Participants: John Lomacang (Host), Dr. Morgan Medlock
Series Code: FDOF
Program Code: FDOF000034A
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00:19 Hello and welcome to Foundation of Our Faith,
00:21 a Dare to Dream production here at 3ABN. 00:25 I'm John Lomacang, 00:26 and allow me to welcome you to a dynamic production today. 00:30 Our speaker for this message is Dr. Morgan M. Medlock, 00:34 well qualified educationally 00:36 but what I'm impressed with more 00:38 is her spiritual tenacity 00:39 and the way that God has used her 00:41 to handle the scriptures. 00:44 Dr. Medlock graduated from Oakwood College, 00:46 now Oakwood University in 2007 00:48 and with a degree in biology and pre-medicine. 00:52 She later went on to Andrews University 00:54 to complete MDiv degree in 2011, 00:58 then afterward completed a Doctorate of Medicine degree 01:01 at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine in 2013. 01:05 As you listen to her message today, 01:07 stretched and strengthened, you will be impressed 01:09 not just by her educational achievements, 01:12 but by her connection with the Lord. 01:15 Before she comes, our minister of music, 01:17 Jason Bulgin, is going to bless us 01:19 with a song entitled "Sweetest name". 01:23 He is a native of Toronto, Canada, 01:25 a man who desires to live his life 01:27 on purpose and uplift Jesus. 01:30 After he sings, 01:31 the next voice that you will hear 01:33 would be that of Dr. Morgan M. Medlock 01:53 It was 01:55 Your words 01:57 That calm storm 02:01 Few raging winds 02:06 I am still secure 02:10 You shall turn the rain, 02:14 took away the pain 02:18 Jesus is the sweetest name 02:26 My melody 02:28 Is sympathizing Jesus 02:34 Who understands 02:37 and heals my deepest pain 02:43 Your love for me 02:48 has made a change in me 02:52 Jesus is the sweetest name 02:58 The sweetest name I know 03:16 In sickness and health 03:20 You're by my side 03:24 Without Your grace 03:29 I would've died 03:32 I am grateful to You 03:36 Your love pulled me through 03:40 And Jesus is the sweetest name 03:47 My melody 03:49 Is sympathizing Jesus 03:55 Who understands 03:57 and heals my deepest pain 04:03 Your love for me 04:07 Has made a change in me 04:12 Jesus is the sweetest name 04:18 My melody He's a man 04:22 Who walked on water 04:26 He stretched out His hands 04:29 To save my sinking soul 04:34 Breathe into me new life 04:39 A joy, I can't explain 04:43 Jesus is the sweetest name 04:49 The sweetest name I know 05:00 He is, 05:02 He is I know that He is the sweetest name 05:07 I know He is, 05:10 He is My Jesus is the sweetest name 05:15 I know He is, 05:18 He is I know that He is the sweetest name 05:23 I know He is, 05:26 He is My Jesus is the sweetest name 05:31 I know He is, 05:34 He is I know that He is the sweetest name 05:39 I know He is, 05:42 He is My Jesus is the sweetest name 05:49 I know 05:56 Amen, amen, and amen again. 05:59 Jesus is certainly the sweetest name 06:02 that we have and that we can call upon. 06:06 How many are thankful for Jesus? 06:08 The Bible says that there is no other name 06:10 given among men whereby we can be saved. 06:14 His name is the greatest name, for Paul says in Philippians 2 06:18 that God has highly exalted him 06:21 and given him a name that is above every name. 06:23 Somebody said that 06:25 when you just call on that name, 06:27 your situation begins to change. 06:29 So I don't know about you 06:31 but I'm thankful for Jesus today. 06:35 I'm so excited to be with you today 06:38 to share the Word of God 06:39 and to share the love of Jesus Christ. 06:43 I want to invite you to turn with me in your Bibles 06:47 to the Book of Luke 6 06:51 and we will consider today 06:53 for our sermonic focus verses 1-11. 06:58 Luke 6:1-11. 07:04 Reading from the New King James Version, 07:06 the Bible says, 07:09 "Now it happened on the second Sabbath 07:11 after the first 07:14 that He went through the grain fields. 07:17 And His disciples plucked the heads of grain 07:19 and ate them, 07:21 rubbing them in their hands. 07:23 And some of the Pharisees said to them, 07:26 'Why are you doing 07:28 what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath?' 07:33 But Jesus answering them said, 07:35 'Have you not read this, 07:37 what David did when he was hungry, 07:39 he and those who were with him, 07:42 how he went into the house of God, 07:44 took and ate the showbread, 07:46 and also gave some to those with him, 07:48 which is not lawful for any but the priests to eat?' 07:52 And He said to them, 07:54 'The Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath.' 08:00 "I love that." 08:01 Now it happened on another Sabbath, also, 08:04 that He entered the synagogue and taught. 08:07 And a man was there whose right hand was withered. 08:12 So the scribes and Pharisees watched Him closely, 08:15 whether He would heal on the Sabbath, 08:18 that they might find an accusation against Him. 08:22 But He knew their thoughts, 08:23 and said to the man who had the withered hand, 08:26 'Arise and stand here.' 08:29 And he arose and stood. 08:31 Then Jesus said to them, 'I will ask you one thing. 08:35 Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, 08:40 to save life or to destroy?' 08:43 And when He had looked around at them all, 08:46 He said to the man, 'Stretch out your hand.' 08:52 And he did so, 08:53 and his hand was restored as whole as the other. 08:57 But they were filled with rage, 08:59 and discussed with one another 09:01 what they might do to Jesus." 09:04 I want to read for us again verse 10 of this passage 09:07 which is our sermonic focus today, 09:09 "And when He had looked around at them all, 09:12 He said to the man, 'Stretch out your hand.' 09:17 And he did so, 09:18 and his hand was restored as whole as the other." 09:23 Today I want to consider with you 09:25 the subject stretched and strengthened, 09:29 stretched and strengthened. 09:33 Let us pray, 09:34 Father, into Your hands 09:37 I commit my spirit in Jesus' name. 09:40 Amen. 09:43 In June, 2016 09:46 the world lost a man 09:48 who many consider 09:50 one of the greatest athletes of all time, 09:53 Muhammad Ali. 09:55 More than an athlete, he was an activist, a leader, 10:00 and a motivator. 10:01 It was considered by many to be great 10:04 both inside and outside the sports arena. 10:08 My father loved Muhammad Ali 10:09 and when I visited him a few months ago, 10:11 I noticed that 10:13 he had purchased several magazines 10:15 which paid tribute to this man. 10:18 In these tributes there were quotes 10:20 from close friends, and relatives, 10:23 and each of these narratives provided 10:25 a behind the scenes glimpse 10:27 of what this mighty champion was really like. 10:31 His views on war and religion, and politics 10:34 as well as other topics dear to his heart were shared. 10:38 And as I read these firsthand accounts 10:40 of those he had impacted, 10:43 it was clear that this man had lived 10:45 a very meaningful life. 10:47 Reading Ali's tribute made me think about another man 10:52 who despite never gracing the cover of sports illustrated 10:55 nor being selected 10:57 as Time magazine's person of the year. 11:00 I can say confidently today that He is truly 11:03 the greatest of all time. 11:05 I'm talking about Jesus Christ. 11:07 Jesus is the greatest of all time 11:09 because to Him belongs the greatest comeback story 11:13 in all of history. 11:14 If you haven't heard that story, 11:16 I came to tell you that Jesus was crucified on a Friday, 11:19 and He resurrected Himself on Sunday. 11:23 You see, Jesus is the external champion. 11:26 Now Jesus tribute is found in the gospels. 11:29 Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John share a firsthand account 11:33 of the amazing things Jesus accomplished. 11:36 Jesus healed the sick and raised the dead, 11:39 Jesus closed funeral homes, Jesus ended pity parties, 11:44 Jesus was powerful. 11:46 And the Gospel of Luke is one of my favorite books 11:49 because it's unique, in that Luke gives us a glimpse 11:53 of Jesus' life behind the scenes. 11:55 You know, you never know what people are like 11:57 until you can get a firsthand account 12:00 of somebody who knew them and walk with them. 12:02 And so Luke tells us what Jesus was really like. 12:06 He says that Luke is not only... 12:08 Luke in his book is not only concerned 12:10 with Jesus' power, 12:11 he's concerned with what made Jesus powerful. 12:14 Luke pulls back the curtain and shows us 12:17 that Jesus power was not random. 12:20 You see, Jesus was serious 12:22 about nurturing His relationship 12:24 with His Father. 12:25 Luke reveals, unlike any other book, 12:28 how much Jesus enjoyed spending time with His Father, 12:32 how much Jesus enjoyed attending church 12:35 and studying the word, 12:36 how much He spent times seeking the will of His Father. 12:41 We see Jesus healing by day, 12:43 but Luke tells us that He also prayed all night. 12:48 And I wonder what would happen among God's people 12:50 if we spend time in prayer. 12:54 You see, never would Jesus say, 12:56 "I'm spiritual but I'm not religious." 12:59 No, that's not the message of Luke. 13:01 Luke lets us know that Jesus loved religion. 13:04 In fact, it was His custom to enter the synagogue, 13:08 another word for the church, on the Sabbath day, 13:11 were told in Luke 4:16. 13:15 Now because Jesus valued, worshiping on the Sabbath day, 13:19 which by the way is the day He established and blessed. 13:22 And that day He spends 13:24 from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset, 13:26 it appears that because Jesus was so interested 13:29 in keeping this day holy 13:31 that He developed a triage system 13:34 for determining how to manage healthcare needs 13:37 that might arise on the Sabbath. 13:40 I find in the gospels that for those with mild 13:43 to moderate diseases, 13:44 Jesus had a sunset clinic, have mercy. 13:48 We are told in Mark 1:32 that after sunset on Sabbath, 13:52 the crowd had become accustomed 13:55 to bringing to Him all 13:57 who were sick and possessed with demons 14:00 and Jesus healed them all. 14:02 You see that you understood that Jesus was powerful 14:04 than the enemy, 14:06 but for the most severe cases 14:08 I find that Jesus took time 14:10 not to wait until sunset to heal these people, 14:13 He provided emergency services. 14:17 You see, on the Sabbath day we find Jesus healing 14:20 the most severe cases. 14:21 He healed a man who was born blind, 14:24 He healed a woman who had an infirmity for 18 years. 14:30 He healed a man with an evil spirit 14:32 on the Sabbath day. 14:34 And so my question today is, 14:36 are there any severe cases today, 14:38 I want to let you know that Jesus emergency room is open. 14:43 You see, Jesus Sabbath miracles 14:45 provoked the ire on the religious leaders, 14:49 the scribes and the Pharisees. 14:52 You see, they believe that by healing on the Sabbath 14:55 that Jesus was breaking the Sabbath. 14:57 The Pharisees were part of a religious sect 15:01 that believed they could earn God's favor 15:04 by keeping a long list of rules and regulations. 15:08 You see, in addition to the Ten Commandments 15:10 that we find in the Book of Exodus, 15:12 which is so precious to us as Christians, 15:15 they had then added another 613 laws 15:18 that must be kept. 15:20 And in addition, they had added another 39 laws to that 15:24 that were especially important for the Sabbath. 15:27 You see, according to their tradition, 15:29 it was unlawful to write 15:31 more than two letters on the Sabbath. 15:34 It was unlawful to walk more than 2.2 miles 15:38 on the Sabbath, 15:40 and according to the Pharisees, 15:41 it was unlawful 15:42 to practice medicine on the Sabbath 15:45 and that was their chief complaint 15:46 against Jesus. 15:47 See, they felt that when Jesus healed on the Sabbath, 15:50 He was practicing medicine 15:52 but I came to let you know that Jesus had no pill box, 15:56 Jesus had no prescription pad. 15:58 The Bible tells us that He was so powerful 16:01 that in the presence of illness, 16:03 power went out from Him 16:05 and healed whoever needed it. 16:08 And so Jesus was too powerful for the Pharisees. 16:11 You see, the more they campaigned against Him, 16:14 the more powerful He became. 16:16 Jesus did not allow the Pharisees 16:19 to deter His mission, 16:20 He led His work speak for itself. 16:24 And I'm so glad that we have a Savior 16:26 who is more powerful 16:28 than all the forces of the enemy. 16:31 Now our text for today tells us 16:34 about yet another power struggle 16:38 between Jesus and the Pharisees. 16:42 You see, it was the Sabbath 16:44 and once again Jesus was in church. 16:47 In fact, Jesus was delivering the sermon. 16:51 Can you imagine hearing Jesus preach? 16:55 Can you imagine having the living word 16:57 expound on the written word? 16:59 What a privilege. 17:00 Jesus' sermons were unique 17:02 because He taught with authority, 17:05 according to Luke 4:32. 17:07 You see, the Pharisees interpreted the law 17:09 but Jesus made the law. 17:11 When a Pharisees spoke, 17:13 they cited Moses as their authority 17:15 but when Jesus spoke He cited himself. 17:18 For He said, "You have heard that it was said, 17:21 'but I say unto you.' 17:24 " See, Jesus made the law, He explicated the law, 17:27 and so He had authority to expound on the law. 17:30 And so those who heard Him said, 17:32 "Wow, we have never heard anyone preach in this manner, 17:36 " for He taught the word with authority. 17:39 You see, Jesus not only had authority in word 17:42 but indeed Jesus proved 17:45 that He had authority over demons and diseases. 17:48 Jesus was not a charlatan 17:50 who performed counterfeit miracles. 17:53 Jesus had real authority and whenever He taught, 17:56 He was always looking for someone 17:59 who needed deliverance, 18:00 isn't that good news 18:02 that Jesus even today 18:04 is looking for people who need Him. 18:06 So if you are in need today, 18:08 I want you to know that Jesus can meet that need. 18:11 What I love about Sabbath miracles 18:14 is that they all occurred at the initiation of Jesus. 18:20 And so the Bible says that as Jesus is teaching, 18:24 He beholds a man with a deformed hand, 18:29 his hand was withered due to nerve damage, 18:33 his hand was not functioning. 18:36 The life in his hand had dried up, 18:39 the muscles had contracted. 18:41 He was paralyzed. 18:43 His hand had lost the function of grasping and holding. 18:47 And Luke being a physician 18:49 add specificity that the other gospels did not, 18:52 he tells us that it was the man's right hand 18:55 which was deformed. 18:57 He had lost use of the hand that for 95% of people 19:01 is the dominant hand. 19:02 The right hand for most people is stronger than the left. 19:06 The right hand is needed for working and writing. 19:09 And perhaps, on your first reading 19:11 of this passage, 19:12 you found it difficult to understand 19:14 why Jesus felt 19:16 it was an emergency to heal this man, 19:20 especially on the Sabbath day. 19:22 Remember that Jesus Sabbath protocol 19:23 was that only the emergency cases 19:26 were addressed on the Sabbath. 19:28 So you may be thinking that there are worse things 19:31 to befoul a person 19:33 than to have a withered hand, 19:34 after all we are told that Jesus waited four days 19:38 to raise a man from the dead, 19:41 so why was this man's healing such a priority? 19:46 I believe that Jesus had a different perspective, 19:49 see not only was He interested 19:51 in teaching how His Sabbath was to be used, 19:54 not to save life, not to destroy life, 19:57 but to save life. 19:59 I imagine that when Jesus saw this man, 20:02 He also appreciated 20:03 the impact of this small injury. 20:06 See, no matter how small the problem is in your life, 20:10 Jesus wants to relieve your suffering. 20:13 And I believe that Jesus appreciated 20:15 how challenging it must have been 20:17 to only have a single functioning hand. 20:20 See, some things in our life are important 20:23 not because of how they appear 20:26 but because of their impact. 20:29 So to only have use of one hand is severely incapacitating. 20:34 He lived in a society 20:35 where the use of one's hands determine livelihood. 20:39 He was expected to be the breadwinner 20:41 but had no proper use of his hands. 20:44 His withered hand had probably led to his unemployment. 20:48 It was likely that this man was destitute 20:51 due to his disability 20:52 and even the practice of begging, 20:55 because he could only use one hand would be difficult. 20:59 You see, the hand is a small part of the body 21:01 and only one hand was affected 21:04 but the impact was profound. 21:06 And can we just reflect on that for a moment 21:09 that it's often the smallest things in life 21:12 that have the biggest impact. 21:14 Small events, small arrangements, 21:17 small decisions can accumulate to determine destiny. 21:21 Have you ever thought about 21:23 the impact of smaller things? 21:27 Friendships can end over small disputes. 21:30 Fortunes can change over small investments. 21:34 Your life can be turned upside down 21:38 due to small indiscretions. 21:40 And in the same way, 21:42 the Bible says that small things can inspire, 21:45 small things can encourage, 21:47 small things can make a difference. 21:49 That's why we're counseled in God's word 21:51 to be faithful in the small things, 21:54 if we desire entitlement to the big things. 21:57 You see, the man in our story 22:00 was dealing with a small problem 22:02 which had a major impact, 22:06 his hand was withered. 22:10 It was so deprived of nervous stimulation 22:13 that it was completely unusable, 22:16 in this condition it was no hand at all, 22:20 for hands are made to grasp 22:23 but his hand could not be opened nor could it be closed. 22:26 It was no hand, 22:28 it was simply a thing, a lifeless thing, 22:33 hanging limp from his body, 22:35 his hand was deprived of life giving forces, 22:39 it was a dead thing, 22:42 and that leads to a deeper understanding 22:45 about the condition that this man was in. 22:48 He was attached to something that was dead. 22:52 And what entangles many of us 22:54 as believers is our attachments. 22:58 We are attached to a dead thing. 23:00 This word is for someone 23:02 who is attached to a dead relationship. 23:04 Perhaps, when you started dating 23:06 you thought you needed someone 23:07 who was financially secure, and physically attractive. 23:10 Perhaps, you desire to meet someone with similar interest 23:13 but as time has worn on, 23:15 you have discovered 23:17 more of their habits and their character, 23:19 yet fear of being alone 23:21 has caused you to remain attached 23:23 to someone who is spiritually dead. 23:25 Well, the Word of God to you today 23:27 is before you enter into the marriage covenant, 23:30 it is important for God to direct your attachments 23:34 because the character of the person you're attached to 23:37 will eventually determine your character. 23:39 See, what entangles us is our attachments. 23:43 Someone is attached to a habit that, 23:45 that you thought you could indulge intermittently 23:48 and maintain control. 23:50 And now it is clear 23:51 that you are the servant and not the master 23:53 and you're hoping that no one discovers your bondage. 23:56 Let me encourage you that Jesus is the best confidant 24:00 because when you disclose your struggles to Him, 24:03 He does not expose you, He frees you. 24:07 We need Jesus today 24:09 because we are entangled by attachments. 24:12 Our minds are attached to anxious 24:14 thoughts and discouraging images. 24:16 We're troubled by memories of yesterday 24:19 and concerns about tomorrow. 24:21 God is seeking today to renew our minds 24:24 and give us peace that passes understanding. 24:27 You see, any attachment 24:30 which does not fulfill God's purpose 24:32 for our lives is dead weight. 24:34 It can only take us down. 24:37 It will sink our faith, 24:39 that's why Paul's counsel to us 24:41 is to throw off every weight 24:43 in the sin that so easily besets us 24:45 and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. 24:48 How can we do that? 24:49 Looking on to Jesus, the author 24:52 and finisher of our faith. 24:56 See, when Jesus saw the man 24:58 with the withered and dead hand, 25:01 He recognized that this man needed healing 25:05 but he also needed saving. 25:07 See, if Jesus only healed the illness, 25:10 the infirmity which is spiritual 25:13 would have still remained. 25:15 And maybe there were people in your life 25:16 who've seen your struggles 25:18 have suggested behavioral remedies 25:20 to spiritual problems. 25:22 They've said if you stop going there and doing that, 25:25 then the problem will be solved, 25:27 but that's only symptom management, my friends. 25:31 We need Jesus to deal 25:32 with the power of sin in our lives. 25:35 See, when Jesus sees you, 25:37 He looks deeper 25:39 and He sees what your spirit is in need of. 25:43 Do you need salvation? 25:45 Do you need revival? 25:46 Do you need another chance? 25:49 Jesus came to seek 25:51 and to save that which was lost. 25:56 And so that's why Jesus 25:57 was so concerned about this man. 26:01 The problem on the outside was just a symptom 26:05 of what was going on the inside. 26:08 You see, spiritually, 26:09 he was in the process of dying, 26:13 he was in church, 26:15 but his spiritual life 26:17 was withered and dying. 26:23 It is commonly noted 26:27 that the Christian's most fervent 26:29 commitment to God 26:32 is often during the early days of conversion. 26:36 It's a miraculous experience 26:39 when God first shines His light in our hearts 26:43 and reveals what we have in Christ. 26:47 What a gift that God has sent His Son to die 26:50 in our stead that we might be saved. 26:53 But despite the wonder 26:55 which occurs at this precious and divine revelation, 26:59 it is possible for one's initial fervor to dry up, 27:04 enthusiasm and interest 27:06 for spiritual things may wane. 27:08 Without the renewal of the Holy Spirit, 27:11 one's experience may grow stale and wither. 27:15 The question I have for you today is, 27:17 is your spiritual life withered? 27:20 See the process of becoming withered 27:23 is exemplified by the common houseplant. 27:27 We know that the houseplant relies on two energy sources, 27:32 water and the sun, 27:35 in order to sustain its life. 27:38 Unfortunately, 27:40 I present a great challenge to the houseplant 27:43 because my apartment has few windows 27:46 and it is also difficult for me to keep up with daily watering. 27:50 I must confess that I have witnessed several plants 27:54 in an energy crisis 27:56 and when in this state 27:58 I've noticed that a plant goes through three stages. 28:02 When it is without water first, that plant beings to droop, 28:06 then it withers, 28:09 and finally it dies. 28:12 We are living in a time 28:14 when even church members have begun to droop. 28:17 There are saints who have started to wither 28:21 that there are believers who have become weary. 28:25 And first it is faith which droops, 28:29 then it is prayers which wither, 28:32 and finally it is our spiritual life 28:35 which dies. 28:37 Someone's faith is being challenged today, 28:40 someone's faith has withered. 28:42 You see, it is challenging to wait 28:45 for that which seems expedient. 28:47 Perhaps, you have prayed and cried out to God. 28:50 The waiting has exhausted your strength. 28:52 It seems that you have sown but failed to reap. 28:55 Jesus wants to water withered faith today, for the word says, 29:00 "That those who wait up on the Lord 29:02 shall renew their strength. 29:05 They shall mount up with wings as eagles, 29:07 they shall run and not be weary, 29:09 and they shall walk and not faint." 29:11 The Bible says in Galatians, "Be not weary in well doing, 29:15 for in due time you will reap if you faint not." 29:18 And let me share another promise with you, 29:20 in 1 Corinthians 15:58, it says, "Be steadfast, 29:25 immovable always abounding 29:28 in the work of the Lord 29:29 knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." 29:34 Perhaps, someone's praise has withered. 29:37 You see, we have fallen into a trap 29:40 of only offering conditional praise. 29:43 See, conditional praise 29:44 is based on what God does rather than who He is. 29:49 We praise God for His gifts 29:52 but we often fail to honor Him as the giver. 29:57 God desires praise that is based on who he is, 30:01 not just what he does. 30:03 See, the psalmist says that praise waits for God 30:06 which means that if he never did another thing for us, 30:10 there is an eternity of praise 30:12 that is stored up and that is due him 30:15 not because of what he does, 30:17 but just because of who he is. 30:22 Someone's commitment has withered. 30:25 Perhaps, someone viewing 30:27 has become disillusioned 30:30 by some church event or some happening 30:33 or some hurtful deed, 30:34 and as a result we are considering withdrawing 30:37 from the body of Christ. 30:39 May I challenge you with something? 30:41 I have observed, I've observed something 30:43 that in our secular lives, 30:45 we deal with hurt and bad events, 30:50 but we never stop going 30:52 to certain places or certain things. 30:53 One example of this is Wal-Mart. 30:55 Now I'm not intending to be funny, 30:57 but may I challenge you with this idea. 30:59 What I've noticed about Wal-Mart is that no matter 31:02 how people are treated there, they keep coming. 31:06 Why is that? 31:08 It is because they understand something 31:10 that the behavior of the other shoppers 31:13 does not change the value of the savings. 31:16 Now listen to this, 31:18 because the same is true about church. 31:20 The behavior of God's people 31:22 does not change the value of salvation. 31:26 For so, for someone 31:27 whose commitment may have withered. 31:29 Let me encourage you to stay committed 31:30 to the Body of Christ, 31:32 for it is God's instrument 31:34 for sharing the good news of salvation. 31:37 See, Jesus recognized 31:39 that the man was in need of salvation. 31:43 He said to the Pharisees, 31:44 "Is it not better for me to save this man's life?" 31:49 Jesus came to save him. 31:52 But this man's illness was not only physical 31:55 but psychological. 31:57 The problem was not merely his hand, 31:59 but his heart because this man was a sinner as we all are, 32:04 his chief problem was not isolated to his body 32:09 but it involved his soul. 32:11 See, according to Isaiah 1:5, 32:13 sin makes the whole head sick 32:16 and the whole heart faint, 32:18 so even when we agree 32:19 with the will of God for our lives, 32:21 we have no power to carry it out. 32:25 Paul says, "What I want to do, I do not do. 32:28 And what I hate, that's what I end up doing." 32:31 Without Christ, our souls are withered 32:34 and slanted toward evil. 32:37 There is no power for good in us, 32:40 but when Jesus fills our souls, 32:42 He brings forth love, He brings forth peace, 32:46 He brings forth longsuffering, 32:48 He brings forth gentleness, 32:50 and listen to this, 32:51 He brings forth faith. 32:56 Pharisees knew 32:59 that Jesus would not ignore this man's suffering, 33:03 so the Bible says 33:05 that they fixed their eyes on Him 33:09 to see whether 33:11 He would heal on the Sabbath. 33:16 Some have suggested 33:17 that the Pharisees planted this man in the crowd 33:21 in order to find cause to accuse Him. 33:25 But that only proves the fact that Jesus is a mighty Savior. 33:30 He will not overlook the person 33:33 who desperately needs Him. 33:36 The Pharisees hated Jesus 33:38 but even they recognized 33:40 that He was too powerful 33:42 to let disease go unchecked. 33:45 And so the best thing they could have done 33:48 is to bring this man into the presence of Jesus 33:51 and let me encourage someone here 33:53 that the best thing you could have done today 33:57 is to come into the presence of Jesus. 34:02 Now, to illustrate 34:04 the change 34:06 that is about to take place for this man, 34:09 let me return 34:11 to the parable of the houseplant. 34:14 You see, overtime, 34:16 I have improved in plant maintenance 34:18 and I'm grateful for that. 34:20 I have gotten some practice in reviving withered plants. 34:24 I've discovered that when a plant is withered, 34:28 there are three things that must take place. 34:31 First, you must remove the dead leaves, 34:34 the dead attachments from the plant. 34:38 Secondly, you have to provide the plant with plenty of water. 34:43 You have to remove the dead leaves, 34:45 the dead attachments and secondly, 34:47 you have to water the plant, 34:49 but the crowning and crucial step 34:52 is that you have to put the plant 34:55 in the presence of the sun, 34:57 it needs the sun in order to be restored. 35:00 It needs the sun in order to be revived. 35:04 Well, in order for our spiritual lives to be revived, 35:08 I find that these same three processes are crucial. 35:12 You see, we must be freed from our dead attachments. 35:16 We must be nourished 35:17 by the water of the Holy Spirit 35:20 and the crowning and crucial step of our revival 35:24 is that we must be put in the presence of the Son, 35:28 S-O-N, Jesus Christ. 35:30 You see Jesus is the only one 35:32 who can restore the withered soul. 35:36 Jesus planned to restore the man. 35:40 And this stirred up 35:41 the indignation of the Pharisees. 35:45 See, the problem with the Pharisees, 35:47 according to Luke 5, 35:50 is that they refused 35:52 to stretch their faith. 35:55 Jesus compared them to old vine skins in Luke 5, 36:01 which cannot hold new vine, 36:04 lest they're for lack of stretching 36:07 end up bursting. 36:09 Here was Jesus 36:11 trying to do a new thing in this man's life 36:14 but the Pharisees were concerned 36:16 with maintaining the status quo. 36:19 When Jesus knew their thoughts 36:22 that they were unchangeable, 36:25 He turned to the man, 36:27 He spoke directly to the one who needed Him 36:31 and someone here desperately needs the Lord. 36:35 You have felt encumbered by dead attachments. 36:38 You have felt that your spiritual life has withered. 36:41 I want you to know that Jesus is speaking to you today. 36:46 He told the man, 36:47 come and stand here. 36:51 I assume that this was a place next to Jesus 36:54 and I believe that this was a significant act in itself 36:58 for it established this man's value to Christ. 37:02 So in a sense, 37:04 Jesus was claiming this man as His own. 37:06 He said come and stay in with Me, 37:09 and in itself this act 37:11 is a representation of the gospel 37:13 because every sinner 37:15 who is in need of salvation 37:17 is invited to stand with Jesus, 37:22 knowing that when they place their trust in Him 37:25 that when they stand with Him, 37:28 their sins are forgiven 37:30 and they are given new life. 37:35 So it was 37:37 that after the man stood, 37:40 Jesus commanded him 37:43 to stretch out his hand. 37:48 After the man had stood, 37:50 Jesus commanded him 37:52 to stretch out his hand. 37:57 That baffles me. 37:59 It's remarkable 38:01 that Jesus asked him 38:03 to stretch the very hand 38:06 that was paralyzed. 38:10 Jesus asked him 38:12 to stretch the very hand 38:16 that was withered. 38:18 Wow. 38:20 So that makes me realize that, 38:23 that this man could not have stretched out his hand 38:27 unless he believed 38:29 that the miracle was already done. 38:32 You see it was impossible to obey Jesus 38:36 unless he had, by faith, 38:39 received the healing. 38:41 You see by the command of Christ, 38:44 the man's faith was tested. 38:47 Would he believe 38:49 that he was healed 38:51 without any evidence of the fact? 38:54 Or would he remain paralyzed 38:56 due to a lack of faith? 38:59 See, according to Hebrews 11:1, 39:02 "Faith is the substance 39:06 of things hoped for 39:08 and the evidence of things not seen." 39:13 Faith makes real in our lives 39:16 what God has promised. 39:19 Faith makes evident 39:21 what cannot be seen and cannot help us today 39:25 and share that often, 39:27 we confuse faith with hope. 39:31 Hope when it reaches a difficulty 39:33 says God can. 39:36 When hope reaches some impasse, 39:39 it says God may. 39:42 When hope faces some trial, 39:45 it says, perhaps God will, 39:48 but faith in the presence of difficulty 39:52 says God has already done it. 39:56 And isn't this not true 39:58 that for those who have put their faith in Christ, 40:01 everything pertaining to our salvation 40:05 has already been done, for Christ 40:07 has already died for our sins. 40:10 Christ has already been raised for our deliverance. 40:14 What we need today is a change in perspective, 40:17 from hope to faith. 40:20 You see hope desires a blessing, 40:23 faith acts as if it has the blessing. 40:26 Hope longs for miracle, 40:28 but faith acts as if the miracle is already done. 40:34 Hope desires deliverance, 40:38 but faith acts as if 40:41 it has already been delivered. 40:45 And let me clarify this point 40:49 that there is a distinct difference 40:52 between faith and other popular belief systems 40:57 because faith is rooted not in self sufficiency, 41:02 but in the sufficiency and power of Jesus Christ. 41:07 You see the reason we can believe 41:09 that what Jesus commands is already done 41:12 is because He has the power to fulfill it. 41:16 Jesus is the one who has promised it. 41:18 Jesus is the one who has commanded it. 41:21 And He accomplishes what He commands. 41:24 It is already done 41:26 because it is true in Christ. 41:32 And how different would our faith walk be 41:36 if we truly acknowledged 41:38 that the promises of God in Christ 41:42 are yes and in him 'amen' 41:45 that means that they are already accomplished 41:48 through God's power? 41:50 They only need to be claimed through faith. 41:54 Someone's spiritual progress has been halted 41:57 because you have waited or you are waiting 41:59 for evidence of what God has already commanded 42:03 and God is saying to you today, 42:05 stretch out your faith 42:07 and believe that it's already done. 42:12 See, when Jesus commanded this man 42:15 to stretch forth his hand, 42:17 he responded in faith. 42:21 He dared to believe 42:23 that he had received the healing 42:26 that Jesus had promised. 42:28 For years, his hand had been contracted in such a manner 42:32 that it could not be opened. 42:35 It was withdrawn and locked up, 42:38 it was not useful for holding and grasping anything, 42:42 but when he stretched out his hand, 42:45 Jesus reversed the process 42:48 that made him deformed and desperate, 42:51 his muscles and nerves were regenerated 42:54 through the power of Jesus. 42:56 He stretched out his hand 42:58 and it was made as whole as the other. 43:03 Often we do not stretch our faith 43:09 because from our standpoint, 43:11 the outlook is hopeless, 43:14 but nothing, my friends, 43:16 absolutely nothing, 43:18 nothing is impossible with God. 43:23 We restrict God's activity 43:25 when we do not stretch our faith 43:27 or when we stretch only as far as what seems possible, 43:33 but today is the day 43:35 to take the limits off of God 43:38 and to believe 43:39 that He will accomplish His word. 43:42 There are several things we learn from this story 43:47 which pertain to the value of stretching our faith. 43:52 The first thing we learned 43:54 is that stretching our faith 43:57 breaks the cycle of unanswered prayer. 44:01 See, in this man's life, obedience to Christ command 44:05 broke the cycle of expecting but not receiving. 44:10 Perhaps your faith has been stuck 44:12 in a rut due to seemingly unanswered prayers, 44:16 Jesus, I want to let you know, 44:18 has answered that prayer with a command 44:21 and He is waiting for us to stretch our faith. 44:25 Often we focus on the process 44:28 of waiting on God to answer our prayers, 44:31 but many times He is waiting on us, 44:35 and I want to let you know 44:37 that obedience 44:38 breaks the cycle of unanswered prayer. 44:43 Well, the second thing that I learned from this story 44:46 is that stretching releases us 44:50 from old attachments. 44:53 See when the man stretched out his hand, 44:55 it was a release of his old experience 44:59 and an acceptance of the new. 45:01 Similarly, when we stretch out our faith, 45:04 God seeks to deliver us from old pains and old hurt, 45:08 old disappointment, old damage, old grief. 45:12 He's inviting us today to let go of the grudges, 45:15 let go of the difficulty, let go of the pain, 45:17 let go of the things which have hurt us 45:19 and to accept God's healing, 45:23 stretching releases us from old attachments. 45:28 A third thing I learned 45:30 from this story 45:33 is that stretching our faith 45:36 allows God to do a new thing in our lives. 45:41 Is anyone in need of a new thing? 45:44 We pray for an increase in faith, 45:46 we pray for an increase in patience, 45:49 and we pray for an increase in holiness, 45:52 we pray for an increase in godliness. 45:54 How does this happen? 45:55 How do we grow in our faith? 45:57 How do we grow in our relationship with God? 46:00 It is by trusting in the power of Jesus Christ. 46:04 When He commands us to stretch, 46:06 He has already provided the power to do so, 46:10 but there is no command of God 46:13 which is not also accompanied 46:16 by His promise 46:17 to accomplish it in us. 46:20 In verity, stretching is not a working out of anything 46:25 in our own power, 46:27 but it is a faithful reliance 46:29 on the sufficiency of Jesus Christ. 46:33 For it is God, says Paul in Philippians 2, 46:37 who works in you to will 46:41 and to do His good pleasure. 46:44 That means, when He commands it, 46:46 He will work in you to complete it. 46:49 For the Bible says in Thessalonians, 46:50 "That faithful is he who called you 46:53 and He will do it." 46:58 Fourth thing I learned 47:01 from this story 47:04 is that stretching our faith 47:08 is a confirmation of God's word. 47:13 See Jesus said to stretch, 47:16 he said to stretch and the man did so. 47:21 See, there is power in Jesus' word, 47:24 but so much of what has been commanded by Christ 47:28 has gone unclaimed by believers 47:31 because we do not receive His word in faith, 47:36 but to anyone today, 47:38 who would dare to believe on His name, 47:42 His word never returns void. 47:45 Dear friend, what has Jesus commanded you? 47:50 Will you confirm His word today and stretch your faith? 47:56 See what I find is such a beautiful message 47:58 of this story 47:59 is that it was as the man stretched 48:02 that he was healed. 48:04 As the man stretched, 48:06 he was strengthened, 48:09 he was stretched and he was healed, 48:12 he stretched and he was restored, 48:16 he stretched and he was revived, 48:19 he stretched and God strengthened him. 48:23 And I believe that God wants to do the same for us today, 48:26 that as we stretch our faith, God is strengthening the weary. 48:31 As we stretch our faith, 48:33 God is strengthening those who are broken. 48:36 As we stretch our faith, God is restoring relationships. 48:40 As we stretch our faith, God is giving us peace. 48:44 As we stretch our faith, God is giving us rest. 48:49 As we stretch our faith, God is healing our bodies. 48:53 As we stretch, God is renewing minds. 48:56 As we stretch, God is reviving our spirit. 49:04 And the most beautiful aspect of this miracle 49:10 is that Jesus performed it on the Sabbath day. 49:16 Jesus reminded the Pharisees 49:19 that the Sabbath was meant 49:21 to be a blessing not a burden. 49:24 As the creator, He restored this man, 49:28 His creation on the Sabbath day. 49:31 Now remember that He had said before 49:33 in Luke earlier in this chapter in Luke 49:36 that He is the Lord of the Sabbath. 49:39 What does that mean? 49:40 It means that He created the Sabbath. 49:42 It means that He hallowed it, 49:44 and it means that He determines 49:45 what is lawful to do on the Sabbath day. 49:48 And so by this great miracle, 49:50 He is declaring that the Sabbath 49:51 is a time for spiritual rest 49:54 and renewal and healing 49:55 and that only occurs 49:57 as we rely on the power of Jesus Christ. 50:02 I believe that the Lord of the Sabbath is here today 50:05 and He has declared 50:06 that this is the day of salvation. 50:10 Will you receive Him? 50:14 See those who witnessed the miracle 50:17 were left with a vital decision. 50:22 Will we accept 50:25 or reject Jesus? 50:28 The Pharisees decided 50:30 that since they could not control Jesus, 50:34 they would destroy Him. 50:37 And it was this very miracle, 50:39 this very event 50:42 which incited their joining together 50:45 to arrange His death. 50:48 But what they did not understand 50:51 is that their murderous plot 50:53 would only bring to fruition 50:56 the perfect and eternal will of God, 51:01 for Jesus is the lamb that was slain 51:06 from the foundation of the world. 51:09 For He said, if I be lifted up, 51:13 I will draw all men unto Me. 51:18 So they hung Him high 51:21 and they stretched Him wide, 51:25 He hung His head for you and me He died, 51:29 but I am so glad 51:31 that when Jesus stretched out His hands, 51:37 humanity was strengthened. 51:40 When Jesus stretched out His hands, 51:44 sin and Satan were defeated. 51:47 When Jesus stretched out His hands, 51:50 the curse was forever broken. 51:55 By His stripes, we are healed. 51:58 Healing still flows from Calvary today, 52:01 therefore, everything pertaining 52:04 to our salvation has already been done 52:07 and the great invitation of scripture 52:10 is who will believe on His name. 52:16 This man in our story 52:20 came to Christ with a great witness, 52:25 but he was strengthened 52:27 through the power of God. 52:31 The Bible says in Romans 5:6, 52:35 "That it is while we were still weak 52:39 at the right time, 52:41 in the very moment of our weakness, 52:44 Christ died for the ungodly." 52:48 In fact, if we understand this verse 52:50 in its original language, 52:52 we see that it was at the very moment 52:54 that we were the weakest that Christ was dying. 52:59 It was at the very moment that we were sinning 53:02 that Christ was dying. 53:04 It was at the very moment that we were weak, 53:07 that Christ was imparting His strength. 53:13 So it is that we are weak, 53:16 but by His stripes 53:18 we are strengthened 53:19 and the invitation today 53:21 is for us to stretch our faith 53:25 in response 53:27 to what Jesus Christ has already done. 53:31 The Bible says in Acts 16:31, 53:35 "If we believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, 53:39 we shall be saved." 53:41 And faith, the foundation of our faith is Jesus Christ. 53:47 At every moment of our development 53:49 from the time that we are first converted to Christ 53:52 to the time that we come to spiritual maturity in Christ 53:55 which is a lifelong process, 53:57 it is faith in Him 53:59 which is the vital power 54:01 and provides the vital supply 54:03 that we need in order to be strengthened. 54:06 There is nothing that comes from our own power, 54:09 there is nothing that we receive 54:10 or accomplish spiritually 54:12 that is not done in Christ 54:15 and through faith in Him. 54:17 So may we recognize today 54:20 that it is vital to receive Him 54:23 and it is my prayer 54:25 that our faith would be stretched 54:28 and that in turn 54:30 we would be strengthen. 54:33 Let us pray. 54:34 Father, 54:36 thank You for Jesus Christ 54:39 who was stretched 54:41 so that we could be strengthened. 54:45 We pray now for an increase in our faith, 54:49 God that we may believe 54:51 that everything in Christ 54:54 and what is necessary for our salvation 54:57 has already been done, 54:59 may we grow in faith because of this message today. 55:02 May we grasp our Savior because of this word today 55:06 and as we stretch forth our faith, 55:09 I pray that we would be strengthened 55:12 in Jesus Christ. 55:14 In His holy and precious name, 55:16 we pray. 55:18 Amen. 55:27 I know that you were blessed by that message 55:29 that Dr. Medlock brought about stretched 55:32 and giving our faith 55:34 and knowing that the Lord will bless us 55:36 as we trust Him with our hearts and with our lives. 55:40 As you watch this broadcast, 55:41 we'd like to extend the continue challenge to you. 55:44 There may be someone watching this program today 55:46 that may be challenged in their prayer life. 55:50 The challenge is to put your requests 55:52 before the Lord, 55:53 be stretched in your faith, don't look at the obvious, 55:57 but keep your eyes fixed on Christ. 56:00 Many of us are challenged in our lives 56:02 because we look at our problems 56:03 and our problems stretch our faith 56:05 to the point of breaking. 56:07 As Dr. Medlock challenge you again today, 56:10 don't look at our problems, stretch our faith 56:13 and ask the Lord to give us a glimpse 56:14 of our problem solver. 56:16 There may be someone stretched in their relationships 56:19 with their children, with their spouse, 56:20 with their family, with their church. 56:22 The Lord is saying to you today, 56:24 put your request before God 56:26 and don't allow the challenges 56:27 that surround you to close you in, 56:30 but by faith, 56:31 allow your faith to be stretched 56:33 and take hold of the only one that can resolve your issues. 56:38 And know that the single greatest event 56:40 that happened was when Jesus stretched His arm on the cross 56:44 to pay for your sin and for mine, 56:46 but that was not the end of the story. 56:48 It was just not His death 56:50 that guaranteed us the salvation 56:52 that we all now enjoy, but it was His resurrection. 56:56 We have a Savior that ever liveth 56:58 to make intercession for us. 57:01 Here at Dare to Dream, 57:02 that is the foundation of our faith, 57:04 The Risen Savior. 57:06 The foundation of our faith now gives us the option 57:09 to allow our faith to be stretched. 57:11 So today, from Dare to Dream, from 3ABN network to your home, 57:15 to your heart, to your place of worship, 57:18 bring your request before God today 57:20 and we know that by trusting Him, 57:22 your faith will be stretched 57:24 and your prayers will be answered. 57:27 God bless you until we see you again. |
Revised 2017-03-20