Sermon On the Net

MIRACLES

Luke 8: Jesus uses the parable of the farmer who sows seeds to explain the various reactions of people who hear the word of God. Some don’t listen, some hear without heart, some listen and believe for a little while but eventually fall away, some hear but they allow life’s worries, riches and pleasures to overcome their belief, and finally there are those who not only listen and are saved but they produce a good crop and stay steadfast in the word.

 

Jesus used another parable to explain to the disciples that they are to go out into the world and spread the good news of salvation. The more they do, the better it will be for them, those that do less will receive less.

 

Someone made a comment about His mother and brothers and He said in verse 21: “My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice.”

 

One day Jesus told the disciples to go with Him to the other side of the lake and on the way a storm arose. The disciples became afraid of the wind and begged Jesus to do something. He calmed the wind and rebuked them because they did not have enough faith to know that He would not let any harm come to them. Verse 25: “Where is your faith?”

 

When they arrived on the shore of Gerasenes they were met by a demon possessed man who had was naked and bound in chains because these demons were many and had possessed him for a long time. Jesus told the demons to leave the man and to enter a herd of pigs that subsequently raced to a cliff and fell over into a lake and drowned. He told the man to go to town and tell the people all that God had done for Him.

 

On their return trip a man asked Jesus to heal his daughter who was dying. On the way to his house Jesus felt power leaving Him and He asked who it was that touched Him. A sickly woman admitted touching His garment in hopes of being healed. Jesus told her faith healed her in verse48: “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.” When Jesus reached the man’s house He was told that she had died. He said she was asleep; He took her by the hand and said to her in verse 54; “My child, get up.”

 

‘Miracles’ is certainly an appropriate title for this chapter. When I was in business I used the seed sower parable to train my sales people and to train myself to follow the same principles inherent in this parable. This eliminated a great deal of frustration and concern for everyone who listened and put into practice what was being taught. The main issues were that people (prospects for life insurance) came in all sorts. Some people wouldn’t talk to them, some did and made appointments they didn’t keep, some purchased insurance and cancelled it prematurely, but there was that one person who purchased and became a client and center of influence with many referrals. Those who followed my teaching did extremely well; as did I. As Jesus said, “love much and receive much, love little and receive little.” Are you listening to Jesus? If you can’t hear Him it may be because you haven’t made Him part of your life. Jesus says that if you listen and accept, based on faith, you will receive Him, be saved, and then you will be able to hear Him; your choice; your time; your future.