UNA GIORNATA NEL MINISTERO DI GESÙ. Approfondimento della lezione della Scuola del Sabato numero 2 – III trimestre 2024 con Mariarosa Cavalieri, Mirela Pascu e Nino Plano Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-h81LOmSRc
Giobbe 22:21 – Lunedì 8 luglio 2024
“Riconciliati dunque con Dio; avrai pace, ti sarà resa la prosperità”. Giobbe 22:21 Meditazione giornaliera “Apri la porta del tuo cuore”. Rubrica a cura di Anna Cupertino. Speaker: Abigail Grace Miguel Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2d2h_QKaHwU
Luke – The Savior We Need
This week we looked to wrap up our Mosaic series by looking at Jesus as the savior of the world and His desire to redeem us. We will be looking at chapter 4 and…Source: https://vimeo.com/980166272
How the Complete Gospel Brought Complete Healing to the Leper
I must admit, while I hated Covid and everything about it, there were some things I rather enjoyed about the temporary shutdown.
I enjoyed giving Bible studies at home on the phone in my pajamas. I enjoyed Sabbath mornings, relaxing with my Bible and having a nice big breakfast before meeting everyone on Zoom for church. I enjoyed the fact that while we did church on Zoom, old friends from around the world could join us. I even got to speak at my old church in Texas on Zoom, and a retired pastor in Texas who used to be at one of my current churches in Florida, got to be our guest speaker on Zoom.
I even learned I knew how to cook. However, when the restaurants opened back up, I seemed to have forgotten I knew how to cook. I enjoyed all the miles I saved on my car, working from home. Being an introvert, (My friends find this hard to believe but yes, I am an introvert.) I enjoyed having more time to read and write and just think and ponder life. I actually would not mind another shutdown every now and then, just without the Covid!
Image © Pacific Press at Goodsalt.com
But as introverted as I may be, I missed people! A single friend who lives alone like I do, mentioned to me on the phone how long it had been since she had been hugged. She said at least people stuck at home with their families can touch and hug each other. For her, though, there was no human touch. For me neither. Human touch is important. As a matter of fact, I believe that is why Satan has so masterfully made inappropriate touching such a problem today. Now people are scared to touch someone even appropriately, and by this Satan has a double win. Bad people are touching others inappropriately and good people aren’t even touching others appropriately, for fear their motives will be misconstrued. But appropriate touch is still so vitally important. Take the story of Jesus healing the leper for example.
Now a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.” Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.” As soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed. Mark 1:40-42 NKJV
We all know in the Bible leprosy can be symbolic of sin. I love the fact that while some of our prayers may seem to have a delay in being answered not so the prayer to be made clean. As soon as the request was made for being cleansed, the leper was immediately cleansed. This tells me that when I ask for forgiveness and the moral cleansing referred to in 1 John 1:9 that there is no delay. I am immediately forgiven and cleansed.
But back to my point about how important appropriate touch is. Mark tells us Jesus touched the leper. Why? After all, He healed him with the words, “be cleansed,” so why did Jesus have to touch him? Because, while Jesus cleansed the leprosy with His words, He healed the loneliness with His hand. This man had been an outcast from society and even his own home. He needed more than just physical healing. He needed emotional healing. He needed to be healed from loneliness. Words can heal leprosy, but human touch cures loneliness.
When it comes to sharing the Gospel, many people want to drop a piece of literature on someone’s doorstep and run away before the person opens the door, so they don’t have to talk to them. But the Gospel heals us completely. The Gospel not only gives us amazing facts, but it also gives us amazing relationships. The Gospel takes away our sins, but it also takes away our loneliness. This means mingling with people instead of just throwing Bible facts at them and running away. And get this, while some people complain some Bible study groups and even Sabbath school classes have to much food and refreshments instead of just studying the Bible, the complete Gospel provides both spiritual food and physical food. The complete Gospel fills the mind, the heart and the stomach! The complete Gospel makes us complete spiritually, physically and emotionally. This is why many Bible study growth groups have refreshments after the deep Bible study. This gives the teacher the opportunity to teach and fellowship with the group so he/she can get to bond with everyone.
A while back a friend from Florida moved to another state for a couple of years and then moved back to Florida. When she came back, I asked how she liked where she just moved from. She said, “Everyone was friendly, but nobody wanted to be your friend.” I thought wow, that could describe some of our churches. Everyone smiles at you but as soon as church is over, they all want to run home to be alone. I have often said, you can’t tell how friendly a church is on Sabbath. You can tell how friendly a church is during the week. Smiles and greetings on Sabbath mean absolutely nothing if we ignore each other during the week. That is why its only during the week that you can tell how friendly a church or Sabbath school class is. Our Sabbath Schools classes and Bible study groups are designed to do way more than present a Gospel that just saves you from sin. If that were the case we could all just study our Bible alone and have church by ourselves at home. Our Sabbath School classes and Bible study groups are to present a Gospel that saves the sinner from sin and loneliness.
In the story of Jesus healing the leper, we see that the Gospel cleanses us and makes us whole, spiritually, physically and emotionally.
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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/how-the-complete-gospel-brought-complete-healing-to-the-leper/
Lesson 2.A Day in the Ministry of Jesus | 2.2 An Unforgettable Worship Service | THE BOOK OF MARK | LIVING FAITH
2.2 An Unforgettable Worship Service
Jesus’ Power Revealed: An Unforgettable Sabbath in Capernaum
Read Mark 1:21–28. What unforgettable event took place in the synagogue of Capernaum, and what spiritual lessons can we draw from this account?
In Mark 1:21–28, we read about an unforgettable event in the synagogue of Capernaum. Jesus taught there with an authority that astonished the people because they recognized it as true power, unlike the scribes. During his teaching, he confronted a man possessed by a demon, who cried out, “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” (v. 24). Jesus commanded the demon to be silent and come out of the man, which it did.
Spiritual Lessons from This Account:
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The Authority of Jesus:
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Spiritual Lesson: Jesus taught not only with words but with an authority that people immediately recognized. This shows that his message and power were of divine origin. This authority made his ministry unforgettable and powerful.
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Application in Daily Life: Do we recognize the authority of Jesus in our lives and let his teachings guide our actions and decisions? His word should hold the highest authority in our lives, more than human opinions or traditions.
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Recognition of the Holy:
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Spiritual Lesson: The demon recognized Jesus as “the Holy One of God.” This highlights the spiritual reality of the battle between good and evil. While people might still be unsure of who Jesus was, the demon immediately acknowledged his divine identity and power.
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Application in Daily Life: We should also recognize the presence and power of Jesus in our lives and trust him to protect us from evil influences. This strengthens our faith in his ability to lead and preserve us.
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The Great Battle:
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Spiritual Lesson: The confrontation between Jesus and the demon shows the ongoing battle between the forces of good and evil. In the sacred environment of the synagogue, this battle is particularly evident as the presence of Jesus challenges and overcomes the dark forces.
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Application in Daily Life: We should be aware of the spiritual battles happening around us and within ourselves. Through prayer, Bible study, and fellowship with other believers, we can remain spiritually strong and face these challenges.
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The “Messianic Secret”:
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Spiritual Lesson: Jesus commanded the demon to be silent, pointing to the so-called “Messianic Secret.” Jesus did not want his true identity to be revealed prematurely as this could cause political and social unrest. This restraint shows Jesus’ strategic approach in his earthly ministry.
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Application in Daily Life: Sometimes it is wise not to share everything about our faith immediately but to proceed sensitively and strategically. It’s about finding the right time and place to convey deeper truths.
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The Reaction of the People:
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Spiritual Lesson: The people were amazed and began to question what this meant. The revelation of Jesus’ power and identity challenged them to consider who Jesus is and what his coming meant for their own lives.
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Application in Daily Life: We should regularly reflect on who Jesus is for us and how his teachings influence our lives. This reflection helps us deepen our faith and strengthen our relationship with Jesus.
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Application in Daily Life:
This event challenges us to acknowledge the authority of Jesus in our own lives. It reminds us that Jesus has the power to teach, heal, and deliver even today. The question of how we respond to his identity and teachings remains central to our faith. We are invited, like the people in Capernaum, to be surprised and transformed by his presence and power.
When Would It Be Wise Not to Share Everything We Believe About the “Present Truth”?
There are situations where it might be wise not to immediately share everything we believe about the “present truth” in our witness to others. Here are some of these situations and the reasons why:
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Lack of Understanding and Maturity of the Other Person:
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Explanation: If the person we are speaking to is new to the faith or has little biblical knowledge, an overload of information could overwhelm or confuse them. It is often better to start with the basics and tailor the conversation to the person’s current level of understanding.
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Prejudices and Resistances:
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Explanation: People often have prejudices or resistances toward certain aspects of faith. If we immediately address complex or controversial topics, these defense mechanisms might be reinforced. It is wiser to build trust and an open communication basis before delving into deeper topics.
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Limited Time and Attention:
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Explanation: In many conversations, especially in unplanned or informal encounters, time is limited. It is therefore advisable to focus on a central message that can be easily understood and conveyed in a short time.
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Sensitivity and Context:
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Explanation: In certain cultural or social contexts, some topics might be inappropriate or sensitive. It is important to consider the context and feelings of the other person and to lead the conversation accordingly.
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Building Relationships:
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Explanation: Witnessing is often a process based on relationships. It is more important to build a long-term relationship where deeper truths can be shared gradually rather than trying to convey everything at once and risking the relationship.
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Examples of a Wise Approach:
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Starting with Personal Experiences: Share personal experiences and how faith has changed your life. This is often more accessible and less confrontational.
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Focusing on Central Messages: Begin with central aspects of the gospel such as love, forgiveness, and hope in Christ, which are universally appealing.
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Addressing Questions and Interests: Listen carefully to what interests or concerns the other person. Answer questions and guide the conversation in the direction the other person indicates.
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Gradually Introducing Deeper Truths: If interest grows, you can gradually introduce deeper and more complex truths, always in dialogue and with sensitivity to the other person’s reactions.
Conclusion:
Wisdom in witnessing means finding the right balance between truth and love. It is about sharing the truth in a way that is accessible and understandable to the other person. By tuning into the needs and context of the other person, we can more effectively bear witness and sow the seeds of the gospel on fertile ground.
In Mark 1:21–28, we experience a Sabbath in the synagogue of Capernaum that becomes unforgettable through Jesus’ teaching and actions. This event offers valuable spiritual lessons that can play a significant role in our daily lives and faith.
Spiritual Lessons and Their Application in Daily Life:
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The Authority of Jesus:
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Spiritual Lesson: Jesus taught with an authority that people immediately recognized, in contrast to the scribes. This shows that his message and power are of divine origin.
-
Application in Daily Life: Do we recognize the authority of Jesus in our lives and let his teachings guide our actions and decisions? His word should hold the highest authority in our lives, more than human opinions or traditions.
-
-
Recognition of the Holy:
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Spiritual Lesson: The demon recognized Jesus as “the Holy One of God.” This underscores the spiritual battle between good and evil and the power of Jesus over darkness.
-
Application in Daily Life: We should also recognize the presence and power of Jesus in our lives and trust him to protect us from evil influences. This strengthens our faith in his ability to lead and preserve us.
-
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The Great Battle:
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Spiritual Lesson: The confrontation between Jesus and the demon shows the ongoing battle between the forces of good and evil.
-
Application in Daily Life: We should be aware of the spiritual battles happening around us and within ourselves. Through prayer, Bible study, and fellowship with other believers, we can remain spiritually strong and face these challenges.
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The “Messianic Secret”:
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Spiritual Lesson: Jesus commanded the demon to be silent to avoid revealing his identity prematurely. This shows Jesus’ strategic approach and his control over the revelation of his mission.
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Application in Daily Life: Sometimes it is wise not to share everything about our faith immediately but to proceed sensitively and strategically. It’s about finding the right time and place to convey deeper truths.
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The Reaction of the People:
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Spiritual Lesson: The people were amazed and began to question who Jesus is and what his coming meant for them.
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Application in Daily Life: We should regularly reflect on who Jesus is for us and how his teachings influence our lives. This reflection helps us deepen our faith and strengthen our relationship with Jesus.
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Practical Application and Daily Relevance:
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Trust in Jesus’ Power: Believe in the power of Jesus to heal and deliver even today. This can provide us with comfort and hope in difficult times.
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Wise Witnessing: Share your faith with others in a way that is understandable and accessible. Tailor your testimony to the needs and understanding of the other person.
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Spiritual Vigilance: Be aware of the spiritual battles and stay strong through prayer and fellowship. Seek God’s presence regularly to remain firm in your spiritual journey.
