10 000 Reasons!
Notes
Transcript
10 000 Reasons
The big question today remains the question people were asking in Jesus’ time: are you the one?!
Are you the one who can help us in this our moment of need?
Are you the one who can satisfy the desires of our heart?
Jesus answered them with a short statement that sent shockwaves to their world. He rocked their world and blew their mind!
What did He say?
I am! Jesus said, yes I am!
Now like then, the answer is still “Yes! He is!”
I’m going to make an astounding statement; a statement so controversial that people scoff at it…but to those who have had some amazing experiences the statement is absolutely true. What’s that statement?
“Jesus is the only hope for humanity with what is going on in the world today”. NKJV
NKJV
But Jesus withdrew with His disciples to the sea. And a great multitude from Galilee followed Him, and from Judea and Jerusalem and Idumea and beyond the Jordan; and those from Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they heard how many things He was doing, came to Him.
At first look, this will seem like an unimportant text, given what takes place before it: Jesus healed someone on the Sabbath, calling Himself the Lord of the Sabbath. After it, He walks on water and calms the storm.
Why is this text then an important text, selected for our message this morning? It goes to the heart of the gospel: Jesus and people! Jesus came to save people: you and I! Us!
Let’s see why these 2 verses were important?
What were the socio economic conditions of the day?
o There was widespread poverty: so many reported instances of people in need of food and supplies in the Bible.
o There was a burdensome taxation policy both from Roman overlords and from the temple officials - taxes to pray!
What were the geo political conditions of the day?
o There were overlords (the Romans) who had conquered Judea and imposed their law and customs.
o There was tyranny as dissidents were severely punished.
What were the humanitarian conditions of the day?
o There were people crying out for deliverance from illness
o There were people crying out for help
o People crying out for compassion
When we look at it from then till now: aren’t those things still true today? Isn’t there widespread poverty today? Buying a home is now an impossible dream for many. Even finding a place to rent is proving difficult with the cost of rent skyrocketing or no rentals available.
How many people today, in NZ are sleeping in their cars? Here in ROTORUA, THERE HAS BEEN A SPIKE IN THOSE SLEEPING IN OUR PARKS.
ILLUSTRATION: THE RENT IS TOO BLEEP HIGH PARTY!
LINK: He didnt win, funny but true!
How many parents are struggling to feed their kids because by the time they pay exorbitant rent and utilities which have shot up, they can only afford the cheaper foods which are often unhealthy. They go to bakeries and pick up the stale bread to put marmite on - prison food!
Today we see the real threat of Corona Virus! It’s here! We are entering autumn then winter, the conditions under which it thrives! Think back to the 1960s to now: seems like a long time to us but in cosmic terms, not even a blink!
In our time:
o STDs
o Polio and measles making a comeback
o Bird flu, sars, swine flu, Ebola, now Covid 19
o Increase in diagnosed mental disorders
Today, we still have human trafficking in terms of labour and vice!
WE still have economic slavery as people work to pay bills!
We have a rise of white nationalism even though we near 100 years since the Nazi Party took over in Germany, not only in Europe, but here at home - 1 year since Christchurch!
My point is that the conditions that existed in Jesus’ time still exist today or maybe is even worse - exactly as the Bible predicts for our times!
Back then, as we see in our Scripture reading for , they flocked to Jesus for the answer!
Where did they come from? Demonstrate with map!
The text says: Judea and Jerusalem and Idumea and beyond the Jordan; and those from Tyre and Sidon,
o They came from the south, they came from north, they came from the west and they came from the east.
o They came from non-traditional Jewish areas (Tyre and Sidon on the coast and far north, to the Transjordan!
o They came across different and difficulty terrain!
o They had no GPS to lead them!
Why did they come?
o In a world without social media, they came because the text says, they heard what Jesus was doing!
Word of mouth, magnified the work of the Spirit!
ILLUSTRATION: Blanche Deveraux (playing on Jones now)
o They came because they were in need! We’ve looked at a few of the conditions they had. But when people have a need, an society cannot or will not meet that need, there is only one place they can go! You know the name! Jesus!
The terrain, the distance, the social barriers could not stop them because they were looking for help! They were looking for deliverance! They were looking for a Saviour. You will say to me, well, we are here, we have found Jesus, why are you telling us these things?
Well, someone out there, in our community, has needs! Just like the word spread in their day that Jesus was healing the sick, feeding the poor and bringing hope of a better kingdom than anything Herod or the Romans had…they came in their numbers to Him, it says by the thousands.
It’s still the same today. The question is: are you spreading the word!
Furthermore, sitting right next to you right now, is someone in need of something! Don’t look, just see with your heart and you will see their need!
Just like He was then, He is still the answer! He still wants to say to them, just like He said to those masses back then, “I am…
I am the answer to your needs”.
The big question today remains the question people were asking in Jesus’ time:
Whether those needs are temporal (the things of this world):
that’s food or health -He feed, and healed!
Whether it was Spiritual - like he had done by re-establishing the blessing of the Sabbath to it’s true context; or preaching the good news of the Kingdom.
- Jesus reached into hearts.
- He gave them Hope and Encouragement!
- He painted a picture of God’s mercy and great love!
The fact was that He was there.
- He was present to help,
- He had the power to help,
- He was prepared to help!
ILLUSTRATION: They are giving away free money - ma and flood relief.
LINK: Good things can happen when people spread the word! People can get help in a time of need!
o What Jesus was offering then, is what he is offering now.
o Back then people needed help; that is still true today.
o They need help with both the TEMPORAL and the TIMELESS.
o Jesus wants to help. that is still true today!
o He is here. He is able, He is ready.
In fact, Bible prophecy tells us that things are rapidly happening before the final events. People need Him now, more than ever.
The question is - are you sharing him they way they shared him back then!
CONCLUSION
I shared this with Murupara last Sabbath, I’d like to share it with you. Jesus announced “I am the life giving water’.
NKJV
On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.
On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.
He was saying to them: I am the source of life; I am the source of everything good. I can help with your temporal needs and more importantly, I can help with your timeless needs.
Spirit of Prophecy describes Him thus:
Patriarchs and Prophets Chapter 37—The Smitten Rock (412)
The refreshing water, welling up in a parched and barren land, causing the desert place to blossom, and flowing out to give life to the perishing, is an emblem of the divine grace which Christ alone can bestow, and which is as the living water, purifying, refreshing, and invigorating the soul.
are you the one?!
He in whom Christ is abiding has within him a never-failing fountain of grace and strength. Jesus cheers the life and brightens the path of all who truly seek Him. His love, received into the heart, will spring up in good works unto eternal life.
And not only does it bless the soul in which it springs, but the living stream will flow out in words and deeds of righteousness, to refresh the thirsting around him.
Yes, Jesus is still the answer.
o Resuscitating lost souls
o Refreshing tired souls
o Rewarding faithful souls
PLUG OUR REVIVAL SERIES
That generation took the Jesus message along the highways and byways that ironically Rome built ensuring many could drink from that stream.
Maybe knocking on A DOOR MIGHT SEEM OUTDATED TO YOU. Maybe face to face might seem daunting to you.
o But, you are the social media generation.
o But you can like and share this message on facebook.
o You can like and retweet.
o You can create a MEME and post.
o In that way, you will become an evangelist for Christ.
Are yuo the one who can help us in this our moment of need?
Your friends need you because like those people in his time, your friends, relatives and associates have needs too!
He needs you because the best advert is a satisfied customer!
Open your hearts to Him and open your Spirit to His and you can share in the ministry of hope like those masses did back then!
APPEAL:
I pray that you will flock to Him in your time of need and you will spread the word!
The Pulpit Commentary: St. Mark (Vol. I) Chapter 3
This shows that the miracle just recorded took place in the interior of Galilee, and not at Capernaum, which was close by the sea. The chief city in Galilee at that time was Sepphoris, which Herod Antipas had made his capital. There the Herodians would of course be numerous, and so too would the Pharisees; since that city was one of the five places where the five Sanhedrims met
Are you the one who can satisfy the desires of our heart?
Additional Info
The NET Bible First Edition Notes Notes for 3:8
Jesus answered them with a short statement that set shockwaves to their world. He rocked their world and blew their mind!
Barrack said, yes we can.
What did He say?
I am! Jesus said, yes I am!
Now like then, the answer is still yes! I’m going to make an astouding statement; a statement so controversial that people scoff at it…but to those who have had some amazing experiences the statement is absolutely true. What’s that statement?
“River” is not in the Greek text but is supplied for clarity. The region referred to here is sometimes known as Transjordan (i.e., “across the Jordan”).
These last two locations, Tyre and Sidon, represented an expansion outside of traditional Jewish territory. Jesus’ reputation continued to expand into new regions.
Now like then, the answer is still yes! I’m going to make an astouding statement; a statement so controversial that people scoff at it…but to those who have had some amazing experiences the statement is absolutely true. What’s that statement?
“Jesus is the only hope for humanity with what is going on in the world today”.
But Jesus withdrew with His disciples to the sea. And a great multitude from Galilee followed Him, and from Judea and Jerusalem and Idumea and beyond the Jordan; and those from Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they heard how many things He was doing, came to Him.
But Jesus withdrew with His disciples to the sea. And a great multitude from Galilee followed Him, and from Judea and Jerusalem and Idumea and beyond the Jordan; and those from Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they heard how many things He was doing, came to Him.
What were the socio economic conditions of the day?
There was an invading force
There was widespread poverty: so many reported instances of people in need of food and supplies in the Bible
There was a burdensome taxation policy both from Roman overlords and from the temple officials - taxes to pray!
What were the geo political conditions of the day?
a.
There were overlords (the Romans) who had conquered Judea and imposed their law and customs
There was tyranny as dissidents were severly punished
What were the humanitarian conditions of the day?
There were people crying out for deliverance from illness
There were people crying out for help
People crying out for compassion
When we look at it from then till now: aren’t those things still true today? Isn’t there widespread poverty today? How many people today, in NZ are sleeping in their cars? Buying a home is now an impossible dream for many. Even finding a place to rent is proving difficult with the cost of rent skyrocketing or no rentals available.
THE RENT IS TOO BLEEP HIGH PARTY!
Here in ROTORUA, THERE HAS BEEN A A SPIKE IN THOSE SLEEPING IN OUR PARKS.
How many parents are struggling to feed their kids because by the time they pay exorbitant rent and utlities which have shot up, so they can only afford the cheaper foods which are often unhealthy. They go to bakeries and pick up the stale bread to put marmite on - prison food!
Today we see the real threat of Corona Virus! It’s here! We are entering autumn then winter, the conditions under which it thrives! Think back to the 1960s to now: seems like a long time to us but in cosmic terms, not even a blink!
But since then:
STDs
Polio and measles making a comeback
Bird flu, swine flu now Covid 19
Increase in diagnosed mental disorders
Now, today, we still have human trafficking in terms of labour and vice! WE still have economic slavery as people work to pay bills!
We have a rise of white nationalism even though we near 100 years since the Nazi Party took over in Germany, not only in Europe, but here at home - 1 year since Christchurch!
We
Of
My point is that the conditons that existed in Jesus’ time still exist today or maybe is even worse - exactly as the Bible predicts for our times!
Then, they flocked to Jesus for the answer!
The Pulpit Commentary: St. Mark (Vol. I) Chapter 3
This shows that the miracle just recorded took place in the interior of Galilee, and not at Capernaum, which was close by the sea. The chief city in Galilee at that time was Sepphoris, which Herod Antipas had made his capital. There the Herodians would of course be numerous, and so too would the Pharisees; since that city was one of the five places where the five Sanhedrims met
The NET Bible First Edition Notes Notes for 3:8
“River” is not in the Greek text but is supplied for clarity. The region referred to here is sometimes known as Transjordan (i.e., “across the Jordan”).
21 map For location see Map1-A2; Map2-G2; Map4-A1; JP3-F3; JP4-F3.
22 sn These last two locations, Tyre and Sidon, represented an expansion outside of traditional Jewish territory. Jesus’ reputation continued to expand into new regions.
Where did they come from? Demonstrate with map!
Map with points noted: the came from teh eat, they came form the south, they came from north, they came form teh west and they came from the east.
They came from non traditional Jewish areas (Tyre nad Sidon on the coast and far north, to the transjordan!
They came across differnet and difficlyt terrain!
They had no GPS to lead them!
and Jerusalem and Idumea and beyond the Jordan; and those from Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they heard how many things He was doing, came to Him.
- In a world without social media, they came because of word of mouth, magnified the work of teh Spirit!
Why did they come?
ILLUSTRATION: Blanche Deveraux
They came because they were in need! We’ve looked at a few of teh codntions they had. But when people have a need, an society cannot or will not meet that need, there isd only one place they can go! You know the name! Jesus!
The terrain, the distance, the social barriers could not stop them because they were looking for deliverance!
You will say to me, well, we are here, we have found Jesus, why are you telling us these things?
Well, someone out there, in our community, has needs! Just like word spread in their day that Jesus was healing teh sick, feeding the poor and bringing hope of a better kingdom tahn anything Herod or the Romans had…and they came in their numbers to him, it says by the thousands. It’s still the same today.
The question is: are you spreading the word!
Furthermore, sitting right next to you right now, is someone in need of soemthing! Don’t look, just see with your heart and you will see their need!
Just like He was then, He is still the answer! He still wants to say to them, just like He said to those masses back then, “I Am the answer to yuor needs”
Whether those needs are temporal (the things of this world): that’s food, shelter, health -He feed, and healed!
Whether it was Spiritual - like he had done by re-establishing the blessing of the Sabbath to it’s true context by remindiong them that the One who gace it, was now in their midst.
The fact was that He was present to help, He had the power to help, He was prepared to help!
That is still true today! He is here. He is able, He is ready.
The question is - are you shairing him they way they shared him back then!
ILLUSTRATION: They are giving away free money - ma and flood relief.
What Jesus was offering then, is what he is offering now. In fact, Bible peophecy tells us that things are rapidly happening before the final events. Poeple need Him now, more than ever.
CONCLUSION
I shared this with Murupara last Sabbath, I’d like to share it with you. Jesus announced “I am the life giving water’.
John
On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.
On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
He was saying to them: I am the source of life; I am the source of everything good. I can help with your temporal needs and more importantly, I can help with your timeless needs.
John 7:
Spirit of Prophecy decribes Him thus:
Patriarchs and Prophets Chapter 37—The Smitten Rock
The refreshing water, welling up in a parched and barren land, causing the desert place to blossom, and flowing out to give life to the perishing, is an emblem of the divine grace which Christ alone can bestow, and which is as the living water, purifying, refreshing, and invigorating the soul. He in whom Christ is abiding has within him a never-failing fountain of grace and strength. Jesus cheers the life and brightens the path of all who truly seek Him. His love, received into the heart, will spring up in good works unto eternal life. And not only does it bless the soul in which it springs, but the living stream will flow out in words and deeds of righteousness, to refresh the thirsting around him.
Yes, Jesus is still the answer.
Resucitating lost souls
Refreshing tired souls
Rewarding faithful souls
PLUG OUR REVIVAL SERIES
That generation took the Jesus message along the highways and biways that itronically Rome built ensuring many could drink from that stream.
You are the social media generation. Maybe knocking on A DOOR MIGHT SEEM OUTDATED TO YOU. Maybe face to face might seem daunting to you. But you can like and share this message on facebook.
You can like and retweet.
You can create a MEME and post.
In that way, yuo will become an evangelist for Christ.
He needs you because the best advert is a satidsfied customer!
Your friends need you because like those people in his time, your firneds have needs too!
Open your hearts to Him and open your spirit to His.
He is King, He is Lord, He is God.
Everything promised Is going to happen!