At Jesus’ Feet

Text: Matthew 15:29-31

Place Preached - (Mississauga International Baptist Church)

Date Preached - (11/03/02)

Introduction:   

We don’t need more programs...

More Education (Roloff – “Education w/o regeneration and sanctification is an abomination”.)

We don’t need more money.  The truth is we need more of Jesus!!

Spending time with Him in Prayer and the Bible. 

Revival = Re “Bible”

EXPLANATION of verses 29-31

Jesus is wearied, Rests from His work, Sits down.

Cast them down at Jesus' feet; to ease themselves of their burdens, and with a view to move his compassion.

Thinking it was enough to present them to him, and not doubting at all, but he would show favour to them:

EXPLAIN – This is reminiscent of a heavenly scene in Rev. 4:10.

1 Thessalonians 2:19  For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?

They will be the trophies of grace that are cast at His feet.

Heaven will be a place of Glorious Worship!!

How important it is that we NOW spend time at the Feet of Jesus.  (Worship & Praise –It’s preparation for Heaven!!)

THE FEET OF JESUS

As a youngster those feet moved at the bidding of a Galilean carpenter. 

At 12 years of age they took Him to the Temple where he questioned learned men of the Law, because He must be about His Father’s business.

Those feet for many years trod the dusty roads of Galilee / Walked on the Water / Took Him to the Temple according to His Custom / And to Sinner’s houses out of His Compassion.

Those blessed feet stood in the place of the accused before Caiaphas the high priest, and as one condemned in Pilate’s Judgment Hall.

Those feet had once been Adored by his mother (Count the Toes – Tickle a Baby’s feet).  Later Adorned by the annointing oil of a another Mary who wiped Jesus’ feet with her hair.

Ultimately those feet were nailed to an Old Rugged Cross.

The Bible says the Earth was His Footstool, and yet His feet were fastened to a tree He had created.

Ezekiel 1:7  And their feet were straight feet; and the sole of their feet was like the sole of a calf's foot: and they sparkled like the colour of burnished brass.

These feet are typical of the straight and sure and godly walk of Christ as He lived on earth. It may mean also that as the feet of the calf lead it to the altar for sacrifice, so the feet of the Lord Jesus led Him to Calvary to die for us.

His feet may have been bruised, but it was at Golgotha that He crushed the head of the Serpent – Satan.

Genesis 3:15  And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

The Bible says in.. Romans 10:15  ....... How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

If that’s true of those who bear the message – who proclaim the Gospel,  How much more true is it of Him who is the Message?  Of Christ who is the Gospel? Who is our Life?

I. What Do We Receive at Jesus’ Feet?

A. We are Recipients of His Ministry

“And He healed them”.

LOOK UP & READ Isaiah 61:1-3

He ministers to us in Salvation; through Intercession; through forgiveness and cleansing.

ILLUS: Stan Kamps’ Salvation

When you’ve been with Jesus, You will not leave the same way you came!!

ILLUS: I warmed up by the fireplace this morning.

Were you warmed by the glow of heavenly fire this morning?

Did you smell the sweet perfume of His presence?

B. We are Recipients of His Miracles

There were healings.  Unlike the supposed faith healings of today.

Teach briefly on James 5 (Biblical Healing)

These were marvels, clearly demonstrating the power of God.  “Insomuch that the multitude wondered”

The Bible tells us that the “Maimed” were healed.

The maimed are those who had lost a hand, a foot or a limb.  To restore these was a direct act of God’s creative power.

The redemptive, regenerative power of Christ is no less miraculous!!

Ephesians 4:24  And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

C. We are Recipients of His Majesty

“They glorified the God of Israel”.

Sitting at His feet we have an awareness of His person and holy character that must provoke worship.

Revelation 1:17  And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:

II. What is Required at Jesus’ Feet?

What things are essential in order for us to enjoy the sweet fellowship, worship that we receive at Jesus feet?

What response on our part is it that makes His Ministry, Miracles and Majesty Meaningful?

A. A Place of Solitude

This was a multitude, but for those healed, there was a moment when it was just Jesus and them.

LOOK UP & READ Luke 10:38-42

Get alone with Jesus!!

Give Practical SUGGESTIONS

Time every day / Special Times etc.

B. A Place of Submission

FEET are symbolic of Authority.

LOOK UP & READ Philippians 2:9-11

1 Corinthians 15:25-27  For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.

26  The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

27  For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.

Revelation 10:1-2  And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire:

2  And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth,

ILLUS: Nebuchadnezzar’s Image in Daniel 2:33 & 42.

This image had a head of Gold, Breastplate of Silver, Belly and thighs of Brass, but the feet were part Iron mixed with Clay.

This tells us several things including the fact that Man’s dominion is always insecure and easily broken.

Even the angels covered their feet (Isaiah 6:2).  In the presence of this Holy God.

However, in contrast, Christ is pictured with feet of brass signifying His rightful place as supreme judge and authority.

Daniel 10:6  His body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude.

Revelation 1:15  And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.

PRACTICAL:  You cannot sit at Jesus’ Feet and not have Him be Lord.

You cannot still have the attitude – “I’ll do my own thing!!”

C. A Place of Service

Here it is that we follow Jesus’ Example.  We observe, we learn and we do likewise.

In John 13 Jesus washed His disciples feet.

John 13:15  For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.

OUR SERVICE IS SANCTIFIED

1 Samuel 2:9  He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.

Psalms 37:23  The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.

OUR SERVICE IS ESTABLISHED

Psalms 40:2  He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.

Conclusion:     (Review)

Is your life Characterized by that which can be received at Jesus’ Feet?

Have you partaken of His....MINISTRY? MIRACLES? MAJESTY?

Is your life Characterized by the requirements of being at Jesus’ Feet?

Have you found the place of... SOLITUDE? SUBMISSION? SERVICE?