Pastor Joseph Prince (3rd service using 1st service playback)
Jesus always used illustrations that are easily understood by everyone. Farmers and intellectuals alike.
Eg. If you who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, then how much more our heavenly Father to those who ask Him (Matt 7:11)
The challenge is that we don't dare to ask God sometimes for things tt are way above us / our "capabilites"
The journey we're taking, all has a purpose, even if we feel we're falling away, God knows how to catch us
But don't spend time running around the same mountain because there's an age factor
Don't spend time / talents in areas u know u won't be fulfilled.
Eg. jobs tt pay well but u hate it / climbing up the wrong ladder
Go to ur leaders before marriage, when considering a new job etc. They're your shepherds
Grace is not about no condemnation by psyching yourself to believe so. It's a judicial and right thing to do, to know that all our sins have been paid for by Jesus. This is not psychology.
The power of the Holy Spirit is limitless. You don't have to be touched by a pastor to receive healing. You're not short changed just because you're in a big church without alter calls.
Hear first and then be healed
Cool = self control; not controlled by anger and swear words
Recap last week's sermon
What was going astray is now returned (passive) by the Shepherd
Healing flows when you know you're part of the flock
Even David when he was a king, still took position of sheep. The phrase he used was "These flock, what have they done. It is me." (2 Sam 24:17) It flows out of his consciousness of being a sheep.
Astray = habits, conduct, lifestyle
The Gospel of Jesus meets our every need
Sheep who go astray = dirty, lacerations on body, suspicious of new things etc
The Gospel of Jesus meets our every need
Sheep who are taken care of = washed, healthier, happier, restful
Sermon proper
Hebraism = an expression / construction distinctive of the Hebrew language
2 Cor 12:7
Thorn in the flesh = an expression, not a disease on him, similar to the phrase "pain in the neck" = a messenger of satan, the religious kind
evil spirits know they can't say "go slap your wife", that's too obvious. They're subtle and ask u to go back to law keeping etc
God never promised that He will deliver us from persecution but that it is given onto us a gift of grace to suffer for His sake. (Phil 1) But suffer is NOT sickness
Afflicted = going through hardship
Suppose sickness is one of the persecutions, then shouldn't Paul himself be healed of it since his clothes were brought to others and they were healed? (Acts 19:11-12)
Also, Paul lists out all the persecutions but sickness is never one of them. (2 Cor 11)
Other examples of hebraism:
A) Land flowing with milk and honey - Exodus 3:8
Flowing = prosperity, abundance
Live in houses you did not build, …, drink from wells u did not dig = living based on the work of another
B) Irritants in eyes & thorns in sides - Numbers 33:55
A physical personality, not a disease
Someone might be there to cause trouble, but God can use that trouble to open doors.
My grace is sufficient for you (2 Cor 12:9)
C) Fear and trembling
"Fear and trembling" (one phrase together, not separate) = in view of / in awe of all the good things that God has done for me; because of the overwhelming goodness of God; not because of fear of judgement
i. In fear and in much trembling - 1 Cor 2:3-4
V4 the results of fear and trembling in Christ
You can say the right words but nothing comes out of it without the power of God
Both inferiority complex & arrogance are because of self occupation
ii. Work out your own Salvation in fear and trembling because it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure - Phil 2:12-13
God works in you first and then you work it out with what is already in you.
Holy Spirit gives you ideas about what to do.
iii. All will fear and tremble for all the goodness and prosperity that the Lord will provide for us - Jer 33:9
People will be overwhelmed. Why will God do this for you? We're more experienced, have more education / money etc
Context, V8 cleansed, pardoned = forgiven
Then, V9 then it will be that I provide / pay for it
Prosperity with a purpose, prosperity with materialism / selfishness
When God positions you, it's always with a purpose. Ask Him what that purpose is.
iv. Fear and tremble, knowing what had happened to her (that she was healed) - Mark 5:29-34
She was overwhelmed by His goodness, not because she was afraid that Jesus was going to scold her.
V34 Jesus made her well. But Jesus won't force healing on her. Her faith received His will of health for her.
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Sidetrack
Jesus could choose where/how/which family to be born into, but He chose the most lowly.
Example that whoever humbles himself shall he exalted. (Matt 23:12)
Doesn't matter who is right or wrong, but humble yourself and say sorry.
Don't pray "God humble me", you'll cry if He really does.
The Bible says to humble yourself.
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D) Singular vs Plural Hebrew
Singular = normal, Plural = intense
E.g. L'chiam = used when toasting, like "cheers!" = to life! = plural = intense & abundant life; full and wonderful
E.g. Muth = death = singular = normal death
plural = violent death (Isaiah 53)
E.g. Ephraim (Joseph's son) = plural = double fruitfulness = very fruitful
E.g. Blessed is the man - Psalm 1 = blessednesseses = multiple plural = blessed intensely & all over
E.g. Life and life more abundantly - John 10:10 = plural = life for eternity
E.g. If we confess our sins - 1 John 1:9 = plural = intense sin
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Sidetrack
Why did John talk about confessing of sins when it wasn't the present truth?
Because he was writing this part to Jews who were not yet saved
Recall sermon about present truths: (19 April 2015 sermon)
David's present truth = law, confessing sins
Our present truth = grace
Recall 'target' ministry: (Gal 2:9)
Paul's ministry is to the Gentiles / non Jews
James, Peter, John 's ministry is to the Jews, possibly not yet saved
"Brother" possibly Jewish brother but not yet saved (1 John 3:15)
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E.g. Confessing their sins - Mark 1:5 = plural = intense sin
Does that mean they confessed each and all of their sins one by one? No, the phrase is about coming as a sinner (intense sin) and turning to God
During sex, all blessings and curses come into each other.
Like gluing 2 pieces of paper and trying to tear them apart later - parts of each piece are stuck/left behind on the other.
devil wants you to think you're being deprived / that God is stingy. But hey, actually God gave you plenty and you can eat from evvvvvvvvvery tree except one.
devil wants u to think u're not yet like God and need to add to it / do something more, like the work is not yet finished. But no, you don't need anything more. Once you've received Christ, you're made in His image and likeness already. (Gen 1:26-27)
Jer 9:23-24
What are u looking for/ boasting about in life?
Don't pursue things that don't satisfy.
Don't chase knowledge, might or money.
Nothing wrong with these per se, but it's wrong if it becomes the entire focus of your life.
There are things we can do with money, and yes we pray for prosperity, but what's / who's your focus?
Boast in the Lord.
How to know God?
Heb 8:11-12
Terms of the covenant.
None will teach each other 'know the Lord', for all shall know Me.
'know the Lord' = know by effort or experience = gingko (but experience may be wrong)
for all shall know me = inward revelation = aida (a revelation that cannot be taken from us)
Similarly, fear and tremble, knowing what had happened to her (Mark 5:29-34) = aida
V11 is because of V12 (context)
V12 for = because He will be merciful to our unrighteousnesses (plural) and sins (plural) & lawlessness (plural) He remembers no more
No more = umei = never ever ever remember our sins again
Sins = actual actions that go over the line, sins in our heart although we didn't commit with actions etc, all are covered here
Me: I will know the Lord / I will have an inward revelation of the awesomeness and overwhelming goodness of my Lord because He is merciful to my intense sins/unrighteousness/lawlessness/any behaviour I am embarrassed about and He never ever ever remembers them again.
Don't bring things up when the spouse/other party is not in the posture to receive. Especially if it's about correction.
Jer 33:9 All will see and know that surely the Lord is with us!
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