Epistles to the Cyberchurch - Su Min

From: Su Min
Subject: (23 Jan) Faith

CYBERCHURCHIANS

Thursday 23rd January 1997

Epistle to The CyberChurch

GREETINGS

TEXT

Today we look at Matthew_17:14-23:_see also Mark_9:14-32,_Luke_9:37-45.

CONTEXT

Jesus had just come down from the mountain after His transfiguration.

THE NEXT DAY

The next day, when they came down from the mountain, a large crowd came to meet them (Luke_9:37)

THE CROWD

When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them. As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him (Mark_9:14-15).

Mini-lesson:

As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him.
How do we greet our Risen Lord? Are we filled, overwhelmed with wonder each time we meet Him? Do we run to Him to greet him each morning? Do we run to His throne of grace each evening?

KNEELING, HOMAGE, RESPECT

When they came to the crowd, a man approached Jesus, and knelt before him (Matthew_17:14)

Mini-lesson 1)

Jesus comes to the multitude: It is He that approaches us. It is He that approaches you and I.

Mini-lesson 2)

There was a crowd.
Throngs of people, the multitude await the coming Christ.
Are you waiting?

Mini-lesson 3)

A man approached Jesus.
Yes, Jesus comes to us, but if we keep running away and facing the other direction, we will not see The Son of God. If we desire to meet Jesus we must take the positive step of approaching Him, and come to the Throne of Grace.

Mini-lesson 4)

A man approached Jesus, and knelt before Him.
And what should our posture be as we approach Jesus? Surely we too should come in humble adoration, cast down our crowns, kneel before Him, fall face-down before Him....

4 mini-lessons in one verse of the Word of God: True yesterday, today, forever! AMEN

A QUESTION "What are you arguing with them about?", he asked (Mark_9:16)

Mini-lesson: Jesus comes to bring peace, to make peace: (Blessed are the peacemakers): He seeks to bring

conflict resolution: he seeks to quell the argument: "What are you arguing with them about?", he asked.

A FATHER PLEADS "Lord, have mercy on my son," he said. "He has seizures and is suffering greatly. He often falls into the fire or into the water." (Matthew_17:15)

A man in the crowd called out, "Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he is my only son. A spirit seizes him and he suddenly screams; it throws him into convulsions so that he foams at the mouth. It scarcely ever leaves him and is destroying him. (Luke_9:38,39)

A man in the crowd answered ,"Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. (Mark_9:17,18a)

Mini-lesson: Look at the ACTION words

a) This father LOVES his son.
So too we should love our children.

b) He RECOGNISES the problem: A spirit that robs speech and causes convulsions: suffering, screaming, foaming, gnashing of teeth, falls into water and fire. A spirit that persists, will not leave alone, a spirit that destroys.
Are we possessed by spirits? Spirits that rob us of speech, that seal our lips when we should spread The Good News? That bind our tongues when we should be saying good things about our loved ones and friends? That close our mouths when we should be saying words of encouragement to our children, our staff, our juniors? That seek to destroy? That drive us to unsavoury and unhealthy habits: alcohol, prostitutes, pornography, smoking, overeating, gambling, repeatedly throwing us into these waters to drown, into these fires to burn?

c) He BRINGS his only son to God's Only Son! And we too can turn to The Son of God for healing.

d) He CALLS for mercy, BEGS for attention We too may beg for attention and call for mercy.

DISCIPLES FAILED

I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal him. (Matthew_17:16)
I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not (Mark_9:18b)
I begged your disciples to drive it out, but they could not (Luke_9:40)

Mini-lesson: It was within the power of the disciples to heal, if they applied themselves correctly, but they

did not. Likewise it is within our power to much kingdom work: if we fail it is because we have not applied ourselves correctly. Prayer and faith are essential.

JESUS CHIDES AND PROCEEDS TO REMEDY

"O unbelieving and perverse generation," Jesus replied," How long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me." (Matthew_17:17)
"O unbelieving generation," Jesus replied," How long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me." (Mark_9:19)
"O unbelieving and perverse generation," Jesus replied," How long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring your son here" (Luke_9:41)

Mini-lesson: Jesus decries the lack of faith within the disciples: Jesus responds positively to the father's

plea for mercy and healing.

ONE MORE FIT

Even while the boy was coming, the demon threw him to the ground in a convulsion (Luke_9:42a)

So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around foaming at the mouth. (Mark_9:20)

Mini-lesson: Evil spirits do not give up easily. We often see them wreaking their worst just as God's work

is about to be done. It is a battle on a cosmic plane and we are but small players. Our battle is not against flesh and blood (Ephesians_6:12). So be on guard when doing spiritual battle: prepare well: put on the full armour of God (Ephesians_6:13-18).

PERSONAL QUESTION

Jesus asked the boy's father, "How long has he been like this?" "From childhood" he answered "It has often thrown him into the fire or water to kill him. (Mark_9:21,22)

Mini-lesson:

The compassion of Jesus is not only widespread, but also focused and personal. Jesus takes a personal interest in each one of us. No matter what the problem, big or small, Jesus cares.

TENTATIVE REQUEST

"But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us." (Mark_9:23)

Mini-lesson: This father was suffering. His son was suffering. He had come to the Great Physician. He

pleaded for mercy. He begged for help. He called for pity. But he was tentative: "But if you can....." This father was not certain that Jesus could deliver: He who stilled the storm, He who walked on the water, He who made the heaven and earth.
"But if you can....."

BOLDNESS ENCOURAGED

"If you can?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes" (Mark_9:23)

Mini-lesson: This promise of Jesus is well worth committing to memory.

Mark_9:23_"Everything is possible for him who believes"

BELIEF

Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, "I do believe: help me overcome my unbelief," (Mark_9:24)
And straightaway the father of the child cried out and said with tears, "Lord I believe: help thou mine unbelief." (Mark_9:24_KJV)

Mini-lesson: The response was immediate. No hesitation. No deviation. No pondering. No sitting on the

fence. Immediately and straightaway, the boy's father exclaimed, with tears: "Lord I believe: help thou mine unbelief."

This response and declaration of growing faith is well worth committing to memory. Write it down in your dairy. Keep a note in your wallet. Put a sticker on your refrigerator door. Let is be your constant prayer.
"Lord I believe: help thou mine unbelief." (Mark_9:24)
And one day, when we are made perfect beyond the pearly gate, our belief will be complete.

CASTS OUT DEMON

Jesus rebuked the demon and it came out of the boy, and he was healed from that moment. (Matthew_17:18) But Jesus rebuked the evil spirit, healed the boy and gave him back to his father. (Luke_9:42a)
When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the evil spirit "You deaf and mute spirit," he said, "I command you to come out of him and never enter him again. “The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, "he is dead". But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up to his feet, and he stood up.(Mark_9:25-27)

Mini-lesson: Jesus heals, Jesus heals.

RESPONSE OF CROWD

And they were all amazed at the greatness of God. (Luke_9:41a)

Mini-lesson: and 2000 years on, we also stand all amazed at the greatness of God.

RESPONSE OF DISCIPLES

After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately ,"why couldn't we drive it out?" (Mark_9:28) Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, "Why couldn't we drive it out?" (Matthew_17:19)

Mini-lesson: The disciples recognise their failure and turn to their master for advice and counselling.

Tells us what to do when we recognise our own shortcomings.
Turn to the Good Teacher. Rabbi, Master.

THE TEACHING

He replied, "This kind can only come out by prayer" (Mark_9:29)

He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you. (Matthew_17:20)

Mini-lesson

a) central power of prayer b) importance of faith c) a great promise "Nothing will be impossible for you."

ONE STEP CLOSER TO CALVARY

They left that place and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were because he was teaching his disciples. He said to them "The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men. They will kill him and after three days he will rise. (Mark_9:30-31)

While everyone was marvelling at all that Jesus did, he said to his disciples (Luke_9:43)
Listen carefully to what I am to tell you: The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men. (Luke_9:44)

When they came together in Galilee, he said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men." (Matthew_17:22)

"They will kill him, and on the third day he will be raised to life." And the disciples were filled with grief. (Matthew_17:23)

But they did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it (Mark_9:32)

But they did not understand what this meant. It was hidden from them, so that they did not grasp it, and they were afraid to ask him about it. (Luke_9:45)

Mini-lesson: Jesus knew the awesome fate that lay ahead: He draws his disciples close for a last few weeks

of teaching. He predicts his death and resurrection but they are as yet unable to comprehend. But on the road to Emmaus he explained all things to them (Luke_24:24-27) and he opened their eyes (Luke_24:31)

CLOSING PRAYER

For any comments or enquiries please write to Dr. Lim Su Min


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