“Spirit of God fall fresh on us
We need your presence
Your kingdom come, Your will be done
Here as in heaven” by Wade Joyce, et al
The worship team led us in this song, and when Joel Munoz went onto the platform, he asked the team to sing it again. He explained this song was a cry to the Lord, and we needed to implore Him to fall on us. Then he read Colossians 3:1. “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.” Our corporate and individual focus needs to be on the Lord and “not on earthly things.” Colossians 3:2b Though earthly events can consume us, Paul advised us to attend to the Lord. Let us read His word, for the Spirit of God brings the word alive. May it be so, Lord.
Our mission is to culture like Christ, and our vision is Jesus. Jesus preached about the Kingdom of God most, and last week Pastor Josiah explained the parable of the pearl.
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine
pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and
sold everything he had and bought it.” Matthew 13:45 (NIV)
You are His choice pearl. He sold everything for you. He gave His life for you. How powerful is that statement? It makes me realize how much He values you and me. Pastor Josiah
recommended that we put our Jesus’ lenses on as we read His Word, so we can understand
Him and the Word better..
This week’s lesson is set in Mark 4 where Jesus suggested that the disciples and he travel to
the other side of the Sea of Galilee. However, while they were crossing, they encountered a
fierce storm. In this storm, Jesus was sleeping in the boat, which was rocking, rolling, and taking on water. These experienced fishermen were alarmed and woke Jesus “shouting, ’Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?’” Mark 4:38b (NLT) .
Jesus had set out to cross over to the other side of the sea, and though it looked like they would not make it because the boat was taking on water, we learn that when the Lord says so, it will happen. ”For I am the LORD! If I say it, it will happen.” Ezekiel 12:25 (NLT) The Lord Jesus was determined to go to the other side for a reason, and though the disciples could not fathom it happening, the Lord knew it would. The Source (Jesus) saw it through.
Ironically while in the boat in the fierce storm, “Jesus was counting sheep. He is the shepherd,” Pastor Josiah joked. (Groan) The demeanor of Jesus isn’t dictated by external
circumstances. While a storm raged, He was sleeping, and the disciples were panicking. That
would be a common reaction, but Jesus is uncommon. He is anchored in a different realm.
Pastor Josiah advised us to stay anchored in Jesus even when the storms rage. Jesus woke up and “rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Silence! Be still!’ Suddenly the wind
stopped, and there was a great calm.” Mark 4:39 (NLT)
“Rebuked-Grk, epitimao-ep-ee-tee-mah’-o-Reprove, censure severely, reprimand”
Jesus spoke to the wind from a place of authority. He rebuked the wind in the same way that
Jesus reprimanded demonic spirits out of people. Pastor explained that satan could have
thought that this time was perfect for getting rid of Jesus and His disciples who were in the boat together. Therefore, Pastor Josiah reported that “This was a demonically induced storm.” Pastor Josiah explained his reasoning. Spiritually sourced situations can occur in nature. For example, Moses was able to turn the Nile’s water into blood. He threw down his staff, and it turned into a serpent. He held out his staff, and the Red Sea opened. These were spiritually sourced events. Additionally, this storm could not have been from God because God and Jesus would have been in conflict. What a mind blowing concept.
We can rest while the water rages because our Source is the Lord of heaven and earth. We do not need to fear "because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4 (NIV) Pastor Josiah asked,”Did you know there would be storms because the enemy does not want you to go to Him?” When you leave the clutches of the enemy and go to the loving arms of Christ Jesus, the enemy is riled up. You have gotten his attention. He did not need to attend to you before because you were following him, but now when you follow Jesus, satan will fight to get you back. You might encounter choppy waves against your health, finances, job, or family. When there’s an uncommon degree of attack on your life, it’s possible that’s because the enemy recognizes your destiny better than you do. But you have the Holy Spirit interceding for you in your heart, and Jesus interceding for you at the right hand of the Father. Our Savior says,”Peace! Be still!” Jesus spoke and speaks with authority. Thus, when two realms collide, one will bow.
Jesus and the disciples “arrived at the other side of the lake, in the region of Gerasenes.”
Mark 5:1 (NLT) As Jesus got out of the boat, a demon possessed man ran out of the cemetery to meet Jesus. This man was so strong that he could snap chains, and he was so crazy that he howled day and night and cut himself. He was miserable! But this demon-possessed man ran out to meet Jesus, and he bowed before Him. He shrieked and screamed,
”Why are you interfering with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?
In the name of God, I beg you, don’t torture me.” Mark 5:7 (NLT)
When Jesus showed up, the demons bowed at Jesus’ feet. The power and authority of Jesus
are unmatched! Isn’t it too bad that evil spirits are more aware and more respectful of Jesus
than we are? “Jesus had already said to the spirit, ‘Come out of the man, you evil spirit.’”
Mark 5:8 (NLT) “The evil spirits came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the entire
herd of about 2,000 pigs plunged down the steep hillside into the lake and drowned in the
water.” Mark 5:13 (NLT) Jesus had been teaching in the Jewish area across the lake, but he
chose to go over to the other side where the non Jews were, where they herded pigs, where the demon-possessed man with supernatural demonic strength was. How important was this one man?
The neighbors and townspeople of the previously demonically possessed man were
comfortable with him being miserable, howling day and night and cutting himself with sharp
stones. They could live with him being crazy, and they shackled him to “contain” him, but one encounter with Christ Jesus TRANSFORMED him. The townspeople saw the clothed perfectly sane man sitting at the feet of Jesus,”and they were all afraid.” Mark 5:15b (NLT)
After being healed, the man begged to go with Jesus. “But Jesus said,’No, go home to your
family, and tell them everything the Lord has done for you and how merciful he has
been.’” Mark 5:19 (NLT) How important was the man Jesus specifically traveled to see, to heal?
He became the apostolic evangelist in the area called Decapolis which means ten towns. In the non Jewish area, Jesus instructed the man to go and tell. In the Jewish area, Jesus told those who had received miracles at the time to not tell others because it would have hindered His ministry.
The overflow from Jesus spread to others. One encounter with Jesus, and the man was
changed and charged to share what he experienced.
“So the man started to visit the Ten Towns of that region and
began to proclaim the great things Jesus had done for him;
and everyone was amazed at what he told them.” Mark 5:20 (NLT)
How important is one man?
The Paramount Point is “He’s coming after you.” He’s unstoppable. Nothing can keep you
from His love. No matter what your sin is Jesus loves you. Your sins do not put Him off. He is
not afraid of your sin, so He is willing to sacrifice His life for you to be redeemed, restored, and
loved.
With our Beloved identity, let’s be salt and light in this troubled world so we can be like the
transformed man who “proclaimed the great things Jesus had done for him.” Mark 5:20b
(NLT)
Calendar:
10/23-Midweek Encounter-6:30
10/25-Core Men’s event-6:00
10/27-Harvest Fest-after service-12-4pm
11/2-Anne Wilson Concert
11/21-LB sponsored FC and FCLA staff Thanksgiving lunch-12:pm-2:00 Please sign up at
the information booth
Submitted by
Larry and Annette Linthicum
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