LUKE & JOHN

What a wonderful day we had yesterday at Church.  God was so good to us and every ministry had increase.  We are so pleased to see the hand of God working in our midst.  Today, I'm in Luke and John.  Here are a few truths I would like to share: 1) FAITH TO FORGIVE- In Luke 17:4, Jesus said:  And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him."  And as a response to that teaching, the disciples said in verse 5:  "And the apostles said unto the LORD, Increase our faith."  They needed more faith to forgive!  Many times we need the same.  Faith to forgive because Christ commanded it, then because Christ illustrated it (by forgiving us).  Let us learn to forgive freely and if need be.... ask for more faith to forgive! 2) HEALED OR WHOLE?  In Luke 17:12-19, we have ten lepers who come to Jesus crying out for healing.  They are all sent their way to the priest to be declared healed.  As they walk in faith to see the priest, they are healed along the way.  One of them comes back and glorifies God in a loud voice and praises the LORD.  Jesus asks in verse 17:  "Where there not ten cleansed?  but where are the nine?"  Only one came back to praise and glorify God.  In verse 19, Jesus said:  "Arise, go thy way:  thy faith hath made thee whole."   Now, he was already healed before he came back to praise and thank Jesus, but since he came back, Jesus said that he was "whole".  We should desire to be "whole", not just "healed".  Serving, not just Saved.  3) TARRY, TIME, AND TRANSFORMATION- Luke 24:49 gives the apostles these three commands:  "...but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until (the time) ye be endued with power from on high." (the transformation)  4) HUMILITY- John 3:30- "He must increase, but I must decrease."   John the Baptist had an attitude we too must possess.  We must exalt the Lord Jesus Christ, and humble ourselves in His presence.  Humility always exalts the Savior as we lower ourselves.  It is not just the lowering of self, it is the exaltation of Christ!  True humility, lowers ourselves in our own eyes, and raises ourselves in God's eyes.  He exalts he who humbles.  The way up is down.  Lower yourself, and lift up the Savior.  He in turn, raises you up! 5) GROWTH TO FAITH- John 9, we have a man born blind.  He is healed by Jesus, and then begins a journey of growth to faith.  Notice the growth in faith: a. "A man that is called Jesus"  vs. 11 b. "He is a prophet."  vs. 17 c. "will ye also be his disciples?"  vs. 27 d. "If this man were not of God, he could do nothing."  vs. 33 e. "Thou has both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee.  And he said, LORD, I believe."  vs. 37,38 **He grew in his faith, and so can we.  We have faith to be saved, and then faith to trust, and then faith to serve.  Keep your faith growing! Hope you have a very blessed day!  Pastor Mike Mutchler