Podcast: Play in new window | Download (0.0KB)
Sermon Notes 11-06-11am
Matthew 9: 35-38
Intro: A powerful scene from the movie, “Grapes of Wrath”
- 1940 classic John Ford adaptation of John Steinbeck
- Tom Joad (Henry Fonda) is lead and Ma Joad…
- Finally arrive in California and set up in Migrant Camp. Ma begins preparing supper, hot meal, last of supplies. A dozen hungry kids from camp gather around… Ma frantic
- Tom Joad responds with anger, chasing the kids away. Not because he is cold-hearted, but tender-hearted; yet, HELPLESS. The kids scare him and expose his Poverty.
- Feeling Helpless, nothing to Offer; He hardens his heart!
t/s – Feeling helpless in Face of Need, We Harden Our Hearts.
Last week, we talked about Compassion.
Seeing the multitudes, He felt compassion for them, because
They were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd.
To Follow Him is to be Like Him: Gut-wrenching Experience
But when we really open our eyes to see people, those close to us and far away, when we allow our hearts to be open to poor, hungry, lonely, hurting, deceived, downcast people — We feel overwhelmed, Helpless. What do we have to offer?
Feeling Helpless, we harden our hearts!
Yet, Our Master gave no sense of futility, helplessness. He spoke of Harvest with Compassion and Confidence!
Matthew 9: 35-38
Vs. 35 The Three-Fold Ministry of Jesus
- Teaching – We have truth, but not like Him. (amazed)
- Healing – We bring compassion and action to Needs, but not like Him! (sick, outcast, blind, grieving)
- Proclaiming the Good News of the Kingdom!
We share His Gospel Proclamation Ministry!
“Proclaim” = Herald, Just carrying the Message… Not composing or creating, not instructing, not persuading… Hearalding
n Focus on an Event, not an Idea!
“Gospel” = Euangellion = Good News…like Messenger of Victory
“Kingdom” = The Rule of God, setting things All Right.
Jesus, the King, has come to Set things Right…Justice, Peace, Freedom…Rescue from Fear, Death, Domination
ILL – Jesus returned to His hometown synagogue (been there)
- Entered, stood, opened, found, read a Messianic..
- Closed, gave back, sat…. Said…
Today, this Scripture fulfilled!
I am the promised Savior King come to Set Things Right!
READ Luke 4: 14-21 (Isaiah 61)… ME ME ME
Our Good News Proclamation is Jesus. He is the promised Savior King. He came to Set all Thing Right; and He is starting in the Hearts of men and women… Now!
Followers of Jesus are Compassionate and Confident.
We have something to Offer.
Something that Meets Deepest Needs.
ILL – “Better to have something to say; than have to say something.”
App – When you encounter the world with Open Eyes, do you
Have anything to say, anything to Offer!?
- Local — Addictions, Abuses, Anger
- International Injustices, Hunger, Hopelessness
- Your Eyes Open this Week… Feel Overwhelmed?
Objection! Preacher, you are telling us to wade into a world of hurt with Words, with a Proclamation, the Gospel. Is that All!
- The Kingdom of God is like Seed Cast upon the Soil.
- First, in Galilee, Repent, Believe, Follow Me
- Redemption of Societies follow Redeemed People.
ILL – Families Adopting Right Now…
Why? Gospel.
We have something to Offer. Be Confident in Gospel.
ILL – Paul heading to Rome (Washington DC +)
- Corruption, Immorality, poverty, slavery…. World of Hurt!
- I can’t wait…. Rom. 1:16
I am not ashamed of the Gospel. It is the Power of
God unto salvation for everyone who believes!
App – Today, families from Our Church… uprooted…
Poland, North Africa, India…
Convinced, Confident…. They Have Something to Offer!
Followers of Jesus are Compassionate and Confident.
We have something to Offer.
Something that Meets Deepest Needs.
ILL – Talk to my old friend Mike this week (1990… 22 yrs)
- Happy Marriage; grown kids; first grandbaby..
- Prospering business; new house…
- Church… Deacon, Pastor Search committee Chair
Remembering the first time I met Mike…
- He needed money, job skills, parenting class, Financial Peace, help with role as husband…
- I gave him what I had… The Gospel!
Jesus Changed His Life; His wife’s; His children; His grandchildren.
Long after that day at his kitchen table is forgotten, even after Mike and I have gone home; the Gospel Seed will be growing.
Be Confident! You Have something to Offer this World of Hurt.
