https://www.bible.com/events/49471790

Church of the Nazarene – East Rockingham Campus

5 Keys of John Part 1

The Preeminence and Lordship of Christ

We are beginning a new teaching series in the Gospel of John called “Five Keys from John”.

The gospel of John was written around 80-90AD, by Jesus’ closest friend; The Apostle John.

John was the oldest and last surviving eyewitness of the 12 disciples who were with Jesus.

He is writing for a very specific purpose. He says in Chapter 20:31 “But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

John believes that the Jesus we discover through the stories in his gospel account is real and alive. And when we come to know who he is and believe in him, we will find true and eternal life.

John 1:1-2

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.

The first 18 verses form an introduction to the whole book. The themes and theological ideas that John sets out here in the beginning will shape the entire narrative of this gospel.

Our teaching text today is not just a nice point to start a book, for John it’s key to understanding who Jesus is.

In the beginning, was the word, was Jesus…

Jesus extends beyond the beginning we read about in Genesis. He always was.

The word was with God, and the word was God- Jesus was with God, and distinct from him, and at the very same time, he is God. God and Jesus are one.

Jesus is Lord, from the beginning.

John 1:3-5

Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

Jesus is the central figure in creation. Nothing that has been made without him, and as we will see in the next verse, nothing has life without him either.

When John talks about life and light in his gospel, he is often referring to spiritual realities. So what we also read here is that Jesus is the source of true and lasting spiritual or eternal life.

Light is the revelation, the revealing grace that allows us to see our true spiritual condition.

He is the life, and the light. This is a preview of the saving action of Jesus that will come to full display later in the gospel.

When John talks about darkness, it’s not about an absence of light. It’s about the presence of evil.

Jesus has the power and authority over the forces of evil. Evil has not, nor will it ever overpower Him.

Friends, this is Jesus. The expressed wisdom of God made flesh. One with God from before the beginning.

Creator, author, and sustainer of life.

Savior of the world, defeating darkness, bringing salvation and the light of eternal life.

This is Jesus. Lord, at the very heart of all of creation, of life itself.

A.W. Tozer says “What we believe about Jesus is the most important thing about us.”

I invite you to consider your answer to the question “Who is Jesus?”

I especially want you to think about the answer your life, your actions, your desires and drives, how would they answer the question: Who is Jesus?

Is he the center of your life, or if you were really honest, you are in the center of your own life.

Maybe your career, your family, your relationships are at the center today, and you need to allow Jesus to have his rightful place in your life. To surrender that place to him, allowing the person and life of Jesus to RULE in your life.

The Gospel of John is an invitation to know Jesus, and today, this is an invitation to know him as Lord of you life.

“On the other side of the lake the crowds welcomed Jesus, because they had been waiting for him. Then a man named Jairus, a leader of the local synagogue, came and fell at Jesus’ feet, pleading with him to come home with him. His only daughter, who was about twelve years old, was dying. As Jesus went with him, he was surrounded by the crowds. A woman in the crowd had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding, and she could find no cure. Coming up behind Jesus, she touched the fringe of his robe. Immediately, the bleeding stopped. “Who touched me?” Jesus asked. Everyone denied it, and Peter said, “Master, this whole crowd is pressing up against you.” But Jesus said, “Someone deliberately touched me, for I felt healing power go out from me.” When the woman realized that she could not stay hidden, she began to tremble and fell to her knees in front of him. The whole crowd heard her explain why she had touched him and that she had been immediately healed. “Daughter,” he said to her, “your faith has made you well. Go in peace.” While he was still speaking to her, a messenger arrived from the home of Jairus, the leader of the synagogue. He told him, “Your daughter is dead. There’s no use troubling the Teacher now.” But when Jesus heard what had happened, he said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid. Just have faith, and she will be healed.” When they arrived at the house, Jesus wouldn’t let anyone go in with him except Peter, John, James, and the little girl’s father and mother. The house was filled with people weeping and wailing, but he said, “Stop the weeping! She isn’t dead; she’s only asleep.” But the crowd laughed at him because they all knew she had died. Then Jesus took her by the hand and said in a loud voice, “My child, get up!” And at that moment her life returned, and she immediately stood up! Then Jesus told them to give her something to eat. Her parents were overwhelmed, but Jesus insisted that they not tell anyone what had happened.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭8‬:‭40‬-‭56‬ ‭

https://www.bible.com/events/49469036

Church of the Nazarene – East Rockingham Campus 

Miracles Part 4 

Jairus followed Jesus anyway, will you? 

Today we are going to talk about one of the hardest things to wrestle with as we consider miracles- And that is God’s timing 

As we conclude our series on Miracles this morning, I want to answer what may be the one question you’ve been asking as you’ve listened. Not Who? Or What? Or Where? But: WHEN? 

Throughout this series, we have defined a miracle as:An extraordinary work performed directly by the power of God in our natural world for His glory. Works that reveal his word, presence, and love in our world. 

We are seeking to open our hearts and minds to the reality that Jesus is still doing miracles today. We want to be people who have eyes to see the power of God at work in our lives and in our world, and to give him praise and glory. 

‭‭Mark‬ ‭5‬:‭21‬-‭23‬‬ 

When Jesus had again crossed over by boat to the other side of the lake, a large crowd gathered around him while he was by the lake. Then one of the synagogue leaders, named Jairus, came, and when he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet. He pleaded earnestly with him, “My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.” 

Jairus is like the executive pastor at the local Jewish synagogue. He was in charge of taking care of the details of the service, seeing to the daily affairs of things. He was a man of prominence, of authority and good reputation. Not someone you see making rash decisions or actions. 

But today he’s desperate. He needs a miracle, and He approaches Jesus, of all things, begging for it. 

The language here indicates that Jairus didn’t just ask once, it was over and over. His only daughter was dying. She was in her final hours of life, and time was of the essence. Jesus, I need you NOW. 

‭‭Mark‬ ‭5‬:‭24‬‬ 

So Jesus went with him. A large crowd followed and pressed around him. 

The language here literally means that the crowd was pressing in around Jesus so hard, they were crushing him. 

Through the crowd presses another person seeking a miracle from Jesus. A woman who has been suffering from bleeding for 12 years. She believes that if only she could touch Jesus’ clothes, she could be healed. She has faith and she is determined to get to Jesus. 

She makes it through the crowd, close enough that she can reach out and touch just the corner of Jesus’ garments. She is healed IMMEDIATELY. 

Among the crowd no one even notices. No one except Jesus. 

He knows that miraculous healing power has gone out from him, and he does what must have seemed like the un-thinkable to Jairus. 

Jesus stops. 

He takes precious moments to set her free from years of stigma and shame. Precious moments that had to be agonizing to Jairus. 

‭‭Mark‬ ‭5‬:‭35‬-‭36‬‬ 

While Jesus was still speaking, some people came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher anymore?” Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” 

In this moment, in the whirlwind of emotions that Jairus is going through, he has a choice. 

He can give into anger at Jesus for not doing anything. He can allow resentment to fuel bitterness and in desperation he can walk away to be in his pain alone. He can believe the report of his peers “it’s no use to bother Jesus anymore. It’s over” 

OR 

He can believe Jesus words that faith is enough. Jairus can surrender his timing, his thoughts of how it all should have worked- he can lay that down, and choose to trust Jesus anyway. 

Jairus had a choice, just like you and I do when God’s timing doesnt match our own. 

Friends, Jairus chose to follow Jesus anyway. 

Will you? 

1 When Jesus came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him. 2 A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” 3 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy. 4 Then Jesus said to him, “See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” Matthew‬ ‭8‬‬:‭1‬-‭4‬ ‭

12 While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” 13 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” And immediately the leprosy left him. 14 Then Jesus ordered him, “Don’t tell anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.” 15 Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. 16 But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. Luke‬ ‭5‬‬:‭12‬-‭16‬ ‭

9 But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. 1 John‬ ‭1‬‬:‭9‬ 

​

Music and Video Copyright Church of the Nazarene has Church Copyright License®- 597055 CVLI 505510135 CCLI Streaming License™ CSPL121919 CCS Worshipcast 13736

We are in week three of studying several of Jesus’ key miracles. 

It is important for believers to know that the same healing POWER of the Holy Spirit is at work in the believer’s life today.

Week one, Jesus turned the water to wine, we learned:

• We should ‘do what He tells you to do’. 

Week two, we learned:

• That the man was born blind “so that the works of God might be displayed in Him”. 
• We learned about spiritual blindness vs. sight, and that nothing is impossible with God.

Today, Week 3, the story of the Leper found in Matthew Chapter 8 helps us understand:

• The Lord’s power and willingness to ‘heal’ not only our physical needs, but other needs as well.    

The Church of the Nazarene’s core beliefs are summarized in the Articles of Faith, which are 16 statements outlining our beliefs of key Christian doctrine. 

Article 14 titled Divine Healing says:

“We believe in the biblical doctrine of divine healing and urge our people to offer the prayer of faith for the healing of the sick.  We also believe God heals through the means of medical science.”

This article affirms our belief that God can heal individuals through both direct divine interventions AND the means of medical science. 

Billy Graham is known for saying, “God is not limited, and He is certainly able to work in miraculous ways today just as He did in biblical times, if He so chooses.”

Let us pray:

“Dear God, we love You.  We thank You for Your love, and for the truth found in Your word.  We express our trust in You as the Great Physician, and that You can heal all things. 

Lord, You have the power to heal not only disease, but also our mind, relationships, our finances, and to fill me, fill us, with Your peace. Abba, Father, there are many needs represented today. You know our needs, and You care. 

We surrender to You, may Your will be done. Holy Spirit, please give us peace, and open our ears to hear.  May Your presence be felt in this service today, and in every moment of our lives.

We need You Lord.  We praise You Lord, and we thank You for Your amazing love.  In Jesus name we pray, Amen.”

Please turn with me to Matthew 8:1-4.  Stand with me if you are able for the reading of God’s Word. The words will be on the screen.

8 When Jesus came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him.

² A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”

³ Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy.

⁴ Then Jesus said to him, “See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”

Jesus loves all people, even those that are kept at a distance in society.  His love for lost humanity is real and this passage demonstrates His sovereign power.

We also learn in Matthew 4:25, “²⁵ Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him.”

Now we are going to unpack our passage for today.

Matthew Chapter 8: Verse 1:  When Jesus came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him.

When the Word says, “Jesus came down from the mountainside,” the mountain to which the text refers to, is the mountain where Jesus had just finished preaching His most famous sermon on the mount, found in Matthew 5, 6, and 7.

The crowds followed Him down from the Mount of Beatitudes where He had been teaching with authority, and the news of His healing power had spread, drawing massive crowds from various regions.

On this day, imagine the atmosphere…the crowds were singing, and praising Jesus, overwhelmed over what they had witnessed by His power. 

The multitudes followed Jesus for a variety of reasons: 

• Curiosity
• Jealousy
• Desperation
• Devotion
• And the hope He offered for a better life, including the opportunity to experience a miracle.

His message of love, forgiveness, and the promise of the Kingdom of God resonated with many, therefore drawing large crowds.

The air was filled with PRAISE and JOY until a leper appears and kneels before Jesus. 

Verse 2:  ² A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”

Jesus had just walked into town.

Leprosy referred to unsightly skin diseases that were frightening to people, considered to be VERY contagious, and led communities to distance themselves from those who suffered from these diseases.

The leper, who appeared hopeless, and in great need, had heard about Jesus, and he walked up to the man who could heal him.

The leper didn’t care that he looked appalling.  He had been cast out of the city.  He didn’t care about embarrassment or the opinions of others. 

This man humbled himself.  The first thing he did was kneel before the Lord. 

He had heard about the miracles of Jesus.  And the leper not only begged Jesus, in his statement “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” 

By him calling Him “Lord”, he is acknowledging Jesus’ sovereignty by expressing his dependence on Jesus’ willingness to heal him.

He worshipped Jesus by coming to Him, honoring Him as the One who could meet his otherwise impossible need. 

He acknowledged his full submission to His divine will. He clearly respected the power of Jesus by acknowledging all that was needed, was the will of Jesus, and he would be healed.

Through his posture of kneeling, he worshipped Jesus.  The leper’s statement and body language signify his profound faith. 

Did you know that Leprosy still exists?  Around the world there are an estimated 200,000 new cases reported each year.  The disease primarily affects the skin and peripheral nerves.

While once feared, leprosy is now known to be treatable with multidrug therapy and is not highly contagious. 

Hansen’s disease was introduced to replace the term ‘Leprosy’ due to the stigma and negative connotations associated with leprosy.

To understand the leper in this story, we must have an understanding what leprosy meant in biblical times:

1. It was a physical disease, and it was deemed highly contagious.
2. It was visual and it was ugly to look upon.  The person had open sores.
3. It created shame in the victim – the person was isolated from their communities and forced to live in isolation.
4. From the Jewish perspective, the person was ritually unclean, therefore they could not participate in religious sacraments and celebrations.

According to Jewish law and customs, one had to keep 6 feet from a leper. 

If the wind was blowing toward a person from a leper, they had to keep 150 feet away. 

Lepers had a disease that made them feel left out. 

Metaphorically speaking, who do you consider as a modern-day leper?”  (Pause)

This is not a literal question about individuals suffering from leprosy, but rather an invitation for introspection and a challenge to identify those individuals or groups who are marginalized, excluded, or are the “modern-day lepers?’ 

This question encourages self-reflection.  Are you truly embodying the teachings of Jesus, who reached out to, and healed the marginalized and outcast, including lepers. 

Verse 3:  ³ Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy.

Use your imagination, regarding the intrusion of the leper who asked Jesus for healing. 

Just think about it…

• The leper’s approach to Jesus required immense desperation and courage. Lepers were outcasts. They were forced to live separately and announce their “Uncleanness”.
• The leper’s presence near Jesus challenged social and ceremonial laws.  He broke these norms, driven by his need and hope in Jesus.
• The leper’s faith was strong because he risks rejection, ridicule, and potential violence.
• The leper experienced a ‘HOLY’ encounter with Jesus.

The leper’s desperation allowed Jesus to show compassion and challenge the norms. 

Jesus touched the man! Per the Law, Jesus contracted ceremonial defilement, but Jesus did not care about the rules. 

However, Jesus’ touch brings healing and ritual cleansing to the person with leprosy. Rather than being contaminated by contact, Jesus healed.

Jesus cares about everyone, especially those who feel left out.

Jesus did not come to hang out with the popular.  He came to hang out with the lonely and with the sinner.

Jesus’ authority as healer, needs but to will the deed, for it to be done. 

Jesus said, “I am willing.” Jesus’ compassion heals the leper, symbolizing His desire to cleanse us from the spiritual ailments that damage our souls and relationships.

Let us watch a short video of what it may have looked like when Jesus healed the leper.

Jesus heals the leper:

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/q8b8o1d1fc9p9bguj4te2/Jesus-Heals-the-Leper-3_36.mp4?rlkey=qka02psvdpvr69frz66uci9d5&st=qlqkplm2&dl=0

Verse 4: ⁴ Then Jesus said to him, “See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”

Jesus gave instruction to the man “not to tell anyone”, but to go and show himself to the priest. 

Jesus did this because He wanted to keep down the excitement of the crowds until the proper time for His formal revelation to the people. 

Jesus told the man to present himself to the priest for examination and confirmation of his healing.

The entire process serves as the person with leprosy’s public testimony to the priests and to his family, friends and the community about the miracle and Jesus’ authority.

Jesus wanted the healing of the man’s disease to have as much benefit as possible.

How is the story of the leper in Matthew 8:1-4 relevant to us?

This passage shows you and me that Jesus has the POWER to heal and cleanse, not just our physical needs, but also our spiritual needs, from sin and social exclusion. 

You may be saying, that is great, but I have never experienced a miracle, nor have I ever heard of a real documented miracle.

For the pragmatics in the room or listening to this message I will share about two miralces.  Jesus is alive and He is still in the miracle business today!!

• Aug 10, 2014 — It is a miracle that Grayson Kirby is alive and well after he was thrown from a car at the Mid-Atlantic Power Festival in Ruckersville. 

Doctors at UVA are unable to explain how Grayson Kirby survived a car accident, traumatic brain injury and crushed lungs.  Grayson’s story is posted on UVA Health.com blog.

Let us watch this short video about Grayson Kirby from Ruckersville, VA.

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/wjt5vvad0ljeevrcmsqg5/AOAiI9V6dT-ITpp5WThqCiE?dl=0&e=2&preview=Grayson+Miracle+2_41.mp4&rlkey=8kv28j4mfkkr6dl6ou93gnrie&st=p0jsiak6

• The second miracle story is about me.  I was diagnosed with CMC, carpometacarpal in 1999 in both hands.  The CMC is the joint specifically at the base of my thumb.

Over the last six years I have experienced increasing non-stop pain in both hands.

With the reduction of mobility in both hands: I would drop a cup of hot coffee, have problems pulling up my pants, experience difficulty unhooking my seat beat, typing at work, you name the task, and I can say that ‘EVERYTHING’ associated to my hands was painful.

I have received many painful injections to relieve the pain, occupational therapy, in addition to wearing hand braces faithfully, that brought me some relief.

Whenever people would ask me “How can I pray for you?”  I would say,
“If you think about it, please pray for my hands to stop hurting as I live with non-stop pain in both my hands.”

My doctor said I needed surgery on both hands to stop the pain.  The x-rays revealed that I was living with bone-on-bone. 

Two choices of surgery: 

1. Remove the bone and replace the damaged joint with an artificial implant as one option.
2. Or cut my arm and remove a part of my ligament, roll it up and place it in the carpometacarpal to act as a cushion between the bones.

I was told, recovery time for either surgery would be at least 3 months for each hand, and there was no guarantee that I would have full use of my hands after the surgeries.

However, IF I chose to not have one of the recommended surgeries, I was advised that I would continue to live with the pain.

I departed for a Mission Trip to speak as an evangelist in Lusaka, Africa on May 12 of this year. I took my braces off my hands because I did not want them to get dirty traveling.

I kept them on my person so at any time I could immediately put them back on. 

The flight to Africa was 21 hours.  When I arrived at my hotel room, I called my precious husband on WhatsApp. 

I was excited to share the wonderful news, “Thomas I don’t have my braces on!” 

Thomas, who is pragmatic, and IS PROUD to say that he is pragmatic, immediately said:

“Terry, you have not been typing and using your hands. Enjoy it while you can. When you get home, and you start typing at work, you can expect to have the pain in your hands again”.

Couples, I KNOW that you have experienced times in a conversation with your significant other, the person that you love, when they say something to you, and you just want to shake them.

This was one of those times.

I immediately said to Thomas…

“Don’t put water on my fire!!!!!  I know that I haven’t been typing!!  I KNOW I am NOT wearing my braces,  AND I KNOW my hands are not hurting!!!!

Be quiet and let us thank Jesus, for IF it is only for this period that I don’t have pain, then I am thankful. 

IF the pain returns in 5 minutes, then I WILL still PRAISE the LORD for the time that I have ENJOYED without pain.

We prayed and thanked the Lord!

Today is Sunday, July 20. I have been home since May 23.

I have been typing, picking up hot cups of coffee, pulling up my pants, and hooking my seat belt in the car, PLUS all my other normal activities of life,

AND, I have not had the excruciating pain in my hands, AND, I have not needed to wear my braces.

I have experienced a miracle.  IF the pain returns in 5 minutes, then I will still PRAISE the Lord for the time I ENJOYED without the pain. 

That’s a YAY for Jesus!!!!  It’s okay to clap to the LORD!!!!  J

Miracles happen when we worship the LORD.

How often is a sermon genuinely listened to with a heart open to being challenged and transformed, rather than simply seeking affirmation or information?

We cannot get rid of the illness on our own. We need the power of the Holy Spirit. The Good News of the story is Jesus’ response. He does not step back. He reaches forward. 

Jesus says, “I am willing.”

So, in all that we carry;

the decisions we’ve made, the things that we have done,

the words spoken to us as a child, the limits that others have set on us,

the things that have been done to us, all these things are part of who we are today.

If we are honest, we are all carriers of something. But Jesus is willing to meet us in all of it.

Jesus gives us real hope, plus real forgiveness, plus real love, that equals real JOY!

We can live a life filled with JOY during suffering when we bow down to Jesus.

Unlike leprosy, we often fight things no one can see:

• Mental health is real.
• Shame is real and it gains its power by hiding it.
• Relationships that are on the verge of breaking up, that are fragile or unstable.
• These are real things we know about and that Jesus knows about, but often others do not know because they can not see them. 
• And there are so many other things.  You fill in the blank.

Leprosy starts on the inside, and it lives inside of the person for years. By the time something shows up on the outside, it is bad on the inside.

Such is true for sin. Sin starts on the inside.  The more you sin, the more accepting you are to it. Sin brings distance and separation between you and God.

Jesus wants your life to be a trophy of God’s grace.  Are you willing to let Him meet you in your darkest needs?

I do not know what your need is today, but I do know Jesus said, “I am willing.”

There are 3 ways you can respond today:

1. The front row is dedicated for those who want to come sit or kneel, crying out to Jesus, begging Him for the healing that you desire in your life, for whatever your need may be.  Please come now.

Jesus said, “I am willing.”

• Perhaps you have a need that you have been praying about or that you are praying for “your one”.  There are cards on the table in front of the cross with writing pens, please come write your need on the card, and pin it to the cross.  Pastor Jared and I will join you in praying for that need.

Jesus said, “I am willing.”

• If you would like for me or Pastor Jared to pray with you and to anoint you, I will be up front, and Pastor Jared will be in the back.  Please come now.

Jesus said, “I am willing.”

Jesus is willing to take all of whatever you have. Give it to Jesus. The Holy Spirit is moving in this place now. Please do not ignore His gentle, tender voice.

Let us pray:

“Lord Jesus, we see in this passage your power to heal and your willingness to cleanse even the most outcast. We acknowledge that you are the Son of God, the one who can make us clean. We believe in your power to heal, and we ask for your touch in our lives.

We pray that you will touch us, cleanse us, and heal us from any sickness or disease, both physical and spiritual. May your power be made known through our lives as a testimony of your goodness and love. We pray for those who are suffering, who are marginalized, and who need your healing touch.

We ask that you reach out to them through us, and through others who are willing to be your hands and feet. In your powerful name Jesus, we pray, Amen.

Music and Video Copyright Church of the Nazarene has Church Copyright License®- 597055 CVLI 505510135 CCLI Streaming License™ CSPL121919 CCS Worshipcast 13736