Master of Matter - Sermons and Bible Studies - by Pastor Paul 物的讲道和圣经研究大师保罗牧师

What Kind of Man is This www.bible-sermons.orgMatthew 8:23-27 (NIV)23The

What Kind of Man is This www.bible-sermons.org Matthew 8:23-27 (NIV) 2324 Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Without warning, afurious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was 25 sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Lord, save us! We're going to 26 drown!" He replied, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" Then he got up and 27 rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. The men were amazed and asked, "What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!" Jesus had taught the Sermon on the Mount. The next day was along day of healing. The demoniac in the Synagogue was first, then the leper, the Centurion’s servant, Peter’s Mother-in-Law, and that evening the whole town came to His door to be healed. Mark tells us that when Jesus healed aperson, power went out from His body. (Mark 5:30) After that long day of healing, He must have been exhausted. I would have slept in the next morning. Wouldn’t you? Not Jesus! He got up before dawn and went to pray. (Mark 1:35) In doing so, He set an example for us. Strength is from the Lord. (Ephesians 6:10)Spiritual needs are greater than physical needs. Spiritual needs must come first. In that time of prayer, Jesus received instruction from His Father. He knew He had to leave and go to other cities. He didn’t get caught up in the public attention, or even in the seeming success of all the healed people. He put the Father’s direction above natural inclination. If we are going to be effective for the Kingdom of God, we have to learn the “Apart from me, you can do nothing.” truth that Jesus taught in John 15, John 15:5b (NIV) Ihope you are hearing this in your spirit. Ifind this is one of the most difficult truths to convey. Ihave well meaning Christians tell me again and again that we should do this or that, or that Ishould use this formula or that method. If Irespond, “God willing”, or “if the Spirit leads”, there is disappointment as if Iwere just using a pat phrase to get out of doing what they think should be done. I’ve been trying to win people to Jesus Christ since Iwas 16, and I’ve found one lesson repeated again “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit,” says the Lord and again in my life. Almighty. Zechariah 4:6b (NIV) If you want to see fruit that remains, be led by the Spirit. There is areason that we prefer programs and routines. We don’t have to have the constant, convicting, and self-quenching presence of Life. Last Sunday we covered the concept of taking up our cross being the acceptance of adeath sentence. The strange thing is that Jesus declares that when you do that you will find real life. If you’ve been longing to see God work more powerfully and with more lasting result in your life, this is the example our Lord set for us to follow. Emptied of self, He followed His Father’s direction without leaning upon natural inclinations or routines and formulas that others were following. (Galatians 5:24-25) Take up your cross and follow Him not man or even your own inclinations. (Jeremiah 17:5) 1