***Week 2 Memory Verse***
If your right eye causes you to sin,
pluck it out and cast it from you;
for it is more profitable for you that
one of your members perish,
than for your whole body to be cast into hell.
And if your right hand causes you to sin,
cut it off and cast it from you;
for it is more profitable for you that
one of your members perish,
than for your whole body to be cast into hell.
Matthew 5:29-30
READ MATTHEW 4:12-25!
The Ministry of Jesus Begins
At the point when we read Matthew 4:12-25, Jesus has already
fulfilled prophecy with his birth, been baptized declaring his obedience to
God, and has resisted temptation from Satan himself. He is now a grown man who sets forth to begin
the greatest ministry work every witnessed on the face of the earth.
He knew he was the Son of God. He knew he had the ability to
heal any ailment, cast out demons and to raise the dead. Yet, he didn’t set out
to minister to others with fancy clothes, the best camel money could buy or a
group of scholars who had been studying God’s Laws since birth. Because Jesus also “knew” who he was sent to
reach.
Jesus went forward into ministry wearing the clothes of a
working man, on foot, and he chose common, simple, (sometimes worldly) men to
be his disciples.
Because Jesus had lived as a common man, and knew the power
of temptation, he was able to minister to the common man and to the person who
had given into temptation. He spoke
their language, they “knew” he understood. (Hebrews 2:14-18)
Our experiences in life help us to become better teachers of
God’s word. Through our trials, he has
given us a power to minister to others, driven by what we “know.” (1 Peter
1:6-7)
Matthew 4:19 Jesus called out to them, “Come, be my disciples,
and I will show you how to fish for people!”
Are you the person who has faced sickness or hardship and
now you have the power of what you “know”, to encourage a friend who is facing
similar sickness or hardship?
Matthew 4:16 the people who sat in darkness have seen a
great light. And for those who lived in
the land where death casts its shadow, a light has shined.”
Are you the person who has caused great pain to others
through your sins, but now you have the power of what you “know”, to go into the
world and reach the sinner because they will not feel judgment from you, just
hope, that only Jesus can bring?
Ephesians 2:12-13 “In those days you were living apart from
Christ. You were excluded from God’s
people, Israel, and you did not know the promises God had made to them. You lived in this world without God and
without hope. But now you belong to
Christ Jesus. Though you once were far
away from God, now you have been brought near to him because of the blood of
Christ.”
Matthew 4:17:
“…….Turn from your sins and turn to God, because the Kingdom of Heaven
is near.”
As we follow in the footsteps of Jesus, we have to turn
daily from our sins or worldly temptations, in repentance, and take time to
seek him so he can continue his ministry through us. As we seek him, he will continue to teach us
how to better reach those with our power of “know”.
Time of Reflection:
Look back in your life and create a list of trials The Lord
has brought you through (big or small) and next to each trial, write a short
description of how/when you were set free/healed. Take time to thank God for
what he has shown you through each trial and ask him to reveal to you how you
may minister to others with your power of “know”.
If you are currently struggling with something, write that
trial down too and next to it write your favorite scripture of promise from
God. Take time to thank God for what he
will reveal to you and ask him to send you a follower of Christ with their
power of “know” to encourage you through your trial.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: JESSICA HONC is the wife of 14 years to Will, and homeschooling mother of three children. She is the Director of Freedom Fellowship Home School Co-op. Jessica has served in many different capacities at Freedom Fellowship in Silsbee, Texas, such as librarian and children's teacher.
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