Do you think Jesus is willing to: save / forgive / bless / heal / work with you? The demonstration of what Jesus ‘Is Willing’ to do is here in the Scripture. What is God’s will for your life? (Midtown Culture of intentionally seeking God’s Will) ForAll of Us = Scripture. You Specifically = Scripture + Holy Spirit (Spirit’s Guidance agrees with Scripture) Today’s Text contains some of what Jesus is willing to do in your life, general guidance each of us needs to explore and apply to get the specifics.
1 One day as Jesus was preaching on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, great crowds pressed in on him to listen to the word of God. 2 He noticed two empty boats at the water’s edge, for the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets. 3 Stepping into one of the boats, Jesus asked Simon, its owner, to push it out into the water. So He sat in the boat and taught the crowds from there.
- He recognized the need of the masses to hear His message
- He is willing to accommodate anyone who will listen
- He is willing to recruit co-workers…to incorporate us in HIS plan,as HE wills
4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish.” 5 “Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.”
- He taught the crowds, now He was going to recruit some co-workers
- Peter has done what he could do in his own power regarding fishing…
- Jesus is willing to demonstrate what He can do that is beyond what you can do
- Peter is willing to let Jesus Christ show him what He can do
6 And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear! 7 A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking.
- From zero fish to too many fish, The difference is important
- Jesus says: what you can do for eternity without me is ZIP… But with me…
- Supernatural VS Natural
8 When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me—I’m such a sinful man.” 9 For he was awestruck by the number of fish they had caught, as were the others with him. 10 His partners, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were also amazed.
- Peter calls Him ‘Lord’
- Peter thinks his sinfulness should disqualify him from being around Jesus
- The experience was shared by John & James (They become the 3)
Jesus replied to Simon, “Don’t be afraid! From now on you’ll be fishing for people!” 11 And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus.
- The Christ says: ‘Don’t be afraid of my Holiness’
- He says ‘I am willing to forgive your sin so we can work together’
- He is willing to work thru Peter…as He is willing to work thru YOU!
He ‘Wills’ that you work with and for HIM…What else is Jesus willing to do?
12 In one of the villages, Jesus met a man with an advanced case of leprosy. When the man saw Jesus, he bowed with his face to the ground, begging to be healed. “Lord,” he said, “if you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean.” 13 Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” He said. “Be healed!” And instantly the leprosy disappeared.
- Notice the approach…He is resigned to what God is willing to do
- Jesus does it in personal way, with physical touch
- He says: ‘I Am Willing’ The ‘I Am’ is important
- He is definitely willing to heal, but the choice to do it is His alone
14 Then Jesus instructed him not to tell anyone what had happened. He said, “Go to the priest and let him examine you. Take along the offering required in the law of Moses for those who have been healed of leprosy. This will be a public testimony that you have been cleansed.”
- Jesus’ goal is not to get attention for Himself now
- He has the healed man go thru the current process of thanksgiving for healing
- He want to point people to God (even thru the soon to be replaced system)
15 But despite Jesus’ instructions, the report of his power spread even faster, and vast crowds came to hear him preach and to be healed of their diseases. 16 But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer.
- The healed guy couldn’t help but tell people
- When we recognize God’s will being enacted in our lives we will ‘Witness’
17 One day while Jesus was teaching, some Pharisees and teachers of religious law were sitting nearby. (It seemed that these men showed up from every village in all Galilee and Judea, as well as from Jerusalem.) And the Lord’s healing power was strongly with Jesus.
- The Religious Elites were turning up everywhere Jesus went (Control)
- Jesus healing power is connected to the faith of those involved
- These people believed Jesus was the Messiah = Healing happened
18 Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a sleeping mat. They tried to take him inside to Jesus, 9 but they couldn’t reach him because of the crowd. So they went up to the roof and took off some tiles. Then they lowered the sick man on his mat down into the crowd, right in front of Jesus. 20 Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the man, “Young man, your sins are forgiven.”
- These Guys wanted to get their friend to Jesus (a real show of faith)
- When they couldn’t get him to Jesus by normal means they kept trying
- Jesus is willing to reward faith in Him!
- Faith in Him will lead to the forgiveness of your sins!
21 But the Pharisees and teachers of religious law said to themselves, “Who does he think he is? That’s blasphemy! Only God can forgive sins!” 22 Jesus knew what they were thinking, so he asked them, “Why do you question this in your hearts?
- The Jewish religious leaders were not willing to see Jesus as the Messiah
- He knew exactly what they were thinking and HE wants them to realize it
23 Is it easier to say ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up and walk’? 24 So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!”
- Jesus is willing to forgive sin, & He is willing to heal the results of it!
- Being ‘All Powerful’ means He has the Authority to do as He wills
25 And immediately, as everyone watched, the man jumped up, picked up his mat, and went home praising God. 26 Everyone was gripped with great wonder and awe, and they praised God, exclaiming, “We have seen amazing things today!”
- The forgiveness of sin was not demonstrable, instant healing can be seen
- Jesus is willing to do things in your live seen & unseen!
- Connecting God to blessings / healings / The unexplainable
Application Questions:
What might Jesus recruit you to do with Him?
What are you unwilling to accept or embrace that Jesus is willing to do in your life?
What is the connection between Jesus’ willingness to forgive sin and healing in you?
What is your level of praising God when you see Him do amazing things?