Exploring God’s Word with Brad Thurston

Here is a major shift in the development of the plan that Jesus is implementing:

Until now, the disciples have been observers, followers, learners. Now they are going to become participants in the Kingdom.  They are moving  from classroom studies to being actively involved in implementing what they have been learning.

When the focus is on training and sending, one key ingredient can be overlooked: it is the receiving of authority and power. 

How did the disciples receive this authority? 
We can also be filled with the authority and the words of faith that Jesus gives. 

All the events are centered around one main purposeful activity: the deliverance of the demoniac.

There are 3 different groups of people who will experience Jesus in different ways:

1. Group One are the disciples whose purpose is training and instruction
2. Group Two includes the demoniac and all who know him, the purpose is deliverance and freedom
3. Group Three are the people throughout the region of the Gerasenes who hear the good news.

When all of the purposes of the Kingdom are fulfilled, Jesus returns.

Jesus uses the art of storytelling and the use of illustrations to leave a lasting impression

Transformation begins on the inside and becomes visible on the outside

The Kingdom of God comes to those who believe!

1. You cannot buy your way in
2. You cannot think your way in
3. You cannot work or force your way in
4. You enter by submission and acceptance of the Lordship of Jesus 
5. Jesus knows the way
6. Jesus is the teacher
7. Jesus is the one who sees clearly and You can trust him to take the logs and specks out of your eyes
8. Jesus is full of goodness 
9. Jesus speaks from the heart of his Father

1. Judgement, condemnation, and pardon

• a. Not a focus on our judicial system, but he addresses disciples!
• b. Personal attitudes are in play here, and Jesus points to our basic attitudes of self preservation, being right, and wanting to think more of ourselves (or less) than we should
• c. Jesus will go through these trials personally on his way to the cross
• d. In doing so, he reiterates the previous admonition in 35
• e. These are the things that upset us the most

2. Counteract judgement by giving  

• a. The practice in heaping stuff in the basket or displaying it in the market
• b. God has the same practice in our lives.  
• c. This passage and the one previous often deal with money. True
• d. But it also deals with all things we are stewards of.  
• e. It focuses on our faith in Jesus.  
• f. We hang on to material possessions, but we can overcome our dependence upon them by trusting Jesus to meet our needs. Example
• g. Learn to give and grow in your giving and stewardship

Jesus teaches on mercy in this talk:

1. Love your enemies

2. Bless and pray for those who curse you and mistreat you

3. Treat others like you want to be treated

Conclusion

1. We cannot do this in our own strength.  

2. It goes against our sense of fairness  

3. We need power to live like this, to forgive like this, to love like this