Jesus Does Ministry
Notes
Transcript
Last week - Jesus began his ministry by preaching good news of coming of God’s Kingdom
Then went in synagogue teach people from scriptures - spoke with authority - people amazed
Jesus authority to speak directly about scripture his own voice - no referring to past rabbis
Jesus authority to speak confirmed by casting out evil spirit
Jesus then leaves synagogue & goes back to Simon’s house - where pick up story today (slide)
Ministry For the People
Ministry For the People
Jesus practical ministry now begins by helping those people in need
Starts by caring for families disciples who gave up everything to follow him (slide)
As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told Jesus about her. So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them.
Important note - Jesus didn’t call disciples follow without caring for those left behind
Didn’t call disciples to ignore / disregard family responsibilities & people they cared for
Jesus chose meet needs of people who couldn’t solve them one their own
As Jesus heals Simon’s mum-in-law - her response to Jesus help = humble service
Simon’s mum-in-law showed gratitude for Jesus saving life - serving God’s Kingdom
Jesus words & deeds had such powerful affect on people - responded en masse (slide)
People gathered outside Simon’s house - queuing up for Jesus to help them /meet needs
That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. The whole town gathered at the door, and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.
Jesus message about God’s Kingdom coming & preaching with authority from scripture...
Backed up by ministering to people’s needs - those suffering without means help themselves
Jesus spoken message was backed up what He did - his words weren’t empty
His words & actions were connected - inseparable - never had one without other
Word of God always came first - then acts of service / miracles followed
If Jesus only spoke about God’s kingdom coming without actions / deeds (slide)
Words be empty platitudes / hopeful well-wishing - nothing backing them up
James infamous passage expresses this another way
But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.
If we’re follows of Jesus - follow His example - our faith in Him expressed through acts of service
James point = faith & deeds go together - what confess with mouth backed up by actions
As followers of Jesus we’re all called to follow His example - all called to Kingdom ministry
Called to talk to others about Jesus & gospel message...
Then our actions should reflect what we’ve confessed with our mouths
Illus - Do remember old saying - Do as I say, not as I do (slide)
Often came out when people got caught in hypocrisy - doing things told others not to do
Wonder as Christians - how often say to others - if you’re Christian should be loving others...
Yet own actions fail live up to our words...
One crucial way can avoid disconnect between word & action = in what Jesus does next (slide)
Ministry Away From the People
Ministry Away From the People
Must never forget when Jesus on earth in human form - exposed to same temptations all are
Preached in synagogue, healed Simon’s Mum-in-law - after sunset gets bombarded with sick
Original Greek suggest endless flow of sick people needing healing going into house (slide)
From variety of sicknesses, diseases, injuries, evil spirits - easily exhausting experience
At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?”
Later in Mark when woman with bleeding sickness touched Jesus & healed felt power leave him
So in Jesus humanness its possible = after all healing - exhausted
What do you do after having exhausting time serving others?
What’s your first response to exhaustion & tiredness from work? (slide)
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.
Jesus chooses place in quiet solitude - no-one around; everyone still asleep - away from crowds
And he time alone in prayer to his Father in heaven...
Why’s He praying? Often in bible Jesus went away to quiet place on own to pray
Usually when facing difficult decision - like choosing 12 disciples he’d train up
Or when facing difficult situations - like in garden of Gethsemene
Or when after spending time ministering to crowds - feeding 5000 & now
Jesus sought Father gain direction - discern His will & plan - know what do next
And ask for strength & courage face what will come next
Jesus went to a lot effort get alone time with God - critical / vital for survival with all demands
So if Jesus needed time for prayer after exhausting time serving, before making decisions
Or to ask for strength courage face difficult situation - why don’t we pray more?
Often in churches think 2 groups - those do stuff & those pray (slide)
But Jesus told disciples to serve people & instructed them pray on many occasions
“This, then, is how you should pray: “ ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
Jesus went out of His way - teach disciples ‘how’ to pray - still use same prayer today (slide)
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
Jesus went as far tell us to pray for those may count as our enemies - how often do we do that!!?
Prayer can help prevent us from focusing on wrong stuff; making poor decisions..
And helping our actions match up to our confessions (slide)
Illus - What happens when don’t take time out to connect with God -
Take time away from crowds, work, business & spend time in prayer
Reminding ourselves of God’s love & grace, seeking God’s presence & will for us
& looking to God for strength, courage, perseverance, guidance
Perhaps this… [play video]
World & our spiritual enemy wants to distract us from spending time with God in prayer (slide)
If choose business above time with God - leads to misunderstanding why doing what we do
Misunderstandings of Ministry
Misunderstandings of Ministry
After amazing teaching & displays of authority - then stream of miraculous healings...
Disciples would’ve been blown away by what happened - nothing like ever seen before
Was nothing Jesus couldn’t heal - every person he met was healed...
But were still so many people who needed help (slide)
Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!” Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.
So when disciples woke up in morning & even more people arrived at Simon’s front door...
Crowds people still needing help & healing / some wanting see more displays power
Disciples naturally thought Jesus needs to get to work - but he’s disappeared!!
So there’s panic as crowd gets bigger - find him quick so carry on work
Disciples thinking - why isn’t Jesus here carry on work? So many people need help?
Remember Jesus suffered same human temptations as all us
Same real temptations for fame, success, being liked, feeling wanted & needed...
That’s question Jesus faced - Do people’s expectations set form & priorities of ministry?
This why Jesus spent time in prayer - determine God’s will for what do next
Jesus wanted God set agenda not people needs or society’s demands
God needs set agenda for all ministry - not people - even when people have so many needs
Church needs work with God - listen where God at work & join with Him
Illus - not consulting, making decision on own, not thinking through consequences of actions...
Can lead to some epic fails [play video]
How much we pray & when we pray = good gauge / indicator of where our faith is at
How willing are we to humble ourselves, seek God’s help, & submit to God’s will?
Who sets agenda in our lives, in our ministries? Is it God? Or are we in charge?
If we’re not praying about what we do, how we do it, & when we do it…
Likely we’re ones in control & operating on our own agenda...
So want to challenge you think & reflect on these questions;
Do I pray to God for direction & guidance before I decide what I’ll do?
Do my actions match up to my confession to being a follower of Jesus?
Let’s spend a moment in silent prayer as we reflect on those questions & talk to God about where we’ve fallen short
Let’s Pray
Heavenly Father
You are the same God who answered Jesus prayers & directed him into your will
We confess we’ve spent too much time being busy & not enough time seeking you in prayer
Please help us to follow Jesus example
Give us strength, courage, & perseverance to act in ways that mirror gospel & Jesus
Remind us to seek you in prayer - even when we’re tired, distracted, or busy
That we would always seek your will for all our decisions in life & ministry
In the name of Yeshua our saviour, Amen