AT THE FEET OF JESUS

TEXT: Luke 8:35

INTRODUCTION: What a wonderful privilege to be able to sit at the feet of Jesus and receive so many good things from Him.  Every person has a choice of location.  Some choose home life; some position; others sports; still others, attending important meetings.  But, the greatest place on earth is at the feet of Jesus.

I.          IT IS A PLACE OF PARDON (Luke 7:48 )And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.

A.        Verse 37 tells us this woman was "a sinner."

1.      How wonderful to know that Jesus relates to "sinners.”

2.      Sadly, some of His followers and even some of His ministers are too righteous and holy to have any dealings with "sinners."

3.      We have failed to realize that our mission is to reach sinners.

B.        Jesus said to her, "Thy sins are forgiven" (vs. 48).

1.      Thank God, He is still a sin‑forgiver...

C.        Through His precious blood, every sin is forgiven and every stain is cleansed.

1.      Through His precious blood, sins are blotted out and our names are written in the "Lamb's book of life."

D.        The Pharisees did not like it, as we see in verse 39.

1.      There is no escape from criticism, even at the feet of Jesus.

2.      There are always "the Pharisees," in every age. and place.

II.       IT IS A PLACE OF LEARNING Luke 10:39 And she [Martha] had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard His Word.

A.        What a privilege, to be able to learn from the Master.

1.      A storehouse of wisdom and knowledge is available from our Lord.

2.      Jesus is anxious to share all that He possesses with His children.

3.      The Holy Spirit will teach you the things of the Master, if you will just be attentive and in tune with Him.

B.        Verse 40 tells us "Martha was cumbered about much serving."

1.      In other words, Martha was so busy with other things that she did not have time to learn from the Master.

2.      How much like Martha are we in this world; we are so busy with non‑important things that we do not have time to learn the lessons of eternity from the Master.

C.        Verse 41 goes further and tells us, "Martha was careful and troubled about many things."

1.      How tragic; to be so caught up in the things of this life that we miss an opportunity to learn from the Lord.

2.      He is anxious to share His wealth of knowledge and wisdom with us but we must "make time" to learn at His feet.

D.        Jesus told her, "But one thing is needful; and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her."

1.      The implication of this statement is that everything else will be taken away from us except the things that we receive from the Lord Jesus.

2.      The things that we count as so important are but trifling when viewed in light of eternity.

3.      Let's give Him the opportunity to teach us the eternal truths that will change our lives; let's sit at His feet often!

III.     IT IS A PLACE OF PRAYER   Mark 5:22 And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet, And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live.

A.        If you want to learn to pray, there is no greater teacher of prayer than Jesus.

1.      When the disciples did not know how to pray, they came to Jesus with the plea, "Lord, teach us to pray."

2.      Jesus immediately gave them the great model prayer; we call it "the Lord's Prayer."

B.        Not only that, Jesus has made it possible for the Holy Spirit to take us to new heights and deeper depths of prayer.

1.      He will pray through us "with groanings which cannot be uttered."

2.      Paul exhorts us to "pray in the Spirit."

3.      One of the great ministries of the Holy Spirit is to help God's people be more effective in their prayers.

C.        There is no greater place to pray than in humility at Jesus' feet.

1.      We must realize who He is and who we are as His servants.

2.      We should also realize, however, that the Word says we are to come "boldly into the throne room" with our prayers and our petitions.

IV.    AT THE FEET OF JESUS IS A PLACE OF THANKSGIVING Luke 17:16 And (the thankful leper) fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.

A.        Jesus had just healed 10 lepers and "as they went, they were cleansed."

1.      We serve a merciful Saviour; ready to minister to people's needs in such a compassionate manner.

2.      Some people's concept of God is that He is just waiting to Judge them and bring damnation upon their lives.

3.      Throughout Jesus' ministry, we see His mercy and His long suffering towards others.

B.        Verse 15 tells us that one of the 10 returned and gave praise and thanksgiving to Jesus for the great miracle.

1.      10% of this leper crowd was thankful to the Lord; I if that is not a typical percentage of truly thankful people?

2.      I am convinced that praise and thanksgiving is the key missing element in the lives of most believers.

3.      Church, we just don't praise Him enough!

C.        The others could not be found. They were recipients of the great miracle but they were ungrateful and unthankful.

1.      Only 1 came back and fell AT THE FEET OF JESUS and demonstrated his thankfulness.

2.      God dwells in the praise of his people. We can't find God because we don't come into His courts with praise as often as we should.

3.      Take time to sit at his feet often and praise him, be thankful!

V.       AT THE FEET OF JESUS IS A PLACE OF REST Luke 8:35 Then they went out to see what was done; and came to Jesus, and found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.

A.        You will remember that there was a demon possessed man who lived in the tombs.

1.      Many had probably tried to tame him but he got even wilder with each passing day.

2.      There was no hope for this poor wretch UNTIL ONE DAY JESUS PASSED BY!

3.      Just one word from the Master and every demon had to leave this man.

B.        When he was delivered of the demons, he is found "sitting the feet of Jesus," sane and in his right mind.

1.      After years of torment, this man finally found rest and peace, at the feet of Jesus.  What a place of rest for such a weary soul.

2.      There is no rest like the rest that Jesus gives.

3.      He can give you that same rest today; just sit at His feet for a season!

C.        One of the greatest needs in the body of Christ in our day is the need for God's people to rest in Him.

1.      Stop struggling and just rest in Jesus; sit at His feet.

2.      Let Him give you that peace that passes all understanding.

VI.    AT THE FEET OF JESUS IS A PLACE OF COMFORT John 11:32 Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if‑thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.

A.        Mary, and Martha her sister, was in the greatest turmoil of their lives.

1.      Lazarus, their dear brother, had died a few days before and they were in deep mourning.

2.      They had sent for Jesus before Lazarus died but, for some unknown reason, he had delayed His coming.

3.      We don't always understand God's ways but they are always for the best.

B.        Mary desperately needed comfort and she knew that she could receive the comfort she needed at Jesus feet.

1.      He can and will give comfort in all situations.

2.      You will never face a valley so low that Jesus can't give you the comfort that you so desperately need!

3.      He is always there to comfort and help you in time of need, regardless of what the need may be!

C.        Jesus not only raised Lazarus from the dead but he showed that He related to the mourning of these dear sisters when "Jesus wept."

1.      He is not cold, hard or uncaring but He is caring and compassionate.

2.      He will stand by your side when all others fail you leave you comfortless.

3.      Through every tragedy, every trial, every sickness, even through death; Jesus will always be with you!!!

VII. THE FEET OF JESUS IS A PLACE OF 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

A.        John was certainly not in a place that was conducive to worship.

1.      He was on a lonely desert island.

2.      He was abandoned by every friend and all family.

3.      He was very old (about 90 years old).

4.      Even in that lonely place, John saw the Lord and the lonely island of death were converted into a sanctuary of God is presence and power.

B.        Jesus put His hand on John.

1.      Just to feel the touch of Jesus makes any situation more bearable.

2.      His touch is only a prayer away from you at any desperate time in your life.

3.      Don't ever get so low that you cannot detect His touch and His compassion.

C.         Jesus said to John, "fear not."

1.      Fear will rob you of God's greatest blessings.

2.      Fear opens the door and allows Satan access to your life.

3.      If Christ is with us and living within us, WE HAVE NOTHING TO FEAR!!!

D.        At the feet of Jesus is a beautiful place of worship!!! There is plenty of room for all: for whosoever will Revelation 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely; (John 3:16) for whosoever believes; (John 7:37‑39) for whosoever thirsts

E.        Find your place at the feet of Jesus often and you will find renewed strength for your soul and all that you will ever need, in all situations!!

CONCLUSION: Stay at Jesus feet and you will be everything that God wants you to be as a child of God.  Let's make up our minds that we will stay close to him and allow him to have his perfect will in our lives on a daily basis.