Jul. 05, 2020

Scripture Reading: Revelation 3:14-21

Background: Our evangelist, that is MAtthew, is documenting the life and miracles of Jesus. We used the account un John last week to help us to grasp the full intent if the miracle of Jesus feeding the 5,000 and then walking on water. Jesus is the Messia. It is apparent to see here, if we believe the Bible as God's Word, not a word from man about God, but the Word of God Himseld, yes, recorded through men with their backgrounds in view, their experiences and circumstances notwithstanding, it is the Word of God. Then we must know by now that the Bible unequivocally states that Jesus is the Messiah. If you do not hear anything else today, I want you to hear that Jesus is the Messiah.

Read/Pray: Matthew 14: 34-36 (Mark 6:53-56)

Study: 

1.) When the Messiah shows up people react! 

           a. Matthew says, "When the men recognized him..." (14:35)

                        i. Men we are called to bring people to Christ. 

           b. Mark says, "And when they got out of the boat, the people immediately recognized him and ran                         about the whole region and began to bring the sick people on their beds to where ever they heard                     he was." (6:54, 55)

                        i. Mark said they came running. Do you run to Christ?

          c. What ever happened; whether men or everybody, both accounts says they sent for everyone who                    needed a touch.

                         i. John Wesley said, "When you set ourself on fire, people love to come and see you burn." 

                                    1. Are we a people on fire?

                                    2. Do we urge people to come?

 2.) The fringe is enough; because the Messiah is more than enough. 

           a. Matthew 14:36  /Mark 6:56 "...as many as touched it were healed."

           b. Matt 9:20; The woman with the issue of blood - 12 years she had suffered shame and guilt,                               worthlessness, discarded by society, avoided, abandoned.

                        i. Oh, but not by her Savior! 

                       ii. Hear her desperation, "If I only touch His garment, I will be made well." (9:21)

           c. But it wasn't the garment, a touch without faith is useless.

                        i. Jesus responded, "Take heart, daughter. Your faith has made you well."

           d. The touch is the experience, but the experience that does not lead to faith is just an experience that                  delivers unto death. 

3.) Why are you satisfied with fringe living? 

           a. John 10:10 " I came that you may have life and have it abundantly."

           b. John 15:1-11

                        i. Abide in me. (Don't touch the garment alone, but find your whole life in me.)

                       ii. A Branch cannot bear fruit by itself, and neither can you.

                      iii. If you abide in me, and I in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

                                1. Keep my commandments.

                                2. Abide in my love.

                                3. Your joy will be full. 

             c. John 16:24, "Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your                       joy may be full." 

                         i. God has not called us to fringe living. He has called us to FULL living.  

                               1. Some of us are constantly disappointed because we look more like our Revelation                                             reading. We are seeking satisfaction on, or at least we think we should be, satisfied in                                       our accomplishments. 

                                            a. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that                                                     you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. 

                                            b. Notice that God says your wealth, health, and propsperity are just nakedness.                                                    Worthless. 

                                 2. We should not just satisfy ourselves with the experience of God, the touch of the                                               fringe for our healing. Rather, we should seek to have the fullness of Christ Jesus                                             dwelling within us by the power of the Holy Spirit. 

                                3. A completely full, empowered, joyful, and worshipful life. 

Conclusion:  C.S. Lewis said, in dealing with our fringe experience, "We are half-hearted creatures, going about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased."

It is not that we enjoy pleasure to much, it is that we have no idea what true pleasure comes from. We should be in pursuit of knowing the Messiah to his fullness, not just experiencing Him one time, or only on Sundays and living a life of defeat throughout the week. Christ came not only to save you, but to give you full joy. Won't you come to Him today? By the power of the Spirit of God, Jesus is calling.