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Ministry in Region of Decapolis

Text: Mark 7:31-37
13 April 2014

MINISTRY IN THE REGION OF DECAPOLIS

1. A deaf-mute brought to Jesus

a) Brought to Him
b) Begged to heal the deaf-mute by laying hands on him            Mark 7:32

2. An unusual response

a) Jesus takes the man away from the multitude            Mark 7:33
b) This miracle would take place privately rather than publicly

3. A special healing for the deaf-mute

a) Touching of the ears            Mark 7:33
b) Spitting and touching the tongue of the deaf-mute            Mark 7:33
c) Looking up to heaven… acknowledging God the Father            Mark 7:34
d) He sighed and said “Ephphatha” (Be opened)            Mark 7:34
e) Immediate and complete healing            Mark 7:35

4. A special command

a) He commanded the people not to broadcast this            Mark 7:36a
b) They did not heed this word of command            Mark 7:36b

5. Great astonishment of the multitude

a) He has done all things well            Mark 7:37a
b) He makes the deaf to hear and the mute to speak            Mark 7:37b

LESSONS FOR THE DISCIPLES

1. The subject of Healing

a) It is not the centre of ministry
b) Healing does not necessarily yield the desired result of genuine knowledge and faith in Jesus
c) Healing can sometimes hinder the greater ministry of bringing people to genuine salvation in Jesus

2. The matter of relating to God in prayer

a) Sensitivity
b) Sighing

POEMS – Charles Tan

#8 FOR THIS PURPOSE I HAVE COME FORTH I

A great sense of purpose in life brings such strength to the heart,
It distinguishes the person, it truly sets him apart.
Jesus was most conscious that He was sent with a Mission Divine,
To the very end He would serve with devotion and love sublime.

Each morning He would set aside time to pray about His Father’s will,
He determined that He would train His heart to be perfectly still.
There was indeed success at all that He had attempted for the Lord,
But He had a Mission to fulfil and He must complete all the tasks He had from God.

He was sent to preach the Gospel to many other people whose needs abound,
They too must know about the Kingdom of God and have their lives turned around.
It would be hard and sometimes dangerous work to attempt and to accomplish,
But Jesus was focused and He was committed to fulfilling His Father’s wish.

He sought to give to His disciples a glorious Vision of the work of the Lord,
The heart must never become complacent, it must be stirred by the Spirit of God.
A great sense of Divine purpose will bring such drive and determination,
In prayer the soul is able to sustain this sense of purpose and glorious inclination.

Inspiration: Mark 1:38

#41 IN VAIN THEY WORSHIP ME

Man-made religion appears to be impressive to people all around,
But a deeper understanding reveals that it is basically unsound.
Ritualism and strict keeping of the law were all the Pharisees knew,
They found fault with anyone who did not keep their traditions too.

Jesus defended His disciples for they did not break the laws of God,
He did not have much of a regard for the traditions supposedly from the Lord.
He looked for a religion that would never be just external to the eye,
The danger of hypocrisy was all too real and nigh!

What is a religion that is true and right?
Surely the commandments of God must be kept in sight.
But when the Word of God is easily broken by the traditions of men,
That religion must be challenged because it truly falls out of God’s plan.

The laws of God were given out of love and they are always kind and good,
They cannot be set aside for that would be more than just plain rude.
Jesus rightly resisted and rejected the tradition of the elders as not from God,
He remained true and steadfast in His doctrines that were given to Him by the Lord.

Hypocrisy is a deadly mask that many choose to hide behind,
Religious fervor sometimes only hides a spirit that is blind.
How important it is that we examine our hearts to make sure we are clear,
Then would we be close to the Lord and be sure that He is indeed very near.

Inspiration: Mark 7:7