Rivercrest Presbyterian Church - Sermons

Jesus is a good friend, one who reminds John and others of the eternal hope and healing they have in Him by faith. John the Baptist gets high praise from Jesus above all other people, and still as he sits in prison he doubts the Messiah. And it's Jesus' response that is remarkable; He is gentle and patient. The same is true for us in our doubts, that our Great Friend is slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love, and He hears our doubts and loves us still.

In two accounts, Jesus heals and helps loved ones of individuals. For the centurion it was his beloved servant, and for the widow it was her only son. Jesus marvels at the faith of the centurion, healing his servant from afar with authority. It's a testament to how powerful and capable Jesus is in our helplessness. And then Jesus sees the mother in tears and has compassion on her. In a powerful display of connection and love, Jesus comforts her and raises her son to life again, all pointing towards the sacrifice He would make as God's only Son so that all who have faith in Him will live. Jesus has compassion for the hurting, broken, and suffering; and in grace He's redeeming.

Over and above the shine of worldly trinkets, our Heavenly Father, our kind and loving Father has the good gifts of restoration, and life, and eternity for us. We can't get blinded by the counterfeit gods of the world like money, and comfort, and security. These are fleeting. But we must remember that our Savior is here with us. May we be found here with Him!

To be a disciple of Christ we must know Jesus, become like Jesus, and act as Jesus did. He prays, He unifies, He helps, He gives hope. The apostles and the great crowds all go to Him because there is no other person in which they can live. Christians today are to live in the same manner, showing their faith to a watching world.

Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath, He is the Law-Giver, the Healer, and the Son of Man. Accused and despised by the Pharisees, Jesus does what is right in their midst even though they believe His actions during the Sabbath are against the law. They are blind to Him and His mission; to seek and save the lost. Today, we can be blinded too. It's important for Christians to intentionally have time with the Lord, to rest in Him, to follow after Christ.

Jesus cleanses a leper and gives mobility back to a paralyzed man. These miracles point to Jesus' power in restoring and healing the broken and hopeless at a deeper level, a sin level where our greatest need is. Forgiving sins is mankind's greatest need, and Jesus does that for all who believe in Him by faith. Now, those who believe, like the paralyzed man's friends, are sent to be lights in the world, willing to serve and outstretch their arms to others in need.

Jesus calls His first disciples after performing a miracle in their midst. Simon Peter expresses fear before Jesus when they catch an abundance of fish, but Jesus calmly comforts him and then calls him to respond. Discipleship isn't a hobby, it's a lifestyle of surrender and trust in the Almighty God of salvation - the One also concerned with our spiritual formation.

Jesus rebukes fevers and demons in His public ministry. His authority as the Son of God is unmatched. People with various diseases are coming to Him and everyone of them is healed. Though He is serving, healing, giving, and blessing all of these people He doesn't let His tiredness keep Him from doing His Father's will. For us today, Jesus can heal us - He's not too tired or too busy - He can truly heal us of our biggest and neediest problem of sin.

Jesus continues His ministry by teaching in the synagogue of Capernaum. A demon-possessed man interrupts His teaching, but Jesus calmly rebukes and casts the demon out. Through holy authority, righteousness, and reverberation Jesus is bringing truth and salvation. 

After being tempted in the wilderness, Jesus returns  to Nazareth to proclaim the gospel in His hometown. At first the people marvel at Him and anticipate what He will do as His fame has grown. But Jesus, after reading Isaiah in the synagogue and teaching about His identity as Lord, is rejected. Not only are we today to follow Jesus and know the gospel, but live it out even when it's difficult.