E-pistle for November 20, 2009
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E-pistle
Dr. Dan Hite, President FreeWay Foundation November 20, 2009
Immediately
(Mark 1:1-45)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration & Meditation on the word "immediately" in this chapter
1. "Immediately, coming up from the water, He saw the heavens
parting and the Spirit descending upon Him . . . You are My
beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased," vv. 10-11.
2. "Immediately, the Spirit drove Him into the wilderness . . . to
be tempted by Satan," vv. 12-13.
3. "They (Simon and Andrew) immediately left their nets and
followed Him, v. 18.
4. "Immediately He called them (James and John) and they . . .
went after Him," v. 20.
5. "Immediately on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and
taught," v. 21. (Cast out a demon: vv. 23-27.)
6. "Immediately His fame spread throughout all the region around
Galilee," v. 28.
7. "He came and took her (Simon's mother-in-law) by the hand and
lifted her up, and immediately the fever left her," v. 31.
8. "As soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy left him, and
he was cleansed," v. 42.
II. Revelation: on the things that God does immediately
1. He gives the Holy Spirit for spiritual vision, affirmation, guidance,
and power over temptation.
2. He calls people to a new way of life, including evangelistic
outreach.
3. He teaches His truths, illustrating their validity by overcoming
Satanic opposition and bondage . . . all for His praise and glory.
4. He heals hurting people and answers their sincere prayers, v. 40.
III. Applications: as a Christian I need to . . .
1. Invite the fullness of the Holy Spirit into my life for spiritual perception,
for affirmation of my relationship with the Father, for guidance in
my daily walk with Him and for overcoming power to triumph over
temptation.
2. Listen for Jesus' call to follow Him, with an eye on evangelistic
opportunities . . . to tell the good news and to win the lost.
3. Study and meditate on God's word, as interpreted by the Holy Spirit,
to gain strength and wisdom for overcoming Satanic opposition and
bondage . . . steadfastly resisting temptation in the name of the Lord
Jesus Christ, thereby bringing praise and glory to His name.
4. Pray with sincere faith, knowing that God can, that He wants to, and
that He does heal hurting people today.
Why Did Jesus Perform Miracles?
(Mark 2:1-28)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on the contents of this chapter
1. Jesus forgave and healed a paralytic man, demonstrating His
power in the spiritual and physical realms, vv. 1-12.
2. Jesus called Matthew, the tax collector; He stated His mission:
"I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance,"
vv. 13-17.
3. Jesus answered questions about fasting; He taught about not
putting a new patch on an old garment and about not putting new
wine into old wineskins, vv. 18-22.
4. Jesus taught the true meaning of the Sabbath, stating that He is
Lord of the Sabbath, vv. 23-28.
II. Meditation: on the reasons that Jesus performed miracles
1. He performed miracles to attract a crowd of people to hear His
words of truth and salvation.
2. He performed miracles of healing to bring relief from pain and
suffering by people He loved; He performed miracles to meet the
physical needs of people (feeding 5,000 and 4,000), allowing the
Twelve to assist Him.
3. He performed miracles to illustrate His omnipotent power . . . calming
the Sea of Galilee; He performed miracles to demonstrate His victory
over the demonic powers of Satan (Gadarene demoniac).
4. He performed miracles to prove His spiritual authority to forgive sins
(text); He performed miracles to teach the Twelve important spiritual
lessons on faith (cursed fig tree).
III. Revelation: on Jesus . . . the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8)
1. He still does miracles to attract the attention of unbelievers.
2. He still does miracles because He loves and desires to help hurting
people; to meet their needs.
3. He still does miracles to show His power over Satan,
4. He still does miracles (including salvation, cleansing, forgiveness and
empowering) to teach us His ways and to mature us as His followers.
IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Look for and recognize His hand at work in the circumstances of my life.
2. Participate with Him in helping hurting people whom He loves.
3. Stand in Jesus' name against the powers of Satan in my life, in my church,
in my community, in my nation, and in the world.
4. Receive from Him forgiveness, cleansing, and filling with the Holy Spirit to
enable me to follow Him and to become more like Him.
People who do these things are Jesus' true spiritual family members, vv. 31-35.
Happy Thanksgiving
From all the staff at FreeWay Foundation
&
Pillsbury College & Seminary
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