Matthew 12

Matthew 12  (NKJV)

Jesus Is Lord of the Sabbath

12 At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. And His disciples were hungry, and began to pluck heads of grain and to eat. 2 And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to Him, “Look, Your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath!”

3 But He said to them, “Have you not read what David did when he was hungry, he and those who were with him: 4 how he entered the house of God and ate the showbread which was not lawful for him to eat, nor for those who were with him, but only for the priests? 5 Or have you not read in the law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath, and are blameless? 6 Yet I say to you that in this place there is One greater than the temple. 7 But if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless. 8 For the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”

Note: Mercy and not sacrifice. Mercy triumphs over judgement. Walk in mercy before the Lord as He has been merciful to you.

Healing on the Sabbath

9 Now when He had departed from there, He went into their synagogue. 10 And behold, there was a man who had a withered hand. And they asked Him, saying, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”—that they might accuse Him.

11 Then He said to them, “What man is there among you who has one sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not lay hold of it and lift it out? 12 Of how much more value then is a man than a sheep? Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” 13 Then He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it out, and it was restored as whole as the other. 14 Then the Pharisees went out and plotted against Him, how they might destroy Him.

Note: Jesus put people first. He came for those in need of the Doctor. He didn't put the law or a bad interpretation of the law from helping people. He was a man of compassion with a heart to heal. We can be that way.

Behold, My Servant

15 But when Jesus knew it, He withdrew from there. And great multitudes[c] followed Him, and He healed them all. 16 Yet He warned them not to make Him known, 17 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying:

18 “Behold! My Servant whom I have chosen,
My Beloved in whom My soul is well pleased!
I will put My Spirit upon Him,
And He will declare justice to the Gentiles.
19 He will not quarrel nor cry out,
Nor will anyone hear His voice in the streets.
20 A bruised reed He will not break,
And smoking flax He will not quench,
Till He sends forth justice to victory;
21 And in His name Gentiles will trust.”

Note: Another prophecy is fulfilled. It is God's desire to fulfill what He says about us. "His word shall not return void to Him but it will accomplish that which is was sent for." Don't loose heart, God is going to do it.

A House Divided Cannot Stand

22 Then one was brought to Him who was demon-possessed, blind and mute; and He healed him, so that the blind and mute man both spoke and saw. 23 And all the multitudes were amazed and said, “Could this be the Son of David?”

24 Now when the Pharisees heard it they said, “This fellow does not cast out demons except by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons.”

25 But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand. 26 If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? 27 And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they shall be your judges. 28 But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you. 29 Or how can one enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house. 30 He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad.

Note: Make sure you don't attribute that which God is doing to the devil. Pray and seek God about the spirit that is at work. Many times if we don't understand something we say it's not God. It may just mean we need to get some understanding. 

The Unpardonable Sin

31 “Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemyagainst the Spirit will not be forgiven men. 32 Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come.

A Tree Known by Its Fruit

33 “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit. 34 Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 35 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. 36 But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. 37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Note: The fruit that we produce is critical. Our words have a lot of power. Remember what James tells us; quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger. 

The Scribes and Pharisees Ask for a Sign

38 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered, saying, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from You.”

39 But He answered and said to them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40 For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 41 The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and indeed a greater than Jonah is here. 42 The queen of the South will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and indeed a greater than Solomon is here.

Note: Jesus can produce signs day and night, but it is the faith that you receive it in that is the issue. 

1. Let it be as you have said like Mary did

2. Acting upon the word in faith like Joseph

3. Doubting like Zacharias did when told he would have a son

Faith and doubt do not mix. 

An Unclean Spirit Returns

43 “When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. 44 Then he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order. 45 Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first. So shall it also be with this wicked generation.”

Jesus’ Mother and Brothers Send for Him

46 While He was still talking to the multitudes, behold, His mother and brothers stood outside, seeking to speak with Him. 47 Then one said to Him, “Look, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, seeking to speak with You.”

48 But He answered and said to the one who told Him, “Who is My mother and who are My brothers?” 49 And He stretched out His hand toward His disciples and said, “Here are My mother and My brothers! 50 For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.”

Note: Be part of the family of God.

Matthew 11

Matthew 11 (NKJV)

John the Baptist Sends Messengers to Jesus

1 Now it came to pass, when Jesus finished commanding His twelve disciples, that He departed from there to teach and to preach in their cities.

2 And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples 3 and said to Him, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?”

4 Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: 5 The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them. 6 And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.”

Note: We have already read of John baptizing Jesus. He heard the Father speak and saw the Holy Spirit descend on Jesus. He knew He was the one. John like many were looking for a redeemer, a deliver. When John got put into prison I’m sure he thought that Jesus would redeem the situation. When it didn’t go the way he thought, he began to doubt the way that many of us do. Just because things aren’t going the way you thought they should doesn’t mean that God is not directing it.

7 As they departed, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 8 But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. 9 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet. 10 For this is he of whom it is written:

‘Behold, I send My messenger before Your face,

Who will prepare Your way before You.’

11 “Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. 13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. 14 And if you are willing to receive it, he is Elijah who is to come. 15 He who has ears to hear, let him hear!

Note: John came to prepare the way of the Lord. John didn’t experience the salvation that we have or the baptism of the Spirit we have. As powerful John was, you and I have more. We have more power then he did and we are empowered by the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead.

16 “But to what shall I liken this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their companions, 17 and saying:

‘We played the flute for you,

    And you did not dance;

We mourned to you,

    And you did not lament.’

18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is justified by her children.”

Note: Do what Jesus is calling you to. Line your life up with the Word and let people say what they will about you. I know people don’t like to be judged, when we are doing the word and not giving in to the world, then it doesn’t matter what the world is saying. It’s when we open ourselves up to the world and keep one foot in the church that you get on a slippery sloop.

Woe to the Impenitent Cities

20 Then He began to rebuke the cities in which most of His mighty works had been done, because they did not repent: 21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you. 23 And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades; for if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24 But I say to you that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for you.”

Note: Repentance is the way. To see the power of God and not repent, seems to be something that really offends Christ. Don’t set yourself up for judgement.

Jesus Gives True Rest

25 At that time Jesus answered and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes. 26 Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight. 27 All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. 28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Note: If you need to make a burden exchange with the Lord do it. Following Him is meant to be easy. His grace upon us enables us to go through anything. Let His grace fill you today and give Him the things you have been carrying. 

Matthew 10

Matthew 10 (NKJV)

The Twelve Apostles

1 And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease. 2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Cananite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him.

Note: This is the same kind of power Mark 16 says the believer has. When He said in Acts 1:8 that when the Holy Spirit came you would be filled with power. In the Greek that word is Dunamis which means the power to do miracles. So being filled with the Holy Spirit can only happen if I believe in Jesus which then evokes Mark 16 in my life and I can do what the Apostles were commissioned to do.

Sending Out the Twelve

5 These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: “Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. 6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ 8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. 9 Provide neither gold nor silver nor copper in your money belts, 10 nor bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor staffs; for a worker is worthy of his food.

11 “Now whatever city or town you enter, inquire who in it is worthy, and stay there till you go out. 12 And when you go into a household, greet it. 13 If the household is worthy, let your peace come upon it. But if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. 14 And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet. 15 Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!

Note: At that time the message was for the Jews but after the resurrection Paul brought the message to the Gentiles. We need to continue this job of going. Acts 1:8 says; Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth. For us it is Corona, California, The United States, and the end of the earth. Your area you live is the very place that God has planted you to win to Jesus. They may not all receive you, but let the compassion of Christ be in you for them and pray for them.

Persecutions Are Coming

16 “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. 17 But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues. 18 You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; 20 for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.

21 “Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. 22 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. 23 When they persecute you in this city, flee to another. For assuredly, I say to you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.

24 “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more will they call those of his household! 26 Therefore do not fear them. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known.

Note: We haven’t experienced this extreme persecution in America but is going on around the world. Everyday many people are martyred for their faith in Jesus. We need to stay grounded in the word and steadfast in our relationship with Jesus so that we can continue to stand for Jesus no matter what comes our way.

Jesus Teaches the Fear of God

27 “Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops. 28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. 30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.

Note: I said in on Sunday January 4, you are God’s favorites, holy and beloved. Fear God! He has a plan for your life and He numbers our days. Worship Him and Him alone. Give Him all the Glory. Sometimes you may not feel like it because you are going through a tough spot, but that is the time to look up and glorify God and break the back of the enemy so that the enemy or your soul has no hold on you.

Confess Christ Before Men

32 “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. 33 But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.

Notes: Romans 10:9 tells us that “If we confess with our mouth and believe in our heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

Let your confession be big. Confess the forgiveness, confess the healing. When my body gets out of alignment with the word of “by His strips I am healed,” I confess Jesus as my healer. I don’t confess how I feel, I confess Jesus in every circumstance. He is my provider!

Christ Brings Division

34 “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. 35 For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; 36 and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’ 37 He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. 38 And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. 39 He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.

Note: This seems kind of contrary since Jesus is peace, but He saw what was coming. He knew that there would be conflict if we make a stand with Jesus. That is the dividing line. Households will be divided, Father and son divided. It goes on. So don’t let it surprise you when it happens to you. When people don’t like you because you’re a Christ follower, don’t get mad about it. Just know it was prophesied long ago.

A Cup of Cold Water

40 “He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me. 41 He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward. And he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward. 42 And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward.”

Note: There may be times when you are the one receiving. Don’t be afraid to share a meal or even a cold cup of water with on that comes to you in the name of the Lord. Also don’t be afraid to step out and go to people. The only thing you need is the word of the Lord. 

Matthew 9

Matthew 9  (NKJV)

Jesus Forgives and Heals a Paralytic

9 So He got into a boat, crossed over, and came to His own city. 2 Then behold, they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you.”

3 And at once some of the scribes said within themselves, “This Man blasphemes!”

4 But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? 5 For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise and walk’? 6 But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—then He said to the paralytic, “Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” 7 And he arose and departed to his house.

8 Now when the multitudes saw it, they marveled and glorified God, who had given such power to men.

Note: Jesus saw the faith of the friends of the paralytic, sometimes we need to join our faith with our family and friends and not leave them to themselves. God responds to faith. Maybe you know someone that needs you to join your faith with them today and to be encouraged. Take a minute and visit or call and build them up.

Matthew the Tax Collector

9 As Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, “Follow Me.” So he arose and followed Him.

10 Now it happened, as Jesus sat at the table in the house, that behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Him and His disciples. 11 And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to His disciples, “Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

12 When Jesus heard that, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”

Note: Jesus said “Follow Me” and Matthew did. He was a tax collector, hated by the Jews even though he was one. Jesus came for those that are lost. He wasn’t looking for those that have it all together and were in the church, He was looking for those who didn’t go to church, those who knew they were sinners. He forgives our sin and heals us of all our diseases. Turn your eyes to Him today.

Jesus Is Questioned About Fasting

14 Then the disciples of John came to Him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but Your disciples do not fast?”

15 And Jesus said to them, “Can the friends of the bridegroom mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast. 16 No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; for the patch pulls away from the garment, and the tear is made worse. 17 Nor do they put new wine into old wineskins, or else the wineskins break, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But they put new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.”

Note: Fasting is a good spiritual discipline that we need to do. Fasting will push you more into God. We are fasting every Wednesday, Join with us.

A Girl Restored to Life and a Woman Healed

18 While He spoke these things to them, behold, a ruler came and worshiped Him, saying, “My daughter has just died, but come and lay Your hand on her and she will live.” 19 So Jesus arose and followed him, and so did His disciples.

20 And suddenly, a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years came from behind and touched the hem of His garment. 21 For she said to herself, “If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well.” 22 But Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said, “Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And the woman was made well from that hour.

23 When Jesus came into the ruler’s house, and saw the flute players and the noisy crowd wailing, 24 He said to them, “Make room, for the girl is not dead, but sleeping.” And they ridiculed Him. 25 But when the crowd was put outside, He went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose. 26 And the report of this went out into all that land.

Note: the woman’s faith propelled her to touch the hem of Jesus garment. After trying everything else for 12 years she tried Jesus. Don’t spend all your money on doctors and make Jesus your last choice, come to Him first. Make Jesus, the healer your first choice. Run to Him.

Two Blind Men Healed

27 When Jesus departed from there, two blind men followed Him, crying out and saying, “Son of David, have mercy on us!”

28 And when He had come into the house, the blind men came to Him. And Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?”

They said to Him, “Yes, Lord.”

29 Then He touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith let it be to you.” 30 And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them, saying, “See that no one knows it.” 31 But when they had departed, they spread the news about Him in all that country.

Note: “According to your faith let it be to you.” I am growing my faith everyday by hearing the word of the Lord. Don’t limit what God wants to do in your life. Let your faith say yes to God.

A Mute Man Speaks

32 As they went out, behold, they brought to Him a man, mute and demon-possessed. 33 And when the demon was cast out, the mute spoke. And the multitudes marveled, saying, “It was never seen like this in Israel!”

34 But the Pharisees said, “He casts out demons by the ruler of the demons.”

Note: People always try and blow off what they themselves can’t do and they don’t understand. Be careful on what is God and what is the Devil. If you don’t understand, ask God for clarification and go to His word but don’t just make brash statements.

The Compassion of Jesus

35 Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. 36 But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. 37 Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. 38 Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”

Note: People may not receive everything you say about Jesus and may want to even argue with you. But I challenge you to have compassion for that person and love them. Jesus moved with such compassion upon the lost and ask us to 1. Be laborers, and 2. Pray for more laborers.

Be active in your compassion for the lost.

Matthew 8

Matthew 8 (NKJV)

Jesus Cleanses a Leper

1 When He had come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed Him. 2 And behold, a leper came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.”

3 Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.

4 And Jesus said to him, “See that you tell no one; but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”

Note: “I am willing.” Those are some powerful words that carry over to today. Jesus is willing to heal us. HE took our infirmities to the cross. If HE wasn’t willing, He wouldn’t have done that. At this time Jesus didn’t want to make known what was happening, but today we can shout it from the mountain tops. Be cleansed in Jesus name.

Jesus Heals a Centurion’s Servant

5 Now when Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him, 6 saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented.”

7 And Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.”

8 The centurion answered and said, “Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

10 When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, “Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel! 11 And I say to you that many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 13 Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.” And his servant was healed that same hour.

Note: The Centurion understood authority. He knew that Jesus just had to speak to it and it would be done. He has given us authority today through the Holy Spirit. Don’t be afraid to take authority over anything that the enemy is throwing at you. With God’s Spirit in you, you are a powerful force.

Peter’s Mother-in-Law Healed

14 Now when Jesus had come into Peter’s house, He saw his wife’s mother lying sick with a fever. 15 So He touched her hand, and the fever left her. And she arose and served them.

Note: He just touched her. Allow Him to touch you today. Just believe that God wants to touch you and will be healed. When you visit the sick, believe that God wants to move through you.

Many Healed in the Evening

16 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, 17 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying:

“He Himself took our infirmities

And bore our sicknesses.”

Note: Another prophecy being fulfilled. The power of a word. We can speak death or life, choose life. Let your mouth be full of life. Speak life over your family, over your friends and most importantly, over yourself.

The Cost of Discipleship

18 And when Jesus saw great multitudes about Him, He gave a command to depart to the other side. 19 Then a certain scribe came and said to Him, “Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go.”

20 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”

21 Then another of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.”

22 But Jesus said to him, “Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”

Note: Following Christ. Many will make the commitment but won’t hold to it. In Isaiah 6 the Lord ask the question “Whom can we send and who will go for us?” He has send many but not many have gone. It’s the narrow path and not always the easiest.

Wind and Wave Obey Jesus

23 Now when He got into a boat, His disciples followed Him. 24 And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep. 25 Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!”

26 But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. 27 So the men marveled, saying, “Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?”

Note: When your going with Jesus, what do you have to be afraid of? The devil was trying to keep Him from getting to the other side and caused a storm that Jesus spoke to and it was gone. Many storms arise in our lives because the devil knows what will happen if we arrive where God is calling us to. We have the Holy Spirit empowering us and giving us authority to us. Speak to your storm about your God, not telling your God how big your storm is.

Two Demon-Possessed Men Healed

28 When He had come to the other side, to the country of the Gergesenes, there met Him two demon-possessed men, coming out of the tombs, exceedingly fierce, so that no one could pass that way. 29 And suddenly they cried out, saying, “What have we to do with You, Jesus, You Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?”

30 Now a good way off from them there was a herd of many swine feeding. 31 So the demons begged Him, saying, “If You cast us out, permit us to go away into the herd of swine.”

32 And He said to them, “Go.” So when they had come out, they went into the herd of swine. And suddenly the whole herd of swine ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and perished in the water.

33 Then those who kept them fled; and they went away into the city and told everything, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men. 34 And behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus. And when they saw Him, they begged Him to depart from their region.

Note: Mark 16 tells us that as believers we have that power in us to cast out demons. There is so much available to us through the Lord and Holy Spirit, it is just believing and learning to walk in it.

Matthew 7

Matthew 7 (NKJV)

Do Not Judge

7 “Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. 3 And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? 5 Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

Note: A principle in the Kingdom of God is “whatever you sow, you shall reap. This is a principle. This works in everything. Judging others, loving, mercy, finances, faith…

It applies to our whole lives. Don’t look for faults in others to make you look good. Love, it will cover your own sin and theirs.

6 “Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.

Note: Jesus went to many places preaching and healing the sick. The whole idea was for the people to repent and turn to God. In some cities He healed the sick but they didn't turn to God. Jesus said it would be worst for them then it was at Sodom and Gomorrah. Sow into good godly ground.

Keep Asking, Seeking, Knocking

7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 9 Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? 11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! 12 Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

Note: Don’t give up. God knows what we have need of. Sometimes it’s yes, sometimes no, and sometimes it’s not yet. Our job is to keep going after God. I love the way he finishes with “whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” How we treat God and each other has a lot to do with the way our lives go. Keep building relationship with Jesus, keep building relationships with people.

The Narrow Way

13 “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

Note: “There are few who find it.” That statement alone should cause us to get into relationship with Jesus like never before. Grow in Christ Jesus. Jesus declared that “He is the way, the truth, and the life, no one goes to the Father but through Him.”

To come to God the Father, we must be known in Christ and Him in us. There is no way around this.

You Will Know Them by Their Fruits

15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.

Note: Wow! Don’t just look at the fruit of others. Take time to look in the mirror and see what kind of fruit you’re producing. Would people accuse you of being a Christian?

I Never Knew You

21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

Note: “Confess with your mouth and believe in your heart and you shall be saved.” That’s what Romans tells us to do. Believing is a total commitment to Jesus. It is with all your heart, soul, and mind. Don’t hold back from God, go all in!

Build on the Rock

24 “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.

26 “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: 27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”

28 And so it was, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at His teaching, 29 for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

Note: To build your house on the Rock, means that we do things Jesus way. What He is telling us in His word we do. Don’t make room to do things your own way. Let’s line our attitudes, our talk, and our walk up with Jesus. 

Matthew 6

Matthew 6 (NKJV)

Do Good to Please God

6 “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 3 But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.

Note: This passage is pretty clear, don’t show off when you help someone or do a good deed. It is God who gives seed to the sower so we are just doing what He wants. Through the years in ministry, I have been handed money many times for someone else. They ask me to give it to a person and they don’t want them to know where it is coming from. Let God direct you as you do charitable deeds and don’t toot your own horn while doing it.

The Model Prayer

5 “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 6 But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. 7 And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.

8 “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.

Note: We’re not to pray for show. Let the Spirit direct you and don’t stand and say the same thing over and over. That won’t get it done. When you are in a corporate prayer meeting, pray what God is showing you and then sit down. Pray in tongues and in understanding. Let the Holy Spirit flow through you.

9 In this manner, therefore, pray:

Our Father in heaven,

Hallowed be Your name.

10 Your kingdom come.

Your will be done

On earth as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts,

As we forgive our debtors.

13 And do not lead us into temptation,

But deliver us from the evil one.

For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

Note: The Lord teaches us to pray.

a.  Honor God

b.  Pray for His will in your life not your desires unless they are His desires.

c.   Look for God’s way of doing things

d.  Ask for provision

e.  Ask for forgiveness where you have fallen short

f.    Forgive those that have offended you.

g.  Pray for a way out of the temptations that the enemy is throwing at you.

h.  Humble yourself and recognize where your strength comes from.

14 “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Note: Forgiveness brings forgiveness. Un-forgiveness brings un-forgiveness. It’s not pretty when we don’t forgive. It also brings in bitterness which will bread anger which leads to frustration which leads to fear which takes to the point of giving up on God. Don’t be that person.

Fasting to Be Seen Only by God

16 “Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 17 But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

Note: Fast! Just do it. Take time to Fast. Don’t moan and groan through it but let your light shine through it. Glorify God through it. When a hunger pain hits that the Lord. Ask God to reveal Himself to you when you fast. Ask Him to reveal what’s in you when you fast. Let change come to you through your fast like never before.

Lay Up Treasures in Heaven

19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Note: This is one powerful statement. “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” What do you pay most attention to? I know we have to work and maybe you have kids that need your attention, but where is your treasure? God wants you. He wants your attention. He wants to show you how to work, how to raise kids, how to love your wife. We could go on and on. God loves you and wants the very best for you or Jesus wouldn’t have come to give us life and life more abundantly. John 10:10

The Lamp of the Body

22 “The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

Note: Guard your eyes. Protect them. Put blinders on if you have to. Jesus even said pluck it out if it offends you. He is serious about the eye gate, what we see. Let your eyes feast on the Word of God and the things of God. Renew your sight and begin to look through a lens from God.

You Cannot Serve God and Riches

24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.

Note: You serve God and He says He will supply all your needs. You serve money and it will bring destruction. God is our provider, our Jehovah Jireh. Put your trust in God. Don’t be afraid to trust God with your finances.

Do Not Worry

25 “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?

28 “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; 29 and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Note: Don’t worry. It doesn't help anything. Instead pray about everything and believe God at His word for you. This year we are going through the New Testament. Growing in knowledge and depth of the Word of God. Don’t miss out on what God has for you. Seek His way of doing things and His way of being right before you go anywhere else for wisdom. God has it and if we follow it, all will be well. We will have peace.