Acts 4:27-31 (NIV) – [27] “Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. [28] They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. [29] Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great BOLDNESS. [30] STRETCH OUT YOUR HAND TO HEAL and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” [31] After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God BOLDLY.

2023 Theme: Stretch Out Your Hand to Heal

- God heals medically.

- God heals miraculously.

- God heals heavenly.

“[God] chooses to bring health to persons sick physically, emotionally, and spiritually. The Bible not only tells of people’s spiritual status but is also concerned about their physical condition. This concern appears in the emphasis on healing, particularly in the ministry of Jesus and in the early church. Nearly one-fifth of the Gospels report Jesus’ miracles and the discussions they occasioned. The gospels record fourteen distinct instances of physical and mental healing.” (Holman Bible Dictionary)

1. “Iasis” (noun) or “iamai” (verb) means the process, mode, or act of healing, curing, or remedying; to renew or to make whole, complete, or well; to cause something to change to an earlier, correct, or appropriate state.

Luke 13:31-32 (ESV) – [31] At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.” [32] And he said to them, “Go and tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and perform CURES today and tomorrow, and the third day I finish my course.’”

Luke 6:17-19 (NIV) – [17] He went down with them and stood on a level place. A large crowd of his disciples was there and a great number of people from all over Judea, from Jerusalem, and from the coast of Tyre and Sidon, [18] who had come to hear him and to be HEALED of their diseases. Those troubled by evil spirits were CURED, [19] and the people all tried to touch him, because power was coming from him and HEALING them all.

2. “Therapeia” (noun) or “therapeuo” (verb) means to care for or medically treat the sick; to wait upon, minister to, render voluntary service; to cause someone to recover or to restore to health.

Matthew 4:23-24 (NIV) – [23] Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and HEALING every disease and sickness among the people. [24] News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed, and he HEALED them.

Matthew 10:5-9 (NIV) – [5] These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. [6] Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. [7] As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.’ [8] HEAL the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.”

3. “Iama” (noun) is the means of healing; the capacity to cause someone to become healed or cured; medicine.

1 Corinthians 12:7-11 (NIV) – [7] Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. [8] To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, [9] to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of HEALING by that one Spirit, [10] to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. [11] All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.

1 Corinthians 12:28 (NIV) – [28] And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of HEALING, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues.

4. “Sozo” (verb) means to save or rescue from peril, injury, or suffering; to deliver, protect, or make whole; to make well, heal, restore to health; to cause someone to experience divine salvation.

Matthew 9:20-22 (NIV) – [20] Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. [21] She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be HEALED.” [22] Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has HEALED you.” And the woman was HEALED from that moment.

Luke 7:36-39 (NIV) – [36] Now one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, so he went to the Pharisee's house and reclined at the table. [37] When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, [38] and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. [39] When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is — that she is a sinner.”

Luke 7:48-50 – [48] Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” [49] The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” [50] Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has SAVED you; go in peace.”

The Book of Job

“The Question of the Ages—Why?”

Lesson 12b: On the Defensive

1. Job defends himself by challenging God.

a. If we accuse God of not caring, it is evidence that we don’t know God very well.

b. Never allow your difficult circumstances to discredit the character of God in your heart.

c. Sometimes, we see ourselves as more fair and more just than God.

2. Job defends himself by insulting his friends.

Job 6:14-27 (NIV) – [14] “A despairing man should have the devotion of his friends, even though he forsakes the fear of the Almighty. [15] But my brothers are as undependable as intermittent streams, as the streams that overflow [16] when darkened by thawing ice and swollen with melting snow, [17] but that cease to flow in the dry season, and in the heat vanish from their channels. [18] Caravans turn aside from their routes; they go up into the wasteland and perish. [19] The caravans of Tema look for water, the traveling merchants of Sheba look in hope. [20] They are distressed, because they had been confident; they arrive there, only to be disappointed. [21] Now you too have proved to be of no help; you see something dreadful and are afraid. [22] Have I ever said, ‘Give something on my behalf, pay a ransom for me from your wealth, [23] deliver me from the hand of the enemy, ransom me from the clutches of the ruthless’? [24] Teach me, and I will be quiet; show me where I have been wrong. [25] How painful are honest words! But what do your arguments prove? [26] Do you mean to correct what I say, and treat the words of a despairing man as wind? [27] You would even cast lots for the fatherless and barter away your friend.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (NIV) – [9] Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: [10] If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! [11] Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? [12] Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Proverbs 27:6 (KJV) – [6] Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.

a. Just because you say something honest does not mean it was the right thing to say.

b. We are to speak the truth but speak it in love.

c. Criticism is rooted in our opinion; truthfulness is rooted in God’s Word.

1 Peter 2:21-23 (NIV) – [21] To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. [22] “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” [23] When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.

The Book of Job

“The Question of the Ages—Why?”

Lesson 12: On the Defensive

1. Job defends himself by challenging God.

Job 6:1-13 (NIV) – [1] Then Job replied: [2] “If only my anguish could be weighed and all my misery be placed on the scales! [3] It would surely outweigh the sand of the seas—no wonder my words have been impetuous. [4] The arrows of the Almighty are in me, my spirit drinks in their poison; God’s terrors are marshaled against me. [5] Does a wild donkey bray when it has grass, or an ox bellow when it has fodder? [6] Is tasteless food eaten without salt, or is there flavor in the white of an egg? [7] I refuse to touch it; such food makes me ill. [8] Oh, that I might have my request, that God would grant what I hope for, [9] that God would be willing to crush me, to let loose his hand and cut me off! [10] Then I would still have this consolation—my joy in unrelenting pain—that I had not denied the words of the Holy One. [11] What strength do I have, that I should still hope? What prospects, that I should be patient? [12] Do I have the strength of stone? Is my flesh bronze? [13] Do I have any power to help myself, now that success has been driven from me?”

“At times God puts us through the discipline of darkness to teach us to heed Him… watch where God puts you into darkness, and when you are there keep your mouth shut. Are you in the dark just now in your circumstances, or in your life with God? Then remain quiet. If you open your mouth in the dark, you will talk in the wrong mood: darkness is the time to listen.” –Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest

a. If we accuse God of not caring, it is evidence that we don’t know God very well.

b. Never allow your difficult circumstances to discredit the character of God in your heart.

Numbers 11:15 (NIV) – [15] “If this is how you are going to treat me, put me to death right now—if I have found favor in your eyes—and do not let me face my own ruin.”

1 Kings 19:3-4 (NIV) – [3] Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, [4] while he himself went a day’s journey into the desert. He came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, LORD,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.”

Jonah 4:8 (NIV) – [8] When the sun rose, God provided a scorching east wind, and the sun blazed on Jonah’s head so that he grew faint. He wanted to die, and said, “It would be better for me to die than to live.”

c. Sometimes, we see ourselves as more fair and more just than God.

Galatians 6:9 (NIV) – [9] Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Proverbs 29:18 (NAS) – [18] Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained, but happy is he who keeps the law.

Proverbs 29:18 (AMP) – [18] Where there is no vision [no redemptive revelation of God], the people perish; but he who keeps the law [of God, which includes that of man] — blessed (happy, fortunate, and enviable) is he.

Acts 2:42-47 (NIV) – [42] They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. [43] Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. [44] All the believers were TOGETHER and had everything in common. [45] Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. [46] Every day they continued to meet TOGETHER in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate TOGETHER with glad and sincere hearts, [47] praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Our Vision: “Loving and Living Life Together in Jesus”

Our Theme: BETTER TOGETHER

Acts 4:27-31 (NIV) – [27] “Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. [28] They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. [29] Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great BOLDNESS. [30] STRETCH OUT YOUR HAND TO HEAL and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” [31] After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God BOLDLY.

2023 Theme: Stretch Out Your Hand to Heal

Proverbs 3:5-6

Hebrews 10:23 “Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep His promises.”

Isaiah 9:6-7 “For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen!”

Isaiah 26:3 “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you.”

Deuteronomy 31:8 “Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; He will never fail or abandon you.”

Romans 8:28 “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.”

Matthew 11:28 “Then Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”

Philippians 4:19 “And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.”

Isaiah 53:5 “But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by his wounds we are healed.”

1 John 1:9 “But if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.”

Isaiah 40:31 “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.”

The Story Behind the Story

Luke 1:5-25 (NIV) – [5] In the time of Herod king of Judea…

Galatians 4:4-5 (NKJV) – [4] But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, [5] to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

1. God’s timing is always perfect.

Luke 1:5-7 (NIV) – …there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. [6] Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord's commandments and regulations blamelessly. [7] But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren; and they were both well along in years.

2. The fullness of time comes to fruition to those who remain faithful.

Luke 1:8-13 (NIV) – [8] Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, [9] he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. [10] And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside. [11] Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. [12] When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. [13] But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John.

3. You have not been chosen by chance; you have been chosen by God!

Luke 1:14-17 (NIV) – [14] He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, [15] for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth. [16] Many of the people of Israel will he bring back to the Lord their God. [17] And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

4. The fulfillment of God’s promises are always better than what we even expect.

1 Corinthians 2:9 (NIV) – [9] No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.”

5. God is still looking to make ready a people prepared for Him.

Luke 12:35-38 (NIV) – [35] “Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, [36] like men waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. [37] It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. I tell you the truth, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. [38] It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the second or third watch of the night.

Luke 1:18-20 (NIV) – [18] Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.” [19] The angel answered, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. [20] And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their proper time.”

Luke 1:18 (MSG) – [18] Zachariah said to the angel, “Do you expect me to believe this? I’m an old man and my wife is an old woman.” (The Message Bible)

6. Is it possible that we are still praying but no longer believing?

James 1:5-8 (NIV) – [5] If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. [6] But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. [7] That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; [8] he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.

Luke 1:21-25 (NIV) – [21] Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple. [22] When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak. [23] When his time of service was completed, he returned home. [24] After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. [25] “The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.”

7. Jesus came to take away our shame.

Isaiah 61:7 (NIV) – [7] Instead of their shame my people will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace they will rejoice in their inheritance; and so they will inherit a double portion in their land, and everlasting joy will be theirs.

The Book of Job

The Question of the Ages—Why?

Knowledge without Wisdom

1. Calling on God should be our first resort, not our last.

2. Wrong assumptions about God lead to wrong conclusions about life.

Job 5:8-16 (NIV) – [8] “But if it were I, I would appeal to God; I would lay my cause before him. [9] He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted. [10] He bestows rain on the earth; he sends water upon the countryside. [11] The lowly he sets on high, and those who mourn are lifted to safety. [12] He thwarts the plans of the crafty, so that their hands achieve no success. [13] He catches the wise in their craftiness, and the schemes of the wily are swept away. [14] Darkness comes upon them in the daytime; at noon they grope as in the night. [15] He saves the needy from the sword in their mouth; he saves them from the clutches of the powerful. [16] So the poor have hope, and injustice shuts its mouth.”

3. Knowledge without experience does not equal wisdom.

Job 42:1-3 (NIV) – [1] Then Job replied to the LORD: [2] “I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted. [3] [You asked,] ‘Who is this that obscures my counsel without knowledge?’ Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know.

4. God knows everything I know, but I don’t know everything God knows.

Job 5:17-26 (NIV) – [17] “Blessed is the man whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty. [18] For he wounds, but he also binds up; he injures, but his hands also heal. [19] From six calamities he will rescue you; in seven no harm will befall you. [20] In famine he will ransom you from death, and in battle from the stroke of the sword. [21] You will be protected from the lash of the tongue, and need not fear when destruction comes. [22] You will laugh at destruction and famine, and need not fear the beasts of the earth.[23] For you will have a covenant with the stones of the field, and the wild animals will be at peace with you. [24] You will know that your tent is secure; you will take stock of your property and find nothing missing. [25] You will know that your children will be many, and your descendants like the grass of the earth. [26] You will come to the grave in full vigor, like sheaves gathered in season.

Hebrews 12:4-6 (NIV) – [4] In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. [5] And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, [6] because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.”

5. God disciplines sin, but not all hardship is due to sin.

John 16:33 (NIV) – [33] “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33 (AMP) – [33] I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]

6. What we want are guarantees; what we need is grace.

2 Corinthians 12:7-10 (NIV) – [7] To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. [8] Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. [9] But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. [10] That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Job 5:24-25 (NIV) – “[24] You will know that your tent is secure; you will take stock of your property and find nothing missing. [25] You will know that your children will be many, and your descendants like the grass of the earth.”

Job 5:24-25 (MSG) – [24] You’ll know that your place on earth is safe, you’ll look over your goods and find nothing amiss. [25] You’ll see your children grow up, your family lovely and lissome as orchard grass.

Job 5:27 (NIV) – [27] “We have examined this, and it is true. So hear it and apply it to yourself.”

7. Truth misapplied is a lie.

James 1:5 (NIV) – [5] If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

Galatians 4:1-7 NLT

4 Think of it this way. If a father dies and leaves an inheritance for his young children, those children are not much better off than slaves until they grow up, even though they actually own everything their father had. 2 They have to obey their guardians until they reach whatever age their father set. 3 And that’s the way it was with us before Christ came. We were like children; we were slaves to the basic spiritual principles[a] of this world.

4 But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. 5 God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children.[b] 6 And because we[c] are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.”[d] 7 Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child.[e] And since you are his child, God has made you his heir.

Adoption Definition:

the action or fact of legally taking another's child and bringing it up as one's own, or the fact of being adopted

Galatians 4:4-5

4 But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.

Point #1: God Choses to Adopt You

Ephesians 1:5 NLT

5 God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.

Romans 8:23

23 And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children,[a] including the new bodies he has promised us.

1 Corinthians 15:42-44

42 It is the same way with the resurrection of the dead. Our earthly bodies are planted in the ground when we die, but they will be raised to live forever. 43 Our bodies are buried in brokenness, but they will be raised in glory. They are buried in weakness, but they will be raised in strength. 44 They are buried as natural human bodies, but they will be raised as spiritual bodies. For just as there are natural bodies, there are also spiritual bodies. 1 Corinthians 15:42-44

Point #2 Adoption is Full Inheritance

Point #3 Adoption is a Choice

Galatians 4:6-7 says, and because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.” Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, God has made you, his heir.

Matthew 11:28

“Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

1 John 3:1 says, See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know Him.

Bakersfield First Assembly