TEXT:
‘His disciples said to Him, “See, now You are speaking plainly, and using no figure of speech! Now we are sure that You know all things, and have no need that anyone should question You. By this we believe that You came forth from God”’ – John 16:29-30.
THOUGHT:
Part 1 in this teaching was about, “Who Jesus really is”. Part 2 concentrated on, “What is required once we have believed in Jesus as our personal Saviour”. In this third teaching we will study, “What Jesus will do for you”, particularly in response to your faith.
- Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath? – Matthew 12:9-14
Attending a synagogue, Jesus was asked this question. Watch out when the religious try to make their rules more important than your welfare. It is crazy when religion would rather have you stay sick than be healed through your new-found faith in Jesus. In response to this question, Jesus pointed out that people would care for their animals if they fell into a pit, even if it was on the Sabbath but a person was much more valuable. Then He healed the man with a withered arm. Instead of rejoicing over a wonderful miracle, it only inflamed the Pharisees’ hatred of Jesus and they started plotting His destruction. Jesus never wants religion to keep you sick when you can be made well!
- Do you not care that we are perishing? – Mark 4:35-41
Crossing the Sea of Galilee a great windstorm suddenly arose and the boat was in danger of sinking. The disciples woke Jesus up saying, “Do you not care?” It is interesting to realise that while the disciples were panicking, Jesus was peacefully sleeping. How did He calm the storm? With just three words, “Peace, be still”. No wonder the disciples were open-mouthed in amazement. Then Jesus rebuked them for being fearful and having no faith.
When we face difficult times as the storms of life suddenly arise, our first reaction is often, “Lord, do you not care?” Jesus loves us and has promised never to leave or forsake us, but so often our first reaction is to think He has abandoned us. The Bible says, ‘Cast all your care on Him for He cares for you’ – 1 Peter 5:7. ‘You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!’ – Isaiah 26:3 NLT.
- How did the fig tree wither away so soon? – Matthew 21:18-22
In response Jesus gave His disciples a lesson in what faith can do. It can move mountains! Jesus spoke to the fig tree and it quickly withered up, to the amazement of the disciples. Jesus then said they would be able to do the same if they used their faith and that only a little faith was needed to move a great mountain!
How often do we end up talking about the problem (mountain) instead of speaking to it? We are quick to say what has gone wrong but forget to use faith-inspired words to bring about change for the better. ‘Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it and indulge it will eat its fruit and bear the consequences of their words’ – Proverbs 18:21 AMP. So what fruit are you eating and what changes is your faith making?
- Why could we not cast it out? – Matthew 17:14-21, Mark 9:14-29
While Jesus and three of His disciples were on the top of the Mount of Transfiguration, the rest were at the bottom, facing a situation they seemed unable to handle. A father brought them his demon-possessed son, asking them to cast the demon out but the more they tried the more they failed. Soon a heated dispute was taking place between those disciples and the scribes. When Jesus got there the father pleaded for His help. In a moment the son was set free from the demon. After the crowds had dispersed, the disciples asked, “Why could we not cast it out?” Jesus explained again about mustard seed sized faith being more than enough to move mountains but added, “However, this kind (of demon) does not go out except by prayer and fasting”. Far from implying that the situation was too difficult for them to handle, Jesus made it clear that through prayer and fasting they would be able to cast out even the most severe cases of demon-possession. Jesus would honour faith in His name to cast out demons. The Bible says, ‘Submit to God, resist the devil and he will flee from you’ – James 4:7.
The Bible also says, ‘Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God’ – Romans 10:17. Perhaps you are facing a difficult situation, a storm of life. Speak to God about it in prayer and let God speak to you. You will then know what to say to the storm or mountain to bring about change for the better.
Recent Comments