Emeka

SPECIAL SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES 26/4/2020
TOPIC: DANIEL AND HIS COMPANIONS IN BABYLON
MEMORY VERSE: But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the kings meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eu**chs that he might not defile himself (Daniel 1:8).
TEXT: Daniel 1:1-21
The book of Daniel opens with the great tragedy of the fall of Judah, the southern kingdom of Israel. Horrifying moral and spiritual corruption among the people prompted the Lord to send His prophets to warn them of dire consequences of personal and national backsliding. Jehoiakim who was the reigning king in Judah at that time did much evil and influenced Judah to sin greatly against God. Refusal to heed divine warning eventually brought judgment. Nebuchadnezzar, Gods instrument of vengeance came against Judah, besieged Jerusalem, fought against it, defeated and deported many of them to Babylon. Sin will always attracts divine judgment and suffering (Proverbs 11:21; Jeremiah 5:25). Judahs sin and recalcitrance led to captivity, enslavement and a lockdown of their cities in fulfilment of the prophecy of Jeremiah. The cities of the south shall be shut up, and none shall open them: Judah shall be carried away captive all of it, it shall be wholly carried away captive (Jeremiah 13:19).
Though Judah was subjugated in Babylon, Daniel and his companions who were among the captives of Judah refused to worship idols or compromise with the idolatrous practices of the host nation. They upheld the moral and scriptural principles of righteousness they had learnt and imbibed in their homeland. Thus, they excelled in Babylon. God blesses similar wholehearted devotion, love and faithfulness of present-day believers to Him, irrespective of any adverse situation or circumstance they find themselves (2 Samuel 22:25-27).
Question 1: Why were Daniel and his companions in Babylon?
1. Punishment AND CAPTIVITY OF UNREPENTANT JUDAH (Daniel 1:1,2; Jeremiah 22:15-19; 35:13,17; 36:20-31; 2 Kings 23:34,36,37; 24:19,20; 2 Chronicles 29:6-9; Zechariah 14:1,2; Malachi 2:11-17)
The backsliding and moral decadence of the kings, priests, prophets and people of Judah were abhorrent in the sight of God. He sent His faithful prophets to warn them of the dire consequences of immorality, covetousness, idolatry, pride, violence, fraudulent dealings, deceit and the abominations of the heathen nations among them but they remained defiant in sin. I have sent also unto you all my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them, saying, Return ye now every man from his evil way, and amend your doings... and ye shall dwell in the land which I have given to you and to your fathers: but ye have not inclined your ear, nor hearkened unto me (Jeremiah 35:15). Thus, the predicted conquest and captivity came in successive shocks. Sin always exposes individuals and nations to danger and judgment because they are offensive to God.
Note that Nebuchadnezzars triumph only happened because the LORD gave... Judah into his hand (Daniel 1:2; Jeremiah 44:30). The enemys power is always limited by Gods purpose and design. Thus, in contemplating the world and its affairs, we should look beyond the creatures to the Creator. Believers learn from the fulfilment of the declared judgment against Judah that, one, God sees every sinful thought and deed; two, backsliders cannot retain Gods blessings and possessions; three, sin attracts afflictions, captivity, suffering and divine judgment; four, there is no eternal security for any sinning Christian; five, believers should not relent in proclaiming the gospel to warn sinners and backsliders of the consequences of their evil deeds; six, believers should intercede unceasingly for their society and nation as the godly can be affected by the wrong choices of their neighbours and rulers; and seven, sinners and backsliders who repent and receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour will be saved. God knows how to keep His redeemed people in times of trouble (2 Peter 2:9).
Question 2: What can believers learn from the fulfilment of the predicted captivity of Judah?
2. PORTRAIT OF EXCELLING SAINTS (Daniel 1:3-16; Isaiah 39:5-7; Proverbs 31:30; Genesis 39:7-12; 41:38-40; Psalm 105:17-22; 1 Corinthians 3:18-21; Proverbs 19:2; 22:29; Job 27:6; 1 Corinthians 4:2,17; Colossians 1:7; 4:9)
Nebuchadnezzar had an ingenious way of weakening conquered territories and strengthening his kingdom. The kings strategy was to search for young men with superior natural endowments, stature, noble and royal birth who could be trained for three years to stand before the king and serve in his palace. Their training included emasculation or castration to become eu**chs, education and examination. The curriculum was designed to derail them from serving the living God and induce or seduce them to follow the false gods and profane policies and practices of Babylon. To achieve his goal, the king offered them free education and full support.
Daniel and his friends were among those selected for training, having met the criteria for eligibility set by Nebuchadnezzar that candidates must be children in whom was no blemish, well favoured, skilful in all wisdom, cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king's palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans. Being chosen for special training entitled Daniel and his colleagues to enjoy the same food and wine the king had. Others considered it a privilege to partake of the kings provision, But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eu**chs that he might not defile himself (Daniel 1:8). He discerned it to be an honour laced with compromise. Therefore, he and his companions chose to be given peas, beans or vegetable meal and water.
Joseph also rejected a sinful offer while carrying out his duties in Portiphars house. He was conscious of the all-seeing eyes of God and refused to be defiled by his masters wife. Moses chose to suffer affliction with the people of God than enjoy the pleasure of sin for a season in Egypt. Some saints in Scripture also refused to accept deliverance from their captors because it involved renouncing their faith in God (Genesis 39:7-10; Hebrews 11:24-26,35). Satan still uses attractive privileges, opportunities and honours to allure undiscerning believers. God wants all His children to reject offers with embedded demands for sinful compromise, repent of any incidents of compromise and return to Him, renounce association with seducers/
corrupters, run the race with patience and remain steadfast in righteousness to enjoy His favour and blessings in life and eternity.
In spite of their christening in line with Babylons policy of assimilation, these young men maintained godly character, courage and faith in God. They did not allow the decision of other captives who ate the food, their status as captives in a strange land and fear of the wrath of the king of Babylon to affect their faithfulness to God. The story of Daniel and his three friends proves that Nebuchadnezzar did not succeed in making the Jews forget their God, religion or land (Psalm 137:1-6). It must be underscored that the King of kings requires the best of hands who possess excelling physical capacity, moral uprightness, scriptural conviction and spiritual fervour to be sourced, engaged, trained and commissioned in His vineyard (Luke 10:2; 1 Timothy 3:1-6). Besides, adversity can come to the righteous but it is his devotion and faithfulness to God which reflect in his scriptural choices, values and actions that will ultimately lead to triumph (1 Corinthians 10:31). Refusal to be defiled for any reasons and under any circumstance is the Lords will and pleasure.
God allows believers to pass through difficult times to prove their faith and faithfulness to Him; prune and purge believers of spiritual dross; and show forth the power of His grace (2 Corinthians 12:7-9). If we remain faithful, God will fulfil His promised deliverance, comforting presence and promotion in our lives (Hebrew 13:5). To be as faithful and devoted to God in difficult times as Daniel and his companions requires genuine experience of salvation, separation from the world, purpose of heart or determination to maintain holiness, prayerfulness, courage, humility and faith in God. The Lord expects believers to trust His judgment and remain faithful even in adversity.
Question 3: Highlight the excelling qualities of Daniel and his companions that believers should emulate.
3. PROMOTION OF THE FAITHFUL AND HUMBLE (Daniel 1:17-21; 6:3; Proverbs 22:29;Genesis 41:39-41; Psalm 119:98-104; Luke 21:15; Acts 6:8-10; Ephesians 1:16-20; Colossians 1:9-11; Numbers 14:24; Matthew 23:12; Luke 19:17; 1 Peter 1:4)
Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah requested to be tested with vegetable meal. This request was evidence of their strong faith in Gods power as ten days were definitely too short to make any significant difference in diet. He was not ashamed to speak about his faith with the prince of the eu**ch unlike many believers who cringe when it comes to ministering to their bosses or anyone in authority. Daniels petition to the prince of the eu**ch was polite and humble; he was not confrontational. His request was granted and God blessed their food and made them look better than those who ate the kings dainties. God is always ready to favour us when we stand for righteousness.
God honoured the faith of Daniel and his colleagues and endowed them with knowledge, skill and wisdom above other candidates. Daniel was also endowed with ability to understand visions and dreams. Eventually, they were chosen to stand before the king. And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm (Daniel 1:20). Obedience to God in our endeavours will make us excel above others. The Scripture affirms that, The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour... (Proverbs 12:26). Righteousness brings exaltation but sin breeds reproach. Commitment to Gods outlined principles of living, courage to stand out and absolute confidence in Him will lead to promotion, preservation and inheritance of God blessings in life and in eternity.
Question 4: Highlight the present and eternal benefits of maintaining a godly character in difficult times.
Daniel and his companions showed extraordinary integrity and commitment to the true God in the land of false gods and corrupt practices. This quartet gave a full and convincing testimony to the omnipotence, goodness, holiness, omnipresence, faithfulness, sufficiency and omniscience of God. Their faith in God had such deep roots in their character, conviction and courage that superficial change of names and the luxury of new surroundings could not affect. We must not mortgage our destinies for the perishable things of this world but keep our eyes on the inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for [us] (1 Peter 1:4).
GHS: 06, 97 & 209

2019 DECEMBER RETREAT MESSAGE
DAY 4, BIBLE TEACHING
DATE: DECEMBER 24, 2019
THEME: THE FINAL SOLUTION: JESUS
PREACHER: OUR FATHER IN THE LORD, PASTOR W.F. KUMUYI
TOPIC: CONDITIONS OF SECURITY IN CHRIST
TEXT: JOHN 15:1-7
* 1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
* 2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
* 3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
* 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
* 5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
* 6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
* 7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
The Lord knew that His disciples were familiar with farming, vine, vineyard, husbandman, and the keeper of the vine so He used the agricultural terms in order to pass His message clearly to them.
He said to begin to believe is the beginning, and not the final step. Starting is good, continuing to walk with Him, abiding in Him, being steadfast and secure in Him is the most important. He says, He is the true vine, and His Father watching over the vineyard is the Husbandman.
He talks about two categories of believers: those who abide and those who do not. Those who continue and those who do not, those who stand steadfast and those who are shaky and wander away.
vs 2. “every branch in me” the one that is born again and believes in Christ but forgets that every branch is purposely there to bear fruits and does not make any effort, does not have the ability to bear fruits the Father takes away, whereas, those who bear fruits are purged and preserve to bear more fruits.
vs 4. The Lord counsels the disciples to abide in Him. Those who abide and remain, and continue with the Lord will bring forth much fruits.
vs 5. Without the Lord, we can do nothing.
vs 6. The branches that bear no fruits are cast away
Now we can see that the security of the believers in Christ is conditional.
A. THE CONDITIONS OF THE BELIEVERS’ SECURITY. John 10:27-29
* 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
* 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
* 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.
These are the only verses some believers consider, while they ignore some other verses (vs 5) Those who will not follow strangers are secure. You believe the Lord and you do not follow strange doctrines.
I John 2:24. Let all the new things you have received of the Lord remain with you (vs 28).
I Corinthians 9:24-27
* 24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
* 25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
* 26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
* 27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
Starting a journey does not guarantee that you will finish well. You have to be focused and strive for the mastery. You are to be temperate in what you do, eat, or the people you relate with. If athletes go to such length of self denial just to win corruptible crowns, how much more we that are going to win the crowns of eternal life! We must put every member of our bodies under subjection and firm control. This is how to have the believers’ security.
Romans 11:20-22
* 20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
* 21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.
* 22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.
It is important to let the word of God abide in us and we continue steadfastly in Him.
Matthew 24:11-13
* 11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
* 12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
* 13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
You must endure to the end, therein lies your security. That is, your security depends on abiding in Christ till the end.
B. THE CONSEQUENCE OF BACKSLIDERS’ SINFULNESS
Who is a backslider? Someone who used to believe but is no longer in the faith (Proverbs 21:16 - The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead). Someone who wanders out of the way of life and eventually dies spiritually.
What makes people to backslide? Ecclesiastes 10:1. Dead flies causes the oil or the medicine to bring forth stinking odour.
Song of Solomon 2:15
* Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes.
Indulging in little, little things that can spoil the vines of our Christian life.
I Corinthians 5:6. Backsliding starts in little ways. The little lies, evil, carelessness, anger, and folly will make you to slide on until there is no stopping.
Galatians 5:9
* A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.
The Lord is telling us to beware of the inroad of little folly, foolishness, malice, anger bad temper, talkativeness, little by little, you are derailed.
James 3:5-6
* 5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
* And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
Watch out, a little fire of fighting, violence, arguments, disagreement. A little fire of the bad mouth, the strange tongue which defiles the whole body and sends the soul to hell.
At times, it is the influence of others. Little, little influences from here and there. You have believed on the Lord and He has been influencing, controlling and inspiring you and then a little figure (in comparison with Christ) comes to give you counsel. He wants to make you go the other direction. Whoever he is, he is little and you will not allow him to mislead you. Be watchful of the counsels you receive from others.
Moses went up the mountains to receive laws and instructions for the children of Israel. He was without food and water forty days and forty nights. Aaron, the High priest remained with the people. After a while, they, the people and their priest forgot Moses, after all he left for their sakes (refusing to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter) to bring them out of the land of Egypt. They forgot the Lord who brought them out of the bo***ge of Egypt. Because he was gone for a few weeks, they requested for a god to worship. He listened, and all of them, without any exception followed and worshipped the idol. This shows that a whole denomination and congregation can backslide. We have seen some denominations like that. A new leader comes in and new ideas are introduced. The congregation forgets all they have learned so far and follow after the wrong path.
Exodus 32:32-33. Here we see Moses interceding for the children of Israel but God told him, whosoever (regardless of the position or status) sins against Him He will blot out of His book.
Joshua 24:20. If anyone sins against God, God will do him evil after doing him good. So, as a result of your sins, you will be punished. Security in God is conditional, and the condition is to abide in Him
II chronicles 15:1-2
* 1 And the Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded:
* 2 And he went out to meet Asa, and said unto him, Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin; The LORD is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you.
Hebrews 10:26-27,29-31. Everyone of us hearing the words of truth in this church will never deny the quality of what we have received so far. But after this, if you sin wilfully, with your two eyes wide open, throwing away the true doctrines, convictions and the word of God, there is no more sacrifice for sin. God will not cancel His words to please anyone (vs 38-39)
* 38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
* 39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.
As a child of God, you must know that you cannot compromise and indulge in bribery and corruption or committing immorality to get anything or any position. You must trust God for all your needs.
II Peter 2:20-22
* 20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.
* 21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
* 22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.
After salvation and such believer goes back to indulge in sins of all kinds, life in eternity will be worse for him (James 5:9). Every sinner and backslider needs to be assisted into the way of life.
C. CONSIDERATION WITH BLAMELESS STEADFASTNESS. I Peter 3:17
2 Peter 3:17
* Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.
I will not fall, you will not fall, we will not fall.
Rise up and tell the Lord that He will

BALANCE IS KEY
God told Joshua not to go to the left or right of the Lord’s commandments. What does this mean. In other words God was telling Joshua, avoid extremes, have a balanced view of things. Bazalwane, BALANCE IS KEY!!
1. I have spoken with a lot of people who subscribe to reformed theology (Cessationist). They don’t believe in any working of the spirit, they specialize with “truth”. So now because they have “truth” they just want to debate and argue. They will argue the WHOLE DAY debating scripture semantics. Each time I talk to Cessationists I feel like Im biltong (dried meat). Really they give me this headache.., and they truly do a good job at quenching the Holy Spirit. So you can see this is an extreme view.
Then there are those Charismatic extremist who absolutely are just running with the “Spirit” and not checking anything with scripture. They are always talking about some manifestation, some vision, prophecy..Oh this morning I was having coffee with Jesus, last night I saw Jesus baking muffins in my kitchen, I could not go to work because I was just speaking with forceful tongues and rolling on the floor, Gabriel the angel appeared to me in the dream and I took spiritual selfies with him. What is this?? Another extreme!! If you go down this road, I am telling you,not very long you will be entertaining spirits of divination, you will start to see false visions, hear false prophecies and do things which are against the word of God. This is also an extreme view
However Jesus said true worshipers will worship in SPIRT AND TRUTH!! You cant just be a Spirit worshiper and jump around and prophecy without any regard to truth.. and you cant just specialize with “truth” and all you want to do is win arguments. Yes you need the Spirit but you also need the Truth. Balance is Key!
2. I get so many messages of people who believe that God has called them into the ministry so they want to start a church. One man once came to see me and said to me, each time he sees a man preaching, he has so much fire, he just wants to take the mic from him and to start preaching himself. I thought wow!! That’s a lot of Zeal. So I say to him, when you take them mic from the preacher what are you going to teach about? He did not know. I said, what is salvation, he did not know. What is Grace? What is Faith?
The more I spoke to this man is the more I realized he had almost never touched a Bible in his life, yet he want to sn**ch mics and start preaching. Who does that? Yes you may be called to be a doctor, but unless you can show me that you went to medical school, you have the right credentials you are not going to operate on me. I cant have someone operate on my heart just because they received “impartation” and have a calling!! A calling is fine, no problem with that, but if you are not thoroughly equipped for that training, you become a danger to yourself and others! Balance is Key!
3. Noah built the ark by faith but, he used measurements. There is a place for rational thinking in our walk of faith. Not all decisions should be made with blind hope! Balance is key!
4. Sarah's pregnancy was a miracle, but it took nine months just like any other. God's plans do not negate the importance of process. Sometime you need to wait or work it out. Balance is Key!!
5. The stone that killed Goliath might have been anointed, but David's skill was also involved. Developing skills does not mean you are not anointed. If you play a piano, play it to the fullest. Don't take us through the agony of listening to your cacophony in the name of "singing to the Lord". Skills are important. Balance is Key!
6. Esther received favor to become queen, but she also bathed and prepared her appearance. Preparation is key to become fit for the occasion. Get knowledge, go to school. Prepare, because some of us expect nothing but the best from you! Balance is Key!
7. The promised land was full of milk and honey, but they also had to plow, feed cattle, and take care of sheep. Miracles are communication tools that God uses to instill trust, faith and the knowledge of his nature. You need to work, don't expect miracles in a specific area of life all the time. Balance is Key!
8. Jerusalem had God as her Protector, yet he asked the Jews to Build the Walls thereof. Do not neglect physical necessities of life in the name of spirituality. That is why I always say to brothers in church, go to gym, eat healthy, you cant eat Chips, Coke and Magwinya everyday and when you get sick you say “The Devil” .the devil where? Yes the Lord heals our diseases, now does it mean we go and become reckless with our lives? You will die before your

Jesus is our Lord

Luke 5:1
And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret,
5:1-11 When Christ had done preaching, he told Peter to apply to the business of his calling. Time spent on week days in public exercises of religion, need be but little hinderance in time, and may be great furtherance to us in temper of mind, as to our worldly business. With what cheerfulness may we go about the duties of our calling, when we have been with God, and thus have our worldly employments sanctified to us by the word and prayer! Though they had taken nothing, yet Christ told them to let down their nets again. We must not abruptly quit our callings because we have not the success in them we desire. We are likely to speed well, when we follow the guidance of Christ's word. The draught of fishes was by a miracle. We must all, like Peter, own ourselves to be sinful men, therefore Jesus Christ might justly depart from us. But we must beseech him that he would not depart; for woe unto us if the Saviour depart from sinners! Rather let us entreat him to come and dwell in our hearts by faith, that he may transform and cleanse them. These fishermen forsook all, and followed Jesus, when their calling prospered. When riches increase, and we are tempted to set our hearts upon them, then to quit them for Christ is thankworthy.
Luke 5:2
And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets.
Luke 5:3
And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.
Luke 5:4
Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.
Luke 5:5
And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.
Luke 5:6
And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.
Luke 5:7
And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.
Luke 5:8
When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.
Luke 5:9
For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken:
Luke 5:10
And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.
Luke 5:11
And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.
Luke 5:12
And it came to pass, when he was in a certain city, behold a man full of leprosy: who seeing Jesus fell on his face, and besought him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.
5:12-16 This man is said to be full of leprosy; he had that distemper in a high degree, which represents our natural pollution by sin; we are full of that leprosy; from the crown of the head to the sole of the foot there is no soundness in us. Strong confidence and deep humility are united in the words of this l***r. And if any sinner, from a deep sense of vileness, says, I know the Lord can cleanse, but will he look upon such a one as me? will he apply his own precious blood for my cleansing and healing? Yes, he will. Speak not as doubting, but as humbly referring the matter to Christ. And being saved from the guilt and power of our sins, let us spread abroad Christ's fame, and bring others to hear him and to be healed.
Luke 5:13
And he put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will: be thou clean. And immediately the leprosy departed from him.
Luke 5:14
And he charged him to tell no man: but go, and shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing, according as Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.
Luke 5:15
But so much the more went there a fame abroad of him: and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by him of their infirmities.
Luke 5:16
And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed.
Luke 5:17
And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judaea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was present to heal them.
5:17-26 How many are there in our assemblies, where the gospel is preached, who do not sit under the word, but sit by! It is to them as a tale that is told them, not as a message that is sent to them. Observe the duties taught and recommended to us by the history of the paralytic. In applying to Christ, we must be very pressing and urgent; that is an evidence of faith, and is very pleasing to Christ, and prevailing with him. Give us, Lord, the same kind of faith with respect to thy ability and willingness to heal our souls. Give us to desire the pardon of sin more than any earthly blessing, or life itself. Enable us to believe thy power to forgive sins; then will our souls cheerfully arise and go where thou pleasest.
Luke 5:18
And, behold, men brought in a bed a man which was taken with a palsy: and they sought means to bring him in, and to lay him before him.
Luke 5:19
And when they could not find by what way they might bring him in because of the multitude, they went upon the housetop, and let him down through the tiling with his couch into the midst before Jesus.
Luke 5:20
And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.
Luke 5:21
And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?
Luke 5:22
But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answering said unto them, What reason ye in your hearts?
Luke 5:23
Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Rise up and walk?
Luke 5:24
But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house.
Luke 5:25
And immediately he rose up before them, and took up that whereon he lay, and departed to his own house, glorifying God.
Luke 5:26
And they were all amazed, and they glorified God, and were filled with fear, saying, We have seen strange things to day.
Luke 5:27
And after these things he went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, Follow me.
5:27-39 It was a wonder of Christ's grace, that he would call a publican to be his disciple and follower. It was a wonder of his grace, that the call was made so effectual. It was a wonder of his grace, that he came to call sinners to repentance, and to assure them of pardon. It was a wonder of his grace, that he so patiently bore the contradiction of sinners against himself and his disciples. It was a wonder of his grace, that he fixed the services of his disciples according to their strength and standing. The Lord trains up his people gradually for the trials allotted them; we should copy his example in dealing with the weak in faith, or the tempted believer.
Luke 5:28
And he left all, rose up, and followed him.
Luke 5:29
And Levi made him a great feast in his own house: and there was a great company of publicans and of others that sat down with them.
Luke 5:30
But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners?
Luke 5:31
And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick.
Luke 5:32
I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
Luke 5:33
And they said unto him, Why do the disciples of John fast often, and make prayers, and likewise the disciples of the Pharisees; but thine eat and drink?
Luke 5:34
And he said unto them, Can ye make the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them?
Luke 5:35
But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.
Luke 5:36
And he spake also a parable unto them; No man putteth a piece of a new garment upon an old; if otherwise, then both the new maketh a rent, and the piece that was taken out of the new agreeth not with the old.
Luke 5:37
And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish.
Luke 5:38
But new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved.
Luke 5:39
No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better.