Tag: deliverance

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Five

Believe in Him or Not

The Pinewood Estate at Bok Tower Gardens, FL

Week 62 | Sections 68, 69

The Pinewood Estate at Bok Tower Gardens, FLFrom one house to another and then into his home town, Jesus continues to heal, teach and inspire people with the Gospel. Over and over people’s encounter with Jesus teaches us that faith can: set us free, move mountains, raise the dead, heal the sick, and allow us to more than we can ask or imagine   – but what is to come from a lack of faith?  What is the cost of unbelief?

Scripture:

Section 68 | Matthew 9:27-34
27 As Jesus passed by from there,1 two blind men followed him, calling out and saying, “Have mercy on us, son of David!”2  28 When he had come into the house, the blind men came to him. Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?”They told him, “Yes, Lord.”3  29 Then he touched their eyes, saying,“According to your faith be it done to you.” 30 Their eyes were opened.4 Jesus strictly commanded them, saying, “See that no one knows about this.” 31 But they went out and spread abroad his fame in all that land.5  32 As they went out,6 behold, a mute man who was demon possessed was brought to him.7¯8  33 When the demon was cast out, the mute man spoke. The multitudes marveled, saying, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel!”9  34 But the Pharisees said, “By the prince of the demons, he casts out demons.”10

Section 69 
[one_half last=”no”]Matthew 13:54-58
54 Coming into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished, and said, “Where did this man get this wisdom, and these mighty works?

 

55 Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother called Mary, and his brothers, James, Joses, Simon, and Judas? 56 Aren’t all of his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all of these things?” 57 They were offended by him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his own country, and in his own house.” 58 He didn’t do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.[/one_half]
[one_half last=”yes”]Mark 6:1-6a
1 He went out from there. He came into his own country,11 and his disciples followed him. 2 When the Sabbath had come, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many hearing him were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things?” and, “What is the wisdom that is given to this man, that such mighty works come about by his hands? 3 Isn’t this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judah, and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” They were offended at him.12 4 Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his own country, and among his own relatives, and in his own house.”13¯14 5 He could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people, and healed them. 6a He marveled15 because of their unbelief. [/one_half]

Group Dialog:

  1. What is the difference between faith, belief, and understanding?
  2. When considering what God has done in your life, for what are you most thankful, and how have you expressed that in your life and ministry?
  3. For which Christian topics would you say you have faith but not understanding?
  4. Are there experiences, issues or problems that undermine your faith?
  5. Should one’s character or moral failings interrupt our faith in God?
  6. What hope does Mark 9:23-24 offer those who doubt and question Jesus’ identity, teachings, and ability to perform miracles?
  7. In our exhaustion, how do you find energy and joy to continue in ministry to others?
  8. What should our reaction be to the godly-results seen in the ministry of others?
  9. If you are experiencing success in ministry, how do you avoid vanity, pride, self-importance and other sins that detract from God’s work among you?
  10. God does not promise every member of your family will believe because you do. In fact Jesus said that some families will divide over him (Matthew 10:34-39). What are we to do when those we love do not yet believe?

Learning Objectives: faith, doubt, prayer of faith, healing, diligence, investment of time, witness, prayer, prophet, welcome, when to move on

Photo: The Pinewood Estate at Bok Tower Gardens, FL

Study Notes:

Categories
Five

Double-minded and Backbiting

Double-minded and Backbiting

Week 52 | Section 61

Double-minded and BackbitingOur reading today is one of three passages in the Harmony of the Gospels that render ink to the harsh saying of Jesus.

In this instance, Jesus calls the pharisees “a brood of vipers” and challenges not only their logic but their motives and priorities.

This is a passage that many irenic Christians would rather skip over, however it provides disciples the opportunity to explore several important spiritual truths including: conflict, kingdom-mindedness, peace-keeping, discernment, admonishment, spiritual warfare, the day of judgement, and Christian virtue.

[one_half last=”no”]Scripture:
Matthew 12:22-37

22 Then one possessed by a demon, blind and mute, was brought to him1 and he healed him, so that the blind and mute man both spoke and saw.2 23 All the multitudes were amazed, and said, “Can this be the son of David?” 24 But when the Pharisees3  heard it, they said, “This man does not cast out demons, except by Beelzebul, the prince of the demons.”4¯5 25 Knowing their thoughts,6 Jesus said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand. 26 If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand?7 27 If I by Beelzebul cast out demons, by whom do your children cast them out?8 Therefore they will be your judges. 28 But if I by the Spirit of God cast out demons, then God’s Kingdom has come upon you.9  29 Or how can one enter into the house of the strong man, and plunder his goods, unless he first bind the strong man? Then he will plunder his house. 30 “He who is not with me is against me, and he who doesn’t gather with me, scatters. 31 Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. 32 Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against10 the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, neither in this age, nor in that which is to come. 33 “Either make the tree good, and its fruit good, or make the tree corrupt, and its fruit corrupt; for the tree is known by its fruit. 34 You offspring of vipers,11¯12¯13 how can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. 35 The good man out of his good treasure brings out good things, and the evil14 man out of his evil treasure brings out evil things.15  36 I tell you that every idle word that men speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.16 37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”17¯18[/one_half][one_half last=”yes”]Scripture:

Mark 3:20-30

20 The multitude came together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread. 21 When his friends heard it, they went out to seize him: for they said, “He is insane.”

22 The scribes19  who came down20 from Jerusalem said, “He has Beelzebul,” and, “By the prince of the demons he casts out the demons.” 23 He summoned them, and said to them in parables, “How can Satan cast out Satan?21 24 If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.22 25 If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. 26 If Satan has risen up against himself, and is divided, he can’t stand, but has an end.

27 But no one can enter into the house of the strong man to plunder, unless he first binds the strong man; and then he will plunder his house. 28 Most certainly I tell you, all sins of the descendants of man23 will be forgiven, including their blasphemies with which they may blaspheme; 29 but whoever may blaspheme against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal condemnation.”  30 —because they said, “He has an unclean spirit.”[/one_half]

Group Dialog:

  1. How has fear caused you to react irrationally in the past?
  2. Talk about the difference between intuition and the spiritual gift of discernment.
  3. Have you ever felt the Lord admonish you? What lesson did you learn? How did your attitudes and actions change afterwards?
  4. Do we care more about church growth or our personal well-being or are we most concerned with advancing the Kingdom of God? What would it look like if we shifted our priorities in ministry to be the Kingdom of God?
  5. What is the fruit of your current ministry? If there is little, can you identify that you are in a season of ministry? Which one? What are you and the team doing then to pass through this season and prepare yourself for the fruit bearing season?
  6. How do you think we should deal with conflict, differences of opinion, or wrong teaching within your congregation, the Church, or your community?

Study Notes:

Categories
Three

The Embrace of Community

The Embrace of Community

Week 29 | Section 43

The Embrace of CommunityThis week we read of Jesus healing Peter’s mother-in-law and learn about the nature of community, compassion, and care. In this passage we see the compassion of Christ as the consolation of Jerusalem. Jesus’ attention to the Sabbath, care of the Peter’s mother-in-law and the others gathered provide us a worthy model that would transform cultures and communities around the globe.

Scripture:

[one_third last=”no”]Matthew 8:14-171
14 When Jesus came into Peter’s house,2 he saw his wife’s mother lying sick with a fever. 15 He touched her hand, and the fever left her. She got up and served him. 16 When evening came, they brought to him many possessed with demons. He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick;3 17 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying, “He took our infirmities, and bore our diseases.”4[/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”]Mark 1:29-34
29 Immediately, when they had come out of the synagogue, they came into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30 Now Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick with a fever, and immediately they told him about her. 31 He came and took her by the hand, and raised her up. The fever left her, and she served them. 32 At evening, when the sun had set, they brought to him all who were sick, and those who were possessed by demons. 33 All the city was gathered together at the door. 34 He healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. He didn’t allow the demons to speak, because they knew him.[/one_third]
[one_third last=”yes”]Luke 4:38-41
38 He rose up from the synagogue, and entered into Simon’s house. Simon’s mother-in-law was afflicted with a great fever, and they begged him for her. 39 He stood over her, and rebuked the fever;5 and it left her. Immediately she rose up and served them. 40 When the sun was setting,6 all those who had any sick with various diseases brought them to him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them. 41 Demons also came out of many, crying out, and saying, “You are the Christ, the Son of God!” Rebuking them, he didn’t allow them to speak, because they knew that he was the Christ.[/one_third]

Group Dialog:

  1. Why do you think Matthew, Mark, and Luke include the story of Jesus healing Simon’s mother-in-law?
  2. What is different about the way Jesus handles this situation verses the demoniac earlier that day?
  3. Why did Jesus forbid the demons to speak of his nature.
  4. From this story, what can we extrapolate about Jesus’ attitude, priorities and character (humility, recognition, community, love, charity, etc.)? How does this compare to your own attitude, character, and priorities?

Learning Objectives:

community, compassion, and care, Jesus’ authority over illness,

Image: Close up of a large stone worn by the wind, waves, and pebbles at Bean Hollow State Park, CA. The image reminds us of unity, cell groups, and community.

Other media: Video clip of this passage; song: The Final Word, Michael Card

Study Notes:

Categories
Three

Power and Authority

Power and Authority

Week 28 | Section 42

Power and AuthorityJesus has gone to the Synagogue on the Sabbath but there encounters a demoniac. Astounding those present, he sets the demoniac free and word of Jesus’ authority spread throughout the region. The Good News is not limited to our salvation but our daily experience of God’s grace and power in our lives as we live Christ.

Scripture:

[one_half last=”no”]Mark 1:21-28
21 They went into Capernaum,1 and immediately on the Sabbath day he entered into the synagogue2 and taught.3¯4 22 They were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as having authority, and not as the scribes.5    23 Immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit,6 and he cried out, 24 saying, “Ha! What do we have to do with you, Jesus, you Nazarene? Have you come to destroy us?7 I know you who you are: the Holy One of God!” 25 Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!”8 26 The unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. 27 They were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching? For with authority he commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him!” 28 The report of him went out immediately everywhere into all the region of Galilee and its surrounding area.9 [/one_half]
[one_half last=”yes”]Luke 4:31b-37
31b He was teaching them on the Sabbath day, 32 and they were astonished at his teaching, for his word was with authority.10 33 In the synagogue there was a man who had a spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice, 34 saying, “Ah! what have we to do with you,11   Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know you who you are: the Holy One of God!”12 35 Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” When the demon had thrown him down in the middle of them, he came out of him, having done him no harm. 36 Amazement came on all, and they spoke together, one with another, saying, “What is this word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!” 37 News about him went out into every place of the surrounding region.[/one_half]

Group Dialog:

  1. What kind of authority does Jesus have in the synagogue? In his teaching? And over evil spirits? How should this truth influence our daily lives?
  2. What is the source of (Jesus’/ of our) truth, authority, and power?
  3. What spiritual struggles do you face? How can Christ’s authority, truth, and power help you overcome these things?
  4. What is our role in relationship to the authority of Christ in our lives? In regards to truth at work within us? And in regards to the ministry to which we have been called?

Learning Objectives:

Jesus is all powerful, Jesus is Holy, Jesus is the Messiah,  submission, free will, Jesus is the source of truth, our authority in ministry comes from Christ and our association in him.

Image: The Old Veteran – The Old Veteran Cypress resides on the North Shore Trail of the Point Lobos State Natural Reserve. Naturalists at Point Lobos estimate the Old Veteran has already exceeded the 300 year lifespan of most Cupressus macrocarpa but he still rests through the fog, and rain, despite the eroding cliff from the waves crashing below.

Study Notes: