s Shadow- Acts 5:14-15 “14 And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, 15 so that they even carried out the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them.”

Paul’s Handkerchief- Acts 19:11-12 “11 And God was doing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his skin were carried away to the sick, and their diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them.”

Now: Faith miracles. Humility and pleading prayers.

I do not know of any authoritative healer TODAY that is reputable. (‘get me to Benny HInn’)

Owen and Botsfords: doctor confounding miracles absolutely happen.

Mark 9:29 “29 And he said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.””

Paul is rescued from prison miraculously in Phillipi, but not in Rome

Paul tells timothy to drink some wine for his stomach. (Why not heal him with faith?)

Miracles today are not 100% done deals. God can do what he wants, but there is no many that wields signs as proof of his authority anymore. They are all dependent of prayer and fasting and depending on God.

If Jesus can, why doesn’t he do it for everyone?

The purpose of a healing is not healing.

Joel’s Paradox of Healing -

Those healed will eventually not be healed. > Lazarus dies again.

Everyone who was healed in Capernaum eventually was not healed in Capernaum.

Those not healed will eventually be healed. > heaven

Revelation 21:3-4 “3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.””

APP- James 5:14-16 “14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”

Prayer CHAIN ON APP: This is why we end every service with an elder and now regular church members who will just pray with you or for you. If you want to be someone who is up here and available to pray, come see me as well. This is a worthwhile ministry.

Prayer for healing. (Jeff, others)

40 Now when the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to him, and he laid his hands on every one of them and healed them. 41 And demons also came out of many, crying, “You are the Son of God!” But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew that he was the Christ.

42 And when it was day, he departed and went into a desolate place. And the people sought him and came to him, and would have kept him from leaving them, 43 but he said to them, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose.” 44 And he was preaching in the synagogues of Judea.”

EXP. Jesus is doing some good things. Healing and Casting out demons. It is never a bad thing to heal someone right. If that is all Jesus did with his life, it would have been the best life ever.

But Jesus has to stop doing a good thing to do a greater thing. HE MUST PREACH THE GOSPEL AND GOOD NEWS OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD.

ILL. Squeaky Wheels.

Squeaky wheels are important areas of life that we intentionally neglect so that we can focus on the most important areas of life.

BJJ- My small church pastor can beat up your mega church pastor...

(I was putting on pajamas and getting strangled way before them!)

Infinite good techniques. Must focus on a few. The rest are unpolished.

Church- Youth ministry. We called it out. We named it.

Anything that needs a consistent meeting space is a squeaky wheel right now.

We don’t even feel the need to do it because we are intentionally letting it squeak.

Home- Sometimes we let our laundry squeak so we can rest or play with kids.

small kid clean vs no kids clean is entirely different. You can let it squeak.

side jobs and staying late at office

money. I drove cars with literal squeaky wheels for years so my wife could be in a safer car.

APP. Jesus now has a ton of good things

Chapter 4- Ministry Hijacks: Tempted by Satan, Threatened in Nazareth, People Pleasing in Capernaum

He must decide what good things will be squeaky wheels

He must tell some people, I can’t stay and heal you..

He decides that staying and healing a few people is a squeaky wheel when compared to preaching the good news of the Kingdom.

There are many good things Jesus could do, but there is one thing that God revealed.

APP. Jesus got alone with God in the midst of the busyness.

What if I told you it is possible to be less busy and more effective in your life.

Surveys- most of us don’t have a plan or intentional time with God.

When was the last time you got alone with God to listen to what he has for you?

Where or Who is God calling you to minister to in this season?

Your ministry focus is not your life calling or purpose.

Jesus began focusing on preaching in synagogues. This changes later on. Eventually he heads towards Jerusalem with another focus.

What is God leading you to focus on right now?

For me, God has been calling me to left up new leaders. At our focus retreat and other times alone, I’ve been led to John the Baptist’s words: He must increase and I must decrease.

I’m training our elders and leaders to preach more

We are preparing to raise up men to lead in May we launch.

I am handing off opportunities. Jessica has taken the lead in Peru. I love it and didn’t want to stop. Time alone with God made it clear that I need to let her lead.

Beware of Good things force fields- good things you like that have no ending. -

No one would call me out on a mission trip

Foster care- no one will call you out if you foster 15 kids.

Family time- we are a close family, no groups or inviting people over.

Your focus will be at the expense of other good things.

healing is a good thing. casting out demons is never wrong. He will continue to do these things when the opportunity arises. He will not stop preaching and moving to new places at this point in order to heal.

You decide the trade offs. Fathers who need to disciple their boys will have to say no to some good work opportunities.

Families that want to focus on ministering through your connect group says no to one night of doing nothing.

ILL- Execution by distraction (draw and quarter)

There is no better picture.

APP: This Saturday, We are launching 31 days in Proverbs. Read Bible.