Ministry of Love

The intention of this blog is to share Biblical messages at least on a weekly basis. Any response is appreciated. I do not expect everyone to agree with my interpretation of Biblical passages. I will try to respond with love and thoughtfulness.

Friday, March 16, 2007

John 4:1,DrinkingFromTheWellofLivingWater, by John.

DRINKING FROM THE WELL OF LIVING WATER
John 4:1-26

1. Water is prominent in both the Old and New Testaments:
(1) Isaiah 12:2,3 says, "Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation." And Isaiah 35:5-7 says, "Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert.. The burning sand will become a pool, the thirsty ground bubbling springs."
(2) John 4:14:Whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."
(3) The last invitation in the Bible is Revelation 22:17; "The Spirit and the bride say, 'Come!' And let him who hears say, 'Come!' Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life."
2. That's not stagnant water. Remember when Jacob rolled the stone away for Rachel? Why did they keep it closed? To keep animals from falling into it. To protect it from strangers.
3. We think of wells as being deep holes in the ground. I was amazed the first time I came to Bassett. Allan opened up a well, and I could reach down and touch the water! I shouldn't have been surprised. The well supplying my hometown pushed a column of water 12 inches wide sixteen feet in the air! The lower part of Florida is only one foot above sea level, and the sea beats against its shoreline constantly on three sides! Too much water can be a problem for us, but we can't live without water. We can do without food for extended periods, but without water, we shrivel up and die in about three or four days. Did you know our thinking becomes impaired when we don't get enough water? Maybe that's what's wrong with a lot of those people you wonder about! They don't drink enough water!
4. Jesus told the woman at the well He would give her "living" water. Do you know what that meant to her? It meant running water! She wanted it! She didn't like having to bear a water pot and lower that heavy earthenware jug into the well to bring up water. She thought Jesus was not prepared to draw water. The well was deep, and He didn't even have a water jar! That's about as well as the world ever sees spiritual truths.
5. Jesus told her He wasn't talking about running water. He was talking about aspiritual artesian well. It would continue springing up eternally! It would provide life now and forever! Did she want that? Of course she did!

I. THIS WOMAN HAD A SEVERE SIN PROBLEM.

1. When I say it was severe, I mean Jesus considered it necessary to call it to her attention.
(1) She was an adulterer.
a. I think we may frequently add to the Word right
here.
b. Jesus did not accuse her of "selling sex."
(2) Instead, He told her to go get her husband.
a. If an important decision, accepting Christ as her Savior and Lord, was going to be made, the head of the family was due to be there!
b. She knew that, but she couldn't know that Jesus knew all of her secrets.
(3) She answered Him truthfully as she understood the truth to be.
a. She had no husband. v. 18.
b. That was the answer Jesus expected.
c. He pointed out that her past included five "husbands," and the man she had at home was not her husband!
2. Her problem was adultery.
(1) Note she didn't get angry and rant and rave at Jesus.
(2) Instead, she began to think about her life.
3. She recognized spiritual laxity produced something in her life God called sin.
(1) I believe Jesus was telling her that her sin was what we call sexual promiscuity.
(2) She moved from man to man, but quite possibly only one at a time. (I admit that's only one view.) (3) I'm saying that to point out to you many men and women who hold marriage vows and customs in low esteem are doing the same thing!
a. I am not saying go get a divorce if you are in your second or umteenth marriage!
b. I am saying, my view of God's will is, stay with the one you have, and give your life to Jesus without reservation!

II. THE SOLUTION TO HER PROBLEM AND OURS IS JESUS.

1. She needed to recognize Jesus as her Lord and Savior.
(1) It didn't happen immediately the way we often seem to think it should.
(2) She didn't have a bachelor's degree, but her ears had been open for years, and she knew the Messiah was coming...sometime! She told Jesus so. v. 25.
2. In v 26, He told her that He was the Messiah!
(1) When we come to God we can't hold back any secret sins. ill. Do you remember Ananias and Saphira in Acts 5? Don't you think God was so exact with them, so that we would get the point? We can't hold back anything when we come to Him! When we try, it results in our death!
3. I'm sure this woman accepted Jesus just as He required, but I don't find any account of some things.
(1) No account of her saying, "Yes. I'm a sinner!" (2) No account of her saying, "I repent!"
(3) No account of her saying, "My Lord and my God!"
(4) No account of her returning to the man in her house and of her bringing him to Jesus! (Even though Jesus had given her a direct command!
4. To my knowledge, every Biblical student considers this woman saved even though she did not fit into our classic ideas of salvation.
5. The only solution to everything wrong in our lives is Jesus. We must do whatever it takes to be

His! And that may vary somewhat from person to person.

III. OTHER SCRIPTURES CLARIFY GOD'S INTENT FOR US.

1. So, you say, I haven't committed adultery! I'm okay! Maybe we had better look at these other verses.
2. In Romans 3:10, 23, and numerous other passages, all people are included in sin. Everyone needs salvation!
3. Jesus said in Luke 13:3 and 5, "I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.!
4. Romans 10:9,10, "That if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved."
5. Whether we make some kind of statement for each of these logical steps to salvation, or not, they must be there! All of them are God's Words to us!
6. I'm not suggesting that you, or anyone, has not taken every step necessary to have Jesus as Savior and Lord. I am asking, do you know in your innermost heart that Jesus is your Lord and Savior? Is He?
Conclusion:

1. Jesus is the water of life. When we come to Him He gives us eternal life! We never have to worry about a spiritual drought!
2. The Woman at the Well had a sin problem, and every one of us has a sin problem, too. We have all sinned, and the penalty for our sin is death.
3. If that has bothered you, then drink from the water of life! Come to Jesus, and He will give it.
4. If you think there are certain things you have to do to be saved eternally, think again!
5. All you need to do is put your trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. He will take care of everything else!
ill. Lewis Gentry accepted Christ as his Savior and Lord when he was a young boy. He felt God calling him to preach after he finished college. He went to seminary, and while he was there, he realized something was wrong with his salvation. He talked to his New Testament professor about it, and they got on their knees. Lewis had never confessed that he was a sinner! People, that was no accident. If you seek God with your whole heart, you will find Him! Jeremiah 20:13, 14a (God was speaking to Israel, but it applies to everyone). "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord."
6. If you know you need God in your life right now, then this is the day you need to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior!
7. You can come forward while we sing, and we will help you make that decision!

ECC 3/18/2007

Sunday, March 11, 2007

Mark5:25-34, The Healing of a Woman by John.

THE HEALING OF A WOMAN.
Mark 5:25-34

1. What a marvelous story!
2. Truth is truly stranger than fiction.
3. No one could dream up such a wonderful story!
4. Jesus is on the way to Jairus’ home to heal his dying daughter when unexpectedly and dramatically he stops, and says, “Who touched my clothes?”
5. Quite naturally the disciples said, “Everyone is touching you, Master! Why do you ask which one?”
6. Perhaps His eye had already fallen upon her: She came and fell at His feet.

I. NOTICE THIS WOMAN!

1. She was the only one of that whole multitude who was healed!
2. She was not the only sick one, but many did not know they were sick. Ill. Dr. Hugh Gamble operated on my mother for cancer and while treating her he himself died of cancer! In the midst of all that diagnostic equipment, the disease was undetected until too late!
3. Sin-sickness is just as tricky!
4. This woman knew her condition.
(1) She had fought it for years and had exhausted her wealth. (V. 26.)
(2) She gave her problem first priority in her life. (3) Oh, how I wish every lost person would do that!!!
(4) She exercised her hope: It became faith.
She exercised her faith: It became healing.
(5) Notice that her faith was not in Buddha, not in Ahura Mazda, not in Allah, not in physicians, not in Science, technology, or education! It was in the person of Jesus! She had a personal faith.

II. NOW LET’S LOOK AT JESUS.

1. He has been accused of wasting valuable time here, but time is in His hands, and it is never wasted!
2. Living or dead did not matter, Jairus’ daughter would be well when Jesus left her side!
3. He was attending to his business. “He came to seek and to save what was lost.” (Luke 19:10).
4. He was aware when “power” (dunamis) went out of Him. (v. 30).
5. It is natural for God’s grace to save people.
(1) When they come to Him in simple faith He can and will save them.
(2) It is never just a legal maneuver! It is always personal!
6. God knows, and God meets each person who comes!
(1) This woman was not an exception! She had faith, not much maybe, but at least the faith of a mustard seed!
(2) She was, and is, the rule!!! Everyone is important to Jesus!
7. She was already healed when He talked with her.
(1) So, why did He seek her out?
(2) Jesus knew she needed to profess her faith in Him publicly. If you haven't, you need to profess your faith in Jesus just like she did!
7. Confession is like a doctor’s slap when you are born! It gets you started on the right track, doing the right things!
(1) She had to begin sharing Jesus with others for her own sake.
(2) That’s how you gain strength, Christian!
8. Jesus was continuing to do His work.
9. Jesus had a message of love for her, and she would not have heard the message, if she had not come forward. Her faith needed to hear the words of Jesus in v. 34, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering." She was healed, but I believe His words freed her!
10. Friend, have you received your own message from Jesus?

III. NOW NOTICE THE CROWD.

1. They rejoiced because someone was healed.
2. They did not realize that they themselves needed spiritual healing.
3. That was the reason that touching Jesus did nothing for the crowd. They had no faith in Him.
4. They were sympathetic watchers, fans.
5. I enjoy football as a fan. I'm sympathetic toward some teams. I enjoy the game, but I cannot win! Only those who play win!

Conclusion:

1. Are you spiritually sick? Do you know for sure, you are going to heaven when you die?
2. Jesus will meet you personally and save you if you have faith enough to touch the hem of His garment! Do you?
3. If you do, it's time for you to get in the game! Ask Jesus to be your Savior!

ECC 3/11/2007

Saturday, March 10, 2007

The Healing of a Woman Mark 5:25-34, by John.

THE HEALING OF A WOMAN.
Mark 5:25-34

1. What a marvelous story!
2. Truth is truly stranger than fiction.
3. No one could dream up such a wonderful story!
4. Jesus is on the way to Jairus’ home to heal his dying daughter when unexpectedly and dramatically he stops, and says, “Who touched my clothes?”
5. Quite naturally the disciples said, “Everyone is touching you, Master! Why do you ask which one?”
6. Perhaps His eye had already fallen upon her: She came and fell at His feet.

I. NOTICE THIS WOMAN!

1. She was the only one of that whole multitude who was healed!
2. She was not the only sick one, but many did not know they were sick. Ill. Dr. Hugh Gamble operated on my mother for cancer and while treating her he himself died of cancer! In the midst of all that diagnostic equipment, the disease was undetected until too late!
3. Sin-sickness is just as tricky!
4. This woman knew her condition.
(1) She had fought it for years and had exhausted her wealth. (V. 26.)
(2) She gave her problem first priority in her life. (3) Oh, how I wish every lost person would do that!!!
(4) She exercised her hope: It became faith.
She exercised her faith: It became healing.
(5) Notice that her faith was not in Buddha, not in Ahura Mazda, not in Allah, not in physicians, not in Science, technology, or education! It was in the person of Jesus!

II. NOW LET’S LOOK AT JESUS.

1. He has been accused of wasting valuable time here, but time is in His hands, and it is never wasted!
2. Living or dead did not matter, Jairus’ daughter would be well when Jesus left her side!
3. He was attending to his business. “He came to seek and to save what was lost.” (Luke 19:10).
4. He was aware when “power” (dunamis) went out of Him. (v. 30).
5. It is natural for God’s grace to save people.
(1) When they come to Him in simple faith He can and will save them.
(2) It is never just a legal maneuver! It is always personal!
6. God knows, and God meets each person who comes!
(1) This woman was not an exception! She had faith, not much maybe, but at least the faith of a mustard seed!
(2) She was, and is, the rule!!! Everyone is important to Jesus!
7. She was already healed when He talked with her.
(1) So, why did He seek her out?
(2) Jesus knew she needed to profess her faith in Him publicly. If you haven't, you need to profess your faith in Jesus just like she did!
7. Confession is like a doctor’s slap when you are born! It gets you started on the right track, doing the right things!
(1) She had to begin sharing Jesus with others for her own sake.
(2) That’s how you gain strength, Christian!
8. Jesus was continuing to do His work.
9. Jesus had a message of love for her, and she would not have heard the message, if she had not come forward. Her faith needed to hear the words of Jesus in v. 34, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering." She was healed, but I believe His words freed her!
10. Friend, have you received your own message from Jesus?

III. NOW NOTICE THE CROWD.

1. They rejoiced because someone was healed.
2. They did not realize that they themselves needed spiritual healing.
3. Sympathetic watchers may enjoy the game, but only players can win!

Conclusion:

1. Are you spiritually sick? Do you know for sure, you are going to heaven when you die?
2. Jesus will meet you personally and save you if you have faith enough to touch the hem of His garment! Do you?

Emmanuel 3/11/2007