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Miracles Of The Master
– Matthew
Eight –
Jesus
did undeniable miracles that proved Him to be the Son of God. "And truly
Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which
are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that
Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in
His name." (John 20:30-31.) Nicodemus had it right when he said of Jesus,
"...no one can do these things that you do unless God is with Him."
(John 3:2)
A
miracle is an event or actions that could not be produced by man or nature. It
is a supernatural event that goes beyond natural law. In Bible days no one had
to try to defend miracles or prove that they were done. They were so out of the
ordinary that they either happened or they did not happen. Many people saw
Bible miracles; therefore none could deny that they were real. Even the enemies
of Christianity admitted that miracles were done in Bible days! Matthew eight
lists several of Jesus' miracles.
Some
miracles of Jesus – Matthew 8:1-15: In Matthew 8:1-4 the great multitudes followed him.
They did not follow Him with their hearts but they walked along with Him. A
leper came in faith to the only one that could help. He knew Jesus could
help if it
was His will.
Healing
leprosy was beyond anything that
humans could accomplish. This was a miraculous act by the Lord.
"Immediately" is a key word in this story. Jesus was willing and the
man's leprosy was healed immediately. After leprosy was healed the Law
required certain ceremonial things. Jesus sent the man forth to meet those
requirements. (Leviticus 14)
The
next miracle involved the healing of a centurion's servant. He was sick of the
palsy, grievously tormented. (Matthew 8:5-13) This centurion, recognizing the
authority of the words of Jesus, asked help for his sick servant. Jesus
commended the faith of the centurion. The "servant was
healed that same hour." The Lord said of the faith of the
centurion, "I have not found such great faith, not even in
Jesus
also healed Peter's mother-in-law. (Matthew 8:14-15) The touch of the Master's
hand cured her of a great fever. She was healed quickly and immediately. She
then arose and served them. Peter was married and therefore does not fit the
idea of a Pope. Peter was neither the first Pope nor a Pope at all.
Miracles
demanded a following – Matthew 8:16-22: Matthew tells us the Jesus did that which
Isaiah prophesied that the Messiah would do. (Matthew 8:16-17) "When
evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He
cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick." (Matthew
8:16.) Isaiah had said, "He Himself took our infirmities and bore our
sickness." (Isaiah 53:4) Observe carefully that Jesus healed all that
were sick and He simply did it "with a word."
The
text in Isaiah likely refers to the taking away of our sin. However, the lesson
is clear, just as Jesus healed the physical infirmities He is able to heal
(forgive) the sins of the soul. Matthew referred to the prediction of Isaiah,
concerning miraculous healing of physical bodies as a prophecy of the salvation
of souls by Jesus.
Discipleship
cost and those that follow Jesus must make the necessary sacrifices. Jesus
said, "The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the
Son of man hath not where to lay his head." Those that followed Jesus were
called upon to give up many of the comforts of life. Those that follow Him do
not do so for earthly gain. Nothing must be allowed to interfere with our
spiritual service to Christ. "But Jesus said to him, follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead." (Matthew
8:22.) Jesus is the Son of God. His miracles prove Him to be so. He deserves
our following.
Miracle of
the wind and waves – Matthew 8:23-27: Jesus had power even over the wind and the
waves. As He and his disciples were in a small ship they were about to be sunk
by a storm. Jesus was sleeping when His disciples awoke Him in fear saying,
"Lord, save us: we perish." Jesus arose and "rebuked the winds
and the sea; and there was a great calm." The disciples marveled saying,
"Even the winds and the sea obey Him." Many today claim the same
miraculous power and yet none of them ever quite the storms. They are thus
proven false teachers that claim false miracles and no one marvels at what they
do!
Have
you ever felt that life was just shaking you in every direction and that you
were sinking quickly? If so you should easily recognize the need for having
Jesus in the boat of life with you. Those that sail the ship of life without
Jesus face certain disaster!
Miracle of
healing the demon-possessed – Matthew 8:28-34: Jesus also healed two very
pitiful demon possessed men. These men were exceedingly fierce, living in the
tombs. They were so fierce that no one could travel that way. The demons
recognized Jesus as the Son of God! They said "If you force us out, please
send us into those pigs!" The demons were allowed to go into a herd of
swine that were drowned into the sea. When the hogs were drowned the people
that were taking care of them ran to town and told others what had happened.
"The whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they
besought him that he would depart out of their coasts."
Notice
the change that takes place when Jesus touches a person's life. The demons had
brought these two men to a place that was uncomfortable and distressing. This
made them even more wild and fierce. But when Jesus touched their lives all of
that turmoil was gone. No words can describe the change that Jesus can bring to
a person's heart, life and situations. Sadly, just like these demon possessed
ones many have nothing to do with Jesus; they miss the benefits of His blood,
they miss His grace and His righteousness. Jesus cannot be Savior for those
that have nothing to do with Him.
Instead
of asking Jesus to leave their region these people should have recognized Him
as Lord and Christ. There was no doubt that the demons that were in those men
were subject to Christ. He cast them out by a word or command. The men were
made whole in mind and body. Jesus wanted to make all of
these people whole but they asked Him to leave! This sad account is
repeated in many lives today as people tell the Savior to get out of their
region.
The
miracles prove that Jesus is the Son of God. If you believe that He is God's
Son you will want Him in your life. You will not ask Him to leave. Hear His
word (Romans
- - - - Charles Box
News & Notes
1. Prayer
List: In Need Of Prayers: Michelle Bagents, James Barr (brother of
Jerry Barr), Linda Bender, V.P. Black, Bryson Box, Dawn Bradley, Emily Cain,
Meryln Carter, Matthew Conway, Juanita Cubley, Marie Curlee (awaiting surgery),
Evie Fisher (friend of Dennis Phillips Jr.), Roy Goodwin, Ramona Gravely,
Montine Hardin, Peggy Harper, Jean Harrell, Latrell Harrell (son of Cage &
Jean Harrell), Evan Hartsell, Frank Johnson, Darrell Jones, Mary Lawrence, Steve
Osborne, Jesse Mae Powell, Mary Powell, R.B. Stabler (awaiting surgery), Peggy
Stabler (daughter-in-law of R.B. Stabler), Roger Strange, Winston Temple,
Brittany Till, Corrine Till, Barbara Walker, and Leroy Waller. Crowne
Health Care: Kathy Johnson, Myrtle Perdue, and Iva Lou Wright.
2. Please Pray For: The
following people are serving in Iraq: Sam Sanders, son of Jerry Sanders, Jason
Godwin, son of Barbara Walker, Michael Howell, grandson of Clifford and Ella
Mae McCarter, Kimberly Williams, cousin of Marie Owens and Brenda Herring, and
Taylor Bodie, grandson-in-law of William & Margaret Pierce. Pray for them
often!
3. It’s A
Boy: Congratulation to Jason and Meredith Godwin on the birth of their
son, Mason Alexander. He was born January 24th. He weighed 6 pounds 10 ounces and was 20
inches long. Congratulations to proud grandparents Barbara & Jimmy Walker,
James Godwin, Jim & Robin Falkenburg and Linda & Adam Gainer and great
grandmother, Lorene Beverly.
4. 2007 Church Budget: Our
Elders have challenged us with a weekly budget of $6,427.38 for 2007. If we all
give as God has blessed us that will be no problem. “But this I say: He who
sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also
reap bountifully.” (II Cor. 9:6)
5. Birthdays: Celebrating
birthdays this week are: January 28th Philip
Pierce, January 29th Jane O’Connor, January 30th Kristi
& Kayla Garlock, and January 31st Sue Arnold,
Freddie Daughtry and Barbara Walker.
6. Visiting Speaker: One of
our new endeavors for 2007 is to support Kelly Windham as he attends Northwest
Florida School of Preaching. So that we might get to know him he will preach
for us on Sunday night, March 4th.
7. Contribution Verification
Letters: The contribution verification letters for 2006 are available
at the
8.
9. Ladies Bible Class: The
Wednesday morning Ladies Bible Class meets at 10:00 a.m. All ladies are invited
to participate.
10. Visitation Program: Our visitation
program meets on Tuesday nights at 6:00. Both men and women are invited to
participate. Please be a part of this good work.
12. Put These Dates On Your Calendar: (a) January 27-28 – Cedar Grove Church of Christ – Lessons on “The Home” – Speaker Donnie Hilliard – Time Saturday 8:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. and Sunday 9:30 & 10:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. (b) February 2-4 – Dalraida Church of Christ – Fortifying The Family – Speaker Dr. Bill Battles – Time 7:00 p.m. Friday & Saturday and 9:00 & 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Sunday (c) February 3rd – North Lowndes Church of Christ – Ladies Day – Gladys Deese – Topic “Wearing the Logo for Christianity” – Time 9:30 a.m. until lunch. (d) March 5-8, 2007 – Faulkner University – Annual Bible Lectures – Theme: Our God, He is Alive (e) March 25-29 – Memphis School of Preaching – Theme “Epistles To Corinth” – See the bulletin board for speakers and schedule of events. (f) April 27-28 – Marriage Seminar – Walnut Street Church of Christ – Speakers Glenn & Cindy Colley (g) Sept. 24-26, 2007 – Regions University – Spiritual Enrichment Forum – Embassy Suites, Montgomery.
“Everyday” Rules For God’s Children
(Romans
12:1-2)
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable [spiritual-ASV] service” (Romans 12:1). Paul begins this very familiar passage by pleading with Christians to live daily for God upon the grounds of the immeasurable grace and mercy that has been shown to us. One great proof of God’s love is that He sent His only Son to die for us, then gave us a choice whether or not to follow Him, knowing that most people would not obey. The illustration used here, “present your bodies a living sacrifice,” is not meant to contrast the sacrifices of the Old Testament, since no Jew ever offered a dead animal as a sacrifice to God (Robertson L. Whiteside). Instead the plea is for followers of Christ to enter their living bodies into selfless service to the Lord. Every command from God requires our bodies, so those bodies must be “holy” and set apart for devotion to Him. We often stress, and rightly so, the need to offer authorized acts of worship to God. But it is equally important in God’s eyes that we offer our bodies and our lives as the kind of daily sacrifice for which He has asked.
A key component of being “acceptable” to God is given in the next verse. “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:2). Part of our “spiritual service” to the Lord is to make sure that there is distinction between our lives and the sinful world around us. Christians are to be set apart like a “city that is set on a hill” (Matthew 5:14). No, the point is not to act a peculiar as possible at all costs, but to let your dedication to the Lord be obvious to those who see you, so that they might “glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). This kind of life will only belong to those who begin by “renewing” their minds according to the will of God. Thinking right is an essential beginning to doing right. Does your life reflect the teachings of Romans 12:1 & 2?
- - - - Darrell Powell
The happiest people don’t have the best of everything. They just make
the best of every thing.
Don’t just own a Bible; read it!
Walnut Street Church of Christ
P.O. Box 551
Greenville, Alabama 36037-0551
(334-382-3001)